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The Last House on Needless Street Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Catriona Ward (Author), Christopher Ragland (Narrator), Macmillan Audio (Publisher)
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
See all formats and editions

"The buzz...is real. I've read it and was blown away. It's a true nerve-shredder that keeps its mind-blowing secrets to the very end." (Stephen King)

Catriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street is a shocking and immersive listen perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Haunting of Hill House.

“The new face of literary dark fiction.” (Sarah Pinborough, New York Times best-selling author of Behind Her Eyes)

In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three.

A teenage girl who isn’t allowed outside, not after last time.

A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory.

And a house cat who loves napping and reading the Bible.

An unspeakable secret binds them together, but when a new neighbor moves in next door, what is buried out among the birch trees may come back to haunt them all.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire

“A chilling and beautiful masterpiece of suspense.” (Joe Hill, New York Times best-selling author of NOS4A2)

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    12 hours
  2. Author
    Catriona Ward
  3. Narrator
    Christopher Ragland
  4. Audible release date
    September 28, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Macmillan Audio
  7. ASIN
    B08TX5K95X
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Product details

Listening Length 12 hours
Author Catriona Ward
Narrator Christopher Ragland
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 28, 2021
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08TX5K95X
Best Sellers Rank #3,206 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#44 in Domestic Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#118 in Horror Fiction
#149 in Psychological Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
13,015 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book pretty good and intricately plotted. They also describe the emotional tone as heart wrenching and dark. Readers praise the writing style as well written and fresh. They describe the story as captivating, hilarious, and vivid. However, some find the weirdness weird and unnecessary fluff. Opinions are mixed on the narrative complexity, with some finding it intriguing and disjointed, while others say it's confusing and disorganized.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Emotional toneReadabilityWriting styleStoryCharacterizationNarrative complexityPacingWeirdness
106 customers mention "Emotional tone"88 positive18 negative

Customers find the emotional tone of the book intricately plotted, shocking, and surprising. They also describe the book as a combination of horror, psychological thriller, and fantasy. Readers also mention that the book is twisty, entertaining, and keeps them guessing. They say the ending is wonderful and full of clues. Overall, customers describe the tone as heart wrenching and gripping about mental illness, abuse, and murder.

"Well written novel with memorable, fascinating characters. A creepy and disturbing story that grows in horror the further you read into it...." Read more

"...Of course it makes for a great story; the person creates their own characters and settings and proceeds to live them, be them...." Read more

"...I thought I had it figured out several times. But it’s full of plot twists- I love the authors style of writing." Read more

"...”Overall this book had a really interesting twist and a somewhat happy ending." Read more

93 customers mention "Readability"93 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the read, well done on many levels, and intricately plotted. They also say it's worth taking a leap of faith to read it.

"Well written novel with memorable, fascinating characters. A creepy and disturbing story that grows in horror the further you read into it...." Read more

"...Overall an engaging, well written story worth reading." Read more

"...You can't stop reading it once you start. Don't make plans! Perfect rainy day read" Read more

"...I finished it in two days. What a completely absorbing, intriguing, thrilling read! The writing is also impeccable. I have nothing negative to say...." Read more

54 customers mention "Writing style"48 positive6 negative

Customers find the writing style of the book genius and full of clues.

"Well written novel with memorable, fascinating characters. A creepy and disturbing story that grows in horror the further you read into it...." Read more

"...it actually makes semse om this particular story and the author handles it competently...." Read more

"...The way the book starts out, the POV from Ted, is brilliant writing! I LOVED the cat’s POV, I still smile remembering some parts of those chapters...." Read more

"...It was definitely written with care, passion and conviction. You can't stop reading it once you start. Don't make plans! Perfect rainy day read" Read more

18 customers mention "Story"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the story captivating, beautifully woven, and well researched. They also describe the style as unique, refreshing, and hilarious.

"...Overall an engaging, well written story worth reading." Read more

"...-Danlos syndrome and I loved that it was well researched and fit so well into the plot. I didn’t feel that way about this one...." Read more

"This was twisty and entertaining and keeps you guessing throughout. I can’t say it was scary, but definitely suspenseful. I definitely enjoyed it." Read more

"...Ward gave me something precious back and that is the excitement of reading something unique and different...." Read more

16 customers mention "Characterization"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book rich, layered, and unusual. They also say the author is a skilled and talented storyteller who does it in an intelligent and thoughtful manner.

"Well written novel with memorable, fascinating characters. A creepy and disturbing story that grows in horror the further you read into it...." Read more

"...something else by this author, not just because she is a skilled and talented storyteller, but also to see if she usually has more continuity in her..." Read more

"...It really messed with my mind. The characters were amazing and creepy...." Read more

"...spoiling something, but I can say this: Ted Bannerman is one of the best main characters I've ever read...." Read more

69 customers mention "Narrative complexity"35 positive34 negative

Customers are mixed about the narrative complexity. Some find the book intriguing, clever, and well-researched. They appreciate the unique point of view and plausible view of what happened. However, some find the narrative confusing and disjointed at first. They also say the book has so many twists that it's dizzying.

"I don’t know how to fairly review this book. It’s amazingly well researched and well written. The characters seem to develop themselves...." Read more

"...I was interested, but things were so disjointed (purposefully so of course) and just so slow to come out...." Read more

"THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET is one of the most original efforts I’ve read in some time...." Read more

"...The first half of the book goes back and forth and sideways it’s a bit confusing but you kinda think you know what’s going on. Then.. you don’t...." Read more

13 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive9 negative

Customers are mixed about the pacing. Some mention it has a nice pace, while others say it's a little slow in the beginning.

"...things were so disjointed (purposefully so of course) and just so slow to come out...." Read more

"All the reviews I read were spot on this book starts off slow drags but when it picks up it doesn't let you down and even tho it dragged I keep..." Read more

"...Overall a good read with a slow start" Read more

"...Just got weirder. Overall, it was a slog to get through." Read more

34 customers mention "Weirdness"6 positive28 negative

Customers find the book weird, AWFUL, and not satisfying. They also say the topic is terrible, unbelievable, and boring. Customers also mention the book is unpredictable, mind-numbing, and unreliable.

"...There’s a lot of added unnecessary fluff that has nothing to do with the storyline during the first 65% before it picks up… kinda like the author..." Read more

"...I read it through but it wasn't really satisfying to me, just weird." Read more

"Weird book. I kept at it; hoping it would eventually make sense and reveal the real fa the unreal. Just got weirder...." Read more

"...It makes sense at the end but it was just a very strange book." Read more

Wow!
4 out of 5 stars
Wow!
Wow! I spent the first half of this book trying to figure out exactly what was going on and I had plenty of guesses. I was wrong on almost every count. My head was spinning with all of the twists and turns and I couldn’t stop listening. I am so glad that I took a chance and decided to give this book a try.This story is told from three different points of view. Ted, his cat Olivia, his daughter Lauren, and their new neighbor Dee. I have to say that the cat was my favorite of the group. Years ago, Ted was suspected of having some involvement in the disappearance of a little girl. That girl’s sister wants to see what Ted might know so she moves into the house next door. I wanted to know more about Ted, his housemates, and just what he might have done in his past. This was one of those books where you knew that there was more going on than it seemed.Christopher Ragland did a phenomenal job with the narration of this book. I believe that this was my first experience listening to his work but I would say that I am a new fan. The voices that he used for each of the characters were distinctive and fit the personality of the characters perfectly. He added a lot of emotion and excitement into his reading which helped to bring the story to life.I would recommend this book to others. I think that this is one of those books that it is best to go in as blindly as possible so I have kept my review brief. I look forward to reading my of Catriona Ward’s work in the future.I received a digital review copy of this book and audiobook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.
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Top reviews from the United States

Mary Lou Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars The Last House on Needless Street
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
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Well written novel with memorable, fascinating characters. A creepy and disturbing story that grows in horror the further you read into it. No supernatural monsters here, just people who can be the worst monsters of all. A great read for those who enjoy psychological horror. Plenty of twists and turns in the plot will keep you guessing. Who is the real villain here?
One person found this helpful
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Robin
4.0 out of 5 stars Mental Health Issues Rather than Traditional Horror
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
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TRGGER WARNING: Book contains graphic descriptions of violence. physical abuse, adult and child, and profound mental health issues.

This book shifts POV from chapter to chapter with multiple characters presenting their perspectives on the same events. This has become a somewhat overused technique, but it actually makes semse om this particular story and the author handles it competently. The story opens with the disappearance of a little girl from a nearby lake and since one of the POVs is a young girl, the reader is led to believe that they may be one and the same. Another POV is that of the missing child’s older sister who has continued to search for her younger sibling for years. She has concluded that her sisteer is being kept captive by a young man that the police exonerated early in the investigation and rents the house next door to confirm her suspicions. The author very deliberately points the reader in the same direction.

In addition to the shifting POVs of various characters, we also swap timelines; some events are occurring now, others happen during the childhood of the alledged kidnapper, Ted. It’s confusing to keep track of the chain of events. At the book’s conclusion, everything mostly adds up and makes sense, although there were a number of events that did not ultimately have any real relevance to the storyline. It’s frustrating when you are left with unanswered questions.

