Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Although this one started in a very promising and very Stephen King-like manner, and I was determined to enjoy it since I got it as an advanced copy after waiting for so long, yet it disappointed after a while, and became a VERY cliché story toward the end. The story is divided into three parts: the first part is good, the second part is meh, and the third part is badly written - as if the author didn't know what to do with the story anymore, so he just copied and pasted one of the most clichéd endings, only to edit it enough to make it seem like it belongs to the initial story. I gave it two stars only for the most imaginative parts, because, unfortunately, that ending doesn't deserve more stars.

4.5 stars

The Night House by Jo Nesbo is a horror novel about a boy whose past includes a traumatic experience.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Richard Elauved is 14, and is living with his aunt and uncle in the small town of Ballantyne, after his parents died in a fire.  Richard is a bully, an angry boy who has no real friends, occasionally hanging out with other social pariahs at school.  

When a classmate disappears, everyone thinks Richard is responsible.  He and Tom were seen by the river.  However,  Richard's story is a little bizarre.  He tells the police that he saw Tom get sucked into a telephone, where Tom had made a prank call to a random number they found in the phone booth directory.  No evidence was found in the booth, and the name Richard says he called was not in the directory.  Imu Jonasson does not exist.

Richard finds an old phone book in the library with the address for Imu Jonasson,  an abandoned house in Black Mirror Wood.  He takes Jack along with him to investigate.  Jack disappears from Richard's home later that night.  Richard decides not to tell the police anything this time.

The only one who seems to listen to him is Karen, a girl from school.

But the police are sure Richard is now responsible for both missing boys, and send him off to a Rorrim Correctional Facility.


My Opinions:
First, I love Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole police procedural series, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this stand-alone novel.  This is a whole new ballgame, and it just shows how talented this author is.  He has totally changed genre's with this book, and he did an amazing job.  What an imagination!

The story is told in three parts, all from Richard's perspective.  The first part was great, and told the story that's in the book blurb.  The second part has you initially thinking, oh, so that's what this is all about, and then you start wondering again.  The third part provides the reality of the situation, but leaves a few doubts.   The twists in the three parts sucked me in, because I was never sure what was really happening.  Talk about an unreliable narrator!  I loved how it felt like three different versions of the same story, all with the same characters (if not always in the original form).

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book.  It was a fresh take on horror, and a fresh genre from a very talented author!

ok so I didn’t DNF this - and I guess I’m glad I didn’t because it took me for a WILD ride of inception dreams - I think i liked it way more at the end than the beginning but I’m still not settled on whether I found the different timelines and mental states gimmicky or if it was interesting to see the characters and the plot come full circle (if you can even call it that??). in saying that however, I thought the parallels from richards family life were really well done and the third part honestly had my mouth agape while listening to it. I think just in general, the third part was the most psychologically entertaining, while part 2 fed my horror movie heart, and part one was just bleh with some interesting spooky moments.

I love Jo Nesbo books and this one is no exception…. It starts as a seemingly young adult horror story, and as you move to part 2 and then paper 3 you realize you have no idea where the story is going. Even the ending has meanings that seem complex, and that the story can continue on and on. Fascinating sting book, couldn’t put it down.

The cover was what really drew me into wanting to read this book, I’m a sucker for great covers.
Unfortunately this story didn’t live up to the intrigue of the cover. The first part? Fantastic, I was ready to go. But as the story went the less interest I had and by the end I really had to double check because I wasn’t sure if I was reading a YA horror novel. The second and third section of the book didn’t keep me engaged and when I was finished I was left disappointed.

This was my first experience reading a Jo Nesbo book - I've always been intrigued but seeing the release of a horror novel got me moving quickly!

