My Book Review On ‘We Used to Live Here’ by Marcus Kliewer

Reading Marcus Kliewer’s We Used to Live Here felt like stepping into a trippy horror novel that dared to bend the rules of a typical haunted house story. From the moment I opened the book, the creepy atmosphere and dread-filled characters hooked me, pulling me into the depths of a rotting Victorian house that had its own unnerving personality. The building sense of dread was so tangible that it was impossible not to get sucked in. While it had all the makings of a spooky, claustrophobic journey, complete with inventive twists, it took a turn midway, which, for me, disrupted its rhythm.

Perhaps my lukewarm feelings stemmed from reading Jennifer Thorne’s Diavola and Daisy Pearce’s Something in the Walls back-to-back before tackling this book. Both are top-notch examples of haunted house stories, brimming with terror in different ways, and they had me primed for another masterpiece. However, while Kliewer’s take is undeniably inventive, blending elements of home invasion and bleak housing market commentary, the second half struggled to keep its footing. Even with all its bold attempts to subvert expectations, the story’s twists sometimes felt more disjointed than seamless. Yet, it’s undeniable that the novel succeeds in delivering moments of true discomfort and tension that linger well after turning the last page.

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The Mysterious Visitors

“Reading ‘We Used to Live Here’ by Marcus Kliewer felt like stepping into a picturesque neighborhood with a hint of foreboding. The story begins with a young, queer couple, Charlie and Eve, for a living who flip houses.. They stumble upon a killer deal on an old house, the kind that looks perfect on the surface but holds chilling secrets beneath. As they settle in, a knock at the door disrupts their work. A man stands there with his family, claiming he had lived there years ago and would like to show his kids around.“

“What struck me was how Eve, being a bit of a people pleaser, lets the strangers in. That simple moment sets off a cascade of uncanny and inexplicable happenings. The youngest child of the visiting family goes missing, while a ghostly presence materializes in the basement. The tension rises as the visitors refuse to leave, making the situation increasingly weird. When Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve loses her grip on reality, torn between wondering if something is terribly wrong with the house or if her mind is simply imagining things. Kliewer masterfully draws you into the creeping dread of the scenario, where the line between the supernatural and psychological is blurred.“

A Haunting Dive into Tension and Atmosphere

Marcus Kliewer’s novel We Used to Live Here truly presents itself as a story full of surprises. At first, it might seem like another rote exploration of familiar tropes, but as the layers unravel, you realize it’s anything but. Kliewer takes an inventive big swing with his storytelling, crafting a narrative that feels unpredictable and fresh. While some readers might feel it’s a swing and a miss, the boldness of his approach is worth celebrating. Few authors manage to pull off such creativity while challenging the expectations of a genre, and Kliewer does so in a way that’s simply undeniable.

From the start, the story sets an unsettling atmosphere that intensifies with every page. The massive, rundown home on Stray Dog Summit, nestled in a remote, wooded corner of the Pacific Northwest, becomes a character in itself, echoing the story’s dark themes. Kliewer expertly weaves in elements of religious trauma and an unreliable narrator, which left me with a knot in my stomach, like an XXL pit that just wouldn’t go away. His ability to ratchet up the tension between characters and throw them into nightmarish situations is masterful. Each twist and turn draws you deeper into the story, making it impossible to look away, no matter how dark it gets.

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Unraveling the Mystery of “We Used to Live Here”

The moment Eve gazes down the stairs into her basement, believing she sees a child standing in the darkness, the terrifying nature of the story becomes clear. This visceral scene is haunting, drawing readers into the unsettling atmosphere. The questions start to arise immediately: Was it real, or just her mind playing tricks? The story begins to unravel as Eve struggles with what she saw, while the rest of the characters believe it was nothing. This ominous sense of doubt is the backbone of the book, as the psychological layers begin to emerge. The plot is constructed around these vague hints and twists that keep you guessing. It’s as though the readers are watching from the corner, trying to piece together a picture that remains just out of reach.

The mind-bending plot introduces elements of sci-fi, with a distinct SCP-like energy that fills the pages. Each chapter feels like it’s constantly hinted at, as if you’re only seeing the top layer of a much darker, deeper mystery. The ideas are cool but unsettling, pushing the boundaries of reality in a bizarro direction that keeps you on edge. From the bottom of the story to the top, things don’t seem to fit together as you would expect. There’s always this feeling of something being just beyond your grasp, standing at the edge of comprehension.

The writing, often shrouded in ambiguity, keeps the ominous tone constant throughout. As the book unfolds, you realize that nothing is as it seems, and that’s what makes the journey so thrilling. Every new twist raises even more questions, leaving you with the eerie sensation of being caught in a story that refuses to fully reveal itself.

Experience of Eve’s Journey

As someone who often feels anxious in social situations, I could instantly relate to Eve. She’s a person with a strong tendency to people-please, sometimes to the point of detriment. What makes her journey especially interesting is that she’s thrust into a horror scenario where she’s aware that her own instincts—her need to appease others—could put her in danger. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a character who is desperately trying to survive her interactions with a strange family that has descended upon her home.

As the story unfolds, Eve’s growth is clear, but the smarts she uses to navigate her circumstances come late, making her a smart heroine who eventually earns respect for how she handles things. Follow quillreading.com for more books.

The ending of the story, crafted by Kliewer, is something I won’t spoil, but I will say it’s satisfying. While I wanted to go deeper, I’ll leave it here and let you explore the book blind—just trust me, it’s worth it. OK? guarded Good Bye!