The Stranger in Our House

By: Sarah A. Denzil

Narrated by: Shane Zaza

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

What would you do if your son became a stranger overnight?

Tired of their cramped London apartment, Aaron and Meera relocate to the idyllic village of Little Crake along with their two children, Noah and Uma. The new cottage looks out over the many miles of woodland beyond. It’s a far cry from their tiny flat and the perfect fresh start.

Until fifteen-year-old Noah wanders alone into the forest. For three days, a search party combs the woods. Aaron braces himself for the worst, convinced his son is lost forever. Until he finds Noah alive, hiding in the hollow of a tree. It feels like a second chance.

But why doesn’t Noah remember those three days in the woods? And why are there strange cuts slashed across his torso? Why did he cover himself in mud and hide away in an old oak tree?

Once a studious and gentle boy, Noah becomes a troublemaker at school. He withdraws from his family, sleepwalks at night, and creates eerie sketches of Dark Valley Forest. Aaron tells himself that Noah just needs time to readjust. He’ll soon be himself again. But Meera believes otherwise. This new version of Noah is harsh and cruel—a complete stranger.

A mother knows when something is wrong with her child. Aaron may be deluded, but she knows the boy who came back from the woods is not their son.

©2023 Sarah Dalton (P)2023 Audible, Ltd.

Can’t finish it.

I think it would be better if they used a different narrator. All the people have the same voice. The same and monotone.

It Was Ok

I don’t know if it was the story or the narration that made me not love this book. The story was ok. Different than what I usually read but I do switch it up some. It was probably the fact that if you weren’t paying attention to the chapter title you’d have no idea who was talking. I had to go back and pull up the chapters constantly. My biggest peeve with male narrators is they usually butcher female voices. This one did not because every character was just in his voice. So as much as that was annoying it was less annoying than the offensive stereotype female voices many do. I do recommend the book. It wasn’t my fave but they can’t all be. Just pay attention to the chapter titles.

Absolutely creepy and complexellent

You’ve read the description, so no spoilers here. Sarah A. Denzil’s exceptional writing serves up a mystical and bizarre tale of a village intertwined with a menacing family event. Each had their own memories as to what happened. Mass hysteria? Phantoms from the distant past? Perhaps. A thought-provoking and jaw-dropping finale, indeed. Shane Zaza shows off his exceptional narrative skills. I’m looking forward to more by this well-matched pair. Uniquely eerie and well worth a credit. I found this one in Audible Plus catalogue at no cast and urge others to grab “Stranger In Our House,” using a catalogue or a cherished credit.

Pure insanity - very creepy

Definitely took me through all of the emotions! loved it! started and completed in the same day!

Good read

I liked this book a lot, it was very well written. I’m surprised and a little disappointed there was only one narrator when the story is told from many perspectives.

Phenomenal

Best suspense.
Best story.
Sheerly a great audible book, just wow.
Highly recommend.
10 out of 10.

Not for me

I am a fan of Sarah Denzil and have enjoyed so many of her books. However, this one had too much supernatural / folklore in it for me. Not bad…just different. Also, not a fan of the narrator. He had a nice voice but no change for different characters at all.

The story line

It was all good to me the story line was real good and real I recommend this book

That was weird!

Different but kept my attention. The narration was good. I normally don't read this type of book, hard to get into but this one was good...just weird!

Blew me away!

Absolutely loved this book. Such an original story. A bit sad/tragic, but enjoyable and exciting.

A strong story with very interesting characters. The modality used to advance the narrative was creatively used - though a few times, it got clunky and made the story a little cumbersome.

The final resolution was perhaps a little unkind to one character more than others and a few escaped with little to no culpability for their role in the demise (and yes, I’m referring to the therapist, here).

The narrator did get a little flat from time to time and he did not vary his tone or accent or timbre of his voice.

All in all, however, an amazing story that I strongly recommend.