Nightmare Stairs

by Robert Swindells

Every night Kirsty wakes up screaming. Every night she has the same terrible nightmare—of falling downstairs. But does she fall? Or is she pushed? Then Kirsty discovers that her grandma died falling down stairs and she begins to wonder. Is the dream hinting at a dark secret in her family? She has to know the truth. But tracking a murderer is a dangerous game, and as she delves into the past, Kirsty uncovers a secret more terrible than anything she can imagine.

Genres: Thriller, Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Robert Swindells was born in Bradford in 1939, the eldest of five children. He left the local Secondary Modern School at fifteen to work as a copy holder on the local newspaper. At seventeen he enlisted in the RAF and served for three years, two in Germany. On being discharged he worked as a clerk, engineer and printer until 1969 when he entered college to train as a teacher having obtained five 'O' levels at night-school. His first book 'When Darkness Comes' was written as a college thesis and published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1972. In 1980 he gave up teaching to write full time. He likes travelling and visits many schools each year, talking and reading stories to children. He is the secutatry of his local Peace Movement group. Brother in the Land is his first book for Oxford University Press. He is married with two grown-up daughters and lives in Bradford.

Author description taken from Brother in the Land.

Reviews

[Cloud Emely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just felt the ending was a total let down. Great concept; however, considering how much random nonsense we had to endure during the middle section of the book, I would have liked a better ending.

Nostalgic ideas - because of when it was written - but not a great read.

A year 5 girl had read the book and said it was only ok, I said I would give it a go - wish I hadn’t bothered really.

[Bibliotekstanten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den här gången har jag läst Trappan av Robert Swindells. Han är en av Englands mest populära författare, och det finns det en anledning till. Hans nyare böcker handlar ofta om konsekvenser av brottslighet, exempelvis det excellenta Skyddad identitet där huvudpersonens bror våldtagit och mördat flera unga kvinnor. Familjen blir så trakasserad efter avslöjandet att de får gå under jord. Illa nog kan man tycka men huvudpersonen oroar sig dessutom för att vara lik sin bror.

Nåväl, Trappan är ett tidigare verk. Det märks. Kapitlen är med få undantag två sidor och det går mycket raskt framåt. Huvudpersonen, Kirsty, har i hela livet drömt en mardröm om att bli knuffad utför en trapp. Vid 13-års ålder börjar hon undersöka om hennes dröm inte är en sanndröm. Hennes mormor dog nämligen efter att ha "ramlat" utför en trappa.

Jag gillade den och den kommer att bli mycket bra att ha med sig på bokprat. Jag irriterar mig dock enorm på en klaffmiss.

"Jag heter Kirsty. Kirsty Miller. Jag är tretton år. Jag har en bror som heter Joe och pluggar på universitet."

"Min mammas mamma - hetter Elizabeth. Hon dog tio månader innan jag föddes."

På dödsdagen av mormodern går Kirstys mamma dit för att hälsa på.

"Hon gick dit med med lille Joe i en bärsele."

Alltså, Kirstys äldre bror som går på universitet när hon är tretton år, är liten nog för att gå ner i en bärsele tio månader innan Kirsty föds. Skitdetalj i det stora hela, men oj så den sticker i ögonen på mig!!

Minus det, Väl Godkänd!

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Robert Swindells. Since then I fell in love with the books.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that hooked me into reading, and I cannot thank Robert Swindells enough for this wonderful book.

[Linzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

since this book is almost thirty years old and written for the younger reader I wasn't expecting much, but I pretty much sat and read it in one sitting! It all unfolds through the POV of our main character, thirteen year old Kirsty, who thinks she has stumbled across a dark family secret. I thought she was a great character and was quite funny at times. She was always up to something throughout the whole book so I actually felt quite hooked reading along. The ending was good, although it did feel a little rushed, but it is written for kids so I don't want to be harsh about it. I think it was be a great book for kids 9+ as it's a very easy, quick, mystery read, but it's also an enjoyable read for adults.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgia!! This reminds me of being ~10 again, sick with fever staying home from school. I remember my mother calling me to eat food/rest and me not being able to put it down. I've been searching for this book for ages since it is the one that really got me into and enjoying reading followed by the Kitty Drew and The Famous Five books. Finally remembered the title and wanted to honour it. :)

[Sheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After listening to an engaging Y7 girl tell me about this book, and seeing her face come alive, I decided I had to get a piece of the action. My report back to her was "I LOVED it, couldn't put it down." ... "Yeah! I know, me too," she replied. Find it and read it if your dare.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was in primary school I was obsessed with this book, 14 years later I reread it as a treat for myself.

That twist at the end? so good. Getting to relive the shock 11 year old me got to experience again (as I had completely forgotten most of the plot) was amazing.

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw through this one quite quickly, it was still good though.

[SHANE ELLIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Brilliantly written.

[Kyrelle Nebres · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot twist was amazing!!

[Joseph A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshingly aware of itself and humble in its storytelling, this simple tale was a lot of fun to read through in one day.

[erin :)) · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was gripping and thrilling cos of the concept but the end didn’t live up to the suspense in the storyline ngl :(

[Gemma]

Ah, nostalgia.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

something in my brain was rewired when i read this book

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

jesus that twist!

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read Nightmare Stairs because of the title and the front cover which made me think it was a horror.
A scene that i liked was the dream scene. In this scene the main character, Kirsty has a dream about her grandmother that died before Kirsty was born, in the dream she watches someone push her elderly grandmother down the stairs then kill her. Kirsty then wakes up and wants to find out more about her dream.
My favourite quote was when Kirstys mother said "Kirsty, how could you possibly know if noone has told you about your grandmother, and you werent even born at the time?" I like this quote because its very interesting how Kirsty knows just because of a dream and it creates a lot of confusion and mystery around the plot. It made me think about all the mysteries yet to be solved in life.

[Srinidhi.R Srinidhi.R · Rating 4 out of 5]

like the single twist at the end of the book..easy read..

[Wolf Draven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moje recenze: http://wolfdraven.eu/nightmare-stairs...

[Saša Varjohukka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*
Quick read.

[shanice Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was soooooooo interesting that i couldnt stop reading for just a second!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the telling of this supernatural tale.

[Nipun]

i kie it