What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Fake a Haunting
A desperate woman’s plot to frighten her husband out of her life takes a nightmarish turn in a chilling novel of modern horror by a Bram Stoker Award–winning author.
Lainey Taylor is being pushed to the brink by her alcoholic husband, Callum. Prone to hallucinations and erratic behavior, it’s only a matter of time before he puts Lainey’s life—and that of their daughter, Beatrix—in jeopardy. A divorce and full custody is out of the question. In Callum’s words: Over my dead body.
Lainey’s sympathetic friend Adelaide has a wild solution. They’ll stage a haunting so convincing it will drive Callum out of Lainey’s life for good. Nothing too over the top: strange smells, noises in the walls, and flies unleashed along the windowsills. It could work. Considering Callum’s alcohol-induced night terrors, he’s already close to broken. With each new scare, Lainey is closer to seeing the haunting through to its bitter, freeing end.
But in a house filled with so much rage, resentment, and fear, is it any wonder that Lainey and Adelaide’s plan goes horribly wrong? As their fake haunting spirals into something no one can control, Lainey discovers that the only way out of this frightening trap is to join forces with Callum, or die trying.
Lainey Taylor is being pushed to the brink by her alcoholic husband, Callum. Prone to hallucinations and erratic behavior, it’s only a matter of time before he puts Lainey’s life—and that of their daughter, Beatrix—in jeopardy. A divorce and full custody is out of the question. In Callum’s words: Over my dead body.
Lainey’s sympathetic friend Adelaide has a wild solution. They’ll stage a haunting so convincing it will drive Callum out of Lainey’s life for good. Nothing too over the top: strange smells, noises in the walls, and flies unleashed along the windowsills. It could work. Considering Callum’s alcohol-induced night terrors, he’s already close to broken. With each new scare, Lainey is closer to seeing the haunting through to its bitter, freeing end.
But in a house filled with so much rage, resentment, and fear, is it any wonder that Lainey and Adelaide’s plan goes horribly wrong? As their fake haunting spirals into something no one can control, Lainey discovers that the only way out of this frightening trap is to join forces with Callum, or die trying.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
944 people are currently reading
12887 people want to read
About the author
Christa Carmen
36 books379 followersChrista Carmen is the Bram Stoker Award-winning and two-time Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of The Daughters of Block Island, Beneath the Poet's House, and the forthcoming How to Fake a Haunting, as well as the Indie Horror Book Award-winning Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked, the Bram Stoker Award-nominated "Through the Looking Glass and Straight into Hell" (Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror), and co-editor of the Aurealis Award-nominated We Are Providence and the Australiasian Shadow Award-nominated Monsters in the Mills. She lives in Rhode Island, and has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA from Boston College, and an MFA from the University of Southern Maine.
When she’s not writing, she keeps chickens; uses a Ouija board to ghost-hug her dear, departed beagle; and sets out on adventures with her husband, daughter, and bloodhound–golden retriever mix. Most of her work comes from gazing upon the ghosts of the past or else into the dark corners of nature, those places where whorls of bark become owl eyes, and deer step through tunnels of hanging leaves and creeping briars only to disappear. Visit her at www.christacarmen.com.
When she’s not writing, she keeps chickens; uses a Ouija board to ghost-hug her dear, departed beagle; and sets out on adventures with her husband, daughter, and bloodhound–golden retriever mix. Most of her work comes from gazing upon the ghosts of the past or else into the dark corners of nature, those places where whorls of bark become owl eyes, and deer step through tunnels of hanging leaves and creeping briars only to disappear. Visit her at www.christacarmen.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
October 15, 2025
I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it yesterday … I say that earns it 5 stars!!! It was SO fun, yet it also had some tense, eerie, and emotionally charged moments throughout. I thought it was creative and compelling, the characters were well fleshed out. The pacing flowed well… I truly can’t think of anything that I didn’t love about it
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPdANWP/
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPdANWP/
September 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up!
Title/Author: How to Fake a Haunting by Christa Carmen
Format Read: eBook/Audio/Physical Arc
Pub date: October. 7th, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Page Count: 349
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978166253...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Domestic drama
- Paranormal activity
- Families in crisis/intense psychological warfare
- Themes of alcoholism/drunk driving/divorce/gaslighting/motherhood
- Ed and Lorraine Warren vibes
- The Conjuring
__
Minor complaints: (audio)
- Because of the intensity of the relentless arguing between the two main characters, I recommend reading the physical book rather than the audiobook. The venom and animosity in the narrator's voice began to sound repetitive and irritating to me, which I knew wouldn't be a problem if I was just reading the physical or ebook.. It took away from my overall enjoyment
Final recommendation: Clever take on haunted house tropes--especially for a new-build house. Heavy content warnings for driving under the influence, alcoholism, domestic abuse (verbal, psychological), abortion, and gaslighting. There is a lot of fighting in this book--the psychological warfare is intense so if that's something triggering for you, this might not be the horror book for you.
