The House of Last Resort

Christopher Golden

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you're a fan of creepy old houses, slow-burn tension, and haunted secrets buried beneath beautiful Italian scenery, this one's for you! Christopher Golden delivers a classic horror setup with a fresh twist, blending supernatural chills with themes of family secrets, generational trauma, and the unsettling power of hidden histories. The novel has a distinct sense of place, with the Sicilian setting adding both atmospheric charm and eerie claustrophobia. Readers who appreciate character-driven supernatural stories, as well as those who like a gradual build-up before the horror escalates, will be drawn in.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the dialogue a bit clunky and the horror tropes overdone rather than innovative. If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat scares throughout or expect horror that breaks new ground, this might not fully satisfy. Those who don’t love slow-building tension and prefer more immediate frights or unpredictable twists might find it underwhelming or even stale. Additionally, the book may not hit home with readers put off by familiar possession and exorcism storylines.

A slow-burn, atmospheric haunted house story that’s full of dread but might feel too familiar to experienced horror fans - great for those who love old-school chills in an evocative setting.

About:

The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden tells the story of an American couple, Tommy and Kate, who relocate to Sicily to renovate a historic house known for its dark past. As they settle into their new life, eerie and supernatural events unfold, linked to the home’s connection with the Catholic Church and the concept of demonic possession. With a slow build-up of tension, the novel explores themes of familial ties, societal complacency, and generational trauma while maintaining an atmosphere of creeping dread.

Golden's writing style is reminiscent of classic horror, leaning towards a slow-paced plot that allows for character development and relationship dynamics. However, opinions vary, with some readers finding the dialogue stale and the horror underwhelming, while others appreciated the effective buildup of suspense and emotional investment in the characters. The setting of Becchina adds to the overall ambiance, serving as a unique backdrop for this unsettling tale.

Characters:

The characters, mainly Tommy and Kate, face relationship strains and are portrayed as somewhat underdeveloped.

Writing/Prose:

The prose generally features stale dialogue and clichéd tropes, with varying effectiveness in building tension and atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on an American couple moving to Italy to renovate a house with a troubled past tied to the church, leading to a series of uncoverings about its dark history.

Setting:

The setting in Becchina, Sicily, plays a significant role, contributing historical and architectural depth to the narrative.

Pacing:

Pacing is slow at first, typical of older horror tales, but picks up considerably in the later sections.

Tommy fought the urge to jump from the car and run all the way home. Kate would murder him, of course, and his grandparents—who awaited their arrival—would be less than pleased. The fact that he’d sol...

Notes:

The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden features an American couple who relocates to Italy to renovate a historic house with a dark past.

The novel explores themes of possession and family trauma.

Characters Tommy and Kate Puglisi are central to the plot, as they navigate their new life in an unsettling environment.

The setting is a fictional town in Sicily called Becchina, known for its abandoned properties.

The book includes elements of both supernatural horror and psychological tension.

The narrative is described as having a slow burn, building suspense over time.

Some readers found the dialogue and character development lacking.

The story includes local lore and whispers from the townsfolk about the house's history related to demonic possession.

Reviews indicate mixed feelings—while some found it a fresh take on possession stories, others were underwhelmed.

It has been mentioned that the house was historically associated with the Catholic Church as a place to hide away supposedly possessed individuals.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, possession, and some violence, which may be unsettling for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the book, primarily centered around the relationship between the main characters, Tommy and Kate.

From The Publisher:

The next high concept horror novel from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden.

Across Italy there are many half-empty towns, nearly abandoned by those who migrate to the coast or to cities. The beautiful, crumbling hilltop town of Becchina is among them, but its mayor has taken drastic measures to rebuild-selling abandoned homes to anyone in the world for a single Euro, as long as the buyer promises to live there for at least five years.

It's a no-brainer for American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi. Both work remotely, and Becchina is the home of Tommy's grandparents, his closest living relatives. It feels like a romantic adventure, an opportunity the young couple would be crazy not to seize. But from the moment they move in, they both feel a shadow has fallen on them. Tommy's grandmother is furious, even a little frightened, when she realizes which house they've bought.

There are rooms in an annex at the back of the house that they didn't know were there. The place makes strange noises at night, locked doors are suddenly open, and when they go to a family gathering, they're certain people are whispering about them, and about their house, which one neighbor refers to as The House of Last Resort. Soon, they learn that the home was owned for generations by the Church, but the real secret, and the true dread, is unlocked when they finally learn what the priests were doing in this house for all those long years…and how many people died in the strange chapel inside. While down in the catacombs beneath Becchina…something stirs.

January 2024

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