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A review by chezler24
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Possessed puppets, family secrets, and motherhood! OH MY!
Really enjoyed this Grady Hendrix novel. Going in I was not expecting the sheer amount of puppets involved but enjoyed the creepy yet familial feel they provided for the plot. Structuring the book around the stages of grief was a nice way of framing the family dealing with the death that opens the book along with the family secrets presented throughout. I almost wish the title reflected this aspect more than the real estate angle since selling the house seems secondary compared to other elements present. While I don't need to read another book about puppets anytime soon, reading about Mark's horrors during college with the Pupkin brigade was a totally unexpected, wild backstory and helped me understand this seemingly evil little puppet a bit better. Throughout the novel, I was constantly rooting for Louise and Poppy. I was also not expecting this book to deal with generational trauma to protect the next generation but hey that's what makes opening a book so interesting! Overall, Hendrix met my expectations for the book and I can't wait to add another of his books to my handselling rotation at the bookstore.
Really enjoyed this Grady Hendrix novel. Going in I was not expecting the sheer amount of puppets involved but enjoyed the creepy yet familial feel they provided for the plot. Structuring the book around the stages of grief was a nice way of framing the family dealing with the death that opens the book along with the family secrets presented throughout. I almost wish the title reflected this aspect more than the real estate angle since selling the house seems secondary compared to other elements present. While I don't need to read another book about puppets anytime soon, reading about Mark's horrors during college with the Pupkin brigade was a totally unexpected, wild backstory and helped me understand this seemingly evil little puppet a bit better. Throughout the novel, I was constantly rooting for Louise and Poppy. I was also not expecting this book to deal with generational trauma to protect the next generation but hey that's what makes opening a book so interesting! Overall, Hendrix met my expectations for the book and I can't wait to add another of his books to my handselling rotation at the bookstore.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, Body horror, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Car accident