The Dead House

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 2½/5 stars
My Review:

BAH!!! I find it difficult to turn down a book that has a psychiatric element to it and that is exactly what drew me to The Dead House. Unfortunately, I found the read to be a mixed bag of good and not so good. Here’s the breakdown:

What I liked:

*I like the format of the book. The story is told not so much through the characters but through the evidence left behind by the characters. For example, there is video footage that is described, there is the diary of Carly/Kaitlyn Johnson, there are the medical records and notes of the shrink who work with Carly/Kaitlyn, and there is the notes and records from the various police investigations.

*Carly and Kaitlyn: The whole split personality thing is pretty cool and believe it or not, it is quite easy to keep the two straight as you are reading. Though both personalities inhabit a single body, each girl sees herself as an individual with her own wants and desires, likes and dislikes. Though the two never overlap, Carly has the day and Kaitlyn the night, they are in contact with one another through their diaries and purple post-it notes. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two girls and how they relied on one another for their very survival. When one of the personalities is suppressed (that is, integrated) all Hell breaks loose.

What I didn’t like:

*The insinuation that magic and/or black magic is involved in all of the mayhem. With spilt personalities in an angsty teenage girl, there is more than enough to fill the pages with drama and despair. In truth, I found the inclusion of magic and black magic to be somewhat ridiculous and it detracted from the story.

*The repetition. There is A LOT of repetition in this read and at some point, I found myself skipping sections I realized were repeats of earlier chapters and/or passages. It is abundantly clear Carly and Kaitlyn are dependent on one another and when the integration occurs, there is far too much desperate calling out for the return of the lost personality. While I certainly agree some of that calling out needs to be there, there doesn’t need to be nearly as much as there is.

*The ending. Are you kidding me? 440 pages got me to that ending?? There is some serious build-up to what is referred to as “the Johnson Incident” and when I got to the end, I expected far, far more than I got. Furthermore, I found there to be very little resolution in the end. While many readers/reviewers may find this to be totally appropriate to the overall read, I found it to be quite frustrating.

The Bottom Line: This is a read I wish I hadn’t invested so much time and energy in. This is a really long read and while the chapters are short and move along at a decent pace, there are too many big things that took away from my overall enjoyment of the read. From a purely technical stand point, I can’t make any complaints or criticisms it is in the other areas of the read that I found it to be somewhat of a failure.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is one of those times I really hate reviewing books because I see all the time and effort that went into the writing and plotting of The Dead House, but I still just can't see much value in the final product. I am very interested in DID (what used to be called multiple personality disorder), and I like books that give me insight into what I consider a fascinating topic. Unfortunately, this book ended up being a pretty confusing mix of psychological and supernatural, and in the end, I was no closer to answers about the biggest mysteries of Carly's life and likely death. I was not a huge fan of the formatting in this book. I think it made the story incredibly difficult to read, it confused the timeline, and it didn't add anything to the story, other than repetition. I also felt like this story just went on and on with little regard to pacing. There were no real developments in relationships, and the "mystery" isn't "solved" until the very end, so it just felt like gratuitous writing, especially interviews that involved characters on the perimeter of the story who basically said they didn't know anything. I'm a careful reader, and If I struggled to see the relevance of a document in the text, I imagine my high school readers will really be at a loss. I think this narrative style added to my other biggest complaint - I was not able to care about any of the characters. Even Kaitlyn, the character that readers get closest to, is so hard to relate to - her episodes of crazy or haunting were torture to read. I think this added to my overall apathy about the outcome of the story - I wasn't shocked or bothered by any of the awful things transcribed or recorded. I just didn't care. Language and situations are suppose to be disturbing, but they come across as slightly silly and unbelievable, so I think it is appropriate for high school readers. I do, however believe that my own students would struggle to maintain interest in the story beyond the first 25%.

The writing style for this YA chiller is unique, and will remind one of Stephen King's Carrie. The story is told via official reports, newspaper stories, char edged pages from a diary, etc. Caitlan and Carly are two personalities sharing the same body. This could be multiple personality syndrome, or it could be something far creepier.

The story is told in 112 chapters spread over 407 pages. It is fast and violent reading. In fact, the violent becomes uncomfortably graphic at times. This is for true horror fans, albeit targeted to the YA audience. It's guaranteed to chill YA and adult readers alike, and if this is what you enjoy reading, you have indeed found a treasure in this book.

