I was so looking forward to this book because the 'blurb' sounded great - part thriller... perhaps supernatural....

However the book is NOTHING like the desciption! I think if I had gone into it 'blind' not knowing anything about it I would have enjoyed it more.

Also the back and forth 'journal' style of writing quickly became irritating as there was too much 'chat' and the story did not flow as naturally as it could.

The main characters Syd and Jack are well developed BUT Syd is just awful... just not enough good characteristics to make the reader feel all the sympathy and empathy that Lelic is trying to induce in the reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an arc.
Jack and Syd manage to buy a house in London, perhaps not their ideal home but one at an affordable price which they are delighted to get. However, purchasing this house comes with hidden costs as they are to find out. At first this seems to be going down the 'haunted house' route as unexplained things start happening. However, it becomes clear that someone specifically wanted them to have this house to enable them to get access to the couple and wreak revenge on them.
I like the way the book is written as journal entries by both Jack and Syd, this method lets us get to know the story from both of their perspectives and reveals their back stories. I felt that the story veered into 'misery lit' territory and some of it made extremely disturbing and upsetting reading. Syd enters into a friendship with a young neighbour called Elsie and it becomes clear that they have a lot in common. I found this part of the story really sad and quite realistic in the way that both characters were left to fend for themselves without any help from outside parties.
I really enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it.

The House is a compelling, dark and twisted thriller. Lelic's writing style is unique using a diary format between two characters. An interesting concept where a couple moves into their dream house only to have someone murdered right outside their back door. Sometimes things are too good to be true. The plot remains entertaining throughout, though it falls on the slow-burn side of thrillers.

At first I gave this book two stars but after some consideration I'm setting it at one star. I couldn't recommend this to anyone; I found the writing style lazy and saw the ending coming a mile off. I didn't think that Syd's character reflected a human being at all and was very two-dimensional. I was really disappointed by this read - I'd been excited about it, and even put off reading to delay the suspense. I wouldn't read another book by this author.

I found The House a bit of a slow burner and because of that I never really found it gripping .The story is actually very good but I found confusing with Jack and Syd both writing about the things that had happened .I was a story of murder abuse love and in the centre of it all is The House .

I thought The House was a very good psychological thriller. It is well written and very gripping.

The plot concerns Jack and Syd, a young couple who manage to buy a house which they didn't expect to be able to get. Things then become a little sinister and gradually a series of events means that their lives begin to unravel completely and past trauma starts to emerge. It's a tense, well developed plot which is pretty plausible until the very end, which I did find pretty unlikely. However, it is so well done that I can forgive that.

What makes this so good is the very engrossing plot structure, which kept me very involved, and the two narrative voices. The book is in the form of a diary or blog kept by Syd and Jack which, by mutual agreement, they write both as messages to each other and to get a clear record of what has happened. I found the two voices completely convincing and engaging in their own ways, and Syd and Jack's relationship and how they behave under extreme pressure seemed very real to me. By the time I got to a rather less-than-plausible ending I was completely hooked, so I didn't really mind.

In short, The House is an enjoyable, gripping read which is a cut above your average psychological thriller. Recommended.

(I received an ARC via Netgalley.)

Unfortunately although the novel was well written it just did not capture my imagination. I didn't find it at all gripping and though there were some interesting moments they didn't last long enough.

I am sorry that I am not able to be more positive.

„The House“ was unfortunately a disappointing read. It is told at first in form of diaries or letters from Jack and Syd, a young couple who recently bought a house in London. I had high expectations for this book and was really looking forward reading it. But somehow I expected something else, a different story about a creepy house and maybe something with horror elements. But unfortunately none of this happened.

In the first half we read the letters or diaries Jack and Syd wrote to tell somebody what happened in the last weeks. This is not a new idea of telling a story but it is not working very well here. It is somehow a mess. It looks like they are writing to each other and read their chapters so they can respond to it. Probably the chapters were just put together so that we readers can follow it easier. But it felt strange. I did not like both of them. Jack is winy and needy and Syd is a hypocrite and very self-centered. The keep telling each other that they will be honest but they both lie to each other constantly.

The story was not bad although it has all the over-used themes a lot of thriller books have at the moment. And it was a bit of a mess. I liked it better when the letters stopped. There were the usual twists at the end which surprisingly worked well for me. But this book got me on the wrong foot. I just did not expect this kind of domestic drama and all this dysfunctional families. I expected a spooky house story. So it is probably just me that I never really warmed up to this book and its characters.

A compelling read.

This is the simple story of a couple (both, it must be said, with unresolved childhood issues) who buy a house in London, and how their world seems to fall apart very rapidly afterwards. The story is told by the couple in a ‘statement’ to which they both contribute approximately equally, and through it we are carried along from one problem to the next.

