The Room in the Attic

by T.M. Logan

IT WAS EVERYTHING THEY WANTED. AND MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR . . . 

Adam and Jess move into a new house—a rambling Victorian villa at the very top of their price range—with their three young children. Before long Adam discovers a door hidden behind a fitted wardrobe, concealing a secret room . . .

Inside Adam discovers a collection of forgotten a wallet, an expensive watch and an old mobile phone. Jess thinks they should simply throw them away. But Adam resists. He is fascinated by these items and how they came to be inside the hidden room.

But like the house, Adam has his secrets too. And soon he will find himself setting in motion a series of events that will place his family in terrible danger . . .

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 20, 2026

About the author

Tim’s thrillers have sold more than three million copies in the UK and are published in translation in 22 other countries including Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Greece, South Korea, Romania and the Netherlands.

His 2025 novel, THE DAUGHTER, opens as Lauren arrives to pick up her daughter from university at the end of her first term – only to find a stranger answering the door. Evie’s not there, has not been there for weeks, in fact she's vanished without trace. With her young son in tow, Lauren sets off on a desperate search into the dark heart of London to find Evie before she’s lost forever…

His previous novel, THE DREAM HOME, is about a family who move into a rambling Victorian house hoping it will be their 'forever home'. But it's not long before they start to uncover secrets contained within those walls, including a hidden room on the top floor. And by the time they realise the past is better left buried, it's already too late...

THE HOLIDAY was a Richard & Judy Book Club pick and spent ten weeks in the Sunday Times paperback top ten. It has since won a Nielsen Bestseller Award and been made into a four-part TV drama starring Jill Halfpenny (currently available on Netflix UK).

THE CATCH, about a father convinced his daughter is about to marry a man with terrible secrets, has also been made into a TV drama starring Jason Watkins, Poppy Gilbert, Aneurin Barnard and Cathy Belton (also on Netflix UK).

His other books are THE MOTHER, THE CURFEW, TRUST ME, LIES and 29 SECONDS.

Tim was born in Berkshire and studied in London and Cardiff before becoming a national newspaper journalist. He lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife and two children, and writes in a cabin in the corner of his garden.

For exclusive writing and new releases from TM Logan, sign up to the Readers’ Club: www.bit.ly/TMLogan.

Reviews

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new home…a new beginning.

Adam and Jess recently moved their family into what they hoped would be their dream home. A place to make their own and create new memories.

But things don’t go as planned right from the start. (They rarely do)

Adam discovers a hidden room with a dresser containing several strange and seemingly meaningless objects. And someone desperately wants them back and will stop at nothing to get them!
Does he hand them over? Or is it a case of finders keepers…isn’t the old saying ‘possession is 9/10 of the law’💁🏻‍♀️

This was a fun thriller that kept me guessing throughout. And kudos to the author!. I had it wrong the whole time. Love that! T.M. Logan always writes fun domestic thrillers that will get your heart pumping! This is no exception!

News to me:
This was a rerelease of The Dream Home, (which I didn’t realize when I received my digital copy). And though I had recently purchased a paperback copy of The Dream Home I hadn’t had a chance to read it. So now I am lucky enough to own two copies of this book…each with a unique title!

✍️ T. M. Logan
📄 416 pages
🗓️ January 20 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing

[Nikki Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to @grandcentralpub #partner and @tmloganauthor for the #gifted copy!

Adam and Jess just got a new giant home twice the size of the old one. When he moves his wife in kids, he discovers a tiny secret room upstairs. What he finds is a collection of seven items that were left in an old dresser. With the house being so old, which previous owner do they belong to? And why these specific items?

The book started as a slow burn, and after about 100 pages, it became an extremely intricate story. Adam is seriously OBSESSED with finding out the truth. He goes to great insane lengths that soon, put his family in great danger. This is all I can tell you without spoilers.

@tmloganauthor is a fantastic writer! I can’t believe I’m just now reading him. His character development is excellent and he’s brilliant at writing a compelling story! I highly recommend you pre-order your copy! Thriller fans, don’t miss out!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date - 1/20/26

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays)]

Previously published as The Dream Home

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Adam and Jess move into a Victorian fixer upper with their children they never anticipated what comes within the walls of it. When Adam uncovers a hidden room, what he finds inside could change everything they thought about the home and their safety. Wow, this is a paging turning thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to be discovered next. I definitely recommend going in blind and trying to figure out the clues yourself. This would make a brilliant movie! Told in multiple POV until it all peaces together like a puzzle. Get ready for what lies behind the doors.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam and Jess move into a fixer upper, a house a little above their means but with a lot of potential. Adam discovers a hidden room shortly after they move in and concealed inside a wardrobe are several random items, including an old cell phone. Jess wants to throw them away, but Adam is intent on figuring out whose they were... and that starts off a chain reaction, including someone wanting all the items back. Unfortunately, Adam sold one of the items and found the owner of another, so giving them all back isn't an option. Then the threats start coming. But Adam can't reveal to Jess what's been happening because he has his own secrets... so he starts trying to figure out how to rectify the situation himself, putting his family in danger.

