This is a very good thriller-I raced through it in two nights (although in retrospect, reading this late at night may not have been the best idea) The chapters alternate between Syd and Jack's viewpoints, and it is very well done, adding yet another level of suspense to an already tense tale. Recommended!

I have read all Simon Lelic’s previous novels and none of them shy away from controversial topics. The House is no different with its main theme of the abuse of children and the repercussions. I should say the content is not graphic, more insidious. Jack and Syd move into a house they know they have no right to be able to afford. For reasons that become clear later, much to their surprise, their offer on the house is accepted and they buy it, as seem, with the vast majority of the previous owner’s possession left intact. The stuffed birds are a particularly creepy feature. The telling of the novel alternates between the viewpoints of Syd and Jack as they write, almost to each other, about the events with which they have had to deal. There is a murder, an attempted suicide and a pretty astounding denouement. What a sinister novel: Lelic creates an atmosphere of tension, fear and downright creepiness. It would make a great TV series. If you like a book that makes you shiver in the early hours; this one is for you. ARC received from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

Mr Lelic presents us with a novel that looks at the question of how our childhood and family background affect our adult life. Jack and Syd boyfriend and girlfriend find a house they like in London. It is large enough to satisfy their needs although cluttered with the items belonging to the previous owner. The former owner had suddenly decided to move to Australia in order to be with a woman he met on line. His house than, enters the market in a London suffering from a shortage of homes for sale. Jack and Syd submit an application which much to their surprise is accepted by the owner in spite of the couple bidding below the asking price. The format used in telling the story is alternating sections narrated by one of the two. It is in this way that we find out that Jack is a product of a well to do family that is not accepting Syd. Syd on the other hand grew up in a home in which her father was a pathological bully browbeating and stifling her until she moved away. Syd's younger sister dies after Syd leaves home with the finding that a disease was the cause. The initial set of incidents presented in the novel include mysterious footsteps and noises throughout the house leading to the possible existence of ghosts. In addition Syd meets a young girl from the area who is suffering from an abusive father in a manner that reminds her of her own horrible childhood. Both circumstances contribute to the effectiveness of the book's plot. During their individual narratives Mr Lelic shows how both Syd and Jack react to events occurring when in the house. The move forward for both of them is very well handled and the changes in attitude of both of them are tied to their past. The novel is a fascinating study of past being prologue and character shaped during a period of great stress. The book is very well done and invites a good deal of thought about the meaning of the narrative. An engrossing novel not easily forgotten by the reader.

The House by Simon Lelic pulled the wool over my eyes. I was so focused on the relationship between young couple Syd and Jack, and even Syd and neighbor girl Elsie, that I simply didn't see the twist(s) coming. In fact, I was so wrapped up in the dramatic happenings of Elsie's life and how that impacted Jack and Syd that I was wondering if that was going to be the 'big deal'. Take my eye off the ball much? Yeah, it seems so, but being caught off guard isn't necessarily a bad thing as there was much more in store. Jack and girlfriend Syd take it in turns narrating this story of dream home that's not quite what it seems. There's such a mess of preexisting stuff left in the house when they move in that they fail to see some questionable items which would raise some flags. I love the subtle building tension in The House. It isn't in your face but rather a quiet malevolence settling in. As people I really felt for Jack and Syd. They seemed like the sort of people you would like as neighbors - kind, friendly, good people at heart. Given what develops I still feel the same. That's quality writing that I enjoy.

I found The House a bit of a slow burner and because of that I never really found it gripping .The story is actually very good but I found confusing with Jack and Syd both writing about the things that had happened .I was a story of murder abuse love and in the centre of it all is The House .