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Someone in the Attic
You thought you were home alone. Think again...
Anya is enjoying a relaxing bath when she hears a noise in the roof. Through the open bathroom door, she sees the attic hatch swing open, 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 realises why the footage is eerily it was filmed inside her 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.
Anya is enjoying a relaxing bath when she hears a noise in the roof. Through the open bathroom door, she sees the attic hatch swing open, 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 realises why the footage is eerily it was filmed inside her 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.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2024
1421 people are currently reading
38273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,703 reviews
January 6, 2026
I had fun with this one! My first by this author and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her. The first half was super creepy and had me side-eyeing literally everyone (including my own attic 😝). Second half lost a bit of steam for me but we ended on a high note. I had fun with the red-herrings and everything wrapped up nice!
November 21, 2024
4.0 stars— Ever since I watched the Lifetime network show,”Phrogging” I have been creeped out about some weirdo living in my attic or basement without my knowledge . I didn’t think it could happen until I watched that show, but that show gave numerous examples of it happening time and again. Which brings me to “Someone in the Attic’. I read “Someone in the Attic” solely on the basis of all of the great reviews I read on Goodreads when the book was first released. I never heard of or read any books by the author, Andrea Mara, before giving this one a try. The book begins with the murder of Anya, who is the second of a group of four lifelong friends to die under tragic circumstances. After the police rule the death an accident, the two remaining friends, Julia and Eleanor, begin suspecting that someone is stalking them and hiding in their attics. The narrator of the story, Julia, lives alone with her two children and the book does a great job of slowly allowing Julia to accept that there is someone surveilling her who might also be inside her house on a regular basis. The book also does a fantastic job of putting out multiple plausible suspects and storylines that left me guessing as to both who would have the motive to do this and what the motive actually was. For the most part, the plot was very plausible and just enough information was revealed throughout the book to keep me motivated to finish it in order to find out what was really happening to Julia and her family. The ending left a little to be desired but all in all I felt “Someone in the Attic” was a very well written and interesting book.
July 2, 2024
writing: noticeable improvement | plot: intriguing | ending: more wrapped up than a christmas present
honda civic reliable 3 stars
my opinion
READ CAREFULLY: the entire book could've been 45 pgs if a home security camera was installed. A camera was never suggested nor considered during this book. Based on that huge gap in logic, it should be a one star but I'm just a dumbass and can rate however I please, so my rating does not factor in the missing camera.
Andrea Mara is the queen of getting right down to it. She does not bury the lede or dilly dally around. I've read three of her books now and she literally gets things popping from page one. Love that. If you like Freida McFadden but you don't like plagiarism, I implore you to try out Mara. Her books are always fast-paced, intriguing, and twisty. And like McFadden, they sometimes lack logic but hey at least they're not thinly veiled knock-offs of other best sellers. ANYWAYS.
I love that her writing gets stronger with every book. Out of the three, this is definitely her best prose. Her and Amanda Cassidy are good friends and I can definitely see their styles rubbing off on each other.
I have to hand it to her, she got my ass. I was rolling my eyes for a bit there thinking I was Spencer Reid (but with the inexplicable sexiness of Aaron Hotch. No further questions please) but turns out I was a concussed possum. There were several "oh you THOUGHT" moments throughout to keep you on your toes.
The characters weren't very developed. Julie needed a strong shake or an intervention. Perhaps both. All I learned from her experience was to never financially support men. Her husband, Gabe, reminded me of Gabe from The Soulmate—IYKYK, that's NOT a compliment.
Okay but the ending???? A nightmare for me. Seemed like Mara was determined to tie up every loose string into the most coquette bow possible. Not everything needs to be conveniently worked out for the protagonists' benefit. I would've appreciated the book to end the way it began: abruptly.
Fast-paced, easy to read, enough intrigue to keep you interested—the hallmarks of every Honda Civic Reliable read. Highly recommend to new readers of the genre or for those that just want to give their brain a break while being entertained.
pros & cons
pros: doesn't waste time getting right down to it, got my ass lol, couple of lite twists throughout, fast-paced, writing is noticeably stronger
cons: ending was way too neatly tied up felt like I was reading an email from my granny detailing everything her friends did over the last week, huge gap in logic with the exclusion of home security cameras (cmon not even the detective suggested it????? fired)
tysm penguin random house canada for the arc
__
Check out my YouTube
honda civic reliable 3 stars
my opinion
READ CAREFULLY: the entire book could've been 45 pgs if a home security camera was installed. A camera was never suggested nor considered during this book. Based on that huge gap in logic, it should be a one star but I'm just a dumbass and can rate however I please, so my rating does not factor in the missing camera.
Andrea Mara is the queen of getting right down to it. She does not bury the lede or dilly dally around. I've read three of her books now and she literally gets things popping from page one. Love that. If you like Freida McFadden but you don't like plagiarism, I implore you to try out Mara. Her books are always fast-paced, intriguing, and twisty. And like McFadden, they sometimes lack logic but hey at least they're not thinly veiled knock-offs of other best sellers. ANYWAYS.
I love that her writing gets stronger with every book. Out of the three, this is definitely her best prose. Her and Amanda Cassidy are good friends and I can definitely see their styles rubbing off on each other.
I have to hand it to her, she got my ass. I was rolling my eyes for a bit there thinking I was Spencer Reid (but with the inexplicable sexiness of Aaron Hotch. No further questions please) but turns out I was a concussed possum. There were several "oh you THOUGHT" moments throughout to keep you on your toes.
The characters weren't very developed. Julie needed a strong shake or an intervention. Perhaps both. All I learned from her experience was to never financially support men. Her husband, Gabe, reminded me of Gabe from The Soulmate—IYKYK, that's NOT a compliment.
Okay but the ending???? A nightmare for me. Seemed like Mara was determined to tie up every loose string into the most coquette bow possible. Not everything needs to be conveniently worked out for the protagonists' benefit. I would've appreciated the book to end the way it began: abruptly.
Fast-paced, easy to read, enough intrigue to keep you interested—the hallmarks of every Honda Civic Reliable read. Highly recommend to new readers of the genre or for those that just want to give their brain a break while being entertained.
pros & cons
pros: doesn't waste time getting right down to it, got my ass lol, couple of lite twists throughout, fast-paced, writing is noticeably stronger
cons: ending was way too neatly tied up felt like I was reading an email from my granny detailing everything her friends did over the last week, huge gap in logic with the exclusion of home security cameras (cmon not even the detective suggested it????? fired)
tysm penguin random house canada for the arc
__
Check out my YouTube
July 8, 2024
Ahhh this was good but had the potential to be phenomenal.
Someone in the Attic begins with Anya trying to have a relaxing bath and be with her thoughts. But when she hears a noise in her attic, she doesn’t have enough time to react, because 30 seconds later she is deceased. Not to far from where she lives, her childhood now frenemy friend Julie is seeing images and videos on TIKTOK of someone in HER attic and roaming her home when her and her family and not around. What the frig is going on? Is the person in the attic connected to what happened to Anya and why are they targeting Julia?
This book started off so promising. It was eerie and I was flipping the pages like a mad man. The book was definitely giving off ‘just one more chapter’ vibes and I was so sure this was going to be a guaranteed 5 star read. Unfortunately, it started to fail around halfway through when different sub plots were being mentioned and dragged out. I would be feeling the ominous atmospheric vibes then the next chapter will change to something completely different and take me out of my element (not in a good way). I can see the author was trying to add in so many red herrings to throw me off, but it only succeeded in pissing me off.
When it comes to the characters I felt indifferent. I didn’t know whether to like them or not, or even to root for them or not. They were just THERE.
The reveal was like ‘no shit sherlock’ and I wasn’t pleasantly surprised. Plus, the reasoning behind it all was a bit over the top and had me rolling my eyes severely! At this point I was ready for it to all be over. Don’t get me wrong this is not a bad book by any means, and I would recommend, but I just needed a bit more va va voom
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Even paced
➽ Short Chapters
➽ Atmospheric at times
➽ Easy to read
➽ Perfect for beginners getting into thrillers
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ The subplots were not interesting.
➽ Too much going on at once
➽ The characters were boring
➽ The ending was sooo lacklustre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Book Gods! I am pleading... borderline begging... that you make this a 5 star read for me!
The blurb sounds JUICY AF! Please don't disappoint!💙💛
Someone in the Attic begins with Anya trying to have a relaxing bath and be with her thoughts. But when she hears a noise in her attic, she doesn’t have enough time to react, because 30 seconds later she is deceased. Not to far from where she lives, her childhood now frenemy friend Julie is seeing images and videos on TIKTOK of someone in HER attic and roaming her home when her and her family and not around. What the frig is going on? Is the person in the attic connected to what happened to Anya and why are they targeting Julia?
This book started off so promising. It was eerie and I was flipping the pages like a mad man. The book was definitely giving off ‘just one more chapter’ vibes and I was so sure this was going to be a guaranteed 5 star read. Unfortunately, it started to fail around halfway through when different sub plots were being mentioned and dragged out. I would be feeling the ominous atmospheric vibes then the next chapter will change to something completely different and take me out of my element (not in a good way). I can see the author was trying to add in so many red herrings to throw me off, but it only succeeded in pissing me off.
When it comes to the characters I felt indifferent. I didn’t know whether to like them or not, or even to root for them or not. They were just THERE.
The reveal was like ‘no shit sherlock’ and I wasn’t pleasantly surprised. Plus, the reasoning behind it all was a bit over the top and had me rolling my eyes severely! At this point I was ready for it to all be over. Don’t get me wrong this is not a bad book by any means, and I would recommend, but I just needed a bit more va va voom
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Even paced
➽ Short Chapters
➽ Atmospheric at times
➽ Easy to read
➽ Perfect for beginners getting into thrillers
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ The subplots were not interesting.
➽ Too much going on at once
➽ The characters were boring
➽ The ending was sooo lacklustre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Book Gods! I am pleading... borderline begging... that you make this a 5 star read for me!
The blurb sounds JUICY AF! Please don't disappoint!💙💛
September 19, 2024
Are you looking for a book that grabs you right from the start? One that has the creep factor dialed up to a ten? Well, in that case, Someone in the Attic should most definitely be your next read. With constant underlying unease and plenty of scenes that gave me the shivers, I was simply spellbound from beginning to end. Even better, however, were the long list of suspects and unpredictable twists. All together, this psychological thriller had me reading with the light on while I kept my ears tuned for my attic door swinging open.
The characters were yet another addition to why I kept hungrily inhaling one cliffhanger chapter after the other. From the unconventional domestic setup between Julia and Gabe to the gripping posh neighborhood dynamics, the small cast of characters was everything I wanted and more. Running the gamut from thoroughly unlikeable to merely suspicious, I gave a great big side-eye stare to almost everyone except Julia. Needless to say, they kept me guessing all while being a clear cut home run.
There were a few hiccups, however. Namely how Mara leaned slightly away from maintaining the creep factor throughout this stunning U.S. debut. After all, the flashbacks—albeit incredibly well done—lowered my adrenaline level each and every time. Then there was the mildly awkward format that inserted itself here and there. You see, instead of true dialogue, at times it was relayed as though I was being told and not shown. Thankfully, though, this was somewhat rare. None of the above, however, were serious enough to affect my love for this novel.
All said and done, Someone in the Attic was a brilliant whodunnit that kept me thoroughly in suspense. From the multiple mysterious subplots that were fuel to the fire of foreboding to the constant delivery of twists, the dark eerie feel walked a fine line between plausible and terrifying. I don’t know about you, but this whole scenario would be my worst nightmare come true. So if you like a good dose of palpable fear along with a solid mystery complete with deftly obscured clues, look no further—you’ll find it right here. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
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.
Why would a stranger target Julia? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.
Thank you to Andrea Mara and Pamela Dorman Books/Viking for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Trigger warning: harassment, breaking and entering, being drugged, gaslighting, mention of: rape
The characters were yet another addition to why I kept hungrily inhaling one cliffhanger chapter after the other. From the unconventional domestic setup between Julia and Gabe to the gripping posh neighborhood dynamics, the small cast of characters was everything I wanted and more. Running the gamut from thoroughly unlikeable to merely suspicious, I gave a great big side-eye stare to almost everyone except Julia. Needless to say, they kept me guessing all while being a clear cut home run.
There were a few hiccups, however. Namely how Mara leaned slightly away from maintaining the creep factor throughout this stunning U.S. debut. After all, the flashbacks—albeit incredibly well done—lowered my adrenaline level each and every time. Then there was the mildly awkward format that inserted itself here and there. You see, instead of true dialogue, at times it was relayed as though I was being told and not shown. Thankfully, though, this was somewhat rare. None of the above, however, were serious enough to affect my love for this novel.
All said and done, Someone in the Attic was a brilliant whodunnit that kept me thoroughly in suspense. From the multiple mysterious subplots that were fuel to the fire of foreboding to the constant delivery of twists, the dark eerie feel walked a fine line between plausible and terrifying. I don’t know about you, but this whole scenario would be my worst nightmare come true. So if you like a good dose of palpable fear along with a solid mystery complete with deftly obscured clues, look no further—you’ll find it right here. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
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.
Why would a stranger target Julia? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.
Thank you to Andrea Mara and Pamela Dorman Books/Viking for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Trigger warning: harassment, breaking and entering, being drugged, gaslighting, mention of: rape
March 17, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Oh my goodness, this certainly opens with a bang. As Anya relaxes in the bath with a glass or three of Pinot Grigio, she hears those pesky mice again above her in the attic. Except of course, it’s not mice at all.
Julia, Anya‘s friend of many years, is newly moved back to Ireland from San Diego, and that’s a story in itself. Her teenage daughter Isla urges her to take a look at what’s been posted on TikTok and so she views it. is this a prank or something way more sinister? Why is someone targeting Julia?
This latest from Andrea Mara is super creepy in places as it taps into your worst fears and nightmares. There are one or two occurrences where I literally jump, and the fact that Julie young son Luca is so full of fear, seems to escalate the readers. Julia lives in a wealthy gated community, and this adds to the weirdness as a couple of neighbours raise the suspicion antenna a notch or two. The behaviour of her ex-husband, Gabe is mysterious and this helps build tension further. There are a few good red herrings along the way and multiple plot twists and turns raising the chill factor. The mostly unlikeable characters add an extra dimension to the plot too.
However, much as I do enjoy this, there’s an awful lot going on with several sub storylines including one from the past as well as a San Diego mystery. This detracts from what I really want to know, i.e. that attic! It’s also told as reflections and flashbacks, which in my opinion slows down the pace of the storytelling. I expected an ending with a bit more wallop for what is mostly immersive and very chilling read. It’s all a bit tidy as well in The Epilogue.
Overall, though, I do enjoy this and it’s a very it’s very easy to read.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Penguin Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, this certainly opens with a bang. As Anya relaxes in the bath with a glass or three of Pinot Grigio, she hears those pesky mice again above her in the attic. Except of course, it’s not mice at all.
Julia, Anya‘s friend of many years, is newly moved back to Ireland from San Diego, and that’s a story in itself. Her teenage daughter Isla urges her to take a look at what’s been posted on TikTok and so she views it. is this a prank or something way more sinister? Why is someone targeting Julia?
This latest from Andrea Mara is super creepy in places as it taps into your worst fears and nightmares. There are one or two occurrences where I literally jump, and the fact that Julie young son Luca is so full of fear, seems to escalate the readers. Julia lives in a wealthy gated community, and this adds to the weirdness as a couple of neighbours raise the suspicion antenna a notch or two. The behaviour of her ex-husband, Gabe is mysterious and this helps build tension further. There are a few good red herrings along the way and multiple plot twists and turns raising the chill factor. The mostly unlikeable characters add an extra dimension to the plot too.
However, much as I do enjoy this, there’s an awful lot going on with several sub storylines including one from the past as well as a San Diego mystery. This detracts from what I really want to know, i.e. that attic! It’s also told as reflections and flashbacks, which in my opinion slows down the pace of the storytelling. I expected an ending with a bit more wallop for what is mostly immersive and very chilling read. It’s all a bit tidy as well in The Epilogue.
Overall, though, I do enjoy this and it’s a very it’s very easy to read.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Penguin Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 23, 2024
This chilling book will leave you terrified of attic doors. How creepy when TikTok is viral with masked figures dropping from attics. For Anya, it doesn't end well. While she is taking a bath, she sees someone dropping from the ceiling. Thirty seconds later...she is dead.
Anya's best friend Julia, while watching a TikTok video sees her own home and a masked figure dropping out of her attic door. If you think that's not scary enough, keep reading... This is what nightmares are made of. The twists keep coming and the suspect list grows.
"You thought you were home alone."
"You're not afraid of being alone in the dark. You're afraid you're not alone."
I can't wait to see what else this author will write. Fabulous writing that pulls you into the darkness.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for this fabulous ARC in exchange for my review.
Anya's best friend Julia, while watching a TikTok video sees her own home and a masked figure dropping out of her attic door. If you think that's not scary enough, keep reading... This is what nightmares are made of. The twists keep coming and the suspect list grows.
