The Spite House

A Novel

De: Johnny Compton

Narrado por: Adam Lazarre-White

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2023

"The plotting is intricate, following the points of view of many characters from the past and present, all of whom are expertly performed by Adam Lazarre-White."—Library Journal

"Adam Lazarre-White narrates this terrifying debut novel with a Southern drawl that puts the gothic into this gothic thriller."—AudioFile

A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father's love, Johnny Compton's The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making—The Babadook meets A Head Full of Ghosts in Texas Hill Country.

Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he's desperate for money—it's not easy to find steady, safe work when you can't provide references, you can't stay in one place for long, and you're paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you.

When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them.

The job calls to Eric, not just because there's a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it'll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire.

©2023 Johnny Compton (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Compton’s chilling debut is horror with heart that puts a refreshingly modern spin on the haunted house story... This tense work of gothic horror provides a complex and multidimensional look at how anger, grief, and trauma can strengthen bonds of familial love...Even the most jaded horror fans will be wowed."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"One part road trip, one part family relationships, and one part haunted house, serve this update on genre staples to showcase the voice of a rising new writer to an audience that adores the classics."—Aaron Heil, Library Journal

“The Spite House is an aching, heartbroken meditation on what haunts us and the sins we inherit from those who came before us.”—Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened Teeth

Fantastic!

Well, I did not expect this! Grabbed me from the start. Lost sleep because I couldn't stop listening. Great book. And top-notch narrator. Loved it!

Only a couple of hours in, but...

I agree with the other reviews that the narrator has a smooth voice...BUT...I don't love that every character sounds like an old black woman. The children, the waitress te diner, the white reporter... everyone. It's weird and a tad annoying. Struggling through, hopefully we'll be able to finish the story so I can finish this review.

A Good Backstory - Ghost Story Fell Short for Me

So hypothetically, if you had a child who died and you buried them only to have them be found completely alive and live they were before dying, what would you do? Remember, you have been grieving with your family, your community and all of those that bump into your lives that continue to go on. Co-workers, the child's teachers, playmates, anyone in your family that you live your life with. What do you do, because that child will never live a normal life?

This is the backbone of the story of Eric, Odessa and Stacey. They leave their home seeking answers, but always on the run from the unknown. Coming to grips with grief and the need to protect his two children, Eric must provide as father and caregiver. But there is always a backstory and he finds another in the Spite House.

The story had great potential for me, but so many questions were left unanswered about what goes on. The narrator Adam Lazarre-White I feel tries too hard at times to act rather than storytell. To me I could not connect with the cast of characters, but maybe it was just me. The Texas setting of "The Spite House" sounded from their voices like they may have been more from the southeastern US. If I read it in my own head, maybe it would be different.

Enjoyed it, just not what I hoped it would be. Definitely not the classic haunted house story as some have commented.

Suspenseful & creepy; kept me entertained, but...

The ending left me scratching my head.

Spoilers ahead!

Since the story kept me entertained for hours, I gave it a 5. Not all books keep me that glued to the story.

It unpeeled like an onion, layer by layer keeping the reader from knowing what sent this father and his two daughters running from everyone they knew which was good, but maybe delayed a little too long.

I found it intriguing; and it was creepy/scary to me.

I don't know what could be scarier than being tortured by ghosts while you're trying to sleep... they fed off of the fear they incited, it seemed.

The book had a couple of excellent underlying themes (1) don't accept what life dishes out; make your own destiny and (2) spite breeds all kinds of bad energy and it spreads like an illness.

However, I was disappointed that I could not learn more about the child dying and coming back to life. That event was the huge catalyst to make the story happen, but very little of the story addressed her experience, how it happened, or why she and the ghost who built the spite house had that in common. I was also unclear about the g-grandfather's death and coming back to life.

Death and coming back from the dead as a normal person (rather than a vampire or zombie) is a concept that needs more explanation or dot connecting, especially since it happened to more than one person. I am trying to decide if the way the father's situation ended with two selves was the answer.

The narrator has a beautiful voice. I prefer his way of narrating over a more theatrical method where characters all have different voices.

Excellent!

Great book. Very unique storyline. Highly recommend it - I hope they develop a movie or series from it.

You know how it’s gonna end about 1/3rd in.

Languid pacing, few surprises and no real scares. The movie, should it happen, will probably be better.

Simply excellent

The Spite House will stay with me. Two children haven’t scared me as much since The Turn of the Screw.

Kept me wondering!

voice actor was phenomenal! one of those ones you forget it's not a woman speaking when a female character talks. so well written and it kept giving you bits and pieces of the secrets until you thought you couldn't take anymore! You had to keep reading just to find out each new secret. great spooky ghost story.

Engaging Story, Compelling Narration

Big fan! I always love the mystery part of a horror / suspense novel and Compton delivered. The multiple perspectives were also done very well! Narration set such a great ambiance and tied the whole story together.

New and intriguing!

I sometimes feel like I have read all the horror novels, so glad I found this book! Read it!