This story had me engaged from almost the beginning. There was enough creepy elements to keep me wanting more. I did like that it wasn’t the typical person from a scary movie who makes dumb decisions lol. I did find myself wondering if all the horror was exactly what it seemed, which I liked that about it. I liked both Harry and Gabe and found their relationship to be sweet. The setting made for a great spooky read! I went back and forth if I liked Javier or not, but I believe that is the point.

This book was a quick read and even if you don’t love horror or haven’t read much I think you would enjoy this without being too creeped out! I did think there could have been more horror elements in this story, and maybe a twist or two more. I read it in one sitting and still thought it was a fun, faced paced read. Overall I rated this one 3.5 stars

Read if you like:
👻 Creepy Reads
🔥 Slow burn plots
🏠 House Centered plot
🤰🏼 Single Mom’s

Lots of character development, dialogue, and chapters bouncing from past to present timelines regarding Harry’s backstory and her boss’s backstory. So there was a lot going on with this book!

This story was a love letter to horror enthusiasts and parts of it did creep me out. I loved the writing and the descriptions and the (minimal) spooky scenes, but this left a lot to be desired with its slow pacing and lack of plot development as it was really character driven.

Thanks so much Berkley for my ARC in exchange for my review!

This book was an atmospheric, paranormal horror story that really drew me in. I loved the setting of a horror movie director’s home where he kept props from all of his creepy movies. Harry was a great character, and I enjoyed her relationship with her son, Gabe. It felt honest and realistic for a single mother/teenage son dynamic. Their love of horror movies, especially the ones directed by the reclusive horror movie director, Javier, really made this story come together.

One thing I was hoping for was more of a scare factor. I love books set in creepy houses, and this had so much potential for being a fantastic haunted house story. There was some suspense, but I would have liked it to be more intense. The ending took a weird turn for me, and I really didn’t love it. I preferred the first 75% of the book with the slow build up and the mystery of what happened to Javier’s son and wife over the ending.

I loved the references to other horror movies and thought that was a nice touch to this story. If you’re looking for an eerie horror story this might be the book for you.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved everything about The House That Horror Built. When Harry takes a job cleaning for the reclusive horror filmmaker, Javier Castillo, she gets a little more than she bargains for when a film prop begins to show signs of live. Add in the knocking and strange voices, and Harry is a little freaked out, but she needs the job to provide for her son. When Harry and Gabe are forced to move into Javier Castillo's house, that's when things really get interesting, and I was frantically flipping pages, because I was at the point where I needed to know. When everything is revealed, it's the ultimate horror movie ending. No spoilers, but it was perfect.

Henry's writing is easy to get lost in - it's captivating and keeps you hooked. However, I feel like the entire middle section of this book could've been cut out, or Harry and Gabe should've moved into the house sooner. The interesting bits didn't pick up until the last two chapters and the ending felt detached from the characters.

Do you like to watch or read horror stories but too scaredycat to do it?

If yes, then The House that Horror Built is for you! Don’t let the title fool you! I swear that the scare factor is very low — there’s just enough chills and thrills to spook you, but nothing too extreme. I had a good time reading this paranormal mystery. Love the creepy mansion with horror movie props and posters! I would have liked to visit it if it opened as a museum. I also loved MC Harry and her relationship with her son, Gabe. My only complaint was that the ending was too abrupt for me. I would have appreciated an epilogue to tie the ending up nicely. Otherwise, this book was an entertaining mild horror story. Thanks to @berkleypub @netgalley for my eARC. This book is out today!💕

This is my first book by this author, and unfortunately, it was just okay. I found it repetitive and boring. If you are OK with a character-driven story, this may be for you. I was expecting more horror than we got.

The House that Horror Built by Christina Henry is brilliant horror, playing on familiar tropes and twisting them in new directions. She has a way of pulling you into the world she builds from the very first sentence and you empathize with Harry Adams immediately. The story builds slowly but that allows the dread and intrigue to bubble up and develop as the reader gains insight into the truths of the house.
One of the elements I loved the most was the use of movie references, how reminiscent the description of Javier’s films sound to other directors of horror, and how the genre is explored and discussed within the context of the novel. I also love how Daniel feels like a direct reference to a very familiar actor that I adore. I won’t tell you who but see if the character reminds you of anyone in the film industry. The use of movies and references to horror are part of what makes the narrative work, including the final revelations which are frankly brilliant. It is also brilliant the exposition in how women are treated by the media and by those in privilege, considered for their children or for how they can serve others rather than being seen for themselves and how often women convince themselves they are lesser than they deserve. The layers of the real world utilized within the novel are intriguing and will make readers think.
If you love stories with ghosts and intrigue, with a pacing that will make your heart race, then I know you will love Christina Henry’s The House that Horror Built. It is brilliant horror with smart exploration of themes of privilege and horror film references. The ending is a creepy revelation and I love the characters, especially as both Javier and Harry’s pasts are unveiled for the reader. It is a novel that will keep you up at night.

