3.5 * - Good world-building and character-building

I really enjoyed the author's writing style - it was very easy for me to envision environments, characters and events as the story progressed. I also like how the author left a little wiggle room for us to form our own opinions about a mundane versus supernatural explanation for the events in the story.

There were a few subjective reasons why I didn't give the story more stars. The main reason is that I didn't particularly like the protagonist. The protagonist was experiencing post-partum depression and this influenced a lot of her thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. If that weren't enough, she also was having difficulty coping with her father's death. The author leveraged her emotional fragility as a mechanism for generating self-doubt, and for other characters to brush off some of of her unusual experiences. I think the author was a wee bit too heavy handed about it, in my opinion. I got tired of her hysteria/neuroticism pretty early in the story and soon wasn't able to sympathize with her. She needed therapy (or at least some good self-help books from the library, or she needed to do some journalling to work through her feelings, or something). Her husband had the patience and compassion of a saint to put up with some of the things she did and said. For example, she lied to him several times during the story, felt guilty, and kept on lying to him and being sneaky. He was a really nice and understanding guy - seemed to me that he deserved better (e.g., more honesty and trust) from her.

I'm wandering into potential spoiler territory here, but I also wasn't quite satisfied about how multiple characters had information about a person who was likely involved in criminal activities from the 1970s, but somehow this obvious person was never investigated or tied to those crimes. The author used the excuse that authorities weren't concerned with happenings at an orphanage, but it seems like the crimes would be easily solvable by a halfway competent detective.

Finally, the family baby seemed to feature heavily in the story and I found myself tuning out the ongoing references to coos, drooling, baby birthday parties, and other baby-related stuff that had nothing to do with the plot. I like babies! But Quinn got a lot of unnecessary airtime and that distracted me from the story instead of adding value. The author writes really well, so I was a bit disappointed to find myself skimming and skipping past most of the baby-related stuff.

Having said that, I'll circle back to one of my initial points and say that I really liked the way that the author created supernatural vs mundane ambiguity to explain the various events in the story. I thought that aspect of the story was quite well done!

The narration was good. Although I prefer narrators who aren't as breathless-sounding, the narration style seemed to align well with the tone of the story and the character of the protagonist. The narrator was clearly telling a story rather than reading words from a book. I sped up the playback speed substantially to suit my personal preferences.

I would read other stories from this author and listen to other audiobooks with this narrator again in the future. I was provided this book upon my request and have voluntarily left this review.

3 people found this helpful

Not for me

I based my purchase, largely on the reviews. This wasn't for me. I can't understand or relate to Rowan. The narration is odd. Nothing wrong with it, just noticeable. Sometimes I get the sense the narrator is trying hard at certain words. Whatever it is. There is a deliberate huskiness in the narration, at least it seems to me. I'm 15 chapters in and still bored. Also, annoyed. I don't find any of the characters relatable or likeable.

Rowan's grief is difficult to understand. if one didn't know better, you'd think she'd lost a child or a lover. The people around Rowan laude her for her strength, abilities, and character. But, none of that is development or fleshed out to support that. Instead, we're introduced to a selfish woman, one scream away from being an even more unlikable character.

We don't even know why Rowman and Allen have such an acrimonious relationship. The book is drawn out for no reason.

1 person found this helpful

Suspenseful

Helene just wants a peaceful change. Little does she know that the house has secrets. Definitely grips you and the narrator helps make it realistic.

1 person found this helpful

Eerie and Awesome

Helme house is a spooky story about Rowen, her husband Garrett, and their 1 year old Quinn who move into Helme house for the summer. The house has secrets, as does Rowen and the people who previously lived in the house. I was intrigued and eager to listen to the story to find out what happens. The author does a brilliant job of keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The narrator provided a good and entertaining performance for for the creepy scenes. I enjoyed this story, along with the whole series! Note: this book was given to me for free at my request and I have left this objective review voluntarily.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing…

I was hoping this would be as well written as her first - awesome - book. However, I found a few plot holes and was left with lots of questions. In addition, this book, supposedly inspired by true events, did not include the brief story about that true story. Her first book did; why not this one? Narrator just ok; a bit “breathy” in her cadence.

nothing supernatural until chapter 34

I'm sorry if you're dealing with a loss, but this was supposed to be a haunted house story, not a lifetime movie script. If there was as much detail about the "haunting" as there was about her father, this would've been a scream fest....

Decent story, poorly chosen narrator

Story was good, though the reveal seemed rushed and not a reveal at all. No twist, just pretty much what you expected. And honestly, this could have done GREAT things- I had even hoped at the beginning there would be a Yellow Wallpaper feel to it, but that never really panned out.

Narrator: Poorly chosen for the media- Ms. Hammond has a really breathy voice better suited to children's' books, romance, etc. Not so much horror/suspense. And especially for a book with so many male voices- they all come out sounding much like the same kid with various upper respiratory issues.

amazing liston

great read , great book n to be based on a real story makes it even better

Skip this one

This story is way too long. Not much happens and the little that does is dragged out for too long. The narration and the main character don't help the situation out either. This just was not an enjoyable book.

Story was good but…..

Story was good although there was a few inconsistencies. I know when Rowan hurts her ankle but then suddenly it’s her knee then back to the ankle? Maybe I missed something??
My biggest hang up was with the narration. Apparently she can’t pronounce the letter G? Or maybe she’s wearing a retainer or something? Idk but once I noticed it, it made me cringe every time.