4 stars

Another winner for Golden. His writing is always top notch.
This was a wonderful slow burn. Perfectly paced, and atmospheric. I loved the slow build up, as it added to the creep factor of this novel.

Tommy and Kate move to Italy from the US. They get a great deal on The House of Last Resort. Unbeknownst to them the church used to do major exorcisms there. Creepy stuff starts happening and they begin to worry.
This was an exciting read that had me on the edge of my seat. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released January 30, 2024!

I was intrigued by the cover and synopsis for this book, so I was excited to get an advance copy. The story hooked me from page one. I loved the mixture of horror and thriller, and the pacing of the novel was just right. I love haunted place stories, and this took that idea to a new level that was extremely unnerving and creepy. The setting was wonderful, and the timeline of events had me believing the characters motivations for staying and fighting. I definitely will be recommending this one.

3⭐️

Unfortunately this one was a dnf for me at 42%. The premise was intriguing a young American couple picks up to start a new life in Sicily when they discover a hidden room in their new house. It appears to be a chapel. When things start happening they believe the house might be haunted by ghosts.

For me this story was just too slow. Some creepy things happen, like screaming rats and it would pique my interest but then would lose steam quickly. Rinse and repeat, This just wasn't the story I was looking for.

I believe this book would really fit an audience who enjoy the creepy possibly haunted house vibes. Fans of gothic stories may also enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

Christopher Golden has created another chilling and unnerving horror tale with THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT, a demonic possession story that goes beyond the usual tried and true tropes and deconstructs some of the long standing themes in the sub genre. I loved the way that Golden incorporates themes of generational trauma, religious hardheadedness, and community secrets hidden while trying to prosper after a downswing. Golden also has some really scary imagery and moments in this book, bits that had me on the edge of my seat and texting my husband from across the house telling him how darn scary this book was. And I am someone who generally isn't too scared of demonic possession tales, so that really meant something to me as I read.

THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT is another solid and scary horror story from Christopher Golden. I recommend it to horror fans for sure, and even beyond genre enthusiasts.

It was a great read. Thought the who concept was pretty neat. I love me a good possession and old church vibes. Was slow and at some points was hard to continue on. Will read more future releases from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and SMP for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

At 44% this became a DNF for me. The premise sounded intriguing, and the beginning of the story was romantic, a young couple leaving the US behind for the chance of a lifetime starting a new life in Italy. It felt like I was missing the backstory of Tom and Kate, and there were things about their life in the US that would make what I was reading make more sense. i don't necessarily believe in ghosts and hauntings and when that started becoming a main part of the storyline, the author lost my attention. The House of Last Resort is a book outside my typical reading, so it's not surprising that this wasn't a hit for me. Fans of horror, ghosts, superstitions, old religion or Golden's other works are likely to enjoy this book more than I did and should give it a try.

3⭐️

Husband and wife Tommy and Kate move to Becchina, Italy after learning about an opportunity where they could buy an abandoned home for a euro as long as they put so much money into it. Becchina is the home of many of Tommy’s family who he hasn’t seen since he was a child and he was excited to reconnect. The couple are hopeful that they can get many of their other friends to move to Becchina as well and that they can turn it until a tourist location.

They soon learn the house they moved into had been owned by the church and was known as ‘The House of Last Resort” as it was where they sent people thought to be possessed. As they try to do more work on the house, more odd things begin to happen making then wonder if they made a mistake moving there.

This was a very slow read. At least the first 60-70% felt very repetitive and seemed to drag on. Once the story picked up, though, it was pretty interesting and I really liked the ending. I definitely liked the reveal of how they found out about the deal on the houses in town. And I loved the reveal of who all was connected to the history of the house and how much was being kept from Tommy and Kate.

There was something about the American Savior attitude of Tommy and Kate that really bothered me. Even though Becchina is where Tommy’s family was from, it felt more like they wanted to come to the town to immediately change it into a tourist spot. Like they hadn’t been there long at all before they were talking about updating the structure of the catacombs so they could take tours down there. Their plans and greed really overpowered any sympathy I might have had for them.

Thank you Netgalley and SMP for providing this ARC to me!

I really enjoyed this creepy read. A couple moves to Italy in order to deepen familial connections. But is their new house haunted. And if so, what do they want? Loved the creepy vibes

*Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a digital ARC of this one!*

I’m always up for ‘foreign location’ horror. I know that sounds funny, but horror set in Europe has centuries and centuries of history to utilize. If we look at horror set in Canada (where I’m from) we ultimately look back in time and end up with a history of… open plains and mountains. Which don’t get me wrong is also amazing, but not the same as when you’re going to read about a story based around religious mystery, which is the case with Golden’s newest release, ‘The House of Last Resort.’

Going in, I was intrigued with the set up, which I’ll go over in a minute, but also with the line in the synopsis discussing what it is they’ll find. And boy, did they find something that’ll have horror fans excited.