The Night House follows Richard, a teenager who escaped tragedy and is trying to get his life back on track after moving in with his aunt and uncle. His classmates accuse him of being an accomplice in another teen's disappearance and tensions are high throughout the book. But then, she takes a turn. The lines between reality and fantasy continuously blur, making the reader go "oh. Ohhh. OH" - the read through is a journey (a trip?).
Each of the three parts of the book have a completely different vibe, resetting the reader's brain in preparation for a new adventure. You can tell Nesbo is a seasoned writer because the execution of the story was wonderful and well thought out.
I'd definitely recommend this book to most! It's horror but it's not overly horrific, its uneasy plot creates more tension than actual violence and gore, which isn't always easy to do. I really enjoyed this one 🥰
Thank you Netgalley, Jo Nesbo and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to review this novel!

First off, I have to say this cover is great! During spooky season especially, this cover really drew me in. I am a huge Harry Hole fan, so I have read lots of Jo Nesbo books and they are fabulous. The Night House tips Nesbo’s toes into the horror genre.
This book is told in 3 parts, the first part being my favourite. I wanted to know more about Richard, that creepy phone and what happened to his friend. Second part not so much, it was strange. By the end of the book I felt like it read like a YA horror book, and didn’t fully satisfy me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read the ARC and leave an honest review.

This book - hello!!

This book had everything I could have wanted in a Nesbo meets horror in teen fiction book!

This brought me back to the original Fear Street novels, Dean Koontz, early King when short horror stories were THE genre!
At least for me!

There is atmospheric tension, unreliable narration, three shifting POV’s and time line from the same MC, and eerie plot lines which will have you rethinking things depending on the perspective shift.


Sorry Harry, The Night House may be my fave Nesbo. And I sincerely hope he returns to give us more!!

Thank you very much to the publisher, NetGalley and Nesbo for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Night House follows teen Richard Elauved as he's sent to the remote town of Ballantyne to live with his Aunt and Uncle following the tragic deaths of his parents. Carrying the hurt caused by his parent's untimely demise, Richard assumes the role of bully terrifying his peers and classmates at school. One afternoon, Richard and a frightened classmate attempt a prank on a member of the community and it does not go as planned. The results were gruesome to say the least and now Richard is in trouble with the law. Can Richard prove his innocence or is he in for consequences beyond his comprehension?

While I haven't really been able to get into Jo Nesbo's titular Harry Hole crime fiction series, I have enjoyed two of his stand alone novels; THE KINGDOM and BLOOD ON SNOW. When I saw he had his first horror novel in the pipeline, I grabbed it the second it appeared on Netgalley. While I received my copy a few months back, I wanted to wait until I was firmly in the grip of the spooky season before I began reading. The result? It was OK.

To be honest, there were moments where I wanted to give up. The first half is exceptionally poor, I thought. So much so that I rolled over last night before going to bed and said to my wife with exasperation, "this book suuuucks." It wasn't until I hit maybe the last third this afternoon that things began to unravel and the mystery at the core of the book became clearer to me. Although the story finished extremely strong, I can't recommend a book that I dreaded reading two thirds of. Even though all the reveals in the final twenty five pages made me grin like a madman, it still isn't enough to save it on a whole. I'm sure maybe someone could take this novel, dissect it and put it back together to make a hell of a film though.

"The Night House" by Jo Nesbo marked my first book by the well known author, and I embarked without preconceived expectations.

The novel unfolds as a coming-of-age tale centered on a young boy named Richard, an outcast whose life is forever altered by a tragic house fire that claims his parents. He finds himself in the care of his aunt and uncle in a remote town, where his reality takes a bizarre turn when he witnesses his classmate, Tom, inexplicably consumed by a phone booth.

This horror narrative is divided into three distinct sections, making it a relatively brisk read at a concise 256 pages.

My initial reaction, upon diving into the opening pages, was one of bewilderment: "What am I reading?" Yet, I decided to give it a chance, realizing that it radiated '80s vibes, at times reminiscent of a classic like "Stand By Me" and the more recent “Stranger Things." The first section, the story takes the tone of YA fiction, weaving a sense of nostalgia.

However, this sense of nostalgia is fleeting. The second section takes an unexpected twist in a different direction, one that left me somewhat disappointed. It felt like a letdown compared to the promising start. In fact, this section felt somewhat tedious, lacking the initial allure.

As if to further compound the shift in narrative tone, the third section introduces yet another departure from the preceding storyline, somewhat cliche. It leaves you questioning the relevance of what you've read in previous sections, as the narrative structure feels disjointed.

Ultimately, "The Night House" didn't quite live up to my expectations. The ending, in particular, left me unsatisfied, appearing rushed. Each of the three sections felt like they belonged to entirely different books.

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book publishes on Tuesday, September 3, 2023.

Very different from the Harry Hole books. This starts out seeming like a horror read. Two young teen boys, both social outcasts, goof around and one gets eaten. By a telephone. So not straight horror, but perhaps a bit urban fantasy.

But is this book more than it appears? Is this perhaps an unreliable narrator? Because Richard's tale is so fabulous, no one thinks he is telling the truth. And is he really? Because Richard is the narrator, it is hard to tell. Classic for an unreliable narrator.

The deeper into the story we go, the less you know what to believe, and the better the twists and turns. Does Richard become more or less reliable as a narrator? You need to read to find out!

What could be better than a Norwegian horror book from Jo Nesbo to kick off October? I’ve read Nesbo before and thoroughly enjoyed his work, so, I was expecting to really get into The Night House.

Unfortunately, The Night House just didn’t resonate with me. This story is divided into three parts. The first part worked well, it started off with some shock (always a great way to start a book); we got to know the characters and the story moved at a great pace.

Then part two started, and well, the tone of the story changed; the story was no longer the story we thought it was. More and more The Night House began to feel more like a middle-grade story than an adult horror. I started to lose interest and found that I wanted the original story to continue.

Then came part three, and Nesbo changed everything up again. One big shift that didn’t work for me was enough. Two? Come on.

The Night House may work just fine as a middle-grade horror book, but it left me wanting more. It started out with some great twisted stuff, but that was it. I’ve got some more Harry Hole books on the horizon, perhaps that is what I should stick to from Nesbo.

*3 Stars

Jo Nesbo, known for his gripping crime thrillers and the iconic Harry Hole series, takes a creative departure with "The Night House," delivering a novel that ventures into the realm of dark, supernatural fiction. While Nesbo's reputation precedes him, this novel might not satisfy his die-hard crime thriller fans.

"The Night House" unfolds in the remote and insular town of Ballantyne, a place where secrets linger like shadows. Fourteen-year-old Richard, reeling from the tragic death of his parents in a house fire, finds himself in this eerie locale under the care of his aunt and uncle. His arrival, marked by a reputation as an outcast, takes a sinister turn when a classmate, Tom, disappears, and Richard is suspected of involvement.

The narrative's eeriness deepens as Richard claims that a phone booth near the woods has an otherworldly ability to swallow people whole. This premise catapults the story into supernatural territory, with whispers of dark magic and possession haunting the town. Richard, an unreliable narrator, partners with Karen, another outsider, to investigate the mysteries the police refuse to touch. The novel delves into themes of isolation, paranoia, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy.

"The Night House" is a departure from Nesbo's typical crime thrillers, and this shift in genre might leave readers divided. The story reads more like a macabre children's fable than a pulse-pounding thriller. While Nesbo's signature dark atmosphere is present, it lacks the relentless tension that characterizes his best work.

The novel has its merits. Nesbo's writing remains evocative, and he crafts an unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the narrative. The characters, though somewhat stereotypical, do have moments of depth and vulnerability that provide insight into their struggles.

However, the slow start and meandering narrative may deter readers accustomed to Nesbo's more intense and fast-paced storytelling. The supernatural elements, while intriguing, may not resonate with everyone. Some may find them too fantastical and disconnected from the author's usual style.

In conclusion, "The Night House" is an okay read, but it might not be Jo Nesbo's most gripping work. If you're a fan of his Harry Hole novels or are looking for a traditional thriller, this departure from his usual genre might not fully satisfy your expectations. However, if you're open to a dark and eerie fable that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, "The Night House" might be worth a try. Ultimately, it's a quick read that offers a different side of Jo Nesbo, but it may not be a book you return to again and again.

I have just read The Night House by Jo Nesbo.

I am a big fan of Jo Nesbo, and have read most of his previous books.

The Night House is quite a different venue for the Author, being a horror novel.

I must say that I did enjoy The Harry Hole series by the author much more.

To me this book was a bit on the juvenile side, being more of a young adult type of story.

When the telephone booth sucked in Tom one of the characters into the phone, it did kind of lose me a bit personally.

It is a creative story however and will appeal to a certain type of audience.

Thank You to NetGalley, The Author and Penguin Random House Canada/Random House Canada for my advanced copy to read and review.

#netgalley
#penguinrandomhouse

Unfortunately, I really did not like Jo Nesbo's 'The Night House'. I liked the writing itself well enough, and it started off great with the general premise with the phone-booth phone eating Tom. However, I found that the story lost traction and I quickly became bored. At times, it felt like a chore to read 'The Night House'. Additionally, I didn't love how Richard referred to his classmate as Fattie. I know the term is from Richard's vocabulary and is supposed to be humorous, but I actually felt bad for the character and wasn't a fan of the language used in relation to his physical appearance. So, maybe that turned me off from the book, as well. Other than this particular moment, I can't pinpoint exactly why this is or what caused me to lose interest, but 'The Night House' was ultimately a disappointing read.

A quick read, but wasn't really my "cup of tea" as the saying goes ...
I appreciate the chance to read this ARC, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

This was a quick read and a page turner that had me confused at times but it all made sense in part 3. I dig Stephen King worship and hope to see more of this from Joe Nesbo. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of the book. I enjoed it very much!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't picked up anything by Jo before. And if I'm honest I think I may not be the audience. I love horror but this one didn't give me what I wanted. I felt like it was lacking. And when the twist is revealed it kind of just disappointed me.

would like to thank netgalley,and Random house UK.and the author Jo Nesbo for an early copy of his book.


This Is my first read from this author, I'm not really into horror books but this one caught my eye. Didnt find this scary at all this book made me laugh in parts.Richard moves in with his aunt and uncle house as Tom he was with disappeared in a phone box,no one believes him then another disappeared...an okay read wanted it to be scary it's more for teenagers to read.

As someone who has read only a handful of Jo Nesbo’s books – from the series featuring Detective Harry Hole – I was surprised by The Night House. I kept wondering if I had indeed picked a Nesbo book.

The Night House is about Richard, a teen who’s moved to a small town named Ballantyne after his parents’ recent death. Told from his POV, the story weaves through a couple of strange deaths (including a telephone eating up a boy – as strange as that sounds, I’m going to be forever scared of telephone booths), a correctional facility for young kids, black word magic, and so much more.

What I liked about the book:

Its pace – I almost flew through it and finished within a couple of days.

It’s engrossing – There’s so much happening, and such strange stuff at that. I was always wondering, “What the hell is going on?” and wanted to know what would happen next.

The sense of dread – I love books that have a horror vibe and this one sets the tone right from the first chapter! It’s dark and disorienting. You keep trying to make sense of what’s happening but then get distracted by some new development. I remember thinking, “This doesn’t make sense” throughout the book.

Coming to what I didn’t like:

It felt a bit like a mashup of different elements from horror/suspense movies I've watched. Which means I kind of knew what was coming. There was a feeling of déjà vu I couldn’t get rid of.

I’m sort of confused about the writing. Not that it’s bad. But it wasn’t the Nesbo style I was familiar with. Also, it’s SO chaotic. I had several questions while reading, but towards the end, I understood. It all kind of falls into place; however, the sense of chaos is what stayed in my mind (may also be because I read the last 100 pages in one sitting).

Did I like it? Yes, it’s a fast-paced, thrilling read with crazy twists. But I’d like to think about it more, once this cloud of confusion lifts.

3.5/5

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for this eARC.