The Hiding House
A psychological thriller about siblings hiding from a terrifying secret in the woods.
The story follows Sebastian and Elise as they navigate life after their mother’s disappearance. They find refuge at their grandmother’s isolated house, but peace is short-lived. A sudden tragedy forces them to stay hidden, breaking their routine of safety. Elise’s refusal to seek help creates tension between the siblings. She believes hiding protects them from a secret in the woods linked to their mother. This secret appears sentient and dangerous. The plot focuses on their internal struggle and the external threat lurking nearby. Richards uses this setup to examine how trauma shapes behavior. The narrative does not rely on jump scares but on creeping dread. It is a character-driven study of fear and loyalty within a broken family structure.
Published by Storm House Books in 2020, this work sits within the contemporary horror landscape. It draws on the tradition of gothic fiction where isolated settings amplify psychological terror. The novel reflects modern interests in domestic drama and trauma recovery.
📝 Description: The Hiding House
💎 Our verdict on The Hiding House
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate emotional page-turners and stories involving tangled webs of secrets will find this novel deeply engaging. It is particularly suited for those interested in psychological tension and domestic horror, offering a character-driven study of fear and loyalty within a fractured family dynamic. The narrative focuses on the internal struggles of siblings navigating life after a traumatic event, using creeping dread rather than jump scares to build atmosphere. By exploring themes of survival and the impact of abuse, Richards crafts a unique contribution to the genre. It appeals to audiences seeking heavy, introspective tales that examine how past horrors influence present actions, providing a chilling suspense experience rooted in realistic psychological distress.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Malcolm Richards delivers a chilling psychological suspense novel centered on two young siblings navigating life after their mother’s disappearance. The isolated woodland setting provides a brief respite before a tragedy leaves the children vulnerable and alone. Elise’s decision to hide creates intense tension with Sebastian, driving a plot that examines trauma and survival without relying on supernatural clichés. The narrative weaves dark family drama with suspense, focusing on an entity in the woods linked to their past. Richards demonstrates skill in crafting unsparing character studies, using creeping dread to explore loyalty within a broken family. This work suits readers seeking emotional depth and psychological tension over straightforward mystery or lighthearted entertainment.
