Wow! Unsettling, psychologically terrifying and utterly brilliant.
One of the greatest horror books I have read for awhile. Definitely one to be read in the dark, on your own, with the sound of just the house creaking around you and a storm howling outside.
That about sums up the atmosphere of this book!
Told through Bella’s thoughts and conversations, the writing style took a little adjusting too but once you are used to the writing method the book is unputadownable! I was awake all night reading this one.
If you have closet doors in your bedroom you may want to put something heavy in front of them. You certainly don’t want to leave them open a crack!
‘Other Mother’ begins off as Bella’s only friend, until she starts to act creepy but only Bella knows about her and can see her.
She has a question for Bella, ‘Can I live in your heart?’ and talking about carnation – reincarnation. But the more Bella says no the creepier Other Mother gets until it just isn’t Bella that can hear, smell and see her.
As the family make a mad dash from the house they don’t know what to do or where to go for help because Other Mother isn’t just haunting their house, she has attached herself to Bella. Wherever Bella goes, Other Mother follows.
The stress starts to show the cracks in the family dynamic and Other Mother loves cracks.
The story follows the family as they try to deal with this entity and keeping Bella safe.
This book is a full on psychological horror thriller that I would love to see brought to the big screen, the book is like watching a horror movie.
Horror and supernatural fans will devour this book whole and be left wanting more.
Incidents Around the House will be published on June 25, 2024 and is available to preorder now.
Be prepared to be freaked out!

Another super creepy read from Josh Malerman. Honestly love when a book takes place in my home state. Meet Bella…. Who’s chatting with her “other mommy”. A wild paranormal roller coaster.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to Random House Publishing and Josh Malerman for this opportunity. I'm going to be honest, straight out of the gate. I did not think I was going to get far into this book at all. The writing style was weird in terms of not only the way the words lay upon the page but just the overall feeling. It ends up serving the book pretty well, actually, and I'm not sure if it's done the way I read it on purpose or if it's going to be touched up before full publication. I hope it stays as is. I actually really liked this book. Supernatural is not something I gravitate towards. It's too unbelievable for me to truly get into it. I thought of this book the entire time I wasn't reading it. I was soooooo curious what exactly it was all getting to. The ending had me feeling... well, I said WTF. I rarely ever reread books, and I just might on this one. Definitely suspenseful, not gory or disgusting. I had a little issue with the way the big twist was worded in terms of how the child was being told. It didn't seem like appropriate word choices that would help her understand what's actually being said since she is so young and innocent. Overall, I definitely recommend it.

God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be before I read this. This book is by far the scariest thing I’ve ever read. My heart pounded, I haven’t slept well in days. I’ll never go to the bathroom in the middle of the night again without a certain scene playing in my head. The author created such an intense atmosphere of dread and tension all through the (very well written and believable) POV of an 8 year old. I loved it!

Wow. Just wow. This was unbelievably unique, unsettling, dark yet thought-provoking. I may just have nightmares of "Other Mommy" now. To say this author is talented is putting it lightly. It takes a lot for a book to scare me, which rarely happens, but this one did the trick, making me check all the closets in my house. In a world where I can't remember what I read a week ago, this is one of those stories that I will remember years down the road. Brilliant and original, I highly recommend this to all horror lovers. Five Stars.

Thank you, Netgalley, and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC.

4.5 stars

I have a very complicated love/hate relationship with Malerman. This particular book is a love.
I’m really going to have to think on what the end of this book means, or maybe the book as a whole. But holy cow, this book was freekin creepy. It is very rare that I get actually creeped out, but this one really did it for me.

This is a very complex story, and I’m not normally a person that tries to read too deeply into my regular fictional entertainment reads, but I know there is a lot more to this than what’s on the surface. Some is fairly obvious but that ending has me reeling. Either way, Bravo Mr. Malerman, you’ve really got a good o e here.

Bela, Mommy and Daddo live together in their house. And Other Mommy lives in Bela’s bedroom closet. She’s getting closer and closer and asks Bela, “Can I go inside your heart?” Bela doesn’t want to say yes, but isn’t that what friends do?

This new work from the author of BIRD BOX is delightfully creepy and was even better than I thought. Highly recommended.

This was the most unsettling and disturbing thing I've read in years! This fast-paced horror starts within a family in which a girl is being haunted by a sinister presence. This was an extremely gripping story from the first page to the last, with mounting tension and danger. I loved the way the story was told, mainly through the dialog that takes place between the girl and the adults. This was truly a masterpiece that any horror fan will not want to miss!

Wow. I’m absolutely stunned and blown away by this book.

