Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2 (3.5 stars)

Grady Hendrix’s How to Sell a Haunted House is one of those books that instantly draws you in with its intriguing title. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dive into a spooky, dark, and twisted story about selling a haunted house, right? With a promising premise, a haunting atmosphere, and themes of grief, family, and acceptance, I was excited to get my hands on this one. After finishing the book, I can say it’s definitely a wild ride, but one that left me with a mixed bag of emotions. Let’s dive into why I gave this book 3.5 stars.

The Characters in How to Sell a Haunted House: Growth, Change, and Real Emotion

One of the biggest highlights of How to Sell a Haunted House for me was the character development. The story revolves around Louise, a woman who has to return to her childhood home after her parents die in a car accident. She’s dealing with grief, family tension, and the house itself—which, spoiler alert, isn’t your typical real estate nightmare, but more on that later.

Louise is relatable in a lot of ways—dealing with the loss of her parents, trying to reconcile with her estranged brother Mark, and confronting old wounds that bubble to the surface as they tackle the task of selling their family home. Throughout the book, you see how grief transforms both Louise and Mark, forcing them to confront their past and change in ways that feel authentic and, honestly, sometimes uncomfortable. But isn’t that the thing about grief? It’s messy, unpredictable, and forces growth whether you’re ready for it or not.

Grady Hendrix does a stellar job of showing this slow transformation, especially for Louise. She’s not just a static character; she’s complex and deeply flawed, which made her journey all the more compelling. By the end of the book, I found myself rooting for her in ways I hadn’t expected. And Mark? He surprised me. His change from the selfish, immature brother to someone who’s also struggling to process his pain was beautifully executed. Watching their relationship evolve was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The Dark, Twisty, and Chilling Atmosphere of How to Sell a Haunted House?

If you’re picking up How to Sell a Haunted House expecting a straightforward haunted house story, well, you’re in for a surprise. This book goes much deeper into psychological horror territory, blending elements of family drama with eerie supernatural occurrences. It’s not just about ghosts; it’s about haunted memories, grief, and the baggage that comes with losing loved ones.

The house itself almost feels like a character. It’s creepy, unsettling, and full of dark secrets. I loved how Hendrix built up the atmosphere in the book—it’s slow, deliberate, and at times, downright terrifying. The suspense is well-crafted, and there are moments where you just know something terrible is going to happen but can’t look away.

However, I will say the supernatural elements were not always my favorite part of the book. While the atmosphere and tension were gripping, the plot occasionally dragged. There were stretches where I felt like the story wasn’t moving fast enough or where certain scenes felt unnecessary. The pacing could have been tighter, and for me, that detracted from the overall experience.

The Plot of How to Sell a Haunted House: Dark but Dragged

This is where my feelings about the book get a little complicated. As much as I enjoyed the characters and the creepy atmosphere, the plot itself was hit or miss for me. Don’t get me wrong, the premise of selling a haunted house is cool, but the execution left me feeling a bit underwhelmed at times.

There were moments where the story felt like it was spinning its wheels. The buildup to certain revelations felt slow, and at times, the plot was overly repetitive. For a book with so much promise, there were stretches where I found myself wanting more—more excitement, more surprises, and more answers. Unfortunately, it sometimes felt like the story was dragging its feet, and I wasn’t as hooked as I hoped I’d be.

That being said, when the plot finally picked up, it really delivered some intense and twisty moments. There are twists in the story that I didn’t see coming, and I appreciated the unpredictable turns. But those stretches of slow pacing did affect my overall enjoyment, and it made the book feel longer than it needed to be.

A Beautifully Written Ending

Okay, let’s talk about the ending, because this is where How to Sell a Haunted House truly shines. The book’s conclusion is stunning, emotional, and leaves a lasting impact. Hendrix touches on themes of grief and acceptance in a way that feels incredibly poignant. It’s not just about selling a haunted house; it’s about Louise and Mark finally confronting their past, letting go of old resentments, and moving forward in a way that feels cathartic.

The ending is filled with a raw, emotional depth that caught me off guard. It was one of those moments where you realize that the haunting wasn’t just about the house—it was about the characters’ internal struggles and how they were haunted by their own unresolved issues. The themes of grief, loss, and family are beautifully woven into the final chapters, and it left me with a sense of closure that felt satisfying.

Grady Hendrix's Writing Style: Not My Cup of Tea

Now, onto something that didn’t work for me: the writing style. Grady Hendrix’s descriptive writing in this book felt a bit too much for my taste. It’s not that the prose is bad—it’s just very detailed, sometimes to the point of slowing down the pace. There were sections where I found myself skimming through the descriptions because they felt overly elaborate.

I understand that the detailed descriptions are meant to enhance the creepy, unsettling atmosphere, but it just didn’t click with me. At times, it made the book feel heavy and bogged down. If you’re someone who enjoys rich, descriptive writing, you might appreciate it more than I did. But for me, it was a bit distracting.

Final Thoughts on How to Sell a Haunted House: A Mixed Bag

Overall, How to Sell a Haunted House is a solid 3.5-star read for me. It has strong characters, a dark and twisty atmosphere, and a beautiful, emotional ending that makes it worth the read. However, the slow pacing, unsatisfying plot in parts, and overly descriptive writing held it back from being a higher-rated book for me.

If you’re a fan of psychological horror, haunted house stories with depth, and don’t mind a slow burn, this might just be your next favorite read. But if you’re looking for fast-paced action and thrills, you might find yourself getting a bit impatient along the way.

Have you read How to Sell a Haunted House? What did you think? Let me know in the comments! If you’re looking for more spooky reads, be sure to check out my other reviews! 👻📚