A Head Full of Ghosts

A family drowning in debt agrees to let a reality television crew film their teenage daughter's apparent demonic possession, and the question of whether she is truly possessed or seriously ill is never fully answered, which is exactly the point. Tremblay tells the story mostly through the memories of the younger sister, Merry, who was eight when the cameras arrived, now recounting events years later to a writer, so every recollection is filtered through a child's terror and an adult's doubt. Layered over that are chapters written as a horror blog, in which an anonymous critic dissects the old TV show scene by scene, cheerfully pointing out how it borrowed from famous possession films. That metafictional device turns the reader into an analyst too, weighing possession against mental illness against the manipulations of television. The result suits readers who love ambiguity, unreliable narration, and horror that works on the mind rather than through gore. It fits less well anyone wanting a clear supernatural payoff, since Tremblay deliberately refuses to settle the question. The final revelation about what happened during the family's last filmed dinner recontextualizes everything and leaves the central mystery sharper, not softer. For fans of quiet, cerebral horror that respects the intelligence of its audience and lingers long after the last page, this is an unsettling and clever pick. Readers who need their scares resolved and explained will find its open ending maddening rather than delicious, which is the intended effect.

Best for readers who want to be kept on edge: propulsive, twisty, and hard to put down. The writing rewards attention without being demanding, a good balance of depth and readability. It moves quickly: once you're in, it's hard to stop. Readers who prefer character depth over plot drive may find it thin.