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396
David Lewis has lost everything. He has made the choice to give up the drink for a final chance to save his family. David has moved his family to the small town of Dunstable, New Hampshire. With the move comes a new job and a new house. The house at three-ninety-six Main Street isn't just a fixer upper but comes with a dark past. One that David is trying desperately to keep from his wife and daughter. However, the past may have caught up to David. Inside the house lurks a malevolent force that has its eyes on Aubrey, David's six-year old daughter. Aubrey soon becomes entwined with the dark force inside their home. Like a puppeteer the force inside of three-ninety-six Main Street has a plan to make Aubrey it's personal puppet, sending shockwaves through the town of Dunstable.
- GenresHorror
558 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2022
11 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Frost
12 books10 followersChristopher Frost is the author of 396, The Oath, and The Lost Ones. He has had multiple short stories published in The Ethereal Gazette and Down in the Dirt magazine as well as his novellas, The Door at the Top of the Stairs and Last Exit. His serial novels, the Beyond Dead series is awaiting its final installment. Christopher has spent his life writing, from the day he won a Young Author's award in the second grade, to his first publication, A Conversation in the Black Room. He is gifted with three amazing daughters and his most loyal reader, his wife. Christopher lives in New England with his family and their dog.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 9, 2022
A recovering alcoholic father, wife who’s fallen out of love and their young daughter are trying to salvage their family and together buy an old fixer upper, but this house is already inhabited…
Part ghost story, part possession tale and part dysfunctional family drama. The story is genuinely creepy and has a great premise. But the writing style wasn’t for me and could have used a good bit more editing to make the story more concise throughout.
But honestly my biggest gripe with the book is the over use of the R word to refer to a boy with Down’s syndrome , I get it was used by a character that we were supposed to understand was bad.. it was just too much for me. Heck even the boys own father seemed to struggle with how he viewed his son which just added to the over all off putting feel. There are other instances of ablest and offensive language but the above was the most egregious.
That said there were moments where the story really shined. While I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. Worth a read if you don’t mind the possibility offense language.
3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
April 2, 2022
After getting to know about the author Christopher and his multiple real life encounters with ghosts and haunted figures since his grade II , after which he started writing in the same genre and throughout the years both his real life and imaginary stories flourished and presented as an experienced author's story like this book 396.
Though 396 isn't an entirely non fiction read but is based and inspired on Christopher's real life incident where he encountered a haunted house .
The book's story also follows a similar plot line where a family shifts to a new house and that turn out to be haunted with a ghost spirit who entangled our protagonist David's six years old daughter Aubrey and wants her to be his puppet.
I personally liked this spine chilling book story alot, especially the second half of the book which gave me goosebumps automatically. And the way the author has put together the storytelling and narration definitely makes it dark horror book.
Though 396 isn't an entirely non fiction read but is based and inspired on Christopher's real life incident where he encountered a haunted house .
The book's story also follows a similar plot line where a family shifts to a new house and that turn out to be haunted with a ghost spirit who entangled our protagonist David's six years old daughter Aubrey and wants her to be his puppet.
I personally liked this spine chilling book story alot, especially the second half of the book which gave me goosebumps automatically. And the way the author has put together the storytelling and narration definitely makes it dark horror book.
March 23, 2022
Though it's actually very rare that I pick up a proper horror read instead of just thrilling and mysterious books and this read of mine left me in a major book hangover for atleast a week and left a undefined mark on my mind with its horror themed and haunting storytelling.
This book is a wild ride which has the power to teleport you to the situation mentally and you will surely feel your heart beating fast with a tense environment which is actually unavoidable while you read the book. The book is like a slow burn due to its length and I was personally jaw dropped while reading the other half of the book which gave a structure to the whole storyline.
In the conclusion, the unapologetically dark ghost fiction totally blew me away.
This book is going to stay with the readers for a really long time and especially for those who love to read Ghost Suspense stories.
This book is a wild ride which has the power to teleport you to the situation mentally and you will surely feel your heart beating fast with a tense environment which is actually unavoidable while you read the book. The book is like a slow burn due to its length and I was personally jaw dropped while reading the other half of the book which gave a structure to the whole storyline.
In the conclusion, the unapologetically dark ghost fiction totally blew me away.
This book is going to stay with the readers for a really long time and especially for those who love to read Ghost Suspense stories.
October 10, 2022
An intense and terrifying story full of vivid imagery that sends a shiver down your spine.
396 is a terrifying mixture of posession and haunting. The imagery is vivid, sticking in the mind of the reader long after the story is over. An atmosphere clings to the house, seeping through the pages. The progression of evil builds steadily, leaving the reader aching to know what will become of their beloved characters.
Intense, rich, and sure to send a shiver down your spine.
396 is a terrifying mixture of posession and haunting. The imagery is vivid, sticking in the mind of the reader long after the story is over. An atmosphere clings to the house, seeping through the pages. The progression of evil builds steadily, leaving the reader aching to know what will become of their beloved characters.
Intense, rich, and sure to send a shiver down your spine.
June 6, 2023
396 by Christopher Frost
*Book provided for an honest review. *
Every family has holes. Places where the members don’t connect and darkness grows.
The house at 396 feeds on that darkness and disconnection. What seems to be a familiar haunted house story at the surface turns into something more. The little girl of the family is of course the easiest way for the darkness to get in. This turns the story into something more like the exorcist. The action keeps building and it never gets boring.
This is a thicker book and I was concerned it would be a chore to finish, but it flew by. It is well paced with multiple stories woven through the house. I was engaged the whole way, not a bit of storyline is wasted, and it gets to a resolution without dragging. I’ve read books by “famous” authors that don’t even flow this well.
Every family member has their own issues, and we as the reader spend the most time in the head of the father, David, a recovering alcoholic, abusive husband, and self-harmer. Though not particularly likable in my opinion, he does come around a little by the end. Frankly, none of the characters are all that likable, so the fact that Frost can create a moving story with unlikable characters is an even bigger accomplishment.
Every time you think you know where the story is going, it takes a turn you don’t expect, but in doing so turns into something deeper and better than before. Adding layers expertly to the story.
Though the evil in the house is feeding off the holes in the family, it is also unintentionally bringing those issues to light by exploiting them.
This forces those problems to be dealt with, since they are no longer hidden, actually doing a disservice to the evil that wants to thrive. If the characters can overcome their problems without letting evil manipulate them into deadly situations, they can beat it.
My complaints about the story would be there is a side character who has no point in the story and makes no impact on the story or characters. Her constant “I’m your friend but you can’t f#ck me” schtick is annoying and she does nothing of importance.
Also, there is a ghost character whose nipples are constantly being referenced. She shows up towards the end, and you can basically tell how things are going in the denouement by the state of her nipples. It was too much.
I would encourage anyone to read this. What on the surface presents as a simple haunted house, is so much deeper and more extensive story than you expect. I really enjoyed “396” – a ghost story with heart. 4 Stars.
*Book provided for an honest review. *
Every family has holes. Places where the members don’t connect and darkness grows.
The house at 396 feeds on that darkness and disconnection. What seems to be a familiar haunted house story at the surface turns into something more. The little girl of the family is of course the easiest way for the darkness to get in. This turns the story into something more like the exorcist. The action keeps building and it never gets boring.
This is a thicker book and I was concerned it would be a chore to finish, but it flew by. It is well paced with multiple stories woven through the house. I was engaged the whole way, not a bit of storyline is wasted, and it gets to a resolution without dragging. I’ve read books by “famous” authors that don’t even flow this well.
Every family member has their own issues, and we as the reader spend the most time in the head of the father, David, a recovering alcoholic, abusive husband, and self-harmer. Though not particularly likable in my opinion, he does come around a little by the end. Frankly, none of the characters are all that likable, so the fact that Frost can create a moving story with unlikable characters is an even bigger accomplishment.
Every time you think you know where the story is going, it takes a turn you don’t expect, but in doing so turns into something deeper and better than before. Adding layers expertly to the story.
Though the evil in the house is feeding off the holes in the family, it is also unintentionally bringing those issues to light by exploiting them.
This forces those problems to be dealt with, since they are no longer hidden, actually doing a disservice to the evil that wants to thrive. If the characters can overcome their problems without letting evil manipulate them into deadly situations, they can beat it.
My complaints about the story would be there is a side character who has no point in the story and makes no impact on the story or characters. Her constant “I’m your friend but you can’t f#ck me” schtick is annoying and she does nothing of importance.
Also, there is a ghost character whose nipples are constantly being referenced. She shows up towards the end, and you can basically tell how things are going in the denouement by the state of her nipples. It was too much.
I would encourage anyone to read this. What on the surface presents as a simple haunted house, is so much deeper and more extensive story than you expect. I really enjoyed “396” – a ghost story with heart. 4 Stars.
January 31, 2026
This book absolutely shook me to my core. From the moment the Lewis family steps into 396 Main Street, the tension never lets go... and the bodies seem to pile up. What begins as a desperate fresh start for a man fighting addiction quickly spirals into something far darker....and WAYY more terrifying.
The house itself is a nightmare, steeped in a sinister past that seeps into every page. I loved the flashbacks to the previous family. The shadowy force lurking inside is chilling, especially as it fixates on six year old Aubrey. Watching her become entangled with this presence is heartbreaking and horrifying in equal measure. The possession elements are deeply unsettling, and that scene with the fingers and the swing? YEPPP...pure nightmare fuel.
Beyond the jaw dropping scares (and constantly looking over your shoulder moments), this story hits emotionally as well. It’s a powerful blend of haunting and family drama, exploring addiction, guilt, mental illness, and the terrifying idea of losing control of your own mind. The atmosphere is written sooo perfectly, with all of the locations feeling right there with them real.You don’t just read about 396, you feel trapped inside it, constantly wondering if anyone will escape or who won't make it out alive.
I devoured this in two days because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Dark, disturbing, and unforgettable, this is a must read for fans of possession stories, haunted houses, and horror that gets under your skin and stays there long after the last page.
The house itself is a nightmare, steeped in a sinister past that seeps into every page. I loved the flashbacks to the previous family. The shadowy force lurking inside is chilling, especially as it fixates on six year old Aubrey. Watching her become entangled with this presence is heartbreaking and horrifying in equal measure. The possession elements are deeply unsettling, and that scene with the fingers and the swing? YEPPP...pure nightmare fuel.
Beyond the jaw dropping scares (and constantly looking over your shoulder moments), this story hits emotionally as well. It’s a powerful blend of haunting and family drama, exploring addiction, guilt, mental illness, and the terrifying idea of losing control of your own mind. The atmosphere is written sooo perfectly, with all of the locations feeling right there with them real.You don’t just read about 396, you feel trapped inside it, constantly wondering if anyone will escape or who won't make it out alive.
I devoured this in two days because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Dark, disturbing, and unforgettable, this is a must read for fans of possession stories, haunted houses, and horror that gets under your skin and stays there long after the last page.
February 23, 2023
396 by Christopher Frost is so much more than a simple haunted house. It is part ghost story and part possession, it is family drama and overcoming obstacles such as addiction, it is your mind telling you to do things you don’t want to do, it is falling apart and getting back up again.
The story I got was not one I was expecting. It was better!
How do I review this story without spoiling it…it’s a tricky one.
We mainly follow the Lewis family as their life comes crashing down around them, they need a fresh start, so they move into 396 Main Street, a house with a vicious past they know nothing about. It doesn’t take long for the evil in 396 along with its past residents to awaken leaving horrendous chaotic devastation in its path. The entire story is so real and vivid; the gorgeous, dilapidated house, the broken family in all of their beauty and faults. I really enjoyed going back in time and learning the history of the house and residents. The story is a dark, thrilling, emotional ride. It hits all the right elements of horror and goes places that not all authors are prepared to venture.
I recommend you read 396 if you enjoy horror but particularly if you like dark haunted houses and possessions.
The story I got was not one I was expecting. It was better!
How do I review this story without spoiling it…it’s a tricky one.
We mainly follow the Lewis family as their life comes crashing down around them, they need a fresh start, so they move into 396 Main Street, a house with a vicious past they know nothing about. It doesn’t take long for the evil in 396 along with its past residents to awaken leaving horrendous chaotic devastation in its path. The entire story is so real and vivid; the gorgeous, dilapidated house, the broken family in all of their beauty and faults. I really enjoyed going back in time and learning the history of the house and residents. The story is a dark, thrilling, emotional ride. It hits all the right elements of horror and goes places that not all authors are prepared to venture.
I recommend you read 396 if you enjoy horror but particularly if you like dark haunted houses and possessions.
August 22, 2022
Let me start off by saying if you think this is your average house haunting where trinkets get moved from here to there and an apparition gets explained by turning your head a bit too fast, then the floor is about to drop from beneath your feet! This book had all the elements of a house haunting: semi-broken family looking for change, mental health concerns, buying a house with a sketchy past, girl makes imaginary friend…
Family begins to attempt normalcy, and enter Shadow Bat to wreak havoc on a small town!
This author knows how to get you invested in a character. Whether you love them or hate them you will want to know what’s in store for each. Stay with me here, I loved how through the story we get a glimpse into the mind of the characters AND the entities involved! He also knows just how to get your heart racing with the descriptions of the possession and kill scenes. The back story of the haunting is slowly revealed but don’t worry you won’t even know how many pages you traversed because the bodies are dropping like flies! Not to mention, the present day references and circumstances of the family make it so much more realistic, in an this could be happening to you sort of way. I specially loved the ending for the family, not your average fairy tale, all is well ending you see in many movies of similar tones.
Must read if you like Take Your Turn Teddy by Haley Newlin, The Woman Under the White Tree by Jamie Stewart, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Amityville Horror, or any movie that involves Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Family begins to attempt normalcy, and enter Shadow Bat to wreak havoc on a small town!
This author knows how to get you invested in a character. Whether you love them or hate them you will want to know what’s in store for each. Stay with me here, I loved how through the story we get a glimpse into the mind of the characters AND the entities involved! He also knows just how to get your heart racing with the descriptions of the possession and kill scenes. The back story of the haunting is slowly revealed but don’t worry you won’t even know how many pages you traversed because the bodies are dropping like flies! Not to mention, the present day references and circumstances of the family make it so much more realistic, in an this could be happening to you sort of way. I specially loved the ending for the family, not your average fairy tale, all is well ending you see in many movies of similar tones.
Must read if you like Take Your Turn Teddy by Haley Newlin, The Woman Under the White Tree by Jamie Stewart, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Amityville Horror, or any movie that involves Ed and Lorraine Warren.
August 9, 2022
why you don not buy haunted houses
This book was so much more than a haunted house book. This book was the story of how a family murdered, was able to try and take others souls to make their sprits stronger. When David and his family bought the property, they made the perfect mark. The only spirit trying to help the family was Evelyn, the young daughter of the original owner. As the family spends more time in the house,mother family unit begins to disintegrate and all kinds of supernatural events begin to take place. The storytelling, the short chapters, and the break in chapters to explain the history of the house made this a very exciting read.
This book was so much more than a haunted house book. This book was the story of how a family murdered, was able to try and take others souls to make their sprits stronger. When David and his family bought the property, they made the perfect mark. The only spirit trying to help the family was Evelyn, the young daughter of the original owner. As the family spends more time in the house,mother family unit begins to disintegrate and all kinds of supernatural events begin to take place. The storytelling, the short chapters, and the break in chapters to explain the history of the house made this a very exciting read.
