Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Nick Roberts’s “The Exorcist’s House” follows a family who moves into a farmhouse previously owned by the deceased exorcist, Merle. The Hills, consisting of Daniel, a psychologist, his pregnant wife Nora, and their teenage daughter Alice, intend to renovate and sell the property for profit. However, they soon encounter eerie occurrences and memory lapses, leading them to discover a malevolent demon residing in the basement. As their terrifying ordeal unfolds, the family must confront the horrors lurking within the house.
The author uses all the familiar horror tropes made famous by the 1973 film “The Exorcist” and some more (that we’ve seen since). The Appalachian farmhouse adheres to the oldest trick in the genre – a remote setting, where it’s hard to get any immediate help. A pregnant protagonist – Nora Hill – helps in raising the anxiety levels of the readers, because each time something uncomfortable happens, you tend to worry about her. Even though the character itself isn’t all that likable.
The one character you’d want to root for in “The Exorcist’s House” is already dead – the exorcist Merle Blatty, who is introduced in the prologue as a hardened “devil may care” kind of a man, with a loyal dog called Buck by his side. It’s odd that the Hills didn’t conduct a background check on the property. However, to be fair, knowing that the previous owner was an exorcist who died in a fire on the property likely wouldn’t have dissuaded the pragmatic family from purchasing the farmhouse.
While numerous horrifying events unfold throughout the novel, the members of the Hill family come across as underdeveloped and distant, almost like three strangers coexisting under one roof. Moreover, there are several instances where their actions defy simple logic. Some of these actions are attributed to their wavering memory, influenced by the demon causing them to forget things, but others remain inexplicable. For instance, when the family becomes convinced they are under attack by a demonic entity, Daniel leaves the house to seek help, while Nora and Alice opt to stay behind. The question arises: Why? Why not seek refuge in a crowded place, such as a diner, rather than remaining vulnerable to a powerful rogue demon? Early in the novel, the author explains that those who encounter the entity become “infected” or “tainted,” meaning it will continue to haunt them wherever they go. Nevertheless, faced with this knowledge, would you prefer to linger in a graveyard or seek safety in a café, knowing that a ghost might manifest regardless of your location?
“The Exorcist’s House” unfolds like a cinematic horror experience, with its vivid descriptions and dialogue lending themselves well to a visual adaptation. Author Nick Roberts employs simple, easy-to-read language throughout the story, so it’s definitely easy to follow for readers who prefer their prose to be unexacting. The climax heads in a predictable direction, however, an epilogue chapter closes the story with a violently exciting twist.
For those looking for some solid introspective, haunting psychological horror – this novel won’t be satisfying. It’s straightforward, with nasty demons, lots of violence, gore, and priests being roped in to drive the evil entities away. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, pick this up. It’s an easy entertainer for horror fans who are fine with familiar tropes and twists.
Rating: 3 on 5. “The Excorcist’s House” is also on Kindle Unlimited.
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