November 17, 2020

The Open House by Sam Carrington

Avon Books UK | 10 December 2020 | 384 pgs
Source: NetGalley 

Amber and her husband, Nick, are preparing for a divorce and they are trying to sell their house quickly so they can move on with their lives. Amber has already found a new relationship and she's looking forward to staying with her new man once the house is sold. Amber's mother-in-law, Barb, isn't pleased with all the arrangements and thinks Amber is a mistake in Nick's life. Needless to say, Amber and Barb couldn't get along although they try to act civilly to each other. 

As much as Amber's real estate agent's efforts in putting Amber's house up for viewing and so forth, there isn't any potential buyers so he's suggested an open house to try and attract more interest. Amber grudgingly agrees seeing there isn't any choice and although she's not comfortable overseeing some strangers walking about her house, she could at least know how many of these potential buyers are going into her house through her doorbell camera app. Amber has counted thirteen people entering her house, but then only twelve leave. Thinking she must have counted or seen wrongly, she dismiss the thought until her two young sons told her they've seen a man in their house. Could it be real or did her anxiety has rubbed off onto them, thus planting this seed of doubt into their young minds? 

The Open House immediately grabbed the reader's attention with the suspense of the missing thirteenth person and whether if we should doubt Amber's belief that there's indeed an intruder in her house. The reader is also introduced to a few unreliable characters surrounding Amber's life; each of them either has an agenda or a secret to hide. There are also subplots and red herrings which are linked to the main mystery but unfortunately the ending fell flat and it was a disappointment as I thought the storyline was grabbing until each twist seems more like a shock value than a plausible outcome. Overall I liked the idea and the suspense of this story but the ending was a bit too much in my opinion. 


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8 comments:

  1. It is disappointing when the end does not really end well. New author and book for me.

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    1. Mystica - This book has so much potential. It'd be perfect if the ending was better IMO. Oh well. That said, the author's writing was engaging so I'll check out her other books.

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  2. What a scary situation! That's too bad about the ending. This one sounded so promising.

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    1. Wendy - The ending was a disappointment but still it was a compelling read.

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  3. Thinking there might be someone hiding in your house...that's creepy! Too bad the ending wasn't better.

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    1. Lark - It was a scary situation, no doubt. I'd have given this a 4-star ratings and above should the ending was better. Oh well.

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  4. You made this one sound so good despite the ending. I think it's a great premise and how creepy right?

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    1. Iliana - It has an interesting concept and premise. Will still try her future books even though the ending here was a disappointment.

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