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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Cw: animal death and goes into detail about how he does it :(
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
Anthony: I didn't know anything about this book, but a friend said I had to read it, so I did. It's excellent, but best shrouded in mystery.
The story involves a little girl who goes missing one day at the lake. One of the suspects is a slightly strange man Ted, who is the main character of this book along with every other chapter that is told from the POV of his cat: Olivia.
Olivia: Unlike the Olivia in the book, this cat cannot read, so I did appreciate my Ted buying this novel on audiobook so that I could enjoy it too.
I wasn't sure at first about the chapters told from the cat's perspective. She's very religious and we all know the only thing a cat worships is itself. However she did grow on me and the book is told wonderfully, slowing letting you see more while constantly wondering what is really going on. My Ted did successfully guess what was going on in the book (not that he actually knew) quite early on, but that did not dampen his enthusiasm for putting it back on as soon as he came home.
Anthony: This is a great mystery book that I would highly recommend you pick up and devour.
The story involves a little girl who goes missing one day at the lake. One of the suspects is a slightly strange man Ted, who is the main character of this book along with every other chapter that is told from the POV of his cat: Olivia.
Olivia: Unlike the Olivia in the book, this cat cannot read, so I did appreciate my Ted buying this novel on audiobook so that I could enjoy it too.
I wasn't sure at first about the chapters told from the cat's perspective. She's very religious and we all know the only thing a cat worships is itself. However she did grow on me and the book is told wonderfully, slowing letting you see more while constantly wondering what is really going on. My Ted did successfully guess what was going on in the book (not that he actually knew) quite early on, but that did not dampen his enthusiasm for putting it back on as soon as he came home.
Anthony: This is a great mystery book that I would highly recommend you pick up and devour.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Genre: Psychological Thriller
This book gaslit me, emotionally wrecked me, and then asked if I was okay like it wasn’t the problem. It starts off weird (like “talking cat and boarded-up house in the woods” weird), and I was fully prepared to DNF it, but thank the unhinged horror gods I didn’t.
Turns out, nothing is what it seems. You think you’re reading one kind of story, and then, bam!, you’re somewhere completely different, questioning every character, every memory, and probably your own sanity. There’s childhood trauma, unreliable narration, and twists that had me making that “wait…what?” face in public.
Catriona Ward’s writing is like being slowly buried alive, but you kind of like it. The way she handles dissociation and identity is brilliant and brutal. And let’s be real: I’ve read books with these tropes (not mentioning specifics because spoilers) before, but this one doesn’t just use it for shock, it hurts in the best way.
By the end, I was equal parts devastated and applauding. Five stars for making me feel like a nosy neighbor who got way more than she bargained for.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Genre: Psychological Thriller
This book gaslit me, emotionally wrecked me, and then asked if I was okay like it wasn’t the problem. It starts off weird (like “talking cat and boarded-up house in the woods” weird), and I was fully prepared to DNF it, but thank the unhinged horror gods I didn’t.
Turns out, nothing is what it seems. You think you’re reading one kind of story, and then, bam!, you’re somewhere completely different, questioning every character, every memory, and probably your own sanity. There’s childhood trauma, unreliable narration, and twists that had me making that “wait…what?” face in public.
Catriona Ward’s writing is like being slowly buried alive, but you kind of like it. The way she handles dissociation and identity is brilliant and brutal. And let’s be real: I’ve read books with these tropes (not mentioning specifics because spoilers) before, but this one doesn’t just use it for shock, it hurts in the best way.
By the end, I was equal parts devastated and applauding. Five stars for making me feel like a nosy neighbor who got way more than she bargained for.
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh I loved this. Non spoilers - the book might be confusing at first, but if you assume that you are in the same universe Andrew Lloyd-Weber’s CATS is set in, you’ll find your footing quickly.
Spoilery - let’s hear it for the character with trauma-induced brain damage NOT being the evil killer!! I enjoyed the hell out of reading it once I got a few chapters in - the slow drip feed of fucked up information was delicious. Like Lauren having to pedal her bike with her hands… The narrative really plays with your assumptions, found that so engaging. I loved reading it and the more I think about it the more I loved it. I’m still a little confused about certain parts but that’s what I get for listening while working.
Spoilery - let’s hear it for the character with trauma-induced brain damage NOT being the evil killer!! I enjoyed the hell out of reading it once I got a few chapters in - the slow drip feed of fucked up information was delicious. Like Lauren having to pedal her bike with her hands… The narrative really plays with your assumptions, found that so engaging. I loved reading it and the more I think about it the more I loved it. I’m still a little confused about certain parts but that’s what I get for listening while working.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault
3.5 stars
I am just… what???
Not an enjoyable read tbh because it was so unsettling (though I believe that’s the goal and it's my fault for reading a genre I don't like) but the payoff was good. Also it was so fucked up that it got stuck in my head and I dreamed about it.
I am just… what???
Not an enjoyable read tbh because it was so unsettling (though I believe that’s the goal and it's my fault for reading a genre I don't like) but the payoff was good. Also it was so fucked up that it got stuck in my head and I dreamed about it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
É um livro bem confuso até que chegue de fato, no desenrolar da história. Tem coisas que eu tô confusa ainda, mas é isso. O plot no final foi MUITO bom, eu definitivamente não estava esperando. Mas vou assumir que qualquer coisa que viesse, era bom, porque eu estava mais perdida que agulha no palheiro. Achei incrível a pesquisa e o cuidado da autora em tratar o TDI (transtorno dissociativo de identidade) e abordar esse tema, então acho que, apesar da história ser meio confusa em várias partes e um tanto lenta, vale muito a pena.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While becoming quite predictable by the last third or so of the story, there are enough twists and turns in this book to keep the reader guessing. To me It felt like a slow iv drip of information as the answers were revealed.
I enjoyed the way this book held my attention, even if the darker themes were not exactly my type of horror.
I enjoyed the way this book held my attention, even if the darker themes were not exactly my type of horror.
Muy buena lectura.
El libro de tiene enganchado de principio a fin. Lleno de giros y sorpresas que, en mi caso, no me esperaba para nada.
Totalmente recomendable.
El libro de tiene enganchado de principio a fin. Lleno de giros y sorpresas que, en mi caso, no me esperaba para nada.
Totalmente recomendable.