Monday, November 4, 2024

The September House by Carissa Orlando

Ghosts, memories, and secrets—this house has them all.

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"The September House" is the kind of book that'll have you sleeping with the lights on for weeks. It's a masterful blend of psychological horror and good old-fashioned ghost story, with a hefty dose of family drama thrown in for good measure.

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You know that feeling when you walk into an old house and the floorboards creak just so, sending a shiver up your spine? That’s the sensation Carissa Orlando captures perfectly in her debut novel, The September House. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to sleep with the lights on, but you can’t put it down long enough to reach for the switch.

A House That Bleeds More Than Just Metaphors

Margaret and Hal thought they’d found their dream home in the sprawling Victorian on Hawthorn Street. Sure, the price seemed too good to be true, but doesn’t everyone hope for that stroke of luck? Little did they know they’d be getting way more than they bargained for.

Orlando wastes no time plunging readers into the deep end of the haunted house genre. Within the first few chapters, we’re introduced to walls that literally bleed, ghostly children with gruesome injuries, and a basement that harbors secrets darker than your average cobweb-filled cellar. Oh, and did I mention September is when all hell breaks loose? Talk about seasonal affective disorder.

A Protagonist Who Refuses to Be Scared Away

At the heart of this supernatural maelstrom is Margaret, our steadfast (or maybe just stubborn) protagonist. While most people would be calling U-Haul faster than you can say “poltergeist,” Margaret digs in her heels. This is her house, dammit, and no amount of paranormal activity is going to chase her out.

Orlando’s characterization of Margaret is where the book really shines. She’s not your typical horror heroine—no screaming and running up the stairs when she should be heading for the front door. Instead, Margaret approaches the hauntings with an almost clinical detachment. She catalogs the ghosts like she’s taking inventory, coming up with rules and systems to coexist with the supernatural squatters.

The Cost of Staying

But Margaret’s determination comes at a price. Her husband Hal can’t take the pressure and bails, leaving Margaret alone with the ghosts (both literal and metaphorical). When their daughter Katherine shows up looking for answers, the tension ratchets up to eleven.

Orlando expertly weaves together past and present, slowly revealing the dark history of the house and its former inhabitants. The flashbacks to the Vale family, the original owners, are particularly chilling. Let’s just say that if you thought your family had issues, wait until you meet the Vales.

A Fresh Take on a Classic Genre

What sets The September House apart from your run-of-the-mill haunted house story is Orlando’s unique blend of horror and psychological drama. Yes, there are plenty of jump scares and creepy moments that’ll make your skin crawl. But beneath the supernatural trappings lies a deeper exploration of family, trauma, and the lengths we’ll go to hold onto something we think defines us.

The relationship between Margaret and Katherine is particularly well-drawn. As Katherine uncovers more about her mother’s life in the house, we see the complexities of their bond laid bare. It’s a testament to Orlando’s skill that amidst all the ghostly goings-on, the human drama remains just as compelling.

A House Full of Memorable “Residents”

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its cast of spectral characters. From Fredricka, the helpful (if occasionally unsettling) ghostly housekeeper, to Elias, the bite-happy boy who haunts the upstairs, each spirit has a distinct personality and backstory. Orlando manages to make even the most horrifying apparitions oddly sympathetic—no small feat when dealing with characters who are, quite literally, axe murderers.

Special mention has to go to Master Vale, the big bad lurking in the basement. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say he makes your average movie monster look like a cuddly kitten in comparison. The scenes where Margaret confronts him are some of the most pulse-pounding in the book.

Style That Creeps Up On You

Orlando’s prose is deceptively straightforward at first. But as the story progresses and reality starts to blur, her writing takes on an almost feverish quality. Sentences twist and turn, mirroring Margaret’s increasingly fractured mental state. It’s disorienting in the best possible way, pulling you deeper into the house’s madness.

There’s a dark humor running through the book as well. Margaret’s matter-of-fact approach to the hauntings leads to some genuinely funny moments amidst the horror. One particular scene involving a ghostly tea party had me laughing out loud—before remembering that I probably shouldn’t be chuckling at the antics of murdered children.

A Few Creaky Floorboards

No house is perfect, and The September House does have a few weak spots. The pacing in the middle section can drag a bit, with Margaret’s day-to-day life in the haunted house sometimes feeling repetitive. And while the finale is suitably explosive, some readers might find the resolution a tad too neat given the buildup.

There are also a few plot threads that feel underdeveloped. Hal’s disappearance, while central to the story, doesn’t get quite as much exploration as it deserves. And the hints at Margaret’s own family history of mental illness could have been fleshed out more to add another layer to her character.

A Strong Foundation for a New Voice in Horror

These minor quibbles aside, The September House is an impressive debut. Orlando shows a real knack for building atmosphere and tension, and her characters feel refreshingly real despite the supernatural setting. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page, making you side-eye that creaky closet door or wonder what’s really lurking in your own basement.

For a first novel, Orlando displays remarkable confidence in her storytelling. She’s not afraid to take risks, blending genres and playing with readers’ expectations. While The September House might be her first published work, it certainly doesn’t read like a rookie effort.

Comparisons and Recommendations

Fans of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House will find plenty to love here. Orlando shares Jackson’s knack for psychological horror and unreliable narrators. There are also echoes of Stephen King’s The Shining in the way the house itself becomes a character, though Orlando’s take feels fresher and more modern.

For readers looking for similar contemporary haunted house tales, I’d recommend The Grip of It by Jac Jemc or Linger by Lisa Voisin. Both share The September House’s focus on the psychological toll of living in a haunted space.

Final Thoughts: A House Worth Visiting

The September House is a strong contender for one of the best horror debuts of the year. Carissa Orlando has announced herself as a voice to watch in the genre, crafting a story that’s both terrifying and deeply human. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to double-check the locks on your doors—but also has you pondering the nature of home, family, and the ghosts we all carry with us.

So, should you buy a ticket to The September House? Absolutely. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself eyeing your own home suspiciously afterward. And maybe… avoid the basement for a while.

Who Should Read This Book:

  • Horror fans looking for a fresh take on haunted houses
  • Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered what they’d do if their dream home turned into a nightmare

Who Should Maybe Skip It:

  • The faint of heart (seriously, some scenes are intense)
  • Readers looking for a purely psychological thriller without supernatural elements
  • People currently in the process of buying an old Victorian home (maybe wait until after you’ve moved in)

So, there you have it, folks. The September House by Carissa Orlando – a debut that proves sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones we invite into our homes. Just remember, if the walls start bleeding, it might be time to call a realtor… or an exorcist.

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"The September House" is the kind of book that'll have you sleeping with the lights on for weeks. It's a masterful blend of psychological horror and good old-fashioned ghost story, with a hefty dose of family drama thrown in for good measure.The September House by Carissa Orlando