"What if everything you knew about the people you loved was a lie?"

The Homecoming is a bizarre, yet utterly compelling read for thriller horror fans alike. This is an unpredictable, addictive read, whilst being a bit of a slow starter, everything falls into place. Don't read in the dark!

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I haven't read much by this author before, so I didn't really know what to expect. I did however enjoy it thoroughly from beginning to end and will read some more by him in future.

The task of repopulating the senior library has been an exciting and daunting task aS in a boarding school our aim is to encourage all members of the community to read. Because of this, I have been searching down a wide and diverse range of books to read that will entice a wide cross-section of the school to come in, browse and find books that they love.
Books like this will ensure that the senior students in the school see the library as a diverse, modern and exciting place with books that speak to them and they want to recommend to their friends, classmates, teachers and tutors.
It is an engrossing and exciting read with fully-formed characters and a plot that ensures that it's hard to look away. It is as far from formulaic as it is possible to be and kept me up far too late in order to finish it. I immediately wanted to read all of this writer's other books as I loved their voice and found that it really drew me into the story and made me think about it even when I'd stepped away from this tale.
This is a thought-provoking read which I'm sure will be a popular and well-read addition to our new library; I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read it and I know that the students are going to absolutely love it too!

This is a hugely tense and claustrophobic read. Things take ever creepier turns and this makes you wonder who you can trust. Full of suspense and tension.

When their absentee father dies, Aaron, Bridge and Franny Quinlan travel to his secluded property to hear the reading of his will, as they arrive they see their mother already there.

The terms of his will state they all have to stay at the property together for 30 days or they will forfeit their claim to the inheritance. After their initial disbelief and indignation they all decide to stay because 'how bad can it actually be?' and it will give them all a chance to reconnect and begin to understand each other.

The lawyer/executor of the will is a complete arsehole, arrogant and standoffish but, fortunately, not staying with them, when he leaves their 30 days begin.

There's the main lodge with a couple of bedrooms and 4 cabins scattered around, as they start to explore and decide where they want to stay for their time there, they each find 'personalised' boxes with an item for each of them. As they settle into their rooms and explore further they are chased by silent and menacing beings, giving them pause and many questions. Thinking it's all just a 'trick if their minds' they continue on with their stay.

Things only get more complicated and creepy when a new family join them. What is going on? Who are these people and why are they here?

With plenty of secrets revealed yet still many, many more questions yet to answer, we follow this twisty and turny story to uncover as much as possible and answer the overlying questions: What is going on in this secluded property? What are the beings in the woods? What does this mean for everyone?

A slow burn of a story with plenty of characters and and branches to get our teeth into. Who do we trust? Who do we connect with? How will this story end? Will I stop asking questions now?

Yes, yes I will.

*Huge thanks to Andrew Pyper, Simon and Schuster UK Fiction and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*

This was a brilliant 'locked room' mystery/thriller that completely turns what you think is going to happen on it's head. After the passing of their father three sibling find them selves in a house in the middle of no where along with their mother and some unexpected guest, they must stay their for 1 month to get a share of their mysterious fathers inheritance. What began as a standard thriller ended it unbelievable unexpected ways. With a disturbing undercurrent this book keeps you hanging on amidst the unease until the very end.

A great read for fans of the Wayward Pines Trilogy by Blake Crouch.

REVIEW

What can I say about this book without giving away any spoilers. Well to be honest not a lot. It’s a wild ride that keeps you guessing.

A month in the wilderness with your family in a luxury lodge and no contact with the outside world. What could possibly go wrong? 🤭

From the first page you are dropped right into the story and it barrels forward relentlessly. Through the family interactions, the characters back stories are fleshed out and revealed. With each page there is a new twist to the story. With each page the sense of paranoia intensifies. Questions are layered on questions. Who was there father? Why was he absent for much of their lives? What is in the woods? What is trying to get into the house? You think you know where this book is going but but nothing and no one is who they appear to be.

In an over saturated genre this book delivers thrilling originality. If Agatha Christie was writing a book now, this would be the book she would be writing. At its heart it is a family drama, but wrapped in layers of thriller, suspense and dystopian horror. I recommend jumping on board this thriller and enjoying the ride as it builds to its mind blowing conclusion.

A ‘deserves a sequel’ four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought the premise of Homecoming sounded great - a family has to stay on an isolated property for 30 days without any contact with the outside world in order to inherit a big pot of money. I couldn't wait to dive in!

Unfortunately, this book and I, we never clicked. I was not a fan of the writing style, the narrative felt rushed to me, not building enough suspense. I had also problems connecting with the characters who seemed to lack emotions in some dramatic situations. Also some of their actions felt totally irrational and I just couldn't get onboard. Even the big reveal in the book could not save it for me.

However, it seems like the majority of readers really liked the book so please do not let my review deter you!

