
AMAZON LINK: THE PERFECTLY FINE HOUSE
In an alternate reality where ghosts are as commonplace as the weather, the most terrifying thing imaginable is a house not being haunted.
Donna Fitzpatrick runs a surrogacy agency, where ghosts can briefly possess volunteers in order to enjoy carnal pleasures. She’s also working herself into an early grave. But that’s no big deal because death is no worse than puberty. That’s particularly evident in Donna’s twin, Kyle, a self-absorbed roustabout who spends most of his time high on sage. Kyle’s been in arrested development since his motorcycle accident fifteen years ago.
When Donna has a panic attack, Kyle insists she take a vacation at an abandoned mansion. There’s just one small problem: there isn’t a single ghost in Jackson Manor. And while an unhaunted house seems no worse than an oddity at first, soon ghosts go missing, natural disasters consume entire cities, and every afterlife on earth is threatened by the terrible secret behind… The Perfectly Fine House.
Hey diddily, everyone! Today, I’m reviewing what is for sure one of the more original ghost stories I’ve ever read. The concept alone sets this apart from others of its kind – in that we’re in a world in which ghosts are just commonplace. They’re everywhere! And not just people, but pets, bugs, etc. Basically, death isn’t the end for anyone, and is just the next phase of existence. This story centres around a phenomenon that starts at a house…. a perfectly fine house…. apart from the terrifying fact that it houses no ghosts. Not a person, not a cat, not even a fly. This is not only highly unusual, but lonely, and quite creepy. Not only that, but ghosts who do approach are terrified of the thing – whatever it is – causing this anomaly. And then…. the anomaly spreads.
Never did I think I would read a book where I’m afraid for the safety of ghosts. As things escalate, reading this became an increasingly stressful experience (in a good way!). The characters are wonderful, but the world-building is the real triumph. The authors (who collaborate so seamlessly you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins, by the way) vividly set up this universe and the rules of it and it’s so effective and fun to read.

It’s a really quick read (but an average length book) with great pacing, and the horror aspects come from unexpected places. I’d definitely recommend this to general horror fans, particularly ghost fans. This is an absolute must if you’re looking from something different within this subgenre without the same old tropes.
If you’d like to get your own copy, or check out either/both of the authors, you can find all the links you need below:
AMAZON SALES LINK: THE PERFECTLY FINE HOUSE
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