A review by misophorism
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I can't really put my thoughts about this into words without spoilers.  Broad strokes: Catriona Ward is a very talented writer with excellent prose and a perfect grasp of structure and pacing. If you are looking for a dark thriller, you should check it out. My issues with this book in no way reflect on her literary talent, which is obviously immense, but rather personal preference. 

Spoilers:

I do not like the twist, which is the reason for my mid-score rating. Before I arrived at the twist, I would've likely given this book 4/4.25 stars. The memories were engaging, the tension between Dee and Ted was skull-shattering, and the pace was perfect. I found the prose in Olivia's sections somewhat grating at first, a bit too quirky for my liking, but it was easily forgiven. But the twist in this book is twofold: one, Dee is much more responsible for Lulu's death than the first half intimates, and two, Ted has not killed anyone, and was the victim the entire time. After spending so long in his head, with very unsettling narration that does heavily hint that he has harmed someone, it is hard for me to be satisfied with that twist. Looking back over the book, I think the Dee twist works much better, but at the same time, I'm not crazy about that one either.

 

This is why I said it comes down to my personal preferences: the twist in this instance is one I don't think I would like in a story no matter how well it was written or who wrote it. This type of story element just isn't my style. I was immensely invested when I believed that Lauren was Lulu, who had been kidnapped and developed D.I.D. herself and that Dee was on her way to save her, but instead Dee dies and Ted is the victim the entire time. And while this is, when looking at the memories of his mother leading up to that reveal, quite believable, it's hard for me to countenance as a reader solely because I just plain don't like it as a twist. A review at the beginning of the book said that Shirley Jackson, my personal favorite novelist, may have to concede to this book, and unfortunately, I have to disagree here.

In a technical/mechanical sense, this book is flawless. My gripes have more to do with me than it. Nevertheless, I'm eager to read more of Catriona's work.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Vomit