Reviews

The House - Du warst nie wirklich sicher: Thriller by Simon Lelic

_changingtime's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Review available at http://bit.ly/2FqLP2o

lisaar91's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I give this book 3.5 stars, but will round up to 4.

I can see from other reviews that I'm in a minority to have not LOVED this book. I mean I liked it, but love is a strong word.

The House isn't a 'horror', although the title and cover suggest it is. But the House is central to the plot. Jack and Syd have just bought their first home, when they get wrapped up in a story of murder, and the past comes back to haunt them.

I'm a big fan of psychological thrillers, and this didn't disappoint! The reason I didn't love this book, is because I didn't like anyone in it. I get we're supposed to root for Jack and Sydney, but I just didn't like them enough.

The twist was good - but I did guess it, probably cause I knew there was a twist coming.

Worth a read! Definitely- and I can see it becoming a hit on release!

cara_embree's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

cececole's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Not what I expected but turned into a good crime thriller and plot twists

vandermeer's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Gut geschrieben, gute Charaktere, gute Geschichte.

tatterededges's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I almost tossed this book at chapter 3. The characters bickering with each other over what the other had written in their previous chapter was just eye rolls galore. Fortunately, they (mostly) stopped doing that after a few chapters.

I enjoyed reading it. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and I quite liked the main characters. But the ending sucked. It was obvious and so far fetched and I couldn’t help but feel that the psychology of the villain was just all wrong. I found myself thinking that he just wouldn’t do that so many times.

A pet peeve of mine is when authors completely change a characters personality to suit their plot twists (rather than write plot twists that are in keeping with the character they’ve developed) and this author has done that with Syd.

There were a couple of times the characters seemed to jump over something important and I had to stop and check that I hadn’t just skipped a chapter by mistake. They always came back to it eventually but a more linear pathway from start to finish would have been better.

booklovinalicia's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

3.5 stars

The characters are unique and intriguing and kept me engaged. There are plenty of plot twists to keep me wanting to read more. While this wasn't the most compelling and riveting psychological thriller I have read, I did enjoy it and it did keep me guessing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group to allow me the eARC to read and give my honest review.

Read my full review of this and other books at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com

rmarcin's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Jack and Syd are in their late 20s and have just purchased a house in London. It is more than they can afford, but somehow, they end up with the house. Syd befriends a young girl, Elsie, who lives behind Syd and Jack. She sees in Elsie a bit of herself as a child.
There is a murder and Syd and Jack give the police investigators transcripts of what they have written about the house, Elsie, and other events in their lives.
This is a psychological thriller, but I was never really invested in the story or the characters. It was just OK.

#TheNewNeighbors #SimonLelic

lorrietruck's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Not worth finishing.

beastreader's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

If you enjoy psychological thrillers then you will enjoy this book. Mr. Lelic does not bring the bold in your face chills but a more subtle approach. One that slowly will have you questioning everything you know or thought you knew about Jack and Syd.

The alternating voices of Jack and Syd was nice. It helped to bring me closer to them. Additionally, it kept their voices strong and prominent in the story. Plus; as the saying goes "There is two sides two each story". In this case Jack and Syd's stories.

The secondary characters were lacking. So, kudos again to Mr. Lelic for keeping the story intriguing enough that I kept reading it to the very end. Which, the ending was fine but a little weak. Overall, this is a book worth your time. "Beware your neighbors".