A man, his wife, and young son move into a new house, in a new sub-division. Upon moving in, they quickly realize that there are many problems with the house. Trent, the husband is determined to fix the issues, but they end up consuming him after he finds a Youtube channel called Handyman Hank.

Yeah... I was not a fan of this. I hated Trent, the husband, which I think was the point through out, but even when he was first introduced he gave me the ick. I thought it was very slow paced, and I was bored through out the majority of it. I did like the ending, which is why I gave it a two star in the end, but for the majority of the story it was a one star read for me.

If animal torture/death is a trigger for you, avoid this book. I would like to know what turtles ever did to Nick Cutter.

3.5 Stars

***

The Saban family is very excited to move in to their new home in the rural, unfinished subdivision of their dreams. Well, at least Trent and his son Milo are, his wife Rita seems less sure about everything. As they begin their new lives, Trent sees a crack forming in the wall of their walk in closet (he is upset about the shoddy workmanship). After searching online, Trent comes upon a home improvement channel to help him with the crack and all the other issues that begin to arise, the show is called Handyman Hank. At the same time, Milo becomes obsessed with a new kids show on his tablet, Blue. Soon, Trent is fully immersed in his home improvements, but to the point where it is overdoing it and there seems to be something sinister lurking in the walls of their new home.

This book tackled a lot of family issues. We have toxic masculinity, too much screen time, overworked parents, loss of family togetherness, insecurities, etc. Trent is off work due to an incident with a fellow coworker, in which he was hailed a hero. So, while he is home Rita is now the sole provider and is taking on extra work in order to afford their new home and Trent's new home improvement obsessions. Because she is always working, Trent is meant to be caring for Milo, but as he dives deeper into home improvements Milo is left to himself and his increasingly strange and intimate show Blue.

As Trent works he becomes more and more toxic. Handyman Hank seeps into him and he begins to show signs of abuse towards Milo and Rita. Trent also begins to pick fights with other men who he believes he is better than. He buys a new truck for status reasons. This is very much a scathing indictment of how our society has created an environment that is hostile to everyone within it. There are expectations placed on father's, mother's, children, families, that are seemingly impossible to achieve and are actually awful. Why do men need to be the ones who fix things? Why are women meant to please? Our outdated societal norms create tension and anger within family units and cause breakdowns, break ups, or worse.

There is a lot to be said as well about the amount of time that the son spends on his tablet watching a seemingly innocent children's show. As the book progresses the show becomes more and more sinister and Blue's voice more and more whimsical (as it suggests increasingly absurd or scary things for Milo to do). Showing the very real truth of some parents' having no idea what their children are watching. Those parents' that see animations or puppets that seem to be cute and kind and cuddly and automatically accept the show, without actually taking in the program with the child. It just shows how scary it is to be a parent in the age of technology, when it is so easy for a child to find the wrong thing or watch the wrong thing. Especially with unmonitored and uninterrupted screen time.

The horror in this book was good. It was slow paced, which is my favourite kind. I enjoyed the gradual reveal of the evil within the house. The subtle ways in which the family is pushed towards the brink. The dolls, the electronics, Handyman Hank and Blue. The audiobook is especially good with the voices of Hank and Blue, which added a level of dread and fear. Also, the idea of being coerced without knowing, of something subliminally controlling you to the point of you succumbing to torture, hair raising. And the twist, the twist! Just when you thought you might be safe, you find out that maybe the trust you placed in certain people was misguided.

<Spoiler Alert>
I am still unsure about the end. Rita choosing to save Trent means that this evil is released on the world. Are we saying that people should be selfish instead of caring about the greater good? Is one man's life more important than everyone else? Because Trent was good at heart he deserved better? Or was this book more about taking back the family unit? I felt this could have addressed community versus individuality, as this family was so isolated from all of those around them. But, instead it ends with their choosing individuality. So, yes I was glad at the end that this family was able to stay together and fight their way out, but then confused by the implications of this wife choosing her husband's life at the expense of the rest of the world.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sorry for the delay.

I finally read The Handyman Method and in all honesty, I wish I'd read it sooner. While I didn't enjoy this at the current moment, when I was in my horror phase a few months ago I would have gobbled this up!

This book is creepy and gross. There's a scene with a turtle and if you're squeamish or have triggers around violet scenes around animals, maybe skip that part. Honestly, the scenes were well written and descriptive, just not what I'm going for right now.

Make sure to check trigger warnings if you're someone who wants them!

