andipants's review
3.0
This book was pretty good for what it was, but it wasn't really what I was expecting or wanting. I was expecting horror, supernatural elements, things going bump in the night, that sort of thing, but it ended up being much more of a psychological thriller. It was atmospheric, and it was creepy at times, but it wasn't really scary - at least, not in the way I was looking for. I found the characters engaging, and the writing was good, though it was painfully slow-moving at times. I also would have liked some more fleshing out of the historical back-story; the bits we get from the letters are enough to lay the groundwork for the final plot twist, but not much else. Overall, not bad, but I probably won't be picking it up again.
snarkbrarian's review
5.0
This book goes at the perfect pace. Leading up to the creepy finale and the answers about what is wrong with this town. I loved the way this book felt and the blending of history, myth and religion in a way that only adds to the experience.
lisaeirene's review
2.0
Could have been so much better. The story was just slow, didn't move along, the dialogue interactions were long and didn't move the story along, the ending was rather ridiculous. Just didn't enjoy this book at all.
wubbarub's review
3.0
It is said this books is akin to The Shining. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The Shining was a book about ghosts and magic. This one is only people gone crazy. Duffy does write a compelling story, but I felt the end to be predictable. And the ending leaves too many holes, as if it is begging for a sequel.
usbsticky's review
2.0
I got this book because I really liked his other book "The Storm King". I took a look at the review I wrote for that book before and kind of feel the same way. It has a really nice build up but there are a lot of things going on and it feels a bit disjointed. I wanted to follow the main storyline but it veers in other directions. Partway into the child's POV several chapters in, it mentioned Heck and I realized that I didn't know who Heck was and when this "character" had come in. Was it real or an imaginary friend? Was it the dog? No, that was Hudson. (Edit: I found Heck using the search function and he's a character in a book that Charlie had been reading. I was confused because that chapter started mentioning him as if he was a real person.)
I dnf'd at 17% of book read because I felt the build up was too long and it was going too many places at once. Was the mother going to make an appearance or was the whole mother story a dead end? The dynamic between Ben and his wife was getting too drawn out. Why wasn't Ben more interested in the deer? What's going to happen with Charlie? I think there's a way to make each subplot more interesting or something I wanted to follow but I just found them annoying.
I read over parts of the book again and just find the writing a bit confusing (as the last book). I'm sticking with my decision to dnf the book.
I dnf'd at 17% of book read because I felt the build up was too long and it was going too many places at once. Was the mother going to make an appearance or was the whole mother story a dead end? The dynamic between Ben and his wife was getting too drawn out. Why wasn't Ben more interested in the deer? What's going to happen with Charlie? I think there's a way to make each subplot more interesting or something I wanted to follow but I just found them annoying.
I read over parts of the book again and just find the writing a bit confusing (as the last book). I'm sticking with my decision to dnf the book.
hyperashley's review
4.0
Wow...this book is something else. It had my heart racing at times, trying to figure out what the heck was going on with this house and village. This is the first book Brendan Duffy has written and I am already a fan. I was really drawn into this story from the beginning, it scared me, grossed me out, creeped me out and I loved every second of it.
Ben and Caroline move into an old house called The Croft with the intention of turning it into an Inn. With their two young boys, Charlie and Robert they move from Manhattan to the tiny village of Swannhaven. The woods are creepy and so is the house but they move in to make it their new home. Charlie starts exploring the woods alone finding out some of the mysteries that surround their land. Ben tries to find out about his heritage and write his next best seller and Caroline is trying to fix up the house and keep everything together. They soon find out that Swannhaven is not a haven at all but will they be able to get out before someone gets hurt?
My gosh there is so much that can be said about this book. First of all there were so many secrets, Ben would find things and not tell Caroline. Then Caroline would find something and not tell Ben and Charlie was keeping more secrets than all of them. At first I thought it was stupid that Ben was keeping so many secrets from his wife but now I realize that it was for the best. I know I wouldn't have wanted to know that there was a deer head on out doorstep, I would have wanted to move right there.
Charlie seemed smart for his age and stupid at the same time. He was also beyond brave, I know I wouldn't have continued going back in the woods after I kept seeing dead animals nails to trees. I think he should have told his parents what was going on in the woods but then JoJo may not have helped them at the end. JoJo was really nice once you got passed all the dead animals.
The Villagers were out of their minds with their old style of thinking. Who would kill a kid just so their crops will be good? Who could honestly do that and be able to sleep at night? Crazy people. I was holding my breath at the end their hoping they could get away before it was too late.
I hope Brendan Duffy continues to write because I want to read more.
Ben and Caroline move into an old house called The Croft with the intention of turning it into an Inn. With their two young boys, Charlie and Robert they move from Manhattan to the tiny village of Swannhaven. The woods are creepy and so is the house but they move in to make it their new home. Charlie starts exploring the woods alone finding out some of the mysteries that surround their land. Ben tries to find out about his heritage and write his next best seller and Caroline is trying to fix up the house and keep everything together. They soon find out that Swannhaven is not a haven at all but will they be able to get out before someone gets hurt?
