Review: The House by Simon Lelic

The House by Simon Lelic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although this riveting story is titled The House it does not in any way resemble The Girl Before nor is there any supernatural elements to the story.Yes the house is pivotal to the plot but this is a gripping human character based story that had me hooked from the first page and I honestly enjoyed reading a lot more than the afore mentioned book.

Syd and Jack have just moved into their forever home and are still struggling to get over the shock that out of all the people who where at the viewing theirs was the winning bid.Not long after they have moved in Jack starts hearing mysterious noises at night then he discovers something strange in the attic.Following more sinister events cracks start to appear in their previously happy relashionship and after a body is discovered in the alleyway behind their home the couple find themselves being scrutinized by the police.

The story is narrated in the alternating perspectives of Syd and Jack and is split into two parts.The first half of the book is written in the form of a journal charting Syd and Jacks thoughts and feelings as events unfold in the present day as well as how and where the couple met and syd recounting memories from her past.One character`s thoughts pick up straight after where the previous character`s ended giving the reader a insight into what each character is thinking about the previous character`s thoughts.This is a clever way of keeping the reader turning the pages and in no way interferes with the flow of the story.The second part of the book is set in the present and charts events after Syd and Jack take their journal to the police. Syd and Jack are realistic,believable characters who's lives and behaviour have been heavily influenced by people from their pasts.

This is a gripping,twisty thriller about relashionships,lies,revenge and control.I thoroughly enjoyed this riviting book and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Many thanks to penguin,random house uk for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review