Louise’s parents have passed away, and she’s returning to the small Southern town where she grew up to get their house ready to sell. It means she’ll have to spend time with her younger brother—and their old grudges make that a terrifying prospect. But childhood hurts pale in comparison to the dangers posed by what still lives inside the house.
Development
Hendrix began writing the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "whether it's around a campfire, at a sleepover, or alone by ourselves on the couch, there's nothing more comforting than a haunted house story." He chose to center the story around family due to the impact family has on everyone's lives. Hendrix set the story in his hometown, which he had used for his novels My Best Friend's Exorcism and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, noting that this would be the last novel to use this setting.[2][3]
Release
How to Sell a Haunted House was published in hardback and ebook formats on January 17, 2023 through Berkley Books.[4][5] An audiobook adaptation narrated by Jay and Mikhaila Aaseng was released simultaneously through Penguin Audio.[6]
Reception
Critical reception for the book has been positive.[7] In a review for The New York Times, Danielle Trussoni states that "by weaving violence, family trauma and humor, Hendrix creates a texture that engages the reader emotionally and viscerally."[8] Lee Mandelo of Tor.com noted that, "The novel reminded me of the frenetic, compulsive energy that propelled me through pulp horror paperbacks as a kid, except cleverly updated for a contemporary adult audience."[9]NPR called it "campy, unexpectedly deep — and as creepy as the dead eyes of a puppet at midnight in a gloomy room — How to Sell a Haunted House is a tense, dark novel."[10]
Adaptation
In 2023, Legendary Entertainment won the rights to a film adaptation directed by James Ashcroft and adapted by Hendrix.[11]
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