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The House: A Modern Gothic Novel
The House - A Modern Gothic Novel by Graham Mulvein.
A young writer searching for solitude and inspiration...
A family looking for a fresh start...
…And a house that’s been waiting for them.
When Barry Ethan moves his wife and daughter to an isolated Nebraska farmhouse, he thinks he’s found the perfect location to write his debut novel.
That is… until the storms start, the gargoyles glare, and the pages begin to write themselves.
The House is a psychological horror story in the spirit of The Shining, The Others and Rosemary’s Baby – a nightmarish struggle between obsession, creation, and survival.
A young writer searching for solitude and inspiration...
A family looking for a fresh start...
…And a house that’s been waiting for them.
When Barry Ethan moves his wife and daughter to an isolated Nebraska farmhouse, he thinks he’s found the perfect location to write his debut novel.
That is… until the storms start, the gargoyles glare, and the pages begin to write themselves.
The House is a psychological horror story in the spirit of The Shining, The Others and Rosemary’s Baby – a nightmarish struggle between obsession, creation, and survival.
- GenresHorror
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2026
11 people are currently reading
1679 people want to read
About the author
Graham Mulvein
1 book7 followersGraham Mulvein writes atmospheric gothic fiction rooted in isolation, place and the quiet spaces where reality begins to thin.
His work explores the psychology of ordinary people confronted by landscapes that remember, houses that listen, and silences that are anything but empty.
THE HOUSE marks the beginning of a body of work exploring the darker edges of belonging, memory and inevitability.
His work explores the psychology of ordinary people confronted by landscapes that remember, houses that listen, and silences that are anything but empty.
THE HOUSE marks the beginning of a body of work exploring the darker edges of belonging, memory and inevitability.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 19, 2025
The house is perfect for Barry, an aspiring author, and his family; the solitude and space he needs to create his manuscript. But while they accept the shortcomings of the house, it is the house that will decide if they can be accepted - its whispers must be heard.
The atmospherics of the isolated house and the attention to imagery is impressive. So too the treatment of secrets forgotten, guilt and creeping obsession presented with a slow burn that gradually increases as tension mounts.
There are elements that will remind you of the books and movies that have preceded it, but that is entirely expected in an unapologetic homage to traditional gothic narrative.
A really enjoyable read and I’ll be looking out for more from this author.
The atmospherics of the isolated house and the attention to imagery is impressive. So too the treatment of secrets forgotten, guilt and creeping obsession presented with a slow burn that gradually increases as tension mounts.
There are elements that will remind you of the books and movies that have preceded it, but that is entirely expected in an unapologetic homage to traditional gothic narrative.
A really enjoyable read and I’ll be looking out for more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A slow burn gothic nightmare done right. The isolation of the farmhouse seeps into every page, and the idea of the house writing back is genuinely unsettling. This one crawled under my skin and stayed there.
February 12, 2026
**Book Review: *The House: A Modern Gothic Novel* by Graham Mulvein**
*The House* is a masterclass in slow-burn gothic horror, proving that true terror doesn’t need spectacle—only atmosphere, patience, and the creeping sense that something is profoundly wrong. Graham Mulvein crafts an unapologetic homage to classic haunted-house fiction while grounding it firmly in a modern psychological landscape.
From the opening pages, the novel establishes an unsettling stillness. Mulvein understands the power of restraint; the horror here unfolds gradually, in loaded silences and shifting shadows that seem almost sentient. The house itself becomes more than a setting—it is a living presence, heavy with memory and intent. Every corridor feels watched, every quiet moment charged with dread.
What elevates *The House* beyond familiar genre conventions is its emotional depth. Beneath the gothic tension lies an intimate exploration of vulnerability, isolation, and the fragile boundaries between perception and reality. The psychological horror intensifies not through sudden shocks, but through a relentless tightening of unease that seeps into both characters and readers alike.
Mulvein’s prose is atmospheric and deliberate, drawing readers into a suffocating embrace that is difficult to escape. The pacing may be measured, but it is purposeful, allowing the dread to bloom fully before revealing its darker truths. The result is a haunting experience that lingers long after the final page—exactly where the most effective gothic horror resides.
For fans of traditional haunted-house tales with modern emotional complexity, *The House* is a deeply unsettling and immersive read. It’s a novel that whispers rather than screams—and in doing so, proves far more disturbing.
*The House* is a masterclass in slow-burn gothic horror, proving that true terror doesn’t need spectacle—only atmosphere, patience, and the creeping sense that something is profoundly wrong. Graham Mulvein crafts an unapologetic homage to classic haunted-house fiction while grounding it firmly in a modern psychological landscape.
From the opening pages, the novel establishes an unsettling stillness. Mulvein understands the power of restraint; the horror here unfolds gradually, in loaded silences and shifting shadows that seem almost sentient. The house itself becomes more than a setting—it is a living presence, heavy with memory and intent. Every corridor feels watched, every quiet moment charged with dread.
What elevates *The House* beyond familiar genre conventions is its emotional depth. Beneath the gothic tension lies an intimate exploration of vulnerability, isolation, and the fragile boundaries between perception and reality. The psychological horror intensifies not through sudden shocks, but through a relentless tightening of unease that seeps into both characters and readers alike.
Mulvein’s prose is atmospheric and deliberate, drawing readers into a suffocating embrace that is difficult to escape. The pacing may be measured, but it is purposeful, allowing the dread to bloom fully before revealing its darker truths. The result is a haunting experience that lingers long after the final page—exactly where the most effective gothic horror resides.
For fans of traditional haunted-house tales with modern emotional complexity, *The House* is a deeply unsettling and immersive read. It’s a novel that whispers rather than screams—and in doing so, proves far more disturbing.
November 19, 2025
The House is eerie in all the best ways. Mulvein nails that slow, creeping dread the kind that settles under your skin before you realize it. The family’s unraveling feels painfully real, and the blend of haunted-house vibes, artistic obsession, and rural gothic atmosphere is seriously addictive. The attic manuscript twist is a standout. If you like modern gothic with a sharp, unsettling edge, this one’s a solid pick.
January 2, 2026
I got this book as an arc from the author.
Thank you very much. I really enjoyed it! Loved the whole build up of how the house is portrayed and the backstory behind it all! Found it to be a bit long and a bit dragged out. But like I said loved the characters and the overall plot! So definitely go check this book out if you love the creepy vibes!
Thank you very much. I really enjoyed it! Loved the whole build up of how the house is portrayed and the backstory behind it all! Found it to be a bit long and a bit dragged out. But like I said loved the characters and the overall plot! So definitely go check this book out if you love the creepy vibes!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The House is a chilling blend of gothic horror and psychological suspense. Mulvein masterfully builds tension as Barry Ethan’s dream home turns into a writer’s nightmare. With eerie atmosphere, creeping dread, and echoes of The Shining, it’s a gripping tale of obsession and unraveling sanity.
November 29, 2025
The House is one of those rare horror novels that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Graham Mulvein has crafted a chilling, atmospheric story that blends gothic tension with emotionally rich storytelling in a way that feels both fresh and deeply unsettling.
From the moment Barry Ethan and his family moved into the isolated farmhouse, I was completely pulled into the eerie stillness of the flatlands. The setting itself becomes a character alive, watchful, and hungry. Mulvein’s writing creates an almost cinematic sense of dread, where every silence feels loaded, and every shadow seems to breathe.
What I loved most was how the horror grew slowly but relentlessly. Gail’s uneasy senses, Lily’s terrifying visions, and Barry’s spiraling obsession all build into a beautifully woven descent into madness. The discovery of the old manuscript in the attic was one of my favorite moments, such a clever twist that ties past and present together in a chilling way.
The lore of the O’Briens and the house’s strange memory give the story a depth that many modern horror novels miss. It’s not just a haunted-house story; it’s a story about grief, legacy, and the dangerous weight carried by forgotten places.
Every page feels alive with tension, atmosphere, and heart-stopping imagery. This is modern gothic at its finest.
An absolutely gripping, haunting, and brilliantly written novel. Highly recommended, I can’t wait to read more from Graham Mulvein.
From the moment Barry Ethan and his family moved into the isolated farmhouse, I was completely pulled into the eerie stillness of the flatlands. The setting itself becomes a character alive, watchful, and hungry. Mulvein’s writing creates an almost cinematic sense of dread, where every silence feels loaded, and every shadow seems to breathe.
What I loved most was how the horror grew slowly but relentlessly. Gail’s uneasy senses, Lily’s terrifying visions, and Barry’s spiraling obsession all build into a beautifully woven descent into madness. The discovery of the old manuscript in the attic was one of my favorite moments, such a clever twist that ties past and present together in a chilling way.
The lore of the O’Briens and the house’s strange memory give the story a depth that many modern horror novels miss. It’s not just a haunted-house story; it’s a story about grief, legacy, and the dangerous weight carried by forgotten places.
Every page feels alive with tension, atmosphere, and heart-stopping imagery. This is modern gothic at its finest.
An absolutely gripping, haunting, and brilliantly written novel. Highly recommended, I can’t wait to read more from Graham Mulvein.
February 16, 2026
I hope you all enjoy reading The House as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you all for your support.
February 14, 2026
The House: A Modern Gothic Novel by Graham Mulvein
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a haunting reminder that the most powerful horror stories don’t need spectacle to unsettle you—they need patience, precision, and atmosphere. Mulvein leans confidently into the traditions of classic gothic fiction, yet the novel never feels dated. Instead, it feels carefully updated for a modern audience, blending psychological depth with the slow-creeping dread that defines the genre at its best.
👉From the very beginning, the mood is thick with unease. There’s no rush to terror here; the tension builds gradually, almost imperceptibly, until you realize you’ve been holding your breath for pages. The house itself is rendered with striking detail—its spaces feel oppressive, its silences heavy, its shadows almost aware. Rather than relying on obvious frights, Mulvein allows discomfort to simmer. The result is a reading experience where every creak, every pause, and every subtle shift feels significant.
👉What makes the novel particularly compelling is its emotional undercurrent. Beneath the gothic architecture and creeping darkness lies a deeply human story. The characters are not just vehicles for fear—they are layered, vulnerable individuals grappling with isolation, memory, and the fragility of their own perceptions. This psychological grounding makes the horror more intimate. When fear emerges, it feels earned, tied directly to the characters’ internal struggles rather than imposed from the outside.
👉Mulvein’s prose deserves special praise. It is deliberate without being indulgent, lyrical without becoming overwritten. The pacing is controlled, allowing suspense to bloom naturally. Some readers accustomed to faster horror might find the rhythm measured, but that restraint is precisely what gives the novel its power. The dread accumulates slowly, tightening like a vice, and by the final act, the emotional and atmospheric weight becomes almost overwhelming.
👉In the end, The House lingers. It doesn’t rely on shock value or dramatic twists to leave an impression. Instead, it settles into the mind, echoing long after the final page is turned.
Happy reading 😊
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a haunting reminder that the most powerful horror stories don’t need spectacle to unsettle you—they need patience, precision, and atmosphere. Mulvein leans confidently into the traditions of classic gothic fiction, yet the novel never feels dated. Instead, it feels carefully updated for a modern audience, blending psychological depth with the slow-creeping dread that defines the genre at its best.
👉From the very beginning, the mood is thick with unease. There’s no rush to terror here; the tension builds gradually, almost imperceptibly, until you realize you’ve been holding your breath for pages. The house itself is rendered with striking detail—its spaces feel oppressive, its silences heavy, its shadows almost aware. Rather than relying on obvious frights, Mulvein allows discomfort to simmer. The result is a reading experience where every creak, every pause, and every subtle shift feels significant.
👉What makes the novel particularly compelling is its emotional undercurrent. Beneath the gothic architecture and creeping darkness lies a deeply human story. The characters are not just vehicles for fear—they are layered, vulnerable individuals grappling with isolation, memory, and the fragility of their own perceptions. This psychological grounding makes the horror more intimate. When fear emerges, it feels earned, tied directly to the characters’ internal struggles rather than imposed from the outside.
👉Mulvein’s prose deserves special praise. It is deliberate without being indulgent, lyrical without becoming overwritten. The pacing is controlled, allowing suspense to bloom naturally. Some readers accustomed to faster horror might find the rhythm measured, but that restraint is precisely what gives the novel its power. The dread accumulates slowly, tightening like a vice, and by the final act, the emotional and atmospheric weight becomes almost overwhelming.
👉In the end, The House lingers. It doesn’t rely on shock value or dramatic twists to leave an impression. Instead, it settles into the mind, echoing long after the final page is turned.
Happy reading 😊
February 15, 2026
The House by Graham Mulvein is a brilliantly unsettling modern gothic horror that grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go.
What starts as a familiar “fresh start in an isolated farmhouse” quickly twists into something far darker and more psychological. The atmosphere is incredible, stormy skies, creeping dread, eerie gargoyles, and that constant feeling that the house is watching, waiting, and slowly tightening its grip. The tension builds in a way that feels natural and relentless, like you’re being pulled deeper into the same nightmare as the characters.
Barry’s descent, both as a writer and as a man trying to protect his family, feels disturbingly real. The concept of the pages “writing themselves” is one of the most chilling elements of the book, and Mulvein uses it in a way that’s genuinely original and haunting. It’s not just scary, it’s smart, layered, and emotionally intense.
If you love gothic haunted house stories with strong psychological horror vibes, think The Shining meets Rosemary’s Baby, this is absolutely worth reading. Creepy, gripping, and beautifully written.
Highly recommended for horror fans.
What starts as a familiar “fresh start in an isolated farmhouse” quickly twists into something far darker and more psychological. The atmosphere is incredible, stormy skies, creeping dread, eerie gargoyles, and that constant feeling that the house is watching, waiting, and slowly tightening its grip. The tension builds in a way that feels natural and relentless, like you’re being pulled deeper into the same nightmare as the characters.
Barry’s descent, both as a writer and as a man trying to protect his family, feels disturbingly real. The concept of the pages “writing themselves” is one of the most chilling elements of the book, and Mulvein uses it in a way that’s genuinely original and haunting. It’s not just scary, it’s smart, layered, and emotionally intense.
If you love gothic haunted house stories with strong psychological horror vibes, think The Shining meets Rosemary’s Baby, this is absolutely worth reading. Creepy, gripping, and beautifully written.
Highly recommended for horror fans.
February 7, 2026
This had potential but ultimately did not really work for me. I'm not sure what timeline is in effect here but, one second they are arriving at night, the next it's daytime and Lily is swinging and Gail has renovated the house and then it's back to the first night of arrival. Weird little tidbits of story would show up that were completely out of the blue. And whatever tension the author created was completely mitigated by the over-description of dust motes and groaning sounds coming from the house. There needed to be more buildup to true spooky happenings because if I stepped foot in this house and I heard and felt these sensations I wouldn't have stayed the night and it begs credulity that anyone else would. Needs some more work.
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. All opinions are my own.
I hope to never read another description of dust floating through a shaft of light ever again in my life.
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. All opinions are my own.
I hope to never read another description of dust floating through a shaft of light ever again in my life.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
THE HOUSE is a triumph of modern gothic horror, and the author’s craftsmanship shines on every page. The way they build tension is nothing short of brilliant each scene is meticulously layered with atmosphere and psychological nuance. I was captivated not just by the story, but by the author’s ability to weave emotional depth into the fear, making every shadow and silence feel alive. This is masterful storytelling, a rare book that will haunt you long after you close it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The House is a chilling triumph of modern gothic horror. Graham Mulvein masterfully weaves slow-burn suspense with rich emotional depth, creating an atmosphere so thick with unease it feels alive. Every shadow, silence, and creak hums with menace, delivering classic haunted-house terror through a contemporary lens. Haunting, immersive, and deeply unsettling, this is the kind of gothic horror that stays with you long after the final page an unforgettable read for fans of atmospheric dread.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A haunting and unsettling read.
The House draws you in with its eerie setting and growing sense of unease. What begins as a quiet search for inspiration becomes a disturbing descent into obsession, where the house feels alive and in control. Atmospheric and psychological, this modern gothic novel will appeal to readers who enjoy slow building tension, supernatural elements, and family centered horror that lingers long after the final page.
The House draws you in with its eerie setting and growing sense of unease. What begins as a quiet search for inspiration becomes a disturbing descent into obsession, where the house feels alive and in control. Atmospheric and psychological, this modern gothic novel will appeal to readers who enjoy slow building tension, supernatural elements, and family centered horror that lingers long after the final page.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews