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The House That Screamed
Some houses are haunted by more than ghosts.
The Fleming family, recovering from a terrible loss, believe they've found a fresh start in sleepy Harrowridge. But at 1123 Jefferson Street, something is waiting.
Within weeks, whispers turn into screams. Family ties unravel. Blood is spilled.
The Flemings flee, leaving the house behind. Or so they think.
Now, decades later, after the family's story has been transformed into a bestselling book and a film franchise, a team of podcasters reopens the door to America's most infamous house, determined to separate truth from legend. To their horror, they begin to uncover what the legends got wrong.
Because at the house that screamed, not everything that hungers is dead.
Horror Addicts called Alex Hunter's first novel, The Harvest, "A large-scale horror novel in the vein of Stephen King's IT or Joe Hill's NOS4A2. It features a wide cast of characters, sky high stakes, and terrifying scenes."
The Fleming family, recovering from a terrible loss, believe they've found a fresh start in sleepy Harrowridge. But at 1123 Jefferson Street, something is waiting.
Within weeks, whispers turn into screams. Family ties unravel. Blood is spilled.
The Flemings flee, leaving the house behind. Or so they think.
Now, decades later, after the family's story has been transformed into a bestselling book and a film franchise, a team of podcasters reopens the door to America's most infamous house, determined to separate truth from legend. To their horror, they begin to uncover what the legends got wrong.
Because at the house that screamed, not everything that hungers is dead.
Horror Addicts called Alex Hunter's first novel, The Harvest, "A large-scale horror novel in the vein of Stephen King's IT or Joe Hill's NOS4A2. It features a wide cast of characters, sky high stakes, and terrifying scenes."
- GenresHorror
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
About the author
Alex Hunter
7 books13 followersAre you a fan of creeping dread?
Of stories that make you glance up from the page because you’re certain you saw something move in the corner of your eye?
Do you enjoy tales where ordinary people are confronted by the impossible?
You’re not alone.
I was the first child in my school year to be given an adult library card. Soon afterwards, I borrowed The Rats by James Herbert, beginning a lifelong fascination with the frightening and strange.
The Harvest was my debut novel, with The House That Screamed following in its dark wake. The Forest Remembers will be published in 2027.
Of stories that make you glance up from the page because you’re certain you saw something move in the corner of your eye?
Do you enjoy tales where ordinary people are confronted by the impossible?
You’re not alone.
I was the first child in my school year to be given an adult library card. Soon afterwards, I borrowed The Rats by James Herbert, beginning a lifelong fascination with the frightening and strange.
The Harvest was my debut novel, with The House That Screamed following in its dark wake. The Forest Remembers will be published in 2027.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 20, 2026
2.5☆
This was an okay read. It didn't grab my attention as I had hoped. It is a conglomeration of The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist and other stories about possessed houses. The books synopsis admits as much, but I was hoping for something more, something that was fresh.
There is a dual time-line between the Fleming family living in 1123 Jefferson Street in 2000,and when the ghost hunters, the Bloody Ghouls, enter through it's doors in 2024. Each time-line has several characters and the reader gets a taste of everyone's POV. Everything flows smoothly but there were too many short side stories to wade through that really had no bearing on the heart of the story.
This was an okay read. It didn't grab my attention as I had hoped. It is a conglomeration of The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist and other stories about possessed houses. The books synopsis admits as much, but I was hoping for something more, something that was fresh.
There is a dual time-line between the Fleming family living in 1123 Jefferson Street in 2000,and when the ghost hunters, the Bloody Ghouls, enter through it's doors in 2024. Each time-line has several characters and the reader gets a taste of everyone's POV. Everything flows smoothly but there were too many short side stories to wade through that really had no bearing on the heart of the story.
April 26, 2026
Despite the somewhat messy plotting, this is a vastly entertaining page-turner of a book! It starts very strong, with definite Amityville vibes, and it only grows stronger as the details are slowly filled in. It adopts a found footage narrative mode, with brief extracts from books, interviews, articles, transcripts of audio recordings, and emails, combining it with more familiar forms of storytelling in the form of short chapters jumping around in time and space. It's all focused on the same thing, however: a haunted house made famous by the last family that lived in it, forced to abandon the property when the sinister forces occupying it made themselves known in the worst possible way!
The story develops similar to the tale of the notorious Conjuring House, the haunting in the novel similarly spawning books, movies, and movie sequels about it. The novel itself is crammed with flashbacks, arbitrarily interrupted by introspective moments of the one family member who never really experienced anything paranormal and never believed the house was haunted: that's the daughter, Rachel, who soon after fleeing the house with her family, emancipated herself and publicly rejected all her parents' claims of supernatural influences in the house. Her story is central to the book, especially when further reveals come up about what happened to her and her little brother, as a truly unsettling picture emerges about the supernatural events that tore her family apart.
A second story runs in parallel to the above: podcasters take it upon themselves to stay in the house overnight, and uncover its secrets. Obviously, they are setting themselves up for the worst outcome possible - and indeed, what follows is so twisted and unpredictable, it puts Amityville to shame.
The book is filled with excitement and thrills, very much reminiscent of the Conjuring "universe" in style and substance. It's the ending, however, that elevates this story into something entirely original and unique! The twist I never saw coming deepens everything, and gives it an opening for a sequel (though a sense of closure also prevails, so all bets are off!).
If you enjoy dark and chilling stories about hauntings and spirits trapped in a house they can't leave, with upsetting family drama and doomed podcasters trying their luck in a place of evil, this is the book for you. Highly recommend!
The story develops similar to the tale of the notorious Conjuring House, the haunting in the novel similarly spawning books, movies, and movie sequels about it. The novel itself is crammed with flashbacks, arbitrarily interrupted by introspective moments of the one family member who never really experienced anything paranormal and never believed the house was haunted: that's the daughter, Rachel, who soon after fleeing the house with her family, emancipated herself and publicly rejected all her parents' claims of supernatural influences in the house. Her story is central to the book, especially when further reveals come up about what happened to her and her little brother, as a truly unsettling picture emerges about the supernatural events that tore her family apart.
A second story runs in parallel to the above: podcasters take it upon themselves to stay in the house overnight, and uncover its secrets. Obviously, they are setting themselves up for the worst outcome possible - and indeed, what follows is so twisted and unpredictable, it puts Amityville to shame.
The book is filled with excitement and thrills, very much reminiscent of the Conjuring "universe" in style and substance. It's the ending, however, that elevates this story into something entirely original and unique! The twist I never saw coming deepens everything, and gives it an opening for a sequel (though a sense of closure also prevails, so all bets are off!).
If you enjoy dark and chilling stories about hauntings and spirits trapped in a house they can't leave, with upsetting family drama and doomed podcasters trying their luck in a place of evil, this is the book for you. Highly recommend!
May 24, 2026
When I get a chance to read a story about a haunted house; I’m all in. This story was not the typical haunted house trope. Yes, there was an extremely terrifying house. Yes, there was a history of people disappearing while living in the house. Yes, there was a group of paranormal investigators staying in the house to get proof of the spirits. Buuuttttt that is where the similarities end. This house was an entity in of itself. The house did not need fear, or anything else to live on. This house was of something ancient. I found this book absolutely the kind of book that needs to be read without breaks. Even if the reader has nightmare, the reader is compelled to read the story to find out what happens after a house will not let go of the occupants. Even when the consequences of the occupants prove to be harmful, people are drawn to the house. Then if the house manifests itself into existence what could the consequences be then? I felt all the emotions written into this story. Even the way the story ended, had me wondering about the possibilities.
May 17, 2026
A grieving family moves to Harrowridge, New York, hoping for a fresh start after unimaginable loss… but the house at 1123 Jefferson Street has other ideas.
An ominous stranger warns Milly Fleming there’s a “Haint” living inside the house and from there the dread just keeps building. Strange noises. Spooky closets. A toy owl called Furball that somehow becomes one of the most unsettling little horror mascots imaginable! The whole house feels wrong in that classic hungry-haunted-house way.
The story moves between past and present, told through multiple POVs, podcast transcripts, interviews, articles and excerpts from books surrounding the infamous “Scream House” case. I always love mixed media in horror and it worked really well here - it kept the pacing fast and made the mystery feel bigger than just the house itself.
You can definitely see the inspiration from several classic horror stories and films throughout this one. If you love The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist, you’ll probably have a lot of fun with this.
Also… I’ve always known Jar Jar Binks is cursed!
If you like deeply off houses, paranormal investigations, family trauma horror and stories that spiral into supernatural madness, this was a really entertaining ride.
Thank you to Alex for the ARC! The House That Screamed is out 25th June 2026.
An ominous stranger warns Milly Fleming there’s a “Haint” living inside the house and from there the dread just keeps building. Strange noises. Spooky closets. A toy owl called Furball that somehow becomes one of the most unsettling little horror mascots imaginable! The whole house feels wrong in that classic hungry-haunted-house way.
The story moves between past and present, told through multiple POVs, podcast transcripts, interviews, articles and excerpts from books surrounding the infamous “Scream House” case. I always love mixed media in horror and it worked really well here - it kept the pacing fast and made the mystery feel bigger than just the house itself.
You can definitely see the inspiration from several classic horror stories and films throughout this one. If you love The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist, you’ll probably have a lot of fun with this.
Also… I’ve always known Jar Jar Binks is cursed!
If you like deeply off houses, paranormal investigations, family trauma horror and stories that spiral into supernatural madness, this was a really entertaining ride.
Thank you to Alex for the ARC! The House That Screamed is out 25th June 2026.
April 26, 2026
When it comes to haunted house stories, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s all been done before. There’s something almost nostalgic about a haunted house story, we love them because we know them so well.
And yet The House That Screamed takes a familiar pretence and violently twists it into something new. Cosmic, violent, and insidiously unnerving from start to finish, Alex Hunter masterfully leads you through the house, carefully curating each scream.
Told through a combination of news articles, recordings, and a dual timeline narrative, the story unfurls with heartbreaking consequences. The fear contained in each chapter grips the reader with a single command: read on.
With twists and turns that will fuel any nightmare, the haunting climax will defy all expectations and satisfy even the most seasoned reader. If Chuck Wendig brought you The Conjuring, it might look something like the nightmare world that Alex Hunter has created.
Highly recommended for lovers of psychological, creepy paranormal horror, strong characters, beautifully rendered world building, found footage horror, and varied pacing. Really, recommended for anyone who loves a good story told well.
Within these pages, Alex Hunter firmly establishes his place in the horror world. A unique and harrowing twist on a haunted house story. The house may have screamed, but trust me: you will too.
And yet The House That Screamed takes a familiar pretence and violently twists it into something new. Cosmic, violent, and insidiously unnerving from start to finish, Alex Hunter masterfully leads you through the house, carefully curating each scream.
Told through a combination of news articles, recordings, and a dual timeline narrative, the story unfurls with heartbreaking consequences. The fear contained in each chapter grips the reader with a single command: read on.
With twists and turns that will fuel any nightmare, the haunting climax will defy all expectations and satisfy even the most seasoned reader. If Chuck Wendig brought you The Conjuring, it might look something like the nightmare world that Alex Hunter has created.
Highly recommended for lovers of psychological, creepy paranormal horror, strong characters, beautifully rendered world building, found footage horror, and varied pacing. Really, recommended for anyone who loves a good story told well.
Within these pages, Alex Hunter firmly establishes his place in the horror world. A unique and harrowing twist on a haunted house story. The house may have screamed, but trust me: you will too.
July 17, 2026
A good read with elements of lots of well known horror films. Liked the documentary style. Did find the ending a bit rushed and confusing though
May 15, 2026
If you are a huge fan of Poltergeist & the Amittyville series (book and/or films) then you’ll have a good time with this clever gem! Not only does Alex Hunter have a good time playing with the traditional evil house tropes but throws in a few twists & turns that I felt were refreshing. I did NOT see any of it coming at all.
Definitely fun while still honoring the original OG demon house stories. I believe this is to be Alex’s 2nd book if I’m not mistaken & I cannot wait to see what’s in store for his future books as his writing progresses!
I give it 🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️ out of 5 Evil Houses
Definitely fun while still honoring the original OG demon house stories. I believe this is to be Alex’s 2nd book if I’m not mistaken & I cannot wait to see what’s in store for his future books as his writing progresses!
I give it 🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️ out of 5 Evil Houses
April 30, 2026
4.5 stars
This book was super duper creepy! We have a haunted house and we are given the pov of the past and current
The past the Fleming family just moved in after a devastating lost and in the future a group of podcasters who are staying in the house to talk to the spirits
The descriptions in this book really were chilling it felt like you were in the house
The house the women feeds on fear and the new family doesn’t know what hit them; they begin to hear strange noises the family can feel the house changing them and when their youngest son sees things they don’t originally believe him
What freaked me out the most was when the podcasters was able to see one of the taken and it did not go well
I also didn’t expect the twist with Rachel and her condition
This is the kind of book you wanna read if you want to be a little freaked out but wanna enjoy a really good story!
This book was super duper creepy! We have a haunted house and we are given the pov of the past and current
The past the Fleming family just moved in after a devastating lost and in the future a group of podcasters who are staying in the house to talk to the spirits
The descriptions in this book really were chilling it felt like you were in the house
The house the women feeds on fear and the new family doesn’t know what hit them; they begin to hear strange noises the family can feel the house changing them and when their youngest son sees things they don’t originally believe him
What freaked me out the most was when the podcasters was able to see one of the taken and it did not go well
I also didn’t expect the twist with Rachel and her condition
This is the kind of book you wanna read if you want to be a little freaked out but wanna enjoy a really good story!
June 22, 2026
I read The House That Screamed by author Alex Hunter.
Sean and Milly Fleming, their children Rachel and Tommy and dog Jasper move into a fixer upper Victorian in the small town of Harrowridge for a new start. Having recently suffered a traumatic loss the hope is this move can begin a healing process.
The house…has other ideas.
The Fleming’s are unaware of the home’s history. They keep secret from one another the weird and disturbing happenings going on within its walls.
Until…it’s too late.
I love a haunted house story. Love them.
Some tell its genesis tale. Others share what happens when new owners move in and find out this will not be home sweet home. And then there are ones that present the adventures of the curious seekers…trying to find the truth.
This book has all of them. It’s a haunted house trifecta.
I found the multiple POVs from the different characters so well done. The jumping between time periods was highly effective without ever being confusing. The atmosphere of the house and its energy was deliciously creepy. The twists were perfectly unexpected and hit ….”dang! I did not see that coming!”
Definitely recommend!
I received an advanced reader copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Sean and Milly Fleming, their children Rachel and Tommy and dog Jasper move into a fixer upper Victorian in the small town of Harrowridge for a new start. Having recently suffered a traumatic loss the hope is this move can begin a healing process.
The house…has other ideas.
The Fleming’s are unaware of the home’s history. They keep secret from one another the weird and disturbing happenings going on within its walls.
Until…it’s too late.
I love a haunted house story. Love them.
Some tell its genesis tale. Others share what happens when new owners move in and find out this will not be home sweet home. And then there are ones that present the adventures of the curious seekers…trying to find the truth.
This book has all of them. It’s a haunted house trifecta.
I found the multiple POVs from the different characters so well done. The jumping between time periods was highly effective without ever being confusing. The atmosphere of the house and its energy was deliciously creepy. The twists were perfectly unexpected and hit ….”dang! I did not see that coming!”
Definitely recommend!
I received an advanced reader copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
June 18, 2026
A haunted house, a decades-old mystery, a missing child, and a present-day investigation into what really happened are right up my alley.
