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The House

The BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick

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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The House by Simon Lelic, read by Adam Newington and Gemma Whelan.

THE PERFECT COUPLE. THE PERFECT HOUSE. THE PERFECT CRIME.

Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it.

So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake.

Because someone has just been murdered. Right outside their back door.

And now the police are watching them...

 Crime Crime Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Psychological Thriller & Suspense Marriage Heartfelt Suspense Murder

Critic reviews

HUGELY GRIPPING AND SPOOKY AS HELL (Mark Billlingham)
An intricate and powerful thriller (Tana French)
Taught, tense and terrifying, I loved it
This terrifying thriller sent shivers through me (Jane Corry, author of My Husband's Wife)
Lelic can plot like a demon
A brilliantly tense and shocking thriller. I literally couldn't put it down! (Nuala Ellwood, author of My Sister's Bones)
DELICIOUSLY DARK AND CLEVER WITH A SATISFYING TWIST. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Mark Edwards)
Really creepy and clever. I loved it. (Julia Crouch)
Prepared to be scared. The House is a gripping psychological thriller. Simon Lelic knows how to turn the screw (Mari Hannah)
Clearly influenced by the great Alfred Hitchcock, this is not so much a ghost story as an homage to the master's expert touch with dread
All stars
Most relevant
I actually don't know what to make it this. It drags on for far too long and could have been shortened by a good few chapters. I understand it's to create more suspense for the final reveal which wasn't that much of a mystery in the end. I expected it to have more of a horror feel, which it doesn't at all but that's the initial premise. The level of abuse is gratuitous at points and truly cringe worthy. I just don't think it was worth any hype, although it's an interesting tale nevertheless.

Slightly too long and a little overhyped

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I have never read any work by Simon Lelic before so this was just one I plucked out from a list. I have to say that although at first it kept reminding me of another authors story, it went on to completely turn that thought on its head.
Great twists and turns and the ending was very well done. Id recommend this book

Keep me listening

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just had to keep listening. One twist and turn after another well done Simon Lelic.

The House - really is a mystery

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Well paced and narrated, twisty and kept my interesr, but, just once, can we have a psychological thriller that doesn't involve women and/or girls being brutalised? I want to read a good thriller but I'm so tired of male violence against women being used for entertainment.

Tired...

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This is a great story told so well by the narrators. Anyone who likes a thriller will love this!!

Gripping and brilliant

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