Haunted House

I’ll admit, I side-eyed *Haunted House* at first. A 90-minute audiobook? For kids? How much terror can you pack into that? Turns out, plenty—if you’re Mary Hooper. This isn’t a jump-scare fest; it’s a simmering pot of dread, where the real horror is the way Jake’s fears are gaslit by everyone around him. The story hinges on his isolation: his mum’s too busy, his twin sister’s too young to get it, and the village adults all share that *look* when he mentions the cottage. It’s the kind of quiet horror that burrows under your skin, especially when Jake starts finding tiny, impossible things in his room—like a doll’s head in his shoe. (Yes, *doll’s head*. Hooper knows her audience.) Tom Lawrence’s performance sells it. He doesn’t overdo the spooky voice; instead, he lets the silence between lines carry the weight. His pacing is deliberate, almost lazy, which makes the rare moments of panic—like when Jake’s flashlight flickers out—hit harder. My only critique? The sound design is *too* minimal. A creaking door here, a distant whisper there would’ve elevated the atmosphere, especially for an audiobook this short. And while the ambiguous ending will frustrate kids who want closure, it’s also what makes *Haunted House* stick with you. It’s not about the ghost; it’s about the way fear warps reality, and that’s far scarier than any sheeted phantom. Perfect for ages 9–12 who like their chills smart, not silly.