Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for this ARC.

Although this did take me quite awhile to really get into, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I loved how this author managed to create such an isolating, eerie setting which added so much to the overall gothic feeling of this book. It was definitely written in a unique way while still creating well developed characters. I love how this didn't try too hard for the shock value but still surprises you with it's conclusion. Four Stars.

The Blackhouse is following Robert as he moves his family to Scotland, partly to escape and try to fit in. But this proves harder than he originally thought it would.

We are also following Maggie, as he has always felt that there is something she is missing about herself. After she proclaimed that a man in Scotland was murdered at the age of 5, she was certain that something was different, Especially considering she had never met this man. But years later she decides that she wants to find out what is going on. But she is not prepared for what she will find out.

Overall, I had a fun time with this thriller and found it to be fast paced, twisty, and just an enjoyable time. I loved the vibes from the surrounding area that we were getting, and I am excited for others to get their hands on it!

Brrr! I cannot help myself! I’m shivering! This book is something unique ! It’s creepy, disturbing, breathtaking, claustrophobic!
You know some books scare the living daylights out of you so instead of burying your head into it, you want to put it down to hide under blankets till you gather your wits but you cannot stop reading it because you’re so hooked up, becoming addicted at each chapter, rooting for characters: yes, that’s exactly how I felt during my reading experience! I needed my blankets but I ignored to read more!

The portraits of tight knitted townies who are burden with something they cannot talk about were impressively well developed.

The layered, intense and vivid descriptions of the sightseeings make you close your eyes! You feel like you are already there. You shiver more, hearing the waves, seeing the black birds drawing circles above your head and seeing the blackhouse standing in front of you like a bleak vision of your worst nightmare.

Let’s give you more information about the plot and characters:

Maggie Mackay has a mission to return back to the remote village of Blairmore in Outer Hebrides! She’s haunted with nightmares connected with the place.

The first time she came here she was only five, screaming at townies that a man named Andrew MacNeil was drowned in the sea! No, he wasn’t just drowned. He was MURDERED! She knows she’s telling the truth because Andrew MacNeil was born for second time in her body! Yes, she’s product of incarnation!

She’s accompanied by her mother who is also a medium, believing in her daughter and TV crew to film the entire supernatural journey.
Of course the townies denied everything she’s said and sent them back!

But now her mother died. She had a horrifying episode at the crematorium. After being locked a psych ward, she barely controls her mood swings. She left her boyfriend and sacked from her writing gig.

She has nothing to lose, being ready to face her demons by returning back to the place where everything started.

As soon as she arrives, the hostility and unwelcoming attitudes of townies give her second thoughts. Somebody keeps watching her in the dark, stalking her each move.

Finally she finds out she is not losing her mind because a man was actually drowned at the sea. He changed his name as Robert and started a family at the island. That man was running away from his last because he has done something truly bad!

I’m stopping here not to blurt out much but I have to admit this is perfectly written psychological thriller with paranormal vibes.
I also enjoyed the blooming love story.

The ending was jaw dropping and breath taking.
I loved so many characters especially Charlie, Kelly were my favorites.

I think this is my favorite work of the author! Giving my intense, bleak, dark, perfectly claustrophobic stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Thanks Netgalley for a chance at this read!

Pros
*If you love atmospheric gothic vibes this is for you
*it will make you want to travel to Scotland
*i like the way the author made mental health not the identity of the main character but something they lived with and worked on

Cons
* this is on me but I thought this was going to be scary and I was not scared
*I was not convinced by the true love of this story. I wouldn’t fall in love because of someone’s forearms 😂

The Blackhouse is a delicious gothic mystery. Set in Kilmary Ireland, it is the story of a young woman who, at the age of 5, told about the murder of a man in a local village. This brought an onslaught of media and unwelcome attention.

As an adult she has come back and seeks to settle the mystery. Her reappearance is taken in many different ways by the villagers.

The details in this book make it very atmospheric with the land, the people, the mystery and some crazy weather.
I stayed up late reading this book;.

3.5 stars. A bit too slow-paced, but I did really enjoy the Scottish setting! The author is a wonderful writer and I loved the detailed descriptions included. Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC!

I absolutely loved everything about this psychological thriller!
The Blackhouse is beautifully written, exhilarating, twisty and dark.
A mind blowing, superb, clever blend of gothic thriller.
Johnstone knows how to grab her reader’s attention from the opening page and doesn’t let go.


“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Scribner,
Thank you for your generosity and gifting a copy of this approved eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Loved this book. Creepy and gothic. My two favorites. Very well written and an enjoyable read.
Definitely recommend this author!

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

Loved this creepy Gothic highland thriller! Definitely atmospheric with the author doing a create job with world building and creating believable characters. Liked this even more than her last book – this lady will definitely be an auto request moving forward!

I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It hooked me from the very beginning and kept me hooked the entire time.