04 Jan / The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward [in Booklist]
Catriona Ward’s latest is quite the creepfest addition to psychological thrillers in which houses or buildings star as characters. Veteran Christopher Ragland sounds so appropriately trusting, even as listeners should be well aware: believe no one.
The book’s characters couldn’t be more different, but Ragland proves quickly convincing as lonely Ted, who’s never really left his childhood home; his shut-in daughter, Lauren, who’s prone to tantrums; and Olivia, the Bible-reading cat who speaks directly with the LORD. These days, Ted only goes out to see “the bug man,” his pill-supplying therapist found in an online want ad, and the occasional date for which he doesn’t always make himself known upon arriving at the prearranged location.
And then Dee moves in with an agenda of her own, convinced that Ted could be the link to her sister, still missing after 11 years. Ted’s house might be a fortress, but Dee won’t stop until she gets in.
Ward’s labyrinthine novel is already in celluloid development: to get every nuance, try this narration, which assures that you won’t miss a thing.
Review: “Media,” Booklist Online, December 30, 2021
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2021