The House That Eats the Dead - Max Doty

THE HOUSE THAT EATS THE DEAD

MAX DOTY

*****

The new house is a fresh start for Claire and her family. It’s a move 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 favourite toy disappears. Claire soon confronts a series of impossible truths: 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 starts to lose control, she fears who else might be drawn to her home – and what sinister appetites they’ll bring.

MY REVIEW

*****

I enjoy reading horror, usually saving October to showcase all the exciting new horror books that are being released for spooky season. The House That Eats the Dead is coming out in August, but it was great to dive in, even with the sun blazing!

When Claire and her husband Tom sign the deed on a beautiful old house, they can’t believe their luck. But when groceries start to go missing and Claire realises she hasn’t had to clean the kitchen of spills and crumbs in weeks, she starts to think the house might have a mind of its own and it’s so very hungry…

I love haunted house stories, and I think this one was done very well and is a fun spin on a slightly overdone trope. I am often a little wary of male writers writing from a female protagonist’s point of view, however Claire felt realistic and relatable throughout. I felt the stakes progressed nicely throughout, although I wouldn’t say it’s a straight horror as the mystery of the house is quickly revealed. This then spins the horror element from the suspense of what is happening to the family to the moral dilemma of using the power of the house on Claire and her family.

The main twist which is the later focus of the book is a little predictable and I had guessed what was happening, but it was still fun to read. I liked how the house had a personality which was almost like a pet that could be trained. There are certain moments of escalation such as the open house where I got a little confused at character motivations, but I think you just have to roll with the fact that the house makes people behave in an exaggerated way.

Overall, The House That Eats the Dead is an interesting spin on the haunted house trope and kept me engaged throughout. Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Tor Nightfire for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LINKS TO BUY

Amazon UK

Waterstones