House Haunters

by K.C. Jones

From Bram Stoker Award finalist KC Jones comes House Haunters, a fast-paced thrill ride perfect for fans of How to Sell a Haunted House and Play Nice, in which a skeptical reality TV show producer and a misanthropic ghosthunter must team up to survive a shoot from hell.

“House Haunters is my personal frontrunner for America’s Next Top Haunt.” ―Clay McLeod Chapman, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Devil Inside

Grace Wonderly needs a hit show, or her career is dead.
But saving her job might just kill her.

With her studio relying on AI to greenlight new projects, finding the next breakout series is Grace's only shot to save her job. And her sanity.

Her solution may be Frank: a brilliant but abrasive - and admittedly handsome - ghost hunter who claims he can’t feel fear, making him uniquely attuned to the paranormal.

Frank is either a fraud or the real deal. Skeptical, but hoping for TV gold, Grace assembles a crew to shoot a proof of concept.

But when the production descends into a nightmare, Grace is forced to face the ghosts are real, and though cold and distant, Frank may be their only chance of getting out alive.

Also by KC Jones:
White Line Fever
Black Tide

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Adult, Paranormal, Adult Fiction, Ghosts, Haunted House

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2026

About the author

After graduating from the University of Nevada—Las Vegas with a degree in film production, KC JONES returned to the Pacific Northwest to focus on a career in screenwriting, before making the leap to novels. When not writing, he likes to cook, explore the local wilderness, and play video and board games. Black Tide is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Holly Hearts Books · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

If I could have a whole second book solely about the adventures of Frank and his corgi Fish Stick, I’d read it so fast. Those were the shining moments for me here. The book does turn into a romance and the story ends way too abruptly. Climactic intense chapter to a sudden outro chapter only a few pages long. I needed more closure. Other than that, I recommend this one for those looking for a paranormal story with actual ghosts that can harm the characters. Or just read it for the dog! (Nothing happens to the dog btw)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc from NetGalley, thank you to everyone there!

This is the Perfect read for October/ Halloween and your fall TBR!

This story is about Grace - a reality tv producer , who teams up with Frank a home inspector/ paranormal investigator who cannot feel fear . And we cannot forget my favorite character in the entire book Fish Stick the corgi who is Franks assistant and fear detector. They team up to make a show and investigate a death in a luxury condo.

This book was so fun! I liked all of the characters and was really rooting for them through the entire story. I thought it was paced well and felt everything in it was relevant to the story and enhanced it. It was just fun to read and I couldn’t wait to see what happens next. I will definitely be looking forward to reading other books by this author! You 100% should pick this up!

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank and Fish Stick must be protected at all costs. That’s it. That’s the review. All jokes aside, I loved this. It was somehow both wholesome and spooky. I really enjoyed the concept of a skeptic filming a haunted house show and wait oh crap it’s actually real. The central mystery was fleshed out and resolved in a satisfying way. Overall, a win. Black Tide was a favorite of mine but I didn’t love White Line Fever, so I’m thrilled this was such a great read.

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - ARC from NetGalley

PETITION TO HAVE LIZ KERIN’S CORGI CLEMENTINE PLAY FISHSTICK IN THE SCREEN ADAPTATION. So fun, fast paced, chilling, and charming. I need this to be a movie staring Alison Brie ASAP thanks! Also as a PNW native, loved the Portland setting.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTBFNPR7a/

[megs_bookrack]

ARC received! Thank you, Tor Nightfire. I love K.C. Jones, so am super stoked for this. It sounds right up my alley!

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s rounded to 5 ⭐️s

Okay this one scratched an itch for me! 🙌

I’m a sucker for paranormal investigation shows, so I was naturally drawn to this one! Loved the characters and Fish Stick (that name cracks me up 🤣) the corgi! If you love ghosts, haunted houses, or paranormal investigation shows, pick this one up! 👏

Thank you Tor Nightfire for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the gifted ebook.

My Review

Okay, this book was GREAT!! I absolutely loved it! The characters, the story, the spooky atmosphere, everything about this book was just so much fun!

