4.5 ⭐️'s. I received this ARC months ago, and I am mad at myself for letting it sit unread on my Kindle for so long. Incidents Around the House is phenomenal. It touches on so many heavy themes told through the lens of a child. It would make an excellent book club read. There is so much to discuss and interpret - especially the ending!

What I loved 💕📚
Malerman's writing is eerie and unsettling from cover to cover. Most horror books take a little while to build up the terror, but this gets your heart racing immediately. I also enjoyed the weird format. It took a second to adjust to the writing style, but once I did, it made the story more engaging and addictive.

What I could have done without 🚫📚
Some daunting monologues are sprinkled throughout the fast-paced plot. Thankfully, these scenes were few and far between, but they shifted the book from a creepy thrill ride to a patronizing lecture. To be fair, the context was usually a parent attempting a life lesson speech to their young daughter, but once you learn about the mom and dad, you'll see they are the last people on the planet to be offering any advice 😬. The weird rants are the only reason I shorted the book half a star, and it is because those moments pulled me out of an otherwise captivating story.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Incidents Around the House. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it!

Huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Netgalley, and of course Josh Malerman for this ARC.

I loved this book. I found myself lost in the imagery and I had to put it down quite a bit cause I got scared at multiple points in this book.

Eight year old Bela has a complicated relationship with an entity found living in her closet. She refers to her as 'Other Mommy', which is terrifying and complex on so many levels. Her Mom and Dad (Mommy and Daddo) have their own complications to sort through, and Grandma Ruth is never too far behind to help wade the rough waters.

Here are the things I loved:
-Bela, for one. We are getting this story from her POV, which I am down with an eight year old narrating a story. It gives an unreliable, questioning voice that sends you in your own whirlwind.
-The relationships. I love complications, so that led the way. But I love Grandma Ruth and her interactions through the book. I felt the the timing of her stories and advice was really well thought out.
-The imagery. Josh Malerman makes me feel like I am sitting front row of a horror movie of my life playing out right in front of me. Though this book is worlds different from BirdBox, I had that same feeling, only this one hit me a little harder in the spooky center of my brain.

Here is the ONE thing I didn't love:
This happens super early on in the book so I don't consider this to be an actual spoiler, HOWEVER, my only fear with sharing my thought here is that it might make someone else dislike this for no reason other than the fact that it was pointed it out. That being said.. I have blocked it out incase you want to skip over.
Parts of this story are told from the Mom and Dad's POV, in the way that they are putting Bela to sleep for the night, and they start talking to themselves, which gives Bela more of a clue of her parents life, outside of her eight year old perspective. So, I get it, with this being told from her perspective, however, I have trouble imagining myself doing that - talking about grown up stuff out loud in front of my eight year old. Whereas what was being said was important to story, I am just not sure how I feel about the way the information was given.

Overall, I am so happy I had a chance to read this ARC. I am looking forward to June 25th, so that Josh Malerman can give you some of the same nightmares he has just given me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication! My review will appear on my blog on 5/29/24. I will also feature the review on Instagram that same day and post my review to Goodreads, The Storygraph, Fable, and retail sites.

Review:

I looooove a good haunting/ghost story, especially when they color outside the lines. I've read so many of these types of novels that I can be hard to impress, but that was not the case with Josh Malerman's "Incidents Around the House." In this book, readers are taken on a chilling journey through the lens of eight-year-old Bela, whose new friend, "Other Mommy," is not at all the safe imaginary friend the adults in her life think she might be. From the very first page, Malerman's creative storytelling immediately pulls you into the dark and twisted world of Bela's sweet on the surface but dysfunctional at the core family, and it's not long before the lines between reality and nightmare begin to blur.

As with most children, Bela's family is everything to her. On the surface, everything seems great for the most part, even though Mommy and "Daddo" occasionally disagree, and sometimes Mommy comes home smelling like other people. Bela is very observant, and though her parent's behavior sometimes confuses her, she relishes the fun times when they're all together as a family, laughing, cuddling, and playing games.

When "Other Mommy" opens Bela's closet door one night and says "Hello," it frightens Bela, but the more Other Mommy comes around, the more Bela begins to warm up to her. But then Other Mommy asks Bela a haunting question: "Can I go inside your heart?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the novel, and as the incidents around the house escalate, Bela realizes that saying no to Other Mommy may come at a terrible cost. Malerman expertly weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering whether Other Mommy can be stopped and, if not, who will ultimately pay the price for Bela's decision.

One of the most striking aspects of this novel is Malerman's ability to capture the innocence and vulnerability of a child while simultaneously exploring themes of family, love, and sacrifice. Typically, when we read novels about hauntings or possessions, we see them through an adult lens. There was something very unsettling reading about it through the innocent perspective of a child. Bela is at the age where she is bordering on the wonder of early childhood and that time when we start to become a little more perceptive and notice subtle differences - especially in the way adults behave. She's starting to pick up on things that don't seem right between her parents and trying to reconcile that with how she used to see the world. When Other Mommy first appears, it's scary, but Other Mommy seems friendly enough and offers Bela a sense of comfort. Still, Bela feels that something isn't quite right, but she can't fully comprehend the horror about to unfold within her home.

Malerman's creative approach keeps the plot engaging. The palpable tension and suspense create a sense of unease that lingers long after the final chapter. Several scenes had my skin crawling (hello toilet scene!), but about 2/3 of the way into the novel, it all started to feel repetitive and stalled out a bit. I felt like I'd already experienced several scenes and craved some forward movement. I was also a little annoyed with the author's stylistic choices (no quotation marks and no paragraph breaks when the adults would speak for extended lengths of time.) I realize he was trying to frame it like a kid might frame a story, but it didn't quite land for me. Still, it wasn't enough to completely ruin my overall enjoyment.

This is a chilling, unforgettable novel that will leave your mind spinning. I'll be thinking about it for a while. If you're a fan of unconventional horror narratives that push boundaries, this book needs to be on your radar. Leave a light on while reading and prepare to be terrified and ultimately moved by this tale of a family that is haunted in more ways than one.

I have not read a book this terrifying in a long time. I was literally afraid to read it at night - when I typically read! There is something about the simplicity of the writing that inspires pure fear. The book is told from the child’s perspective and you learn and understand things as she would. The author gives just enough snippets from the parents to drive a more clear description of the haunting. It is utterly terrifying!! I think the less you know about the premise of the book, the better. This book is 5 stars all the way. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Very creepy and had me pulled in and unable to stop reading! Loved every second of this read - from the family dynamics and how they mirrored the horrors they faced, very well done

The book follows Bela, a young girl who used to have a friend called Other Mommy. Other Mommy would come to her at night, talk to her, make faces, and make her laugh. Other Mommy didn’t have a face like other people have faces either, oh no, hers was wrong, looked almost upside down. Her body was grotesquely large, and she doesn’t walk like a normal person, she’d slide around the floor, or hang from the closet. In other words—Other Mommy was fucking terrifying.

As time went on, Other Mommy got more and more daring with testing her and Bela’s friendship. She’d creep out more often, and asked Bela one question over and over again—Would Bela please let her into her heart? Bela gets more and more confused about her feelings towards Other Mommy, especially since Other Mommy can look and sound like other people, and doesn’t know what she should do.

Jesus. I’m creeped out just writing this review. Malerman has outdone himself with this novel, making a psychological horror that slowly drags you down into madness, not sure who or what to trust by the end. It reminded me of Coraline, where the other mom kept wanting to sew button eyes onto Coraline—but if Coraline was written for children, Malerman’s novel is written for only the strongest-willed. Might have to sleep with the lights on tonight (but it’s totally worth it).

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

Prepare to be utterly enthralled as you dive into this heart-pounding narrative that grips you from the very first page and refuses to let go. Experience the tension and suspense as you navigate the world through the eyes of a child, a perspective that adds a unique and captivating layer to the story. With every turn of the page, you'll find yourself holding your breath, fully immersed in the gripping tale spun by an author whose talent shines brightly. Just as with their previous work, prepare to be deeply moved and utterly spellbound by the raw emotion and spine-tingling fear that permeates every chapter. This is a reading experience that will leave you feeling exhilarated, seen, and utterly enthralled.

INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE
Forthcoming on June 25, 2024

You know the monster in the closet? Well, it’s real. At least it is for 8 year old Bela. When we meet her in Josh Malerman’s newest offering, she is coping as best she can with the nightly visits from an entity she calls Other Mommy. At first, OM seems like her friend. She hesitates to tell Mommy and Daddo about her. But as things escalate, it becomes evident that OM isn’t going anywhere, and in fact keeps pressuring Bela to allow her to”into her heart”.

Told exclusively from Bella’s point of view, this is a fast paced read, and at times really unsettling. A child in danger always tugs at the heartstrings and makes one that much more anxious about the danger the family is in. Daddo begins to wonder who Bela is talking to and eventually things blow wide open when Mommy actually sees Other Mommy on the edge of Bela’s bed. OM doesn’t look like a normal person. She can be huge, or small. Her eyes move all about her face. And she can speak in other voices. Voices that sound like people you know.

The creep factor here is very tangible, most likely because a child is presenting it to us.
The small family itself has already been going through some serious drama, even without the otherworldly haunting making their lives even worse. Mommy and Daddo have some weighty issues to work through, and without them mending fences it will make the situation that much more grave. They eventually have a showdown with the malevolent intruder, and it will take all their collective strengths to battle both the presence and their unhinged family status.

Anyone who loves haunted house stories or family dramas will enjoy this latest from the author of Bird Box, Pearl, and several other worthy horror tales. The story being told from Bela’s POV really adds to the realistic feel and was a refreshing change from heavy-handed horror drama.
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

The child-driven narrative reminds me of Room, and takes a quick adjustment. Sentences are short and simple, with dialogue indented in blocks with no quotes. It's easy to follow after a few pages. (if you didn't like the style of McCarthy's The Road, you might not love this)

I was often reminded of Neil Gaiman while reading, specifically Coraline and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
The Other Mommy reminded me, of course, of Coraline's Other Mother... While Gaiman creeped us out with button eyes and mirrored family, Malerman brings his Other Mommy (and her hairy arms) out of the closet where she creeps and into the home.

I found the beginning intriguing and downright creepy. As things move along the creep and curiosity remain high, but get bogged down by repetitive scenes and rambling monologues.
The ending was really ramping up to something......and then...felt like it was over top fast, leaving me a little confused.🦇

Overall this version of the novel successfully conveys dread, tension, sadness, and heart. I flew through this one and recommend it to the thriller/horror fan!

I can definitely see it as a film.

* I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review *

I really liked Incidents Around the House. A thriller/horror told from the POV of young Bela, who is being haunted by Other Mommy, and her family who wants to save her.

You’d think because the main character is a child (maybe seven? Eight?) it would be less terrifying, but Bela’s childlike view of the world makes all the stuff in this book 10 times scarier.

I still don’t totally understand what happened at the end, but I think that’s the point, even if it hurts a little.

I think any horror fan who doesn’t mind some interesting pacing/tone will like this book.

Bela lives with her Mommy Daddo and Other Mommy. No one can see Other Mommy but Bela until one day. Other Mommy only wants one little thing from Bela. A unique haunted house story full of surprises.

This was going great for me until the end.

I thought telling the story from the POV of a child was smart. It really upped the creep factor, and the entity managed to come across as genuinely frightening and unsettling because of it. The themes of the different meanings of being haunted weren't exactly new, but they came across well and lent some weight to such a fast-paced read.

But then the ending happened, and I was left completely and entirely disappointed. It happened way too quickly and ended way too abruptly and without any resolution, as if the whole book was a prologue or a set up for a sequel.

This book, amazing!!!

It’s almost has a feel like the Exorcist, but you’re looking at it through Reagan’s eyes.

You feel like you’re in Bella’s head.
You feel her fear.
You feel her torment as her family is going through this semi-unique struggle.

Other Mommy is so so creepy and gets creepier each time we see her.

Ok…this book was so creepy. I really enjoyed the POV from 8 year old Bela. Such a different experience reading about everything happening around her from her perspective. This book will have you checking your closet and wondering if anything lurks in the dark! Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this arc!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.

This story is written from the perspective of a child, which honestly was very hard to follow along with. There wasn’t any quotations when characters spoke and the conversations jumped back and fourth too much. Not having the quotations made it hard to follow along with at times. I do like that it’s from the child’s perspective, I think it needed to be told that way, but it still was very hard to read because of that.

I did get scared a few times throughout the book, however, I was extremely dissatisfied with the ending. It ended so abruptly that I was turning the page wondering where the next chapter was. I could 100% see this getting turned into a movie, which I think will make it easier for people to follow along.

For some reason I also thought it was too short. I feel like not a lot happened, and I think a big part of that is cause of how it ended.

I probably wouldn’t try to read this again, it was too difficult to keep up with.

Will be posted 5/4/24 on Instagram.com/michellereadsthrillers

📖 Review: Incidents Around The House by Josh Malerman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun haunting story and it actually creeped me out! Every crack/creak I heard around my house I swear something was coming to get me. 😂

👧🏼🏠👹👻

This story is from the POV of a child named Bela. Bela is haunted by an entity she calls “other mommy.” Whenever Bela is approached by other mommy she is asked “can I go into your heart?” Bela and her parents try their best to keep other mommy away but she is determined to get the answer to her question!

Pub Date: June 25, 2024

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for approving my request for this ARC!

#incidentsaroundthehouse #joshmalerman
#arcreader #arcbook #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #bookstagram #booklover #horrorbooks #readmorehorror

This book was amazing!! I could not put it down! At first the way the words are in the book when the little girl Bela speaks threw me off, but it gives so much character to the story! I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t wait to finish reading to find out what happens. It is one of the scariest books I have read. The details given in the book make it easy to picture everything. I wish this was a movie! This book had me addicted with the very first chapter. If you enjoy scary books, this one is for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book. I was so excited to read this because I loved Malerman's Bird Box so much. Unfortunately, Incidents Around the House fell flat for me, and I had a tough time getting through it. The story is told from the perspective of eight year old Bela. The actual book never states Bela's age, but it's states in the blurb that she is eight. At times, I felt she read as younger, like maybe, only five or so. There is a time when she mentions having a hard time reaching the potty, among other things. That doesn't seem right for an eight year old to me. I also didn't like that all of the dialogue was without quotation marks, but I thought I could overlook it if I got into the story. A lot of the hauntings got repetitive and just weren't that interesting after the first couple of times. The mom and dad characters also both were unlikable. The whole story, I was trying to figure out what was causing the haunting and how it could possibly be stopped. All of my guesses were wrong, but the actual reason was incredibly lame imo. Yes, it would be a big deal to a child living it, but to me, the reader, it was a snooze. The ending was also disatisfying and disappointing.

This was super creepy. I didn't love reading the story from the child's POV. Also, didn't love the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Malerman channels the creepiness of a Goosebumps book and the sense of wrongness of Coraline to make the monster in the closet scary again. This is one of the spine-tinglingest books I’ve read since I was a kid. I never felt comfortable with it in my hands. The child narrator and use of form gave this book a unique rhythm that added to the scares — kind of like how House of Leaves uses white space, but more musical than spacial. The characters are solid and complex as they guide us through moral quandaries and explorations of the magic of being a child and how we lose that magic as we age. Just a knockout book. Highly recommend. I imagine it’ll be incredible as an audiobook.