DNF'd @ 15%

I thought I was going to love this but I just ended up feeling lost with no clue what was going on. The idea of this sounded great but it didn't work for me. Thanks anyway, NetGalley.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan- Tor/Forge and Tor Nightfire in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warning: Talk of suicide, kidnapping, child abuse and neglect.

For me, THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET has a very similar reading experience to Shirley Jackson's WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN A CASTLE. So if you liked Jackson's novel, you'll most likely really enjoy this one. They're horror novels that nothing really happens in, there are no jump scares, or salacious moments that trigger your fight-or-flight response as a reader. THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET becomes horrifying once readers are allowed to know the truth.

On the surface, this is a novel about a recluse living in a boarded up house with his cat and teenage daughter. It's a town that had been in the papers years ago for a young girl that went missing while vacationing with her family never to be found. Narrated from various points of view, readers are introduced to these characters and are tasked with trying to determine which narrator (if any) can be trusted.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ward threw in a twist I wasn't expecting. And then once I thought I knew what was going on this time, another twist was thrown in. The best part about Ward's writing is that at the end, once all is revealed, as a reader you can look back at the earlier parts of the novel and realize that the truth was staring you in the face, you just didn't fully realize it.

This book didn't scare me, but it did creep me out once I knew fully what was going on. I thought the plot twists were expertly executed and kept me engaged despite the slow pace of the storyline.

Well—that was not what I was expecting at all. I thought the reveals and shifts in perspective were handled very well—I was able to keep up with everything fairly easily. I would’ve liked to spend more time with Dark Olivia—she was fascinating. Overall, this was a remarkable way to introduce the audience to this incredible phenomenon. I really appreciated the author’s note at the end explaining why and how she wrote this book.

The description pulled me in, but sadly, this one missed the mark for me. I know I'm in the minority, as there are many positive reviews. However, I found it difficult to engage with, and I struggled throughout the entire book. I found it confusing at many points, and the big reveal wasn't as shocking as I'd hoped. This is one of my favorite genres to read, but I just couldn't connect with this book.

I LOVED this book! Halfway through and you think you've got the plot twist, and then WHAM there's more to come. There wasn't a chapter where I thought "oh no not this character's point of view again" - I loved them all and wanted to learn more and more as the story went on. Definitely recommending this one to all of our patrons!

This book had me absolutely engrossed from the very first chapter. The author builds nerve-jangling suspense while unrolling an intricate and oh-so-horrifying plot revolving around a man who is living a real nightmare. The blend of horror, fantasy, and mystery creates an atmosphere that I haven't felt since reading Stephen King's The Shining or Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House..

Fans of tightly plotted, intricate psychological suspense will thoroughly enjoy this one.

This is a perfect horror story, but so much more. Without including spoilers, let me just just say that, when you have finished this book, you will love sitting back and thinking about it as a whole. You will remember parts and say, “Oh yes, now I understand.”! There was a lot of gruesomeness in this book, which I did not care for, but is totally necessary to the book as a whole. If you are really bothered by gruesome details, this is not the book for you.

A missing girl, a man who drinks alone, a cat who reads the bible, and a girl looking for her missing sister. Four people who are all entwined with one another in this mystery, paranormal, horror-esque, thriller. The story is told through 4 POVs and is filled with interesting twists and turns. At first the story starts off a bit slow but by the end it’s at full pace. I was surprised by the twists and had fun reading this book. The main characters of the story include Lauren (a teenage girl who is forbidden from leaving the house and is the “daughter” of Ted), Ted ( a man who was abused as a child and loves his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia), Olivia is a cat who lives with Ted and reads the bible, and finally Dee, a woman who’s sister disappeared years ago and is on a mission to find her sister and the person who took her. The story starts off as a mystery of what happened to Dee’s missing sister and what has happened to said sister but unfurls into a deeper question of what has happened to Ted and there is definitely a paranormal aspect to the story. I thought it was interesting to include Olivia’s perspective and the story definitely gives off a “Behind Her Eyes” vibe. Each voice is distinct and the whole unfurling of what actually happened is interesting. Definitely a fun read and perfect for the upcoming spooky season!

