The Intruders
Written by Louise Jensen,

About / Blurb:

They were told to leave. They should have listened.

The perfect opportunity…

A manor house available rent-free to house-sitters is an offer too good to miss for Cass and James, who have been saving for a deposit on their own home for so long.
Although it had been abandoned for almost thirty years, after a home invasion left almost all the inhabitants dead, it is an amazing chance for them to build their future.
But is it worth the price?

Shortly after moving in things take a sinister turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, the house is strangely oppressive and sometimes it feels like Cass and James are not alone.
Newington House may have bad energy, and a dark reputation. But surely there’s no reason for history to repeat itself, is there?

What people are saying:

‘Readers are CAPTIVATED by Louise Jensen!’


My Review:

After reading its’ blurb, I was really excited to read this book, as its’ plot sounded so enticing, with dark history, mystery, and seemed like just my cup of tea.
Initially, it was easy to get into, it read well, drew me in, the characters were believable, & the plot progressed at a good pace.
There was some back & forth, between times; as in, the present day (Cass/James), & ‘then’ (Rose), - 30 years ago, before the murders happened. These time & perspective shifts would occur almost alternately, in the progressing chapters.
What I particularly did like about the way in which this was written, was that although the chapters shifted between ‘now’ & ‘then’, the previous chapters closing lines, would make up the opening lines of the new chapter; which kind of felt like a natural progression/continuation, between the 2 times. I felt that this really worked, & was very cleverly written. This continued throughout the whole of the book, through part one, & through part two, and even throughout part two, I really liked this continuous style, which tied one chapter, into the next.
Being honest, once I started reading part two, I did feel a bit disappointed, & at one point, I did feel that the plot had shifted to being much more unbelievable, & I did feel a little let down by this.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, or any spoilers, so I’ll try to explain this in the best way that I can, but I felt that throughout part one, it was assumed (by myself; the reader), & in the way in which it was written & so was led to assume/believe, that in the reverting time to 30 years ago (Rose), - that Rose was in fact one of the children within the family who used to previously live in the house, before the family were murdered. However, in part two, this was revealed not to be the case. It was at this point that I felt the plot seemed to go off on itself a little, becoming more complex, incorporating the focus & goings-on of two families, instead of the just the one. The family who were murdered didn’t really feature in the plot up until part two of the book. So I felt that in part two, the plot kind of ran away in a different direction. Also, the main event that unfolded in part 2, which gave the motive as to why the family were later murdered, I felt kind of sprung from nowhere, & just didn’t come across as believable.
Another thing which featured within the unfolding part one of the plot, was references to ‘coincidences’, - which I feel this led the opening to what would unfold in part two, & how the couple themselves, (Cass & James) came to be a couple, & how in the present day part of the plot, they had come to be connected. But, there are coincidences, & there are coincidences, & I felt that these coincidences were too much of coincidences, & in turn they felt far too unbelievable.
Overall, I do feel a little let down by this book. I don’t feel it satisfied, & I didn’t find it believable.

Based on a rating of 1-10, where 10 is the highest, I would give this book a rating of 6 out of 10. It’s a Psychological Thriller which I’m glad I read, however, sadly it’s not a book that I would go on to recommend.

I loved the author's previous book 'The Fall' which was essentially about ordinary people pushed to extremes by a chain of events. I thought this might be similar especially from the opening declaration of one of the main character's that: "After you've heard my story, I think you'll understand. I think, perhaps, you'd do the same." But it's not - there was nothing 'ordinary' about the people, the events extreme and it's actually quite messed-up. Part one was hard to get into with its supernatural undercurrent and limited characters to pique interest. Part two was brilliantly clever in completely turning everything you thought you knew on its head but then it took an unexpectedly dark turn with plenty of triggering themes. So, a good well-written book with lots of unforeseen twists but the dark storyline just wasn't for me.

This is a good, creepy, atmospheric thriller. The tension is exquisite. The plot is thick and the twists are a real delight. A very entertaining book indeed!

This was definitely a great read, the tension and suspense that build up kept me hooked until the very end.

I always know when I see a book from this author that I am going to be in for a rollercoaster of a read and this was no exception. It another fantastic gripping read with twists and turns which I was not expecting. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through and it had me up late into the night reading just couldn’t put it down.

Cass and James have only been together for six months when James get offered the job of live-in caretaker at Newington House. It's the perfect opportunity for them to begin their life together and save for a deposit to buy their own home. Once they move in Cass finds out that the house has a sinister past, Cass feels unsettled in the house when she starts to hear voices etc she starts to dig into the houses past but sometimes the past is better left there.

This was an awesome thriller with great well developed characters. The writing style was really good it helped build the suspense within. I can not wait to recommend this fantastic thriller. Thanks to netgallery and the publisher for my advanced copy.

I’d never read this author before but definitely will again. It did get a little complex so my brain had to work for it. Great author, twisty read. Loved it

Cass and James are a young couple saving up for a home of their own, so when they have the opportunity to become house sitters for a notorious but lavish house, they jump at the opportunity. Because even though this building has an unsavoury history - a mass murder having taken place on the premises - surely there is nothing to worry about so many years later.

Except that after they move in, strange things begin to happen. Creepy and unsettling things. And the couple begin questioning the wisdom of their decision, even as they struggle to understand what lies behind the inexplicable events taking place in the house...

