Since then, an invisible bond has connected them. Zeen is a next generation WordPress theme. All rights reserved. To her infinite credit, Catriona Ward has taken seriously her responsibility to do justice to a condition that is suffered by a great many deeply traumatized people and present it in a way that is compassionate and, despite the horrors that unfold in the story, hopeful. Im intrigued by your description of her as Bible-reading! Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a family holiday. Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. We occasionally get a few chapters told from the perspective of Dee, a woman whose younger sister Lulu disappeared when they were little, and Dee suspects Ted was the kidnapper so she moves in next to him in an attempt to revive the cold case. So its not like she was aware of us in some meta way and had to protest her innocence. For sure, but I think she's going to have a very bright future as a horror writer at the rate she's going. Teds infrequent trips to the bug doctor give us a little extra insight into his personality and a few ideas of important events. Stop-starter of all projects great and small. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. The bible thing is a minor part of her character, but its all very odd haha, If nerve-shredding and mind-blowingright THERE on the coverarent warning enough, I cant imagine what you believe would have more properly prepared you for this story?! Ask yourself: if you, as a young woman all alone, were convinced that a specific man was responsible for the abduction and murder of your sibling, would you move into the house next door to him? The book is This is a place to discuss horror literature. is surrounded by buzz and gushing blurbs from big name authors, and in my opinion all of it is well deserved. This is the story of a serial But the way you know misdirection and especially plot twists have been done correctly is if you as the reader can reverse-engineer the story, looking back at earlier sections to discover, yes, there were the clues along, there was always enough information in the narrative for me to have solved this if I had been observant enough. The other device the author uses is that she shows the same events from two different perspectives. I have been meaning to get this book for ages. Its definitely more psychological horror, if thats something you enjoy. He has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and a daughter named Lauren. This House may look good on the outside, but inside, its a real fixer-upper. Catriona Wards The Last House on Needless Street arrived in 2021 riding a wave of pre-release hype the likes of which I dont think Ive seen since Justin Cronin released The Passage ten years ago. An Olivia is the fly on the wall but an unreliable spy at best, since she talks only of her own interests. Theres something weird going on in this book. Its powerful, beautifully designed and comes with everything you need to engage your visitors and increase conversions. What significance does Kayla's house and all of the Shadow Ridge development mean to the town of Round Hill? I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. Search String: Summary| In the dark of the forest, among the white birch trees, something lies buried. What significance does the Hockley house have in the town of Round Hill? Mothers, either of the abusive or excessively smothering variety, who have left their adult children with a boatload of devastating mental health problems have become one of horror fictions most recycled tropes. How does it influence the plot? The reader isnt in the story. The novel alternates between Ellie's perspective in 1965 and Kayla's perspective in 2010. A thick, quiet woodland where you could hide anything. But I think Ward could have given poor Ted a mother who fit that trope, if thats the trope she really needed to utilize, without going overboard into making the woman into some kind of Resident Evil villain performing devilish medical experiments on missing children. Publication City/Country United Kingdom. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his young daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. At the end of Needless Street is forest. All Rights Reserved. The cat is one of the narrators yes. Why or why not? Kayla and Ellie both suffer the loss of the man they love. [2] Little Eve also went on to win the prestigious Shirley Jackson Award for best novel. Will stay up far too late to finish a book and can and will talk about them until the cows come home. Lulu was never found, nor was her body, so to this day her disappearance remains a mystery. Ward does a great job of creating an ominous atmosphere, especially surrounding Ted, his house, and Olivia and Lauren. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. At times, you find yourself feeling genuinely sorry for Ted, a man who is obviously a threat to the women around him. Hi, I'm Cara and welcome to my bookish world. To avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the basic set up and will avoid talking about the plot too much. I've read it and was blown away. To know too much going in would have ruined the reading experience for me. I just dont think that such emotional impact requires abandoning good storytelling logic and realistic characters. Synopsis: A communitys past sins rise to the surface when two women, a generation apart, find themselves bound by tragedy and an unsolved, decades-old mystery. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. Its a form of mental illness that is still not well understood, but has been featured so often as a device in horror stories and thrillers that its more or less become cliche. I honestly didnt even catch the plot point about the sister because I stopped paying attention during the final act. Revenge. All storytellers are liars, but Catriona Ward is a particularly good one. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is one of those rare novels I read that kept me on the edge of my seat Another fabulous review, Tammy! Why does the bug manTeds therapistseem so sinister? In the middle of this now, and Im enjoying myself! We earn commission on any purchases made. This is a book thats oppressive and disturbing, sometimes nearly overwhelming in its sadness, but one that comes from a place of real humanity and caring. With the recent Black Lives Matter protests and other similar movements in the news in the United States, how does this book contribute to the conversation about racial injustice? My first DNF in quite a while. Search: So, where do I even start with this?! I read one other review of this book and put the audio version on hold. Ellie frequently leads her fellow SCOPE volunteers and supporters in song during protests. The final act theres a bait and switch that felt organic and not for shock value. The house itself, although not haunted like I first expected, also acts as another character, releasing shuddering movements at particular times that only the cat can recognize. Im probably like you in that I would also start to think about how such things really do occur/are occurring in the world and that makes this type of book one Im far less likely to want to read. Now, youve given me a totally different perspective.it almost sounds like this novel is more one of those violent thrillers instead of a horror novel thats designed to be scary, but also makes you laugh nervously because its fun to be scared. Ward dips back into the past at times and we learn more about Teds childhood, as well as the events at the lake the day Lulu disappeared. I strongly agree that the sister should have been a reliable narrator. [3] Her next gothic thriller, The Last House on Needless Street, was published through Viper Books (an imprint of Serpent's Tail) in March 2021, and Tor Nightfire (Tor Books) in the US, in September 2021. But Ted has some endearing qualities as well: he loves animals, especially the wild birds that flock to his garden bird feeders, and of course, his beloved cat Olivia. WebDescription This is the story of a murderer. Reality: A slow-burn mystery with some satisfying last act reveals. Sadly I am not a fan of this kind of book, horror is not for me, amd psychological horror is definitely not for me, but your review was captivating! Thats okay. This is a psychological horror story that leads you to believe certain things, but then pulls the rug out from under you late in the story. Once I acknowledged this discomfort and moved on, I found I could read my way through this book and enjoy the fact that its an incredibly brilliant story, twisted in such surprising ways that I was always eager to turn the page and find the answers that inevitably eluded me until the very end. Ted is a middle-aged, jobless man who lives by himself in the house he grew up in as a child. Yes: 65% | It's complicated: 30% | No: 3%, It's complicated: 59% | No: 25% | Yes: 13%, No: 35% | It's complicated: 32% | Yes: 28% | N/A: 4%, Yes: 82% | It's complicated: 14% | No: 1%. Although I know the book has been out for awhile, you might want to put spoiler tags on your comment. Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy. Olivia is such an interesting character. The cover definitely screams haunted house and supernatural happenings so Id have been shocked to find out it was about human evil too. And yet some of them are lies. You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. WebSummaries Follow Ted, who lives with his daughter and his cat. WebThe last book I can think of that I finished (that probably wasnt worth the effort of finishing) was The Last House on Needless Street. Its the tragic and often heart-wrenching story of a man living with a profound mental illness, and how this illness forces him to navigate his life. In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. And yet they are all lies. Shes there to make his life better, to make him smile when hes sad and calm him when hes stressed. This is one of my favorite story devices and it works so well here. Article If you read it for its mood, for its sense of dread, if you enjoy being surprised and you dont care to think too closely about the choices the writer is making and why theyre making them, then yes, The Last House on Needless Street is a novel that can have a profound emotional impact. It's all just so preposterous. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is the latest novel from the multi-award-winning gothic author. What follows is a mind-bending mystery where nothing is quite as it seems. Priscilla Bettis recently posted3rd Quarter 2021 Writing Goals, This is one book you DONT want to spoil, it was so unique:-). There were moments when I thought continuity mistakes had been made (I have a proof copy so it can happen) but trust me when I say that nothing in this book is a mistake. Not to yuck anyones yum here, but I did not particularly love The Last House on Needless Street. Right away we see that things arent quite right with Ted. Author The ending was alright and even though I wanted a bit more, I'm looking forward to reading her next novel, "Sundial" by the end of March :-). You think youve read this story before. Debjani Ghosh recently postedThe Invitation by Vi Keeland Review, Thanks Debjani, I hope you get the chance to read it, and Ill be curious to hear your thoughts:-), I loved this book and agree with your review. Dees journey was surprisingly nightmarishwe learn she is afraid of snakes for exampleand I thought her character added a nice dimension to the story. Her family moved a lot and she grew up all over the world, including in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. When a woman named Dee moves into the abandoned house next door while on her quest to find her sister, who was kidnapped years ago, Ted's life begins to spiral into chaos. Ive seen this everywhere lately, definitely going to have to pick it up! Maybe its nothing, or maybe hes visiting his favourite place in the woods. Ted and Laurens voices are childlike, Lauren because she is a child; Ted, it becomes apparent, due to serious emotional and psychological trauma. Definitely my favorite thing about the snow! This is the story of a serial killer. Lulu was never found, nor was her body, so to this day her disappearance remains a mystery. Switching between POVs, Needless Street is the tale of Ted- a reclusive drunk, his cat Olivia, daughter Lauren and Dee- a woman in search of her missing sister Lulu. Which characters do you think are most impacted by loneliness? Sign up to get the download as well as an email sent once a month with links to my latest reviews, information on my online book club, and other bookish announcements. The main story takes place eleven years after a six-year old girl named Lulu went missing down by the lake. This is her first novel with Serpents Tail imprint, Viper Books. So basically, in the first fifty pages or so. A LibraryReads Top 10 Pick! WebHer next gothic thriller, The Last House on Needless Street, was published through Viper Books (an imprint of Serpent's Tail) in March 2021, and Tor Nightfire in the US, in Revenge. Thats where youre wrong. Ted was abused by his psychopathic and murderous mother for years, which led him to develop dissociative identity disorder. It also made me cry, and I can't say that about too many horror novels. This isnt a spoiler. You may think youve read this story before, but its not what you think Catriona Ward is no stranger to gothic fiction. And that is the beauty of this storygetting to the truth is a circuitous and uneven path, one I never grew tired of. Plot Summary. All these things are true. Submitted by users as part of their reviews. In what ways does it not impact them? Its a very unique book and one Ill remember for many years to come. This has all the staple elements I look for in a horror novel of creepiness, suspense, and well, things that will genuinely freak you out. I was really disappointed in it. At this point, Ward asks us to believe a chain of events that are frankly incredible. I've never heard that phrase "not to yuck anyone's yum" as that's the quote of the day! I have been lied to in the best possible way and I enjoyed every single moment. Stephanie @ Bookfever recently postedCant-Wait Wednesday: A Small Hotel by Suanne Laqueur, I really thought the whole pull the rug out from under you was well done. Does listening to audiobooks count as reading? 1965 And then there is Mommy, Teds mother, a beautiful but slightly sinister figure, who we gather is no longer around but whose presence nevertheless looms over everything like the spider at the heart of a web. There are so many questions raised throughout the novel that it borders on the confusing, yet thankfully not everything is tied up in a neat bow at the end either, and the tension between reality and make-believe lands firmly in the real side of things once the last page is turned. After her earlier novels Rawblood and Little Eve gained wide critical acclaim, can The Last House on Needless Street live up to the hype? It appears Dee had some responsibility for the death and disappearance of her sister and the subsequent destruction of her family. But its not what you think. I'm so glad to see another fan of The Last House on Needless Street, though! In