The September House,

Combining psychological acuity with supernatural haunted-house tropes, contemporary horror fiction frequently explores how personal trauma and mental endurance intersect with traditional ghostly haunting. Carissa Orlando entered the genre with her debut novel, The September House, which presents a dark yet darkly humorous tale of a woman steadfastly remaining in her dream home despite a horrific annual spectral infestation. By infusing internal psychological realities into the classic haunted-house narrative, the book offers a fresh exploration of resilience and domestic dread.

Career & Background

Carissa Orlando studied creative writing in college before pursuing advanced studies in psychology, ultimately earning a doctorate in clinical-community psychology. In her professional life, she works as a clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents, focusing on improving the quality of and access to mental health care for young people and their families. Having written creatively since childhood—initially disliking formal school assignments until discovering the freedom of writing for herself—Orlando spent years writing at night alongside her daytime clinical practice. Her lifelong passion for horror media eventually led her to synthesize her professional understanding of human behavior with speculative storytelling. In September 2023, Berkley published her debut novel, The September House, marking her official publication debut in horror fiction.

Writing Style & Themes

Orlando's writing style is defined by a blend of psychological precision, macabre atmosphere, and subtle dark humor. Drawing directly from her background in clinical psychology, her work explores how individuals adapt to, rationalize, and endure horrific circumstances. In her fiction, haunted settings serve as both physical threats and visceral metaphors for internal trauma, emotional endurance, and secrets within familial relationships. By grounding supernatural horror in realistic human coping mechanisms and psychological nuances, Orlando creates tension that relies as much on character interiority as it does on frightening paranormal encounters.

Major Works

• The September House — Published in 2023 by Berkley, Orlando's debut psychological horror novel centers on a woman determined to remain in her Victorian dream home despite the violent, gory haunting that occurs every September, forcing her to navigate escalating ghostly phenomena alongside buried personal and family secrets.