The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer Review

This book proves beyond any doubt that Kliewer is no one hit wonder when it comes to novels. A very fast read and a definitive five stars.

This book scared the bejesus out of me. As I’m typing this, I am so tired because I was awake so much of the night reading it. I genuinely had to take pauses because the tension is so heavy and fast that I had to remove myself at times to remind myself this is fiction and not happening to me right now.

That’s how engrossing Kliewer’s writing is, and as a horror lover, I appreciate the rare book that really frightens me. In movies, it’s easier to put your finger on what’s making you scared-the music, maybe, a jump scare— but Kliewer accomplishes so much reader fear through words and small red flags we see throughout the story that build the terrifying reality of the protagonist.

Macy, a young woman who also cares for her sister Gemma, takes a job to watch a house for a weekend for an insane amount of money. The widow who lives there said her husband, before he passed, was very suspicious of the property and insisted rituals be done constantly to protect the place: turn off all the lights one hour a night, locking doors, and being extra careful of any rabbits or visitors with blue eyes. Basically, Macy has to stay there, do the rites, and all is well.

But the red flags emerge immediately and dread starts to build on the page. Macy very quickly— similar in pace to Kliewer’s first novel, We Used to Live Here— ends up in a truly terrifying situation and is basically trapped on the property. The pacing is so on point and at every turn, the stakes are raised and the crisis escalates.

I think this book will appeal to virtually all horror fans, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who liked We Used to Live Here. The writing scares me in a way only a few other novelists like A.M. Shine and Josh Malerman are able to. Grab a friend and turn all the lights on (of off, depending what part of the book you’re at) and strap in for a wild ride. Thanks so much 12:01 books, Atria, and Marcus Kliewer for the ARC.