The Haunted by Bentley Little is a chilling tale that revolves around a haunted house, where an insidious evil lurks, taking hold of those who dare to enter. The story follows the Perry family as they move into a seemingly perfect house, only to discover the horrors that lie within. Little expertly weaves a narrative filled with terror, dread, and palpable fear, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with multiple twists and turns that leave stomachs lurching like a roller coaster. The tension in the story is masterfully done, with isolated incidents among family members that are genuinely scary, showcasing the divide caused by fear and disbelief.

Characters:

Characters are realistically portrayed, focusing on family relationships and individual psychological struggles throughout the story.

Writing/Prose:

The prose engages readers through imagination and historical context, though at times it may seem overly elaborate or disconnecting.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative is characterized by its eerie and unpredictable events, offering a unique perspective on traditional ghost stories with multiple unexpected twists.

Setting:

Set primarily in a haunted house, the story explores themes of family and the implications of moving to a seemingly perfect yet sinister neighborhood.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, featuring fast and intense moments interspersed with slower sections, maintaining a generally well-balanced rhythm.

Julian came out of the kitchen, coffee cup in hand, and walked across the living room to where his son, James, was holding on to the edge of the curtains, peeking through the crack and out the front w...

Notes:

Bentley Little is known for writing horror novels that often contain unexpected twists.

The Haunted offers a different take on traditional ghost stories.

The book features a family moving into a seemingly perfect house that hides dark secrets.

Many readers find the tension in The Haunted to be masterfully executed, creating genuine scares.

Historical research is included in the story, adding to its realism and creepiness.

Several characters experience isolated incidents that create suspense and disbelief among them.

Flashbacks from centuries past enhance the narrative instead of detracting from it.

The ending of The Haunted is particularly surprising, according to many readers.

Readers appreciate Little's writing style and character development throughout the book.

The Haunted is recommended for reading in the dark due to its scary atmosphere.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include elements of horror, potential for emotional distress related to familial themes, and frightening imagery.

From The Publisher:

With his "ability to disgust (and delight) even the most seasoned horror enthusiast" (Publishers Weekly), Bentley Little conjures up your greatest fears as he dares you to spend a night with the haunted….

Julian and Claire Perry and their two children, Megan and James, have made the move to a bigger, nicer home in their city's historic district. But something isn't right.

The neighbors seem reluctant to visit. Claire can't shake the feeling that someone is watching her. Megan receives increasingly menacing and obscene texts. And James is having terrible dreams. No wonder, considering what he's seen in the corner of the basement, staring at him and shuffling closer ever so slowly.

Pity no one warned the family about the house. Now it's too late. Because the darkness at the bottom of the stairs is rising….

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (4):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (2)

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About the Author:

Bentley Little is the author of numerous novels, short stories, articles, essays, and reviews. After earning a BA in communications and an MA in English, Little sold his soul and abandoned all artistic integrity, working for eight years as a bureaucrat…

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The Haunted

Bentley Little