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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 April 2024
The cover and title of this book caught my eye. I have read a couple of books by this author before and enjoyed them.
Cass and James have had a whirlwind romance and after just six months together, James suggests they take on a caretaker job at Newington House. Thirty years earlier, three members of the Madley family were murdered there by masked intruders, and no one has lived in the house since.
As soon as Cass and James arrive in the house it feels somehow familiar and Cass thinks that the house is trying to tell her something. It’s definitely creepy, with swings and rocking chairs moving of their own accord, and the clock stopping at the same time every day.
“I thought you said you were alone?” “I am.” “Then who’s that behind you?”
The plot is dual timeline which I liked as it gave you glimpses into the past and what happened in the lead up to the murders. The book is definitely a slow burner and it’s not until halfway through that it picks up and starts coming together. The characters were alright but I didn’t warm to Cass at all, she really irritated me for some reason. I thought I had sussed out who the surviving child was but I had it wrong, there are definitely plenty twists to keep you guessing. At times I did get a bit confused towards the end and it was a little tricky to follow how the characters were connected, and what had gone on.
The author does mention coincidences and fate, but I did find it a bit of a stretch that the characters met each other again after so many years, and then went to the Manor House, it felt a bit implausible to me.
This book is a slow burner but it’s an interesting mix of supernatural and dark psychological thriller and is guaranteed to keep you guessing!
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Cass and James have had a whirlwind romance and after just six months together, James suggests they take on a caretaker job at Newington House. Thirty years earlier, three members of the Madley family were murdered there by masked intruders, and no one has lived in the house since.
As soon as Cass and James arrive in the house it feels somehow familiar and Cass thinks that the house is trying to tell her something. It’s definitely creepy, with swings and rocking chairs moving of their own accord, and the clock stopping at the same time every day.
“I thought you said you were alone?” “I am.” “Then who’s that behind you?”
The plot is dual timeline which I liked as it gave you glimpses into the past and what happened in the lead up to the murders. The book is definitely a slow burner and it’s not until halfway through that it picks up and starts coming together. The characters were alright but I didn’t warm to Cass at all, she really irritated me for some reason. I thought I had sussed out who the surviving child was but I had it wrong, there are definitely plenty twists to keep you guessing. At times I did get a bit confused towards the end and it was a little tricky to follow how the characters were connected, and what had gone on.
The author does mention coincidences and fate, but I did find it a bit of a stretch that the characters met each other again after so many years, and then went to the Manor House, it felt a bit implausible to me.
This book is a slow burner but it’s an interesting mix of supernatural and dark psychological thriller and is guaranteed to keep you guessing!
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
