8-year-old Bela lives at home with her Mommy and Daddo. Grandma Ruth lives nearby. But there is also Other Mommy, who lives in her wardrobe and comes out to ask Bela "Can I go inside your heart?" So far, Bela has always said no, but Other Mommy is getting frustrated and is moving outside Bela's room. In order to protect her family, will Bela have to give her what she wants?

Let me tell you. Let me just tell you. This is creepy and weird and scary and all of the things. You will want to board up your closet, You will want to never be around small children. Told from Bela's point of view, this proves that everything is scarier when told by an 8-year-old. This is a good old-fashioned horror story and believe me, you will be creeped out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available June 25, 2024.

After being incredibly terrified by Daphne and then literally jumping & wanting to scream out loud while listening to It Waits in the Woods, Josh Malerman was starting to become my go to horror author. Well his new novel, Incidents Around the House just solidified this and makes me want to get my hands on EVERYTHING in his backlist.

This book was creepy! Especially on audio - thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Random House Audio - the narrator really brought the 8 year old main character to life, Bella while seamlessly transitioning back and forth to our other characters - Mommy, Daddo & Grandma. But it was her calm, creepy, unsettling tone of voice that she used for "Other Mommy" that really had me not wanting to listen to this one too late at night, but at the same time, not being able to stop because I just HAD to find out what was going to happen.

This book was unnerving in all the best ways - Malerman is so good creating an atmosphere that the reader gets immersed in with a story that is interesting and propulsive - while also making the reader want to sleep with one eye open!

I loved every minute of this book - Malerman is truly MY kind of horror writer. It takes a lot to scare me - but I can always count on his books to make me feel unsettled, which is the best kind of scare for me!

This was a captivating and eerie tale centered on a young girl named Bela, who has just begun her summer vacation. Living in a charming home with her loving parents, Bela's seemingly idyllic life is shadowed by a sinister presence—Other Mommy, a mysterious entity lurking in her closet that yearns to possess her heart.

Narrated from Bela's perspective, the book was remarkably easy to read, allowing me to finish it in a single day. While the ending was predictable due to foreshadowing throughout the tale, this did not diminish the many perfectly crafted, heart-pounding moments that filled the story. The author masterfully builds suspense, creating a chilling atmosphere that kept me enthralled from start to finish.

Despite being easily scared, I found this was more spooky than terrifying, but its entertainment value is undeniable. The book's real strength lies in its ability to blend suspense and supernatural elements seamlessly, making the reader feel Bela's fear and curiosity as she navigates her unusual predicament.

What set this book apart was its exploration of childhood fears and the blurred lines between imagination and reality. Bela's encounters with Other Mommy are a haunting reminder of how children often perceive the world in ways adults cannot understand, and the story taps into those universal fears we all experienced growing up.

This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy a mix of suspense and supernatural intrigue. It's a quick, engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, offering a nostalgic yet fresh take on childhood horror. If you're looking for a book that combines easy readability with an engrossing plot, this one should be at the top of your list.

Thank you to Josh Malerman and Del Rey via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first Josh Malerman book I’ve read, and I am absolutely floored. I love horror books, but while I often find them interesting they don’t typically frighten me. This book had me scared to turn off the lights, to look in my closet. The choice to write from their perspective of a young girl was brilliant. It allowed for a lack of information that made the book scarier and hammered home how powerless Bela was.

I have nothing bad to say about this book. From the writing to the plot, it was perfect. I can’t wait to read more from Malerman and dive into his backlist of books. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes horror books or movies, especially ones like the Babadook.

Thank you Netgalley & Del Rey Publishing for an eARC 👻

I'm utterly blown away by this mesmerizing novel! Young Bela's encounters with 'Other Mommy' are expertly woven into a chilling tale that will leave you speechless. The way Josh Malerman crafts the story, building tension and suspense with each turn of the page, is nothing short of masterful.🔥🔥🔥

The family's desperation to understand and escape the clutches of Other Mommy is palpable, and their search for answers is both gripping and terrifying. Malerman’s ability to create a sense of unease and fear is unparalleled, making this book a true masterpiece of psychological horror.