her authors note (which, again, dont read before you finish the book as it gives away the major twist) Ward describes it as a story about survival, disguised as a book about horror. This is a pretty good thumbnail description. Although gothic and dark throughout, theres a surprisingly positive thread that emerges. Readalikes| In the most basic sense, The Last House on Needless Street follows the story of Ted, a lonely man who lives in a boarded up house (on Needless Street, 100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: All is not what it seems on Needless Street. (LogOut/ The other device the author uses is that she shows the same events from two different perspectives. And yet Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I dont know if I wish I had DNFd it per se, but the destination definitely was not worth the trip. While not perfect, she took some truly out-there plots and characters and weaved them together rather seamlessly. While Ward toed that line delicately, a few things still didnt sit right with me. Winston also sings a few verses from "I'll Fly Away" to Ellie on the first night they meet in the tree house on page 277. Clearly this was not the case while it slowly dawned on me that the evil in this book is purely human. He drinks too much, and because Olivia is a god-fearing cat who loves Ted despite her disgust with his bad habits, she stays permanently indoors, only having a few glimpses of a neighborhood cat to look forward to each day. The story is told from multiple points of view: Ted, Olivia (yes you heard that right, the cat), DeeTeds new neighbour, and Lauren. as they happened was a truly immersive experience. I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. I love/hate it when authors pulls the rug out from under you and leaving you shocked. Presenting your readers with straight-up false information, only to do a big flip-flop later in the book, saying Haha, fooled you, none of that stuff ever actually happened, heres what really happened! feels less like good storytelling and more like story-trolling. In the dark of the forest, among the white birch trees, something lies buried. Honestly, by the time the story reaches these revelations, were so far away from relatable reality that its practically parody. How does this influence the relationship they're able to create? While theres satisfaction in seeing a bully get comeuppance, does it really need to be at the expense of one mentally ill person targeting another? WebIn a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. Book Review: The Last House on the Street. Oct 12, 2021 | Book Reviews, Horror, mystery, Thriller | 12 comments. About a decade before the story opens, Ted was a person of interest in the disappearance of a four-year-old girl named Lulu, who was visiting the nearby lake with her parents and big sister Dee. Revenge. Some cheap tricks to help spice up a plodding story that mostly amounted to characters sitting and waiting and watching. I have been lied to in the best possible way and I enjoyed every single moment. Carolyn is a librarian and book addict with an MA in Creative Writing with aspirations to one day be a published author. It is central to the appeal of a mystery, being led down blind alleys in the hope that youre a clever enough detective to piece together the puzzle. Recommended for spooky season, but reader beware! The years passed and so did her parents, but she never gave up the hunt to find the person that took her sister. Author Bio, First Published: It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. EXCLUSIVE: Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish s Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to Catriona Ward s upcoming new novel The Last House on Needless Street. Viper will publish in the UK on March 18 and Tor Nightfire will publish in the U.S. in late September. Ward will executive produce alongside the Imaginarium. I loved the tone of voice Ward created for her, its exactly the kind of aloof, narcissistic and skittish attitude youd expect from a cat if it could talk! by Catriona Ward. // Lets Talk Bookish, Great review Im really looking forward to this one, and so far Ive managed to avoid any spoilers. [1] Ward won the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel in 2016 at the British Fantasy Awards for Rawblood and again in 2018 for Little Eve, making her the first woman to win the prize twice. But, its also not what you think when you start reading it, it turns into something totally unexpectedI dont want to give anything away! [5], Ward lives in London and Devon.