A dark story of murder and revenge? A supernatural thriller? I mean, it's endorsed by Stephen King, so that's a helluva introduction. And then, not to be shallow, but that cover is fantastic.

'The Last House on Needless Street' has it all...death and madness, humor and sadness, and perhaps even a sprinkling of redemption.

The prose and characterization are top notch. A page turner for sure.

Well worth the time investment.

This psychological horror novel is about a missing girl and the big sister who tries to find her. It’s a book about a whole lot more, too.

PROS:
The feelings of the characters are so deep (even when the feelings are hidden, which only makes sense when you read the story) that they drill through the book and into your head and leave you reeling.

Another thing Ward does so skillfully is write distinctive voices for each character. I could tell immediately whose head we were in without looking at the chapter titles. (Each chapter titles says whose point of view it is). I particularly liked Olivia’s voice. She is aloof and yet grounded at the same time, like a fussy, fastidious feline.

I can tell Ward did a lot of research for this book. The psychological horror aspect felt true-to-life.

I especially liked the sprinkles of clues throughout the book. The ending was unpredictable yet not a surprise because of all the clues. The ending was perfect!

CONS:
You have to read this book with enough patience to think, “That doesn’t make sense, but I’m sure it’ll make sense later.” I found passages like that intriguing, but I’m sure some readers will be frustrated.

OVERALL:
I’m thrilled to have received this book through NetGalley. Five big stars!

This book is JAW DROPPING. ASTOUNDING. It is so freaking well written. I honestly cannot believe how amazing this book is. It is freaky and psychological and so twisted with twists throughout. The writing quality is not the typical thriller horror writing that I'm used to. It's perfect. I am so happy I ordered a special edition of this book because I will be rereading it and I will be buying copies for everyone I know. Thank you SO much Catriona Ward for writing this phenomenal book.

This is one of those books that starts out as one thing…and ends as quite another.

When I started this, I thought it was kind of a standard thriller. I was also very confused about one character. Extremely confused. The kind of confused and unhappy where my mind was screaming DO NOT LIKE and I honestly questioned if this was the book for me. Luckily, I kept reading.

I ended up loving this. This was one of those books where I started out thinking it was definitively not a five star book and I ended completely floored.

It is a thriller, but it’s also a completely heartbreaking tale. The author has a particularly devious way of telling the story. It’s sinuous, but you start to get glimmers of the truth until you finally, truly understand.

I’m so glad I read this one. And yeah…it ended up being an absolute five star read for me!

*ARC Provided via Net Galley

Rating: 9.5/10

Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of The Last House on Needless Street for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

The Last House on Needless Street is as good, if not better, than advertised. Believe all of the hype surrounding this novel from names like Stephen King, Joe Hill, Paul Tremblay, Alex North, Sarah Pinborough and a litany of others. It is an absolutely mesmerizing novel; a bone-chilling masterwork of dark fiction that is as disquieting as it is heart-wrenching. A true standout in the genre.

I’ve been watching the hype surrounding this book for a while now and have been waiting on pins and needles for an advance reading copy so I could absolutely devour it. Not many novels have the ability to instantaneously sink its claws into you, shred every nerve in your body, and leave you a messy puddle on the floor… but this one did. The only others that come to mind are Gone Girl, The Only Good Indians, You, and maybe a handful of others.

I’m sure most of you have already seen the Deadline article where Andy Serkis (yes, THAT Andy Serkis) alongside Jonathan Cavendish will be making a film adaptation (if not, here is the link.) I’m not going to say that is unheard of before a book has even been published world-wide, but it is still a super noteworthy thing. You know, on top of the dozens of other massive praiseworthy articles, lists, etc. it is already making its rounds on.

What I am saying is… READ THIS FREAKING BOOK AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

I found Ward’s writing very intriguing, especially in the onset. It is a completely different style than what I am used to which is probably part of the reason I found it impossible to put down. The way in which she wrote the beginning couple of chapters asked way more questions that it answered and had me searching page after page well into the darkest part of the evening. Much like the synopsis on Goodreads…

This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…

You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.

In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

every time you think you have it figured out, you are completely wrong. Like, WAY wrong. Even after finishing, (which in order to read this section, you HAVE TO FINISH. Otherwise, you will ruin the book for yourself) I had to read Ward’s Afterward where she explains how she came up with the story idea and all of the research she put into it. Utterly fascinating.

You’ll fall in love with the characters, hate them, feel sorry for them, and will end up in a pool of your own tears by the final turn of the page.

Ward is a very new author to me, and probably most of you. I keep asking myself “WHY?” Why am I just now finding out about her? TLHoNS isn’t a debut; it is actually her 3rd full-length novel. Why did Rawblood and Little Eve fly so far under my radar? Who knows, but I will definitely be purchasing both by the time I am done writing this review.

Time to end the review. I simply have nothing else to give. Buy the book and thank me later.

Wow... Now that was not at all what I expected. Seriously, this is one of those books that you go into thinking that you have a vague idea of where it's going to go and then you get through it and realize that you were just played. The author used your expectations against you in the most beautiful way. Bravo! This is a Gothic masterpiece with different viewpoints that take place in a small town where... Let's just say some crazy stuff is happening. It's hard to get into without ruining some of the most amazing twists that I've encountered in a long time, but let's just say that it's important to pay attention to the narrator and their motives. Think House Of Leaves... Not all narrators are reliable. I'll leave it at that. Again, Bravo. Also, if you're a fan of cats be forewarned...you may want to skim past a part of two. I would definitely recommend!

You know how some horror doesn't really scare you because you know you're unlikely to encounter a vampire, werewolf or zombie? This isn't that type of horror. It's something that could happen to you or someone you know. It's doubly scary and it's also literary, glorious words taking on a deep subject. I wanted to immediately call a security company and have my whole house wired up. Like I can afford that.

In the first chapter, Ted is speaking quite simply. I thought, "Oh, this will be tedious." But don't let that first chapter fool you. He, and the other characters, are multi-dimensional and in more ways than you can imagine.

Other readers kept mentioning a surprising twist, so I thought I'd be prepared. But no, it still caught me off guard. This is the kind of book you keep reading and reading because you're eager to find out what happens. Throughout the book there are three or four people you want to rip out of the story and stomp on. Beware, they are not necessarily the one you are looking for.

The child abuse is extremely difficult to read. If you feel you may be triggered, you probably want to stay away.

Since I can't afford security, I'll do like one of the characters and start sleeping with a claw hammer beside the bed. (My cat disapproves of this idea and says she'll protect me...by hiding under the covers with me)

This is one of the first times I’ve ever needed Goodreads to have a ten stars option. Or eleven.

I read this book in five frantic hours - staying up much too late at night because I couldn’t stop reading, then forcing myself to try to get some sleep, tossing and turning, and then giving up at 4:30 am and picking it straight up to finish it. I read like 150+ books a year and NOTHING has compared to this book.

This story was not even close to what I was expecting. The writing is gorgeous perfection. The plot is dark and twisty and brutal and uncomfortable and scary and sad and creepy and then weirdly funny and then there’s another layer and another and another and it will make you have ALL OF THE FEELINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

Fancy author reviewers have called it “a true nerve-shredder” and “breathless” and “agonizing” and it is all of those things. I cannot stop thinking about this book and am ordering a UK edition because I need a hard copy in my hands NOW.

This is probably the hardest book review I've ever had to write. In the book we have Ted who lives with a teenage daughter and his cat Olivia. We get to see Ted as a child and how he was raised by his mother who is a nurse and his father who is more interested in drink. We meet Dee who's 6 year old sister, Lulu, was kidnapped at the lake close to Ted's house 11 years ago. And we spend a lot of time with Lauren and Olivia. I'm afraid to say much about the characters as I don't want to give anything away.

This book was everything I was not expecting. By the description, I expected more of a horror story but what I got was a story that was dark and sad. I can't recommend this book enough. I finished it last night and it is still twirling around in my mind. Very few books stick with me like this has. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. If you do, you're in for a heck of a ride..

Holy cow, this book. I’ve been left with a lot to process and not in ways that I ever expected.

The blurb for the book simply describes it as a story of a serial killer, a stolen child, death, revenge, and an ordinary house on an ordinary street. It IS a story of all these things but none of it is what it appears.

I received an early review copy of the soon-to-be-published U. S. edition from Netgalley, and what interested me most was the general premise and it being advertised as both horror and mystery/thriller. I didn’t realize what I would get here, and while it ended up being very different than what I expected, it was an incredible read that ultimately left me processing and reflecting even more, not so much on the general plot or characters but on bigger ideas (like trauma, abuse, and survival, especially as it all relates to the brain).

And yes, you will find aspects of this novel to fit firmly within the horror genre. But then to say that this was not a fast-paced “twisty psychological mystery” would also be a lie, because it is that, too. I didn’t see all the subtle twists coming, but when I did, what a revelation.

If you tend to enjoy very twisty psychological thrillers, this will be a good one for you, but only as long as you can handle some tougher situations as well (situations that are more of what we see in horror novels ... not necessarily in the form of gore or scary beings but instead a quiet and uneasy violence all its own).

Content Warnings:
Graphic — child abuse, kidnapping, physics abuse, confinement, and mental illness
Moderate — child death, murder, violence, and medical trauma
Minor — animal death, death, death of parent, suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempt

Amazing. My type of horror! The writing was also great it provides a very atmospheric read that I enjoy all night long. Captivating and scary. I didn't know of this author, but I will look up for her in the future and look back to see if she ever did something else!! I highly recommend it!

Man. This book.
.
Synopsis:
"This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.
All these things are true. And yet they are all lies...
You think you know what's inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you've read this story before. That's where you're wrong."
.
From the very beginning, this book sets you off-kilter. It's strange, disjointed, disconcerting. Nothing is as it seems and you know that but you just can't quite grasp how to make it fit.
.
The story is a Russian nesting box of horror, layers and layers of varying truths to sort through. Every bizarre character is fully realized, broken and beautiful, strong in their fragility.
.
I could not stop reading this. It was so bizarre, so intriguing, so complex, that I simply had to discover how it would end.
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Frightening? Yes, on many levels. Also sad and disgusting and painful and heartbreaking. I will be thinking about this one for a long time.

So, THIS is the book that everyone is talking about. I suppose I will also talk about it.

But...I will follow the lead of my fellow book reviewers and not give any plot details. This is especially important for this book, but I rarely talk about plot anyway.

I think Christopher Golden took the words out of my mouth about this book: "audacious as hell." It really is. As I was reading and uncovering the layers of mystery, I couldn't believe what Ward was pulling off.

I'm actually tempted to take off of work tomorrow, just to think about the nooks and crannies of the plot of this book. Tons of nuance to unpack here.

Oh, there is a cat too.

This is by far the best novel I have read in quite some time. Unreliable narrator is perfect. Kept me guessing until the very end. I definitely will recommend this book in all my circles. I will also keep this author on my radar.

Creepy, sad, dark and utterly enthralling! I could not put this down once I started it. I have no idea how to categorize this book....horror, mystery, love story? Maybe all 3 at once. This was one of those stories you hate to see end. Prepare yourself for quite the ride. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

A haunting, creepy and rapidly unfolding horror story. It is one of the few books that I had trouble pausing because I was so curious and intrigued-- a good measure of a horror/mystery book. The tale is written in a way that captures you, makes you care for the characters and cheer for a good ending.

In the dark house at the end of Needless Street, we meet Ted, a rather forlorn man who cares for his sweet cat and his daughter. He is a recluse in a boarded up, shabby house. A young girl disappeared 11 years ago and a number of young boys have also not been found near a lake nearby. One of his neighbors is the older sister of the Girl with Popscicle who disappeared. The author makes us care for Ted, his daughter, the older sister and a few other neighbors. We are drawn into, trying to understand how all this connects.

As a psychologist, I am intrigued by the emotions that I felt as I suspect different solutions to the story. How cleverly written, how complicated life is. Do not assume you know what is going on.

I also appreciated the author’s extra material at the end which helps make sense of this incredible mystery and the complicated way that we humans survive.

It's been a long time since a book has reeled me in and left me so oblivious to the outside world like this one did.

This book was the epitome of horror in a way that I never expected it to be and I am still reeling. This is one my favourite books of the year.

Beautiful and horrible.

Rarely do I struggle to find words about a book that I loved, but I find myself in that position right now. THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET blew me away.

There are many narratives here and several threads to follow-most of which lead down spoiler lane. But after mulling it over, here is what I've come up with:

This tale is beautifully written and I was immediately drawn to these characters and making assumptions about them. The author's skills in character building are nearly unmatched, and I had clear pictures in my head of all of them. Them being: Ted the awkward man who's overweight, and lives in a boarded up house; Lauren, Ted's daughter, who is rarely seen outside because it's much safer for her inside; Olivia, Ted's cat. Olivia likes to read the bible, worship the lord, nuzzle up to Ted and she doesn't go outside either. Lastly, there's Dee whose sister disappeared back when Dee was a teenager and that event has loomed over her life ever since, like a huge dark joy-sucking shadow.

The entire book is written in such a way that the mysteries keep piling up and the reader begins to wonder how all these secrets are going to be disclosed before the story comes to an end. But have no doubt, dear reader, when these secrets are unleashed it will leave you off centered and a bit stunned.

A sublime book of psychological dark fiction, both beautifully crafted and well told, I know that I'll be reading this book again. Even though it has already divulged all of its secrets to me, there is a certain joy in reading thoughtful, powerful prose. Beyond the enjoyment of the story itself, is the joy of words and how they are put together to create a flawless narrative. A narrative that, in the end, may have made this black-hearted horror lover break down and cry. Maybe.

You know what? I just can't do this book justice with my measly words, so I'll just say that THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET has earned my highest recommendation!

*Thank you so very much to Tor/Nighfire and to NetGalley for the e-ARC. paperback ARC and the audio ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

Honestly, this was one of the best books I’ve read in the past five years. At least. I was absolutely riveted from beginning to end, staying up well into the wee hours of the morning in order to finish it. Compulsively readable, lyrical, bittersweet, ultimately hopeful. The subject matter is not for everyone, but I firmly believe those who pass up reading it miss out on a story of survival, adaptation, and humanity amid inhumanity. “The Last House on Needless Street” is an absolute triumph.

Lots of "twisty" thrillers either have a twist you see coming from a mile away, or one that's so nonsensical that it undermines the rest of the plot. Not so here. NEEDLESS STREET is a marvel, a Russian nesting doll of a book that slowly unfurls its reveals one by one without ever losing its deep sense of dread. You really don't get the full picture of what's happened until almost the last page, and it's an amazing ride the entire time. If you've been looking for a book that grabs you by the throat, this is it.

Sometimes when I love a book, i REALLY REALLY love (and obsess over) a book, and The Last House on Needless Street is one of those books. The ALL CAPs and the double 'really' are absolutely necessary.

The characters. The voice. The Narrative that is embedded so wonderfully, with surprises around every corner. Perhaps because I work as a "bug man" and in the field of mental health, I found this book even more intriguing, but I think it will have universal appeal to horror lovers and thriller lovers alike.

There is complexity here that keeps growing. It's the Russian doll with an infinite number of new gems inside. Each time the story went to a new level, and the reading gains momentum with tension and complexity, I was completely invested and along for the roller coaster ride, and then it would dip into something even more deliciously deep and rich. The author takes a lot of risks, and with those risks will come criticism, but for this reader she pulls it off with spectacular talent.

 As I read, I was reminded of the book Secret Life of Souls by Jack Ketchum, and then I imagined Dallas being alive and reading The Last House on Needless Street and how it seems written exactly for him. Terrible shame he didn't get a chance to read it, but in some ways, the spirit of Ketchum is wrapped up inside Catriona, for she captures some of his writing in both style and substance. Somewhere Ketchum is reading this and, along with True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik, I think the Ketchum spirit is alive and kicking.