"You thought you were home alone."
"You're not afraid of being alone in the dark. You're afraid you're not alone."
I can't wait to see what else this author will write. Fabulous writing that pulls you into the darkness.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for this fabulous ARC in exchange for my review.
October 7, 2024
trying to do too much with too many storylines, too many red herrings, & too much hand-holding.
rant vlog coming to my youtube channel soon.
rant vlog coming to my youtube channel soon.
December 9, 2024
3.5⭐
Genre ~ crime fiction
Setting ~ Ireland
Publication date ~ August 20, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 363 (78 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 55 minutes
Narrator ~ Jessica Regan
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ short chapters, lots of creaking, some repetition, flashbacks, a lot of extraness going on
Be right back ~ going to nail my attic door shut 😂 and make sure my cameras are working. Speaking of cameras, they would have been helpful for this plot.
The intriguing prologue and short chapters kept me invested, however it was a little slow moving since the suspense was really built up. The conclusion was just alright after all that.
Overall, this had some creepy moments, so I am happy I listened in the light of day, but the bejesus wasn't scared out of me.
Side note ~ no harm comes to the pet rabbit.
Narration notes:
She's did a great job differentiating her voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ crime fiction
Setting ~ Ireland
Publication date ~ August 20, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 363 (78 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 55 minutes
Narrator ~ Jessica Regan
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ short chapters, lots of creaking, some repetition, flashbacks, a lot of extraness going on
Be right back ~ going to nail my attic door shut 😂 and make sure my cameras are working. Speaking of cameras, they would have been helpful for this plot.
The intriguing prologue and short chapters kept me invested, however it was a little slow moving since the suspense was really built up. The conclusion was just alright after all that.
Overall, this had some creepy moments, so I am happy I listened in the light of day, but the bejesus wasn't scared out of me.
Side note ~ no harm comes to the pet rabbit.
Narration notes:
She's did a great job differentiating her voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
August 11, 2024
DNF After a strong start, I regret I was unable to engage with the characters. I found it more boring than scary.
January 25, 2026
2.5 / 5
Honestly I don’t think I’ve read such a stupid plot that had zero substance. This is by far a downgrade to her previous books. I found the plot boring, flat but more importantly logically flawed. Reading this book was a frustration, purely due to how bad the plot was. I’m not kidding, it’s bad. Did it not cross their mind to buy their own cameras, rather than willingly trust people you don’t know as well after moving from America to Ireland- would you not think to take your own security measures?
The book isn’t set in the 19th century, we have iPhones MacBooks why did it not cross their minds to be like oh we suspect there’s someone in the attic why not get yourself a camera? Ring cameras??? I refuse to waste my time writing reviews for books that are just poor quality writing and more of a fulfillment of a contractual obligation of the author to the publication. I don’t know what Mara was thinking a plot like this would be ground breaking - it feels more like book ending.
Honestly I don’t think I’ve read such a stupid plot that had zero substance. This is by far a downgrade to her previous books. I found the plot boring, flat but more importantly logically flawed. Reading this book was a frustration, purely due to how bad the plot was. I’m not kidding, it’s bad. Did it not cross their mind to buy their own cameras, rather than willingly trust people you don’t know as well after moving from America to Ireland- would you not think to take your own security measures?
The book isn’t set in the 19th century, we have iPhones MacBooks why did it not cross their minds to be like oh we suspect there’s someone in the attic why not get yourself a camera? Ring cameras??? I refuse to waste my time writing reviews for books that are just poor quality writing and more of a fulfillment of a contractual obligation of the author to the publication. I don’t know what Mara was thinking a plot like this would be ground breaking - it feels more like book ending.
August 10, 2024
I am a big fan of Andrea Mara and really enjoyed her latest release. It was fast paced and a genuinely easy read. I also cared about these characters (particularly the kids)
Pros:
- Fast paced and short chapters
- Flashbacks worked great
- The plot twist was well done
- Opens with a crazy prologue
Cons:
- If your son was telling you there was someone in the attic EVERY single night, you probably should take him a tad more seriously
- The name of the book is a touch misleading
- Wasn’t as creepy as I’d hoped
Overall giving it 4 stars I feel like it could of had more of an edge x
Pros:
- Fast paced and short chapters
- Flashbacks worked great
- The plot twist was well done
- Opens with a crazy prologue
Cons:
- If your son was telling you there was someone in the attic EVERY single night, you probably should take him a tad more seriously
- The name of the book is a touch misleading
- Wasn’t as creepy as I’d hoped
Overall giving it 4 stars I feel like it could of had more of an edge x
May 23, 2024
Not sure why I love books set in Dublin so much? But I do and when chose this book was pleased once again to be there, maybe coz have never been and love reading the descriptions of the City?, anyway the book…
3 life long friends all are re unioning when the story starts and it looks like someone or has scores to settle with them all…but is it all linked with the ‘Loft Craze’ ( very creepy indeed and will leave you to discover that nasty gem ) that is sweeping Tik Tok and impacting them…..and why are they being targeted?
It is a proper whodunit with many false leads, big red herrings and subtle yet very good twists that mean the story is never static as just as you think its maybe wrapped up you realise it isn’t
A posh gated community, jealousies, regrets, lies and secrets all involving a not always pleasant but very readable cast made this a fine read and once again satisfied my keenness for all things Dublin in a book, more than good read
3 life long friends all are re unioning when the story starts and it looks like someone or has scores to settle with them all…but is it all linked with the ‘Loft Craze’ ( very creepy indeed and will leave you to discover that nasty gem ) that is sweeping Tik Tok and impacting them…..and why are they being targeted?
It is a proper whodunit with many false leads, big red herrings and subtle yet very good twists that mean the story is never static as just as you think its maybe wrapped up you realise it isn’t
A posh gated community, jealousies, regrets, lies and secrets all involving a not always pleasant but very readable cast made this a fine read and once again satisfied my keenness for all things Dublin in a book, more than good read
February 22, 2024
Someone In the Attic is all about someone in the attic. If you would enjoy 90% of a novel being about an annoying child talking about someone in the attic then Someone In The Attic is definitely the book for you. But not for me.
May 18, 2024
I've liked all Andrea Mara's books but this is the best yet. I will even admit, up front, that the first night after I'd been reading it I had to go up to my attic (which is a bedroom) and I checked in ALL the cupboards. Yes, it's that creepy.
The story centres around Julia and her family who, through forced circumstances, are back in Ireland after living in San Diego. Ex-husband Gabe is happy enough because the new house in the gated community of Brentwood, has a studio for him to paint in. Youngest son, Luca, would be fine if he could find pizza like they did back home. However daughter Isla is really miserable- she's been dragged from her friends and the sunshine to a life in Dublin and if all that wasn't bad enough someone is putting creepy videos from inside her home on TikTok. Julia was happy enough to come back but that's before she sees the videos and finds out that her one time friend, Anya, is dead.
The rest of the book keeps on being as creepy as the start and Andrea Mara keeps the twists coming at a steady pace. She also manages to walk that fine line between believable and terrifying so well.
Of course I guessed whodunnit a good six or seven times (and believe me, some of the guesses were just plain crazy) but I got it wrong every time.
There's a nice small cast of characters which I also like. There were lots of twists but they all made perfect sense (once I'd worked out where I'd gone wrong), there's a nice dual timeline that explains the relationship between Julia and her longtime friends that adds to the plot.
It was all good. I was totally creeped out but after I'd read to halfway I really couldn't put it down so read it in 3 sessions over a couple of days.
Excellent. Highly recommended for existing fans of Andrea Mara or those who really love a good, twisty thriller.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Random House for the advance review copy.
The story centres around Julia and her family who, through forced circumstances, are back in Ireland after living in San Diego. Ex-husband Gabe is happy enough because the new house in the gated community of Brentwood, has a studio for him to paint in. Youngest son, Luca, would be fine if he could find pizza like they did back home. However daughter Isla is really miserable- she's been dragged from her friends and the sunshine to a life in Dublin and if all that wasn't bad enough someone is putting creepy videos from inside her home on TikTok. Julia was happy enough to come back but that's before she sees the videos and finds out that her one time friend, Anya, is dead.
The rest of the book keeps on being as creepy as the start and Andrea Mara keeps the twists coming at a steady pace. She also manages to walk that fine line between believable and terrifying so well.
Of course I guessed whodunnit a good six or seven times (and believe me, some of the guesses were just plain crazy) but I got it wrong every time.
There's a nice small cast of characters which I also like. There were lots of twists but they all made perfect sense (once I'd worked out where I'd gone wrong), there's a nice dual timeline that explains the relationship between Julia and her longtime friends that adds to the plot.
It was all good. I was totally creeped out but after I'd read to halfway I really couldn't put it down so read it in 3 sessions over a couple of days.
Excellent. Highly recommended for existing fans of Andrea Mara or those who really love a good, twisty thriller.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Random House for the advance review copy.
February 23, 2025
You thought you were home alone. You're not afraid of being alone in the dark. You're afraid you're not alone. And now your worst fears are coming true.
Why would a stranger target you? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.
This may have been the creepiest story that I have read in quiet some time...and i have read a lot. We meet and follow a divorced mother Julia, who sees her house featured on a viral clip of someone hiding in people’s attics. The story quickly takes on the feeling of being a revenge story with multiple suspects, both from Julia’s past and her from her new neighborhood. The shaky dynamic of Julia’s family adds an additional complexity to the story, with her ex-husband’s actions and whereabouts being often under scrutiny. It also shows just how easily people can be manipulated and exploited by social media and other technologies. As fictional as the story is it's easy to see how a real-life scenario is a frightening possible.
There’s lots of characters that have the reader questioning their actions and their motives. The author produces many scenes that some characters seem to be helping Julia find the culprit behind the videos, but there’s always something that could be suspicious. There are also many flashbacks that show young Julia and her girlfriends around the time of a suspicious death of their friend. These flashbacks not only add entertainment value to the story but also include several cleverly planted clues in helping to solve the mystery. a few of which are very predictable and others that aren’t.
Overall, this is perfect for fans of "whodunnit" mysteries and psychological thrillers with characters that have their secrets...along with ominous atmospheres, "whodunnit" plots, and loads of suspense, then this one is for you.
Why would a stranger target you? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.
This may have been the creepiest story that I have read in quiet some time...and i have read a lot. We meet and follow a divorced mother Julia, who sees her house featured on a viral clip of someone hiding in people’s attics. The story quickly takes on the feeling of being a revenge story with multiple suspects, both from Julia’s past and her from her new neighborhood. The shaky dynamic of Julia’s family adds an additional complexity to the story, with her ex-husband’s actions and whereabouts being often under scrutiny. It also shows just how easily people can be manipulated and exploited by social media and other technologies. As fictional as the story is it's easy to see how a real-life scenario is a frightening possible.
There’s lots of characters that have the reader questioning their actions and their motives. The author produces many scenes that some characters seem to be helping Julia find the culprit behind the videos, but there’s always something that could be suspicious. There are also many flashbacks that show young Julia and her girlfriends around the time of a suspicious death of their friend. These flashbacks not only add entertainment value to the story but also include several cleverly planted clues in helping to solve the mystery. a few of which are very predictable and others that aren’t.
Overall, this is perfect for fans of "whodunnit" mysteries and psychological thrillers with characters that have their secrets...along with ominous atmospheres, "whodunnit" plots, and loads of suspense, then this one is for you.
