How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is a slow burn rooted in messy sibling dynamics that rewards your patience with disturbing, doll-fueled horror.
Content Warning: Car Accident, Death of parents, and more.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix, narrated by Mikhaila Aaseng and Jay Aaseng –
Personal Fear Disclaimer: I am NOT a fan of dolls and puppets. Sooooo… Why did I think reading this was a good idea?! I had some pretty immediate regret, but my curiosity and love for Grady Hendrix’s writing won.
This tale begins with a very slow burn. A large chunk is focused on sibling dynamics and family drama as these two siblings struggle to cope with the sudden loss of their parents after a car accident. Of course, it’s not just their loss, it’s also everything that comes next: the funeral, the burial, the reading of the wills… and how to deal with their house.
The storyline is heavy on the tension between characters rather than scares. I will say that I felt it really dragged on as I was mainly here for the horror. But boy, the author did an amazing job making me absolutely hate both siblings and their constant emotional friction!
Once the horror kicks in… ohhhhhh, it kicks in! The shift from drama to full-blown nightmare is jarring (in a good way!). For me, the story suddenly became much more fun and engaging
Dolls and puppets: an absolute no from me. And that attic scene?! I’m still traumatized. That was definitely one of the most disturbing moments in the book!
Listening made everything more intense. The slow parts felt slower in audio and the horror parts felt way worse than just reading them! Bravo to the narrators, Mikhaila Aaseng and Jay Aaseng.
My Favorite Passages from How To Sell A Haunted House –
She was a mom. Nothing happened on her schedule.
Louise was already bolting for the hatch. Spider uttered a hideous rising growl, climbing higher and higher like it was building toward a yowl. She hurdled boxes, she shoulder rolled over a weight bench Mark had gotten from their mom for Christmas one year. She landed on her feet and reached for the lip of that hatch to swing down, drop into the hall, then turn and swing the hatch shut on Spider’s face. But something hit her between the shoulder blades and Louise lurched forward, and felt her center of gravity turn upside down.
My Final Thoughts on How To Sell A Haunted House –
Though very slow and drama-heavy at first, once the horror hits, it’s so effective and horrifying! This read is totally worth it, even if you hate dolls, and you can push through the buildup… Especially if you love being uncomfortable!
Thanks for reading!
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