But be warned: this book triggered my deepest fears, plunging me into a world of darkness and dread. The author's vivid descriptions and masterful storytelling had me on edge, my heart racing with anticipation and fear.

The characters are so well-developed and complex, it's like they're real people, and the writing is nothing short of exceptional. The visual of Other Mommy is etched in my mind forever, a testament to the author's incredible imagination.

This book is a game-changer for horror fans, a must-read that will leave you awestruck and disturbed. I'm still reeling from the experience, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.🔥

Several sections of this book truly scared me, and that almost never happens! I wouldn't read it home alone, either. But I do think the positive reviews of this book are overlooking its glaring flaws. The plot and setting jump all over the place, and it is quite repetitive in its sequence of events. The repetition begins to feel like the author doesn't know how to end it, and I think the final ending also reflects that. It's a fun read if you like Poltergeist or Insidious, but it doesn't have the payoff of either of those films.

Movies rarely scare me and it’s even more rare for a book to do so. Well, this one did it!! The first time I set it down I thought I was fine… until I started seeing things in the shadows and was afraid to go to my bathroom in the dark 😂. (Oh and my god of course there is a horrifying bathroom scene that will stay with me FOREVER now… thanks Malerman.)
The story is told from the point of view of a young girl. I will admit it took me a couple chapters to get into the flow of the writing style. But it truly made it that much creepier. The innocence and naivety of her thought process. Her perceptions of how her parents are handling the situation. The fear, the helplessness, the confusion… I could truly feel it all. I could also feel the presence of the *demon* 😅. I just knew she was behind me while I was reading 🫣.

This book is terrifying. It gets under your skin. The writing is just that good! If horror is your thing, or maybe you like to dabble around Halloween, you MUST add this to your list. It’s a very quick read that is powerful enough to make you sleep with a light on! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There were a lot of things I liked about this book.

It was certainly creepy and starts off with a bang. Right away, we learn that there is a monster lurking in the shadows of 8-year-old Bela's room. Something that has asked Bela to refer to it as "other mommy." Pretty soon the family has all seen it and are thrown into chaos trying to run from it or defeat it.

I found the book to be somewhat repetitive with the things that kept happening to the family.

It may be a me problem, but I also didn't understand factually what happened at the end.

Overall, there were some deep concepts that had me intrigued, and I enjoyed the read.

Honestly surprised I finished this book. It was not scary, not realistic, and not exciting. Too much verbiage, not a fan of the writing style, and way too long of a book.

I was enthralled the entire book. Incidents Around the HOuse is about 8 year old Bella and her "imaginary" friend who she calls Other Mommy. But other mommy is not really imaginary, and she's not really Bella's friend. We find this out real quick once we learn she keeps asking Bella to go into her heart. At first "nicely" ... if such a thing can be nice ... and when Bella keeps saying no, she gets scarier and scarier. Malerman kept up the tense atmosphere throughout the book and it kept me wondering where he was going next. The ending though! I need to discuss - I'm not sure I liked it, but it left me thinking about it for a long time. I would recommend this book to everyone.

Wow! This book was amazing! It definitely kept me up at night thinking there was something in my closet. It was so eerie and atmospheric, like you were also inside the story & getting haunted yourself. Amazing character development!

A disturbing and terrifying story about Bela and her family and her “Other Mommy.” Other Mommy is her friend and confidant—a lot like Daddo, her father, but Other Mommy, like Bela’s world, has changed. Her friend is no longer satisfied with just being a friend. It wants something from her and is growing increasingly impatient. It, like this story, is relentless. The tale starts out creepy and drags you down rather quickly into this imaginative, little girl’s world. And her world is much more than just a monster-in-the-closet. Those of you who have had small children know how relentless children can be with their questions. We sometimes dismiss what our children tell us—especially when things sound too fantastic. Ignore them at your own peril!

