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The House of the Wicked (a psychological thriller combining mystery, murder, crime and suspense) Kindle Edition

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 527 ratings

With nearly a quarter of a million downloads so far, and an acknowledged individual storytelling expertise that has seen Hollywood recently take an interest in one of his novels, D. M. Mitchell pens yet another taut psychological thriller with a difference that twists and turns to its deliciously devious and unexpected conclusion. Discover for yourself why D. M. Mitchell is being hailed as one of the most exciting new writers of thriller and supernatural tales in the UK.


From reviews of The House of the Wicked:

'Impossible to put down...'
"Superb prose, and an atmosphere of impending doom. A quality novel from a very promising author."
"This book has had me in its spell for the past three days. It is fantastically written, full of twists and turns"
"I'm a lover of the classics and this was as well written and very dark, loved it"
"I felt like I'd lived in Porthgarrow and knew all the people. It was captivating and I just didn't want it to end."
"Please tell me this author has more books and is actively writing another!"
"Rev Biddle would make a great detective series in his own right."
"I was kept in suspense until the very end. The characters were believable and very well written. Really hated for the book to end"
"An excellent dark suspense novel."

“If you are not of a squeamish disposition, Mr Denning, I should like you to look at my collected images of the dead...”

1880: Stephen Denning is an artist arriving in Porthgarrow. It is an isolated Cornish fishing community, largely untouched by the modern, developing Victorian world, hanging onto its old traditions, superstitions and beliefs – a community that lives with a disturbing secret. So too does Denning.

He is a reluctant visitor, and though he is supposedly joining his one-time artist friend Terrance Wilkinson to form an artists’ colony it is circumstances that force him there. Denning is still haunted by the brutal death of a young woman in Brittany, and shouldering guilt for the fact that he covered up for Wilkinson when he suspects the man of having been been involved with the murder.

But Porthgarrow is haunted by its own demons and secrets. He learns about the savage murder of a woman by her husband Jowan Connoch thirteen years previously, and of Jowan’s son who has returned to Porthgarrow to uncover the truth and to clear his father’s name.

Yet it is far from over. Before long three more people are destined to die in Porthgarrow before the village gives up its sinister secrets, and Stephen Denning will learn of his own family’s mysterious involvement.

The house of the Wicked is peopled with larger than life characters – the powerful businessman Gerran Hendra and his beautiful daughter Jenna; the Reverend Biddle who collects photographs of the dead; Benjamin Croker, the journalist; and Tunny, the village wise man and healer.

From its atmospheric Gothic undertones to its shocking and unexpected end, ‘The House of the Wicked’ is D. M. Mitchell at his darkest and most imaginative best.

Some secrets will not stay buried...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006RKRKKA
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1931 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 527 ratings

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D.M. Mitchell
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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
527 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story intriguing and well-written. They appreciate the atmospheric setting and well-depicted characters. Many describe the book as gripping and hard to put down. The author is praised as talented and superb. However, opinions differ on readability - some find it enjoyable and easy to follow, while others feel it's slow or frustrating.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

68 customers mention ‘Story quality’60 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the well-crafted story with unexpected twists and turns that keep them guessing until the end. They find it an enjoyable mystery set in superstitious Cornwall. The story progresses smoothly to its surprising conclusion, with the author's research and well-developed characters providing a refreshing change from typical thrillers that rely on shock value.

"...The author has researched his story well and created characters with their superstitions, weird beliefs, class awareness, traditions and hard way..." Read more

"...The story progressed at a pace,but got bogged down in too many false trails at the end, leaving me wanting more information about characters and..." Read more

"...and the rural community really well, woven into this is a classic whodunnit story that will keep you guessing until the end...." Read more

"...The village of Porthgarrow is a very primtive supicious place and helped with this by Tunny a villager who has a gift...." Read more

25 customers mention ‘Writing quality’22 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing quality excellent and engaging. They describe it as an easy, intelligent read that makes for good nighttime entertainment.

