The Child Upstairs

by Lucy Lawrie

She doesn’t realise that she ruined my life. Or that I’m about to ruin hers.

Steffi seems to have everything. She lives in a gorgeous house with her fiancé, Tom, his young daughter and their sweet little baby.

But she hasn’t told anyone about the unfortunate accidents that keep happening. That she’s terrified to go upstairs in her own house. Or that her old imaginary friend has come back, whispering instructions on how to look after the baby. And she can’t tell Tom that she’s struggling. Not after what happened to his first wife.

She’s starting to realise that people have been keeping secrets from her. That there’s something about her childhood that doesn’t add up. Something dark, lurking just beyond the reaches of her memory.

Poor Steffi doesn’t know who to trust any more.

She certainly shouldn’t trust me.

Escape into this gripping and emotional psychological thriller, with heart-stopping twists and an ending you won’t see coming.

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

I grew up in Edinburgh in a house overflowing with books, and I spent most of my childhood either reading or scribbling in mysterious notebooks.

After studying English literature at university, I returned to Edinburgh and worked as a commercial lawyer for several years, specialising in employment and pensions law. But it was motherhood that propelled me into writing, generating ideas that I wanted to explore through stories. I started writing my first novel, just to see what would happen, and then found it impossible to stop.
It took me a few years to work out what I was doing, but Tiny Acts of Love, the very same novel that I started as a new mum, has now been published! I'm now writing my second novel, when permitted by my two small daughters.

Reviews

[Lauren Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I’m a big fan of Lucy’s work and it did not disappoint. A really strong storyline that grips you from the start. Each character is written well and the story comes together perfectly. I didn’t find myself bored or skim reading one character to get to another which is always a good sign. Thoroughly enjoyed the ending too. Highly recommend.

[Alice - Books On the Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty story of childhood's that were torn apart in more ways than one. I was so incensed with anger at Tom. Wanting to shout at Steffi at times but having been in the same situation myself, I know how hard it is to recognise what's going on when you are deep into it. Caught so tight with what you fear losing and your desperate need to believe your relationship isn't what it looks like - defend it, deny the reality, but eventually realising and feeling it impossible to escape.

The ways that the three sisters pasts and presents are explored pulled me in - I wanted to not care about Angel but how could I not? She's a victim too and I was glad to see her pain explored also.

I was so worried for Tilly and where she would be in all this, more so than Edie, because Tilly wasn't related to Steffi.

Read it in about three days, so it definitely had me hooked. It has twists and truths from the past uncovered which is just what I like.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had so many twists and turns. Kept you thinking you had solved the story when it took another twist. Would definitely recommend this book.

[CeCeReads📚🎧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good plot and story behind it . I just feel like it dragged and was unnecessarily tong!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok read. I thought it was a little confusing trying to keep the characters straight in the story.

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing plot which involved a bit of guesswork on my part, rather than every twist being obvious. I did think that some of the reveals would have served the story better if they were presented in a different part of the story and that there was a lot of clunkiness in the revelations. It lacked cohesion in ways and I often wondered what the story was "about" because of the meandering structure of the storytelling. But I did like the wrap up where a bit more of the backstory of the characters, particularly Angel was displayed.

[ruth galliers bradshaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trigger warning. Animal deaths/animal cruelty.

Stopped reading this book due to the many examples of animal cruelty and death! If an author cannot find another way of introducing a character without resorting to animal death/cruelty then it’s a poor show! Trigger warning. Doesthedogdie.com for all types of triggers. Writers need to start thinking about triggers as their books are going to get listed on such triggers warning sites. Stop with the lazy writing already, it’s beneath you.

[Michael Duane Witt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too slow and had too much jumping back and forth.

Not often I find a book that I don’t finish reading. I could not follow any of the characters long enough to figure out the premise. After 70 pages , I still could not conjure up any empathy for anyone. In fact, by then I found every one of the characters completely annoying and returned the book to Kindle Unlimited. Just not for me.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

past and present collide

I thought this was a good read however the back and forth and the multiple family characters had me really thinking hard on how it all came together.

I would give the author huge kudos though as the book was good and I loved the way it ended. I will definitely read the mini sequel and any other book this author writes.

[Cheery Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this was a 2.5 star book. It was a bit slow and it took me a while to understand the different points of views but I did enjoy the ending.

It’s a great book for someone who enjoys this genre but if it not something you typically read maybe try a different book to get a feel for this genre first.

[Betty Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This is my first book by this author but it definitely won't be my last. The twists and turns kept me guessing and the differing perspectives really had me hooked from the first page. This story had it all and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of psychological suspense

[Danielle Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book! So many twists and turns. Told from the point of view of 3 sisters gave the story so much depth and seeing events happen from across all 3 points of view and come together was amazing. Loved it!

[Anne Chinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing!

I read this book in a day and a half! I couldn't seem to get anything else done because all I could think about is finishing the book!! It had a really suspenseful story! I loved it!

[Katelynn Welch · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF stopped at 70% book keeps dragging on and on. No end in sight. Male characters are terrible (I get thats the point but it's painful to read). Was going to stick it out just for the sake of not finishing it but I can't force myself to sit through 2 more hours when I've already wasted 6 🤧

[hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot and characters

Really enjoyed reading this book, characters are complex and interesting. I liked how people wernt seen and good v bad but a mixture of both.
Kept me wanting to see what happened to them next.

[Laura Kippax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. this was the best book I've read in so long!! A girl adopted and taken away from her sister, emotional abuse/cohesion, trying to be a good mum against all the odds, murder and gripping twists and turns throughout. couldn't put this down!!!

[Chanel Worthen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has potential but it was not my favorite. There were too many main characters and pov’s and the timeline changes were a bit too much. There were a lot of unnecessary filler chapters that made the story longer that it needed to be.

[Susan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lucy Lawrie’s books. I enjoy her style of writing. It kept me wanting to know the outcome all the way through

[Lorraine Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read good story

[Helen Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this author style - had me totally engrossed with great twists.

[Lorna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! Couldn’t put it down!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed book was gripping & a little confusing at times & I fill there was a missing part about steffi towards the end

[Wanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns

This book kept me entertained for hours… definitely a surprise around every corner. I was glad when things worked out for the main character!

[Sarah Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down and it had me hooked from the first page!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

child

If you like sadness and frustration, this is the book for you. Read it in one sitting. Ending was pretty good but the last few pages were not realistic.
Lots of drama.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book
I should have stopped at chapter
four. Could not follow.

[Kimberley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating and suspenseful experience. Full of surprises and twists as family history unravels and psychological issues emerge. Keeps one guessing!

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

It was a little confusing at 1st with the different perspectives & time frames. Interesting, but I wasn't sure who was who. In the end it was all explained though

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a story of life in many home, sad as it is, but written so beautifully that you just keep reading to see where it goes next!

I give it 10+ stars!

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really quite good.

Although the plot seemed to ramble and jump about without reason for the first half of the book, it all came together nicely in its conclusion. Worth reading.