Rachel Schommer Reviews: 9.8.25

We're finally into Spooky Season! The temps are getting cooler, and my house is all spooked out, so I'm planning on diving into the fall-ish reads with both feet. If only work would stop getting in the way of my reading time ;)

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THE HOUSE by Paul Carro

1. It was by happy accident I picked this to read on a long weekend trip to Bar Harbor Maine. When I began reading on the plane, I was very excited to see that this book takes place in Maine, right around the area we were headed to - such good luck! To be fair, aside from the multiple references to delicious lobster rolls and fresh seafood, it could take place in almost any small town across the United States. As a small-town girl myself, I really enjoyed that aspect because it made the setting and the situation seem more familiar. I love when a book feels familiar – especially a horror book because the familiarity makes it feel even more scary to me.  

2. Based on the title and cover I expected this to be a haunted house story, and I guess it kind of is, but absolutely not in the way I was thinking it would be. It’s more of a demonic house that is possessed by memories of bad deeds that come back for revenge, and y’all know I love me some revenge!

3. I felt as though this book had a bit of a slow start. The first line instantly hooked me, but after that it took a bit for me to get invested in either the plot or the characters. Slow burns are not my jam; thankfully, I eventually got engrossed in both, but probably a bit more in the characters, if we’re being honest.  

4. There are 2 situations presented in the opening line and it’s not very clear for a large part of the book what they have to do with each other, other than the fact that they’re happening at the same time. More information does come up, but the connection felt a bit tenuous to me and I personally would have liked to have more on the connection. Either way, the house itself was entertaining enough.  

5. While not my favorite ‘house’ book, it was still quite good, especially once I was engrossed in both plot and characters; I had to see if Frank’s bravery (or stupidity?) paid off!

If you’re brave enough to enter the house: The House: A Horror Novel - Kindle edition by Carro, Paul. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.