“Katie Shaw always looked after her younger brother Chris – until she left him alone one carefree afternoon and he was savagely attacked. He hasn’t spoken to her since.

Now a mother, Katie vows not to repeat her mistakes. Carelessness cost her one family, and she won’t let it destroy another.

Then she receives a call from the police.

They’re investigating a particularly brutal murder, in a half-ruined house that once belonged to a notorious local serial killer. The case has thrown up many unsettling questions, but only one prime suspect: Chris.

The detective wants Katie’s help finding him, but she has only one thing on her mind: proving her brother’s innocence, and finally making up for her negligence all those years ago. But soon it becomes clear that the killer isn’t finished yet.

Which means that even as she attempts to save her old family, Katie is placing her new one in deadly peril . . .”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of The Half Burnt House by Alex North. The Half Burnt House was published by Penguin Michael Joseph on 16th March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow next year. I chose to read a free ARC of The Half Burnt House but that has in no way influenced my review. My grateful thanks to Sriya at Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me a proof copy.

Alex North is an author I always make a beeline for. I love his books with their creepy edge, compelling plotlines and believable characters. I feel North creates the same eerie feel for his readers as C.J. Tudor does, and I flipping love that (and if you enjoy Tudor’s books and haven’t read an Alex North novel yet, make sure that changes!). It’s been a few years since The Shadow Friend, North’s last book, was published so I was very much looking forward to the arrival of The Half Burnt House. Grabbing hold of a copy as soon as I could and moving it straight to the top of the TBR!

The Half Burnt House is an intriguing, multi-layered mystery which centres around two families. It’s an intricately plotted tale that does require the reader to commit to the story. There’s a heck of a lot going on in this book! Multiple characters, multiple view points and multiple timelines. I found myself wishing I had made more thorough notes. But the author does tie everything together at the end of the novel. The characters are interesting and draw the reader in. There aren’t many likeable characters but that’s never really stopped me from enjoying a book. The unlikeable characters make for a much more interesting reading experience, right?! I enjoyed discovering more about the philosophical view of determinism. I believe the author studied Philosophy so his knowledge of the subject gave the book an original edge. All in all, I’m really glad I read The Half Burnt House. I remain a fan of the author and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.

I chose to read and review a free ARC of The Half Burnt House. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

The Half Burnt House by Alex North was published in the Penguin Michael Joseph on 16th March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Alex North was born in Leeds, England, where he now lives with his wife and son. The Whisper Man was inspired by North’s own little boy, who mentioned one day that he was playing with “the boy in the floor.” Alex North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name.