Found this through Jon's podcast (themagnus archives) and if you like the podcast, you'll love this. Just as spooky, if not more

My thanks to the Orion Publishing Group/Gollancz for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Thirteen Storeys’ by Jonathan Sims in exchange for an honest review. In the Prologue we learn that five years ago billionaire Tobias Fell died during a dinner party held in the penthouse of his multimillion-pound development, Banyan Court. There were thirteen guests, each unknown to one another though all are linked to Banyan Court in some way including a number of tenants. By the end of the night, their host is dead, and none of the guests will say what happened. In the intervening years his death has remained one of the biggest unsolved mysteries - yet now to be revealed. In the first thirteen chapters we learn the stories of each guest leading up to the receipt of their invitation. The final chapter is the dinner party itself followed by an epilogue. No further details in order to avoid spoilers. I felt that Sims was quite restrained in his introduction of the strange occurrences taking place at Banyan Court and the impact on the lives of those involved. In my opinion this gradual build up of tension proved very effective in creating a powerful sense of dread. However, it is quite a visceral horror, so gory in places. Overall, I was impressed by this atmospheric urban horror from the beginning and as I began reading after its publication day, I elected to purchase its audiobook edition, read by a full cast. Given the complexity of the story approaching as an immersive read/listen proved an excellent way to experience it. After such a positive experience I will be looking at Sims’ horror podcast as well as future writing projects. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Beautifully written. The cover's a bit cheesy, but the story is artfully written with a real intent in it. It might be my favorite book of all time. It's not a book where you'll be on the edge of your seat, but it pulls you into strange realities of normal people as their sanity breaks down.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Thirteen Storeys but that has in no way influenced my review. Some books pass you by. They're instantly forgettable and not your thing at all. Other books - like Thirteen Storeys - have the ability to stop you dead in your tracks and make you feel like you're missing out on something incredibly special if you don't read them. I saw this book reviewed on another blog and it absolutely sang to me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I couldn't get the cover out of my head. I feel like I'm being very melodramatic but oh well, it felt like there was an actual real life connection between me and Thirteen Storeys. And what a corker of a read it was! Normally at this point in one of my reviews I would recap the blurb for you. I've decided to not do that when it comes to Thirteen Storeys as the publisher's blurb tells you everything you need to know and I think my 'take' on it wouldn't add anything. In fact, I'm concerned I may say something I shouldn't so, to save my blushes, please refer to the blurb if you haven't done so already

Banyan Court – depending on your bank balance, it’s either the most glamorous apartment complex in London, or the most run down block of flats in the nations capital. Splitting the rich and poor between both sides of the building; multimillionaire Tobias Fell revels in the divide he causes. Both sides of Banyan Court have started to feel a shift in the walls, something not quite right with the atmosphere – but are they imagining it or is there something sinister bubbling underneath the surface? When a handful of the residents receive an invitation to dine with Tobias in his luxury penthouse, could it be the answer to the mystery they’ve all been desperate to solve? Or will the death of their host create an even bigger mystery than they could ever have imagined? This book wasn’t even slightly what I expected and I loved it all the more for it! I was expecting a crime novel, a typical ‘who done it’ murder mystery style thriller, where one of the guests was somehow responsible for the death of Tobias Fell. What I didn’t imagine was for the narrative to take a paranormal turn, adding in ghostly elements to the already intriguing story-line. This horror-esque twist, added a unique take on what could have turned into an easily predictable narrative, so the difference set it apart brilliantly from similar tales. Jonathan Sims is a fantastic writer – these 13 immaculately written interconnecting, almost independent short stories, all have their own intricate story-arcs. Although each of the characters had their own spotlight – my favorite character was easily Carter Dwight, whose backstory was phenomenally written, almost within a ‘Black Mirror’ style. The genius writing style of each of these characters gave an intriguing insight into people’s mindset, personalities and histories – their backstories could have easily been standalone novels within themselves. The divide between the rich and poor was outlined perfectly; never taking sides or putting either one on a pedestal. Sims was able to showcase each social class – while at the same time cancelling them out and stripping them down to equalise them on a level playing field. Thirteen Storeys is the type of book you’d want to read more than once. It is genuinely unsettling with a grotesquely poetic conclusion. Jonathan Sims manages to trap you in the darkly morbid world of Banyan Court – but (although the residents may disagree) it’s worth every single single second! Thanks to NetGalley and Orion for my advanced reader copy!