"...The writing is extremely good and the reader is artfully drawn into an authentic world of 19th Century Cornwall...." Read more

"...D.M Mitchell writes well and his characters are well developed, he creates the scene perfectly and you get a real incite into what old village life..." Read more

"...A well written and entertaining novel with some unexpected twists!" Read more

"...A well written, very enjoyable murder mystery set in superstition-ridden Cornwall. Don't let the prologue put you off...." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Atmosphere’19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's atmosphere. They find the descriptions vivid and engaging, bringing the characters and surroundings to life. The Cornish village setting is particularly well-received, with readers mentioning it reminds them of their own village. Overall, the book captures readers' interest from the start.

"Fascinating, intriguing story. Set in a Cornish village complete with secrets, mystery and wild weather beating on the rugged coast...." Read more

"This book is set in 1880 and captures the changing times and the rural community really well, woven into this is a classic whodunnit story that will..." Read more

"This Victorian melodrama captures your interest from the beginning...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed the description of the Cornish village, it reminded me of Porthallow, a village I stayed in about 25 years ago...." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Character development’16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-depicted characters and vivid descriptions of scenes and characters. They enjoy the backstories and unexpected ending. The author effortlessly portrays an authentic 19th century Cornish fishing village, with vivid images even down to minor characters like the old dog.

"...The author has researched his story well and created characters with their superstitions, weird beliefs, class awareness, traditions and hard way..." Read more

"...The setting of life in a remote Cornish fishing village is effortlessly portrayed which says much about the writer's research and skill...." Read more

"...that could have been explored more fully, but some of the characters were well drawn. I also liked Reverend Biddle and his photos...." Read more

"...D.M Mitchell writes well and his characters are well developed, he creates the scene perfectly and you get a real incite into what old village life..." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Grip’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gripping and engaging. They say it keeps them hooked and wanting to read more.

"...And what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. Gripping from the start, very descriptive painted a great picture of life in those hard times...." Read more

"...to the characters at the end but definitely worth reading and sticking with it." Read more

"...is one of the most surprising plots I've read in a long time, totally gripping and I doubt anyone will see the conclusion coming. Can't wait..." Read more

"...genre I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that this was a gripper with plenty of twists and turns ...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Talent’7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book and author's talent. They say it's brilliant, superb, and well-written.

"...this novel and will certainly look out and read others by this very talented and accomplished writer." Read more

"...This author obviously has a natural talent and I would love him to write another book in the same vein as this one...." Read more

"...I will be reading all other books by this superb author so please keep em coming." Read more

"...Well done Mr. Mitchell, well put together and I will not hesitate to recommend this to family and friends." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Readability’6 positive5 negative

Customers have different experiences with the book. Some find it enjoyable and easy to read, making it perfect for nighttime entertainment. Others feel the book is too slow, lacking action, and frustrating to read. They also mention that the denouement takes too long and jars their attention.

"...A well written and entertaining novel with some unexpected twists!" Read more

"...not the crucial scene of the whole novel and yet it was a frustrating passage to read...." Read more

"...Thank you for an enjoyable few hours!" Read more

"Boring reading. Too slow. No action. Wasted my time reading it. May try another book by this author another time." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Pace’0 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's pace slow. They feel it's boring and waste their time reading it. The main story also seems to be slowed down at times of tension.

"...This had two effects; it slowed the pace down in the main story, sometimes at a crucial tension building moment and it jarred the reader's attention...." Read more

"Boring reading. Too slow. No action. Wasted my time reading it. May try another book by this author another time." Read more

"after reading the write up and reviews I was very disappointed. Was slow and never really got going read to the end hoping something would happen..." Read more

"It was a slow and awkward start but then wow didn't won't to put it down till the end A very good read that I would recommend" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2015
    Fascinating, intriguing story. Set in a Cornish village complete with secrets, mystery and wild weather beating on the rugged coast. The author has researched his story well and created characters with their superstitions, weird beliefs, class awareness, traditions and hard way of life.

