What do you think?
Bad Things Happened Here
For fans of R.L. Stine, this supernatural horror follows twelve-year-old Sam to his unsettling family home in Singapore, where his journey to unearth details of his dead mother’s life entangles him in a deadly decades-old mystery.
Lonely twelve-year-old Sam Wells has never known his mother. So when his maternal grandmother calls with a plane ticket to Singapore, he hopes the trip will give him the answers he’s been looking for. But his imposing family home isn’t what he expected. His grandmother is a stranger. Spiders crawl over impassible mounds of hoarded mementos. The house is such a labyrinth that Sam can barely make his way through the boxes, let alone find out anything about his mom.
Until he meets her ghost, frozen in time at age twelve.
Something terrible happened when Priya Malhotra was just a schoolgirl in Singapore. Something twisted enough to keep her trapped. Something that might be happening again. Children are going missing as they did decades before in Sam’s eerily unsettling neighborhood . . . and the closer Sam gets to the terrifying truth that lurks within the haunted, abandoned factory where the original crimes occurred, the more it seems that Sam will be the next to disappear.
To save himself, he’ll have to untangle the mystery. But if he does, will he lose his mom forever?
Lonely twelve-year-old Sam Wells has never known his mother. So when his maternal grandmother calls with a plane ticket to Singapore, he hopes the trip will give him the answers he’s been looking for. But his imposing family home isn’t what he expected. His grandmother is a stranger. Spiders crawl over impassible mounds of hoarded mementos. The house is such a labyrinth that Sam can barely make his way through the boxes, let alone find out anything about his mom.
Until he meets her ghost, frozen in time at age twelve.
Something terrible happened when Priya Malhotra was just a schoolgirl in Singapore. Something twisted enough to keep her trapped. Something that might be happening again. Children are going missing as they did decades before in Sam’s eerily unsettling neighborhood . . . and the closer Sam gets to the terrifying truth that lurks within the haunted, abandoned factory where the original crimes occurred, the more it seems that Sam will be the next to disappear.
To save himself, he’ll have to untangle the mystery. But if he does, will he lose his mom forever?
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Moniza Hossain
5 books55 followersMoniza Hossain is a Singaporean author who writes books full of magic and wonder for children. When she’s not busy writing, she teaches English literature and paints dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 18, 2026
Bad Things Happened here is the most delightfully spooky read! 👻
I loved the MC, Sam - twelve, lonely and craving the chance to learn more about his Mother, that he never knew.
The writing style was one of those where it just instantly hooks you. I can’t pinpoint anything specific about it other than I was immediately SAT, and needed to know what would happen next.
I was impressed by how well Hossain wrote the spooky atmosphere. I find MG is often hit or miss with horror, I guess because finding the balance of spooky, but not too scary for MG readers is hard, but this was perfect.
This book does focus on grief a lot, I personally feel like this was done so well. In particular, how Hussain showed that each character had their own ways of managing their grief.
This was so beautifully haunting, it’s one I will definitely think about for a while.
September 14, 2026
Bad Things Happened Here is the perfect spooky read! The story is so moving and emotional without letting the scary metre drop. I loved how each character had their own journey and processing of grief. I couldn't put the book down inspite of having to keep the lights on for many parts.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Sam Wells is somewhat reluctant to spend a month in Singapore with his maternal grandmother, Jyoti, but since his mother died when he was a baby, it seems like a good opportunity to learn more about her. Sam is concerned when he sees his grandmother's house: it's packed with items, not very clean, and in an oppressively gloomy neighborhood. The two neighbors he meets, Aunty Nurual and Paul, a frail Australian man, seem nice enough, and he even meets a boy his age, Hafiz. His grandmother teaches English, so Sam has a chance to look around the house and try to find out things about his mother. His grandmother hasn't cleaned out her room, although his mother never returned to Singapore after starting college. The most disturbing thing is that Sam sees a horrific ghost, but also his mother at the age of twelve! Priya Malhotra, his mother, claims she isn't a ghost, but there's clearly something horrible that has gone on. Sam and Hafiz find an abandoned factory in the neighborhood, and come across a decades old Nokia phone with "Tammy" bedazzled on it. They do some research and find that there have been a number of neighborhood children who have gone missing over the years, and feel that they need to solve the mystery of what happened to Tammy so that her spirit, and possibly Priya's spirit, can move on. Neither Sam's grandmother nor Aunty Nural will talk about the disappearances, and it turns out that both of their husbands were questioned in Tammy's disappearance. The boys even go to visit Tammy's mother, claiming they are researching her death for a school project. She isn't interested in talking to them, but Tammy's sister does, and tells the boys that she has also seen her sister's ghost. When Hafiz goes missing, Sam knows that it's up to him to not only solve the mystery of Tammy's disappearance, but to figure out what it has to do with his new friend's absence.
Strengths: I was not entirely sure where this story was heading, but my students will be delighted that it heads off in the direction of a serial killer! The murderer ends up being VERY close to home, and there are some nerve wracking scenes of horror, both with the ghost and with the human culprit. The Singapore setting was interesting, although it seems a bit too humid and hot for me to want to actually visit. The hoarding issue was an interesting inclusion, and it was good to see that Sam's presence made the grandmother take a look at her lifestyle and make some changes. This definitely has several different levels of scariness to it. It's perfect for middle school, but maybe a little too much for elementary students.
Weaknesses: This may need to be hand sold, because the cover is a bit murky. It does capture the atmosphere of the book, but doesn't seem to capture the horror well. While I'm not a fan of the dead parent trope, at least there was a reason for the mother to have passed away, so that Sam could connect with her ghost and solve a crime from her childhood.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like April Henry's books but are willing to read books that involve ghosts, like Oh's Spirit Hunters or Young's What Stays Buried. I will buy a copy for my school library, since horror books are the number one type my students request.
Sam Wells is somewhat reluctant to spend a month in Singapore with his maternal grandmother, Jyoti, but since his mother died when he was a baby, it seems like a good opportunity to learn more about her. Sam is concerned when he sees his grandmother's house: it's packed with items, not very clean, and in an oppressively gloomy neighborhood. The two neighbors he meets, Aunty Nurual and Paul, a frail Australian man, seem nice enough, and he even meets a boy his age, Hafiz. His grandmother teaches English, so Sam has a chance to look around the house and try to find out things about his mother. His grandmother hasn't cleaned out her room, although his mother never returned to Singapore after starting college. The most disturbing thing is that Sam sees a horrific ghost, but also his mother at the age of twelve! Priya Malhotra, his mother, claims she isn't a ghost, but there's clearly something horrible that has gone on. Sam and Hafiz find an abandoned factory in the neighborhood, and come across a decades old Nokia phone with "Tammy" bedazzled on it. They do some research and find that there have been a number of neighborhood children who have gone missing over the years, and feel that they need to solve the mystery of what happened to Tammy so that her spirit, and possibly Priya's spirit, can move on. Neither Sam's grandmother nor Aunty Nural will talk about the disappearances, and it turns out that both of their husbands were questioned in Tammy's disappearance. The boys even go to visit Tammy's mother, claiming they are researching her death for a school project. She isn't interested in talking to them, but Tammy's sister does, and tells the boys that she has also seen her sister's ghost. When Hafiz goes missing, Sam knows that it's up to him to not only solve the mystery of Tammy's disappearance, but to figure out what it has to do with his new friend's absence.
Strengths: I was not entirely sure where this story was heading, but my students will be delighted that it heads off in the direction of a serial killer! The murderer ends up being VERY close to home, and there are some nerve wracking scenes of horror, both with the ghost and with the human culprit. The Singapore setting was interesting, although it seems a bit too humid and hot for me to want to actually visit. The hoarding issue was an interesting inclusion, and it was good to see that Sam's presence made the grandmother take a look at her lifestyle and make some changes. This definitely has several different levels of scariness to it. It's perfect for middle school, but maybe a little too much for elementary students.
Weaknesses: This may need to be hand sold, because the cover is a bit murky. It does capture the atmosphere of the book, but doesn't seem to capture the horror well. While I'm not a fan of the dead parent trope, at least there was a reason for the mother to have passed away, so that Sam could connect with her ghost and solve a crime from her childhood.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like April Henry's books but are willing to read books that involve ghosts, like Oh's Spirit Hunters or Young's What Stays Buried. I will buy a copy for my school library, since horror books are the number one type my students request.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
SOME HOUSES KEEP SECRETS. THIS ONE DOESN’T WANT THEM FOUND. 👻
Bad Things Happened Here by Moniza Hossain pulled me into a genuinely eerie mystery that blends ghosts, family secrets, missing children, and the kind of atmosphere that made me feel like I should absolutely NOT be wandering around that house alone. 😳
Sam Wells is twelve, lonely, and desperate to understand the mother he never knew. When his grandmother sends him to Singapore, he expects answers. Instead, he finds a strange grandmother, a sprawling house buried beneath years of hoarded memories, and something impossible waiting for him inside: his mother’s ghost, still twelve years old.
And that’s where this story really hooked me.
The mystery surrounding Priya’s disappearance, the children who are vanishing again, and the abandoned factory connected to the original crimes created an increasingly unsettling sense of dread. I loved how the supernatural elements weren’t just there for scares they were deeply connected to grief, family, memory, and the desperate need to understand what happened to the people we’ve lost.
The atmosphere is SPOOKY. 🕷️🏚️👻 The house alone gave me the creeps, but it was the emotional weight underneath the mystery that really stayed with me. Sam isn’t just trying to solve a decades-old disappearance. He’s trying to find his mother, understand why she’s gone, and figure out whether saving her means having to let her go.
If you love middle-grade ghost stories, atmospheric mysteries, haunted houses, family secrets, and emotional supernatural adventures, add this one to your TBR!
📚 Thank you to Holiday House and Moniza Hossain for sharing Bad Things Happened Here with me!
Bad Things Happened Here by Moniza Hossain pulled me into a genuinely eerie mystery that blends ghosts, family secrets, missing children, and the kind of atmosphere that made me feel like I should absolutely NOT be wandering around that house alone. 😳
Sam Wells is twelve, lonely, and desperate to understand the mother he never knew. When his grandmother sends him to Singapore, he expects answers. Instead, he finds a strange grandmother, a sprawling house buried beneath years of hoarded memories, and something impossible waiting for him inside: his mother’s ghost, still twelve years old.
And that’s where this story really hooked me.
The mystery surrounding Priya’s disappearance, the children who are vanishing again, and the abandoned factory connected to the original crimes created an increasingly unsettling sense of dread. I loved how the supernatural elements weren’t just there for scares they were deeply connected to grief, family, memory, and the desperate need to understand what happened to the people we’ve lost.
The atmosphere is SPOOKY. 🕷️🏚️👻 The house alone gave me the creeps, but it was the emotional weight underneath the mystery that really stayed with me. Sam isn’t just trying to solve a decades-old disappearance. He’s trying to find his mother, understand why she’s gone, and figure out whether saving her means having to let her go.
If you love middle-grade ghost stories, atmospheric mysteries, haunted houses, family secrets, and emotional supernatural adventures, add this one to your TBR!
📚 Thank you to Holiday House and Moniza Hossain for sharing Bad Things Happened Here with me!
September 16, 2026
This was a fun, creepy, 208 page listen/read, I don't read much horror, but I was pleasantly surprised that a middle grade book could keep me so invested in both the figuring out who done it (or rather who is doing it) and keep me just a enough creeped out and on edge, that I switched to an audio book to keep the story going when my eyes had to be on the road. The cover makes a lot of sense after finishing the book, and I saw in the backmatter the author's sister was the artist, but it doesn't do much to jump out at potential readers to pick up the book and dive in, which is unfortunate.
The book starts with a boy, Chris, stalking his deceased mother's online footprint to know her better as he sets off to meet his maternal grandmother in Singapore for the first time. The creepy house, the gloom of the cul-de-sac, the ghosts and undead that greet him, wrap him in a mystery of trying to help spirits from decades ago, all while he spends time with a preteen version of his mother that only he can see and hear. When the threat that loomed so long ago, strikes again, Sam will have to figure out how to stop it before he returns to life in New York with his father.
The OWN voice story, does not contain any Islam, there are a few names that hint at Muslamic rep with one wearing a headscarf, but nothing concrete in this Muslim authored book. The book contains supernatural elements, death, grief, an incident that uses the risk of self harm to illicit a reaction (it could look like an attempt at suicide even the though the text clarifies he does not want to die), but it could be triggering, hoarding, suffering, mention of dating, fear.
The book starts with a boy, Chris, stalking his deceased mother's online footprint to know her better as he sets off to meet his maternal grandmother in Singapore for the first time. The creepy house, the gloom of the cul-de-sac, the ghosts and undead that greet him, wrap him in a mystery of trying to help spirits from decades ago, all while he spends time with a preteen version of his mother that only he can see and hear. When the threat that loomed so long ago, strikes again, Sam will have to figure out how to stop it before he returns to life in New York with his father.
The OWN voice story, does not contain any Islam, there are a few names that hint at Muslamic rep with one wearing a headscarf, but nothing concrete in this Muslim authored book. The book contains supernatural elements, death, grief, an incident that uses the risk of self harm to illicit a reaction (it could look like an attempt at suicide even the though the text clarifies he does not want to die), but it could be triggering, hoarding, suffering, mention of dating, fear.
September 21, 2026
I do love a ghost story although this has a lot more to it than just a good scare for Sam!
Sam's visit to his grandmother is more about his loneliness and need to hold on to his mum. She's been gone a long time and clearly Sam is struggling to let go whilst also accepting his dad has managed to move on. He's figuring life out and one of the most important people in his world isn't there to help....well, maybe not until he reaches Singapore. It's where things get interesting for him.
Grandma's house is a little cluttered and shrouded in a darkness that can't be fixed with a new bulb. It doesn't seem to matter what Sam and his gran clean, the darkness remains. He wants to help his grandma and is so helpful to her. This extends beyond to other he meets too.
Sam's wish to help others is lovely when it's sorting his grans hoarding issue but a little stressful when it extends to crime investigation. His sidekicks are a little otherworldly too but that makes this fun.
He's able to see things that others can't and his need to find out why children have disappeared leads him to danger. His determination is somewhat admirable and he does make progress.
Quite enjoyed seeing Sam's journey in this. Not just through the investigation he involves himself in but his own personal journey. It isn't easy losing people that you love and it takes time to figure things out and learn how to live without them. I'm glad Sam has his mum's social media pages to help him.
Sam's visit to his grandmother is more about his loneliness and need to hold on to his mum. She's been gone a long time and clearly Sam is struggling to let go whilst also accepting his dad has managed to move on. He's figuring life out and one of the most important people in his world isn't there to help....well, maybe not until he reaches Singapore. It's where things get interesting for him.
Grandma's house is a little cluttered and shrouded in a darkness that can't be fixed with a new bulb. It doesn't seem to matter what Sam and his gran clean, the darkness remains. He wants to help his grandma and is so helpful to her. This extends beyond to other he meets too.
Sam's wish to help others is lovely when it's sorting his grans hoarding issue but a little stressful when it extends to crime investigation. His sidekicks are a little otherworldly too but that makes this fun.
He's able to see things that others can't and his need to find out why children have disappeared leads him to danger. His determination is somewhat admirable and he does make progress.
Quite enjoyed seeing Sam's journey in this. Not just through the investigation he involves himself in but his own personal journey. It isn't easy losing people that you love and it takes time to figure things out and learn how to live without them. I'm glad Sam has his mum's social media pages to help him.
September 21, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you so much to Moniza Hossain, Holiday House, and Novel Tours for the #gifted digital copy of Bad Things Happened Here to read and review for the book tour! All thoughts expressed are my own.
This middle grade title is Moniza Hossain's debut in horror! I've seen comparisons to R.L. Stine and I agree. Reading this brought me back to my early reading days as a kid voraciously consuming Stine, Christopher Pike, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Sam's growth through his journey was really satisfying and I loved the development of his relationship with the ghost of his mother - the mother he never got the chance to know while she was alive. It was a wonderfully heartwarming aspect of a story that was in parts incredibly spooky and chilling.
I ended up checking out a copy of the audiobook from my library, and I must recommend if you like audio that you give this one a try. Pete Cross' narration was fantastic. The voices, the accents, and in particular some of the creepier ghost voices were so well done. I'm so glad I listened to the latter 2/3 and got to experience those voices in the factory 😱
I can see this being a title that might be a bit scary for younger middle grade readers, depending on their tolerance for spooky stories.
And an interesting note, the cover is beautifully illustrated by the author's sister!
Thank you so much to Moniza Hossain, Holiday House, and Novel Tours for the #gifted digital copy of Bad Things Happened Here to read and review for the book tour! All thoughts expressed are my own.
This middle grade title is Moniza Hossain's debut in horror! I've seen comparisons to R.L. Stine and I agree. Reading this brought me back to my early reading days as a kid voraciously consuming Stine, Christopher Pike, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Sam's growth through his journey was really satisfying and I loved the development of his relationship with the ghost of his mother - the mother he never got the chance to know while she was alive. It was a wonderfully heartwarming aspect of a story that was in parts incredibly spooky and chilling.
I ended up checking out a copy of the audiobook from my library, and I must recommend if you like audio that you give this one a try. Pete Cross' narration was fantastic. The voices, the accents, and in particular some of the creepier ghost voices were so well done. I'm so glad I listened to the latter 2/3 and got to experience those voices in the factory 😱
I can see this being a title that might be a bit scary for younger middle grade readers, depending on their tolerance for spooky stories.
And an interesting note, the cover is beautifully illustrated by the author's sister!
September 17, 2026
My rating is 4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book. It's a YA paranormal, supernatural story. It's about Sam who's been trying to find out everything he can about his deceased mother, who he never really remembered.
His relationship with his dad has never been good and he has been lonely all his life. He gets an invite from his maternal grandmother to spend the summer in Singapore. He jumps at the chance. He goes to find out more about his mum and feel close to her but he ends up with more then he bargained for!!!
I really felt for Sam. He wanted to have a connection with his dad but it just never happened. The writing in this book was brilliant. It was accessible for YA but also so readable for the older reader. The descriptions were vivid and it really drew me in. I wanted Sam to be more confident and to fully accept himself and not keep comparing himself to his dad's ideals.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves ghosts and the paranormal and to teenagers that aren't big readers as this story will keep them hooked to the end!
I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to the author for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book. It's a YA paranormal, supernatural story. It's about Sam who's been trying to find out everything he can about his deceased mother, who he never really remembered.
His relationship with his dad has never been good and he has been lonely all his life. He gets an invite from his maternal grandmother to spend the summer in Singapore. He jumps at the chance. He goes to find out more about his mum and feel close to her but he ends up with more then he bargained for!!!
I really felt for Sam. He wanted to have a connection with his dad but it just never happened. The writing in this book was brilliant. It was accessible for YA but also so readable for the older reader. The descriptions were vivid and it really drew me in. I wanted Sam to be more confident and to fully accept himself and not keep comparing himself to his dad's ideals.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves ghosts and the paranormal and to teenagers that aren't big readers as this story will keep them hooked to the end!
I would definitely read more from this author.
