As someone who visited the catacombs in Paris, this was both so intriguing and terrifying. This book was written so beautifully with its dialogue, character development, and setting. I really enjoyed the focus on Kate and Tommy’s relationship in the first half of the novel as well as their individual adjustments to moving halfway across the world and figuring it out together. I found the plot extremely captivating when it unraveled, but there was a bit of a lull near the middle of the book in my opinion around 60% in. Besides that, I was completely engaged and stayed up so late to finish this book because it was just that good. The ending left me absolutely wanting more; what an ending!!! I’ve never read this author before, but I’m very eager to read more of his work now. If you enjoy paranormal horror and movies like “The Exorcist”, this is the book for you.

This book was okay! I didn’t connect to the plot as much as I wanted to but it was still an okay read! This is a slow burn read too, took a while for this book to get moving.

this book was good! It had a lot of thrills and the occult was disturbing. I’m not into the priest occult tropes as I’ve seen it done before. The writing style is very good!

The premise of the book was interesting, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy the read. Most of the plot dragged, and it was a slow read. I didn't feel the spooky atmosphere and the danger didn't seem real until the very end. The last chapter really picked up and I really wish the entire book had the same energy as the very last few pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will not be posting this review onto retail sites.

I really liked how this was just a different take on your typical “haunted house” story. I loved it was placed in Italy and made me want to be there. I will say I found myself bored somewhere in the middle. I felt that there were parts that just dragged or maybe too much information. I also felt the use of the title in the book was used a little too often. Overall though it was a solid read.

Thank you St. Martins Press and Christopher Golden on the e arc.
PUB DATE 01/30/24

"The next high concept horror novel from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden.

Across Italy there are many half-empty towns, nearly abandoned by those who migrate to the coast or to cities. The beautiful, crumbling hilltop town of Becchina is among them, but its mayor has taken drastic measures to rebuild - selling abandoned homes to anyone in the world for a single Euro, as long as the buyer promises to live there for at least five years.

It's a no-brainer for American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi. Both work remotely, and Becchina is the home of Tommy's grandparents, his closest living relatives. It feels like a romantic adventure, an opportunity the young couple would be crazy not to seize. But from the moment they move in, they both feel a shadow has fallen on them. Tommy's grandmother is furious, even a little frightened, when she realizes which house they've bought.

There are rooms in an annex at the back of the house that they didn't know were there. The place makes strange noises at night, locked doors are suddenly open, and when they go to a family gathering, they're certain people are whispering about them, and about their house, which one neighbor refers to as The House of Last Resort. Soon, they learn that the home was owned for generations by the Church, but the real secret, and the true dread, is unlocked when they finally learn what the priests were doing in this house for all those long years...and how many people died in the strange chapel inside. While down in the catacombs beneath Becchina...something stirs."

I mean, I'm here for anything that Christopher Golden writes, he's an awesome writer and human being. But the buzz on this book is beyond anything I can imagine. This is your "must read" for January.

4 stars

Another winner for Golden. His writing is always top notch.
This was a wonderful slow burn. Perfectly paced, and atmospheric. I loved the slow build up, as it added to the creep factor of this novel.

Tommy and Kate move to Italy from the US. They get a great deal on The House of Last Resort. Unbeknownst to them the church used to do major exorcisms there. Creepy stuff starts happening and they begin to worry.
This was an exciting read that had me on the edge of my seat. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released January 30, 2024!

I was intrigued by the cover and synopsis for this book, so I was excited to get an advance copy. The story hooked me from page one. I loved the mixture of horror and thriller, and the pacing of the novel was just right. I love haunted place stories, and this took that idea to a new level that was extremely unnerving and creepy. The setting was wonderful, and the timeline of events had me believing the characters motivations for staying and fighting. I definitely will be recommending this one.

3⭐️

Unfortunately this one was a dnf for me at 42%. The premise was intriguing a young American couple picks up to start a new life in Sicily when they discover a hidden room in their new house. It appears to be a chapel. When things start happening they believe the house might be haunted by ghosts.

For me this story was just too slow. Some creepy things happen, like screaming rats and it would pique my interest but then would lose steam quickly. Rinse and repeat, This just wasn't the story I was looking for.

I believe this book would really fit an audience who enjoy the creepy possibly haunted house vibes. Fans of gothic stories may also enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

Christopher Golden has created another chilling and unnerving horror tale with THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT, a demonic possession story that goes beyond the usual tried and true tropes and deconstructs some of the long standing themes in the sub genre. I loved the way that Golden incorporates themes of generational trauma, religious hardheadedness, and community secrets hidden while trying to prosper after a downswing. Golden also has some really scary imagery and moments in this book, bits that had me on the edge of my seat and texting my husband from across the house telling him how darn scary this book was. And I am someone who generally isn't too scared of demonic possession tales, so that really meant something to me as I read.

THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT is another solid and scary horror story from Christopher Golden. I recommend it to horror fans for sure, and even beyond genre enthusiasts.

It was a great read. Thought the who concept was pretty neat. I love me a good possession and old church vibes. Was slow and at some points was hard to continue on. Will read more future releases from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and SMP for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

At 44% this became a DNF for me. The premise sounded intriguing, and the beginning of the story was romantic, a young couple leaving the US behind for the chance of a lifetime starting a new life in Italy. It felt like I was missing the backstory of Tom and Kate, and there were things about their life in the US that would make what I was reading make more sense. i don't necessarily believe in ghosts and hauntings and when that started becoming a main part of the storyline, the author lost my attention. The House of Last Resort is a book outside my typical reading, so it's not surprising that this wasn't a hit for me. Fans of horror, ghosts, superstitions, old religion or Golden's other works are likely to enjoy this book more than I did and should give it a try.

3⭐️

Husband and wife Tommy and Kate move to Becchina, Italy after learning about an opportunity where they could buy an abandoned home for a euro as long as they put so much money into it. Becchina is the home of many of Tommy’s family who he hasn’t seen since he was a child and he was excited to reconnect. The couple are hopeful that they can get many of their other friends to move to Becchina as well and that they can turn it until a tourist location.

They soon learn the house they moved into had been owned by the church and was known as ‘The House of Last Resort” as it was where they sent people thought to be possessed. As they try to do more work on the house, more odd things begin to happen making then wonder if they made a mistake moving there.

This was a very slow read. At least the first 60-70% felt very repetitive and seemed to drag on. Once the story picked up, though, it was pretty interesting and I really liked the ending. I definitely liked the reveal of how they found out about the deal on the houses in town. And I loved the reveal of who all was connected to the history of the house and how much was being kept from Tommy and Kate.

There was something about the American Savior attitude of Tommy and Kate that really bothered me. Even though Becchina is where Tommy’s family was from, it felt more like they wanted to come to the town to immediately change it into a tourist spot. Like they hadn’t been there long at all before they were talking about updating the structure of the catacombs so they could take tours down there. Their plans and greed really overpowered any sympathy I might have had for them.

Thank you Netgalley and SMP for providing this ARC to me!

I really enjoyed this creepy read. A couple moves to Italy in order to deepen familial connections. But is their new house haunted. And if so, what do they want? Loved the creepy vibes

*Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a digital ARC of this one!*

I’m always up for ‘foreign location’ horror. I know that sounds funny, but horror set in Europe has centuries and centuries of history to utilize. If we look at horror set in Canada (where I’m from) we ultimately look back in time and end up with a history of… open plains and mountains. Which don’t get me wrong is also amazing, but not the same as when you’re going to read about a story based around religious mystery, which is the case with Golden’s newest release, ‘The House of Last Resort.’

Going in, I was intrigued with the set up, which I’ll go over in a minute, but also with the line in the synopsis discussing what it is they’ll find. And boy, did they find something that’ll have horror fans excited.

What I liked: The story follows husband and wife, Tommy and Kate. Tommy’s family is from a small Italian town, but after a falling out many years ago between his dad and grandpa, he’s not been back in years. That all changes when an opportunity arises. The town’s government is offering houses for $1, trying to entice foreigners to move in and help revitalize the town and the economy. There are stipulations – those who buy homes have to remain for a certain amount of time and agree to renovate the houses – but the thought of this exciting adventure is too much for Tommy and Kate to pass up, so they jump on it and move.

Once there, Golden wastes no time in starting to subtly share some ‘oddities.’ There’s a door in the house that they can’t open. Sounds happen. Presences are felt. An old woman down the road seems off. And when Tommy’s grandmother comes to see the house, she won’t step foot inside, visibly upset that this is the house they’ve purchased.

The creeps continue, even as Tommy and Kate settle into their new place and meet some other foreigners who’ve moved to the town. Soon, Kate finds the door is open, even though they didn’t get a key for it. And inside they find an entire section of the house that they weren’t even aware was there.

From here, Golden gives us a dread-infused look at the history of the house, and not long after, even more shocking events occur that ultimately test what it is that Tommy and Kate are willing to believe.

It’s hard to truly go into the details – because of the spoiler aspects – but we get some great revelations about the church’s involvement in the house, what its role was and ultimately what horrors happened within and below.

The final quarter of the book is a sprint, with the realtor becoming involved once again and the true nature of why many wanted Tommy to return to this small town. It sets off a string of events that all culminate in an ending that was spot on perfect, based on how Golden had set things up.

What I didn’t like: This is gonna be tough, as I want to remain spoiler free, but I think the thing that I noticed most was that nothing was ever fully expanded upon. Every time we learn new bits, the book continues on and we don’t get an exploration of it. When we find out what’s behind the door, it was amazing. They explore it, we get some great descriptions of the rooms and the walls etc… and then Tommy and Kate renovate it.

When we find out the truth behind what the house was used for, we get a horrified reaction from Tommy and Kate and then… we just move on. Don’t get me wrong, the pacing of the book was amazing, and I was hooked from the beginning, but we just kept trucking along.

Same with when they visit the catacombs below and look into it becoming a tourist location. Odd things are noted, strangeness abounds… and then they just start building.

And I will say, while I really liked the culmination of what happens and how the ending occurs, some folks may find it to be far too predictable, which would be fair.

Why you should buy this: At the end of the day, I think the thing to really keep in mind with this is that this is a big-press horror novel. So, while it gets dark and tensions rise, it’ll never go super extreme and most of the action remains surface-level without any real brutality or extremeness.

Saying that, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, highly-engaging religious horror novel where you want to root for Tommy and Kate and see them overcome both the fish-out-of-water aspect of moving to a different country, while also overcoming the horrors within their house, look no further. Golden’s a master at writing these immediately accessible characters and once again shows why he’s one of the leaders of the big publishing horror movement.

What a fantastic read! This author is a new discovery for me, and I'm already eager for more of their work in the future. The premise of this book had me hooked from the start, and I'm thrilled to say it lived up to my expectations. Despite the gradual build, the story's depth and payoff in the end made every moment worthwhile.

Enter Tommy and Kate, a couple embarking on an Italian adventure after snagging a seemingly unbeatable deal - an abandoned house for just one euro. However, the catch is a five-year stay and a hefty investment in renovations. As their excitement turns to unease, they uncover the peculiar history behind the house, leading to a cascade of strange events.

The author's descriptive writing style painted a vivid picture in my mind, perfectly capturing the eerie atmosphere of the setting - from the mysterious house to the catacombs and the haunting chapel. The entire ambiance was deliciously creepy.

For those who enjoy tales with an overall spine-chilling aura, featuring haunted houses, ghosts, poltergeists, demon possession, and enigmatic family secrets, this book is a must-read. The intricate storytelling and atmospheric writing make it a captivating journey into the unknown.

"The House of Last Resort was an atmospheric and gripping read. From start to finish the author pulled me into this story and I was flipping pages eager to solve the mystery.

Quite honestly I could see this book being made into a movie and doing very well. It contained everything I would expect from a well crafted Horror plotline. The story transitioned from eerie to creepy to horrific seamlessly.

If you're a fan of the Horror genre you will not want to miss out on this one in my opinion.

Thank you Christopher Golden, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book!

I am such a fan of Christopher Golden- if he writes it, I’m reading it! Thank you so much for sending me an early copy of this! I devoured this book- had me eager to find out what was happening and kept me super intrigued the whole time!