Kate and Stuart, a young couple living in Michigan, are at a breaking point in their marriage. They are both aware that their relationship is crumbling around them, but neither of them are ready to admit defeat. Kate talks Stuart into buying a run down house in a suburb of Ann Arbor in the hopes of fixing their troubles. While Kate dives head first into gutting the house, Stuart feels increasingly alone. After finding out that a murder had taken place within the old house years before, Stuart decides to call it quits and leaves Kate.
Meanwhile,Walker, now 36, has recently been released from state prison after being detained for almost twenty years for a brutal murder. He retraces his steps back to the house where the shooting took place, which is now Kate’s house. Then there is Jay, an acquaintance of Kate’s who works as a shop teacher at the school where she works. What Kate doesn’t realize is that Jay has a strange link to the house on Mason Street as well. When all three characters come together it looks like a collision course towards disaster. With Kate tying all her hopes and dreams into the house on Mason Street, will it be enough to keep the secrets of the past hidden inside the walls?
Shocking as the premise of Dream House: A Novel
The author has written a riveting tale which paints a vivid portrait of a marriage in distress, with characters slowly unraveling before your eyes. She give us a glimpse into basic human nature and the relentless pursuit of the American dream. I loved this quote about the state of Kate and Stuart’s marriage:
It would have been nice if one of them could have just had an affair, she thought, a brimming little secret side life that could elate one and devastate the other and make a clean, setable break. Theirs was a stress fracture, the kind of thing you could go on living with for months, maybe years, a nagging deep wound that only an X-ray could see. Maybe people had affairs for just this reason, to make the problems obvious.
While none of the characters in Dream House are particularly likable, this is one of those books that you don’t have to love the characters to feel their pain or to sympathize with their situation. Yes, the storyline is harsh – including abuse, murder and failed relationships, but in the end Dream House was a very good, albeit uncomfortable read.
Thank you TLC Book Tours for sending this book to me for review. Want to find out more about Dream House? Check out these blogs during the month of February to see what they thought about the book.
Thursday, February 4th: One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books
Tuesday, February 9th: lit*chick
Wednesday, February 10th: I’m Booking It
Monday, February 15th: Devourer of Books
Wednesday, February 17th: Educating Petunia
Thursday, February 18th: Dolce Bellezza
Monday, February 22nd: Wordsmithonia
Wednesday, February 24th: The Book Zombie
Thursday, February 25th: All About {n}
I think this one sounds very interesting, Stephanie. I’m putting it on my wish list. What a story you had personally with the tragedy that happened in your neighborhood. I’m sure it was quite shocking for everyone in the area.
Kay – I grew up in a very rural town in Northern New Jersey – this sort of thing only happened in big cities (or so I thought). Plus, my friend seemed very normal and not at all mentally disturbed. It was just so sad.
I don’t mind uncomfortable reads at all…this one actually sounds interesting to me.
It must have been difficult for you to read this book, Stephanie, because of the real life matricide and suicide right next door. Hopefully, this book helped you in some way. Thanks for your review.
Susan – the murder that took place in my town was many years ago and I’ve come to terms with the fact that we will probably never know why my friend Tommy did what he did. Reading this book just reminded me of that awful time in my town history and for the loss of my friend.
This sounds like a page turner. I’m not sure why I enjoy books like this so much. Great review!
Kathy – I think books like this one really make you “think” and I really appreciate that!
This one sounds really interesting. Thanks for the review!
This book sounds very interesting. I’m going to put it on my TBR list!
Hmm, my friend just picked this up–guess I’m going to have to borrow it.
That’s what friends are for!
This sounds like something I would like.
Who could forget that day the murder happened in our small town.
I had something similar happen to me when I was a kid too. My friend’s dad killed her mother in the house right behind mine. I was very young and didn’t understand all of the particulars but I remember being so scared that I picked up a stutter.
I almost agreed to this book when Lisa was emailing about upcoming tours but picked two others instead.
How terrible! It really rocks a community when violence happens so close to home. Have you kept in touch with your friend?
I wouldn’t say that Ann Arbor has suburbs. Just sayin’.
I’ve obviously never been to Ann Arbor!
I like that you used the word “uncomfortable”. Excellent description and I had that feeling too.
This one sounds good. Adding it to my list.
You had me at “characters slowly unraveling before your eyes.” I love these kinds of books because I’m always wondering how people get there. How do you get from not being able to be away from each other to never wanting to see each other? I love when authors explore this!
Thanks for being on this tour, Stephanie! Great review!
I don’t mind uncomfortable reads either, and I also don’t have to like all of the characters very much. as long as I don’t feel the need to slap them, I’m good to go. Creepy story so it’s right up my alley. Thanks!