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In The House
Welcome to your worst nightmare. Nathan Wade is awakened in the middle of the night to find his home has been invaded. Knocked out, he awakens, bound next to his wife and daughter, and is forced to watch unspeakably cruel atrocities committed against his family by a trio of masked maniacs. Atrocities so vile, so depraved, his life will be forever changed.
To save them, he is driven by desperation - and perhaps madness - to mete out justice, blood for blood.
"We've all heard that noise, startling us from our slumber, inducing wild imaginings of horrifying things. Chris Miller's In the House is the worst-case scenario for what that bump in the night could be."
Patrick C. Harrison III, author of Grandpappy and 100% Match
To save them, he is driven by desperation - and perhaps madness - to mete out justice, blood for blood.
"We've all heard that noise, startling us from our slumber, inducing wild imaginings of horrifying things. Chris Miller's In the House is the worst-case scenario for what that bump in the night could be."
Patrick C. Harrison III, author of Grandpappy and 100% Match
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
50 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2023
20 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Chris Miller
49 books168 followersChris Miller is a native Texan who has been writing from an early age. He began publishing in 2017 with his first novel, A Murder of Saints, and since then he has published several novels—including the Amazon bestselling Splatter Western, Dust—and has also been inducted into many anthologies. When not writing, Chris enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and reading. He is first and foremost a family man and is happily married to the love of his life (and best friend) Aliana. They have three beautiful children and live in Winnsboro, TX.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 12, 2024
Maybe the most gut-punch ending you'll ever read.
Also, if you click on the 'Chris Miller' beneath the title ... that is not the f*cking Chris Miller that wrote this book. Chris is milk toast but not that damn milk toast.
Also, if you click on the 'Chris Miller' beneath the title ... that is not the f*cking Chris Miller that wrote this book. Chris is milk toast but not that damn milk toast.
March 3, 2023
First off i just wanna say i need to read more Chris Miller cuz the guy is a awesome writer. Damn this was a horrific, intense, brutal, disturbing short story that is just scary because this could very well happen to someone and it does..... Just watch the news. I think we have all heard a noise in the middle of the night heard the creak or crack in the floor and felt that sudden rush of adrenaline, that tingle, the ice cold shiver down your spine, the hair raising up on your body. This story does this and keeps you turning pages till the very end. If you are looking for a short intense read that will linger with you and make you ask yourself what would I do? This is for you I highly recommend this one.
March 18, 2024
Why the wife takes so long to call 911!!!
This is very short and not as explicit. They were a rape scene that wasn't detailed and gruesome murder that wasn't as detailed so I didn't really connect. This is my first book from this author and it did not traumatize me so that's a plus.
This is very short and not as explicit. They were a rape scene that wasn't detailed and gruesome murder that wasn't as detailed so I didn't really connect. This is my first book from this author and it did not traumatize me so that's a plus.
March 20, 2023
Short and brutal home invasion story. It doesn't exactly pull punches, but it stops short of veering into the torture p*rn genre. If you like bleak and bloody stories you might just enjoy this one!
March 5, 2023
Holy fucking shit that was a real heart wrencer of a story! This is a tense, gripping, extreme home invasion story that will rip your little black heart out, and then stomp on it for good measure! 🖤
Nathan is rudely awoken when his wife Mary hears a disturbance from downstairs and of course, Nathan has to be the one to go and investigate..
Meanwhile, Mary goes to her daughters room and locks them both in to wait. To wait until Nathan gives them the all clear, or until the police arrive, but that's not what happens….
What happens is The Suffering!! The Nightmare Woman is in charge…. and she doesn't hold back! Her and her sidekicks are the absolute worst of humanity, as if the break in and torture werent enough, the reasons behind it are downright unbeliveable!!
Chris builds the tension brilliantly, I was holding my breath with anticipation and I almost jumped out of my skin at one point! With heart wrenching scenes, and savage, sadistic, merciless torture, Chris really makes you feel for the characters in such a short time! Completely and utterly gripping and terrifying, I could not put this book down. A one sitting, smooth flowing read where we watch a man break completely as he watches his family used and abused in the most inhuman, horrific and degrading ways. His desperation, pain, hatred, fear and determined strength make your bond with his character so much stronger!
