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…
Edition:
E-Arc via NetGalley
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of The Last House on Needless Street in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way impact the content of my review. And yes, I am publishing this very far after release. The last year of my life has been an absolute shit show. But, we all know that reviews help no matter when they’re posted, so…I post.
Trigger Warning:
Hover for Trigger WarningsAwards/Nominations:
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Horror (2021)
- Ladies of Horror Fiction Award Nominee for Novel (2021)
My Thoughts:
The Last House on Needless Street has been living with me for several months now. I read it at the end of February, and I’ve thought back to it several times since then. Initially I decided to read it because there was a lot of buzz about it on Book Twitter. You know, I’m really glad I did. This definitely wasn’t one of those over-hype situations. I mean, don’t get me wrong – there was a ton of hype. But I think Needless Street earned it in a big way. This really is an engrossing, twisty, unpredictable, frightening story.
This type of story, to me, always feels very hard to review. What can be said that won’t give anything away? I am not sure, but bear with me as I give it a shot.
This is a very sad book about very sad things happening to a very sad group. I just want to throw that out there in case you thought this might be a typical psychological thriller or straight up horror story. It is kind of both of those things. But also – this here is a crying book. Needless Street and the fucked up stuff that happens there is going to break your heart into about a million and one little tiny pieces.
“How many times can someone bend before they break forever? You have to take care, dealing with broken things; sometimes they give way, and break others in their turn.”
It’s a rumination on the horrible consequences that result from horrible actions. It is about the cycles of abuse, and mental illness, grief and pain. But it’s also about the strength of humanity, and the great lengths our we will go to in order to protect ourselves from our own ugly realities. It’s a story about constructs – physical and mental, and how they not only protect us from the outside world, but also how they alienate us from it.
Gods, I sound like a fucking goon. But seriously – this book provoked a lot of thought from me. I have devoted a lot more time to thinking about it than I did to reading it. This story is a lot to take in.
Also, my favorite character is the cat. 😅
Rating:
If you don’t do it for the cat, do it because I’m pretty sure Catriona Ward is set to become the every single person’s new favorite author.
The Last House on Needless Street By Catriona Ward Tor Nightfire Published: March 18, 2021 ISBN: 9781788166164 Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, Audio 335 Pages