The less you know about this book the better. But even if you know there are surprises, you wont guess them all (if you say you did, I call BS). Of course, it's not just the twists and turns of the plot, but the unique voice and the author's vivid and tragic characters. There is such empathy for every one of them, which became ever more clear after reading the afterword.

A chilling masterpiece with so many underlying horrors, that surprisingly I rated it a 5 star. It was so brilliantly written I could not underrate such a talented author. With it being such a dark literary fiction, I did not want to be intrigued so deeply. You do not want to miss it if you are a thriller fan.
A boarded house at the end Of Needless Street is sure to get your attention. Those creepy woods.....

Pay close attention and Capture every detail of the descriptive views into these characters, a girl not allowed outside the house, a house cat's point of view, a secluded man with a loss of memory and they each share a secret. I was wowed by the insight of the characters. At first, I didn't realize what was happening and can't even elaborate without giving it away.

I'm still weighing all the hints and clues along the way and reading it a second time is in the near future. You will not be able to figure this one out. Clever, Catriona Ward and good job!
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It is 3am. I am trying not to cry. I feel as if I can’t breathe properly. This book is no doubt going to my top favorites.

Ever.

DEEPLY atmospheric and will leave your mind going 100 miles an hour. I absolutely loved it and will likely never forget this book. It was truly amazing....

Despite the fact due to recent events in my own life, I knew what was going in right away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

All these things are true. And yet they are all lies...

You think you know what's inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you've read this story before. That's where you're wrong.

In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it's not what you think...


OMG! This is going to be frustrating
because I really can't give a review without spoilers! I will say it was the most impressive book I've read this year hands down. A new modern classic. The writing style echoes Shirley Jackson, but has its own unique voice. It's horror/gothic/thriller and so much more. I only wish I could give it more stars than 5 stars. Can not wait to purchase my own copy

First time I am out of words! Anything I may write about this book will be so worthless! None of the words come out my mouth, letters I click, sentences o try to form or expressions I barely articulate will never be enough to reflect how I feel!

I’m extremely flabbergasted, shocked, startled! And for the first time after I finish a horror- thriller- gothic- psychological thriller-mystery ( the good dances between all those genres) I deeply feel soooo sad! I deeply cared for characters!

If I tell you more, I may give away more about the story! So I’m just shutting my mouth because I don’t want to do anything affecting how you’ll feel about this book and I don’t want to ruin your epic reading experience!

I can only see this book truly exceeded my expectations and it’s extraordinary work!
It’s not only a serial killer story! It’s not only about a cat recites the Bible perfectly! It’s not only about a girl who is adamant to find the killer who hurt her sister! Or is not about a wild child she needs to be trapped in the house to protect herself from the violence of the outside ( or the outer world should be the one to get protected from her)! And it’s not about bulky, introvert, outcast man who wears same clothes, dealing with her wild daughter and sarcastic cat who hates crime thriller shows on TV, trying to blend in but hardly failing.

This book is so much more than these! Just read it and prepare to get shaken to the core! You may start to pick up the pieces in the middle about the big mystery but trust me it’s even bigger and uglier than you may hardly imagine.

I have to say this is so different from the horror books I’ve recently read and it’s one of the unique and original works of the year I highly recommend you to give a shot!

Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan / Tor-Forge for sharing this incredible digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I went into this with absolutely no knowledge of the plot and it was the right call. Whatever you think is happening or is going to happen, you're probably wrong. I couldn't put this down, partially because I just NEEDED to understand what the hell was happening! I respect and admire the author for upending a really harmful mental health trope in horror and for working with real people and groups affected (I have to be vague to not give anything away!).

Uncomfortable, Shocking, Disturbing and Excellent Horror

What a cringey, suspenseful, and riveting story! Catriona Ward has revealed what inevitably comes when a predator's cold, sharp claws sink into the tender heart of a lonely child and never, ever lets go.

Her small cast of characters are vivid and unforgettable. I haven't come across a book in some time that kept me guessing until the end so frantically, or made me wish, with sinking heart, that things wouldn't turn out the way I was afraid they would.

I was able to obtain a free advance reader's copy of this book courtesy of the author, publisher, and NetGalley. My opinions and endorsement are freely given: this book is a dark gem, but not for the faint of heart.

I have to admit that several times while reading & listening to this story, I almost stopped. But....I couldn't stop. I had to keep on....because I wanted to know The Truth & The Ending! There are a lot of deep, dark things in this story -- abuse of children and animals, violence, etc -- that some readers may need to be aware of before reading this book. Then again, it's a heavy, gothic, horror novel....not a peek-a-boo picture book. We horror readers pretty much know what we may be in for if we delve further than Chapter One. (Just felt it had to be mentioned on this one since there are instances of animal abuse/torture and child abuse - be aware before reading).

What a weird, confusing at times, creepy, disturbing and utterly fantastic bit of horror this is! Dark, disturbing, demented -- loved it! I have to admit that I had no earthly clue what was going on for the first few chapters of this book....a obviously crazy hermit guy, his cat, other weirdness....but it WORKS! Horror is supposed to be uncomfortable and I love crazy, creepy stories that make me wonder WTF is going on.

I'm not going to say anything about plot....best to go in to this story not knowing what is going on. Be confused. Be uncomfortable. Let the story envelop you. Let the creepy build on its own. Don't read reviews with spoilers. Let this sneak up on you....

I had both an ebook arc and a review audio book....sometimes I read, sometimes I listened, sometimesI did both at once. I find I really love horror novels on audio....it's like ghost story time around a campfire! :) The audio book is narrated by Christopher Ragland. He did a wonderful job!

I look forward to more by this author -- she managed to creep me out! :)

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Macmillan/Tor and listened to a review copy of the audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Stephen King devotee that I am, I don’t always agree with his pre-hype for new books, but he’s definitely spot on when it comes to The Last House on Needless Street. Along with a great atmosphere ala Silence of the Lambs and a clever, believable writing style, Catriona Ward kept me guessing all the way through to the surprising end.

I really enjoyed this book because it was so vastly different from anything I’ve read. I waited to review it because I needed to sit with it for awhile after. I loved the twists and surprises in the ending. The character development was unreal. I really could picture everything even the therapist. I think this should be a movie. Rating it a 5/5 and agreed with Stephen kings review. This is a must read.

I heard a lot of good things about this book online, so I was really looking forward to checking it out. It was way better than I expected and totally blew me away by how good it was. It's beautifully crafted, both in the way it's written and how the story unravels. The pacing is slow at times but steadily progresses in a satisfying way that kept me invested and wanting to know what happens next. It's dark, creepy, psychologically engaging, and has lots of twists that I didn't see coming. Catriona Ward is an exceptional writer and I can't wait to read more of their work.

Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this wonderful book.

Wow. Even though I managed to figure out some of the twists, this book is still very powerful. There’s basically nothing I can tell you without spoiling it. You’re just going to have to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

This was quite the ride. It felt like two different stories (in that the first half was horror and appeared as one thing but the ending was quite different and was a whole different experience) and I loved them both. I felt so uncomfortable being in Ted's mind, but at the end was rooting for him.

Wow. This book was just wow. It’s a very unconventional book and it might take you a bit to get used to it, but I really hope you give it a try because believe me it’s worth it. This is a deeply unsettling and utterly captivating book that is creepy, dark and heartbreaking. It’s unlike anything I’ve read and I thought it was brilliantly done.

I truly do not want to say too much because to give anything away would be a disservice. This is one that will keep you guessing as you read it and have you thinking about it long after you finish. 5/5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for gifting me this eARC. The Last House on Needless Street will be out in the US on September 28.

I am super picky about suspense/thrillers. In fact, I'm honestly pretty snobby about them. (It's cool, I'll own it.) I despise when an author sacrifices plot, character development, and so many times downright believability for the sake of throwing in some type of spectacular, knock-your-socks-off twist. You will find very books in the suspense/thriller genre on my shelves that I rate 5 stars.

This book, readers. The writing is tight. The characters are dimensional. The story is gripping. And I never knew what the heck was going on. I thought it did, and then I didn't. And it wasn't an eye-rolling, that-was-such-a-juvenile-move sort of reaction. It was HOLY-CRAP-THAT-CAME-OUT-OF-NOWHERE-AND-IT-WAS-BRILLIANT.

And, can I add, that the above happened more than once? Yes, on more than one occasion I was completely blindsided by the direction the story took. (I had a weird inkling about one twist, but I was only about 20% in the ballpark on what actually happened.)

It's fantastic. Truly.

This book is already out in the UK (so you can order it on Book Depository - which I may have to do just so I can have my own physical copy), and it will be published here in the US September 28, 2021. Put. It. On. Your. List.

**Biggest thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book.

This book was much better than I expected. In fact, it far exceeded my expectations and I am so thankful I had a chance to read it! WOW! I can't even think of the words to say other than READ THIS BOOK! It's amazing! Haunting, creepy, and extremely well written!

This book is EVERYTHING. If you like to read, you will like this book. It is exactly what one should look for in a book - engaging, page-turning, mysterious, and emotional. I think Ward is an absolutely brilliant writer. It's hard for me to describe this book because I don't want to give anything away, but trust me - this book will stay with you long after you finish.

Wow. This is one of those books that makes me wish Goodreads had a higher rating system, because five stars doesn't seem like enough. <i>The Last House on Needless Street</i> is a masterwork of psychological fiction that is at once terrifying, heartwarming and tragic. It's one of those stories where you feel compelled to reread it as soon as you finish it because you want to go back and see all the clues you missed. Things that seemed to be mistakes or errors in the timeline are actually keys to unlocking the story as a whole.
I've never read anything quite like it. The only thing that comes sort of close is <i>The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches</i> by Gaetan Soucy, in that events aren't altogether clear at first, but there is a pervasive sense of foreboding and <i>wrongness</i> that surrounds everything.

This is bound to become an instant classic and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Wow. This book was amazing. It was beautifully written and everything unraveled so nicely. I was so excited to pick this book up, that I will have to read her other books as well!

While it wasn’t totally fast-past, Catriona Ward has a way of writing that keeps you on your toes and wanting more. I flew through a majority of this book in one night. Such a fascinating read!

TW: child abuse, kidnapping, mental illness, disassociation, trauma

I began The House on Needless Street knowing only that it was a horror novel. At the end of the day, I think that’s truly the best way to consume this book. And consume it I certainly did. I read it’s entirety in less than 24 hours and only stopped to sleep. It’s a twisting, sometimes confusing (in a good way) ride that thrills in the beginning and makes you sit and think by the last line. I don’t think this is a book I’ll forget anytime soon.

Beautifully unsettling.

Rarely do I pick up a book that has me sucked in within the first few lines, but this book did that.
Captivating and unsettling, Last House was like a boat ride on rocky seas- there was never a moment when I felt like the earth was securely below my feet. At any moment, I could teeter and fall, unable to trust each new step forward. Ward did this masterfully, keeping me hooked and stumped as she twisted and turned through the story.
Each character was well written and executed.
Ted’s story, in particular, was told with such an elegant literary style that I found myself rereading lines and passages for the sheer art and beauty.
The ending was both heart-rending and haunting, and I look forward to rereading this book for all the qualities above.
I’ve read some reviews that say this is not true horror, but horror is so multifaceted and immense. There are sub-categories of horror that most overlook. On that note, I’ll leave you with this one thought-
Not all horror is blood and gore, demons and monsters. Sometimes, the most frightening monsters of all are human.

I thought this was a very well done book. It kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the thoughtful subversion of traditional horror tropes. The author took a very thoughtful approach to her characters.

Wow! I am an avid reader of thriller/suspense and this one knocked it out of the park. What a dark, twisted tale with one of the best twists I have ever read! Excellent book that I will (and already have) recommend to anyone who likes mystery and suspense. Fantastic read!

All - the hype is real on this one. I had a hard time reviewing this book because frankly, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s creepy and thrilling, heartbreaking and sinister. I love books where I can’t figure out the ending until THE END so I was addicted to this one until the last word. Honestly, it’s dark fiction at its best. It keeps you guessing and forces your brain to reanalyze everything you thought you knew with every uncovered secret. I was confused at some parts just because so much was happening at once but...overall brilliant book.

When I started The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, I thought I knew exactly what I was in for but as it turns out, I. Knew. Nothing.

There’s a lot to be said about the characters in this book – a hair-pulling misbehaved child, a bible reading cat, an awkward loner and a woman looking for her sister gone missing long ago. We hear from all of them and each voice is rich and descriptive giving their perspective of the events going on around them both past and present. But how do they all tie together? This, my friends, is the absolute beauty – and horror – of the story.

The storyline, ah, the storyline … just when I thought I’d read it all, the author stunned me with this brilliant piece of work. Dark and atmospheric, this twisty tale is an eerie psychological thriller that surprised the tar out of me and crushed my soul. Although the events are horrific, I’m not really sure I’d describe this as horror but more a really deep dive into the realm of psychological suspense that hits every nerve on the way down.

This is a short review but I don’t want to reveal any spoilers! My advice is to go into this book with only the synopsis and experience it from there.

Narration: Christopher Ragland narrates and does a stellar job moving between the characters seamlessly! He presented each character’s individuality and distinctive nuances beautifully! A joy to listen to.

Thank you to @TorNightfire and @Macmillan.Audio for the DRC and ALC

CW: Child abuse, Gore

I am OBSESSED with this book. People are going to love this. I know I will be seeing this all over bookstagram soon enough. This was amazing. I will definitely read whatever the author comes out with next!

All I can say is “wow”! This book is an amazing read. I kept me guessing till the last chapter. Ted’s character continually evolves. If you are a fan of Stephen King, horror, and thrillers you will love this book.

Wow wow wow. I don't even know how to review this without spoiling anything.

In the first half I was so confused about the book. Yes, it was giving me the creeps. It was detailed, gruesome, and I really thought had everything pin pointed - the evil guy, the victim, the plot, etc etc. I had nothing right. Nothing.

It really went deep into the characters, into their psyches, into the details of their feelings, their fears, their lives. It was interesting and fascinating. And as you read this, you're trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the missing girl. Who is she, is she really there still or are you missing something in this story.

I read the afterword, and without giving anything away it made me appreciate the story even more. And I'm a huge fan of this topic. So reading this book without knowing it was about *this topic* I was pleasantly surprised, especially on where and how the author delivered the ending.

I'm telling you - if you like creepy, this one is a must. Because the scary isn't what you think it is. I'm mind blown.

**Fair warning - this book involves a couple of scenes with snakes. They gave me chills.**

TW: Kidnapping, abuse, animal abuse, murder.

This was such an absolutely unexpected, pitch-perfectly surprising, harrowing, beautiful, scary and FUN read. JFC JFC JFC WOW.

The summary for this book does not offer spoilers, and I won’t either. The writing style for this book is truly unique. I found myself drawn in to the thoughts of the characters, even though their thoughts were not necessarily pleasant. But from the very first sentence of the book, I was hooked. We are taken on a meandering journey through the day-to-day lives of characters impacted, in one way or another, by the disappearance of ‘Little Girl With Popsicle.’ The story is intriguing, and the journey to the outcome is different than any I’ve taken before. The way the author spins the tale is magical and engaging, not to mention violent, scary, and disturbing at points.

The only very minor criticism is that I would have been happy for the story to end earlier than it did. The closing chapters were interesting, but in my opinion did not contribute to the overall arc of the story. But I can see why the author is compelled to include those chapters.

A copy of ‘The Last House on Needless Street was provided to me by Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire /Net Galley for an honest review.