Hi all!
Welcome back to the book club! In April, we read The Spite House by Johnny Compton for The You’ll Read Too Bookclub! If you wish to access all of the latest updates/information, click here. Spoilers ahead!
Quick Reminder: This month we are reading ‘Episode Thirteen’ by Craig DiLouie!
Today I’m going to discuss the book in the same way I normally do my Instagram videos. You can find the recorded talk on my book club Instagram page. I’ll give a quick plot summary plus my overall star/scare-factor ratings. Then I will share the discussion topics and trivia questions. Please include all of your answers and opinions down below. I want to know exactly what you thought. I’ll also leave the answers to the trivia questions at the very bottom of the post, so if you wish to guess without being spoiled, do not scroll to the end until you’re ready. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
THE SPITE HOUSE BY JOHNNY COMPTON – APRIL 2023
PLOT SUMMARY
Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money.
When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them…
OVERALL STAR RATING
I gave this book 1/5 stars. I feel awful giving it such a low rating, but I honestly didn’t enjoy reading it. This novel is short, so pacing matters. It was far too slow in the beginning, went much too fast in the middle and completely rushed itself by the end. There were so many questions left unanswered, plotlines that went nowhere and moments that made no sense. I went in thinking this was going to be a fun haunted house story, but it deviated from that premise completely…and not in a good way. I felt mentally depleted on completion, which is never a good sign.
OVERALL SCARE-FACTOR RATING
I gave it a scare-factor rating of 2/5 stars. The only time I felt uneasy was the very first night Eric and his daughters slept at the spite house. However, even then, the paranormal activity started up immediately, giving us no time to build tension and suspense. After that, I was no longer scared.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
1.) Have you ever seen or encountered a real-life spite house? Tell me about it!
I had never heard of a spite house before this book. Upon reflection, I’m sure I have walked past one at some point in my life, but I had no prior awareness of it.
2.) What are your theories on how Stacy came back from the dead?
I have no idea because this was one of the biggest questions that was left unanswered. I am guessing it had something to do with Eric’s family, but it was not explained. I wish this huge plot-point had been explored to the fullest.
3.) What were your thoughts on the ending? Was it too rushed or satisfying?
It was far too rushed and to be honest, quite confusing. I struggled to comprehend it. Had the book been paced better, it could have redeemed itself.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
Easy: What was Dess’s fake name?
Medium: What did Stacy call The Spite House?
Hard: How many POV’s were there in the book?
I hope you enjoyed the book club discussion in this post and on Instagram. As mentioned above, share all of your thoughts in the comments below! If you have any feedback/suggestions to improve the book club, please let me know. I look forward to talking to you all next month! Thanks for reading!
Peace & Love xoxo
TRIVIA ANSWERS: Easy: Odessa Ross. Medium: The Skinny House. Hard: 12.