I have never read a book from this author before but always heard good things! Maybe this wasn’t the one to start with as I found it hard to get into and hold my attention

I tried very hard to get into The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan but in the end it ended up not really being for me. This book came at a time when I was really feeling a horror read and the concept sounded very interesting to me so I was very much looking forward to diving in. However, there was something about the writing style, or perhaps in large part the point of view this book followed that had me stopping frequently and struggling to go on. I felt there was just too much time spent in the characters head with erratic, nonsensical thoughts that really didn’t feel like they added anything of substance or meaning to the story and had me very much disliking the character in question. It was too much like telling rather than showing with it focusing so much on his thoughts, and at that thoughts that really didn’t seem to provide anything in the way of story. There was a lot of meaningless cursing and again, just telling the reader everything without actually lending anything to the plot. This ended up being a DNF for me as much as a hated to do so, so I don’t feel right in giving a real rating as I didn’t complete the book and therefore couldn’t fully make a judgement on the entirety of this book in that way.

I was super excited for this horror story, but my excitement waned the more I read. One thing I loved was all the gore, and the beginning third of the story. It reminded me a bit of "Amytiville Horror." As I read on though, I didn't feel anything for the characters, and I felt like the story was dragging on longer than needed or filled with filler plot. This was originally a short story, so that was probably why. I would recommend this if you like the haunted house trope, but this book just wasn't for me. 5/5⭐ for the spooky cover though!

2.5/5 Stars

I really loved the premise and there were a handful of good creepy moments, but overall this one was just okay for me and not a standout.

Well, I gotta be honest…I did not enjoy this one at all. I’m a huge lover of the horror genre and this immediately seemed unsettling and creepy, so I thought I was in for a treat. But I actually found it to be too much for me (and that’s saying something).

I felt that the descriptions were too gruesome and gross. Not only that, but I often got confused about what was happening. I picture a book similarly to a movie in my head as I’m reading, but my thoughts were getting all scrambled up with the descriptions and I didn’t know what was happening.

I also find that I struggle with books written by male authors sometimes because their characters make me uncomfortable. That happened to me with this book. I absolutely hated the MMC and I didn’t even want to read things from his POV because I was so weirded out by him.

Overall, I felt equal parts bored and unsettled. This one wasn’t for me, but I’m sure it will be a winner for others!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!

I'll never look at a turtle the same way again. Or an iPad, possibly. Any home renos - I'm out.
Prepare to be disturbed, chuckle, raise your eyebrows in shock, and perhaps grossed out by The Handyman Method!
Thank you to Smon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my eARC for review.
Authors Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan take readers into an entirely different house of horrors.
It's a new build that Trent, wife Rita, and son Milo have recently moved into. The place is a bit of a lemon, and Trent embarks on fixing the house's issues himself - with the help of a random set of YouTube videos from Handyman Hank.
But it's not only ghosts that can haunt a house. What Trent finds are not really anything we've ever seen. There's some uniquely unsettling imagery created here. Though a different setting, I definitely felt some vibes of The Shining.
If your spooky reading season has already started, or it takes place year-round like mine - recommended!
Released on Aug. 8.

Co-written by Nick Cutter (The Troop, The Deep) and Andrew F. Sullivan (The Marigold), The Handyman Method dives deep into the depths of a new home, welcoming a young family with destructive insecurities. Built around a classic haunted house trope with additional twists to introduce a new form of terror, it explores the detrimental nature of toxic masculinity and its omnipresence within patriarchal households, especially in regard to the world of home improvement. Despite severe flaws in mythos-building and an anticlimactic resolution, an engrossing writing style and solid pacing makes this latest tale of horror quite entertaining without, unfortunately, being memorable.

Trent Saban, his wife Rita, and their son Milo move into their newly constructed home in an unfinished development community. Upon discovering vices within their house, from severe cracks in the wall and a sinking foundation, Trent takes it upon himself to bring into play the manly fixes that their new life requires from him. Turning to videos online, especially with the help of a specific channel hosted by Handyman Hank, who, disturbingly, somehow also has solutions to more than just home improvement problems, he finds himself compelled to test his newly-found DIY instructions. While little Milo is also absorbed by his own videos of Little Boy Blue and Rita hides a terrifying secret throughout this new chapter in their lives, their new home unravels horrors that not even their pet turtle Morty will be spared of.

