Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Title: Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Who would have thought that a thriller told from the POV of a child would be so compelling and scary? I sure didn't. Josh Malerman perfectly captures the confusion, terror, and heartbreak that this young girl, Bela, is feeling from the very first page. It may be disconcerting to some but Bela's POV really works.

Bela's life consists of her Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. What her family doesn't know is that Bela also relies on an entity called Other Mommy that lives in her closet. Other Mommy starts out friendly and Bela quickly becomes attached to her. As time goes on, Other Mommy starts to ask disturbing questions and doing things that scare Bela. She starts to question whether she and Other Mommy were ever really friends, or if Other Mommy has bad plans for her.

Other Mommy starts getting bolder. She starts showing herself to other people. Bela's parents are terrified and their strained relationship starts to buckle under the pressure. Bela wonders what will happen if she says yes to Other Mommy's questions? Will she be able to make Other Mommy go away? Can she save her family?

I'm glad I read this book during the day as some parts of the story were absolutely chilling. Certain parts are still stuck in my head and creeping me out. Don't worry, no spoilers, you'll have to read and be terrified for yourself to understand. The scares are masterfully written and that they are being experienced from Bela's point of view really heightens the terror.

I finished this book in five hours. I just could not put it down. It's fast paced but in such a way as to keep the tension level high. Josh Malerman is an exceptional storyteller and this book will keep you on edge until the very last line. I would love to see this made into a movie. I highly recommend reading this with the lights on and I promise you will never look at your closet the same way again. 

So many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Del Rey for the advanced reader copy of an incredible book.