What I liked: The story follows husband and wife, Tommy and Kate. Tommy’s family is from a small Italian town, but after a falling out many years ago between his dad and grandpa, he’s not been back in years. That all changes when an opportunity arises. The town’s government is offering houses for $1, trying to entice foreigners to move in and help revitalize the town and the economy. There are stipulations – those who buy homes have to remain for a certain amount of time and agree to renovate the houses – but the thought of this exciting adventure is too much for Tommy and Kate to pass up, so they jump on it and move.

Once there, Golden wastes no time in starting to subtly share some ‘oddities.’ There’s a door in the house that they can’t open. Sounds happen. Presences are felt. An old woman down the road seems off. And when Tommy’s grandmother comes to see the house, she won’t step foot inside, visibly upset that this is the house they’ve purchased.

The creeps continue, even as Tommy and Kate settle into their new place and meet some other foreigners who’ve moved to the town. Soon, Kate finds the door is open, even though they didn’t get a key for it. And inside they find an entire section of the house that they weren’t even aware was there.

From here, Golden gives us a dread-infused look at the history of the house, and not long after, even more shocking events occur that ultimately test what it is that Tommy and Kate are willing to believe.

It’s hard to truly go into the details – because of the spoiler aspects – but we get some great revelations about the church’s involvement in the house, what its role was and ultimately what horrors happened within and below.

The final quarter of the book is a sprint, with the realtor becoming involved once again and the true nature of why many wanted Tommy to return to this small town. It sets off a string of events that all culminate in an ending that was spot on perfect, based on how Golden had set things up.

What I didn’t like: This is gonna be tough, as I want to remain spoiler free, but I think the thing that I noticed most was that nothing was ever fully expanded upon. Every time we learn new bits, the book continues on and we don’t get an exploration of it. When we find out what’s behind the door, it was amazing. They explore it, we get some great descriptions of the rooms and the walls etc… and then Tommy and Kate renovate it.

When we find out the truth behind what the house was used for, we get a horrified reaction from Tommy and Kate and then… we just move on. Don’t get me wrong, the pacing of the book was amazing, and I was hooked from the beginning, but we just kept trucking along.

Same with when they visit the catacombs below and look into it becoming a tourist location. Odd things are noted, strangeness abounds… and then they just start building.

And I will say, while I really liked the culmination of what happens and how the ending occurs, some folks may find it to be far too predictable, which would be fair.

Why you should buy this: At the end of the day, I think the thing to really keep in mind with this is that this is a big-press horror novel. So, while it gets dark and tensions rise, it’ll never go super extreme and most of the action remains surface-level without any real brutality or extremeness.

Saying that, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, highly-engaging religious horror novel where you want to root for Tommy and Kate and see them overcome both the fish-out-of-water aspect of moving to a different country, while also overcoming the horrors within their house, look no further. Golden’s a master at writing these immediately accessible characters and once again shows why he’s one of the leaders of the big publishing horror movement.

What a fantastic read! This author is a new discovery for me, and I'm already eager for more of their work in the future. The premise of this book had me hooked from the start, and I'm thrilled to say it lived up to my expectations. Despite the gradual build, the story's depth and payoff in the end made every moment worthwhile.

Enter Tommy and Kate, a couple embarking on an Italian adventure after snagging a seemingly unbeatable deal - an abandoned house for just one euro. However, the catch is a five-year stay and a hefty investment in renovations. As their excitement turns to unease, they uncover the peculiar history behind the house, leading to a cascade of strange events.

The author's descriptive writing style painted a vivid picture in my mind, perfectly capturing the eerie atmosphere of the setting - from the mysterious house to the catacombs and the haunting chapel. The entire ambiance was deliciously creepy.

For those who enjoy tales with an overall spine-chilling aura, featuring haunted houses, ghosts, poltergeists, demon possession, and enigmatic family secrets, this book is a must-read. The intricate storytelling and atmospheric writing make it a captivating journey into the unknown.

"The House of Last Resort was an atmospheric and gripping read. From start to finish the author pulled me into this story and I was flipping pages eager to solve the mystery.

Quite honestly I could see this book being made into a movie and doing very well. It contained everything I would expect from a well crafted Horror plotline. The story transitioned from eerie to creepy to horrific seamlessly.

If you're a fan of the Horror genre you will not want to miss out on this one in my opinion.

Thank you Christopher Golden, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book!

I am such a fan of Christopher Golden- if he writes it, I’m reading it! Thank you so much for sending me an early copy of this! I devoured this book- had me eager to find out what was happening and kept me super intrigued the whole time!

This book is now my entire personality.

I went to Italy in October and explored the crypts and catacombs there, so when I saw this book took place in Italy, in the catacombs I was immediately sold. This book was the perfect horror novel. The setting, the dread, the ghosts, the old house, the dead. I mean. Just perfecto!

I was hooked from the first chapter, once I started this book I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put it down until I finished it. THE ENDING. just everyone do yourself a favor and add this to your tbr immediately!

