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Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light
Perfection has its price.
Eric Tillman is looking for a way out. Born into a poor family, the once starving artist has spent his life dreaming of a home where his kids could escape screaming landlords and the sting of poverty. So, when his husband Mike, a house-flipper with a jeweller's eye for abandoned places, discovers a strange, but exciting old house in upstate New York, it feels like the perfect answer to all their prayers.
But once the family moves in, it isn’t long before Eric learns that some chances are too costly to take. For this house has standards it lives by, expectations which must be met. And on the long, relentless road between perfection and salvation...
some doors lead only to ruin.
Eric Tillman is looking for a way out. Born into a poor family, the once starving artist has spent his life dreaming of a home where his kids could escape screaming landlords and the sting of poverty. So, when his husband Mike, a house-flipper with a jeweller's eye for abandoned places, discovers a strange, but exciting old house in upstate New York, it feels like the perfect answer to all their prayers.
But once the family moves in, it isn’t long before Eric learns that some chances are too costly to take. For this house has standards it lives by, expectations which must be met. And on the long, relentless road between perfection and salvation...
some doors lead only to ruin.
123 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
2 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 17, 2025
For such a short book, I really enjoyed this and I actually read it twice.
The narration was interesting. I was a bit confused on who the narrator was at first and then quickly realized it was actually the house itself. This was a pretty unique change for a haunted house story. This book reminded me a bit of Monster House and The Haunting of Hill House.
This story starts off with Eric and his husband Mike moving into a new house with their two daughters. The house has a bit of a reputation and the family soon discovers that there is something sinister going on inside. This was a very fast paced and easy read. I thought the characters were lovable and well-developed for this being such a short book. I loved the dynamic between Eric and Mike along with their kids. The start of this book had such a heartwarming feel but it quickly turned bitter.
I honestly would've loved to have a bit more of this story. While the ending was wrapped up nicely, I still found myself wanting just a bit more. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters and their story yet. I'm impressed by the writing and complexity that was created within such a short book. I'm not always a huge fan of short reads because they can feel lacking in plot or character development but this book didn't suffer from that.
I loved the ominous tone that started to creep up around halfway through this book. It was a steady change from the heartwarming start to one of tragedy.
Thank you to BookSirens, Slashic Horror Press, and Henry Corrigan for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
TW: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child death
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
The narration was interesting. I was a bit confused on who the narrator was at first and then quickly realized it was actually the house itself. This was a pretty unique change for a haunted house story. This book reminded me a bit of Monster House and The Haunting of Hill House.
This story starts off with Eric and his husband Mike moving into a new house with their two daughters. The house has a bit of a reputation and the family soon discovers that there is something sinister going on inside. This was a very fast paced and easy read. I thought the characters were lovable and well-developed for this being such a short book. I loved the dynamic between Eric and Mike along with their kids. The start of this book had such a heartwarming feel but it quickly turned bitter.
I honestly would've loved to have a bit more of this story. While the ending was wrapped up nicely, I still found myself wanting just a bit more. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters and their story yet. I'm impressed by the writing and complexity that was created within such a short book. I'm not always a huge fan of short reads because they can feel lacking in plot or character development but this book didn't suffer from that.
I loved the ominous tone that started to creep up around halfway through this book. It was a steady change from the heartwarming start to one of tragedy.
Thank you to BookSirens, Slashic Horror Press, and Henry Corrigan for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
TW: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child death
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
July 2, 2025
This was a fantastic quick read. I'm still wrapping my head around it, so this may become a word vomit of a review. I loved that the house was its own character. This really gave me the vibe of Haunting of Hill House and The September House. The difference with this one being, we actually read chapters from the home's point of view.
I love that this really illustrated how influential the environment can be on a person. Not necessarily to the extent of Mike in this story, but just in general. The environment you are in can really alter your state of mind, I've lived that, and it's insane how much you can see it once you're out of it. This not only had the typical haunted house happenings, but it also had a touch of grief horror to it as well. The grief of losing the person that you love even though they're still alive.
I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I loved the emotions that this book was able to pull out of me. I want to know what happened to certain characters, but I'm afraid to find out at the same time. I don't know if Corrigan will revisit this world, but part of me does hope that he will.
I love that this really illustrated how influential the environment can be on a person. Not necessarily to the extent of Mike in this story, but just in general. The environment you are in can really alter your state of mind, I've lived that, and it's insane how much you can see it once you're out of it. This not only had the typical haunted house happenings, but it also had a touch of grief horror to it as well. The grief of losing the person that you love even though they're still alive.
I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I loved the emotions that this book was able to pull out of me. I want to know what happened to certain characters, but I'm afraid to find out at the same time. I don't know if Corrigan will revisit this world, but part of me does hope that he will.