It's another game of cat and mouse as Adam tries to figure out how to deal with the situation on his own. There are a lot of red herring in this one, so be prepared for the surprise, twisted reveal. This book flowed really well, keeping the pace fast and the reveal suspenseful until the very end.

*Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review*

[Jeanie ~ MyFairytaleLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feeling on this novel. The atmosphere is well done and the sense of doom starts at the beginning. I’m honestly not a big fan of the citizens gone rogue plot and this one is very much that. With so many characters and some timeline changes it felt a little too ambitious. The actual ending to the story was well plotted, it just took too long to get there.

[Sandy E23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise that never fully delivered, mainly because the villain didn’t feel convincing to me. I thought the dual timelines were helpful though they were occasionally confusing, and the writing felt just okay. At first, I worried this was going to be a paranormal ghost story, but I am happy to say it was not. I kept waiting for a jaw-dropping twist, but it never came. I didn’t really like it and for me it's not a memorable book, but it's ok enough to recommend for a weekend binge read.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a family moves into a new house, a hidden room with strange items is found.
Wanting to find out where they came from leads to dangerous and deadly answers.

This quickly hooked me and kept my attention as I continued to try to figure out “whodunit” - and as with other books by the author, I was shocked and didn’t see the end coming!

Thank you NetGalley, TM Logan, and Grand Central Publishing for the chance to read this in return for a review ahead of the proposed January 20th, 2026 release date!

[Rebecca]

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for access to this ARC

[Kerry Pechon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come upon release

[Pattyh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Room in the Attic. Logan is a master suspense writer. He creates scenarios for the reader like throwing breadcrumbs to follow.
In this novel, a family moves into an old home where they find objects in the attic that are strange in so many ways.
Logan weaves the plot intricately with suspenseful ambiance.
This is a very good read and won’t disappoint.
4 stars

[Dogsandbooksanddogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Room in the Attic originally released under the title The Dream Home.

This one had me with the description of the hidden room in the attic. Claustrophobic chills crept up the back of my neck and lingered throughout the story. I kept waiting for that room to be put into use - again.

Adam and Jess have found their dream house which quickly turns into a nightmare. Adam, an inquisitive guy, stumbles across a hidden room which contains a variety of items. Always looking for answers, Adam tries to decipher to whom these items belong. Not heeding his wife's suggestion of just moving on with the settling in, Adam opens a pandora's box that quickly become dark and threatening to the whole family.

Chapters trade off from Adam and the current time frame to the possible owners of the items found by Adam or even the anonymous villain which was a great device in this story. Lots of characters represent the innocent and the evil doers. Bumps in the night in the new home, voices, missing animals, creepy house and yard maintenance people keep the anxiety up on what might happen.

I would have loved a bit more time with characters in that attic room but overall, a thrilling read.

[Kris Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Adam and Jess move into a sprawling Victorian in a very nice part of town, they think it's going to be the start of their dream life... unfortunately, when Adam is laid off right before moving in, he's left with a lot of time to explore the house. When he finds a hidden room with a dresser and a handful of miscellaneous items left behind by the previous owner, he has no idea that he's about to have a problem much bigger than losing his job.

I really enjoyed this one!! Most time there's a creepy old house there's a creepy old ghost, too, and I really liked that this one took a totally different approach. You still get some of the creepy old house vibes but with a more sinister problem. I liked the setup and how this normal family accidentally found their way into a hugely dangerous mess. I liked how there were a number of suspicious characters and being new to the neighborhood Jess & Adam don't know who to trust or where to get help. I also just loved the pacing; the story grabs you from the beginning and really holds your attention, once I started it I finished it in two days despite working full time on both.

Highly recommended for anyone who likes a good mystery!!

