I've never actually finished a Josh Malerman book before, but this one I managed to read straight through in one sitting. The gimmicky-seeming premise of having a younger child narrate the entire thing weirdly worked, and it made the book speed through lightning-fast. As far as the plot, there was surprising emotional depth here, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat on more than one occasion. There were some small elements that weren't my favorite or didn't quite make sense in retrospect, but the momentum of the narrative really carries the reader through all of that fairly painlessly. And that ending...I could see it (or a version of it) coming, but it was still super effective.

Once I started Incidents Around the House, I could not put it down. This book was terrifying. I’ll surely be having nightmares. There are images from this book that are burned into my brain forever now. An A+ horror.

One of the finest and scariest horror books I’ve read in quite some time. Incidents Around the House follows Bela, an 8 year old girl who lives with her Mommy and Daddo…. along with Other Mommy that comes from her closet at night to persistently ask if she can go in Bela’s heart. Normally books written from the perspectives of children don’t work for me, but Malerman is clearly a master of his craft and made Bela feel real and believable.

The first half of this novel is a wild ride. I haven’t read a book this fast in a while! It reads quickly and the tension is kept at an all time high. The story began to drag towards the end, but still overall was a horrifying and chilling experience. HIGHLY recommend to horror fans. I’ll definitely be going back and reading through Malerman’s older novels.

I made my partner read the first page of this book and he immediately threw the ebook down and asked “who the *** is Other Mommy??” Who indeed.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for early access to this novel in exchange for an honest review!

This book was pretty good, I would definitely recommend

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

There’s something living in eight-year-old Bela’s closet. Sometimes it comes out and sits on the bed. Bela calls it “Other Mommy.” Every day, Other Mommy asks Bela the same question: “Can I go inside your heart?”

Josh Malerman, author of “Bird Box,” has written a brilliant, chilling horror novel. The scares do not come from violence or gore, but from imagery that will have you sleeping with the lights on. The story is told completely from Bela’s point of view, and the author did a remarkable job with making you believe that a child is telling you what is happening. Some of the scenes are on par with “The Shining” by Stephen King and “Ghost Story” by Peter Straub.

If you’re looking for the next best horror novel, this is it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read in advance!

This was a bit too slow and repetitive to create the suspense I expect in a horror story. The same things just keep happening in different places. I also couldn't quite buy into this being narrated by a very young child. Just ok, not great. 3 stars

I like to think I read a lot of horror and have a good grasp on the genre, its history, and its writers. Josh Malerman has previously been very hit or miss for me overall in my personal grand horror scheme.

There is no miss here. This book is legitimately, unironically, one of the (if not THE) scariest modern horror books I’ve read in a long time. This will generate a deserved level of hype and I’m also confident that it’s going to make for a very creepy film one day too. It’s simply that well realized, written, paced, you name it.

There’s really not much more I can say to sell it any better than that. It’s simply a must read that from page one hooks you into a nightmare that will make even the seasoned horror vet wary of what the closet doors will do in the dark.

**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Random House and Netgalley**

A very young Bela is growing up in a house full of secrets She has a ‘friend’ Other Mommy. At first Other Mommy wants to make Bela happy, to make her laugh, to get close to her and Bela keeps her to herself. Other Mommy gets brave and asks Bela, ‘Can I go in your heart?’ This changes the tone for everything.
This immersive, sinister read has the reader turning pages and wondering where Other Mommy will show up, what will happen and how will they dispense with her? Told from the child’s perspective, this version of the Boogeyman in the closet story is vivid and you can see Other Mommy, smell Other Mommy and watch her come off the page. You can feel the tension within the family as other Mommy gets bolder and wants to get inside of Bela’s heart.
I would encourage you to get to know your author and his journey through this book – just in case you are a little let down at the end. Also, like other readers I was confused at (1) Bela’s actual age (2) the location of the book wasn’t made clear until more than 2/3rds of the way through and (3) well you are barreling on a speed train of fear and are expecting to be so scared you throw the book or sleep with the lights on… but you aren’t.
Either way it was phenomenal and the author is brilliant. 4 out of 5 stars for me. Thank you to Josh Mallerman, NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballentine, Del Ray for an advanced readers copy

