Where to start with my review? I honestly don’t know what to say about THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward without giving things away which I definitely do not want to do. It's best to go in completely blind with this one. If you are reading this review and you have not yet read the book then step away, avert your eyes, do not pass go and collect $200 until you have read it for yourself. I would hate to ruin any moment of discovery for you throughout this journey, dear reader.
I loved this story. Absolutely everything about it from beginning to end. Masterpiece is not a word I use lightly but that's how I feel about this book. It is a masterpiece. Never have I ever been more wrong about what I thought was going on within a book than I was with this one. It kept me guessing at every turn. Catriona Ward has meticulously crafted a mystery puzzle box of a book filled with clues and misdirects. It all seems so obvious at first, but everything is not as it seems. First impressions can be misleading, teaching us not to be so quick with passing judgment.
To quote from the synopsis from the back of the book, “This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death.” But it is so much more than that. This is also a story of long buried secrets and hidden scars. About misconceptions and past traumas and how people learn to cope. A dark foray into the minds of broken and flawed characters.
As I said earlier this book kept me on my toes guessing at what I thought was going on. We finally reached a point closer to the end of the book where I thought all had been revealed, all the cards have been played and we the readers have a full and clear picture of what is actually transpiring, but no. Ward hits us with another twist that literally made my jaw drop in disbelief. Maybe other readers saw this moment coming a mile away, but I did not and was completely blindsided by it in the best way possible. It is not often that I get surprised in this way by a book, but Ward was able to pull it off without it feeling cheap or like something was thrown in from way out in left field. The revelations come full circle, everything finally making sense, all the puzzle pieces falling perfectly into place. Bravo.
THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward is in a word, spellbinding. A dark psychological thriller horror suspense mystery mashup. A puzzle wrapped in a mystery whispered about in secret. Ward demonstrates skillful execution as she slowly peels the layers away to reveal an intricately woven narrative. I don’t really know what else to say and I have probably already said too much. Just know that I loved this book, and it has my highest of recommendations. I also suggest reading the Afterward once you have completed the book as it gives insight into the amount of care, time, and research Ward put into this story.
I received an eARC of this book through Netgalley from the publisher for review consideration.
Title: The Last House on Needless Street
Author: Catriona Ward
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Publication Date: September 28, 2021
Pages: 352
Language: English
Format Reviewed: eBook
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