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The Show House
Quirky Orlando retirees Thaddeus and Cheryl, and new parents Steven and Peter, come together for a family weekend, where Cheryl anxiously hopes to repair the dysfunctional and toxic relationship between her husband and their son, Steven. Their adoptive granddaughter Gertie, everyone hopes, might just do the trick.
Meanwhile, when news of a serial killer that targets gay men at nightclubs rocks the community, over-worked pharmacist Laila grows concerned for her handsome and arrogant younger half-brother, Alex. Sunshine leads to darkness as the calculating murderer's own life, hidden away in a show house, is spiraling out of control after falling for a would-be victim.
When Orlando's manicured lawns turn deadly, the two families find themselves on a collision course in this page-turning psychological thriller.
Meanwhile, when news of a serial killer that targets gay men at nightclubs rocks the community, over-worked pharmacist Laila grows concerned for her handsome and arrogant younger half-brother, Alex. Sunshine leads to darkness as the calculating murderer's own life, hidden away in a show house, is spiraling out of control after falling for a would-be victim.
When Orlando's manicured lawns turn deadly, the two families find themselves on a collision course in this page-turning psychological thriller.
298 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2017
Whoa, this is a novel that deserves a lot of attention.
Dan Lopez's THE SHOW HOUSE can be described as a literary psychological thriller as it features a serial killer who targets gay men in nightclubs.
Meet Thaddeus and Cheryl, retirees who visit their son and his husband for the weekend. Thaddeus and his son have a strained relationship, but he's excited to meet his new adopted granddaughter. I loved how the tension within this family was apparent in the very first chapter.
Across town Laila, a pharmacist, is worried about her younger brother after he's gone missing. She knows he's alive because he's still posting on social media, but he hasn't been home in months.
The lives of these characters intersect as the story unfolds. I'll leave my synopsis there, but suffice to say the plot is so compelling I had a hard time putting the book down. But the thing I admired most about this novel was the fantastic writing. I loved the way we get into the serial killer's mind and there were passages that knocked me out so much I pulled out a pen to underline passages. But THE SHOW HOUSE is much more than a well-written story; it's also an interesting portrait of family relationships. That's really at the core of this novel so describing it as a thriller can seem inaccurate.
Whatever you want to call it, it's incredible--smart, dark, funny, poignant, and sharp.
I'm interviewing Dan Lopez for Chicago Review of Books and will post a link to the interview when it's up on the site. I'll be plugging this novel all over social media because I think it's that good. It also reminded me what stellar books Unnamed Press puts out and how I need to read more of their authors.
Dan Lopez's THE SHOW HOUSE can be described as a literary psychological thriller as it features a serial killer who targets gay men in nightclubs.
Meet Thaddeus and Cheryl, retirees who visit their son and his husband for the weekend. Thaddeus and his son have a strained relationship, but he's excited to meet his new adopted granddaughter. I loved how the tension within this family was apparent in the very first chapter.
Across town Laila, a pharmacist, is worried about her younger brother after he's gone missing. She knows he's alive because he's still posting on social media, but he hasn't been home in months.
The lives of these characters intersect as the story unfolds. I'll leave my synopsis there, but suffice to say the plot is so compelling I had a hard time putting the book down. But the thing I admired most about this novel was the fantastic writing. I loved the way we get into the serial killer's mind and there were passages that knocked me out so much I pulled out a pen to underline passages. But THE SHOW HOUSE is much more than a well-written story; it's also an interesting portrait of family relationships. That's really at the core of this novel so describing it as a thriller can seem inaccurate.
Whatever you want to call it, it's incredible--smart, dark, funny, poignant, and sharp.
I'm interviewing Dan Lopez for Chicago Review of Books and will post a link to the interview when it's up on the site. I'll be plugging this novel all over social media because I think it's that good. It also reminded me what stellar books Unnamed Press puts out and how I need to read more of their authors.
July 24, 2017
Really fun read! Read it on vacation and flew through it. The writing and characters were very compelling!
July 4, 2017
I may not have found this enjoyable read if the author hadn't been a coworker, so I'm very glad he was :)
Read
February 3, 2019I spent a lot of time debating about how to rate this one, but I've given up and decided to leave it unstarred. It's really well written. Creepy. Atmospheric. Odd. It totally captures the weirdness that is Orlando and the difficulties of family. I just can't say that I enjoyed it. This is the complete opposite of a beach read. It's uncomfortable to read, most of the characters are (purposefully) unsympathetic, and it in no way ties up threads or presents any type of closure or conclusions.
Maybe I loved it. Maybe I hated it. I'm just not sure. That's some good writing.
Maybe I loved it. Maybe I hated it. I'm just not sure. That's some good writing.
June 26, 2017
I've been vacillating between 2 and 3 stars for this book - I'll go with the more positive. Ultimately, my issue is that the characters who got the most space had sort of strange blank spots in their development, and the ending made those spots starker in what it left open. Laila was probably my favorite character because she was so rounded - I'd have read a whole book about her and her life. Thaddeus and Steven, though, just felt like something was missing. I didn't buy one particular motivation, which is what a lot of the book hinged on, so that's part of the trouble (though maybe I just listen to too many true crime podcasts and am not allowing for dramatic license). Overall, it was an interesting read - I'm still glad I picked it up.
Want to read
December 30, 2016This is only available in paperback? Can't find an electronic copy anywhere.
February 9, 2017
Disclaimer: Dan Lopez is a very good friend of mine!
I really loved The Show House! I believe one of the authors who contributed a review on the back cover called it a "witch's brew" and I couldn't agree more. A hurricane is about to descend on Florida, but the real storm is what is bubbling just beneath the surface of each character. The Show House follows several seemingly unconnected story lines: a retired couple hoping to reconcile with their son Steven, his husband, and meet their adopted granddaughter for the first time; a young pharmacy technician, Laila, and her brother, Alex, who have a tense relationship; and a serial killer who is targeting gay men in Orlando.
So much is simmering just beneath the surface for these characters, and their deep wounds may burst open at any moment which increases the tension that is palpable in each page of the novel. Every character is affected by events in their pasts (hinted at or explored in the novel), but it's the events of the present which drive the action and catalyze these characters to make decisions that will effect each other's lives profoundly.
The Show House is at it's core very character driven. Laila, the pharmacy tech, is the emotional center of the story for me. Son Steven is frustrating, bitter, and utterly relateable. Retirees Thaddeus and Cheryl are characters that everyone will know well -- I saw pieces of both my parents in them. In their twilight years, they must change who they are to create the lives they want -- but are they able to change their nature?
I tore through The Show House in just a few sittings, and it's a breezy read perfect for the beach or a rainy day. Combining both characters that have stuck with me long beyond the final chapter and a suspenseful plot, I give The Show House my highest recommendation.
I really loved The Show House! I believe one of the authors who contributed a review on the back cover called it a "witch's brew" and I couldn't agree more. A hurricane is about to descend on Florida, but the real storm is what is bubbling just beneath the surface of each character. The Show House follows several seemingly unconnected story lines: a retired couple hoping to reconcile with their son Steven, his husband, and meet their adopted granddaughter for the first time; a young pharmacy technician, Laila, and her brother, Alex, who have a tense relationship; and a serial killer who is targeting gay men in Orlando.
So much is simmering just beneath the surface for these characters, and their deep wounds may burst open at any moment which increases the tension that is palpable in each page of the novel. Every character is affected by events in their pasts (hinted at or explored in the novel), but it's the events of the present which drive the action and catalyze these characters to make decisions that will effect each other's lives profoundly.
The Show House is at it's core very character driven. Laila, the pharmacy tech, is the emotional center of the story for me. Son Steven is frustrating, bitter, and utterly relateable. Retirees Thaddeus and Cheryl are characters that everyone will know well -- I saw pieces of both my parents in them. In their twilight years, they must change who they are to create the lives they want -- but are they able to change their nature?
I tore through The Show House in just a few sittings, and it's a breezy read perfect for the beach or a rainy day. Combining both characters that have stuck with me long beyond the final chapter and a suspenseful plot, I give The Show House my highest recommendation.
February 6, 2017
Disclaimer: I once heard some pretty bad puns in person from the author.
The Show House really satisfied my schadenfreude for uncomfortable family situations. It was almost too uncomfortable for me, especially the parts about Thaddeus's bumbling along over and over again. The murder scenes were incredibly graphic, so definitely not for the squeamish, but even those didn't make me feel as awkward as some of the family scenes.
Come for the murder, stay for the uneasy family dynamics.
The Show House really satisfied my schadenfreude for uncomfortable family situations. It was almost too uncomfortable for me, especially the parts about Thaddeus's bumbling along over and over again. The murder scenes were incredibly graphic, so definitely not for the squeamish, but even those didn't make me feel as awkward as some of the family scenes.
Come for the murder, stay for the uneasy family dynamics.
January 6, 2017
I received this book through "Good Reads Giveaway".
This is a sincere and realistic portrayal of the "Gay lifestyle" and is not for every reader. There are raw scenes which are only suitable for the broadminded adult.
The author's talent is tested by the subject matter to some degree. The final chapters suggest that there is a sequel to "The Show House" in the future, since the author leaves many loose ends. Over all, this book is best for a progressive mindset.
This is a sincere and realistic portrayal of the "Gay lifestyle" and is not for every reader. There are raw scenes which are only suitable for the broadminded adult.
The author's talent is tested by the subject matter to some degree. The final chapters suggest that there is a sequel to "The Show House" in the future, since the author leaves many loose ends. Over all, this book is best for a progressive mindset.
December 29, 2020
It's been awhile that I've gotten myself lost in reading a novel, and Dan Lopez does a great job of drawing you into this world. Steven and Thaddeus have a great deal of issues to work through, along with Laila and Alex. How these two different families cross paths has to do with a serial killer who targets gay men. It's a non-stop page turning novel that will have you questioning the psychology and mental well-being of all of the characters involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2018
“Overhead stars shine in a patchwork of clouds. Across the lake the blue lights of the
airport glow uninterrupted.”
*
Dan's my writing workshop friend — and reading his novel, I especially loved his descriptions of urban nights. The Show House is a bit of everything: a thriller with a serial killer, a family drama, a battle against natural forces.
airport glow uninterrupted.”
*
Dan's my writing workshop friend — and reading his novel, I especially loved his descriptions of urban nights. The Show House is a bit of everything: a thriller with a serial killer, a family drama, a battle against natural forces.
July 23, 2019
This book wasn't the best book I have read by all means. I continued reading it, it wasn't bad enough to give up but it was just a normal read in my opinion, nothing special.
August 9, 2017
So this thriller had a lot of difficult parts to read for a number of reasons. The author wrote in ways that often made it unclear what was happening, the characters were not like able and although the sexual content was essential to the story line it was tough to read. I can only give this 3 stars because of what I just said although if you like a good thriller this might be a good read for you.
Want to read
June 20, 2018I just received this book in the mail from Thriftbooks and I don't remember why/when I bought it but is sounds quiet intriguing. Maybe since it is set in Orlando it caught my eye as I live in this area.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews