A sinister, creepy and seriously enjoyable read – get ready for The Homecoming by Andrew Pyper.

The plot:

Every family has secrets.

But secrets can be a real killer.

It is only after their father dies that Aaron, Bridge and Franny learn how wealthy he was. But they must fulfil a request in his will to get any inheritance: spend a month in a cabin, deep in the mountains, with no contact with the outside world. Despite their concerns, they agree.

The isolation soon makes them question what their father was trying to tell them. And why they have memories of the cabin thought none of them have been there before. The only thing they are sure of is that something is calling to them from the darkness of the woods.

And before the month is through, they will discover just how deadly secrets can be.

Props to Pyper for such an inventive but messed-up story

I’ve read another book recently with the whole ‘cabin in the woods’ set-up, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. The Homecoming definitely did. When reading, it’s one of those books you don’t want to put down, but also don’t want to turn the page because it’s so eerie.

Pyper’s writing is beautiful. I could envision everything, and normally I’d put this down to my over-active imagination, but the author paints descriptions incredibly well; I felt like I’d be transported.

The chapters are relatively short, which I love in a psychological thriller. They’re all from Aaron’s perspective, and this was the best way to do it. If chapters were split between other characters, I wouldn’t have got so attached to the protagonist’s feelings.

With lots of conversation, you’ll find yourself flying through The Homecoming quickly. For me, I read this in two-sittings (with only sleep getting in the way) because it was so intriguing, and I was trying to predict what was going to happen.

It could’ve gone so many different ways, but Pyper keeps you on the edge of your seat and coming up with a fantastic story, which is well followed-through with everything that needs an answer being answered. There were a few things left unsaid and I very much guess that this is what the author was trying to do. It’s a smart book.

I do wish there was slightly more on one aspect, which I can’t talk about without giving spoilers, but it wasn’t necessarily needed.

It’s original, has a good mix of thrills, horror and suspense, making it a cracking read and a definite 5-star from me. Everything comes together really well, and props to Pyper for such an inventive but messed-up story.

A thoroughly impressive psychological thriller which is entirely unpredictable and chillingly well done.

The Homecoming, Andrew Pyper, RRP £8.99 (hardback); Book Depository 

Pages: 353

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Psychological Thriller