“Making people believe the unbelievable is no trick; it’s work… Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.”
Stephen King
The creeping shadow in the corner has scared us all at one point in time. What would we do if suddenly that shadow came to life? More even, what if others saw it too? Bentley Little takes readers on a journey similar to this. Taking place in a house planted in the historic district of a small town in New Mexico, the Perry family experiences many firsts most families try to avoid. First published in 2012, The Haunted continues to bring fright to its readers over 10 years later.
The Plot
When a family of four find themselves in the search for a new neighborhood, a house not quite from their dreams lands in front of them. Centered in the heart of the historic district is a house that offers many promises. For the son, a fresh start and for the daughter, problem after problem. This move also promises the parents better working environments. The Haunted is what you expect from a family who drops everything to move after one unpleasant incidents in their previous neighborhood. Although, if they could look into the future I can bet they would take a couple of unruly neighborhood boys over the darkness that lies in their new basement.
While things start off as normal, an old house with groans and creaks to suit its age, they quickly escalate. Each family member experiences their own portion of the haunting. Little takes you on a journey of what happens when a family fails to communicate their traumas and anxieties. Starting with the youngest, James Perry begins having nightmares of a strange shadow creeping up from the basement. Brushing it off as typical new home spooks, James decides to put on a brave face. Megan, the older sister, experiences slightly more concerning frights. What starts off as a few obscene texts turns into desperate attempts to deter any unwanted spirits from grabbing her. Meanwhile, Claire and Julian hold the family together by passing these new behaviors off as shadows from their old life.
Poor communication between various pieces in the family creeps into their lives, along with other unwanted guests. This unfolding forces the reader to witness the ever growing haunt. Readers are led to hope the family has time to converse and retreat. They are left waiting to see them repair the damages done to the house and their souls. The dysfunction in the final few chapters, both pre-existing and spiritual, is sure to leave the reader questioning everything.
My Overall Review
Reading brings me pleasure in its ability to transport me to new times and places. In the Haunted, Bentley Little does this with ease. His descriptions and use of figurative language captivates his readers leaving them waiting for more. I often struggle with finding a suitable horror or suspense book. My brain has a habit of working overtime, trying to figure out what will happen next, forgetting what is happening currently. Little was able to slow my brain down to enjoy what I was reading, while still leaving me questioning what would happen next. This put me in a position where I was both stuck in my chapter while aching to know what would be waiting at the end.
On the other hand, the ending did leave me wanting more. Perhaps this is because the big conclusion was different from what I envisioned. I still had a difficult time finding satisfaction in the end. Overall, the pleasure mixed with the dissatisfaction left for a suitable read for my seasonal frights.
My Recommendation
Personally, my recommendation goes out to all who wish to sleep less at night. I recommend The Haunted to the people who have a hard time peeking around corners and those who still fear their basement steps. There are some potential trigger warnings, as there is some explicit sexual content as well as portions on self-harm and suicide. I would not recommend this book to students in middle school or below. If these activating themes do not impact your own well-being, and being scared to turn your light off at night is something you enjoy, then I believe this book deserves a spot on your personal TBR pile.