I spent a lot of time trying to orient myself within the timeline. The story alternates between “then” and “now,” with added articles and blog posts. I found myself wishing the years had been used instead for clarity. I really got into the “then” parts of the story, but some of the “now” parts of the story with the paranormal investigators had sections that I didn’t feel were essential to the overall plot. I love an ambiguous ending, but I found that I had a lot of questions about Rachel and her situation after finishing.
The strongest aspect of this book is its premise, and there are genuinely creepy moments throughout. The atmosphere was unsettling, and the story kept me engaged enough that I was eager to piece together what happened.
I spent a lot of time trying to orient myself within the timeline. The story alternates between “then” and “now,” with added articles and blog posts. I found myself wishing the years had been used instead for clarity. I really got into the “then” parts of the story, but some of the “now” parts of the story with the paranormal investigators had sections that I didn’t feel were essential to the overall plot. I love an ambiguous ending, but I found that I had a lot of questions about Rachel and her situation after finishing.
The strongest aspect of this book is its premise, and there are genuinely creepy moments throughout. The atmosphere was unsettling, and the story kept me engaged enough that I was eager to piece together what happened.
June 9, 2026
A fairly standard possessed house story told through flashbacks, a current paranormal investigation of the house, and interviews about the book/movies that are made after a family flees the house and it gains a reputation for being one of the most haunted. Good overall with a couple of interesting twists that I didn't see coming. However, I found most of Danny's backstory inapplicable to the storyline and I was still left with several questions at the book's end including why were souls with no connection to the house trapped there? And what were Tommy and Rachel's ultimate fates?
August 31, 2026
This included all my favorite haunted house tropes but somehow managed to keep them fresh. I enjoyed all the Conjuring and Amityville references and the way the book paid homage to them but still managed to find its own voice. That being said I felt the ending was a little rushed, so many things happened in such a short span of time after such a long build up that it got a bit confusing in some parts. Overall well worth the read though! 🏚️👻😱
June 26, 2026
The Poltergeist on steroids. This is what Alex brings to us as we follow Milly's family moving into a house that has a "haint". Alex keeps the suspense and the tension up as we learn how evil this house really is. Told in multiple POV"s and timelines, with mixed media, it all adds up to being an unforgettable experience that you'll want to leave the lights on for.
August 11, 2026
Amityville 's Got Nothing in Comparison!
Sean and his family have decided to start over their life in the town of Harrowridge. They get a good deal on the house. However, most things are too good to be true, and this house is one of them.
There are a lot of twists and turns during this tale.
This was fun!
Sean and his family have decided to start over their life in the town of Harrowridge. They get a good deal on the house. However, most things are too good to be true, and this house is one of them.
There are a lot of twists and turns during this tale.
This was fun!
July 14, 2026
Enjoyable read, loved the shifting between time periods in the narrative, and the interspersed forms of media being used. The twist/ending was a bit underwhelming, but I still enjoyed and would recommend
July 17, 2026
Really enjoyed this haunted house book. It was genuinely creepy in parts and although not ground breaking was a solid story with a few twists and was perfect for my Summerween read. Interested in more of this author's books.
July 30, 2026
This book hopped between a few views. Then with milly and her husband. Now with a podcast crew. And some newspaper articles and interviews. A lot was going on but then also wasn't at the same time. Felt a bit like Amityville. And that ending for me was a dud.
August 31, 2026
Fast-paced and sufficiently spooky. I can never get enough haunted house stories. The ending felt a bit rushed and it needs tighter editing, but this was a fun read that I could easily see translated into a film.
August 11, 2026
The writing is terrible. I could even get past the first five chapters. So many characters all at once.
August 19, 2026
Scream!!!
First time reading Alex Hunter and can’t wait for more. Read it in one sitting, did not want to put it down.
First time reading Alex Hunter and can’t wait for more. Read it in one sitting, did not want to put it down.
August 12, 2026
A fun read ultimately brought down by a reliance on haunted house cliches. References to Amityville Horror, Grave Encounters, Paranormal Activity, etc. Looking forward to revisiting Alex Hunter's work when he is a bit more confident in his own voice.
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