I love this author and was excited to read this short story! I loved the creepy vibes the author gave us and thought the plot was executed very well, and was written great for a short story. I did find it a little predictable but I still really loved the story. I 100% recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This short story officially publishes on 9/12/24!

If the author decides to add more to this and release it as a full novel, I will be one of the first in line to pick it up. The premise was so interesting and, although dolls have been popping up more in thriller/horror novels as of recently, this was using them as a plot device in a different way which I enjoyed. Even though it was a short story I was intrigued by the characters and the plot itself was creepy. Having a lot of plot in a short story must be difficult for authors, but this one was one of the best I’ve read. One of my only issues about this is that I wish it was longer, in order to round out some of the lingering questions that I had at the end as a reader.

This was a good quick read. I almost wish it was longer! I loved the plot. It kept my attention. A short story is nice to read every now and then. I really enjoyed this one!

I can tell this is too spooky for me after the first 25%, which is a testament to Ungers good writing. Thanks so much for the eARC

This got me out of my severe reading slump!
I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read by Lisa so far, but I really liked The Doll’s House.
I was entertained throughout the story, learning about Scout & Jules navigating their relationship during grief, also as Jules tries to open herself up to a new relationship.
I even liked the side characters and the mystery.
Between the dolls and Vivi, this gave the perfect spooky vibes going into the fall season!
I flew through this story & I look forward to more!

The Doll's House by Lisa Unger is a great short read. I enjoyed it a bunch and had it finished in two nights of reading before bed. It is sort of spooky so if that bothers you before bed perhaps read during the daylight! Jules and her daughter Scout move in with Jules' new husband, Kirin. Scout is not very enthusiastic about the move to say the least, but she comes across a doll and it turns out to be one of Kirin's late sister.

Scout begins to look into Kirin's sister and as she does, she begins to wonder if she and more so her mother are in danger.

This book was great at creating a spooky atmosphere for a story that had you guessing if anything is real! It truly raised my pulse! I recommend this to anyone who likes a quick, spooky read!

This was a great short story. I have only read one other thing by this author, and this was written just as well. I gave it 3 stars only because I would have loved it to be a bit longer. And I had a few questions in regards to the end but those were more for my personal gain haha. at 85 pages, this is a fun twisty read. I was in a reading slump and decided to try this and I am glad I did!

Lisa Unger is a great story teller and this shorter tale was good but doesnt give you the chance to build the characters and the mystery. I will read anything she writes but this is not among her top 5. Thanks for letting me read

Great quick read!
Great storyline and characters. Lisa thought out everything for this short story! Thanks so much netgalley for my ebook arc !

I’m a sucker for a good horror story, especially when dolls are involved. So The Doll’s House by Lisa Unger immediately captured my attention. This short story follows Jules, recently widowed, and her teenage daughter, Scout. Both are still grieving, but Jules is already with a new man, Kirin, and they’re moving into his house. But there’s an unsettling mystery surrounding this puppet-maker and his long-missing sister. Are Jules and Scout really safe with him?

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
- Dual first-person POVs (Jules and Scout)

What I Liked:
- Puppets and dolls. I think most of us can agree that dolls and puppets are creepy… at least when they appear in horror stories. Here, widowed mother Jules is now dating a man named Kirin; he’s famous for the puppets he makes. Kirin crafts each puppet based on real people, aiming to capture their very essence. It’s pretty cool, but also a little spooky.
- High-tech house. Kirin’s house is super advanced, with a security system that works like an old-fashioned butler. Jules and Scout each have “all property access” at first, but their right to get through certain doors may not last.
- Mother-daughter relationship. I appreciate that Jules and Scout still have a close relationship, even after the loss of Scout’s dad and with Jules now dating a new man. Scout is a normal teen girl who does well in school, and while she’s not happy about Kirin, she’s still close with her mom. This short story explores their relationship, how they’ve each been impacted by the loss of Scout’s dad, and how they can move on together.
- Mystery around Kirin’s missing sister. Years ago, Kirin’s sister went missing, and though a body was never found, she’s been presumed dead. What really happened to her? How does Jules keep seeing her, and what does her appearance mean? This was one of the spookiest elements that made the story intriguing from the beginning.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- As with so many short stories, this would work really well as a full-length novel. I wanted more time to absorb the story, get to know the characters, and puzzle over what was going on.

