The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward

 

Needless Street is a dead end street, the houses older and neglected.  The last house is particularly descript.  Ted lives there, a lonely man with no friends.  His daughter Laura is there off and on.  Outside of that, there is his cat, Olivia.  Ted has lived there his whole life.  His father disappeared somewhere along the line and his mother died years ago.  Ted is a huge man, who often drinks too much.  His size and slovenliness puts off everyone so his life is solitary.  

Ted is suspected by many of being involved in the disappearance of various young girls who have gone missing in the vicinity.  One of those girls was Lulu.  Now Lulu's sister, Dee, has moved in next door and tells Ted they should be friends.  What is her plan?  Is Ted involved in the disappearances?

This is a psychological thriller with horror overtones.  Nothing is quite what it seems.  Why is Lauren sometimes there and sometimes not and where does she go when she is gone?  How has Dee determined that Ted is the one with the answers about Lulu's disappearance?  Why can't Ted remember things like other people can?  

Catriona Ward was born in the United States but lives in England.  Her books have won several British horror awards.  The slow unpeeling of Ted's story will horrify and surprise readers and the final story will be quite different from earlier expectations.  This book is recommended for thriller and horror readers.