Cover Image: The New House

The New House

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Member Reviews

This is the first book I've read by Tess Stimson, and on the strength of it I'm keen to check out her back catalogue.

The story concerns three couples involved in a property chain. Well-known daytime tv presenter Stacey and her husband Felix are selling the iconic Glass House; heart surgeon Millie is desperate to buy it; vlogger Harper meanwhile has her heart set on Millie and Tom's house. The house chain, though, isn't really key to the plot but a means of putting these three couples - Stacey and Felix, Millie and Tom, Harper and Kyle - into each other's orbits, along with their various children. Kyle doesn't feature much, but the rest all have significant roles to play.

Millie (real name Amelia, though it's only mentioned once) is a self-described psychopath, but one who has learned to live successfully in the world. Given what we learn about her past, it's hardly surprising she has issues relating to others. In the words of husband Tom, "Even as a kid, Millie threw up walls to keep people out, then dug a moat around them and filled it with Greek fire and barbed wire for good measure".

At first this seemed a bit like Samantha Downing's My Lovely Wife, but the story soon went in a different direction. It's really best not to say too much, though.

We see events from various different viewpoints, and interspersed throughout are excerpts from a talk given by a person whose identity is unknown until the end, about their experiences of living as a psychopath.

It's a very intriguing and compelling read with a lot of twists and turns and which goes to some dark places. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending - but it's undoubtedly memorable.

Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy and provide an honest review.

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Three couples. Three houses. One home to die for…

-Stacey and Felix are the glamorous owners of the stylish, modern Glass House, Now they’re downsizing, but Stacey can’t sell to just anyone. She needs the right buyer, who will keep her secrets.
-Millie and Tom have always imagined living in the Glass House. But are the house and its charming owners all they seem?
-Harper and Kyle are moving up in the world. They need a new house, Millie and Tom’s is perfect. It’ll take every penny they have, and more, but it’ll be worth it. Won’t it?
When one of the sales falls through, how far will someone go to get everything they’ve always wanted?

I first thought this book would be focused mainly around a fight over property, but it is sooo much more than that!
This book is jam packed with lies & deceit, taking you on a twisted ride, right up until the very last page!
The characters are dark & untrustworthy and each have their own secrets, making you wonder just who is sincere.

The story is told from multiple POV’s and although it works, I did sometimes have to skip back to remember who was who.
There are also some disturbing descriptions in regards to domestic violence that may trigger some people.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and I was pleasantly surprised that there was so much more to it, than what I was expecting.
This book is available early August - keep your eyes peeled!!!

Thankyou @tessstimson , @netgalley & @avonbooksuk for this ARC copy.

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This is my first book by this author and won't be my last!

There is so much more to this story than originally meets the eye, psychopathy and domestic abuse to start. The synopsis doesn't do this book justice. This was a dark and twisty thriller which had me tearing through the pages.

The story alternates between different POV’s and what starts as a simple house purchase quickly turns into a catastrophic chain of events. These characters aren't all as they appear. I found some very intriguing.

If you enjoy true crime stories, I believe you will really enjoy this book. I can't wait to read more from this author!
4/5 stars!

A huge thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

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It's a book that gives a disturbing insight into the life of three different families. All have their own problems and they come to light when each family is interested in getting a new house. It all ends in The Glass House.

Short chapters, fast paced scenes, and shifting between different characters from which we, the readers, look at the story are just a few things that kept me going. There were lots of twists and turns and there were even some jaw dropping moments as well! I just couldn't put it down. The ending had me shocked as well - didn't see that one coming at all!

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This isn’t the first Tess Simpson book I’ve read but it’s certainly the best. Chilling & “unputdownable”. So twisty, so juicy & it gets way out there while keeping your attention in a vise!! If this is your type book then don’t hesitate. Get it today. Though you’ll get nothing done until we reach its conclusion. Happy Reading!

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Oh wow! I really didn’t expect this book to go down how it did at all! Like… I’m kind of speechless and although I might wish some choices made by the characters ended differently than they did, this was a really good and suspenseful book!

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The New House is a gripping, can't-put-down, dark thriller. The story is quite unique and the author does a great job with the varying POVs (although, there is definitely a main POV and then side POVs). In simple terms, the book is about the chain of selling a house - Millie and Tom are buying the Glass House from Stacey and Felix; Harper and Kyle are buying Millie and Tom's house, since they're buying the Glass House. However, this book is anything but simple. It is tense, dark, and disturbing. The characters, while not necessarily likable, are well-developed, and the pacing of the book is well-done. The look into the lives of psychopaths is extremely interesting and thought-provoking. However, with that said, the reader needs to know that since this book does focus on psychopathy, there will be some quite disturbing references, which could be triggering for some readers. In particular, there are several (somewhat detailed) references of animal cruelty. Overall, the book is well-written and well-researched, and it achieves the goal of "can't-put-down", "need-to-finish" thriller!

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This is well written and builds up the tension nicely. The main character is an (almost) normally functioning psychopathic woman who is a surgeon. She has a son and recognizes these traits in her son. Her devoted husband refuses to accept this, with tragic results. The glass house scenario involves two other couples who both have problems which she tries to help with. However, it does not end well. It is twisty and a little bizarre in its subject matter,

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This will probably be one of my favorite books this year. An absolutely thrilling, fascinating ride that really got under my skin.

Synopsis: Millie and Tom have discovered the perfect home, the glass house. They will do anything to get it. Harper and Kyle feel overjoyed when Millie and Tom’s house is ready to be sold. When Millie meets the owner of the glass house she becomes obsessed with the owner, Stacey. Something isn’t quite right with the relationship between Stacey and Felix.

This was an addictive joy-ride that never got boring. The story alternates between different POV’s and I found all the characters intriguing and real. There are also chapters where one character (we don’t know who) describes his/her life as a psychopath, and it is utterly convincing. Even if the story feels like it never could happen in real life, you feel that if it actually happened, you would believe it was possible. The story keeps you at the edge of your seat, and the writing style really appealed to me. I am sure the author has used a lot of time to research psychopathy and heart surgery, which only makes me respect the book more. The new house would make a great movie, with its original plot and fast pace.

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Now this is a fun, twisted, dark one!

Who knew wanting to buy a house could become so sinister? In this book, sinister is the word as couple #1 plans to sell their house, couple #2 plans to buy it, and couple #3 plans to buy the house that couple #2 will be vacating. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and murder is on the menu.

The less you know, the better. This was such an enjoyable read, written phenomenally by Tess Stimson. If you’re into psychotic characters, fun surprises, dark and morbid humor, and a deliciously dark plot, this one's for you.

4.5 stars

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/4/22.

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I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Probably the best thriller I’ve read this year. Truly the War of the Psychopaths- I’ll be going back to check out this author’s back catalog and make her an automatic request. Easy five

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Three couples are looking to buy the same house, the Glass House in Fulham. The house belongs to a couple named Stacey and Felix who are downsizing and are looking for the right buyer.

Millie and Tom have been married for nineteen years. They both have a teenage daughter Medusa and Peter who’s ten.

Millie has a habit of breaking into other people's houses though she never takes anything they’ll miss.

Harper a social media influencer and her husband Kyle are moving up in the world. As such, they would need a bigger house and give their children the start in life they never had.

How far are the couples willing to go to land their new home?

Overall an interesting read. Would recommend

Thank you to Tess Stimson, NetGalley, and Avon for the arc of this book.

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This is a very clever, well constructed and pacy read. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down - the writing style was very effective and the story kept me gripped til the end! Many thanks!

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. Wow, what a dark thriller full of twists. I could kind of anticipate where the story was going and then it would twist again! I didn’t expect the reveal at the end at all. I will be looking for more by this author.

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𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬...𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬--𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

This book is so much more than what the blurb suggests, three couples fighting over a house. Instead, this book was a razor sharp character study into psychopathy that was just brilliant in its execution. I was riveted from the first page, and there were no lags, no filler; every detail was placed with a surgeon's meticulous care. With six main characters, it would be easy to dislike at least one or feel that their point of view didn't add anything to the story, but that is absolutely not the case here. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Publishing for my early read. THE NEW HOUSE will publish October 25, 2022.

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A really good read my first by this author but it won't be my last.
Stacey &Felix,Millie&Tom and Tyler&Harper want to buy each others houses but when one sale fals through how far will they go to get what they've always wanted.
3 couples 3 Houses 1 home to die for.
Plenty of twists and turns had me gripped.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.

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I'm a fan of Tess Stimson and this book certainly did not disappoint. Great story that was extremely well written. Highly recommended.

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This book kept me hooked from the beginning! It was twisty and I loved that it was told from multiple POVs!

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I love a good suspense thriller book and this one didn’t not disappoint! Loved the twists and turns amongst the characters and the story! Definitely a beach read!

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I have no doubt that this will be one of the best books I read all year!!! How have I never come across any of Tess Stimsons books before is just beyond me. It's absolutely everything that you'd want from a perfect thriller/ domestic noir. It's dark, it's realistic, it's thought provoking. It absolutely shallows you whole and then spits you out once it's done woth you. These are the kinds of amazing books that get turned into films and TV series and for very good reason. It is the pinnacle of thriller writing. There are so many twists and turns, none of them are predictable or forced or cheesy. It's such an intelligently written book, full of developed, realistic, unique characters. The plot moves at a perfect pace, there's no dragging or boring chapters filled with pointless descriptive prose to ul the word count. Every second of this book is relevant and adds to the narrative. I dont even know how to explain how amazing this book is. Its been such a ling time since I have come across a book that is this captivating and I'm just sad I can't start it all over. A must read

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