A mix of the present and ancient folklore makes for a domestic thriller like no other. A family moves to a village called Little Crake which is steeped in a dark history of the bubonic plague, a mysterious forest and an evil spirit (or two) that haunts it. The son disappears into the woods only to be discovered three days later traumatized and changed in many ways. The family must deal with this stranger in the house, a village with old ways and the evil in the woods.. I loved the concept of the book being told through the lens of diary entries and voice notes of different members of the family which gave the book more suspense and an authentic found footage feel. Overall, it was a quick, action-packed read. Very entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

I have read a few of this authors books now so I was happy to be accepted for this arc. This was full of suspense intrigue and paranormal superstitions.
I loved the format of diary entries and other means of telling the story really unique and I haven’t seen that done much in books. Really made me want to keep reading on.

Oh boy, I'm basically the first negative rating 😅
I really couldn't love the book, the format of diary excerpts wasn't the problem, I actually liked it, but reading everyone going on and on about the same thing every entry was just boring.
Most of the book consisted only of everyone being afraid of Noah, Aaron's drinking issues, Meera's anxiety and Uma being freaked out.
It felt like all of them were unreliable narrators and they gave no solid information.
The storyline was not engaging, and it all felt kind of tacky, to be honest.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

First of all, thanks to NetGalley giving me a chance to read this fantastic book!

I really enjoyed the first 94% of the book. The story is... let's say a little bit cliche, BUT the suspense was built super well. I couldn't stop reading. This book is absolutely a page turner. I really loved how every character developed. The elements of folklore is also a great bonus. I would say this book is good if you just want a break from heavy gory stuff. It's full on thriller, suspense, paranormal, cult-ish, folklore, and family love.

It's an easy read but not cheap. I would 100% recommend this book.

Ok, you may wonder why I didn't give 4 star. Well, the ending, I would say, happened too fast. Like in 30min everything just "BANG" ended way too quick. There are parts I felt like it didn't get talked about. But hey, still, if you can enjoy 94% of the book, it's stil a good book.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒖𝒔. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒚𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍. 𝑨𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒖𝒎 𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒘 𝒖𝒑.

I rarely dream about the books I've read, but I dreamed of this one last night, and it wasn't pleasant. Be aware that this book is labeled horror, not a thriller.

Told through a series of diary entries, text messages, drawings, and more, THE STRANGER IN OUR HOUSE is the story of Aaron and Meera Aiken who have moved with their two teens, Noah and Uma to the idyllic village of Little Crake. The village has a dark history, however, with its villagers quarantining themselves during the plague outbreak hundreds of years before, thereby sparing the lives of others. Rumors of a mass grave in the woods behind the Aiken property abound, and the local elementary school puts on a yearly play chronicling the villagers dying from the plague. It seems they are quite proud of this morbid part of their history.

The opening scene was so ominous, so expertly described, that only did I feel like I was there, I also felt like I was the parent. 15-year-old Noah has been missing for three days, and he's found in the woods, crammed into the hollow of a tree, covered in mud, with shallow cuts on his stomach. Aaron and Meera are just thankful to have their son back, so they tell themselves that Noah's strange behavior is attributed to shock, PTSD, or perhaps some hallucinogenic mushrooms he ate while lost in the woods. They would never allow themselves to think that what came back from the woods isn't their son.

I was invested from the first page, and I couldn't read this story fast enough. There are so many themes to unpack, and the author's notes at the end sent me on a late night deep dive, which I'm sure inspired my nightmare. Make sure to look up the Yorkshire legend of Gytrash, a black dog leading travelers away from their path.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for the early copy. This book will release February 6, 2023.

This novel was spooky and creepy and I am glad I read it in a few hours during the daytime!

Aaron and Meera need a change. They find a new cottage away from London, in a tiny village, Crake. Their teenage children, Noah and Uma are not impressed but Meera knows the family need this. Until one day, their son Noah, wanders alone into the woods. Days later, he is found but when he returns home, he isn't the same person and he becomes withdrawn or cruel. A wild and wicked tale then unfolds.

The suspense the author created kept me turning the pages and while I wasn't terrified, it was scary in places. The woods and folklore stories added to the eerie atmosphere, though I can't say more, save for spoilers. Another enjoyable novel by the author.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the gifted review copy.

Love this authors books but this one was just not for me at all,I think lots will enjoy it though and look forward to the authors next book

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

I'm not normally a fan of this writing style, diary or journal entries, but this was well done. It was spooky, mysterious, and gave me chills. I really enjoyed this story.

This was written in style that I have not read before it was written in diary entries it was unusual but I really enjoyed it. It was spooky and kept me on edge to the end. Would definitely recommend this especially if you are looking for something different.

