Worry Box

by Chris Panatier

The Martins need a new home for their growing family. For Alison, Nathan, daughter Dru, and foster child Lailah, it’s love at first sight when they see the house in Tumbling Hills. It even has a cozy attic, which is great for Lailah: she needs a quiet place to be alone when her intrusive thoughts creep in.

(crack an egg into the coffee machine)

The family gets settled. The house is perfect, and so is the timing – Lailah’s adoption will soon be finalized. But as the date approaches, her intrusive thoughts become worse, and bad things start to happen. Lailah fears she’s losing control.

(push your sister down the stairs)

The family is on edge, pointing fingers and taking sides. And even though they love each other very much, the cracks begin to show. Something has got to give.

(burn them alive in their beds)

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Audiobook, Haunted House, Fiction, Suspense, Family

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

Chris lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and a fluctuating herd of animals resembling dogs (one is almost certainly a goat). He writes short stories and novels, "plays" the drums, and draws album covers for metal bands. As a lawyer, he goes after companies that poison people.

Chris's short fiction has appeared in many places. His novels come from Angry Robot, Sobelo Books, and Rapture Publishing. He's a member of SFWA and HWA.

Reviews

[Mya Joan Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something about this book that made me uncomfortable in the best way. I kept thinking about how much happens inside a home that no one outside ever sees. The walls witness the happiest moments, the worst arguments, the quiet crying, the secrets, the things people wish they could take back. You can walk into a house and have absolutely no idea what has happened there before you arrived. That thought definitely added another layer of uneasiness to this story for me.

The Martins think they’ve finally found the perfect home for their family. Alison and Nathan, their daughter Dru, and their foster child Lailah settle into the house in Tumbling Hills, and for a while, everything feels like it is falling into place. Lailah even has the attic as a quiet place to escape when her intrusive thoughts become overwhelming. With her adoption finally getting closer, it should be one of the happiest times of her life.

Instead, everything starts unraveling.

Lailah’s intrusive thoughts become more intense, and then disturbing things begin happening around the family. The scariest part for me was not knowing exactly where the danger was coming from. Was Lailah actually losing control? Was something else going on? Could the family trust each other? The more things happened, the more everyone seemed to become suspicious of everyone else.


I really enjoyed watching the family dynamic change as the tension increased. These people genuinely love each other, but fear can make even the closest relationships crack. Suddenly they are pointing fingers, taking sides, questioning each other, and trying to figure out what is happening before things get even worse.

I think that was what worked best for me—the psychological tension. There is something terrifying about not knowing whether the threat is coming from outside of you or from somewhere inside your own mind. I found myself constantly questioning what I would believe if I were in their situation.

I also loved the idea of thinking about everything a home has witnessed over the years. Every room, hallway, bedroom, and staircase has probably been the setting for someone's life. Someone has cried there. Someone has celebrated there. Someone has had an argument there. Someone has probably kept a secret there. And then another family comes along and starts their own story without knowing any of that history.

That thought honestly creeped me out.

really enjoyed the atmosphere, the disturbing intrusive thoughts, the family tension, and the way everything slowly became more and more unsettling.

By the end, I was left thinking about how easily a place that is supposed to feel safe can become the exact opposite.

Sometimes the scariest thing isn't being somewhere unfamiliar.

It's realizing that something terrible could be happening somewhere you thought you knew completely.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title/Author: Worry Box by Chris Panatier
Format Read: NetGalley arc
Pub date: Sept. 22nd, 2026
Publisher: Angry Robot
Page Count: 352
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978183673...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Haunted Houses (unique twist)
- Emotional, high-stakes horror
- Family dynamics
- Paranormal activity/Possession
- Multiple POVs
- Suspense/Escalation
"An unsettling horror story with a mysterious twist from a celebrated voice in horror. Perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts."

__
Minor complaints:
- The animal cruelty/murder was A LOT (I skimmed a bunch) I understand its purpose but it's a lot. (the family dog does survive)

Final recommendation: 

No, this book is H O R R O R
Ok seriously listen, I do not say this lightly, go into this book EYES WIDE OPEN. Know your boundaries and the things that give you ANXIETY— your worst fears! Are you a parent? Tread lightly here
ESPECIALLY first time parents who already worry about everything-this will just add to your anxiety about growing your family.
Let me back up.
This is a family on the precipice of disaster. And discerning people who have walked decades on this earth know what I mean when I say—moving to a new house is a test, right? It’s stressful. Now add all the anxious worries of a new baby to that and then add a foster child who has dark, intrusive thoughts to THAT. Does that sound like a nightmare already?
It should.
Now add a house who has experienced some sh!t.
A miasma of worry and anxiety and trauma and BAD STUFF all swirling around inside this…this…well, WORRY BOX
.
I skimmed some chapters for animal stuff and I will straight up tell you, it’s not light. It’s awful. It’s the bad things. I get why it’s here, it’s relevant but yeah I skipped and I still know what happened without actually reading it. The devil is in the details.
Also, this is dark—the intrusive thoughts? Very dark. And maybe all of this wouldn't have been so troubling if I wasn't so emotionally invested. I fell in love with the sisters, Dru and Lailah. I even really loved both parents, Nathan and Alison--I could see their situation reasonably from both perspectives-they both had really strong convictions. The dialogue and the family dynamics are so authentic! Very suspenseful, high-stakes horror.
5 stars all day because I have not felt this OUT OF MY SKIN scared in a long time. So all you readers asking for the scary stuff?
I offer you this NASTY BUSINESS!!
Well done @chrispanatier
.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Immortal Horror

Comps: Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey, This House Isn't Haunted But We Are by Stephen Howard, The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca

[Brandon Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one!! It’s such a unique twist on the traditional haunted house story (go into it blind!!)- it’s a bit slow at times, but this was solid.

**heads up there is some stuff with animals unfortunately, but it never felt gratuitous and is easily skippable.

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

what if our houses had memories & feelings?

this was such a refreshing take on the traditional haunted house story. i must admit it took me a while to really get into this, but once i hit around 80 pgs, i was flying through it. Worry Box is definitely more of a slow burn of suspense & psychological dread, but trust me, it's so worth it. waiting to see what intrusive thought came to life next was anxiety inducing!

this is not your average haunted house tale where things go bump in the night & blood oozes out of random places.. this has heart. the shining element here is absolutely the family. everyone feels real & complex, & it made it so easy to care about them. my favorite thing was the relationship between Dru & Lailah. Dru was such a punk rock little rebel, & she made me laugh so many times. Lailah...oh Lailah. i was rooting for her until the very end. she was such a sweet soul & i was ready to swoop in & whisk her away when the fingers started pointing in her direction. i kept thinking "I CAN'T PROVE IT BUT I KNOW SHE'S INNOCENT!" it could just be me but i definitely preferred Nathan over Alison. no spoilers, but she really started to get under my skin. i know she was just being protective but at the same time...ughhhh!

the multiple povs & being inside everyone's head really helped to amp up the tension. the intrusive thoughts being woven throughout the story were also a nice touch. the next time i hear a random creak or suspicious noise, i'll be thinking..."is my house trying to tell me something?"

Worry Box needs to be on anyone's radar who likes a good haunted house story— but check trigger warnings!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Alya · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Worry Box by Chris Panatier
Publication date 22nd September 2026
Thoughts
I have yet again unlocked myself a new author!This was such an intriguing take on a haunted house plot, the way this story was written and even told had me hooked from the getgo! Definitely on of my favourite ARCs I've gotten to read this year! Yes this is horror; I'll rephrase HORROR in the sense that it may be a disturbing or uncomfortable read for some, please put yourself first before reading it; this read also contains mentions of animal abuse. (The family dog survives)

Read if you enjoy
▪︎ Paranormal activity / possession
▪︎ Emotional / high stakes horror

Plot Summary
The Martins move into their dream home with their daughter Dru and foster daughter Lailah, hoping for a fresh start. As Lailah’s adoption gets closer, however, her intrusive thoughts become increasingly disturbing, and strange things begin happening around the family. Soon, tension grows as they start turning against one another, leaving them questioning whether Lailah is truly responsible for what is happening.


Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC

My Bookstagram

[Marguerite Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really scared the hell out of me. Chris made me feel like I was walking on a tightrope never knowing if I was going to fall or make it to the other side. This was a story of a wonderful family I just adored. Nathan the dad, Alison the mom, Dru their 9 year old biological daughter, and Laila their 12 year old foster daughter who btw has intrusive thoughts, and boy are they nasty! They find their dream home which is of course too good to be true, and decide to buy it. After they move in, weird things start happening. Unexplained, horrible things. I have never been so stressed out reading a book in my life! I would finally feel relief, and then boom! He pulls the rug out again! Of course in between all of the stress we get the signature Panatier wit that I have grown to love(some of Dru’s lines were just hilarious!), and damnit the way this book is laid out is just so clever. The claustrophobic feeling you get is incredible. You become just as unhinged as the characters, getting sucked into the same thought process they’re going through. There’s so much sadness in this family it breaks my heart, but the love that’s there is so deep. Chris puts me through a roller coaster of emotions in this one again. He really knows how to make a scene explode in front of your eyes. Making me completely broken by the end, but he always does it with such beauty and intelligence. Panatier is a true talent and Worry Box is not to be missed!!

[phoenix *ੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I totally ate this up. I was hooked from the very first chapters. I couldn't tell where the story was going. For me the central question was: who is the real antagonist here? Lailah, with her increasingly disturbing intrusive thoughts, who actually seems like a good person? Or the house itself, which seems to be protecting the family? I think I knew, but there could always be a plottwist.

Being inside Lailah's head was also very interesting. I felt for her, yet her thoughts were unsettling. The foster care and adoption storyline also adds emotional stakes too; you're not just scared for this family, you care about them staying together. The horror builds slowly, yes, but the ending was very good. I really really enjoyed this.

✧ Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC!

[Becky Spratford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in the August 2026 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2026/08... (link live 8/10 at 7am central)

Three Words That Describe This Book: steadily escalating unease, foster kids, haunted house titled sideways

So much tension. It grows slowly at first, the haunting twist is revealed before page 100 but even then, that grows as well, in tandem with the story line of the family. We start unease and it build, escalates-- goes from unsettling to unbalanced to ready to burst.

This is also a story of the different ways trauma is internalized and dealt with. And that part was done cleverly. I cannot say more but know it is not just the family members who hold trauma.

The story follows the Martin family as they move into a new home in the primer neighborhood of the Indianapolis suburbs. Allison is the mother, Nathan the father (a former foster kid), Dru their precious, punk rock loving daughter, and Lailah (12)-- older than Dru and their foster kid who they are getting ready to adopt. All four of them have the POV as does "the ghost"

Lailah has intrusive thoughts which are very intense and violent, but she controls them by writing them down and storing them in her "worry box."

The house holds its own trauma. Readers catch a glimpse of it in the terrifying prologue, but they don't know the half of it until later in the book. But that opening scene sets the terrifying tone. YEs the story backs up to the Martins moving in the house and noticing a small in one room and that strange things are happening (on their own) but none of it is nefarious-- at first. And yet, readers cannot shake that terrifying first scene. It is there to remind you that things are not a great as they seem, without hitting you over the head with it.

And it gets worse and worse for the family, the house, and the ghost. I enjoyed the sidewise tilt of the haunted house trope-- it worked very well for this story. How and why the haunting becomes more intense, how the different daily members react, the honest discussion of fostering kids, the way trauma is internalized and the different ways that trauma is dealt with. There are good ways and bad ways to do it. But the discussion is there if readers want to engage with it.

And that's the other thing, this is an enjoyable haunted house story even for readers who do not want to engage with the more thought-provoking aspects. That is a good thing. Especially with library readers-- we want books that can appeal to different readers for different reasons. These are the titles that we love to be able to handout to a wide range of patrons. Worry Box is good for this.

An intense and satisfying haunted house story that will burrow deep into readers and allow them to feel the tension with their entire body. You will feel the build up and be ready when it bursts open.

This is a haunted house story in the vein of The Haunting of Hill House by Jackson or The House Next Door by Siddons. If you have read these, this is a bit of a spoiler, but also that part of the story is revealed before you are a third of the way through and it is not the half of it in terms of spoiling what happens.

It has the intensity of dread escalating to interfere with a family's relationships like The Grip of It Jemc.

[liv stormborn ʚɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

’Perhaps the better lesson to acknowledge is this: you can't make people see things they don't want to see’

Worry Box is a haunted house hotel following family of four, Nathan, Alison, daughter Dru and adopted daughter Lailah, after they move into their new home in Tumbling Hills. What is initially the start to a picture perfect life quickly turns dire after baby Evan is born and mysteriously attacked by an unknown force. While Nathan and Alison argue over which daughter is to blame - sleepwalking Dru or Lailah with her intrusive thoughts - the girls begin to question if the ghost they suspect is living in their home is truly friendly.

Now if I had a penny for every horror novel I read this month about a sentient haunted house, I’d have two pennies, which isn’t a lot, but it’s strange that it’s happened twice! Either way, I can say with certainty that Worry Box is definitely an improvement on The House That Eats the Dead, from its characterisation, to it’s scares, to the actual house.

I really enjoyed the way in which Panatier made you feel for this family, and root for them even when times were tough. Lailah was by far my favourite character, with the most depth and personality, and I think the author discussed the mental health struggles that come with being in the foster system with a lot of care and understanding. I was also a massive fan of how the house was portrayed, just as real a character as any of the actual humans who inhabited it. This was seriously such a unique take on the haunted house trope, and one that actually had me concerned for the safety of everyone involved. I can’t say I was scared, but I was certainly uncomfortable at times.

My biggest issue with this book was the pacing, which I felt suffered in the final third from bloating. 50-100 pages being cut from the conclusion would have helped massively, in my opinion. I also was a little sceptical of Dru, who had an entirely too adult personality for a 9-year-old child. She genuinely had thoughts and conversations akin to a teenager, and that really took me out of the narrative at times.

Despite that, I still had a lot of fun with this story. Overall, Worry Box gets 4/5 stars.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very original take of the haunted house trope - I absolutely loved listening to this on audio. This book hooked me from the first chapter. I loved the idea that a home can hold years of secrets and memories. I loved watching the family tension build as Lailah’s intrusive thoughts intensified and no one knew who they could trust. The unsettling atmosphere kept me questioning everything and made me think about how quickly a safe place can become terrifying. This book has heart and horror intertwined and I think this is the beginning of my journey with a new auto-read author!

[Madison Todd · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was such a unique take on a haunted house book. It was creepy with heart. Perfect for the best season of the year.

[unstable.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well he’s done it again. Review to come

Worry Box takes the familiar haunted house story and gives it a fresh twist. What starts as a hopeful new beginning for the Martin family quickly becomes the stuff of nightmares, but the supernatural elements are only a part of what makes this story so unsettling. Beyond the strange and increasingly dangerous events taking place is a very human story about what family is, belonging, fear, and a child who desperately needs to feel wanted. Lailah's intrusive thoughts are incredibly disturbing enough on their own, particularly as her potential adoption looms. But when those thoughts seem to bleed into reality and terrible things being happening in their new home, the uncertainty becomes the real source of tension. Panatier keeps you constantly guessing about who, or what, is responsible for these incidents. Even when pieces of the mystery begin to fall into place, there is still enough doubt to keep you questioning everything. A notable detail is now the home feels like an active presence in the story and turns a place representing safety and stability into something almost threatening. Meanwhile, the pressure placed on the Martin family as a whole creates ever-growing cracks that make the supernatural parts hit that much harder. The pacing is excellent, with twists arriving at the perfect moments without ever becoming overwhelming. More importantly, the emotional stakes give the horror even more impact. I came for the scares, but it was Lailah's story and the family's struggle to protect each other that kept me completely invested. Worry Box is masterful, unpredictable, and emotionally brutal. Panatier has cleverly reinvented the haunted house formula and proves there are always new ways to scare. Thank you Chris for sending me an early copy for review. This book is an absolute must read. Make sure you preorder one of the best books of 2026! Published by Angry Robot, Worry Box hits bookstores September 22nd, 2026. Full coverage to come soon from Cemetery Dance!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a creative story! The perspectives are surprising and it was great fun not knowing where things were going. Characters and their development are top notch. You really felt like you were watching the family as you read through pages. It was so enjoyable to try to figure out what was causing disturbances… was it a family member or something more sinister. I thoroughly enjoyed his read and would 100% read a part two to this story. There’s much more I want to know about this landscape!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m just going to preface this by saying this story is pretty messed up 😆. Chris, my man, your soul has left the building lol. With that said, I loved it.

This is a haunted house trope where the house is a whole character itself. It even has a name, Andy. Andy sounds pretty harmless right? Wrong.

The Martins move into a new home that they instantly fall in love with. It’s mom, dad, daughter Dru, and their foster daughter Lailah. Everyone plays happy families as they acclimate to their new home. I fell in love with this sweet family right from the jump. Well, until I didn’t.

Worry Box is one of those stories that slowly spirals downward and turns into a full-on dumpster fire. They suspect Lailah is responsible since she suffers with intrusive thoughts. But as the horrors unfold, could a child really do this?

Hawt damn this story is DARK DUDE. Way dark. The creepy kid trope is heavy in this one. Some things detailed here might be triggering for some. The sensitive subject matter really broke my heart and I found myself almost tearing up at times.

Worry Box is a slow burn decent into madness with the mixed creepy kid and haunted house tropes. The story itself is original, gripping, and truly terrifying. I really enjoyed it and it releases just in time for spooky season.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger warnings of animal torture, the foster system, and child abuse. If those are deal breakers, skip this one.

Out 9/22

[Nina The Wandering Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Like all living things, a house retains something of its occupants when they move on too, through death or destination. The reason people feel the way they do about 'the old house' goes way beyond nostalgia. They leave a part of themselves behind. And a house keeps that residue for itself whether it wants to or not.”

A young girl is battling frightening, intrusive thoughts as she and her foster family move into an old house that carries traumas of its own. This was a legitimately tense and scary read!

[Lorin (paperbackbish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Chris and Angry Robot for my free ARC of Worry Box by Chris Panatier — out Sep 22!

