'We Used to Live Here' book review

"We Used to Live Here" is a spine-chilling horror novel about guests overstaying their welcome at a house settled in the rural mountains of Oregon. Written by Marcus Kliewer and published in 2024, the book opens with a seemingly normal family of a father, mother, 2 boys, and a girl who knock on the door of a home owned by Eve and Charlie, the new residents who just moved in. The father, Thomas, claims that he used to live there many years before and he'd like to show the kids around where he grew up.

Eve and Charlie just purchased the property and got a pretty good deal for it. With Charlie not home and Eve being a pushover, she invites the guests in. Once they arrive, strange occurrences slowly unravel. The daughter goes missing and Thomas begins acting strange. Once you start the book, you won't be able to put it down.

Throughout the story, the author provides archival documents about the history of the property and paranormal occurrences related to the home. The documents include internet conspiracies, news clippings and interview transcripts. These documents provide credible information for readers, pulling us in to be a part of the story and speculate the possibilities.

Sprinkled with gothic elements, readers will begin to question if it is the family or the house that is the antagonizer. Is Eve just losing her mind? The family is pleasant after all.

As someone who loves horror films, I found this book to be an absolute page-turner. I highly recommend it for those who love a good scare.

The ending will leave you mind-boggled and utterly terrified. Soon to be adapted into a Netflix film, this is a book you won't want to miss!

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