How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Happy Spooky Season Readers, 

At the beginning of the year, I got too excited about books coming out this year and I was spoilt for choice for horror books, so they ended up getting a dedicated post this week is all about them books.

This is the third book I've been lucky enough to read by Grady Hendrix, the first being My Best Friend’s Exorcism, the second was The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I find it hard to put Grady’s books put down and can happily binge read them in one sitting. I know Grady Hendrix isn’t just for the spooky season, but I always hold off reading his book till then as they are the perfect mood setter.

If you are looking for a well plotted haunted house story with family drama and a causal sprinkle of possession this book is going to be up your street. I love how Grady manages to make even the mundane day-to-day actions into something slightly more sinister. I will admit dear reader I am an absolute mug for Grady’s books they start out all funny and squishy to help you bond with the characters, then drifts into horror but Grady isn’t done there oh no we move into terror. Yes, three books in I should know better but here we are.

Despite the spookiness of dolls and puppets, Grady throws in the real horrors that can be found within families especially when a loved one passes away. Something sadly some of us can relate to. In my opinion I think there is a realistic portrayal of dysfunctional siblings.

This story follows Louise Joyner and her brother, Mark. Louise lives in California, while her brother, Mark, still lives in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. One evening her estranged brother Mark rings to inform her their parents have been killed in a car crash. When Louise arrives at her Family home in true horror tradition everything feels wrong. Louis and her brother Mark's squabbles as they prepare to put their family home up for sale.

This book is a masterclass in character development as Grady takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions between Louise and Mark. In this book Grady reminds us how memories are subjective, and this helps the horror as we learn nothing is as it seems.

Fully on brand dear reader I asked for a Chucky doll when I was around six years old so I kind of missed the whole “haunted doll” phobia (Pediophobia or automatonophobia). That being said I was slightly humbled by this book and had a couple of moments where I was like oh okay maybe I’m not as tough as I thought so for me the creepy puppets doll vibe was executed magnificently.

Another perfect spooky season read from the mind of Grady, and I can’t wait to see where he takes me next time.

L x

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