Beneath the Stairs - Jennifer Fawcett

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Perfect for fans of "The Haunting of Hill House" and Riley Sager's "Home Before Dark," Jennifer Fawcett's "Beneath the Stairs" is a haunting, gripping debut about the sleepy town of Sumner's Mills and the so-called Octagon House that lies dormant in its deep woods. 

This is the story of how darkness settles into the bones of a place, and never quite leaves. Told primarily through the viewpoint of Clare, her unexpected return to Sumner's Mills in the wake of a near-tragedy has her confronting not only the horror of the present, but the past of her childhood as well. Through various narrators that go back multiple generations, the story of the Octagon House and its ill-fated inhabitants slowly unfolds as Clare comes to terms with the fact that the ghost stories of her childhood in Sumner's Mills may not be simply stories after all. 

It's not often I find myself genuinely scared while reading, but this book did it for me. Fawcett's writing creeps near slow burn territory at times, but the story was so immersive and suspenseful that it kept me fully invested from beginning to end. If you're looking for an action-packed, explosive thriller, this might not be the book for you. However, if you're like me and love a well-written ghost story with a heavy undertone of generational mystery, this is a great read. "Beneath the Stairs" is layered and mysterious (some readers may find there to be too much mystery left even at the end) but its plausibility is what makes it truly haunting. Really a stunning debut!

Rating: 4 Stars
Publication Details: Out Now, Atria Books

Huge thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing my review copy!

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