Horror Book of the Week: THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET by Boris Bacic

 

This week’s Horror Book recommendation is THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET written by Boris Bacic. 

The book was published in December 2023 and is on the bestsellers list for U.S. Horror fiction and Domestic Thrillers. 

The House Across the Street has so far garnered favorable reviews from readers who found the book to be a suspenseful page-turner with a mind blowing twist. 

Quick Book Review based on sample

A move to a new house can be exhausting and for Emma it is more than that. She feels emotional too and just so lonely. She thinks she is fortunate enough to find such a good deal and finally getting the opportunity to move from the “bad” neighborhood she used to reside in. 

But as we horror fans already know, a good deal on a house is rarely ever an actual good deal. There just has to be something wrong with the house, isn’t it? 

The author, Boris Bacic, uses different points of view in each chapter. Emma’s story is told through her eyes, i.e. in first person. Christine and Nick, the neighbors, have their story being told in the third person. This contrast makes it easier to differentiate between characters. 

Emma has moved into the house with some emotional baggage. She has been told by her overbearing mother that she could never make it on her own or ever get to live in a nice house. Emma wishes she could show off to her mother. Clearly, this hints at Emma’s character being heavily influenced by her past. 

We then meet Christine and Nick in chapter two. They are supposed to be a couple but Nick clearly has a wandering eye and practically ogles at Emma through the window. His wife, Christine, is more concerned with welcoming the new neighbor with a baked cake and claims that those who don’t like lemon cake are not to be trusted or nice people. 

Fortunately, Emma does like lemon cake. 

The first few chapters in the sample show only Emma’s exhausting move and her desire to connect with people regardless of who they are. At one point, she is even tempted to ask out the mover who helps her set up her house. 

These chapters may seem innocuous but there is a hint of tension in the background. There is something going on and you just can’t quite put your finger on it. You will find yourself being caught up with everything that is going on with Emma and definitely look forward to reading more. 

The writing style flows smoothly and while each chapter doesn’t end on an obvious cliffhanger, you will be compelled to read just one more chapter to find out just what is going on. 

THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET Plot (Taken from Amazon.com)

Emma's move to New Valley quickly takes a turn toward the mysterious when she's greeted by her neighbors, Nick and Christine, a picture-perfect couple from across the street. Despite the undeniable attraction to Nick, Emma is wary, sensing deeper undercurrents in their seemingly perfect life.

But the real enigma lies closer to home—in a locked door in her own basement. Driven by a mix of fear and fascination, Emma is determined to uncover what lies beyond it. The deeper she delves, the more she realizes that the door is not just a gateway to the secrets of her home, but to the dark underbelly of the entire neighborhood.

As Emma gets entangled in a web of deception and forbidden desires, she learns that the key to unlocking the door might also unlock truths better left hidden. In New Valley, the danger isn't just in the secrets you keep, but in the truths you uncover.

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