A really good listen.

All good. Story, narration, everything.
I finished this book very quickly. It was entirely engrossing and super to listen to whilst working.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Couldn’t stop listening!

I was completely invested in all 3 of the interwoven narratives of this book from the off and kept having to go for walks so I could listen to more of it (!) It has a totally different setting from Allott’s first novel, The Silence, but is equally well-crafted - proof of her impressive range. The voice actors were great too, particularly the female narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Atmospheric psycological drama

I listened to this start to finish over a few days and was sorry when it came to an end. The mark of a good read. The atmosphere created in the house by the author was done very skilfully through the inner worlds of the different characters. I loved the historical element and the observation of how our own feelings about our past so shape our present. The story really brought London and the house to life as characters too interweaving the relationship between people, place and history beautifully. I read Susan Allott's first book too and loved that so I can't wait for her next one!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Cleverly written and thoroughly enjoyable.

I'd been waiting patiently for this novel to be published for several reasons. I know the area, and I love old houses. Susan Allott writes about three different families in three different eras. Each has tragedy and drama entwined around this house. The writing is a joy to read, describing how each generation lived was brought to life, perfectly. A gripping page-turner for anybody who loves mystery and murder.

A five-star rating and I would thoroughly recommend buying this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Sublime!

"It’s all gone wrong since we’ve moved here," – Is perhaps the sentence that sums up this absolute masterclass in Gothic fiction by Susan Allott.

In 1843, mysterious circumstances surround Horatio’s beloved wife's death, and we get a beautiful historical glimpse into Peckham's pre-urban days. In 1994 Cookie's family is in turmoil due to gambling debts. Cookie’s innocence against the dark desperation of his parents is raw and it makes you want to just squeeze his little body. – This timeline is my personal favourite for its gradual intricate unveiling of a twist I did not see coming!
In 2008 Maxine and Seb, lured by a bargain Georgian townhouse, feel a growing strain on their relationship in the backdrop of the 2008 financial crash, - the impending disaster is slow, sublime, and unpredictable.

Across all three timelines the looming House on Rye Lane creeks and moans, creating a constant haunting soundtrack to a stunning prose. And the river Peck runs its eerie eternal run – sometimes dirty, sometimes waterless -but always so real, you can feel the cold dampness weighing down on your skin.

The House on Rye Lane is about relationships, the intricacies of connections, the impact of lies, and the ties that “bind us beyond breath” as they say where I come from.
Allott’s characters are so beautifully relatable even when you feel you don’t really want to relate to them.

I loved Allott’s first book The Silence and I am beginning to sense that she will make her mark as a Master of atmosphere.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Supernatural suspense

I was a big fan of the writer’s debut, The Silence, which is an atmospheric mystery set largely in Australia. So I was quite surprised that this London-based novel is a supernatural suspense spook-fest. A very different beast! It is well written if a bit on the drawn-out side and it’s a shame that the narration was let down by the actor voicing Seb. Rather than bringing the lurking dread that ramps up through Seb’s story, he sounded like he was doing a voiceover for CBBC. Otherwise, the narrators were great. This book owes a lot to The Shining (although it’s not as scary) and this was irritating me quite a lot until the author allows two of her characters to sit down and watch the (dreadful) movie - so full credit given. Although I wouldn’t usually pick up a book in this genre, I listened all the way through and it kept my interest. But for me it’s light years away from the author’s stellar The Silence.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Ok

Overall, not bad and not very good. Steady story and ok characters. Nothing outstanding, good or bad. Dull?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!