A Good House for Children

The Reeve by Kate Collins is a haunting and atmospheric novel that will keep fans of Shirley Jackson delighted. Set in a dilapidated house on the edge of a cliff, it follows the experiences of two women, Lydia and Orla, who move into the house with their children. The house has a dark past and is filled with strange noises and occurrences, and the women must fight to keep their children safe from whatever lurks inside.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

In her captivating debut novel, Kate Collins breathes new life into the haunted house genre, while still preserving the deliciously chilling atmosphere that fans of Shirley Jackson will cherish. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by Francine Toon's haunting tale of Pine. Set on the treacherous cliffs of Dorset, The Reeve eagerly awaits its next inhabitants, despite Orla's misgivings about its suitability for raising her two children. However, her husband is determined to make it their new home.

In 1976, Lydia, a young nanny, arrives in Dorset to care for a family grieving the loss of their patriarch. At first, she struggles to shake off the feeling that something is amiss. Strange noises and eerie occurrences begin to haunt her, but her employer, consumed by grief, dismisses her concerns as paranoia.

As the days pass, Lydia and Orla, separated by forty years, come to realize that the longer they stay at the Reeve, the greater their need to protect the children from the malevolent force that lurks within its walls. The house itself seems to have a mind of its own, with its pervasive atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread.

Nothing is quite as it seems at the Reeve, and Kate Collins' gothic creation will send shivers down your spine. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricate, keeping you engaged from start to finish. The suspense is palpable, and the ending will leave you breathless.

In conclusion, Kate Collins' debut novel is a must-read for anyone who loves haunted house stories with a twist. With its refreshing take on the genre and its deliciously chilling atmosphere, it will leave you haunted long after you turn the last page.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788169301
Edition number: Main