November 30, 2024
3 stars
An entry level domestic thriller — this is essentially Lisa Jewell-lite; there's nothing blatantly wrong with Someone in the Attic, other than being very middle-of-the-road; I couldn't recall anything particularly unique about it, from plot, character, to its overall presentation — all the usual tricks are here. The reveal was a letdown (though I did enjoy a moment of bait-and-switch in the middle), with its explanation not quite convincing me worthy of the whole convoluted operation. Plus, the novel has one of the most long-winded epilogue I've ever read in recent years (covering every single character), it actually cracked me up.
An entry level domestic thriller — this is essentially Lisa Jewell-lite; there's nothing blatantly wrong with Someone in the Attic, other than being very middle-of-the-road; I couldn't recall anything particularly unique about it, from plot, character, to its overall presentation — all the usual tricks are here. The reveal was a letdown (though I did enjoy a moment of bait-and-switch in the middle), with its explanation not quite convincing me worthy of the whole convoluted operation. Plus, the novel has one of the most long-winded epilogue I've ever read in recent years (covering every single character), it actually cracked me up.
February 6, 2026
When you order lasagna, but DoorDash delivers a pizza.
Be aware reader. This book is a case of mistaken identity!! From the title itself "Someone in the Attic". That conjures scary suspenseful ideas of an intruder that's hiding in your very own house, without you ever knowing! And a killer as well! Creepy! I was sold on this idea: a tense, suspenseful, and thrilling read!
Then I read the book. There is a soft flirting with suspense. Primarily though, this is a full-on engagement with relationship themes! Between significant others, parents and their children, friendships, enemies, ever neighbors.
Disappointed. In the way you might feel when you ordered lasagna, but Door Dash delivers pizza instead. You wanted that lasagna. But, you're hungry, and having to wait even longer to get the lasagna delivered again, just seems like too much effort. Now you're starving as well. So you go ahead and eat the pizza. It doesn't satisfy your craving, but it is there and it fulfilled your basic needs of sustenance. Not what you wanted, but you weren't going to throw out an entire pizza without eating a few slices!
Be aware reader. This book is a case of mistaken identity!! From the title itself "Someone in the Attic". That conjures scary suspenseful ideas of an intruder that's hiding in your very own house, without you ever knowing! And a killer as well! Creepy! I was sold on this idea: a tense, suspenseful, and thrilling read!
Then I read the book. There is a soft flirting with suspense. Primarily though, this is a full-on engagement with relationship themes! Between significant others, parents and their children, friendships, enemies, ever neighbors.
Disappointed. In the way you might feel when you ordered lasagna, but Door Dash delivers pizza instead. You wanted that lasagna. But, you're hungry, and having to wait even longer to get the lasagna delivered again, just seems like too much effort. Now you're starving as well. So you go ahead and eat the pizza. It doesn't satisfy your craving, but it is there and it fulfilled your basic needs of sustenance. Not what you wanted, but you weren't going to throw out an entire pizza without eating a few slices!
September 11, 2024
Someone In The Attic was an exceptional debut thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed, and may just find its’ way on my Top Thrillers of ’24 list!
In the opening scene of this novel Anya is taking a bath, home alone and drinking some wine when she hears a creak from above, and soon after catches the silhouette of a man climbing down the attic ladder right outside the bathroom and is frozen in terror. Soon after Anya is dead. Just imagining the situation and putting myself in that scene was spine-tingling! After reading this opening I was absolutely captivated and hooked!!
After Anya’s death, her childhood friends Julia and Eleanor are spooked, and with good reason – not long after Julia has received a Tik Tok video of a masked man dropping from the attic of her home, walking around at night while everyone is asleep! Naturally the police are called, and they immediately check the attic, finding it to be empty except for an earphone, which is enough to convince Julia that someone has been in her home, but how? She lives in a gated, secure community where everyone is supposed to be safe, after all. Could the video be a fake? As one video after another is received, and Julia’s young son begins to complain about seeing a man’s eyes coming from behind the vent in his wall at night, everyone is rightfully on edge. Who could be tormenting them, and why? Could it be related to the incident that happened in the States, which ultimately resulted in them relocating back home to Dublin? Or does this have to do with an event that happened several years earlier resulting in the tragic death of a dear friend? It is one of the only things the women, who have drifted apart over the years, still have in common. Julia is determined to unearth what is happening, and set things right, before it’s too late!
I couldn’t get enough of this page-turner! This debut included a cast of highly suspicious characters, each of which I suspected at one point, only to change my mind time after time until I eventually came to terms with the fact that I had zero clue what was really going on, and who was behind the disturbing events that unfolded. Once I accepted this and just enjoyed this intensely creepy and suspenseful novel for what it was, the better I and my poor chewed-up nails were off! This is a story you simply don’t want to read at home alone at night, as it can really get to you, if you are anything like I am – one of my greatest fears is being home alone when someone with evil intent enters my home uninvited, you will be as invested in the story as I was, reading with a sense of dread. Home is where you are meant to feel most safe, and once this has been violated pretty much everything else in your life falls apart, and I totally empathized with the protagonist as she experienced the events within this novel.
This was my very first Mara read, but after reading this it’s safe to say it will not be my last, and I couldn’t recommend this one more to those looking for an absolutely chilling reading experience for the upcoming spooky season!!
In the opening scene of this novel Anya is taking a bath, home alone and drinking some wine when she hears a creak from above, and soon after catches the silhouette of a man climbing down the attic ladder right outside the bathroom and is frozen in terror. Soon after Anya is dead. Just imagining the situation and putting myself in that scene was spine-tingling! After reading this opening I was absolutely captivated and hooked!!