First, can we talk about the characters being in their 40s? I loved that! It was so refreshing to have characters who were a little older, and I thought they were all written wonderfully. Grace is trying to save her career by putting together a ghost hunting show, and Frank is the moody ghost hunter who might actually know what he's doing. And let me tell you, Frank reminded me so much of my moody uncle! I loved him! He was such a wonderful character. And Fish Stick the corgi? AMAZING! Honestly, how could you not love a book with a corgi named Fish Stick?

I also loved the whole idea of filming a ghost hunting show and having things go terribly wrong. The spooky vibes were fabulous! It had just the right amount of creepy without being so terrifying that someone who doesn't normally read horror couldn't enjoy it. I really think this is one of those books that even people who aren't huge horror readers could have a great time with.

The plot, the characters, the atmosphere, everything worked for me. I had so much fun reading this, and I honestly can't think of anything I didn't enjoy!

Would I Recommend?

YES! This was such a fun haunted house story with wonderful characters, plenty of spooky moments, and a fabulous corgi! I loved every minute of it, and I think horror lovers and even readers who just want something a little spooky will have a blast with this one!

[Shannon · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

When I picked this one up, I wasn't sure what to expect. I read one of the author's other books and while it was decent, it didn't really stick with me. But the premise sounded right up my alley, so I decided to give it a whirl. And after finishing, I am giving my self a much deserved pat on the back for that decision because this was so, so fun.

This one had everything: horror, humor, emotional rollercoasters, romance...and adult leads who were in their 40s but didn't act like they were ancient beings marching towards death (look, this happens a lot. Like a lead is over 40 and the author makes it seem like they are closer to 80 and falling apart). Frank is the grumpiest man on Earth and I was there for it. Plus, I may prefer cats, but a corgi named Fish Stick helping hunt ghosts was adorable. Grace was capable but stuck dealing with a boss who was very much an AI tech bro that needed to be punched in the face. Vanessa and Dustin were entertaining side characters that added depth to the story instead of just existing to serve the plot. The spooky element wasn't overtly scary (to me) but was still creepy enough to satisfy my need for horror.

Overall, I adored this book. I didn't want to put it down. I was sad when it was over. But hey, that's what re-reads are for.

[Rochelle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written in the third person present tense, which I absolutely hate. I call it the Devil's tense. I opened the first page and went "oh no, not first person present" and almost DNF'd right there. But the story concept still intrigued me, so I said I'd give it ONE chapter... Two days later I've read the whole book, and I actually can't imagine it being written any other way. (I still hate the third person present tense, though.)

What really made me give this a chance past the first few pages was another reader's review that "Frank and Fish Stick must be protected at all costs." Well I just HAD to know what on earth that means and - Yes, other reader, I 100% agree. Frank is such an interesting character, and Fish Stick helps make him relatable (and lovable) for long enough for him to really start to grow on you and shine on his own merit. I also really felt for Grace, and how's she's so stuck in this rut she can't see her way out of, and she's so deep in it she doesn't even remember how to truly *live* anymore. Then there's the whole cast of side characters, some of whom I really like and some of whom I was just WAITING for them to get what's coming to them.

This was the first book I've read by K.C. Jones, but I've added him of my list of authors to watch and will definitely be checking out his backlist!

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen…when you have a ghost hunting corgi sidekick named Fish Stick (are you flipping kidding me?!) you already know you are going to love the story. Frank and Fish Stick are a fun duo that could totally make a reappearance, and I would be all over it.

This book is spooky, yet wholesome so my scaredy cat readers-this would be fine for you to pick up. I loved the paranormal, the old school ghost phone IYKYK and the simmering romance thrown in. The whole idea of the book being centered around a ghost haunting show was brilliant and fun.

This kept me engaged and I was curious to see how it would end. This is my first Jones, but I will be picking up more because the writing was effortless and the characters so well done. Thank you @tornightfire for my copy!

