How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold — Review
How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is a satirical horror-mystery that blends campy slasher tropes with a haunted house puzzle narrative. This debut novel is perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix and Agatha Christie, offering fast-paced storytelling with alternating POVs, dark humor, and eerie deaths—but without extreme gore.
How to survive a horror Story — Review Snapshot:
What mood is this right for: You are looking for a fun murder-mystery esq horror.
Length: 368 Pages
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Horror
Source: Digital ARC via NetGalley
Where to Buy: How to Survive a Horror Story - Pre-Order Affiliate Link
Release Date 07/08/2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1 Sentence Summary: “Sometimes monsters are the people we love the most.”
My Thoughts:
July has some solid debuts coming out. Between this and A Resistance of Witches, I think we’ve got two bangers on our hands.
Grady Hendrix meets Agatha Christie—that’s what you get with How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold. This quirky, trope-driven, satire-esque debut follows seven characters through a haunted house competition set up by their nemesis/frenemy/possible ex-lover, Mortimer Queen,
Reminiscent of Christie’s And Then There Were None, we have alternating POVs between the characters of the book, the premise is simple: survive Mortimer’s nightmare house and you win whatever he left you in his will. But each room is a trap, each puzzle a punishment. And the deeper they go, the more they’re forced to confront what they did to Mortimer while he was alive.
If you like campy slasher energy, a la The Final Girl Support Group, you’re going to have fun with this one.
“”You can tell a lot by the contents in someone’s library!””
I finished this in two days. As someone who owns every Grady Hendrix book, I can confidently say this hit that same weird-horror sweet spot. Fast-paced, absurd in the best way, and impossible to put down.
The plot
The pacing is nearly perfect. It starts a bit slow while the setup unfolds, but once the characters are inside the house, the story kicks into high gear.
Arnold uses alternating POVs to tell the story, and she peppers in short “mini-stories” between chapters that add texture without dragging down the pace. The ensemble structure gives us shifting perspectives and mounting tension as each character gets closer to their fate.
““ ‘Now, that’s what I don’t like about the genre these days,’ Scott says, flapping his cloth napkin in the air to seemingly fan away the smell of burnt wood. ‘It’s all about the worst imaginable ways to die.’ ” ”
We do get some creepy, unsettling deaths. Not over-the-top, but definitely enough to raise your eyebrows. One scene in particular—think: spider where your eyeball used to be. That said, if you’re expecting high body horror or extreme gore, you may be left wanting a bit more.
The setting
““The manor is an extremely tall house, though it’s terribly skinny in width and slightly leaning like a stack of badly organized books.””
The house is practically a character in its own right. It’s one of those “bigger on the inside” haunted homes, constantly shifting and revealing new horrors as the characters move through it. Every room has its own puzzle, trap, or test—and all of it feels intentionally orchestrated to expose their past sins.
Reading this felt a lot like playing Betrayal at House on the Hill. As the characters enter new rooms it’s as if a player is flipping a new board tile revealing some new horror. Each room offers clues, death. And, of course, there’s a traitor in the mix.
It’s clever, it’s atmospheric, and it keeps the tension high while the characters navigate both the house and each other.
What Worked (and What Could’ve Worked So Much Better)
💜 What Worked:
The pacing: quick and engaging without feeling rushed
The setting: creative and vivid. The house truly elevates the story.
The balance of horror and humor: eerie enough to make you flinch, but still fun and campy.
⚠️ What Didn’t:
The characters could have used more distinction. With seven POVs, some blended together.
The horror could have had a little more bite. I liked what we got, but a touch more dread would’ve added impact.
Final Thoughts on How to Survive A Horror Story
This book is a sharp, fun, genre-aware horror comedy that leans more into camp than creep. It pokes fun at the horror genre while still delivering on some genuinely unsettling moments. And while it doesn’t hit the emotional depth some readers might expect, it absolutely delivers as a fast, weird, satisfying read.
If you love haunted houses, locked-room mysteries, or quirky horror with teeth, this one should be on your radar. As a debut, it’s incredibly promising—and yes, I’d absolutely read whatever Mallory Arnold writes next.
Also, if they ever adapt this, please cast Neil Patrick Harris as Mortimer Queen. He was born for it.
Final Rating: 4 stars
“‘No it would be wonderful!’ He chortles. ‘I recommend you try it, Melanie. Take the world into your own hands and add a little darkness to it.”
How to survive a horror story Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Not in the traditional sense. It’s more eerie and unsettling than terrifying, with a satirical tone and campy slasher vibes. Think Goosebumps meets Clue—with a few creepy deaths, but nothing too extreme.
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Description text goeThis book blends horror, mystery, and thriller elements with a humorous, self-aware voice. It’s best described as a satirical horror-mystery, perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix, Agatha Christie, and quirky ensemble stories.s here
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No, How to Survive a Horror Story is a standalone debut novel. However, it sets up Mallory Arnold as an author to watch—and I’ll definitely be picking up whatever she writes next.
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This one’s for readers who love haunted houses, murder competitions, locked-room puzzles, and genre-savvy horror. If you enjoy The Final Girl Support Group, And Then There Were None, or board games like Betrayal at House on the Hill, you’ll have a great time.
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There are a few graphic moments, but overall the horror is more fun and creative than gory. Hardcore horror fans might find it a bit light, but if you like your scares weird and witty, it hits the mark.
