In my possession for far too long is a copy of Christopher Golden's THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT, which was published earlier this year by St. Martin's Press. The delay in getting this review out has nothing to do with forgetfulness; I devoured the book right after receiving an advanced reading copy (ARC). However, life threw me a curveball, and my procrastination spiraled out of control. So, I am penning this review on Thanksgiving night, hoping to articulate my thoughts on this intriguing novel.
You might wonder what initially drew me to THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT. For one, I recognized Christopher Golden's name from his earlier work on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie-in novels, which I eagerly consumed during my teenage years. Additionally, I have always had a penchant for eerie, atmospheric haunted house stories, and at its core, THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT fits that mold perfectly—so I had thought.
The plot unfolds across Italy, where countless half-abandoned towns linger, with many residents having migrated to the coast or urban centers in search of better opportunities. Among these towns is the stunning yet dilapidated hilltop community of Becchina. To revitalize, the mayor has instituted a bold initiative: selling dilapidated homes for just one Euro, on the condition that buyers commit to living there for at least five years. This offer is a no-brainer for American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi. Both work remotely and Becchina holds personal significance for Tommy, as it is home to his grandparents—his last living relatives. The prospect feels like a romantic adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the young couple would be foolish to pass up. However, upon moving into their new home, an unsettling atmosphere descends, and they sense something is not quite right. Tommy’s grandmother is upset, even frightened, upon discovering which house they have purchased.
What they initially believed to be a charming old home reveals hidden depths; they stumble upon an annex at the back with rooms they were unaware of. As night falls, the house begins to whisper secrets—strange noises echo through the halls, locked doors mysteriously swing open, and during a family gathering, the couple feels the weight of disapproving glances, coupled with whispers that seem to circle them and their new residence, ominously dubbed THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT by a neighbor.
As the plot progresses, they uncover the house's dark history: it was owned for generations by the Church. But the true horror begins to unfold when they unveil the shocking secrets of what the priests had conducted within those walls over the years and the chilling number of lives lost within the strange chapel that lies inside. Beneath the town of Becchina, deep in the catacombs, a malevolent force stirs, hinting at hidden dangers that await the Puglisis.
The novel kicks off with an atmosphere thick with dread and introduces intriguing characters that capture your attention. However, somewhere around the middle, I felt the storytelling took an abrupt and confusing turn—perhaps Christopher Golden became bored and rushed toward the conclusion, or accidentally intertwined two different ideas into one disjointed storyline. Initially, I was enchanted by the setting of the old Italian house; however, my fascination soon led to a bizarre, nearly satirical commentary on cult-like religious undertones overshadowing the haunted house theme. It felt like a bait-and-switch; I was lured in by an enticing cover and a haunting blurb, only to find myself grappling with a plot direction I hadn't anticipated and didn’t particularly enjoy.
Overall, THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT is a tumultuous blend cloaked in the skin of a haunted house yarn. While the writing is competent and the descriptions vivid, they ultimately did not elevate my experience. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement; I wished for the captivating story that had been promised but never materialized. ╌★★½✰✰
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