It is a fascinating and compelling read, a real page turner, and well written too. The characters are believable and the events and problems they encounter well described.

I was given a pre-publication copy for review, but I would happily have paid full price for it (and I don’t say that often!).

Ok, so from the cover and the blurb of this book, I guessed that I was in for a few thrills and a couple of possible twists along the way, but nothing prepared me for this novel. Unique, compelling, at times witty and funny, at others terrifying and cloying, THE HOUSE by Simon Lelic kept me on tenter hooks from start to finish and gave me goosebumps throughout.

Jack and Syd cannot believe their luck when they find themselves on the property market in London. Who cares that the place is like a hoarder's dream with the previous owner's strange possessions, all that matters is that it is theirs. But something is not quite right at the house and it is not long before their comfortable life starts to take a darker turn. As Jack and Syd try to make sense of what is happening, they decide to write down their individual versions of events and open up the horror that is unfolding right before them. But what exactly has happened at the house? Well, you will just have to buy it if you want to find out.

I do not want to give too much away about the plot but it is safe to say I found it utterly enthralling. I loved the dual points of view which depicted the two characters of Jack and Syd so well, that you really felt you knew them and their distinctive voices. It got to the point where I didn't need to see the name of who was speaking as I could tell by the language whether it was Jack or Syd. At times very witty, there is always this foreboding shadow hanging over Jack and Syd as they desperately try to make sense of everything, and this left me on edge the whole time I was reading - which is exactly what I want when I'm reading a thriller!

THE HOUSE by Simon Lelic is a clever, refreshing, and eerily haunting novel that will leave you unsettled for days to come. And as a bonus, it is the perfect housewarming gift for my friends that have recently purchased an old house in the city!! 😜

A young couple move into a house in London, in circumstances that don’t quite ring true
and which is later revealed to be part of a brilliant plot. There is a sadness that runs through the book, along with an underlying sense of anger and lots of paranoia. The point at which I was hooked was a shocking incident described very simply, that arrived with jaw-dropping suddenness. After a bit of a slow start (setting the scene?) I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. A day after finishing the book, some of the too real-life irritating characters are still fresh in my mind!

Jack and Syd move into a house - not just a house all the contents are included. The owner is emigrating and wants a young couple to have it. The story is written by both Jack and Syd and tells their stories. Jack makes a discovery in the attic but chooses to ignore it. Syd has had a very troubled childhood in which she runs away from home, her sister dies and her father is imprisoned. She can see comparisons with Elsie who she befriends. Then Elsie's father is murdered on their doorstep.
This is a very tense thriller which twists and turns throughout. Who do you believe?

What an interesting and entertaining read!!! Jack and Syd moves into their perfect new house, ready to start a new life in it. Until someone decides to leave a body as a present on their doorstep. Must say, with friends like that, who needs enemies..... It was a good read and recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. Jack and Syd move in to their new home in London, buying for the first time. Jack makes a gruesome discovery in the attic, Syd befriends a young neighbour who is being abused by her father. The story is told from both the viewpoints of Jack and Syd, and this style works really well. We soon learn that Syd was also the victim of an abusive father, which has left her with many issues. When a body is found near their house, and Jack finds himself in the frame for murder, the tension starts to mount. A real page turner with some good twists. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

Finding a house in London is more or less impossible; therefore, Sydney and Jack are happy when they finally get one. It is not what they have dreamt of, but, with the time, they became realistic about what is possible and accepted the offer. Soon after they move in, strange things start to happen and they become more and more alert: is the house haunted or is somebody playing tricks on them? Is it because they interfered with the neighbour? His daughter confided herself in Sydney and awoke bad memories in her: just like Betsi, Sydney was suffering under her father’s temper and violence throughout her childhood. Unable to find help, she ran away at the age of 14 and left her younger sister with the situation at home alone. A bad conscience makes Sydney support the young neighbour, but obviously, her father is going to stop this. Or is the threat coming from somewhere completely different? No matter what is behind, soon Sydney and Jack find themselves in danger and even start losing faith in each other.


Simon Lelic’s novel starts a bit as a surprise, it’s not the typical third person narrator we have, but a kind of diary entries or letters that the two protagonists write to each other. So we have Jack’s and Sydney’s perspective in alternation which makes it quite lively and authentic, especially since you get the impression of the highly stressful situation they are in and which has gone out of control. The way they write reflects their emotional state, it is repetitive, not well organised and thought through but rather like a stream of consciousness just coming out of their mouth.


The plot itself has many surprises to offer, at first you are with the protagonists, not knowing what is happening and always trying to make sense of what they write. Then, slowly, you realise that Sydney and Jack have hidden some useful and important information from you, too, and you start getting sceptical about actually trusting them. As the novel moves on, you have to adjust your idea of the characters and the action again and again which I liked a lot since you could never feel absolutely secure about it.


“The House” really deserves the label “thriller”. Quite often, you feel a cold shiver running down your spine when again something strange happens in the house. The characters’ actions are all credibly motivated and the plot itself is convincingly constructed. The strongest aspect for me was the psychological construction behind the story; knowing what Sydney went through, you can understand her reaction when she finds out about Betsi’s life at home. But also Sydney’s mother – even though she is a rather tragic figure – can be understood in her way of behaving. So, the novel is not just playing on your nerves with a thrilling plot, but also offer some insight in emotionally induced actions and decisions.

I really don't like saying bad things about a book, but I just didn't get on with this one. It is written in a diary style from two different points of views - Jack and Sydney, who have just moved into a house together. This house has a past and the book starts off explaining how they came across the house and made the purchase. However, the diary style is far too rambling and not very structured at all. I can see what the author is trying to do with the casual style, but it feels like something I would write with my friend when I was a teenager, expecting no one else to read our private ramblings. I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters, which is a shame because I think the story has a good premise, it's just not written very well and didn't immediately grab me.

I’m a great fan of Simon Lelic. He is a terrific writer and I’ve really liked all of his previous novels. I was interested to see that his new novel was a debut psychological thriller and was very happy to receive a copy to review. It was all about a couple who had moved into a new house in the strangest of circumstances. They could hardly believe their luck. Or was it luck? That is for you to discover throughout this novel.
I loved the conversational tone of the dual narrative text as husband and wife team Jack and Syd, the main characters in this absorbing novel, wrote their journals in readiness to present to the investigating officers of a murder committed just at the back of their new home. By now I was well and truly invested in the intriguing story, but never once could I have even dreamed of the twists and turns that lay ahead and especially of how the story would reach such an unexpected and thrilling finale.
Simon Lelic is a master plotter, but this story is nail-bitingly tense and unpredictable. There are more than a few red herrings before the case of the murdered father is unwound. The story telling very cleverly lays a false trail that literally leads us up the (back) garden path. I knew from the blurb that Jack and Syd were keeping secrets from each other, but the extent of their duplicity was astounding. I did not warm to Syd at all, or to Jack’s manipulative parents, but I really liked Jack who was caring and full of empathy. He may have gone about things unwisely (integrity –wise), but his social conscience sold his character to me. I also loved teenager Elsie, living with her father and befriended by Syd. She was trusting and loyal and brought a refreshing light into this dark novel.
The crux of this disturbing story is about revenge, but it also covers other painful issues like physical abuse of minors, criminality and jealousy. The back story of historic crimes plays an important part, shedding a plume of unhappiness over some of the main characters. As the web of lies and misapprehension are revealed, so the pieces of the jigsaw begin to slot together and I was left breathless. I am still trying to come to terms and finally understand the pure deceit and to separate the truth from the lies.
I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Penguin for my copy of ‘The House’, sent to me in return for an honest review. I can happily recommend this novel as a very good read within the genre. It’s a very well deserved 9/10 from me.

This is my first book by Simon Lelic; I enjoyed his writing and the format of the book with alternating chapters between the two main characters. I thought I knew where the story was heading, and for some parts I was bit underwhelmed but when it came to the surprising parts I was gripped and couldn’t turn the kindle fast enough. I look forward to more from Simon and I hope it’s the same format as this one as it was easier to follow. This book will be out on 17th August


Thanks goes to net galley and the publishers for providing me with a kindle and paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

* 3.5 STARS*

When Jack and Syd buy their first home together in London, they feel like they've hit the jackpot. It's a big rambling old house, and although it needs lots of work, they got a really good deal because the owner wanted a young couple to have it, and accepted their lower bid. But you know the saying " If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is" Well that's certainly the case here!

Jack though, took an instant dislike to the house - he found it dark and creepy, and that was even before he made a grisly discovery in the attic! They decide to keep the discovery to themselves, but keeping this secret means they've made a really bad call, leading to some life changing events.

The narrative is told in the form of individual journals written by Jack and Syd. It was an intelligent ( if unusual ) style of writing, but I quickly got used to it and actually enjoyed it. It certainly gave great insight into their lives, both in the present and in the past. The characters are a little strange, but work well within the storyline.

It had a fairly creepy feeling, especially at the beginning, and produced some really tense moments ( together with an all pervading air of menace ). There were some good twists and turns. Although it wasn't the most gripping psychological thriller that I've read, it was certainly gripping enough to retain my attention.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin UK for my ARC. I have given an honest review in exchange*

Against all odds a young couples bid for a house in London is accepted, in fact it's not just a house but the entire contents as well, some of which they would rather not have. Syd is ecstatic as she loves the house but Jack is not sure and his feelings of unease grow with the obscure items he finds. I found the storyline quite unique, dark and suspenseful.