December 2, 2022
4.5/5
Finally got to this book. I was not disappointed at all! Despite its scary page length, this is a story that will suck you in from beginning to end. There is a lot going on, such as sobriety issues and mental health, but I feel this adds more to the meat of the plot itself. Frost is incredible with providing details, making the reading experience more eerie and bloody. Some readers may think this is a slow burn (and while it kind of is), I can definitely say you will not be disappointed and will be rewarded for the intense and thrilling conclusion.
Finally got to this book. I was not disappointed at all! Despite its scary page length, this is a story that will suck you in from beginning to end. There is a lot going on, such as sobriety issues and mental health, but I feel this adds more to the meat of the plot itself. Frost is incredible with providing details, making the reading experience more eerie and bloody. Some readers may think this is a slow burn (and while it kind of is), I can definitely say you will not be disappointed and will be rewarded for the intense and thrilling conclusion.
May 4, 2023
396 was a viciously gripping book. I liked how the author wasn't afraid to delve into many married couples' troubles, hopes, dreams, failures, and struggles. How sunshine and roses turn into hate and disgust. How one single mistake may define one's future. The writing is beautiful. Be mindful because this story deals with multiple issues that may be triggering to some. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to lovers of the genre.
September 10, 2023
Familial dysfunction, struggles with addiction, and an effectively to-the-point writing style made this a proper haunted house tale! I think we all try to rationalize our crappy behavior, and that makes this story feel rooted in reality while this house exploits the family's transgressions and inner turmoil. Don't be intimidated by this book's size -- the plot is perfectly paced. It is somewhat of a slow burn, but it flows beautifully!
November 4, 2022
396 by @christopherfrostfiction
Dear 396 Main St, I am your biggest fan although you’ve fallen into some despair your lovely farmer porch, front door and barn has drawn me in. With some TLC and room to grow, I can see me and family here. Please love my family, as I come to love you.
396 leaves a mark on my mind, of fear so gripping I have a true fear of
“shhh, shhh, shhh”
and the words
“it’s okay
It’s okay
It’s okay”
This is a gripping story of a family fear and struggle of daily life.
Aubrey and her family gets twisted into a game with their own home. 396 history is enticing. The stigma of the home is deeply rooted in history and the community. Everyone knows but the family suffering.
Great job, a must read. Don’t fear the size of this book, a quick read because the characters and story sucks you in.
Dear 396 Main St, I am your biggest fan although you’ve fallen into some despair your lovely farmer porch, front door and barn has drawn me in. With some TLC and room to grow, I can see me and family here. Please love my family, as I come to love you.
396 leaves a mark on my mind, of fear so gripping I have a true fear of
“shhh, shhh, shhh”
and the words
“it’s okay
It’s okay
It’s okay”
This is a gripping story of a family fear and struggle of daily life.
Aubrey and her family gets twisted into a game with their own home. 396 history is enticing. The stigma of the home is deeply rooted in history and the community. Everyone knows but the family suffering.
Great job, a must read. Don’t fear the size of this book, a quick read because the characters and story sucks you in.
October 15, 2022
Looking for your next haunting story? Look no further than 396 by @christopherfrostfiction
This book for me was like a blend of Amityville Horror and The Haunting of Hill House in the best way possible. The author did a fantastic job of building the tension right from the get go and had a cast of fleshed out relatable, flawed characters. I found myself rooting for David and his family for a fresh start after David got sober. But as an lover of horror I was also looking for scary scenes and dark content and Christopher sure delivers! I was in a book hangover and highly reccomend this read!
This book for me was like a blend of Amityville Horror and The Haunting of Hill House in the best way possible. The author did a fantastic job of building the tension right from the get go and had a cast of fleshed out relatable, flawed characters. I found myself rooting for David and his family for a fresh start after David got sober. But as an lover of horror I was also looking for scary scenes and dark content and Christopher sure delivers! I was in a book hangover and highly reccomend this read!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews