Synopsis:
This psychological thriller follows a family to their Appalachian farmhouse, where they encounter an unimaginable horror.
In the summer of 1994, psychologist Daniel Hill buys a rustic farmhouse nestled in the rolling hills of West Virginia.
Along with his wife and teenage daughter, the family uproots their lives in Ohio and moves south. They are initially seduced by the natural beauty of the country setting. That soon changes when they discover a hidden room in the basement with a well, boarded shut and adorned with crucifixes.
Local legends about the previous owner being an exorcist come to light, but by then, all Hell has broken loose.
Review:
The Exorcist’s House by Nick Roberts. Whew, what a wild ride.
First, we get these really cute family vibes. Hard-working dad. Pregnant mom. Teen daughter. And they are about to move in and renovate the sweetest little West Virginia farmhouse. What could go wrong?
Pretty much everything.
The build-up was fantastic. First, it’s just visual observations. Strange things left in strange places. “I thought I closed that door” creepiness. Things that could be paranormal, or just plain forgetfulness. But the father, Daniel, is quickly onto the fact that there’s something going on in the house, something otherworldly.
The imagery in this book, I could see the old farmhouse, I could smell the sulfur, I could feel the burning flames on my skin. The writing is pretty direct, but done in a way that really lays it all out in front of you.
Though I expected the final conclusion, I did not expect the very end, which was deliciously ominous. Also, the middle events were twisty and turny and a lot of fun, in the darkest of ways.
The banter between the family, especially the husband and wife, was hilarious and familiar, poking fun at each other in a loving way that is in line with how most marriages operate. The family dynamic was complicated, giving the characters depth and making them interesting. Some of them even had some dark secrets that are slowly leaked throughout the story.
I listened to this on audio, which helped to make it all the more creepy. Not only did Spencer Delahey do a great job with suspenseful build-up, but anytime the demon had dialogue, he used an effect that made his voice deeper and demonic.
This gave the typical Exorcist vibes as we encountered possession, help from the Catholic church, and spiritual evil. I was reminded of the Shining as the dad becomes obsessed with the situation and spends a lot of time in the basement, attempting to uncover the house’s secrets.
For those who love to devour haunted house stories, possession tales that never let up, and books that keep you guessing, check out The Exorcist’s House by Nick Roberts. I highly recommend the audiobook version.
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