Book Review: The House That Eats the Dead by Max Doty

 

From the publisher:

A family moves into their dream home—only to discover that it hides an insatiable hunger—in this dread-laced and darkly outrageous domestic horror novel.

The new house is a fresh start for Claire and her family. It's a move away from the cityscape of a declining San Francisco and towards the quiet suburban life she has craved since her turbulent childhood; a step up the corporate ladder for her husband, Tom; and a safe haven for their two children.

Yet as they unpack their boxes, she senses something is wrong. Fresh flowers dry up, store-bought eggs are inexplicably hollow, and her daughter's favorite toy disappears. Claire soon confronts a series of impossible happenings. The house is hungry. It's devouring anything that was once alive. And only Claire and Tom, the owners of the house, will remember that this "food" ever existed.

When Claire exploits the house's power in a moment of weakness, she and the house forge a fragile bond. But as its hunger intensifies and Claire loses control, she fears who else might be drawn to her home—and what sinister appetites they’ll bring.

The House That Eats the Dead by Max Doty was published August 18th, 2026 by Bantam Books.

My Thoughts: This is a different sort of haunted house story. The house in question seems to be alive rather than haunted by a spirit. Things disappear or seem to be drained of their life force: flowers, food, a favorite stuffed animal, and more... At first frustrated, Claire learns how to deal with the house. She takes on an effort to try and train it to do her will. And she and her husband Tom find they have other needs for the house. 

I thought that when Claire bonds with the house, it was a most interesting plot point. I liked that she seemed to find ways to work with the house rather than just be its mistress. On the other hand it is terrifying when it becomes clear just what all the house is capable of doing. I don't want to say more here because it would involve spoilers. 

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. I had to deduct one star for a serious pet peeve I have, even though I could kind of understand it in the story. I hate that saying more would involve a spoiler. Otherwise, the book is fantastic. I can almost see a sequel possible. And I would definitely read it, but alas the author mentions in his note that he intends to move onto other things and hopes that you have enjoyed your time with Claire and her family. If you enjoy haunted house stories and new takes on the subject, then this would be a good book for you. And as Spooky Season approaches, this would make a great read for the season. Check it out!

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: The Wild Wood by Charles de Lint

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

 The paper was so virgin, so unnaturally white, that anything she placed upon it--graphite, ink, watercolor--seemed an intrusion, a desecration. Any line she might draw would seem no better than a child's crayon marks on a kitchen wall. 

p. 12  The Wild Wood by Charles de Lint

The Wild Wood was published in 1994 by Bantam Books.

Happy Book Birthday to The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin

 

Through Raspberry Colored Glasses wants to wish a Happy Book Birthday to The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin.

From the publisher:

A disgraced TV news reporter returns to her violent hometown to investigate a series of deadly shark attacks in this nail-biting suspense novel from the author of The Stranger Upstairs.

“A gothic coastal noir about generational violence and the cyclical nature of predation, The Only One Who Knows is visceral, haunting, and impossible to look away from.”—Carter Wilson, USA Today bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did

Something is lurking below the surface . . . and it’s hungry.

With her polished persona as a morning show co-host, Minnow Greenwood seems to have it all. But behind the camera, something’s about to break. When a public meltdown shatters her facade, Minnow flees back to Kangaroo Bay—a grimy fishing town on Australia’s southern coast, where locals vanish and something deadly hunts in the water.

On her first night back, a horrifying shark attack rocks the town, adding another body to the unsettling list of deaths and disappearances. Then a former colleague arrives to investigate, so she reluctantly teams up with him to find answers for herself and keep her own dark secrets buried.

But with danger closing in, Minnow must unearth her town’s deadly past—and face the darkness festering inside her—before she becomes the next to disappear.

The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin is out today from Bantam Books.

And a Teaser: 

Heath gives me a sidelong look, and I keep my eyes on the sand until Colleen snorts, “There was a fatal attack yesterday and he still wants to surf. God, he’s crazy.”

Lisa M. Matlin. The Only One Who Knows. Kindle Edition