February 22, 2025
Welp. This starts as a cozy story of a family of two dads and their daughters, moving into a sinister haunted house (though the term "haunted house" may be inaccurate, as things turn out), and develops into a nasty, fascinating yet wholly evil, tale of manipulation, infighting between spouses, and psychological abuse of children. And it gets worse, as the house slowly takes over and completely possesses one of the dads.
When I started reading, the very first pages made me believe this would be a queer love story, since I was totally unaware of who spoke in the first person. Imagine my surprise when, just a few pages later (so it's not a spoiler), things cleared up, and the voice of the narrator turned out to be the house's own voice, whose personality and thought were exactly those of a demented patriarch or matriarch, with its own ideas of perfection and correct ways of living! And it was quite determined to enforce its standards no matter what.
I have no idea how to properly name this entity; it's not a demon, not a ghost, not a soul; but it has expectations, preferences, and does not hesitate to destroy lives to teach someone a lesson. Is it a haunted house? I think not.
The novella is a page-turner, no doubt about it; there are several sweet family moments, though I expected more affection between the dads. The ending shocked me a bit. Corrigan has no trouble going to places other authors would have second thoughts treading. It's a really divisive kind of ending. That said, the book is highly recommended, especially if you like original haunted house stories!
When I started reading, the very first pages made me believe this would be a queer love story, since I was totally unaware of who spoke in the first person. Imagine my surprise when, just a few pages later (so it's not a spoiler), things cleared up, and the voice of the narrator turned out to be the house's own voice, whose personality and thought were exactly those of a demented patriarch or matriarch, with its own ideas of perfection and correct ways of living! And it was quite determined to enforce its standards no matter what.
I have no idea how to properly name this entity; it's not a demon, not a ghost, not a soul; but it has expectations, preferences, and does not hesitate to destroy lives to teach someone a lesson. Is it a haunted house? I think not.
The novella is a page-turner, no doubt about it; there are several sweet family moments, though I expected more affection between the dads. The ending shocked me a bit. Corrigan has no trouble going to places other authors would have second thoughts treading. It's a really divisive kind of ending. That said, the book is highly recommended, especially if you like original haunted house stories!
March 23, 2025
This might be one of the most unique haunted house books I’ve ever read, as it offers a perspective not just from the inhabitants but from the house itself, or rather, the entity within it. The story starts off relatively tame, but as it progresses, the tension builds, becoming more gripping and intense.
The writing is incredibly descriptive and flows beautifully with the story, making it easy to immerse yourself in the eerie atmosphere. I especially loved the two young daughters, their personalities were so well-written and felt incredibly real. The growing tension between the fathers also added another compelling layer to the narrative.
The ending completely took me by surprise, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, my only complaint is that I wish it had been a bit longer. The setting and atmosphere were so vivid that I could easily picture the house and its surroundings based on the descriptions. I became deeply invested in the characters, their backstories, and their evolving dynamics.
I read it all in one sitting because it was such a quick, engaging, and enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the haunted house genre with a strong sense of atmosphere and character depth, I highly recommend this one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is incredibly descriptive and flows beautifully with the story, making it easy to immerse yourself in the eerie atmosphere. I especially loved the two young daughters, their personalities were so well-written and felt incredibly real. The growing tension between the fathers also added another compelling layer to the narrative.
The ending completely took me by surprise, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, my only complaint is that I wish it had been a bit longer. The setting and atmosphere were so vivid that I could easily picture the house and its surroundings based on the descriptions. I became deeply invested in the characters, their backstories, and their evolving dynamics.
I read it all in one sitting because it was such a quick, engaging, and enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the haunted house genre with a strong sense of atmosphere and character depth, I highly recommend this one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2025
Somewhere Quite, Full of Light by Henry Corrigan is a haunting and deeply unsettling psychological horror novella that grips readers from the very first page. The story follows Eric and Mike, a couple striving for a better life for their family, only to find that their dream home comes with terrifying strings attached. As the house itself becomes a chilling character in its own right—imposing its own rules and expectations—the novel masterfully weaves tension, dread, and heartbreaking desperation.
Corrigan’s writing is immersive, painting a vivid picture of the family’s growing unease and the creeping realization that their new home is not just haunted, but possessive. The alternating perspectives between the family and the house itself add an eerie, almost suffocating depth to the story. The sense of helplessness, especially when it comes to Eric and Mike’s daughters, makes this a particularly emotional read. With its blend of psychological terror and poignant family dynamics, Somewhere Quite, Full of Light is a gripping tale of horror and sacrifice that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of eerie, character-driven horror.
Corrigan’s writing is immersive, painting a vivid picture of the family’s growing unease and the creeping realization that their new home is not just haunted, but possessive. The alternating perspectives between the family and the house itself add an eerie, almost suffocating depth to the story. The sense of helplessness, especially when it comes to Eric and Mike’s daughters, makes this a particularly emotional read. With its blend of psychological terror and poignant family dynamics, Somewhere Quite, Full of Light is a gripping tale of horror and sacrifice that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of eerie, character-driven horror.
May 19, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love stories that include the antagonist's POV as well as inanimate object/non-human POVs, so this was the perfect melding of those two. I was surprised at how much I got to know the unhappy couple in the short length of this book and how invested I got in their family. I'd like to know more about the original family and what caused all of this, but that would also take away some of the chaos and mystery that I enjoyed throughout, so I understand why it was merely hinted at. The ending made me feel terrible, a bit hopeless, and very curious, which is the mark of a good horror novel for me.
I love stories that include the antagonist's POV as well as inanimate object/non-human POVs, so this was the perfect melding of those two. I was surprised at how much I got to know the unhappy couple in the short length of this book and how invested I got in their family. I'd like to know more about the original family and what caused all of this, but that would also take away some of the chaos and mystery that I enjoyed throughout, so I understand why it was merely hinted at. The ending made me feel terrible, a bit hopeless, and very curious, which is the mark of a good horror novel for me.
September 24, 2025
Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light will probably just get categorized as another haunted house tale, but that would be doing it a disservice, as it's a good deal more. A better approximation would be, watching a strong family unit disintegrate due to the influence of a house with its own abilities, and desires. It's a smartly written tale that shows why Corrigan is an up and coming author to watch. There are two reasons. One, he creates real tension throughout the story while using very simple elements. Two, he realizes that real scares often come not from fear of the supernatural, but from what people fear in each other-and themselves. Using those two elements, he's created a very well done story that will stick with you long after the final page is turned.
The plot itself is simple enough: Mike and Joe Tillman want to move their two young kids away from the city, but have limited funds. So, they buy a fixer-upper in a remote location, planning to turn it into their dream home, but the house has other ideas. That's the bare-bones summary. Here's why it works. Corrigan is very adept at using almost nothing to run the tension tighter than a high-wire, and that's very difficult to do in today's literary world, where so many books go over the top. No shrieking banshees or flying body parts with buckets of blood are needed, he keeps it straightforward. And, it works beautifully. Just an occasional shadowy figure, a creak in the house here, a small movement there…common stuff, but due to Corrigan's writing style, very effective and unsettling. The story isn't about creating big scares at different times (although the ending is a real banger) but about creating that constant feeling of dread that lingers throughout the pages. And, that feeling doesn't let up throughout the entire book. Right from when the family first arrives at the house, you'll feel that something is distinctly off with the whole situation, but it won't be shown to you in any obvious way. That's how it goes throughout the entire book, with the suspense level increasing until it all blows apart at the conclusion. Think of the book as a tight-wound string, that finally snaps in the last few pages. Writing suspense and keeping it constant is not an easy task, but Corrigan does it with ease.
It's worth noting that the house itself plays a large role in the story, and that gives the book a decidedly different flavor than most ghost stories. It's more like a living, breathing entity (yes, kinda like the Overlook Hotel) and a number of chapters are written from the perspective of the house itself. You'll feel the house's pain as it goes through renovations, and it's joy at seeing parts of itself repaired. When the house has to move something by itself, be it a floorboard or panel, it feels like an immersive experience. It's another of the reasons the book is a far cut above the rest.
Read this one, you won't be disappointed. Hopefully, the author goes full length novel at some point. As good as this story was, at just 150 pages I wanted more. Definitely a case of a great story that most readers would have wanted to continue longer.
The plot itself is simple enough: Mike and Joe Tillman want to move their two young kids away from the city, but have limited funds. So, they buy a fixer-upper in a remote location, planning to turn it into their dream home, but the house has other ideas. That's the bare-bones summary. Here's why it works. Corrigan is very adept at using almost nothing to run the tension tighter than a high-wire, and that's very difficult to do in today's literary world, where so many books go over the top. No shrieking banshees or flying body parts with buckets of blood are needed, he keeps it straightforward. And, it works beautifully. Just an occasional shadowy figure, a creak in the house here, a small movement there…common stuff, but due to Corrigan's writing style, very effective and unsettling. The story isn't about creating big scares at different times (although the ending is a real banger) but about creating that constant feeling of dread that lingers throughout the pages. And, that feeling doesn't let up throughout the entire book. Right from when the family first arrives at the house, you'll feel that something is distinctly off with the whole situation, but it won't be shown to you in any obvious way. That's how it goes throughout the entire book, with the suspense level increasing until it all blows apart at the conclusion. Think of the book as a tight-wound string, that finally snaps in the last few pages. Writing suspense and keeping it constant is not an easy task, but Corrigan does it with ease.
It's worth noting that the house itself plays a large role in the story, and that gives the book a decidedly different flavor than most ghost stories. It's more like a living, breathing entity (yes, kinda like the Overlook Hotel) and a number of chapters are written from the perspective of the house itself. You'll feel the house's pain as it goes through renovations, and it's joy at seeing parts of itself repaired. When the house has to move something by itself, be it a floorboard or panel, it feels like an immersive experience. It's another of the reasons the book is a far cut above the rest.
Read this one, you won't be disappointed. Hopefully, the author goes full length novel at some point. As good as this story was, at just 150 pages I wanted more. Definitely a case of a great story that most readers would have wanted to continue longer.
May 14, 2025
Michael Tallman has found the ideal house for Eric and their two girls. It was a fixer-upper and Michael was enthusiastic about doing the repairs. He’s quite upset with Frank Welker the estate salesperson. Michael feels Welker didn’t do his job at keeping up the house.
Eric, Michael’s husband, is excited at first. With their two daughters they would both get their own rooms. Emily, the oldest of the two girls, was a good girl and an honor roll student, getting ready to enter high school. Iris, at eight years old, was a little more rambunctious. She liked adventure and always had her sword by her side. For Eric they were both the love of his heart.
As Eric has time to really absorbed the house situation, he becomes afraid that they don’t have the finances to repair the house. The house was occupied by the Miller’s: Deirdre, Lucas, Margaret and Millicent. It stood for seventy years in upstate New York.
For Eric the terror escalates as eerie things start to happen. Michael starts to change, the girls are frightened. Michael has moved the old paintings and furniture from the basement to the house. It just doesn’t set right to Eric. Eric being an artist, even his work takes on a different look. The more Eric tries to take his little family away from the house, the situation grows terrifying. Will he be able to save those he loves?
Henry Corrigan creates a dark theme, terrifying, tale of an old house with: “Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light”. The eeriness and tension builds quickly at every turn in this tale of horror. The author develops an urgency around Eric as he tries to plan a way to save his family. As much as Eric tries to save Michael the anger is really reflected from both of them.
“Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light” is very well written and keeps the reader on edge. It’s filled with various changing emotions that will drag you deep into the lives of these characters. It’s definitely a tale that needs to be read with the lights on.
I highly recommend, “Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light” it was a first time read for me from Henry Corrigan and I was not disappointed. Outstanding paranormal story!
Eric, Michael’s husband, is excited at first. With their two daughters they would both get their own rooms. Emily, the oldest of the two girls, was a good girl and an honor roll student, getting ready to enter high school. Iris, at eight years old, was a little more rambunctious. She liked adventure and always had her sword by her side. For Eric they were both the love of his heart.
As Eric has time to really absorbed the house situation, he becomes afraid that they don’t have the finances to repair the house. The house was occupied by the Miller’s: Deirdre, Lucas, Margaret and Millicent. It stood for seventy years in upstate New York.
For Eric the terror escalates as eerie things start to happen. Michael starts to change, the girls are frightened. Michael has moved the old paintings and furniture from the basement to the house. It just doesn’t set right to Eric. Eric being an artist, even his work takes on a different look. The more Eric tries to take his little family away from the house, the situation grows terrifying. Will he be able to save those he loves?
Henry Corrigan creates a dark theme, terrifying, tale of an old house with: “Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light”. The eeriness and tension builds quickly at every turn in this tale of horror. The author develops an urgency around Eric as he tries to plan a way to save his family. As much as Eric tries to save Michael the anger is really reflected from both of them.
“Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light” is very well written and keeps the reader on edge. It’s filled with various changing emotions that will drag you deep into the lives of these characters. It’s definitely a tale that needs to be read with the lights on.
I highly recommend, “Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light” it was a first time read for me from Henry Corrigan and I was not disappointed. Outstanding paranormal story!
May 8, 2025
Well, well, well… someone handed the emotionally unstable introvert a pen and said, “Make it bleed.” And bleed it did—across every single page like spilled wine on white carpet. Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light isn’t your typical “boy meets girl, love saves the day” nonsense. No, this is “boy meets girl, trauma cuddles trauma, and everyone is broken in beautifully creative ways” type of story.
Henry Corrigan serves up prose that’s almost lyrical—like poetry that did ayahuasca and then cried about it in the rain. The narrative is split between two characters who are clearly competing in the Olympics of Internalized Pain, and reader, let me tell you… they’re both gold medalists.
Our male lead? A walking existential crisis in human form. Think tortured poet with a superiority complex and a savior kink. The kind of man who overanalyzes every sigh you make and then journals about it under candlelight. Sexy? Absolutely. Functional? Not even a little.
And the heroine? She’s soft-spoken but with the soul of a storm. Sweet enough to hug but dark enough to pull you into her personal pit of despair. Together, they do not heal. They implode. Repeatedly.
There are moments so raw you’ll need a cigarette and a shot of something strong, and you weren’t even involved. The dialogue is sharp and cuts like emotional foreplay—equal parts vulnerability, sarcasm, and sexual tension so thick you could slice it with a paperback corner.
Is there spice? Oh yes. But it’s not just hot—it’s hurt/comfort hot. It’s “I see all the parts of you you’re trying to hide, now take your clothes off” kind of hot. It’s therapy in bed form. And who doesn’t want that
Final Verdict:
4.5 stars out of 5
This book is like a slow burn dipped in gasoline. You’ll cry, you’ll sweat, you’ll maybe call your therapist. And you’ll love every second of it.
Henry Corrigan serves up prose that’s almost lyrical—like poetry that did ayahuasca and then cried about it in the rain. The narrative is split between two characters who are clearly competing in the Olympics of Internalized Pain, and reader, let me tell you… they’re both gold medalists.
Our male lead? A walking existential crisis in human form. Think tortured poet with a superiority complex and a savior kink. The kind of man who overanalyzes every sigh you make and then journals about it under candlelight. Sexy? Absolutely. Functional? Not even a little.
And the heroine? She’s soft-spoken but with the soul of a storm. Sweet enough to hug but dark enough to pull you into her personal pit of despair. Together, they do not heal. They implode. Repeatedly.
There are moments so raw you’ll need a cigarette and a shot of something strong, and you weren’t even involved. The dialogue is sharp and cuts like emotional foreplay—equal parts vulnerability, sarcasm, and sexual tension so thick you could slice it with a paperback corner.
Is there spice? Oh yes. But it’s not just hot—it’s hurt/comfort hot. It’s “I see all the parts of you you’re trying to hide, now take your clothes off” kind of hot. It’s therapy in bed form. And who doesn’t want that
Final Verdict:
4.5 stars out of 5
This book is like a slow burn dipped in gasoline. You’ll cry, you’ll sweat, you’ll maybe call your therapist. And you’ll love every second of it.
April 16, 2025
SQFoL is a unique book where this “haunted” house is told from the perspective of the house itself, which is harboring animosity over being abandoned and left to rot. The POV alternates between the house and Eric, an artist who just moved into this fixer-upper with his two daughters and his husband, Mike. Mike is the reason they’re living there to begin with, as he was entranced by the house the moment he stepped foot on the property. The caveat is that Eric is unaware *how* obsessed over the house his husband is, and that the house itself is exerting its influence over him and the rest of the family. The house refuses to be forsaken again, and now that it has a new family it will teach them the necessary lessons they need to learn and unleash its rage onto those that deserve it.
Overall it was an enjoyable and original story! I liked it a lot. It did have a lot of exposition in the first quarter or so of the book which gave the reader a strong foundation to understand the development of the characters and the context of their actions in the situation. That being said, I did feel that the climax was slightly rushed relative to the amount of time that was dedicated to character building and background, and I feel that the book would have benefited by being slightly longer.
I would recommend this title if you’re looking for a fresh take on the haunted house trope!
Overall it was an enjoyable and original story! I liked it a lot. It did have a lot of exposition in the first quarter or so of the book which gave the reader a strong foundation to understand the development of the characters and the context of their actions in the situation. That being said, I did feel that the climax was slightly rushed relative to the amount of time that was dedicated to character building and background, and I feel that the book would have benefited by being slightly longer.
I would recommend this title if you’re looking for a fresh take on the haunted house trope!
May 21, 2025
I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into with this book, and had I known, I probably would have opted out. Horror is not my thing in any format. I guess I expected a haunted house, but not this. If you like horror, I think this is well written, it kept me reading even though I didn’t really want to get to the end, and I could recommend it from that standpoint. Would I recommend it as a random read if you’re not a fan of horror, no I wouldn’t, but if you are a fan, I must admit it got my heart rate up quite a bit, and it is taking a bit to come back down.
The story is told from the point of view of the abandoned house on one hand, and the husband of the character who fell in love with the house on the other. The creepy feeling starts early on and just keeps growing, not for the faint of heart (like me), but good if that’s your thing. Did I like it, no, but will it stick with me awhile, probably.
I debated between 4 and 5 stars, originally went with 4, but since it was written well enough to actually get me to finish it instead of stop at the last two chapters like I wanted to, I think it really deserves a 5. The easy read is short, about two hours, so f you need a creepy story to fill a short time slot, this might be the one for you.
I received an advance copy and this is my voluntary and honest review.
The story is told from the point of view of the abandoned house on one hand, and the husband of the character who fell in love with the house on the other. The creepy feeling starts early on and just keeps growing, not for the faint of heart (like me), but good if that’s your thing. Did I like it, no, but will it stick with me awhile, probably.
I debated between 4 and 5 stars, originally went with 4, but since it was written well enough to actually get me to finish it instead of stop at the last two chapters like I wanted to, I think it really deserves a 5. The easy read is short, about two hours, so f you need a creepy story to fill a short time slot, this might be the one for you.
I received an advance copy and this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 20, 2025
Haunted House Horror: We like to think that the haunted house is its own character, not just the setting for the story.
Henry Corrigan: Hold my beer.
This is truly a fantastic and short read. I wouldn't have stumbled upon this book if it wasn't for a Book crawl that I happened to walk right into over the summer. The Book crawl in Philly encourages people to check out all the independent bookstores found in the city. I happen to pass by one of these stores and Henry Corrigen himself was in front, along with other authors, doing signings of their books. After speaking with him, I ended up buying the book on the spot.
The story centers around your typical haunted house story: Family buys new home, home has a secret, evil things begins to happen. However, Corrigan takes an interesting spin to the story: the house itself is literally a character in the book. We get to dive into what the house thinks and how it observes the interactions between the human characters. I really dug the point of view especially when things started to not sit right with the new homeowners.
I had saved the book for the Halloween season and I'm glad I did. I will definitely look into reading more of Corrigan's books. Support your independent authors!
Henry Corrigan: Hold my beer.
This is truly a fantastic and short read. I wouldn't have stumbled upon this book if it wasn't for a Book crawl that I happened to walk right into over the summer. The Book crawl in Philly encourages people to check out all the independent bookstores found in the city. I happen to pass by one of these stores and Henry Corrigen himself was in front, along with other authors, doing signings of their books. After speaking with him, I ended up buying the book on the spot.
The story centers around your typical haunted house story: Family buys new home, home has a secret, evil things begins to happen. However, Corrigan takes an interesting spin to the story: the house itself is literally a character in the book. We get to dive into what the house thinks and how it observes the interactions between the human characters. I really dug the point of view especially when things started to not sit right with the new homeowners.
I had saved the book for the Halloween season and I'm glad I did. I will definitely look into reading more of Corrigan's books. Support your independent authors!
March 25, 2025
3.5/5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. When I saw LGBTQ+ horror, I was excited to pick this. I thought it would be a horror book leaning heavily towards literary fiction, but it was simply a horror book. I’m really not into genre fiction except in cases where the author spent a larger part on world-building and giving the character a world and, in most cases, coming of age stories. The only thing LGBTQ+ about this book is the married gay couple who were raising their children.
… but, I really still enjoyed the book on a few occasions, though not places that were meant to be actually horrific. They did nothing for me because I could barely understand them. The best part is that the writing is simple and entertaining, though the book was too short. The book as a whole is quite memorable despite the brevity, but no memorable character that stood out. On the brighter side, if you love horror and are looking for a quick, diverse representation for you, then this is for you. But as a queer person, there wasn’t much that made me feel seen.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. When I saw LGBTQ+ horror, I was excited to pick this. I thought it would be a horror book leaning heavily towards literary fiction, but it was simply a horror book. I’m really not into genre fiction except in cases where the author spent a larger part on world-building and giving the character a world and, in most cases, coming of age stories. The only thing LGBTQ+ about this book is the married gay couple who were raising their children.
… but, I really still enjoyed the book on a few occasions, though not places that were meant to be actually horrific. They did nothing for me because I could barely understand them. The best part is that the writing is simple and entertaining, though the book was too short. The book as a whole is quite memorable despite the brevity, but no memorable character that stood out. On the brighter side, if you love horror and are looking for a quick, diverse representation for you, then this is for you. But as a queer person, there wasn’t much that made me feel seen.
February 20, 2025
This is an intensely creepy novella about a house. If you think you've read every kind of "haunted" house books, think again. Because although there are things living there, the house itself is alive and very eager to invite you in... forever.
When Mike and Eric find what they think is their dream fixer upper, they decide to make it their forever home along with their two daughters. Eric's reluctant but Mike is star struck by the old home and decides to move them all in.
It doesn't take long at all to see what a mistake this is. As the reader, we get chapters from the house itself. It's alive, with thoughts and feelings. And it demands perfection.
What that perfection entails will be revealed in time but it's nothing good. Once you're in and this house possesses your mind you don't stand a chance. And those who try to stop it must be punished.
This one is disturbing, terrifying, and utterly compelling and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through the publisher. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
When Mike and Eric find what they think is their dream fixer upper, they decide to make it their forever home along with their two daughters. Eric's reluctant but Mike is star struck by the old home and decides to move them all in.
It doesn't take long at all to see what a mistake this is. As the reader, we get chapters from the house itself. It's alive, with thoughts and feelings. And it demands perfection.
What that perfection entails will be revealed in time but it's nothing good. Once you're in and this house possesses your mind you don't stand a chance. And those who try to stop it must be punished.
This one is disturbing, terrifying, and utterly compelling and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through the publisher. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
March 10, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When a family of four move into a old house on the outskirts of town, it seems like a dream come true to finally have a place they can call home. However what began as a dream quickly becomes a nightmare, one they not might not wake from.....
Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light was a very tense read that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Henry Corrigan does a great job of slowly building up this feeling of uneasiness as the book progresses, making you want to shout at the characters to get out of there but being unable to do so.
The story flips back and forth between the POV of the family and the POV of this old spooky house. I love a unusual POV so the house sections were easily my favourite bits of the story. Reading how the house planned to make its new occupations into its twisted version of a "Perfect Family" was equally disturbing and engaging.
If you are looking for a haunting short read then this is a easy recommendation.
When a family of four move into a old house on the outskirts of town, it seems like a dream come true to finally have a place they can call home. However what began as a dream quickly becomes a nightmare, one they not might not wake from.....
Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light was a very tense read that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Henry Corrigan does a great job of slowly building up this feeling of uneasiness as the book progresses, making you want to shout at the characters to get out of there but being unable to do so.
The story flips back and forth between the POV of the family and the POV of this old spooky house. I love a unusual POV so the house sections were easily my favourite bits of the story. Reading how the house planned to make its new occupations into its twisted version of a "Perfect Family" was equally disturbing and engaging.
If you are looking for a haunting short read then this is a easy recommendation.
May 11, 2025
Somewhere Quiet, Full Of Light by Henry Corrigan
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a really fun and creepy haunted house novella!
A married couple, Mike and Eric and their 2 girls, move into an old “fixer upper” house. Eric isn’t exactly excited about this move, but Mike, who flips houses for a living, convinces him that the house will be an amazing home for their family. However, Mike begins to change dramatically after they move in.
This house definitely has a mind of its own and as a reader, we get to hear from the houses POV! This is such a unique feature to understand what the house/evil spirit thinks.
This is a fast paced story and I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense that the book had all the way through. The part that I struggled a bit with was at the end. I felt like the story was rushed and a bunch happened that kind of confused me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
Thank you to Henry Corrigan for an arc of this exciting novella!
*It comes out May 15th!! For a unique spin on a haunted house story, I definitely recommend it!* 👻
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a really fun and creepy haunted house novella!
A married couple, Mike and Eric and their 2 girls, move into an old “fixer upper” house. Eric isn’t exactly excited about this move, but Mike, who flips houses for a living, convinces him that the house will be an amazing home for their family. However, Mike begins to change dramatically after they move in.
This house definitely has a mind of its own and as a reader, we get to hear from the houses POV! This is such a unique feature to understand what the house/evil spirit thinks.
This is a fast paced story and I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense that the book had all the way through. The part that I struggled a bit with was at the end. I felt like the story was rushed and a bunch happened that kind of confused me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
Thank you to Henry Corrigan for an arc of this exciting novella!
*It comes out May 15th!! For a unique spin on a haunted house story, I definitely recommend it!* 👻
March 12, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens and I am very grateful.
Please note that this is not a queer romance book although it features two gay dads and their daughters. Instead I would class it as either as horror or a psychological thriller. Whatever the classification it had me hooked from the start. The book is short at under 100 pages but it packs so much into those pages. It is also very well written and it kept me engaged. I did not want to stop but, fortunately, I was on a two hour train trip when I started so I finished the story easily.
The story is told in two ways. We have a third person story which is about the family moving into a large, isolated and menacing house and their subsequent lives as they adjust to their new home. Then we have a narrator and it doesn’t take long to realize that this is the house talking. If there is something else in the house you will have to read and find out.
Definitely recommended.
Please note that this is not a queer romance book although it features two gay dads and their daughters. Instead I would class it as either as horror or a psychological thriller. Whatever the classification it had me hooked from the start. The book is short at under 100 pages but it packs so much into those pages. It is also very well written and it kept me engaged. I did not want to stop but, fortunately, I was on a two hour train trip when I started so I finished the story easily.
The story is told in two ways. We have a third person story which is about the family moving into a large, isolated and menacing house and their subsequent lives as they adjust to their new home. Then we have a narrator and it doesn’t take long to realize that this is the house talking. If there is something else in the house you will have to read and find out.
Definitely recommended.
March 12, 2025
A beautiful story written from two very different perspectives, quite sad in the way things unravel.
I really liked that we got two sides of the same story as it plays out, one side wants things to be perfect, and will do whatever it takes to achieve its goals, and the other is trying to live with what is being done.
It did feel to me to be a fairly slow burner, but it works so well in this case, this way you could really get to see the results of all the little things that happen, the tension rises nicely, before the boil over at the end of the book, I don't think this would have worked quite as well if the pace was quicker.
I got a copy of this from BookSirens and this is my honest review
I really liked that we got two sides of the same story as it plays out, one side wants things to be perfect, and will do whatever it takes to achieve its goals, and the other is trying to live with what is being done.
It did feel to me to be a fairly slow burner, but it works so well in this case, this way you could really get to see the results of all the little things that happen, the tension rises nicely, before the boil over at the end of the book, I don't think this would have worked quite as well if the pace was quicker.
I got a copy of this from BookSirens and this is my honest review
March 29, 2025
This was a delightful lil haunted home story- it was short and sweet, and didn't leave any chance to bog down a plot with way too many plot twists and turns. The basis of the story is simple enough to keep the reader engaged, and for such a short book, the characters really shine and force you to forge a connection with them. I loved that we also got to see through the POV of the house- the persecutive from there was chilling, unique, and nuanced when it came to the entirety of the novella. I'd recommend this one to fans of AHS, particularly the stories anthology series. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving my review on a voluntary basis. Thanks to the author and publisher for the eARC!
June 6, 2025
Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light is a slow burn haunted house novel. Mike and Eric think they have found a perfect dream home for themselves and their two daughters, Emily and Iris. But the house isn't as empty as they think. The house whispers to Mike, seductively promising a golden future for the family. It shows little Iris long lost secrets and provides her a dream world she can't escape. The most diabolical thing about Somewhere Quiet is how Corrigan makes this little family so likable before unleashing holy hell on them. If you love a good haunted house story you definitely need to read Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light.
March 7, 2025
this took the haunted house horror element perfectly in a unique way. I was engaged with what was happening and thought the suspenseful atmosphere that was going on. Henry Corrigan was able to weave a strong story that worked with the characters. I was engaged with everything that I was looking for and hope to read more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 3, 2025
Eric & Michael buy & move into a Victorian style home with their family. The home needs a lot of work. As Michael works on fixing their new home, Eric grows uneasy about living there. He feels like there is something going on in this house & he wants his family out. Moods begin to change. Michael seems out of it & in a daze most times. A well written horror story from the house's perspective. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2025
The house is very, very patient. It waits years for the "perfect" family to give it back its elegance, its stature, its "life". Along come Eric, Michael and their 2 girls who, unknowingly, unlock the house's evil heart.
This book grabs you from the very first page and doesn't release you till the very end. A skillfully written, unnerving and sinister tale that will bring to mind the old adage "Be careful what you wish for".
This book grabs you from the very first page and doesn't release you till the very end. A skillfully written, unnerving and sinister tale that will bring to mind the old adage "Be careful what you wish for".
June 4, 2025
I really enjoyed the narration coming from the house itself! I felt that was a really awesome pov that I don’t believe I’ve seen before. I felt for the characters as I was reading and as they descended into the craziness of the house. I felt, however, that the story was kind of rushed and could have been drawn out a bit more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 7, 2025
I got this book at a local author event. I read it in one weekend. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story - a scary novel. I appreciated the development of the characters and loved the house being a character! The last third of the book was written with great suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Well done
Well done
May 4, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up. Not bad, but the writing was fairly simple, which made for a fast read.
The paperback book also has some glaring copyediting errors with periods.
The paperback book also has some glaring copyediting errors with periods.
May 15, 2025
Eric hopes that the house he and his family are moving to is perfect. This house has secrets. It wants things a certain way. Creepy
August 24, 2025
I enjoyed the different point of view perspective and found that really interesting. I would have loved for the story to go deeper.
March 17, 2025
Thank you BookSirens for this ARC.
Okay, wow seems like a fitting first reaction here.
This book was so tense and creepy from the start. It may only be short but, the characters and plot are developed perfectly.
There's no doubt that the writing style helps to bring the whole thing together. Everything so beautifully described that almost felt like I was watching it rather than reading it.
I don't know what else to say without giving away parts of the plot so I'll end by saying that I've never read anything like this before, it was a really atmospheric, tense read but I wish I could read it for the first time again already.
Okay, wow seems like a fitting first reaction here.
This book was so tense and creepy from the start. It may only be short but, the characters and plot are developed perfectly.
There's no doubt that the writing style helps to bring the whole thing together. Everything so beautifully described that almost felt like I was watching it rather than reading it.
I don't know what else to say without giving away parts of the plot so I'll end by saying that I've never read anything like this before, it was a really atmospheric, tense read but I wish I could read it for the first time again already.
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