Bookwild

Follow the Rules… or Else: Marcus Kliewer's The Caretaker

Episode Notes

You all know how excited I am to say that this week, I got to chat with Marcus Kliewer about his newest horror book The Caretaker!  We dive into his unconventional path to writing, our shared fascination with psychological horror, and how he plants his Easter eggs in multiple mediums.

Listen to hear more about:

• The Caretaker’s premise, tone, and how it connects to We Used to Live Here
• Marcus Kliewer's origin story—from Reddit horror posts to book deals and adaptations
• Insight into psychological horror, ambiguity in endings, and why “not knowing” is so unsettling
• A candid discussion on OCD, anxiety, and how those experiences shape the story’s tension
• Behind-the-scenes details on worldbuilding, Easter eggs, hidden codes, and what might connect across his books