Reviews

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

julia11's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this book. It had all the ingredients but it just wasn't it for me.

Ted lives in the last house on Needless St with his cat Olivia and occasionally his daughter, Lauren. Ted suffers from (mulitple) mental health issues as well as a touch of alcoholism. He eventually gets a new neighbor, Dee, who is looking for her sister who went missing years earlier. Ted's life continues spiraling out of control while under the suspicious watch of Dee.

Honestly, the first 60-70% of this book is the most confusing thing I've ever read. And while it is all nicely tied together towards the end, I just don't think it made up for the confusion at the beginning- I never knew what time frame we were in, and I mean.. there was a religious cat as a narrator.. so there's that. If I wasn't reading this with a book club, I think it would have been a DNF for me simply because I felt so lost. However, the way Ward tied everything up and had it all come together was very clever and well done which is what makes it 3 stars for me. She did so much research on mental health conditions and it shows. Overall, this book wasn't for me, but if you're someone who can deal with the confusion- knowing there's a payoff eventually- have at it!

shinyopals's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

marakb's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.0

reaperreads's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kdahlo's review against another edition

4.0

Really cool thriller/mystery. I love guessing ahead and caught some of the twists but there was still plenty to enjoy. Very dark and gruesome so not for everyone. Compelling and engaging.

dumb_library's review against another edition

5.0

okay ummmm HOLY SHIT hahahaha not me thinking i was hating this the first half and being completely blown away by the end. i’m actually pissed i can’t talk about this book without spoiling it. reading the “afterword” is super important and i’m glad the author included it. this was incredible and it’s 100% a new favorite.

justgina93's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ashleywrites's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

deansrummer's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

desolation73's review against another edition

5.0

I think this book is pure genius it shouldnt work but it does, and it wont work for everybody either I could see it being a marmite book, for me its a unique book. New book out in February.