Hi everyone! I’m back, and I have a properly spooky book to talk about! I always get so excited for this time of year. All of the Halloween decorations are up, the weather is just cold enough, and everything just feels right. I won’t wax poetic about October for too much longer. Let’s talk about The September House.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Domestic Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Explicit Language, References to Self-Harm, Alcohol Abuse, Body Horror

After years of searching, Margaret and her husband Hal found their perfect home. It was everything they could have ever wished for. It is, however, severely haunted. Every September, the various ghosts make their presence known and terrorize the occupants. Margaret is willing to accept this small price so that she can continue to live in her dream home. Hal, on the other hand, reaches his breaking point and disappears after an argument. Margaret tries to brush this off, but her daughter, Katherine, learns about her father’s disappearance and immediately begins her own investigation. Margaret must keep her daughter in the dark about the house’s true nature, but the things lurking in the dark no longer want to hide.

I am genuinely glad I get to kick off the spookiest time of year with The September House. This novel stretches the classic “haunted house” story to its limits. Carissa Orlando brilliantly blends together a harrowing ghost story and the story of a woman’s inner turmoil as she is confront the reality of her situation. It was a surprisingly empowering story (aside from the gore). As the POV character, Margaret delivers her inner thoughts with wry, dark humor and dignity. It is always refreshing to have an older woman as a protagonist, especially in a horror novel. The narration was well-paced and layered. Orlando certainly knows how to craft a plot twist and create a satisfying pay off. I won’t continue on because I don’t want to venture into spoilers. The September House is a must-read for this Halloween season, especially if you want a fresh take on the “haunted house” story.