Title: Incidents Around the House
Author: Josh Malerman
Published: 2024
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller
Rating: ⭐⭐
You can grab a copy of Incidents Around the House on Amazon.
A Chilling Setup That Falls Short
Josh Malerman, best known for Bird Box, has built a name for writing stories full of tension and dread. With Incidents Around the House, he sets up what looks like a classic ghost story. A young girl, a strange presence, and a family home filled with fear — the ingredients are there. But the result is not as powerful as it could have been.
Why I Picked It Up
I’ve been spending a lot of time reading horror fiction lately. Books like Hidden Pictures, We Used to Live Here, and The September House reminded me how much I enjoy the uneasy feeling of a well-told ghost story. Malerman’s reputation made this an easy choice. I wanted a haunting, skin-prickling experience. Sadly, this book did not give me that.
Plot (Spoiler-Free)
The story is told through the eyes of Bela, a young girl. Bela says there is a ghost living in her closet. She calls it “the other mommy.” Unlike a friendly imaginary friend, this figure is darker. Its goal is not to play with Bela but to take something from her — to enter her heart.
The narrative uses Bela’s childlike view of the world to guide the story. Sentences are short. Chapters are short. Sometimes paragraphs are only one line. This makes the book fast to read, almost like flipping through the diary of a child.
My Reading Experience
What worked for me:
- The idea of “the other mommy” is creepy and had real potential.
- Seeing the world through Bela’s eyes gave the story an innocent yet eerie tone.
- The short chapters made it easy to keep moving forward.
What didn’t work for me:
- The horror elements were weak. I expected more frightening or shocking moments.
- The story never built enough tension. The suspense just didn’t rise high enough.
- After finishing, the book didn’t linger in my mind. A strong horror usually leaves echoes — this one didn’t.
Writing Style
Malerman’s writing is simple and sharp. The short chapters create a quick rhythm that makes the book easy to fly through. But this same style also keeps the story from going deep. Sometimes it felt like a sketch instead of a fully developed horror experience. The choice to use a child’s perspective is interesting, but it limits how dark or complex the book can go.
Themes
The novel plays with themes of family, fear, and childhood innocence. It asks: what does it mean when a child sees something adults cannot? How do parents react when a child warns them about danger they refuse to believe in? These are strong questions, but the book does not explore them deeply. The ghost story remains on the surface and avoids going into the darker emotional layers that could have made it more powerful.
Comparisons
Reading this book made me think about other recent horror novels. We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer was full of creeping unease and psychological tensionWe Used to Live Here Review – P…. The September House by Carissa Orlando balanced family themes with genuine scares. Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak used a child’s point of view but still managed to deliver real suspense. Compared to these, Incidents Around the House feels lighter and less memorable.
Who Might Like This Book
This novel could work if you want a quick read with a spooky vibe that doesn’t dive too deep. At 356 pages, it moves fast and can be read in just a few sittings. The child’s point of view might appeal to readers who like unconventional narration. But if you’re searching for a horror that shakes you or leaves you unsettled for days, there are stronger books to pick up.
Final Thoughts
Incidents Around the House starts with an idea that could have been truly chilling. A ghost that wants to climb into a child’s heart is a disturbing concept. But the execution falls short. The scares don’t land, the tension doesn’t build, and the story doesn’t leave a lasting impact.
Malerman has written powerful horror before — Bird Box showed what he is capable of. This one, though, feels more like a quick experiment than a lasting nightmare. If you’re in the mood for something light and eerie, you might enjoy it. If you want real fear, look elsewhere.
Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal reading experience and opinions. The Amazon link above is an affiliate link — if you purchase through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.