Burnt Offerings by Victor M. Buckley

In this chilling tale, a seemingly idyllic summer retreat turns into a nightmare for the Rolf family when they rent a grand, yet eerily desolate mansion for a bargain price. As the days pass, the house begins to exert a sinister influence over its inhabitants, particularly Marian, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the mansion's upkeep. The once harmonious family dynamic unravels as strange occurrences and malevolent forces take hold, leading to a terrifying climax where the true nature of the house is revealed, leaving readers questioning the cost of their desires and the haunting power of obsession.