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The Intruders
It should be the perfect a manor house available rent free in exchange for a bit of housesitting. But when Cass and James dig deeper, they find the place has been abandoned since a robbery left almost all the inhabitants dead almost thirty years ago. But they’ve got to save for a deposit somehow, so they move in, and things quickly take a strange turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, and the house is oppressive yet strangely familiar. Could it just be bad memories, or are the house’s secrets a little closer to home?
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
April 26, 2024
EXCERPT: I've identified sounds, taste, touch and smells but now there's something else.
A feeling.
A slow crawl of trepidation from the tips of my toes to the top of my scalp.
I stop abruptly. 'James,' my tone is urgent now, 'I don't like this anymore . . .'
'Relax Cass. We're here.'
He fumbles to untie the blindfold and then I'm blinking in the unaccustomed brightness. Curved around me is a horseshoe shaped manor house. With its wings stretching either side of me I feel like the house is holding me.
Gripping me.
Despite the low temperature a flush of heat rushes through me. I push up the sleeves of my jumper. Stepping back, my eyes scan the black and white Tudor timberwork above the entrance. The iron 'Newington House' sign blistered with rust.
Ivy clings to the stone building. There's a sense of someone watching me through the small leaded windows.
This is not a tourist attraction. That much is clear from the unkempt courtyard. The tangle of weeds and nettles.
A crow lands in the tree to my left; he screeches, and it sounds like a warning.
ABOUT 'THE INTRUDERS': They were told to leave. They should have listened.
It should be the perfect opportunity: a manor house available rent free in exchange for a bit of housesitting. But when Cass and James dig deeper, they find the place has been abandoned since a robbery left almost all the inhabitants dead almost thirty years ago. But they’ve got to save for a deposit somehow, so they move in, and things quickly take a strange turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, and the house is oppressive yet strangely familiar. Could it just be bad memories, or are the house’s secrets a little closer to home?
MY THOUGHTS: There's no such thing as a free lunch - or, in this case, a free house.
The Intruders by Louise Jensen will put your spidey senses on high alert. There's an insidious creepiness to the storyline. Nothing major, or over the top, just little unexplained things. Things that eat into Cass's mind, but that James seems able to explain away. Logically. Calmly. The sounds of children playing. Singing. The smell of freshly cut lemons. The hairbrush that won't stay in the drawer. A window that opens itself. The clock that stops every day at 8.30 p.m. . . . .
I don't blame Cass for feeling spooked. Especially when James has to go away on business. And Cass has had problems in the past - a little mental disturbance, or two.
The story is told over two timelines - now and thirty years ago when the Madley family lived, and was murdered, in Newington House. Louise Jensen cleverly manipulates the storyline - I had no idea where she was taking me but was quite happy to go along for the ride - and throws in a few stunning twists. She creates a chilling atmosphere with a palpable air of mystery surrounding all the characters.
And the ending? - Twisted. You'll need to suspend your belief. It is disturbing but strangely fitting.
I listened to the audiobook of The Intruders which was superbly narrated by Helen Keeley.
And don't skip the author's note at the end where she relates how this book came about.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheIntruders #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: When I was little I was obsessed by Enid Blyton. Her characters were so real to me they became my friends. I often huddled under my covers, stifling my yawns and straining my eyes, as I read 'just one more page' by torchlight.
Mr Townsend, my primary school English teacher always encouraged my love of literature, and it wasn’t long before I’d read everything my school had to offer. The first book I created was six pages long, had stick-man illustrations and was sellotaped together. I was immensely proud of it. Writing was a huge part of my life, until one day it wasn’t.
I can’t remember ever making a conscious decision to stop writing but it became easier to act on the advice I was given - ‘grow up and get a proper job’ - and my dreams were tightly packed away, gathering dust for the next twenty years.
My thirties were a car crash. Literally. I sustained injuries which when coupled with a pre-existing condition forced me to radically change my lifestyle. I felt utterly lost and utterly alone. Always an avid reader I began to devour books at an alarming rate. ‘You’ll have read every book in here soon,’ my local librarian said. ‘You’ll have to write your own.’
And there was a flicker, a shift, a rising of hope. I grasped that nugget of possibility and I wrote. I wrote when I was happy. I wrote when I was sad. I wrote when I was scared and in-between writing, I read, read and read some more. Words have the power to lift, to heal. They have illuminated my world, which for a time became very dark.
As Anne Frank said ‘I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.’
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio, HQ via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Intruders written by Louise Jensen and narrated by Helen Keeley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
A feeling.
A slow crawl of trepidation from the tips of my toes to the top of my scalp.
I stop abruptly. 'James,' my tone is urgent now, 'I don't like this anymore . . .'
'Relax Cass. We're here.'
He fumbles to untie the blindfold and then I'm blinking in the unaccustomed brightness. Curved around me is a horseshoe shaped manor house. With its wings stretching either side of me I feel like the house is holding me.
Gripping me.
Despite the low temperature a flush of heat rushes through me. I push up the sleeves of my jumper. Stepping back, my eyes scan the black and white Tudor timberwork above the entrance. The iron 'Newington House' sign blistered with rust.
Ivy clings to the stone building. There's a sense of someone watching me through the small leaded windows.
This is not a tourist attraction. That much is clear from the unkempt courtyard. The tangle of weeds and nettles.
A crow lands in the tree to my left; he screeches, and it sounds like a warning.
ABOUT 'THE INTRUDERS': They were told to leave. They should have listened.
It should be the perfect opportunity: a manor house available rent free in exchange for a bit of housesitting. But when Cass and James dig deeper, they find the place has been abandoned since a robbery left almost all the inhabitants dead almost thirty years ago. But they’ve got to save for a deposit somehow, so they move in, and things quickly take a strange turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, and the house is oppressive yet strangely familiar. Could it just be bad memories, or are the house’s secrets a little closer to home?
MY THOUGHTS: There's no such thing as a free lunch - or, in this case, a free house.
The Intruders by Louise Jensen will put your spidey senses on high alert. There's an insidious creepiness to the storyline. Nothing major, or over the top, just little unexplained things. Things that eat into Cass's mind, but that James seems able to explain away. Logically. Calmly. The sounds of children playing. Singing. The smell of freshly cut lemons. The hairbrush that won't stay in the drawer. A window that opens itself. The clock that stops every day at 8.30 p.m. . . . .
I don't blame Cass for feeling spooked. Especially when James has to go away on business. And Cass has had problems in the past - a little mental disturbance, or two.
The story is told over two timelines - now and thirty years ago when the Madley family lived, and was murdered, in Newington House. Louise Jensen cleverly manipulates the storyline - I had no idea where she was taking me but was quite happy to go along for the ride - and throws in a few stunning twists. She creates a chilling atmosphere with a palpable air of mystery surrounding all the characters.
And the ending? - Twisted. You'll need to suspend your belief. It is disturbing but strangely fitting.
I listened to the audiobook of The Intruders which was superbly narrated by Helen Keeley.
And don't skip the author's note at the end where she relates how this book came about.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheIntruders #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: When I was little I was obsessed by Enid Blyton. Her characters were so real to me they became my friends. I often huddled under my covers, stifling my yawns and straining my eyes, as I read 'just one more page' by torchlight.
Mr Townsend, my primary school English teacher always encouraged my love of literature, and it wasn’t long before I’d read everything my school had to offer. The first book I created was six pages long, had stick-man illustrations and was sellotaped together. I was immensely proud of it. Writing was a huge part of my life, until one day it wasn’t.
I can’t remember ever making a conscious decision to stop writing but it became easier to act on the advice I was given - ‘grow up and get a proper job’ - and my dreams were tightly packed away, gathering dust for the next twenty years.
My thirties were a car crash. Literally. I sustained injuries which when coupled with a pre-existing condition forced me to radically change my lifestyle. I felt utterly lost and utterly alone. Always an avid reader I began to devour books at an alarming rate. ‘You’ll have read every book in here soon,’ my local librarian said. ‘You’ll have to write your own.’
And there was a flicker, a shift, a rising of hope. I grasped that nugget of possibility and I wrote. I wrote when I was happy. I wrote when I was sad. I wrote when I was scared and in-between writing, I read, read and read some more. Words have the power to lift, to heal. They have illuminated my world, which for a time became very dark.
As Anne Frank said ‘I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.’
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio, HQ via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Intruders written by Louise Jensen and narrated by Helen Keeley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 10, 2024
House of horrors, perhaps? The story is told in two time-frames (now and 30 years ago) and from the POV of 3 or 4 characters during the periods. Two very similar families... a father, mother, teenager (from mother's prior marriage) and a new baby. In the present period, Cassandra and James buy the house where tragedy struck. In the past, we start to see connections and wonder how the two may fit in the with the past. Surely the family facts we've learned don't quite add up, so things went awry at a critical point. I thought the story might be too easy to solve, but then BOOM, it went astronomically higher to an unexpected place. I liked and disliked it, but I found myself breathless at many points. Who were the intruders? Which time period? Which family? How was it all connected? Another winner from Louise Jensen, and I am already eagerly awaiting her 2025 release.
April 11, 2024
Cass and James have found a great place to live! The best part - it is free in return for some house sitting. How lucky are they???? But the manor home comes with a sad history. Thirty years ago, a home invasion left many of the family members living there dead.
Then things begin to happen, things are moved to new locations, there is the strange feeling of being familiar with the home....
For me this was a slow burn until around the 50% mark. I felt for Cass as James became concerned about her mental health. I enjoyed how the book went back and forth in time, giving readers glimpses into the past. Things get very interesting near the end of the book as everything comes together. I was fully invested at the end and enjoyed having all the facts.
I listened to the audiobook and found it to be very done. I enjoyed the narration.
I just wished there were a few less characters and the plot was faster moving. I did enjoy the tension and the beginning of the book was fantastic! That got my attention and sucked me in! The ending was great as well. The middle part had me turning to other books.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio | HQ and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Then things begin to happen, things are moved to new locations, there is the strange feeling of being familiar with the home....