[Alex Z (azeebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a corgi named fish stick in this book, isn't that enough to make you want to read it ??

Grace, a reality TV show producer has to find a new hit, and doesn't want to use the AI bot her boss is forcing on her. In comes Frank, a home inspector/paranormal investigator who literally can't feel fear. Grace is a skeptic but can't help but admit some strange things are happening while filming the show.

This was such a fun read - a good amount of horror and heart. The characters were all so well fleshed out and I thought the idea of creating a haunted home inspection reality tv show to be genius. Honestly, I'd be the first one watching!

[Jackie "the Librarian" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is burnt out, working on creating new reality tv shows, only to get overruled by an A.I. program her boss calls The Critter. But she may have just found something even The Critter won't overrule - Frank of Fear Not Home Inspections, and his corgi, Fish Stick. Not only does he inspect old homes, he can sense spirits. And so can Fish Stick.
When Grace meets them in Portland, she is skeptical, until she experiences a terrifying spirit manifestation during one of Frank's inspections that almost wipes out her whole film crew. Now if only she can keep her boss from meddling, and everyone alive, she may just have a hit show.
I would watch this show, and the book is highly entertaining as well.

[Rachel Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wicked fun read! More later

[Caitlin Stucky · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Okay, honestly I was sucked in right from the prologue!! This is every ghost hunters tv show fan’s dream of a book. There was creep factor, humor, backstory, and layers to the story with the characters! Not once did I know what was going to happen next and I loved it!
Thank you so much to @tornightfire for this eARC!

[Joseph Pietris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home inspections are no joke. For home buyers, they can save you from spending your life savings on an unmaintained house. For sellers, they can be the bane of your existence or a guardian angel. Inspectors are trained to see what the average person doesn’t. What if they could also tell you what was turning on and off the lights in the middle of the night? From KC Jones, House Haunters follows a home inspector who can help identify everything from water damage to unwanted spectral guests.

Grace Wonderly has lost the drive she once had for her job in television production. Every show idea she presents to her boss is shot down by his new artificial intelligence program, Criterion. Grace takes one last shot at coming up with an original idea before she’s forced to develop the ideas AI is pumping out. On a weekend trip with a friend, Grace is introduced to Frank, owner of Fear Not Home Inspections. Frank isn’t just a home inspector. He claims to be able to rid homes of paranormal entities. Feeling this might be her opportunity, Grace will shadow Frank and his corgi, Fish Stick, as he shows her what his job is really like.

Grace and Frank are a hilarious pairing. Full of snark and skepticism, Grace takes every opportunity to make passive aggressive comments about Frank’s occupation. Frank’s dry, deadpan personality causes most of the comments to go largely unnoticed and unacknowledged. His way of explaining the paranormal is straightforward and off-putting, earning disgusted remarks from Grace. The jokes about ghost abatement and paranormal inspections are one of the highlights of this novel.

The secondary characters help round out Frank’s character. Fish Stick, his faithful corgi, shows a lot of personality, often supplementing Frank’s lack of one. Calvin is Frank’s spectral partner and voice of reason. Constantly reminding Frank to live life before it’s gone, Calvin is the one who pushes Frank to work with Grace. Grace’s counterparts include her longtime friend, Vanessa. As a realtor, Vanessa’s love of old houses brought her in contact with Frank. After a few strange encounters with Frank, she’s convinced there is a show waiting to be created.

The paranormal events add mystery and thrills to the story. The duo inspect several reported hauntings together, each more dangerous than the last. As Grace prepares to film a pilot episode, strange accidents begin to happen to her and the film crew. The further along they get, the more severe the accidents become. All the while, the tone has subtly changed from humorous to dark and serious.

This novel had me hooked from the beginning. The energy and pace were well maintained chapter to chapter. How the paranormal entities come into existence and why they are connected to certain houses or objects is well thought out. The mystery continues right up to the end as the reader keeps guessing the true identity of the real threat.

What Jones does best is take mundane everyday jobs and make them exciting and engaging for readers. Frank’s personality turns home inspections into an interesting pastime as he discusses what he’s discovered during a normal inspection. The energy Grace feels while developing the TV show after being so down is almost tangible to the reader. Even Grace’s boss, Chris, laying out ridiculous requests for Grace, will earn a reaction. There is never a lull in this story.

A hilariously dark look at paranormal reality television, House Haunters grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, K.C. Jones, and Tor Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

KC Jones has clearly earned the praise he has received, but unfortunately, House Haunters missed the mark for me.

The premise is certainly promising, with a skeptical reality-TV producer, a misanthropic ghost hunter who claims he cannot feel fear, a quirky corgi named Fish Stick, and a haunted house that quickly turns a television shoot into a fight for survival. Jones gets things moving immediately, and there is plenty of setup, tension, and an increasingly ominous sense that things are about to go very wrong.

Unfortunately, I never found the momentum I was hoping for. The story moves quickly enough, but the pacing did not translate into the kind of escalating dread or genuine chills I wanted from a horror thriller. There is a lot of buildup, and Jones introduces some intriguing developments and twists, yet the story never quite delivered the punch I was anticipating. It felt more like hopeful horror than truly frightening horror.

The characters also struggled to pull me in. Frank has an interesting premise, and there are attempts to provide some backstory and development, but I never reached the point where I felt particularly invested in him or the other characters. That made the increasingly dangerous situations feel less consequential than they probably should have.

There are certainly some good ideas here, and the twists emerge naturally as the tension builds. Jones clearly knows how to construct a thriller, and I can understand why this book has attracted so many positive comments. For me, though, the blend of horror and thriller never fully came together. I kept waiting for the story to find that extra gear and really grab me, but it never happened.

Perhaps this was simply a case of the book and reader not finding the right groove. House Haunters has plenty to recommend it, but I was ultimately left underwhelmed and wishing there had been more bite, more suspense, and more reason to care about what happened next.

Kudos, Mr. Jones, for something that had much potential.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started a little slow for me, but I sure felt Grace's frustration with her boss who's relying on AI for show ideas instead of Grace's own. But once she meets Frank? Hang on for the ride.

Haunted house stories are my kryptonite. I've read more than a few, but I've never met a character like Frank. He doesn't possess the ability to feel fear. That may not sound like a bad thing, but think about the dangerous situations you might walk into lacking those instincts and a warning voice in your head. Enter Fish Stick, the bestest boy and coolest corgi ever. Frank relies on Fish Stick's spot on judgement to know if something is safe (a paw stomp) or dangerous (bark). Since childhood, Frank's been able to see and communicate with ghosts. Grace believes the combination of that ability and Frank's home inspection business will be the next big thing in reality television. She's a skeptic, but after everything that happens - she's a confirmed believer.

This is a different spin on hauntings that I really like. Frank refers to the entities as "spectrals" because that term covers all manner of remnant energies. Houses, furniture, jewelry, etc. may contain moments and experiences from the people that owned them with varying degrees of strength. It's the stronger energies that can take shape and interact with the environment - which is when folks call Frank.

The first shoot of the reality show is a disaster, and it's clear something doesn't want the crew there. Subsequent attempts at filming grow even more dangerous resulting in injured crew members and others who refuse to come back. But the occurrences aren't confined to the condo where they're filming. Something is following Grace and leaving her threatening messages.

My hands and eyes were glued to my Kindle during the last 40%, and we're talking Gorilla Glue. Unless blood or a body were involved, I wasn't parting with this book. The ending is satisfying, but I think a door was left open for a sequel, and I'm hoping this isn't the last we'll see of Frank and Fish Stick. Highly recommended for fans of ghost hunters and haunted houses, adorable corgis, and adrenaline-inducing scenes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Trevor Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure Statement: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions of it are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way by either the author or the publisher.

I'm kidding nobody if I say that a KC Jones novel doesn't get me extremely excited. House Haunters was one of my most-anticipated novels of 2026, and it lived up to the expectation. On its face, it's about a man and his corgi trying to make a television series about ghost house inspections, but at its core it really is a book about the importance of passion in making things and about our desperately human need for intimacy and community.

What makes Jones's work stand out every single time is his commitment to finding the human story, and finding a way to connect readers to the inner thoughts and conflicts that belong to our human condition. Frank and Grace are such great characters here, as they both navigate their emotional states of being, discussing what is important in their lives about actually living through their experiences. The book is emotionally honest about the place of passion in our lives, and about what we lose when we give away that passion to other entities that aren't fundamentally human, whether it be supernatural or technological (looking at you, ChatGPT).

And it is the honesty that makes the book work so well. The book is all about the crafting of narrative, an act of continuous meaning-making, and it suggests that we can only make meaning of our lives and our experiences if we really pay attention to one another, when we dialogue with ourselves and our friends and family to make sense of the many senseless things we may experience throughout life. The book is scary, but it's also tender and thoughtful in how it deploys each scare.

Entertaining from start to finish, I think House Haunters feels like KC Jones's most personal work. I have no idea where his writing career goes next, but this is one absolute wonder of a novel, with all the spooks and scares and feats of human connection I expect of one of my favorite authors of horror today.

[Brittany Barry · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Come for the haunted houses. Stay for the emotional damage AND a corgi named Fish Stick. 🐾👻 I picked up House Haunters on a whim, and OH MY GOSH, I absolutely adored this book. 🤩

First off, I was immediately sold on the premise: a down-on-her-luck TV producer stumbles upon a grumpy man and his corgi who do house inspections and spiritual cleansings. 👀👻

Sounds like a fun, spooky time, right? 😅

And it absolutely is. But what I wasn’t expecting was just how much HEART this story would have.

🖤 What did I love the most?
👻 The paranormal investigation angle. I love a good haunted house story, and the ghost-hunting television concept was such a fun way to approach it. 📺 There are genuinely creepy moments, but the supernatural elements never overshadow the characters themselves.

🐾 FISH STICK. I’m sorry, but a corgi named Fish Stick?! I was obsessed. 🐶 He absolutely stole the show, and honestly, I would read an entire book just about him.

🥹 The emotional depth. This was the biggest surprise for me. Beneath the hauntings is a thoughtful exploration of loneliness, human connection, creativity, and the importance of finding something you’re genuinely passionate about. 🥰

🖤 The characters. Frank and Grace felt so wonderfully human. They’re complicated, emotionally vulnerable, and trying to figure out what actually matters to them. I loved how their personal struggles gave the supernatural storyline so much more meaning. 💗

📺 The bigger themes. There’s something really interesting here about storytelling itself. The plot continually examines why we create things and why genuine connection matters more than the things competing for our attention. 🖤

What I particularly love about horror is that the genre can explore incredibly complex human emotions through the supernatural. And this book does exactly that.

It’s creepy, yes, but it’s also tender, introspective, and surprisingly moving. 🥹

Read this if you love: Haunted houses, paranormal investigation shows, character-driven horror, emotional storytelling, and a little unexpected tenderness with your scares.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Nightfire, as well as the author, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #TorPublishingGroup #TorNightfire #KCJones #HouseHaunters #Horror #Fiction #Books #Reading #BookReviews #ARC

Title: House Haunters

Author: KC Jones

Format: eBook

Publisher: Tor Publishing Group | Tor Nightfire

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Themes: Supernatural, survival,

Trigger Warnings: Supernatural, survival, workplace stress/conflict, AI-driven decisions, corporate stress, job insecurity, animal in distress, tension

Grace is in danger of being replaced by AI. If she can’t come up with the next breakout show, she’ll lose her job. When she meets handsome, brilliant, and abrasive ghost hunter who claims to not be able to feel fear, she thinks she may have found her series. Production begins and Grace is about to find out whether or not ghosts exist.

“Fish Stick” is the best name for a pet ever, especially a dog. I loved this before I even started it. Thankfully, it just went uphill from there. I love stories about ghosts. The character, Frank, is unable to feel fear, which is where Fish Stick the dog comes in. Frank relies on Fish Stick’s instincts and reactions to judge the safety of a situation. They make an entertaining team. I couldn’t help sheering for them. Frank was a good-looking, and tolerable, version of Zak Baggins.

The story was compelling and beautifully paced. The first half of the book did a great job laying down the framework of the plot, and the last half is all action. It’s very creepy and intense. I spent the last half on the edge of my seat. Ghosts and intense suspense are two of my favorite reading experiences.

All in all, I have no complaints. Any ghost-hunting fan will love this, and it’s a perfect choice for the spooky season.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a frantic corporate producer and a fearless spectral guide step into a cursed documentary nightmare, do you survive? Spoiler: Only if the ghost-sniffing canine approves! 👻🐶🔥

─── THE MEAT ────────────────
To protect her career from automated algorithms, a media executive recruits a hardened paranormal expert to film a pilot inside a genuinely haunted manor.

Inside, you'll find:
👻 A cursed TV shoot
📺 A gruff yet handsome spirit hunter with a past
🐶 A ghost-sniffing canine named Fishstick
💬 Sarcastic banter between guarded hearts
🤖 A dystopian warning about automated media ruin

─── THE VIBE ───────────────
A little spooky, a little fun, and somehow cozyish. Tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm in the face of danger with some really heartwarming moments.

─── MY THOUGHTS ────────────
Going in blind to KC Jones's work was the best decision ever! As a total sucker for late-night ghost hunting shows, I was hooked immediately by the brilliant meta framework.

The dynamic between two stubborn skeptics with soft interiors is absolute perfection, and yes, there is a literal hound operating as an EVP radar. Zero spice needed when momentum flies this fast!

It devoured half my evening because putting down the book was impossible. Stellar plot execution, iconic character chemistry, and zero notes overall. Go experience it right now! 📺👻✨

─── THE SAVE ───────────────
Love spectral television chaos or snappy dialogue? Save these:

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
└─ Siblings battle a malevolent puppet legacy after inheriting an estate.

What Digs Itself Free by Stoney Brooks
└─ A fading reality ghost-hunting star is stalked by a malevolent entity born from his own past exploitation.

The Spite House by Johnny Compton
└─ A desperate father takes a job guarding an infamous dwelling.

[Kyle Goins · Rating 5 out of 5]

House Haunters is a charming and somehow wholesome ghost story about a skeptical reality TV show producer and a misanthropic ghosthunter (and home inspector) plus his trusty sidekick, a corgi named Fish Stick.

The thing that I really love about horror is how diverse it is as a genre. Do I sometimes want to read a gore-filled and blood-soaked tale? For sure. But is it also nice to actually like the characters and get a bit of humanity mixed in with my scares? Also yes.

Ever since I picked up KC Jones’ Black Tide years ago, his ability to write authentic characters has really shone through. House Haunters is no different - each character feels like a real person whether it’s your AI-obsessed corporate jerk of a boss or the curmudgeonly introvert. Each feels driven by their histories and reacts accordingly. Can our skeptic stay skeptical in the face of overwhelming evidence of ghosts? Maybe, but the mental gymnastics of someone conquering their cognitive dissonance are well captured here.

KC Jones also definitely knows a corgi or two. As someone who has owned (been owned by?) a corgi for over 13 years, this book has their mannerisms and sass down pat. Fish Stick absolutely steals the show, adding levity to the proceedings.

I really enjoyed this one. It’s got humor, human interest, and hauntings. The spectral happenings are delightfully spooky, even if they’re not going to scare the socks off the more jaded horror readers. It takes a great book to be able to both give you the chills and warm your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC! Opinions here, as always, are my own.

House Haunters is out Oct. 6, just in time for spooky season. Go pre-order this one!

[Emily Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The part I liked best about the book was the Corgi Fish Stick barking to warn of danger and stamping a foot to give the all clear. I also liked the little character details like the homeowner who loves penguins.

Absolutely hated the television producers' reliance on AI to decide what's a good and bad show as well as all the little hints from the Good Idea Fairies to change the show. That's probably a realistic depiction of Hollywood, but that doesn't mean I liked reading about it. To be honest, I've reached a part of my life where a major motivation for reading is getting away from AI-related thoughts. I think we're supposed to dislike that bit though. That's like saying "hey, that villain was dastardly!" I also disliked the idea that everything we do soaks into our environment and creates spectral energy such that "ghosts" are just tiny fragments of people's not-nice thoughts and personalities. It's a take that I thought was unique and different. But I didn't enjoy reading about it. Individual tastes will differ on that, of course.

I do think the ending wrapped up nicely. It's not a cliffhanger and things are resolved in a satisfying way.

Overall though, it was Fish Stick and the little stamping paw that kept me reading. What will Fish Stick do next? The world was overdue for a Corgi version of Lassie rescuing Little Timmy from the well.

The type of person who would like this book the most is the type of person who wants a fresh take on a ghost story.

[Glory Creed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read and review this book.

If HGTV had a ghost show, it would be House Haunters.

I have watched at least a few episodes of pretty much every shitty ghost hunting show on the market, so the premise of this book drew me in immediately. Home inspector/ghost whisperer who is physically incapable of feeling fear with a danger detecting corgi is a very fun twist on the standard ghost hunter show format. The Supernatural-esque cold open (hot open???) of spectral flames driving someone to jump out of a "burning" building felt very early 2000s TV nostalgic to me. I enjoyed the variety in the hauntings and the unique explanations of ghost behavior.

My biggest gripe with this book was that I wanted way more of the shooting and production of the TV series than we got. Because it was just pre-production and a brief pilot episode filming cycle, the romance angle between Grace and Frank felt very unearned. If we had more of a gradual tension building across shooting the entire first season of the TV show, it would have been less out of left field. Frank had some decent character development throughout the book, but I feel like Grace lacked depth despite her finally getting her hit and rebelling against her AI sycophant boss. The epilogue also felt extremely abrupt.

Do I think this book is perfect? No. Did I have fun with it anyways? Absolutely. If you like to watch (or love to hate watch) paranormal investigation shows, you'll have a fun time with this one.

[Hope Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. A reality TV producer desperate for a hit teams up with a grumpy ghost-hunting home inspector who can’t feel fear, and naturally things go horribly wrong. Because apparently making a TV show about haunted houses wasn’t already a bad enough career choice.

I really liked Grace and Frank together. Their whole dynamic worked for me, and Frank’s particular brand of “I’d really rather not deal with people” was pretty entertaining. But let’s be honest, Fish Stick the corgi stole the show. Every time that dog showed up, I was basically waiting for him to save everyone’s ass again.

The horror was more spooky than scary, but I actually liked that. There were some genuinely creepy moments without the book taking itself too seriously. The humor worked well with the darker parts, and there was enough heart underneath everything to keep me invested in the characters.

I did think it took a little while to really get going, but once things started going sideways, I was all in. I also liked that there was more going on than just “house is haunted, people scream.” There’s a mystery to unravel, some good character stuff, and a surprisingly sweet thread running through all the ghostly chaos.

Overall, a really entertaining haunted-house story with likable characters, creepy moments, and one very good corgi. I wanted a little more actual scares, but I had a good time—and honestly, I’d happily watch the terrible reality show these two were trying to make.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK. We’ve seen this kind of thing before. Amateur ghost hunters make a show and things go bad. I’ve never seen anything done this well with this many layers and interesting characters. We follow Grace who is a TV show producer who needs a winner and is working with a bunch of shitty men who would rather use AI for their pitches.

She agreed to do a walk through with a man named Frank who is a property inspector with a twist. He can detect roof leaks and also spectral energy. He is effectively a ghost hunter. Under normal circumstances you might be able to write the rest of the story through stereotypes BUT not in this case. Frank is a VERY complex character with a cute Corgi who works as his supernatural bodyguard to tell him when to get the Hell out of a bad situation.

There is so much more to this. It is very spooky, and incredibly smart with its use of that spookiness. It also has so many funny moments with Franks dry humor and even more heart as the story unfolds behind the camera and in the properties they visit.

I do NOT give this 5 stars lightly. I was so completely enraptured in this story. I will be reading more of #KCJones books in the near future. THANK YOU @Tor Publishing Group and #tornightfire

[Jess Reads Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the eARC.

Grace is a tv show producer in need of the next big thing. While on a trip to visit her friend Vanessa, she is introduced to a house inspector who also happens to be a… medium. Frank. And his trusty service dog Fish Sticks. Despite being a massive skeptic, Grace and Frank look into house hauntings and find out this is not only a great partnership, Frank is the next big thing. But ghosts are not easy to tame, and they rarely tell you everything you need to know.

I enjoyed the heck out of the one. I admit Fish Sticks was one of my favorite things in this book. I lost my own corgi earlier this year so the way KC jones described Fish was like… so accurate. I even had a dream about my dog after finishing this book.

But onto the story. It’s a very fun combination of the hype around reality tv and the paranormal. I love how people come up with creative hauntings and different explanations to hauntings, real or residual. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the first few chapters but was quickly hooked after. Frank was a very unique character, and I really enjoyed how he and Grace worked together.

Another plus is the massive diss on Criterion. We all know someone like that, unfortunately.

[Andrea Rittschof · Rating 5 out of 5]

House Haunters by KC Jones is a haunting paranormal story that twists together ghosts and reality tv into a compelling story. Grace is captivating and Frank’s fearlessness is unique and interesting. As characters, they are both intriguing with secondary characters that are engaging as well. The dynamic between Grace and Frank is romantic amidst the nightmare that the production of the show turns into.
One of the aspects I really enjoyed was the blend of reality tv and ghosts, how the story spins the normal tropes and creates a different idea of spirits and how they haunt people. I found the idea of a home inspector doing ghost abatements unique and creative. And the reality tv aspects were well written as AI and her boss keep Grace from doing the show the way she wants to. Ultimately, the story grabs you and doesn’t let you go, keeping elements connected together and a very satisfying ending.
If you like ghost stories that blend with reality tv, this book is for you. House Haunters is a haunting paranormal with a great twist on spirits, a twist in the story and an ending that will leave readers satisfied. I would love to see more from the author and these characters. It was a fun and enjoyable read.

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end!! It was super light hearted at times, but incredibly dark as well. I appreciated the ghost sniffing dog Fish Stick, and the companionship he brought to the book. His relationship with the house inspector, Frank, kept me reading lol. I didn’t want a chapter without a grunt or eye roll from that dog! I also really loved the reluctantly grumpy Frank. He grew on me. If this were made into a real tv show, I would watch it!
Grace really is the main character in the story. We get to see her growth in the tv industry as she discovers the show, shoots the pilot and directs it. She’s a talented Jack of all trades, who is also targeted by a spectral spirit. Frank needs to inspect her! lol her approach to Frank, and her initial apprehension to the whole ghost haunting thing is the story. Boy does she get into the thick of it.
The haunting scenes are scary as hell. Everything gets amped up as the story progresses, and it’s not pretty. The backstory behind the haunting is really well thought out and heartbreaking. I’m grateful the author gave us the history and not just the ghost. There was so much heart in this book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Seriously, Frank and Fish Stick might be two of my new favorite characters of all time. I found myself laughing out loud, genuinely getting nervous, and somehow feeling completely wholesome at the same time.

I loved the character development and relationship building throughout the story. The haunting was also done so well—just enough to keep things creepy without becoming overwhelming or cringey. And despite all the horrific stories woven throughout, I really appreciated getting a happy ending.

My only complaint is that I wish the ending was longer. That last chapter felt a little too short and didn’t quite do the rest of the book justice. I need to know MORE about this poltergeist, please!!

Also, this totally read like a movie, and if it does become one, I will definitely be watching!

Overall, if you’re a fan of haunted houses, budding romance, and general chaos, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the great eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.