A story about dissociative personality disorder, magic, psychosis, missing people and murder that will leave you shell-shocked, disgusted and questioning the definition of sanity, unable to decide whether you love or hate the masterpiece that debut novelist Dawn Kurtagich has created.
I finished this book weeks ago, and I still don’t know what to think about it, because of all that happened in it – and because of all that I felt while reading it. I had these urges to just go into that world and save Carly/ Kaitlyn from everything that was happening to them – not the least bit bothered that a) even if I did get there, I wouldn’t know how to and b) it was all in their heads, not something I could physically solve!
Twenty-five years ago, Elmbridge High School burned down. Students were killed, students went missing, and students were injured. And for the last twenty-five years, everything about it has remained a mystery.
Until now, for now they have uncovered the diary of Carly/ Kaitlyn Johnson, the girl who went missing in the fire – the girl who escaped a psychiatric holding cell, the girl suspected of murder. And as it turns out, for the last twenty-five years, they’ve been all wrong. Every single one of them.
This book started off as one thing, and as it grew deeper and deeper in, and you could see that there was no way out for them but one; as the psychosis set in deeper and deeper into the air they inhaled, the book itself changed into something psychotic. One that would make you look around be and glad to be sitting where you are – one that would make you smile at the fact that the light was still something that existed.
I can’t explain this book – I’d be surprised if anyone was able to – but all I can say is that I definitely recommend it – and that The Dead House is not for the light hearted! 4.5 stars!
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The Dead House is published on 6 August. Pre-order this book at the Guardian Bookshop
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