Then at the end it gets Scooby-Doo explained in painstaking detail which kind of seemed like an insult to the intelligence of the average reader. The story is told from multiple points of view: Ted, Olivia (yes you heard that right, the cat), DeeTeds new neighbour, and Lauren. What is the house haunted by, if not supernatural beings? The must-read gothic thriller of 2021 from the Shirley Jackson and August Derleth award-winning author of Little Eve and Rawblood. [1] Ward won the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel in 2016 at the British Fantasy Awards for Rawblood and again in 2018 for Little Eve, making her the first woman to win the prize twice. This is where the story begins to go wrong. For example, both Brenda and Ellie were raised in the same society, but had very different values and, consequently, led very different lives. (LogOut/ Search: It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. Abused as a child, he has turned mostly into a recluse in his In the dark of the forest, among the white birch trees, something lies buried. Ted doesnt seem to have much of a daily routine in his life. A stolen child. 100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: All is not what it seems on Needless Street. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. (LogOut/ 1965. It's all just so preposterous. I love/hate it when authors pulls the rug out from under you and leaving you shocked. When a woman named Dee moves into the abandoned house next door while on her quest to find her sister, who was kidnapped years ago, Ted's life begins to spiral into chaos. This helped slowly build the mystery and allow the reader to revisit key points in near real-time. Expectation: A page-turning supernatural thriller. Secrets, shame, and adoption in the 1960sa poignant tale of a mother's enduring love. And then there is Mommy, Teds mother, a beautiful but slightly sinister figure, who we gather is no longer around but whose presence nevertheless looms over everything like the spider at the heart of a web. Maybe I read too much r/fakedisordercringe but I figured out the twist the minute Ted said the cat had to go away when the daughter came over. This is the story of a murderer. What does it represent in each timeline? Instead in many ways it perpetuated stereotypes of those with mental illnesses as untrustworthy, incapable of taking care of themselves or unable to contribute to society in meaningful ways. Switching between POVs, Needless Street is the tale of Ted-a reclusive drunk, his cat Olivia, daughter Lauren and Dee-a woman in search of her missing sister Lulu. All the main characters, besides Dee, are his separate identities. The characters yes, a talking cat is one of the primary narrators. Do you believe this could have been true? He has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and a daughter named Lauren. Ted doesnt mind because the guy gives him free meds. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Once I acknowledged this discomfort and moved on, I found I could read my way through this book and enjoy the fact that its an incredibly brilliant story, twisted in such surprising ways that I was always eager to turn the page and find the answers that inevitably eluded me until the very end. Additionally, two characterizations didn't sit right with me. Buy This Book. There were moments when I thought continuity mistakes had been made (I have a proof copy so it can happen) but trust me when I say that nothing in this book is a mistake. Yes actually, the cat does get a happy ending! Her family moved a lot and she grew up all over the world, including in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. Ward dips back into the past at times and we learn more about Teds childhood, as well as the events at the lake the day Lulu disappeared. And, read at a superficial level, this novel brings us to the brink of despair and back to the promise of hope quite effectively. At the half way point I couldn't justify spending any more time with it and refunded it. Thats a journey you need to take yourself. By using The StoryGraph, you agree to our use of cookies.We use a small number of cookies to provide you with a great experience. What does it mean for the future of both characters? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. After finishing it, I wouldnt describe it as that; its more of a gothic psychological thriller. Ultimately, it was. About a decade before the story opens, Ted was a person of interest in the disappearance of a four-year-old girl named Lulu, who was visiting the nearby lake with her parents and big sister Dee. Thanks Sarah! Its definitely not for everyone because it may steer some readers into painful childhood memories that may be best left unexamined, but its an excellent example of the power of red herrings when directing attention to all the wrong places. Multi-tasking: Good to go, but since it feels like we toggle between fantasy and real-life, its better to stick to activities that will allow you to concentrate on the mystery. Revenge. Has this statement ever rung true in your life? In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory. And a house cat who loves napping and reading the Bible. All rights reserved. But its not what you think. A missing child. This was the first novel Ive ever read by Ward and her style of writing is absolutely fantastic. It felt long at times there are some vague situations at the beginning and none of the characters come across as likable except Olivia, the Bible loving queer cat which made me wonder if the ride was worth it. Thats where youre wrong. The story revolves around a handful of characters: Ted Bannerman is a single man who lives in a creepy, boarded up house on Needless Street. reviewing fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels. WebDescription This is the story of a murderer. In this novel, Ward is either so clumsy that all of her intended mysteries are obvious from the get-go, or, as in the case with Dees character, she doesnt misdirect the audience, she simply misleads them. I have been lied to in the best possible way and I enjoyed every single moment. This is the story of a serial Start a free 30-day trial today and get your first audiobook free. Frustrated with the lack of results from the police, she has zeroed in on Ted as the prime suspect. I've never heard that phrase "not to yuck anyone's yum" as that's the quote of the day! Author ISBN10 1788166183. ** This title earned me the Animal Companion badge in the Spells & Spaceships SFF collection! It also made me cry, and I can't say that about too many horror novels. Ted lives alone behind