Diabolical Plots #134, April 2026

“The House Knows” by Meghan Arcuri

“Davy Jones, Lobsterman” by Daire McNally

Reviewed by Mina

“The House Knows” by Meghan Arcuri is a horror story. A woman comes home to a frozen tableau, like the house is taking photographic evidence of the crime committed. The real horror is not in the house’s reaction but in the woman’s — she fusses about putting out coasters and folding blankets, refusing to acknowledge what the house is telling her. An uncomfortable read.

“Davy Jones, Lobsterman” by Daire McNally is a simple story. A fisherman, Jim, drowns and then argues with Davy Jones to let him say goodbye to his best friend and the love of his life, Eamon. Davy finds that he has met his match in stubbornness. It’s curiously not depressing, gently humorous and a lovely acknowledgment that friendship does not need to be second best. A pleasure to read.