Clever Little Thing is very much in the vein of books like The Push and Baby Teeth. Creepy kids is one of my favorite subgenres and this did not disappoint. Although I had figured out the twist early on I still very much enjoyed the story. The characters were well developed and the story was a unique take on possession that I haven’t read before.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title/Author: Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books

Format: I read a digital arc from NetGalley

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: First time reading

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978059365...

Release Date: January 14th, 2025

General Genre: Psychological Suspense Thriller/Supernatural

Sub-Genre/Themes: Domestic drama, neurodivergent children (diagnosis not known), parenting, Armenian people, motherhood, Pre and postnatal depression, mood disorders, paranoia, Postpartum psychosis, nannies, self-harm, suicide, SA, pregnancy

Writing Style: Short chapters, alternating timelines (Then & Now), intricately plotted

What You Need to Know: "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."

My Reading Experience: I love psychological thrillers centered around new mothers and/or pregnancy.
Especially if there's something paranormal or supernatural going on too. I love intimate exposure behind closed doors of marriages and I also love an unreliable, unlikable narrator--you get all of this with, Clever Little Thing.
The most entertaining and compelling aspect of this book was that even though I had a sense of where the story was headed, I never once expected *exactly* how it would get there. One development took me completely by surprise, so props to the author for a solid blindside. Are there some unrealistic elements to the story? Yes.
Did I have to suspend disbelief a few times, also yes. But hear this: We live in a world that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt, that truth is stranger than fiction. I read headlines of real-life situations that make my jaw drop every day. Nothing surprises me anymore. I do not show up to my fictional book expecting reality because nobody could make that up anyway.
So yes, things go off the rails.
The main character is exhausting in the way she leaps to wild conclusions for no reason.
This was fun. I had a good time putting this one together and the author was great at keeping all the important cards close to her chest while allowing a few clues to reveal just enough to keep me hooked.

Final Recommendation: If you enjoy creepy kids, paranoid first-time parents, juicy drama, and unexpected twists and turns, this is for you. Please note my content warnings in the "themes/sub-genre" section

Comps: The Push & The Whispers by Ashley Audrain (elements of both books), Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, The Changeling by Victor LaValle, Jennifer Hillier thrillers

I liked the story line. There was a creep factor. I was never sure exactly what was going on and what story could be trusted. But it was way too slow of a burn. It also seemed unnaturally formal. Both of these factors made it tough to truly LOVE the book. However, I was invested and engaged in learning what was actually going on and which characters and story I could trust. It definitely had an unsettling vibe - I felt like I was on edge throughout the entire book. Overall, a creepy read, but if you do not enjoy slow burns, it may not be for you.

Stella shows signs of autism, until the death of her babysitter, Blanka. She then begins to mimic her babysitter's behavior. Charlotte, Stella's Mom, has become obsessed and is convinced that Blanka is controlling her child. Pregnant and sick, her husband believes that she is going crazy. But is Stella safe? Who and what is responsible for this change?

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

This was a weird book that didn’t click with me. It started as a psychological thriller and then turned into something completely unrealistic and unbelievable. The supernatural element just made this book messy and confusing. Also the way the main character acted at certain times was so over the top it became completely unrealistic. This one just wasn’t for me.

I really like the book The Push and this is being compared to it but unfortunately it is nothing like it.
This book was a total miss for me. It starts off strong but then just gets strange and too disturbing, even for me, and just not good. I love a good thriller, but this is another Mommy type thriller if you will.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

I have seen this book on all the triller book clubs and just HAD TO READ THIS. I jumped into this book without knowing anything about it.

This book is bizarre, intriguing, and creepy to say the least!!! It gave me moments of rage as a mother and then goosebumps and chills the next. It hits on topics of mental health, family dynamics, the heavy burdens of motherhood, grief, child psychology. You really don't know what's going to happen next with this supernatural horror/ Psychological Thriller.

Definitely would recommend to anyone who likes domestic thrillers and fiction

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC for my honest review!!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book definitely had parts that took me by surprise! I love not knowing what’s about to happen, or even better, catching me completely unaware! The book, although fiction, felt very real and relevant to what many people are going through today. Raising children on the spectrum where no two rules apply for the same person makes it difficult for parents. This book explores that and so much more with some sci-fi elements too. I would recommend to anyone who likes domestic thrillers and fiction!

This book was so gripping and twisty. It spooked me but also kept me so interested. A great read and a great story. I loved the way we learn about the characters and their stories and see the development through the book. A great thriller

I’d say about 90% of this book, you’re going to think this means one way- but the last 10%, you’ll be bamboozled and personally, I was left with this thought: trust a mothers intuition.

This had me hooked from page 1, and I’m so thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

👧🏼Book Review👧🏼
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Thank you so much @prhaudio for the advanced copy of Clever Little Thing which came out earlier this month! I’m a sucker for an evil child thriller where you’re wondering is the mom crazy or is the child evil. (Weirdly specific I know🤷🏼‍♀️). This one just hit and the narration was fantastic. So many twists and turns I couldn’t keep up or stop thinking about it. Especially loved the Armenian references (hello I’m a fellow Armenian!). Overall a super fun read with an ending you just won’t see coming! Perfect for fans of Baby Teeth and The Push!
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Summary- Charlotte’s daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behavior has alarmed her mother. Following the sudden death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But what’s unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka’s personality, from Blanka’s repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian.

Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, and depleted and sick with the pregnancy. She is convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella’s transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka somehow possessed Stella? Has Stella become Blanka? As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter. . . even though it’s soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlotte’s head.
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QOTD- how’s the weather by you?! It is SO cold in NJ but that won’t stop me from waiting for my copy on Onyx Storm to turn up on my door step today, fingers crossed for you Prime shipping👀.

Helena Echlin’s Clever Little Things is a haunting, thought-provoking exploration of motherhood, obsession, and the eerie intersection of the psychological and the supernatural. With its chilling premise and relentless tension, this novel grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go until its shocking conclusion.

Charlotte, the protagonist, is an achingly relatable mother grappling with the demands of raising a gifted yet difficult child while enduring the exhaustion of a second pregnancy. Her daughter Stella’s transformation—from a disruptive, socially withdrawn child to a calm, unsettlingly different version of herself—sets the story’s chilling tone. Stella’s sudden mimicry of her late babysitter Blanka is unnerving, from adopting Blanka’s accent to craving foods she’d never eaten before. Charlotte’s suspicion that something supernatural may be at play is both compelling and deeply unnerving, leaving readers questioning whether her fears are real or a manifestation of her frazzled mental state.

Echlin’s writing shines in its ability to blur the line between reality and the inexplicable, creating a kaleidoscopic, pulse-pounding narrative. The novel examines not only the supernatural elements but also the emotional weight of maternal instinct and the societal pressures surrounding caretaking. Charlotte’s desperation to save her daughter, coupled with the doubts cast by those around her—especially her husband—creates a suffocating atmosphere of isolation and paranoia that resonates deeply.

The audiobook, provided by PRH Audio, heightens the tension and immerses the listener in Charlotte’s unraveling world. The narrator masterfully captures the nuances of Charlotte’s desperation and Stella’s eerie transformation, making the supernatural elements even more chilling. My gratitude to PRH Audio for granting me access to this excellent format, and to Pamela Dorman Books for providing me the title via NetGalley.

While Clever Little Things is undeniably gripping, its pacing can occasionally feel uneven, with the supernatural elements overshadowing the deeper, nuanced critique of the caregiving industry. That said, the book’s exploration of motherhood, trust, and identity remains impactful and thought-provoking.

This is a perfect read for fans of psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural. Helena Echlin has crafted a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, leaving you questioning where the line between reality and the inexplicable truly lies.

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin is a twisty, unsettling psychological thriller that will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s not. Charlotte, a pregnant mother, watches in growing horror as her daughter Stella begins to adopt the personality of her recently deceased babysitter, Blanka. This eerie transformation fuels Charlotte’s obsession—leading her to believe Blanka’s spirit has somehow possessed Stella. The tension builds as Charlotte becomes more consumed by her own fears, even while her husband dismisses it all as postpartum paranoia.

Echlin’s writing is sharp and atmospheric, drawing readers into a claustrophobic world of maternal anxiety and supernatural intrigue. The pacing is solid, though it occasionally drags in the middle, making you wish for a bit more forward momentum. The ending is both surprising and satisfying, even if it leaves a few questions hanging.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist and a healthy dose of motherhood drama, this one’s for you—just don’t expect any easy answers.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Viking/Pamela Dormer Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this psychological thriller by Helena Echlin. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Charlotte is the mother of Stella, a somewhat difficult child by everyone else's measuring stick, but Charlotte loves Stella's spirit and drive. However, now pregnant with their second child and enduring terrible morning sickness, they rely on help from Blanka, their babysitter. When Blanka leaves suddenly and then dies, Stella's personality suddenly changes. Charlotte is convinced that Stella spirit is being overtaken by Blanka.

This was such a creepy tale, and I was completely engrossed in it! It was a nod to the difficulties of motherhood and caretaking, of not being taken seriously. Charlotte was an unreliable narrator, surrounded by everyone not believing her and thinking her crazy. I loved Charlotte's strong maternal instinct and the powerful way she fought for Stella. Told in timeframes of Then and Now, this was definitely a clever book! Anxious for more from this author.

The book started off slow for me and I wasn't sure about it but as I kept reading, it sucked me in. I think it's the fact that the narrator is unreliable, so I had to know if everything she was saying and seeing was the truth or not. The book is pretty dark and has a supernatural element which for me added depth to the story. As a mother, it definitely had me putting myself in her shoes which was uncomfortable but added urgency. I gave it 4 stars because it was slow in parts and I felt like the ending was tied up a little too neat. The whole book is messy, so give me a messier ending! Overall, a great read with some interesting twists and turns.

Thank you Viking for my copy of CLEVER LITTLE THING. This one is out Jan 14.

I really enjoyed this book and the way it kept me guessing. I could definitely see this one becoming a great series or movie. If you're into some family drama, mental health awareness and a little psychological thriller mixed with fiction, I definitely recommend this one.

Possession?

Charlotte’s daughter Stella cannot stand the sound of the waves at the beach, or the sound of water running in the bathtub. She has an aversion to snuggling. And, she also throws tantrums that her mom calls “freak out mode”. Her screams were once so loud and piercing that she rushed her to the ER.

But, she can also read at an ADULT level, although she has only just completed grade three.

Other moms suggest that the anti social child be tested because of her behavior-but Charlotte doesn’t want Stella to be labeled. She would never want Stella to feel the way her own mom made her feel-“not good enough”.

But then suddenly, after the death of her babysitter, Blanka, just days after she had resigned, the once disruptive child has become almost TOO agreeable.

“OH YES!” became her answer to everything-just like Blanka.

She begins mirroring Blanka-not only in personality but also by taking on some of her physical traits.

Her father is thrilled that Stella seems to be outgrowing her strange early tendencies, but Charlotte is convinced that Blanka has taken over Stella’s body, and with an unlikely accomplice-Blanka’s mother, Irina-Charlotte is determined to save her daughter.

But, is it Stella who needs the saving? The book opens with Charlotte talking to a Dr. Beaufort (Now) and these chapters alternate with chapters from THEN.

Although this takes place in modern times, the writing is very formal (example: “I proffered the blanket, tied with a gray silk ribbon-it’s luxe minimalism was out of place here-instead looking drab and utilitarian) Perhaps that is what made it such a SLOW BURN. And, despite the premise it DID NOT have the CREEPY factor that I expected.

It took me much longer than usual to finish.

I liked the story-but I didn’t love it.

This book was an amazingly original and full of twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time! The character development of the protagonist was both eerily relatable and yet had you questioning her motives the entire time. I highly recommend this book if you love a good psychological thriller!

Stella is a brilliant, sensitive girl who has a hard time relating to her peers. Charlotte, Stella's mother, constantly worries about Stella's behavior but things take a dark turn when Stella's babysitter, Blanka, suddenly dies. Stella becomes a very normal kid and now Charlotte is concerned for very different reasons. Everyone around her is thrilled that Stella is finally acting like her peers, but Charlotte knows that something is very off with her child and she is not herself at all.

This one kept me on the edge of my seat. The suspense is so well done and I was really rooting for these characters. I loved the evolution of the mother-daughter relationships that unfolded between Charlotte and Stella, Charlotte and her own mother, and Blanka and her mother. They all look different but there are common threads of all mother-daughter relationships. Definitely a thriller worth reading this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the ARC of Clever Little Thing.

Being a mother is scary. A mother's instinct is a powerful thing, but often discounted. This is an tightly paced creepy novel that is a critique on motherhood/caretaking. Charlotte is a compelling character and Irina is quite interesting. I'm not going to say much more, because the ending is certainly surprising in several aspects.

"Charlotte’s daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behavior has alarmed her mother. Following the sudden death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But what’s unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka’s personality, from Blanka’s repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian.

Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, and depleted and sick with the pregnancy. She is convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella’s transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka somehow possessed Stella? Has Stella become Blanka? As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter. . . even though it’s soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlotte’s head."

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Viking/Pamela Dorman Books for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

I loved this tightly paced psychological thriller about a mom whose quirky young daughter begins behaving in alarming—possibly supernatural?—ways following the death of her babysitter. All the characters were so well developed, they felt real. Of a slightly speculative take on Baby Teeth or The Push sounds like your thing, I highly recommend checking this out!