This is a gripping and suspenseful story with plenty of action - the result is an engrossing read with a satisfying twist at the end. Recommended to those who love creepy thrillers. It gets 3.5 stars.

Wow this is such an incredible read! Starting with the characters; Cass and James are two likeable, realistic characters and I enjoyed getting to know them and learning about their pasts and how the events of the book impact them. I cared about what happened to them and I wanted their story to have a good outcome. They also carry the plot exceedingly well.
Moving onto the plot and what a rollercoaster this read is! I was on the edge of my seat, Jensen throws in twist after twist and there were some that completely blew me away. The ending is perhaps not my favourite but it was not negative enough to impact my enjoyment.
Jensen covers some very dark subjects throughout this book so be warned but what an incredible, electric thriller this is. I loved how Jensen flits between the present and the past - we know something dark is going to happen but we are not sure which characters are being referred to.
'The Intruders' is a sensational, gripping thriller that I absolutely loved. I cannot recommend this enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.

Creepy, gripping and totally enjoyable, Louise Jensen has brought the readers another great read that was practically impossible to leave aside.

Cass and James have only known each other for six months when they take up the job of live-in caretakers at Newington House. It's the perfect opportunity for them to begin their life together and save for a deposit to buy their own home. When James reveals that the house has a sinister past, Cass is alarmed but not enough to be put off moving out of her father's flat and into her new life hundreds of miles away but it isn't long before the secrets of the house begin to reveal themselves.

I enjoyed the story and read it very quickly. It is pacy and exciting and keeps you guessing. There were a few little continuity issues, for example a character releasing the hand of another but not having held it in the first place and a couple of typos (Leo, not Leon; sshe) but all in all, this was a clever, story with some well-written characters and I enjoyed reading it. I also thought the author was very clever in the way that she made it very clear how abhorrent a particular aspect of the story was, but without making it too hideously graphic. If you've read or watched enough crime/psychological drama, you'll be able to picture the horror of what's going on without the author having to be so explicit that it detracts from the story.

My only real gripe was with the very end of the novel. I just didn't feel that a particular character's final actions in the story really rang true. It just didn't fit with how they felt and presented or the sorts of decisions they'd previously made and almost think I'd have preferred it if the story had ended a little earlier, even if this would have meant things being less tied up.

Story was okay, a little all over the place especially at the end of part one. I think it tried too hard to be deceiving. A couple of the secrets were predictable and the ones that weren't were brutally dark and disturbing.

I am a big fan of this Author and this one is as her others so good very addictive but so so creepy but makes the story. Cass is in love with James and its time for them to move in together but James has to get out of his flat. but James has a suprise for Cass. he has somewhere for them to live but they are caretakers of Newington house. but many years ago a family was murdered there one of the intruders was killed the other went to prison as you delve in to the story you will put the pieces together and i so loved the creepiness in the story its a very addictive read

Newington House is due to become a luxury retreat. Abandoned for 30 years, the new developers have great hopes and aspirations for the neglected Grade 1 building. Aware that the house could become a target for opportunists and break ins, caretakers are advertised for to act as a deterrent. Enter James and Cass, a couple who haven’t been together long, but each feel that the other is “the one”. Despite the full disclosure of the tragic history of the house, the couple decide to accept the post, with some reluctance from Cass.

From the off, the house behaves strangely, particularly with Cass, and there are some unexplained events that even logical James can’t dismiss.

OMG! This story is soooo good! Totally captivating, I couldn’t leave it alone, read in one day, who needs to do housework anyway! 🤣

The plot is wild, not what I was expecting at all, I was quite happily going along with a haunted house theme, then Wham! Part 2 arrives and nothing is as I thought. What a twist, not since Jensens Stolen Sisters (one of my all time favourites) have I been more misled!

A masterpiece of red herrings and misdirection! Jensen at her very best.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.

An excellent mystery thriller by Louise Jensen. Cass and James become the caretakers of an old house where all is not as it seems at first glance. As one would expect, so many many twists and turns, but I defy anyone to be able to guess them all!
Very well written with great characters, with chapters being written by many of then. Cass was my personal favourite.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publ9sher for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Twisty, gripping and creepy. You can feel how the story is going to go straight off. Enjoyable and well worth reading. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

3.5 ⭐

Enjoyable mystery, with a creepy old murder house at the centre of everything.
The story is told from different points of view, which works well.
The first half was good, the second half was better. Threw in plenty of surprises and twists and "what?" moments.
All ties nicely together at the end.
Lots going on!

Ooh this is a good one!! Creepy and dark, an old house becomes available but is it too good to be true? Cass and James were well written characters and I really felt for Cass! A fabulous novel!

Whoa creepy! Louise's newest thriller is very powerful and made the hair on my skin stand up more than once! James and Cass decide to caretake a big old creepy looking house in the middle of nowhere. This house is the setting of a murder. Cass thinks she sees things, smells things, hears things. Her dad is convinced that it is because she stopped taking her medication. Cass mentions Leon a lot, and I can honestly say I did not expect Leon to be who he was. (I don't want to give too much away). While, I did guess fairly quick who James really was, I had no clue about Cass's past.

Meanwhile, Rose is the main character of other chapters. Louise did a phenomenal job making the reader think that Rose was actually someone else. Did not expect the twist that there were two families involved in Rose's past.

Lots of twists and suspense in this one. Still shocked by the very ending and all of the connections these characters have. Good book but DO NOT read this at night if you are alone!