The story is told from Bela’s perspective so it may seem a little difficult at first, but do stick with it. I found myself reading it in a child’s voice. It totally sucked me in and put a real scare into me.

The story, and Bela’s voice, haunted me long after I closed the book.

Told from a child's POV, Incidents Around the House makes you question who or what your kid is creepily whispering to at night. Bela is 8 years old, but to me she feels much younger, more like 5 or 6. Heck, at 8, I was already reading The Exorcist, LOL. I would have been prepared!

The story is an interesting take on haunting/possession/poltergeist/demon activity... and probably more realistic in how family and friends would treat you and how utterly alone and susceptible both stupidity and malintent you would be in such a situation, What I liked most about the story, however, is that like many of my favorite horror tales, there is no happy ending and "they" do not follow rules, peeking under your covers as you try to hide. I may never look the same way at a car's backseat again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Anything with a creepy child is gonna suck me in. But holy crap, this one creeped me out. So well done

I mean, are you kidding me? I have loved Malerman and poured through Bird Box, Unbury Carol, and the like...why should this one be any different?! And anytime you add kids to the mix, like 8 year old Bela, you just knkow it's going to be creepy! I could not read this one at night, at least not without the lights on! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and please keep 'em coming Mr. Malerman!

Wow…this was incredibly original and unique. The POV from Bela, our 8 year old protagonist sounds tricky and confusing but it flowed so well. I was freaked out beyond belief several times. I love a good possession story and this is the ultimate. A lot is left for the reader’s interpretation which just added to the creep factor. The dread just keeps on building.

I loved the meaning behind the story. The loss of innocence and the way trauma, specifically childhood trauma, can continue to affect you as you age. There are real issues here and they are handled with honesty and care. I don’t want to say anymore because it will ruin it. It’s fabulous and I cannot wait to read all the Malerman novels waiting for me on my shelves.

Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy!

This book actually terrified me. I have never read a book that has haunted me as much as this novel. I did find it difficult to get used to the child's point of view throughout the novel but once I grew a customed to this style it was quite easy to follow. This story will stay with me for quite some time.

Keep your nightlight on!

I found myself getting chills as I read about the mysterious occurrences in the story. The way the author built up the tension and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The little girl's innocence and honesty added an eerie contrast to the dark events unfolding around her.

The concept of an "other Mommy" was both fascinating and terrifying. The author did a fantastic job of creating a character that was both familiar and yet completely unsettling. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease long after I finished reading.

Overall, this book was a thrilling creepy and captivating read. It reminded me of how children can see things that adults overlook, and how their honesty can sometimes be more chilling than any horror story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good scare and a well-crafted psychological horror.

This is my first read from the author. I can't wait to read more! Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy for exchange of my honest opinion. This review is my own and posted voluntarily.

This book should be on your TBR list!

Other Mommy. That's the name of the malevolence that's descended in 8 year old Bela's house. Her mommy and Daddo blow off her comments at first but then things get weirder and eerier and scarier. What does Other Mommy mean about letting her into Bela's heart. No spoiler from me but horror fans will enjoy this well paced, claustrophobic tale that benefits from Bela's voice. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Bela is a young child who is able to see and hear "Other Mommy," whom she thinks is her friend, until she starts to have doubts about the entity's intentions. It keeps asking to be let into Bela's heart so it can be reincarnated. It used to be that Other Mommy would stay in Bela's closet and only come out to play with her, but now the haunting becomes more intense with time. Other Mommy becomes impatiently bolder and starts to show itself to more than just Bela. No one is safe as it malevolently pursues Bela to let it into her heart.

The story was told from a young child's innocent and often simplistic view, making the reader empathize with Bela. She doesn't fully comprehend the severity of the situation and still heavily relies on the adults in her life for help with things, even though her parents tend to use her as an emotional dumping ground for mature topics her little mind can't quite grasp the meaning to yet. The author did a great job building up plenty of suspense, trepidation, and foreboding throughout the story. The ending was a little anticlimactic for me or maybe seemed not as descriptive, almost rushed. Overall, it was a decent horror story and kept my attention.