4 "surprisingly immersive, well plotted, carefully constructed" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Simon & Schuster Canada for an e-copy. This was released February 2022. I am providing an honest review.

Usually with four star reads I leave a generally positive review grateful that a novel or work has reached excellent status and leave it at that. I intuit that the book is as excellent as can be and cannot reach truly masterpiece status.

I feel differently about this one because what is excellent is often superb and I feel in my bones that we are dealing with an intensely talented author. So I will provide brief feedback as to what could have been improved although even in those areas this book far surpassed most books in the supernatural suspense area.

My Gushes:

1. the author very carefully constructed and plotted this book in logical and intricate ways with a layering effect that was both highly effective and affective...she leaves no stone unturned and there are no loose ends...as a reader you must pay close attention as there are many pov switches as well as four time periods to keep track of....extremely well done....superb even

2. the author understands grief and elegantly depicts these processes without shoving it down the reader's throat

3. the understanding of interpersonal family, friendship and intimate relationships is absolutely outstanding... I felt it especially in the depiction of young teenage girl dynamics...also a shoutout to a most excellent ability to create dialogue that is both genuine and also helps convey to the reader various relational processes !

4. a most arresting and interesting plot that never becomes stale but is both frightening and riveting ! This book never goes over the top and the author allows the reader to interpret in their own way whether these processes are supernatural or psychological or a combination of the two

Why this book did not achieve 5 star or 4.5 star status

1. the prose was always clear and straightforward but could have used a bit more panache (3.5 star quality) I selfishly hopes the author moves away from popular fiction to a more literary style !

2. a deepening of the psychological portraits of the main players would have made this book even more outstanding

3. (Mild Spoiler) I wish the author had done a bit more research on [ borderline personality, developmental aspects and treatments This was a weak link for me and the naming could have been left out entirely.

Overall I am very excited to see what Ms. Fawcett comes up with next !

Hello first 5 Star book of the year! I'm sad that it took me so long to pick this one up.

BENEATH THE STAIRS was compulsively readable (I even found the audio book to keep myself immersed in the story!) I don't typically get overly emotionally invested in books either, but this one made me cry AND make sure to turn on the lights before I went to bed.

A fabulous multilayered, spooky read about a cursed murder house, the bonds of friendship and the trauma that can come with growing up too fast.

TW: quite a few, so double check before you pick this one up.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc!

I'm a big fan of most thrillers that add a supernatural element, and I thought this debut novel was a lot of fun.

It's been 20 years since Clare's visited Sumner Hills, but a phone call changes everything. Her childhood best friend Abby is in the hospital, in a coma, after having attempted suicide in the Octagon House. A house they visited as teens. A house that's haunted them ever since.

As Clare tries to figure out why Abby went back, she starts to discover the grisly history of the house. Of the people that lived and died there before. Of a spirit that is lonely and looking for a companion.

The setting is appropriately creepy, and I enjoyed seeing photos afterwards of the house that inspired the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc of this title.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was…okay. Thrillers are especially trendy now and with some heavy hitters like Ruth Ware and Paula Hawkins owning the market it can be incredibly difficult to make your mark. I think this fell a little flat for me. There could have been some more red herrings and plot building at the beginning of the book to keep the reader engaged and invested in the mystery. But not a bad breakout novel.

2.75/5

A New Favourite!

Wow!! I loved everything about this one! The setting and characters were great. I didn't want to stop reading. Many times I found myself creeped out and I loved it! One of my favorite books this year for sure! Highly recommend you read this one if you enjoy spooky thrillers like me!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available Now!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada and Atria Books for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Enjoyment: 3.5
Total rating: 3.71

I enjoyed Fawcett's writing, even though I feel that the plot itself was a little scrambled. Considering Beneath the Stairs is her debut novel, I am optimistic she will only get better at planning the story and tying up loose ends.

Beneath the Stairs slowly builds up to its third act tension and pace. The house itself evokes a mysterious, eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere. Some of the timelines are more interesting than others, but they all collectively serve the same purpose.

I am interested in reading her next book.


Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of Beneath the Stairs.

The prologue sets the tone and is atmospheric and creepy. It immediately lured me into the story. This underlying vibe is felt throughout the story. The feeling that something is lurking and of wanting to look over your shoulder. This author has a writing style that shifts seamlessly from past to present. So seamlessly that the times lines almost feel like they are blurring in the best possible way. Sumner’s Mills feels like a true-life small town. A group of young girls, older brothers, budding crushes, and local lore. Being from a small town, I easily related to these girls and the feeling of wanting to leave it all behind. Getting out and then receiving that call, that brings you back to the place.

About halfway through, the pace really picks up. I couldn’t put it down. The timelines were clearer, and it felt like I was hurtling towards the end. I have not read a story like this one. It completely put me on edge, and I had no idea where the story was going.

I viscerally felt all the feelings with this book. I connected with Clare immediately. I was the younger sister, I wanted all the adventures, the crushes and wanting to go everywhere my brother went.

This story highlighted that the things that we experience as a child, including trauma, can shape us and follow us into adulthood. There were some serious mental health concerns in the story. The author dealt with these concerns in a very real way. The ups and downs, success and failures that can go alone with coping and living with mental health concerns.

I love this author’s writing style. I love that not only is she from Canada, but Ontario. I love the eeriness of this story and the way that I cannot stop thinking of it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, thrillers, cursed places, and a little horror. I cannot wait to read anything else from this author!

Twenty years later. Few elders in small town, Sumner’s Mills have stumbled across the Octagon House hidden deep in the woods. Even fewer are brave enough to trespass. Yet curious teens were called to the house, and the curious door Beneath the Stairs.

I always love creepy thrillers and I was so intrigued by this premise of an abandoned building that people seem to be obsessed with. What did Abby see in there that affected her so profoundly? What was the backstory with this creepy murder house? And, what was Clare going to uncover once she went back to her hometown?

This started out as such a great mystery and I was totally invested in the story. This did however turn out to be more of a coming of age story than I expected as it wasn't really called out in the synopsis. I was completely ok with it because I love coming of age stories but some other people don't prefer that angle.

Even though this was a fantastic premise and I really enjoyed the main part of the plot, the book was very bogged down with long sections and too many secondary storylines. I also found in a few places that conveniences were made so the situations would better fit into the plot. I don't want to give any spoilers but at least 2 of the secondary storylines could have been left out and the book could have been cut down by 20-30% and I think the thrill and suspense that I was looking for would have shone through better than it did.

Unfortunately the execution too away from my enjoyment so I am only giving this book 2.5/5 stars.

An atmospheric debut that combines suspense, the supernatural, crime, a bit of romance, and of course, a haunted house.

Clare and Abby are your typical teens looking for excitement in a small sleepy town. What's a better way to pass time than to scare yourself silly? Enter The Octagon House, an abandoned site of a mass murder and a terrifying experience for teenage Abby and Claire. Years later, Clare is called back to town with the news that Abby is in a coma after attempting suicide. Clare is certain it's connected to their past and more importantly to the house…

This book takes multiple timelines to the next level with four different timelines that jump back and forth regularly. Sometimes this worked for me to build anticipation and sometimes is made me dizzy.

I particularly enjoyed the timelines focused on the past and wanted to get more into Abby's life between her teen years and the present day. There are some parts that have a YA feel, mostly in one timeline, but I personally love YA thrillers, that's a positive for me.

I was invested in the story throughout and enjoyed the read. I can't wait to see what the author does next!

Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the eARC to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Beneath The Stairs is an excellent, fast-paced mystery paranormal book that you won’t be able to put down. I found Jennifer Fawcett’s writing style to be very natural and her characters to be complex, and likeable. Excellent debut, I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books from her!

Jennifer Fawcett dares readers to descent into the depths of her chilling debut novel, 'Beneath the Stairs', by expertly layering the finest eerie elements into one disturbing story. I was reminded of summers during my early teenage years spent bike riding with friends and watching lists of scary movies simply for the thrill of being terrified together. The coming-of-age interactions highlight the differences in each teen character so well that I believe many readers will be recalling memories from their own youth - it was very easy to picture myself among these characters during both frames of time which made for an even more frightening experience. Fawcett does an impeccable job of evoking relatable feelings of hesitation as Clare is faced with the people and places of her childhood past; sometimes we leave these things behind us for a reason and never expect to turn back. I was impressed with how the developing personalities in the teen characters evolve into recognizable qualities in their adult form – the way everyone has to find a new rhythm with each other in adulthood is very entertaining.

The trail of details surrounding the Octagon house are presented when selected residents share their stories intermittently between Clare's encounters. The sequence of past and present discoveries makes this book impossible to put down. Hints at the supernatural are done delicately and create an anxiety that pulsed through my chest as I followed (strategically) behind the characters. While the pace was very consistent throughout, the ending had a bit of a blast that seemed to resolve as quick as it threatened its presence. But, the satisfying final glimpse during the story's close allowed me to finish this book and sleep soundly after enjoying the haunting twists and turns I was pulled on, which I appreciated. 'Beneath the Stairs' will have a grip on its readers as tight as that of the house they visit within the pages. I'm excited to see what Jennifer Fawcett pulls us in with next!

I appreciate the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy an electronic Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and the author Jennifer Fawcett. The name of this book was right on..so right on. The book read at a good pace, the writing was good. The book was just good. Thanks for allowing me this read.

Clare returns to her hometown after receiving news that Abby, her childhood best friend is in a coma following a suicide attempt at Octagon House, an abandoned property. As Clare digs into the days leading to Abby’s attempt, she finds all roads lead back to Octagon House and its dark history.

This book gave me the creeps in the best way possible. There were moments when I felt like I was in Octagon House. The story is told from multiple POVs and in different timelines which was confusing at first, but once you get used to it the story really takes off.

Look out for this one on February 22/22. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A creepy, octagon-shaped house that hasn't even lived in for years, ever since the murder of a woman and her two children back in the 60's.

Abby is drawn to the house, specifically to the basement with the odd door and stairs that lead only in a dank, darkness. Attempting bravery as a 13 year old in from of her friends, she descends in the darkness and is quickly tramatized by what she sees.

Twenty years later she is found near death in the vary same basement.
Her girlhood best friend Clare returns to their hometown when she is asked by Abby's mother to come to the hospital.

Clare comes back to face Abby, the house, and her own demons.

This book is so much more than a ghost/horror/thriller, it's a coming of age and how the choices you make as a teenager can impact the rest of your life.

I loved the writing, the various POVs, the different time periods, and the ending.

Great debut!!

4/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A roller coaster ride that caught me from the start. It’s a creepy mystery with tons of atmosphere.

Clare, an adult now, returns to the small town where she grew up. She comes because an old friend (Abby), who she hasn’t seen in many years, is now in the hospital and had asked for her before she went into a coma.

Clare and three friends went into a dilapidated, octagon-shaped house in the middle of the woods the summer before attending high school. Two of them were unaffected, Abby was scarred by the incident, and Clare is unsure what happened, and what she saw. The house was the site of a tragic family murder in the sixties and seems to draw some to it with its mystery. Many who have trespassed in the house have continuing haunting nightmares.

Clare explores the house’s dark secrets, right back to its builder in the thirties. She is carrying her own issues and the investigation helps her to realize that she can deal with them. She finds that there are more mysteries around the house than just the family murder and what happened to her and Abby on that fateful day.

The story delves into friendships, family, and relationships. There is a coming of age aspect to it, but it doesn’t ever feel like a YA story. I was worried about how things were going to be explained in the end, but was very satisfied. This was a good debut and I will definitely be looking for this author’s next book.

Creepy, creepy, creepy. This was an edge of your seat thriller with a touch of the supernatural. The backstory was laced with evil and the characters left me feeling emotional. The octagon house was not a place I.d set foot in. Let alone venturing into the basement. Yikes.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

This wasn't your average thriller, but that's what made it so good. I thought the author did a great job making an unrealistic/otherworldly subject work. I believed it. I got creeped out every time someone went into the basement of the Octagon House. I enjoyed the flashbacks through time, the love story (although it was a little cheesy), and Clare as a main character, even though I typically don't enjoy first person narratives.

The only drawback for me was that [ Clare never told the police what she discovered at the house. Her justification for not telling the police was that her story was unbelievable and that such a long time had passed, it would be better to let them rest. I thought that was a selfish and shitty thing to do. I'm sure the families would have appreciated some closure. Honestly a huge disappointment for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy good! You had me with just the title!

Clare's been called back to her hometown after her childhood best friend Abby, tried to commit suicide. Abby was found in the basement of the octagon house, a house the town has tried to keep secret ever since a man was convicted of murdering his wife and children there. However, with every generation, young people are drawn to explore the house, including Clare and Abby. Something happens when they are there, however, that leaves a traumatic and terrifying hold on them. So why would Abby go back there after all these years, and why did she call Clare's name?

The book deals with a lot of issues, including grief, loss, abandonment, friendships, and mental illness. It was fast-paced and suspenseful; clues were revealed slowly enough to keep me engrossed and guessing. I kept alternating between wanting to know what really happened, and being afraid to find out. My fingernails are chewed to the quick!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster, Atria Books, for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. #NetGalley #BeneaththeStairs