I never expected a book about houses—haunted or otherwise—to be so interesting. Leila Taylor avoids the morbid details of true crime in favor of exploring real and fictional horrors, and does so with the precision of a professional and the charm of a close friend.

Absorbing and highly atmospheric, this is a well-written book about houses with a creepy past, whether fictional or true. The author’s tone is likeable and readable, and the information is in depth yet totally parsable. The author clearly knows her stuff!

My expectations for Sick Houses were very high as I am a big fan of horror, especially of the haunted house trope. This is a non-fiction book that unfortunately reads like a school report on horror movies. The majority of the book is just a movie synopses and summaries that are big spoilers if you haven’t seen the films. I had to skip some descriptions, because I don’t want to be spoiled the ending or the whole premise of certain books and movies – huge spoilers for the movies Us and The Amityville Horror. I expected the author to put more explorations and analysis of their own opinions, but we just got some facts about famous houses. The best quotes and metaphors were from different sources, the bibliography at the end is massive. It was interesting reading how true events can be interpreted and presented as hauntings, as in the case of the Winchester house. This house was very fascinating, but there we no photos of it. There are plenty of photos of other houses, including movie scenes from various films, which was very unnecessary in my opinion. There were no floor plans or architectural drawings of buildings, there were some photographs I can assume taken by the author, but I can’t be too sure of that. The book ends with a personal experience that the author had, but for the most part I felt like the person writing this isn’t very familiar with the things they are writing about. I was pretty disappointed and unfortunately I cannot rate it very high.
Thank you to NetGalley and Repeater Books for providing me with the ARC.

What a fascinating combination of personal experience, film criticism and social commentary! I thought this was such an interesting concept and it did not disappoint- the author’s conversational tone brings life to the analysis. I think I’d have liked to hear more on about houses in fiction but that’s just a personal preference for literary studies and doesn’t negate how interesting I found this, or how informative it was. I’ve spoken to people about this already so I’ll definitely be enthusiastically handselling on publication. Looking forward to reading the author’s other work on black southern horror!

This in not only a great breakdown of what makes haunted houses in movies work, but a greatly way to get movie recommendations. I love that each house gets a thorough run down and explanation and that it is divided neatly into parts.

I saw this on NetGalley at the end of the last year and thought it would be a perfect fit to start the 2025 Year of Horror.

A great little journey through the house as a centre for the weird and spooky, whether that is just a normal person expanding their house as they desire or the abode of some of the most terrifying human beings. There are also explorations of some of the creepiest film and book houses where things definitely go bump in the night.

Written in a very accessible form this was such an enjoyable read, though there are quite a few spoilers in here for horror books and films, so beware when you start reading about a book that it may be spoiled in here.

This has added more books and films to my want to see/read list though and that’s always a good thing.

I really enjoyed how it took in both the factual and fictional creepiness of houses and took in the personal experience of spookiness, as we have to agree with Leila that there are always houses around that we just wouldn’t want to walk into in your neighbourhood.

A well thought out and executed look into the domestic side of horror that could have been a much larger book in my view.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic concept for this type of book, it had that element that I was looking for and was hooked from the description. I thought it was a great idea to discuss the architecture of haunted houses. I enjoyed the way Leila Taylor wrote this and am excited for more.

I'm not really a non-fiction kind of reader, but the description really appealed to the horror lover in me, and I was not disappointed!

The book takes you on a journey through both fictional and real-life houses of horror and peculiarity, with some areas being more fully covered than others. I was really fascinated with the story behind the high-rise multiple occupancy homes both in reality and as portrayed in film. I also enjoyed that one of my favourite miniaturist content creators was referenced in the book as it was a nice personal easter egg for me. Some of the photography was also brilliant, and I found myself wanting more reference pictures and looking up a lot of images as I read.

My only complaint is it did spoil the ending of a book on my TBR, and I didn't think it really needed to be done to get across the point of the story. Although I guess it's on me for not reading faster!

Overall, if you're like me and you only read one or 2 non-fiction a year, I'd recommend this one!

I don’t typically read nonfiction so it’s only fitting that I picked this up because it was horror-related! This is a very interesting read that explores what makes the safety of the home, and dives into many pieces of literature and film and shows and the architecture of the homes that rip that safety away and set the scene for hauntings, murder, witchings, etc. She explores why those structures have such an influence on the overall “vibes” of each piece of work, why they’re perfect in creeping us out. She even goes so far as to explore the symbolism of dollhouses in films and other works. It was a very unique exploration of architecture within films and very engaging to get short blurbs of each piece of work before she dives into the “sick houses” in them.

The writing felt very conversational, not too dense, which was refreshing for a nonfiction read. I did expect more of an exploration into if certain architecture can attract bad energy but, I have to say that I enjoyed the analysis of films and shows and novels quite a bit. There were many iconic pieces of work featured that any horror lover would be happy to dive into analyzing - Ammityville Horror, Haunting of Hill House, Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, and so on.

Sick Houses is a good read that dives into how horror twists the idea of home into something terrifying. One of my favorite parts was the photos and the interesting facts—not just about haunted or creepy houses, but also about what makes a house feel like a home. It made me think about how personal and vulnerable our connection to home really is.

I loved the detailed analysis of famous houses from movies—it was so cool to see those spaces broken down in a new way. That said, there were moments when the book got a bit too detailed, and it pulled me out of the spooky mood I was expecting.

Overall, I think this book is perfect for someone who’s really passionate about the horror genre and wants to dig deeper into the themes and symbolism behind it. It’s more about exploration than scares, but if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s definitely worth reading.

All the stars! LOVED this book which has gotten my 2025 reads off to a banging start! I devoured it in two sessions so I will be returning to it to fully savour the ideas and draw up lists of the horror books and films mentioned that I already knew but feel compelled to revisit, and those that I now want to read/watch for the first time. The bibliography will be my friend. I enjoyed googling further images and info as I went. I've just preordered a physical copy as this deserves a place on my shelves.

This was an interesting and thought-provoking exploration of how our homes, traditionally places of comfort, are transformed into sites of fear in horror narratives. Taylor weaves together an impressive array of film and TV references, from classic haunted house tales to modern depictions of unsettling domestic spaces.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of Taylor’s analysis, I found some chapters a bit lengthy, though that may be due to me not being a huge non-fiction reader. Overall, Sick Houses is a fascinating read for anyone intrigued by the intersection of horror and the concept of home.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 11, 2025
Leila Taylor’s “Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread” is a unique compilation of structures, throughout human history, that have been labeled as disturbing, off or haunted in some way. From serial killer Ed Gein’s house and the Unabomber’s shack in the woods, to real life horror stories like the house in the Amityville Horror, houses portraying other houses on screen (such as in Hitchcock’s “Psycho”) or even just those houses we identify as belonging to the neighbourhood “witch” or “crone”. Each of these structures are bricks, wood and concrete, and, at one point, was someone’s American Dream. Taylor investigates the desire for home ownership while exploring some of America’s deepest, darkest homes.
Taylor’s book is absolutely creative and new. With the number of stories, I’ve read on hauntings, possessions and all things paranormal, I never thought to look at these stories from the outside and analyze the house where the happenings occurred. Some of Taylor’s tales I am familiar with, such as “The Amityville Horror” house, but there are other, lesser known, architectural horror stories that were just as captivating, if not more so.
Taylor breaks down the book into sections and groups, making “Homes” digestible for the reader. She talks about the architectural style of the house, but does not go overboard, somehow providing the exact right amount of information on the house’s design.
Underneath all of the scary brick and mortar, Taylor delves into some deeper issues, such as the lure of the American dream and the desire for home ownership as well as society’s idea of an unmarried, childless woman being identified as a “witch” or “hag”. As mentioned, there is also some interesting architectural tidbits on the homes’ designs or specific designers (such as Frank Lloyd Wright or Sara Winchester) that kept me engaged.
“Homes” is like a true crime novel or a paranormal story but told from an entirely new perspective. Not only did Taylor provide me with more horror movies (new and old) I’ll have to keep an eye out for, but she presented me with a new way to look at what we call “haunted houses”, and the characters who reside within them.

This book dives into what kinds of houses sends shivers down our spine, has us tip toeing down the halls, and peaking around corners, but it delves into the psychological “why” we do these things. Why does this type of house or the people who dwell within them give us the heebie jeebies? Is it because horror movies taught us to fear them, or because these houses drudge forth emotions, fears, hopes, and dreams that have been instilled Into us by our culture, economy, government, race, gender, religion and socioeconomic class .

Things that go bump in the night scare us because not only has it invaded a safe haven, our home, but we can’t see it and it can see us; a gross invasion of our privacy in our most sacred space. Are we really afraid of the old women in the ivy-covered Victorian houses, or do we fear the women who invoke a power they have been taught to repress. Of a woman that defies societal norms and does not keep a house for her husband and children, only herself. Since she does not want to bear children she must want to eat them, right?

This author does a great job at pitting these many issues against plots of horror movies to prove their point. It is not a subject I typically would’ve read about without the horror innuendos, but I ended up really enjoying in the long run. Thank you to NetGalley, Leila Taylor, and Repeater Books for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am obsessed with houses. Some have good "vibes" and some have bad vibes. I find that I connect more with some houses too. I research historic homes in my community and that allows me to visit and tour all sorts of places.
I even threw a birthday party in the Browning Mansion.
So naturally I wanted to read this one. I loved it. I really loved it! I learned a lot. I might buy this for my friends for Galentines day.

This book is an incredibly well written, thoroughly researched, and fascinating read. As I said in my longer review, Taylor takes the concept of the haunted house and explores all its facets, making for such an in depth and interesting book with sections such as 'witch houses', 'mad houses', and 'brutal houses'. I especially appreciated that Taylor takes into account the wider sociological contexts that the 'haunted house' is often cemented within, particularly when it comes to women. The writing is intelligent and humorous and most of all clear and accessible. While it explores many subjects, it never felt overwhelming. I would have appreciated more depth in a few places, such as the one on the book Piranesi, but overall I absolutely loved this book and it has become one of my non fiction favourite books of all time!

I like that I learned some new stuff and thought of aspects a little different after reading this! It is clear the author did their homework and extensively researched and planned this book. It summarizes a ton of films and stories that include houses that have spooky things going on. About half way through I began to lose interest a bit.

Exploring the dark side of houses.

This was my first time reading this author and I am very impressed with her writing style. She definitely adds her personality to the book but still can tell an amazing story.

This book explored houses and how they have contributed to our society overall. Oftentimes we hear about houses but she took a deep dive into the backstory of housing and I loved the history about homeownership. This made the book even better. Not only was I given a history lesson but all the movies and shows she mentioned in the book regarding housing was well documented and detailed. This book also explores the architecture of the houses and the creative (or insane) minds behind them. Overall this is a good book to read.

My favorite parts in the book was when she wrote about “The Amityville Horror” and the Pruitt-Igoe public housing in Louis, Missouri. These two parts in the book completely captivated me. I seriously couldn’t stop reading from there it was only better.

Thank you NetGalley, Lelia Taylor, and Repeater books for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and Repeater Books for an advance copy of this book talking about architecture, ambience and famous places, what they emit that is felt by people, and how actions can be reflected by the places in which we dwell.

My Aunt had a habit of moving homes almost every two years. My father once said about his sister that she had more houses than he had cars, and my father went through cars regularly. Much of this had to do with the nouveau riche lifestyle that my aunt had adopted, where keeping up with the Joneses meant leaving them in the dust in awe of a house with central air, big foyers and a vacuum system set in the wall. I remember numerous tours pretending to care, waiting to find a room where I wouldn't be bothered while visiting so I could read a book. I always felt strange in my Aunt's house, a perpetual visitor afraid of living a ring on a table. I felt this feeling later in my first and last Airbnb. These places were houses, not homes. There was no feeling, no noises, no smells, nothing. Just a pristine lifestyle to make others feel envy, while leaving nothing on the people who dwelled inside. Homes have feelings, abodes, sheds, cabins, mansions, apartment buildings and more. They absorb what is given, what happens and these events are an aura one can feel, taste, and feel safe in, or feel uncomfortable in. Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread by writer and designer Leila Taylor is a look at what some famous places tell us about ourselves, how we see things, and why sometimes it is best to skip certain places on Halloween.

The book begins with a discussion on the photos of houses that the writer Shirley Jackson would use to in order to be inspired to write her stories that unsettle people so well. The author also keeps photos about places, and has an interesting tale about a time that the author began to digitize these photos, leading to an odd possibly supernatural experience. Or mice, the Taylor is open to both. The book looks at famous buildings in both the real world and fictional world, using examples from books, movies, paintings, and the human experience. The Unibomber's cabin is shown, a shed more than a cabin, without a doorknob. The Winchester House of course, but Taylor goes more into the history, taking it back from the legend of a crazy lady who saw spirits, and more to a designer who wanted to try new things. Taylor goes into the history of how America changed, letting houses decay on rural routes as highways linked America, living behind many people, while helping new property owners. Spooky mansions, murder houses, and even the ideas behind fallout shelters are explored, and why certain building feel the way they do.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but I really enjoyed this book. Taylor looks at why houses feel wrong. One of the best examples was about Ed Gein. People would run past the Gein house at night, not because they were afraid of Gein, but they were afraid of the house. There are a lot of examples, with plenty of pictures. Taylor has a very nice writing style, like sitting next to someone on a train and sharing thoughts while passing through America. I liked the narrative and the way the story was broken down. One can see the research that went into the book, but Taylor shares information, not lectures the reader. There was a lot more about discrimination and diversity than I expected, and I really liked the reasoning for the rise in fall-out shelters in Middle America. One learns a lot from this book, and even more one enjoys the experience.

This is the first book I have read by Leila Taylor but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Horror fans and true crime fans will like the history and interaction with the sets and settings of some of their favorite crimes, either real or imagined. I liked the discussion about history through design, the subtle way to keep certain people out of areas, even in the event of nuclear catastrophe. A book that covers a lot of subjects, all very interesting. And homey.

"When a demon inhabits a body, it takes ownership of a person, a monster is temporarily housed inside of its victim, our body invaded, repossessed. The ghost does the same with s house: it breaks into it, takes possession of what is yours, and you can no longer trust the place you trusted the most. What’s more frightening than your own home turning against you?"

A look at the haunted house in both fiction and non-fiction, Sick Houses by Leila Taylor is an interesting exploration of what happens when the place that, by definition, we feel most at home in becomes something Other, something not quite right. Each chapter looks at a different kind of house, from houses of witchcraft (real or alleged) to houses in miniature, dollhouses or dioramas that reflect or influence their life-size counterparts.

First of all, I appreciated the parameters that the author put on her subject. She says in the introduction that “I’m not talking about plantation houses because 1) fuck them, and 2) I don’t consider slave quarters homes,” and she avoids prisons and hotels as well. By creating a clear focus on homes and not just houses/buildings, it creates an immediate connection with the reader — we will of course consider our own homes, the feeling of safety and comfort we feel in them, and we will contemplate the horror we would feel if that sense of safety was pulled out from under us.

I was also very interested in her discussion of the contradictory nature of the ideals of the American Dream: “Manifest destiny told us to ‘go west, young man,’ but this part of the American ideology is in direct contradiction with the long-term mortgage that locks you not only to a city or state but to a specific property for decades.” This contrast relates to a tension that often appears in horror films — a family moves into a dream home and is loath to leave it even when the going gets bad, or a family moves into a home that turns out to be haunted, but they don’t necessarily have any other option other than to try to see it through — and the tying of classic horror movie tropes to broader societal concepts is always interesting, especially when laid out well and backed by solid examples, as is seen in this book.

Some chapters are more thorough than others — the Witch Houses chapter has many more references than the chapter on Brutalism, for example — but overall there is a good amount of evidence and a good balance between real-life and fictional examples. The chapter on houses in miniature was particularly interesting. The author writes about the dioramas in Ari Aster’s Hereditary, and the way that the film’s sets were built to evoke the feeling that the actors, too, are moving (or, more accurately, being moved) within a diorama. On the real-life side of things, the discussion of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, a diorama series of crime scenes used to improve forensic investigation, was fascinating.

I did have a few issues with the book. For one, the author spoils the ending of several films in instances where I don’t feel that it’s necessary to support her thesis. Obviously in some cases of books like this, you have to give away the major plot points of your examples in order for them to be relevant — if you’re discussing antagonistic father-son relationships you can’t really use Star Wars as an example unless you tell anyone in your audience who isn’t yet aware of the connection between Luke and Vader.

However, in this book, regarding films discussed like The Others and His House, I think that enough information about their plots could have been given to make the intended point while still leaving some mystery for those who haven’t seen them. I know that I often use this type of book as a way to add to my to-watch or to-read list, offering more examples of a trope I am interested in, so spoiling the endings of books or films I haven’t seen yet is frustrating.

It also felt in some places that more time was spent cataloguing the “contents” of the houses (i.e. the plots of the films set there or, in the case of the real life examples, the crimes committed there) than the houses themselves.

In particular, some of the examples focusing on true crime started to feel too tangental, straying away from the connection to the houses/homes and delving too much into the events themselves. For example, I understood what the author was going for in connecting the novel Room and the tragic real-life story of “feral child” Genie, but in the case of the latter there was little connection to the thesis of the book.

Furthermore, at the start of the book the authors understandably says she won’t include places like slave’s quarters because these were not “homes” to the enslaved people living there, but then it follows that surely a place of imprisonment for Genie (or, in fiction, for the kidnapped inhabitants of Room) was not a “home” to be discussed either.

From the second half of the subtitle, “the Architecture of Dread,” I was hoping for more on the design of houses themselves. While this aspect does certainly get coverage in some sections of the book, looking at architectural oddities on screen and in reality, the trope of architecture that is Not Quite Right — houses that are bigger on the inside, stairways that don’t lead where they’re supposed to — is one of my favorites and I would’ve liked a deeper dive into some of these given the supposed secondary premise of the book.

That said, the sections looking at strange and unusual architecture did have some good moments, most interestingly in dispelling myths about the Winchester Mystery House (no, Sarah Winchester wasn’t taking her orders from ghosts; she was just a hobby architect). On the fiction side of things, I enjoyed the brief foray into one of my favorite books of all time, Susannah Clarke’s Piranesi, as a particularly good example of both impossible architecture and a false home (although I found it odd that one of the other most well-known examples of these tropes, Mark Danielewski’s House of Leaves, did not get a mention).

"This book is a catalog of houses that have gone wrong and the ways our built environment can evoke terror and dread. But more so this is a book about the home, and the idea of home, and how horror perverts and manipulates one of the most personal and intimate experiences we have as human beings."

I think that Sick Houses will appeal mostly to readers who already have an interest in the topic. At points it feels as though the author has cornered you at a party and is explaining her research project to you. For me, that’s fine, as it’s a long-standing interest of mine as well. But it may not work as well for readers who aren’t already fascinated by architectural horror or the unheimlich feeling of a haunted house.

But if the above quote draws you in, then this is definitely one to keep an eye out for when it’s published in 2025.