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I am not sure why I requested access to this book as I avoid books that involve missing children. I did not read this but my daughter did and said it was a great book but definitely not something I would enjoy reading. In fairness to the author I will not post anything on Goodreads as I did not finish this book.

This was an emotionally very difficult read for me. As a pediatric healthcare worker, I was able to pick up on the real story very early on... but NO SPOILERS. The Last House on Needless Street reads like atmospheric gothic horror, like true crime, and like a dream. If you are looking for a horror read, this book is for you. If you are looking for a crime or psychological thriller, this book is for you. If you are looking for a medical thriller, take a chance on this book. For those looking for happy endings, you will not find it here... but you may find hope in the face of extreme suffering. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge/Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Overall I thought this book was just ok. I really tried to like it. I enjoy wierd books usually. I just didn't like the man who was one of the main characters.

I'm a huge fan of horror, but I wasn't ready for this. The Last House on Needless Street is dark, horrific, terrifying and heartbreakingly sad. It takes a while to get started with this book because the timeline is confusing, but it's impossible to put down. I thought I had figured out what was going on with Ted, his daughter, Lauren, and his cat, Olive, but I was way off. The truth of everything is so much more than I could ever have imagined. Content warning for child abuse.

This was absolutely remarkable from start to finish. Really surprised me at times and felt so tender at moments, too, where horror often isn't, especially to specific types of people. I shouldn't say too much bc spoilers but just, excellent job.

Wow, this book! First of all, the gushing quote by Stephen King, one of our most respected horror writers in existence, made me want to start this book immediately. Start it I did, and I finished it in one day.

This book is not what it seems. The description of the book is correct and true; but there is so much more to this story. The "twist" is epic, and completely changes everything you just read.

But this is not an ordinary horror story. This story is about humans, and the human condition, and the challenges we are faced with, and how they present to others. And also about how we see ourselves.

I can't say anything else without spoiling the entire book. But trust me when I say that this book is one you will not forget.

TW: Animal abuse, severe and graphic child abuse, missing child.

I did not finish this novel. I read to the half way point and I was still as clueless as I was in the beginning. It started to become a chore so I decided not to finish it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I don't know how to talk about this without spoiling it for anyone that hasn't read it. The book description merely scratches the surface of what the book is really about. I wouldn't categorize this as a horror but more a darker fiction that is told from the POV of four characters. Each chapter really explores both the physicality and the thought processes of each character from whose POV it is told. At the start of the book, we know two things: 1) a young girl has gone missing while enjoying the day at the lake with her family, and 2) a man named Ted lives in the house he grew up in and is basically a recluse with mental health issues. I cannot say anymore without fear of ruining it!

I usually pride myself in figuring out a book's "twist" before the author reveals it. To be honest, I had two theories about one of the "twists" and one of them them turned out to be right! There was another twist I didn't see coming at all though which made this book even more enjoyable. This is a creative, well thought-out and quick (yet not easy in terms of its themes) read!

A serial killer lives inside the last house on Needless Street. Or does he? What secrets lie buried in the forest? Forget what you think you know and understand. Things are not as they seem.

Meet Ted.

The Last House on Needless Street is absolutely worth the hype! It is a very dark and uncomfortable read, one that forced me to put it down many times in order to decompress. All of the little hairs on my arms stood to attention throughout this book. I thought that I knew where the plot was headed, but then it took some clever turns, tricking my astute thriller mind. But alas! It did end up MOSTLY where I thought it would. That is not to say that all readers will figure out the twists because Ward does a fabulous job making you think one thing, when it’s actually another. There are multiple unreliable narrators (one is even a cat!) that will mess with your sense of time and place. My favorite character is Olivia, the afore mentioned cat, whose mantra is “If you don’t like what is happening, go back to sleep until it stops.” I loved this book because Ward does a fantastic job making the reader sympathize with Ted and Dee’s complex pasts, while also frightening at the same time. Additionally, I appreciated the Afterward, as it really enhanced my understanding in how this book came to fruition and it’s purpose.

That’s it. No spoilers here!

Will this book make you uncomfortable? YES!
Will it mess with your mind? YES!
Will you love it? YES!

*Trigger alerts - some animal cruelty, abuse, torture

5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC of The Last House on Needless Street in exchange for an honest review.

I was super thrilled to receive this ARC, because so many people were really hyping the book up. I’m sorry to say that it just didn’t work for me. The unreliable narrator just completely threw me and had me vacillating between confusion and boredom. The big reveal was just not at all worth all the build up. I do commend the author on an original plot. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan, Tor/Forge for this incredible and intense arc, The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward.

Okay..... ooookkkkaaaayyy... honestly ya'll, I'm having difficulties figuring out where to start with this book bc it literally led me in every direction possible and impossible alike. And, I mean that in a good way!

Meet Ted. Ted is quite strange. Not only does he eat really unique food combinations but his daily life/habits are quite questionable. He has a daughter named Lauren.... he also has a homosexual cat named Olivia. The living arrangements seem a little off, just not clear on where everybody spends their time. Definitely awkward... creepy.

The reader will have different narrators each chapter, Ted, sometimes Lauren, Olivia the cat... also Dee. Dee is an interesting character. She is searching for her little sister lulu who has been missing for some time. And all of this is connected but probably not at all in a way you might presume.

This story, horror story, is bizarre and full of secrets within secrets like those Russian wooden dolls... always more to see than meets the eye! I was completely shocked over and over again. I could have sworn I knew what was really going on and still, another twist and another turn!

This story truly speaks on survival and hope. The way a mind copes with fear and suffering. I highly recommend this read. It is truly unlike anything I've read before. Treat yourself to this mind bending ride this Halloween/fall season!

Expect this on Sept. 28th!

This has been one helluva year for horror. Maybe there’s something in the air, something in the water. Maybe the flaming dumpster fire that is the past couple of years has somehow concentrated all that consuming rage out there and distilled it into pure, undiluted creative excellence. Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart Is a Chainsaw, Chuck Wendig’s The Book of Accidents, Joe Lansdales’s Moon Lake, Hailey Piper’s Unfortunate Elements of My Anatomy—that’s just off the top of my head, the list goes on and on.

Which brings me to The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward. Ward has written a book so audacious, so original, so unnerving, that I want to shout about it to the world, or at least to the folks who read this blog. My problem is that due to the nature of the novel, I don’t really want to share anything about the plot at all. The Last House On Needless Street works best when you go in cold and let it worm its way under your skin and sink the claws in.

What am I willing to I tell you? This is a horror novel, make no mistake. Ward ratchets up the tension right from the beginning and plays your nerves like a virtuoso. The Last House On Needless Street begins with a young girl going missing, and it is stressful, particularly reading it as a parent.

I said it’s audacious a couple paragraphs back. Here’s what I meant. The novel has four, no five, main characters telling the story in alternating chapters, and every one of them is an unreliable narrator. That’s crazy, it should be impossible, and Ward pulls it off without breaking a sweat. Each character is distinct, with their own world view, their own language, their own (damaged) past. Oh, and one of them is a cat. This is a highwire act without a net, and every word of it works.

I said it’s a horror novel, and it is, but it’s more than that. Ward explores heartbreaking issues of abuse, mistreatment, family dynamics, and mental instability (I’m treading carefully here, to not give anything away), with compassion and understanding. All while never not keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The Last House On Needless Street drops on September 28th. This one is well worth a pre-order. I can’t wait to read what she writes next.