Welcome back after the Kickstarter hiatus! Redink will now return to its regularly scheduled programing. This week: a book review!

Where people find horror, is dependent on the individual. For some, chills reside in dark forests and shadowy figures and for others, that bone-deep unease simmers in seemingly mundane settings. If you fall into the latter category, be prepared, because we have a doozy of book for you. Grady Hendrix has crafted a story that transforms the familiar into a tapestry of terror in his novel, "How to Sell a Haunted House."

A Haunted House with Strings Attached

Let's cut away the dusty sheets and examine this novel's unsettling foundation. At its core, "How to Sell a Haunted House" tackles themes of family dysfunction and the messy complications of inheritance. When Louise reluctantly joins her estranged brother Mark to handle their parents' estate, it's anything but a straightforward process. Their childhood home isn't simply filled with memories, but instead it hums with a sinister energy that defies all rational explanation.

Hendrix expertly crafts a distinct brand of uncanny fear. Instead of focusing on creaking floorboards or lurking shadows, he leverages the power of the familiar world around us. Childhood toys, dolls, and the art of puppeteering take on a twisted significance where innocence has sinister undertones, hinting at invisible forces manipulating the characters' lives. Just as a puppeteer controls a marionette, there's a creeping sense that Louise and Mark aren't alone in their struggles.

Where Darkness (and a Bit of Humor) Dwell

Hendrix infuses the narrative with both dread and offbeat humor. "How to Sell a Haunted House" reads almost like a macabre anecdote relayed by a friend with a dark sense of humor. This style initially draws readers in, creating a false sense of intimacy that Hendrix exploits. However, while the comedic undertones create breathing room in the story, they also occasionally undermine the mounting tension. Horror purists might find the jarring stylistic shifts dilute the atmosphere from time to time.

The strength of Hendrix's plotting lies in the deliberate slow burn. "How to Sell a Haunted House" doesn't rely on relentless, fast-paced shocks, instead he cultivates a creeping sense of unease through small, unsettling details and a relentless questioning of reality. Every strange noise, every flicker of movement becomes infused with terrifying potential. The climax answers that buildup with a wild descent into chaos, bringing satisfaction to readers in the finale.

Louise and Mark are complex and damaged protagonists, bound by resentment, familial duty, and their shared grief. Their dysfunctional relationship mirrors the chaos unraveling in their childhood home. The supporting cast, however, suffers from less development, feeling somewhat flat and predictable in comparison. Some readers might be left wishing for a stronger ensemble to support the compelling dynamics of the core siblings.

The Verdict

"How to Sell a Haunted House" delivers a captivating, unnerving journey. It cleverly leverages our unease about childhood relics and the concept of control to create something that's not easily shaken off. Readers drawn to psychological chills and tales of haunted houses with unique twists will find a delicious sense of dread within these pages. If you're a die-hard horror fanatic seeking relentless scares and originality, this might not fully satisfy your dark cravings. Yet, for those seeking a novel that creeps under your skin with a playfully macabre edge, "How to Sell a Haunted House" is a hauntingly worthwhile read.

Until next time, brave readers, may your curiosity always outweigh your fear... but proceed with caution. Those childhood trinkets in the attic might be watching, and who knows what's truly pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Disclaimer: this aritcle was written and uploaded prior to the AI commitment in the last post.

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