“Resentment is a familiar meal when you can’t afford contentment.”

Oh man I wanted to love this book. I was so excited to read it based on the synopsis but this one just failed to grab me. I am easily spooked and I have read some books that make me feel unsafe at night with the lights off. This one did not do that for me. Nothing really happens for the majority of the book and then it’s a rush to the finish.

Lisa Flanagan narrates the audiobook and she did a fabulous job! I think her narration is why I kept going with this story to be honest.

Thanks to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book wasn't entirely my cup of tea, but I think others will enjoy it, especially if you are just getting into horror, or you like horror, but nothing too extreme.

Harry is a single mom and working as a cleaning woman for a famous horror movie director. However, something isn't quite right in the home.

It was fairly easy to follow along with, but I felt like Harry ignored every red flag and they weren't really addressed. One of the major plot points was that she always heard banging and someone saying, "help me, help me," while she was at the home cleaning. I felt like it was odd that she just kind of ignored such a wild red flag and went about her business.

I also didn't really feel like anything happened until the very end of the book, and then everything happened all at once, so the pacing felt off to me. Overall, it wasn't entirely unenjoyable, it just wasn't my style.

Was so excited to be approved for this eARC and audio on @prhaudio.

The House that Horror Built has such a fun, unique, spooky premise - told from the point of view of a house cleaner, tasked with cleaning a famous horror director's props & memorabilia-filled home, who soon starts hearing and seeing things that can't be full explained away!
It was so interesting to learn about our main girl, Harry's backstory, while also showcasing her and her teen son's shared love of horror films! I also just love when filmmaking is tied into a book, and a horror book makes it even more fun.

However, I found this book to, ultimately, be incredibly predictable and repetitive and there was more talking about spooky stuff than there was actual spooky stuff happening.

I was really intrigued by the concept of this story--a spooky haunted house owned by an enigmatic horror director and a mother-son duo trying to parse through all of the secrets buried in the house's walls and owner--but ultimately I didn't really like this that much. I just wanted more from this story. When you sell me on weird horror director and their haunted house, I'm expecting a fair share of spooky and creepy moments. There were some--like a haunted costume--but there weren't enough. The horror-fandom moments were some of my favorite parts, I've gotta say. Also, when it came to the characters I didn't hate them, but I never felt much toward or about them.
Overall, this story was okay. It was fast-paced and not overly serious, but I do think it would have benefitted from leaning even harder into the genre--really scare me, creep me out, make me hold my breath in anticipation. I definitely think that previous fans of Henry's and people who want creepy-but-not-too-creepy will like this!

I'm a huge cinephile, so I love books about filmmakers (especially horror!) and the ghosts they carry with them. I thought the pacing was a little slow, but the scares were good. I disliked the ending, though. I saw it coming and it felt very rushed, especially since the rest of the book was basically a build-up. I wish the author had spent less time on the narrator's internal monologues and more time fleshing out the story. Overall, an enjoyable, but predictable, read.

I am a sucker for gothic haunted house horror so I was thrilled to get my hands on this book. It was a fast-paced, satisfying if shallow read, more suspense than horror.

The characters were stock but developed. I especially liked Harry and her backstory was interesting and really helped develop her character. The character of Javier changed throughout the book, and he seemed to act erratically, and I don’t know if that is because (spoiler) he’s the villain or what.

The action moved quickly, if predictably. A lot of time was spent on Harry worrying about relocating, when it was obvious that she and her son would end up in Javier’s house. There was nothing really unexpected or twisty that happened, and I was able to predict exactly where the story would go and what would happen. The ending was abrupt and didn’t feel well planned out.

This would be a good intro to horror for someone who is squeamish or isn’t really sure if they want to read horror. However, for someone who reads a lot of horror, this book will miss the mark. If it was revised to have fewer f-words, it would easily fit into the YA section, despite the main character being an adult. That’s how simplistic and formulaic the story was.

Despite these flaws, it was a quick and enjoyable if forgettable read.

I love a gothic, creepy house as a setting so that alone made me excited to read this book. Add to that Christina Henry’s talent for storytelling, and it was a no brainer! While the book delivers on the creepy vibes, the brooding mansion, and a celebration of horror movies, over all I found this book to be only okay. For me, it didn’t hold the same magic as some of Henry’s other books.

Harry Adams is a single mother struggling to support herself and her son Gabe paycheck to paycheck. When the pandemic hits (and yes, this is unfortunately another pandemic book), she takes an unconventional job working as a housekeeper for Javier Castillo. Javier is a renowned horror movie director who has turned reclusive. His home is filled with costumes and props from horror movies, adding to the creepy vibe of the book.

Javier also has some questionable things in his past, particularly surrounding his son Michael who went missing long before and had some other rumors surrounding him at the time. When Javier meets Harry’s son Gabe, the two bond. Gabe has always been obsessed with horror movies and he’s excited to be in the home of such a famous director. Javier also seems to adore Gabe, but the situation makes Harry uncomfortable and she feels like she needs to keep a little bit of distance.

In part this is because Javier is distinctly odd. He can be cold at times, but overly interested other times. He keeps plenty of secrets and his house is full of strange and often creepy objects. Sometimes Harry even can sense that something even more sinister is lurking in the walls.

Via Harry, Henry makes a lot of commentary on the discrepancies between the wealthy and the poor. Harry and Gabe may be forced out of their apartment, which she can already barely afford. It may mean an even longer commute, but she’s hoping not to pull Gabe out of his school. Harry is a good mother and the reader can see that. Javier’s lifestyle is out of touch for most people, something that is glaringly apparent in contrast to how Harry and Gabe live.

I found this book to be slow and somewhat tedious. Even though I felt sympathy for Harry, I didn’t connect with her at all. Javier may seem cold but Harry often does as well. All three of the central characters felt underdeveloped, particularly for how small of a cast there is in this novel and how much backstory we get on both Harry and Javier.

After a slow plodding novel without much action, the ending moves at warp speed and then abruptly ends. It’s certainly a shocking ending, but I didn’t think it had the impact intended. I felt confused like there should be another chapter or epilogue after. Past the 90% mark is too late for the book to gain traction, in my opinion.

I didn’t stop reading it and I think horror fans may enjoy the nods and references to the genre, particularly in the first half. The setting is well-developed but the characters were underdeveloped. I liked this novel but it wasn’t a favorite for me.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Penguin Random House for my copy. Opinions are my own.

This book was more paranormal mystery than horror, so don’t let the title scare you off if you’re not a horror reader. I love the main characters Harry and her son, Gabe. The pacing of the story kept me turning the pages, and the twists took me by surprise. This was a fun read! Christina Henry is a favorite author and I will continue to read anything she writes.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this wonderful story in advance!

Excellent atmosphere with the ghostly, creepy house full of horror movie memorabilia. I really enjoyed the bits of the story that focused on Harry's background and could have used a bit more of that. It succeeds in being creepy, but this isn't the first book from the author I'd recommend.

3.5 stars

I liked this one but didn't love it. The premise was great - a haunted house owned by a horror film director, and a young mother and her teenage son become tangled up in the home and owner's secrets. I wanted more scary moments - sure, the possessed costume was freaky, but I was never terrified or more than creeped out. I thought Harry was an excellent MC and I loved her backstory. Her fandom of horror films was fun to follow, and I like that she broke away from her uber-religious family. The mother-son relationship between Harry and Gabe was sweet! However, Javier was just strange and creepy in a weird old man way. The book did edge toward more suspenseful towards the end, but the storyline felt a bit clunky. Overall, a quick and entertaining read!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Harry is a single mother. All she wants is to make sure her son is well taken care of. When she starts working as a house cleaner for Javier Castillo, who is a famous horror movie director, she starts to realize very quickly that something is seriously wrong inside the house.

This book was just meh to me. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it! But I don’t know, I guess I was just wanting more? It felt like the ending was rushed and I figured it out about halfway through the book. It had some great supernatural elements that I loved and the haunted house/props setting was perfect.

Even though this wasn’t my favorite Henry book, I still love her writing and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the e-arc! Release date is May 14th.

Harry, an avid horror movie buff, has become a house cleaner for Mr. Castillo, an infamous horror movie director whose son and wife disappeared years ago. Harry tries to keep her curiosity to herself, ignoring the strange voices and creepy costumes she sometimes encounters while cleaning Mr. Castillo’s mansion full of tributes to his films. But when her son, Gabe, becomes involved, Harry realizes she may have to dig a lot deeper.

This is a slow moving book, which means the suspense and thrills and horror are slow to build. When they get going, this is a creepy book for sure. Harry and Gabe are really compelling characters, especially given the situations they find themselves in. While this isn’t my favorite horror book ever, I did enjoy it, especially the twist at the end. If you enjoy suspenseful horror, I would recommend this book.