I'm reluctant to categorise this as a 'thriller' because it most certainly is not. This is more like a psychological character study. A character study of what I can only describe as a pathetic and stupid spinster, our protagonist Marion.

Basically, I'm disappointed with this book. The blurb made it sound suspenseful. It's not. In fact, it's all rather dull and predictable. The actual 'visitors', that the book is named after, barely feature. They're more like an afterthought or bad smell that lingers on far too long. This book is about Marion and her disturbing relationships, past and present.

The blurb also mentions John having a heart attack and Marion having to deal with the 'visitors'. This occurs about two-thirds of the way through the book, talk about spinning out a twist in the tale that will encourage character development.

The two main characters, Marion and John, are both deplorable. I felt no sympathy for the life they created for themselves. The ending has obviously been written so you feel ecstatic for the change of character personality, but quite frankly neither of these characters should be allowed to walk around freely in society. I'm disappointed neither got their comeuppance.

Overall, disappointing. Another case where the book description is better than the actual book itself. Also, personal gripe - use British spellings if your book is set in Britain! Really annoys me when Americanisms are included for no reason whatsoever.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC of The Visitors. I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. I found it disturbing and yet unable to put down. The story is about a brother and sister who live together oddly dependent upon each other. The brother John, has "visitors" whom he keeps locked in the basement, and from his sister Marion. Marion is convinced she is incapable of doing anything with her life, unable to escape her brother's influence, until he is hospitalized. This is one of the strangest books I have read, yet it held my attention to find out what would happen.

Based on the jacket copy, I thought this was going to be a “there’s something in the basement”-type horror story. But, The Visitors is not a ghost story. It isn't a thriller.  It’s a twisted descent into the madness of a sociopath. 

Mary is in her 50s, living with her older, sexually deviant brother John, in a filthy, ramshackle house full of garbage. They don’t have any financial worries, so Mary and John are free from responsibility and can pursue their hobbies. John's hobbies include pornography and model airplanes (among other things that I won't mention), and Mary's involve indulging in daydreams where she’s married to a male acquaintance she met 30 years ago, watching sentimental Lifetime movies while gobbling junk food, or petting her stuffed animal collection. It's depraved, but not exactly evil. Lurking just beneath the surface, however, there are more nefarious goings-on.

Mary is intellectually disadvantaged. She's uneducated, unskilled, and she is also overweight and unsightly. She’s never been loved or encouraged to do anything with her life, so she hasn’t. She's believed everyone who has ever told her she's worthless. She’s wasted away in her childhood home never doing anything at all. When she allows herself some time for self-reflection, she's aware of her lack of ambition and fulfillment, but soon reverts to daydreams about men who never actually even learned her name. This denial of reality has some evil consequences when Mary has to deal with her brother. 

This book is a glimpse into Mary’s head, into her psyche of aching for love and attention, and also her lurid desires for revenge on those who have slighted her or rejected her. There are flashes of epiphany when Mary understands she has done wrong, knows that her clothes are disgusting and her house is squalid. These insights are fleeting, but they allow some sympathy to flow in between the cracks of the abhorrence one feels for her. 

The Visitors reminded me of Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. Repulsive, sinister, and yet, you can't look away. Recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. THis review is also posted on Goodreads and flyleafunfurled.com.

This book was not at all what I expected. Just from the blurb, I pretty well figured out who the visitors were, but this book really isn't about them. The visitors are minor characters at best, and more a nuisance to Marion than anything else. As far as her dark side, that's evident from early in the story, which does nothing to build up any kind of mystery or suspense. The only mystery here is whether these horrible people will face any form of justice. As far as characters go, I didn't find a single likable character in this book. Even the "visitors" don't elicit much empathy as we get so little about them.
The story is dark and psychological, but it is extremely convoluted and more of a character study of Marion than anything else. We get numerous flashbacks of Marion's life, but they are in no particular order and some are tedious with the details. Then, we get emails at random that are easy enough to figure out, but again, they are rather random. The worst parts for me were the details of Marion's current every day life, including an almost complete play by play of television programs that she watched.
I finally made it to the end and I have to say that after all of that, even the ending was thoroughly unsatisfying.

*4-4.5 stars.

What becomes of a child who grows up without love? Who is relentlessly bullied, teased, made fun of, ignored?

"You are the kind of evil that comes from nothing, from neglect and loneliness. You are like mold that grows in damp dark places, black dirt gathered in corners, a fatal infection that begins with a speck of dirt in an unwashed wound."