I enjoyed the elaborate hauntings, the paranormal investigator couple that come on the scene with Ed and Lorraine vibes. The last 3rd of the book is thrilling--captivating
Comps: We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough, This House Isn't Haunted But We Are by Stephen Howard, The Grip of It by Jac Jemc, The Handyman Method by Craig Davidson and Andrew F Sullivan
Title/Author: How to Fake a Haunting by Christa Carmen
Format Read: eBook/Audio/Physical Arc
Pub date: October. 7th, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Page Count: 349
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978166253...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Domestic drama
- Paranormal activity
- Families in crisis/intense psychological warfare
- Themes of alcoholism/drunk driving/divorce/gaslighting/motherhood
- Ed and Lorraine Warren vibes
- The Conjuring
__
Minor complaints: (audio)
- Because of the intensity of the relentless arguing between the two main characters, I recommend reading the physical book rather than the audiobook. The venom and animosity in the narrator's voice began to sound repetitive and irritating to me, which I knew wouldn't be a problem if I was just reading the physical or ebook.. It took away from my overall enjoyment
Final recommendation: Clever take on haunted house tropes--especially for a new-build house. Heavy content warnings for driving under the influence, alcoholism, domestic abuse (verbal, psychological), abortion, and gaslighting. There is a lot of fighting in this book--the psychological warfare is intense so if that's something triggering for you, this might not be the horror book for you.
I enjoyed the elaborate hauntings, the paranormal investigator couple that come on the scene with Ed and Lorraine vibes. The last 3rd of the book is thrilling--captivating
Comps: We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough, This House Isn't Haunted But We Are by Stephen Howard, The Grip of It by Jac Jemc, The Handyman Method by Craig Davidson and Andrew F Sullivan
October 15, 2025
Another one bites the dust....(DNF 40%)
I had such high hopes for this with all the rave reviews and it did show promise in the beginning but that promise quickly fizzled out.
Now I knew some suspension of disbelief was going to be needed. When you have an unhappy wife to an alcoholic and abusive husband who you fear the safety of your 4 year old daughter with and decide rather than to divorce him you enlist the help of your best friend to stage a haunting to drive him insane. Um, okay, let's go with it. I'll play along.
But then this happened:
She is a much better friend than I, I can tell you that.
I tried to keep going. I made it to 40% when I decided to find a spoiler review and am I glad I did. The conclusion and I would not have gotten along at all.
This book is not horror and it is definitely not scary. It's a ridiculous story about ridiculous people doing ridiculous things. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy.
I had such high hopes for this with all the rave reviews and it did show promise in the beginning but that promise quickly fizzled out.
Now I knew some suspension of disbelief was going to be needed. When you have an unhappy wife to an alcoholic and abusive husband who you fear the safety of your 4 year old daughter with and decide rather than to divorce him you enlist the help of your best friend to stage a haunting to drive him insane. Um, okay, let's go with it. I'll play along.
But then this happened:
She is a much better friend than I, I can tell you that.
I tried to keep going. I made it to 40% when I decided to find a spoiler review and am I glad I did. The conclusion and I would not have gotten along at all.
This book is not horror and it is definitely not scary. It's a ridiculous story about ridiculous people doing ridiculous things. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy.
October 1, 2025
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this one. It is a good pick for spooky season and it was intense and entertaining. Lainey is tired of her husband’s broken promises and constant drinking. She reaches what she thinks is her final straw, but leaving him would mean sharing custody of her daughter which would endanger her. Lainey and her best friend come up with an idea of convincing her husband that the house and he are haunted to get him to leave willingly. But as their idea goes form thoughts to reality strange things start to happen. I listened to the audiobook and it was really well done. There were a couple of times when the narrator really brought sound effects to life and I wish there had been more of that.
October 29, 2025
Well?… Can a person be a ghost without dying? Maybe it’s me, but I was confused by the apparitions! I thought this book was going in a different direction. However, I did enjoy the personalities of the characters! 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
June 9, 2025
What an awesome unique story! If you love spooky, creepy, haunted house vibes then i definitely recommend! Things initially start out as a set up and then actually get scary which is honestly just the best build up!
The book also highlights the hardships of being a woman sometimes but there’s also a nice contrast to the other side of that with beautiful female friendships with some laugh out loud moments and gets you in the feels moments.
What a phenomenal blend of different emotions and themes throughout a spooky read! This is perfect for fall vibes.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes - October 7
The book also highlights the hardships of being a woman sometimes but there’s also a nice contrast to the other side of that with beautiful female friendships with some laugh out loud moments and gets you in the feels moments.
What a phenomenal blend of different emotions and themes throughout a spooky read! This is perfect for fall vibes.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes - October 7
September 20, 2025
In retrospect, I didn’t really know what to expect from this story. I just assumed with the Ghosts/Gothic/Horror labels, that it would be a good story for the Halloween season, which it was! I do want to say that Lainey’s and Adelaide’s ideas and attempts to “scare Callum to death” were amusing and entertaining. So, there is that too.
The book summary introduces the primary MC’s and storyline of Lainey and her young daughter, Beatrix, nearly getting killed when hubby/daddy, Callum, $#!^faced drunk, crashes into a fence and the posts come through the windshield nearly spearing Lainey and Beatrix to death. Callum immediately runs off to his rich mommy to clean up his mess and cover up his crime - again, leaving Lainey and Beatrix absolutely traumatized. This was the last straw for Lainey, but she can’t leave with her daughter because Callum’s rich family will see to it that she never sees Beatrix again if she exposes Callum’s drinking problem and all the things his family has done to cover it up. None of this is a spoiler since it’s basically how the story started.
This is when Lainey and BF, Adelaide come up with their fake haunting scheme. Seems Callum has night terrors whenever he wakes up from passing out in a drunken stupor, so they devise ways to freak him out from his frequent drunken hazes, and surprisingly, they work! Callum becomes increasingly more unstable, to the point that it can’t be denied that he is losing his mind as well as his grip on reality. For most of the story, these shenanigans come off as planned, until they don’t, and both Adelaide and Lainey start to suspect that there is something else more sinister at work going on.
It’s into the second half that this story starts to take on what I would call the true creepy horror vibe that I was expecting and hoping for. The ending had the freaky scary scenes that on the Donne horror scale of 1-5, five being horror-filled, I’d definitely rate this one a 3-3.5, which, for the most part, was just fine for me.
The character development for Lainey, Adelaide and Callum was pretty well done. The pacing was steady to fast, and the storyline was very interesting and kept me engaged throughout the whole story, especially after the fly stunt. The writing was creepy and scary; Carmen did a really good job here. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #HowtoFakeaHaunting
The book summary introduces the primary MC’s and storyline of Lainey and her young daughter, Beatrix, nearly getting killed when hubby/daddy, Callum, $#!^faced drunk, crashes into a fence and the posts come through the windshield nearly spearing Lainey and Beatrix to death. Callum immediately runs off to his rich mommy to clean up his mess and cover up his crime - again, leaving Lainey and Beatrix absolutely traumatized. This was the last straw for Lainey, but she can’t leave with her daughter because Callum’s rich family will see to it that she never sees Beatrix again if she exposes Callum’s drinking problem and all the things his family has done to cover it up. None of this is a spoiler since it’s basically how the story started.
This is when Lainey and BF, Adelaide come up with their fake haunting scheme. Seems Callum has night terrors whenever he wakes up from passing out in a drunken stupor, so they devise ways to freak him out from his frequent drunken hazes, and surprisingly, they work! Callum becomes increasingly more unstable, to the point that it can’t be denied that he is losing his mind as well as his grip on reality. For most of the story, these shenanigans come off as planned, until they don’t, and both Adelaide and Lainey start to suspect that there is something else more sinister at work going on.
It’s into the second half that this story starts to take on what I would call the true creepy horror vibe that I was expecting and hoping for. The ending had the freaky scary scenes that on the Donne horror scale of 1-5, five being horror-filled, I’d definitely rate this one a 3-3.5, which, for the most part, was just fine for me.
The character development for Lainey, Adelaide and Callum was pretty well done. The pacing was steady to fast, and the storyline was very interesting and kept me engaged throughout the whole story, especially after the fly stunt. The writing was creepy and scary; Carmen did a really good job here. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #HowtoFakeaHaunting
September 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a unique ghost story. Lainey, who seemingly has the perfect life, is actually in an abusive relationship. When she asks her husband for a divorce and custody of their daughter he tells her no. But they have to get out of there for their safety. Then she gets a wild idea from her friend. Fake a haunting and scare him away. Little did they realize they were awakening real horror. It was an intense and wild ride that had me hooked!
This was a unique ghost story. Lainey, who seemingly has the perfect life, is actually in an abusive relationship. When she asks her husband for a divorce and custody of their daughter he tells her no. But they have to get out of there for their safety. Then she gets a wild idea from her friend. Fake a haunting and scare him away. Little did they realize they were awakening real horror. It was an intense and wild ride that had me hooked!
May 29, 2025
3.5
i just think men shouldn't be allowed to do things. loved the atmosphere. very very creepy. i love me some haunted houses. what i don't love are rushed endings, which is where i feel this book dropped the ball.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
i just think men shouldn't be allowed to do things. loved the atmosphere. very very creepy. i love me some haunted houses. what i don't love are rushed endings, which is where i feel this book dropped the ball.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
October 23, 2025
How to Fake a Haunting was such a compelling reading experience. What begins as a story about a staged haunting ends as a meaningful, thought-provoking exploration of family, trauma, and healing.
Lainey Taylor would like nothing more than to divorce her alcoholic P.O.S. husband, Callum, but he’s already informed her that’s not an option. He’ll use his powerful family’s influence to make sure that she’s never granted full custody of their daughter, no matter what he’s done. So in a last-ditch effort to escape her marriage, Lainey and her best friend Adelaide hatch an audacious plan: They’ll stage a fake haunting so convincing that Callum will be out of her life for good. But as time passes and the situation with Callum escalates, Lainey is forced to confront the fact that the haunting may not be so fake after all.
Admittedly and obviously, this plot does require some suspension of disbelief. I decided early on to take the book at face value: a somewhat ridiculous revenge plot about women trying to get one over on a bad man. I mean, some of the things Lainey and Adelaide accomplish with their haunting strain credulity a bit too much, but I was willing to just have fun with it.
But then, in the second half of the book, things take a serious turn. And the direction of the plot had me on the edge of my seat, and culminated in a reveal that kept me completely riveted. I don’t want to give anything away, but the way Christa Carmen integrated the maelstrom of guilt, resentment, rage, and fear swirling around Lainey and Callum was nothing short of genius.
How to Fake a Haunting is an entirely new kind of haunted house story with an emotionally resonant heart. It reminded me of both The September House and We Live Here Now with the way it deals with complex marriage dynamics, but I thought it was better than both of those books.
***Content warning*** for alcoholism, drunk driving, and an alcohol-related car accident. There is a scene near the beginning of the book that could be traumatizing for some readers.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the complimentary reading opportunity.
Lainey Taylor would like nothing more than to divorce her alcoholic P.O.S. husband, Callum, but he’s already informed her that’s not an option. He’ll use his powerful family’s influence to make sure that she’s never granted full custody of their daughter, no matter what he’s done. So in a last-ditch effort to escape her marriage, Lainey and her best friend Adelaide hatch an audacious plan: They’ll stage a fake haunting so convincing that Callum will be out of her life for good. But as time passes and the situation with Callum escalates, Lainey is forced to confront the fact that the haunting may not be so fake after all.
Admittedly and obviously, this plot does require some suspension of disbelief. I decided early on to take the book at face value: a somewhat ridiculous revenge plot about women trying to get one over on a bad man. I mean, some of the things Lainey and Adelaide accomplish with their haunting strain credulity a bit too much, but I was willing to just have fun with it.
But then, in the second half of the book, things take a serious turn. And the direction of the plot had me on the edge of my seat, and culminated in a reveal that kept me completely riveted. I don’t want to give anything away, but the way Christa Carmen integrated the maelstrom of guilt, resentment, rage, and fear swirling around Lainey and Callum was nothing short of genius.
How to Fake a Haunting is an entirely new kind of haunted house story with an emotionally resonant heart. It reminded me of both The September House and We Live Here Now with the way it deals with complex marriage dynamics, but I thought it was better than both of those books.
***Content warning*** for alcoholism, drunk driving, and an alcohol-related car accident. There is a scene near the beginning of the book that could be traumatizing for some readers.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the complimentary reading opportunity.
November 26, 2025
“Then we’d embodied it, filling it with broken dreams, unfulfilled promises, expectations that turned into disappointment, fear, resentment, blame.”
Lainey despises her alcoholic husband and try’s to make him leave by faking a haunting, only everything backfires.
Lainey despises her alcoholic husband and try’s to make him leave by faking a haunting, only everything backfires.
October 24, 2025
I received an advance listening copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
How to Fake a Haunting was such a fantastic book to listen to on audio.
Lainey is at her wits end with her husband Callum, whose addiction to alcohol is ruining their lives. With no hope of divorcing him and taking full custody of their daughter Beatrix, Lainey takes the wild advice of her friend Adelaide and stages a haunting to scare Callum away for good. If she can make him think the house is haunted, she can get him not only out of the house for good but gain full custody of their daughter due to his irratic and dangerous behaviour. Callum already has hallucinations and night terrors, so the women set up props to take things to the next level. But as Lainey witnesses the scares and some of them become surprising and go too far endangering her daughter and herself, she wants to put an end to the haunting but she finds out too late that her fake haunting has turned real and now the only person she can trust to help her put an end to it is the person she wanted to scare away - Callum.
This was really spooky and creepy and makes you feel so many different emotions and consider so many different aspects from each character, too. This is a perfect listen or read for Halloween!
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
How to Fake a Haunting was such a fantastic book to listen to on audio.
