Someone in the Attic

A Novel

By: Andrea Mara

Narrated by: Jessica Regan

From a #1 internationally bestselling author comes an atmospheric, chilling novel about a family who thinks there's someone hiding in their attic

“Andrea Mara is a star.”—Lee Child

You thought you were home alone.

Anya is enjoying a relaxing bath when she hears a noise coming from the ceiling. Through the open bathroom door, she sees the attic hatch swing down, and a masked figure drops to the floor. Thirty seconds later, Anya is dead.

You're not afraid of being alone in the dark. You're afraid you're not alone.

Across town, Anya's old school friend, Julia, sees an online video of a masked figure climbing out of an attic. She suddenly realizes why the footage is eerily familiar: it was filmed inside her own house in a luxury gated community, designed to keep intruders out.

And now your worst fears are coming true.

Why would a stranger target Julia? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.

©2024 Andrea Mara (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Does for bathtubs what Psycho did for showers. A thriller honed to a fine point, sharp and keen and piercing; it's darkly comic, too, and uncommonly observant.”
—A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

“Spine-tingling . . . Mara skillfully weaves multiple mysteries into her bustling plot . . . ratcheting up the suspense. When it all comes to a head, readers will be equal parts shocked and satisfied.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Mara skillfully layers red herrings and discoveries at a satisfying pace . . . Well paced and creepy—especially if you’re alone in the house while you read.”
—Kirkus

I expected more creepiness

This was just OK for me...... I expected to be more creeped out going by the blurb. The set up was great and this could have been really good but it just didn't do it for me. The twist wasn't a "gotcha" moment. I will say the narration was great

Basil the Bunny

3.75 stars rounded up to 4 stars for the unique creep factor in Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara. I was pleasantly surprised at this unnerving little mystery/thriller in spite of my low expectations going into it and a few so so reviews. The premise felt uniquely terrifying to me - a family who have just moved into a new home and then begin seeing online videos of someone coming out of their attic and creeping around their house in the dead of night! The story is complicated by a dysfunctional family dynamic (mom and dad are divorced but swap houses every other week to keep the kids emotionally comfortable) as well as a side story of four friends that have a traumatic history and bonds to each other which is slowly revealed in the story and eventually connected to the main plot. I appreciated that the author kept me guessing until the end about what was actually going on and happy that my assumptions were all wrong. I also appreciated that the author didn't go full tilt on the believability scale- there were some minor, "hmmm" moments but overall it was a solidly enjoyable and quick read! Also, Basil the Bunny gets props for best bunny name ever.

The Characters

This book started slow but ended with a bang picture of the movie Mean Girls mixed pissed off co-workers. I thought, I had it figured out but I was pleasantly surprised.

Yummy Read

This book is a winner! Spine tingling and addicting! Grateful for my lack of attic space!!

A Rather Dull Mystery

I wanted to like this more. The mystery just wasn't exciting enough for the length and the main character was just so stupid it is quite amazing she didn't read the signs. It felt disjointed.

But I think what really left a bad taste was the ending. It almost sounded like a tall tale with a lesson to be taught at the end. Maybe it's just me but the story just didn't hit home. It was fine, but nothing special.

Great writer

This book's written really well.I love the reader the author just keeps you guessing until the end

Proper creepy

Nestled in current day social media and technology, a physiological thriller that actually creeped me out. It’s rare these days.

Not a thriller

The mom was more upset about the videos posted that were believed to be faked, than her own son telling her there was someone there. Julia did seem to express the proper amount of worry for the situation. She was very mundane. The resolution was meh also. It concluded quickly and unexcitingly. I was disappointed.

Really boring book

I really did not enjoy this book. It wasn’t suspenseful or interesting. Save the credit for something else.

Annoying

Irritating read. Mother with the parenting skills of a sponge and brains of a jellyfish. 1. Listen to your children. 2. Get some CAMERAS. Obviously! This book felt like a college student's first attempt at writing and it's my first negative review literally ever. Do not recommend unless you enjoy being bored most of the time and frustrated when the same "exciting" things happen again and again.