How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.
When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.
Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.
But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…
Review:
This was my third Grady Hendrix book having previously read “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” and “Final Girls Support Group” and I gotta say, I think this one may have been my favorite of the three (though I hear “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” is his best – that’s still on my list.
That said, I had a ton of fun with this one. It’s creepy, funny, and fast-paced and in my opinion, a must-read for fans of horror with a touch of comedy.
The story follows Louise, a successful single mother who finds herself faced with the daunting task of selling her family home after her parents’ untimely death. She is reluctant to return to her childhood town but is determined to make the trip short and quick. She’s hoping she and her brother, Mark, will be able to put their differences aside and quickly get her parent’s affairs in order so she can go home and put this all behind her, but that’s easier said than done. Mark isn’t exactly cooperative, and getting the house ready to sell ends up being quite the undertaking – mostly because all the dolls and puppets that her mother collected need to be cleared out of the house before the realtor will even consider showing the house. But getting rid of the dolls is no easy task – especially one named Pupkin – who literally has a mind of his own and is determined to not only stay in the house but he is hell-bent on remaining in Louise’s life one way or another.
Like a lot of people, clowns, dolls, and puppets absolutely creep me out, so a house full of haunted dolls is my worst nightmare. The very first time Louise walks into her parent’s house and finds the TV on and the dolls seemingly watching TV, I knew I was in for one hell of a ride, and the author didn’t disappoint. Hendrix’s vivid descriptions of the haunted dolls and puppets will send shivers down your spine and leave you questioning the safety of your own childhood toys. The creepy atmosphere had me checking over my shoulder frequently.
One thing that sets Grady Hendrix’s books apart from other horror novels is his ability to inject humor into the darkest of situations. The witty banter between Louise and Mark – especially in tense and scary situations – provides much-needed levity, making the story feel relatable and authentic. Hendrix’s writing style is engaging and fast-paced, ensuring that you won’t be able to put the book down.
I loved the characters in this story, from Louise to Mark and their crazy family, and even the psycho puppet Pupkin all have a purpose and drive the plot forward.
“How to Sell a Haunted House” also tackles themes of family, loss, and redemption. The relationship between Louise and Mark is a central focus of the story, as they are forced to confront their past and work together to overcome the malevolent spirits within the house. It is a story of healing and growth, showing that even in the face of the supernatural, the power of love and forgiveness can prevail.
This book is a masterful blend of horror, family drama, and humor. So, if you’re in need of a bone-chilling read that will leave you entertained and slightly spooked, this book is the perfect choice.
