8-year-old Bela is the narrator of this tale of the supernatural. She lives with her mother and father but there is another entity in the family: Bela has a friend living in her closet who tells her to call her…”Other Mommy.”

As usual I went in not knowing anything so I was delighted to find out that this novel had some of my all-time favorite horror tropes.

I devoured this book up to the 50% mark where it jumped the shark. Up to that point, the only thing I didn’t always enjoy was Bela’s voice at times. But since the story scared the living daylights out of me I could overlook that. Unfortunately, when the adults’ behavior became nonsensical and the plot became extremely repetitive, it stopped working for me. For horror to work, there has to be some semblance of realism, otherwise I am taken out of the plot completely. The story needed to be shortened in some areas and expanded in others. I would love to give examples but they would be spoilers.

This could have been so great if the adults had acted like real people.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman was a tale that woke me in the night to make sure my closet door was closed! In true Malerman fashion, the ending will leave you questioning, “What did I just read?!” This book was more than horror, as Malerman is what I would describe as a horror+ writer. There is always an element to be discussed beyond the scope of a good scare. Family secrets and what it means to be a “good parent” are at the heart of this one.

This one was creeeepy af, and reading it alone, at night, in my hotel room was a terrible idea. Let’s just say that I checked to make sure every door was latched tight multiple times.

Told from the perspective of a child, Bela, this was very different from most of my reads. What I liked most about this format was getting advice from the adults as though I was new to the world. A lot of the deeper conversations were so well done, and I feel like I would be a better-adjusted human if my parents had spoken to me like mommy and daddo in this book.

I think what I found so terrifying about this book was that despite the denial and disbelief from the adults in Bela’s life, Malerman was able to SHOW the reader what was going on in such a vivid manner. This one was definitely scary and I will be thinking about this one, in the dark, for a long time.

Check this one out if you like horror, haunted houses, creepy kids, and big conversations!

Quotes I loved:

💭 “Maybe we saw the bottom in each other and we didn’t want to be found at the bottom alone.”

💭 “And so you might think something bad is going on at home, but no. It’s going on in you.”

**Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the eARC of this spooky title!**

Easy 5 stars. This book was amazing. I haven’t been scared from a book in a long time. Thank you for providing this ARC for me to read. It’ll be sitting with me for days, and is well worth a re-read.

Wow! This made me feel like I felt when I was a teenager and read The Amityville Horror. Really scary - edge of your seat - I read it in 2 days. Would have read it in one sitting if I didn’t have responsibilities!

This one was weird to say the least but I definitely wouldn’t classify it as a horror novel. Maybe suspense? I flew through it in a day because the writing is so easy to follow since our narrator is a young girl of maybe 6? It was a solid 4⭐️ read until the ending which made me knock it down a star. It just left me with SO many questions!

I went into this book completely blind which you should do if you have a tendency to predict what is going to happen in a book easily. There were a lot of twists and turns and then this massive build up towards the ending and then it just stopped. I don’t know how to describe it. Maybe it was done on purpose because I could see myself puzzling over this ending for a long time and talking with other readers about it for months.

Overall it was a good book. Read more like a campfire scary story than a horror book but I consider it a palette cleanser in a way. I think readers with enjoy it due to its easy language and good story flow but if you are a die hard horror reader this is not for you.

A quick one sentence synopsis: A girl and her family haunted by an entity called Other Mommy have to figure out how to get rid of it before it’s too late.

This could be a great entrance into the horror genre book. It isn’t too scary, it reads easily, and can show people what horror is about without making you completely scared. I’ll probably read it again by the pool over the summer so if that says anything about the book then you should probably check it out.

What an interesting concept! Incidents Around the House was written from a child’s POV which really added to the creepiness of the book. It’s not your typical haunted house story and that made it so much more unsettling. I felt the hopelessness of the characters as they tried everything they could think of to get rid of “Other Mommy” and was distressed by the outcomes of their efforts!

Josh Malerman's Incidents Around the House is the best. Period. This book, which I eagerly devoured nearly in one sitting, is his best work yet. Malerman offers a fresh take on the genre, which I don’t think I can even define without spoilers.
The genius of Malerman's storytelling lies in his ability to craft a world that is both familiar and unsettlingly mysterious.
Incidents Around the House is a S-tier novel that deserves all the accolades it can get and I’m sure will get. It's a rare gem that redefines its genre, proving once again that Josh Malerman is a master of his craft. This book has left an indelible mark on me, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I haven’t felt this deeply connected to a book in recent memory.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this advanced copy for review!

2.5 stars

I saw some really great reviews about how terrifying this story was and they convinced me that this would give me the chills and scares I'm always looking for. Unfortunately, this just wasn't the case for me.

There were definitely things I liked about this book. The idea of the "Other Mommy" entity reminded me of Japanese horror and I had a specific image in my mind when we were first introduced to this character. I thought being able to visualize something scary would help me get into the spooky vibe. There was a scene involving the main character Bela with a friend on a playground that definitely gave me the creeps, so I would say that was done very well. I thought that same tone might show up later in the story, unfortunately that was not the case. I did enjoy the characters of Russ/Daddo and Grandma Ruth, and Evelyn was also fun.

Sadly, this one just didn't work for me overall. I think part of that is my fault as I'm not a huge fan of stories told from the POV of a very young child. Being in Bela's head for the entirety of the book meant that we were seeing everything from her perspective, and as a very young child, that meant no nuance, no grittiness, no deep thoughts or feelings. While we did get a glimpse into the experiences of the adults, it was all still filtered through the lense of Bela and I just wish we'd had more.

While this book didn't work for me, I can definitely see how it would work for other readers. The paranormal horror is definitely present, the ambiguity around what the entity actually is could be very appealing. There were two dogs and no animal cruelty, a huge bonus for me. If you like a story that builds slowly, creaking stairs, movement out of the corner of your eye, then this could be for you.

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

I had the privilege of reading Josh Malerman’s latest novel, Incidents Around the House, earlier this year in February and was completely floored. Told from the perspective of a young girl who is being targeted by an entity she calls Other Mommy, this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished. The story is both claustrophobic and cinematic – bringing to mind such recent films as “Skinamarink” and “Cobweb.” I anticipate that this will be a big horror novel of 2024 and there will ultimately be a film adaptation.
I will admit the POV storytelling from a child was initially a struggle to push through, but there is genuine terror and horror in her voice. Being in a young person’s head certainly added to the creep factor as well. Incidents Around the House was a bit of a slow burn although I walked away thoroughly satisfied and spooked (the ending will certainly divide readers too).
A special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the advanced copy; Incidents Around the House will be published in June.

Incidents Around the House hooked me from the very first scene. It has Coraline x Insidious vibes, which I loved. The storytelling is smooth and quick to read. I found myself flying through pages and unable to set it down. The story is told through a child’s POV, which ups the creepy factor and makes the stakes seem even higher. The main character, Bela, is adorable. I absolutely loved her and wanted to protect her at all costs.

While the main character may be cute as a button, the story gets dark. There are several unsettling scenes that bring back that childhood fear of the monster that seems to hide in every child’s closet. In addition to literal monsters, this book also addresses the metaphorical monsters that live in our everyday lives—our sins, our secrets—and how, when kept locked away, they can consume us along with those around us.

Overall, I really loved this book. There was one part that I wasn’t as thrilled with, but the good parts definitely outweigh the bad ones. So, I guess the question is will this book go into my heart? The answer is yes. But will you let it into yours? That’s for you to decide! Release Date: June 25th, 2024.

Ratings:

Plot: 🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸 /5
Characters: 💁‍♀️💁‍♀️💁‍♀️💁‍♀️💁‍♀️ /5
Scare meter: 👹👹👹 /5
Overall: 🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪 /5

4⭐️

This book gets a full extra star because I honestly did feel pretty scared and stressed out for a lot of this book.

Overall, despite some minor issues, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me feeling genuinely scared at times. The unique storytelling style, fast pacing, and interesting twist on the imaginary friend concept all worked together to create a captivating read.

Even though the resolution and approach to solving the main conflict left something to be desired, the overall experience was positive.

Josh Malerman Is a hit or miss author for me. This one was a hit. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this advanced reader Copt. My review is voluntarily my own.

"She used to just stand in the closet and stare at me. Then she came out. Then she started talking. Then she started asking."

Bela, 8 years old, innocent and vulnerable, lonely. Bela needed a friend, "Other Mommy has been my friend for as long as I can remember. She used to wait till night to come out of the closet...It seems like Other Mommy is always peeking night or day...She wants to go into my heart."

Imagine a young child trying to navigate her world with Daddo Russ and Mommy Ursula, who are often at odds, in a marriage seemingly fragmented. "I wish Mommy were home to fall even more in love with Daddo." In the guise of friendship, a malevolent being holds Bela's hand, laughs with her, and explains the give and take of friends while talking of "carnation". [Reincarnation in Bela's words]. Other Mommy has become impatient. Bela is confused and continues to waiver, unwilling to let Other Mommy go into her heart.

"Incidents Around the House" by Josh Malerman is a tale of horror described in first person narration by an eight year old. Surprisingly, it works quite well. At first, Bela's parents laugh when told about "Other Mommy". The creep factor escalates as Mommy Ursula, with flashlight in hand, casts a light in Bela's room and feels like she is being watched. Daddo's philosophy is, "If you ask enough times for a favor, people eventually say 'yes'." Should Bela say yes to Other Mommy?

The shadowy, beastly, dark creature had more than just Bela in her grasp in this tale of horror. Grandma Ruth, among others, are drawn into the nightmare as Other Mommy battles to capture Bela's innocence. A "scare the living daylights out of you" read.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Del Rey and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a MONTH to read. I really, really was not feeling it for the first 14 or 15 chapters. But once I hit that point, I was invested in the story. Other Mommy’s ever-changing shape and orientation was extremely creepy and left me unsettled which I loved.

That being said, I think this book was a bit drawn out and anti-climactic. The scene involving going to Frank’s house was unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the story as we already knew Other Mommy could follow them to other locations, and the reader was already led to believe that Russ had some sort of idea of Ursula’s infidelity. And the second they mentioned a secret, it was obvious what it was. The ending was a bit too abstract for me and left a lot to be desired. It felt abrupt after pages and pages and pages of running from Other Mommy.

Another thing I couldn’t get past were the rambling monologues every character seemed to have at least three of. Several times I begged aloud for these people to stop talking.

3 stars is the most I can give and it’s almost entirely because the descriptions of Other Mommy did actually give me the creeps.

I want to preface by saying that this is my first Josh Malerman novel. As an avid lover of horror, it feels a bit blasphemous, but I did it!!! Ok?? I’ve finally read one!
This is the story of Bela. She is a young girl living with her mommy, Daddo, and Other Mommy. Other Mommy comes from the closet, and at first, is Bela’s friend. They talk to one another, have staring contests,(oh my god) and laugh. But, Other Mommy quickly starts asking Bela to do something for her, something that Bela cannot give an answer to.
As Other Mommy becomes an even bigger force, she isn’t just showing herself to Bela. Other people witness the horror of Other Mommy which takes us on a journey (in Bela’s brain) of trying to get rid of her. A truly terrifying take on hauntings, demons, poltergeists, whatever SHE is.
The descriptions of Other Mommy seriously made me scared. While reading this at night in bed I found myself needing to go to the bathroom, but too nervous to leave the safety of my covers. Truly took me back to my childhood of thinking, “idk if I can outrun whatever might be hiding in the bathtub.” And for that, Josh Malerman gets an A+. But, by the middle of the novel, it felt a little repetitive. The notion of banishing Other Mommy kept going and going and going.
And the end…. I’ve had to reread it a few times because it seemed to happen so quickly. Like I said, this is all taking place in Bela’s mind, a very young and innocent girl. It’s different and makes it more spooky, but also made the ending really confusing for me. Definitely going to have to read some reviews when the book comes out that may answer some questions I have.
At the end of the day, this is a horror book with…. Heart. (Iykyk) It touches greatly on the innocence of children, what we should or should not expose them to, and how to handle tough situations with as much care as we can.
Scary, fun, reads like a movie. I’m just a LITTLE confused - and maybe that’s my own fault idk.
If I ever see Other Mommy, it’s on sight.
3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman follows Bela, an eight year old girl that has been seening a ghost that she refers to Other Mommy. In the past Other Mommy has only stayed in Bela's room, Lately Other Mommy has been following Bela around the house and has even ventured outside. Other Mommy is always asking Bela if she can have her heart. Bela wants to be friends with Other Mother, but she is scared of her. Now things are getting out of hand and her parents have seen Other Mommy. They don't know who to turn to help them out with getting rid of Other Mommy. This was a fast paced book that I couldn't put down and read in 2 days. This book is for anyone who loves a good ghost story. Read a like authors would be Riley Sager, Stepen Graham Jone, Grady Hendrix, Simone St. James, and Jennifer McMahon.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I never read or watched Bird Box, and this was my first foray into Josh Malerman’s writing. And boy, was it one helluva foray.