This book drags. Lots of books drag in interesting ways—In Search of Lost Time, Bleak House. But this is a horror novel. A spooky thing drives a family, whose young daughter is the narrator, from their house, so they go to another house, the spooky thing follows them, so they go to another house, the spooky thing follows them, so they go to another house, the spooky thing follows them, so they go to a hotel, etc., etc. I can’t begin to stress how completely unlike a real little girl the narrator sounds. She sounds 16 at least, maybe a precocious 14. But she’s supposed to be 8. Just a mess. And, by the way? Not scary.

I stayed up all night to finish this one. What a creepy little book! Original in both voice and concept; I enjoyed this one greatly!

When I started this story, told by 8 year old Bela, I wasn;t sure if I could take a child's voice. I should have known that as a master of horror (Bird Box), Malerman would take that voice and make me forget all about the child's tone. Because Bela, is in danger. There is something, something very very scary in the house that she calls, "Other Mommy." Other Mommy can't be seen by the rest of the family, but "she" is there.

What does she want? Something horrific. She asks, over and over again,“Can I go inside your heart?” Join Bella and her family as they fight against the horrible, the horrific and the unseen! I was certainly frightened and needed a comic break so I could go to sleep!
#randomhouse #ballantine #delray #joshmalerman #incidentsaroundthehouse

When their daughter, Bela, starts talking about seeing 'Other Mommy' in her room, Russ & Ursula write it off. Lots of kids have imaginary friends, right? Then, after an incident on the playground, things escalate quickly. 'Other Mommy' had never done bad things and had never left the house before.... and now suddenly she and her bad intentions seem to be following the family.

I absolutely could not put this book down. Initially the writing style took me a minute to get used to, but it ended up being part of the reason the book was such a quick read. Seeing the story through Bela's perspective was enthralling-- she doesn't have an adult's grasp on the world, but she sees and understands so much more than her parents realize. You as the reader being able to see things only Bela sees makes the whole thing deeply creepy. By the time the parents really understand, it's so far gone that you understand how they become so panicked. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking that telling the story in the style Malerman does lends itself so well to the screen. This book adopted by the people who did 'Haunting of Hill House' would be absolutely terrifying.

This book was just phenomenal. 10/10. I cannot wait for all my horror fan friends to read it!!

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and Ballantine/Del Rey for letting me read an eARC of Incidents Around the House. Incidents was my first time reading Josh Malerman, and I want to say I am absolutely blown away, as this was a nonstop thrill ride that was dread-inducing at times. I think the greatest asset to the novel is the character development, which is the beating heart of the story. The reason I say this is that as you go forward in the story, you become enraptured by the family and are rooting for them to succeed. The 8-year-old child, who is the protagonist and main narrator of the story, becomes one of the most interesting protagonists I've come across as you witness events unfolding through her eyes. Incidents Around the House is one of the easiest recommendations I can make to readers who love horror and scary fiction.

I usually switch back and forth between a few different books when I read, so when I sit and devote all of my reading time to one book, you know it's a winner. I probably blew through this book in four days, and I hated to put it down whenever I had to stop.

INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE is a sparsely populated story about a family dealing with an incursion by a being that they call "Other Mommy", who has been haunting their daughter for as long as she can remember. At first a friendly presence, lately Other Mommy has been asking young Bela if she can "come into" Bela's heart, and is growing impatient with Bela's refusal to give permission.

The book moves like a freight train, and Malerman kept me flipping pages relentlessly.....I was a little taken aback by his decision to have the entire book narrated by Bela- It seemed like a needlessly limiting device to have everything told from her perspective- but he overcame my doubts within a few chapters, and I was won over. The story unfolds with a tension and inevitability that reminded me of The Exorcist, although the stories and manner of telling them are miles apart. I bought into Bela's plight totally, and I made sure that my closet door was closed tight every night at bedtime.

That said.....Malerman started to lose me in the home stretch of the book. A moment that I felt was intended to be a big, shattering revelation kind of fell flat for me, and halted the book's momentum almost completely. He got the train back on the rails in time for the end, but the book never fully hooked me again after that, and that's a shame. Still a great read, but I wish he had handled that moment differently, as it made the difference between a good book and a great one.

Told from the child’s perspective, this is an interesting tale. I wish we would have found out Bela’s age- not knowing made it a little tricky to gain my footing. However. While creepy, I did not find this book scary, at all.

Immersive and suitably sinister. A recommended purchase for collections where horror and Malerman's previous work is popular.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Bela's a little girl. Other Mommy lives in her closet. She used to think Other Mommy was her friend. Now she is not so sure.

Kinda sounds like Coraline. But it is not Coraline.
1. This is not a problem a kid can fix by making good choices.
2. Do not give this to your child to read. This is a grown up horror novel.

I read a lot of horror novels. Some are gory. Some are unsettling Few are genuinely scary. This book scared me. I took it in two big gulps. It's not super short, but it almost felt like a novella since it is such a such a page turner, written in the language of a child.

Two quibbles: I was never really sure of Bela's age. It would have helped me visualize if I could tell if she was 6 or 10. Also I thought they were in England til about 3/4 of the way through. Kent must mean Kent, OH?

5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC, I genuinely appreciated getting to rid this in the darkest days of winter.

Leave the lights on while reading this very creepy and original story@ Josh Malerman is a favorite author of mine and I couldn't wait to read this one and wasn't disappointed. Bella is a little girl who lives with her mommy and daddo (as she call him). Oh, and one other person lives with Bella: A woman who lives in her closet who Bella calls "Other Mommy". Other mommy started as a friend, but now she seems kinda scary like when her face is upside down or when she pleads with Bella to be allowed into her heart. Bella doesn't quite know what that means, but something keeps telling her to say no.

Told entirely in the voice of a child, this is a very original form of the boogyman in the closet story. I did wish at times for just a chapter or two from the adult points of view because the child only view at times required Bella to seem more grown up than she should. It isn't too long before other people begin seeing other mommy too, and the adults are even more scared of her than little Bella. The interesting thing about the book is that is about a literal demon who hides in the closet, but the demon could also represent the fractured marriage and family life that is haunting parents Ursula and Russ, and how it affects Bella. I didn't much like the parents Russ is passive although he dearly loves Bella and Ursula is cheating on her husband and constantly complaining about being tied down even though she has a job and many friends in addition to her family.

As the family tries everything to rid themselves of the demon and to repair their family, the tension builds and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.

Who would have thought that a thriller told from the POV of a child would be so compelling and scary? I sure didn't. Josh Malerman perfectly captures the confusion, terror, and heartbreak that this young girl, Bela, is feeling from the very first page. It may be disconcerting to some but Bela's POV really works.

Bela's life consists of her Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. What her family doesn't know is that Bela also relies on an entity called Other Mommy that lives in her closet. Other Mommy starts out friendly and Bela quickly becomes attached to her. As time goes on, Other Mommy starts to ask disturbing questions and doing things that scare Bela. She starts to question whether she and Other Mommy were ever really friends, or if Other Mommy has bad plans for her.

Other Mommy starts getting bolder. She starts showing herself to other people. Bela's parents are terrified and their strained relationship starts to buckle under the pressure. Bela wonders what will happen if she says yes to Other Mommy's questions? Will she be able to make Other Mommy go away? Can she save her family?

I'm glad I read this book during the day as some parts of the story were absolutely chilling. Certain parts are still stuck in my head and creeping me out. Don't worry, no spoilers, you'll have to read and be terrified for yourself to understand. The scares are masterfully written and that they are being experienced from Bela's point of view really heightens the terror.

I finished this book in five hours. I just could not put it down. It's fast paced but in such a way as to keep the tension level high. Josh Malerman is an exceptional storyteller and this book will keep you on edge until the very last line. I would love to see this made into a movie. I highly recommend reading this with the lights on and I promise you will never look at your closet the same way again.

So many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Del Rey for the advanced reader copy of an incredible book.