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The September House
A woman is determined to stay in her dream home even after it becomes a haunted nightmare in this compulsively readable, twisty, and layered debut novel.
When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street—for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price—they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls drip blood. The ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and all of them are terrified of something that lurks in the basement. Most people would flee.
Margaret is not most people.
Margaret is staying. It’s her house. But after four years Hal can’t take it anymore, and he leaves abruptly. Now, he’s not returning calls, and their daughter Katherine—who knows nothing about the hauntings—arrives, intent on looking for her missing father. To make things worse, September has just begun, and with every attempt Margaret and Katherine make at finding Hal, the hauntings grow more harrowing, because there are some secrets the house needs to keep.
When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street—for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price—they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls drip blood. The ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and all of them are terrified of something that lurks in the basement. Most people would flee.
Margaret is not most people.
Margaret is staying. It’s her house. But after four years Hal can’t take it anymore, and he leaves abruptly. Now, he’s not returning calls, and their daughter Katherine—who knows nothing about the hauntings—arrives, intent on looking for her missing father. To make things worse, September has just begun, and with every attempt Margaret and Katherine make at finding Hal, the hauntings grow more harrowing, because there are some secrets the house needs to keep.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2023
About the author
Carissa Orlando
2 books932 followersCarissa Orlando has a doctorate in clinical-community psychology and specializes in work with children and adolescents. In her “day job,” Carissa works to improve the quality of and access to mental health care for children and their families. Prior to her career in psychology, Carissa studied creative writing in college and has written creatively in some form since she was a child. It was only a matter of time before Carissa, an avid horror fan for much of her life, merged her understanding of the human psyche and deep love for storytelling into a piece of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,557 reviews
August 15, 2024
I'm applauding Carissa Orlando for creating a magnificent piece of work that seamlessly blends different genres, including horror, mystery, dark comedy, supernatural thriller, domestic suspense, and psychological thriller. The story perfectly combines concepts from Insidious, The Exorcist, and The Sixth Sense in a haunted house theme. It's hard to stop myself from flipping the pages, and I am completely engrossed in the amazing writing.
Can you imagine a house with bleeding walls, a housemaid whose head split off with an axe, serving the best tea, a nine-year-old boy with fangs who likes to bite, a man hiding in a closet holding a lighter, and a small girl who keeps pointing to the haunted basement where something sinister resides? Margaret, in her mid-fifties, was thrilled when she found her dreamy Victorian house on Hawthorn Street. Despite the realtor's warnings about the previous deaths in the house, Margaret and her husband could finally afford a place like that. However, they didn't know that every September, a sinister entity takes control of the house, sending pranksters, causing the walls to bleed, and playing deadly mind games with the new inhabitants.
Now Margaret's husband, Hall, is missing, and she is too afraid to confront what happened to him in the house. When her daughter Katherine realizes something is really wrong about his disappearance, she visits her mom to get to the bottom of it. Margaret is too agitated to hide the house's secrets from her daughter, and when the skeletons in the closet are adamant to show their faces, the only logical thing to do is surrender.
Overall, this complex story made me jump from my seat and guffaw several times. The author intelligently combined different genres to create a perfect and addictive read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something fresh, unusual, and unique.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing the digital reviewer copy of this amazing book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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Can you imagine a house with bleeding walls, a housemaid whose head split off with an axe, serving the best tea, a nine-year-old boy with fangs who likes to bite, a man hiding in a closet holding a lighter, and a small girl who keeps pointing to the haunted basement where something sinister resides? Margaret, in her mid-fifties, was thrilled when she found her dreamy Victorian house on Hawthorn Street. Despite the realtor's warnings about the previous deaths in the house, Margaret and her husband could finally afford a place like that. However, they didn't know that every September, a sinister entity takes control of the house, sending pranksters, causing the walls to bleed, and playing deadly mind games with the new inhabitants.
Now Margaret's husband, Hall, is missing, and she is too afraid to confront what happened to him in the house. When her daughter Katherine realizes something is really wrong about his disappearance, she visits her mom to get to the bottom of it. Margaret is too agitated to hide the house's secrets from her daughter, and when the skeletons in the closet are adamant to show their faces, the only logical thing to do is surrender.
Overall, this complex story made me jump from my seat and guffaw several times. The author intelligently combined different genres to create a perfect and addictive read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something fresh, unusual, and unique.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing the digital reviewer copy of this amazing book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
medium blog
February 4, 2024
“The September House” by Carissa Orlando is one of those must-read horror novels of 2023 where the hype is real, the creativity is insane, and it’s all brilliantly written. This was such a powerhouse of a read that I was beyond happy at how great it was from beginning to end.
Now, before I begin, I found a bunch of trigger warnings while reading I want to let everyone know about. They were…
- Suicide
- Violence against animals (birds, chipmunks)
- Domestic mental and physical abuse (graphic details)
- Violence against kids
- Alcoholism
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is the first time I’m reading Orlando’s work and her writing style is excellent. This was a genuine pageturner that I could not put down due to how hooked I was. Let me tell you, I’ve read a ton of haunted house novels in my life, and “The September House” is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read.
This was so awesome to read as I loved all the crazy horror situations that ranged from cute and hilarious to evil and demonic. All the interactions with ghosts in this novel were brilliantly written and yes, for the few creepy ones, it was very haunting. Some of which sent a chill down my spine which is very hard to do these days unless it’s so captivating and engaging. I felt as if I was there in every ghostly encounter and it was an incredible feeling to experience that while reading.
All the characters were great with the main protagonist Margaret being my favorite. Her subtle humor as she dealt with everything in this haunted house had me laugh out loud numerous times. On the other side of the spectrum, Master Vale was such a vile antagonist that I despised him like you wouldn’t believe. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin anything for you but I guarantee all these characters will leave their imprint on you in more ways than one.
The story is fantastic and I also loved the backstory of why this house is the way it is to help fill in the gaps as everything just made sense and felt so authentic. There was even a bit of a horror mystery going on and once everything was revealed, just amped things up even further straight to a climactic ending.
This novel has everything you can ask for and then some. Lots of horror, thrills, suspense, plot twists, and a wild, perfectly executed ending. That ending is one I will never forget because of how epic it was. It was so creative and flat-out awesome that I smiled big time when everything came together. “The September House” is such a hidden gem that I will highly recommend this to everyone who wants one of the most unique haunted house horror novels ever written.
My measuring stick for this specific subgenre of horror begins and ends with “The Haunting of Hill House” by the legendary Shirley Jackson and let me tell you, “The September House” is right up there with that classic. That’s the impact this novel has had on me because it was such a bloody good time while reading. This was special and I’m so glad I was able to read this before 2023 is officially over.
I give “The September House” by Carissa Orlando a perfect 5/5 for giving me one hell of a reading experience that will always bring a smile to my face. It was so creatively written that it blew me away and pushed the envelope in the haunted house horror genre. I made a lot of weird faces while reading when some of the crazier horrific events happened towards the end and overall, this was such a fun and memorable reading experience. This is haunted house horror perfection as Orlando has a new reader in me and I look forward to everything she writes in the future. Needs must when the devil drives.
Now, before I begin, I found a bunch of trigger warnings while reading I want to let everyone know about. They were…
- Suicide
- Violence against animals (birds, chipmunks)
- Domestic mental and physical abuse (graphic details)
- Violence against kids
- Alcoholism
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is the first time I’m reading Orlando’s work and her writing style is excellent. This was a genuine pageturner that I could not put down due to how hooked I was. Let me tell you, I’ve read a ton of haunted house novels in my life, and “The September House” is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read.
This was so awesome to read as I loved all the crazy horror situations that ranged from cute and hilarious to evil and demonic. All the interactions with ghosts in this novel were brilliantly written and yes, for the few creepy ones, it was very haunting. Some of which sent a chill down my spine which is very hard to do these days unless it’s so captivating and engaging. I felt as if I was there in every ghostly encounter and it was an incredible feeling to experience that while reading.
All the characters were great with the main protagonist Margaret being my favorite. Her subtle humor as she dealt with everything in this haunted house had me laugh out loud numerous times. On the other side of the spectrum, Master Vale was such a vile antagonist that I despised him like you wouldn’t believe. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin anything for you but I guarantee all these characters will leave their imprint on you in more ways than one.
The story is fantastic and I also loved the backstory of why this house is the way it is to help fill in the gaps as everything just made sense and felt so authentic. There was even a bit of a horror mystery going on and once everything was revealed, just amped things up even further straight to a climactic ending.
This novel has everything you can ask for and then some. Lots of horror, thrills, suspense, plot twists, and a wild, perfectly executed ending. That ending is one I will never forget because of how epic it was. It was so creative and flat-out awesome that I smiled big time when everything came together. “The September House” is such a hidden gem that I will highly recommend this to everyone who wants one of the most unique haunted house horror novels ever written.
My measuring stick for this specific subgenre of horror begins and ends with “The Haunting of Hill House” by the legendary Shirley Jackson and let me tell you, “The September House” is right up there with that classic. That’s the impact this novel has had on me because it was such a bloody good time while reading. This was special and I’m so glad I was able to read this before 2023 is officially over.
I give “The September House” by Carissa Orlando a perfect 5/5 for giving me one hell of a reading experience that will always bring a smile to my face. It was so creatively written that it blew me away and pushed the envelope in the haunted house horror genre. I made a lot of weird faces while reading when some of the crazier horrific events happened towards the end and overall, this was such a fun and memorable reading experience. This is haunted house horror perfection as Orlando has a new reader in me and I look forward to everything she writes in the future. Needs must when the devil drives.
Read
August 23, 2024One of my favorite sub-genres of horror is what I’ve come to think of as "everyday horror"—where the protagonist calmly accepts things that we, as readers, would find strange or terrifying. The September House is a perfect example of this style. For Margaret, the horrors in her home are simply part of her daily routine: a ghostly maid who brews tea and tidies up, though her rearranging of the furniture is often more of a nuisance than a help; the eerie presence of a young boy with razor-sharp teeth who bites anyone who gets too close; and the blood that drips from the walls and cascades down the stairs.
Despite these supernatural inconveniences, Margaret is not about to give up her beloved home. She’s determined to live with these hauntings, learning the rules for peaceful coexistence. But the arrival of her adult daughter, Katherine, threatens this delicate balance. Margaret knows that if Katherine uncovers the truth about the house, she will insist on moving her mother out. Margaret cannot allow that. She must protect Katherine from the sinister reality of The September House.
I was thoroughly drawn in by the "everyday horror" woven through this story and the dry humor that underpins it. But there’s so much more at play. Carissa Orlando crafts a tale that effortlessly blends comfort with fear, love with anger, and happiness with heartbreak. The audiobook, with its subtle tones and perfect pacing, really enhances the mood, capturing both the unsettling atmosphere of the house and Margaret’s determination to make it her home, despite everything.
Despite these supernatural inconveniences, Margaret is not about to give up her beloved home. She’s determined to live with these hauntings, learning the rules for peaceful coexistence. But the arrival of her adult daughter, Katherine, threatens this delicate balance. Margaret knows that if Katherine uncovers the truth about the house, she will insist on moving her mother out. Margaret cannot allow that. She must protect Katherine from the sinister reality of The September House.
I was thoroughly drawn in by the "everyday horror" woven through this story and the dry humor that underpins it. But there’s so much more at play. Carissa Orlando crafts a tale that effortlessly blends comfort with fear, love with anger, and happiness with heartbreak. The audiobook, with its subtle tones and perfect pacing, really enhances the mood, capturing both the unsettling atmosphere of the house and Margaret’s determination to make it her home, despite everything.
September 5, 2023
“Shocking, electrifying, and absolutely original. Carissa Orlando takes us on a journey that moves from savagely funny to terrifying with the turn of a page. It’s an unflinching exploration of the dark things we don’t talk about, and it’s a must read for horror fans.”
If you like my books, but think they aren't scary enough, this book is for you. It is one scary as heck ghost story, perfect for spooky season. Have fun.
If you like my books, but think they aren't scary enough, this book is for you. It is one scary as heck ghost story, perfect for spooky season. Have fun.
August 28, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**
The September House, a debut novel from Carissa Orlando, is delightfully dark, entertaining and unique. Perfect for fans of Rachel Harrison and T. Kingfisher.
I was blown away and completely impressed by this!!!
Having received a copy of this month ago, by the time I got around to it, I had forgotten what it was about. Instead of re-reading the synopsis, I decided to jump straight in.
That was a great decision and I highly recommend going into this knowing as little as possible. Clear your mind and just dive in. You won't be disappointed.
In fact, I am so committed in this belief that even I, the over-sharer that I am, am going to say as little as possible about this plot. I will say that it follows a woman, Margaret, and you get told the story fully from her perspective.
Margaret is living in her dream home. From the curb, it's enviable, but things have slowly gotten out of hand. Mainly in September. Septembers are hell. Fed up with the living situation, Margaret's husband, Hal, leaves.
Surprised by her Dad's sudden absence, their daughter, Katherine, who has never visited the home her parents have lived in for the past four years, decides to pay a visit. She's determined to figure out why her Dad left.
Katherine is suspicious as heck. Why would her Dad just leave, and why won't her Mom provide her with any substantive information? What happened?
I absolutely love how Orlando chose to write this story. Being inside Margaret's head as you learn the truth about the house and the things happening there was completely engaging. I was surprised how quickly it kicked off, dropping us right into the heart of it.
Additionally, I loved Margaret's narrative voice. There was such nuance to it; it was funny, charming and completely heartbreaking at the same time, as all is revealed.
The introduction of Katherine into the house was an absolute delight as well.
I always find mother-daughter relationships interesting, but this one felt particularly well done. They are completely different people and at first, I thought, well, I can see why they really haven't visited much in the past four years.
Katherine can seem a bit abrasive and honestly, at times, Margaret's a bit doormat-ish for my tastes, but as the story evolves, and you learn their history, the true nature of their relationship was laid bare.
I was moved by it. Their relationship felt real to me. I became completely invested in them. It's funny, even with all the horror elements, the truth behind Margaret and Katherine's lives was the thing that almost broke me.
So yeah, the horror. Let's discuss. This is a Horror novel, after all and boy, did Orlando impress me with her grasp of horror imagery and her ability to bring it to the page.
If this is Orlando's debut, I cannot way to read her next book, and her next and her next, and so on and so forth, for what I know will be a long and successful career.
If you love haunted house stories, but are looking for something fresh, powerful and also slightly humorous, you absolutely, positively, definitely need to pick this up.
You might be wondering why I didn't give it a full 5-star rating if I am swooning about it this much. My only slight nit-pick criticism is that somewhere, around the middle, there were times it felt slightly repetitive and dragged just a wee bit for me personally.
Nevertheless, a sensational debut. I am super stoked to read more from Carissa Orlando. I hope she stays in this lane, the deep, Cozy Horror vibe of this story is something I always enjoy and seek out.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This will remain in my mind for a long time to come!
The September House, a debut novel from Carissa Orlando, is delightfully dark, entertaining and unique. Perfect for fans of Rachel Harrison and T. Kingfisher.
I was blown away and completely impressed by this!!!
Having received a copy of this month ago, by the time I got around to it, I had forgotten what it was about. Instead of re-reading the synopsis, I decided to jump straight in.
That was a great decision and I highly recommend going into this knowing as little as possible. Clear your mind and just dive in. You won't be disappointed.
In fact, I am so committed in this belief that even I, the over-sharer that I am, am going to say as little as possible about this plot. I will say that it follows a woman, Margaret, and you get told the story fully from her perspective.
Margaret is living in her dream home. From the curb, it's enviable, but things have slowly gotten out of hand. Mainly in September. Septembers are hell. Fed up with the living situation, Margaret's husband, Hal, leaves.
Surprised by her Dad's sudden absence, their daughter, Katherine, who has never visited the home her parents have lived in for the past four years, decides to pay a visit. She's determined to figure out why her Dad left.
Katherine is suspicious as heck. Why would her Dad just leave, and why won't her Mom provide her with any substantive information? What happened?
I absolutely love how Orlando chose to write this story. Being inside Margaret's head as you learn the truth about the house and the things happening there was completely engaging. I was surprised how quickly it kicked off, dropping us right into the heart of it.
Additionally, I loved Margaret's narrative voice. There was such nuance to it; it was funny, charming and completely heartbreaking at the same time, as all is revealed.
The introduction of Katherine into the house was an absolute delight as well.
I always find mother-daughter relationships interesting, but this one felt particularly well done. They are completely different people and at first, I thought, well, I can see why they really haven't visited much in the past four years.
Katherine can seem a bit abrasive and honestly, at times, Margaret's a bit doormat-ish for my tastes, but as the story evolves, and you learn their history, the true nature of their relationship was laid bare.
I was moved by it. Their relationship felt real to me. I became completely invested in them. It's funny, even with all the horror elements, the truth behind Margaret and Katherine's lives was the thing that almost broke me.
So yeah, the horror. Let's discuss. This is a Horror novel, after all and boy, did Orlando impress me with her grasp of horror imagery and her ability to bring it to the page.
If this is Orlando's debut, I cannot way to read her next book, and her next and her next, and so on and so forth, for what I know will be a long and successful career.
If you love haunted house stories, but are looking for something fresh, powerful and also slightly humorous, you absolutely, positively, definitely need to pick this up.
You might be wondering why I didn't give it a full 5-star rating if I am swooning about it this much. My only slight nit-pick criticism is that somewhere, around the middle, there were times it felt slightly repetitive and dragged just a wee bit for me personally.
Nevertheless, a sensational debut. I am super stoked to read more from Carissa Orlando. I hope she stays in this lane, the deep, Cozy Horror vibe of this story is something I always enjoy and seek out.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This will remain in my mind for a long time to come!
October 25, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
This is one dark, messed up read and it was a perfect spooky season pick for me! I loved Margaret's internal thoughts, I kept asking myself "Is she crazy?" Imagine finally being able to afford your dream home, which turns into a haunted house with many secrets, and let me tell you the house isn't the only thing with secrets. The September House is a haunted house that shows its paranormal side in a spectacular fashion every September.
After four years Margaret's husband, Hal has had enough of their unwanted guests and wants to leave, but Margaret refuses to do so, so he leaves without her. No one has heard from Hal since he left so their estranged daughter returns to find out exactly what happened to her father. Can Margaret keep Katherine from finding out about the guests while her daughter visits this September?
Margaret has learned the rules of the house and follows them exactly but it's hard to do with her daughter visiting and snooping around. I loved how Carissa Orlando used the house and its ghostly occupants as secondary characters. I hated Margaret's daughter Katherine as she acted like a spoiled child having temper tantrums...she's thirty years old for crying out loud. There is a good twist at the end of the book and at first, I was disappointed as I thought to myself, "Oh no, the author isn't going there, is she?" But Orlando redeemed herself and just when you think things have calmed down the truth is revealed and all hell breaks out for Margaret and everyone around her.
This isn't just a story about a haunted house, it's a story about a marriage and parent-child relationships. Let me just say, if this was me I'd get the fuck out as soon as possible but I can see Margaret's point. She waited a long time for her dream home and her husband ruled the roost for so long that she decided she wasn't going to leave and she was going to take control of things by following the rules. Still, if my house were haunted there be no keeping me from running away.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
This is one dark, messed up read and it was a perfect spooky season pick for me! I loved Margaret's internal thoughts, I kept asking myself "Is she crazy?" Imagine finally being able to afford your dream home, which turns into a haunted house with many secrets, and let me tell you the house isn't the only thing with secrets. The September House is a haunted house that shows its paranormal side in a spectacular fashion every September.
After four years Margaret's husband, Hal has had enough of their unwanted guests and wants to leave, but Margaret refuses to do so, so he leaves without her. No one has heard from Hal since he left so their estranged daughter returns to find out exactly what happened to her father. Can Margaret keep Katherine from finding out about the guests while her daughter visits this September?
Margaret has learned the rules of the house and follows them exactly but it's hard to do with her daughter visiting and snooping around. I loved how Carissa Orlando used the house and its ghostly occupants as secondary characters. I hated Margaret's daughter Katherine as she acted like a spoiled child having temper tantrums...she's thirty years old for crying out loud. There is a good twist at the end of the book and at first, I was disappointed as I thought to myself, "Oh no, the author isn't going there, is she?" But Orlando redeemed herself and just when you think things have calmed down the truth is revealed and all hell breaks out for Margaret and everyone around her.
This isn't just a story about a haunted house, it's a story about a marriage and parent-child relationships. Let me just say, if this was me I'd get the fuck out as soon as possible but I can see Margaret's point. She waited a long time for her dream home and her husband ruled the roost for so long that she decided she wasn't going to leave and she was going to take control of things by following the rules. Still, if my house were haunted there be no keeping me from running away.
September 24, 2023
Hell yeah I knew this was gonna be good. Easy 5 stars.
September 27, 2023
**Many thanks to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, and Carissa Orlando for an ARC of this book via NetGalley! Now available as of 9.5!**
🚨 Warning: Outlier Review Ahead! 🚨
When Margaret and her husband Hal find the PERFECT gothic house, they are willing to overlook a LOT. Flaws in the wood, cracks in the paint...anything can be repaired, and they are prepared to start the next chapter of their lives. As new empty nesters with their daughter Katherine off at college, the house feels like the perfect project to keep them occupied AND a place to create new memories together. So what if things feel a bit...off?
Until September arrives...bringing bloody walls and bloody WAILS along with it.
After 4 years of living in this terror, Hal is ready to head for the hills...but Margaret is steadfast in her resolve. After all, this is HER house, and she's open to sharing it...even with ghosts. If she can follow the rules, then THEY can too. But when her daughter Katherine arrives after panicking when she doesn't hear back from her father, Margaret wonders if she can maintain her relationships with her haunted house guests AND keep them away from her daughter...and she's more than curious about exactly what became of Hal too. Why exactly are there blocks of time she just can't remember? Can she keep her delicate balance without putting Katherine in danger? Or is the house desperate to keep its secrets...and make Margaret and Katherine PERMANENT residents?
Gothic stories and haunted house stories are hit or miss for me. I'm a sucker for ghosts, but they need to be SOMEWHAT believable, terrifying ghosts. And for a while, I was very hopeful that the ghosts in this house would be enough to make this story truly work for me. There are several intriguing haunts to choose from, each with a unique personality and some (minor) backstory. But while Orlando created a perfect atmospheric house of haunts, I realized early on that she also planned this to read as dark humor...and for me, it just didn't. I didn't find the byplay between Margaret and her various ghostly companions that interesting...more like run of the mill chatter. Since it was so accepted that the ghosts were part of every day life for Margaret, they sort of lost their spook factor at times and weren't really cracking me up either...and since this was such a huge piece of the narrative, I had a hard time connecting to the plot for most of the book.
There's also the character of daughter Katherine, who I found obnoxious at best, a priest willing to try to shake the ghosts from the walls, and a couple of unimportant detectives to round out the group...but again, nobody felt memorable in a GOOD way. I was only half invested in the missing persons aspect of the book, so it didn't really matter to me what had happened to Margaret's husband. Head Spook Master Vale was creepy, sure, but I had trouble believing that Margaret would put up with all of this craziness JUST to stay in her home..even with the extra incentive provided by Orlando to explain her actions. If you're patient enough to get through all of this, the last 20% of this book DOES pick up and goes into more surprising territory, so much so that I almost bumped up my rating on that alone. After some time to sit with my thoughts, though, I don't feel like this bit of bait and switch tacked on at the end was QUITE enough to make up for the pacing and the lack of excitement I felt along the way.
Though we are just heading into spooky season, this 'early' horror release is sure to spook and delight many gothic horror fans. This debut may be a bit rough around the edges, Orlando shows a lot of promise. I just think in this case her main character Margaret could have taken a little advice from Green Day....and have someone just wake her up when September ends. 🛌
3.5 stars
🚨 Warning: Outlier Review Ahead! 🚨
When Margaret and her husband Hal find the PERFECT gothic house, they are willing to overlook a LOT. Flaws in the wood, cracks in the paint...anything can be repaired, and they are prepared to start the next chapter of their lives. As new empty nesters with their daughter Katherine off at college, the house feels like the perfect project to keep them occupied AND a place to create new memories together. So what if things feel a bit...off?
Until September arrives...bringing bloody walls and bloody WAILS along with it.
After 4 years of living in this terror, Hal is ready to head for the hills...but Margaret is steadfast in her resolve. After all, this is HER house, and she's open to sharing it...even with ghosts. If she can follow the rules, then THEY can too. But when her daughter Katherine arrives after panicking when she doesn't hear back from her father, Margaret wonders if she can maintain her relationships with her haunted house guests AND keep them away from her daughter...and she's more than curious about exactly what became of Hal too. Why exactly are there blocks of time she just can't remember? Can she keep her delicate balance without putting Katherine in danger? Or is the house desperate to keep its secrets...and make Margaret and Katherine PERMANENT residents?
Gothic stories and haunted house stories are hit or miss for me. I'm a sucker for ghosts, but they need to be SOMEWHAT believable, terrifying ghosts. And for a while, I was very hopeful that the ghosts in this house would be enough to make this story truly work for me. There are several intriguing haunts to choose from, each with a unique personality and some (minor) backstory. But while Orlando created a perfect atmospheric house of haunts, I realized early on that she also planned this to read as dark humor...and for me, it just didn't. I didn't find the byplay between Margaret and her various ghostly companions that interesting...more like run of the mill chatter. Since it was so accepted that the ghosts were part of every day life for Margaret, they sort of lost their spook factor at times and weren't really cracking me up either...and since this was such a huge piece of the narrative, I had a hard time connecting to the plot for most of the book.
There's also the character of daughter Katherine, who I found obnoxious at best, a priest willing to try to shake the ghosts from the walls, and a couple of unimportant detectives to round out the group...but again, nobody felt memorable in a GOOD way. I was only half invested in the missing persons aspect of the book, so it didn't really matter to me what had happened to Margaret's husband. Head Spook Master Vale was creepy, sure, but I had trouble believing that Margaret would put up with all of this craziness JUST to stay in her home..even with the extra incentive provided by Orlando to explain her actions. If you're patient enough to get through all of this, the last 20% of this book DOES pick up and goes into more surprising territory, so much so that I almost bumped up my rating on that alone. After some time to sit with my thoughts, though, I don't feel like this bit of bait and switch tacked on at the end was QUITE enough to make up for the pacing and the lack of excitement I felt along the way.
Though we are just heading into spooky season, this 'early' horror release is sure to spook and delight many gothic horror fans. This debut may be a bit rough around the edges, Orlando shows a lot of promise. I just think in this case her main character Margaret could have taken a little advice from Green Day....and have someone just wake her up when September ends. 🛌
3.5 stars
September 5, 2023
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
“The walls of the house were bleeding again. This sort of thing could be expected; it was, after all, September. The bleeding wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t been accompanied by nightly moaning that escalated into screaming by the end of the month like clockwork.”
Have you ever started a book that you couldn’t stop compulsively reading, but at the same time tried to savor it so that it would last just a bit longer?
This is that book.
Darkly humorous, yet creepy and terrifying, The September House is expertly plotted and frighteningly addictive. This book has everything readers seek from a gothic horror novel. A creepy house, ghosts, demons, a priest, killer birds, and oh so much blood….
But just in September.
Margaret and Hal buy their dream house, a 19th century Victorian with a turret and wrap around porch. Every September, objects move around the house and mutilated strangers appear pointing at the basement saying, “He’s down there.” The walls weep blood and constant screams can be heard.
Everything returns to normal for the rest of the year.
Margaret is used to being the caretaker. After all, she learned how to survive an abusive marriage. “There are rules to these things. Everything is survivable.” Then the couple encounter Master Vale, the demon-like man in the basement and Hal disappears. A month after his disappearance, Margaret’s daughter Katherine comes to the house to find her father. But did she have to visit in September?
Orlando explores themes of abuse and survival in this stellar debut. Hichcockian and deeply disturbing, The December House is one of my favorite gothic novels of the year.
5/5 stars
Expected publication date: 9/5/23
Trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, alcoholism
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The September House in exchange for an honest review.
“The walls of the house were bleeding again. This sort of thing could be expected; it was, after all, September. The bleeding wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t been accompanied by nightly moaning that escalated into screaming by the end of the month like clockwork.”
Have you ever started a book that you couldn’t stop compulsively reading, but at the same time tried to savor it so that it would last just a bit longer?
This is that book.
Darkly humorous, yet creepy and terrifying, The September House is expertly plotted and frighteningly addictive. This book has everything readers seek from a gothic horror novel. A creepy house, ghosts, demons, a priest, killer birds, and oh so much blood….
But just in September.
Margaret and Hal buy their dream house, a 19th century Victorian with a turret and wrap around porch. Every September, objects move around the house and mutilated strangers appear pointing at the basement saying, “He’s down there.” The walls weep blood and constant screams can be heard.
Everything returns to normal for the rest of the year.
Margaret is used to being the caretaker. After all, she learned how to survive an abusive marriage. “There are rules to these things. Everything is survivable.” Then the couple encounter Master Vale, the demon-like man in the basement and Hal disappears. A month after his disappearance, Margaret’s daughter Katherine comes to the house to find her father. But did she have to visit in September?
Orlando explores themes of abuse and survival in this stellar debut. Hichcockian and deeply disturbing, The December House is one of my favorite gothic novels of the year.
5/5 stars
Expected publication date: 9/5/23
Trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, alcoholism
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The September House in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2024
‘The walls of the house were bleeding again. This sort of thing could be expected; it was, after all, September.’
The September House by Carissa Orlando is a contemporary gothic horror novel that delves into the haunting experiences of a couple, Margaret and Hal, who move into a seemingly perfect Victorian home, only to discover it is anything but. The story centers on Margaret's attempts to navigate and endure the eerie, ghostly occurrences in the house, while her husband, Hal, flees from the escalating horror.
Orlando’s writing is atmospheric, building tension and psychological depth. The novel explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the supernatural. You are immediately drawn to Margaret's complex character, who embodies both strength and vulnerability as she confronts the malevolent spirits inhabiting her home.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel's slow-burn horror, which gradually builds suspense and dread. The blend of supernatural elements with raw emotion makes it a compelling read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers.
The September House is a unique take on the haunted house genre, offering a fresh perspective on fear and survival in the face of the unknown.
My Highest Recommendation.
The September House by Carissa Orlando is a contemporary gothic horror novel that delves into the haunting experiences of a couple, Margaret and Hal, who move into a seemingly perfect Victorian home, only to discover it is anything but. The story centers on Margaret's attempts to navigate and endure the eerie, ghostly occurrences in the house, while her husband, Hal, flees from the escalating horror.
Orlando’s writing is atmospheric, building tension and psychological depth. The novel explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the supernatural. You are immediately drawn to Margaret's complex character, who embodies both strength and vulnerability as she confronts the malevolent spirits inhabiting her home.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel's slow-burn horror, which gradually builds suspense and dread. The blend of supernatural elements with raw emotion makes it a compelling read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers.
The September House is a unique take on the haunted house genre, offering a fresh perspective on fear and survival in the face of the unknown.
My Highest Recommendation.
September 11, 2023
I do not fit in with the cool kids. I didn't find this book that great. I kept waiting and waiting and ended up with unflavored oatmeal.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
June 22, 2024
The Perfect Month.
A house that is not built for people anymore. A house that has visitors who are uninvited. A house that is haunted.
September is the month that the house is happening in every way. The house is a mess because it is horrific.
Margaret is happy and in love with her house. She thinks the house is beautiful and perfect in every way.
But the house is haunted by the thing in the basement. And the pranksters. And the other ones who are not children.
Every September they are taking over the house. They are not going anywhere. And they don’t want to leave their home, because it is their home, too. Margaret understands this, so she puts up with them.
This book is not about to get lost in the dark and what have you. This book is worth five stars. So that’s why it gets five stars.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
A house that is not built for people anymore. A house that has visitors who are uninvited. A house that is haunted.
September is the month that the house is happening in every way. The house is a mess because it is horrific.
Margaret is happy and in love with her house. She thinks the house is beautiful and perfect in every way.
But the house is haunted by the thing in the basement. And the pranksters. And the other ones who are not children.
Every September they are taking over the house. They are not going anywhere. And they don’t want to leave their home, because it is their home, too. Margaret understands this, so she puts up with them.
This book is not about to get lost in the dark and what have you. This book is worth five stars. So that’s why it gets five stars.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
November 23, 2023
The September House is about Margaret, who lives in a beautiful, older Victorian-style home inhabited by a myriad of ghosts- some friendly, others not so much. Regardless, it’s manageable, even in September when the ghosts act much more aggressive, and the walls start to bleed.
It all only becomes a problem when Hal, Margarets husband, goes missing, and her daughter comes to help look for him. The story is about Margaret’s struggle keeping the September House’s secrets from her daughter, and as both the house’s secrets and the mystery of why her husband disappeared start to unravel.
I LOVED THIS. I loved everything about it. Margaret has a very flippant, almost annoyed attitude about the various hauntings she experiences that was very funny to me. Most of the time something horrific would happen, and she would just roll her eyes and go all, “ugh good god get on it with already.” I was laughing out loud pretty much the whole time.
The various ghosts are all very vivid and easy to keep track of. There’s Fredericka the nanny, Elias a little boy that bites if you get too close, Master Vale, the terrifying specter that inhabits the basement, and so much more.
It’s not so much creepy/scary, more like a dark comedy with some creepy aspects, some gore and body horror (especially at the end), and more than anything, a slow and steady descent into madness as the haunting continue to get worse and Margaret continues to struggle to keep it all together and hidden from her daughter. The closest comp I can think of is Theme Music by T Marie Vandelly mixed with the first season of American Horror Story.
It might be a bit predictable, but I loved the writing style so much- it’s very cinematic and plays out like a movie in your head, kinda like how David Sodergren’s books are.
It’s surprisingly sweet, hilarious at times, depressing, gory, gross, trippy, and with a crazy intense ending/final showdown and LOTS of body horror. Again, I loved it, and it’s gonna be one I rave about on the daily and is one of my new top recommendations!!
It all only becomes a problem when Hal, Margarets husband, goes missing, and her daughter comes to help look for him. The story is about Margaret’s struggle keeping the September House’s secrets from her daughter, and as both the house’s secrets and the mystery of why her husband disappeared start to unravel.
I LOVED THIS. I loved everything about it. Margaret has a very flippant, almost annoyed attitude about the various hauntings she experiences that was very funny to me. Most of the time something horrific would happen, and she would just roll her eyes and go all, “ugh good god get on it with already.” I was laughing out loud pretty much the whole time.
The various ghosts are all very vivid and easy to keep track of. There’s Fredericka the nanny, Elias a little boy that bites if you get too close, Master Vale, the terrifying specter that inhabits the basement, and so much more.
It’s not so much creepy/scary, more like a dark comedy with some creepy aspects, some gore and body horror (especially at the end), and more than anything, a slow and steady descent into madness as the haunting continue to get worse and Margaret continues to struggle to keep it all together and hidden from her daughter. The closest comp I can think of is Theme Music by T Marie Vandelly mixed with the first season of American Horror Story.
It might be a bit predictable, but I loved the writing style so much- it’s very cinematic and plays out like a movie in your head, kinda like how David Sodergren’s books are.
It’s surprisingly sweet, hilarious at times, depressing, gory, gross, trippy, and with a crazy intense ending/final showdown and LOTS of body horror. Again, I loved it, and it’s gonna be one I rave about on the daily and is one of my new top recommendations!!
September 10, 2023
I've been seeing this book recommended frequently over the past few days on facebook. I went in blind and was pleasantly surprised! Awesome for a debut novel! Classified as horror, I found it more to be on the "soft horror" side. I did enjoy the humour added in and overall it was a very likeable read and hard to put down.
September 8, 2023
A September kind of haunted house. 👻🏠
The story didn't scare me, but it does have scary things like bleeding walls (only in September), moans from within, ghosts, demons and a bit of gore. The humor does balance the overall tone of horror, though it felt a bit cheesy, at times. The ghostly were often referred to as pranksters.
The woman of the house, Margaret refuses to leave her home, bleeding walls and all! She fights about it with her hubby Hal, who has had enough! Then, he suddenly disappears one day and things seem to get more and more bizarre. Their daughter, Katherine arrives to investigate what happened to her father.
I liked how the author presented the house, it seemed to come alive and wreak havoc on the family. Although, I wasn't a big fan of the conclusion,
I don't think I was the right reader for this one, horror is not my usual genre. I wasn't able to get invested in any of the going ons or gory offerings.
Check out more reviews because this one has some huge fans!
Thanks to NG for the ARC. This one is OUT September 5, 2023
The story didn't scare me, but it does have scary things like bleeding walls (only in September), moans from within, ghosts, demons and a bit of gore. The humor does balance the overall tone of horror, though it felt a bit cheesy, at times. The ghostly were often referred to as pranksters.
The woman of the house, Margaret refuses to leave her home, bleeding walls and all! She fights about it with her hubby Hal, who has had enough! Then, he suddenly disappears one day and things seem to get more and more bizarre. Their daughter, Katherine arrives to investigate what happened to her father.
I liked how the author presented the house, it seemed to come alive and wreak havoc on the family. Although, I wasn't a big fan of the conclusion,
I don't think I was the right reader for this one, horror is not my usual genre. I wasn't able to get invested in any of the going ons or gory offerings.
Check out more reviews because this one has some huge fans!
Thanks to NG for the ARC. This one is OUT September 5, 2023
July 10, 2023
TW: Abuse, Some Gore
Actual Rating 3.5
When Margaret and her husband Hal found a large Victorian home for sale at a reasonable price, they couldn’t believe their luck. But they slowly came to realize that that the house came with its own set of problems, the largest being that every September, the ghosts of former inhabitants appear, some of whom seem to have been brutally murdered. After four years, Margaret has learned to work around these apparitions, but Hal couldn’t take another September and abruptly left. With another September beginning and their daughter on her way to investigate Hal’s absence, Margaret realizes that this September may just be the worse one yet.
I loved the premise of this book, not only of the hauntings focused around September but also of a protagonist who refused to give up her dream home and learned to work around these horrific events. The author executed it quite well, and it made for an interesting read. It was difficult to find any fear for the apparitions since the narrator treats them so nonchalantly, which was an interesting approach. However, there were a few scenes that got my heart racing. There were also some particularly gross descriptions of things that, while relevant to the story, might be off-putting if you have a weak stomach.
Another thing the author did well was writing realistic characters. They were neither bad nor good, and it wasn’t possible to like them the entire time. Their flawed personalities added to the atmosphere and interest of the book, though I will admit I found the daughter’s personality to be a bit frustrating at times as well as a little contradictory. The author included interesting history relating to the ghosts, and I enjoyed that aspect as well as the personalities of the ghosts.
I knew where the mystery was going from near the beginning, which did detract a bit from my enjoyment as it did away with any shock or tension that should have been present with the reveal. There were also several instances throughout the book where the plot ground to a halt and lost my interest, though it always picked back up again.
This creative paranormal mystery was a solid read even with the few qualms I had. My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this work, which will be published September 5th, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Actual Rating 3.5
When Margaret and her husband Hal found a large Victorian home for sale at a reasonable price, they couldn’t believe their luck. But they slowly came to realize that that the house came with its own set of problems, the largest being that every September, the ghosts of former inhabitants appear, some of whom seem to have been brutally murdered. After four years, Margaret has learned to work around these apparitions, but Hal couldn’t take another September and abruptly left. With another September beginning and their daughter on her way to investigate Hal’s absence, Margaret realizes that this September may just be the worse one yet.
I loved the premise of this book, not only of the hauntings focused around September but also of a protagonist who refused to give up her dream home and learned to work around these horrific events. The author executed it quite well, and it made for an interesting read. It was difficult to find any fear for the apparitions since the narrator treats them so nonchalantly, which was an interesting approach. However, there were a few scenes that got my heart racing. There were also some particularly gross descriptions of things that, while relevant to the story, might be off-putting if you have a weak stomach.
Another thing the author did well was writing realistic characters. They were neither bad nor good, and it wasn’t possible to like them the entire time. Their flawed personalities added to the atmosphere and interest of the book, though I will admit I found the daughter’s personality to be a bit frustrating at times as well as a little contradictory. The author included interesting history relating to the ghosts, and I enjoyed that aspect as well as the personalities of the ghosts.
I knew where the mystery was going from near the beginning, which did detract a bit from my enjoyment as it did away with any shock or tension that should have been present with the reveal. There were also several instances throughout the book where the plot ground to a halt and lost my interest, though it always picked back up again.
This creative paranormal mystery was a solid read even with the few qualms I had. My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this work, which will be published September 5th, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 27, 2023
Here I thought October was the spooky month! The September House was a total shocker! I thought I had things figured out in this gripping and unpredictable book! But Carissa Orlando pulled the rug out from under my feet. I found this book to be hard to put down, gripping, shocking, original, and well thought out!
Margaret and her husband Hal were happy to find a Victorian Home at an affordable price. It was going to be their home sweet home, until it wasn't. Soon they discovered that every September the walls were dripping blood, and the home’s former residents haunted the place. I would have run faster than the Flash to get out of there, but not Margaret. She is not going to let one month of mayhem get in the way or her enjoying her home!
Wowza! I was haunted by this stunning debut! I loved the sense of unease, the atmosphere, the tension, the mounting sense of dread and danger that flowed throughout this book. The September House is the perfect book to read in October when the nights are dark and chilly.
I enjoyed the mixing of horror, mystery, family drama, and supernatural elements. If you don't mind a spooky read, this book may be right up your alley. I love a good horror book, and this hit the spot quite nicely!
Creepy, gripping, dark, well written and hard to put down!
TW: abuse, alcoholism, mental health issues
This made for a very enjoyable buddy read!
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Margaret and her husband Hal were happy to find a Victorian Home at an affordable price. It was going to be their home sweet home, until it wasn't. Soon they discovered that every September the walls were dripping blood, and the home’s former residents haunted the place. I would have run faster than the Flash to get out of there, but not Margaret. She is not going to let one month of mayhem get in the way or her enjoying her home!
Wowza! I was haunted by this stunning debut! I loved the sense of unease, the atmosphere, the tension, the mounting sense of dread and danger that flowed throughout this book. The September House is the perfect book to read in October when the nights are dark and chilly.
I enjoyed the mixing of horror, mystery, family drama, and supernatural elements. If you don't mind a spooky read, this book may be right up your alley. I love a good horror book, and this hit the spot quite nicely!
Creepy, gripping, dark, well written and hard to put down!
TW: abuse, alcoholism, mental health issues
This made for a very enjoyable buddy read!
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
January 5, 2024
The September House, the debut novel from Carissa Orlando, is not your typical haunted house story. Instead, it starts out with dry humor and slides effortlessly into pure abject horror.
We’re introduced to Margaret, a woman who lives in the house of her dreams — a big beautiful Victorian on Hawthorn Street – which also happens to be a haunted nightmare.
When Margaret and her husband Hal purchased the lovely house for a steal four years ago, they thought they’d finally found their dream home. And for a while, they were right…until their first September.
Blood oozing down the walls, moaning that escalates to all-night disembodied screaming, birds that fly suicide missions directly into the home’s windows, and mutilated apparitions of eerie inhabitants are just a few highlights they have to look forward to as summer winds down each year.
Okay sure, the ghosts (or “pranksters” as Margaret likes to call them) can be menacing and there’s some kind of evil lurking down in the basement, but, hey, there’s also a live-in housekeeper…albeit a dead one.
Margaret’s interactions with the other residents have become an ordinary part of her everyday life and she takes a rather pragmatic no-nonsense approach to her home’s…quirks.
The lengths to which she goes to peacefully cohabitate with the spirits and keep the hauntings at bay borders on farcical at times.
Margaret insists that you can learn to live with anything, as long as you follow the rules. And so, she has developed a set of rules for surviving in her house of horrors.
As long as everyone plays by the rules — yes, even the pranksters — coexisting shouldn’t be a problem. After all, this is her dream house and no one can make her leave.
The story is told through Margaret’s point of view and through her eyes we meet the otherworldly inhabitants of the house, including Fredricka, a maid who cooks, makes tea, and dotes on Margaret. There’s also Elias, a ten-year-old boy with razor-sharp teeth who bites if you get too close (and Margaret has the scars to prove it).
But, alas, after four years, hubby Hal has had quite enough and unexpectedly departs.
When their adult daughter enters the picture, the paranormal story changes to a mystery as Katherine takes on the task of trying to find out what happened to her father who has seemingly vanished into thin air.
It’s at this point we learn that Margaret’s refusal to leave the house parallels her refusal to leave an abusive marriage. Her ability to cope with the ghosts in her house comes from years of learning to cope with Hal’s alcoholism and violent outbursts.
We’re left to wonder: why does Margaret stay in horrible situations even when she has opportunities to leave?
Do her actions always make sense? To her, yes. To others, not so much.
Margaret takes pride in her ability to endure, to survive. She just wants to harmoniously coexist.
But when her sanity is called into question, it’s suddenly unclear as to what is actually real, especially since the story is told from Margaret’s perspective.
The September House is a clever and creepy tale. Where the book stumbles a bit is when it delves into the meatier themes of mental health, abuse, alcoholism, and the cyclical nature of violence.
Unfortunately, the combination of supernatural shenanigans and dark, gritty emotional truth doesn’t always work perfectly.
By day, Carissa Orlando is Dr. Carissa Orlando, a clinical psychologist: who better to write psychological horror than someone who has studied and seen firsthand all the nuances of the human psyche?
In fairness, the mystery of Hal’s disappearance and whether or not Margaret is hallucinating the things that go bump in the night is a good one — it just makes for an unusual combination in a haunted house story.
But The September House is never anything less than compulsively readable – a spooky, quick-paced page-turner, for sure.
It reminded me at times of Catriona Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street as well as A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher. If you enjoyed either of those, then take a gander at this one, too.
However, should you see a gorgeous, well-maintained Victorian house on the market for a surprisingly low price, um, maybe think twice about becoming the new homeowner.
September 29, 2023
The walls bleed...
The house was built in 1882 and owned by a well-respected family. In present day, Margaret Hartman, our main narrator lives there with her husband Hal while their only child, Katherine is at college.
The beautiful cobalt Victorian with wrap around porch and turret was the dream home they always wanted and the couple eagerly moved there in May. When September arrives, they realize that the house drips blood down its walls and is very much haunted. Ghosts, suicidal birds, screams! Margaret feigns nonchalance at the horror after all, it only happens in September. After four years, Hal has had enough and left. Katherine comes home to look for him.
Autumn is here and The September House was a great one to kick start this year's spooky season! The September House was light horror for me with some humor. From the description, I really thought it would be scarier. I read this one but mostly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed Kimberly Farr's perfect narration although Katherine comes off as super annoying.
I like the eerie and gothic vibes. The mystery and twist were good as well, a great debut!
3.5⭐
TW: Abuse
Thank you Berkley for the DRC.
Published Sep 5, 2023.
The house was built in 1882 and owned by a well-respected family. In present day, Margaret Hartman, our main narrator lives there with her husband Hal while their only child, Katherine is at college.
The beautiful cobalt Victorian with wrap around porch and turret was the dream home they always wanted and the couple eagerly moved there in May. When September arrives, they realize that the house drips blood down its walls and is very much haunted. Ghosts, suicidal birds, screams! Margaret feigns nonchalance at the horror after all, it only happens in September. After four years, Hal has had enough and left. Katherine comes home to look for him.
Autumn is here and The September House was a great one to kick start this year's spooky season! The September House was light horror for me with some humor. From the description, I really thought it would be scarier. I read this one but mostly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed Kimberly Farr's perfect narration although Katherine comes off as super annoying.
I like the eerie and gothic vibes. The mystery and twist were good as well, a great debut!
3.5⭐
TW: Abuse
Thank you Berkley for the DRC.
Published Sep 5, 2023.
August 7, 2023
Starting this week off with a FIVE STAR review! Finally! 🥳 it’s been a long time coming. Bravo to Carissa Orlando for writing an incredible story with her upcoming debut, THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE.
I’m going to be a bit vague here, because the twists and turns in this story shook me. When Margaret and her husband Hal finally can afford the house of their dreams—an old, but beautiful Victorian mansion—the couple is determined the make this house their home. With their daughter Katherine in college, the couple believes this home can be a new start. However, when the couple realizes that the house is actually haunted, Margaret and Hal try their best to make the best out of it. However, they quickly realize that the reasonably annoying hauntings grow very aggressively in September and after four years, Hal is done living in these conditions. After Hal decides to leave the home, his daughter begins to suspect foul play and decides to investigate. As Margaret and Katherine search for Hal, Margaret also has to keep her home at bay because Hal mysteriously disappears during the scariest month of the year—SEPTEMBER.
I read this book in ONE SITTING and I have the dark circles to prove it. I spent my Sunday reading this book and I absolutely loved it. THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE will be a Top 10 read of the year for me! I thought I knew what was going to happen and then the book completely hoodwinked me! I can’t appreciate a book that deviates from the typical storytelling of psychological thrillers. In fact, THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE is a combination of horror, family drama, dark comedy, and psychological thriller. I loved every minute of reading THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE and you need to put this book on your TBR now.
I’m going to be a bit vague here, because the twists and turns in this story shook me. When Margaret and her husband Hal finally can afford the house of their dreams—an old, but beautiful Victorian mansion—the couple is determined the make this house their home. With their daughter Katherine in college, the couple believes this home can be a new start. However, when the couple realizes that the house is actually haunted, Margaret and Hal try their best to make the best out of it. However, they quickly realize that the reasonably annoying hauntings grow very aggressively in September and after four years, Hal is done living in these conditions. After Hal decides to leave the home, his daughter begins to suspect foul play and decides to investigate. As Margaret and Katherine search for Hal, Margaret also has to keep her home at bay because Hal mysteriously disappears during the scariest month of the year—SEPTEMBER.
I read this book in ONE SITTING and I have the dark circles to prove it. I spent my Sunday reading this book and I absolutely loved it. THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE will be a Top 10 read of the year for me! I thought I knew what was going to happen and then the book completely hoodwinked me! I can’t appreciate a book that deviates from the typical storytelling of psychological thrillers. In fact, THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE is a combination of horror, family drama, dark comedy, and psychological thriller. I loved every minute of reading THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE and you need to put this book on your TBR now.
September 29, 2023
Initial impression/review: I hated this book. I BARELY finished it. Review to follow.
I hoped that sitting with this book for a bit before writing a review might help, but unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I had really high hopes going into this--I LOVE a good haunted house book, but this one just really fell flat. I felt like I was forcing myself to get through this in hopes that it would redeem itself near the end, but the pacing was SO slow with long chapters and just dragged on.
This book has gotten so much hype-and if you have read this and enjoyed it, that's great, but I really didn't. I don't even really want to take the time to explain the plot because I don't want to dedicate any more time to this book.
I hoped that sitting with this book for a bit before writing a review might help, but unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I had really high hopes going into this--I LOVE a good haunted house book, but this one just really fell flat. I felt like I was forcing myself to get through this in hopes that it would redeem itself near the end, but the pacing was SO slow with long chapters and just dragged on.
This book has gotten so much hype-and if you have read this and enjoyed it, that's great, but I really didn't. I don't even really want to take the time to explain the plot because I don't want to dedicate any more time to this book.
September 2, 2024
4 Stars
The September House is a clever and character-driven story that is an emotional roller-coaster of shock, humour, fear, and comfort, and it has it all. We follow the story of Margaret, who lives in a haunted house with her husband, Hal. Or at least she did, until Hal went missing. Throughout the years of their stay in the house, the couple realized that something wasn’t quite right with the beautiful Victorian mansion—what with the walls bleeding, the endless screaming at night and the unwanted ghostly visitors that would take a chomp out of your flesh if you gave them a chance. Eventually, the couple’s only choices were to leave the house or make peace with it and follow the rules of the entity controlling their lives. Margaret chose the latter. When Hal goes missing, their daughter, Katherine, wants to stay in the house to investigate how and why her father vanished without speaking to his wife, but Katherine is unaware that the house is haunted. Margaret will try everything she can to stop her daughter from finding out. What stood out to me while reading The three main characters are Margaret, Katherine and Fredericka: Margaret could be frustrating sometimes—but for valid reasons. Her voice was balanced and well-developed, with well-placed humour and a sad reality of loneliness and trauma. Watching her process her ever-changing environment and the changes within herself was relatable and realistic.—Watching her live in denial, building coping mechanisms, “Katherine was so annoying—in a good way! She helped drive the plot forward by placing constant conflict in her mother’s life, forcing Margaret to question her beliefs and the lies she tells herself to survive. It was Katherine’s character arc that felt the strongest in the end. Fredericka’s character added fun and a good deal of sarcasm to the story. The atmospheric setting, the bleeding walls, and Victorian décor ghosts who snap and love to murder The setting contribute wonderfully to the book's overall moodiness and creepy vibes, for the plot is creative, unpredictable and filled with strong moral codes. I enjoyed the story's pace; it built up to an utter wild ride towards the end. Those last few chapters were chaotic in all the best ways. What I loved and appreciated most about this book is the theme of finding beauty in darkness. “The September House inspires one to continue despite difficult situations but warns of becoming too comfortable with the darkness.
The September House is a clever and character-driven story that is an emotional roller-coaster of shock, humour, fear, and comfort, and it has it all. We follow the story of Margaret, who lives in a haunted house with her husband, Hal. Or at least she did, until Hal went missing. Throughout the years of their stay in the house, the couple realized that something wasn’t quite right with the beautiful Victorian mansion—what with the walls bleeding, the endless screaming at night and the unwanted ghostly visitors that would take a chomp out of your flesh if you gave them a chance. Eventually, the couple’s only choices were to leave the house or make peace with it and follow the rules of the entity controlling their lives. Margaret chose the latter. When Hal goes missing, their daughter, Katherine, wants to stay in the house to investigate how and why her father vanished without speaking to his wife, but Katherine is unaware that the house is haunted. Margaret will try everything she can to stop her daughter from finding out. What stood out to me while reading The three main characters are Margaret, Katherine and Fredericka: Margaret could be frustrating sometimes—but for valid reasons. Her voice was balanced and well-developed, with well-placed humour and a sad reality of loneliness and trauma. Watching her process her ever-changing environment and the changes within herself was relatable and realistic.—Watching her live in denial, building coping mechanisms, “Katherine was so annoying—in a good way! She helped drive the plot forward by placing constant conflict in her mother’s life, forcing Margaret to question her beliefs and the lies she tells herself to survive. It was Katherine’s character arc that felt the strongest in the end. Fredericka’s character added fun and a good deal of sarcasm to the story. The atmospheric setting, the bleeding walls, and Victorian décor ghosts who snap and love to murder The setting contribute wonderfully to the book's overall moodiness and creepy vibes, for the plot is creative, unpredictable and filled with strong moral codes. I enjoyed the story's pace; it built up to an utter wild ride towards the end. Those last few chapters were chaotic in all the best ways. What I loved and appreciated most about this book is the theme of finding beauty in darkness. “The September House inspires one to continue despite difficult situations but warns of becoming too comfortable with the darkness.
December 10, 2023
I know I’m going to be the outlier on this one. It’s already received a number of high ratings. For me, it was a giant disappointment.
First of all, it seems this story was meant to be campy. Some of the things that bothered me were probably supposed to make me laugh. Unfortunately, the book failed to amuse me in any way. Everything about it seemed silly. The villain was over the top ridiculous. I also found many of the character interactions to be incredibly grating.. For example, Margaret continuously rebukes her ADULT daughter for swearing, constantly saying, “Language!” every time a bad word exits Katherine’s mouth. It just seemed obnoxious to me but I *think* the author was going for humor. The only parts of this book that successfully made me laugh were the dedication and the acknowledgements.
Secondly, I KNOW this was meant to be creepy. But that aspect fell flat for me. I mean, the house basically bleeds. I thought I was in for a horrific treat. But, no. I suspect all of the annoyance I felt hindered the creep factor. At any rate, the eerie vibe was not there.
I suspect this was meant to be a mystery. I am a little confused about whether or not the author was aiming for suspense and shock or if she realized the reader would know the answer from the start. It seemed so obvious that I just cannot imagine anyone writing this and thinking they’d concealed something. So maybe it wasn’t supposed to be a mystery? That’s the real mystery here.
I found the arrangement to be frustrating, as well. The story was already moving along slowly, only to frequently be impeded by a flashback that gives us some background on the house or Margaret’s relationship with Hal. I understand why this information was important, but surely there could have been a more interesting way to tell the story. Although I did find the history of deaths surrounding the house intriguing, there was very little else within those progression disruptions to keep me engaged..
Okay, here’s where my feelings get complicated. If you don’t want spoilers, close your eyes immediately! Do not read any further!
Are your eyes still open? Okay, cool. Let me complain about the “Is she or isn’t she delusional?” trope. Could we please just put an end to this in stories? I’ll give the author points for not taking the completely insensitive route in the end, but I am tired of the way games are played with a genuine symptom of mental illness. I grew up with a delusional parent. Can we stop making that into a fun, twisty plot line? It isn’t any of those things.
I also hated the overall implication surrounding Margaret’s *hush, hush* family history. Why was this treated like such a taboo subject? Yes, I am fully aware of the author’s background in psychology. That does not mean I think she used her knowledge well here. I mean, yes, I know not everyone wants to confess to having a delusional parent (which, obviously, doesn’t apply to me), but making it seem like mental illness is such a shameful thing in a contemporary novel just doesn’t sit quite right with me, especially since it was hinted at so the author could do a big, shocking reveal later. That’s just kind of gross.
And now let’s get into the parallel drawn between a haunted house you’re bound to and a domestic violence situation that holds you hostage. On the surface, this was pretty good. I DO like that Orlando aimed to communicate something meaningful here. But I am not just the child of a delusional parent. I also grew up with an alcoholic parent (which plays a role in this book) and, lucky me, married an abusive spouse (whom I left 20 years ago). I brought a lot of firsthand experience into this that made me scrutinize the characterization of this story’s DV victim.
Yes, you absolutely do have to follow certain rules to survive the abuse, but in real life, those rules are continually changing and you never really know when you’ve broken one. Like the book suggests, things aren’t always bad. You think you can live with it as long as there is some good. You can fool yourself into believing the bad isn’t that bad. But I felt like the author depicted Margaret as a willing victim, rather than properly connecting it all to a house that wouldn’t let her leave. I wasn’t completely comfortable with what the author seemed to imply about those living in domestic violence. Margaret recognized the abuse, just as she could clearly see the ghosts (AKA tricksters). Those living through it in reality are gaslighted and demeaned so aggressively that their reality is compromised. They don’t always recognize the abuse. Maybe the author wanted to represent this through the ghost aspect, but I’m not entirely sure and, if that was the objective, I don’t think it was well conveyed. I just didn’t see the lines drawn between the two themes as solid or straight. As a survivor, it often bothered me.
Enough of my snarky, embittered review. Read this if it interests you. But know that the voice of experience in the heat of domestic violence is not heard here. Not as far as I can tell. Obviously, I don’t know what the author may have gone through in a personal relationship, but I genuinely did not get the feeling that she wrote this with a firsthand understanding.
I am immensely grateful to Berkley and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
First of all, it seems this story was meant to be campy. Some of the things that bothered me were probably supposed to make me laugh. Unfortunately, the book failed to amuse me in any way. Everything about it seemed silly. The villain was over the top ridiculous. I also found many of the character interactions to be incredibly grating.. For example, Margaret continuously rebukes her ADULT daughter for swearing, constantly saying, “Language!” every time a bad word exits Katherine’s mouth. It just seemed obnoxious to me but I *think* the author was going for humor. The only parts of this book that successfully made me laugh were the dedication and the acknowledgements.
Secondly, I KNOW this was meant to be creepy. But that aspect fell flat for me. I mean, the house basically bleeds. I thought I was in for a horrific treat. But, no. I suspect all of the annoyance I felt hindered the creep factor. At any rate, the eerie vibe was not there.
I suspect this was meant to be a mystery. I am a little confused about whether or not the author was aiming for suspense and shock or if she realized the reader would know the answer from the start. It seemed so obvious that I just cannot imagine anyone writing this and thinking they’d concealed something. So maybe it wasn’t supposed to be a mystery? That’s the real mystery here.
I found the arrangement to be frustrating, as well. The story was already moving along slowly, only to frequently be impeded by a flashback that gives us some background on the house or Margaret’s relationship with Hal. I understand why this information was important, but surely there could have been a more interesting way to tell the story. Although I did find the history of deaths surrounding the house intriguing, there was very little else within those progression disruptions to keep me engaged..
Okay, here’s where my feelings get complicated. If you don’t want spoilers, close your eyes immediately! Do not read any further!
Are your eyes still open? Okay, cool. Let me complain about the “Is she or isn’t she delusional?” trope. Could we please just put an end to this in stories? I’ll give the author points for not taking the completely insensitive route in the end, but I am tired of the way games are played with a genuine symptom of mental illness. I grew up with a delusional parent. Can we stop making that into a fun, twisty plot line? It isn’t any of those things.
I also hated the overall implication surrounding Margaret’s *hush, hush* family history. Why was this treated like such a taboo subject? Yes, I am fully aware of the author’s background in psychology. That does not mean I think she used her knowledge well here. I mean, yes, I know not everyone wants to confess to having a delusional parent (which, obviously, doesn’t apply to me), but making it seem like mental illness is such a shameful thing in a contemporary novel just doesn’t sit quite right with me, especially since it was hinted at so the author could do a big, shocking reveal later. That’s just kind of gross.
And now let’s get into the parallel drawn between a haunted house you’re bound to and a domestic violence situation that holds you hostage. On the surface, this was pretty good. I DO like that Orlando aimed to communicate something meaningful here. But I am not just the child of a delusional parent. I also grew up with an alcoholic parent (which plays a role in this book) and, lucky me, married an abusive spouse (whom I left 20 years ago). I brought a lot of firsthand experience into this that made me scrutinize the characterization of this story’s DV victim.
Yes, you absolutely do have to follow certain rules to survive the abuse, but in real life, those rules are continually changing and you never really know when you’ve broken one. Like the book suggests, things aren’t always bad. You think you can live with it as long as there is some good. You can fool yourself into believing the bad isn’t that bad. But I felt like the author depicted Margaret as a willing victim, rather than properly connecting it all to a house that wouldn’t let her leave. I wasn’t completely comfortable with what the author seemed to imply about those living in domestic violence. Margaret recognized the abuse, just as she could clearly see the ghosts (AKA tricksters). Those living through it in reality are gaslighted and demeaned so aggressively that their reality is compromised. They don’t always recognize the abuse. Maybe the author wanted to represent this through the ghost aspect, but I’m not entirely sure and, if that was the objective, I don’t think it was well conveyed. I just didn’t see the lines drawn between the two themes as solid or straight. As a survivor, it often bothered me.
Enough of my snarky, embittered review. Read this if it interests you. But know that the voice of experience in the heat of domestic violence is not heard here. Not as far as I can tell. Obviously, I don’t know what the author may have gone through in a personal relationship, but I genuinely did not get the feeling that she wrote this with a firsthand understanding.
I am immensely grateful to Berkley and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2023
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando is a tension-filled crossover, combining ghost horror and psychological suspense, that will keep readers guessing where the story is heading!
MY TEASE…
Margaret had developed a personal philosophy to deescalate domestic contentions: Follow the rules and “everything is survivable.” For the most part, her philosophy has worked.
But when Margaret and her husband, Hal, moved into a beautiful Victorian mansion on Hawthorn Street, little did she know that her philosophy would be tested like never before—certainly the “survivable” part. Turns out, the ghostly inhabitants of their new residence, built in 1882, have their own set of rules, especially in the month of September when their paranormal activity is off the charts.
Hal, who had always been the rule setter, wasn’t accustomed to following the rules of others, let alone rules imposed by a horde of disfigured, temperamental ghosts. He fled, leaving Margaret to fend for herself as September closed in on the house.
Being the quintessential rule follower, Margaret would’ve been fine. Except, her daughter Katherine wouldn’t be denied a first-time visit to the house any longer. After all, her father hasn’t been seen or heard from since he left, and Katherine is determined to find out why.
Will Hal be found? And will Margaret and Katherine survive the perfect storm that is about to engulf the mansion?
The walls are already bleeding and that’s only the start…
THOUGHTS…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE was an awesome read! It wasn’t bite-your-nails scary; instead, it was a tension filled walk on thin, cracking ice. I give a thumbs up to the author for making sure I was never on sure-footing! I knew the cracks were coming, I just wasn’t sure from which direction. This made for a very engaging story!
There’s quite a bit of narrative in this novel, but this didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all. Margaret has a dry sense of humor which was subtle perfection! Like this example:
“I barely got the door settled back against the doorframe before it screamed open, shoving me aside with a strength one rarely sees in doors.”
I also appreciated how the author infused difficult topics such as…
When it came to the paranormal, the author asked a lot of me in the area of suspension of belief. However, there was so much to enjoy in this book that the story won me over anyway. This was Orlando’s debut, and I can’t wait to read what she does next!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+
Main character’s likability: 4.5
Development of supporting character(s): 4.5
Settings/Atmosphere: 5+
Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5
Believability (in the context of the story): 3-
Satisfying ending: 4.5
Tension of the story: 5+
Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A
Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? There were some twists that I suspected and others that totally surprised me!
OVERALL…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE is an addictive read that will expertly keep you off balance and guessing! This book has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and I highly recommend it!
MY TEASE…
Margaret had developed a personal philosophy to deescalate domestic contentions: Follow the rules and “everything is survivable.” For the most part, her philosophy has worked.
But when Margaret and her husband, Hal, moved into a beautiful Victorian mansion on Hawthorn Street, little did she know that her philosophy would be tested like never before—certainly the “survivable” part. Turns out, the ghostly inhabitants of their new residence, built in 1882, have their own set of rules, especially in the month of September when their paranormal activity is off the charts.
Hal, who had always been the rule setter, wasn’t accustomed to following the rules of others, let alone rules imposed by a horde of disfigured, temperamental ghosts. He fled, leaving Margaret to fend for herself as September closed in on the house.
Being the quintessential rule follower, Margaret would’ve been fine. Except, her daughter Katherine wouldn’t be denied a first-time visit to the house any longer. After all, her father hasn’t been seen or heard from since he left, and Katherine is determined to find out why.
Will Hal be found? And will Margaret and Katherine survive the perfect storm that is about to engulf the mansion?
The walls are already bleeding and that’s only the start…
THOUGHTS…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE was an awesome read! It wasn’t bite-your-nails scary; instead, it was a tension filled walk on thin, cracking ice. I give a thumbs up to the author for making sure I was never on sure-footing! I knew the cracks were coming, I just wasn’t sure from which direction. This made for a very engaging story!
There’s quite a bit of narrative in this novel, but this didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all. Margaret has a dry sense of humor which was subtle perfection! Like this example:
“I barely got the door settled back against the doorframe before it screamed open, shoving me aside with a strength one rarely sees in doors.”
I also appreciated how the author infused difficult topics such as…
When it came to the paranormal, the author asked a lot of me in the area of suspension of belief. However, there was so much to enjoy in this book that the story won me over anyway. This was Orlando’s debut, and I can’t wait to read what she does next!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+
Main character’s likability: 4.5
Development of supporting character(s): 4.5
Settings/Atmosphere: 5+
Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5
Believability (in the context of the story): 3-
Satisfying ending: 4.5
Tension of the story: 5+
Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A
Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? There were some twists that I suspected and others that totally surprised me!
OVERALL…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE is an addictive read that will expertly keep you off balance and guessing! This book has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and I highly recommend it!
August 6, 2023
After years of renting, Margaret has always dreamed of owning her own home. When she discovered a reasonably priced large Victorian home, she felt like her dream had come true.
Well almost. Until September came.
Every September, not only does blood start to drip down the walls but the spirits of the former residents of the home come back to life.
Margaret is adamant about staying in the home but her husband Hal has had enough. He cannot take any more sleepless nights of listening to the spirits scream all night and being randomly bitten by the ghost of a little boy. So Hal leaves.
Weeks go by and Margaret still hasn't heard from her husband. When Margaret and Hal’s adult daughter Katherine becomes concerned by her father’s disappearance, she decides to visit them. Which would be okay under normal circumstances but September is here and the hauntings are in full swing. Margaret has not told her daughter about the hauntings and tries to hide them when Katherine arrives. But the longer Katherine stays, the worse the hauntings get. And the mystery of Hal’s disappearance becomes even more unexplainable.
The September House is a highly entertaining, edge-of-your-seat, sleep-with-the-lights-on type of read! I loved Margaret’s character and how she was so jaded to the paranormal occurrences going on around her. I had so much fun reading this one. Not to mention the twist toward the end, had me reeling!
I've read a lot of stories about haunted houses through the years and The September House is entirely unique. The way the story is told, is far different than any other haunted house story that I've previously read. The September House will be the perfect atmospheric read for this fall!
The September House by Carissa Orlando will be available on September 5. Many than is to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
Well almost. Until September came.
Every September, not only does blood start to drip down the walls but the spirits of the former residents of the home come back to life.
Margaret is adamant about staying in the home but her husband Hal has had enough. He cannot take any more sleepless nights of listening to the spirits scream all night and being randomly bitten by the ghost of a little boy. So Hal leaves.
Weeks go by and Margaret still hasn't heard from her husband. When Margaret and Hal’s adult daughter Katherine becomes concerned by her father’s disappearance, she decides to visit them. Which would be okay under normal circumstances but September is here and the hauntings are in full swing. Margaret has not told her daughter about the hauntings and tries to hide them when Katherine arrives. But the longer Katherine stays, the worse the hauntings get. And the mystery of Hal’s disappearance becomes even more unexplainable.
The September House is a highly entertaining, edge-of-your-seat, sleep-with-the-lights-on type of read! I loved Margaret’s character and how she was so jaded to the paranormal occurrences going on around her. I had so much fun reading this one. Not to mention the twist toward the end, had me reeling!
I've read a lot of stories about haunted houses through the years and The September House is entirely unique. The way the story is told, is far different than any other haunted house story that I've previously read. The September House will be the perfect atmospheric read for this fall!
The September House by Carissa Orlando will be available on September 5. Many than is to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
September 1, 2023
Wow, this book was wild! Margaret and Hal are finally able to afford their dream home, a lovely Victorian purchased for a steal, but there’s a catch — it’s haunted. Even with a malevolent presence stirring up trouble, especially during the month of September, Margaret refuses to move out. After a few Septembers, Hal has had enough and leaves. Then their daughter Katherine (unaware of the hauntings) arrives looking for her dad, and oh, dear!
This was an entertaining yet disturbing horror novel that managed to pull the rug out from under me. I was truly invested in the plight of these characters and their complicated relationships, particularly the mother and daughter. Secrets are gradually revealed, and puzzle pieces click into place, or so it seems! At one point I did feel like things were getting repetitive, and I wanted to give the plot a push forward. Overall, though, I enjoyed this darkly humorous and unsettling gothic horror debut.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Excerpt from THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE on my blog HERE.
This was an entertaining yet disturbing horror novel that managed to pull the rug out from under me. I was truly invested in the plight of these characters and their complicated relationships, particularly the mother and daughter. Secrets are gradually revealed, and puzzle pieces click into place, or so it seems! At one point I did feel like things were getting repetitive, and I wanted to give the plot a push forward. Overall, though, I enjoyed this darkly humorous and unsettling gothic horror debut.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Excerpt from THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE on my blog HERE.
October 20, 2023
I loved this so, SO much. I usually don't comp books and authors too often, but I just read a Grady Hendrix book a few weeks ago so his writing style is fresh in my mind and my first thought when I closed this book was that I can totally see why he's been hyping up The September House - if you enjoy GH's writing style as much as I do, this feels like a good rec for you too. Full review coming soon but I just have to say this was amazing!
Buddy read with Misty! <3
Buddy read with Misty! <3
October 15, 2023
This was an absolutely bone-chilling debut, perfect for this spooky season ahead!
When Margaret and Hal buy their Victorian dreamhouse they think they have finally found their forever home. After over two decades of an up and down marriage they are well deserving of it! With beautiful hardwood floors, exquisite chandeliers and enviable details throughout, the home is absolutely ideal. So what if it has a murky past and it's at a dead-end, secluded from the rest of town?!! Margaret is especially in love, and refuses to listen to any negative talk about her new home. So what if every September the walls begin to bleed and the house moans all night long, as though in agony? Who cares about the entities and shadow figures that manifest at the most inconvenient times?! Every home has its' imperfections, after all!
Margaret embraces the spirits, and even conducts her own research in an attempt to discover who they actually were and what connection they have to her home. After 3 years of attempting to ignore the supernatural elements during the month of September Hal has had enough and wants out. Margaret, however, refuses and puts her foot down giving Hal no other choice but to leave on his own. When several weeks go by without word from him Margaret receives a call from her increasingly concerned daughter, Katherine, and has no satisfying explanation for his disappearance. That being the case, Katherine insists on flying in to help investigate Hal's disappearance. After hitting multiple dead ends, and picking up on her mother's peculiar behavior, namely her nonchalance about Hal's disappearance, Katherine begins to suspect this is much more than a husband and father walking out on his life.... Will she begin to put the pieces together and unearth what happened to her father, or will the house get the best of her before then?!!
I absolutely loved this atmospheric read! There were several things going on so I couldn't really put my finger on what was happening, outside of your typical haunted house. I did find both protagonists to be incredibly unlikable initially, but the more I read the more I began to understand their actions and they became much more likable. As one twist after the next came, I was reeling and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough! This was much more than a horror story, which not only surprised me but made me enjoy and appreciate this one that much more. This one had me experience a gamut of emotions! To divulge any more details about the plot would definitely be spoiling, so I'll just leave it at that!
I recommend readers go into this read knowing as little as possible and just enjoying this one for what it is, I do believe it's probably the best haunted house themed horror novel out there right now! I cannot wait to read Orlando's next release!!!
When Margaret and Hal buy their Victorian dreamhouse they think they have finally found their forever home. After over two decades of an up and down marriage they are well deserving of it! With beautiful hardwood floors, exquisite chandeliers and enviable details throughout, the home is absolutely ideal. So what if it has a murky past and it's at a dead-end, secluded from the rest of town?!! Margaret is especially in love, and refuses to listen to any negative talk about her new home. So what if every September the walls begin to bleed and the house moans all night long, as though in agony? Who cares about the entities and shadow figures that manifest at the most inconvenient times?! Every home has its' imperfections, after all!
Margaret embraces the spirits, and even conducts her own research in an attempt to discover who they actually were and what connection they have to her home. After 3 years of attempting to ignore the supernatural elements during the month of September Hal has had enough and wants out. Margaret, however, refuses and puts her foot down giving Hal no other choice but to leave on his own. When several weeks go by without word from him Margaret receives a call from her increasingly concerned daughter, Katherine, and has no satisfying explanation for his disappearance. That being the case, Katherine insists on flying in to help investigate Hal's disappearance. After hitting multiple dead ends, and picking up on her mother's peculiar behavior, namely her nonchalance about Hal's disappearance, Katherine begins to suspect this is much more than a husband and father walking out on his life.... Will she begin to put the pieces together and unearth what happened to her father, or will the house get the best of her before then?!!
I absolutely loved this atmospheric read! There were several things going on so I couldn't really put my finger on what was happening, outside of your typical haunted house. I did find both protagonists to be incredibly unlikable initially, but the more I read the more I began to understand their actions and they became much more likable. As one twist after the next came, I was reeling and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough! This was much more than a horror story, which not only surprised me but made me enjoy and appreciate this one that much more. This one had me experience a gamut of emotions! To divulge any more details about the plot would definitely be spoiling, so I'll just leave it at that!
I recommend readers go into this read knowing as little as possible and just enjoying this one for what it is, I do believe it's probably the best haunted house themed horror novel out there right now! I cannot wait to read Orlando's next release!!!
September 22, 2023
What do you do when you've finally found a Victorian home of your dreams and it's crazy cuckoo bananas for a month every year. Do you gtfo or live by the rules? And let's not even get into what's in the basement. This book evoked so many feelings in me. I love when that happens. Margaret was so precious. I felt for her. This won't be for everyone though. If you don't like humor in your horror, you won't like it.
October 20, 2023
This is NOT horror. It's a cozy book.
TW: Language, drinking, alcoholism, toxic parent relationships, domestic abuse, child abuse, use of c-word, gory scenes
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street—for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price—they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls drip blood. The ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and all of them are terrified of something that lurks in the basement. Most people would flee. Margaret is not most people. Margaret is staying. It’s her house. But after four years Hal can’t take it anymore, and he leaves abruptly. Now, he’s not returning calls, and their daughter Katherine—who knows nothing about the hauntings—arrives, intent on looking for her missing father. To make things worse, September has just begun, and with every attempt Margaret and Katherine make at finding Hal, the hauntings grow more harrowing, because there are some secrets the house needs to keep.
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Pages: 336
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Story flowed - wasn't bored
2. Fast read
3. Great writing style
What I Didn't Like:
1. Long chapters
2. Margaret saying "language" over & over - annoying
3. Katherine and her 30-year-old tantrums
4. Book is so repetitive
5. Not a horror - tip toes the line but more of a thriller/mystery
Overall Thoughts:
"I don’t consider myself to be a squeamish person—I’m a mother, after all, and the walls of my bedroom bleed regularly—but everyone has their limits."
There's something fun about reading a book with the title of the month you're in.
There is a spoiler for The Exorcist, so if you haven't seen it skip page 40-41.
Oh, we brought the Catholics into this story. I should say that I am not a fan of possession movies/books.
Why are the chapters so long?
Katherine is absolutely horrible. I hated her whiny attitude toward her mom and anyone else that wouldn't listen to her. She's so typical only child attitude. I'm sorry but her verbal attacks on her mother is just as bad as her dad's verbal attacks on her. You can't be over here preaching that your father shouldn't be treating your mother this way and then turn around and treat her like crap too.
I have so many questions about the fireplace woman; Blythe. How did Jasper get her into the fireplace and catch her on fire? How big is this fireplace that a person can get in?
Feels like too many plot lines happening at once. First you have this haunted house and a husband that isn't even missing. Elsa didn't understand why she was telling her daughter all these lies for her husband when he was missing like what was she protecting him from. She didn't know he was drinking she just knew he left. What did her daughter be happy that he had left? Rather than being ominous about where he went just tell her "hey your dad left I don't know where he went though". Instead she continues to cover for this person and I don't understand why.
This whole time Hal is clearly in the basement. Not me screaming at my book for 75% of reading.
In between doing things I had put the audiobook on instead of reading the book and I have to tell you I absolutely despised the voices on the audiobook. They drove me crazy and found it overly whiny. I found the writing better in the book than listening to the audiobook.
I was shocked to find out that Hal was abusive toward Margaret. She never mentioned in her inner monolog and wasn't brought up until Katherine said something. Plus when we find out that Hal has been drinking but Margaret had no idea, just how would she not know? He was no longer abusive when he was drunk? I find that silly to say that if an abusive alcoholic went to therapy he's suddenly cured from hurting people. I've never read a book that takes abusive as a whimsical character trait. "Oh Hal beats me but it's okay I'm just smiling and that's how he is."
I started to get so annoyed because it became repetitive once I got to the half-way mark;
• Can't let my daughter know the house is haunted
• Where's my husband (do I even care)
• He was abusive
• Jesus Christ/Motherfucker
• "Mom, you need to leave dad"
• Hanging out with Edie on the porch
• Clean
• Drink tea
• Watch that basement door
• Elias' teeth - Jesus Christ
• Blyrhe get out of the fireplace
• "He's down there" (38 uses)
• Mention the priest again
• Fredericka stop putting things in random spots - Jesus Christ!
Everytime the name Hal was mentioned I just thought of Malcolm in the Middle.
Get the fuck out! Not only did the cashier remember Hal but also the cab driver! And it's been a month since this all happened. This is how I know the author has never been a cashier - I only remembered the ones that were weird and the ones that are regulars. All the faces blur together. Oh because he had two stinky containers.
Now everyone thinks that Marg is having a breakdown and she murdered Hal, but how can they explain about the bins and why he had them. And what an odd thing to tell someone "Don't worry Margaret you won't even go to prison."
183 uses of Master Vale. 183! 183! 183!!!!!!
Final Thoughts:
When I started this book I was loving it. Like I stayed up to read and the pages were flying but then I had more and more issues. I should say that I have a issues with ghost books I'm pretty particular about my ghost stories. Only because with a ghost story you can only go so far. The house is either haunted or it's not. Someone either denies it or accepts it. Either stay or you leave. So your choices for a ghost story are very limited that's why the only thing that can save you is the writing of the story. For me this book just fell short. And I know that I'm outside the majority here. This book is getting rave reviews.
My conclusion of this book is that I just read the book form of The Babadook. Instead of depression she's dealing with she's dealing with an abusive marriage. Add in a splash of The Haunting when Eleanor faces of with Crane.
I hated this ending. Wtf was the message anyways - put up with abusive relationship in a comical way but only care if someone touches your child.
Recommend For:
• Ghost stories
• Mother - daughter relationships
• Struggles in marriages
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