For me this was a slow burn until around the 50% mark. I felt for Cass as James became concerned about her mental health. I enjoyed how the book went back and forth in time, giving readers glimpses into the past. Things get very interesting near the end of the book as everything comes together. I was fully invested at the end and enjoyed having all the facts.
I listened to the audiobook and found it to be very done. I enjoyed the narration.
I just wished there were a few less characters and the plot was faster moving. I did enjoy the tension and the beginning of the book was fantastic! That got my attention and sucked me in! The ending was great as well. The middle part had me turning to other books.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio | HQ and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
March 23, 2024
Ok Louise Jensen, you got me again! I was so convinced I had this one all sussed out… I could not have been more wrong if I tried 😆 I loved this twisty, creepy and addictive thriller and stayed up late to finish it.
Would you stay in a house that a family was murdered in 30 years ago? Newington House is known as the Murder House. An horrific house invasion ended with 3 members of a family being brutally murdered and the house has sat empty even since. Now, James and Cass have the opportunity to be caretakers for the house and live rent free. Too good to be true? Well, strange things start to happen in the house and Cass feels like she is being watched. You will never see what is really happening and it has an ending that will make your jaw drop!!
So very clever, the creaks and sounds of the house had me freaked out! I do love this author, she never fails to impress me with her stories. I loved the authors note on how she got the ide for this story. Well worth a read.
Thanks so much to HQ for my early copy of this book to read. Published on April 11th.
Would you stay in a house that a family was murdered in 30 years ago? Newington House is known as the Murder House. An horrific house invasion ended with 3 members of a family being brutally murdered and the house has sat empty even since. Now, James and Cass have the opportunity to be caretakers for the house and live rent free. Too good to be true? Well, strange things start to happen in the house and Cass feels like she is being watched. You will never see what is really happening and it has an ending that will make your jaw drop!!
So very clever, the creaks and sounds of the house had me freaked out! I do love this author, she never fails to impress me with her stories. I loved the authors note on how she got the ide for this story. Well worth a read.
Thanks so much to HQ for my early copy of this book to read. Published on April 11th.
May 21, 2024
Multiple storylines to follow, which lead you down several rabbit holes. The problem with rabbit holes, you never solve them and one leads to the next. The multiple plots developed by the author are each intriguing. Yet most lead to a dead end. Too many ideas were presented and therefore different ways the story could have gone. Impossible to address and satisfy each one. The end leaves the reader with a lack of satisfaction.
April 11, 2024
An intricate and puzzling plot, I enjoyed this thriller immensely. At first I was a bit disappointed because I had guessed one element of the plot development, but the manner in which Jensen then twists this knowledge made for a gripping and immersive page-turner.
Moving into a tragedy house, Cass is convinced that there is some sort of supernatural at work because things are being moved, windows mysteriously left opened and, most sinister of all, a grandfather clock that always stops at the same time every evening. I loved the atmosphere that Jensen creates and felt that I would not be someone who could occupy this strange house with awful memories. The creepy messages and music that are repeated throughout the novel sent shivers down my spine and I found this added to the intensity of the setting.
Through the use of clever flashbacks, readers begin to find out about what happened at Newington House, why it is a house famous for tragedy. This element really had me on tenterhooks and there were many points when I thought I was one step ahead of the author. This was certainly not the case! There were so many ambiguities about this part of the plot and I was pleasantly puzzled. However, the more I read, the more addicted I became to this mystery and how James and Cass are part of Newington House’s history.
As the story develops, the chapters become shorter and I felt breathless with reading it. You do experience chapters from a range of character perspectives however, Jensen does not introduced these all at once. By the time the newer voices are included in the narrative, this isn’t an issue in the slightest. In fact, I was desperate to have this extra information because I knew it would help fill in the gaps of the tragic night that Newington House is haunted by.
Another great read from Jensen that was highly enjoyable throughout. Jensen is fast becoming one of my favourite go-to authors for the thriller genre, as I know she always delivers a great story.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Moving into a tragedy house, Cass is convinced that there is some sort of supernatural at work because things are being moved, windows mysteriously left opened and, most sinister of all, a grandfather clock that always stops at the same time every evening. I loved the atmosphere that Jensen creates and felt that I would not be someone who could occupy this strange house with awful memories. The creepy messages and music that are repeated throughout the novel sent shivers down my spine and I found this added to the intensity of the setting.
Through the use of clever flashbacks, readers begin to find out about what happened at Newington House, why it is a house famous for tragedy. This element really had me on tenterhooks and there were many points when I thought I was one step ahead of the author. This was certainly not the case! There were so many ambiguities about this part of the plot and I was pleasantly puzzled. However, the more I read, the more addicted I became to this mystery and how James and Cass are part of Newington House’s history.
As the story develops, the chapters become shorter and I felt breathless with reading it. You do experience chapters from a range of character perspectives however, Jensen does not introduced these all at once. By the time the newer voices are included in the narrative, this isn’t an issue in the slightest. In fact, I was desperate to have this extra information because I knew it would help fill in the gaps of the tragic night that Newington House is haunted by.
Another great read from Jensen that was highly enjoyable throughout. Jensen is fast becoming one of my favourite go-to authors for the thriller genre, as I know she always delivers a great story.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2024
Cass and James are saving for their own home. They take a job as caretakers in a Manor House so they can earn some money.
After they move in they find out that the house has been empty for thirty years because of a gruesome murder that took place there.
A spooky story with lots of twist and turns that kept me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
After they move in they find out that the house has been empty for thirty years because of a gruesome murder that took place there.
A spooky story with lots of twist and turns that kept me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2024
This was SO TWISTY, a must read for fans of Frieda or Sager, some parts were slightly unbelievable but it was throughly enjoyable I had a hard time putting it down, I also didn't see the twists coming, my jaw was on the floor!
February 6, 2024
Probably the best psychological thriller I've read from Louise Jensen! The atmosphere she creates in The Intruders is tense and creepy and I had no idea where it would end up. James and Cass are saving up to buy their own home when they are given the opportunity to stay in a large, long abandoned house for free. The story evolves over past and present timelines and gets pretty complicated but it ends with a great twist.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 10, 2024
Newington House is a house with a past, a house where the Madley family were horrifically murdered. It was over thirty years ago, but now Cass and James have agreed to house-sit in this same house. After travelling on the train and becoming a victim of theft by an unlikely fellow passenger, Cass starts to wonder if she has done the right thing, especially on her own, while James has to work. When Cass is in the house on her own she starts experiencing some strange and unexplained things happening including the clock always stopping at half past eight, shattering lightbulb in the cellar, the swing in the garden moving of its own accord, the smell of lemons, her paintbrushes being hidden and her hearing Rose's name. Cass doesn't know if all these these are somehow related to the house's past or in her own imagination. Cass and James start to investigate the history behind the previous owners, the Madleys, Jess is always concerned about how this house is affecting their lives, but James is always dismissing her fears. As this story pans out, it is filled with secrets and lies
This is a really good story, yes it's fast paced with lots of secrets, twists and turns, its also captivating and will keep you up into the small hours, and I truly couldn't put it down. I thought I had worked what happened in the house and what was going to happen at the end, but I was so wrong! Another smash hit, I'm sure, for Louise Jensen with this book.
#louisejenson
#theintruders
This is a really good story, yes it's fast paced with lots of secrets, twists and turns, its also captivating and will keep you up into the small hours, and I truly couldn't put it down. I thought I had worked what happened in the house and what was going to happen at the end, but I was so wrong! Another smash hit, I'm sure, for Louise Jensen with this book.
#louisejenson
#theintruders
May 8, 2024
Well this got dark and weird.
This starts as what seems a fairly standard thriller with some potential haunted house elements, but the second half just went off the rails and I'm really not sure it worked.
I really started to dislike this around the 25% mark but thought I would keep going to see if it would pick up (easy enough to do on audio), then it hit the 60% mark and things started getting weird so I kept going and wish I'd just stopped.
A lot of things just didn't make complete sense to me, but a few which stand out are:
- What was the point in the past storyline with Leon? Literally nothing came of it.
- Was there a point in her flashbacks of being in a cupboard? Why wasn't that linked to when she was actually trapped in a cupboard?
- When she was trapped, why did she wait a day to look for a way out? Even if you're terrified, that is the first thing you would do.
-
This was my first book from this author, but I do have another which I'll try before deciding if they're for me or not.
This starts as what seems a fairly standard thriller with some potential haunted house elements, but the second half just went off the rails and I'm really not sure it worked.
I really started to dislike this around the 25% mark but thought I would keep going to see if it would pick up (easy enough to do on audio), then it hit the 60% mark and things started getting weird so I kept going and wish I'd just stopped.
A lot of things just didn't make complete sense to me, but a few which stand out are:
- What was the point in the past storyline with Leon? Literally nothing came of it.
- Was there a point in her flashbacks of being in a cupboard? Why wasn't that linked to when she was actually trapped in a cupboard?
- When she was trapped, why did she wait a day to look for a way out? Even if you're terrified, that is the first thing you would do.
-
This was my first book from this author, but I do have another which I'll try before deciding if they're for me or not.