September 21, 2026
Poor Sam, I really empathised with him. He lost his mam when he was very young and has been following the bread crumbs that she left behind online to try and feel closer to her. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would be leaving behind online for my daughter to see in years to come.
So when his grandma sends him a plane ticket to stay with her in Singapore for the summer, he jumps at the chance to see where his mam grew up. What he doesn’t plan for is to come face to face with his mother’s 12 year old ghost.
I loved how this book was a perfect blend of grief, mystery and horror. Each character deals with loss in their own way, showing children that there’s no single way to grieve. I was hooked instantly with the mystery of the missing children and enjoyed trying to figure it all out. I loved the creepy, unsettling feeling it leaves you with too.
This is aimed at middle school children but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely had Goosebumps vibes which is very nostalgic for me.
Overall, I rate this 4⭐️
So when his grandma sends him a plane ticket to stay with her in Singapore for the summer, he jumps at the chance to see where his mam grew up. What he doesn’t plan for is to come face to face with his mother’s 12 year old ghost.
I loved how this book was a perfect blend of grief, mystery and horror. Each character deals with loss in their own way, showing children that there’s no single way to grieve. I was hooked instantly with the mystery of the missing children and enjoyed trying to figure it all out. I loved the creepy, unsettling feeling it leaves you with too.
This is aimed at middle school children but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely had Goosebumps vibes which is very nostalgic for me.
Overall, I rate this 4⭐️
September 14, 2026
Incredibly spooky, like I was generally afraid reading it sometimes lol, but it sounds strange, following that by saying that it was a genuinely very moving story. My only complaint (and note that it doesn’t detract whatsoever from my rating) is that the pacing is just a little slow and readers may give up before they truly get into the story. They might grow bored with the story of Sam, a 12-year-old kid who is positively obsessed with his mom in a way (that I am really glad he eventually realizes is not healthy). So if you are struggling in the first few chapters do not give up! I literally couldn’t put it down. I think I read the last 100 pages in a single sitting. Just some readers might wonder where the heck it’s going to or when it is going to get scary. But my goodness, does it get really really really scary! There was also a Bella Swan moment that I was actually surprised made it into a middle grade book.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
September 20, 2026
good horror
I don’t read much horror, because I don’t want to be scared, but I figured that middle-grade horror would be easier to handle. And it was. But maggots in your hair is pretty gross, as are lips sewn shut.
This and more is in this novel, set in Singapore, where, as the main character, Sam, says there are police on every corner, so, if something goes wrong, they come right away.
And yet, kids went missing in this neighborhood, where his grandmother lives. And this happened in the ‘90s, when his mother was young, and it has something to do with him seeing her as a ghost, now.
Great story. Keeps the suspense up, and the questions coming. Just scary enough to be known as horror, but not so much that you will have trouble sleeping.
This book is out now. Go out and borrow or buy it. All the stars.
#middlegrade
#horror
#singapore
I don’t read much horror, because I don’t want to be scared, but I figured that middle-grade horror would be easier to handle. And it was. But maggots in your hair is pretty gross, as are lips sewn shut.
This and more is in this novel, set in Singapore, where, as the main character, Sam, says there are police on every corner, so, if something goes wrong, they come right away.
And yet, kids went missing in this neighborhood, where his grandmother lives. And this happened in the ‘90s, when his mother was young, and it has something to do with him seeing her as a ghost, now.
Great story. Keeps the suspense up, and the questions coming. Just scary enough to be known as horror, but not so much that you will have trouble sleeping.
This book is out now. Go out and borrow or buy it. All the stars.
#middlegrade
#horror
#singapore
September 21, 2026
Good MG horror is really good! And this one is good. Readers will like the descriptions of the ghosts, especially the one with the stitched mouth!! Sam's story is compelling and interesting. I had a lot of empathy for him and the reasons he went to Singapore seeking information about his mom. The author did a good job showing the different ways people show grief. This one lost a star because I never could figure out why Sam's mom came back as a child ghost. She did not die when she was a child. But the interactions between them did provide some humor at just the right times. Readers will like this one.
September 24, 2026
I loved the combination of Singaporean folklore, supernatural horror, family secrets, and grief. The house itself was one of my favourite parts—it felt almost alive, with its dusty rooms, spiderwebs, strange noises, and the constant feeling that something was hiding in the shadows. 🏚️🌫️
What made the story especially emotional for me was Sam’s desire to learn more about the mother he lost. Beneath all the supernatural scares, there’s a touching story about grief, family, and wanting to understand someone you never really had the chance to know. 💔
Eerie, emotional, and wonderfully creepy. A great choice for fans of middle-grade horror and atmospheric ghost stories! 👻📚
What made the story especially emotional for me was Sam’s desire to learn more about the mother he lost. Beneath all the supernatural scares, there’s a touching story about grief, family, and wanting to understand someone you never really had the chance to know. 💔
Eerie, emotional, and wonderfully creepy. A great choice for fans of middle-grade horror and atmospheric ghost stories! 👻📚
September 17, 2026
This is a fun, spooky story that is sure to delight middle school readers. It's just the sort of story I would have devoured at that age! It weaves a moving story about grief and family, a touch of mystery and enough creepiness to make for a great read
With likeable characters and a unique setting, the mystery surrounding what happened to Sam's mother and the children who have been vanishing since will draw you in and keep you reading to the end. Sam is a sad and lonely young boy, not only desperate to solve a mystery but also wanting to find his mother who he's never had the chance to know.
A wonderful story I definitely recommend for Middle grade readers.
Thank you @novel.tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.
With likeable characters and a unique setting, the mystery surrounding what happened to Sam's mother and the children who have been vanishing since will draw you in and keep you reading to the end. Sam is a sad and lonely young boy, not only desperate to solve a mystery but also wanting to find his mother who he's never had the chance to know.
A wonderful story I definitely recommend for Middle grade readers.
Thank you @novel.tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 18, 2026
Hossain was a new-to-me author, so I went into the book blind with no expectations...
Her writing was sharp, pacing was precise, and the world building alone was an immersive experience not to be missed. It had a tangible, suffocating atmosphere, and the weight of grief throughout was immeasurable.
The cultural tapestry of Singapore was rich and visceral, breathing life into Grandmother's house and creating a standalone force. An entity in its own right.
House aside, the other characters were well written, had emotional depth and were easily investible.
Bloody loved it!
Her writing was sharp, pacing was precise, and the world building alone was an immersive experience not to be missed. It had a tangible, suffocating atmosphere, and the weight of grief throughout was immeasurable.
The cultural tapestry of Singapore was rich and visceral, breathing life into Grandmother's house and creating a standalone force. An entity in its own right.
House aside, the other characters were well written, had emotional depth and were easily investible.
Bloody loved it!
September 23, 2026
'It was a house out of a horror movie. And Sam was about to spend his summer vacation in it.'
Missing kids and moving horror.
An antisocial 12 year old boy is invited to Singapore to spend the summer with his Grandma. It's a summer of firsts for him. His first time in Singapore, first time meeting his Grandma, first time making friends, first time running into his child-presenting dead mom. It's a lot and it's very scary. 'Bad things' indeed!
'“Looks kind of…” Sam trailed off. He wanted to say “haunted,” but the word had taken on new meaning for him since he’d come to Singapore.'
Missing kids and moving horror.
An antisocial 12 year old boy is invited to Singapore to spend the summer with his Grandma. It's a summer of firsts for him. His first time in Singapore, first time meeting his Grandma, first time making friends, first time running into his child-presenting dead mom. It's a lot and it's very scary. 'Bad things' indeed!
'“Looks kind of…” Sam trailed off. He wanted to say “haunted,” but the word had taken on new meaning for him since he’d come to Singapore.'
