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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tommy and Kate leave American hustle and bustle behind, when they decide to sell everything and move to Sicily, to re-establish Tommy’s relationship with his Nonna and Nonno.
How could they not, when Kate learns of the Sicilian town’s incentive to buy a house in Becchino for $1 to revitalize the economy.
But there is no such thing as a free house. Kate and Tommy learn their house’s history, and they hear noises and see shadows, and then find an altar behind a hidden door.
Terrifying. Truly terrifying novel. I chose Golden’s Road of Bones as a top 10 book of 2023. The man has an excellent ability to scare the living crap out of me.
Kate’s glimpses of the truth, in Nonno, in her dreams, in the shadows, were so scary. Her reactions were believable and her relationship with Tommy was so honest and adult, it was refreshing to read.
It was a truly great haunted house/possession novel.
“House of Last Resort, reopen and under new management”
4.5/5 but rounding to 5/5 ✨
I’m not sure what I expected when I got this book at my BOTM but it completely surpassed my expectations. It’s got everything, young newlyweds in love, Nonnas, wine, seaside Sicily, bread, demons, dying towns paying for you to live there, Roman Catholic coverups, exorcisms, and cults! If you are looking for a spooky read in a gorgeous place look no further.
4.5/5 but rounding to 5/5 ✨
I’m not sure what I expected when I got this book at my BOTM but it completely surpassed my expectations. It’s got everything, young newlyweds in love, Nonnas, wine, seaside Sicily, bread, demons, dying towns paying for you to live there, Roman Catholic coverups, exorcisms, and cults! If you are looking for a spooky read in a gorgeous place look no further.
3.5 - one of the first exorcism books I've read - although I enjoyed the history and the Italian location, I wanted to be more scared I guess haha
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book had a little of everything. Young couple making a fresh new start, a seriously haunted house and possession!! It starts off with Tommy and Kate moving to his ancestral home town of Becchina Italy with hopes of rejuvenating the dying town. What happens next is a fast paced ride straight to hell! Once again Christopher gives us characters we love and truly care about, against an evil so dark and scary it’s hard to put it down!! He is becoming one of my favorite authors!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated