I loved this! Definitely for fans of psychological thrillers - reminded me a lot of Ashley Audrain books. Echlin did such a great job at convincing me that the outcome could go in so many ways, so I was truly surprised by the ending and the final twist. I never fully trusted any of the characters, but that made for an interesting story experience from start to finish. Would absolutely recommend!

This is a well written psychological thriller that I think some of my students will really. They are fond of disturbing reads, horror and supernatural. The subject matter, primarily the relationship between a mother and her young daughter might be of less interest to them.

This novel is hauntingly beautiful mom noir. As gentle caregivers, moms know that if allowed a safe space, we will all evolve and softly unfold like a new flower in spring. There are so many intense emotions that well up in a mother’s hormone-rich body . . . copious amounts of joy, love, guilt, fear . . . at times these emotions can come in waves large enough to knock us down at our weakest and leave us feeling helpless. Being a mom can also be frightening . . . am I doing this right? Is my child going to be okay or am I completely wrecking this perfect little human? Moms can become their own harshest critics, often placing unrealistic expectations on themselves . . . striving for perfection, and occasionally pushing their nerves and bodies to the absolute limits. Could those same powerful hormones meant to create new life and flood us with love and energy, that which bind us, also become rancid in the brain and conspire to drive us mad? These are the thoughts that begin to swirl around Charlotte as she navigates motherhood of a neurodiverse daughter, Stella, and fears that seem to be growing faster than the second child in her pregnant belly. Disturbed by the major personality changes witnessed in Stella . . . Is Charlotte acting from a deep-seated intuition or the paranoid obsession that her husband suggests?

I highly recommend this read for those who like complex human experiences and a touch of the supernatural. The first half may have you scratching your head in confusion, but the second half pulls it all together with crystal clarity.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Clever Little Thing for my unbiased evaluation.  5 stars

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin opens with Charlotte in what seems to be some sort of sparkly asylum after giving birth to her baby. It’s immediately obvious that she doesn’t want to be there, and you find yourself wondering why she’s even there in the first place. That’s when the real story starts. The following chapter is a flashback to a playdate with Charlotte, her daughter Stella and some friends, where Stella exhibits some strange behavior. The story continues highlighting Stella’s often challenging behavior and the changes that ensue after the death of her babysitter, Blanka. Charlotte starts to unravel as she watches her daughter change before her eyes, and there starts her quest to get to the bottom of what’s really going on, even if everyone else starts to think she’s crazy.

I don’t really read books in this genre, but I was intrigued by the premise and decided to try something new. I’m so glad I did! I thought this would be your typical take on “The Bad Seed” - a child acting out and doing disturbing things, but it was such a unique concept. All of the characters were developed so well and you start to feel like you’re part of the story (like a fly on the wall) after a while. As a mother myself, I really felt for Charlotte and wanted her to triumph so badly as everyone around her was starting to turn on her.

I also really enjoyed the supernatural aspect of this book! It really gave an eerie and sometimes unnerving vibe that had me wanting more and more. I really couldn’t put it down! I didn’t really see the twist coming at the end either. Normally, I can predict twists fairly easily, but this story kept me guessing up until the very end!

Thank you NetGalley and Pamela Dorman books for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. It’s so fun to try new things sometimes and I’m happy I did. I highly recommend this book!

Perfectly creepy to start Fall thrillers! Possessed children and haunted secrets are just what I was looking for. While there was a bit of naivety and long drawn out conclusions, I did enjoy this read!

Thank you for the ARC !
This book was amazing ! I couldn’t put it down at all . I was definitely surprised at the ending and the different twists . The characters and story were easy to follow . Definitely 5 stars !

This is the best psychological thriller I’ve read this year! It kept me engaged, intrigued and I wasn’t able to guess what would happen next. 10/10

This was quite the psychological thriller!!! It kept me interested and I had no idea where this was going which I love when that happens!

If you love books like “The Push” and “Baby teeth” this one’s for you!! When Charlottes daughter changes drastically overnight after her longtime babysitter quits, Charlotte cannot accept that all these changes are for the good of her daughter. What has happened to Stella and is Charlotte going crazy?

This book was definitely a page turner for me. You never quite know what’s going on but it’s so intriguing that you keep relentlessly turning the pages. This book will make you question everything until the very last page!

If you loved the Push you'll love this one! I normally steer clear of paranormal but this strangely worked for me. Twisty and page turning throughout!

This is a slow paced psychological thriller. I enjoyed it once it picked up and got really strange. Has a unique premise that won’t be soon forgotten.

Helena Echlin’s Clever Little Thing delivers a taut, psychological thriller that deftly blends elements of "mom-noir" with supernatural suspense. The novel captures the creeping terror of a mother’s increasing paranoia as she watches her daughter’s sudden and disturbing transformation following a traumatic event. Clever Little Thing is a page-turner that plays on the anxieties of motherhood, making it both unsettling and thought-provoking.

The story centers on Charlotte, a mother already stretched thin by her challenging daughter, Stella, and a draining second pregnancy. After the unexpected death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, something terrifying begins to unfold. Once a rebellious, anti-social child, Stella inexplicably becomes calm and compliant—but there’s more to her new behavior than meets the eye. The disturbing shift in Stella’s personality doesn’t feel like a simple case of grief or trauma; instead, she begins to mimic Blanka, right down to her phrases, accent, and even Blanka’s cravings for meat stew—despite being raised vegetarian.

The novel’s slow-burn tension is masterfully handled by Echlin. Charlotte’s increasing obsession with the idea that her daughter has somehow been possessed by Blanka drives the plot forward, and the ambiguity of the situation keeps readers guessing. Is Charlotte imagining things? Is Stella truly being influenced by something otherworldly, or is there a rational explanation for the changes? These questions form the spine of the narrative, keeping readers engaged and creating an atmosphere of pervasive dread.

Charlotte’s perspective is the driving force of the novel, and Echlin does an excellent job of portraying her as a deeply flawed but sympathetic character. Charlotte’s maternal instincts scream that something is wrong with her daughter, but her exhaustion from pregnancy and the skepticism of her husband, Luke, make her question her own sanity. The tension between Charlotte and Luke adds another layer to the story, as his disbelief in her fears creates a sense of isolation for Charlotte, leaving her alone in her quest to "save" Stella.

Echlin’s writing shines in her ability to blur the lines between psychological thriller and supernatural horror. There’s an ever-present sense of ambiguity—has Stella been possessed by Blanka’s spirit, or is Charlotte’s fear of losing control over her child making her see things that aren’t there? This uncertainty adds to the novel’s haunting quality, and readers are left wondering what’s real and what’s imagined until the very end.

The novel also explores broader themes, particularly around motherhood and the caretaking industry. Charlotte’s role as a mother is scrutinized—she’s trying to protect Stella, but her methods, particularly in the eyes of her husband and the outside world, appear irrational. This theme of maternal instinct versus societal expectations is well-explored, making Charlotte’s character even more compelling. The critique of the caretaking industry, particularly the complex and often underappreciated role of nannies and babysitters, adds another dimension to the story, giving it more depth beyond its psychological thrills.

Where the novel stumbles slightly is in its pacing. While the slow buildup of tension is effective in the first half, the middle section drags a little as Charlotte’s obsession with Stella’s behavior begins to feel repetitive. Additionally, while the supernatural elements are unsettling, some readers may feel the resolution leaves too many questions unanswered. The ambiguity that works so well in building tension can feel frustrating by the end, especially for readers hoping for a more definitive explanation.

Final Thoughts:
Cleaver Little Thing is a chilling, suspenseful exploration of motherhood, obsession, and the fine line between rationality and paranoia. Helena Echlin expertly blends psychological tension with supernatural undertones, creating a story that will haunt readers long after they’ve turned the last page. While the pacing stumbles at times and the resolution may leave some readers craving more answers, the novel’s eerie atmosphere and well-drawn characters make it a gripping 4-star read for fans of psychological thrillers with a hint of the supernatural.

