So nothing is as creepy as kids and haunting, particularly when the entity is called “Other Mommy”. Throw in a lot of complicated relationships and family drama and this was a wild ride. The way the entire story is told through the eyes of 8 year old Bela brought a whole new level of creepy to the story. And I loved learning more about her parents’ relationship as that drama unfolded - even if I wanted to shake her mother on more than one occasion. I loved the story as seen through Bella’s eyes and the author did a great job of capturing that innocence and the fear and uncertainty an 8 year old would understandably feel in that situation.

🖤 “Good night, Daddo! Good night, Mommy! Mommy and Daddo leave my room. I pull the covers up to my chin. Other Mommy comes out of the closet…” 🫣😱
^^^ This quote immediately gave me Coraline chills and I was HOOKED 🕷️🎪👁️

What really makes this book extra unsettling is the fact that it’s written from a child’s POV 👧🏽 — that innocence mixed with creeping dread? Brilliant and chilling 🪦.

🧠 Reading Updates:
• 📖 25%: I’m bored. Like… very bored 😒 the pacing is crawling, help.
• 👀 28%: OH SH*T… OTHER MOMMY HAS ENTERED THE CHAT!! 🫣👀
• 🚽🦵 62%: Another WTF moment I did not see coming — bathroom horror will always be unhinged.
• 😴 80%: Dragging againnnnn 😩 the pacing really tests your patience.
• 🌊 90%: WE’RE PEAKING AGAINNNN YESSSS.
• 🧠 100%: That ending though!! It’s open-ended, eerie, and totally left to your interpretation. Can’t say much without spoiling, but trust me — it’s worth it.

This needs to be a movie ASAP 🎬 — like, the way Josh Malerman described things had my imagination working overtime. The visuals in my head?? Terrifying. Especially Other Mommy — I need character art of her immediately, the way she was described had me like 🫨🩶👹.

Yes, there was a lot of filler and repetition at times, and it dragged in parts, but babyyyy when it peaked… IT 👏 PEAKED 👏. Definitely a creepy little roller coaster 🎢🩸

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is told from a child’s perspective, which did take some getting used to. Bela has been getting visits from what she thought was a friend from her closet, but now this friend is following her outside the house. Then mommy and grandma start seeing this creature and the family is desperate to get away. The story moves quickly, the characters are likable and the suspense certainly makes you keep reading. All that in addition to the great descriptive writing made for an incredible book.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an eARC.

This book was creepy and in a good way. I was hooked as soon as I picked it up. I really felt bad for Bela and wanted to see her thrive. Her parents really stressed me out but honestly I don’t know what I would’ve done or how I would’ve reacted in a situation like that. I liked the style choices that the author made. This book was definitely different from anything else I’ve read and I’m glad I got to read it. This is one of those books that will stay with me forever.

This book gave me similar vibes to Coraline and I loved that movie so I was very eage to read this story. I'm not always the biggest fan of horror novels because I find that they can sometimes get to intense however the innocence of the child made it much more psychological instead of gory and that is completely my style. I loved our main character and I was constantly worried about her. This book is all told through our main character Bella's point of view. Bella is constantly haunted by a woman she refers to as "other mommy" and while at first things are innocent it isn't long until "other mommy" starts trying to convince little Bella to let her into her heart so she can be reincarnated. I found this book super sinister while it wasn't one that had you screaming it was the subtle and eerie feeling that "other mother" gave to the reader I found she almost gave me chills. I found myself completely drawn into this story right from the get-go there was no quick build up and it was almost like we were thrown into the chaos however that made it so much better. The Innocence of our main character mixed with the pure terror and ominous feeling that other mother gave off was the perfect balance for a story that would leave you speechless. I found this to be an easy read and one that I completely fell in love with.this book was the best mix of horror but innocence which almost made it that much more scarier. This book was amazing and I was completely immersed in it right from the beginning. I loved and hated "other mother" but I had to know what she was talking about and what she was trying to do with poor Bella. There was so much tension in this story that it almost left your breathless. Great read and one I'm so glad I was able to check out. I have never read anything like this before nor do I believe I will ever have the pleasure of reading anything like this again.This was a one of a kind masterpiece. Do not let the simplistic nature of this writing style turn you away this is a horror book through and through and one that will leave you amazed. This is the kind of book that will have people talking and I can't wait until everyone else gets the pleasure of reading it as well.

OH.MY.GOD

THis is honestly the best horror book i'v read this year so far! i love the way it was written in childs way. it made it more realistic and creepy! at first it took time to get settled with it because i couldn't tell when it a dialogue due to no quotation marks anway that besides the ponit. this was so refreshing to read. I LOVED THE TWIST AND TURNS! that shook me.

I’m convinced that there’s nothing Josh Malerman could write that I wouldn’t love. Seriously. The man’s got talent in spades and his particular brand of often weird, often strange horror appeals to me immensely.

With INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE, Malerman moves into haunting territory. What exactly is haunting Bela, her parents, Grandma Ruth, and everyone around them isn’t certain, it’s just an entity that Bela calls Other Mommy. They were friends once, with Other Mommy being there when no one else was, but something has changed and now Other Mommy wants Bela to ‘let her into her heart’. What happens if she allows that isn’t certain, but anyone could probably guess the outcome wouldn’t be good.

I’m trying to figure out the exact words or phrases to describe how this book hit me and the only thing that I can come up with is “deeply moved”. I *was* deeply moved by this book, but not really because this book was deeply moving. It wasn’t. It was creepy, it was often thought-provoking, it was skin-crawlingly spooky (the audiobook truly was!). There are, however, circumstances and situations that are very impactful, particularly through the eyes of an 8 year old, and watching Bela try to reason through those adult circumstances and situations was the part that was deeply moving. I think what also helped was the relatable quality. I have a 9 year old daughter and I could picture her in Bela’s shoes, trying to reason through things that are much bigger than her.

What, exactly, Other Mommy is is up to the reader to decide. My favorite Malerman book will always be Bird Box and like the horrors in that book, the horrors in this one are subject to reader interpretation. Though in this case, adults and their stupid decisions also play a part, which becomes glaringly obvious as the story progresses. In the end, I adored this book and it’s going on my favorites shelf right alongside all of Malerman’s other works that I’ve read. 5 stars.

As a horror fan, I picked up Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman as my interest was piqued by the cover and eerie description. I was not disappointed. Told entirely from the point of view of a little girl named Bela, the story is paranormal horror with a psychological twist. Bela is haunted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy,” who lives in her closet. Once a comforting presence, Other Mommy grows increasingly scary as she repeatedly requests to be invited into Bela’s heart to be reincarnated. As Other Mommy’s presence spreads beyond Bela’s closet, the entire family is pulled into a horrifying nightmare.

I devoured this book in one sitting… and promptly regretted it when I couldn’t sleep afterward. Malerman creatively builds tension by immersing the reader in Bela’s innocent view of the world, which slowly comes apart as the curtains are peeled back on the realities of the world and fear takes over. The story is haunting and the dread lingers long after the final page.

I will say that the ending felt a little rushed. Without giving anything away, the conclusion had all the right elements but could have used more drawn-out scenes and depth to match the slow-burn terror that came before.

I’d recommend Incidents Around the House to readers who love horror that plays with perspective and psychological tension. It’s an eerie read that knows how to get under your skin.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this, it felt creepy at times, but it felt way too long. I didn’t feel engaged and it felt repetitive.

Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House is a chilling, slow-burn horror novel that masterfully builds tension from the ordinary to the unthinkable. With his signature psychological edge and vivid atmosphere, Malerman transforms a familiar domestic setting into a battleground of fear and uncertainty. The novel is both terrifying and emotionally resonant, making it another standout in his growing body of haunting work. A must-read for fans of smart, suspenseful horror.

I felt like this book could have really been something more. It had such a strong first half but the ending was very predictable

Trust me when I say how much I love Josh Malerman novels!oh my gosh they are all so good and keeps you on your toes. I absolutely could not put this book down. A story of a young girl Bele who sees family is being haunted by their own home.

Definitely a page turner!! If you're in for a creepy ride this is the book for you. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I had so much fun with this one. The first element that stands out is the fact we are seeing through the eyes of a child. So often in horror books and movies, the children are the target of the haunting or disturbance but we are following along with the adults perspective. I think Malerman did an excellent job of mimicking the thought process and reasoning of a child while still making it engaging for the adult reader.

The point that really sticks with me is the conversations around the child's POV within a family unit and the fact that they pick up on so much more than we give them credit for. While dealing with these otherworldly influences, the family was still going through some very real issues. The ability or inability to solve those issues can be a deterring factor in the child's future success and mental health.

I think there were a few times I was annoyed by the constant "Daddos" but otherwise I think it was pretty entertaining. I enjoyed the ending but I did see it coming, however, that's not a big issue for me. I will for sure pick up another book by this author!

This book was a 5 star chilling thriller. The story was engaging and chilling. It kept me guessing until the very end and even then it was to remember.

This is a really solid horror novel! The whole book is creepy and chilling, even more so as we see the events unfold through the eyes of a child. If you're into dark and creepy books, this is perfect for you! Thank you Random House and Netgalley for the arc!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Horror
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞:
📖 373 pages

Unique Child Narrator
Uneasy Family Dynamic
Monster in the Closet

SYNOPSIS; Eight-year-old Bela has been seeing her "other mommy" for years, but always from her closet, until now. Bela begins to isolate herself as her other mommy begins to venture further, and Bela fears for her families safety.

REVIEW; Let me start by saying that any spooky story involving children immediately becomes exponentially scarier. I don't make the rules. The writing style was excellent. I listened to it with my Kindle's read-aloud option and felt uneasy throughout. The narration, being through little Bela's POV, and the eerie atmosphere Malerman created made for a truly terrifying read.

If you're looking for a unique horror and enjoy being scared silly, Incidents Around the House should be your next read!

Thank you so much, Del Rey and NetGalley, for the digital review copy!

he most remarkable incident in my experience with Incidents Around the House was, admittedly, making it through to the final page. Though this is a relatively short novel, I found the reading process slow and, at times, frustrating.

Told through the perspective of eight-year-old Bela, the narrative is filled with intentionally simplistic language and fragmented sentences meant to reflect the voice of a young child. While this stylistic choice may resonate with some readers, I personally found it challenging to engage with. The choppy prose, meant to emulate a child’s thoughts, often made the story feel stagnant rather than immersive.

The plot centers on Bela, her parents (referred to as Daddo and Mommy), and the mysterious appearance of an “Other Mommy” who lives in Bela’s closet and repeatedly asks to enter her heart. Initially, Bela is the only one who sees her, but soon, others begin to as well. While this premise offers potential for psychological tension, I found the execution lacking in both suspense and emotional depth.

Despite its classification as a horror novel, the story did not elicit fear or even unease for me. I repeatedly anticipated a turning point or escalation of tension that never quite materialized. While the conclusion may offer some satisfaction for persistent readers, reaching it felt more like an effort than a reward.

Moreover, the narrative style posed structural challenges. The book frequently shifts between Bela’s childish voice and moments of more advanced narration, which disrupted the flow and made it difficult to remain anchored in the story. The lack of quotation marks for dialogue further complicated this, making it hard at times to distinguish speech from internal thought.

In addition, the portrayal of adult characters through the lens of a child felt disjointed and unrealistic, which made it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters or invest emotionally in their experiences.

That said, it’s worth noting that many readers have given this book high praise, and it clearly resonates with an audience. Unfortunately, I was not among them. As a first-time reader of Josh Malerman’s work, I had hoped for a more gripping and immersive horror experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this novel. This review reflects my honest and personal opinion.

Very creepy story! A slow burn horror that messes with your sense of reality and keeps the tension building. This author plays with perception, reality, and paranoia in ways that keep you second guessing what’s really going on. Overall a solid, eerie read that I enjoyed, & perfect for fans of psychological and supernatural horror. Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This was just an okay read for me. There were some spooky moments, but they were vastly overshadowed by how insufferable all of the adults were throughout the entire book, particularly the parents. I understand that the story was told from the perspective of a child, but by the 500th "daddo," I was ready to call it. That being said, I was intrigued enough to finish so I think this is one of those books that didn't do it for me, but could be really effective for someone else.