Creepy, gripping, un-put-down-able. I have never read (or seen) a book like this. THE DEAD HOUSE is utterly immersive. Filled with non-stop, jaw-dropping moments that make your pulse pound, and keep you guessing (and guessing wrong), this is the kind of thriller that keeps you reading into the wee hours and then turning on every light in the house. Yep, it's that scary. Kurtagich masterfully weaves this utterly unique psychological thriller. Told in part through journal entries from the main character and her psychiatrist, the novel re-defines the term "un-reliable narrator" in hair-raising ways. Just when you think you have it "figured out", the author divulges a new twist that has you re-evaluating EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. Freaky, dark, and heart-wrenching, THE DEAD HOUSE will hold you in its grasp and not let go. Really. You've been warned.

I enjoyed the book’s unique format the most, with the newspaper clippings, screenshots…this gave the book a realistic feel. The main character is compelling, and the way the author describes her dissociative identity disorder added an interesting angle to the book. However, the reason why is a little flat, and the book lacked creepiness. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Dead House is just really messed up and freaky. It's also really hard to try and explain what it is but know one thing it's just messed up. Carly/Kaitlyn Johnson is a girl with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and yeah if you are looking at that like I was it means Multiple personalities. Or at least that is what Dr. Lansing said she had as she has been treating her for a while. During the day the girl is Carly and at night she is Kaitlyn and basically the girl never sleeps. They are like sisters and even leave each other notes.

Some weird things happen and it's all written down in diary notes from Kaitlyn or transcribed from Naida's video footage among other things. One thing is for certain Carly/Kaitlyn is one messed up girl whether it's DID or a possession or what have you that girl goes through a lot of messed up stuff.

I don't really feel like I can say much more without giving things away, but it's just a freaky mess. Parts of it was sort of creepy and I am sure some will think it is really creepy but I thought it was more freaky than anything. I am not even really sure how I feel about the main character because she was just so all over the place. Being in her mind was just something else.

The only thing I couldn't really get into was the style it was written in, and I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the synopsis or just didn't realize exactly how it was going to all go down. I just didn't like reading transcribed police reports, diary notes, etc and the fact that it kept skipping back and forth...one moment it's like 119 days before the incident and then it's back to 130 days before the incident and things like that. It was just messy to me. Great story but just not my style.

The ending didn't go exactly how I wanted it to but it was a decent ending to what was a wild ride of weirdness.

I am going to suggest that if you like freaky, weird and totally messed up diary style fiction of creepy YA horror then you might really enjoy this. :) I am curious to see what this author will bring to us next as this was her debut novel. I really like how her mind works so I am hoping for some regular style novels of weirdness in the future. :)

Carly and Kaitlyn Johnson are two people in the same body. They have been this way their entire lives no matter what Dr. Lansing tries to tell them. Carly is awake during the day while Kaitlyn is awake at night. They each have their own journals, which are kept private even from each other, and they communicate through notes. After the accident, the girls stayed full time in a psychiatric care, but are now allowed to attend Elmridge High, a boarding school. One day, Kaitlyn sees a figure and dismisses it. These visions, whether real or imagined, then recur with alarming regularity and realism. Kaitlyn then seeks help for these attacks. Does Carly/Kaitlyn have dissociative identity disorder? Is she being haunted or is she just delusional?

The Dead House takes place years after Elmbridge High burns down and after a number of students die or disappear during that time. It's an unsolved mystery that has gained popularity over a decade and the authorities are still trying to find out what happened. The book is a compilation of all the evidence related to the case: singed journals, descriptions of video clips, post its, testimonies, transcripts of therapy sessions, flyers, newspaper clippings, and instant messages. The amount of detail is insane. The edges of Kaitlyn's journal are burned throughout the book. Tons of fonts are used to detail the different mediums and handwritings. Some papers have bloodstains or doodles. The different perspectives and sheer detail involved are the book's strongest aspects.

There are two interpretations of the plot: either Kaitlyn is plagued by demons and an evil spellcaster or she is delusional and others play into that delusion as reality. The two sides are pretty thoroughly explored. Dr. Lansing, Kaitlyn/Carly's therapist, insists that Kaitlyn is a personality created by Carly's mind to protect her from the trauma of witnessing her parent's deaths, which neither of them remember. The visions and attacks could simply be delusions that were worsened by improper medication that causes psychosis and improper treatment. On the other hand, one of Carly's friend is a practitioner of Scottish witchcraft insists that she is possessed by a demon and targeted by an evil magic practitioner. The text never really picks one side or the other. I didn't connect with the Scottish magic stuff and I greatly preferred the psychological thriller aspects. The demons and magic parts simply weren't as strong.

The first half of the story is the stronger half because it focuses more on the psychological aspects of the story and introducing all the characters. Even though Carly is assumed to be the more dominant personality, we only really get to know Kaitlyn. She has never seen the daylight and mostly keeps to herself. Her friend circle has only a couple of people. I like Kaitlyn even though she is sometimes selfish. She isn't perfect and copes in her own ways, but cares for her sister unconditionally. The second half of the book has her descending into all this magic stuff and doing uncharacteristic, horrible things. She really lost my sympathy at that point and the book felt like it lost its way. I would give another book by Dawn Kurtagich a try because most of the book was interesting and addictive.

This book was amazing. The Author of this book did a fantastic job of showing a side of what split personality is like in some ways. It also did a great job as a visual book. If i were you DON'T BUY THE KINDLE VERSION it isn't as real as the book makes it turn out to be. Take my advice!

I really enjoyed this book. There's lots of traditional elements like the "haunting versus insanity" vibe that creates a horror/thriller mystique, but it's told in such a way that feels fresh. I think it has to do with the "multi-media" angle. There are interviews, transcripts, video, session notes...even post-it notes! Loved it!

This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. It's the darkest, creepiest YA horror I've ever read or heard about, and I loved it! From the very start, the twisted narrative draws you in, grabbing you by the throat and not letting go until well beyond the final page. I had so many questions going in - how could Carly and Kaitlyn share a body? Was it some mental disorder or something more paranormal happening to the sisters? What led to the fire, and who started it? - and this brilliant novel kept me guessing about those questions and so many more, right until the final chapters.

Four stars
*Creepiness
*Good characters
*Unique story line
*Well written

Minus 1 star as I felt some of Kaitlyns journal entries were repetitive and I knew who working / trying to control Kaitlyn in the end.

I really enjoy this. The format is interesting and a very good way to tell this story. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. It completely morphed as I was reading it into something much more sinister and creepy than what it started out as. I would definitely recommend this, especially as an October read.

There's nothing wrong with keeping readers guessing at the beginning and into the middle, but by the end the author should have made her final decision. The final answer to this series of questions, "Is this a ghost story? A murder mystery? A psychiatric drama?" shouldn't be, "Yes."

I was astonished that this is a first novel. This is complex and wonderful fun and creepy. Seriously creepy.

This is the kind of story that keeps me up half the night. It’s the kind of book I thought about when I wasn’t reading it.

Carly and Kaitlyn are one and the same. Carly suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. One identity is dominant during the day; the other has the night. Their personalities are fairly different, to say the least. Carly becomes missing and decades later, a diary of Kaitlyn's is found that causes the case to be re-opened. While the premise sounded good, the format of this book did not work for me. It is a series of diary entries, post-it notes, transcripts from therapy sessions etc and did not flow well for me. I received a copy of this book from the store Vine in exchange for a honest review.

That was brilliant, just brilliant. As this was her debut novel, I can’t wait to see what else Dawn Kurtagich has in store for us.

She weaves together all of these different aspects of the storyline perfectly and what I loved about this formatting is that it makes the story feel that much more real. If it didn’t say it was a work of fiction, I honestly would’ve thought it was a true story. Although diary entries are the main way the book moves forward, the video footage transcripts, the police interviews, the therapy sessions, the newspaper clippings, and the internet messages all combine beautifully to help the story unfold.

We know from the book synopsis that a tragic fire occurred, taking the lives of a few people, but I never imagined it would unfold in this way.

The narrative starts out 155 days before the incident and we learn very early on that the main suspect, Kaitlyn Johnson, whose diary we follow throughout the storyline, has DID, Dissociative Identity Disorder. You may know this more familiarly by its former term, Multiple Personality Disorder.

As the story progresses we learn many more things about Kaitlyn, how she’s the alter ego of Carly, how they switch off between night and day, controlling their singular body, and how they lost their parents and have ended up in a mental hospital. But things take a turn down a much more sinister path when Carly disappears and Kaitlyn takes full control.

Now, as we get closer and closer to the day of the fire, we’re thrust into the chilling mystery of what really happened. And we witness first hand the horrific events leading up to that terrible tragedy.

The Dead House is a brilliant and fascinating tale of horror that will rope you in and keep you guessing. Not only will you become entangled in this chilling mystery, but you’ll find yourself, like I did, gasping in shock, shivering with goosebumps, and picking up on every little sound in the darkness.