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sam is gifted a plane ticket to visit his grandma in Singapore where he hopes to to learn more about his mom who died when he was young, instead he encounters the ghost of his mom when she was twelve, and a shadowy neighborhood haunted by a dark history.
This book is filled with spirits, secrets, and suspense, perfect for students who are looking for something scary to read. “Bad Things Happen Here offers truth about grief and growing up alongside teeth-chattering terror!”
This book is filled with spirits, secrets, and suspense, perfect for students who are looking for something scary to read. “Bad Things Happen Here offers truth about grief and growing up alongside teeth-chattering terror!”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for the arc! This was great. Honestly, it really set the bar high when it said for fans of R.L. Stine, and Moniza Hossain did a wonderful job. This was darker than I thought it would be too. The characters were really likable, the scares are great, and it’s a really chilling, haunting, and sad story. It made me cry at the end there. I love a book that can make me cry! I also really loved getting to learn about the culture in Singapore!
September 20, 2026
A seriously creepy, scary story that takes place when a 12-year-old boy goes to spend a summer with his grandmother in Singapore. It includes pretty graphic scenes with gore and scary descriptions so that I wouldn't recommend it for readers under 12—definitely a middle-school novel. I listened to the audiobook, and one of the main characters was so annoying that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep listening. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if I had been reading it?
September 22, 2026
‘Bad Things Happened Here’ was a super fun read! It was really engaging and enjoyable, I would have loved it to be a bit longer, however the length is suitable for younger ages or anybody who is starting to read again! I found the storyline really fascinating and I loved the spooky horror vibes! The characters were unique and I found it fabulous that the book is based in Singapore!
I’d recommend this read to anybody looking for a Halloween themed read.
I’d recommend this read to anybody looking for a Halloween themed read.
September 25, 2026
This was a spooky read which actually covered grief really well, with a bit of horror and mystery too.
Sam is such a lovely character and the book flows and grips the reader really well I found it very hard to put down as I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Well written with a great storyline.
Sam is such a lovely character and the book flows and grips the reader really well I found it very hard to put down as I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Well written with a great storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wrote this book! This is my first ever middle grade novel, and working on it has been such a magical process. I hope you like this book as much as I do!
September 6, 2026
This book is aimed at YA/ middle grade so I find these books hard to review as I am several decades older than the intended audience!
I think the intended age group would really enjoy this book if they are looking for a mystery, mild horror/ eerie read. It's a horror book but the author gets the level just right, it definitely has a spooky intriguing vibe but it's not not too scary.
It's set in Singapore so the setting and the culture/ food in the book I think would be really appealing and interesting for the younger reader.
Sam is the main character, he never knew his mum as she died when he was very young and he's been desperate to find out more about her. When he travels to Singapore to stay with his Nan he gets to meet the 12 year old ghost of his mum, she is stuck on earth and it becomes apparent that she needs Sam to help solve a mystery.
Sam is such a brave determined character and the bond he builds with the ghost of his mother is so emotional and heart warming.
The book is fast paced and keeps you at the edge of your seat. There's several twists and turns and a lot of drama
I think this book would be best suited to 9-14 year olds looking for book that is a bit different with a ghostly theme.
I think the intended age group would really enjoy this book if they are looking for a mystery, mild horror/ eerie read. It's a horror book but the author gets the level just right, it definitely has a spooky intriguing vibe but it's not not too scary.
It's set in Singapore so the setting and the culture/ food in the book I think would be really appealing and interesting for the younger reader.
Sam is the main character, he never knew his mum as she died when he was very young and he's been desperate to find out more about her. When he travels to Singapore to stay with his Nan he gets to meet the 12 year old ghost of his mum, she is stuck on earth and it becomes apparent that she needs Sam to help solve a mystery.
Sam is such a brave determined character and the bond he builds with the ghost of his mother is so emotional and heart warming.
The book is fast paced and keeps you at the edge of your seat. There's several twists and turns and a lot of drama
I think this book would be best suited to 9-14 year olds looking for book that is a bit different with a ghostly theme.
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