» READ IF YOU «
🗳️ ever act on your intrusive thoughts, just a teeny bit
🏡 think houses have memories
👻 want to root for every single character (except the Ragsdales, ugh)

» SYNOPSIS «
The Martins just bought their dream home in Tumbling Hills and are settling in. Alison, Nathan, and their daughter Dru are especially looking forward to foster daughter Lailah’s adoption being finalized. But the move seems to have shaken the girls a little—Dru insists there’s paranormal activity in the house, while Lailah’s intrusive thoughts are getting worse and more violent with each passing day. And…they’re coming true? Is Lailah losing control?

» REVIEW «
Whew, what a book. If you know Chris Panatier’s work, you’ll know already that he has a talent for bringing intense emotion to his horror stories, and this one is certainly no exception! I truly didn’t expect to like and root for every single character in this story (with the notable exception of the house’s previous family) but alas, here they all are just trying to do the best they can for each other.

This is my favorite kind of horror story, because it has so much heart. But it’s still firmly horrific! A few times, I physically had to put the book down because what was happening was just…too much. I love when an author can take two seemingly opposed states, like love and terror, and meld them together into a story that’s got real staying power. Panatier is great at it.

No spoilers here, I think you should go into it as blind as possible, but Worry Box will definitely make you sweat—the characters are under palpable stress, which is what got me more than once, since I genuinely cared about them. Chris, you know what you did in that one part, with the yeeting—hot damn. Anyway, be mindful if you’re sensitive to animal death, as it’s all technically off-page, but still reeeeally visceral and tough to read. And, who knew molasses could make you shudder?

Do not miss this book in September; grab a copy and head up into a cozy attic to read it, if you’ve got one…

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry Box by Chris Panatier is a unique haunted house horror novel. The house has opinions and its own ideas about right and wrong, which take a sinister turn.

Panatier delivers an emotional, deeply psychological story about being part of a family. The horror explores misunderstanding and the question of whether the ends justify the means. If you believed it was just a matter of time until evil was unleashed, would you do anything you could to stop it? That is what a haunted house believes in Worry Box.

The Worry Box is a device used by a foster child who is still developing and dealing with past trauma. She writes down her intrusive thoughts and places them in the Worry Box, which is an old shoebox with a slit in it. She doesn't want to do those things. They are just thoughts, and if she writes them down, she is free of them. But what she doesn't know is that the house reads these thoughts and becomes concerned.

The horror is a bit of a slow burn after the bloody prologue, but Panatier uses that time to build up the characters so the reader is emotionally invested when the haunted house starts messing with the residents. We feel like we are part of this tight-knit family that slowly starts unraveling at the seams.

This book is very emotional. Lailah, the foster kid who hopes to be adopted by the Martin family, will break your heart, and you just want to give her a hug. Her relationship with Dru, the younger daughter, and Nathan, the dad, is very special. The story really taps into the fear of not belonging and feeling like it is your fault. I really resonated with this, coming from divorced parents and having to acclimate to stepparents and stepkids.

The novel is told from multiple perspectives, including the house itself, which works well with the story. I thought sometimes the house's knowledge was a stretch. When Hessians came up in the story, it pulled me out a bit. I guess the house can read, but it's still a stretch.

The ending was good, but I felt it was a bit too long. I felt the house lost a little bit of its motivation in the process. I do like where the characters all ended up, and I enjoyed the final line of the novel.

[Samantha Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

WORRY BOX by Chris Panatier Final Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Panatier writing HORROR. (Hell yes)

"A loaded pistol of compulsions on a hair trigger."

A few chapters in, I'm backtracking because wth? Halfway through, I'm stressed the f**k out. Whirlwind of emotions as I try to figure what's going on, rooting for them, scared for them and scared of them. Several points, screaming no, I almost threw the book. DAMN.

This book is terrifying because it's stripped down to a handful of characters, a family primarily, and I loved this family. Always scariest when I don't know what's going on and I'm invested. Why do I love them so much? They are relatable, trying to do everything right under escalating pressure and INTENSE circumstances.

Intrusive thoughts, holy hell "Pick up the baby and flip him in the air."

He put me in the house with them, took the time to let me get to know them, kept it confined and did not play. There is not a word or page wasted. It's his best paced book, his tightest prose and his scariest. Even something like a bookcase stopped in midair is unsettling because it's just the start.

SERIOUS psychological terror with extremely disturbing images and scenes. Brace yourselves.


Out Sept.22
Pre-ordered early so got it 3 weeks in advance. I bought the book this is not an ARC review.
*I've read everything he's written except for one, I've enjoyed following his growth as a writer.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worry Box by Chris Panatier follows the Martin family as they move into their dream house in Tumbling Hills.

