Reginald Hill has written dozens of books, but I think I love this one the best. Having nothing to do with Hill's usual Daziel and Pascoe series, this almost Gothic novel is set in Cumbria, a dark place literally caught in season-long shadow, during part of the year. With a near-seamless interweaving of two pasts and the present, the author no only presents us with four murders, but throws in a few details about the Child Migrant Scheme as well. I do wish there was more about this horrible part of England's past in the novel, and that's about my only issue with the story-line.Two strangers meet in a tiny town called Illthwaite, to search out the history of their respective family's. Stranger House is filled with a lot of coincidences, a touch of ghosts, a large bunch of memorable characters, and quite a few twists and turns. I will still trying to figure out which person did the most wrong, buy the end of the novel! Ghosts, dark secrets, both past and present, villagers obviously hiding things from our protagonists, who are brought together supernaturally, a rather large serving of coincidence plus identically brutal identical twins, misty moors and bogs. WOW! It could have been rather preposterous in the way that Sam and Miguel arrive a the same moment with interlocking stories. But Hill is perfectly able to weave them together in a way that's not only believable, but in a very satisfactory way. Not only is Miguel's ability to see ghosts, and have them guide them through his life to this moment, but Sam's character as a female lead is strong, vibrant, and tquite likable. The atmosphere in the novel feels authentic, despite a lead theme of a village with inhabitants that seem still in the 19th century at best. Hill makes it all somehow seem absolutely realistic, proves a meticulous knowledge and background research in as widely separated fields as mathematics and theology and throws many pieces of interesting facts in the story, many of which later proves to be important for the continuing plot. With all of this, it does not feel artificial or far-fetched at all. The clash between the two main characters is both very entertaining and funny and their relationship transforms in a loving way. The story, finally, is both convincingly told and most logical, and above all, extremely thrilling. Some of the lines from the book I will be quoting:"When murk began to coalesce into form, she found herself standing by a font consisting of a granite block out of which a basin had been scooped deep enough for an infant to drown in. Around its rough-hewn sides a not incompetent artist had carved a frieze of spasmodic dancers doing a conga behind a hooded figure carrying a scythe.""He raised his eyebrows comically as he spoke. His eyes had a distinctly flirtatious twinkle. How did he get it there? she asked herself. With an eyedropper?""'So what you're saying is you've been getting like e-mails from God dot com?" she mocked. "How do you know it's not just spam from the devil like your confessor tried to tell you?'"
Based on religious doctrine and moral outrage, this book had a lot of potential, but the two lead characters were not given a proper chance to shine. The first, an Australian "mathematical genius" whose only numerical ability seemed to be harping on about it, used too many overly British and unAustralian expressions in her speech and thoughts, the combination of which highlighted the naivete rather than the cleverness of the author. Why didn't the publishers hire an Australian editor - or at least proofreader - to iron out these inaccuracies? The author's disclaimer at the start about "maybe getting a few things wrong" was not enough to justify the sheer quantity in the text. The second, a former seminary student who claimed he could conjure ghosts, called forth no spirits except in hindsight, and did little more than produce a yawn in this reader. Plotting was dull and ponderous, with the characters going over and over the same ground repetitively, too much flashback and not enough dramatic tension, some stereotyped English villagers as the support characters, all made a quick spurt of excitement in the penultimate chapter a case of too little too late. Yet mysteriously, I was drawn to continue reading and find out what happens. The book started well, and I suppose when it started to stall, I wanted to know if it got good again. Compelling yet boring at the same time - I never knew such a thing was possible.
What do You think about The Stranger House (2006)?
This is a 3.5 stars, in my ongoing campaign for a larger scale! I am a big admirer of Reginald Hill, whose Dalziel books were something special. Better though was "The Woodcutter", and as I am living in the Lakes at the moment I was very keen to read this. The storyline is good, the setting is tremendous but some of the characters could be stronger. They are not as believable as they should be, and my other criticism is that in the middle 300 pages too little happens, and the novel loses its way a bit.
—Andy Weston
It was with regret that I learned that Reginald Hill had died. He was a man who created mysteries with a little bit extra in terms of intelligence, history and character (Dalziel and Pascoe). "The Stranger House", his last book, does not fail although it is not as smooth as some of his earlier works. But combine accurate Elizabethan history, spirituality, contemporary characters, a love story and a labyrinthian quest for the truth and you have a winning read about murder, betrayal and love. All somewhat improbable but pleasantly entertaining and diverting. Hill is/was a wordsmith of some note, and his command of the English language is nothing less than astonishing. Roll over, Rex Murphy!
—Anne
Beyond doubt the best RH book I read so far! The atmosphere feels so authentic, despite a lead theme that paints a picture of a village with inhabitants that seem still in the 19th century at best. Hill makes it all somehow seem absolutely realistic; the mix of cavemen, vikings and oldfashion style manor owners. The main characters are so sympathetic yet so different, Hill proves a meticulous knowledge and background research in as widely separated fields as mathematics and theology and throws many pieces of interesting facts in the story, many of which later proves to be important for the continuing plot, and it does not feel artificial or farfetched at all. The clash between the two main characters is both very entertaining and funny and as well described in a loving way. The story, finally, is both convincingly told and most logical, and above all: extremely thrilling.Since the book is quite easy to read I like to give it the best recommendation for all kind of readers!
—Magnus S
