A huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-ARC! Malerman has been an auto-buy author for me since reading Bird Box and he does not disappoint!

Incidents Around the House is written entirely in the perspective of Bela, and eight-year-old that has frequent nightly visits from the Other Mommy in her closet. Unsettling, creepy, and often nauseating, the prose is somehow simplistic—as a child’s writing demands—yet surprisingly elegant and powerful. I was so impressed by the balance the author struck between the two, and it heightened my enjoyment throughout. I really found it hard to put this down (while sadly training at the new job).

Focusing heavily on what goes bump in the night, Malerman takes childhood fears and turns them into adulthood traumas. There was a single line about how Other Mommy was hiding in the dark corner, but her eyes were up near the ceiling that truly gave me chills. And that’s where this story excels, within its endless possibilities, within what it leaves unsaid. It’s childhood stories, it’s Goosebumps and Fear Street and Are You Afraid of the Dark, yet it’s deconstructed, enhanced, and rewound into an entirely unique and adult novel.

Bela’s Mommy and Daddo are great characters in their own right, but they’re also great characterizations of polar opposites in parenting. One feels trapped, ungrateful, and the bearer of bad news. The other is the optimistic, uplifting one, and Bela’s best friend. The light and the dark to their daughter. But what I enjoyed about this dynamic the most, was Malerman’s ability to showcase them so well that I stopped believing that I knew which parent was the “good” one. The rock-bottom feel of their desperation and disparity is something I would say is wholly unique and integral to the experience. And Bela is constantly drawn to the two for different reasons. And to Other Mommy too.

I also really enjoyed that the author gives us a mixture of modern things thrown in. A modern “hippie” exorcism that goes a bit wonky, a slew of cameras and alarms that could make my crew in BestGhost’s heads spin, two well behaved guard dogs that never seem to take a break, running away from home, both short and long trips, and of course, an occult specialist that’s absolutely not a sham. It kind of felt like taking absolutely everything you could do to save yourself, and finding out that all of it wasn’t the right thing.

I happened to be reading this at the same time as Baptiste Pinson Wu’s historical fantasy, Undead Samurai. The juxtaposition of zombies, swords, and action against Malerman’s slowed down, slithering, creepy-crawly horror, just really sold the experiences. And it really sold Malerman’s ability to sell an incredible story with a slower burn.

Can Other Mommy be trusted? Can she be let into Bela’s heart? Why is she named that? The absolutely unhinged act of twisting the dynamic of mother and daughter into something OTHER is truly brilliant. And gross, so gross.

Malerman is at his best, delivering readers with something to think about for years to come, especially before we turn out the lights. I genuinely feel for any reader that has a young daughter.

This, my friends, this is a great psychological horror and it truly freaked me out.

Told from 8-year-old Bela's perspective that gave this an eerie edge to it with an innocent worldview. Which you'd think would soften the plot elements but if anything it amplified it. The pages read quickly and kept the same pace the entire time. At times it felt wrong somehow, like the unseen was writing this through a whisper and a laugh AS I turned each page. It was giving malevolent and darker Coraline vibes. It was very unique in how the story was told but also how it unfolded as it felt rooted in reality from page one and carefully wrapped in terrifying components. This will sit with me for a long time to come.

I have a 10 year old and so it was all too easy for me to place myself in the shoes of the parents and realize just how hopeless it would feel and yet they charged ahead. In no way was I prepared for that final scene, it was just insanity and had my jaw dropping because what the . . .

Probably hugged my daughter for a solid five minutes after finishing.

Although I had a strong feeling what was going to somewhat happen in the end, the book gutted me. It's very well written, the scenes are descriptive and creepy, the characters are well developed. It's going to live in my head for a while.

What a whirlwind of emotion this was. There was terror, apprehension, but there was also trauma and love. Malerman lays out the family dynamic, and talks about the secrets we build our lives on, how they direct every step we take after. Bela is stalked by a terrifying entity, one who keeps asking an impossible question. One she refuses to answer. It starts with Bela, and slowly shows itself again and again, dragging others into the horrific realization that there is so much worse in this world than they ever guessed.
Loved this story, burned through it as quickly as my eyes could take it in. 12/10, highly recommend.

Josh Malerman has a knack for showing the reader horrors from a different viewpoint. With Incidents Around the House, he shows us a haunted house — someplace we’ve all been before — from the viewpoint of eight-year-old Bela.

There is something living inside Bela’s closet, something she calls Other Mommy which comes out at night and asks to be let in to Bela’s heart. Bela, Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth must face this ever more dangerous entity as it grows stronger, as its appearances become more terrifying, and as its desire for Bela becomes more insistent.

Malerman gives us family which is haunted not only by Other Mommy, but by their own histories, secrets, desires. The child’s POV provides another layer of emotional trauma as there are things which Bela struggles to understand. Incidents Around the House is heart-wrenching and terrifying and a damn good read.

This will absolutely be in my top 3 for the year. I had such a great time with this one.

