I felt like I had already read/listened to this book before. The plot was certainly very similar to others in this genre. I’ve tried two other books by this author and have now decided I’m not her target audience or at least the books are not my cup of tea. The story was unbelievable with a twist close to the end that took it to the next level of preposterous.

EXCERPT: I've identified sounds, taste, touch and smells but now there's something else.
A feeling.
A slow crawl of trepidation from the tips of my toes to the top of my scalp.
I stop abruptly. 'James,' my tone is urgent now, 'I don't like this anymore . . .'
'Relax Cass. We're here.'
He fumbles to untie the blindfold and then I'm blinking in the unaccustomed brightness. Curved around me is a horseshoe shaped manor house. With its wings stretching either side of me I feel like the house is holding me.
Gripping me.
Despite the low temperature a flush of heat rushes through me. I push up the sleeves of my jumper. Stepping back, my eyes scan the black and white Tudor timberwork above the entrance. The iron 'Newington House' sign blistered with rust.
Ivy clings to the stone building. There's a sense of someone watching me through the small leaded windows.
This is not a tourist attraction. That much is clear from the unkempt courtyard. The tangle of weeds and nettles.
A crow lands in the tree to my left; he screeches, and it sounds like a warning.

ABOUT 'THE INTRUDERS': They were told to leave. They should have listened.

It should be the perfect opportunity: a manor house available rent free in exchange for a bit of housesitting. But when Cass and James dig deeper, they find the place has been abandoned since a robbery left almost all the inhabitants dead almost thirty years ago. But they’ve got to save for a deposit somehow, so they move in, and things quickly take a strange turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, and the house is oppressive yet strangely familiar. Could it just be bad memories, or are the house’s secrets a little closer to home?

MY THOUGHTS: There's no such thing as a free lunch - or, in this case, a free house.

The Intruders by Louise Jensen will put your spidey senses on high alert. There's an insidious creepiness to the storyline. Nothing major, or over the top, just little unexplained things. Things that eat into Cass's mind, but that James seems able to explain away. Logically. Calmly. The sounds of children playing. Singing. The smell of freshly cut lemons. The hairbrush that won't stay in the drawer. A window that opens itself. The clock that stops every day at 8.30 p.m. . . . .

I don't blame Cass for feeling spooked. Especially when James has to go away on business. And Cass has had problems in the past - a little mental disturbance, or two.

The story is told over two timelines - now and thirty years ago when the Madley family lived, and was murdered, in Newington House. Louise Jensen cleverly manipulates the storyline - I had no idea where she was taking me but was quite happy to go along for the ride - and throws in a few stunning twists. She creates a chilling atmosphere with a palpable air of mystery surrounding all the characters.

And the ending? - Twisted. You'll need to suspend your belief. It is disturbing but strangely fitting.

I listened to the audiobook of The Intruders which was superbly narrated by Helen Keeley.

And don't skip the author's note at the end where she relates how this book came about.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.3

#TheIntruders #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: When I was little I was obsessed by Enid Blyton. Her characters were so real to me they became my friends. I often huddled under my covers, stifling my yawns and straining my eyes, as I read 'just one more page' by torchlight.

Mr Townsend, my primary school English teacher always encouraged my love of literature, and it wasn’t long before I’d read everything my school had to offer. The first book I created was six pages long, had stick-man illustrations and was sellotaped together. I was immensely proud of it. Writing was a huge part of my life, until one day it wasn’t.

I can’t remember ever making a conscious decision to stop writing but it became easier to act on the advice I was given - ‘grow up and get a proper job’ - and my dreams were tightly packed away, gathering dust for the next twenty years.

My thirties were a car crash. Literally. I sustained injuries which when coupled with a pre-existing condition forced me to radically change my lifestyle. I felt utterly lost and utterly alone. Always an avid reader I began to devour books at an alarming rate. ‘You’ll have read every book in here soon,’ my local librarian said. ‘You’ll have to write your own.’

And there was a flicker, a shift, a rising of hope. I grasped that nugget of possibility and I wrote. I wrote when I was happy. I wrote when I was sad. I wrote when I was scared and in-between writing, I read, read and read some more. Words have the power to lift, to heal. They have illuminated my world, which for a time became very dark.

As Anne Frank said ‘I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.’

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio, HQ via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Intruders written by Louise Jensen and narrated by Helen Keeley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This one is very much a slow burn till about halfway into the storyline. It’s switches between past and present timelines which I really enjoyed as it really built the storyline but the slower pace did take from that aspect for me. I found the narrator to be a little over dramatic at times when it came to Cassie and it got a little annoying. It’s very cleverly written and has well developed characters. How it all came together was a nice turnaround and I do love when an ending sends me off course. This is a good listen if you can get over the slow moving plot.

3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheIntruders

I’ve already left a review for this book, but I’ve managed to also just finish listening to the audiobook and I have to say, it’s been narrated so well and the story really comes to life!

Dark, gripping, twisty, horrifying and yet utterly unputdownable, Louise Jensen is a master of creepy domestic noir thrillers and she has done it again with this one. So clever and well written; the audiobook is also brilliantly narrated.

🎧Audio Listening Review🎧

The Intruders - Louise Jenson

Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with a copy of this audiobook.

Wow! What an explosive thriller this is! I have read a lot of Louise Jensen's books and I've enjoyed them all. I love her style of writing and how she builds the pace and suspense. This was a dark and intense listen but one I enjoyed very much.

When Cass and James see that there's a manor house available rent-free to house-sitters it seems like the perfect opportunity to continue saving for their own dream home. Even though the house has been abandoned for nearly thirty years and they discover that a home invasion left most of the Madley family for dead they decide that as this happened so long ago it won't have a bearing on their future. How very wrong they are as things start to turn sinister and strange things start to happen.

There is something so curious and haunting about using a house for the setting in a book. With the house holding all the secrets and are unsuspecting characters being thrown into the situation makes for an exciting listen/read. One thing's for sure I wouldn't want to live there.

There were things I found refreshing in this book but I can't say without revealing spoilers. It is a dark and twisty thriller but I was dying to find out where it was going. The narrator did a fab job of building the suspense and projecting her fear through the story telling.

This was a great listen and I'm sure it would be a thrilling read as well. It ticked all the boxes for me.

#netgalley #louisejenson #theintruders #audiobook #listeningtothestory #thrilling #engaging #entertaining #darkandtwisty

This might be the best psychological thriller/horror I’ve ever read! It was addictive, captivating, and haunting. It definitely stands out among so many books with the same genres. The way the author weaved together the details of the past and the present, how the characters’ pasts entangled with each other was just masterful. I liked a lot the fact that the author mixed in some deep questions that we as the readers should think about. The questions were added at the end of the book as book club questions.

The narrator did a very good job as well. She added a lot of emotions in her tone of voice that made me feel the characters’ emotions very well. There were some very creepy parts that even I – the one who has been reading/watching so many dark things – got chills down my spine and I was scared for real.

There were just some minor drawbacks that some details felt a bit unrealistic but I guessed that’s why this book is a work of fiction, right?

Thanks NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

New couple Cass and James are offered the opportunity in a lifetime. They can stay in an old Manor House not only rent free but as paid caretakers whilst planning permissions are sought to convert the listed building into a wellness retreat. Although a little hesitant due to the houses history they move in. 30 years ago a family had been murdered in the house. With one of the intruders dead and another imprisoned for the crime.

For James the house feels oddly familiar. Cass starts experiencing things she can’t explain. Things move in the house, the grandfather clock always stops at 8.30 and there a window that just won’t stay shut. There’s so many secrets in the house that just want to be told.

Well, what can I say. This is definitely my favourite read not only of this year but in a very long time. Pacey, twisty and with so many revels I literally did have my jaw in the floor! I absolutely loved this book. If you’re a fan of a thriller, great drama, and a book with so many twists you’ll get whiplash then this is for you! I couldn’t wait to race through it. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

5 STARS ALL THE WAY!

The Intruders" had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page! This was my first novel by this author, and I can confidently say I'm a lifelong fan now. The story takes off running, throwing you into a world of suspicion and danger. With every twist and turn, I thought I had it figured out, only to be surprised again and again.

The author masterfully creates a sense of unease, making you question every character's motives. It's a nonstop thrill ride, and I couldn't put the book down until I devoured the last page. If you're looking for a suspenseful read with an unpredictable plot, "The Intruders" is an absolute must-read. I'll definitely be seeking out more books by her to see what mind-bending stories she comes up with next!

A slow burning twisty thriller which became unexpectedly dark towards the final stages.
Whilst the book maintained my attention and was expertly narrated, I did think the sheer number of characters involved diluted it a little. My personal preference would have been for it to be more focused on fewer central characters as it did get somewhat confusing at times, especially with the name changing across the time jumps.
Personal preferences aside this is a great read and ideally suited to those who love a good twisty thriller.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook.

Oh, this is creepy! Right from the outset the sense of tension and threat is almost palpable and the dual time line builds on the chilling opening scenes. My heart was literally pounding by the end of the first chapter! Louise Jensen knows how to build terror and suspense and the p,OTT in is skilful as the backstory of the main characters unfolds. Cass and James take on a house sitting job hoping to save up for a home together. They only met six months previously, bound by shared grief initially. But each have secrets they haven’t shared and Cass has an ageing father to consider too.

The house was the scene of a violent break in and murder thirty years previously and has been empty since. Now it’s ripe for development and the new owner wants a couple to live there before work starts. The house really has a life of its own and sits as a menacing threat right from the outset, I found it easy to visualise and it gave me the creeps just thinking about it. This is a first rate psychological thriller; I bought into the characters and plot and didn’t spot the ending at all. Tense and twisty. I listened to the audio version which was superbly narrated throughout and delivery was spot on. More please from Louise Jensen.

This is the first Louise Jensen book I've read and I'll certainly be back for more.

It was a fantastic listen, expertly narrated and really pulled you in from the first page. Cass goes along with her boyfriend James when he's given a live in job taking care of a manor house miles away from her overprotective father, her only family.

Almost as soon as they move in, Cass begins to feel as though she is being watched, things move, sounds are heard throughout which puts her on edge. Seeking out the history of the family they later discover were murdered in the house things get dark pretty quickly when James has to go away for work..

This is told in a dual timeline which sometimes got a little confusing for me but I think that was my issue not the author's.

Thank you to the author and the publishers for an advanced listen.

3.5 stars

This was a wild ride! Cass and James find each other in the midst of grief. Having recently lost his mum, and estranged from his father, James is desperate to find a connection. Struggling with anxiety, and never truly healed from the death of her mother at an early age, Cass needs to make a bold change in her life. Together they decide to take on the role of caretakers at a long abandoned manor house. Cass will have time to paint. James who travels for work, will finally have a home to come back to. Together, they will start a new life.

But the house doesn't seem to want them there.

The audiobook was exhilarating! The opening chapter had me with my heart in my throat. The narrator did a fantastic job conveying the absolute terror of the situation. I was instantly hooked!

I received this book from netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed this book. It was perhaps a little longer than it needed to be. But overall, it was alright. I liked the ending.

Looking forward to reading more from Jensen.

“The Intruders” by Louise Jensen captivates with its expertly crafted psychological thriller narrative, immersing readers in a world of suspense and intrigue. From the opening pages, Jensen’s mastery of tension and pacing is evident, drawing readers into a labyrinthine plot filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are richly developed, each with their own secrets and motivations that add layers of complexity to the story.

As the mystery unfolds, Jensen keeps readers on the edge of their seats, deftly balancing moments of chilling suspense with heart-pounding action. Every chapter reveals new revelations and deepens the sense of unease, creating a gripping reading experience that is impossible to put down.

With its cleverly constructed plot and spine-tingling atmosphere, “The Intruders” showcases Jensen’s talent for crafting engrossing psychological thrillers that leave a lasting impression. Fans of the genre will be enthralled by this dark and twisty tale, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth behind the chilling events unfolding within its pages.

I listened to this as an audio book prepublication thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins. I thought I had worked out the plot…little did I know! This is definitely an author to add to the favourites list! I devoured this in 4 days…over 10 hours of audio but I was hooked! 100% recommend.

The narrator of this audiobook, Helen Keeley, did an amazing job. She was so clear and I got pulled in so quickly, which is also thanks to the story and writing itself, but sometimes a narrator can ruin an amazing book, so I was honestly thankful. I was able to listen and stay absorbed within the story while doing housework and so forth, not having to rewind or wonder what I’d missed.

I became so invested in this book, the story and the characters, to the point that I actually got emotional at certain points and wanted so badly to jump into it and help and divert the characters within. I haven’t teared up or cried at a book in a long while, until this read. I think certain parts hit so much more now that I am a mum and I felt it so much more deeper. So be prepared with some tissues.

I overall enjoyed this read, the storyline and the characters that were created, all dragged me in and kept me hooked. This has made me remember why I have a collection of her previous books and am now excited to finish reading them all!

This was super gripping and an enjoyable read. Although I liked the protagonist, some of her decisions were infuriating! But if I'm rolling my eyes at the character and I'm still invested in the story then I count that as a win. I liked where they went with Marina's story. I was a little bit confused around the 'big reveals', but that's not necessarily the story as I may have missed a bit here and there. Enjoyable, five stars.

Eerie houses with dark pasts always captivate me. When Cass and James are offered a bargain home just six months into their relationship, it seems to good to let slide, especially when Cass discovers she is pregnant. The house seems to whisper to them and things keep moving around or going missing. Is there something sinister going on? This is an edgebof your seat audiobook and each chapter fluctuates back and forth in time between the present and the dark past. Each chapter reveals a little more. By the second half, the surprises are unveiled one by one. The Intruders is a creepily good read/ listen. #theintruders #louisejensen #hqaudiobook #netgalley #HQ

I have read other Louise Jensen books, so jumped at the chance of listening to The Intruders when it was offered by NetGalley. I was right to want it. I flew through the book, totally hooked.
The story is heart-breaking for all involved, and really highlights the damage one (or two - or three, now I think about it) nasty men can do to the lives of everyone who comes into contact with them.
The book has an element of the supernatural which made it nice and creepy, but also a strong human side. Louise Jensen really understands people and why they become what they become.

That was quite a ride! The twist twisted so many times I was honestly, honestly shocked the whole way through! If you like your thrillers weird and creepy check this one out!