The House at Midnight, By Lucie Whitehouse

The story is narrated by Jo, who has been close friends with Lucas, the new owner of Stoneborough Manor, all through university. Much to the chagrin of his other friend, the dangerously charming Danny, Jo and Lucas fall in love, just when Lucas had decided to give up his job in London and share the stately home with Danny in order to embark on a series of creative projects together.

The house seems to have a malevolent will, dedicated as much as Danny appears to be to splitting lovers up and causing emotional damage. But it's almost as though Lucie Whitehouse can't decide whether it's Danny who is evil, or the house, or the past, and it's as a result of this indecision that where there should be narrative tension or psychological insight, we tend to find nothing of the kind.

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