The ending was shocking, and brutal, and sad, and dreadful, and hit me so damn hard in the feels! A proper punch to the gut! And the heart! It left me reeling and I just wanted to reach into the book and give the main character a huge hug!
This one hit very hard and is going to stay with me for a very long time to come! 💔
Extreme horror fans, this is definitely one to add to your list!!
Nathan is rudely awoken when his wife Mary hears a disturbance from downstairs and of course, Nathan has to be the one to go and investigate..
Meanwhile, Mary goes to her daughters room and locks them both in to wait. To wait until Nathan gives them the all clear, or until the police arrive, but that's not what happens….
What happens is The Suffering!! The Nightmare Woman is in charge…. and she doesn't hold back! Her and her sidekicks are the absolute worst of humanity, as if the break in and torture werent enough, the reasons behind it are downright unbeliveable!!
Chris builds the tension brilliantly, I was holding my breath with anticipation and I almost jumped out of my skin at one point! With heart wrenching scenes, and savage, sadistic, merciless torture, Chris really makes you feel for the characters in such a short time! Completely and utterly gripping and terrifying, I could not put this book down. A one sitting, smooth flowing read where we watch a man break completely as he watches his family used and abused in the most inhuman, horrific and degrading ways. His desperation, pain, hatred, fear and determined strength make your bond with his character so much stronger!
The ending was shocking, and brutal, and sad, and dreadful, and hit me so damn hard in the feels! A proper punch to the gut! And the heart! It left me reeling and I just wanted to reach into the book and give the main character a huge hug!
This one hit very hard and is going to stay with me for a very long time to come! 💔
Extreme horror fans, this is definitely one to add to your list!!
February 25, 2024
i was hoping that wouldn't be the ending :((((((
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2023
A intense short story that moves fast and kept me interested! The ending is both sad and pretty messed up, excellent read 👌
June 12, 2024
Heart pounding tension!!
This book made me anxious, I could feel the tension building with each sentence. If splatter-thriller isn't a thing it really should be, and this book would fit that description. A brutal home invasion story that will have your heart pounding.
This book made me anxious, I could feel the tension building with each sentence. If splatter-thriller isn't a thing it really should be, and this book would fit that description. A brutal home invasion story that will have your heart pounding.
January 10, 2024
So, let's talk about Chris Miller's "In the House." This thing is DARK, like horror on steroids. Miller drags you to a place you'd rather not go, and just when you think it can't get worse, surprise—it does.
Reading this is like witnessing a car crash in slow-mo. You know it's bad, you probably shouldn't look, but you can't help yourself. The book kicks off with a break-in that unleashes a level of torment that's hard to stomach.
The writing might seem simple, but trust me, it's intentional. It's like Miller is saying, "Let's not distract from the madness by using fancy words." And madness there is – relentless and in your face.
"In the House" is a short, sharp shock to your system. Miller deserves props for the horror he unleashes in such a small package. If you're up for a crazy, disturbing ride, strap in and give it a shot. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
Reading this is like witnessing a car crash in slow-mo. You know it's bad, you probably shouldn't look, but you can't help yourself. The book kicks off with a break-in that unleashes a level of torment that's hard to stomach.
The writing might seem simple, but trust me, it's intentional. It's like Miller is saying, "Let's not distract from the madness by using fancy words." And madness there is – relentless and in your face.
"In the House" is a short, sharp shock to your system. Miller deserves props for the horror he unleashes in such a small package. If you're up for a crazy, disturbing ride, strap in and give it a shot. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
July 9, 2023
This is a little 78-page book of anyone’s worst nightmare - a home invasion filled with dread, depravity, and unspeakably cruel acts. It has a little twist that would surely drive any parent to insanity.
March 2, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
It was a brutally beautiful, written short story that I could not put down! So much tension and anxiety, the ups and the downs, and the heartache at the ending!
