The Monsters Next Door

By Kate Alice Marshall

Reviewed by Helen Gearing

Marshall is a trusted voice in the American horror landscape, writing suspenseful books for children and adults. Her previous middle grade titles include the Secrets of Eden Eld trilogy, which follows a trio of 13 year old friends as they uncover dark mysteries in their sleepy town. ‘The Monsters Next Door’ is Marshall’s latest standalone novel and explores themes of sibling dynamics, bravery, and self-acceptance. 

‘Across the street at 1512 Oak Lane, the curtains twitched.’

Charlie is determined nothing will spoil her super-agent parents’ much-needed, child-free holiday – not the special needs of her three younger adopted siblings (a werewolf, telekinetic, and ghost) nor Charlie’s new neighbours, who seem a little too friendly. However, when everyone around Charlie begins falling prey to a mysterious mind-control, Charlie must confront long-buried fears and find clues from her parent’s old supernatural cases to confront a new danger before it threatens every person she loves.

‘The Monsters Next Door’ is a solid introduction to the horror genre for readers eight years and older, with plenty of tropes to enjoy like cursed dolls, uncanny strangers, and supernatural suburban secrets. Although Charlie’s single-minded commitment to sacrificially care for her siblings occasionally feels contrived, there are many scenes between the other siblings – as they squabble and reluctantly accept Charlie’s leadership – which are highly relatable and full of fun.

Fans of Phil Hick’s ‘The Haunting of Aveline Jones’, Katherine Arden’s ‘Small Spaces’ and R. L. Stine’s classic Goosebumps series will thoroughly enjoy this spooky read, as will readers previously unfamiliar with the horror genre but who like their stories full of mystery and suspense.

Affirm Kids 2025

Kate Alice Marshall