There’s nothing like a dysfunctional family to get things going. Right from the get-go, the family dynamics establishes the emotional frustrations between Trent and his wife Rita, clearly putting their son in the middle of their blatant insecurities. Trent’s highly volatile toxic masculinity is portrayed explicitly, especially through his internal thoughts and the lessons he tries to teach his impressionable son. Through the joint writing efforts of Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan, the characters are vibrant and effortlessly convey their attitude through their tone and behaviour. Although they don’t go through any elaborate character development, they make for some entertaining puppets to the unfolding terror within their new home.

The horror story is where the disappointment really begins. It kicks off having you glued to the pages, curious to see what lies under the planks, what lurks behind the walls, what’s hidden deep in the foundation itself. Building up the emotional tension between the characters and hinting at this weird terror breathing within their new home, it disappointingly does more in criticizing toxic masculinity through Trent’s character and his shenanigans than the supernatural evil within their residence. The evil entity introduced into the story is barely explored, simply presented without much mythos-building. Even more maddening is the anticlimactic final act, with characters simply assuming their fates without much reasoning or questioning of reality, and a ridiculously simple resolution that condemns the whole story into oblivion. Had the plot taken more time in elaborating this evil and further expanding the horrors towards the end, this could’ve been more than what it turned out to be.

The Handyman Method is a riveting yet frustrating haunted house story hinged around toxic masculinity and home improvement.

I thought Nick Cutter's 2014 horror tale, The Troop, was a great read. I read the premise of his latest novel, The Handyman Method, and thought it looked intriguing. And the cover is eye catching.

Okay, I'm going to be somewhat obtuse here as I don't want to spoil things for you.

Trent, Rita, and their young son, Milo move into a new subdivision. And their new house is...well it's the only one there. Trent is between jobs, as they say. When he sees an item that needs attention in his new house, he decides to undertake the repair himself. And like many of us, he turns to the internet to find some guidance. And he stumbles across upon Handyman Hank's site. And the weirdness begins. At home and out in the world. Specifically big box DIY stores. As odd as it sounds - these bits were darkly humorous and decidedly true. Cutter skewers toxic masculinity through the big box, the website and another program that pops up on Milo's computer. Quite frightening for sure. There are a number of other dark events and pieces.

But. Yes, there's a but for me. The Handyman Method started down avenues that I understand are 'horror', but I found them to be things I didn't want in my head. Misogynistic comments that were truly vile. A doomed turtle. The plot seemed to feel repetitive and I decided to take a break from the book. I came back to it, but realized my opinion hadn't changed. I fast forwarded my way to the final chapters to see what answers the ending might bring.

So, it's a rare DNF for me. I do know there's lots of others who quite enjoyed The Handyman Method, so check out the other reviews on Goodreads.

I loved the descent into madness that the MMC Trent takes but hated his character. I think for the right reader, this will be a 5⭐️ read. I was not the right person for this. There was a lot of description that I just couldn’t for the life of me imagine and that really took me away from the story. So if you love horror and have a great imagination, then you should definitely check this one out.

The haunted house trope is one of the oldest ones around. It has come to a point where authors need to raise the bar with how they treat the trope: where do they go with it, and how do they make it their own. Cutter and Sullivan accomplished this and then some.

I loved the relationship between Trent and Handyman Hank. I was one hundred percent on board with Trent’s frustration at the shoddy workmanship and lack of attention to detail in his brand-new house. But Handyman Hank was there to show him the ropes, to show Trent how to expertly handle these DIY jobs like a boss. The relationship between the two slowly evolved and the creep factor kept on rising. The build-up was amazing.

The Handyman Method isn’t just about Trent and Hank. Trent’s family has some well-kept secrets. These secrets are slowly revealed, adding to the drama and suspense. I was shocked at some of the revelations that came out over the course of The Handyman Method. There is some serious stuff going on here.

The Handyman Method is a slow-building horror, it lulls the reader into a comfortable, been there, done that spot and methodically builds into a what-the-hell-is-going-on place that shocks the reader with the deceptions. A really great time!

*5 Stars

2.5 stars

The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan is a horror novel about a family that moved into a new housing development.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Trent Saban, his wife Rita, and their 9-year old son Milo move into their new home in an unfinished residential development.  Trent, a lawyer,  is on leave after an incident in the office.  His wife, a senior partner in the same firm, is still working.

Trent has plenty of time at home to fix a few things around the house, inspired by Handyman Hank, who he found on a YouTube channel.  Hank is a "man's man", and soon Trent takes on all of his nasty traits.

Meanwhile, son Milo has been watching his own videos, and is building things that couldn't possibly work, but do.


My Opinions:
At different points in this book, I wanted to quit.  The death or suffering of ANY animal is repulsive to me, so points were lost there.  Then, there was a lot of misogyny, and DIY projects (and Home Depot -- where I gladly go with my husband to buy plants, but not daily).

The book is about a man's descent into madness, which  I believe,  started before they moved into a demonic/haunted house.  The house itself was probably the main character, and that was the real horror.  Unfortunately I didn't like ANY of the characters...and if I can't cheer for someone, why bother.  Trent was a disaster before the move to the house, Milo was just a kid (and often a brat), and Rita went along with everything.  I actually came close to liking Rita.  Occasionally, both Trent and Rita showed compassion for their son, but more often than not, Milo was either on his own, or being man-handled.  Rita, of course, had many secrets.

Now, for the good things.  The actual writing and imagery was really good.  I was surprised it was written by two people -- they collaborated very well.   And the plot was definitely horror-based.  So, overall, if you like a good horror story, and don't mind misogynistic and despicable characters, you will probably like this one.

I will probably be in the minority, but this one was just not for me....and I was really hoping for a new horror writer (or two) to follow, so I am disappointed.

Nick Cutter is one of my favourite horror authors. His books are always so atmospheric and get under your skin. This was no exception. I adored how things unfolded at this creepy sinking house and the twists !! I absolutely have to read more from Andrew F Sullivan now.

Unfortunately this was not a hit for me:( I did not like the MC’s and just couldn’t get over the 6 old speaking like an adult. I did love the Amityville vibes though.

Let’s talk The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew Sullivan.

First off, wow! Just wow. This book is intense.

I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book.

Two characters come to mind reading this: Mike Holmes on Homes and Bluey. They are all I pictured.

This book really addresses trauma one person can go through and how quickly life can escalate. The thrill factor had me in so many aspects. Such a read! Do not look past this book!

Wow - just - wow!

5/5 - no hesitation! So honoured I received an early copy of this book to review. Thank you @simonschusterca and @NetGalley and thanks Andrew F Sullivan for reading my DMs about my love of this book.

#TheHandymanMethod #NetGalley #horrorfiction #bookreccomendations #bookrecs #bookish #bookstagram #horrorbooks #horrorlit #thrillerbooks @afsulli

Going to go with a 3.5 for this one, rounded up to 4 stars for goodreads.

I became an instant fan of Nick Cutter after reading ‘The Troop’, I was completely addicted to his fantastic writing and completely engrossing storytelling , so obviously had to pick this book up immediately. But damn, Nick Cutter .., what do you have against turtles ?! 😭🐢

I love a good haunted house story and when you add some insanity and gore into it the creep factor skyrockets. There’s no doubt that this book setting is CREEP AF! But unfortunately the story as a whole just seemed to have a hard time progressing and moving forward. At times I felt lost and disconnected with what was happening. I also just felt underwhelmed with the way everything tied up at the end.

Overall I definitely wish I enjoyed this more but am so glad I got the opportunity to read it too.

Pub day : August 8th, 2023

The premise is great and it is what kept me going. Where my problem lies though is in the dialogue between Trent and Rita, and also sometimes Milo. It did not seem naturally flowing, it almost felt cartoonish? I wasn't enjoying reading their speaking parts because of it. I also couldn't connect with the characters, which made me not really care what happened to them or what they were going to do next. The technology part was cool though, I really liked the Youtube video tie-in, and the parts with Milo and his iPad going all creepy. It gave me Poltergeist vibes, which I liked a lot.

This is a story about an evil house, possession and destruction. It centers on the Saban family – Trent, Rita, and their young son, Milo. After Trent’s fiasco at work, the Sabans decided to start a new life somewhere and ended up buying a fixer-upper in an isolated neighbourhood. This house needs a lot of repair and Trent seeks some assistance and advise from a YouTuber known as Handyman Hank. This is where all craziness begins, and it is a wild ride till the end!

The story building is slow but chilling. There are quite a bit of gory details which could be triggering to some readers. I liked the setting, and the plot was okay for me. However, some parts did feel quite repetitive, and you do have to keep going because the twist was shocking and not something I expected!

I am still unsure how I feel about this book. There were parts that I liked and disliked equally. Regardless, I am glad that I’ve read this book.

Pub. Date: August 8th, 2023

***Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for this gifted reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***