“Simply put—and I do not say this lightly—Incidents Around the House is the most purely effective horror novel I have ever read.”—Neil McRobert, Esquire A chilling horror novel about a haunting, told from the perspective of a young girl whose troubled family is targeted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy,” from the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box “This book is the monster that lives inside your closet.”—Grady Hendrix, New York Times bestselling author of How to Sell a Haunted House LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • BRAM STOKER AWARD NOMINEE To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?” When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay. Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel. But Other Mommy needs an answer. Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror about a family as haunted as their home.
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About the author
Josh Malerman
Author
Josh Malerman is an American novelist, songwriter, movie director, film producer, cartoonist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band The High Strung. He is best known for writing horror and his post-apocalyptic novel, Bird Box (2014), which was the inspiration of the Netflix film Bird Box. In 2020, he founded the production company Spin a Black Yarn with manager Ryan Lewis.
Incidents Around the House
by Josh Malerman
Books Like Incidents Around the House
If you're looking for books similar to Incidents Around the House, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
House of Leaves
Mark Z. Danielewski
A groundbreaking horror novel that explores psychological terror through an unconventional narrative about a house that defies physical reality. The book delves into familial trauma and supernatural disturbances within a home. Its experimental structure and deeply unsettling atmosphere make it a perfect companion to Malerman's work. The story follows a family discovering impossible spatial anomalies in their house that challenge perception and sanity.
The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson
A classic haunted house novel that explores psychological terror and familial dynamics. The story centers on a group investigating a potentially haunted house, with a focus on Eleanor, whose fragile mental state becomes increasingly central to the narrative. The book masterfully blends supernatural elements with psychological complexity. Its exploration of interior mental landscapes mirrors Malerman's approach.
The Only Good Indians
Stephen Graham Jones
A contemporary horror novel exploring cultural trauma and supernatural revenge. The story follows four Native American men haunted by a past event with supernatural consequences. Like Malerman's work, it blends psychological depth with supernatural horror. The narrative creates tension through personal and cultural psychological landscapes.
Bird Box
Josh Malerman
Another chilling novel by the same author that explores psychological horror and family survival. The story follows a mother protecting her children from an unseen supernatural threat that drives people to madness. Like 'Incidents Around the House', it examines familial bonds under extreme supernatural pressure. The narrative is intense, suspenseful, and deeply psychological.
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Joe Hill
A supernatural horror novel about a child-targeting supernatural entity and a mother's desperate quest to protect her son. The book explores complex family dynamics against a backdrop of supernatural horror. Its blend of psychological depth and supernatural threat mirrors Malerman's style. The narrative follows a mother battling a powerful, malevolent force targeting children.
A Head Full of Ghosts
Paul Tremblay
A contemporary horror novel about a family dealing with potential demonic possession. The story explores family dynamics under supernatural stress through multiple narrative perspectives. Like Malerman's work, it blends psychological complexity with supernatural horror. The narrative creates tension through ambiguous supernatural elements.
Mexican Gothic
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A gothic horror novel set in a decaying mansion with a sinister family history. The protagonist investigates her cousin's mysterious illness in a remote Mexican estate, uncovering dark supernatural secrets. The book combines familial trauma with supernatural horror, similar to Malerman's approach. Its atmospheric tension and exploration of generational horror make it a compelling recommendation.
The Changeling
Victor LaValle
A dark fantasy horror novel exploring parental fears and supernatural transformation. The story follows a father whose life is dramatically altered by mysterious events surrounding his child and wife. Like 'Incidents Around the House', it examines family bonds under supernatural stress. The narrative blends realistic family drama with supernatural horror.
Into the Drowning Deep
Mira Grant
A scientific horror novel about a marine expedition encountering supernatural sea creatures. The story explores group dynamics under extreme supernatural threat. Like 'Incidents Around the House', it blends scientific rationalism with supernatural horror. The narrative creates psychological tension through mounting supernatural encounters.
The Cabin at the End of the World
Paul Tremblay
A psychological horror novel about a family confronted by mysterious strangers during a vacation. The story explores apocalyptic themes and familial bonds under extreme supernatural pressure. Like Malerman's work, it blends domestic horror with supernatural elements. The narrative creates intense psychological tension through an impossible scenario.
The Elementals
Michael McDowell
A southern gothic horror novel about a family haunted by supernatural entities in an isolated beach house. The story explores generational trauma and supernatural threat in a claustrophobic setting. Its atmospheric horror and focus on familial dynamics align closely with Malerman's approach. The narrative builds psychological tension through incremental supernatural revelations.
The Twisted Ones
T. Kingfisher
A folk horror novel about a woman discovering supernatural mysteries in a rural setting. The book explores familial history and supernatural encounters with psychological complexity. Its atmospheric horror and gradual revelation of supernatural threats align with Malerman's style. The narrative builds tension through incremental supernatural revelations.
The Grip of It
Jac Jemc
A psychological horror novel about a couple experiencing supernatural events in their new home. The book explores marital stress and supernatural haunting with intense psychological depth. Its focus on domestic horror mirrors Malerman's approach. The narrative creates tension through incremental supernatural revelations.
The Hunger
Alma Katsu
A historical horror novel reimagining the Donner Party expedition with supernatural elements. The book explores group dynamics and survival under extreme supernatural pressure. Its blend of historical context and supernatural horror mirrors Malerman's narrative approach. The story creates psychological tension through mounting supernatural threats.
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