March 25, 2024
Would you stay in a house that a family was murdered in 30 years ago? Even when creepy things start happening? This is the premise of Louise Jensen's latest psychological thriller and the various narrations across two timelines easily hold your attention. Every character has secrets. The question is how do they all fit together and what secrets are they hiding? I was enjoying the novel and the pacing until the last 20%. Here the novel took an incredibly dark turn which I couldn't get on board with as it was so disturbing. I finished the book and it's well concluded but the darkness of one of the turns tainted my view. Perhaps better suited to horror readers rather than a typical thriller reader. CW: torture, domestic abuse, murder, snuff, violence, violence against children (teenager)
April 11, 2024
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Newington House seems the perfect solution to James’ problem. He’s about to be evicted from his flatshare and his girlfriend of six months, Cass, lives hundreds of miles away with her ageing dad. But James has found a solution that could be the answer to all their problems. The only thing he has to do is convince Cass. And it’s going to take a lot of convincing! Because Newington House has a dark history of its own. Thirty years ago all but the youngest member of the Madley family were brutally murdered. Since then the house has sat empty and decaying. Now Richardson’s Retreats plan to turn the house into an exclusive, high-end retreat and while they’re ploughing through all of the red tape, they need caretakers to keep an eye on the place. It couldn’t be more perfect. Cass and James will be paid to live in the house whilst saving for a deposit on their own home. But there’s no escaping the dark past of Newington House. Particularly when strange things start happening…
Another thrilling, shocking tale from the brilliant Louise Jensen. Cass and James are starting out on their life together but they’re both carrying the burden of grief. Cass desperately wants to know more about her mother who died when she was only a baby. Her secretive father refuses to talk about his wife though which only makes Cass crave answers all the more. She has vivid memories of being trapped in a cupboard and can’t help but question how she got there. Did she hide in the cupboard herself or did her alcoholic, angry father have something to do with it? James is still mourning the recent death of his mother. James is desperate for comfort from his own father but that’s not the type of man he is. He’s always been cold and distant to James and the death of his wife won’t change that. When the opportunity to live at Newington House for a few months arises, the couple can’t help but feel it’s going to be a fresh start, a new beginning. Allowing them to leave the past behind. But it’s far, far from it. Circumstances mean that they can’t turn their backs on the past and the need for answers becomes even more urgent.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Intruders is a cleverly written, engrossing psychological suspense thriller and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I thought I had it all solved but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Jensen is a master of deception. Lulling her readers into believing they know the score when really they don’t have the foggiest! Cass is an interesting character. I don’t think I particularly liked her but I did feel for her as everything she thought she knew came crashing down around her. Violence is never the answer to anything but oh my goodness, I wanted to thump James. It’s his idea to move into Newington House, something he applied to do without Cass’s knowledge or permission. He neglects to tell her the truth about the house until it’s too late. He gets her to move from one end of the country to the other. He’s not there to meet her when she arrives, due to his work. And then he spends most of the book away from home, again, due to work. Personally, if I were Cass, I would have hopped on the next train home! The Intruders is told from both the past and the present as Cass and James search for answers. It’s deliciously creepy, helped by the macabre history of the house. But that’s only half of the story. Things take a very dark and twisted turn as you approach the end of the book and it goes in a direction I never expected. I think it’s safe to say that this is Louise Jensen’s darkest, creepiest book yet! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Intruders from its chilling prologue which made me want to double check all of the windows and doors were definitely locked, to the shocking, jaw-dropping denouement. With secrets and revelations galore, I was completely immersed in Jensen’s smart storytelling. You really cannot go wrong with a Louise Jensen thriller! Highly recommended.
Newington House seems the perfect solution to James’ problem. He’s about to be evicted from his flatshare and his girlfriend of six months, Cass, lives hundreds of miles away with her ageing dad. But James has found a solution that could be the answer to all their problems. The only thing he has to do is convince Cass. And it’s going to take a lot of convincing! Because Newington House has a dark history of its own. Thirty years ago all but the youngest member of the Madley family were brutally murdered. Since then the house has sat empty and decaying. Now Richardson’s Retreats plan to turn the house into an exclusive, high-end retreat and while they’re ploughing through all of the red tape, they need caretakers to keep an eye on the place. It couldn’t be more perfect. Cass and James will be paid to live in the house whilst saving for a deposit on their own home. But there’s no escaping the dark past of Newington House. Particularly when strange things start happening…
Another thrilling, shocking tale from the brilliant Louise Jensen. Cass and James are starting out on their life together but they’re both carrying the burden of grief. Cass desperately wants to know more about her mother who died when she was only a baby. Her secretive father refuses to talk about his wife though which only makes Cass crave answers all the more. She has vivid memories of being trapped in a cupboard and can’t help but question how she got there. Did she hide in the cupboard herself or did her alcoholic, angry father have something to do with it? James is still mourning the recent death of his mother. James is desperate for comfort from his own father but that’s not the type of man he is. He’s always been cold and distant to James and the death of his wife won’t change that. When the opportunity to live at Newington House for a few months arises, the couple can’t help but feel it’s going to be a fresh start, a new beginning. Allowing them to leave the past behind. But it’s far, far from it. Circumstances mean that they can’t turn their backs on the past and the need for answers becomes even more urgent.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Intruders is a cleverly written, engrossing psychological suspense thriller and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I thought I had it all solved but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Jensen is a master of deception. Lulling her readers into believing they know the score when really they don’t have the foggiest! Cass is an interesting character. I don’t think I particularly liked her but I did feel for her as everything she thought she knew came crashing down around her. Violence is never the answer to anything but oh my goodness, I wanted to thump James. It’s his idea to move into Newington House, something he applied to do without Cass’s knowledge or permission. He neglects to tell her the truth about the house until it’s too late. He gets her to move from one end of the country to the other. He’s not there to meet her when she arrives, due to his work. And then he spends most of the book away from home, again, due to work. Personally, if I were Cass, I would have hopped on the next train home! The Intruders is told from both the past and the present as Cass and James search for answers. It’s deliciously creepy, helped by the macabre history of the house. But that’s only half of the story. Things take a very dark and twisted turn as you approach the end of the book and it goes in a direction I never expected. I think it’s safe to say that this is Louise Jensen’s darkest, creepiest book yet! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Intruders from its chilling prologue which made me want to double check all of the windows and doors were definitely locked, to the shocking, jaw-dropping denouement. With secrets and revelations galore, I was completely immersed in Jensen’s smart storytelling. You really cannot go wrong with a Louise Jensen thriller! Highly recommended.
June 19, 2024
Saw this recommended by a fellow thriller lover and bought it immediately. It seems like your average thriller: couple move into a creepy house and weird stuff starts happening.
But then it takes a turn I was not expecting. Talk about twists! I thought I had it figured out. I was wrong.
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was it felt very repetitive in places. Run. Run. Run. How many times can that word appear in a book? Turns out...a lot!
Other than that, I loved this book. Had me glued to the page. And the ending? Chefs kiss!
But then it takes a turn I was not expecting. Talk about twists! I thought I had it figured out. I was wrong.
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was it felt very repetitive in places. Run. Run. Run. How many times can that word appear in a book? Turns out...a lot!
Other than that, I loved this book. Had me glued to the page. And the ending? Chefs kiss!
June 1, 2024
Full disclosure. This was the first Louise Jensen thriller in ages that I've actually sat down and enjoyed. Maybe it's time to return to those ones of hers that I DNF?
The Intruders was gory. Intense. Twisted. The last paragraph caught me off guard. I'm trying not to obsess about it.
Thirty years ago, Newington House was the scene of a triple murder. Mum and Dad are gone. Same with the eldest, just a teenager. Only a toddler managed to escape, never to be heard about ever again.
It never was about a burglary, despite police said at the time. Over time, the manor has been suspended in its own time lock, down to the dining room table set for a meal.
That's until young couple James and Cassie take on the roles of caretakers. Finally, Newington House has been declared fit for demolition. But is the house fighting back? Odd things keep occurring, scaring Cass to the bone. She has a long history of mental health issues. Can it be assumed that what Cass is experiencing is real and something to cause concern? Will anyone believe her? Or, has recent stress caused a relapse in symptoms? One thing is clear- both Cass and James will learn that everything is a lie and that there's nothing that they can say or do to change things.
Or can they? *dum dum dum* 🤔😨
Key words to watch out for because they're important!
Clock
Cupboard
Dinosaur
Mask
Rose
Teddy bear
Video
Window
4.75 🌟
The Intruders was gory. Intense. Twisted. The last paragraph caught me off guard. I'm trying not to obsess about it.
Thirty years ago, Newington House was the scene of a triple murder. Mum and Dad are gone. Same with the eldest, just a teenager. Only a toddler managed to escape, never to be heard about ever again.
It never was about a burglary, despite police said at the time. Over time, the manor has been suspended in its own time lock, down to the dining room table set for a meal.
That's until young couple James and Cassie take on the roles of caretakers. Finally, Newington House has been declared fit for demolition. But is the house fighting back? Odd things keep occurring, scaring Cass to the bone. She has a long history of mental health issues. Can it be assumed that what Cass is experiencing is real and something to cause concern? Will anyone believe her? Or, has recent stress caused a relapse in symptoms? One thing is clear- both Cass and James will learn that everything is a lie and that there's nothing that they can say or do to change things.
Or can they? *dum dum dum* 🤔😨
Key words to watch out for because they're important!
Clock
Cupboard
Dinosaur
Mask
Rose
Teddy bear
Video
Window
4.75 🌟
June 1, 2024
Phew, this was a slooow burner. It takes until past the halfway point for anything to really happen, before that it’s all ‘bumps in the night’ type of thing.
The real issue with this book is that with multiple points of view and multiple timelines, the storyline becomes blurred and difficult to follow. There are too many lead players to shake a stick at, so as a reader I didn’t feel any real connection to any of them.
I’ve read quite a few of Jensen’s books now and some I’ve really enjoyed. She can write well paced, intriguing thrillers, that’s been proven. Unfortunately this one became something of a ‘throw in everything but the kitchen sink’ type of novels. In the latter third of the book, I was tired of it as the plot became increasingly tangled and distracting. It just didn’t work for me this time.
The real issue with this book is that with multiple points of view and multiple timelines, the storyline becomes blurred and difficult to follow. There are too many lead players to shake a stick at, so as a reader I didn’t feel any real connection to any of them.
I’ve read quite a few of Jensen’s books now and some I’ve really enjoyed. She can write well paced, intriguing thrillers, that’s been proven. Unfortunately this one became something of a ‘throw in everything but the kitchen sink’ type of novels. In the latter third of the book, I was tired of it as the plot became increasingly tangled and distracting. It just didn’t work for me this time.
June 29, 2024
Whoa, that was dark. I mean, I like dark and disturbing, but this was something else. It took me to depths darker and more depraved than I've ever ventured to before.
Told in dual timelines thirty years apart, The Intruders is one of those books you'll start, but you can't stop reading, if that makes sense. The story is so engrossing and suspenseful, honestly I can't recommend it enough!
Jensen has created one of the best house of horror stories I've read for a long time. Whilst it's not a fast paced read, time will elapse before you know it. I lost a night's sleep.
What a fabulous cast of characters we had! Not only were they extremely fuxked up, they all had secrets and stories waiting to be revealed. I did guess one of the reveals, but trust me it didn't deter from any enjoyment of the book whatsoever.
Dare you enter Newington House? Or would you Run, Run, Run? I know which one I'd be doing!
Told in dual timelines thirty years apart, The Intruders is one of those books you'll start, but you can't stop reading, if that makes sense. The story is so engrossing and suspenseful, honestly I can't recommend it enough!
Jensen has created one of the best house of horror stories I've read for a long time. Whilst it's not a fast paced read, time will elapse before you know it. I lost a night's sleep.
What a fabulous cast of characters we had! Not only were they extremely fuxked up, they all had secrets and stories waiting to be revealed. I did guess one of the reveals, but trust me it didn't deter from any enjoyment of the book whatsoever.
Dare you enter Newington House? Or would you Run, Run, Run? I know which one I'd be doing!
July 30, 2024
2.5⭐️ Was the jawdropping ending worth 400 pages of annoying repetetive writing? No.
April 10, 2024
This is a great thriller with a creepy vibe to it.
When James and Cass visit the house where they’ve been offered the jobs of caretaker while it’s waiting to be renovated, they’re both in awe of it.
Cass is told a family were murdered here thirty years ago which initially puts her off but she decides to go for it.
They’ve only been together six months and it soon becomes clear they both have a few secrets from each other.
Cass starts hearing a voice and smelling a lemon scent and there’s a clock that keeps stopping at 8.30 every day. James experiences a few things but doesn’t seem too worried until Cass thinks she sees other people in the house.
We also have chapters from the past and it gradually builds a picture of what happened thirty years ago.
There’s some great twists in this story which I really liked.
A great read.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
When James and Cass visit the house where they’ve been offered the jobs of caretaker while it’s waiting to be renovated, they’re both in awe of it.
Cass is told a family were murdered here thirty years ago which initially puts her off but she decides to go for it.
They’ve only been together six months and it soon becomes clear they both have a few secrets from each other.
Cass starts hearing a voice and smelling a lemon scent and there’s a clock that keeps stopping at 8.30 every day. James experiences a few things but doesn’t seem too worried until Cass thinks she sees other people in the house.
We also have chapters from the past and it gradually builds a picture of what happened thirty years ago.
There’s some great twists in this story which I really liked.
A great read.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
April 24, 2024
I really enjoyed the beginning but I'm sorry the second half became confusing and unbelievable.
May 10, 2024
Cass and James take on a new adventure when they housesit an old manor house, Newington House, with a murderous past. Thirty years ago the Madley family were killed by an invader, but
the youngest child hid and escaped the onslaught. However, Cass is spooked when things start moving place and hearing noises. Cass and James are expecting their first baby and encourages them to look into their own family history and unearth some painful truths.
The book also features points of view from two mothers and their families from thirty years ago which implodes the whole plot. A gritty, dark psychological thriller that will keep you fixated on wanting to know the true events of that fateful night.
Louise Jensen always provided a first class read and The Intruders will blow your socks off!! 5 stars!! The book is fast paced, well written, has detailed characters that you really warm to. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
the youngest child hid and escaped the onslaught. However, Cass is spooked when things start moving place and hearing noises. Cass and James are expecting their first baby and encourages them to look into their own family history and unearth some painful truths.
The book also features points of view from two mothers and their families from thirty years ago which implodes the whole plot. A gritty, dark psychological thriller that will keep you fixated on wanting to know the true events of that fateful night.
Louise Jensen always provided a first class read and The Intruders will blow your socks off!! 5 stars!! The book is fast paced, well written, has detailed characters that you really warm to. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
May 18, 2024
I loved how tense and straight up scary this book was. I was actually getting too nervous to carry on reading!
Sadly i didn't really enjoy the main characters, they were okay but they didn't really feel too fleshed out.
I did mostly guess what the ending was but there was still a few surprises.
The ending did get a little confusing though, trying to work out who people actually were haha.
I loved the dual timelines and multiples POV's. It really is my favourite thing in a book. It was done really well in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Sadly i didn't really enjoy the main characters, they were okay but they didn't really feel too fleshed out.
I did mostly guess what the ending was but there was still a few surprises.
The ending did get a little confusing though, trying to work out who people actually were haha.
I loved the dual timelines and multiples POV's. It really is my favourite thing in a book. It was done really well in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
March 29, 2024
If you are looking for a story that has you with a feeling of dread and is eerily atmospheric, then this is one you should take a look at.
Cass and James have been given the opportunity to be caretakers of a manor house. A chance for them to save money so they can get a place of their own. The manor house they move into was the site of a murder several years ago. I am not sure if it is somewhere I would consider living, older large houses are creepy at the best of times! The author uses this sense to great effect with things moving or a sense of someone watching.
Cass and James are a new couple and have been together for 6 months, they do have that instant connection and feel comfortable in each other's company. They have similarities in the way things have happened in their lives and it is this sense that links them.
The author has created two characters that have troubled pasts, this is something that comes up often in stories. Cass is more vulnerable as she has been overly protected during her growing up and James is a little more savvy I feel. They are not opposites and they do muddle along quite nicely as a couple.
As the title and synopsis suggest, there is more to this story than a couple living in a house. The first half of the book deal introduces the house, some of the past and the present. The second half completely turns things on their head! This, I will admit, did throw me initially and it took me a little while to get things right in my head. When things settled though, this story took on a route that I didn't expect at all. It becomes very dark, evil and even more unsettling as the author brings in a sensitive subject.
I really enjoyed this story and the sense of dread is something that the author uses to great effect. The feeling that there is a secret waiting to be told felt like the tip of the iceberg. Many things were waiting to be revealed and this added to the tenseness of the story.
This is a great story and one that fans of darker crime and mystery books would probably enjoy, I did and I would definitely recommend it.
Cass and James have been given the opportunity to be caretakers of a manor house. A chance for them to save money so they can get a place of their own. The manor house they move into was the site of a murder several years ago. I am not sure if it is somewhere I would consider living, older large houses are creepy at the best of times! The author uses this sense to great effect with things moving or a sense of someone watching.
Cass and James are a new couple and have been together for 6 months, they do have that instant connection and feel comfortable in each other's company. They have similarities in the way things have happened in their lives and it is this sense that links them.
The author has created two characters that have troubled pasts, this is something that comes up often in stories. Cass is more vulnerable as she has been overly protected during her growing up and James is a little more savvy I feel. They are not opposites and they do muddle along quite nicely as a couple.
As the title and synopsis suggest, there is more to this story than a couple living in a house. The first half of the book deal introduces the house, some of the past and the present. The second half completely turns things on their head! This, I will admit, did throw me initially and it took me a little while to get things right in my head. When things settled though, this story took on a route that I didn't expect at all. It becomes very dark, evil and even more unsettling as the author brings in a sensitive subject.
I really enjoyed this story and the sense of dread is something that the author uses to great effect. The feeling that there is a secret waiting to be told felt like the tip of the iceberg. Many things were waiting to be revealed and this added to the tenseness of the story.
This is a great story and one that fans of darker crime and mystery books would probably enjoy, I did and I would definitely recommend it.
April 11, 2024
The Intruders is utterly terrifying and completely compelling. It’s so exciting I couldn’t put it down and think it might be Louise Jensen’s best thriller yet. Don’t miss this one – you’ll be taken by surprise! My full thoughts are on the My Weekly website.
April 11, 2024
From the outset, I was drawn in by Jensen's engaging writing style and the clever twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are complex and well-drawn, making the narrative not only compelling but also deeply immersive.
However, without giving away any spoilers, there was a moment when two characters entered a tunnel, marking a plot turn that felt a bit off for me. This particular twist seemed to deviate from the logical progression established earlier in the story. Up until that point, I was convinced I was reading one of the best books in a long while. Despite this, the book as a whole stands out as an exceptional read.
Jensen's ability to craft a story that is both thrilling and thoughtfully plotted is impressive. Even with my reservations about the tunnel sequence, "The Intruders" remains an outstanding book. I am eager to explore more of her work.
Thank you #HQ and #NetGalley
However, without giving away any spoilers, there was a moment when two characters entered a tunnel, marking a plot turn that felt a bit off for me. This particular twist seemed to deviate from the logical progression established earlier in the story. Up until that point, I was convinced I was reading one of the best books in a long while. Despite this, the book as a whole stands out as an exceptional read.
Jensen's ability to craft a story that is both thrilling and thoughtfully plotted is impressive. Even with my reservations about the tunnel sequence, "The Intruders" remains an outstanding book. I am eager to explore more of her work.
Thank you #HQ and #NetGalley
June 24, 2024
3.5* - The ‘plot twist’ felt so obvious, so tell me why I still feel blindsided… That epilogue has messed me up.
August 2, 2024
Wow. I could not put this book down. It was so so good.
Read
May 13, 2024Nae my cup of tea - however a really good read🔪
March 7, 2024
Cass and James are moving into Newington House, where a horrendous murder took place thirty years ago. Things disappear, things move about unexpectedly, unsettling things happen. The story unfolds at a great pace.
One of the best books I've read in a while. It's one of those stories where you want to know what happens next, but you also don't want to rush through it.
Thank you Netgalley and HQ for this arc. I thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the best books I've read in a while. It's one of those stories where you want to know what happens next, but you also don't want to rush through it.
Thank you Netgalley and HQ for this arc. I thoroughly enjoyed.
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