I made the same error as other reviewers by reading Slade House as a standalone book without first reading The Bone Clock. I cannot say if my reading experience would have been heightened with Bone Clock under my belt but I certainly enjoyed this book on its own (Thanks, L, for this Christmas gift!). Slade House creates an amazing world which, I am sure, I will appreciate even more after I've devoured The Bone Clock. On its own it is a perfectly lovely novel that is complex in nature but not to the extent that I struggled at all. I don't want to spoil any of the magic of this little gem so I won't go into any depth. I really enjoyed the plot and each character that was introduced to us. Their varied vignettes of experience with Slade House was delightful yet tense. Slade House is like watching a cat play with a mouse - lots of playing around ensues, but you know it isn't in a good natured way, and it could end badly. I was intrigued and completely enchanted by Slade House and will certainly read The Bone Clock to get the full story.

A very easy and fun read. For me the ending paid off though this was a 50/50 split in the book club I am in. I loved how each character is unique and the societal changes throughout the years. It leads well into the other books within the Mitchell universe and made me want to read more.

I first saw Slade House on the seasonal showcase table in Waterstones, just before Halloween. That day I was browsing for something scary and suspenseful to celebrate the witching season. Despite having loved The Bone Clocks, I put this one back on the table. To me, the yellow cover and hardback format screamed "serious novel", not one which would draw me in and keep me on my toes until the very last page. How I wish I'd chosen this instead of the silly (still unfinished) paperback I'd taken home instead! Still, January is as good a time as any to really immerse oneself into a story of horror, magic and suspense. You see, if you happen to find yourself down a dark alley beside a working-class, British pub in London, watch out for a small, black iron door. If you find it, a stranger might invite you inside. Once there, you'll never want to leave... Mitchell's skill at weaving together stories from across time and generations is just as powerful in Slade House as I experienced in The Bone Clocks. Perhaps more so, in this pared down form which offers exactly the right amount of reading time for me to have read it in a single sitting. The twists and turns were exquisite, with each change of character I was transported again, right through to the last person to enter Slade House and the delight at realising I had met this person before... I absolutely loved Slade House, and plan on reading it again for myself this coming Halloween. Unless, of course, David Mitchell spoils us all by releasing another story of this type!

If you liked Bone Clocks you’ll love Slade House which is set in the same universe. You need to be special to open the gate to Slade House and when you enter, the gardens are entrancing and appear magical and you walk further in. As you start to uncover the secrets of Slade House you will find that you can’t leave. A captivating story that you will read, in one sitting, settled in a comfortable armchair, hot chocolate in easy reach.

If you are looking for a spooky October read, this is surely the perfectly choice. Down a dark and narrow alley, somewhere in the back streets of London, a small black cast iron door appears in the wall every nine years. Anyone called to push it open will find themselves in the garden and grounds of an old Manor House, Slade House, where things are not quite what they appear to be, and a whole lot more sinister than you expect. The story follows different narrators, or guests, as they visit Slade House, and events unfold around them. Each character is fully realised, and distinct, not all of them sympathetic (the police officer is a particular case in point), and each story builds upon the one that preceded it, with additional details slowly provided, building a sense of tension and horror. Knowing what will be the fate of each guest, and seeing a new set of circumstances through different eyes gives plenty of “no, don’t go up the stairs” nail biting moments! The depiction of the predatory twins and their callousness is particularly chilling. The world of David Mitchell is complex, rooted in dark fantasy, and his books interconnect. I was sent a proof copy of Utopia Avenue before release, and absolutely loved the inventiveness and bizarrely macabre nature of his imagination, and this led me to The Bone Clocks, which links to Slade House. You can read each book individually, but be prepared for a bit of mind boggling, as some of the concepts need some thought (maybe this is just me). I now want to reread Slade House, and reread The Bone Clocks and get lost in this richly creepy place!