Starter House

A Novel

By: Sonja Condit

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Her dream home is about to become a house of nightmares....

From the moment Lacey glimpses the dusty-rose colonial cottage with its angled dormer windows and quaint wooden shutters, she knows she's found her dream house. Walking through its cozy rooms, the expectant mother can see her future children sitting on the round bottom step of the house's beautifully carved staircase, and she imagines them playing beneath the giant maple tree in the warm South Carolina sun. It doesn't matter to Lacey and her husband, Eric, that people had died there years before.

But soon their warm and welcoming house turns cold. There is something malevolent within the walls - a disturbing presence that only Lacey can sense. And there is Drew, a demanding and jealous little boy who mysteriously appears when Lacey is alone. Protective of this enigmatic child who reminds her of the troubled students she used to teach, Lacey bakes cookies and plays games to amuse him. Yet, as she quickly discovers, Drew is unpredictable - and dangerous.

Fearing for her baby's safety, Lacey sets out to uncover the truth about Drew and her dream house - a search for answers that takes her into the past, into the lives of a long-dead family whose tragic secrets could destroy her. To save her loved ones, Lacey must find a way to lay a terrifying evil to rest...before she, Eric, and their child become its next victims.

©2014 Sonja Condit Coppenbarger (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Decent ghost story

Would you consider the audio edition of Starter House to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the book, I only listened to the audiobook.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought the first half was the best. I got a little boring during the beginning of the second half of the audiobook.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I wasn't fond of the ending and didn't think it was as well developed as it could have been. It was rushed but I also just thought it was a poor ending.

just ok

predictable, long and drawn out, but ok. it kept me semi-entertained. Spoiler alert.

you can't have a ghost of someone who is still alive

Finally.....a great ghost story!

What made the experience of listening to Starter House the most enjoyable?

The narrator was excellent. The story was well paced, suspenseful and the characters were not stupid. Too often in ghost stories the characters drive me nuts because they can't accept or understand what's going on. These people were smart.

What could Sonja Condit have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Ooh. I really enjoyed it as it was. I'd love to see another book from her in the same genre.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't think I have a favorite scene. Probably the interrupted game of Chutes & Ladders.

If you could take any character from Starter House out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lacy. She was smart and compassionate.

Any additional comments?

More please, Ms. Condit!

STARTER HOUSE

I wasn't very impressed by this book. Except for the main character, I felt the others really didn't have any depth. It's as though they were just there for "the ride." If this was a ghost story and was supposed to scare???? Well, we need to go back to the drawing board!

Sadly a slog

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Readers with a high tolerance for protagonists who are maddeningly passive.

What was most disappointing about Sonja Condit’s story?

The characters. Our heroine is so, so passive. Her husband is condescending to everyone around him, including his wife (even before she starts behaving in ways he finds odd).
And they're both elitist snobs. It became impossible to care about their plight because, if they are able to overcome the threat, they're still 2 unlikable people stuck with each other.When the most likable character in your book is a ghost threatening to murder an unborn baby, your novel has problems.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes with the main charactering interacting with the ghost.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The central plot is a good one ... but the characters in it drag it down. Most of the side characters are caricatures.

Any additional comments?

Such a disappointment.

only thing good about this book was the audio

hated it. the story is unimaginative and boring. vocal performance is good. I wouldn't waste my credits on this

No,No,No

What disappointed you about Starter House?

So glad this book is over & done with

Would you ever listen to anything by Sonja Condit again?

No, not worth a credit!

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Yes very much.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Starter House?

At least 1/3rd to 1/2 of the book, plus have someone else write the ending!

Any additional comments?

I should have returned this one, but too late now.

Very Very Very Boring

Would you try another book from Sonja Condit and/or Cassandra Campbell?

Absolutely not. The writing was horrible and the story was pointless

Has Starter House turned you off from other books in this genre?

I like ghost stories, but there was absolutely no mystery about this one.

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

The narration was whiny

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not one

Any additional comments?

Not a good story. I barely made it through. Nothing happens