How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is another wild ride from one of my favorite authors. I’ve been a fan of Hendrix since Horrorstor, so I was eager to dive into this one!

As with his other books, this one isn't for the faint-hearted. The horror is well done, pulling you into moments of unsettling dread. I mean, puppets, really??! -- side note I had the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls when I was younger. I swear they were like these dolls. I do not still own them for obvious reasons -- For die-hard horror fans, it might feel a bit tame at times, but there are moments that’ll make you think back to your childhood and those eerie, dark moments when you just knew something was watching you - whatever you do, don't look under the bed! Better yet, just keep your eyes closed the entire time!

The relationship between siblings Louise and Mark is initially a real pain. They both seem to hate the house, but it's not clear why. Strange things happen, but are they just mishaps or is something more sinister at play? What happened in this house to ignite such anger between them? The answers do come, but slowly.

I did find the family dynamics a bit overwhelming. There's a lot going on, and I wish I had some clarity earlier in the story. The tension between the siblings felt drawn out and, honestly, they could really use a therapy session or two. Communication is a must people! While this did drag the pacing a bit, Hendrix's signature blend of comedic horror did help lift the tone and kept me invested.

The middle of the book did stall a bit for me though. It felt like a lot of time was wasted watching Louise and Mark bicker when I just wanted them to confront the chaos around them. And to complicate things further, Louise's daughter begins to spiral, adding even more confusion to the already chaotic mix. At this point, I was wondering why all of this turmoil was necessary when the haunted house itself was already more than enough.

Despite this slow middle, I stuck with it, and the ending absolutely paid off. There were moments where I was questioning whether I should keep reading, but I’m glad I did. It’s a good read, but I don’t think it’s Hendrix's best. The payoff in the final act was satisfying, but getting there took some patience. I feel like I went through the trauma of being involved in the family drama.

On the plus side, the characters are well-developed, with Louise and Mark each having distinct voices. Their constant bickering is immediately obvious and adds to the tension, but it's the puppets that kept me hooked.

This book was pretty messed up…. But in a good way. Started out slow and there was definitely some slow parts throughout but then, you get a shiver up your spine and have to keep reading even though you don’t want to.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is a thrilling and darkly comedic ride that blends supernatural horror with sharp commentary on family dynamics. Hendrix’s signature blend of humor and terror creates a unique, gripping experience that’s as heart-pounding as it is thought-provoking. A fresh and exciting addition to the horror genre.

Another homerun from all-star batter Hendrix! Just love how this guy can blend dark humor and genuine horror in such a satisfying way, evoking classic ghost movies and pulp fiction in equal measure. It's so impressive how the story balanced between camp and chills, and the Southern gothic-esque setting is so solid.

Scary but darkly funny at times. Enjoyed every second of this book and can't wait to read more and see this movie/tv show when it is out. Would recommend to friends and family and customers.

A lot of people hate this book because they find it so odd but I think the ending makes it worth the read. Yes, the book is creepy and weird, but that is what Grady Hendrix does and he does it well. I mean, an obnoxious and angry little puppet that acts like a child and attacks you? It's both comical and horrifying.

There are a few gory scenes for those of you who are squeamish like me. A couple of them involve eyes. I will say however that I was able to tolerate them and I can't stand anything gory or anything involving eyeballs and I came out of the book unscathed so maybe you will too.

Grady Hendrix has done it again! I loved Monster Houseas a kid and have looked to find more "haunted house" books ever since and it is safe to say this book scratched that itch. I love how he injects humour into his work.

One thing that is clear about Grady Hendrix as a writer is that the man is not subtle. I quite liked about two-thirds of this book and the first half had some genuinely creepy moments. But then the central conceit just ... well, Hendrix turned it up to eleven and it got weird. Really, really weird. And disturbing and gross. Which is all good and well -- the horror genre is incredibly broad, and its fans all gravitate to different elements. No fault to Mr. Hendrix that his approach doesn't sustain my interest throughout an entire book (an issue I've encountered in his other works).

My biggest issue was the ending. Or, should I say, the endings, plural. The last quarter of the book was a bit like watching the extended version of Peter Jackson's The Return of the King: Just when you thought you'd reached the end, hulloo, there's more. And then more, And yet even more. It just became a bit of a slog, and I struggled to just get to the end of the book already.

As always, your mileage may vary.

The five stages of grief bracket the sections of this haunted house novel revolving around the messy sibling dynamic in the aftermath of loss. Louise begrudgingly returns home after her parents die in an odd scene, her brother Mark infuriatingly contrarian no matter what she does. Needing his help to get their parent's place sold, the house full of her mom's dolls and crafts, they both are thrown into situation where tensions are high, sibling dynamics are heightened, and dolls eyes are watching everywhere.

Fun and scary! What else would I expect from Grady Hendrix? I don't think I will ever look at puppets the same way, ever again.

Fun horror novel that blends humor and fright. Hendrix is obviously very creative but some ideas were pretty out there. Overall enjoy.

This is a delightful blend of horror, humor, and all things creepy, making it a must-read for fans of the genre—especially if you have a soft spot for puppets like I do. Hendrix has crafted a story that’s both eerie and entertaining, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages.

The novel's premise is intriguing from the start, and Hendrix does a fantastic job of balancing the haunted house elements with the unique quirkiness of puppet-related scares. As someone who loves anything involving puppets, I was thrilled to see how central they were to the story, adding a wonderfully creepy layer to the haunting.

The characters are well-drawn, and the dynamics between them add depth to the supernatural elements. The tension builds nicely throughout the book, leading to an ending that, while it does go a little bonkers and off-the-rails, is still a wild and fun conclusion to an already thrilling ride.

Hendrix’s writing is sharp and engaging, blending horror with humor in a way that makes even the most outlandish moments feel grounded and enjoyable. While the ending might push the boundaries of believability, it’s all part of the charm that makes this book so fun to read.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is a thrilling and spooky read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Louise, who has to sell her parents' house after their sudden deaths, only to discover it’s haunted. The blend of horror, humor, and heartfelt moments makes it a unique and engaging novel. Hendrix's writing is captivating, and the plot twists keep you guessing. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of scares and laughs with a touching story.

Another fantastic Grady Hendrix horror novel, this time with a haunted house and creepy puppets. There is also great conversation on sibling dynamics and grief.

Grady Hendrix's "How to Sell a Haunted House" is a hilarious yet chilling adventure through the world of real estate and ghosts. Following Helen, a struggling agent tasked with selling a haunted mansion, the story is a perfect blend of scares and laughs. With witty prose and memorable characters, it's a spooky delight that hooked me from start to finish. If you're up for a fun and spooky read, this novella is a must!

Atmospheric, tense, and genuinely creepy, this book about a haunted house and possessed puppets was Grady Hendrix at his unhinged best.

After finishing this novel, I quickly realized that it has probably become my favorite horror book of all time. There is just something about Grady Hendrix that I absolutely adore and I think he is at his best in this novel.

This was a fantastic book! Perfect balance between horror and the exploration of grief following the death of a loved one. Will absolutely recommend this book to others.

Truly, a spectacular horror that isn't outright gory but is perfectly unsettling. I may not always choose to read a horror novel, but I will always choose a Grady Hendrix story. I hate creepy dolls, but they were perfect here and easily sewed in the unease and fear throughout the story.

This is now my third read from this author. Each time I’m met with a bit of shock? They have such a fun twist and take on the classic aspects of horror but shine a new and fun light to them. Honestly I enjoy Grady’s work far more then Stephen king and think he’s got what it takes to be top name in the horror section. Well done and can’t wait to read more and see where the next tale takes us.