This is a fantastic mystery/horror novel that delivers the chills and keeps you guessing until the end.

A teenager goes missing in the woods in a small country town but is found three days later. But as events start to unfold, the parents are convinced that the boy they found is not their son.

In this creepy story, a family is torn between their love for this boy and their fear of what they believe he has become. It's a great psychological thriller that will have you questioning what is real.

The characters are all fully realised and you can sympathize with them as things turn from the relief of having him home safe to the terrifying thought that something evil has come home with him, possessing him in ways that could put them all in danger.

This is one of those books that will captivate and fully engage you as you read and you'll want to keep reading to find out the ultimate truth of what this boy went through during those three days missing in the forest.

It's a white knuckled ride and I highly recommend it!

What would you do if your son became a stranger overnight?

Everything has fallen into place for the Aiken family. Tired of the city, Aaron and Meera relocate to the idyllic village of Little Crake along with their two children, Noah and Uma. The new cottage is the perfect new beginning for the family.

Until fifteen-year-old Noah wanders alone into the forest. For three days, a search party combs the woods. Aaron braces himself for the worst convinced his son is lost forever. Until he finds Noah alive, hiding in the hollow of a tree. It feels like a second chance.

But why doesn’t Noah remember those three days in the woods? And why are there strange cuts slashed across his torso? Why did he cover himself in mud and hide away in an old oak tree?

Once a studious and gentle boy, Noah becomes a troublemaker at school. He withdraws from his family, sleepwalks at night, and creates eerie sketches of Dark Valley Forest. Aaron tells himself that Noah just needs time to readjust. He’ll soon be himself again. But Meera believes otherwise. This new version of Noah is harsh and cruel—a complete stranger.

This is my third book in three months with a superstition angle. After being pleasantly surprised by them, I wanted to give another one a shot. I am very happy I did. If you’re into novels with a mix of suspense, psychology and the supernatural this will be a safe bet. The story is told from diary entries and voice notes. The events unfolds in real time and we see what happens from all the family members POV besides Noah. Denzil was adept at creating characters with different personalities that matched with their age and attitudes. I also liked the excerpts from the notes from the psychologist who treated Noah. The story flowed nicely along, without any unnecessary details. It was also well-written with metaphors matching the creepiness you felt when reading. The book also includes drawings made by Noah and it created a tense atmosphere. You could imagine acting like the characters did from the trauma they went through and their vulnerabilities.

The different threads were deftly tied together in the ending. It didn’t leave you wanting more. It was overall well worth my time and I’m happy requested the book.


Thanks to netgalley and victory editing negalley co-op for the arc in exchange for my honest review

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book pulls you in from the beginning. I was really into the story itself and the plot, but not a big fan of any of the characters at first, but they grew on me- aside from Aaron, who I found quite annoying and unlikeable all the way through. The beginning had too much showing and not enough telling, but overall I loved the subject of the story and the pacing was good throughout the rest of the book. Once it picked up, the flow was great and there was plenty of action. I liked the rich history of the legends that the characters were talking about. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and I thought it was a page-turner.

Aaron & Meera relocate their family from the busy city to a small, quiet village. With the hope that their teenage children, Noah and Uma, will benefit from the fresh air and peacefulness, they find the perfect cozy cottage near a beautiful forest.

Everything is going well for the Aiken family…until one day 15yr old Noah goes missing from the bus stop. After 3 days of searching, they find Noah, alive, covered in scratches and mud, hiding in a tree.

But Noah doesn’t come back the same loving boy he was. Aaron thinks Noah just needs therapy, Uma is terrified, and Meera swears that Noah isn’t her Noah anymore.

This book is full of family turmoil, secrets, and ancient village folklore. I liked the fact that the folklore is actually a real legend around the area. Written from the POV of snippets of different diaries, articles and books, I really enjoyed how it was written. I didn’t want to put this book down!!!

Always enjoy Sarah Denzil. This was a little different from her other novels that I’ve read. Somewhat magical, mystical and steeped in folklore. Loved the characters!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

My Review:
Enjoyed!!!! I have to say I have read many of this authors books and I found this one to be a little different than her other ones but in a good way. It starts off by finding a missing fifteen year old boy but when he comes home he is very different. He is definitely not the same person like he was when he got lost. It is told in multiple point of views and also gives off this paranormal vibe. It had this old folklore attached to as well. I normally do not read books like this but I actually found this story to be quite interesting even though it’s not typically my cup of tea. I also found it to be very well researched and fast paced. It kept me intrigued and wanting to find out more the whole entire time. I never knew what was going to happen next. Omg, that ending had me shocked and speechless. I did not see that one coming at all. This author is one of my favorites and I will definitely be reading more of her books.

In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️

This is the first book I read by Sarah A. Denzil but it sure wont be the last!
I absolutely loved The Stranger in Our House and can't wait to explore more of her books.

In this story we follow the Aiken family, who move from the busy city of London to a remote, picturesque cottage on the edge of the woods in rural England. Shortly after their move, their teenage son Noah goes missing for three days. The police is able to find Noah, hiding in a tree trunk covered in mud and cuts on his abdomen. When Noah returns home, everything is different. The sweet, carefree boy that got lost in the woods transformed into a dark, aggressive teenager who enjoys to cause harm and wreck havoc.

Maybe a liked this book so much because it has one of my pet peeves. It is a mixed media story. The story of the Aiken Family is told through dairy entries, tape recordings, phone recordings, news articles and medical reports. I am an absolute sucker for mixed media stories, when they are done right. And in this case, they absolutely are! The different media really contribute to the overall story arc and it gives inside to all the different characters.

I saw on net-galley that this book is classified as Thriller/Horror. And I can understand why. The whole story has an eery fibe and their is a lot of talk about possession, exorcism, etc. Not being a horror reader myself I was a little scared to dive into this story, because well scary stories and I, we don't fibe well together. But this wasn't horror at all. This was a wonderful combination of folk stories, creepy vibes, atmospheric forests and superstition.

I flew through this book in a couple of hours! This story is so gripping! I would highly recommend!

This one was creepy, suspenseful and engaging. I loved the fact that it told it's story in diary entries, letters, articles, pictures and much, much more. The last time I read a book like this didn't work out too well but this one nailed it. The only thing I can say is that although it definitely had the creepy factor, it could of done a little more with it. This was highly entertaining with the always enjoyable isolated setting. Three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC.

The Stranger in Our House by Sarah A. Denzil.
Tired of the city, Aaron and Meera relocate to the idyllic village of Little Crake along with their two children, Noah and Uma. The new cottage looks out over the many miles of woodland beyond. It’s a far cry from their cramped London apartment and the perfect fresh start. Until fifteen-year-old Noah wanders alone into the forest. For three days, a search party combs the woods. Aaron braces himself for the worst convinced his son is lost forever. Until he finds Noah alive, hiding in the hollow of a tree. It feels like a second chance.
A brilliant read. Creepy and eerie. I loved the illustrations. Spooky. Great story and characters. 5*.

I always find Sarah A. Denzils novels enjoyable and easy reads but I'll admit the format of The Stranger in Our House confused me at first.
As the story progressed I enjoyed the diary entries of the family members but did skim read the chapters relating to the history of the locality. It is relevant to the families situation but personally I just did not find it interesting and it did not impact my understanding.
The juxtaposition of the day to day lives of the Family and what is unfolding creates an atmospheric mood and I was continually pondering what was going to happen next. I thought this was particularly good towards the end of the novel.
Whilst the conclusion is not a 'twist' as such it is certainly hard hitting and leaves unanswered questions without being frustrating.

The second I downloaded this book, I stopped everything (including the book I was already reading) and got stuck right in! I am a massive fan of the author anyways so had hopes and I wasn't disappointed.

This book did feel very different to her others but it still had that same tension and suspenseful atmosphere. The book is written in multiple povs but through diary entries, voice notes and therapy sessions. It sounds odd but it actually works perfectly and flows a lot more cohesively than you might imagine. The effect that is created is giving a clear insight into the inner mindset of each character and what they're going through, what they think is happening and it really does give you such insight into who they are and why they're doing what they're doing. It also means you never quite know what's going on as each of the characters are so firmly rooted in their own reality and their own experience. Which is a very human thing. It highlights the difference that perspective makes and how our personal beliefs have dictate how each one of us will react, and its often very differently even though we're in the same situation. It's so cleverly written and just such an insight into the human experience! Which is strange considering its a book with strong folklore vibes but it really is brought into a modern setting seamlessly.

Through the 1st person accounts in the various formats you do get such clarity into who these people are and their fears and struggles are so relatable. That choice between trying to protect the ones you love hut without having any idea what you're protecting them from or how to even go about it combined with that sheer helplessness. You can't help but get drawn into the family and care what happens to them

So with that rambling aside, this book keeps up such a good pace. There is constantly things happening and the unsettling, creepy atmosphere is built throughout the book. There are twists and turns and you just have no idea what's going to happen next.... or what's already happened either since you don't know who's account to believe. It really does get under your skin and have your hair standing on end in parts, it's everyone's worst nightmare and taps into that tiny part of you that does wonder..... what if?!

I'd highly recommend!!