Steph and Grant have just bought their forever home. Sure, it needs some renovations (that wallpaper is hideous, and there’s a wall that needs to come down), but it’s got a lovely big garden and room for their growing family. One afternoon an older couple rings the bell, explaining that they used to live there and asking if they might have a tour of the place? Grant is annoyed but Steph is pleased, showing them around and chatting about the differences between their time in the home and now. A charming visit, but one that will quickly be forgotten. Except that Steph keeps discovering disturbing things left by previous occupants. Writing beneath the wallpaper saying “I hate it here”, and a secret wall behind a wall covered with desperate writing and scratches. As Steph begins to look into what these scratches could mean she discovers that the house is connected to a terrible crime from the past, one that remains unsolved to this day.
We Used to Live Here is a quick thriller that has a few twists and turns, but (in my opinion) remains fairly easy to predict. The characters aren’t all that filled out. Steph is a mom, and I am struggling to name anything else about her. Grant is a sleaze, and I spent the entire book shaking my head at his predictably bad decisions. I don’t want to talk about any of the other characters because I don’t want to spoil key plot points of the book, but believe me when I say few of them have anything approaching depth. I sound harsh, but I didn’t actually hate the book. It was compelling, and I happily listened to the audiobook over just a few days. It’s just not a book that really makes you think. It’s popcorn. And if you’re in the mood for popcorn, that’s great! Just don’t go in expecting a multi-course meal.