Charlotte spends all of her time trying to avoid meltdowns by her precocious daughter Stella. Her husband Pete works a lot, and Charlotte carries most of the child rearing responsibilities. When their nanny,Blanka quits with no notice, Stella seems to change overnight.
The changes well according to Charlotte, they are not good. Stella may be acting more her own age, but to Charlotte, she has lost what made her special. Is Charlotte the problem? She is pregnant and there is just too much stress weighing her down.
Pete is thrilled that Stella seems to be acting more ‘normal’. Which parent is seeing the truth? How could Charlotte believe that Blanka lives on Stella?
I figured some of this story out, but did not have a clue about what happened in the end. Kudos to the author for not only keeping me guessing, but also adding so many twists and turns that I was never quite sure if my guesses were correct. I will not say more and risk venturing into spoiler territory. I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on.

This is a somewhat disturbing story about Charlotte, the mother of Stella and pregnant with Luna. Stella's beloved nanny, Blanka, leaves their employ suddenly and dies a short time later. Stella's personality, difficult throughout her life, starts to change dramatically after Blanka dies. Blank's spirit seems to be sticking around their household. Or is Charlotte, sick from pregnancy, somehow mistaken? This story will keep you guessing while shedding light on the power of a mother's instinct and the difficulties of navigating motherhood and a difficult child. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader's copy.

Helena Echlin's Clever Little Thing is a taut psychological thriller that delves into the dark complexities of motherhood, mental health, and the supernatural. The story follows Charlotte, a mother who becomes increasingly alarmed after her daughter Stella undergoes a dramatic change in behavior following the sudden death of their babysitter, Blanka. Stella begins to mirror Blanka’s personality in eerie ways—from her speech patterns to her dietary preferences, which raises the unsettling question: has her daughter been possessed?

Echlin weaves a tense narrative that explores the blurred lines between maternal instinct, psychological disturbance, and the possibility of a supernatural explanation. Charlotte's pregnancy adds another layer of vulnerability as she struggles to convince her husband and those around her that something sinister is happening, while they dismiss her concerns as delusions.

What sets Clever Little Thing apart is its chilling atmosphere and tight pacing, reminiscent of the creeping dread found in novels like The Push by Ashley Audrain. The book is a critique of the caretaking industry and the pressures mothers face in modern society, but it also keeps readers on edge with its supernatural undertones and unreliable narration. Echlin’s ability to maintain this balance makes for a captivating and haunting read​.

I LOVE ME A GOOD PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER!!

although this was a tad bit predictable, but Helena Echlin still did a wonderful job catching the essence of a psychological thriller with a sprinkle of paranormal. it kept me on my toes throughout!

thankyou netgalley for the advance readers copy. all opinions are my own!

Excellent psychological thriller/mystery with a bit of paranormal thrown in. I couldn't put this one down. I didn't know how it was going to end!
Well written perspective from a mother struggling with anxiety/paranoia/post partum. She KNOWS something isn't right with her kid and fights like hell to figure it out.
Unsettling and addicting!

Thank you netgalley for advance copy! This book gives “the push” or “the perfect child” vibes but I thought it was better. Ending was excellent! Somewhat predictable but satisfying.

I generally enjoy the "mom noir" genre, such as "The Whispers" and "The Push," which are definitely favorites. I would consider this title to be firmly in that genre. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The somewhat sinister undertones were enjoyable, with the promise of a twist at the end. The "twist" wasn't quite as earthshattering as I'd hoped, but still satisfying. The characters were well-defined. All in all, a title I will recommend, especially for patrons requesting book club titles that will encourage discussion.

Clever Little Thing is a deeply unsettling novel about a prenatal mother. It raises questions about the way we view mothers, hormones, and their mental health.

Stella is a precocious and highly intelligent little girl who also struggles with sensory issues and getting along with her peers. Despite these struggles her mother vehemently rejects suggestions that she be evaluated, embracing her idiosyncrasies. Then, almost overnight, Stella begins to change. Is she simply maturing? Traumatized by the recent departure of her babysitter? Or is something more supernatural at work…

I rate this book 4 stars. I was slightly disappointed with the very end. It felt like it was trying to create further tensions and questions in a way that I found unnecessary. It was a quick read and very enjoyable while keeping me guessing.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.