The Red House was a whirlwind ride. Although this one started off strong, it quickly turned into a muddled mess with just about every plot point thrown in at once. This felt overly convoluted about halfway through until the end. I really liked the narration from Eve and thought that the description of the house in the scene it set was really wonderfully done. Where this went wrong was having too much thrown into the pot and far too many twists at the end. And I think a little restraint on the plot would have helped this along a lot. If it had been stepped back even just a little bit, this would have come across as more believable and realistic. I think the author was really trying to do something at the end but didn't quite execute it the way that I would have liked. Overall this has really interesting concepts and some well-developed characters but failed in the full execution. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

After the death of her grandmother and brother Joseph, Eve is now the owner of the Red House and the farm. Eve who was once called Celestine is the only survivor of the Red House Massacre where her entire family was murdered in their own house in cold blood by Joseph. Now that she is forced to remember everything, new things seems to be popping up making her question about what really happened and if Joseph was even the real killer. Eve now has to solve the various clues and riddles that Joseph left in the video game he was creating to reach to the bottom of the mystery that seems be her past.

This was the first time I read about a character with face blindness and the way the author used that in this story was really masterful and creative. The pace of the book was slow in the beginning but took to getting faster and gripping after a 40% mark. However throughout the story a lot of things were repetitive especially with Eve which kind of felt like a letdown. But what saved the book was the twists at the very end of the book.

Many thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK Audio and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bit of a slow starter for me this one, but once the pace stared to pick up as more details started to be revealed, it really took off, right through to a really satisfying “reveal” at the end of the story.

I enjoyed the telling of the story from the point of view of the different characters, particularly Eve as the main protagonist and Joseph from his vegetative state in his sick bed.

I had never heard of “face blindness” (propospagnosia) before but it is a key part of this story, and the author should be applauded for how skilfully she was able to weave the different symptoms of this condition into what was quite an original plot.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

Although it requires a few large suspensions of disbelief to get into the initial premise of the story, once you’ve felt your way into the narrative this is a fast paced and pleasingly twisty. The characters are well drawn and their relationships with one another feel compelling and realistic. I’m not hugely interested in video games but The Red House used it as an interesting new narrative device and didn’t get too caught up in the subculture.

Eve, survivor of the Red House massacre that saw her parents and younger brother killed in their own home by her older brother Joseph. Then called Celestine, at 5 years old hid with Joseph’s snakes and avoided death. Now 20 years on, and Joseph has been in a vegetative state since under the care of their granny, who has now died. This leaves Eve to shoulder the burden, but new points come to light – was he even the killer as they all thought? And does the computer game that he was working on as a teen hold any answers?

The first 30% of this was slow paced, and felt repetitive. The same points being explained over, and over. As the chapters progressed, new characters POV’s were introduced and the pace began to pick up. Constant drops of information that revealed more of what was really going on in amongst the seemingly happy family pre-death, and with a constant sense of suspicion made for a more-ish feel to the read.

A modern feeling whodunit, using a video game as a guide with clues was a fun element. It all came together really well and complexly. Overall, a good plot with good twists...

Eve’s teenage brother killed his family while she hid. He left the house and was involved in a car accident leaving him in a vegetative state since then. The family home was known as The Red House and is infamous in the local area. When a stranger tells Eve he witnessed two cars leaving The Red House that night, she begins to question if her memory is accurate.
Eve is a likeable character with the inability to recognise faces which is an interesting twist. Unfortunately, I found the storyline to be a little slow meaning it lost my interest several times.

Very intuiting plot and storyline which unfolds from the start. Bit creepy at times and involves snakes which i found really weird however the story pieced itself together as more was known about the family and i had to re read a couple of pages to recap on the plot, Don't want to give away any spoilers as you need to experience the whole book from start to finish, great read. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

Oh my, this is quite a story. I listened to the audio version whilst on holiday and found it really compelling. What follows might give away more than you wish to know so just read it yourself if you’d rather not find out too much here……
The family featured are portrayed as somewhat dysfunctional but as Eve unwittingly unravels the past she has long ago buried and run from, we begin to understand that her previous understanding was built on lies and deception. A real case of ‘smoke and mirrors’. Characters whom we are led to dislike at the start, win us over and be warned, some of the ‘likable’ ones, morph into something quite different! A clever story!

If there was an award for the highest number of plot twists in an audiobook, this would hands down be my winner.....(and I listen to A LOT of audiobooks!). The plot is an excellent example of originality, creativity and perhaps most importantly, entertainment.

Eve is a young woman with a secret identity, she changed her name following her brother killing the rest of the family in a notorious massacre at The Red House some 20 years previously. Her brother, Joseph ended up in a vegetative state following a car accident that very night. Eve also keeps secret that she suffers from face blindness, and alongside other events, this leads her to question the validity of her 5 year old self telling the police that Joseph killed the family, noting that this makes her a most unreliable witness.

I absolutely applaud the author in managing the continuity of this book as regards the face blindness, I can only imagine how difficult this book was to write, a lot of attention being paid to detail, but it 100% works to make this book utterly thrilling to listen to. Narrators all work well together to ensure the written book works well as an audiobook.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

A teenager kills his parents and his little brother. Then, he has a car accident and is in a coma for 20 years - the only person who still knows what happened is his sister Eve. Or is she?
This book explores family dynamics and the depths of our morals. Peppered with lots of twists and turns, this book really is a ride - and definitely gives the reader a lot to think about.

