Incidents Around The House | Josh Malerman | Paranormal Horror | Book Review

 

Were you afraid of ghosts or what's under your bed in childhood ❓❓❓

Name of Book: Incidents Around The House

Author: Josh Malerman

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: June 25, 2024

No. of Pages: 384

Format: Digital

To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?”

When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay.

Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel.

But Other Mommy needs an answer.

Josh Malerman is a New York Times best selling author and one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung, whose song "The Luck You Got" can be heard as the theme song to the Showtime show "Shameless". His book Bird Box was made into a Netflix film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich. He has been nominated for 10 Bram Stoker Awards and has written 40 books, many of those (14) prior to the publication of Bird Box, his debut. Incidents Around the House is his 13th published book. He lives in Michigan with his fiancee, the artist/musician Allison Laakko and their many brilliant pets.

My Opinion

Incidents Around The House by Josh Malerman is a paranormal story that follows a family of three, delving into haunting experiences through the perspective of young Bela. The book promises a chilling atmosphere with its eerie storytelling, bringing the family's unsettling encounters to life. Malerman’s narrative voice, strong and ominous, keeps readers intrigued by the paranormal activity escalating within the household.

Bela, the protagonist, brings a charming, childlike innocence to the story, making her a relatable lens through which readers view the hauntings. However, the characterization of Bela’s parents, particularly her mother, may frustrate some readers. Despite facing inexplicable events, the mother continually pushes away much-needed help with questionable excuses, adding a layer of tension—but also irritation—for readers.

While there are genuinely creepy moments that heighten the suspense, the story’s climax falls short, lacking the chilling impact readers might expect. Malerman’s decision not to clarify the origins of these paranormal events leaves some ambiguity, which could either add to the mystery or leave readers wanting more. For those seeking an intense horror experience, Incidents Around The House may feel slightly disappointing by the end. I would like to give the book 3 stars.

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