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denaiir's review against another edition
2.0
ok maybe it's my bad for picking up a supernatural thriller, which I don't like, but I didn't think it was one. It was messy, confusing and I didn't really understand what was going on in the end. Was it actually supernatural? Was it a fever dream? The main character made bad choice, and the romance aspect was not needed. The characters were not great overall and it felt like nothing happened, it was quite boring and confusing.
sophiejwhite's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
atomic_tourist's review against another edition
Please!! NO MORE feel-good horror!! Like... Why?!
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death and Domestic abuse
lainimarie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
terriblelynne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
desiraeschmidt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ashleysumm's review against another edition
4.0
You may leave the octagon house, but it won't leave you...
Clare and Abby were fourteen when they explored the long-abandoned octagon house. The house has been empty since a man killed his wife and daughters there, a crime so dark and horrifying that it haunts the small town of Sumner's Mills. When Clare and Abby scramble out of the dilapidated house, something is broken in Abby, almost as if part of her was left behind. Two decades later, Clare is shocked to receive word that Abby is in a coma after being found in the octagon house, having attempted suicide there. Clare travels back to her home town to seek answers. What happened in that house all those years ago? And why would Abby go back there?
I really enjoyed this suspenseful horror novel! I love books that alternate between past and present, revealing morsels of information in small doses that leave me wanting more. I listened to the audiobook, which really pulled me into the eerie, haunting atmosphere of this story. The narrator really brought everything to life and portrayed everyone so well. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves horror. This novel would also be great for people who want something creepy, but not scary, graphic, or gory.
Clare and Abby were fourteen when they explored the long-abandoned octagon house. The house has been empty since a man killed his wife and daughters there, a crime so dark and horrifying that it haunts the small town of Sumner's Mills. When Clare and Abby scramble out of the dilapidated house, something is broken in Abby, almost as if part of her was left behind. Two decades later, Clare is shocked to receive word that Abby is in a coma after being found in the octagon house, having attempted suicide there. Clare travels back to her home town to seek answers. What happened in that house all those years ago? And why would Abby go back there?
I really enjoyed this suspenseful horror novel! I love books that alternate between past and present, revealing morsels of information in small doses that leave me wanting more. I listened to the audiobook, which really pulled me into the eerie, haunting atmosphere of this story. The narrator really brought everything to life and portrayed everyone so well. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves horror. This novel would also be great for people who want something creepy, but not scary, graphic, or gory.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett is a ghostly mystery that is quite chilling.
Clare Madden returns to Sumner’s Mills, NY when she learns her estranged childhood friend, Abby Lindsay is in the hospital. Once inseparable, Clare and Abby lost touch after a terrifying incident at an abandoned house near their town. They first went into the house with their friends, Lori and Monica, but they are shaken by a frightening event. Later that night, they end up returning the Octagon House and Abby is never the same. Twenty years later, Abby inexplicably goes back into the house and afterward, her parents ask Clare to come visit her in the hospital. At loose ends, Clare agrees to come back so she can try to finally put the past to rest.
Clare is a teacher and currently lives in Chicago. Her father has recently moved from Sumner’s Mills and when she is ready, he will sell her childhood home. Clare has never resolved the guilt she feels over what happened in the dilapidated house. When Abby sent her a few emails several months back, Clare’s nightmares about their childhood trips to the Octagon House begin again.
Upon returning to Sumner Mills, Clare agrees to meet Lori for the first time in years. During their discussion about Octagon House, she discovers unsettling information about the home’s history. Once she learns the identity of the house’s owner, Clare hopes to find answers about what happened to the person who built the house. Uncovering startling details, Clare knows the only way to get answers about why Abby was in the house is to return there herself. Will Clare finally understand exactly what exactly she believes she saw all those years ago? Can she find out the truth about Abby’s reason for going back into a place that inarguably changed the course of her life?
Beneath the Stairs is a spellbinding mystery with a slight element of horror. The small -own setting is a little claustrophobic and adds tension to the unfolding story. Clare is a sympathetic character whose habit of ignoring her problems and pushing away loved ones leaves her feeling very alone. Her investigation into Octagon house is quite compelling but will she be able to accept what she unearths? Seamlessly weaving both and forth in time, Jennifer Fawcett brings this suspenseful novel to a fully satisfying conclusion.
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett is a ghostly mystery that is quite chilling.
Clare Madden returns to Sumner’s Mills, NY when she learns her estranged childhood friend, Abby Lindsay is in the hospital. Once inseparable, Clare and Abby lost touch after a terrifying incident at an abandoned house near their town. They first went into the house with their friends, Lori and Monica, but they are shaken by a frightening event. Later that night, they end up returning the Octagon House and Abby is never the same. Twenty years later, Abby inexplicably goes back into the house and afterward, her parents ask Clare to come visit her in the hospital. At loose ends, Clare agrees to come back so she can try to finally put the past to rest.
Clare is a teacher and currently lives in Chicago. Her father has recently moved from Sumner’s Mills and when she is ready, he will sell her childhood home. Clare has never resolved the guilt she feels over what happened in the dilapidated house. When Abby sent her a few emails several months back, Clare’s nightmares about their childhood trips to the Octagon House begin again.
Upon returning to Sumner Mills, Clare agrees to meet Lori for the first time in years. During their discussion about Octagon House, she discovers unsettling information about the home’s history. Once she learns the identity of the house’s owner, Clare hopes to find answers about what happened to the person who built the house. Uncovering startling details, Clare knows the only way to get answers about why Abby was in the house is to return there herself. Will Clare finally understand exactly what exactly she believes she saw all those years ago? Can she find out the truth about Abby’s reason for going back into a place that inarguably changed the course of her life?
Beneath the Stairs is a spellbinding mystery with a slight element of horror. The small -own setting is a little claustrophobic and adds tension to the unfolding story. Clare is a sympathetic character whose habit of ignoring her problems and pushing away loved ones leaves her feeling very alone. Her investigation into Octagon house is quite compelling but will she be able to accept what she unearths? Seamlessly weaving both and forth in time, Jennifer Fawcett brings this suspenseful novel to a fully satisfying conclusion.