A Christina Henry book grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. Her latest novel, "The House That Horror Built" is the same. What a book!

A fast paced and eery read that you might not want to read when you’re home alone. Harry had taken a job to clean the house of famed horror movie director, Javier Castillo and while absolutely enthralled, she very quickly realized the downward spiral things are taking. Noises in the house and things that weren’t there before. It’s the perfect haunted house with great twists and turns to keep you on your seat.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! From the very beginning to the very end, I felt the erriness and need to know what was going to happen next! This is exactly the type of read I needed to pull me out of a reading slump.

Intro to horror.
A little of this and that.
Enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I write haiku reviews on Instagram but am happy to provide more feedback.

Harry is a single mom who is trying to keep her head above water and give her 14-year-old son a better life than she had. She gets a housekeeping job at the famous Javier Castillo’s house, a horror movie director. No one knows that he ran away to Chicago after his son and wife disappeared, and Harry doesn't plan on letting the secret out. But the longer she works there, the more she starts wondering if his house is haunted.

The reader spends a lot of time in Harry's head as the book is filled with a lot of inner dialogue. While the reader gets to understand the main character very well, it means there isn't much time to develop dialogue with others. There also was a large lack in action.

I enjoyed the reveal at the end and the wrap up, I found the rest of the book a bit boring. The scenes meant to be scary were not large enough or detailed enough to make an impact. I didn't feel like much happened in this book.

This was like watching a grade B horror movie. There was so much repetition throughout the book and it still needs to be edited. . Over and over Harry would ask why no one could smell the costume but her, and over and over ad nauseum about being poor, wanting to give Gabe all she could, how this was her job, the details of cleaning each item again and again. It made for tiresome reading.
While the plot was good, the ending was predictable and too abrupt. There was never an explanation of why the reporter kept following her home, no surprise who the culprit turned out to be.

The House That Horror Built by Christina Henry is the first book that I have read by this author. It has you both laughing and thinking what is really wrong with this house. Harry is a single mother raising a teenaged son. People are trying to get their lives back in order after the restrictions of the pandimic has lifted. Harry takes a job a cleaner for an Oscar Winning Director. She cleans his house 3 days a week. She has to make sure that all of his memorbillia are carefully cleaned every week. Harry and her son Gabe are huge movie buffs especially the horror genre. Javier Castillo, has a very perticuliar way everything has to be done. Harry soon starts to hear noises coming from the one room that is always locked and never cleaned by her. Is it the house she wonders or eveything else that is going on in her life. This is for fans of Jennifer McMahon, Riley Sager, T. Kingfishter, Stepehn Graham Jones, and Grady Hendrix. I want to think both NetGalley and Berkly Publishing for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

Harry is a young mom who will do anything for her son, even if it means working in the house of a reclusive Hollywood horror director filled with creepy props from all of his films.

This was a fun, creepy book that had my head turning until the very last page. The relationship between Harry and her son Gabe is very sweet. She is a loving mother who does her best in tough situations and does everything she can to protect her son.

I still haven't gotten used to the pandemic being referenced in books, but it was handled well in this book and felt like a natural part of the story.

This is my first Christina Henry book but it will definitely not be my last. She crafts horror stories well and keeps you on your toes until the end.

Harry Adams, a horror movie enthusiast, finds herself cleaning the eerie mansion of movie director Javier Castillo in Christina Henry's latest novel, The House That Horror Built. As she delves deeper into the secrets of Bright Horses, she uncovers chilling mysteries that test her loyalty to her employer and put her and her son in danger.

From the moment Harry steps foot into Bright Horses, readers are drawn into a world of suspense and intrigue. The detailed descriptions of the mansion's terrifying props and costumes set the perfect stage for the unfolding mystery. Javier Castillo's enigmatic character adds an air of uncertainty to the plot, keeping readers on edge as they try to unravel his dark past.

As Harry begins to hear strange noises behind locked doors, the tension escalates, leading to heart-pounding moments that will leave readers gripping the edge of their seats. Henry expertly weaves together moments of suspense, fear, and unknown elements that make for a truly gripping read. Each page turn brings new revelations and twists that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The dynamic between Harry and her son Gabe adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. Readers will find themselves invested in their well-being as they navigate through the dangers lurking within Bright Horses as well as just trying to make it in life. Henry does an excellent job of developing these characters, making them relatable and endearing to readers.

Christina Henry's writing shines in The House That Horror Built, showcasing her talent for crafting compelling narratives that blend horror with mystery seamlessly. And while this is a story revolving around a mysterious house and characters, it is as much about the bound between mother and son.