The house seems to have everything they could ever want: garage space for Alison's dog-grooming business, office space for Nathan, garden space for daughter Dru to keep a small chicken run, and a room for foster child Lailah to escape to when she has intrusive thoughts.

What the Martin family doesn't know is that the house has a deep and dark past.

When unexplained, dangerous incidents start to occur, the Martins start to fracture and turn against each other, but the root cause may be beyond their wildest imaginations.

This was a novel that had a lot going for it. The characterisation was strong, particularly where the children were concerned. Both Dru and Lailah felt very developed, without coming across as overly precious.

I also thought the haunted house aspect was handled in a unique way, and it was compelling to watch unfold.

Despite that, I didn't feel that the story ever got into high gear. Worry Box was a solid, likeable read; however, there were too many lapses in the characters' reasoning at key moments, which was rather frustrating. I also felt the conflict between Nathan and Alison was contrived and overly drawn out, so much so that it almost pulled me out of the story.

Overall, Worry Box is still worth a look, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to any readers who are overly sensitive to mentions of animal abuse.

With thanks to Angry Robot for the ARC.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never certain what was going to happen next in this haunted house story. It is a tale of family, suspense, and pain, with a few genuinely creepy moments. Panatier does an excellent job of getting into the psyche of the characters, and I was rooting for them all in one way or another. Goes to the top of my favorites from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prologue of WORRY BOX set the stage for one creepy novel, and I couldn’t wait to lose myself in its promise of one heck of a read! The book centers on the Martin family— parents Nathan and Alison, their young daughter Dru, son Evan, and foster daughter Lailah, whose intrusive thoughts factor into an evolving plot that never gives the reader a breather. Add a new house that is potentially haunted and you get a story that becomes increasingly horrific and disturbing on a whole other level.

The character development of each of the Martin clan was fabulous, but I especially loved reading about Lailah and her struggles. She’s a foster child who desperately wants to be adopted and finally have her forever family, but she also struggles with some incredibly disturbing thoughts she has no control over. Born from these intrusive thoughts is a worry box to help Lailah remove them from her mind and give her a semblance of power over them.

Another favorite character was Dru, whose snarky attitude and fearlessness was endearing. The relationship she and Lailah form was my favorite part of the book. I loved these two girls and how much they supported each other. Parents Alison and Nathan could have learned a lot from these two smart, perceptive children.

I loved the multiple POVs and being able to see into the minds of the characters. The author ever-so-slowly revealed pieces of the story without giving anything away until the end. The feelings of horror and terror were visceral—the kind that easily get under your skin. This definitely isn’t just another haunted house story!

The family’s honeymoon phase after moving into their new home is short-lived, though, with strange and mysterious happenings soon morphing into deadly occurrences that threaten the family in unimaginable ways. The tension and suspense just kept building, and I was constantly questioning what was actually happening in that house, and whom—or what—could be trusted. Author Chris Panatier created such a frightening, unsettling story, and oh how I loved this fresh take on haunted house tales.

(I must add that the passages surrounding animal cruelty were incredibly—and I mean incredibly— difficult for me to get through. I found myself skimming these sections, praying they wouldn’t last long. I understand that it was included to show how monstrous certain individuals in the book were, but I do believe that point could have been made in other ways.)

I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Chris Panatier, and Angry Robot for gifting me the ARC of WORRY BOX. I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read this novel before publication!

[Jennifer · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Very clever play on a haunted house story. I might be reaching a bit but I felt like it could be a commentary on AI. I kinda loved this one. Hated the audiobook narration fyi.

[Eleni Argyrò · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally appearing on FanFiAddict.com

Hello again dear reader or listener, I return after a small reviewing hiatus as I’ve been cajoled – see half dragged – back from several weeks (ok, fine, months) of a total inability to finish any book I started, by a September release that will meet all of your horror needs ahead of spooky season.

So, with a quick thank you to the author for sending me an eARC and my usual promise to you, dear reader, that I’m being honest in my ravings, allow me to tell you why Worry Box by Chris Panatier belongs on your shelves.

I can now say I’ve read most of Panatier’s work (still have a couple to catch up on but they’re definitely on the horizon) and can confidently claim this as my favorite of his wordsmithing. Truly, in my first ever review of his work I said that even though that particular book had not fully been to my liking near the end, I found the tact and grace of his handling of very important themes masterful and his evocative writing worthy of note so I would keep reading him. Three excellent books later including this one, I’m very pleased to say that Worry Box is Panatier at the very top of his game and at his most well-crafted to date. So far that is, as he doesn’t show signs of stopping, and I hope for all of us that he never does!

The only reason Worry Box was a two sittings read was that I started it late at night and hearing the early birds start to sing at 4:30 am really does remind you that you had things to do that morning. And yet I had no regrets, because I didn’t need sleep, I needed answers and the inexorable growing dread and anxiety to come to an end. Not only is this book an exceptionally fresh take on the haunted house but it takes all of your certainties and feelings of safety away. It doesn’t simply play on the idea that bad things happen to good people, it instead crawls under your skin with the terrible realization that good intentions can go horrifically wrong and there is nothing you can do about it but watch it all unfold helplessly and suddenly short of breath.

The Martins are a good family, a healthy one, helmed by two emotionally mature adults who have dealt with their past demons and are determined to help their kids face their own in the safest way possible. There is acceptance and communication with boundaries, true nurture, fun, and care.
Until there isn’t.
You root for all of them to succeed and be happy because you get all of their points of view, yes, but also because Panatier takes the time to actually invite the reader to be a part of this happy family that has found the perfect new home, whose rooms are always the right temperature. Never mind the dining room that still smells just a little off. You are there with them, comfortable in their warmth and relaxed in their presence.
Until you are not.

If up until a certain point you felt a part of this family and story, you find yourself slowly being inched out of the house and, before you’ve fully realized it, you are now locked outside looking in unable to warn them as all of that previous warmth starts to go chillingly cold. Things start going wrong and unravel, trust starts to fade, characters who you thought wouldn’t possibly crack under pressure slowly and dreadfully reach their breaking point. And that is perhaps the scariest and most unsettling part of this book. You can do everything right, but if the right (or wrong in this case) amount of things start chipping away at you, even you are vulnerable.

Panatier not only strikes the perfect balance between delightfully frustrating and utter uncertainty but he weaves his story and narrators in such a deliciously evil manner that he well and truly makes it impossible for you to know who to trust. Is one narrator being truthful compared to another, are they blocking out or forgetting things that they are responsible of, or is it something or someone else entirely? Who is unreliable and who isn’t?

It was maddening and ominous in the best of ways and I couldn’t get enough while simultaneously suffering in silence, wishing for it to end, willing my eyes to Just. Read. Faster! I already mentioned feeling short of breath but I found myself literally sweating and eventually even holding my breath entirely for a considerable section of the final act. If that doesn’t tell you how much of an impact an author’s words can have on a person! Cause there’s invested and then there’s completely immersed in what you’re reading that you completely forget you’re sat somewhere comfortable and safe and start feeling literal fight or flight within your own body.

Moreover, I mentioned tact and grace and that is in no short amount here as well when Panatier explores topics of parental abuse, intrusive thoughts (the real ones, not the internet’s teehee-I-got-a-funky-outfit-today variety), post-partum, and mental health. His characters are so well developed and fleshed out in ways that preclude any villainization. Especially when it comes to the mother of the family, lesser authors would’ve taken the easy – sometimes subconscious – route of othering her and, through their inflections and writing, allow her to become the “hysterical” and “unreasonable” character you emotionally check out from.
Or, in the same vein, when conflict of this caliber starts breaking loving couples apart and they show their red flags as it were, more often than not something on either or both sides severs the connection you originally felt for them and now, best case scenario, you just want them to go their separate ways and be done with it. Worst, you’re lowkey wishing for the offending party to die a horrible death. While understandable and often explored well, this type of dynamic breakdown has started feeling inevitable if not cliché to me personally so it was so satisfying to see Panatier did not go down that road. This is an author I’ve come to trust and knew he wouldn’t let me down and yet I was still gratified with the way he subverted trope, and my own, expectations.

To me it feels like empathy is the driving force behind this book, both narratively and thematically. What happens when there is too much or too little of it? Do we allow ourselves to be blinded by it or can we learn to discern the right course of action even when it feels callous or cruel? Also, the true empathy you can’t help but feel toward all of the characters – every single one – is what places Panatier on a class of his own for me.

Now, I’ve said a lot while not nearly enough so, in short:

Worry Box is a beautifully written and downright unrelenting narrative that will warm you and scare you in equal measure. It will make you think and ponder, it will make you understand while also giving you no answers until the very end. You will be turning the pages with one hand while peeking through your fingers of the other, afraid of what will happen next but unable to look away.

Believe me when I say, this is a must read for both seasoned fans of horror and for readers who want to give the genre a go for the first time. As for me, it has merely cemented Panatier’s spot on my shelves. I thoroughly enjoyed both his previous works, Shitshow and Daytide, for their own merits, but I believe the more grounded nature of this one truly hit home differently.

Worry Box is out through Angry Robot this September 22nd and you definitely want to preorder it!

Until next time,
Eleni A.E

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Chris Panatier and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.

That was even better then I thought it was going to be and perfect for the spooky season. The story had both a creepy vibe with just the right amount of humor mixed in.

The characters were interesting and honestly I thought I had aspects figured out ahead of time and was kicking myself when I was wrong.

The narrator didn't feel quite right for the story. Wouldn't have been my first choice for the style of the book but his voice grew on me as the novel progressed.

Great read.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was disturbing and scary in like a real way with our girl Lailah’s intrusive thoughts. My worst fear would be my child to be going through something like this and then following through with it or something. The Worry Box had me terrified. I really loved this book, but all I could think was why didn’t they get like inside the house cameras like in Paranormal Activity, I know cost might have been an issue but I def would have started investing once the first issue came up. This book was multi-pov and one of the povs was the house and I loved that perspective, it was such a different new way to take a pov I feel. I had to skip through some of the house’s pov scenes because they were a little too much for me, but I still found it so interesting. This book is haunted house/possession/scary child vibes and I do think it’s perfect for spooky season so I hope everyone reads it in the next month. The narrator of the audiobook, Chris Sorensen, has such a distinctive voice and I thought he was perfect doing the voices for this book especially the house chapters!

[booked.with.julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really got under my skin!!

The Martins move into what feels like the perfect home for a fresh start with their biological daughter, Dru, and foster daughter, Lailah. Alison and Nathan are preparing to finalize the adoption of Lailah, while trying to build a stable life for their family. Lailah has a history with intrusive thoughts. Her therapist recommends a worry box. Write those thoughts down and stuff it in the box. As they settle in, her intrusive thoughts become darker, more violent, and harder to control. And then bad things start happening…

The way the intrusive thoughts are woven throughout the story was sooo unsettling. When one appeared, the tension amped up because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. This is a horror you will NOT want to miss.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worry? You’re darn right I’m going to worry. This is tension in book format. How could you do this to us Chris? The poor people in this book! Ugh! I don’t know when I’ve felt so uptight. The absolute helplessness that I felt while listening to this audiobook. Okay, okay…breathe. Just thinking about it brings back that feeling of needing to do something to help.
Chris Panatier really shines a spotlight on what it must feel like to be a foster child. Can you imagine what would be running through your head knowing that any wrong move could have you returned to the store like you’re a broken toy? Knowing that you are far from perfect but are innocent (you think) of all the mysterious and dangerous happenings around the house.
Speaking of house, the house in this book is a character. Not a haunted house or some demon living in the house but the home itself. Its name is Andy and it is really well done for an inanimate object. Definitely adds a new perspective to the story.
ENOUGH NICETIES! Yes this is a great book with some amazing characters but the…AHHHHH! I don’t want to say any more, just go read this before I cover you with molasses and put you on an ant hill.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worry Box by Chris Panatier ended up being one of the best haunted house books I've ever read. It offered such a unique take on a classic and well-used trope. Told through multiple points of view, the story slowly unravels, keeping me on edge and making me increasingly anxious to find out what would happen next with each chapter. It had exactly the kind of tension I love in a horror novel like this.

The story follows the Martin family: Alison, Nathan, their 9-year-old daughter Dru, and their 11-year-old foster daughter Lailah, whom they hope to adopt. When they move into a new house, Lailah’s dark and unwanted intrusive thoughts start manifesting in disturbing ways. Despite using a worry box to help manage these thoughts, things take an even darker turn with the arrival of baby Evan.

I loved how the sense of dread kept building throughout the story, leaving me increasingly uneasy and on edge, making the story all the more effective as a horror novel. The idea of Lailah’s intrusive thoughts seemingly manifesting in real life made the whole story even more unsettling. I loved how the story kept me questioning who I could trust, never quite knowing whether Lailah was responsible for what was happening, if someone else in the family was involved, or if the house itself was to blame.

Besides the family’s POVs, Andy’s perspective added another layer of strangeness to the story and made everything even more intriguing and unpredictable. Of course I won't reveal who Andy is but I thought this was such a brilliant addition to the story.

Overall, Worry Box by Chris Panatier was a deeply unsettling read that kept me on edge and left me anxious about what disturbing turn the story would take next. It's easily become one of my favourite haunted house novels!

[Stephanie]

I have a feeling this would be great in print, but unfortunately, I’m DNFing it because it’s literally the worst audiobook narration I’ve heard in my entire life.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Definitely an outlier here, but between the animal cruelty and just boring mundane shit, I was bored to tears.