Dark House

By: Helen Phifer

Narrated by: Alison Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lizzy pulled the covers over her head. Then she realized what was being dragged behind the person with the torch. She rammed her fist into her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

For decades the Moore Asylum was home to the forgotten children of Brooklyn Bay. But ever since a scandal forced its closure, the abandoned building has cast an imposing shadow. Until now - when an elderly man is found dead, his body strapped to an ancient gurney.

Detective Lucy Harwin, still reeling from a previous case that ended in the devastating murder of a mother and her child, finds herself on the trail of a killer ruthlessly fixated on avenging the asylum's wrongs.

What disturbing secrets lie within the asylum's walls? Together with her partner, Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy begins to unearth its terrible history and the horrors endured by the vulnerable children.

As the attacks escalate and a woman is murdered on her own doorstep, Lucy is forced into a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a twisted individual. But can Lucy stop a murderer with nothing left to lose?

An absolutely terrifying and gripping thriller that will chill fans of MJ Arlidge, Angela Marsons, and Rachel Abbott to the bone.

©2017 Helen Phifer (P)2017 Bookouture

irritating

I love the D.I. Kim Stone series by Angela Marsens, so I thought I’d give this author a try. The protagonist is a police officer who cries throughout the book and is overall clueless. At the end of the book, SPOILER ALERT...... she has to be saved by her partner who (gasp) is in love with her! What stupid girly drivel.

Helen Phifer has gained another fan.

I read a review where the reviewer said that she\he knew who the killer was from the start, but I don't agree. I was surprised to find out who the killer was. Excellent read.

Imperfect but Original

It seems as if the last 10 British female authors I’ve listened to have had one thing in common, make that several things in common. All of them had a female DI, all of the female DIs are super screwed up in some way, and all of the stories revolve around finding missing girls or missing young women. Needless to say, it has become irritating to hear the same story time after time after time.

Well there are a few flaws in this novel, they can be overlooked because the storyline was the first original storyline I’ve heard in quite some time. Equally, while DI Harwin has some quirks and imperfections, they’re the same ones we all have which make her relatable.

I can’t even count how many authors I’ve read and decided to stop after the first book. I’m pleased to be able to continue on with the series.

Interesting

Enjoyed the twists and un expected turns. Good one to listen to while doing other activities. Doesn't require full attention.

The lost children

I found the book very interesting and hard to put down! Story was very well written and no problem relating to the narrator. I would recommend this book to any one who like thrillers! I also like the accents of the narrator. Was hesitant at first but followed it no got used to the accents.

Predictable

I knew too early who was the killer. Some of the pathology wasn't very believable sorry. Good luck

BOOK 2!!!

I don't know why this series is listed out of order but this is definitely, book 2.

It's a good British murder mystery series. The author writes well and very readable. She tells a good story and the characters are likable without overbearing.

This is BOOK 2. Last Light is BOOK 1

This is listed as book 1, however, it's Book 2. The order in which these Lucy Harwin novels should be read are as follows:

Last Light
Dark House
Dying Breath

I hope that saves others the frustration of feeling like they are missing information when reading this book. You ARE missing information because this is actually book #2.

Can't wait for number two! 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my 30th thriller, and is the best one so far. THOMAS in Sarasota Florida

Great mystery!!!

Really enjoyed the story. However the pause between chapters was just a little too long. Other than that it was a fabulous thriller!!!

Fantastic Debut

Would you listen to The Lost Children again? Why?

I wold not listen to it again, only because once i have read a book i have read it, so i know who the 'baddie' is!! i move straight on to the next book

What did you like best about this story?

i enjoyed how it kept flitting between the past and present and enjoyed the chemistry between the 2 main characters, i am hoping this develops further in the series

Which scene did you most enjoy?

none in particular it was an all round good read, it kept me interested all the way through

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes definitely could of easily sat and read this book in one sitting alas my schedule does not allow for this

Any additional comments?

Fantastic debut by this authr, i look forward to reading more in the series and seeing the characters develop, hopefully the 2 main characters get together!!! Narration however was good, but a bit wishy washy, an injection of excitement in her narriation wouldnt go a miss.

worth listening to

this is a good story worth listening to two very intriguing well-written and have listened to it twice it's a good book I recommend it.

BOOK 2 in Detective Lucy Harwin series

An enjoyable detective story with characters that are easy to emphasize with. However, the plot has too many connections or coinsidiences that make it slightly predictable.

I read this as the first book in the series and it was fine. Infact, it is book two with LAST NIGHT being the first. Audible need to sort this out on their site.

Worth a listen. ( I spend up the narration to 110% as it was rather pedestrian!)

I liked it, but....

Great Story Line, brilliant narration, but more twists and turns would of been ideal. However definitely worth a listen.

Loved it!

Great from start to end and Lucy is such a likeable character, can’t wait to read the next one!

Gripping....

loved it...couldn't stop listening! So much detail in the story, Helen certainly has a talent for writing brilliant crime stories.

Spoilt by poor narration

Enjoyed the Audible version with some misgivings I had already read the book previously my only criticism is that the actress sounded like she was reading to a small child therefore spoilt the enjoyment of this version would recommend a different actress for further productions.

Listen!

I couldn't turn this off. It kept my attention throughout. Great story. Excellent narrator.

Not worth it.

Very disappointed with this. Not well read and I felt rather boring. waste of money!

Not as good as I thought😔

At the start of the book I thought it was going to be a gripping story that would keep wanting more, I like it when the suspense is intense. I do believe that a good narrater can help to make the story.
Alison Campbell, did nothing for this book. I found her to nice all the time, her voice always on the one level.
So that did not help. I found the story predictable and far to light, not enough depth to the story. Overall I was disappointed.
I certainly will not be bothering with any of her other books.