The House That Horror Built is a thrilling and captivating story. Christina Henry delivers a masterful narrative filled with suspense, mystery, and unforgettable characters that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! This is a novel clearly written as an ode to all things horror movies - directing, acting, props, possessions… This novel is a differnt take from previous Christina Henry books I’ve read and while the atmosphere was amazing, a few things didn’t work for me. The pacing of the story was extremely slow the first 80% and then wrapped up faster than I would have liked. I wish the characters would have had to encounter the dark goings-on in the house more often and with greater detail. I think if you like more chilling rather than gory horror, you would enjoy this book. The characters were also flat and I wish we would have felt more from them through the story. Would definitely read from this author again!

Thank you NetGalley for providing a reading copy. This book had sprinkles of horror blended with mystery and suspense and a general sense of uneasiness throughout the book. It's a slow burn for awhile then something happens in only a few lines that shocks and scares you then another large section that's a bit slow. I had part of the ending figured out but not all of it. I enjoyed the moments of dread I experienced and the setting really made the story come alive.

Renowned horror director Javier Castillo leads a reclusive life following the mysterious disappearance of his family amidst a scandal implicating his only son in a murder. Amid relentless media scrutiny questioning their whereabouts, Castillo relocates out of state, seeking anonymity within the walls of his mansion adorned with relics from his chilling film productions. Meanwhile, Harry, a devoted single mother, navigates life with the sole focus of providing for her teenage son. While their relationship often embodies authentic parent-child dynamics, there are moments where it feels as though the author should have aged the son to match the depth of their conversations, lending an air of inauthenticity.

Upon reflection, I recognize certain lulls in the narrative, where the story seemed to stagnate momentarily. Nevertheless, I remained captivated throughout, drawn into the atmospheric embrace of the cavernous mansion, its eerie silence punctuated by the haunting presence of horror memorabilia. Despite the frequent references to these artifacts, I found myself yearning for more despite a small portion having a significant impact on the overall plot.

As the story unfolds, the conclusion aligns neatly with the groundwork laid by the author, yet I couldn't help but wish for a more intricately woven resolution. The ease with which the ending is reached feels somewhat contrived, lacking the depth of character involvement I had anticipated.

Overall this was a good Gothic horror. I felt the build up was a bit too much when measured against the climax which unfolded in the span of the last few chapters and, honestly, felt rushed. This author did a good job of building up the atmosphere but then it read like they remembered they needed an actual resolution to the mystery and, as such, it was left lacking. Not that it was bad but after the build-up it just seemed too quick and then it just ended.

This was my first book by the author and I would read from them again which is telling. This just didn't deliver the way I wanted or expected it to. I would highly recommend for people looking to break into the Gothic genre since it is a good feeler to decide if it is the genre for you.

If you enjoy paranormal horror novels with gothic vibes then you don't want to miss this one! I was surprised to find that it did indeed give me the chills when reading!

Thank you for the ARC of this book. I wanted to like this book but could not. It was slow, predictable, and not at all scary. I really had to force myself to finish it. It took over 90% of the book to have happen what I already knew would happen from the first 10%. Get having the "get on with it already" feeling.

The house that horror built is a fast paste thriller/suspense novel. A single mother works inside a giant Gothic mansion. The owner is a horror director which makes the home even more creepy and scary.

What she doesn't realize is that the house and owner has deep disturbing secrets.

Harry is a single mom who would do anything to provide for her son Gabe. When she finds a position as house cleaner to her favorite horror director who has become a recluse, she jumps at the chance for the job. She needs the position to keep a roof over their heads but when she hears strange knocking, ghostly cries for help, and then old movie props start coming to life in a very threatening manner- Harry has to decide is stress causing her to hallucinate or are Gabe and she in real danger?
Totally creepy -loved it! Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

After a suffocating childhood, Harry struggles through life doing what she can to scrape together a life for her and her son. After losing her job due to Covid, Harry finds herself working as a cleaner of an old, creepy mansion for who was once an acclaimed horror writer and director. Harry soon finds out that there is more to the house and owner than she can even begin to fathom.

Christina Henry masterfully weaves a mystery and horror story in a way that makes it hard to put down! The end comes at you fast and hard and will leave you shocked and wanting more! Fans of Henry’s novels will surely enjoy this read and those who haven’t read her before, will quickly become a fan.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for letting me read this ARC!

A solid horror novel with some unexpected twists! A gothic paranormal horror story set it Chicago, the pacing is medium-fast and easy to move through.

This book gave me all the Grady Hendrix vibes. Loved it! Give me a classic horror/haunting/haunted house story anytime and I'm on board. My only wish is that it would have had a bit more closure at the end. If you are a classic horror movie lover this is your book.