Hi all!

Welcome back to the bookclub! In January, we read The Exorcist’s House by Nick Roberts for The You’ll Read Too Bookclub! Spoilers ahead!

Quick Reminder: This month we are reading ‘A History of Fear’ by Luke Dumas! 

Today I’m going to give a quick plot summary, plus my overall star/scare-factor ratings. Then I will share the discussion topics and trivia questions. Please include all of your answers and opinions down below. I want to know exactly what you thought. I’ll also leave the answers to the trivia questions at the very bottom of the post. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

THE EXORCIST’S HOUSE BY NICK ROBERTS – JANUARY 2023

PLOT SUMMARY

OVERALL STAR RATING

I gave this book 5/5 stars. It had everything I wanted in a horror novel and more. It gave me Pet Sematary meets The Exorcist vibes. There was a deeply poignant backstory, a chilling ending and plenty of scares along the way. I couldn’t fault it. It also had some twists I didn’t see coming.

OVERALL SCARE-FACTOR RATING

I also gave it a scare-factor rating of 5/5. It was a deeply disturbing story. The opening sequence was terrifying. Not to mention, the well in the basement gave me shivers. It’s been a while since a novel was able to evoke such dread in me. Bravo!

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1.) Does the ending suggest a sequel is in the works? Would you like that?

A demon-infested baby certainly leaves the story open for a sequel. However, it is also plausible the author wanted to fill us with lingering fear. That is the nature of a horror novel. I would absolutely pick up a second book. I am such a fan of Nick’s after reading this one.

2.) Do you think Nora’s infidelity added much to the overall plot?

It felt more like a means to an end. The story could have easily existed without that sub-plot. She was lured into the basement, by the demon masking as her former lover, but this could have been achieved in other ways. I’m still not entirely sure if I liked this added indiscretion.

3.) Do you like happy endings in horror novels or ones filled with dread, like this one?

I’m somewhere in the middle. Sometimes a horror novel deserves a happy ending, other times it doesn’t. Typically, an unhappy conclusion suggests future works. If you’re heavily invested in the story, this could be seen as a positive.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Easy: What is the irony behind Merle’s surname?

Medium: What year does the story take place?

Hard: Which classic does the demon reference?

I hope you enjoyed the book club discussion. As mentioned above, share all of your thoughts in the comments below! If you have any feedback/suggestions to improve the bookclub, please let me know. I look forward to talking to you all next month! Thanks for reading!

Peace & Love xoxo

TRIVIA ANSWERS: Easy: William Peter Blatty wrote the Exorcist. Medium: 1994. Hard: Paradise Lost.