In 'We Used to Live Here,' a young woman's attempt to renovate a house becomes a nightmarish ordeal as she unravels the dark secrets and manipulative nature of a mysterious family, leading her to question her own sanity and fight for her freedom.
Overview
In the chilling and atmospheric novel 'We Used to Live Here,' Marcus Kliewer weaves a tale of paranoia and entrapment through the eyes of Eve Palmer, a young queer woman with a keen eye for detail and a cautious nature. Eve's world is upended when a family of five, led by the enigmatic Thomas, claims to have grown up in the house she is flipping and requests a tour. Despite her initial reservations, Eve allows them in, setting the stage for a series of unsettling events that blur the lines between reality and delusion.
As Eve navigates the eerie familiarity of the house and the family's peculiar behavior, she becomes increasingly paranoid. The family's stories of the house's history, marked by supernatural elements and family secrets, only deepen her unease. Her girlfriend, Charlie, arrives to provide a sense of normalcy, but their presence introduces new layers of tension. Eve's growing suspicion is fueled by strange occurrences, such as a missing Jenny, a mysterious painting, and the family's insistence on staying in the house. The tension escalates as Eve discovers her phone missing and Charlie's locket hanging above the fireplace, leading her to suspect foul play.
Eve's journey takes her into the isolated woods, where she encounters an old man who warns her about the true nature of the family. Her attempts to leave the house are thwarted, and she finds herself trapped in a labyrinth of lies and manipulation. The house itself seems to transform, revealing hidden rooms and bizarre corridors that challenge her sanity. As Eve's paranoia intensifies, she is forced to confront the possibility that the family may not be who they claim to be, and that the house holds dark secrets of its own.
The novel culminates in a harrowing confrontation where Eve's worst fears are realized. Despite her efforts to escape, she is arrested and incarcerated in Greenwood Asylum, where she struggles to maintain her identity and prove her innocence. 'We Used to Live Here' is a masterful exploration of trust, isolation, and the blurred lines between reality and delusion, leaving readers questioning the nature of truth and the depths of human manipulation.
Main Characters
- Eve Palmer - a young queer woman with a cautious nature and a keen eye for detail
- Charlie - Eve's girlfriend, who provides a sense of normalcy and support
Central Themes
- paranoia and distrust
- isolation and entrapment
- family secrets
Mood & Atmosphere
The novel is characterized by a pervasive sense of unease and paranoia, with a chilling atmosphere that keeps readers on edge throughout the narrative.
