The Spite House - Super Creepy Haunted House Tale
“The Masson House of Degener, Texas, was like the corpse of an old monster, too strange and feared for most to approach it, much less attempt to buy it. After all, it might be feigning death or dormant.”
A father is on the run with his two daughters and finds a life changing job; stay in a haunted house, report on what happens, and get paid big bucks. Eric is thrilled once he’s offered the job, and his daughters Dess and Stacy move in. But terrifying things happen immediately and Eric has to reckon with ghosts and if he truly made the right decision. As he battles his past, the safety of his daughters, and learning to trust new people, the house looms over him.
The Spite House written by Johnny Compton hits shelves February 7th and is a great addition to the haunted house genre.
Book mood board (all images from weheartit.com)
“If there was one thing recent history had taught him, it was that fears came true far more often than dreams.”
Here’s what I loved:
This isn’t your typical haunted house story. The ghosts in this house are powerful but are also stuck. They want something from Eric, and from the town. There’s some incredibly spooky moments in here and Compton wields the houses power incredibly. As we unravel more about the house and its reason for existing, the story becomes entangled with its characters. It makes for an incredible read.
The history in this book is great. Every bad act has consequences. One terrible act took place over a 100 years ago and the consequences are still being dealt out today. It’s a fascinating look at guilt, ownership, class, power, and race. It’s a really stunning way to tell a horror story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There’s so much I want to say but I don’t want to spoil anything! Let’s just say this; the payoff about why Eric is running with his family, and what his youngest has been through, is so good, and you won’t be able to figure it out. It’s a really great twist that ties so hauntingly into the house.
Overall, this was a really creepy and satisfying read. It’s a bit of a slow burn to start with, but the third act races by. There’s so many fascinating characters and some spooky scenes that will stay with you long after you finish. Big thank you to Nightfire for sending me a copy! Pick up a copy of The Spite House by Johnny Compton for yourself on February 7th. Or better yet; PRE-ORDER IT!
“Something from the house had reached out and rung the alarm built into the living that warns them that the dead are watching.”
