not too bad

could have been a lot more spooky although I love the author. Read it see what you think

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Okay, but won't listen to more in the series.

I didn't struggle to listen and the title kept me interested enough. I found the main character unlikeable though and I thought the plot, back stories and dialogue quite trope heavy. The twists were also a little predictable but it was entertaining enough in its own way.

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1 person found this helpful

Loved this book!

Even when the book summary sounds right up your street, it's always gamble when it's an author you've not read before. When that's also a book you've committed to invest 9 hours in, in return for a review, that's a whole heap of gamble and pressure.
So I've just finished this book, feeling pretty honoured if I'm honest, to have been given the opportunity to read/listen to a brilliant story, narrated perfectly. This is a book I'd very happily have used one of my precious credits on and will recommend to my family/friends who enjoy this genre.

The story is focused on one main character who has bought a house for peanuts in order to do it up whilst videoing himself. He's posting his updates on the internet - with his aim being to get a TV contract once he's completed the renovation. There are supporting characters but they aren't around much, so by the nature of this, it's mostly him alone in this pretty scary house. I like this as it feels really intimate, like you're there with him.
There's been loads of stories revolving around supernatural goings on in houses that new families etc, move into but this one feels really current, both in the way it's written and the fact that the main character is a vlogger, with lots of subscribers! so suddenly making the supernatural events even more scary, because it's relatable context.
Our protagonist finds a body in the house and this is when things really take an eventful turn for him. I will not give any spoilers here as that would ruin it for others. I've not heard this sort of twist in a supernatural thriller before and really enjoyed the journey and ending.

The writing style is so accessible, it, just flows and it's easy to just get swept along (I listened to this over two days). It, keeps you on your toes too, boy there's some scary bits in here. And the end, gosh, I had to listen to it twice to really get the impact. I need to listen to something nice and cheery now I think!
Finally, just a note regarding the narration. As any seasoned audiobook listener knows, a narrator can make or break a book and thankfully on this occasion the narrator is excellent., so really adds to the listening experience.

I'm hopeful that this being called book 1 means there will be more in the same vein even it not a cotinuation of this story. If there's more, hopefully with the same narrator, I'll definitely be in.

*Note, I received a copy of this book at no cost in return for a fair and honest review.
I do not know the author or the narrator - my gushing is just because I really loved this book!

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8 people found this helpful

Didn’t expect it to be this good.

Thought I’d gone off audiobooks but it turns out it just really matters who’s reading them.

Joe Hempel told this story perfectly. Also the story, whilst nothing terribly original is done brilliantly and was genuinely quite scary in parts.

On to the next book.

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Spooky

With a really good narration this book draws you in to a spooky ghost story with a twist on the usual haunted house theme! I haven’t read this author before but might be tempted now! Would make a really good film.

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4 people found this helpful

loved it

This actually touched on a childhood fear of mine, bodies buried in the walls, but I loved it.

I found it hard to stop listening as I needed to know what happened next.

I felt a bit sorry for Kevin at the end, he was such a likable and believable character, although i could see the ending coming, I wish he could have had a happier ending.

I have yet to listen to a book narrated by Joe Hempel that I haven't liked, I think he is a great narrator

I was offered this book in exchange for an honest review

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1 person found this helpful

Well structured, but a little slow

Whilst it's almost certainly too long, The House of Long Shadows eventually delivers some decent chills which, coupled with Hempel's somewhat soothing narration makes for an easy, occasionally unnerving listen.

Kudos to Ibsen for adding a modern spin on the genre and for fashioning a decent ending. Ultimately however, the uneven and often plodding pacing lets it down.

Not bad, but lacking in edge 3 / 5

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Great narration! Good book. 😊

I really liked it, the narrator was great. at some points I felt like the author was slightly over describing things. Maybe a little bit should've been left to the readers imagination.

A good book though. I'd recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful

Wonderful horror!

Absolutely loved this book. The narrator joe Hempel is awesome as well. Highly recommend it!

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2 people found this helpful

Im pretty hard to please..

But this book was in my top 10.

Ive been listning to audio books for years and this is my second review. I think the narrator makes this book better than it should be, he has a neutral tone that pleases the ear whilst leaving my imagination to make its own vision.

So many narrators steel tye joy of a book by reading it in their own perception, this guy hit the nail on the head and read a book to me amd npt for me.

The story is brilliant, simple yet effective. I wished the book was longer and hope the next in the series refers back to this book.

Highly recommended.

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9 people found this helpful