Review of 'The Haunting' for Call of Cthulhu 7e

If you’ve dipped your toes into the world of Call of Cthulhu, chances are you’ve heard of The Haunting. Included in both the QuickStart Rules and the 7th Edition Starter Set, this short scenario is considered the ultimate introductory adventure for new players and Keepers alike.

But while The Haunting is beginner-friendly, it still contains layers of horror, investigation, and Mythos flavor that can reward clever play and creative storytelling. Whether you’re preparing to run it for the first time or looking to refine a repeat performance, here’s everything you need to know.

Scenario Overview:

• Title: The Haunting
• Setting: Boston, 1920s (can be updated easily to modern day)
• Runtime: 1–2 sessions
• Themes: Haunted house, possession, occult investigation
• Recommended For: First-time Keepers and players; 2–5 investigators

The Haunting begins with a simple premise: a landlord wants to sell a house, but rumors of hauntings and grisly deaths are driving down the price. The investigators are hired to find the truth and clear the property’s name. What starts as a ghost story unravels into a disturbing tale of madness, necromancy, and a lingering, otherworldly presence.

Review: Why It Works So Well

The Haunting is a masterclass in pacing and tone. The slow reveal, from newspaper clippings to interviews and then the chilling descent into the house itself, makes it feel like a three-act horror movie.

✅ Pros:

• Balanced for Beginners – Light on Mythos mechanics, but heavy on atmosphere.
• Encourages Real Investigation – Players gather clues, cross-reference sources, and piece together a mystery.
• Easy to Modify – The scenario works equally well in 1920s, modern, or even Victorian settings.
• Short and Punchy – Ideal for a single session, especially when introducing players to the system.

❌ Cons:

• Linear if Not Handled Carefully – Players can feel railroaded if they don’t find key clues.
• Limited Replay Value – Once the mystery is solved, it doesn’t offer much new on replays for a Keeper. I wouldn't run this one more than once even for different groups.
• Lack of Depth for Seasoned Players – Veterans may find it too simple unless modified.

Keeper Tips & Tricks

1. Let the Players Do the Work: Don’t give away too much too early. Let investigators find their own path through the Corbitt House mystery. Encourage creative ideas—even if it means adding a clue where there wasn’t one.
2. Amp Up the Atmosphere: Describe the house in vivid, unsettling detail. Use creaking floorboards, strange drafts, and unexplained cold spots. Keepers who lean into the haunted house tropes will heighten the tension. Additionally, I suggest when you begin the Scenario, that you begin with the players entering the house, but then 'flash-back' to their meeting with Steven Knott and pursuing additional leads. This will force your players a bit to investigate, as if they do no investigating it can be very easy to have multiple character deaths.
3. Prepare for Combat… But Keep It Scary: Corbitt can be a dangerous opponent. Rather than just a final boss fight, make his presence subtle and disturbing. He shouldn't feel like a “zombie” but a twisted echo of his former, malignant self. Make sure he uses his ability to Dominate early, use a note to pass to your players to let them know they have been controlled, keeping others in the dark. I will often pass my players a note during play that just says "this note means nothing, read it and then hand it back to me", just to keep up tension and other players on their toes.
4. Use Handouts Effectively: The newspaper clippings and records add a lot of immersion. Print them out, or design your own versions with real fonts and weathering. There are two handout packages of amazing quality that I always recommend to new Keepers, one Handout Pack from the Cultist Armory and another Haunting Handout Pack from Ivo Eduardo Zanin

Final Thoughts

The Haunting endures because it introduces the Call of Cthulhu mindset perfectly: paranoia, investigation, escalating horror, and that creeping sense of doom. It doesn’t throw players into the deep end—but it does let them glimpse what’s lurking beneath the surface.

If you're ready to descend into the dark, few doors open more smoothly than this one.

Looking for more campaign-ready horror content? Check out my other Call of Cthulhu Articles!

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