A dysfunctional family are forced in to playing happy families together for a month at an impressive property surrounded by woodland in order to fulfil the terms of a Will. It comes as no surprise that things soon start to spiral out of control but nobody could predict the events that unfold for the Quinlan family. Atmospheric and genuinely chilling at times, this is a family sage of the most twisted variety.

When a family are brought to a large estate after their Father’s death they are read his will with an odd clause – they each get a share of his immense fortune on the condition they spend 30 days on the estate with no outside world contact. What could possibly go wrong?

I absolutely devoured The Homecoming, I started it in the morning and finished it before I went to sleep (whilst still going to work and wishing I could read it there as well!) It’s a really refreshing take on the traditional horror genre, which I must admit I had quite given up on at the moment. The Homecoming is a nice mix of genres; there’s an element of family-trapped-in-house-in-the-woods horror which has some genuinely very scary moment in it at times. There is also an interesting take on family dynamics and psychology as well which adds a different, sinister undercurrent to the story. The plot then takes a quick dip into sci-fi at the end (no spoilers!) in a way that was really enjoyable with a twist I did honestly not see coming.

Aaron is a good and interesting narrator and there’s a nice mix of characters who are interesting and well-rounded in their own right although you never get to see the world through their eyes. This does lead to an air of unease as there are some secrets not told until the end. The tale twists and turns and delves into places I did not see coming at all – what a rollercoaster of a read!

Overall The Homecoming is a great read – engaging and full of twists and turns – highly recommended! Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an unusual and mind trip of a book but i loved it. The characters were so well written and i loved the atmosphere created, i was constantly on the edge of my seat unsure of what was going to happen next. I absolutely loved it.

The three Quinlan siblings and their mother travel to a beautiful forest lodge & estate to hear the reading of their Father’s will. They have to remain in the estate for 30 days in order to obtain the money – substantial money. How hard can it be?

For me this was a “Wow” sort of a book. Think Michael Critchton’s “Coma” meets Denis Lehane’s “Shutter Island”. As a reader you think you are prepared for what is coming – indeed the characters think that too – but believe me you are all wrong.

I like clever books that make me think. I enjoy books that lead you in one direction & then head off somewhere you couldn’t possibly have imagined but which does actually fit in with the story. This was one of those books. The plot is well constructed with no holes despite its intricacy. There were one or two side comments which didn’t quite make sense to me but may well have done to a North American reader. This really didn’t affect my reading of the book.

This book was written from one point of view – Aaron Quinlan. The eldest of the three siblings and very protective of his younger sisters – particularly Bridge. Seeing a story through one character’s eyes doesn’t always work. However, in this case it was vital. In order for the suspense to be maintained the reader needs to learn things at the same pace as the characters. It just wouldn’t work if the reader had prior knowledge.

Was this book terrifying? Not in a traditional horror, monsters, gruesome & blood, guts & gore way. The way that the suspense is built up is excellent and I was on the edge of my seat particularly as the end approached. Yes, there are things out in the night & yes they are coming to get you. However, as I look back on the story I can see the other rather terrifying thought – it isn’t so far off reality…………………

A great book that I really loved. It isn’t one I shall revisit as, a bit like the film “The Others” or the book “Shutter Island”, once you know you can’t react in the same way a second time. However I do highly recommend it for a first reading. Do remember to leave plenty of time to read it as you are not going to want to put it down…………….oh, and you may want to have the lights on.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

This is a mind bender of a horror thriller that came as a complete surprise, it was nothing like what I might have expected it to be. This is the 1st novel I have read by Andrew Pyper, and it certainly made an impact. Raymond Quinlan has died, his wife and three children arrive at Belfountain, a huge remote forested estate, with a fairytale castle, for the reading of the will. It comes as a shock to be informed that Raymond is immensely wealthy, and his assets will be divided between the family members. There is just one slight hitch, they have to live on the estate for a period of 30 days, with no contact with the outside world, so no phones, or internet or any other form of communication. Whilst the money is an incentive, the family decide to stay for other reasons too.

Raymond was an enigma, a mystery, defined by his constant disappearances, and his aloofness from his children. Even his wife feels that she barely knows him, and no-one knows what he did for a living or how he came to be so rich. 36 year old Aaron is a doctor, closest to his youngest sister, 14 year old Bridge. His other sister, Franny, is a recovering drug addict, who lost her son, Nate. There is a strong impression that the estate feels familiar, put down to the stories their father told them, but then there are the odd dreams as life slowly but inexorably begins to tilt off the rails. Others arrive on the estate, as events begin to take a creepy and menacing flavour, with the sound of gunshots, an old camp and scary glimpses of a tall man and an old woman in the woods. All the Quinlans are harbouring trauma within their dysfunctional family. All are searching for their identities, they feel an inner vacuum as they search for answers as to who they are, and they feel sure if they could find out more about their father, it will help to fill this hole within them. However, they could never have imagined where this quest could lead as they become trapped by electrified fences, fear and desperation as they wonder whether they will survive their horrifying ordeal.

