Incidents Around the House: Other Mommy Wants In

Josh Malerman is back at it again, folks. The man who gave us Bird Box (and single-handedly made blindfolds trendy…?) now delivers Incidents Around the House. If you were hoping for a cozy haunted house story that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy, then I’m sorry to disappoint—but also, what the hell were you expecting? This is Josh Malerman we’re talking about, the guy who treats horror like an art form and nightmares like a second language. With Incidents Around the House, Malerman serves up a piping hot plate of dread, spiced with existential terror and garnished with family dysfunction. Bon appétit, you sickos.

Let’s start with the basics. The story revolves around eight-year-old Bela, her parents Ursula and Russ (aka Mommy and Daddo), and a malevolent closet-dwelling entity known as Other Mommy. What starts as Bela’s innocent imaginary friend—or so her parents hope—quickly escalates into a supernatural shitstorm. Other Mommy doesn’t just hang out in the closet making spooky noises. Oh no, this twisted bastard wants to “go into Bela’s heart,” which, is not as wholesome as it sounds.

Other Mommy’s persistence is unmatched. She shows up at bedtime, in the park, and probably in the background of your next family photo if you look hard enough. As Bela’s family scrambles to understand what the hell is happening, their own secrets and dysfunctions bubble to the surface, adding a delicious layer of human messiness to the supernatural horror.

Here’s the thing about Malerman: he doesn’t just want to scare you—he wants to mess with your head and make you think about your crappy childhood. Beneath the spooky stuff, Incidents Around the House dives headfirst into themes of innocence, trust, and the ways we fail the people we love. Bela’s perspective—the whole story is told through her eyes—is the perfect lens for exploring these themes. She’s a kid caught in the crossfire of her parents’ unraveling marriage and the literal demon in her closet. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying all at once. And let’s not forget Other Mommy, who’s more than just a creepy entity. She’s a manifestation of everything Bela fears and doesn’t understand: her parents’ fights, her own loneliness, and the instability of a world that should feel safe but doesn’t.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate Malerman’s twisted genius. The guy writes like he’s trying to crawl inside your brain and rearrange the furniture. His prose is deceptively simple—especially here, where the narrative mirrors an eight-year-old’s thoughts—but don’t let that fool you. Every word is meticulously placed to ratchet up the tension. By the time Other Mommy makes her first truly horrifying move, you’re already too deep in the story to look away.

Malerman’s decision to write from Bela’s perspective is a risky move, but damn, does it pay off. I dare say most writers fall into the trap of infantilizing children characters, forgetting what it’s like to truly be that age. But Malerman mostly nails the voice of a child without making it feel cloying or inauthentic. Bela’s innocence amplifies the horror, because you’re seeing everything through the eyes of someone who can’t fully comprehend what’s happening. It’s like watching a kid wander into traffic while you’re stuck on the sidewalk, screaming at them to stop.

Why does this book slap?:

The Atmosphere: This book is dripping with dread. From the first page, you’re sucked into Bela’s world, where every shadow hides a threat and every silence feels deafening. Malerman doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares; he builds tension slowly, making you feel like you’re walking on a tightrope over a pit of alligators.
The Characters: Bela is a standout, but let’s not forget Mommy and Daddo. They’re flawed as hell—Ursula’s having an affair, Russ is perpetually clueless—but their love for Bela is palpable. Their desperation to protect her, even as their own lives fall apart, adds an emotional depth that’s often missing in horror.
The Writing: Malerman’s prose is as sharp as a knife in a slasher. He balances Bela’s childlike narration with moments of gut-punching insight, creating a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.
The Horror: Other Mommy is the stuff of nightmares. Malerman doesn’t over-describe her, which makes her even scarier. You’re left to fill in the gaps with your own worst fears, and trust me, your imagination is a sadistic jerk.

Alright, let’s nitpick. The ending might be divisive for some readers. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say it’s open to interpretation. Some people are going to love the ambiguity; others might throw the book across the room. Personally, I’m in the “What the hell just happened?” camp, but in a good way. Still, if you like your endings tied up in a neat bow, you’ve been warned. Another minor gripe is the pacing. As someone with quite a bit of patience, the slow build works for me for the most part, but there are a few spots where the tension dips.

Read this book you cowards. Despite the haunted house story being pretty fucking tired in my book, Incidents Around the House is a psychological gut-punch that feels quite fresh. Malerman proves once again that he’s one of the best in the game, delivering a book that’s as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying.

So go on, grab a copy. And when you’re lying awake at 3 AM, too scared to close your eyes, just remember: Other Mommy is watching. Sweet dreams.