A Guest in the House

[cornerofmadness]

A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The art in this was wonderful and really fulfilled the promise of the story. Abby is David's second wife. He and his daughter, Crystal, have traveled a great distance across Canada to live in this lake house and reestablish his dental practice after the death of his first wife. Abby doesn't think much of it since it made sense to her to get a fresh start away from Sheila's memories after her cancer death and then the house fire.

Abby is 'quiet' as she calls herself (with a vivid imagination) where most would call her boring. She's average, a bit over weight, unadventurous and she knows this is why David picked her after his more beautiful, daring first wife. She's 'safe' a good option to take care of his house and child (and I've seen this in RL so it makes it all the more creepy/sad). Abby is small town, small ambitions, etc with a safe job as a grocery store cashier, nothing daring or challenging about her.

The tension slowly rachets up as Crystal keeps drawing her mother under the water and always wanting to be in the lake. And then Abby thinks she's seen Sheila's ghost in the house. Soon they're talking and between the ghost and some of David's friends Abby is having doubts about Sheila's death.

Honestly I didn't get a strong feeling that Abby was as the blurb said 'desperately in love' with Sheila. Obsessed yes but in love? Maybe if I squint. I'm not sure it would have crossed my mind if not for the blurb (then again I'm pretty aromantic so...) and some of the final panels.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. I liked the twist though, a lot. I would like to see more from Emily Carroll for sure.



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