Our Take

Malerman once again proves his mastery of psychological horror with this deeply unsettling domestic nightmare. Following the success of "Bird Box," he continues to demonstrate that what remains unseen is infinitely more terrifying than what's revealed. The genius of Incidents Around the House lies in how it transforms ordinary domestic spaces into sources of mounting dread, making readers question the safety of their own homes. Malerman excels at portraying the mother's psychological struggle—her rational dismissal of supernatural possibilities gradually eroding as evidence mounts. The child character is written with remarkable authenticity, capturing both the innocent acceptance children often have toward paranormal phenomena and the genuine terror when that acceptance proves warranted. Unlike many horror novels that lose steam when the threat is finally revealed, Malerman maintains tension throughout by focusing on the family's emotional response to their situation rather than over-explaining the supernatural elements. This is sophisticated horror that lingers in your mind long after you've finished reading, making you glance nervously at dark corners of your own home.