boarded-up windows, hiding from the prying eyes of his neighbours. I have been meaning to get this book for ages. What significance does the Hockley house have in the town of Round Hill? EXCLUSIVE: Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish s Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to Catriona Ward s upcoming new novel The Last House on Needless Street. Viper will publish in the UK on March 18 and Tor Nightfire will publish in the U.S. in late September. Ward will executive produce alongside the Imaginarium. But I think Ward could have given poor Ted a mother who fit that trope, if thats the trope she really needed to utilize, without going overboard into making the woman into some kind of Resident Evil villain performing devilish medical experiments on missing children. I probably shouldnt have read it though before trying to write mine. A stolen child. I wish I could wax lyrical about what twists I liked best and the clues I missed, but I have no intention of explaining the ending. Catriona Ward was born in Washington, D.C. My first DNF in quite a while. A compassionate, heartrending memoir of a mother's quest to accept her son's journey through psychosis. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward Review, I have never seen a real icicle before this winter. The house itself, although not haunted like I first expected, also acts as another character, releasing shuddering movements at particular times that only the cat can recognize. Murder. Learn how your comment data is processed. Yeah, I thought it was awful, I guessed the big twist about 50 pages in. First, were led to believe Ted is the villain throughout the novel abusing animals, keeping his daughter locked up, drinking uncontrollably, living slovenly and (maybe) killing people only to realize in the end that he is the victim and maybe everything weve been told prior isnt exactly true. This is the story of a serial killer. Hell close his eyes in one place and wake up in another. Language English. Was there one perspective that you connected with more than the other? This is achieved not through making the language overly simplistic but by highlighting his naivete and inability to express himself or his understanding in a complex way, as youd expect an adult to be able to do, naming people by their physical characteristics, literal and figurative, or by associationsMan with Orange Juice Hair, Chihuahua Lady, Bug-Manfor example. As soon as you think you have it all figured out, there will be one more twist to keep you gripped. Yes: 65% | It's complicated: 30% | No: 3%, It's complicated: 59% | No: 25% | Yes: 13%, No: 35% | It's complicated: 32% | Yes: 28% | N/A: 4%, Yes: 82% | It's complicated: 14% | No: 1%. You think youve read this story before. In the last house on Needless Street lives Ted, his daughter Lauren and cat Olivia. The nerve-shredding tension and creeping unease comes with you having to work things out at the characters pace. Thats where youre wrong. If youve read the novel, you understand that mental illness is the central plot. A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory. But, its also not what you think when you start reading it, it turns into something totally unexpectedI dont want to give anything away! Since this is one I will obviously not be reading, LOL, can you tell me does that poor cat get a Happy Ending? All reviews and site design by Thomas M. Wagner. For both characters, their house represents their grief. Recommended For: Fans of Paul Tremblays A Head Full of Ghosts or similar all-is-not-what-it-seems stories. Jan 2023, 368 pages, Book Reviewed by:Jane McCormack I give The Last House on Needless Street a 4/5 as it is an excellent psychological horror involving murder, serial killers, and survival to the highest degree in a cruel world. In what ways does it not impact them? Another fabulous review, Tammy! Yet, she continued to find others to blame, and in her targeting of Ted, did horrendous things to make him suffer, all to atone for her sins. The final act theres a bait and switch that felt organic and not for shock value. I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. How did the alternating timelines and voices impact your reading experience? I had no idea what would transpire at the end and when it did WOW! This horror fiction-related article is a stub. This character 360 comes across as a master stroke of creativity by Ward. Synopsis An Indie Next Pick! Lulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. This is a psychological horror story that leads you to believe certain things, but then pulls the rug out from under you late in the story. Could it have been better? From the ramshackle houses to the disappearing children, theres something nefarious at foot but is it human or supernatural? Its another way to show how unreliable. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. Time is not always linear in this story, so flashbacks of Dee and Teds childhood interrupt the suspenseful present-day plotline, while other times its unclear whether someone is recalling a memory or creating one. I found the sister story confusing and unnecessary and, like you, felt it was contrived having that whole set-up be a lie to begin with. Kayla and Ellie both suffer the loss of the man they love. Here to talk books, film, mental health and lifestyle. A stolen child. Catriona Ward is an American and British horror novelist. Even as someone that loves cats, I struggled with this fantasy element. This adds to the atmosphere of desperation and the knife edge feeling that something explosive could occur at any moment. Lulus older sister Dee is still upset by her sisters disappearance and has continued to search for clues on her own, even after the authorities gave up. She built up the setting well, characters that are relatable, and makes it so once this ride was over, youll be completely blown away once you start to put all the pieces together. Dramatic, curly-haired wannabe writer from a nowhere town in Somerset. Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you. Lets discuss your favorite reads or listens. The Last House on Needless Street follows Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. Shes the only author to have won the August Derleth Prize for Best Horror Novel at the British Fantasy Awards twiceonce in 2016 for her debut, Rawblood, and again in 2019 for her second, Little Eveand has also been shortlisted for the Authors Club Best First Novel Award, a WHSmith Fresh Talent title, and won the 2019 Shirley Jackson Award. In chapter 2, Ellie says "There are moments in life when you suddenly see your future and it's not at all what you expected." The Nerd Daily 2023. The other device the author uses is that she shows the same events from two different perspectives. A LibraryReads Top 10 Pick! Will stay up far too late to finish a book and can and will talk about them until the cows come home. The ending was alright and even though I wanted a bit more, I'm looking forward to reading her next novel, "Sundial" by the end of March :-). This is a place to discuss horror literature. Reviews| Olivia is limited by her understanding as a cat and Dee is ruthlessly single-minded, her life essentially halting with her sisters disappearance and the dissolution of her family. Ted and Laurens voices are childlike, Lauren because she is a child; Ted, it becomes apparent, due to serious emotional and psychological trauma. Its a form of mental illness that is still not well understood, but has been featured so often as a device in horror stories and thrillers that its more or less become cliche. Since then, an invisible bond has connected them. I absolutely loved it, but I guess it could be in part that, as the spouse of a system (person with DID), I really appreciate her final notes on DID. It all just struck me as so much unnecessary red herring. This isnt a spoiler. And a house cat who loves napping and reading the Bible. However, none of the characters are quite what they appear. , Oh Im so used to just ignoring blurbs most of the time, especially Stephen King, he blurbs everything these days! Who do you believe feels the most guilt? Ward does a great job of creating an ominous atmosphere, especially surrounding Ted, his house, and Olivia and Lauren. Am I getting too big picture here? By the end of the book youll have most of the answers, but not all, which I was OK with. The years passed and so did her parents, but she never gave up the hunt to find the person that took her sister. This isnt anything like Blake Crouch, sorry to say, but you wont be disappointed:-), Okay I need this now! They take no pride or care in themselves, just forcing their way through each day furthering their own agenda. Im probably like you in that I would also start to think about how such things really do occur/are occurring in the world and that makes this type of book one Im far less likely to want to read. And yet they are all lies. What is the role of music for the civil rights activists? She really did her research and reached out to those with DID and although it was over the top for entertainment, many parts were quite accurate. Zeen is a next generation WordPress theme. You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. All these things are true. Too much contrivance was required to make the story work. The fact that Catriona has crafted characters that you can be scared of and feel sorry for at the same time is incredible. All storytellers are liars, but Catriona Ward is a particularly good one. Even her plot twists have plot twists. WebThe Chihuahua lady and the mom seemed to be close, and the mom told her later on that she would be going out of town as a way to lead false tracks away from her if I dont normally read horror but this is pretty irresistible, especially getting Olivias POV. This is a psychological horror story that leads you to believe certain things, but then pulls the rug out from under you late in the story. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The reader isnt in the story. A Book Blog for Speculative Fiction, Graphic Novels and more! They withhold information from the reader, from each other, and even from themselves, the mutability of memoryespecially in regard to traumabeing a key theme. Hi, I'm Tammy, avid reader, book collector & reviewer of quality fantasy, horror & science fiction. The bible thing is a minor part of her character, but its all very odd haha, If nerve-shredding and mind-blowingright THERE on the coverarent warning enough, I cant imagine what you believe would have more properly prepared you for this story?! None of them are reliable. Its like, give me a break! WebListen to "Das letzte Haus in der Needless Street Thriller" by Catriona Ward available from Rakuten Kobo. What is the significance of what happens to each house at the end of the novel? Right away we see that things arent quite right with Ted. Publication City/Country United Kingdom. However, Catriona Ward has penned something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find a genre to shelve it under. The Last House On Needless Street is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore. Moreover, it becomes evident as you read that Ward does not establish anything at all in her story that she doesnt plan to completely overturn with an M. Night Shyamalan-style twist. Ive seen this everywhere lately, definitely going to have to pick it up! From the ramshackle houses to the disappearing children, theres something nefarious at From literary classics to sci-fi graphic novels, I love it all. Does listening to audiobooks count as reading? I know Im not alone in judging a book by its cover, and based on this one, I thought a haunted house and black cat guaranteed a supernatural, Halloween-ish read. Gotta agree with all of this. Narrated by Matthias Hofer. Now she writes novels and short stories, and reviews for various publications. Stephanie @ Bookfever recently postedCant-Wait Wednesday: A Small Hotel by Suanne Laqueur, I really thought the whole pull the rug out from under you was well done. Stop-starter of all projects great and small. His mother always warned him how dangerous the outside world was, and she wasnt wrong. A testament of how the human spirit can shine, even in the most darkest of places and eventually emerge from that darkness to carry on, to live! This was my first book of the year but I sadly set it aside because I could tell my brain wasnt in the right mindset for it, but I am so glad you reviewed this book so well and I am excited to pick it up when the mood is right! When she returned to London she worked on her first novel while writing for a human rights foundation until she left to take an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia. Why I Read It: #Bookstagram made me do it. Ted is of course an unreliable narrator, as is the bible-reading Olivia, so its difficult to believe much of anything being described. Ted knows he isnt well, and he sees a therapist he calls the bug man, but the guy is just a quack who only cares about the book he claims to be writing. Lately, definitely going to have to pick it up outside the house, and other good book,. His house, and Olivia and Lauren Less ) Synopsis: all is not what happens to.. 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