Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing Stephanie Perkins’ There’s Someone Inside Your House.

There’s Someone Inside Your House was published by Dutton Books in 2017 and is 304 pages long.

The Plot
Set in a small town in Nebraska, the story follows high school student Makani Young as she navigates a series of gruesome murders that rock her community. As the body count rises, Makani finds herself at the centre of the investigation, uncovering dark secrets about her classmates and facing terrifying threats from an unknown killer.

Characters
Makani Young
Makani is a biracial teenager and the protagonist of the novel. She is a new student at Osborne High School, having moved from Hawaii to Nebraska to live with her grandmother after a traumatic event in her past. Makani is a strong-willed and independent character who quickly becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding the murders in her small town. Throughout the novel, we see Makani struggle with her own secrets while trying to navigate through high school drama and relationships.

Ollie Larsson
Ollie is Makani’s love interest and becomes integral to unravelling the mystery behind the killings. Ollie is mysterious and brooding and, for a time, becomes the prime suspect in the eyes of Makani’s best friends before they eventually realise that he is kind and thoughtful and treats Makani well.

Darby
Darby is one of Makani’s best friends. He and Alex take her under their wing upon her arrival at Osbourne High. He is kindhearted and can relate to Makani regarding being different (he was assigned female at birth and identifies as male).

Alex
Alex is another of Makani’s best friends. She and Darby have been close since they were small, and they accept Makani immediately. She is sarcastic and can be combative, but she only has Makani’s best interests at heart. After initially suspecting Ollie of being the Osbourne Slayer, both Alex and Darby apologise when, during an attack on Makani, the identity of the actual killer is revealed.

Grandma Young
Grandma Young is, obviously, Makani’s Grandma. She takes Makani in when her parents send her away after her troubles in Hawaii. She is a sleepwalker, and having been away at a sleep study in Omaha, she returns just as the Osbourn Slayer is attacking Makani. Granda Young tries to help her granddaughter but gets stabbed for her troubles.

Chris Larsson
Chris is Ollie’s brother and a police officer. He moved back home to look after Ollie when their parents were killed in a car accident when Ollie was in middle school. For the most part, the brothers get on well, but often, it seems that Chris struggles between being a responsible parent and a cool older brother.

Writing Style
Perkins has a wonderfully concise yet descriptive style that masterfully links elements of teen drama together with chilling suspense, creating a thrilling and emotional tale.

Her characters feel realistic, and the dynamic between them all and their relationships with their families and each other is compelling.

In addition to its compelling characters and riveting plot, something else noteworthy about this book is its atmospheric setting. Perkins paints a vivid picture of small-town life in Nebraska, capturing the beauty and isolation of rural America. It’s a place I have never visited, yet I feel like I have.

The sense of place adds an extra layer of tension to the story, making every shadowy corner and deserted street feel like a potential danger zone, and readers will find themselves entirely immersed in Makani’s world, feeling every heart-pounding moment as she fights for survival against the Osbourne Slayer.

Finally, I found Perkins’ ability to delve into common but crucial themes throughout the narrative impressive, with topics such as loss, grief, shame, guilt and redemption explored throughout. While the story is primarily a horror-thriller, Perkins doesn’t shy away from exploring these universal themes, giving the novel a more rounded feel than just being a simple slasher.

Final Thoughts
Overall, the book is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will leave readers on the edge of their seats as they try to work out who the Osbourne Slayer might be. With its well-developed characters, unpredictable twists, and suspense, this novel will surely appeal to horror and young adult fiction fans alike.

I am giving There’s Someone Inside Your House an 8/10.

Have you read the novel or watched the movie adaptation on Netflix? I recently saw the film, and I have to say, I find the book to be the superior of the two regarding character and story development.

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George

© 2025 GLT

Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: book review, diverse, horror, review, slasher, thriller