After Anya’s death, her childhood friends Julia and Eleanor are spooked, and with good reason – not long after Julia has received a Tik Tok video of a masked man dropping from the attic of her home, walking around at night while everyone is asleep! Naturally the police are called, and they immediately check the attic, finding it to be empty except for an earphone, which is enough to convince Julia that someone has been in her home, but how? She lives in a gated, secure community where everyone is supposed to be safe, after all. Could the video be a fake? As one video after another is received, and Julia’s young son begins to complain about seeing a man’s eyes coming from behind the vent in his wall at night, everyone is rightfully on edge. Who could be tormenting them, and why? Could it be related to the incident that happened in the States, which ultimately resulted in them relocating back home to Dublin? Or does this have to do with an event that happened several years earlier resulting in the tragic death of a dear friend? It is one of the only things the women, who have drifted apart over the years, still have in common. Julia is determined to unearth what is happening, and set things right, before it’s too late!
I couldn’t get enough of this page-turner! This debut included a cast of highly suspicious characters, each of which I suspected at one point, only to change my mind time after time until I eventually came to terms with the fact that I had zero clue what was really going on, and who was behind the disturbing events that unfolded. Once I accepted this and just enjoyed this intensely creepy and suspenseful novel for what it was, the better I and my poor chewed-up nails were off! This is a story you simply don’t want to read at home alone at night, as it can really get to you, if you are anything like I am – one of my greatest fears is being home alone when someone with evil intent enters my home uninvited, you will be as invested in the story as I was, reading with a sense of dread. Home is where you are meant to feel most safe, and once this has been violated pretty much everything else in your life falls apart, and I totally empathized with the protagonist as she experienced the events within this novel.
This was my very first Mara read, but after reading this it’s safe to say it will not be my last, and I couldn’t recommend this one more to those looking for an absolutely chilling reading experience for the upcoming spooky season!!
Read
October 4, 2024How much do I love the audio books of Andrea Mara's novels? THIS MUCH. Not only are the stories utterly compelling, the characters well rounded and relatable and the twists plentiful but Jessica Regan, the Irish actress who narrates them, has the loveliest voice.
Someone in the Attic has a terrifying premise that grabs you from the off and doesn't let you go. The red herrings were brilliantly done and kept me guessing all the way through (it's a rare book where I don't guess who done it) Andrea Mara is the Queen of the Cliffhanger. I guarantee that you won't be able to put this book down.
Hugely looking forward to my Murder One event with Andrea and Sam Blake in Dublin, later this month.
Someone in the Attic has a terrifying premise that grabs you from the off and doesn't let you go. The red herrings were brilliantly done and kept me guessing all the way through (it's a rare book where I don't guess who done it) Andrea Mara is the Queen of the Cliffhanger. I guarantee that you won't be able to put this book down.
Hugely looking forward to my Murder One event with Andrea and Sam Blake in Dublin, later this month.
July 12, 2024
4-4.5⭐️
July 2, 2024
4.25/5
Someone in the Attic is my first time reading Andrea Mara but it certainly won't be my last! This gripped me from the very first page and refused to let me go. Told mostly from Julia's viewpoint, it had so many elements that I love in my psychological thrillers, and it also creeped me the F out. I got a little irritated with Julia in the beginning but as the book went on and she finally came to see what was happening, I got less irritated with her. I was rooting her on as she tried to figure out what exactly was up with attic videos, and I loved the Dublin setting as well as the inclusion of her son's bunny. 🐰
I thought the audiobook was great and Jessica Regan excelled as the narrator. Though Julia is the main viewpoint, there are others as well and I thought Regan did a fabulous job with all of them. She was really easy to understand, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience listening to her. Someone in the Attic includes blasts from the past along with the present-day timeline, and there were multiple layers to the story as well as the characters. The friend group was a mystery in itself and while I wouldn't say I loved all of the women, I didn't hate them either. This was a twisty read with a fast pace and it would make for a great beach read!
I received an early galley for free from Novel Suspects and an advanced listening copy from Penguin Random House Audio in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Someone in the Attic is my first time reading Andrea Mara but it certainly won't be my last! This gripped me from the very first page and refused to let me go. Told mostly from Julia's viewpoint, it had so many elements that I love in my psychological thrillers, and it also creeped me the F out. I got a little irritated with Julia in the beginning but as the book went on and she finally came to see what was happening, I got less irritated with her. I was rooting her on as she tried to figure out what exactly was up with attic videos, and I loved the Dublin setting as well as the inclusion of her son's bunny. 🐰
I thought the audiobook was great and Jessica Regan excelled as the narrator. Though Julia is the main viewpoint, there are others as well and I thought Regan did a fabulous job with all of them. She was really easy to understand, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience listening to her. Someone in the Attic includes blasts from the past along with the present-day timeline, and there were multiple layers to the story as well as the characters. The friend group was a mystery in itself and while I wouldn't say I loved all of the women, I didn't hate them either. This was a twisty read with a fast pace and it would make for a great beach read!
I received an early galley for free from Novel Suspects and an advanced listening copy from Penguin Random House Audio in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 7, 2024
AHHH…. This was SO creepy. 😳 Thank you so much @pameladormanbooks for this gorgeous gifted copy!! 😍 The FOMO was real with this book!! I couldn’t wait to read it.
Check your doors… check your attic.. and check your VENTS.😳 This book had my creeped out the entire time. That uneasy 😬 feeling that makes you jump EVERY single time anything goes bump in the night. I can tell you that this will live rent free in my mind for quite some time. 😬 Bye Bye sleep. 😂
Picture this… you are just scrolling Tik Tok… watching the recent sensation of people climbing out of their attic. 🤔 Sounds silly? Umm no.. you just wait.. because you suddenly see YOUR HOUSE.. with your belongings… in the video.. and newsflash… YOU didn’t film 🎥 it. WHAT?? As the all in black masked dude drops from your attic… your nightmare has just begun. 😬
OMG this book freaked me out!!! Was someone living in the attic?? Who knows… 🤷♀️.. As Julia and her family are literally terrorized by this individual… I couldn’t stop reading about their nightmare. There is NO way I would have stayed in that house. 🧳✌️ 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️ GET OUT Julia!! 😬😂😳
This was so twisty and I was kept guessing all the way until the end. 👏👏 I definitely want to read more by @andreamaraauthor !! 😍
🎥🎥🎥 Have you read this book?? Is it on your TBR? Would you stay in a house that some freaky stuff is going on?