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, twisty domestic thriller that will make you side-eye every closed door in your house…
When Adam and Jess move their family into a gorgeous but slightly too perfect Victorian villa, they think they’ve found their forever home. Then Adam discovers a hidden door—sealed behind a wardrobe like a secret meant to stay buried. Inside? A wallet. A luxury watch. An old phone. And a feeling that someone’s story ended abruptly within those walls.
Jess wants the mystery tossed in the trash. Adam can’t let it go. And that obsession becomes the spark that lights a terrifying chain reaction.
This book is deliciously unsettling—an exploration of secrets we hide, secrets we inherit, and the ones that refuse to stay buried. The tension builds like a slow-creeping shadow, tightening around the family until you feel physically unable to look away.
If you love thrillers that turn ordinary homes into claustrophobic nightmares—and protagonists whose curiosity becomes their downfall—this one will have you reading with the lights on.
Creepy. Addictive. Unputdownable. Perfect for fans of hidden rooms, haunted pasts, and domestic suspense with a razor edge.

[Adele Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Room In The Attic is one of the most exciting thrillers this reviewer has read in years. The writing is excellent, the pacing is perfect, and the lead characters are practically three-dimensional. Author T.M. Logan offers readers a propulsive story that's almost impossible to put down. The modern gothic setting of a new family in a weathered estate creates an instant hook.

The protagonist, Adam, is a likeable guy and a dedicated family man. When he discovers a hidden room inside the mansion, a series of events turns an innocent discovery into a dangerous trap. The suspense builds when menacing strangers force Adam to protect his family from those who wish them harm.

Don't miss this book! Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, T.M. Logan, and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of The Room in the Attic in exchange for an honest review.

When Adam and Jess move into their new home, they discover a hidden room in the attic containing a few mysterious valuables — valuables that may turn out to be the difference between life and death. From there, the story takes off in directions I definitely didn’t expect.

I’ll be honest: I got a little lost at times, especially early on. The beginning was slow, and it took longer than I would’ve liked for the tension to really kick in. However, once the plot finally found its footing, things became much more engaging.

I didn’t guess the ending, which always earns points from me, and the final stretch definitely made up for some of the slower pacing earlier in the book. Overall, this was a solid thriller with a strong concept, even if the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential for me.

I enjoyed it, and I’m glad I stuck with it — I just wish it had gotten to the good stuff a little sooner.

[Cindy Bokma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up very late to finish this novel! I rarely give out five stars, but for this, I had to! At first, I worried this was going to be some paranormal book with ghosts, and I was not feeling it, but I am happy to report it's not that.

Then I assumed I knew what was going to happen, how this was going to unfold, but I was wrong about that, too.

I settled in for an excellent suspense that kept me intrigued until the very last page. In short, when Adam and Jess move into an old house, they are excited. But when Adam discovers a hidden room with a dresser containing random items, it starts a chain reaction that involves threatening letters, questionable characters, and doubt over everything.

The characters, pacing, and writing were all perfect. The book flowed; there were no boring parts, and everything about the ending made sense. I could find no faults with this book; therefore, five stars!

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Room in the Attic is a moody domestic thriller with an irresistible hook: a family moves into a new home and finds a hidden room behind a wardrobe. The setup had me fully engaged. The unease builds gradually, and I loved how T.M. Logan captured the tension between Adam and Jess as secrets began to surface.

However, I found myself waiting for that big moment when everything would twist and turn into something shocking—and it never quite reached that level. Some reveals felt familiar, like well-trodden territory for fans of the genre.

That said, the atmosphere is done beautifully. The house itself almost becomes a character. Logan does a great job balancing psychological tension with moments of real fear and uncertainty.

Overall, it’s a decent read for thriller lovers, especially those who enjoy domestic suspense with gothic undertones. I didn’t love it, but I liked it enough to recommend it for a weekend binge read.

ARC reader review.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release:  Jan 20, 2026
Author:  T.M. Logan
Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing
 
Rating: 3.75★  

When Adam and Jess move their family into a beautiful but creaky old Victorian, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Instead, Adam discovers a hidden room sealed behind a wardrobe, filled with strange items that feel like they were left behind in a hurry. Jess wants to ignore it, but Adam can’t let it go—and his obsession with the room starts pulling the whole family into something dark and dangerous.

This book is eerie, clever, and completely addictive. The house feels alive, the tension builds fast, and the twists keep blurring what’s real and what isn’t. The multiple POVs slowly piece everything together, making it a total “just one more chapter” read. Go in blind if you can—this one is creepy, cinematic, and full of surprises.

Favorite Quote:  
 “It was everything they wanted… and more than they bargained for.”
 

[Emelia (emeliaisreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Room in the Attic by TM Logan
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: January 20, 2026
416 pages

Mysterious Room in the Attic
String of Missing People
Search for Answers
Dangerous Secrets

In T.M. Logan's The Room in the Attic, a pile of seemingly innocent items quickly becomes a homeowner's dangerous quest for answers. A stranger with dark secrets needs to reclaim these items and will do anything to get them.

This was highly entertaining and kept me guessing until the very end! I especially loved the clever inclusion of the missing person's point-of-view to shed more light on each of the items. I honestly didn't know who to trust throughout the whole book, and trying to figure out the truth was the best part of the mystery! The culprit had my jaw on the floor!

Thank you so much Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy!

[Brijeet · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Adam and his wife Jess buy a historic home in an upscale English neighborhood, he discovers a hidden room with several items in it. His curiosity leads him on a hunt to undercover their origins, and also repeatedly gets him in trouble. Adding to the tension, Adam can't tell Jess the whole truth of what is going on due to some secrets of his own.

The plot was steadily paced with a number of red herrings, keeping me turning the pages to figure out the mystery. There were tense moments at times but I would classify this a mild thriller that would be great for folks that don't like their stories dark. No cursing, sexual themes, or gory imagery. Also when the villain was ultimately revealed it was a bit of a letdown, though it was fun journey to get there.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam, his wife, Jess, and their three children move into a large Victorian home that seems perfect, inside and out. Except for the hidden room in the attic and what Adam finds there.

The plot unfolds at a breakneck speed, and I was so intrigued by Adam’s research as he tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and I didn’t want to put the book down. I truly did not see the ending coming! I’m usually pretty good when it comes to figuring out who the “big bad” is, but not this time!

This was the first novel I have read by T.M. Logan, and it won’t be my last. I highly recommend The Room in the Attic to anyone looking for an unputdownable thriller.

And thank you to the author for not harming the pets!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down mostly because this book could have been 30% less and packed a better punch but other than that the writing style was really good and kept me wanting to read more even when things got repetitive or drawn out. The storyline was a fresh view on the finding a hidden room in a house and was super fun to try and figure out the puzzles alongside the husband, wife and family.

I enjoyed the writing style so much that before I was done with this book, I bought another book from T.M. Logan that he published in 2024 called The Dream Home which I am excited to read hopefully soon!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling roller coaster ride! The drama and mystery surrounding the house captivated Adam and his family, and the writing was expertly done. Although the characters could use more development, the story focuses on the house's mystery and its history. It's rare to encounter a story with a twist that I didn't see coming, but this one surprised me. I didn’t anticipate the ending until it was revealed right in front of me. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery!

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In short, this book was a mile a minute, action packed and I felt like at times I was barely taking a breath. The author's writing is always compelling and I cannot wait for his next one out in February. I always turn to his books if I want one I know I won't be able to put down and this was brilliant.

I had actually already read this book under 'The Dream Home' last year. I am logging it here as thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this gifted review copy. I actually requested it even before reading the synopsis, as I will read anything this author writes.
Another phenomenal book by the author! 4.5*

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I followed this story on both Kindle and audio, and it kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. The excitement built naturally, and I found myself completely immersed in the twists, secrets, and surprises throughout.

The story was layered and clever, with everything unfolding in a way that kept me thinking and curious about what would happen next. I loved seeing how the mysteries came together, and the way the characters navigated their challenges made it even more enjoyable.

This book had the kind of secrets, tension, and intrigue that I know many readers will appreciate. It was an entertaining, absorbing, and satisfying experience that held my attention the whole way through.

[hollyreadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Room In the Attic by TM Logan
Pub date: 1/20 Publisher: Grand Central Pub

This book started off strong for me, I loved how creepy it was and how the action started immediately. The short chapters had me turning the pages trying to figure out the mystery, but the ending kind of fell flat for me. I also feel like at 400 pages it could have been about 100 pages shorter. But, if you are a fan of “the House Hunt” or “Someone in the Attic” I would still recommend picking this one up, it was still a fun read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Thank you to the publisher for my finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess and Adam purchase their new home. While putting things away upstairs, Adam finds a hidden room and inside this room he finds a desk in each drawer he finds a pocket watch, dog collar, a scraf, a pair of glass and a phone. Each item holds a secret. Adam has his own secrets he hasnt told Jess. Adam went down the rabbit hole and his family might be in danger. What happens when Jess txt the number on the phone?

This book kept me guessing and wondering. What does these items mean? Who do they belong too? Why were they put behind a hidden wall. Who is leaving the measages? I really enjoyed this book.

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s rounded up to 5 ⭐️s

I was hooked from the start and read this in one sitting, book peeps!! 🙌

I loved nearly everything about this!! The creepy hidden room, the mystery around what the MMC found, the amateur investigation, not knowing who was behind everything up until the very end - just loved it!! Makes me excited to dig into Logan’s backlist on my TBR!! Definitely recommend this one! 👏

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️