Marion and John Zetland, unmarried siblings in their late fifties/early sixties, still live in their childhood home which is falling down around their ears from neglect. Marion, a homely, chubby, frumpy old maid who sleeps with teddy bears, is very much under John's thumb, catering to his every whim, trying not to upset him, and never questioning what is going on down in the cellar--even when she hears the screams...

Such character-driven thrillers are so terrifying because they are about the kind of people society tends to ignore and dismiss, people who seem of no consequence. And then when the truth comes to light, the neighbors are quoted as saying things like, 'I can't believe it! They have always been so quiet, so polite! Who would believe what evil lurks behind closed doors?'

This book is so addictive--you will not be able to put it down! And this is Catherine Burns' debut effort! I can't wait to see what she will write next.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this new thriller.

The Visitors by Catherine Burns was an interesting read. Not so much the intense thriller I was expecting, but more of an intense character driven story about a woman who was torn down by those around her. It was still a story that had me intrigued and wanting to see how it all ended!

Marion has lived a very solitary life in the home she has lived in since childhood. Her only companions were her mother and brother, both who tore her down with words and actions her entire life. Now middle-aged and living with her brother, she is fragile and weak and seemingly living in her head. Child-like in many ways, her brother controls her daily life.

Told in Marion’s point of view, we are told the story between the present and past and the visitors they have had. She tells of how her brother spends his time in the cellar. Though she knows some of what happens in her home is strange and makes her feel bad, she follows her brother lead. Then her brother has a heart attack and Marion is forced to face reality. What is really happening in their home?

The Visitors was an interesting read about family and slow burning mystery. Catherine Burns did a good job in keeping her readers invested in wanting to understand what is really happening. I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

A wonderfully compelling read: fiercely original and intelligent. A fiction find.

This debut novel wasn't bad. It just, for me, lacked any "oomph". It's the story of a woman named Marion who lives with her older brother, John. John has some, shall we say, odd preferences in the bedroom. Burns essentially tells the story of Marion; how she came to be in her current situation through a series of flashbacks, and what, if anything, she plans to do about it. I liked the writing style, and Burns did a fantastic job of developing the character of Marion.

The Visitors is Catherine Burns' debut novel. I was intrigued by the cover. Something so simple - peeling wallpaper - and yet it somehow promised a darker read.

Who knows what lies behind the face presented to the world? What goes through someone's mind? What happens behind closed doors?

Fifty something spinster Marion lives with her older brother John in the house they grew up in. Nothing much in the house has changed since their parents died decades ago. Well, a few things.......there are visitors of John's in the cellar. Marion never goes to the cellar. In fact, she chooses to try and never acknowledge that there are 'visitors' in the basement. Instead, she finds solace in her stuffed animals and imagining friendships, relationships and situations that are a far cry from the life she is living. Marion is somewhat simple people say. Not so her brother John - he's intelligent - and manipulative.

Burns is just as manipulative with the reader. My thinking was one way as I started the novel, drawn into the story, but hesitant to turn the next page. It's impossible not to though - I wanted to see what path Burns would lead me down. Her descriptions of the siblings, their personalities and their actions produce a myriad of reactions in the reader - from sadness, to sympathy, to disgust, to apprehension and more.

And it seems like life will continue along this path for Marion....until the day John falls ill and lands in the hospital. And it falls to Marion to see to the visitors. And what happens next is not at all what I expected.....

Oh my, what a dark, disturbing novel! The premise has it's roots in reality, having taken inspiration from many newpaper reports. What Burns has done is imagine the mindset of someone who knows what is happening, but doesn't act. And what could have led to this inability to act.The flashbacks to Marion and John's childhood days are saddening, disturbing and a testament as to how childhood trauma can shape a person's future. The Visitors does not focus on lurid, descriptive details of what is happening in the basement. Instead it is a character study of John and Marion, their dysfunctional relationship and what shaped them. It is through Marion's eyes and memories that we see this.

I loved The Visitors - it was a very different read - unexpected, unpredictable and so addicting. I can't wait to see Catherine Burns' second novel! Read an excerpt of The Visitors. A reading group guide is also available. You can connect with Catherine Burns on Twitter.

Creepy but slow-burning and character driven, THe Visitors is not as much of a thriller as I expected but was still very captivating and unsettling. One for those who enjoy the dark side of fiction.

This book will have you questioning whether it is worse to be the victim or a person who thought they knew of the victim but did nothing to help them. Heart wrenching but beautifully written and plotted.

2.5 STARS - I finished this book and thought to myself 'Well, that wasn't the book I thought it would be'. I had expected a twisted, suspenseful kind of read with a touch of sinister but instead I got a drawn-out character study of the life of Marion, the spinster at the centre of the story.

Marion is a woman who is child-like in her naivete, life experiences, mannerisms and relationships. Worldly she is not, and people (including Marion herself) don't expect much from her. During the first two-thirds of the book, the story jumps back and forth with a lot of detail about her early life and the many times she felt worthless, unloved, sad, pathetic etc. But even with this back story I didn't sympathize with her character. She's rather dull and readers are stuck in her head a lot of the time. This isn't an exciting place to be since much of her time is spent pacifying herself with food, TV and a detailed fantasy life she has created. I would have preferred the focus to be on the Visitors who, sadly and surprisingly, were very tertiary characters.

Initially I was intrigued with the premise of the book but this ended up being a 'just okay' read for me. This book needed a healthy dose of tension, a focus on the 'Visitors' and not waiting until three-quarters through the book to reveal the major plot point (which was obvious to me by then).

This story is a look at the tragic life of a woman who has been beaten down her entire life. The fact that there are 'Visitors' in her home is, unfortunately, quite secondary to the focus on her inner thoughts. I kept reading in the hopes that things would turn around and I'd have a 'ah-ha!' moment but that never happened. This just wasn't a book for me.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Marion Zetland, an old maid who lives with her brother in their deteriorating house left to them by their mother. Marion seems to be mentally challenged, having had a lot of trouble with her schooling and while she dreams of having a family she never seems to develop beyond adolescence. Having been raised by her pervert of a father and her nut of a mother, its no wonder that she ends up a little worse for the wear. She spends all her time at home, mostly daydreaming, while her brother spends most of his time in the cellar with "the visitors." Marion tries not to think too much about the women who live downstairs, but when her brother John ends up in the hospital she has to become involved with these women for the first time. And as Marion is forced to come to terms with what her life has become, she questions how her devotion to her brother has led her down the wrong path. 
Overall I liked this book ok. It was interesting and there were some good plot twists in the story. There were some wordier parts to the story that I found quite dry but past those the story was good. I just felt so bad for everyone involved, even including Marion who I probably shouldn't have felt so bad for. Her childhood sounded awful though and its no wonder she developed so poorly as a person. She was a bad person if you think about it though, its hard to sympathize with her and yet she was able to go out and start a new life for herself. The story, while suspenseful, was just very sad. Other than that it was ok though. It was interesting enough that I would recommend it but eh it wasn't my favorite.

Slimy, horrific, twisted, creepy. Think of all other synonyms to those words and you might be able to sum up The Visitors. I couldn't put it down. And although I was fascinated by it, I feel like I need to take a shower after finishing it!

As I read this book, I kept thinking that it would make a very good horror movie, and though the basic premise has been done so many times, there's enough of a twist in the story to make it new.

Marion and John are brother and sister, and having been raised by fairly despicable parents, they didn't escape being tainted by something far from wholesome. This book is a character study of a wealthy, pathetic, lonely woman who daydreams constantly of having a normal life, surrounded by people who adore her and whom she adores. She has been taunted and scorned her entire life by everyone, even by the older brother she worships. She loves him so much, and she believes so heartily in her own stupidity and helplessness, that she lives in denial of dirty secrets John is hiding right in their own home. A home that once had a semblance of nicety, now hidden by years of hoarded clutter and moldy filth.

As the story progresses, John's nature is exposed and it's one heck of a nasty vision. This family is seriously warped. I felt a little warped myself because I was so intrigued by how the story would end. Thankfully, I was thoroughly disgusted with everyone - there's really no main character who is remotely likeable - so I didn't worry too much about how such a story could be so enthralling.

Well-written and suspenseful because you just don't know for sure how it's going to end, The Visitors earned a solid 4 stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I can summarize this novel in one word: disturbing. I expected to find a plot focusing on the captive victims. Instead, I was treated to a tale of the psychological shortcomings of an odd brother-sister duo. Any dysfunctional behavior that could possibly occur in a family seemed to find its way into the pages of “The Visitors,” and that made for a very unnerving read. However, some sections of the book seemed to drag on and on, whereas others could have used more attention and detail. Overall the book was okay, but it’s not a title I would add to my personal collection.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, Catherine Burns, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

THE VISITORS by Catherine Burns is a dark, disturbing debut novel. Marion Zetland, a timid spinster who still sleeps with teddy bears, lives with her domineering older brother, John. When John has a heart attack, Marion is forced to face the gruesome secrets her brother has kept hidden in their cellar.

This was a brilliantly written novel with a satisfying slow burn. This is definitely a character-driven book, and not for those interested in nonstop action. But the character development more than makes up for the lack of action and excitement.

It took me a few days before I was ready to write this review. What a twisted and creepy tale. I had so many feelings after I read this book. I wasn't sure whether to cheer or cry instead I think I was just stuck somewhere in between.

Burns has written a truly riveting mystery. I breezed through this book feeling sorry for Marion who is in her 50's overweight and lives with her overbearing brother. They live in their crumbling family home which has become a hoarders paradise. John spends most of his time in the basement, entertaining their "visitors" which Marion turns a blind eye to. We don't really learn much about this until the end other than Marion is troubled by them and is scared to go to the basement. In fact she lives in constant fear of John. It isn't until a tragedy strikes John that Marion seems to get some strength to change her life.

It was fascinating watching events unfold from the point of view of Marion, who has an almost child-like quality. Her mother and John have convinced her she is stupid and useless and so she believes it. Its amazing what you can deny but do we really know everything there is to know about Marion? Burns peels back the layers in this creepy character study ending in a stunning conclusion.

This is not a faced paced, kill or be killed race to the finish it is a methodical study of a woman who has been controlled and manipulated her whole life but those around her and then finally finding her strength to break free. This family is twisted and nuts and thats what makes it all so fascinating.

Marion’s entire life has been lived in the shadows. Early on she learned she was and would never be a great beauty, with her pasty complexion, extra pounds, and plain features. Her mother’s domineering presence ensured Marion would never live an independent life and now, in her 50s, she’s living with her brother John in the house they grew up in, a house that’s beginning to show its age.

Although Marion would love to have a husband and a family, she’s content with this arrangement: she collects her teddy bears and cooks boxed meals for dinner while trying to ignore the cries coming from the basement. That’s John’s territory and she knows never to go down there…until the day John has a heart attack. Stuck in a hospital bed, John has no way of caring for his visitors – Marion must venture downstairs and come face-to-face with the secrets her brother has been keeping.

I’ll cut right to the chase: The Visitors promises a creepy, chilling read and it just doesn’t deliver. There wasn’t a single character to root for and while I’m okay with that, it made for an unsatisfying read. Much of the novel is devoted to flashbacks of Marion and John’s childhood, of little instances where John expressed his violent nature. I get that Marion wasn’t overly bright, but there were no dark secrets here, it’s clear from the very beginning that John has women chained up in the basement. Marion even goes with him to collect the poor girls! She knew what was going on in the basement long before John’s heart attack forced her to go into the cellar.

I’m a big fan of slow paces and character exploration and The Visitors offers both in spades. The novel is less a horror story and more of a look into Marion’s character, from her sad childhood to life as a spinster, and after John’s heart attack she actually does come into her own a bit. Her family had been wealthy and her mother always had such glamorous clothes. Marion loses weight and fits into her mother’s dresses. She gets her hair done. She even discusses mortgages with a banker – the beautiful seaside house her aunt owner is for sale. All the while there are women chained up in the basement.

When the twist does come at the end, I wasn’t surprised. I’m not sure if it was because it was painfully obvious or if I simply read lots of mysteries and know how the formulas work, but I wasn’t shocked. To be honest, I was a bit let down. I wanted a disturbing read to gear up for fall and had expected to find that in The Visitors. While it was certainly a novel that held my interest the whole way through and kept me turning pages, it wasn’t out of a terrifying, horrifying need to know what was going on. I wanted a disturbing read that would keep me up at night. The Visitors couldn’t deliver on that point. Instead, it was just a fine, decent, intriguing debut – but certainly not one for readers looking for a good Halloween read.

It wasn't what I had expected. This book is rather slow in its build up, but it is worth it. Beautifully written, but not very edgy.

Boy, did that book make me feel dirty, tainted, grimy... like Lady MacBeth trying to scrub off the imaginary blood that she just couldn't shake.

This book... I don't know what to say other than TWISTED. It's completely twisted. It's fantastically twisted. It'll wriggle its way into your brain and make you unable to put it down until the very end. And ironically enough, very little happens for most of the book -- but you don't realize that until you get to the real happenings. The characters are so fleshed out, and you'll start to get an idea of what's going on as the pages pass, and even knowing that, you won't be able to stop.

Highly recommended for those who like dark and twisted and character depth.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.