I do not recall exactly where I read that this book was in the horror genre, but I purchased it based on that information. There are no supernatural elements whatsoever. It is more accurately in the psychological thriller category. There are some extremely horrifying elements depicted and sensitive readers could find themselves triggered by the appalling abuse described.

All in all, a solid 4 star read. It was a bit confusing to bounce between POVs and timelines and I was not left with that deep sense of satisfaction that comes when at last everything comes together. I find myself still struggling with unanswered questions and dead end plot points. It was definitely not one of those books where everything wraps up neatly in the end! Overall an engaging, well written story worth reading.
12 people found this helpful
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Shari Ring Wolf
3.0 out of 5 stars What a project! SPOILERS
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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I don’t know how to fairly review this book. It’s amazingly well researched and well written. The characters seem to develop themselves. The prose is beautiful and descriptive and sets an atmosphere.

I note that the major plot twist has been given away in many of the reviews written thus far, with no spoiler warning. I didn’t read the reviews before I acquired the book,I just saw the one-line recommendation from Stephen King, and that was enough for me.

I hate giving this only 3 stars, but anything else would be dishonest. The way the book starts out, the POV from Ted, is brilliant writing! I LOVED the cat’s POV, I still smile remembering some parts of those chapters. It was hilarious as well as creative, descriptive. And I can see how many readers would love the truth that was revealed—the bad guy is really the good guy; the heroine is really the murderer, and what is real is actually invisible. And, of course, the victim is making a heroic recovery at story’s end. <—- How’s that for spoilers??

I’m not among the many readers who feel that way. I felt cheated out of a story. I’m a retired clinical social worker, and I did my share of case studying DID. A very interesting diagnosis, fascinating even. I only observed people with the diagnosis on video, never in person.

I wanted to read a horror story, or a thriller. Even a whodunnit mystery. I would have settled for a supernatural tale. I should have read the spoiler reviews!

I felt like the story was going along great…all set up to find out who snatched Lulu and is she still alive? The bad guy is nearly dead…then Lulu’s voice comes out of him. Like the story did an about-face, or maybe the author finally figured out what she wanted to do with the story.

I usually like novels that use a little-known diagnosis in the plot. I recently read a book where the bad guy had an advanced case of Erhlos-Danlos syndrome and I loved that it was well researched and fit so well into the plot. I didn’t feel that way about this one. I felt like I read 2 different books, and the first one wasn’t finished. It seemed to me that the very talented author was working on a story…a missing girl, the cat…yada yada…and was lost as far as where to take the story. Then she heard about DID and changed gears. I read the…afterword or acknowledgements… and that is exactly what happened.

I struggled to finish the book. I just wanted to know where Lulu fit in at the end. More spoiler: practically nowhere, that’s where she fit.

I agree with the author, DID is a fascinating disorder. Of course it makes for a great story; the person creates their own characters and settings and proceeds to live them, be them. Like most MH disorders, it starts out as something that helps a person and eventually does anything but help. It’s just…I didn’t set out to read a case study. For me, the switch to “DID not the bad guy” was not seamless. It abruptly became a different story.

I would like to read something else by this author, not just because she is a skilled and talented storyteller, but also to see if she usually has more continuity in her writing.

My experience with this book was a solid 3. Yours may be much higher.
5 people found this helpful
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LISA
5.0 out of 5 stars This was the perfect read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
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This is in my top 3 all time favorites. After reading Hidden Pictures I wondered if I would find something I liked just as much in the category and this was it. This has everything I love in a book. The author did such amazing writing you can see it, smell it,taste it! It was definitely written with care, passion and conviction. You can't stop reading it once you start. Don't make plans! Perfect rainy day read
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Top reviews from other countries

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Patsy Jolene Sleeman
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in Canada on April 16, 2024
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A very good book by a very good author.
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Ricardo
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro
Reviewed in Brazil on November 14, 2023
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Ótimo livro
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mary luzzi
4.0 out of 5 stars Un po’ complicato ma una bella storia
Reviewed in Italy on October 21, 2023
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A volte era un po’ irreale ma poi si è capito alla fine
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Mara pallacz
5.0 out of 5 stars You will never guess the twist and that's amazing
Reviewed in Germany on August 16, 2023
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The author is a master in only telling you as much as you need and revealing information argonizingly slow. While still keeping your peak interest.
So many times I thought I'd new I had figured out where the story was going, so many times I was left with my mouth open in disbelieve and very impressed. It's written so beautifully and emphatically while staying scary and gruesome. If you are contemplating to read this book. Just do it. You won't regret it.
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RED
3.0 out of 5 stars An uninspiring thriller.
Reviewed in Spain on February 10, 2023
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I found it tedious
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