The House
What if your perfect home turned out to be the scene of the perfect crime?
Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it. So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake. Because someone has just been murdered. Right outside their back door. And now the police are watching them...
Simon Lelic has created an interesting and addictively suspenseful psych thriller with enough twists and turns to classify for rollercoaster level fiction. He writes his story from the point of view of his 2 main characters which adds this extra layer of intrigue to see how things unfold from the different perspectives.
The first half of the book reads like journal entries which two very obviously distinct voices and personalities are narrating; later you discover why the book starts off with a 2 person diary. You learn practically everything about the 2 main characters, Syd and Jack. What was really fun was how the author so seamlessly pulled both of their stories together, where one character left off the other would pick up in their chapter so on point you can easily imagine sitting in front of this couple as they take turns interrupting each other to tell another part of the story. It really played a lot to their character development how easy you can tell they have a strong relationship just by the dialogue.
Where it really starts to flip the story on its head is in the second half of the book where it changes from journal entries to a more traditional story so you discover why the characters were keeping the diary and how everything falls out.
All the characters felt realistic and their actions believable, even the villains unfortunately which causes its own emotionally draining problems. If there was ever a case to make for why kids should be allowed to blame their parents for them growing up to make bad choices, this book sure gets the gold standard.
As someone with their degree in Psychology I have a habit of reading tons of purported psych thrillers out of curiosity to see why the publishers are marketing them as such. This one really does justice to the term because it’s one of the few where you are treated to a complete analysis of why the characters make the choices they do and how nurture in childhood has such a strong impact on who we grow up to be.
It was interesting to see how the consequences of choices and actions played out right to the last chapter.
In its own way this is also a love story. It tells the tale of how a couple in love will do anything for each other and give the ultimate example of trust. It describes the love a person can develop for a child that's not their own and the lengths a person will take for them. It portrays the love a person can develop for their fellow citizens in need. It's a swirl of the darkness and light that make up humanity.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for allowing me to review this book.
*synopsis and pic from netgalley.com