Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
284th out of 465 books
—
293 voters
House of the Lost
by
Sarah Rayne
When novelist Theo Kendal inherits the remote Norfolk house in which his cousin Charmery was murdered, he believes it will bring him closer to the truth about her death. It will also be the ideal place to finish his new book.
But the bleak Fenn House is a lonely and sometimes uncomfortable place to spend the winter. And the strangest thing is that Theo's new novel seems to...more
Hardcover
Published
by Simon & Schuster
(first published April 1st 2010)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
356)
Author Sarah Rayne features regularly on my reading list and I've been looking forward to reading House of the Lost since it's publication last year.
Rayne developed a complex narrative, weaving together a mystery that was a delight to unravel. There were many threads, some taking me to very dark places, much darker than any of her other books I've read (The Death Chamber, Tower of Silence , Spider Light and A Dark Dividing).
Rayne was able to plunge deep into the psyche of several characters and...more
Rayne developed a complex narrative, weaving together a mystery that was a delight to unravel. There were many threads, some taking me to very dark places, much darker than any of her other books I've read (The Death Chamber, Tower of Silence , Spider Light and A Dark Dividing).
Rayne was able to plunge deep into the psyche of several characters and...more
I grabbed this novel from the library as a random choice.But when i started reading this novel only i realized this is not a novel that should be read as yet another novel.Despite the compelling cover image, the novel really stands out amid the creepy plot.The author's meticulous way of writing gave me the impression that i am actually gone out of this present world and i never realized that i was totally lost into the story .The house of the lost is a rattling good story.
The voice of the book i...more
The voice of the book i...more
‘House of the Lost’ by Sarah Rayne
Published by Simon & Schuster, March 2010. ISBN: 978-1-84737-335-5
When Theo Kendal inherits Fenn House, following the death of his beloved cousin Charmery, he believes it will be the perfect place to write his new book and maybe to discover the truth about Charmery’s murder.
Fenn House is set in a remote part of Norfolk, and appears to be as dingy on the inside as the outside - musty and dusty. After unpacking some provisions Theo settles down to write, but f...more
Published by Simon & Schuster, March 2010. ISBN: 978-1-84737-335-5
When Theo Kendal inherits Fenn House, following the death of his beloved cousin Charmery, he believes it will be the perfect place to write his new book and maybe to discover the truth about Charmery’s murder.
Fenn House is set in a remote part of Norfolk, and appears to be as dingy on the inside as the outside - musty and dusty. After unpacking some provisions Theo settles down to write, but f...more
Normally I wouldn't rate a book I haven't finished. I'm making an exception for this book, however, in case I ever decide to read another Sarah Rayne book.
You see, I couldn't finish it because it gave me the heebie jeebies. That uncomfortable feeling where something creepy is going to happen and you aren't you going to like that creepy something at all. There was a darkness and spookiness that filled the pages. Either I was reading a haunted book and the ghost was taunting me, or this was the bo...more
You see, I couldn't finish it because it gave me the heebie jeebies. That uncomfortable feeling where something creepy is going to happen and you aren't you going to like that creepy something at all. There was a darkness and spookiness that filled the pages. Either I was reading a haunted book and the ghost was taunting me, or this was the bo...more
Charmery Kendal has been murdered - but when her cousin Theo inherits her remote fenland house, he finds it disturbingly alive with signs of her. He also finds that instead of finishing the book he's supposed to be writing, he's swept up into the story of a boy living in a terrifying society where people disappear at the whim of the 'cold-eyed men'.
This is a gripping and complex mystery, going far deeper than the familiar chills of the 'haunted house' to recall some of the horrors of all-too-re...more
This is a gripping and complex mystery, going far deeper than the familiar chills of the 'haunted house' to recall some of the horrors of all-too-re...more
Wonderful, psychological suspense novel. Theo's cousin Charmery is murdered in their family's boathouse. He inherits the house and goes there to see if he can help solve the murder and find time to write his newest novel, and finds that the house and he are haunted by their collective past. His memories of his childhood are not what they seem on the surface. This page-turner reminded me of Dennis Lehane's "Shutter Island", building in momentum, with some scenes very easy to picture, and shiver a...more
I didn't enjoy this as much as the other Sarah Rayne novels I've read. The two separate story strands did not mesh together comfortably and even when they merge at the end, it doesn't feel convincing somehow. The unnerving story set in Romania makes for disturbing reading and as it turns out, there are no paranormal aspects to the novel which is what I'd loved in her previous novels. However it's a 2 and a half rather than a 2 as especially towards the end it does become quite gripping and it do...more
This book really captured my interest, to the point I found myself researching the Romanian revolution to learn more about it. This is a story within a story, as the books main character is an author writing a new book and the two stories are interwoven perfectly, full of suspense and with enough twists and turns to keep you wondering. This is the first Sarah Rayne book I have read and I loved it.
I had to abandon this book; I am shocked to be saying that about a Sarah Rayne novel, as I usually love her stuff. But this did not cut the mustard. I didn't care about the protagonist, nor did I want to find out what really happened to his cousin. She was supposed to be seductive and compelling; I found her to be selfish and banal, and as a result I just dropped the book.
This was such a good summer "ghost story." I really enjoyed the mystery as well. I'd summarize some plot, but I'm afraid I'd give something away! Everything was a twist, even right up to the end. And I'm glad they didn't take the easy route with all-evil villains.
I hadn't heard of this author when I picked up the book in the library. It's a very well written psychological thriller. Very different but really enjoyable. Will definitely look out for more of Sarah Rayne's books.
Cousin moves into family house after the murder of his cousin. Whilst writing his latest novel there he imagines life in Romania under the Ceausecus and the novel switches between Norfolk and the Romanian past.
Loved this book and couldn't put it down. I remember lots of news stories about the ceacescu's in the late 1980's but this book really triggered my interest and encouraged me to do my own research.
I think I just came in with the wrong expectation - I was expecting more of an actual ghost story. This was drama, but not what I'd call a thriller.
I could not get into this book and finally returned it to the library unfinished.
A little disappointing. It was atmospheric, but the mystery wasn't all that mysterious and I wanted a little more depth in the characters.
Wish I could visit this house..... What a great story
Not at all what I was expecting. The reviews I had read suggested this was a psychological thriller/mystery. I found it to be largely a historical account of the atrocities that occurred in Romania during the Ceausescu regime. Touching, heartwarming in places, unpredictable and an enjoyable page turner.
Meh. I enjoyed Property of a Lady much more.
Okay, we've got the modern history of Romania under the Ceaușescus, which is grim and horrible. We've got thwarted love in the fens. We've got brave dissidents, evil party stooges, art, medicine, and the most practical and subversive nuns since the Sound of Music. Rayne is at her best showing the after effects of torture on people, and this time is no exception. Great stuff.
Loan from beloved MIL
Loan from beloved MIL
I had no other choice than to give this book a five star rating. It was totally absorbing and enjoyable. The mixture of fiction and actual historical content is captivating. Sarah Rayne weaves the fictional characters into actual history so well written that you feel their highs and lows.
This is the first novel I have read by Sarah Rayne but am looking forward to reading more in the future.
This is the first novel I have read by Sarah Rayne but am looking forward to reading more in the future.
Really enjoyed and hard to put down, not at all what I expected for a Rayne book.
This book was ok, but it didn't rock my socks off. It wasn't at all what I expected. I thought it also "bounced" around a bit to the point I was guessing how it was going to fit into the storyline. I will still give this author's books another chance as I did like her writing.
Loved the link to Romania. Great story.
I love Sarah Rayne and find her stories easy to devour! I enjoyed this book but was disappointed with it ultimately. Beautiful writing as always but not really my cup of tea.
May 20, 2013
Page
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Aka Frances Gordon, Bridget Wood
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many...more
More about Sarah Rayne...
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
