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!

If you are a fan of The Push or Defending Jacob this book is right up your alley. The author sets the stage for the reader to wonder what really is going on with this scenario, with this child. The plot sounds fast paced but the writing was very literate in nature that gave it more of a slow burn feel. This made it a slower read for me, but I do believe others are going to enjoy it. I liked it but I think I could have loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙀𝙘𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙣 is an unsettling and gripping psychological thriller that explores the boundaries of maternal fear, obsession, and the supernatural. The story follows Charlotte, a pregnant mother whose life takes a terrifying turn when her daughter, Stella, begins to eerily mimic the behaviors of their recently deceased babysitter, Blanka. What starts as small, strange coincidences escalates into a chilling exploration of whether grief, guilt, or something more sinister is at play.

What sets this book apart is Echlin’s ability to tap into primal fears with razor-sharp precision. Charlotte’s growing dread is palpable, and as a reader, you can’t help but feel every ounce of her confusion, anxiety, and desperation. The setting, woven with haunting imagery, heightens the tension, keeping you on edge as the mystery unfolds.

The pacing is sharp, and the twists—while deeply unsettling—feel earned. As the story builds toward its jaw-dropping conclusion, Echlin masterfully blurs the line between love and possession, leaving you questioning how far a mother’s instincts can take her when faced with the unexplainable.
This was a creepy slow burn that I binge read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin is a wonderful debut.
A thrilling and unputdownable novel.
I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. Truly gripping, I had to read it in one sitting.

Normally books with themes involving possession aren't my thing, but I knew, right from reading the early synopsis of Clever Little Thing, that I would love it. It just felt like my kind of creepy, and it exceeded all my expectations. I flip-flopped back and forth so many times on which character was "the villain", which gave Helena Echlin's first psychological thriller a must-know aspect. There's so much to think about with this book that I think it would be a fantastic book club choice.

I actually really enjoyed this read. Kept me quite engaged the whole time. Threw me a couple times with things I didn’t see coming. Really captures the inner dialogue of a mother which being one myself I could really relate to everything the main character was going through.

Let me start out by saying this book is definitely NOT going to be for everyone. There are lots of trigger warnings for sensitive readers to consider before picking this one up: miscarriage, mental health, suicide, dysfunctional families, infidelity, sexual victimization, supernatural events, & developmental disability. I know that’s quite a list, but honestly I think there may be others I’m failing to recall. I am not a sensitive reader and am open to all kinds of plot lines, even ones that veer far from path of contemporary norms. I think this one does just that and I was here for it!

Clever Little Thing doesn’t neatly fit into one genre; it exhibits dark literary elements and contains features of a psychological thriller and a supernatural suspense. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I think it’s best to go into this one blind like I did— unless you’re a sensitive reader, then be sure to check out those content warnings above.

I read and listened to Clever Little Thing and enjoyed both formats. The narrator has a very tranquil voice and does well with the different character voices and accents (British, American, & Russian).

If you’re looking for a creepy, unique plot that will keep you engaged throughout, definitely consider picking this one up!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🥣 Mix of genres
🎙️ Unreliable narrator
⚰️ Supernatural
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family dynamics
🫣 Unsettling & creepy
🔀 Alternating timelines
🛝 The Push by Ashley Audrain

Such a creepy read! Helena Echlin truly had me questioning myself! Is Charlotte telling the truth, or is she confused? Is Pete just a loving, supportive husband who's worried about his daughter's well-being, or is there something more sinister going on?

I love how the story takes place over a short-period of time. The reader is thrown right into the middle of Charlotte's breakdown. We figure things out alongside a mother who knows something is off with her daughter, but no one will listen to her. The subject matter is serious, and the storytelling is riveting. Clever Little Thing is nothing short of a clever little story!

Read this if you like books with:
- ND rep
- mother daughter relationships
- struggles of motherhood
- psychological elements

I read about 10% and just couldn't get into it. It was not as propulsive as I was hoping for. I found myself not wanting to pick it back up, and after talking to a few other trusted reviewers, I don't think this one is for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Viking/Pamela Dorman Books and the author for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions below are my own.

Charlotte's precocious 8yo daughter, Stella, has always been different from her peers. She would rather dissect a dead seagull or read a history book than play with dolls or have a playdate. After the abrupt death of her babysitter, Stella's behavior shifts - she becomes more agreeable and starts to blend in socially. She also starts mimicking the mannerisms of her late babysitter. Is it a trauma response? Is she simply maturing? Or could it be something more sinister? Charlotte will stop at nothing to find out the truth.

I love a book with an unreliable narrator and a "creepy kid" is the cherry on top. The social commentary about classism/privilege was well done and it shined a light on some of the hardships of raising a neurodivergent child.

Unfortunately, I found Charlotte to be quite an insufferable character. I had a difficult time empathizing with her, which made me feel detached and not as emotionally invested in her fate. After reading The Push and Baby Teeth previously, I felt this book, while decent, did not offer anything new to the genre or stick with me in the same haunting manner. I found the "twist" at the end was also predictable and a bit overdone for thrillers of this nature.

I would recommend this book if you like slow-burn psychological thrillers with a dash of paranormal, particularly if you are new to the genre. As always, beware of trigger warnings.

I've been fascinated with thrillers focusing on motherhood, and this one's a definite YES for me. It's a taut, well-written book that I was engrossed in. It's been a while since I got this lost in a book.

You start to doubt Charlotte and wonder whether she's losing it and, you don't know what to believe. Not to give anything away, but I liked how motherhood is portrayed especially the notion that most moms are doing their best even if it may not seem like it.

This is one of those books that are better if you go into it blind. I highly recommend it to all fans of thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Group for the e-copy!

4.5/5

3.75* This is a fun thriller that kept me on edge. The commentary on motherhood is refreshing and then ending is *chef's kiss*. This is a great read for when you are looking for a fast-paced, quick read with a good message.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pamela Dorman Books for a copy. This book is out today!

I am not quite sure how I would describe this book. It is not a straightforward psychological thriller as it is billed; rather it is much more. It is a story about pregnancy, motherhood, neurodivergent children, and trauma with a horror element.

The story moved at a fast pace and as I read it, I wasn’t sure if the narrator was having postpartum depression or if things really weren’t what they seemed. There were some twists and turns leading to an unexpected, jaw-dropping twist near the end that left me with a “could it be???” question, I concur with the comparisons some reviewers have made of this book and The Push.

This was an intriguing, unique, unnerving story which I thought was quite well done.

Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.