Month: May 2023

BOOK REVIEW: The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 202 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 14, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 17, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 4

Brief Summary of the Plot From Goodreads: Ten thousand years ago, Morpheus condemned a woman who loved him to Hell. Now the other members of his immortal family, The Endless, have convinced the Dream King that this was an injustice. To make it right, Morpheus must return to Hell to rescue his banished love — and Hell’s ruler, the fallen angel Lucifer, has already sworn to destroy him.

Collects THE SANDMAN #21-28.

My Review: In the prologue, Dream’s sibling Destiny calls a family meeting. During the meeting, the siblings squabble, and they call Dream out for basically being a jerk, and having sentenced his once lover Nada to hell because she rejected him. Morpheus’s reflections on the past, and a push from Death, lead him to realize that he has made mistakes in the past and that he needs to make amends. He decides to embark on a journey to Hell to confront its ruler, Lucifer, and seek a way to free Nada from her eternal damnation.

Dream heads to hell, only to discover that Lucifer has closed Hell, kicking out all the dead humans and demons and gives the keys to Morpheus. As news of Lucifer’s abdication spreads, various supernatural entities, including demons, angels, and gods, flock to Dream to try to persuade him to give them the keys. Morpheus must navigate through the chaos and decide who is worthy of ruling Hell.


This volume was much better than Volume 3. The storyline was full of imaginative and peculiar elements, and it was presented as a cohesive narrative that progressed seamlessly from episode to episode. The volume was structured more like a novel than Volume 3, which featured disjointed, unrelated stories. Additionally, the 30-year anniversary edition included an enjoyable fictional author and illustrator biography at the end of the book that added to my overall enjoyment of the volume.

Previous Books in the Series

Title: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 9, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 14, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus’s son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.

See my review of Volume 3 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 30, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

See my review of Volume 2 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 240 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 22, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 26, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

See my review of Volume 1 here.

Friday 56, May 12, 2023: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Welcome to Friday 56! Hosted by Freda’s Voice, you turn to page 56 or 56% in any book or reading device and pick a sentence that grabs you.

“I’m not sure what it is about me that insists that he say every little thing in his head. But when we fight like this, I can’t stand to see him hold back. You know why? I know why. It’s because if you’re really holding back, you don’t even start to say it. But that’s not what he does. He does this little song and dance where he pretends he’s not going to say something, but it’s clear that eventually, he’s going to say something.”

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid, page 56

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday May 9, 2023: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday! Hosted by Socrates Book Reviews this is where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading.

“We are in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, and once again, Ryan has forgotten where we left the car. I keep telling him that it’s in Lot C, but he doesn’t believe me.”

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

BOOK REVIEW: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 9, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 14, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus’s son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.

My Review: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country is a collection of four standalone stories featuring the character of Dream, also known as Morpheus, who is the lord of dreams and one of the Endless.

The first story, “Calliope,” follows a struggling writer named Richard Madoc who has resorted to kidnapping and imprisoning a muse named Calliope in order to gain inspiration for his writing. Dream intervenes and teaches Madoc a harsh lesson about the consequences of abusing power and creativity.

This story was probably my least favorite in the collection. I was really disturbed by some aspects, especially the scenes of rape and imprisonment.

The second story, “A Dream of a Thousand Cats,” follows a group of cats who dream of a world where cats rule over humans instead of the other way around. As they share their dream with one another, they discover that their collective dreaming has the power to shape reality and create the world they desire.

I’m a big fan of cats, so this was my favorite in the collection. It really made me wonder whether the cats would succeed and become our overlords in reality (by being larger than humans). Even though anyone with cats can tell you that they are more or less our masters anyhow.

The third story, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” takes place in 1590s England and follows Shakespeare as he prepares to perform his play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the first time. Dream offers to provide him with the best cast possible, including the King and Queen of Faerie, leading to a performance that is truly magical.

I found this story to be a little boring. It wasn’t as engaging or interesting as other stories in the Sandman series. However, the story’s focus on the theater and the performing arts may appeal more to others than it did to me.

The fourth and final story, “Facade,” is about a woman named Element Girl who was granted immortality by a mysterious benefactor. However, she soon realizes that immortality comes with a terrible price as she is trapped in an ever-changing, grotesque appearance. Dream offers her a way out, but it is not what she expects.

This story was okay, and while the premise that eternity can be a curse (rather than something to strive for / achieve) was interesting, I found the pacing rather slow, and there wasn’t too much action.

Other than the story about the cats, I didn’t care too much for the other stories, and the collection as a whole seemed disjointed. The stories varied in tone and plot and didn’t seem to carry the overall plot of Sandman forward.

I would still recommend reading it though if you intend to read on in the series.

Previous Books in the Series

Title: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 30, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

See my review of Volume 2 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 240 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 22, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 26, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

See my review of Volume 1 here.

Goodreads Monday: May 8, 2023

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Goodreads Monday is hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog. “Goodreads Monday allows you to post about what books are on your “to read” lists, the progress you have made on your current books and reading challenge, and any other Goodreads news!”

Books I Finished In the Past Week:

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated.

The Fungus by Harry Adam Knight

When a brilliant scientist seeking to solve the problem of world hunger tries to create giant mushrooms through genetic manipulation, what could possibly go wrong?

The mutated spores escape the lab and spread across all of England. Toadstools grow to twenty feet tall, and a case of athlete’s foot can mean a grisly and horrible death.

But those who die quickly are the lucky ones. Those who survive infection by the fungus will be transformed into something unthinkably monstrous …
​
With a perfect mix of nightmarish horror and black humor, Harry Adam Knight’s cult classic The Fungus (1985) will grow on you. This edition features a foreword by the author.

Fight Tub by William Pauley III

The story of a man who became his bathroom.

Books I am Currently Reading:

Your First Novel Revised and Expanded Edition: A Top Agent and a Published Author Show You How to Write Your Book and Get It Published by Anne Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb

In this revised and expanded edition of Your First Novel, novelist Laura Whitcomb, seasoned literary agent Ann Rittenberg, and her knowledgeable assistant, Camille Goldin, team up to provide you with the essential skills needed to craft the best novel you can–and the savvy business know-how to get it published. Complete with updated references, analysis of new best-selling novels, and the same detailed instruction, Whitcomb will show you how to:

– Practice the craft of writing, using both your right- and left-brain
– Develop a flexible card system for organizing and outlining plot
– Create dynamic characters that readers love–and love to hate
– Study classic novels and story structure to adapt with your ideas
Featuring two new chapters on choosing your path as an author and understanding the world of self-publishing, Rittenberg and Goldin dive into the business side of publishing, including:

– What agents can–and should–do for your future
– Who you should target as an agent for your burgeoning career
– How the mysterious auction for novels actually goes down
– Why you should learn to work with your agent through thick and thin
Guiding your first novel from early words to a spot on the bookshelf can be an exciting and terrifying journey, but you’re not alone. Alongside the advice of industry veterans, Your First Novel Revised and Expanded also includes plenty of firsthand accounts from published authors on their journeys, including Dennis Lehane, C.J. Box, Kathleen McCleary, David Kazzie, and more.

Progress: Kindle book 91% (March 6th: 44%, March 13th 57%, May 1st 72%)

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

Twenty-four-year-old British painter Cleo has escaped from England to New York and is still finding her place in the sleepless city when, a few months before her student visa ends, she meets Frank. Twenty years older and a self-made success, Frank’s life is full of all the excesses Cleo’s lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a Green Card. But their impulsive marriage irreversibly changes both their lives, and the lives of those close to them, in ways they never could’ve predicted.

Each compulsively readable chapter explores the lives of Cleo, Frank, and an unforgettable cast of their closest friends and family as they grow up and grow older. Whether it’s Cleo’s best friend struggling to embrace his gender queerness in the wake of Cleo’s marriage, or Frank’s financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates to support herself after being cut off, or Cleo and Frank themselves as they discover the trials of marriage and mental illness, each character is as absorbing, and painfully relatable, as the last.

As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, entertaining as it is deeply moving, Cleopatra and Frankenstein marks the entry of a brilliant and bold new talent.

Progress: library book page 12 of 283

Next Up:

Title: The Stranger Times

Author: C.K. McDonnell

Book Length: 432 pages

Goodreads Summary: There are dark forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular), so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them…

A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but mostly the weird), it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable. At least that’s their pitch. The reality is less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered, and foul-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little of the publication he edits. His staff are a ragtag group of misfits. And as for the assistant editor… well, that job is a revolving door–and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who’s got problems of her own.

When tragedy strikes in Hannah’s first week on the job, The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious investigating. What they discover leads to a shocking realisation: some of the stories they’d previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker forces than they could ever have imagined.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday May 6, 2023: “a song from your childhood.”

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I am participating in SoCS hosted by Linda G. Hill (click on the link for the ping back to the original blog post and to see the rules). Today’s prompt is “a song from your childhood.” You can find the rules at the bottom of this post.

Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash

When I was a kid, my parents always insisted that we listen to “kid’s music,” which most of the time meant that we were stuck listening to Raffi, on repeat. Even as I write this post, the familiar words of “Baby Beluga” are rolling around in my brain. That is saying something, in my opinion, if I song I probably haven’t heard in 25+ years, is still rattling around the ole’ noggin. Whether that “something” is positive or negative, I will leave that up to you to decide.

If you’ve never heard one of Raffi’s songs, you can listen to “Baby Beluga” on Youtube by clicking on this link.

Imagine listening to this song, and other songs like it, for 2.5 hours while crammed in the back seat with your two younger siblings and the family dog. Since I was the oldest by four years, I was listening to such music far into my teens. Even now, at 40, I shudder to think about it. My daughter, almost two now, has never, and will never, be subjected to Raffi. I’ve had my fill of his music for a lifetime.

The above being said, I’m not trying to be unkind, as for what it is, his music is great. And I recognize that he was very popular when I was a child.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I think that the saying “too much a good thing” fully applies to Raffi.

I remember that he came to the Westport, CT Playhouse, and as a child, I attended this concert. Although to be honest, the only thing I remember about that concert was that another attendee was the actor who played the father on Wonder Years.

In googling him, I found out that he is 74 years old, living in Canada, AND IS STILL GIVING CONCERTS and producing music (his latest album, a collaboration with Lindsay Munroe, was released in 2022).

Congratulations to him on what seems to be a long, successful career.

BOOK REVIEW: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

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Title: The Idea of You

Author: Robinne Lee

Book Length: 448 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Read Start Date: March 31, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 9, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS HIS NAME.
BUT IT’S YOU HE WANTS.

At thirty-nine, Solène Marchand is a devoted mother, a dedicated colleague and a considerate ex-wife.

But it’s a long time since she’s felt like herself.

So when someone comes along who seems to see her – to want her – for who she really is, the attraction is instant. And so begins a jet-setting, earth-shattering secret love affair.

But what if that someone is world-famous sex symbol Hayes Campbell? Captivating frontman of boy band of the moment August Moon – whose face is everywhere. Including Solène’s teenage daughter’s bedroom wall.

Can Solène allow herself to fall for the boy the whole world wants?

OR WILL SHE HAVE TO MAKE A DEVASTATING CHOICE..?

My Review: The story follows Solène Marchand, a successful and recently divorced art gallery owner in her 40s, who unexpectedly falls in love with Hayes Campbell, a younger man in his 20s who happens to be a member of a popular boy band.

As their relationship develops, Solène and Hayes must navigate the challenges that come with their age difference, including the disapproval of Solène’s friends and family, as well as the intense scrutiny of the media and the public. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about societal norms and the double standards that exist around age differences in relationships.

I think what I liked most about the book was the love story. The romance scenes are steamy, and the chemistry between the 2 characters is undeniable. The book stayed with me long after I was done reading it, but maybe because the ending was unsatisfactory, albeit realistic.

What prevented me from giving the fifth star was how the novel repeatedly emphasizes the age difference between Solène and Hayes, with Solène frequently reflecting on her insecurities and concerns about dating a younger man. Often referring to him as a “boy.” I found this way too repetitive. Like we get it already.

Secondly, EVERYONE in Solène’s life was constantly saying “what are you doing with him”. She had no support from literally anyone in her life. It just got a little tiring. Basically her friends were telling her that although Hayes was the big love of her life, she wasn’t allowed to be with him because he was younger than her and a celebrity? This also didn’t make sense to me because she live s in L.A….aren’t people there used to having celebrities around? You’d think it would be no big deal.

Overall, The Idea of You is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant novel that is worth a read for fans of contemporary romance. While it may not be perfect, it is still a highly engaging and thought-provoking work that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Friday 56, May 5, 2023: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

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Welcome to Friday 56! Hosted by Freda’s Voice, you turn to page 56 or 56% in any book or reading device and pick a sentence that grabs you.

“Hayes’s lips were still moving when I kissed them. This warm, wide, inviting pool that beckoned. I could not resist the bait. His youth, his beauty. And everything, everything about the moment was wonderful.”

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee, page 56

BOOK REVIEW: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

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Title: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Author: Lisa Unger

Audiobook Length: 12 hours and 20 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Read Start Date: April 3, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 12, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.

What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s loving and generous tech-mogul brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’s his birthday gift to Hannah and includes their spouses and another couple. The six friends need this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R, far from the chatter and pressures of modern life.

But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare. A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep. How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? And who is the new boyfriend, crashing their party? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?

 My Review: Lisa Unger’s Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will captivate readers from beginning to end. The story follows three couples who rent a luxurious cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway, but find themselves caught in a terrifying situation where they cannot trust anyone, not even each other.

The novel begins by introducing the six main characters, each with their own personal secrets and complicated relationships with each other. There are married couples Hannah and Bruce, Hannah’s brother Mako and his wife Liza, and Mako’s ex-girlfriend Cricket and her boyfriend.

Although the rental cabin initially seems like a dream with its hot tub, stunning views, and personal chef, things quickly take a turn for the worse. A deadly storm brews, the rental host seems a little creepy, and the personal chef reveals the cabin’s spine-tingling history. Meanwhile, a stranger seeks revenge for long-buried deeds and is determined to ruin the group’s weekend. Strange things start to happen at the cabin, and what was supposed to be a great weekend, ends in a nightmare no one could have anticipated.

The author masterfully builds tension and unease throughout the novel, utilizing the isolated cabin in the woods to add a sense of danger and isolation. Each character is well-developed and complex, with their own motives and secrets that are slowly revealed, building suspense and intrigue.

This was a great book to listen to while exercising, as it kept me engaged the entire time.

BOOK REVIEW: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

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Title: How to Sell a Haunted House

Author: Grady Hendrix

Audiobook Length: 12 hours and 59 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Thriller

Read Start Date: March 28, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 3, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.

When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.

Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.

But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…

 My Review: After the tragic passing of her parents, Louise is forced to return home to handle their estate and confront her estranged brother, Mark. Despite being siblings, they have never seen eye to eye. Louise, the older child, feels her parents favored Mark, leading to resentment. On the other hand, Mark believes that Louise has always had everything handed to her while he’s been left with nothing.

Their parents’ will only exacerbates the situation, leaving everything to Mark except for their mother’s peculiar collection of “artwork,” including unsettling puppets and taxidermy squirrels. While Mark is eager to sell the house, Louise wants to prolong the process by delaying the removal of the “artwork.”

Amidst these family tensions, strange occurrences begin to happen in the house, such as scratching sounds from the attic, televisions turning on when no one is around, and the unsettling movement of the puppets. These supernatural elements set the stage for an unforgettable haunted house story.

The author, Hendrix, skillfully creates an engaging and atmospheric world that draws readers in. The horror elements are genuinely creepy, and the story has plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep readers on edge.

Overall, How to Sell a Haunted House is a must-read for those who enjoy horror and paranormal stories.