The walls bleed...

The house was built in 1882 and owned by a well-respected family. In present day, Margaret Hartman, our main narrator lives there with her husband Hal while their only child, Katherine is at college.

The beautiful cobalt Victorian with wrap around porch and turret was the dream home they always wanted and the couple eagerly moved there in May. When September arrives, they realize that the house drips blood down its walls and is very much haunted. Ghosts, suicidal birds, screams! Margaret feigns nonchalance at the horror after all, it only happens in September. After four years, Hal has had enough and left. Katherine comes home to look for him.

Autumn is here and The September House was a great one to kick start this year's spooky season! The September House was light horror for me with some humor. From the description, I really thought it would be scarier. I read this one but mostly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed Kimberly Farr's perfect narration although Katherine comes off as super annoying.

I like the eerie and gothic vibes. The mystery and twist were good as well, a great debut!
3.5⭐

TW: Abuse

Thank you Berkley for the DRC.

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the #gifted copies of this book.

What would you do if your dream house suddenly shifted into a thing of true horror?

September is officially here. Many of my friends have already turned into pumpkins and are craving all things spooky.

Queue this unique haunted house debut. You’ll find no cutesy fall decor here.

Instead, each September, this house comes alive in the most disturbing and terrifying ways. The walls bleed and sink drains clog with fresh flesh. There’s a polite, tea-making housemaid, but part of her head is missing. And the nine-year-old boy has fangs that leaves scars. Beware.

Reminiscent of Grady Hendrix, September House starts spooky season off with plenty of gore and ick.

The main character, Margaret, was my favorite part of the book. Bold and brazen, she was a force. Where most would flee the terror, Margaret stood firm, undaunted and determined to keep what was hers.

This was a slower read for me, though many reviewers have mentioned the opposite. It’s also important to note that I had a few qualms with the plotline, particularly the one focused on abuse.

But this book proves that there’s no reason to wait until October to be properly spooked! This haunting officially begins in September.

🎧 I had both print and audio versions of this book and found myself grabbing for the audio most often. The narration by Kimberly Farr well portrayed Margaret and brought her voice to life.

This was FANTASTIC. I enjoyed every second of reading it. It was creepy, it was scary, and there were great twists sprinkled throughout. I thought I knew what would happen, then I was wrong! So I shifted my ideas around, and I was wrong again!! I cannot believe it’s a debut. It’s just so much fun. Plenty of emotion packed in here among all the scares, but also there is levity. Especially with one character: Fredricka.

DO NOT miss this one, guys!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was one of the best horror endings I’ve read! I love what the author did with the characters and how terrifying the situation got. I will say from the initial pacing, I was caught off guard. You start wondering how reliable the narrator is, but then it twists and you’re on a train going full-steam ahead. Highly recommend this for someone wanting a story with a great ending!

The September House by Carissa Orlando mainly follows Margaret as she deals with the myriad of paranormal idiosyncrasies in the Victorian house she purchased with her husband Hal. After her husband goes missing, Margaret's daughter comes to help find him, but Margaret must try to hide the paranormal aspects of the house from her daughter during September of all months -- when all of the hauntings are at their worst.

I loved the dead-pan way that this story is narrated. Margaret talks about the horrors in the house as if they are mundane -- she has had time to get used to them, of course, and has come up with many rules to follow in order to best survive them, especially in September. The narration style brings a lightness and humor to the otherwise heavy, spooky occurrences.

I loved some of the paranormal characters that inhabit the house. I thought Orlando did a great job making each ghost unique in their own ways.

I did think this story went significantly darker into some "real" (as opposed to paranormal) subjects than I expected going in, and I do think that you should look up trigger warnings if you need to. These parts of the story caught me off guard a little bit as the story went on.

I thought this book was beautifully written and clearly had a bit of a deeper meaning amongst the horror elements. I was surprised to see this is a debut, and I look forward to seeing what else Orlando will write in the future!

Overall, this was a solid spooky read with some real-life horror, some paranormal horror, some gore, and a spectacularly haunted house. It felt original and fresh, and I would definitely recommend it!

The September House by Carissa Orlando is a fantastic haunted house story. It is bit on the gory side for my taste, but it serves a purpose. I believed the unbelievable experience that the protagonist was living through and was curious to see how Orlando would manage a satisfying ending. I saw it going a couple of different ways, but not the way it actually went.

One of the strengths of the novel is its dark humor. Less skilled writers overplay humor until it becomes cringe-worthy or numbing. The dark humor in The September House is well done and oddly relatable. What exhausted woman wouldn't mind the help of a ghost housekeeper who never complains and always has a cup of tea ready, even if her head has been cleaved by an axe?

I also appreciated the real-world challenges like alcoholism, abuse, and strained relationships. Sometimes haunted house stories can get so myopic that the world disappears (which can be good when it is intentional), but Orlando manages to keep this story firmly grounded in the real world, as odd as that sounds. As one of the characters says, "What I think is so neat about horror movies . . . is that they shine a light on what we think is scary. Not just ghosts and demons, but what we find really scary.”

Although things get very gory toward the end, it was a satisfying ending for me with a good message. This is a twisty, original tale that hangs tight. It's Orlando's debut novel, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

This was the perfect read for spooky season! I loved the way this all unfolded. I listened to the audio as well and the narration was perfect! I really liked the main character and I loved how the house was sort of its own character. I really loved this one and highly recommend, especially the audio, for anyone looking for a good mystery/thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

The September House by Carissa Orlando
Pub date: September 5, 2023

This is a page turner that was an absolute delight to read. Well-written, multi-layered and complex; it’s a showstopper of a debut!

When Margaret and Hal find the Victorian home of their dreams, they can’t believe they can afford it. That is, until September rolls around and the wall begin seeping blood. It’s just a bit at first, a little seeping here, a little dripping there but before too long, it’s all out chaos complete with spooks that do a little more than go bump in the night.

Margaret loves her home and if it comes with a bad month once a year, she can live with that. Hal, not so much. This is where the intricate nature of the story comes in. Secrets and family drama play into this eerie story beautifully.

Darkly humorous (seriously) with a complex and twisty plot! I can’t stop recommending this one!

My thanks to Berkley Publishing for this gifted DRC!

A perfect read for spooky season! I alternated between the audiobook and e-book and enjoyed both formats but the audiobook narrator especially was phenomenal and really helped set the atmosphere. The dark humor tone in the beginning was unexpected but I felt like it got more frightening as the story went on and really made you wonder what was really going on. It was unsettling, surprising and grisly and I couldn’t put it down! 4.5⭐️

SERIOUSLY OBSESSED with this book. I don't want to give anything away because it'll literally ruin the whole book but...woah. It's a ride.

#bookhangover

Thank you to Netgalley for my arc!

The September House was the perfect book to start this month with. It is equal parts spooky, gruesome, and dark humor with a splash of family drama. It is an exceptionally fun read that is unsettling enough to be a Spooky Season must-read.

I have posted this review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw3KCgBgrUH/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5815643147

And Amazon.

This book was a WILD ride! It was creepy and definitely had me looking around when it was dark.

I found myself questioning everything and not knowing who to trust. And I loved every minute.

Cannot give much more info without spoiling, but highly recommend for spooky season!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Let's Talk Books Promo for an ARC and allowing me to be a part of this Berkley Buddy Read!

Step inside The September House, if you dare.

Let's divide this up:

The first third was fun, eerie, and creepy.

The second third was a little dragged out/repetitive for me, but still good.

The final third was fasten-your-seatbelts wild!

I love that this was much more than a haunted house story. We have character depth and plot complexities that add an emotional layer to the horror.

And now I will be watching my walls closely, just in case!

*Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the free copy!*

“The September House,” Carissa Orlando’s debut novel, offers a delightfully dark, entertaining, and unique reading experience. I can't believe this is a debut!

Margaret resides in her dream home, but things have taken a sinister turn, especially during the month of September, which brings forth unrelenting horrors. Margaret is determined to stay in the house but her husband Hal cannot deal with the relentless nightly screams of spirits and unexpected encounters with the ghost of a young boy who bites. Fed up with this weird living situation decides to leave.

Enter Katherine, the daughter. The sudden departure of her father surprises Katherine who had never visited the home her parents had occupied for the past four years. She is determined to uncover the reason behind her father’s departure.

This is a highly engaging and spine-tingling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making you want to keep the lights on at night. Margaret’s character is particularly compelling, with her jaded attitude and inner monologues toward the paranormal occurrences in her home adding depth to the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a book. First, a haunted house. Second, Margaret is an unreliable and broken narrator who slowly unravels her history and relationship with her husband, Hal, as the story goes on. This left me questioning if her view of experiences truly matched reality. Third, there is a bit of a mystery regarding her missing husband. This all blends in one crazy ride.

Margaret’s lack of concern and continual complacent reaction to the haunting and Hal’s disappearance hint heavily at her past and her pain. When her daughter Katherine arrives in a rage eager to locate her missing father, readers become aware of the level of trauma within the family. Margaret eventually reveals more of the reality of their past and the history of the house. I think this really worked in the books favor. As some of the information is easy to gather through examination of Margaret’s behavior and reactions, readers do not receive a true view of what is truly happening until much later. Once the book comes to a semi climax, I questioned Margaret’s mental state. Then it turns, just as everything was tying up. Reality crashed hard against the assumptions presented in the book eventually throwing readers into a horrific scene and battle.

The ending did not disappoint. I found myself cheering for the characters and the hope that resonated through the ending. Overall, the book is very well written. The author’s choice to reveal information about Margaret, her family, and the house worked well to create the atmosphere of the book. The characters are also well developed. Furthermore, they show growth through the book. In the end, there is resolution to the haunting and hope of healing for both Margaret and her daughter.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the haunting was somewhat in your face, while the other parts of Margaret’s life remained a bit of a mystery. The author craftily doles out pieces of information bit by bit which kept me questioning the narrator and the situation. In addition, Margaret’s ‘I’m fine. Follow the rules. Everything can be survived’ left an unsettling feeling while also pulling the focus from the horror and moving into some strong character and story development.

This was a VERY slow paced book and I didn’t really care for any of the characters. The missing husband was an abusive alcoholic, the daughter is obnoxious and Margaret’s determination to stay in a haunted house that is causing her physical harm was unreal.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
BUT the last 20% was SO good! That’s when the action really started! I thought I had predicted one twist but I was so wrong. I wish there was more action throughout the book but it definitely ended with a bang.

I received this from the publisher. I enjoyed the story, Olof and characters. I thought it was completely unique and thought the ending was quite interesting. For me the ending was a little long but in understood why each person had their part to play. I will put a warning that most if the end is very gross horror. So if you don’t like descriptive gross stuff you might want to pass on this one.

This booked grabbed me from the very first pages. Margaret and Hal bought their dream house but find that every September it becomes their worst nightmare. For 30 days blood pours from the walls, birds fling themselves at the house in suicidal mania, the “pranksters”, ghosts of murdered children, torment them but as of October 1 everything is fine. Margaret, the narrator, adores the house and as such has set up all sorts of mental rules that help her deal with the yearly trauma. Hal has left. Now Margaret’s daughter has come for a visit as it turns out Hal is missing and Margaret’s rules begin to break down as she tries to shield Catherine from the danger. This was a masterpiece in psychological thriller/horror. Margaret’s dry humor was perfect. I also listened to the audiobook so I could keep reading in the car and the reader had the perfect voice. Great for fans of Grady Hendrix !
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC and Libro.fm for the ALC. My opinions are my own.

I added The September House to my spooky TBR months ago, and was even more excited for this campy horror debut, after watching the Booked With Berkley: Monsters and Mayhem event.

I buddy read this with my husband, who is not a reader and this was a very big deal in our house because we have been married 16 years and this is the first book that held his interest and he loved it! Spoiler alert: so did I.

It was the perfect haunted house story that I have been wanting for years!

WHAT TO EXPECT
-such a fun ride!
-reminded me of the tv show Ghosts
-solid creepy hauntings

🎧I paired the physical book with the audiobook, and loved the narration just as much as the book. I thought narrator Kimberly Farr was great, and that she played the voice or Margaret perfectly.

*many thanks to Berkley, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

**4.5-stars rounded up**

The September House, a debut novel from Carissa Orlando, is delightfully dark, entertaining and unique. Perfect for fans of Rachel Harrison and T. Kingfisher. I was blown away and completely impressed by this!!!

Having received a copy of this month ago, by the time I got around to it, I had forgotten what it was about. Instead of re-reading the synopsis, I decided to jump straight in. That was a great decision and I highly recommend going into this knowing as little as possible. Clear your mind and just dive in. You won't be disappointed.

In fact, I am so committed in this belief that even I, the over-sharer that I am, am going to say as little as possible about this plot. I will say that it follows a woman, Margaret, and you get told the story fully from her perspective.

Margaret is living in her dream home. From the curb, it's enviable, but things have slowly gotten out of hand. Mainly in September. Septembers are hell. Fed up with the living situation, Margaret's husband, Hal, leaves.
Surprised by her Dad's sudden absence, their daughter, Katherine, who has never visited the home her parents have lived in for the past four years, decides to pay a visit. She's determined to figure out why her Dad left.

Katherine is suspicious as heck. Why would her Dad just leave, and why won't her Mom provide her with any substantive information? What happened?

I absolutely love how Orlando chose to write this story. Being inside Margaret's head as you learn the truth about the house and the things happening there was completely engaging. I was surprised how quickly it kicked off, dropping us right into the heart of it.

Additionally, I loved Margaret's narrative voice. There was such nuance to it; it was funny, charming and completely heartbreaking at the same time, as all is revealed. The introduction of Katherine into the house was an absolute delight as well.

I always find mother-daughter relationships interesting, but this one felt particularly well done. They are completely different people and at first, I thought, 'well, I can see why they really haven't visited much in the past four years.'

Katherine can seem a bit abrasive and honestly, at times, Margaret's a bit doormat-ish for my tastes, but as the story evolves, and you learn their history, the true nature of their relationship was laid bare. I was moved by it. Their relationship felt real to me. I became completely invested in them. It's funny, even with all the horror elements, the truth behind Margaret and Katherine's lives was the thing that almost broke me.

So yeah, the horror. Let's discuss. This is a Horror novel, after all and boy, did Orlando impress me with her grasp of horror imagery and her ability to bring it to the page. If this is Orlando's debut, I cannot way to read her next book, and her next and her next, and so on and so forth, for what I know will be a long and successful career.

If you love haunted house stories, but are looking for something fresh, powerful and also slightly humorous, you absolutely, positively, definitely need to pick this up.

You might be wondering why I didn't give it a full 5-star rating if I am swooning about it this much. My only slight nit-pick criticism is that somewhere, around the middle, there were times it felt slightly repetitive and dragged just a wee bit for me personally. Nevertheless, a sensational debut. I am super stoked to read more from Carissa Orlando. I hope she stays in this lane, the deep, Cozy Horror vibe of this story is something I always enjoy and seek out.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This will remain in my mind for a long time to come!