Nothing is as it seems in The Last House on Needless Street. Ah, you will say, some pages in. Yes, I understand. No, you don't. Do you force yourself to slow down and enjoy the writing, or allow yourself the leeway to forge ahead, trying to predict how this thing's going to turn out? You might as well slow it down. The twists and turns in this book are not taking you where you think you're going. Savor this one and appreciate the reveals. This is a puzzle box of a novel, elevated by Ward's ability to hit one off-note here and there to signal a shift in the narrative. The skill is immense and so is the heart.

This one was dark twisted, just how I like it! I felt this was unpredictable and was not able to put it down until I was done! This gave me Stephen King vibes! Wow did I like this one!!

A story about abuse and survival like none other I have ever read. A very rewarding read for anyone who can stomach so much and such varied child abuse…

Creepy, atmospheric and propulsive. A highly recommended purchase for collections where horror and thrillers are popular.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this publication! I really enjoyed this book!

So what drew me in was the description that there was a bible reading cat as part of the cast. I was NOT disappointed. This book had me hooked from the very beginning! The chapters told from the cat (Olivia's) point of view were funny to begin with and definitely got darker. It had all the elements that make a fantastic horror story and the twist at the end made it complete. Highly recommend!

I am struggling to find where to even begin to explain this book to you all. Because I have never ever read anything even similar to this book.

Like others have reviewed here, this book is not just a standard "ooh there's a twist coming" horror story. It is a slow unfolding explanation of the truth. It is written with such a raw hand of emotion and details that a book that would typically take me two days to read, took me a week. I wanted to read every line and understand every detail. And friend, let me tell you- buckle up- there is no way you will see the ending of this story. I told my husband at least 4x while reading this book "I am completely mind f**ked" with every turn of the page.

To begin, we hear from a few POVs- Ted, a lonely single man living in the house on Needless street, his cat, Olivia- who loves to read the Bible, and an older sister- who is looking to discover where her sister went to all those years ago.

I honestly hesitate to mention more because my only wish for anyone opening this book, is to go in as cold as possible.

This book does take patience. You have to be able to think to yourself- "okay I don't understand what's happening or what this means yet, but I trust that it will later." The payoff is there, people.

This is one of those books that will take your bookstagram by storm soon, as it makes its way over from the UK to USA publishing in September. Stephen King's quote is on the cover- what more backing do you need?!

Mark my words, The Last House on Needless Street will be a classic in 25+ years time. We will all be talking it over in book clubs for years.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian publishing for an ARC for my true and honest review.

Interesting premise that was well written. Studying and working in the psych field for many years, I knew early on what was going on. I believe most readers will not understand what is being explored. The chapters are short and easy to read with just enough information to confuse the issue. The author obviously researched her subjects well. A good solid four star read.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Macmillan-Tor/Forge through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

#TheLastHouseonNeedlessStreet #NetGalley

Review of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow. This book is honestly one of the most unique and original ones I’ve ever read. It was amazingly written and I was so intrigued by the stories.

Ted is a loner who lives on Needless Street with his cat, Olivia, and sometimes with his daughter Lauren. He has a difficult time relating to people and struggles to discipline his daughter. At the start of the book Ted realizes it is the anniversary of the disappearance of a girl at the local lake named LuLu. He was at once considered a suspect but excluded with his alibi.
Dee is LuLu’s older sister who is obsessed with finding out the truth about what happened to her sister. She moves onto Needless Street for her pursuit.

The book is told from the perspective of all characters including Olivia that cat (how cool is that that?!?!)

What on earth did I just read? This book is so weird and yet oddly addicting, I managed to read it in one sitting. 3/5

Well slap my ass and call me a cat. I am equal parts still utterly baffled and entirely impressed and let me tell you why... without telling you too much because it's best to go into this with only knowing what the vague synopsis tells you.

For 85% of this book, I had a look of puzzlement on my face that surely created a new wrinkle somewhere but I'm A-freaking-OK with it because of what the last 15% (or less probably) did in bringing it all together when I didn't think that was going to be possible.... but alas, Ward gave it to me good here. We get a few perspectives throughout the read and Olivia, the cat, was my favorite throughout. Yes, we get the POV of a cat and it's glorious. It wasn't until one shocking reveal that the little clues left throughout starting pinging in my head... ping, ping, ping, PING, PING, MF-ING PING! That's when I did that little shake of the head that you do when you're impressed with just how crazy everything sounded but then also made so much damn sense. But I did figure out the next part but only because surely, that's the only way it COULD go, am I right? *wink* But seriously, it was the thread ups after THAT that really got to me and I could hear something going "oh... OH..." and realized, it was me.

Now, after all of this, why not the full stars? Because for 85% of it, I was UTTERLY CONFUSED - I had no idea what was happening and yet I was very much intrigued. But I also truly am impressed with the geniusness of Ward and I implore you to make sure to read the Afterword after you pick up this book to read (because you WILL, right?). I realize that the utterly confused to brilliant is still leaving me in a state of awe but damn, sometimes it just didn't feel like an enjoyable read and I felt myself wanting to put it down at times but was compelled not to. Catriona, did you put a spell on this book? 😏 (I approve.)

Ahhhh - this one is going to stick to my bones for a long time. I eagerly await whatever Ward has for us next. Definitely get this one on your TBR, readers... and stick with it until the end. Meow.

This one was really hard for me. At times the writing was very confusing and it felt like work to get through. But once you start to understand what is actually going on it starts to feel worth it. This is not going to be for everyone but it is clear that the author did the research on child abuse and trauma and different ways that children deal with their pain. A very different type of horror novel that had me flipping the pages yet reading with caution. You MUST read the afterword I think to fully appreciate and absorb novel.

TW: child abuse, child murder, suicide, self harm, struggle with mental illness

I rarely give a book recommendation before finishing a novel, but in the case of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, I told my co-worker it was a must-read before completing the first half of the book.

This is a story to jump right into. Avoid spoilers! I recommend for readers of horror, true crime, and intense suspense. It has disturbing elements, so if one is sensitive to violence, please be aware.

I'm still thinking about the book even though I'm well into reading a new book, a sign of a great read!

I'm a library paraprofessional and received and advance copy from #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

This was a strange book to say the least. There were parts that were really good and others that left me scratching my head. What was going on?! It was certainly different from what I was expecting.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

5 stars

This book is intriguing, sad and a bit unsettling.
Don’t read spoilers just dive right in. As you read you might think you have it all figured out but you’re gonna be wrong. Definitely worth the read!

This book totally hit the right vein with me. It was so unpredictable and I haven't read anything like that in a long time. I can't even describe the book without giving away spoilers, so just know what you think isn't necessarily what you know. There are mulitiple POV's including the views of things that aren't really human. If you like to go into books blind and be taken for a ride, please check out The Last House on Needless Street.

I wanted to love this book so so so so much. However, that was not the case 😩

I want to state the author does a great job of doing her research on the characters (I’ll leave it at that, non-spoilery). But I think that’s an important point to make.

For me, I enjoy trying to figure out the endings of books and if I DO guess them - it’s never a letdown, but more like an “aha! I did it!” However there was just no way to do that with this book (and yes the blurb does say that) but I really hated it. I felt.. IDK, tricked the entire damn book. Most of the reveals we’re not surprising and the rest couldn’t have possibly been guessed.

If you’re not an overthinker like myself - you’ll probably enjoy it. For me, however, it’s 2 stars.

Wow. I just put this book down and just. Wow. There aren’t many books that leave me speechless but this golden piece of work has done just that. I honestly can’t explain the true brilliance and intensity and just dazzle this book holds. This book won’t be for everyone. You have to truly open your mind and gear up for a hell of a rollercoaster. It’s psychological it’s thrilling it’s horrific it’s clever it’s different it’s just pure GENIUS.

Don’t read anymore reviews. Don’t read into the story line. Go in blind to truly revel in the story and it’s mastermind Catriona Ward. If there is a book to be read this year this is it!

Amazing.

There are sites at the end for all the psychology homework that had to be done to write this book. Although this is fiction I am so glad that the author took the time to do full research. I feel like the research made a decent story absolutely phenomenal.

There were parts I was able to figure out, as a psychological thriller lover, and a lover of puzzles. But there are still some very decent twists that I did not see coming. Absolutely enthralling. I was glued to my book even though I have read a third of what I normally read this year. Nothing seems to hit the right reading spots. This was completely different from beginning to end.

My only wish, that this was longer. I loved every word

Bravo and a round of applause to Catriona Ward!!! 👏👏👏

As I'm sure you have heard the less said is better with this one so I am going to keep this short and sweet.

We hear from 4 points of view. Ted a loner that lives on Needless Street, his cat Olivia, his daughter Lauren, and Dee whose little sister was kidnapped while vacationing at a lake that is close to Needless Street a decade before.

Let me start by saying that this book has a brilliant marketing campaign and a blurb vague enough to intrigue and allure readers. It sure did intrigue me. I even love both covers that I have seen for this book. Imagine my disappointment when I was declined by both NetGalley and Edelweiss. Meanwhile all my lucky and cool friends were getting copies while I was sitting here saying what the heck, why not me??? So, in a moment of weakness, I wrote to Tor Publicity explaining my woes and the kind Anna Mertz sent me a widget to download! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Anna! 💗

(NetGalley: Why when you decline someone a book then decide to make it a "read now" for EVERYONE the declined person who showed early interest still has no access to the title? The injustice is real and a bit infuriating!)

While I was super intrigued I was also nervous and approached the book with a bit of trepidation. My concern: Olivia the cat's point of view. Can I suspend disbelief enough to go along with this? Turns out I can. I loved hearing from Olivia.

The real genius here though is Ward herself. She doesn't let you get your bearings. When I tell you I was clueless almost the entire time...well, I ain't kidding. I couldn't grasp what was happening but it wasn't in a bad way it was in a "I must get to the bottom of this way." As my friend and fellow reviewer, Karen, wrote in her review: "it starts to break your whole damn brain" and that is EXACTLY what it felt like. Again, in the best way possible.

I'm going to leave it at that. Do I recommend this? YOU BET I DO!!! 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Anna Merz @ Macmillan-Tor/Forge for my copy!