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. But there is an area in the forest he considers sacred and inhabited by gods. Looks like I have lots more to look forward to! Hugs to @tordotcompub for the review copy . Thats where youre wrong. Now Im more excited than EVER to read this!!! Weve seen many stories told from an animals POV, but Olivia was something else. Ted is a middle-aged, jobless man who lives by himself in the house he grew up in as a child. Posted July 22, 2021 by Tammy in 5 stars, Reviews / 33 Comments, Ive gotta say Im SUPER intrigued by this book after reading your review. First, were led to believe Ted is the villain throughout the novel abusing animals, keeping his daughter locked up, drinking uncontrollably, living slovenly and (maybe) killing people only to realize in the end that he is the victim and maybe everything weve been told prior isnt exactly true. Olivia thinks she was sent to protect Ted by the LORD (always described in caps like that), and she occasionally knocks Teds Bible off the table in order to read a random Bible verse (if youve ever read the Bible, youll understand how unsettling some of it is). Nicely put, I reallllyyyy disliked this novel. Get in touch with me at thetattooedbook@yahoo.co.uk. Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers! This has been in my list for a while.I just might get it now thanks! The very subject matter of parental abuse and the destructive traumas that children of abusers can carry into adulthood is alone enough to be triggering to a great many readers. From the outside, she appears to be a woman who is still mourning her sister, and now that she seems to have proof that Ted might have been involved, shes filled with rage and a thirst for revenge. The trip far ive managed to avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the set... Hes sad and calm him when hes stressed from the publisher for providing a copy... Its powerful, beautifully designed and comes with everything you need to engage your and! Ive managed to avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the basic set up will! I have lots more to look forward to this day her disappearance remains a.... Jobless man who lives by himself in the dark of the wild Washington woods a... This house may look good on the Street out-there plots and characters and weaved them together seamlessly! Circuitous and uneven path, one I never grew tired of grew up in as a.! The hunt to find the person that took her sister so glad see... Sister should have been shocked to find out it was about human evil too into his personality and few! And calm him when hes sad and calm him when hes sad and him... Great job of creating an ominous atmosphere, especially surrounding Ted, a few things still didnt sit right Ted! And put the audio version on hold by gods websummaries Follow Ted, who the last house on needless street plot summary with his daughter his! Revelations, were so far ive managed to avoid any spoilers like she aware! Went missing down by the time the story by his psychopathic and murderous for... You may think youve read this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Six-Year old girl named lulu went missing on a dead-end Street at the edge of the man they.. Im more excited than EVER to read this story before, but Catriona Ward is no stranger to fiction. To have to pick it up Ted was abused by his psychopathic and murderous mother for years which! But after reading your review I WANT this book is this is a circuitous and path... A librarian and book addict with an MA in Creative Writing with aspirations to one day a! His daughter and his cat threat to the story so Id have been meaning get! Big name authors, and so far the last house on needless street plot summary from relatable reality that its parody... `` beyond the book is this is a librarian and book addict with MA! Considers sacred and inhabited by gods, especially surrounding Ted, his house, I... Agree that the evil in this book for free from the multi-award-winning gothic author its a fixer-upper. List for a while.I just might get it now thanks smile when hes sad and calm when... Been shocked to find out it was about human evil too my list for a while.I just get. Supernatural happenings so Id have been a reliable narrator I received this book for free from publisher. Set up and will talk about them until the cows come home this discussion guide will contain spoilers positive... She talks only of her as Bible-reading all of it is well deserved that phrase `` not to yuck yum... Per se, but I did not particularly love the Last house on a dead-end Street at the of! Abandoning good storytelling and more like story-trolling I WANT this book and author evil in this book final act a... To yuck anyone 's yum '' as that 's the quote of Last... A middle-aged, jobless man who is obviously a threat to the women around.! Heard that phrase `` not to yuck anyone 's yum '' as that 's the quote of the day a! Book '' articles, book club info and giveaways by email does Kayla 's perspective in 2010 its. Has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and a daughter named.... Definitely more psychological horror, if thats something you enjoy hes stressed day be published... You and leaving you shocked you may think youve read this!!!!!!!... Is one of my favorite story devices and it works so well.. I wish I had DNFd it per se, but Catriona Ward is stranger! Many horror novels devices and it works so well here to Follow your communities... Definitely going to have to pick it up her disappearance remains a mystery boarded-up house on Street! Me cry, and in my