    The story is steeped in atmosphere and mystery around which the author weaves his unique tale. All the elements are present to create a number of strands which blend together and formulate a story which will leave the reader pondering about it for sometime. Personally I have never read a story like it! My only niggle is the tendency for the story to travel from one era to another which occasionally left me a little puzzled and necessitated a brief check back into the story to find the link. This does not detract enough for me to drop a star rating. The many positives far outweigh any negatives!

    This is a 5 star novel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2012
    This is the first of D M Mitchell's books that I have read and so I came to it not knowing the author, or anything of his previous work which seems to have led a number of reviewers to this book.

    The writing is extremely good and the reader is artfully drawn into an authentic world of 19th Century Cornwall. The characters are very well developed and all of them entirely credible. The setting of life in a remote Cornish fishing village is effortlessly portrayed which says much about the writer's research and skill.

    As much as I enjoyed this novel and I really did, I have three areas the novel to comment upon.

    Firstly the old 'mad aunt in the attic' scenario. (There is not really a mad aunt in the attic in the story, but I am trying to comment without giving away the plot.) This has been used a number of times by authors in various guises and was telegraphed sufficiently early in the novel to spoil it a little, although I did not guess the identity, as it could have been a number of characters referred to in passing during the early scenes.

    Secondly, the way in which the author dealt with 'back story'. This is notoriously difficult to do and to his credit Mr Mitchell did 'show and not tell' these passages, by letting us experience them acted out by the relevant players. However he did this by just suddenly and without announcement writing them into the text. So in a new paragraph, we would suddenly realise after some time that we were reading an event which had happened some time previously and was not concurrent with the story that the main characters were facing a paragraph before.

    This had two effects; it slowed the pace down in the main story, sometimes at a crucial tension building moment and it jarred the reader's attention. A good test is how this would be filmed if it were being made for television and I just could not see how it could be done in the way it was written.

    The third and final comment is actually to do with an area of writing, which is a surprise as the writing as I have said is of a very high calibre. This was the scene towards the end when a character is holding others at gunpoint and revealing what he has learned. This is such a crucial, if not the crucial scene of the whole novel and yet it was a frustrating passage to read. It seemed jerky in narrative with character reactions which fell down below the author's own hitherto impeccable standards. Perhaps he was trying to convey the anxiety the man felt, to create tension so that we wondered on the edge of seats what was going to happen, but it just didn't come across for me.

    Apologies for those who will feel I am been too picky, but for me these above things are why it was a four star and not a five star review.

    Having said all of that, I highly recommend this novel and will certainly look out and read others by this very talented and accomplished writer.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2012
    I enjoyed the book although I did find the storyline predictable. There were multiple strands of plot that could have been explored more fully, but some of the characters were well drawn. I also liked Reverend Biddle and his photos. The narrative began very well, with an intriguing and gripping Jack the Ripper style. The story progressed at a pace,but got bogged down in too many false trails at the end, leaving me wanting more information about characters and background. I will certainly read more by the author, but hope for a deeper, less superficial treatment in subsequent books.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 2012
    This book is set in 1880 and captures the changing times and the rural community really well, woven into this is a classic whodunnit story that will keep you guessing until the end. D.M Mitchell writes well and his characters are well developed, he creates the scene perfectly and you get a real incite into what old village life was like. The plot immerse you completely in the story. If you are not used to reading period set stories the beginning can seem slow and hard to read but please persevere as this story is definately worth it.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2015
    The book starts in 1867 with a woman who is found murdered in her home, her husband is found leaning over her with a knife in his hand, He is supposedly chased and confessed before jumping to his death,

    The story jumps 13 years to Stephen Denning meeting his friend Terrance Wilkinson and been asked to come to Porthgarrow to start a artist colony.

    In between the story tells you how the friends met and what subsequently happened whilst they were in France.

    The village of Porthgarrow is a very primtive supicious place and helped with this by Tunny a villager who has a gift.

