Let Him In by William Friend
William Friend’s haunting debut Let Him In is a creeping, gothic psychological suspense about a young, newly widowed father struggling to raise twin daughters obsessed with an imaginary friend.
“Daddy, there’s a man in our room…”
Alfie wakes one night to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed, claiming there’s a shadowy figure in their bedroom. When no such thing can be found, he assumes the girls had a nightmare.
He isn’t surprised that they’re troubled. Grief has made its home at Hart House: nine months ago, the twins’ mother Pippa died unexpectedly, leaving Alfie to raise them alone. And now, when the girls mention a new imaginary friend, it seems like a harmless coping mechanism. But the situation quickly develops into something more insidious. The girls set an extra place for him at the table. They whisper to him. They say he’s going to take them away…
Alfie calls upon Julia—Pippa’s sister and a psychiatrist—to oust the malignant tenant from their lives. But as Alfie himself is haunted by visions and someone watches him at night, he begins to question the true character of the force that has poisoned his daughters’ minds, with dark and violent consequences.
Whatever this “friend” is, he doesn’t want to leave. Alfie will have to confront his own shameful secrets, the dark past of Hart House, and even the bounds of reality—or risk taking part in an unspeakable tragedy.
Review:
I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Not only do I love a good slasher, but I also love a good haunted house tale. Anything in the vein of The Haunting of Hill House or The Turn of the Screw (especially the Mike Flanagan versions) will have me throwing my money at them. I love to cuddle up on the couch, turn off the lights, and be freaked out, whether it’s with a book, movie, or TV series. I was beyond excited to read this one after reading the synopsis and was happy to be approved for a galley on NetGalley. It’s a quick read and while the story is definitely creepy, it didn’t fully hit the marks that I was hoping for.
“Let Him In” is a haunting tale that explores the depths of grief and the lengths a father will go to protect his children. It’s set against the eerie backdrop of Hart House in London, and while I wasn’t completely freaked out, I was engaged all the way through to the very surprising ending.
The story focuses on Alfie, a grieving father who is struggling to raise his twin daughters, Cassia and Sylvie, following the sudden death of his wife, Pippa. When the girls claim to have an imaginary friend who is haunting their bedroom, Alfie dismisses it as a result of their grief. Yet, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there is something much more sinister at play.
Friend skillfully builds an atmospheric setting within the walls of Hart House. The old, creaking house holds secrets, constantly reminding readers that anyone who steps foot in the house isn’t exactly safe. As Alfie delves deeper into the mystery surrounding his daughters’ imaginary friend, the house seems to come alive, revealing its own dark secrets.
The narrative kept me engaged from start to finish. Friend’s writing style is descriptive and immersive and paints a vivid picture of the eerie atmosphere, which helps heighten the tension. While there was a sense of malice hanging about, I never felt completely sure of what this presence was until much later in the book. Was it a ghost? A demon? It becomes a little clearer towards the end what we’re dealing with, but I wanted more earlier on.
I also felt that the pace was slightly uneven. The first 2/3 of the book seemed to be building toward something big and then fell flat. There were also a few scenes that felt repetitive until finally we were barreling toward the end. I will admit, there were times when I was a bit lost.
The character development in “Let Him In” is probably its strongest element. Friend delves deeply into the psychological effects of loss and creates a sense of unease that extends beyond the supernatural elements of the story. The grief-stricken characters are convincingly portrayed, adding depth and emotional weight to the narrative.
Alfie is an empathetic protagonist, burdened by guilt and haunted by his past. The reader can’t help but sympathize with him as he struggles to protect his daughters from the unknown force that threatens them. Julia, Pippa’s sister, adds another layer to the story as a psychiatrist who assists Alfie in uncovering the truth. Her own personal connection to the events at Hart House adds an extra element of intrigue, though I will admit, I wanted more here. A chapter or two with more detail as to what happened at Hart House years before would have benefitted the story. I think a deeper dive would have added layers to the overall story and upped the stakes a bit.
While the concept and execution of the story are strong, “Let Him In” falls just short of being genuinely terrifying. While there are certainly moments of creepiness, I was never fully frightened or on the edge of my seat. However, the ending is definitely a shocker. It leaves the reader guessing, and I liked that a lot.
With its well-developed characters, atmospheric setting, and exploration of grief, this book is enjoyable, but left me wanting a little more. While it may not reach the heights of bone-chilling horror, the ending will linger in your mind long after you finish.
