US pub date: 1/14/25
Genre: mystery/thriller
Quick summary: Stella is a sensitive, precocious child until a sudden trauma leaves her mother Charlotte concerned at the strange changes in her behavior.

If you don't like spoilers, definitely do not read the full blurb of this book (I'm kind of glad I hadn't before I dove in). But be warned, this book is creepy with a capital C and you probably won't want to read it before bed. It's not exactly horror, but it felt darker than the typical thrillers I read.

That being said, I was hooked and had to keep reading to see what would happen next and how Stella's issues would be resolved. It's appropriate that Ashley Audrain (author of THE PUSH) blurbed this one, as both books explain the darker side of motherhood in an honest, unflinching manner. I will definitely look out for more from Echlin!

Thank you to Viking Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one I didn't see coming!
Some parts I thought questionable parenting, some hints of a possibly neurodivergent child, turns out she was just possessed. 😳 I love how the book unraveled bits of the mystery as mother & child navigated their new relationship. Once we learn the full truth, it hits hard, and everything makes sense. The ending was great, a newfound family.

CLEVER LITTLE THING is just like the title says…clever! This fast-paced audiobook was hard to stop listening to. I was fully engaged and didn't want the book to end. It's filled with many surprises and I loved the ending. I definitely recommend getting this one on audio, you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to PRH Audio for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

I was honestly a little bit leery about reading this book because of the subject matter. I love psychological thrillers but I'm skeptical about supernatural phenomenon. In other words, I like reading about creepy kids (think of The Perfect Child or The Push), but I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a creepy child who is possessed by her dead babysitter.. However, after I started reading, I was immediately drawn in and couldn't stop reading.

Stella is an 8 year old girl who reads adult books and has the vocabulary of an adult. She's socially awkward and doesn't have many friends. She shows a lot of signs of being on the autism spectrum. Charlotte's relationship with her own mother was not good. because her mother suffered from depression and was emotionally distant. Charlotte strives to be nothing like her own mother and while she is extremely attentive to Stella, she doesn't want to take Stella to the doctor for a diagnosis despite the persuasion of her husband Pete and some of their friends. When Stella's babysitter Blanka dies suddenly, Stella's whole personality changes. She begins eating more, she stops reading the books that she'd been reading and she simply has a calmer demeanor, much like Blanka did. Charlotte is pregnant again and she seeks out Blanka's mother in order to get to the bottom of what is going on with Stella before the new baby is born.

I felt like the author did a great job keeping the reader in suspense. It was a slow burn which came to a somewhat satisfying conclusion. My only complaint would be that everything wrapped up a little too quickly and the true villain in the book didn't get quite the punishment that I would have liked to have seen. But all in all, I really enjoyed this book and have found a new author to follow.

Thanks so much to Penguin Group Viking / Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The publication date is January 14, 2025.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I kept waiting for something big to happen and I was left wanting more. I found myself skimming towards the end just so I could finish it.

Helena Echlin’s adroit new novel Clever Little Thing functions as a fascinating, dramatic ghost story that provides occasional thrills-and-chills, while also being a unique commentary on the challenges associated with mothering a child on the Spectrum.  In Echlin’s beginning chapters, the protagonist, Charlotte, has just had a baby (Luna) but is still in the hospital getting therapeutic treatment for her unshakable paranoia.  She believes her other daughter, Stella, who has been strangely changing her regimented habits and her repetitious behaviors, has been possessed by Stella’s dead babysitter, Blanka.  Like all good MacGuffins, Charlotte’s suspicion and Stella’s actions are what drive the story; however, what makes Clever Little Thing such a clever little book is the underlying message that speaks to the underdiscussed issue of girls’ and women’s mental health; as well as, the dynamic psychological changes that can happen when one least expects them.

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The plot of this story was very intricate, the way the many layers were all weaved together. But it flowed so organically I quickly got lost in the story of a mother desperate for her child. I found myself relating to our FMC, in her fierce instinct to protect her child even when nobody around her believed her. The pace was fast and told over dual timelines, with a surprising twist about 75% of the way through. I had started to suspect what it could be, but that didn’t stop me in the least from enjoying this story!

Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books and Netgalley for the ARC. “Clever Little Thing” releases January 14, 2025! This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. I'm so glad I picked it up. It is a true psychological thriller. I had no idea what was going on, who to trust, which way was up. It is an amazing ride and I'm so excited for when this book comes out, so I can talk with other people about it!

