Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Josh Malerman’s shiver-inducing 2024 horror novel Incidents Around the House, a deeply unsettling story about a relentless entity known as ‘Other Mommy’ who asks again and again “Can I go into your heart?”  In this episode, we unpack the child narrator, Bella and the effectiveness of horror seen through a child’s limited perspective, parental guilt, bad parenting decisions, the traumatising consequences of family secrets, infidelity, exorcisms, what exactly Other Mommy is, and how this book somehow manages to pull off an actual jump scare.  Content & Spoiler Warning: Supernatural horror, demonic or paranormal entities, possession, a child in danger, stalking, death, infidelity, family secrets, references to sexual coercion and grooming, guilt and emotional manipulation, exorcism, religion, and references to real-life deaths associated with exorcisms. There are dogs, but don’t worry. Nothing happens to them. And, as always, we spoil Incidents Around the House completely. Palate Cleanser: Go see a band or artist you loved when you were younger, preferably with the friends you originally listened to them with (Caroline recently saw Salt-N-Pepa with her high school friends). And we are both currently enjoying Dungeon Crawler Carl! Recommendations: For more Josh Malerman: Bird Box - both the novel and the Sandra Bullock adaptation. The Talking Scared and Horror Makes Us Happy interviews with Josh Malerman. For creepy children, possession and things in the house: Poltergeist The Exorcist The Exorcist TV series - for another persuasive supernatural entity that slowly reveals how monstrous it really is. Hereditary — for things lurking in corners, possession, and family trauma Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor – for long monologues (basically anything by Mike Flanagan). Come Closer by Sara Gran - another unsettling exploration of demonic possession. Gerald’s Game by Stephen King - for one of the only other books Annie can remember genuinely jump-scaring her. For relentless supernatural threats and curses: It Follows and The Ring  For creepy things pretending to be something safe: The “Humans Can Lick Too” urban legend, which has probably permanently damaged several generations of children. For difficult mothers and complicated families: Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke - especially because family members participated in the documentary. Sins of Our Mother -  about Lori Vallow, featuring her son Colby. For women, motherhood and being allowed to be flawed human beings: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Little Women Random Connections: Othello - no Drawn to Darkness episode is safe from Shakespeare!  Beetlejuice - because surely the supernatural world should come with some kind of instruction manual. The Little Mermaid – Ursula knows to get your supernatural contracts in writing!   Inside Out - for Grandma Ruth’s idea that we decide which emotions and grudges we allow to take up permanent residence inside us. Monsters Inc – for monsters in the closet, obviously. Never Let Me Go - for children accepting deeply abnormal circumstances because they have never known anything else. Now and Then - for parents who throw a lot of parties. The Birdcage, The Birds, and Portlandia’s “Put a Bird on It,” solely because once Bird Box entered the conversation, we got silly about birds. Disney’s Robin Hood - for vultures, who deserve better representation and are actually useful members of the ecosystem. Homework: Watch John Carpenter’s original 1978 Halloween. We’re doing a horror double header and heading back to where Michael Myers and Laurie Strode began, with relentless stalking, an inescapable presence, and the Boogeyman coming home. Don’t forget. Communication is key, you can’t stab a demon, and don’t thin the veil. And if you are going to make a sandwich, take the extra two minutes and make a good sandwich. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for the podcast cover art. Find her on Instagram at @nancyazano. Thanks also to Harry Kidd for the opening and closing music. Find him on Instagram at @harryjkidd and on Spotify.