Rob Stennett’s Homemade Haunting examines the paranormal using allegory and humor, as high school English teacher Charlie Walker takes a six-month sabbatical to write a horror novel.

When Charlie moves his family into an older house that they can afford, he has a poltergeist experience. He realizes then that as a method writer, he needs to actually feel the horror himself to fix the novel he’s been writing—one that’s not scary at all.

Charlie doesn’t believe in God or Satan, and so begins his research by purchasing an Ouija board. Believing he is still in control, he includes his wife, Rachel, in his paranormal activity. Dark occurrences increase—even his wife begins casting spells—and Charlie meets his guardian angel. Finally he finishes the novel and is ready to stop the paranormal, but Rachel’s passion for it takes possession of her, leading Charlie toward the only one who can help—God.

Stennett’s storytelling will make his characters live in the reader’s imagination. Homemade Haunting will make an enjoyable read for fans of horror, but aims to help readers think twice about getting involved with the paranormal.

—Nicole Anderson

FICTION:

Homemade Haunting

Rob Stennett

Zondervan

softcover, 304 pages, $14.99

978-0-310-32192-7

March 2011

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