This is a chilling and riveting Gothic paranormal horror story that can be devoured in one sitting, thanks to its compelling pacing and captivating chapters that invite you to unravel the big mystery in the Graystone Chicago mansion.

The gripping mystery revolves around Harry, a single mother and housemaid with a unique connection to horror stories, recently unemployed, she takes a job in a mansion linked to a renowned horror filmmaker, Javier Castillo. Harry, along with her gifted son Gabe, faces eviction due to gentrification, adding urgency to her new job.

As Harry observes the bond forming between Gabe and Javier, inexplicable occurrences in the mansion heighten tension, mysterious entities pose threats, and Harry becomes entangled in the mansion's mysteries, realizing she must protect her son.

The story offers an easy and gripping horror experience. Yet, the desire for an epilogue and a less abrupt ending leaves some aspects unexplained about the surviving characters.

I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. My review will be based on the physical ARC I read (if I qualify)

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Well, this is a chilling, gripping, and riveting Gothic paranormal horror story that you can devour in one sitting, thanks to its compelling pacing and captivating chapters that entice you to unravel the big mystery and discover what is truly happening in the Graystone Chicago mansion, "Bright Horses."

The gripping mystery centers around Harry, a single mother and housemaid (though not the Millie the maid type from Freida McFaden's tales). She lost her job in a restaurant during the pandemic and considers herself fortunate to find work in a mansion, cleaning terrifying costumes and props related to horror movies. As a film enthusiast and cinephile, Harry, who found strength in horror stories and films to break free from her dogmatic family in her youth, is now raising her fourteen-year-old gifted son, Gabe. They face the risk of eviction from their highly affordable apartment due to the latest gentrification project.

Enter Javier Castillo, a renowned horror filmmaker for whom Harry works. He has chosen a secluded life surrounded by the artifacts of his art, created after his son Michael became involved in a murder and disappeared with his beloved wife. Despite his seemingly strange and reclusive nature, Javier suffers from loneliness. Learning about Harry's son, he invites them to dinner to get to know young Gabriel better.

Harry reluctantly observes the special bond forming between her son and Javier. Simultaneously, she notices logically unexplainable occurrences in the house, such as a woman's voice screaming for help and a moving mask with clawing hands, posing potential threats. She realizes she's not the only one witnessing these events. As she races to finish cleaning the house and secure another job, mysterious entities intensify their threats. Slowly, she becomes entangled in the mysteries of the mansion, understanding that she must find a way out to protect her son as the truth begins to unveil itself.

I would rate it between 3.5 to 4 stars. It's an easy and gripping horror novel. However, I wish there were an epilogue, and the ending didn't feel so abrupt, leaving some aspects unexplained about the surviving characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this riveting book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Harry Adams is a CRAZY Horror Movie fan - so much that it caused a split from her controlling parents which technically lead her on the path of living paycheck to paycheck as she does today; She makes a living in Chicago with her young son whom she is completely devoted to.

Her love of the genre has also, however, enabled her to become the housekeeper of the very famous and very reclusive horror movie director Javier Castillo. Javier is hiding away from some dark history and Harry comes to his mansion a few days a week to dust and care for all of the famous props and multitude of rooms.

There is one room that she does not have access to, and it is easy for her to keep her head down and ignore it. But one day, Javier invites her to come to dinner with her young son. What happens next will keep you up all night!

A very beguiling and unique look at horror movies and haunted houses!#berkley #christinahenry #Thehousethathorrorbuilt

3 stars

This kind of fell flat for a Christina Henry book. Was this one written by a ghost writer, was she under pressure to produce another book? With a title and description like this one, I expected a lot more horror. It felt like at most a mystery? The characters weren’t very relatable and it was just bland.

This had potential, but is overwhelmed by characters over explaining why they're doing intensely illogical things. A major player read as one dimensional as well, so the reading experience was...dissonant.

While I liked the family dynamics in this book, I found myself wanting more from the scares.

With a Title like "The House that Horror Built", I really wanted more inventive sources for the scares but it leans more mystery than horror.

It reminds me a lot of the style of horror that T. Kingfisher uses in A House with Good Bones. Not intense enough to rattle a seasoned fan of the genre but spooky enough to be a reader's first introduction to it.

The title and cover would have you believe that this book is going to be similar to "Final Girls Support Group", "My Heart is a Chainsaw", and other more meta examinations of the horror novel but it really isn't.

It read more thriller than horror. Personally I found myself waiting for the next scare and grew weary with how long the gaps are in between each. It reads less slow burn and more frustratingly slow. The wait didn't amplify the scares, all it did was make me sigh in relief because something actually happened.