You know that feeling when you walk into an old house and the floorboards creak just so, sending shivers down your spine? That’s the vibe Carissa Orlando captures perfectly in her debut novel, “The September House.” It’s the literary equivalent of tiptoeing through a haunted mansion, heart pounding, never knowing what’s lurking around the next corner. And let me tell you, dear reader, what’s lurking is far more terrifying—and oddly compelling—than you could possibly imagine.
The Bones of the Story
At its core, “The September House” is about Margaret Hartman, a woman who refuses to give up on her dream home, even when that home starts bleeding from the walls every September. No, seriously. Bleeding walls. And that’s just the appetizer on this menu of horrors.
Margaret and her husband Hal thought they’d scored the deal of a lifetime when they snagged a gorgeous Victorian on Hawthorn Street. But as the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true… well, you know the rest. Soon enough, they’re sharing their space with a colorful cast of ghosts, each more disturbing than the last. There’s Fredricka, the helpful (if axe-murdered) housekeeper; Elias, a bitey ghost boy with a penchant for rearranging Margaret’s circulatory system; and a whole slew of spectral children who seem to have an unhealthy fixation on the basement.
Most people would run screaming. Margaret? She digs her heels in. This is her house, dammit, and she’s not going anywhere. Even when Hal can’t take it anymore and vanishes, even when their daughter Katherine shows up demanding answers, even when the hauntings escalate to truly nightmare-inducing levels. Margaret is staying put, come hell or high water. Or, you know, rivers of blood.
A Master Class in Atmosphere
Orlando’s prose is like a spider’s web—delicate, intricate, and before you know it, you’re completely entangled. She weaves a atmosphere so thick with dread and unease that you’ll find yourself checking over your shoulder as you read, just in case. The house itself becomes a character, its creaks and groans a sinister language all its own.
Take this little gem, for example:
“The basement door creaked open. We hadn’t yet put the boards or the Bible pages up—that would come later. Hal flicked the light switch and an insufficient yellow glow illuminated what lay below. Nothing but stairs in front of us.”
I mean, come on. If that doesn’t make you want to sleep with the lights on, I don’t know what will.
Characters That Haunt Long After the Last Page
But what really sets “The September House” apart is its characters. Margaret, in particular, is a force of nature. Her determination to make this house a home, even as it tries its damnedest to destroy her, is both admirable and deeply unsettling. There were moments when I wanted to reach through the pages, shake her by the shoulders, and yell, “For the love of all that’s holy, woman, GET OUT!” But that’s the brilliance of Orlando’s characterization—Margaret’s choices, as bonkers as they sometimes seem, make a twisted kind of sense.
The supporting cast is equally compelling. Hal’s descent into alcoholism and paranoia is heartbreaking to witness. Katherine’s desperate search for answers tugs at the heartstrings. And the ghosts… oh boy, the ghosts. Each one is uniquely terrifying, with backstories that’ll make your skin crawl. I’ll never look at a basement the same way again, that’s for sure.
Themes That Cut Deep
Don’t let the supernatural trappings fool you—”The September House” is dealing with some heavy themes. It’s a meditation on the lengths we’ll go to for a place to call home, the secrets families keep, and the monsters we’re willing to live with rather than face the unknown.
There’s a particularly poignant moment when Margaret reflects:
“I was perfectly willing to make a heaven of any hell in which I happened to find myself, but I would be goddamned if I made my daughter endure it.”
It’s a gut-punch of a line that speaks volumes about Margaret’s character and the cycles of trauma that can haunt families for generations.
A Few Creaky Floorboards
Now, no house is perfect, and “The September House” does have a few creaky floorboards. The pacing in the middle section can drag a bit, and there are a couple of plot threads that don’t quite tie up as neatly as I’d have liked. And if you’re the type who needs every single mystery explained down to the last detail, you might find yourself a tad frustrated.
But honestly? These are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a rock-solid debut. The strengths of this novel far outweigh its weaknesses.
Final Thoughts: A New Voice in Horror to Watch
“The September House” is the kind of book that’ll have you sleeping with the lights on for weeks. It’s a masterful blend of psychological horror and good old-fashioned ghost story, with a hefty dose of family drama thrown in for good measure. Orlando’s background in psychology shines through in her nuanced character work, adding layers of depth to what could have been a straightforward haunted house tale.
If you’re a fan of Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House” or Mark Z. Danielewski’s “House of Leaves,” you’ll find a lot to love here. Orlando is playing in the same sandbox as these horror heavyweights, and she’s building some impressively scary castles.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Horror aficionados looking for a fresh take on the haunted house genre
- Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist
- Anyone who’s ever looked at a fixer-upper and thought, “How bad could it be?”
- People who like their ghost stories with a side of family drama
- Those who enjoy books that make them question their own sanity (in a good way)
Who Should Maybe Skip It?
- The faint of heart or easily spooked
- Readers who prefer their horror with clear-cut explanations for everything
- Anyone currently in the process of buying a old Victorian home (seriously, maybe wait until after you’ve closed)
The Verdict
“The September House” is a tour de force of modern horror, announcing Carissa Orlando as a major new voice in the genre. It’s smart, it’s scary, and it’ll make you think twice about ever complaining about your own house’s quirks again. Because hey, at least your walls don’t bleed. …Right?
So go ahead, dear reader. Step into the September House. Just don’t be surprised if you find it hard to leave.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
- “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson
- “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski
- “The Grip of It” by Jac Jemc
- “The Shining” by Stephen King
- “The Little Stranger” by Sarah Waters
About the Author
“The September House” is Carissa Orlando’s debut novel. She holds a doctorate in clinical-community psychology and specializes in working with children and adolescents. This background in psychology clearly informs her writing, lending depth and authenticity to her characters’ psychological struggles. While this is her first published novel, Orlando’s masterful storytelling suggests a bright future in the horror genre.
