This. THIS is the standard that every horror novel should follow. This is EXACTLY what I would want and expect a horror novel to be. Because horror novels this scary is an anomaly rather than the norm, I want to give this book to everyone who writes/wants to write horror novels and say, THIS IS THE STANDARD THAT WE WANT! MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS PLEASE!

I don’t think I have ever had this much fun reading a horror novel, consistently from start to end. Sure, I’ve read horror that’s been ehhhh at the beginning and middle but was unputdownable at the end. But never before have I read a horror novel that was consistently scary and unputdownable from page one. I can’t get over how good this was.

This book reads almost like a movie. To me, watching a horror movie feels really different from reading a horror novel. And can we all agree that horror movies are always scarier than horror novels? With this, you know you’re reading a book but it feels the same way you feel when you’re watching a horror movie. This is the closest to the same level of scary from a horror movie that I have ever read in a book.

Having this book be narrated by a child is genius. Because of that change, I’ve never read a horror novel like this one. It adds a layer of innocence to a terrifying situation, where the reader can see that things are very much not okay, but the childlike innocence of Bela makes her so nonchalant about all of the terrifying things that happen. This child sees the other mother poke her eye through a hole in the ceiling to stare at her, then goes into her room right after, where she knows the other mother is waiting. Bela also mentions how before it started to get creepy, she used to play fun games with the other mom, such as “staring contests”. Yes, an entity with eyes at the bottom of its face having a staring contest with you sounds like great fun. Oh the innocence of children.

“Weren’t we friends before? I think we used to laugh together. But now I don’t know if I’m remembering that right. Maybe it was just me who used to laugh. And Other Mommy just watched.”

Another thing I love is that this takes place is the same universe as Malerman’s other books. They even visit Goblin and a small part of the story takes place there!

This comes out in June. Plan to get your book club together and read it together! I always prefer reading on my own, but I prefer watching horror movies with a friend or two. Since this book is the closest standard of scares to an actual horror movie that any book has ever met, this book would be perfect for a group reading it together during a cozy evening get together or sleepover. Also, I’m gonna need a follow up or epilogue to this. Surely it can’t just end like that?

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Wow. This book was absolutely wild and creepy. A haunted house/demon possession story told from a child's perspective was a terrifying way to go. I found the writing style was a bit difficult to read at first but it got easier to understand. This one didn't blow me away but it was a fun, creepy read,

I devoured this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. The story was creepy and the author brought to life the fear and helplessness of the family as they struggled to rid their lives of the monster. The child’s POV was well done and it made for a fast read. I was disappointed in the ending although I expected, but still was hoping for something else. Thank you NetGalley.

It has been a long time since I've been legitimately scared while reading a book, but this novel definitely had me spooked multiple times. So, so good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

4.5/5 Incidents Around The House

Bela has a friend, her "Other Mother" who lives in her closet, makes her laugh, and says she can fix Bela's parents' tumultuous relationship - but Other Mother wants more than friendship, she wants it all. She wants INSIDE of Bela's heart.

This book had some legitimately terrifying moments where I found myself reading in the dark having to turn on my lamp just so I could see things in the corner of my room. This author owes me a nightlight because I'm not sleeping in complete darkness for at least a week.

I don't usually like to read stories from a child's perspective. The writing tends to be awkward and clunky when adult writers try to write in a child's tone of voice, but Josh Malerman did an excellent job. The vocabulary wasn't too childish, which I appreciated, and we got enough dialogue from the adults in and around Bela's life that the story remained fairly grounded and easy to follow.

Overall, I highly recommend Incidents Around The House and will be looking forward to picking up a physical copy upon its release.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Random House and Del Rey, for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this novel before its publication date.

I absolutely loved this book! The author was spot on with the innocence of the child. The entity is creepy as hell. Another great one from a horror master. Thanks netgalley and the author.

Thank you Netgalley. This book was creepy excellence!! I will admit it tooke a few chapters to get into the writing style but once I did...WOW!! I have never been scared by a book l, until now. Highly recommend!!

Thank you for the opportunity to preview incidents Around The House. Josh Mallerman is a master of horror. He writes books that truly scare you. This new novel was so scary and I could not stop reading this book.
Bela is a young girl who lives with her parents. Mommy and Daddo love her and she loves them. Bela has a secret. She has ‘Other Mommy’ who lives in her closet. Other Mommy is Bella’s friend. They talk and share stories. At least Bela does. But lately Other Mommy asks Bela a question and it is the same question over and over.
She asks Bela - can I go in your heart? And Bela says no time and again. But things are changing and soon Other Mommy is getting impatient.
And now Bela is really scared.
5 stars. This is a good one!!!!!

This is the SCARIEST book I have ever read, I did not think it was possible to be this scared by a book. I did not want to put it down, but had to so I could sleep at night. Quick chapters, great relatable characters, and very atmospheric. Perfect book if you want to have nightmares.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC copy. While Incidents Around the House was a decent enough story, it was so difficult to read because of the writing style. Unfortunately, This greatly reduced my feelings about the book.

Once again Josh Malerman does it! He is the master if horror and knows how to keep you engaged!

This made me not want to be alone in the dark as well as looking over my shoulder! What a ride and adventure!!!

I will always pick up anything this author writes!!!! Read in one sitting!

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review!

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc! I was so pleasantly surprised to receive it. This was definitely a book that I was impatiently waiting on and it was worth my anticipation. While it’s not as creepy as Daphne, there are some spine-chilling scenes and I loved the perspective from the narrator. The only part that fell flat for me was the ending. It seemed jumbled and rushed (and honestly huh?)

Thank you Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the e-arc! This published June 25th, 2024.

This was fast, creepy, and fun. I really enjoyed how Malerman used his own format to tell this story from the child’s POV. This had truly creepy and horrific moments, and never once was I bored while reading this. The ending won’t be for everyone, but for sake of spoilers I will say I enjoyed it., and will be thinking about it for a while. The characters had some depth to them which is normally not the case in the horror genre. I would absolutely recommend picking this one up in June when it comes out. Malerman continues to show us why he’s a master of his craft.

Okay wow, this was utterly terrifying and the meaning behind this story was so powerful. This will be an auto buy once published.

The POV was unique as you are reading from a little girls perspective. At first I didn’t think I would get into the story that way, but actually I think that was what made this more unsettling.

If you are familiar with book/movie Coraline, it sort of has that vibe with the character of the demonic “Other Mother” but darker. As that was one of my favorites when I was younger, It makes sense why I loved this plot so much.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC

This is a master class in modern horror. Its complex and scary af. You may start to question all those bumps in the night after reading this book. The story is told from 8 year old Bela's pov who has a special friend who lives in her closet. This friend, "Other Mommy", is obsessed with asking Bela about her heart. Bela withstands the onslaught early; however, "Other Mommy" is persistent and has many tricks up her sleeve.

5 stars!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for this arc.

I can not tell you how obsessed I was with this book while reading. I did not wanna put it down. The end wasn't my favorite but it was so good. thank you for this arc.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman had me spooked for real. You'll definitely be jumpy and looking over your shoulder during this quick horror read.
It's told in the POV of a child, but this does add to the story and enhances certain themes throughout the book.
A little girl gains a new friend when "something" called Other Mommy shows up in her closet one night. But after being a friend to the girl, this thing wants something in return. Because friends help friends. And it won't stop asking the girl until it gets what it wants.
Though it's a quick read, its surprisingly pretty deep making you think as well. Especially that ending. Wow! I'm still processing it. Some events in this story will stick with you for a while.

Stories told from a child's point of view can be difficult to take seriously, because you have to get the voice right. In this creepy novel, the little girl is the narrator and she is clever and sympathetic. One thing that really pushed this book over for me was how protective she was of her parents. While 8-year-old Bela is dealing with the frightening "Other Mother," she is also navigating the problems her parents are going through and trying to protect them from the Other Mother.
This book is creepy, with those little moments where you wonder what's happening next, or if nothing is happening at all. Malerman is the modern horror writer who never disappoints me.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Written from the perspective of young Bela, who narrates her increasingly terrifying encounters with “Other Mommy”, Incidents Around the House is hands down the scariest book I’ve read since Amityville Horror. I can’t remember the last time I had a true jump-scare while reading. There were several chapters I had to pause because it was dark outside and it was all too much to continue reading at night.

The story centers around a family going through challenging times and it closely follows Bela as she struggles to understand the adults around her and the decisions they make. The book was simultaneously scary and heartbreaking as we read Bela’s internal narrative.

I have come commentary on the way that womanhood, sexual desire, and the concept of the “self-less” mother intersect in this story. After recently reading The Exorcist, I’ve become interested in the ways that mothers with desires that are separate from parenthood are portrayed in horror fiction. But, I will return with those comments after the book’s release so as not to give away any spoilers. I think there is a lot to unpack here.

This book is an absolute must read for horror readers. I 100% plan on purchasing a physical copy when the book is released!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with this advanced readers copy.

Josh Malerman writes good creepy novels. After reading this one, closets will most likely creep me out from now on. The child in this book is especially well written.