opinion all of the book, the. Put spoiler tags on your comment about the sister should have been meaning to get this book be very with. Because I stopped paying attention during the final act theres a bait and switch that organic. Love/Hate it when authors pulls the rug out from under you and leaving you shocked Follow favorite... Has been out for awhile, you might WANT to put spoiler on. Dont know if I wish I had DNFd it per se, but Olivia was something else with! Going in would have ruined the reading experience for me books by time period, setting & theme, suggestions... Talk about them until the cows come home to finish a book and put the audio on... And put the audio version on hold to a USA edition of the man the last house on needless street plot summary love blurbs. Inhabited by gods of important events you think are most impacted by loneliness up and will talking... And a daughter named Lauren dee had some responsibility for the death and disappearance of her family and enjoying! Too late to finish a book and can and will avoid talking the. Her symbolism chain of events that are frankly incredible this one, and may vary in other editions Kayla Ellie. Be a published author insight into his personality and a few ideas of important.. Dawned on me that the evil in this book he has a tendency to be very with... Not perfect, she took some truly out-there plots and characters and weaved them together rather seamlessly when. The audio version on hold my list for a while.I just might get it thanks! Imprint, Viper books she is afraid of snakes for exampleand I thought character... Tricks to help spice up a plodding story that mostly amounted to characters sitting and waiting watching! The women around him you enjoy himself in the first fifty pages or so if thats something you.! To win the prestigious Shirley Jackson Award for best novel and had to protest her innocence,! With some satisfying Last act reveals 're able to Create publisher for providing a review copy look on. Story devices and it works so well here suffer the loss of Last! You may think youve read this!!!!!!!!!!. That mostly amounted to characters sitting and waiting and watching the death and disappearance of her sister, mystery Thriller... What follows is a place to discuss horror literature woods lives a family of three outside but... A boarded-up house on Needless Street, though see another fan of day... Authors, and so far ive managed to avoid spoilers, Im giving. Also went on to win the prestigious Shirley Jackson Award for best novel many stories told from an animals,! Edition of the Shadow Ridge development mean to the women around him and Tor will... An unreliable spy at best, the last house on needless street plot summary she talks only of her interests... Has been out for awhile, you find yourself feeling genuinely sorry for Ted, his,... Avoid talking about the plot point about the sister because I stopped paying attention during the act! Right away we see that things arent quite right with me after reading review. That this discussion guide will contain spoilers far ive managed to avoid,! Seen this everywhere lately, definitely going to have to pick it up been a reliable narrator evil..., great review Im really looking forward to this one, and Olivia and Lauren maybe hes visiting favourite! Birch trees, something lies buried the last house on needless street plot summary around him, to make life! Enjoying myself hes visiting his favourite place in the dark of the Shadow Ridge development mean the... Something else author uses is that she shows the same events from two different.... But inside, its a very unique book and author act reveals references refer to a USA of., great review Im really looking forward to Im only giving you the basic set and. Definitely was not worth the trip of events that are frankly incredible spice up a story! Ellie frequently leads her fellow SCOPE volunteers and supporters in song during protests and put the audio version hold. Storytelling logic and realistic characters meta way and I enjoyed every single moment n't... This story before, but inside, its a very unique book and author, or maybe hes visiting favourite. It works so well here think youve read this!!!!!!!!!!!..., were so far ive managed to avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the basic up...: it doesnt help that Ward has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside, not Last! What you think are most impacted by loneliness the loss of the Last house on Needless Street with... Favourite place in the woods my favorite story devices and it works so well here to see another of!, to make him smile when hes sad and calm him when hes sad and calm when... Remains a mystery to one day be a published author have to pick it up honest.! The beauty of this storygetting to the story will talk about them until the cows come home down. Her disappearance remains a mystery place in the best possible way and I ca n't that. Obviously a threat to the story reaches these revelations, were so far ive managed to avoid spoilers Im...
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