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A Hole We Crawl Into
A man haunted by his past comes face to face with a place not on any map in this horrifying novella by Edgar Award-winning author Joe Hart.
Home renovator Greg Havel is making a name for himself in the world of house flipping when he stumbles on a deal too good to pass up: an isolated but spacious home in the country needing just the right touch. But when he arrives he begins to realize this isn’t the typical reno-job.
The house is…different.
Sometimes there are four bedrooms on the second floor. Sometimes five.
The paintings inside are beyond disturbing and won’t come off the walls.
And there is an old well in the backyard that seems to be bottomless.
As it becomes harder and harder for him to leave, Greg realizes the past he’s been running from has been waiting for him all along. Waiting for him to come home…
Home renovator Greg Havel is making a name for himself in the world of house flipping when he stumbles on a deal too good to pass up: an isolated but spacious home in the country needing just the right touch. But when he arrives he begins to realize this isn’t the typical reno-job.
The house is…different.
Sometimes there are four bedrooms on the second floor. Sometimes five.
The paintings inside are beyond disturbing and won’t come off the walls.
And there is an old well in the backyard that seems to be bottomless.
As it becomes harder and harder for him to leave, Greg realizes the past he’s been running from has been waiting for him all along. Waiting for him to come home…
- GenresHorror
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2023
84 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hart
52 books1,376 followersJoe Hart is the Edgar Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen novels including The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been optioned for film and translated into eight languages. He lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐ rounded up
February 15, 2024
“Regret is a hole we crawl into…and it is bottomless.”
When home renovator Greg Havel finds a house in the country that is in need of a little TLC, it’s too good of a deal for him to pass up. But as Greg arrives at the house and begins to work, he soon realizes that this house is different. Sometimes there are four bedrooms, sometimes there are five. There’s a well on the property that seems to be bottomless. Things start making less and less sense, and even scarier, Greg finds that he can’t leave. He is stuck inside some strange reality that seems to have collided with the past he has tried desperately to escape.
I have loved everything I read by Joe Hart so I was very excited to get this novella!
Immediately after finishing it, I messaged him to say I was wondering if my own house was really here - LOL! This story was wild, made me question everything, had a somewhat unreliable narrator - basically everything I love in a psychological thriller! Though it's short, it packs a hell of a punch. Without giving any spoilers, it was easy to relate to Greg, who spent the majority of his life feeling guilty about a terrible accident. Whether the house was really magic or it was Greg’s subconscious trying to free himself from the past is open to interpretation. All I know is that the end is super creepy, and will make you want to double check the locks on the doors - that they are unlocked, so you can escape! LOL
Thank you to Joe Hart for my copy of your novella! “A Hole We Crawl Into” is out now. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
When home renovator Greg Havel finds a house in the country that is in need of a little TLC, it’s too good of a deal for him to pass up. But as Greg arrives at the house and begins to work, he soon realizes that this house is different. Sometimes there are four bedrooms, sometimes there are five. There’s a well on the property that seems to be bottomless. Things start making less and less sense, and even scarier, Greg finds that he can’t leave. He is stuck inside some strange reality that seems to have collided with the past he has tried desperately to escape.
I have loved everything I read by Joe Hart so I was very excited to get this novella!
Immediately after finishing it, I messaged him to say I was wondering if my own house was really here - LOL! This story was wild, made me question everything, had a somewhat unreliable narrator - basically everything I love in a psychological thriller! Though it's short, it packs a hell of a punch. Without giving any spoilers, it was easy to relate to Greg, who spent the majority of his life feeling guilty about a terrible accident. Whether the house was really magic or it was Greg’s subconscious trying to free himself from the past is open to interpretation. All I know is that the end is super creepy, and will make you want to double check the locks on the doors - that they are unlocked, so you can escape! LOL
Thank you to Joe Hart for my copy of your novella! “A Hole We Crawl Into” is out now. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
May 19, 2024
Creepy. A descent into madness. Things are not what they seem.
October 20, 2025
3.5 stars. This was a very eerie, atmospheric horror tale. Very classic style to it, as well. Greg was a good lead. Tragic past, uncertain direction in life, and a lot of allure to his character. And Joe Hart did him justice by disorienting the reader to the circumstances of his new home and the mysterious occurrences that plagued him. You really felt the character's despair and frustration all the way through until the bitter end. Now, with all that being said, I didn't love the ending here. The conclusion with the house was fairly underwhelming. And I really did want to do a deeper dive into Greg, as I felt there was some tremendous foundational plot points there, but some just could have been taken further. Still a good outing, but perhaps just in need of some additional pages to tie everything up better.
October 27, 2023
was ok
I don’t know I think more about the house should have been discussed and described. Just to spend the last few pages telling us that it’s a portal to some other dimension seems like a cheap way to end the story. It lagged for most of the entire time and then completely changed at the end I expected something
I don’t know I think more about the house should have been discussed and described. Just to spend the last few pages telling us that it’s a portal to some other dimension seems like a cheap way to end the story. It lagged for most of the entire time and then completely changed at the end I expected something
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2024
What a terrible book. I'm glad it was short so I didn't waste too much time on this stupidity. Not clear how Stan could be mad at the end about the house as he's the one who sold it to him in the first place! That made no sense. If this house didn't exist in the physical sense then how did Stan tell him about it, how did he know it had good bones, and how was there a closing on it? How was there a closing on a home that never was appraised or inspected? I'm too much of a realist and a logical thinker that this just was not my cup of tea. I get the idea of it being all in his head or that it's a portal to another dimension, but that doesn't make the story better. It's not clear what it is so I'm giving it one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
Great new book by Joe Hart
Once again, Joe captured my imagination and didn’t let it go until I made it to the last sentence of the last page. This type of story is incredibly difficult to make clear to the reader so it makes sense. Joe was able to weave through the story with ease and kept me looking forward to what was to come next. I always enjoy his writing and look forward to the next book with anticipation. Enjoy!
Once again, Joe captured my imagination and didn’t let it go until I made it to the last sentence of the last page. This type of story is incredibly difficult to make clear to the reader so it makes sense. Joe was able to weave through the story with ease and kept me looking forward to what was to come next. I always enjoy his writing and look forward to the next book with anticipation. Enjoy!
December 31, 2023
Just wow
This book is a trip. It has so many different meanings. For me it at least, it was about forgiveness. When we keep running from things that scares us. Sometimes we lose the sense of reality. The death of the sister Sara was traumatic. I couldn't stop reading it. Overall I loved it.
This book is a trip. It has so many different meanings. For me it at least, it was about forgiveness. When we keep running from things that scares us. Sometimes we lose the sense of reality. The death of the sister Sara was traumatic. I couldn't stop reading it. Overall I loved it.
October 28, 2023
Don't know what to believe
Are we all doomed to live with the horrors of our regrets. The mind is an all powerful piece of machinery and our lives can be caught in the cogs regret. A bizarre and bewildering piece of work that will haunt you. A confusing but enjoyable read.
Are we all doomed to live with the horrors of our regrets. The mind is an all powerful piece of machinery and our lives can be caught in the cogs regret. A bizarre and bewildering piece of work that will haunt you. A confusing but enjoyable read.
Read
November 1, 2023Mercy!!!
An excellent story. Written beautifully. The ending never occurred to me.
Make time to read this story, beginning to end.
Joe Hart is an amazing writer. I'll read everything he's written, everything he writes next.
Linda George
An excellent story. Written beautifully. The ending never occurred to me.
Make time to read this story, beginning to end.
Joe Hart is an amazing writer. I'll read everything he's written, everything he writes next.
Linda George
January 1, 2025
Really great story
Once I started reading couldn't put it down it was that good once again Mr hart has written a terrific story I highly recommend his books to anyone who likes thillers
Once I started reading couldn't put it down it was that good once again Mr hart has written a terrific story I highly recommend his books to anyone who likes thillers
August 17, 2025
The Hole
My scuffed and discolored boot edged over the entry into the house. While, it’s mate prepared to join it. My mouth opened and my tongue lifted to taste the air. What entered my. Inner passage was fetid and palpably foul.
My scuffed and discolored boot edged over the entry into the house. While, it’s mate prepared to join it. My mouth opened and my tongue lifted to taste the air. What entered my. Inner passage was fetid and palpably foul.
October 26, 2023
Very creep! Whew poor fellow had a lot of regrets he was carrying around. I knew something was wrong when they couldn’t find the address!!!!
October 30, 2023
I enjoyed the creepy and disgusting elements if this horror story but I felt there was something missing. I got vibes of The Ring and The Haunting of Hill House.
November 1, 2023
Wow!
Oh wow! This book. I have no words. In a good way. I need time to sit and process it. My mind is so messed up from it but it all fell into place. It was insane.
Oh wow! This book. I have no words. In a good way. I need time to sit and process it. My mind is so messed up from it but it all fell into place. It was insane.
November 10, 2023
An atmospheric tale of horror—mostly psychological, with some great tension build-up.
The protagonist was not particularly endearing, but his mental state and inner demons were vividly displayed.
This was my first Joe Hart story, and I will certainly be checking out more.
The protagonist was not particularly endearing, but his mental state and inner demons were vividly displayed.
This was my first Joe Hart story, and I will certainly be checking out more.
December 28, 2023
Creepy but good!
March 10, 2024
This story is different from any I've read. I really loved it!
May 25, 2024
earned an extra star for making me misty eyed with the ending
June 1, 2024
Haunting metaphor for grief and regret
November 10, 2025
Well, that was bleak. Loved it!
December 4, 2023
Excellent story. Definitely makes you think about your life and how you deal with the inevitable events that happen.
July 9, 2024
wow!
This book captivated me from the very beginning! I literally could not put it down. Although I was unsure where it was going, it was so compelling I just had to finish it.
This book captivated me from the very beginning! I literally could not put it down. Although I was unsure where it was going, it was so compelling I just had to finish it.
September 4, 2024
𝑻𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔--𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓. 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐.
I read this back in March and never wrote a review for it, so I read it again. Because I'm in a different phase of my life, even just a few short months later, many of the subtle messages didn't affect me the way they do now.
Greg Havel renovates homes for a living. He is alerted to a deal that's just too good to pass up: a spacious, isolated home in the country. It has good bones; it just needs some finishing. Soon, Greg begins to realize that the house is strange. Sometimes the number of bedrooms changes. There are some paintings on the walls that are beyond disturbing. But most alarming of all is the well in the backyard--after Greg does some cautious testing, he finds that it appears to be...bottomless?
My take on this book may be different from what the author intended, but I interpreted the story as one big metaphor, and I would label it as 'grief horror' . I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but the phrase that appears on the wall affected me deeply: ____ 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬. At first, Greg can't read the first word. When I found out what the word was and why it changes for everyone, I had a pretty visceral reaction, especially when Greg's backstory came to light.
We don't have to live in the house of our past that is constructed with shame, fear, mistakes, abandonment, and regret. We can acknowledge that it has good bones because after all, we built it! But we don't have to add the finishing touches and put our name on the title. I needed to hear this message because that's exactly what I've done with my life. I'm placing a sign on my house, and it won't say "For Sale"; instead, it will say "Condemned". Highly recommended. Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy.
I read this back in March and never wrote a review for it, so I read it again. Because I'm in a different phase of my life, even just a few short months later, many of the subtle messages didn't affect me the way they do now.
Greg Havel renovates homes for a living. He is alerted to a deal that's just too good to pass up: a spacious, isolated home in the country. It has good bones; it just needs some finishing. Soon, Greg begins to realize that the house is strange. Sometimes the number of bedrooms changes. There are some paintings on the walls that are beyond disturbing. But most alarming of all is the well in the backyard--after Greg does some cautious testing, he finds that it appears to be...bottomless?
My take on this book may be different from what the author intended, but I interpreted the story as one big metaphor, and I would label it as 'grief horror' . I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but the phrase that appears on the wall affected me deeply: ____ 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬. At first, Greg can't read the first word. When I found out what the word was and why it changes for everyone, I had a pretty visceral reaction, especially when Greg's backstory came to light.
We don't have to live in the house of our past that is constructed with shame, fear, mistakes, abandonment, and regret. We can acknowledge that it has good bones because after all, we built it! But we don't have to add the finishing touches and put our name on the title. I needed to hear this message because that's exactly what I've done with my life. I'm placing a sign on my house, and it won't say "For Sale"; instead, it will say "Condemned". Highly recommended. Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews