Hate House

by John C. Foster

Reclusive investigator Megan French is lured from isolation by a mysterious client who wants her to investigate the infamous Hate House. Too late, she discovers Hate House isn't a job, it's a trap. Gaslighted and manipulated, French is caught in an elaborate revenge plot seeking to unbalance her mind before framing her for a horrible crime. As French unravels the plan, she uncovers a wider world of the ultra wealthy who treat people as nothing more than pieces on a game board.

Genres: Horror, Mystery

282 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors publishing under this name are:

John C. Foster
John C. Foster

Reviews

[Horror Bookworm Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate House by John C. Foster
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/

Megan French is recruited to investigate a most unusual house. The haunted history behind the abandoned dwelling, along with an ongoing legal conflict, are both two of the most bizarre components surrounding the estate. Built on a small rocky island, the investigations have aroused something within. Hate House is awake.

With its faded wallpaper and boarded-up windows, John C. Foster’s strange tale of decayed decadence, spurs its sole purpose of intentional bitterness. Within these frightful walls, Foster paints a devious and dark interior with an illustration of a sinister evil. The rumored misdoings of cannibalism, predatory priests and the secret in the cellar are the macabre premises to read this engrossing dead zone of bad juju.

John C. Foster has concocted an original concept of toxic terror. Irrational fear, misery and gloom are the atmospheric guts that make Foster’s creation a success. Hate House is a trip into the psychological paranoia within its labyrinth of claustrophobic chills. The appeal is the prominent lore of a creepy sense of helplessness. Its private property of otherworldly inhabitants preys on the reader like a hungry river leech.

“There’s a great deal of man’s evil connected to Hate House.” You have become an official guest, so wipe your feet on the welcome mat and enter at your own risk. A Horror Bookworm Recommendation.

[Rainy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman is employed to investigate a house, which holds mysteries and secrets. The author of this book was impeccable at building scenes I could imagine in my mind with great detail. Not only were they able to describe the scenes well, but also the smells. I found it hard to put the book down due to curiosity about what was actually going on inside this house. Was it haunted? Or was it a person coming to the island and doing things to scare her? This book is a mix of horror, thriller, suspense, and mystery (heavy on the suspense). It was interesting, engaging, creepy, and overall a really good book. Personally, I would have only explored the house during the daytime hours. Once the sun went down I would be sleeping in my car with the doors locked, because fuck staying in a house with all that going on. At the end of the book I didn’t particularly like how it ended. It got a bit confusing and I guess they left it open for a second book, which I’ll have to check out. There is way more going on that just an investigation of a person or house. There is a game…

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Hate House by John C Foster we meet Megan French she is invited to be one of two investigators investigating the infamous home on an isolated island. She has recently become a hermit due to those picketing outside of her house calling her a murderer because her ex Patrick jumped off a building and although they deemed it suicide his family cannot except it. When she arrives at the Home she doesn’t know yet about the villagers who watch the house due to the children who go missing every time it is occupied. The murder she’s going to be set up for an all the evil she’s going to experience while there. Even after her nightmare is over they’ll be much more she doesn’t know and by the time she does it may be too late to get out. Let me just say there is a lot about this book I absolutely loved the whole thing with the house the background story even after what I didn’t love was that ambivalent ending. If there is the second book with Megan French I will read it not because she was a great character because I really didn’t like her that much but the book was awesome the storytelling was great it’s just that stupid ambivalent ending. If anyone else has a better take on how it ended I would be happy to hear it I reread it and reread it but no matter how many times I reread it I’m still left with the question what the hell happened? I would’ve definitely given it five stars if not for that ending either way this is still a great box and a few like haunted houses with awesome origin stories then I would definitely recommend this book just know at the end your questions will be answered but you will still be left wandering what happened? I don’t know how to explain it without explaining it so just know it is worth reading and most things will be answered by the end except for the last question. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I want to thank book sirens for my free art copy via

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love an atmospheric horror, and this book did not disappoint. The author is great at setting the scene. The house is everything you want, rambling corridors, old dusty furniture, strange objects, weird portraits of long dead people, decay, suspicious towns people and strange things happening.

It is a fairly bleak book. The main character, Megan, obviously has a lot of issues going on, and her temperament throughout the book is hot and cold. She is not likeable yet, I still found myself wanting things to go well for her. Her back story is revealed throughout the story, which partly helps explain who she is, but this could have gone further. 


I liked the pacing, particularly from the last part of the book. It was a page turner, tense, and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The premise of the book is that Megan is invited to do a job under false pretences, and I liked the twists and turns as this is slowly revealed, and Megan becomes aware she has been tricked. However, the ending was ambiguous, and for me, it was anticlimactic. Don't get me wrong, it's a great read, well written and entertaining, but I just wanted more closure. If there was a sequel coming, then the ending would be perfect...

With thanks to Book Sirens and the author for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.

[Rich D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the coolest things about reviving The Horror Bookshelf when I did was that it coincided with a bunch of authors who were instrumental to the site’s growth in the early years releasing new novels. There’s J. Daniel Stone’s Daubed in Darkness, Jonathan Janz’s Children of the Dark 2: The Night Flyers, and plenty more coming in the rest of the year. Another one that I was really excited for was John C. Foster’s latest novel, Hate House. I distinctly remember the first time I discovered Foster’s work. It was his short story “Mister White”, which appeared in the second volume of Grey Matter Press’ essential Dark Visions anthology series.

I loved “Mister White” the first time I read it, but it was one of those stories that took awhile to fully sink in. Shortly after that first reading, I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about “Mister White”. Who the hell is Mister White? Although I guess a more accurate question to ask would be what is Mister White? What the hell did these spies do to wind up in his (its?) crosshairs? Foster would eventually expand on the events of that short story to create the espionage/horror mash-up novel Mister White, which I firmly believe should be considered a modern horror classic. It was that one-two combination of bone-chilling horror and crime noir that led me to fall in love with Foster’s devastating brand of dark fiction and I’ve been a fan ever since. So naturally when I saw Foster would be dropping Hate House this year, I knew I had to get my hands on it!

In Hate House, reclusive private investigator Megan French is lured from her Philadelphia apartment by the wealthy Abbott, a man who wants her to prove the infamous Hate House is rightfully his. He claims his late, ultra-rich ex-wife Simone Laurent wanted to drive him mad by imprisoning him in isolation on the island for his past transgressions, and so he feels like his suffering earned him the right to claim to the house and the island. Megan’s not really interested in his reasoning – he’s wealthy, he’s paying her, and it’s the sort of job that could offer her the freedom from her own haunted past. The estate and Abbott have been battling each other in court for years and each have been employing security patrols to keep the other out. Megan agrees to take the job, but it will be unlike any other job she’s had before. Because she will be sharing her time at Hate House with the Laurent estates own investigator, a man named Grady. As Megan and Grady set out to find the truth behind who truly owns Hate House, Megan begins to realize this is more than a simple land dispute. Hate House is home to dark secrets and Megan being hired for this job is more than a coincidence.

On the surface, the set-up for Hate House seems like a traditional ghost story, but there are many other elements at play. But Foster uses that tradition to give Hate House a personality all of its own, think Richard Matheson’s Hell House, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, or High Place in Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic. The house was built on an isolated island and while that isolation plays a large role in what happened to Abbott during his time there, Foster engages all of the senses to cultivate the Hate House’s character. One of the earliest depictions of Hate House features this scene

“A breeze might bring her the clean scene of the sea, but here she wallowed in the smell of brackish marsh. Generations of dead clams gave off the sulfurous stink of hard-boiled eggs, amplified by billions of dead and whatever else once lived in the swampy rivers that wound from land toward the Atlantic.”

As someone who spent their entire life in the Northeast, that one scene instantly transported me into Foster’s story and damn if memories of that smell didn’t come rushing back. Sure, that pungent smell is natural, but it also represents a warning in the context of Hell House – that only bad things await those who venture into its halls. As Megan explores Hate House, it reveals itself as a monument to spite and insanity. Salt-water coming from the pipes, rot consuming the furniture, and a long line of red ochre men smeared on the walls. Hate House and its depiction have a strong New England Gothic influence and readers will definitely feel the chills that permeate throughout its pages.

One of the things I love most about Foster’s writing is not just his ability to blend genres, but also how he’s able to subvert reader expectations. Hate House gleefully bounces between haunted house, gothic and mystery tropes and just when you think you have an idea of where the story is going, Foster unveils a surprise that will make you question everything. Hell, I know I did. Those surprises don’t just pertain to the main narrative, but also the characters as well. Megan is a character I instantly gravitated toward because she embodies the uber-talented, take-no-bullshit private eye that I just can’t get enough of in noir fiction. Throughout Hate House, details of the past she’s trying to outrun come to light and it’s easy to take them at face value. But just like in real life, the truth is often a lot messier. That being said, I loved Megan and her journey. Despite facing very real threats from those who wield more power and resources than her, she never once shies away from danger.

Hate House is full of dizzying, mind-warping surprises and utilizes atmosphere and secrets to create a gripping story that races towards a stunning conclusion that I’m sure will spark debate among readers. Hate House is a lot like Mister White in that regard. It’s a story that sticks with readers – especially yours truly – and invites theories or imagining possible scenarios. Hate House comes with my highest recommendation and I’m sure I will be cursing Foster for years to come over the anguish this book caused me. I mean that with the utmost respect and as the highest compliment I can give, of course! Pick up a copy of Hate House for a damn good story and experience the dark secrets of Hate House for yourself.

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan French along with another individual have been hired as investigators to determine who really owns Hate House. Shortly after arriving, strange things started happening. Reality blurs for the main character and often myself. As Foster takes us deeper into the story, there is a constant unsettling feeling and paranoia lurks around every corner. The author did an amazing job making the house feel super claustrophobic and creepy. The story idea was good and the twists as well. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan of the ending. It felt flat compared to the rest of the story. There was quite a bit of build up throughout and then nothing. Some have mentioned the possibility of a sequel. If that is true, then I can maybe see the reason for the ending, but it just needed more to me.

[Silver Screen Videos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The haunted house story is one of the largest subgenres of horror fiction, so much so that some authors have made a career out of penning such tales. The subgenre has so many plot tropes and conventions horror fans know by heart that many haunted house tales are mere convention compendiums. When I started reading “Hate House” by John C. Foster, I half-expected to compile a mental checklist of such tired tropes I would find in the story. But I soon realized that although “Hate House” has some very familiar plot elements, this book is original and compelling. It’s as much an entertaining mystery as a horror story.

The titular “Hate House” is an abandoned mansion on a small island off the coast of Maine. The property has a sinister history, but is now the subject of a probate dispute between the late Simone Laurent’s estate and her husband, Marcus Abbott. Both sides hire investigators to spend time in the house and get proof of who the rightful owner is. (The book never specifies the nature of such proof.) Marcus hires Megan French, a woman who has been working out of her apartment since her boyfriend Josh jumped out of their apartment window and killed himself a few years earlier. Josh’s relatives think Megan killed him, an opinion bolstered by a widely viewed “Dateline” expose. Since the show aired, a group of religious fanatics Megan dubs “The Righteous” has camped outside her apartment, harassing her. She decides that a change of scenery is good, but she may have second thoughts when she sees Hate House.

As I mentioned, readers will find some familiar haunted house conventions in this story. The house is enormous, with long corridors on the upper floors and many locked doors. There’s also a mysterious, dimly lit basement. The mansion also has rotting floorboards, which could collapse under the weight of an unwary traveler. The only way to get to and from the island is by rowboat. (Megan jokes about how fit she’s becoming after rowing back and forth multiple times during her stay.) Megan’s portable generator provides the only power. Further, the weather is always either bitter cold and foggy or bitter cold and stormy. To make the atmosphere even more foreboding, the other investigator disappears without a trace a couple of days into Megan’s stay.

The author does an excellent job of describing the house and its bizarre furnishings. He gives readers a sense of place that’s more difficult to do in horror fiction than in a movie where the production design is visible. His description of the weird things that happen to Megan is more disjointed by design. As these strange events (which I won’t spoil) unfold, readers will wonder if supernatural forces or real-life troublemakers are responsible. Or, perhaps, much of what the author describes solely exists in Megan’s mind. She’s not the most stable protagonist. She has an abrasive personality, smokes incessantly, and gobbles down Lexapro like jelly beans. By describing what’s going on in a somewhat chaotic manner as Megan experiences the events, the author leaves open all possibilities for an explanation.

“Hate House” is as much a mystery as a traditional haunted house story. As creepy as it is, what’s happening on the island becomes secondary to why it’s happening. Megan’s investigation (hampered by her lack of cell phone coverage on the island) eventually reveals some surprising answers. The storyline has several twists I didn’t see coming. The book’s conclusion requires an enormous suspension of belief, even by the standards of this genre, but I enjoyed it. And unlike in many similar books, the author ties up most loose ends by the end of the story.

Although I enjoyed “Hate House,” I had some problems with the organization. The author’s powers of description are considerable, often making me feel a part of the house’s bizarre architecture. However, he sometimes struggles when incorporating significant plot points into the story. He transitions into important flashbacks without warning, the literary equivalent of a cinematic jump scare. His style sometimes made the storyline more challenging to follow than it should have been.

Overall, I was very impressed by “Hate House.” The author takes a traditional haunted-house-on-an-isolated-island setting and turns the novel into an internet-era mystery with roots going back decades in the past. Several of the book’s most sinister chapters are excerpts from the journal Marcus kept while unhappily residing on the island nearly 50 years earlier. In most books of this nature, the primary source of suspense is readers wondering whether the protagonist will survive. Here, I was hooked, trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. The answer was something entirely unexpected. This book is a classic midnight page-turner. Despite the novel’s title, horror and mystery fans will love “Hate House.”

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through BookSirens. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎬Pairing: I need your help!
Usually after reading a novel, a film jumps right into my consciousness. It contains at least one or more parallel tropes, and I run with it. This did NOT happen here. First, I thought The Haunting (1999) and then Rose Red (1994). After that, I went straight to the Invisible Man (2020). I couldn’t get the pieces to fit. So, I called in the big guns, my mom. She supplied The War of the Roses (1989). All of those have a trope that connects, but it’s still just missing that “it factor”

🎵Pairing: “Hotel California” by the Eagles
This pairing came to me immediately and, thankfully, I did not have to second guess my selection.

📖quote: The first part of this novel read like a well-written fever dream. In many areas, the prose is reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s lyricism. It’s poe-esque in the mental gymnastics it inspired.

❤️Foster could give a masterclass in personification (house) and pathetic fallacy (various storms). This novel was atmospheric and the descriptions were *chef’s kiss*
❤️ I love how the narrator only referred to the protagonist by her last name, “French.” By only using her last name, it was as if the narrator kept his distance from her, which enhanced my reading experience my reading because I felt like we were both trying to figure her out together. I am a big fan when authors leave characters unnamed or include atypical appositives.

Final Thoughts💭
*I gave this novel⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it truly has many moments of perfection. However, while the writing was consistently great, I did not connect to the second part of the novel. I frequently refer to the first part and the second part of the novel because it truly feels like there are two distinct, and somewhat disjointed, sections.
*I also did not love the ending. I will use the last scene of Inception as an example. As soon as the movie ended, I turned to my friend, and we began to theorize. It was ambiguous in a way that started the conversation, not ended it. I wish this ending was a little more like that.
*Let’s have a conversation! Read this novel and help me figure it out!
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Thank you to #johncfoster, Encyclopocalypse Publications, and Booksiren for providing me with an ARC of this novel. My opinions are my own.

[Sazerina Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Hate House," author John .C. Foster masterfully weaves a web of intrigue and suspense that captivates from the very first page. From the outset, the imagery employed is nothing short of captivating, as everyday objects take on a life of their own, imprinting vivid impressions that linger long after the last page is turned. Through skillful prose, He breathes life into inanimate entities, infusing them with a presence that adds depth and texture to the narrative.
But what truly sets "Hate House" apart is its protagonist, Megan French. As a reclusive investigator drawn into a sinister trap, French emerges as a character of remarkable depth and complexity. With each twist and turn of the plot, the reader is drawn deeper into French's world, feeling her pain, reluctance, and frustration as if it were their own. Foster expertly captures French's journey, skillfully evoking empathy and connection that transcend the page.
As French unravels the elaborate revenge plot against her, the story takes unexpected turns, with revelations that leave you gasping for breath and clamoring for more. Through it all, Foster maintains a relentless pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. "Hate House" is a true page-turner, a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue that demands to be read again and again.
In the wider world of the ultra-wealthy portrayed in the novel, Foster shines a light on the darker aspects of human nature, where people are mere pawns in a high-stakes game of manipulation and deception. It's a chilling reminder of the lengths some will go to in pursuit of power and control.
In conclusion, "Hate House" is a tour de force of storytelling, a mesmerizing journey into the heart of darkness that will leave readers spellbound until the very last word. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I eagerly anticipate revisiting its pages time and time again.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short Synopsis:
Megan French is pulled out of her home by the promise of an easy, lucrative job. Find out if a house belongs to her employer, or to his ex-wife. The ex will also have someone present, but they are to enter the house together, and work on finding out who owns the home.
From the start, something is not right at the house, there are strange markings, weird sounds, and too many secrets hiding in the shadows. It feels as though the house is alive. As they work on uncovering the secrets of the house, it feels as though they are being mocked.

But there are some secrets that the house does not want uncovered.

My Thoughts:
Decently done, a solid 3.5 stars. Not too scary, although there were some moments where my breathing did quicken. This was pretty well done, with a decent story line, and some pretty big twists.
I had a few moments where I was pretty aggravated with the MC, as she seems so very insecure. I understand some of the mental health that the author was portraying, but at times, it just hit me wrong (and yes, I have some pretty decent anxiety that I deal with along with the Veterans Administration). There were just a few places where I felt the author was reaching, and there were a few things that I felt were not entirely brought to clear closure. However, that did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
The ending of the book rather leaves you thinking that there will be another coming, and if so, I will definitely grab a copy to read.

Perfect for late night reading with a cozy blanket, and plenty of light.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book! Unpredictable, original, haunting, twisty, heavenly written - I'm running out of positives and it's no accident: this is a high-quality horror read, imaginative and horrifying, with gorgeous cover art and highly competent editing. Not to mention the superb story that never goes the way you think! You're bargaining for a haunted house kind of tale, you're getting a thriller; you're going for that thriller vibe, you're falling into urban legend rabbit holes; you're thinking you're reading a supernatural story, you find yourself diving into myth. And the ending! After being thrown so many curveballs, I thought I had it and just expected proper closure - heck no! You gotta play the last hand yourself.

The premise itself is genius: "spite houses" may be built to irritate and offend a neighbor, but what about "hate houses"? Built in order to express the owner's hate, they serve their purpose in many different ways. Here they set up a grand tale of malice and resentment, of enclosure and claustrophobia, a tale that spills into a female private investigator's life, transforming it into an unrecognizable mess of madness and horror-laced persecution. Oh, and there are cats; lots of cats! And crabs. Huge amounts of them.

I couldn't have enough of this book! The moment I realized it would go on even after it'd apparently reached some sort of closure, I couldn't hold back my joy!

Highly, very highly recommended!

[Anne Marie | The Velarhys Archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5 ⭐️

This is an ARC review. Thank you BookSirens and John Foster for the opportunity of being part of the review team. I leave my thoughts here voluntarily.

Hate House will keep you on your toes… if you stay with the novel long enough.

There is a certain charm with the writing style of this novel. It definitely captivates you on the first few chapters: like a reminiscent of Agatha Christie or any classic murder mystery novels. It also was atmospheric— consistent in giving us a dark, foggy setting.

However, I did find the start of the novel to be overtly descriptive. There were more visual descriptions vs advancing with the plot. This often made me put down the book but I am glad I trudged through. Pacing was slow until the 50% mark and felt like a few things were all over the place.

Luckily, it became an absolute page turner after the 60% mark. I was able to breeze through it within a day versus the days I spent getting through the first half.

I appreciate how Foster wrote Megan French as well. She was a very complex character and we were given just bits and pieces of her, making her a whole mystery throughout. However, she still remained a big mystery even after.

The way foster also gives life and personality with the Hate House was also impressive.

Overall, it is an intriguing novel with a slow start. I am looking forward to reading more of Foster’s works.

[Stefan Nordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksirens and Encyclopocalyse publications for the ARC which I received in return for an honest review.

Before I read Hate house I hadn’t heard of the concept of “spite houses”. It’s a building built just to spite someone. To ruin someone’s view or block off a path they use. If people go to that length to spite someone, imagine what they’ll do for hate…
I was kind of expecting a traditional haunted house novel when I started reading this book. In a lot of ways the titular Hate House is haunted but maybe not in the traditional sense.
A private investigator is hired by a rich man to investigate a house for him. The house is called Hate House and is situated on an island off the coast of Maine.
She and another investigator arrive and take up residence and things turn… weird.
Both the novel and the house is filled with riddles and John C. Foster keeps the reader guessing. He also does a good job of depicting how hostile and decrepit the house is. Hate House is character in itself in the book and it’s not a nice character.
The main character, Megan, is interesting and well written but I would have liked to get to know more about her past. In some parts she is an enigma.
That is a minor complaint though. All in all Hate House is well written and has an energy and an imagination that keeps the reader guessing.
A fun read with plenty of twists and turns.

[Thomas Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

More twists and turns than a twisty-turny thing, the story is as slippery as the writing is addictive. Foster uses wonderfully evocative similes and turns of phrase to take us on a tour of Hate House along with his investigator Megan French and he puts her through the wringer. Foster intertwines deft hints about her own tragic past with the mysterious nature of the isolated structure she has been tasked with investigating, alongside Grady, her counterpart representing her employer's adversary. What begins as a routine investigation into its history and rightful ownership soon transforms into a story of survival as French is haunted by mysterious occurrences and lost time. She is the ultimate unreliable narrator in that even she doesn't know if she can trust her own senses inside Hate House. But what happens when it seems as though ever growing outside forces are just as set against her as her own mind? You'll read for 2 or 3 chapters and convince yourself that you've figured out where the story is headed, only for Foster to pull the rug out from under your feet, swap the signposts on the divergent paths before you, and then turn off all the lights. You'll be left in the dark of Hate House with nothing but the sound of your own gasps as Foster takes your hand and guides you, trembling, toward an irresistible, brave ending. Enjoy the ride.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

When investigator Megan French is hired to help settle ownership claims to an infamous house, she might have landed a job too big for even her. Megan quickly discovers that Hate House is hiding many secrets, some of which are too terrible to even name.

This is a classic haunted house story where the house is a character itself and seemingly infects everything and everyone around it. We follow French as she spends more time at the house and we are part of her descent into madness. There are quite a few scenes that left me with my jaw on the floor because I can't really describe what was going on, but lobsters were involved.

Foster describes the house with the most beautiful language and it comes alive on the pages. Every texture, scent, and sight is illustrated as Megan uncovers the history of the house. The story is a slow build up to a very quick ending, which might leave many readers wanting more. The characters that Megan meets are intriguing, yet you never know anyone's true intentions. The paranoia surrounding this story is suburb and leaves the reading questioning everything they read. The only thing keeping this from five stars is the pacing. There were parts that were slower than others, but it all was really great in the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sydney Brickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate House by John C. Foster is such an eerie, mind-altering, spooky read. This was the first time I had read a book by Foster, so it took me a moment to get used to his writing style. Many descriptions were used to set the scene, though at times the descriptions seemed a bit chaotic. However, I feel this added to the creepy ambiance of Hate House while French and Grady were gathering their bearings of the house.
French's background story, and the small snippets you are allowed to have as you begin reading and learning about the main character, leave you interested and eagerly waiting for more. As more pieces of the puzzle for both French's past and Hate House fall into place, you are left feeling more and more unsettled. Who are any of these people, really? As you learn more about French, you become more empathetic and hopeful for her as she embarks on this twisted journey.
The mood of this book completely encapsulates the reader and left me peeking over my shoulder in the dark. This is such a fantastic tale of vengeance, hate, fear, and perseverance. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to exploring more of John C. Foster's work.

[Karlesa | FictionInTheFrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨ The cover of this book caught my eye, and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read it!

It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I was hooked. Megan French is a private investigator, hired to look into Hate House. She is under the impression that she was there for one party who was fighting against another for ownership.

Once she is in Hate House, things start getting…strange. The house seems to have its own palpable energy, with unending mysteries. The town has legends about the house, and Megan uncovers dark secrets held within its walls.

I was expecting a novel about a haunted house, but it was so much more than that. There was a horror/suspense aspect to the story that actually gave me goosebumps while reading! I enjoyed all the riddles and twists to this story and I would definitely recommend it!

Disclaimer; I received this book in advance for free, my review is voluntary.

[Journey Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

*BookSirens ARC review*

As one of my first ARC books I spent more time than usual noting the text and marking things that seemed important which added to my usual time spent with a book of this size.
First I want to say, I loved this book. It did take me a little to get used to the writing style in the beginning of the book with the time jumps in the middle of chapters rather than different chapters being different time periods, but once I got used to it it was fine!
I thought the book was engaging, it made me want to keep reading and I did spend a few nights up past my bedtime just to read another chapter. I felt like I could feel what the character was feeling, the ominous, hair standing on the back of your neck, scared of the dark vibes and a few places even got me to gag.

I found the ending to be a little anticlimactic, however if there are plans for a second book it would be perfect.

[Valerie Comeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gripping my pillow tight reading this one!

This modern gothic novel creates and sustains the ultimate creepy vibe throughout. The descriptions of Hate House had me alternating between yelling “ewww” to “what?!”

The first half remind me of Manderley—the portraits of cruel women watching and influencing both the protagonist as well as the house.

The second half started giving me Overlook Hotel vibes and I kept questioning what was real and what wasn’t.

I don’t want to say a thing about the ending other than I found it a satisfying ending as a reader, and will likely be rethinking the last pages for a while.

If you like: The Haunting of Hill House, The Elementals, The Fall of the House of Usher, Turn of the Screw, The Shining, Mexican Gothica—you will undoubtedly enjoy this read.

(Really appreciated the Jezebel allusion—wasn’t what I’d expected it to be!)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[indyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at SFF Insiders

‘Hate House’ by John C. Foster is a pretty SOLID entry into the psychological horror genre. Exquisite, fast-paced writing accompanied by an engaging start, a superbly written, complex MC, and a plot that will make you stay awake long into the night. Not to forget the atmospheric and vivid nature of the setting, with events that tend to get somewhat disturbing at times (to say the least). My only “critique” would be that the last quarter or so felt a little underwhelming compared to the rest of the book. All in all, if you’re looking for a quick, at times scary/spooky read that manages to honor the cover, description, and the genre really well, then Hate House is a must pick. I RECOMMEND!

[Rosalie Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a series of turns I didn't see coming, Hate House really drew me in. The twists at times left me confused and disoriented, and I imagine that's exactly how Megan French felt. Although that's not a bad thing, it's been a bit since a book has been able to mess with my head this way- this was a different type of horror. Instead of watching over my shoulder or feeling the lingering gaze of someone watching, I've been left unsure if I can trust anything I just read, any events that transpired, or characters I met. Even now, I'm still thinking over the course of these events and the truths- or lies- revealed. Great read!

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first John C Foster book I've read. I was rather impressed on how many turns this plot had that it had me reading the book a second time to see if there were any clues that I missed. It was hard to find a good stopping point in the reading as I kept saying to myself "just one more chapter…" The plot is compelling and keeps you going and on your toes. By the third act, I simply reserved myself to not knowing where the hell this is going or what character I was able to trust. At some points I felt there were too many threads going on at once but regardless the writing flowed and was easy to follow, even if the truth of what was going on was not. If you enjoy a well devised mystery wrapped up in a descriptive gothic horror esthetic, you'll love Hate House.

[Rob White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book from BookSirens in return for a review.

Wow, just wow. One hell of a creepy, atmospheric book. Reading at night with the only light coming from my screen, I had to keep checking the room to make sure I was alone.

Megan French is tasked with investigating Hate House, and this begins her nightmarish journey, never sure what is real and what isn't French figs deeper in to the mystery, with every answer she finds more questions arise. You can feel the tension oozing from the page as you read further on in the story.

A haunted house story that ranks amongst the best there is, well worth reading.

[Kristi Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me first say my favorite genre to read has never really been horror and suspense. This was the first book I have read in this category. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Without giving any spoilers, it was a well-crafted story and at points I didn't see things coming. I would recommend this book to others who have not read suspenseful books. I glad I chose this book. The reasons why I gave it four stars were because some of the word choice was hard to follow in the beginning. I had to look some words up and I am an avid reader. Also, I had to back and read some parts of the book because there were parts where the book seemed not to be connected or hard to follow.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the cover and glad I was able to read this, I enjoyed the idea of a haunted house and a investigator that hasn’t been in the game for a while. It had that haunted house feel that I was hoping for and thought the revenge plot was wonderfully done. I enjoyed the way John C. Foster wrote this and had that element of horror that I was looking for. This had that game feel to it and had me guessing what was going on.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was gifted this book as an ARC from BookSirens (thank you)! At first I was pretty i to the story but then I feel like it just went off the rails. The Hate House was an interesting mysterious place that had a lot of stories to tell but when the main character left the house so many weird things happened I just kind of lost interest. I didn’t like the ending…I’m not sure if it is meant to be a cliffhanger for a second book? I think the story could be a good one but It needs a little more character development and depth.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one psychological mind twist. What starts out as a simple investigation turns into a matter of life or death for Megan. There was so much trauma revisited throughout this novel. I would have liked to have known more about Josh and Megan’s story to understand why The Righteous hated her so much. The lengths they go to make her life hell is over the top insane. This whole book was insane from the opening chapter to the end of the book. I cannot tell anymore without giving spoilers. I am just recommending this book because of the insanity involved. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Anastasia Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This would have been a four or five star review if the book didn't take such a different route towards the end.

I enjoyed the first and second act, the writing was good, you could feel the oppressive strangeness of Hate House. If the book had ended with the final scene on the island of Hate House, or perhaps a few chapters later, the rating would be higher. The last part of the book was still well written, it just felt like it belonged in another book.

[Kyle Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time you think you know where this story is going, it doesn't. There's a lot packed into its relatively short run and it's never dull. Every character is hiding something and you never get the sense of safety for our protagonist, a broken wreck of a woman whom may or may not be hiding some terrible secrets of her own.

I read some critiques of the ending in other reviews and I didn't mind the abrupt ending. For me, I took it as a rather stark reflection on life. I liked it, but YMMV.

Recommended for a quick, fun read that blurs genres.

[Kalee McFall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Sirens and John C Foster for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. Hate House was full of twist and turns. A little bit of mystery, some horror, magic maybe? It kept me guessing for the majority of the time, a couple of my guesses were true but other things came out of left field and were not expected at all. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!