Horror: Home Invasion - Doorstep Deception

Doorstep Deception: The Salesman Who Stayed

Story Dossier + Outline

Premise:

When door-to-door salesman Michael Reed charms his way into Rebecca Foster's apartment for a "quick demo," his refusal to leave traps her in a nightmarish game of politeness that escalates to deadly force.

✨ Genre: Home Invasion Horror

✨ Tropes/Themes: Invasion from Within, Trusted Guest, Subtle Boundary Violations, Escalation Through Politeness, Social Obligation Traps Victim, Violence Breaks Etiquette, Redefinition of Safety, Corporate Paranoia

✨ POV & Structure: 1st Person Present Tense Single POV, 4-Act structure

✨ Vibe: Suspenseful and unnerving, with a gritty realism that spirals into chaotic violence. The content vibe is intensely psychological, focusing on power imbalances without any romantic subplots, and features stark depictions of manipulation and brutality. It maintains a cynical tone, highlighting the dangers of everyday interactions.

✨ Book Size: Novel (60,000-100,000 words)

✨ Chapter Count: 44 Chapters

✨ Word Count: target 1800-2200 per chapter

✨ Heat Level: No Romance (plot-focused, no romantic elements)

What you get:

✅ Complete Premise with core concepts and Narrative Physics Architecture

✅ Complete Story Dossier — including detailed characters, relationship arcs, locations and objects, world rules and histories, multiple subplots, and market researched genre and style guides.

✅ A detailed 44 chapter outline.