It was a brutally beautiful, written short story that I could not put down! So much tension and anxiety, the ups and the downs, and the heartache at the ending!
August 15, 2023
F*cked up, raw terror on a level I didn't see coming. Don't read this at night if you're not 100% confident in the stability of your home's security system. Great twist at the very end.
May 23, 2024
One helluva brutal home invasion story. It's a page turner only in how well written it is; otherwise, you will be wary to do so. The Strangers by way of Sam Peckinpah.
October 31, 2024
So I found a new subgenre through this book... Hello extreme horror / splatter punk. Came across this story after reading 100 Percent Match (saw that author's review on this one or something about the twist at the end I think).
I figured out that it was the neighbors the sentence Nathan mentioned having them over the night prior. I thought it was too easy of an out. Kind of wish it wasn't the neighbors. I feel that if it wasn't them and it was a random group that he still doesn't know where he heard the Nightmare Woman's voice from, it would have hit the theme of "why the fuck did they do this" on it's head. And would have caused Nathan more distress, not that the poor character needed more.
I think the story was well written, even though I don't want to read it again, and it made my gut twist, I caught myself gasping or covering my mouth, which I realized as I'm typing this so I'm changing the star review.
I do wish Nathan had more time to dispose of the home invaders. Kind of twist the narrative. But that's just me thinking the invaders got off way too easily.
Overall, holy fuck. This was an intense read, kind of wish I had a heads up but the fact that I didn't just added to the shock factor so I'm not mad. I'm not going to be anxious about sleeping tonight with my kitten. I did not realize this subgenre was a thing, and now I'll be prepared to expect everything horrific if I ever pick it up again... Which is likely.
Also, I think it would be a riot to write a book with Chris Miller. He seems like a very talented author. Increasing the star rating for sure.
I figured out that it was the neighbors the sentence Nathan mentioned having them over the night prior. I thought it was too easy of an out. Kind of wish it wasn't the neighbors. I feel that if it wasn't them and it was a random group that he still doesn't know where he heard the Nightmare Woman's voice from, it would have hit the theme of "why the fuck did they do this" on it's head. And would have caused Nathan more distress, not that the poor character needed more.
I think the story was well written, even though I don't want to read it again, and it made my gut twist, I caught myself gasping or covering my mouth, which I realized as I'm typing this so I'm changing the star review.
I do wish Nathan had more time to dispose of the home invaders. Kind of twist the narrative. But that's just me thinking the invaders got off way too easily.
Overall, holy fuck. This was an intense read, kind of wish I had a heads up but the fact that I didn't just added to the shock factor so I'm not mad. I'm not going to be anxious about sleeping tonight with my kitten. I did not realize this subgenre was a thing, and now I'll be prepared to expect everything horrific if I ever pick it up again... Which is likely.
Also, I think it would be a riot to write a book with Chris Miller. He seems like a very talented author. Increasing the star rating for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
Creepy, scary, believable? Yes, for the most part. For the simple fact that in the realm of possibilities this home invasion story seemed almost real. The things the family endured were beyond horrific. Horror has many faces, but realistic is the one this book wears. This short story was visceral and primal. It reminded me of the movie, The Strangers. I look forward to reading more from Chris Miller!
March 6, 2023
Nothing original here, standard home invasion scenes of an extreme horror nature. The good things is that at least there's no humor (unlike other extreme horror shorts lately), just a very cynical ending.
March 16, 2023
Good lord! Hard to say anything at all about this book without giving anything away. All I can say is once I started to read it, I did not stop until the end! This book certainly makes you run the gamut of emotions before it's done.
December 3, 2023
Ideal to read during the night.
The vibes hit perfect!
Imagine being woken during the night by your partner uttering the worst thing you can hear “someone’s downstairs”
I did not see that twist coming!
It was so intense. The emotional turmoil that Nathan went through leaps of the pages.
The vibes hit perfect!
Imagine being woken during the night by your partner uttering the worst thing you can hear “someone’s downstairs”
I did not see that twist coming!
It was so intense. The emotional turmoil that Nathan went through leaps of the pages.
September 8, 2023
That was quick and brutal and right to the point. Awesome short story
September 13, 2023
A quick and intense home invasion story.
April 2, 2023
Really good short book. Scary since this could really happen
June 9, 2023
Very well done
Very short. Will read more by this author. I enjoyed it though. It's a creepy thought. Very interesting read. It's sad though
Very short. Will read more by this author. I enjoyed it though. It's a creepy thought. Very interesting read. It's sad though
September 15, 2024
This was such a great fast read with a throat punch ending! Well done sir 👏🏻
March 27, 2023
A fast paced home invasion story that is sure to get under your skin, In The House hits all the marks. I've read a few things from Miller before, but this is probably my favorite of his so far!
January 10, 2025
This book is so horrifying to me because this is the world we live in ! How terrifying to wake up with three strangers in your house ready to do unspeakable things to the people you love most in the world. This is the scariest kind of horror book for me. Loved every second of it ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 3, 2024
It’s a basic home invasion story that you have read and watched 50 times before. It’s meant to be intense and in your face (haha) you’ll get it when goy read it but sadly it’s expected. Sadly the ending falls flat as expected. I would rather have learned that the invasion was due to the daughter. Then when you learn why the invasion happened you are just like well that’s nothing new and works as the same as it being some random people showing up. Hell it would have been great if these people had a record of doing this for years. In the end nothing shocked or scared me. I think I’m more pissed that PC3 pumped it up to me at Frightmare weekend and he did so with some other books. Sadly it makes me just want to either buy his stories online or not at all. Sure this is his brother but I’m not going to be talked into something that falls apart again. Not to mention I bought $170 books from them and they didn’t even toss one in for free. Two other writers at Frightmare gave me a free book for buying $80 of their books. Sorry but I’ll give it a two star rating for decent writing
April 22, 2023
Being alone in my house, fast asleep in bed, and hearing a noise is one of my absolute worst fears. Nathan experiences brutal, depraved acts of violence from a trio of sadistic people who invade his home in the middle of the night. His wife and teenage daughter are hiding upstairs while Nathan confronts the masked intruder, but he has no idea that there are two more, and there's no hiding from them.
Nathan is forced to watch as his wife is horrifically violated and abused, but when the trio come for his daughter, Nathan explodes, and the fallout from act of retribution made me want to cry.
This was a truly horrific yet compelling read. Coming in at under 100 pages, this short read made me a fan. I can't wait to snoop through his backlist. Available on KU and in paperback.
Nathan is forced to watch as his wife is horrifically violated and abused, but when the trio come for his daughter, Nathan explodes, and the fallout from act of retribution made me want to cry.
This was a truly horrific yet compelling read. Coming in at under 100 pages, this short read made me a fan. I can't wait to snoop through his backlist. Available on KU and in paperback.
June 10, 2024
I couldn’t put it down, read in one sitting. I get bored easily but the evening sped by. Great escape
September 9, 2023
I cannot. I am speechless. I literally just finished this and had to immediately come review. It's been so long since I've been that impacted by a story. Because I could NOT put it down. Miller slayed. I couldn't stop reading. Even when I wanted to. Like a train wreck or car accident you can't look away from. This is definitely EXTREME HORROR. I'm not a fan of trigger warnings but Jesus. If any story needs one, it might be this one. It hits where it hurts. Hard. Where it counts. Hard. And I eff bombing loved it. The ending left me wanting more. More answers. More gore. More violence and retribution. Fast paced, terrifying, sick and twisted, In The House delivers. Again and again. I honestly don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight. And I'll be double and triple checking to make sure my doors are locked for the foreseeable future and that I have protection. And probably making me second guess those around me, because you never know who really has it out for you. Bravo, Chris, you evil man. Bravo. On to the next one.
March 21, 2023
This is incredibly dark. It was not a particularly fun read, but that's not the kind of book this is. Miller is an extremely talented author and there are some very creative twists here. This is the second home invasion horror novel I've read this year (the other being Anybody Home? by Seidlinger), and this one was far better than the other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews