Horror Book Review— INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE By Josh Malerman

 

This week's Horror Book Pick is INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE.

Written by best selling author of Bird Box, Josh Malerman is back with another suspenseful thriller INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE. 

The book was published in June 2024 and is in the bestsellers list in Ghost Thrillers and Horror Suspense.

Readers have found the book to be terrifying and unsettling. They felt the book brought back their childhood nightmares.
Other authors have also shown their support for the book by calling the author a creative genius to be able to write a disturbing bed time story with the child as the main protagonist.

Other readers felt the book did not have a satisfying ending and that the characters got annoying after a certain point.

Quick Book Review of INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE

The story is told through Bela, a little girl who is visited every night by Other Mommy after her parents say good night to her.
Other Mommy used to come out at night and through the closet but later on she makes appearances during the day as well.

The author is careful when he's writing through Bela's eyes. We get to see the world the way she does. There is innocence in the writing but it is obvious that Bela is observant and perceptive. 

She likes Other Mommy in the beginning but doesn't like her asking questions if she can enter her heart. She doesn't want her family to know about Other Mommy and is nervous whenever she hears her coming.

Bela also senses something is off between her parent's marriage. This is apparent when she asks her mother why she smells like someone else. Or when she notices her mother avoiding her father when he tries to dote on her.

Bela wishes her family was happy all the time and as a child may not understand what is going on but does feel like something is off about her parents.

As the sample nears its end we wonder if perhaps the mother may have just caught sight of Other Mommy.

The majority of the story is written in short bursts of sentences. This is to give the effect of the story being told from a child's perspective. 
There is no proper dialogue in quotes and it is as if Bela is narrating the entire story to us. 

The author manages to show the subtle changes in Bela through her thoughts. She no longer looks forward to Other Mommy's visits but is now considering that she may harm her. Bela talks to her friend about it but it is clear that she cannot be completely truthful to her and so her friend gets spooked by her behavior as well.

Malerman manages to capture a child's innocence while also her frustration at not being able to tell people the truth. She thinks she's protecting her parents by not telling them about Other Mommy while at the same time is desperate to tell her friends at the risk of sounding like a liar.

Bela is a well-thought out written character that compels you to keep reading the story.

To Read or Not to Read

I've not read Bird Box but I have seen the movie and saw what terrifying twists the story took. 
Incidents Around the House already begins eerily and the Other Mommy seems to be up to no good. Naturally I am curious to know how it ends and if Bela gets her happy ending.

So yes, I know I would enjoy reading this book.

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