I met Michaelbrent Collings at a writers conference a few years ago and consider him a top-notch guy. So effusive in coolness is he that I decided I would try reading some of his horror to see what I might be missing. The first book I read was “Mr. Gray”, which he recommended as a “gateway book”, as it’s not true horror, but leads in that direction. I enjoyed it, and decided to try something a little more mainstream horror. He set me up with The Haunted.
The story follows a young couple (the wife is expecting their first child) who have just purchased the epitome of bad-mojo real estate. The prologue establishes the situation so well (ie. gave me the mega-willies) that I spent the first several chapters screaming inside that these people could be so stupid as to buy this house! And, predictably, the bad stuff starts to happen right away as the house begins it’s work of repelling invaders.
I can’t tell you much more than that. The novel hinges on a pretty significant plot twist that I can’t even begin to discuss without giving too much away. It suffices to say that there were plenty of clues, and while I was starting to get suspicious realizing that something about it all wasn’t right, I still failed to anticipate the twist. And that’s saying something. It means either the twist was so fundamental that I never even entertained the idea, or that I was too interested in the story to want to stop and think about what was going on.
If you like horror, and horror that is reasonably clean, this is a book for you. There’s some language, and of course horror elements, but its not overly gorey or graphic, and sex is scarcely mentioned in passing. That said, this is horror, not just suspense. Don’t give your kids this book. (I have to add that because I do review a fair number of children’s/YA books here.)
Michaelbrent is a best-selling author on Amazon, and a self-publishing success story. He’s also very open about writing and publishing, and shoots straight. If horror is your thing, or if you’d like to see if it’s your thing, he’s someone to check out. The Haunted is a safe place to dip your toe in the water.