Check your doors… check your attic.. and check your VENTS.😳 This book had my creeped out the entire time. That uneasy 😬 feeling that makes you jump EVERY single time anything goes bump in the night. I can tell you that this will live rent free in my mind for quite some time. 😬 Bye Bye sleep. 😂
Picture this… you are just scrolling Tik Tok… watching the recent sensation of people climbing out of their attic. 🤔 Sounds silly? Umm no.. you just wait.. because you suddenly see YOUR HOUSE.. with your belongings… in the video.. and newsflash… YOU didn’t film 🎥 it. WHAT?? As the all in black masked dude drops from your attic… your nightmare has just begun. 😬
OMG this book freaked me out!!! Was someone living in the attic?? Who knows… 🤷♀️.. As Julia and her family are literally terrorized by this individual… I couldn’t stop reading about their nightmare. There is NO way I would have stayed in that house. 🧳✌️ 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️ GET OUT Julia!! 😬😂😳
This was so twisty and I was kept guessing all the way until the end. 👏👏 I definitely want to read more by @andreamaraauthor !! 😍
🎥🎥🎥 Have you read this book?? Is it on your TBR? Would you stay in a house that some freaky stuff is going on?
August 28, 2024
Entertaining and fast, almost 4 stars but a bit too neatly wrapped up. Good entry in popcorn thrillers.
September 24, 2024
3.75 stars
October 26, 2024
DNF pg 180
I was waiting for this to become a thriller…it never did
I was waiting for this to become a thriller…it never did
September 25, 2024
I absolutely devoured this book! From the first chapter, I was hooked—the story starts with a BANG, and my jaw was on the floor within minutes. It was creepy, disconcerting, and full of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. The premise is unique and downright chilling. The idea of a masked figure sneaking into someone’s home through the attic while filming it for the world to see is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. But the twist? The footage that Julia stumbles upon is from her own house.
This was a gripping and thrilling read that kept me guessing the whole way through. The opening scene was absolutely wild and completely unexpected, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. It’s a calculated revenge story that leaves you constantly questioning who the “someone” could be right up until the very end. The plot feels unsettlingly real, making you believe this type of online trend could actually happen.
The characters are complex, and many will have you second-guessing their true motives, adding to the tension and mystery. I especially loved Julia, whose fear and confusion are palpable as she unravels the mystery. However, the chapters from Julia’s son’s perspective felt like filler and slowed down the pacing a bit. My only real gripe is the ending—it was pretty anticlimactic. After all the tension and build-up, the final resolution felt a little anticlimactic. I was hoping for something with a bit more impact, especially given how intense the rest of the story was.
This is a fantastic read for anyone who loves suspense and psychological thrillers. The focus is more on characters and the slow unraveling of secrets rather than gore, which I appreciated.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a gripping and thrilling read that kept me guessing the whole way through. The opening scene was absolutely wild and completely unexpected, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. It’s a calculated revenge story that leaves you constantly questioning who the “someone” could be right up until the very end. The plot feels unsettlingly real, making you believe this type of online trend could actually happen.
The characters are complex, and many will have you second-guessing their true motives, adding to the tension and mystery. I especially loved Julia, whose fear and confusion are palpable as she unravels the mystery. However, the chapters from Julia’s son’s perspective felt like filler and slowed down the pacing a bit. My only real gripe is the ending—it was pretty anticlimactic. After all the tension and build-up, the final resolution felt a little anticlimactic. I was hoping for something with a bit more impact, especially given how intense the rest of the story was.
This is a fantastic read for anyone who loves suspense and psychological thrillers. The focus is more on characters and the slow unraveling of secrets rather than gore, which I appreciated.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 10, 2024
I am in two minds when being honest about why I didn’t like a book. I feel bad! But, similar to other reviewers, I feel this plot has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.. for instance - if you repeatedly keep seeing videos that you didn’t take inside your house on the internet… wouldn’t you install cameras and go straight to the police? The main characters discovered spy cameras in the smoke alarms… but still.. they didn’t install their own surveillance cameras? It was really frustrating reading about people that were so unaware of their own stupidity. The main characters were really unlikeable.. except for sweet Luca, a little boy who was constantly telling his parents about how scared he was of ‘the man’ that comes into his room at night - yet his parents keep sending him back to his bedroom!
In another startlingly stupid act - Luca’s mother was frozen to the spot sitting on her bed sensing that there was someone under there - but she didn’t actually look - and when the police then arrive at her door at exactly that moment… she says nothing to them! I just couldn’t get my head around what the author was thinking.. and it’s so disappointing as I’ve read two of her other books and they were brilliant. 1.5 stars rounded up sadly.
In another startlingly stupid act - Luca’s mother was frozen to the spot sitting on her bed sensing that there was someone under there - but she didn’t actually look - and when the police then arrive at her door at exactly that moment… she says nothing to them! I just couldn’t get my head around what the author was thinking.. and it’s so disappointing as I’ve read two of her other books and they were brilliant. 1.5 stars rounded up sadly.
September 12, 2024
Boring. If anyone should be in the attic it’s this book. I think this book just put me off thrillers for the whole fall season. The plot piddled and dragged and ambled along, and the writing was just aight.
November 26, 2024
The bunny did not die!
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