Overview

House of Spines centres on Beth, a woman trapped in a controlling and abusive marriage. When her husband dies suddenly, Beth believes freedom is finally possible. Instead, she finds herself pulled deeper into fear as secrets surface and it becomes clear that his control may not have ended with his death.

Writing & Voice

We found Malone’s writing stripped back and intense. His prose stays close to Beth’s inner life, capturing anxiety, self doubt and dread with painful clarity. The voice never sensationalises abuse. It stays grounded, steady and deeply unsettling.

Content & Perspective

The novel follows Beth as she tries to rebuild her life while being haunted by her husband’s influence. Malone shows how coercive control works long after physical presence ends. The tension grows through everyday moments, making fear feel constant and inescapable.

Themes

House of Spines explores coercive control, trauma, survival and the struggle to reclaim autonomy. It examines how abuse reshapes identity and how difficult it can be to trust your own instincts after years of manipulation.

What Worked

• Unflinching portrayal of abuse handled with care and honesty.
• Psychological tension rooted in character rather than shocks.
• Strong central perspective that keeps the reader close to Beth.

Minor Quibbles

• The relentless intensity may be hard for some readers.
• The slow burn demands patience and attention.

Final Thoughts

We found House of Spines devastating and precise, tracing coercive control beyond death and showing how fear embeds itself in daily life and identity.

Rating: ★★★★★ / 5