A gripping story of deceit and revenge, coupled with a compelling lesson on the resilience of friendship.
Someone in the Attic is a gripping story of deceit and revenge, coupled with a compelling lesson on the resilience of friendship. In her new novel, author Andrea Mara explores relationships, complexities of child-rearing, long-term guilt, and the enduring power of friendship in a most believable way. The characters often surprise us, but at the same time we recognize glimpses of ourselves in all our strengths and weaknesses.
Julia, accompanied by her ex-husband Dale, their thirteen-year-old daughter Isla, and their nine-year-old son Luca, has moved home to Ireland. Julia and Dale have an amicable agreement; they maintain a comfortable home in a gated community with an apartment nearby, and the parents seamlessly switch residences and parenting responsibilities every five days. With welcoming neighbours, a much-loved pet rabbit for Luca, and a good security system, they will build new lives and put behind them undisclosed circumstances that impacted Isla back in the States. Perhaps, too, Julia will get past her guilt regarding Donna, her childhood friend who did not come home.
Julia, Ayna, Donna, and Eleanor, who called themselves “JADE”, were a somewhat typical youthful alliance—friends whose goals were not always in accord, who sometimes disliked one another, but who always remained, in their own fashion, loyal to each other. As the story opens, three members of the group are still living, and quite suddenly, there are only two. Ayna’s sudden death coincides with the onset of mysterious events in Julia’s house—footsteps in the attic, a watching, breathing presence in Luca’s room, the rabbit hiding in unusual places, and most of all, a set of TikTok videos (hopefully a trick of editing) depicting sinister figures and disturbing details within their house.
The author builds suspense so well. Early in the narrative, hints of significant past events are given, with frequent but not tiring references, coupled with incremental revelations that urge the reader on. Several characters emerge as candidates for the role of villain: They all seem suspicious, but for different reasons, and everyone, it seems, has something to hide. Which one, however, is hiding murderous intent? And why? Is it about Donna? Or perhaps Isla? We need to know, and every detail matters as we read on.
Technology has a significant role in the story, but brilliance with technological innovation is not required to enjoy the story. The uninitiated in this area can still follow the plot. The author also respects both the applications and the limitations of electronic skill.
A sense of eyes watching, of quiet breathing, is perhaps more effective than any sensational horror.
As for setting, creating an atmosphere of horror in a highly secure, well-lighted modern house in a suburban neighbourhood is surely not easy. Yet, a subtle terror begins to permeate this setting, especially as seen from the perspective of young Luca. A sense of eyes watching, of quiet breathing, is perhaps more effective than any sensational horror. One scene was particularly gripping for me; there should be nothing suspenseful about kitchen appliances, and yet, there was.
The story holds the reader as it rushes to a surprising climax. I will only say that the resolution makes perfect sense. Although we might glimpse parts of it along the way, we soon discard these as evidence builds, and few sleuths would predict this particular ending.
The aftermath seems mildly sentimental, but that in itself is perhaps needed after this level of tension.
The reader is caught up from the opening scene in a plot that never lags, with characters who never become stale. Those who enjoy fast-paced, suspenseful mysteries will not be disappointed.
Andrea Mara is a number one international bestselling author. Several of her books have been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year awards. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three young children. Someone in the Attic was her US debut, and The Wrong House is her second novel to be published in the US.
Publisher: Doubleday Canada (August 20, 2024)
Paperback 9″ x 6″ | 368 pages
ISBN: 9780385699464
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
- Anne Smith-Nochasakhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/annesn/