I savored this book, which was difficult because I wanted to binge it. But, I needed it to last as long as possible. I wanted to submerge myself in these scared feelings for as long as I could because when I talk about my particular favorite kind of horror, this is it! Give me haunted house or demonic possession anytime… but this both was and wasn’t either of those! There is so much more to this story.

First of all, what a unique perspective to have this be solely from the perspective of an eight year old girl. There are things her mind doesn’t fully understand, creating a contradiction within her. She is terrified of this “Other Mommy” because it is objectively scary, but she doesn’t truly get the full grasp of WHAT is so terrifying about it… so she is seeing the reactions of the adults around her, the people she is supposed to know and trust to care for her. I found it fascinating.

Bela is seeing “Other Mommy” in her closet. She had a question for Bela, one that could be very serious! It’s when “Other Mommy” starts venturing out of the confines of Bela’s closet and her bedroom that Bela becomes truly scared of her.

This was just such a freaking awesome book. I loved the innocent point of view in Bela and the visual horror in this was epic! I was having full on out loud reactions to some of these scenes. I had to close the book and look over my should multiple times.

I highly recommend this! Read this book!

Bela's closet has a friend, that friend known as other mommy just wants to come inside Bela's heart. Other mommy wants to switch places with the eight year old girl. When Bela continues to say no, other mommy becomes angry. Strange things start happening within the house. Things even Mommy, Daddo, and others can see. Other Mommy won't stop until she gets what she wants.

This was told by eight year old Bela, so the conversations were slightly different. Bela is being haunted and chased, others are terrified when they see it too. Incidents Around the House will leave you feeling slightly creeper out at the very least. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Genuinely scared the **** out of me!

I can't wait for everyone to read about OTHER MOMMY!! She's absolutely terrifying.

This MUST be turned into a movie!!

This book thoroughly unsettled me and will be a crowd pleaser for readers who love dark, haunting horror told in a truly unique way.

Incidents Around The House is a chilling account of a haunting seen thru the eyes of a child. This is a totally fresh spin on the haunting story unlike anything I've read before. It takes a familiar plot and makes it so much more menacing and disturbing thanks to watching events unfold thru a young child's perspective and with their limited understanding of events. It took me a few chapters to connect with the unusual narrative style, but once I found my rhythm with the storytelling, I was caught in the grip of this sinister tale. 

This book had me closing the closet door before going to bed and will linger in my thoughts for a while. The slowly building sense of uneasiness and dread as well as a sort of disconnect from the adults motives and actions, just as a child would experience, made this a gripping horror story that stands out in a sea of haunting tales. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine/Del Rey for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.

Let me flat out say that Josh Malerman’s latest book “Incidents Around the House” is a true paranormal horror novel. I don’t know what keeps Mr. Malerman up at night (maybe he sleeps soundly and he just comes up with these ideas - or maybe he connects odd things together and they work into stories), but this one was an interesting read. This story is told from the perspective of eight-year-old Bela which I found an interesting take. While I felt sympathy for Bela, her parents I didn’t really care for - though at least Daddo seemed to want to do something at times. I did like Grandma Ruth and Lois, as the provided some balance to Bela’s parents, but for the most part the adults were there and floundering a lot (though when a paranormal thing happens, you realize that “the boys” from Supernatural aren’t that easy to reach …). While having this story from Bela’s perspective was interesting, there was a large chuck in the middle that felt repeated and both of Bela’s parents did these long monologues (mainly Bela’s mom) that, well, droned on and I started skimming through them - and I’m not sure I missed much of the story. The ending, I felt, wasn’t solid, but it was satisfying for me. Mr. Malerman writes in metaphor, which sometimes is easy to understand and at other times vague … so that’s sometime to note, I feel, as the ending may not be to everyone’s taste. Was this my favorite book by Mr. Malerman? No, but it was a solid one that I’d recommend to those who have liked his other books. 3.5 stars overall, rounded up to 4.

Without question, my favorite Malerman book yet.
This one was beyond creepy.
Loved how the POV was from someone at their most vulnerable, a child. Brings back so many “ There’s something in my closet” memories.

Thought it was very unique in the way it was written. told in the view point of a young girl, living with Mommy and Daddo, the viewpoint does create a very spooky atmosphere at times. Bela finds herself being visited by "other mommy" in this haunting tale. Overall four stars, really felt like i was watching a horror movie and it kept my attention throughout the book. had a real sense of dread and you just never knew where it was going next or what was about to happen. Bravo Josh on a great one.

thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for early review.

I love horror movies and books. This book gave me chills in a way a really good horror movie would. I feel I can see it as it plays. It is very well written and fast paced! I will definitely recommend it to my fellow horror book lovers!

I could not put this book down, even though I desperately wanted to because I was scared out of my mind. I loved all of the characters, even selfish Ursula. I especially loved the conversations Russ had with Bela—they were so poignant and special. While I didn’t love the ending—I wanted it a bit happier-I loved the structure, pacing, and mood of this novel. My heart is still racing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy!

Josh Malerman’s INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE is a parent’s nightmare down-spiral, one that’s difficult to shake off. It felt like it was written during a feverish meditation, with Malerman’s both inner child and grown-up philosopher on full display at the same time. From the moment I started it, I couldn’t put it down, especially as the previews for The First Omen played in the darkened theater and my buttered popcorn fingertips stained the iPad screen. I had to finish it as the last preview played, and even when the movie began, all I could do was think about what I’d just been hit with. Highly recommend this straightforward, compelling tale—Malerman’s best work yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray / Random House for sending this ARC. All opinions of this book are my own.

💀Can I come into your heart?💀

So I’m sure you’ve seen the insane amount of positive reviews for this one so far…. And I have to agree with them!

This book was absolutely horrifying. It’s told from the perspective of Bela, and innocent young kid. She’s been seeing “Other Mommy” for awhile now. She lurks in the closet, always asking Bela if she can come into her heart.

But Other Mommy is becoming more insistent. She’s starting to follow Bela everywhere. Even during the day.

This book is a blend of psychological horror and domestic horror. Not only do we focus on the horrors of the other mother haunting Bela under the guise of “friendship,” but we also see Bela witnessing her parents arguing and growing more distant.

I found the perspective being told through a young kid made this story even scarier. The innocent lens she puts on things made the scary scenes stick with me.

And let’s talk about the other mother for a moment. 👏🏻 What a horrifying monster. The descriptions of “her” had me glancing over my shoulder and shutting my doors. Absolutely terrifying. Perfect nightmare fuel.

Just be aware going into this that because it’s told through Bela’s perspective, the formatting is a bit different. There are no quotations for characters talking and the dialogue may seem a little off—but this is all done on purpose to put the reader in a childlike mindset.

I’m giving this one a solid 5 stars!

Special thanks to @netgalley @joshmalerman and @randomhouse for the advanced readers copy!

I love Josh Malerman's books, especially The Bird Box, Goblin, Daphne and A House at the Bottom of a Lake. This book was a bit different since its told from a child's point of view. It was a bit trying to get used to the child Bela's speech not using quotes. She lives with her parents and The Other Mommy, a frightening creature that comes out at night. Other Mommy has a scary request from Bela. At first you may think this is an imaginary friend but when other adults see the creature, they are extremely frightened of her. This isn't one of my favorite's of Malerman but it was definitely a creepy story.
'

Good GOD this might be my favorite Malerman story (it’s hard to beat Pearl but it just might).

Told from 8 y/o Bela’s POV, Malerman does a mostly fantastic job of capturing a realistic story told from a child’s perspective while maintaining a cohesive plot and timeline that makes sense. There are a few times that I definitely had to readjust my suspension of disbelief, and almost every time had to do with adult characters giving monologues to this central child. Bela, learn to walk away sometimes, your family likes to hear themselves talk.

I thoroughly enjoyed nearly every minute of this book, and found myself having to keep my lights on at night. The descriptions of Other Mommy really got under my skin, and I don’t scare easily with monsters. The combination of simulated childhood fear + the environment of mounting tension was *chefs kiss*

I don’t want to give too much away, but the overall themes leading to the ending were very heavy and crafted masterfully. You start the book thinking the villain is very obvious, and end it with the unsettling question of what you just read and how to process it.

I can see audiences getting put off by the lack of quotations, but I sincerely hope those people stick it out. This is a gem of a horror book that left me disturbed.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman is a creepy and spooky tale, told from the point of view of the young daughter in the family. I enjoyed this spin on the pov. I will recommend this title to patrons at my library.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House-Ballantine/Del Ray Books as well as the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #DelRayBooks #IncidentsAroundtheHouse #JoshMalerman

Title: Incidents Around the House
Author: Josh Malerman
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/ Del Ray Books
Publication Date: June 25, 2024

This is one creepy book. Malerman has painstakingly crafted a story that is creepy and emotional and he has done it in such a way that keeps the reader guessing until the last page. Bela’s story crawled out of my closet and under my skin where it remains still. Bela is an eight year old girl who lives with her Mom and her Daddo. She also lives with a sinister entity called the “Other Mother”. She wants to trade places with Bela. Why would she want that? All Bela knows is that the Other Mother used to stay in her closet but now she won’t even stay in her house. She’s getting stronger and bolder because she needs to know if she can go into Bela’s heart.

Just writing the synopsis gives me a delightful case of the shivers. Mr. Malerman’s sheer skill as a writer put me through a slow and excruciating experience with every creak and murmur whether on the page or in my house. As “Other Mother” crawled around the pages, terrorizing Bela and her family, I found myself enthralled and creeped out. I’m not easy to scare at all. I think this is the closest a book has ever come to haunting me after I turn the last page. Well done, Josh!

Bela is a unique child and Malerman’s writing gives her a voice that reflects this. Her innocence plus her old soul make for an effective and sympathetic protagonist.

All in all, this novel was effective and compelling. I don’t have the words to explain how much I loved it. This is easily the best novel by this author that I’ve read and that’s saying a lot! Don’t read this at night!