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Brendan Norton is an actor, writer, and editor. He has written several plays, as well as years of solo performances and stand-up comedy. HAUSSITTER is his first novel. Born and raised on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, to a family of New Yorkers. Fordham College at Lincoln Center alum and proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
In Haussitter, Brendan Norton introduces readers to Brian, an unemployed costume designer. He accepts a seemingly easy house-sitting job at a luxurious estate called Das Nest. But what began as a quirky summer gig quickly unravels into something much darker. In addition to caring for a hormonal poodle, an elusive cat, and a litter of new puppies, Brian faces unsettling supernatural rules. The chiefest among them being "Never set foot on the second floor." As the house’s eerie influence grows, Brian’s stay spirals into a surreal battle between skeptical humor and creeping horror. But the real danger might not be the demon itself but the slow erosion of his reality.
Haussitter is a brilliant piece of work. It's an odd, unsettling, and darkly funny novel. Brendan Norton does an amazing job of creating a story that plays expertly with the boundaries between satire and horror. Norton’s writing is sharp and observant. For example, Brian’s witty, cynical voice anchors the surreal events in a relatable (and often hilarious) tone. While the pacing is intentionally gradual, the tension escalates in subtle, unsettling ways that reward those readers who dare to be patient. The narrative is masterfully balanced with its absurd humor and creeping dread, making even the strangest moments feel disturbingly real. Fans of unconventional horror, particularly those who appreciate the bizarre emotional textures of Grady Hendrix or Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared-style of storytelling, will find Haussitter both chilling and deeply entertaining.
