How to Sell a Haunted House
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| Author | Grady Hendrix |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Jay Aaseng Mikhaila Aaseng |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror |
| Published | 2023 |
| Media type | Print, ebook, audiobook |
| ISBN | 0593201264 First edition US hardback |
| Preceded by | The Final Girl Support Group |
How to Sell a Haunted House is a 2023 horror novel by American author Grady Hendrix. The book was first published on January 17, 2023.
Synopsis[edit]
The publisher's book synopsis reads:[1]
Louise’s parents have passed away, and she’s returning to the small Southern town where she grew up to get their house ready to sell. It means she’ll have to spend time with her younger brother—and their old grudges make that a terrifying prospect. But childhood hurts pale in comparison to the dangers posed by what still lives inside the house.
Development[edit]
Hendrix began writing the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "whether it's around a campfire, at a sleepover, or alone by ourselves on the couch, there's nothing more comforting than a haunted house story." He chose to center the story around family due to the impact family has on everyone's lives. Hendrix set the story in his hometown, which he had used for his novels My Best Friend's Exorcism and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, noting that this would be the last novel to use this setting.[2][3]
Release[edit]
How to Sell a Haunted House was published in hardback and ebook formats on January 17, 2023 through Berkeley Books.[4][5] An audiobook adaptation narrated by Jay and Mikhaila Aaseng was released simultaneously through Penguin Audio.[6]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception for the book has been positive.[7] In a review for The New York Times, Danielle Trussoni states that "by weaving violence, family trauma and humor, Hendrix creates a texture that engages the reader emotionally and viscerally."[8] Lee Mandelo of Tor.com noted that, "The novel reminded me of the frenetic, compulsive energy that propelled me through pulp horror paperbacks as a kid, except cleverly updated for a contemporary adult audience."[9] NPR called it "campy, unexpectedly deep — and as creepy as the dead eyes of a puppet at midnight in a gloomy room — How to Sell a Haunted House is a tense, dark novel."[10]
Adaptation[edit]
In 2023, Legendary Entertainment won the rights to a film adaptation directed by James Ashcroft and adapted by Hendrix.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "See the Cover of Grady Hendrix's HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE". Nerdist. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "How to Sell a Haunted House". Grady Hendrix. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ Ryan, Lindy (2023-01-22). "Interview: Grady Hendrix Tells Us "HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE"". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Hendrix, Grady (17 January 2023). How to Sell a Haunted House. Berkeley. ISBN 9780593201268.
- ^ "Grady Hendrix Knows HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE". FANGORIA. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ "How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix: 9780593201268". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "Book Marks reviews of How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix". Book Marks. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Trussoni, Danielle (2023-01-18). "A Puppet That's Truly the Stuff of Nightmares". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Mandelo, Lee (2023-01-23). "Book Review: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix". Tor.com. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ IGLESIAS, GABINO (January 20, 2023). "'How to Sell a Haunted House' is campy and tense, dark but also deep". NPR.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (April 26, 2023). "Legendary Wins Film Rights to Grady Hendrix Bestseller How to Sell a Haunted House (Exclusive)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023.