Reviews

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

vandermeer's review against another edition

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4.0

Gut geschrieben, gute Charaktere, gute Geschichte.

tatterededges's review against another edition

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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

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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

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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

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1.0

Not worth finishing.

beastreader's review against another edition

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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".

skukic1031's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this book very much! The twists really made me enjoy it and I did not expect the ending. Very well written, I read this book rather fast since I was so into it!

cherbear's review against another edition

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3.0

***1/2

joweston's review against another edition

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2.0

I just found this book rather odd.

All the main characters had vile evil fathers, really? Unconvincing I am afraid.

cfogg's review against another edition

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2.0

Really couldn't get into this book - could not engage with the characters & did not enjoy the story. This was not a good read for me.