My gosh there is so much that can be said about this book. First of all there were so many secrets, Ben would find things and not tell Caroline. Then Caroline would find something and not tell Ben and Charlie was keeping more secrets than all of them. At first I thought it was stupid that Ben was keeping so many secrets from his wife but now I realize that it was for the best. I know I wouldn't have wanted to know that there was a deer head on out doorstep, I would have wanted to move right there.
Charlie seemed smart for his age and stupid at the same time. He was also beyond brave, I know I wouldn't have continued going back in the woods after I kept seeing dead animals nails to trees. I think he should have told his parents what was going on in the woods but then JoJo may not have helped them at the end. JoJo was really nice once you got passed all the dead animals.
The Villagers were out of their minds with their old style of thinking. Who would kill a kid just so their crops will be good? Who could honestly do that and be able to sleep at night? Crazy people. I was holding my breath at the end their hoping they could get away before it was too late.
I hope Brendan Duffy continues to write because I want to read more.
kailadan's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this. The characters were interesting and the plot was fast enough to keep me reading with lots of character development/background story. I really liked the part where the view changed from the husband's view of the marriage to the wife's view, especially how she questioned her own view because of the illness. It's not often you get to see both sides in a book. I wish the marriage issues had been explored a little deeper. The chapter by the tree is the scariest scene I have read in a long time - imagining it happening to my family.
emmarj's review
4.0
The Tierneys move from the big city to tiny, close-knit Swannhaven where they have inherited an old farmhouse. They purchase a massive tract of land and set about renovating it into an inn. But there are demons in the wood and devils at the door.
There is nothing particularly new here, though that doesn't make it predictable. Plus, House of Echoes gets many extra kudos from me for scaring the pants off me. I was so totally creeped out and I wasn't sure what in the world was going on in those woods. Not to mention little kids acting all creepy. I can't be the only one that has a pee-my-pants button for little kids acting super creepy! I tried not to read this at night because I didn't want it to keep me awake. It has been many years since a book did that to me and we know how much Stephen King I read.
There were some things that didn't quite make sense to me but between giving this novel the benefit of the doubt because I read it so fast and it being a debut novel, they aren't extremely problematic.
For example, in the book's blurb it's said that Ben's second book flops but in the book I'm almost certain the author says his first book wasn't a huge success, the second book was a hit, and his work in progress was not panning out.
Either more or less needed to be said about Ben's wife's illness - either would have worked. Keep it mysterious and creepy or tell us more about what she did back in New York that caused such a terrible chasm in the marriage.
I know it's not necessary but darn it I wish we could have heard more creepy foreshadowing from Ben's grandmother. That would have been a good time.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to all horror lovers.
There is nothing particularly new here, though that doesn't make it predictable. Plus, House of Echoes gets many extra kudos from me for scaring the pants off me. I was so totally creeped out and I wasn't sure what in the world was going on in those woods. Not to mention little kids acting all creepy. I can't be the only one that has a pee-my-pants button for little kids acting super creepy! I tried not to read this at night because I didn't want it to keep me awake. It has been many years since a book did that to me and we know how much Stephen King I read.
There were some things that didn't quite make sense to me but between giving this novel the benefit of the doubt because I read it so fast and it being a debut novel, they aren't extremely problematic.
For example, in the book's blurb it's said that Ben's second book flops but in the book I'm almost certain the author says his first book wasn't a huge success, the second book was a hit, and his work in progress was not panning out.
Either more or less needed to be said about Ben's wife's illness - either would have worked. Keep it mysterious and creepy or tell us more about what she did back in New York that caused such a terrible chasm in the marriage.
I know it's not necessary but darn it I wish we could have heard more creepy foreshadowing from Ben's grandmother. That would have been a good time.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to all horror lovers.
shai3d's review
3.0
Starting out from Ben's point of view, HOUSE OF ECHOES starts out as he is hopeful that restoring the old house will give his family the fresh start they need. He has his worries since they are dealing with Caroline's mental issues and he needs to finish his latest novel. Gradually, other stresses are added to the mix as not all is as it seems.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but it did have its issues. The tension seemed to ebb and flow as the author switched view points. I also had issues with the ending. Rather then finishing on a climatic high note, the author kept writing and it finished with a squeak.
I grew up reading Gothics and after reading HOUSE OF ECHOES, I have to wonder why I ever wandered away from the genre. I really enjoyed the slow build up of tension, the little clues that are spread throughout the story and the answer that seems to come from left field until you ponder all those clues that had already been dismissed. I will be looking for future releases from Mr. Duffy as I do like his voice and hope it will become more focused.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but it did have its issues. The tension seemed to ebb and flow as the author switched view points. I also had issues with the ending. Rather then finishing on a climatic high note, the author kept writing and it finished with a squeak.
I grew up reading Gothics and after reading HOUSE OF ECHOES, I have to wonder why I ever wandered away from the genre. I really enjoyed the slow build up of tension, the little clues that are spread throughout the story and the answer that seems to come from left field until you ponder all those clues that had already been dismissed. I will be looking for future releases from Mr. Duffy as I do like his voice and hope it will become more focused.