Thank you @stmartinspress for the arc. This releases January 30th, mark those calendars!

This was such a fun and deeply creepy read. The tension and spooky things begin straight away, slowly building throughout the story. As every new piece of information about their home comes to light they each begin to experience more and more until we reach this pivotal moment of no return when at least for us as a reader things become absolutely real.
I loved the characters, and the setting really added to the atmosphere. While reading I felt like I was watching a scary movie and really loved that feeling. I loved the ending and the way everything was left and can't wait to see what Christopher Golden is going to come out with next.

This was such a good read! This was my first book by this author and there will definitely be more in the future. I was super excited for this book based on the premise alone and it did not disappoint! The story was so interesting that I didn’t mind that the story was slow to build. Trust me it pays off in the end.

This story is about a couple, Tommy and Kate, who move to Italy for a deal - buy an abandoned house for one euro. The only stipulations are that they must stay in the house for five years and invest 50,000 euros in fixing up their property. Excited for their new adventure, the couple soon realizes that this house may not be what they expected. Strange things start happening as they learn about the house’s history and how it got its name.

I loved the author’s descriptive writing style. The setting was set up perfectly in my mind with the house, the catacombs, and the chapel. It was all so delightfully creepy.

If you like stories with overall eerie vibes about haunted houses, ghosts and poltergeists, demon possession, and mysterious family secrets you should definitely check this one out.

The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden is a creepy, unsettling tale. Tommy and Kate are a married couple who are moving to a small town in Italy called Becchina. Tommy’s family is from Becchina and his grandparents still live there. The mayor has been offering old abandoned houses for almost nothing with a few stipulations so that the town can grow their population. Tommy and Kate have bought one of the houses and are excited for this new chapter in their lives. Their new house is not what it seemed when they purchased it. There is a sinister presence overshadowing this new endeavor and they will come to regret their choices. This book had me so uncomfortable in places that I had to take a break from reading it. The freaking rats that populate the story are nightmare fuel alone, but add in all the other frightening elements and I was holding my breath in fear at times. I grew attached to Kate, Tommy, and some of their friends. I rooted for them, despite their savior complex. The story has such a atmospheric feel to it. It felt like watching a spine-tingling movie with jump scares. It moved along at a good pace. I liked how we left it, even though we don’t have all the answers. This is a 4/5 star read for me. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me access to an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Publication date January 30th, 2024. This review will be found on Instagram and Goodreads indefinitely.
Instagram book reviews @CandaceOnline

American couple Tommy and Kate have bought the Italian home of their dreams for a single Euro, the catch is they have to live in it for five years. They figure since they work remotely and the house is close to Tommy’s grandparents’, it will be fine. But things are off from the moment they move in.

There are so many rooms at the back of the house they didn’t know existed and the house makes strange noises. They are certain the people in town whisper about them. When they learn the secret, they aren’t sure they are going to make it five minutes, let alone five years.

This was a great gothic read. It was wonderfully atmospheric and delightfully creepy. I love a good, haunted house book and had high expectations because the last haunted house book I read was fantastic. This one didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had set, but it was still a great read. I loved learning about this house, it was interesting. I did get lost a little in the characters’ inner monologues. It was a bit much at times and not really necessary for the plot. The pacing on this one was on the slow side as most gothic reads are, however, it really picked up for about the last 20% or so of the book. I would consider this one more horror for the vibes not necessarily the content, though there were some intense scenes with rats – no thanks! I also wish the ending was tidier and less ambiguous. Overall, this was a decent read and I think haunted house fans will enjoy.

Thank you so much to St Martins Press @stmartinspress and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The house of last resort started out really strong for me and sucked me in immediately (no pun related to the house intended). I enjoyed getting to know Kate and Tommy but at times it felt like each of their characters could have been a bit more fleshed out. A couple of themes felt repetitive and there were characters that could have added so much more to the story. It was overall a quick, eerie read. Good for the Halloween season.

Atmospheric and unbearably creepy, the titular House is almost the main character in this horrific novel. Tommy and Kate buy it for one Euro and move to a ghost town in Sicily to start building their lives. The house is old and needs work, but it’s so beautiful that they are willing to put up with unexplained sounds and shadows moving in the dark. By the time they find out what happened there, it is too late. I love stories of haunted houses, and this one delivers in that way. The descriptions of the rooms, the furniture, the town and the neighbors go from quaint to spooky very slowly and this is why I ultimately didn’t love this book as much as I was expecting. The rhythm was too slow, with too many parts devoted to the characters’ inner monologues and not enough action for me. The history of the house is not revealed until almost halfway through, and the real action only starts in the final chapters. As much as I loved the supporting cast, Tommy’s family, an old priest and the other foreigners who moved there with the one-euro deal, I didn’t like or connect with the leads. The ending is amazing and readers who like character development will really enjoy this. I should have loved this novel but it was just too slow for me.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#St. Martin's Press.