Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a shocking message scored into a skirting board:
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John Marrs delivers a gripping psychological thriller that transforms a couple’s dream renovation into a nightmare. When Mia and Finn discover their fixer-upper was once a murder house—with evidence still hidden in the attic—their excitement turns to dread. The timing couldn’t be worse: Mia’s pregnant, and the horrifying discovery sends her spiraling into obsession just as their baby arrives.

What makes this novel stand out is how Marrs weaves domestic suspense with the vulnerability of new parenthood. The house itself becomes a character, its walls holding secrets that refuse to stay buried. As Mia digs deeper into the property’s dark history, she realizes the danger isn’t just in the past. The previous tenants’ secrets threaten her family’s safety, forcing her into a desperate race to protect her newborn while uncovering the truth.

Who Is This For?

This book is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who love stories where homes harbor sinister pasts. If you enjoyed The Woman in the Window or The Silent Patient, you’ll appreciate Marrs’ ability to build tension through domestic settings. It’s ideal for readers who want page-turning suspense that explores how far a parent will go to protect their child. The pregnancy and new baby elements add emotional weight that elevates this beyond standard thriller fare, making it especially compelling for readers who appreciate character-driven suspense.

Bottom Line

John Marrs crafts a taut thriller that keeps you guessing until the final pages. The combination of home renovation gone wrong, buried crimes, and new parenthood creates a uniquely unsettling atmosphere. While the premise might sound familiar, Marrs’ execution and the mounting tension as past and present collide make this a standout in the domestic thriller genre. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up late turning pages—and maybe make you think twice about that fixer-upper—this delivers.

  • In this thrilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couples house hides terrible secretsand not all of them are confined to the past.
  • Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a shocking message scored into a skirting board:
  • I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC
  • . Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their home was once a real-life murder house, with the evidence still concealed within the four walls.
  • In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia cant shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Tormented by the terrible things she saw, she is desperate to dig into the past to find answers.
  • Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her familybut will the previous tenants stop her from discovering their secret?
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