I’ve been a Malerman fan since Bird Box, and I loved it that he was able to make me tense enough to cover my mouth while reading (which only one other author has ever done to me). This book, though, made me cover my mouth more than 10 times! Even more, I literally squirmed around a few times. And at one point, I gasped so loudly that it woke my cat up! All of this to say that Incidents Around the House is now one of my all-time favorite books and should definitely be at the top of your TBR list.

Writing a book completely from the point of view of a young character can go wrong very quickly, but Malerman nailed it. Everything about the narrator’s words and thoughts screamed ‘this was written by a child’ to me. Malerman deserves a major standing ovation for what he’s accomplished here.

I also loved it that Malerman let some of his own thoughts about life, and trying to protect the part of you that’s open to other things, filter through the adult lens (especially Daddo and Grandma). I’ve noticed that each of his books seems to be increasingly like this, and it’s so wonderful.

This book is tense and freaky. It managed to tear my heart out and rip it to shreds, too. But there were also moments that had me literally laughing out loud. If this sounds good to you (and it really should), order this book. You won’t be sorry.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

I think I've hurt my vocal cords after screaming too much! Well, Josh Malerman seemed to see through my bluff when I insisted I rarely get scared by horror movies and novels because real-life experiences are more terrifying than fiction. He raised the level of fear for pretentious readers like me a notch higher! Now, I'm on the verge of panicking, afraid to walk in my own house. Every cracking sound makes me jump down to the floor, covering my head with my hands and closing my eyes, counting to ten thousand. That's how my dear husband found me and took pictures, which he shared on his Insta, already garnering 15 thousand likes! I hate my life!

Anyways, writing a book review without giving too much away is the toughest job, especially for this book. I can barely say a few words to define the plot. Here they are: Little Bela meets her imaginary friend, "the other mother," who lives in her closet and sometimes appears at her bedside, chatting and giggling with her. She even mentioned her existence to her momma Ursula and daddo Russ, and they acted like it was a joke. But when the other mother talks about carnation or reincarnation, and Bela refuses to let her into her heart, things take a dark turn. As more days pass, Bela realizes the other mother is not her friend; she's an entity that truly wants to enter her heart, growing stronger and following her everywhere. When Bela's family's foundation starts crumbling down, the entity becomes even stronger.

Bela is not the only one who sees her, and there's no escaping this monstrous entity. It traces every step Bela takes. What happens if Bela decides to say yes? Can she save her family, or is there a way to kill the monster before it takes her heart? If there is, what would be the cost?

Oh boy! I've never been so scared by any book! It chilled me to my bones; my blood ran cold! I'm honestly whispering because I lost my voice from screaming at each chapter. I couldn't take it anymore and covered my eyes not to read more, but my prankster husband took the book, read aloud, and dropped it as he cried like a baby! I'm not exaggerating, guys; this book scared the living daylights out of me! But it's incredibly good! The narration style was like it's written by a child, which was a bit distracting, but it never failed to send shivers down my spine.

I cannot give less than 5 stars to this book, the fairest grade, but I warn you—it's extremely spine-tingling. You might want to leave a light on when you sleep for weeks and invite all your relatives to sleep in your living room together for a month. That's how frightening it is. But, absolutely, I recommend it to horror lovers looking for something creative and mind-blowing!

I hope this book gets adapted into a screenplay so I can hit the theaters to watch and scream through the scenes like an opera lady or young Jamie Lee Curtis.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballentine/Del Rey for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of “Incidents Around the House” by Josh Malerman. I was so excited to recieve this ARC because I loved “Bird Box”. Unfortunately I have to say this book fell flat for me. In the beginning, it definitely scared me which is where the two stars came from. Two stars for the creepy factor. The middle of the book got too repetitive for me, unfortunately. I do like the overall psychological horror theme of innocence lost, but I just didn’t feel like it was translated well within the story. I have to say the ending was anti climactic. I was hoping for so much more as I was getting closer to the end. I will say the story did keep me engaged the entire time.

When I say I was on the EDGE of my seat for the entirety of this book!
Go into blind. I mean it.
SO GOOD.

I think this paints a beautiful picture of just how close trauma can bring a family together, how truth can sometimes drive a wedge in relationships, even if it needed to be revealed.
I loved the way this was written—from a child’s POV. It was written that way for a purpose, and it DELIVERED.
I am mortified in the best way at this story.

Incidents Around the House is horror at its finest. Malerman proves once again that he is a master of his craft. Told from the viewpoint of an 8 year old girl, Incidents will keep you hooked and wrapped in a comfy blanket of dread the entire time. One scene in particular will have me cautiously entering a bathroom at night. The imagery is so sharp and vivid that it plays through your mind like a movie. Malerman masterfully wrote a true horror ending and one that will stick with you long after you turn out the lights.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this horrifying ARC!!

Definitely enjoyed this one! I was a fan of Bird Box and Malorie so I was super psyched to receive an ARC of this one. And luckily it didn’t disappoint. It’s told entirely from the perceptive of Bela, a child, and her nonchalance at times regarding the other mommy is terrifying.

There was a bit of repetition towards the middle, but overall the book was well paced and had a very creepy vibe.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Incidents Around the House" is a gripping and haunting horror novel by Josh Malerman, the New York Times bestselling author known for "Bird Box." This chilling story is told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl named Bela, whose world revolves around her family - her Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. However, her seemingly normal life is disrupted by the presence of a malevolent entity she refers to as "Other Mommy."

"Other Mommy" is a sinister force in Bela's life, constantly asking her the unsettling question, "Can I go inside your heart?" As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that this entity is growing restless and stronger, indicating that Bela's refusal to comply with its requests may have dire consequences for her family. The novel portrays a sense of increasing tension and horror as "Other Mommy" becomes bolder, and the safety Bela relies on starts to unravel.

The narrative weaves a tale of true horror, focusing on the bonds of family and the cracks that begin to show in her parents' marriage. The story encapsulates a family as haunted as their home, with Bela at the center of this eerie and disturbing scenario. The novel masterfully blends elements of gothic horror, paranormal fiction, and suspense, creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere that lingers with the reader.

"Incidents Around the House" is set to be a unique addition to the horror genre, offering a fresh and terrifying perspective on childhood fears and the unseen horrors that can lurk within the safety of one’s home.

This may be the scariest book I’ve ever read. I’m definitely not going to be sleeping very well for a while! If you like to be scared, this is the book for you - if you don’t, definitely stay far away! Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC - as a horror enthusiast, I LOVED it!

Incidents Around The House follows a young girl named Bela who lives with her mom and dad and someone who she calls “other mommy”. This book was creepy from the start and I flew through it! It would definitely be a good read for around Halloween. This was the second book I’ve read by Josh Malerman and I’ve enjoyed both! Thank you so much to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Incidents Around The House.

Whooo.....that was a ride. I think this book is one of the best I have read in a long time. Truly terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time. I will without a doubt be thinking about it for a while.

This review will be posted to FanFiAddict.com’s FearForAll section closer to publication day (aiming for the week of June 17-21 unless a sooner time is preferred). A link to this review can be shared once live on the site.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and DelRey for the eARC!

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman is hands down the most terrifying piece of horror literature that I’ve managed to come across. To say what makes this story just so utterly petrifying is a hard topic to cover succinctly because so many topics, tropes, and themes are explored so perfectly. Malerman has always written things that strike a chord, but Incidents takes the cake.

Through Bela’s perspective, we learn she is being haunted by “Other Mommy,” an entity that looks a bit like a woman with a face that’s not quite right. She calls Bela’s closet home at the start of the book in which events escalate proving there are no confines for Other Mommy. This is one way Malerman creates this greater feeling of existential dread; there is no escape. Futhermore, Other Mommy isn’t afraid to show herself to adults. I find horror tropes tend to heavily rely on the mistrust of adults and children by having adults question and deny what their child is reportedly seeing or experiencing. Malerman takes a different path here also upping the ante given that Bela’s parents have seen Other Mommy. They understand the threat is all too real. And perhaps most frighteningly of all, no one knows how to keep Other Mommy away from Bela. As a child, what’s more terrifying than a problem your parents or even grandparents don’t know how to handle?

Of course there are scenes that are crafted so masterfully under Malerman’s hand that true jump scares are created. The pressure doesn’t ever really seem to let up since Bela is always seemingly accessible to Other Mommy. Her tell-tale signs of being close, her smell and the creaks of the spaces she occupies, are written in such a way that immense suspense and tension are impossible to ignore. My nerves have never been more strung-out than when awaiting where Other Mommy would appear next.

What really solidifies this story as the epitome of horror is the matters of the heart. Malerman broaches the topics of childhood, lost innocence, and protecting your heart. Bela’s understanding of the world is limited due to her experiences and being a young child. This is what makes her so appealing to Other Mommy in theory, yet we end up learning much more about Bela’s parents in the face of this threat. The last few pages hold some of the most interesting prose regarding what it means to grow as a person only to be followed by one last clash of horror.

It’s safe to say Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman will soon become a modern fixture in the world of horror fiction. He plays just the right notes at the right times to create tunes of utter terror and chaos giving way to the softer sounds of matters concerning the heart and childhood. This is a complex story that mirrors what it means to grow up, to accept the world around you and what it means to guard your own heart.

Incidents Around the House is Josh Malerman’s next Bird Box; a wholly original, spine-chilling horror story that oozes dread on every page. Its Insidious meets The Babadook in ways only Josh can masterfully construe. Just make sure you check the edge of your bed before you fall asleep. Early candidate for Best Horror Novel of 2024. Highly recommend!