Pyper certainly knows how to spin a yarn of horror and the unexpected in this story that has echoes of Agatha Christie and classic golden age crime, but with a little extra dollops of horror. There are twists galore, and the author is an expert in incorporating twists with his slow reveals through the narrative. The characterisation is done remarkably well for all the leftfield revelations that are to come. I think it would be very difficult for readers to guess at the road in which the novel travels. I found this a chilling and atmospheric read that was truly gripping and utterly compelling. This is for those readers who enjoy well plotted and chilling mysteries. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

Having enjoyed the blurb, I launched into this psychological horror.

It is a well written book, a slow burner full of eerie happenings. There are twists and turns aplenty. The characters are well written and likeable. Their experiences before being called to the will reading are presented well, and you really do feel a lot of empathy towards them. The setting, a huge castle surrounded by a vast forest, is suitably creepy. The threat, lurking inevery page, be it explicit or hinted at, made me hold my breath without realising. The writing is so good I imagined myself there, facing the horror with the beleaguered family. The plot is well thought out and the last quarter of the book is awash with satisfying explanation (if a little far fetched).

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was my first Andrew Pyper book and I look forward to delving into his bask catalogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the sound of this book and couldn't put it down once I had started reading it.I thought the idea was brilliant and I liked some of the characters.I found it to be much darker than I expected, in fact I wondered what genre I was reading ,but I'm not complaining.I thought it was highly original, and this is not an author short on imagination for sure.I had to keep reading because there was so much going on,I couldn't find a good place to stop.One of the most exciting and different books I have read for ages, and I thought it was really good.Thanks so much to the publishers and netgalley for an arc.

There's an old saying: "You can pick your friends but you can't pick your relations" and in this book that maxim applies in spades!

On the death of Raymond Quinlan, his wife, son and 2 daughters are brought together for the reading of his will which stipulates that, in order to claim their various inheritances which amount to millions of dollars, they must spend 30 days at Belfountain, a large forest retreat in Northern California. They latter is something that their father would talk about as if it were some fairy tale kingdom and all four have vague memories of possibly having visited it before - or perhaps not.
They are completely cut off, with no phones or Internet, not even a TV set or radio. It's clear from the start that the Quinlans are damaged people and that Raymond Quinlan was a very secretive man - someone who would often vanish from their home after a mysterious phone call.

The plot reads almost like a Gothic horror story as more and more of the Quinlan family secrets are exposed and more twists and turns are added to the action. We learn most of the family history from Ray Quinlan's son Aaron, a doctor in his mid 30's and Aaron's 14 year old sister Bridge. Their sister Franny is a recovering drug addict.
Then, just as you think you have a handle on the story, it spins off in a shocking direction. There is the sudden arrival of unexpected guests and things start to get really weird.

Early on the pace of this book is slow, but the author, Andrew Pyper, is adept at adding chilling events, such as strange noises at night, half seen figures in dishevelled clothes and the sound of gunfire at various times of the day and night. Once the pace picks up, this is a solid page-turner.
Each of the characters is fascinating in their own way and this book is a highly original addition to the suspense thriller genre. Just don't read it at night!

My thanks to the publisher, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

Different, creepy & quirky but I was a bit disappointed by the ending. All in all it was a good read & would recommend it.

I loved the first 70% of this book, absolutely loved it. Creepy, horrific and overall really weird! Then we get to the last 30% where The Homecoming lost me completely, it kept all the weirdness of the better section of the book and flipped it on its head to be some sort of weird sci-fi rubbish.
I'm pretty annoyed that I wasted so much time on this book, it is NOT a mystery or thriller and should not be marketed as such. I enjoyed the start and that's the only reason I've gave two stars instead of one.

The Homecoming was a strange and eerie tale of monsters both real and imagined within the tale of a dysfunctional family like no other, although the reasons for this are shrouded in mystery…

Staying a month in isolation in return for a multi million pound pay out doesn’t sound like too much of a stretch- but that’s always assuming you can survive it, especially when strange things happen and you begin to lose touch with reality.

This is where we start, a codicil in a will and a family’s tacit understanding that their father was a bit bonkers. It’s an intriguing premise which Andrew Pyper uses to explore themes of memory and human connection.

Focusing mostly on Aaron, whose relationship with his younger sister Bridge forms the heart of the story, The Homecoming takes you on a twisted and uber creepy path through the woods, both metaphorically and physically as the chilling truth behind this last request starts to emerge.

I was riveted, absolutely glued to the pages as events unfolded, The Homecoming is utterly unpredictable and, yes, just a tiny bit bonkers itself. But it will leave you thinking about many things, not least that which makes us who we are.

Loved it. Different,, quirky, scary as you like and beautifully done.

Recommended.