Narrated by Lauren Moakes; David Hartley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Loved both narrators. Great captivating voice that made this story come to life.

The Red House by Roz Watkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was an absolute page turner.
I needed desperately to know what happened that night? Who did it and why? And Nate! Who did that? Page turner! Absolute page turner.

Oh my days!!! I can’t believe I left this on my tbr for so long, this is such a clever book. The plot is slick, there is twist after twist after twist. I was actually sat with my mouth hanging open at the end. I’ve read so many thrillers that I’ve almost always guessed the ending every time but with this one. Every time I thought I was right I was wrong.

I was drawn to Eve’s character immediately, all grown up, trusting very few people, and terrified that her identity will be discovered, and is it any wonder with her being the only true survivor of the shocking murders of all of her family, all but her brother Joseph, who has been in a coma since he “murdered” his parents and little brother. The story that unfolds is excellent, so very cleverly written and plotted. Excellent. All the stars ⭐️ #Jorecommends

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins audio Uk for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

The Red House by Roz Watkins is a twisty crime novel that will have you second guessing yourself all the way through. Brilliantly done with the creepiest of settings. Step foot in The Red House and find out what slithers beneath. Expertly narrated to provide depth to the well-placed chapters, leading you down the slippery slope to the end.

I really enjoyed this story and found I was hooked from the beginning, although very far fetched and unbelievable it had many twists and turns and had me constantly guessing trying to work it all out! It all came together well at the end. One I would recommend if you can not take it too seriously.

I recently listened to a captivating and suspenseful thriller that had me hooked from the beginning. The story follows a woman who is the only surviving member of her family, with her brother in a coma and considered a prime suspect in the murders of their loved ones. The book cleverly alternates between two timelines, keeping you guessing and considering all possible outcomes.

What I loved about this book was its ability to create a haunting and atmospheric setting. The author's descriptions painted a vivid picture of the dark and mysterious surroundings, adding to the overall sense of tension and intrigue. The attention to detail was impressive and made the reading experience even more immersive.

The characters in the book were well-developed, each harboring their own secrets and making them all potential suspects. I was particularly drawn to the main character as she struggled with feelings of guilt, grief, and the mounting evidence against her brother. It was a psychological journey that kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly questioning what was true and who could be trusted.

The highlight of this thriller was the unexpected twist that completely took me by surprise. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw a curveball that left me shocked and reevaluating everything I thought I knew. It was a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling and unpredictable plot.

I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version, and the narrator did an excellent job of bringing the story to life. Their engaging delivery captured the emotions and atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience for me.

In conclusion, this gripping thriller with its atmospheric setting, well-drawn characters, and a surprising twist is a must-read for fans of suspenseful mysteries. It kept me engaged until the very end, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Interesting plot and with a lot of twists thrown, I struggled to stop listening to it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this ARC.

Eve"s parents and baby brother were murdered and she identified her elder brother as the killer. 20 years later her brother in a coma since that night need looking after because of her nan dying, leaves her in termoil and not all as it seems. A novel that will grip you till the end. Well plotted with plenty of twists. The narration by Lauren Makes and David Hartley add to the story with the different chapter viewpoints.
I received this audiobook for free from HarperCollins Audio UK and Netgalley for a review.

Reading the description of the story it sounded really interesting and it was in parts, but I felt the pace was a little slow and I felt some sections did not really add to the development. I found my attention drifting some of the time and had to recap a bit. Eve was very different, but likeable, but I did feel that if she had just mentioned her condition a lot of the frustration would have been lifted. Switching between the characters in the separate chapters was interesting and helped to see different viewpoints. The narration by 2 people was great and really brought the story to life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to a review copy of this audio book.

Cleverly plotted! A must read thriller.

20 years ago, Joseph Flowers killed his parents and his baby brother. This all witnessed by his 5 year-old younger sister Celestine. Then he crashed his car and has been in coma for 20 years.

It happened in their family farm which is called and well-known as The Red House.

Celestine now lives in a new identity called Eve as to put all the childhood trauma behind. Eve’s grandmother Peggy was dying. After visiting her, Eve knew she was hiding secrets and protecting Joseph.

Now Eve has to decide to keep his vegetable brother alive or just let him go. But one day Eve found out Joesph was conscious and he didn’t want to die.

What if Joseph was not the murderer? What if the 5 year-old Celestine was telling a lie that she didn’t witness her brother killed the family?

Days before the murder, Joseph created a computer game and the gamers reckoned there were clues in his game to show the reason Joseph committed the crime. Rumour said that there was a hidden level of The Red House game, Eve decided to piece the clues up…

The story completed very well in this dual timeline story telling. The narrators presented it fabulously. This is one of the most thrilling and gripping thriller I have ever read (listened). I’m completely blown away by the twisty ending.

A seemingly happy family is murdered by one of their own who then spends decades in a coma. It was all cut and dried…or was it?

The psychological thriller genre is packed with titles and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. The Red House sets the scene with a creepy location in a marshy area. There’s a witness, but is she a reliable narrator? This is a fast paced murder mystery which kept me guessing from start to finish. Packed with unexpected twists, it borders on a bit OTT at times, but I was so gripped I can forgive a couple of contrivances. I’ve actually read the ebook, which I polished off in a couple of sittings. The audiobook is just as good with perfectly pitched narration and in parts, it’s even more creepy than the written version.