The formatting of this book was *weird.* Let’s start with that. It took 2-4 chapters for me to get comfortable with the dialogue style, and even after growing used to it and even liking it, there were moments where I was confused as to whether a character was speaking. Part of this had to do with the punctuation errors. It wasn’t often, but here and there the dialogue punctuation would be completely wrong and it kind of threw me off whenever it happened! Incidents Around the House could do with another proofread before its publication date.

Beyond that, it was a decent read. I was absorbed enough to start and finish the book in a single day, taking a few minutes here and there throughout my shift to hide from management and finish a chapter. The writing style is simplistic and without much detail, which was perfect since it’s told from the POV of an eight-year-old. The lack of detail felt very much like listening to a child describe the events of their life without the vocabulary needed to flesh it all out. And the horror? Top notch. Excellent.

There were moments where the book truly dragged. The endless drudgery of car rides, motel rooms, and places to stay got boring fast. When things were happening, the book was great. When nothing else was going on…it was just kind of meh. For this reason alone, I’d rate this book 3.5/5.

If you liked Coraline, you’ll eat this one up.

HOLY SHIT. Just finished my book of the month, year, decade - Incidents Around The House by Josh Malerman stopped me in my tracks over and over again. Genuinely feels like a future classic - everything works, all the way to the perfect ending.

It’s a stunning horror book, delivering the experience I’m always looking for when I start something new in this genre.

Loved the style, removing quote marks has such an impact on the pace and feel, everything flows together so eerily. The style definitely increased the fear factor. Really, really smart choice.

Loved the protagonist, the voice was so simple and so sad. And it’s scary! It gave me goosebumps several times! I was scared to put it down and scared to pick it up. For real, this thing is frightening.

Incidents Around The House has this sustained tension that’s unlike anything else I’ve read this year - it put me most in mind of Come Closer and The Shining, which is high praise indeed. Loved it, loved it, it’ll be at the top of my top 10 of 2024 for sure. Loved it!

Here’s the thing…I read a lot of horror, and I can appreciate a well-wrought scary book, but I rarely get scared. Josh Malerman has an impressive back catalog which I’m ashamed to say I’ve only begun to dip into. As usual, my excuse is, too many books, too little time. I called the first Malerman I read, Daphne, a new horror classic. It was heartfelt, with a great main character, and most of all damn scary, even to a jaded horror fan like me.

Now comes Malerman’s new one, Incidents Around the House, and let me tell you, this book is creepy as fuck.

Incidents Around the House takes the trope of the monster in the closet, and he twists it up into a razor-sharp dagger that digs into the base of your skull. For a young girl named Bela, that monster is an entity named Other Mommy, who with one simple, seductive question—”Can I go inside your heart?”—it turns Bela’s world upside down. And not just Bela’s, because Other Mommy is soon too restless, and too powerful, to stay in the closet. What follows is a breathless, deadly race for survival against a malevolent, insidious monster.

If that was all Incidents Around the House was, it would be enough—it would be a crackerjack horror novel. But Malerman has more in mind. The entire novel is told from Bela’s point of view, and the voice Malerman gives her—true to her age but insightful, terrified but impossibly brave, worried for her parents and grandma but with enough love in her heart to want to protect them at all costs, even if it puts her in incredible danger—is a master class in authentic voice and sustained tension.

I think people are going to be talking about Incidents Around the House at awards season, and for years to come.

Incidents Around the House publishes on June 25, 2024, and is available for pre-order now.

One of the best books I've read this year! Terrifying and written in a way that made me believe it was actually coming from the POV of a child. Had to finish all of it in one sitting because I was glued to it the entire time. This book is worth your time.