Final Thoughts
The Doll’s House is a the kind of classic horror story that I love (new home, weird dolls, dark past) made new with its elements of technology. It’s a quick read that’s perfect for this time of year. This is my first time reading Lisa Unger, and I fully plan to read more!

A quick and creepy read, this story will haunt you for a bit! I loved Scout's headstrong character the most.

Early this year I had my first experience with this author when I read 2 of their books, and I loved both. So, naturally, I was eager to read from Lisa Unger.
Sadly, this short story did not work with me.
Since chapter 1 I felt disconnected to the characters and, consequently, uninterested in the mystery surrouding the new house these mother and daughter moved in to. I thought the plot as a whole and both main characters (also, many of the dialogues) were very clichéd. Nothing original or creepy whatosever, in my opinion.
Seriously, I still struggle to believe this short story was written by the same author who wrote the books I read early this year and loved it.
Such a bummer. :(

A fun, quick, spooky read about a woman's affair with a creepy doll maker that turns dark pretty quickly, as her daughter predicted. I enjoyed the haunted house/haunted doll angle, as well as the creepy doll maker, the mother-daughter relationship, and the quickly escalating suspense. Lisa Unger always brings the thrills, and I can't wait to read her next one! Recommend this for a quick and spooky fall read.

This short story is the perfect way to get into the spooky season. It's creepy, suspenseful, and full of twists. I finished reading it in one sitting, and it was filled with suspense and unexpected turns. While the plot was somewhat predictable, the story was still enjoyable, and it had enough depth and closure to make it a great creepy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Amazon Orginal Stories for giving me a copy

In this short story, Unger explores the lives of Jules and Scout as they navigate the aftermath of a family member's death. Given the numerous books I've read this year, I really appreciated the brevity and directness of a short story—it was a refreshing and manageable pace.

The narrative is succinct and mysterious, diving straight into the heart of the plot without unnecessary detours or an overload of characters. This approach was particularly appealing as it focused purely on the essential elements of the story. I wish more authors would embrace this style, as it often makes for a more compelling and impactful read.

This book wasn't bad, just very predictable. You kinda know right off the bat the plot and who is to blame for the series of events. The book had promise and I really like the technology tie ins (house alarm system) but I found it could have been used in the plot more (they ask it often if anyone else was there/came into their room and the response is no, but if someone was I think it would have been a nice tie in) I am a fan of ghosts/paranormal stuff so I found it an interesting tie in BUT it does play a big role in the book so I can see this not being for everyone.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC:)

What a fast paced short story. I am a big fan of Lisa Unger and was very excited to get this ARC. While it was a short story, it was very well developed and you didn't feel that you were missing much. It is truly creepy, especially the dolls. You need to read this to find out what I mean!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

4 supernatural stars

A delightfully creepy short story by Lisa Unger. A widow finds a second chance at love with Kirin, and she and her daughter eventually move to his secluded house in upstate NY. It’s a gorgeous house with rooms outfitted with them in mind. It is run by an interesting AI housemother, Vivi.

Jules is still mourning her husband but is eager to move on with Kirin. She hopes it will be a fresh start for herself and her daughter Scout.

Scout has to start her senior year at a new school, but she lucks out and finds a group of friends early in the year.

Secrets swirl around Kirin and his sister, who grew up in the area. His sister has been missing for years and is presumed dead.

This short story includes many things, including creepy dolls, puppets, and a mysterious girl in the garden. It was a short but enjoyable read for me!

Short stories are not usually my jam, but this one packed a punch! I could have easily settled in with a novel of the same storyline and writing style, but the short story was efficient in holding my attention. It's a thriller with a touch of the supernatural, a creepy doll (or few) and a mystery to solve.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great short story. I loved the concept and plot. It gave off spooky vibes and the whole story wrapped together without so many extra details and getting it dragged out. The perfect start to spooky season