The Last House on Needless Street

Author: Catriona Ward
Genre: Psychological Thriller
337 pages
Publisher: Viper, 2021

Synopsis
This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…

You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.

In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

My review
The Last House On Needless Street, a chilling psychological thriller by Catriona Ward, is a uniquely strange, gripping, and engrossing read. Early on, I developed a theory about where it was going—soon to realize I only had part of the picture. I’ll refrain from sharing too much of the plot since I think it’s best approached with as little information as possible, a sentiment echoed by many reviewers. Going in with only the basic synopsis in mind made for a far more thrilling experience. While some reviewers mention “twists,” this book isn’t about a single shocking reveal. Instead, it offers a slow, intricate unraveling of the truth. The atmosphere is unsettling and there are moments that verge on creepy, yet this is far from a conventional horror story.

We meet several narrators over the course of the story. The characters are undeniably eccentric, and they left me feeling uneasy and off-balance. My favorite was the Bible-reading, nap-loving cat, a quirky touch that added a strange charm to the cast. Ward has done an exceptional job developing these characters; they feel both believable and unnervingly creepy. It took me a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of the story, but once I did, I was hooked!

The Last House On Needless Street is a wild, captivating, and unforgettable read. Kudos to Ward for her remarkable imagination and skill in crafting such a dark and unusual story. This haunting tale of survival and resilience is told through the eyes of those who are deeply wounded and struggling. The characters left a lasting impression, and I won’t be forgetting them anytime soon. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a tense, eerie, and refreshingly original story.

My recommendation: read it!