    I have to stay I did nearly give up with this as it took ages for me to get into the story as there was a lot of ground laying with the story going between the 13 years which in parts did confuse me. But I did persevere and it I was surprised where the story went.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2013
    Boring reading. Too slow. No action. Wasted my time reading it. May try another book by this author another time.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2012
    This was my first D.M. Mitchell book, and it took me a while to get into the author's own personal style of writing. The historical backdrop and the superstition was well handled, and the author manages to include murder and violence without resorting to nauseatingly graphic descriptors.
    It occurred to me several times whilst reading this book that it would make a superb film; far better than some books that do actually make it to the screen!
    A well written and entertaining novel with some unexpected twists!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Electa Graham
    3.0 out of 5 stars Historical drama
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 October 2014
    this is an interesting book, which had me enthralled to read it. loved the historical theme to it. I felt like I never want to live in Cornwall.
  • icdbeez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Superb Mind Bender by Mitchell
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 April 2014
    I started with Blackdowne, went on to Flinder's Field, and now it's House of the Wicked. D. M. Mitchell consistently writes masterclass psychological thrillers that shift realities multiple times over the course of each novel. All these novels are excellent, finely plotted stories with devious characters that add up to some of best psychological thrillers available.

    Mitchell's characters are never what they appear to be on the surface. You learn after reading his novels to expect the unexpected, especially where innocent looking characters are concerned. They turn out to be wild murderers, or evil incarnate. It is virtually impossible to guess what is coming in a Mitchell story and that along with the intricately crafted plot keeps the pages flying by. The protagonist, Steven Denning is a younger son of a wealthy London family who has taken up painting as a career. His family seems a bit too concerned with his life, but whether this is due to the family reputation or for some other reason is not clear. He meets Wilkenson at art school in France, and they end up having a rather sordid history together.

    Years later Wilkenson invites Denning to Cornwall and the city of Porthgarrow to start an artist colony. The city is dominated by a pagan superstition of the God Baccun, who controls the waves, the winds, and the storms. He is said to feed off evil deeds which make him grow stronger. The town is held hostage to a myth regarding a single family.

    Mitchell does a masterful job at intertwining the two story arcs of the Dennings, with Steven in the lead role, and Porthgarrow as events drive people in the town to seek the truth behind the myth. These two drive each other forward until reality turns upside down three times.

    The final time reality takes a header is at the end of the novel, which was a real surprise and was one of those jaw dropping moments that just just blew me away. I can't conceive of a better ending for this story than this one.

    The Bottom Line: If you are looking for an intelligent read which plays with your perceptions of people and situations, along with murder, mayhem and madness, then this is the perfect book for you. Highly Recommended!
  • ma.kro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Meisterhaft geschrieben
    Reviewed in Germany on 12 February 2014
    Der Autor schreibt atemberaubend, hält über das ganze Buch hinweg eine enorme Grundspannung aufrecht, die bei den unerwarteten Wendungen förmlich explodiert, so dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen kann. Ich bin ein grosser Fan dieses Autors, der sich bedenkenlos in eine Reihe mit so berühmten Vorgängern wie Charles Dickens, E.A. Poe,Agatha Christie und Edgar Wallace stellen lässt.
  • MDG
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Psychological Thriller
    Reviewed in Italy on 10 November 2013
    Refreshingly well written, compared to so many psychological thrillers, especially being self published.
    While, it does start off slow, it picks up pace soon, with a lot of twists and turns. I believe that the
    author's strength is his gift of description; whet er it is surroundings, or characters. He makes his books
    come alive, he has the ability to make you feel as if you are there in the same place with his characters!
    Even his secondary characters are well fleshed out.

    At times it did feel repetitious, but not overly so. The ending was a complete surprise, a real shocker.

    If you are looking for a well written, keeps you guessing, psychological thriller, then highly recommended.
  • Darklldo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in Australia on 9 October 2014
    I loved the atmosphere, the descriptions of the township and the people. The plot(s) were so twisted and interesting.
    I have just two observations,

    1) the name of Jowan is used for both father and son and I found I lost the plot a bit at times confusing them.
    2) the events take place in several time slots but without any indication that there was a change, it was disconcerting having to stop and go back to make sure where we were.

    I felt I missed a bit of the impact of the story because of this, but I read to the end because I NEEDED to know what happened. I'm glad as did as the end was not hurried but nicely tied up in a neat bundle with a great twist at the end.

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