The Intruders by Louise Jensen
Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense
Read: 9th April 2024
Published: 11th April 2024
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
They were told to leave. They should have listened.
The perfect opportunity…
A manor house available rent-free to house-sitters is an offer too good to miss for Cass and James, who have been saving for a deposit on their own home for so long.
Although it had been abandoned for almost thirty years, after a home invasion left almost all the inhabitants dead, it is an amazing chance for them to build their future.
But is it worth the price?
Shortly after moving in things take a sinister turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, the house is strangely oppressive and sometimes it feels like Cass and James are not alone.
Newington House may have bad energy, and a dark reputation. But surely there’s no reason for history to repeat itself, is there?
MY THOUGHTS:
They were told to leave...they should have listened...
Holy flipping moly!! This was one super creepy thriller...and not at all what I expected. I feel a touch of John Marrs with this one and boy, did Louise Jensen pull the wool ever so neatly over my eyes that I didn't see what really was at play until it began to unravel.
Newington House sits dormant, abandoned and untouched for thirty years. It has a past that is so shocking and so much more than met the eye at the time. Thirty years ago, the Madley family were brutally murdered, their secrets dying along with them.
Thirty years later, James has brought girlfriend Cass to Newington, agreeing to house-sit for a big conglomerate who intend to turn the Grade 1 listed house into a retreat. Though she was oblivious to its history to begin with, Cass soon decided it was the perfect opportunity for her and James to save a deposit for their own place as they are being paid to live as caretakers for the duration.
But it isn't long before Cass begins to hear whispers, sees shadows and movement, hears the creaking of the swing, the rocking of the chair in the nursery. The breeze from the window that is continually opened. The grandfather clock that stops at 8.30 every night. The scent of lemon. The giggling, the sing-song nursery rhymes and the strains of an old song about rabbits and running. Cass is confused. What does it all mean? Is Newington House haunted? Is the ghost of the murdered family still rattling around the rooms and creaking on the stairs? And why does he name Rose echo around her?
The same opportunity that seemed to good to be true is starting to look like it is just that. Cass starts to fear being in the house on her own and feels as if she is being watched. But nothing will prepare the reader for what is to come...
The creaks and sounds of the house echo through the pages as Louise Jensen skilfully pens this cleverly crafted plot that will fool even the seasoned thriller fan. I have read a good many of her thrillers and this has to be the creepiest...one that she takes to a whole new level! As I said, I felt tinges of John Marrs in this one, it was so creepy, so chilling and so cleverly done.
And can we just take a moment to appreciate that creepy, atmospheric and chilling cover? It gives me vibes of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and "Psycho" in one!
How very apt that this extraordinary atmospheric thriller that is an addictive read from beginning to end is my 1000th review for Netgalley. I am thrilled that this is to mark that milestone with such a fantastic read!
Easily 5 stars!
I would like to thank #LouiseJensen #Netgalley and #HQDigital for an ARC of #TheIntruders in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Louise Jensen has sold over a million English language copies of her International No. 1 psychological thrillers The Sister, The Gift, The Surrogate, The Date and The Family. Her novels have also been translated into twenty-five languages, as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestseller’s List. Louise's sixth thriller, The Stolen Sisters will be published in Autumn by Harper Collins.
The Sister was nominated for the Goodreads Debut of 2016 Award. The Date was nominated for The Guardian's 'Not The Booker' Prize 2018. The Surrogate was nominated for the best Polish thriller of 2018. The Gift has been optioned for a TV film. The Family was a Fern Britton Book Club pick. Louise was also listed for two CWA Dagger Awards.
When Louise isn’t writing thrillers, she turns her hand to penning love stories under the name Amelia Henley. Her debut as Amelia Henley, The Life We Almost Had, is out now.
Louise lives with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat in Northamptonshire. She loves to hear from readers and writers.
Social Media links:
No comments:
Post a Comment