Review: How to Sell a Haunted House

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I feel as if Hendrix threw the "horror kitchen sink" at this book - creepy dolls, exorcisms, ghostly possession, generational curses.  Some high and low spots, some definite Stephen King-style gross-outs.  Trying hard to show the reader exactly how screwed-up the protagonist's family was.

Our mystery book club chose this for June discussion.  I look forward to telling them that this was just as much a mystery as every other book chosen - more than most.

Possible spoilers below:

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May 26, 2024 – 

 11.0% "I expected ghosts, but creepy dolls just might be a deal-breaker.

Did Mark actually expect Louise to pay for clearing the house out? I'd have turned them away on that point alone.

Really like Aunt Honey. You go, golden girl!"

May 27, 2024 – 

 31.0% "So many thoughts.

Gutter is right: inheritance money often tears families apart.

Was hating Mark and cheering for Louise until she started the petty crap.

And here come the squirrels. All squirrels are evil, you know.

Argh! Just when she comes to her senses, she gets pulled back in! No! Bad Louise!"

May 28, 2024 – Started Reading

May 28, 2024 – 

 42.0% "Oh, so Louise is psycho? I bet Poppy has similar problems."

May 28, 2024 – 

 48.0% "Not much to note. The dolls are being moved, but it doesn't have to be ghosts if Louise is crazy."

May 29, 2024 – 

 53.0% "There's some heavy William Goldman and Stephen King influences here. That battle made me cringe.

Mark sees Pupkin? So Louise isn't imagining EVERYTHING - doesn't mean that there are really ghosts yet. Both these kids could be unreliable narrators. Mark could be preying on Louise's state of mind.

I still hate creepy dolls."

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