This one was a wild ride - I enjoyed the suspense and the supernatural element. The unraveling of Charlotte was done masterfully - is she crazy or the only person actually seeing things for what they are?
That feeling of being questioned and doubted by everyone is described in such detail the book feels claustrophobic at times, as Charlotte makes one questionable (from a reasonable adult point of view) decision after the other.
I loved how passionately she fought for Stella and how much more important it was for her to let her be herself again than having a child who is more convenient to live with.
The conclusion of the story is satisfying, and I liked that the perceived villains are actually on your side, while the good guys (read - men) actually suck in various degrees.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books, for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. The book is out on January 14.

A Clever Little Thing is a Super Clever debut!

This book can best be described as a combination of The Push, Baby Teeth, and Behind Her Eyes.

I really don’t want to give away any details from this plot. It is best to go in blind and experience it for yourself. I know this isn’t that helpful of a review, but I fear my last sentence has already given away too much.

I can’t believe this is a debut! The writing is intoxicating and I couldn’t put it down for a minute. Echlin is a master storyteller and expertly leads the reader in so many directions.

I absolutely loved Clever Little Thing and am recommending it as one of my favorite psychological thrillers of the year! I can’t wait to read more from this talented writer! All of the stars!

5/5 stars

Expected publication date: 1/14/25

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Viking for the ARC of Clever Little Thing in exchange for an honest review.

Pete and Charlotte's daughter Stella can be difficult, but she's a sensitive, sweet girl and very likely she is a genius, but recently Stella has become mild, complacent and very good...too good. This change follows the drowning death of Stella's Armenian babysitter, Blanka. Charlotte is increasingly worried as Stella begins to walk like Blanka....suffling, slow, head down and answers questions "0h, yes", just like Blanka did. The vegetarian child now craves Armenian meat stew and the only thing that seems to excite her is swimming even though she'd had a lifelong dread of water.

Charlotte is exhausted and suffers morning sickness, but becomes obsessed with getting "her" Stella back. Pete is no help. Charlotte teams up with Blanka's reluctant mother to get her Stella back.

I began this book by browsing my #netgalley shelf and figured I'd just check out the beginning, I was hooked immediately and just kept reading, This is one of those books that I looked forward to delving into each day. I highly recommend this well crafted tale of motherly instincts and devotion in the face of so many obstacles, many of which are not of this world. Thank you #netgalley and #Viking #PenguinRandomHouseBookd for offering me this captivating read, "CleverLittleThing" by #HelenaEchlin

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Viking for the arc!

I liked this book - motherhood, possible possession, extreme personality change in a child, gaslighting, womanhood, mystery - but something was missing for me. It's entertaining and has a great ending but overall I felt like it was a slower burn. I like my thrillers more fast-paced.

Overall, the story is unique and worth reading but temper expectations for the ride!

** spoiler alert ** 3 Stars! ✨ Huge thanks to Penguin Group Viking, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for the ARC! Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin is dropping on January 14, 2025, with 352 pages of crazy maternal instincts, creepy vibes, and some twists that'll leave you questioning everything 🤯

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Maternal Fear 💔
✧ Paranormal Suspense 👻
✧ Family Secrets 🕵️‍♀️
✧ Creepy Kid 👧
✧ Gaslighting 🚩
✧ Psychological Obsession 🧠

Okay, let’s talk Charlotte. Pregnant with her second kid, Luna, but all her attention is on her first daughter, Stella, who’s definitely acting a little too weird after their babysitter dies suddenly. We're talking full-on possession vibes—mimicking Blanka (the babysitter) with her accent and food cravings. At first, I’m hooked, right? Is Stella really possessed?! I’m all in, but then... things got... uh... out there.

Charlotte's decisions were a mess, y’all. She seriously thinks about giving up Luna to her husband Pete (who, side note, she knows is a rapist) just to keep Stella safe. What? I’m like, “Charlotte, honey, what are you even doing?!” This moment had me shook, because her desperate obsession with Stella clouds her judgment completely. Seriously, her moral compass was lost at sea.

And then there’s the twist with Pete, Blanka’s abuse, and Stella's possession. Blanka’s ghost wants Charlotte to take Stella away from Pete to break the possession, but even then, Charlotte’s willing to make such drastic, messed-up choices. It was hard to follow her emotional journey when her decisions were so... well... unsettling. The emotional depth I was craving just wasn’t there, and it was tough to look past her seriously questionable actions.

Now, the concept? So good. A mom’s instincts mixed with supernatural horror? YES, PLEASE. But the execution? Not so much. Some twists that should’ve been freaky came across as... well, kinda comical. 🤷‍♀️ I found myself laughing at parts that were definitely meant to be serious, and the ending left me with more confusion than closure.

But hey, if you’re into unreliable narrators and creepy kid stories, you might still enjoy this one. Just be ready for some wild twists, uncomfortable maternal themes, and a lot of head-scratching moments.

📌 Content Warnings (CW):
- Child neglect
- Pregnancy complications
- Gaslighting
- Death of a caretaker
- Parental obsession

TL;DR: Creepy kids, ghostly vibes, and a mom making some seriously questionable choices. It’s a wild ride, but the twists lean more campy than clever. Worth a read if you love maternal suspense, but not one I’ll revisit.

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know that motherhood is one of my very favorite themes to read about. Helena Echlin did a fabulous job bringing a mother’s unconditional love, care, and understanding to light in her forthcoming release, CLEVER LITTLE THING. The author flawlessly captures the overwhelming intensity of motherhood, the anxiety, the demands, just how well we truly know our children, and the ferocity of that mother bear instinct. I’d best describe this novel as mom noir, or a mama drama with a dark side. The first sentence of the synopsis really sets the tone:

“𝘈 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘵, 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Motherhood and marriage
- Family drama and dynamics
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Female friendship
- Dark and creepy reads
- Supernatural elements
- Disturbing child behavior
- Mystery and suspense
- Twists and turns galore

This novel is chilling, disturbing, and unsettling. You must be prepared to suspend belief a little bit as like I mentioned above, supernatural elements are used heavily throughout. If you go in with the right mindset, I can guarantee that you’ll be entertained and enthralled. I also suggest you go in as blindly as possible. Enjoy the wild and crazy ride! CLEVER LITTLE THING releases on January 14th! I give it 4/5 stars!

Stella, daughter of Charlotte, seems like she is on the autistic spectrum with her sensitivity issues to sounds and just about everything else. Her mom knows she has frequent severe meltdowns, but chooses not to have her tested. Charlotte is pregnant and always having morning sickness issues while working, but now her nanny has quit so Charlotte quits her job too. Stella becomes her obsession and keeping Stella safe is a full time job as it is.

When she learns the nanny had died, Charlotte visits the nanny's mom to comfort her and learns the nanny committed suicide; a secret Charlotte tries to keep from Stella. Weird things are happening with the child. From freakout to Ms. Oh Yes! within days and now she sounds and eats and acts just like the nanny. Charlotte's hubby commits her when she starts to think maybe the nanny has taken over her child's body. Is he the good, caring hubby? Or is there another side to him???

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

This was a good book that definitely has you questioning whether Stella somehow has become possessed by Blanka, her old babysitter who recently died, or if Charlotte is unraveling slowly due to the difficulties of her second pregnancy. There is much evidence for both options and that leads to a creepy crazy story that I had to keep reading, so I could find out which because otherwise it was going to drive me crazy! I did enjoy reading this, especially when we find out what is actually going on and why the characters are acting the way they are. Very explosive climax complete with the reason why Charlotte is spending the first part of the book talking to a doctor (to prove she can leave and protect Stella from some unknown danger) and being "trapped" in a wellness clinic.

So, good thrilling book and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book to read and review.

A great cover with an intriguing idea of a story but one that I couldn't seem to connect with.

Right from the start - I thought this book might not be for me. So if it sounds good to you - unreliable narrators and creepy possibilities with near death and changing children - then you should definitely give this one a try.

For me, I found the writing disjointed and Charlotte frustrating overbearing, odd and inconsistent. I struggled to believe each twist and shook my head with conversations that felt like they started in the middle instead of pulling me along. I wish I'd liked this one more but it just didn't work for me.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This books is not going to convert anyone to the joys of parenting. An odd child (who I felt needed more help before the main plot happened--what was going on there??) starts acting like her babysitter who had recently died. The mom seemed to think the child was off before so doesn't pick up on things until it really starts to spiral. It made it hard to care about her because she was kind of neglectful. I didn't feel like it was a very good representation of a neuroatypical child either--it made it seem like she was just difficult for no reason at times when it was clear more was going on. The weight stuff was a little odd too. It just felt very dated for a book coming out in 2025.

My first Helena Echlin novel but definitely not my last! The characters were crazy great and kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. And oh how many secrets we all seem to keep. Dark and twisty. Enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley, Helena Elchin and Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

From the beginning, I was captivated by Clever Little Thing. It’s a propulsive suspense novel that kept me guessing, and while some of it may require a bit of suspending belief, I was fully engrossed in it.

CW: miscarriage