Lainey is at her wits end with her husband Callum, whose addiction to alcohol is ruining their lives. With no hope of divorcing him and taking full custody of their daughter Beatrix, Lainey takes the wild advice of her friend Adelaide and stages a haunting to scare Callum away for good. If she can make him think the house is haunted, she can get him not only out of the house for good but gain full custody of their daughter due to his irratic and dangerous behaviour. Callum already has hallucinations and night terrors, so the women set up props to take things to the next level. But as Lainey witnesses the scares and some of them become surprising and go too far endangering her daughter and herself, she wants to put an end to the haunting but she finds out too late that her fake haunting has turned real and now the only person she can trust to help her put an end to it is the person she wanted to scare away - Callum.
This was really spooky and creepy and makes you feel so many different emotions and consider so many different aspects from each character, too. This is a perfect listen or read for Halloween!
September 29, 2025
I got the opportunity to listen to this book 🎧
This book was narrated by Candace Fitzgerald. She did a great job giving this creepy story life.
How far would you go to get your alcoholic husband to leave you? Would you fake a haunting of your own house?
Lainey’s friend Adelaide cones up with a scheme to scare Callum into leaving by convincing him the house is haunted. He’s already half gone with his alcohol induced night terrors, it should take much… right?!?
Soon the fake haunting spirals out of control and Lainey realizes she will have to join forces with Callum or die trying to take back control.
What a clever and chilling take on a haunted house story! Such a creepy idea to fake a haunting that unleashes something beyond their wildest dreams! This was a super psychological read with some great twists. Grab a cup of tea and a blanket, I recommend this read on a dark fall day.
Thank you to the author, Christa Carmen, Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
This book was narrated by Candace Fitzgerald. She did a great job giving this creepy story life.
How far would you go to get your alcoholic husband to leave you? Would you fake a haunting of your own house?
Lainey’s friend Adelaide cones up with a scheme to scare Callum into leaving by convincing him the house is haunted. He’s already half gone with his alcohol induced night terrors, it should take much… right?!?
Soon the fake haunting spirals out of control and Lainey realizes she will have to join forces with Callum or die trying to take back control.
What a clever and chilling take on a haunted house story! Such a creepy idea to fake a haunting that unleashes something beyond their wildest dreams! This was a super psychological read with some great twists. Grab a cup of tea and a blanket, I recommend this read on a dark fall day.
Thank you to the author, Christa Carmen, Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 25, 2025
On paper, Lainey Taylor’s life is perfect. She is married to wealthy businessman Callum, lives in a beautiful home they built, and has an adorable daughter Beatrix. However Lainey’s marriage has turned toxic – Callum is an alcoholic and is surely drinking himself to death. Lainey is struggling to keep life normal for Beatrix and wants a divorce, but Callum flatly refuses. Lainey is seething with a cold, murderous rage at Callum and confides in her best friend Adelaide. Together they concoct a diabolical plan to “haunt” Callum, destroy his mind and help Lainey to escape this marriage. In the process, they have unleashed something frightening and unholy in their home which threatens them all.
It is very difficult to review this creepy domestic thriller without introducing spoilers, so I won’t be able to say much. All I can definitely say is that it is not your typical ghost story. This is not a creepy old house with cobwebs and spectral ancestors. In essence, it is a modern-day morality tale with a powerful allegory about human relationships.
The haunting in this atmospheric novel has a physicality and invokes a feeling of visceral horror. I thought about it for days after I finished it. Thank you to Christa Carmen for sharing this uniquely creepy novel with me. I definitely recommend it.
It is very difficult to review this creepy domestic thriller without introducing spoilers, so I won’t be able to say much. All I can definitely say is that it is not your typical ghost story. This is not a creepy old house with cobwebs and spectral ancestors. In essence, it is a modern-day morality tale with a powerful allegory about human relationships.
The haunting in this atmospheric novel has a physicality and invokes a feeling of visceral horror. I thought about it for days after I finished it. Thank you to Christa Carmen for sharing this uniquely creepy novel with me. I definitely recommend it.
September 25, 2025
This kept me pretty captivated throughout.
I had an advanced listeners copy from NetGalley and the narrator did a fantastic job, keeping just the right mount of creepy feel to the story.
While it's not the scariest book I've read, it had a VERY unqiue storyline and I recommend to anyone who wants to give horror a try but can't jump into the deep end just yet.
I had an advanced listeners copy from NetGalley and the narrator did a fantastic job, keeping just the right mount of creepy feel to the story.
While it's not the scariest book I've read, it had a VERY unqiue storyline and I recommend to anyone who wants to give horror a try but can't jump into the deep end just yet.
May 15, 2025
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book!! I had a blast with this one! I have not seen this take on a haunted house story before. The characters were well fleshed out for the most part. The plot was interesting and well paced.
I did feel that Callum, the main male character, was so over the top bad he came across cartoonish. I understand why the author wrote him that way. I just felt it distracted from the story.
Overall this would be perfect for fans of haunted stories, general horror, and thrillers as well! I think this would be the perfect prescription for those suffering through a reading slump. It will get you right out of it !
4 and 1/2 stars
I did feel that Callum, the main male character, was so over the top bad he came across cartoonish. I understand why the author wrote him that way. I just felt it distracted from the story.
Overall this would be perfect for fans of haunted stories, general horror, and thrillers as well! I think this would be the perfect prescription for those suffering through a reading slump. It will get you right out of it !
4 and 1/2 stars
May 29, 2025
This book is proof positive that it's possible to loathe almost every character and still love the book!
This one is definitely unique and a fun ride.
Everything that happens is head-shakingly extra...until it become legitimately scary. Suddenly, instead of just being appalled by bad behavior, you find yourself with that little shiver down your spine.
And the truth behind everything? Horrifying and sad.
This is an unusual read, but a very good one. Glad I read this one!
* ARC via Publisher
This one is definitely unique and a fun ride.
Everything that happens is head-shakingly extra...until it become legitimately scary. Suddenly, instead of just being appalled by bad behavior, you find yourself with that little shiver down your spine.
And the truth behind everything? Horrifying and sad.
This is an unusual read, but a very good one. Glad I read this one!
* ARC via Publisher
August 30, 2025
Loved it! I have to search thru my review notes to find this review 🫣😭
November 5, 2025
I loved everything except the ending, felt too rushed! 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
This is a big ole bag of mixed emotions. At first you feel bad for Lainey, about why she is choosing to haunt her husband. Then you feel elated that it’s working, and she’s slowly driving him to madness. But then you feel guilty. Is the torment she is causing any better than his? My mother always taught me that two wrongs don’t make a right, and this is definitely not right.
The first half of the book is the fake haunting, with little hints that there may be more going on then what they cant control. It’s a lot of fun, kind of thrilling to read. The second half of the book gets seriously darker, more intense and brings you to the core of the story. It’s written so well, that it moved me to tears. The horrifying details to their reality, who they are and how it affects their child is the horror.
I don’t think you can read this book and not be moved by it. Yes you get ghosty horror in it, but this story is so much more.
The first half of the book is the fake haunting, with little hints that there may be more going on then what they cant control. It’s a lot of fun, kind of thrilling to read. The second half of the book gets seriously darker, more intense and brings you to the core of the story. It’s written so well, that it moved me to tears. The horrifying details to their reality, who they are and how it affects their child is the horror.
I don’t think you can read this book and not be moved by it. Yes you get ghosty horror in it, but this story is so much more.
September 12, 2025
3.5 🌟
I’ve gone for a very middle of the road rating for this title. I’m actually totally conflicted, while I was absolutely absorbed and the story was undoubtedly really smart I genuinely couldn’t tell if I loved or hated it. I mean it’s extra in every way, but lurking behind all of the extra are some really strong sentiments, if I give away much more I’ll definitely spoiler, but I was definitely a bit taken aback by one tie in, and I felt really odd about the messaging.
Anyway, that’s about as much rambling as I have, don’t take my word for it. Since I can’t even make my mind up!
Great narration.
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I’ve gone for a very middle of the road rating for this title. I’m actually totally conflicted, while I was absolutely absorbed and the story was undoubtedly really smart I genuinely couldn’t tell if I loved or hated it. I mean it’s extra in every way, but lurking behind all of the extra are some really strong sentiments, if I give away much more I’ll definitely spoiler, but I was definitely a bit taken aback by one tie in, and I felt really odd about the messaging.
Anyway, that’s about as much rambling as I have, don’t take my word for it. Since I can’t even make my mind up!
Great narration.
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
September 9, 2025
4.5 stars! ⭐️
Lainey has had all she can stand of her husband Callum’s alcoholic antics. Fearing shared custody of their daughter Beatrix if she asks for a divorce, she turns to her best friend Adelaide for other ideas. Her suggestion, “haunt” Callum out of the house and their lives. But of course, things don’t go exactly as they plan.
This was so fun! I want a friend like Adelaide. Hell, I want to BE a friend like Adelaide! She lengths she goes to in order to help Lainey are astounding! The ending was unlike any other haunting story I’ve read which made it that much better. I was finished with this in less than a day. It is the perfect story for the spooky “ber” months we are entering!
I really enjoyed this narrator. I often struggle with adult narrators voicing children, but she did a great job!
Thanks NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for this ALC.
Lainey has had all she can stand of her husband Callum’s alcoholic antics. Fearing shared custody of their daughter Beatrix if she asks for a divorce, she turns to her best friend Adelaide for other ideas. Her suggestion, “haunt” Callum out of the house and their lives. But of course, things don’t go exactly as they plan.
This was so fun! I want a friend like Adelaide. Hell, I want to BE a friend like Adelaide! She lengths she goes to in order to help Lainey are astounding! The ending was unlike any other haunting story I’ve read which made it that much better. I was finished with this in less than a day. It is the perfect story for the spooky “ber” months we are entering!
I really enjoyed this narrator. I often struggle with adult narrators voicing children, but she did a great job!
Thanks NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for this ALC.
October 3, 2025
"So, what do you say? Shall we turn this place into a motherf*%king haunted house?"
HOW TO FAKE A HAUNTING was a wild ride from start to finish. It was fun, it was disturbing and distressing, and it was a whole lot of haunting!
The chaos was intoxicating and I could easily see this story being adapted to film!
Thanks to the publisher for my early copy for review - out October 7!
HOW TO FAKE A HAUNTING was a wild ride from start to finish. It was fun, it was disturbing and distressing, and it was a whole lot of haunting!
The chaos was intoxicating and I could easily see this story being adapted to film!
Thanks to the publisher for my early copy for review - out October 7!
October 19, 2025
Had such a fun time reading this book! Callum had me big mad and I love Adelaide and her devotion to her friend. More “how to” than actual haunting and I’m not sure exactly how I feel about one reveal. But what I DO know is that I’m reading whatever Carmen puts out next.
Full review to come in Scream Horror Magazine.
Full review to come in Scream Horror Magazine.
October 31, 2025
This book was a 4-5 star read for the first 70 percent of the novel, and unfortunately turned out to be a classic example of how to completely ruin a title in the last third. Very unfortunate since the premise was super interesting, and the book was highly atmospheric and had a lot of great symbolism in it, but the ending left such a bad taste in my mouth I would never recommend this book to anyone, but especially not to anyone who has ever been in a domestic violence situation or toxic relationship they struggled to leave.
October 26, 2025
Reading challenge category - 2025 Flourish and Blotts: Historian - Professor Binns: Includes a ghost
Lainey is fed up with her alcoholic husband, Callum. Instead of reacting like a normal person, Lainey and her bff, Adelaide, hatch a plan to "haunt" him out of the house and out of Lainey's life. They start by using audio recorders to plan knocking sounds, noises, and music. Adelaide escalates it by placing roadkill in different areas and dressing up like a ghoul in his closet. Callum's continued binge drinking helps sell the less impressive haunting. But soon, things are happening that Laine and Adelaide aren't doing...
Okay -- I loved the premise of this book -- using human emotions and turning that into the embodiment of real spirits, but I had a lot of problems with HOW this was done. First complaint that isn't a spoiler: ghost, spirit, spectre, wraith, and phantom should not be used interchangeably - they are different. Second, the way alcoholism was presented was kinda gross. The rest of my grievances are spoilers so they will be hidden.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
Lainey is fed up with her alcoholic husband, Callum. Instead of reacting like a normal person, Lainey and her bff, Adelaide, hatch a plan to "haunt" him out of the house and out of Lainey's life. They start by using audio recorders to plan knocking sounds, noises, and music. Adelaide escalates it by placing roadkill in different areas and dressing up like a ghoul in his closet. Callum's continued binge drinking helps sell the less impressive haunting. But soon, things are happening that Laine and Adelaide aren't doing...
Okay -- I loved the premise of this book -- using human emotions and turning that into the embodiment of real spirits, but I had a lot of problems with HOW this was done. First complaint that isn't a spoiler: ghost, spirit, spectre, wraith, and phantom should not be used interchangeably - they are different. Second, the way alcoholism was presented was kinda gross. The rest of my grievances are spoilers so they will be hidden.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
September 17, 2025
This book is a good example of why I don’t listen to Goodreads ratings. I cannot believe that it isn’t rated higher. I was honestly blown away at the complexity, terror and hard topics that Carmen brought about in this novel. I loved that this seemed like one thing going in, and on the surface it’s all about a haunting however, the deeper meaning is just DEEP my friends. Hauntings can be so many things, right? This one takes on a haunting attracted by the human entities themselves.
The narration was great. I was sucked in from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to get back to listening. It made for such a great listening experience because there is lots of inner dialogue and atmosphere that really made it vivid in my mind. I will most definitely be picking up more of Carmen’s work. Thank you @brillancepublishing for my opportunity to listen.
The narration was great. I was sucked in from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to get back to listening. It made for such a great listening experience because there is lots of inner dialogue and atmosphere that really made it vivid in my mind. I will most definitely be picking up more of Carmen’s work. Thank you @brillancepublishing for my opportunity to listen.
October 11, 2025
4⭐️ - What a fresh and clever twist on a haunted house story!
We follow Lainey, who on the surface seems to have it all: a wealthy husband, Callum, a stunning home they built together, and their sweet daughter, Beatrix. Behind closed doors though, her marriage is falling apart. Callum has become an abusive alcoholic and Lainey knows she needs to get out, but he refuses to divorce her. To make matters worse, his family threatens to take custody of Beatrix if she tries to leave. Desperate, Lainey and her friend Adelaide come up with a wild plan: they’ll stage a haunting to scare Callum out of the house. What begins as a desperate ruse quickly spirals into something far darker, as they unleash a force neither of them expected.
Adelaide was easily my favourite character. The lengths she goes to for Lainey are incredible, and she brings such a vibrant energy to the story.
I listened to the audiobook and devoured it in less than a day, completely hooked. The narrator was excellent and really brought the characters to life. This was atmospheric, original and entertaining, and it’s perfect for spooky season!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC.
We follow Lainey, who on the surface seems to have it all: a wealthy husband, Callum, a stunning home they built together, and their sweet daughter, Beatrix. Behind closed doors though, her marriage is falling apart. Callum has become an abusive alcoholic and Lainey knows she needs to get out, but he refuses to divorce her. To make matters worse, his family threatens to take custody of Beatrix if she tries to leave. Desperate, Lainey and her friend Adelaide come up with a wild plan: they’ll stage a haunting to scare Callum out of the house. What begins as a desperate ruse quickly spirals into something far darker, as they unleash a force neither of them expected.
Adelaide was easily my favourite character. The lengths she goes to for Lainey are incredible, and she brings such a vibrant energy to the story.
I listened to the audiobook and devoured it in less than a day, completely hooked. The narrator was excellent and really brought the characters to life. This was atmospheric, original and entertaining, and it’s perfect for spooky season!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC.
November 5, 2025
I loved the first 200 pages of this book — I thought it was the perfect Halloween read!
Then it kind of lost me, which isn’t necessarily the book’s fault, since I generally struggle to visualize action scenes in my head. That said, my inability to picture what was happening was exceptionally strong this time, so maybe it was because of the book — I don’t know.
The thing is, I didn’t enjoy the last third of the book, and it REALLY lost me at the end with the direction it took — I disliked it so much that I actually had to skim through the final two chapters.
Then it kind of lost me, which isn’t necessarily the book’s fault, since I generally struggle to visualize action scenes in my head. That said, my inability to picture what was happening was exceptionally strong this time, so maybe it was because of the book — I don’t know.
The thing is, I didn’t enjoy the last third of the book, and it REALLY lost me at the end with the direction it took — I disliked it so much that I actually had to skim through the final two chapters.
October 14, 2025
3.5⭐️
I do NOT recommend doing this book as an audiobook. I had to switch halfway through to e-book, I've seen multiple reviews stating close to the same thing. It's hard to feel the fear in the audio, the spite in the fights, the venom, and vengeance. The narrator isn't bad but definitely better suited to a straight thriller.
Taylor is desperate to get out of her marriage to her alcoholic husband. Due to his money and his family's prestige, leaving with full custody of their daughter makes her dream an impossibility. With the help of her best friend, they decided to stage a haunting to scare her husband into leaving on his own. What could go wrong?? In a nutshell.... everything.
This book was conceptually intriguing with an interesting premise. For what it is, it is even structured and executed well. The writing is both simplistic and engrossing. The characters are engaging and show growth. I read this book in one day, and I was completely engaged.
Yet something doesn't quite work for me. I'm happy I read it. It's free on Kindle Unlimited to read and listen, but I would not have been as happy with it if I had paid for it. The ending reads more of a cathartic cleansing of the soul due to past trauma caused by a loved one through alcoholism. It's a nice idea that an addict can get saved this way, but.......
I do NOT recommend doing this book as an audiobook. I had to switch halfway through to e-book, I've seen multiple reviews stating close to the same thing. It's hard to feel the fear in the audio, the spite in the fights, the venom, and vengeance. The narrator isn't bad but definitely better suited to a straight thriller.
Taylor is desperate to get out of her marriage to her alcoholic husband. Due to his money and his family's prestige, leaving with full custody of their daughter makes her dream an impossibility. With the help of her best friend, they decided to stage a haunting to scare her husband into leaving on his own. What could go wrong?? In a nutshell.... everything.
This book was conceptually intriguing with an interesting premise. For what it is, it is even structured and executed well. The writing is both simplistic and engrossing. The characters are engaging and show growth. I read this book in one day, and I was completely engaged.
Yet something doesn't quite work for me. I'm happy I read it. It's free on Kindle Unlimited to read and listen, but I would not have been as happy with it if I had paid for it. The ending reads more of a cathartic cleansing of the soul due to past trauma caused by a loved one through alcoholism. It's a nice idea that an addict can get saved this way, but.......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews