The Stranger at No. 6

by Gemma Rogers, Imogen Church (Narrator)

✳Performed by an Earphones Award–winning narrator, this “tense and twisty” thriller is “a true five-star listen” (Valerie Keogh). Down-on-her-luck and out-of-money Molly secretly takes up residence in the Reilly family’s empty loft. It seems like a perfect setup — until a local woman vanishes, and Molly suspects that Jack, the family patriarch, might be involved…

The ALL NEW heart-pounding thriller from the BESTSELLING author of The Honeymoon, Gemma Rogers - A must-listen for fans of Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell!

Every family has their secrets…

No.6 Church Road was the Reilly family’s dream home. A recently renovated 3-storey house with just three occupants and more importantly a whole vacant top floor. So, there was plenty of space for one more. Right?

They had no idea I was sleeping in their empty loft conversion, cohabiting with them, eating their food, using their water, heating and Wi-Fi. Basically living for free, but it wasn’t for the thrill, I had discovered 'phrogging'.

It seemed like the perfect set-up, but when a local woman vanished, I suspected Jack Reilly was involved. You see I'd witnessed their illicit affair and Jack had a cast iron alibi, but I didn't believe it for one second.

The secrets in Church Road wouldn’t stay hidden for long, all I had to do was watch, wait and hope I wouldn’t be discovered.

A pacy, heart stopping, page turning thriller for the fans of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, British Literature, Suspense

Audible Audio

First published September 8, 2025

About the author

Gemma Rogers is the bestselling author of gripping domestic thrillers that delve into dark secrets, twisted relationships, and shocking betrayals. Her books often explore the hidden dangers lurking behind closed doors in seemingly perfect families and communities.

Writing for Boldwood Books, Gemma has become known for her fast-paced plots, unpredictable twists, and relatable yet flawed characters. Her novels frequently chart in the psychological suspense and crime thriller categories on Amazon.

If you enjoy tense, emotionally-charged thrillers in the vein of Lisa Jewell, B.A. Paris, or K.L. Slater, you’ll feel right at home with Gemma’s books.

When she’s not plotting her next twist, Gemma enjoys include horror and thriller movies, country walks, swimming and anything involving cake.

With over eleven titles published Gemma's twelfth book, The Stranger at No.6 is out on the 8th September and available to pre-order now.

All the below are standalone titles in publication order:

Stalker (2019)
The Secret (2020) *previously published as Payback*
The Teacher (2020) *previously published as Reckless*
The Mistake (2021) *previously published as Bad Girls*
The Babysitter (2021)
The Feud (2022)
The Neighbour (2023)
The Good Wife (2023)
The Flatmate (2023)
The Honeymoon (2024)
The Night Shift (2025)
The Stranger at No. 6 (2025)

Follow her on:

X/Twitter: gemmarogers79
Facebook & Instagram: GemmaRogersAuthor

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stranger at No. 6 is an addictive thriller that gripped me immediately. The concept of phrogging was intriguing and had not been a part of any of the thrillers I’ve read. It's fast paced, original, and entertaining. It had me reading late into the night, racing toward the shocking conclusion. I was immersed in Molly’s risky world, which kept me on the edge of my seat. This is the second thriller I have read by Gemma Rogers, and both have been five-star reads. She is an auto-read author for me, and I look forward to reading her next thrilling creation. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this book I read the 1 page intro re what the story was about and carried on reading…..so firstly can confirm it is an addictive read

Phrogging,I hadn't heard this term before although had heard of people who ‘move in’ to someone else’s house whilst the owners live there and can you believe manage to co-exist with the other people without them knowing,yep its a thing and a growing trend here in the UK……and its abhorrent yet fascinating

We meet Molly,a broke journalist who has decided her new phrogging residence will be ‘6 Church Road’….a new family have moved in and there are places she can hide and ‘share’ their new abode,what she doesn’t expect is what she witnesses one lunchtime when the hubby comes home unexpectedly and the chaos that spirals from that,Molly is then in a situation she needs to help resolve but of course without telling anyone else she is living there

As say once started I couldn’t stop reading this book and as things got more and more exciting had to finish to see what happened to all involved

Really good research done into this startling world and as always with this author a great read,I’d say my favourite by the author but always say that 😎 but the books just get better and better

Brilliant read with an interesting learning curve of a subject thrown in

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ | ”Phrogging is the act of secretly living in another person’s home without their knowledge or permission. A person who engages in phrogging is sometimes called a phrog or, less commonly, a phrogger. The verb form phrog is sometimes used. Phrogging is similar to squatting, except that phrogging involves living in an occupied property.”

I’ll bet when Molly began phrogging in the home of Jack, Helena and & their son Nathan, she didn’t anticipate being in the middle of missing persons case, secret affairs and a murd3r investigation! We can definitely say she “bit off more than she can chew.” Not only is she phrogging, she’s also blogging these events to her followers anonymously - dangerous game she’s playing right? Despite it all, Molly has a way of still making you root for her despite this being wrong on so many levels!

This story drew me in from the very beginning and held my interest in its entirety. It was very suspenseful and made me doubt myself numerous times, as I tried to determine who’s good and who’s not. If you’re looking for a twisty, well written domestic thriller, Gemma Rogers certainly delivers that in this story! I am looking forward to more of her work. Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The longer I live the more my tolerance thins for women who do ridiculously self-jeopardizing things while acting as though that is completely reasonable behavior. Hiding in someone's house, undetectable, while they go around committing increasingly severe crimes with no way of knowing when anyone could walk in unexpectedly? Why wouldn't you throw in some laundry and take the time to iron it even though you're throwing it in you rucksack later? Right?!

[Bharath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and engaging psychological thriller.

Molly Hudson is an aspiring journalist. Her parents have moved to Spain. While she has stayed at times with a friend on and off, she decided she will phrog (live secretly at another's place). After some due diligence, she narrows down to a house where the Reilly family live - Jack, Helena & their young son Nathan. During her time there, she realizes that Jack is probably having an affair with Grace, who goes missing. Molly is unsure if Jack could be involved.

I liked Molly’s character and the risks she takes in phrogging which makes for interesting reading. The plot is otherwise not very complicated, but Molly’s digging is well-written and kept me hooked.

My rating: 4.25 / 5.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Boldwood Books and the author for a free electronic review copy.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s try phrogging! What is it you ask? It is the act of secretly living in someone else’s occupied home without their knowledge, and they also living in the same house. I just do not know how you would not know if someone else is living in your home with you in it!!! This was one wild thriller and had me on the edge of my seat! Lots of twists and turns and the ending was great! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release to be out September 8, 2025. A very different, yet compelling thriller you’ll want to grab!!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page, this one is it.

The story follows Molly, a struggling journalist who's found a disturbing solution to her rent problem- phrogging-the act of secretly living inside someone else's home while they remain completely unaware. Her latest hidden home is a

beautifully renovated house on Church Road, occupied by the Reilly family. It seems like the perfect setup. Until everything unravels. One afternoon, Molly witnesses something she was never meant to see. Jack Reilly, the seemingly devoted husband, is having an affair. When the mistress goes missing, Molly becomes convinced he knows more than he lets on. But how do you expose the truth when your own presence is illegal?

This novel is packed with tension, secrets, and a mounting sense of dread that builds to a shocking finale. Molly is a flawed but deeply compelling character-you'll root for her, even as she walks a morally grey line.

The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the concept of phrogging? Both disturbing and fascinating. I flew through this book and didn't want it to end. An addictive read with a genuinely fresh twist on the domestic thriller. Highly recommend to fans of suspense and morally complex protagonists. Gemma Rogers has outdone herself.

[KDub · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 🌟 rounded down

I thought this novel sounded creepy and interesting, but overall, I was let down by its execution. Phrogging is something I've heard of and been horrified by the stories before. It was quick-paced, at least. However, Molly, the FMC, is relatively immature and entitled, which makes her difficult to like. She kept making the stupidest excuses and decisions. I had difficulty suspending my disbelief with this book because she acted ridiculously. I'm pretty sure you need to be more clever than Molly presented to get away with phrogging.

I'm sure there's an audience for this, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely new to this Author,
and I am now going to have to get
Every single book she’s written !!
This is a truly unique story that
kept me glued to the pages far
into the night. Molly is a great
character, and if she’s a regular
I will be delighted.
I recommend this,to everyone
make it your travel book, it’s
perfect! My thanks to
Boldwood Books for the download
copy of this book for review purposes.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I usually have an eye on the pub date when deciding in which order I do read my ARC. But I really grew to be a fan of Gemma Rogers, so I dove into it right away.

I have heard of the concept of phrogging before, mostly in crime or thriller shows. It is scary to imagine that there is someone living in yiour home with you, and you have no idea. I also could not imagine ever doing such a thing myself. Like, sure, some people are desperate.... and most do not want to harm any of the home-owners, either, but still...

Molly, our FMC here, has a stable job, but wants to save money to fullfill her dream. So, she is into couch surfing and, well... phrogging. Currently, the place she has picked belongs to the Reilly family. And all is fine and dandy - as much as it can be in a situation like this - until someone does vanish. And, not anyone really. It is the mistress of Jack Reilly. And Molly, the curious journalist she is, does start digging. Convinced, alibi or not, that Jack has to do something with it....

I will always recommend Gemma Roger's books! This one was a gem again, and I loved the rather unusual living situation of our FMC. Very much recommended!

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never ever would have seen that coming. I love the concept of the newspaper reporter and online blog trying to get answers. This was such a great book. The characters were spot on. Loved everything about this book


Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down
The repetition spoiled some of the suspense for me. Not a big fan of Molly either.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma Rogers has become a favourite author of mine who knows how to write twisty stories that grab your attention from the first page and soon have you completely immersed in the story.

Wow, I had never heard of this concept of phrogging before and I found it fascinating. I am not sure I could ever do this or even want to but there were times throughout the book that I found myself screaming for Molly to get out. The author did a brilliant job of building the suspense and the tension. The pacing is fast, and the brilliant plot was extremely well developed. Molly was a fabulous character, very realistic and perfect for this story. The ending was well executed and quite a surprise. If you are looking for a great thriller you cannot go past this book, highly enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Phrogging before, and after reading this novel I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Seems too much like hard work and very stressful. But hey, Molly, a journalist for the local paper, is an old hand but even she gets more than she bargained for at No 6.
This was a great read, very fast paced. My heart was pounding each time Molly came close to being discovered. Her amateur sleuthing was dodgy but at the same time admirable.
My first Gemma Rogers novel but I'll definitely look out for more to read

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful, binge-worthy read by Gemma Rogers! It had just the right amount of paranoia and neighborly secrets. The Stranger at No. 6 was an engaging, twisty domestic thriller that kept me second-guessing every character. The creeping sense of unease built steadily, making it a tense and hard to put down. Rogers’ writing style is fast-paced and suspenseful, with a straightforward approach that immediately pulls me in. Her conversational tone and short chapters make her books easy to devour, and I’m always drawn to her relatable female leads and the domestic noir themes she does so well.

Book Synopsis:
In The Stranger at No. 6, a hidden intruder, Molly, also an investigative reporter, secretly lived in the Reilly family’s loft, helping herself to their food, Wi-Fi, and heat. When a local woman disappeared, suspicion fell on Jack Reilly, but the unseen resident began to uncover unsettling secrets that suggested that something far darker was going on inside No. 6 Church Road.

There were quite a few aspects that I favored in this book. The most intriguing was the ‘phrogging’ premise. I have never read a book with this concept. It felt fresh and original. I also liked how the story was told in a linear format with a single point of view, Molly, because it kept me tethered to her experience, therefore heightening the sense of paranoia. I also enjoyed how the writing was accessible, fast-paced, and tension-driven. The short chapters pushed the pace forward and kept the suspense taut. Rogers implemented strong use of red herrings and minor twists that maintained my engagement even though not all were fully unpredictable. Rogers drew upon strong characterization. Molly was a well-drawn character—sympathetic but flawed, emotionally raw, and increasingly anxious. Whereas the stranger (new neighbor) was effectively menacing without being overdone. Rogers left room for suspicion to build naturally. Even more, the secondary characters (husband, friends, other neighbors) were sometimes thinly drawn but served their purpose in the narrative’s tension.

Overall, I love Gemma Roger’s’ writing style and found The Stranger at No 6 to be another entertaining and all consuming read!

Thank you Net Galley and Boldwood Books for this captivating ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this book was so interesting, it was about frogging which is when you live on someone’s house, along side them without their knowledge. Molly is doing this in a three story house where Jack, Helena and their 3 year old son Nathan lives. Grace suspects this will be easy as this isn’t the first time she has done this, but she discovers this family has secrets and finds herself getting caught up in a murder investigation! Like I said the concept of this one was thrilling and apart from a few pacing issues I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to whatever Gemma writes next.

[Caroline Case · Rating 2 out of 5]

Molly is an absolutely annoying, entitled, and self-righteous pathetic character. Weirdly aligned morals. I wanted her in jail or killed off instead, confusing that she somehow suffered no consequences. She was the most intrusive character out of everyone involved.

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all… The Stranger at No.6 is like peeking through the keyhole of someone else’s life—and loving every creepy second. 👀 Jack Reilly’s house isn’t just a home, it’s a playground for secrets, scandal, and someone (me? maybe) living rent-free in the loft. Phrogging, anyone? 🏠💀

Gemma Rogers serves suspense with a side of deliciously twisted voyeurism. The tension? Thick enough to slice with a knife. The characters? Juicy, flawed, and messy in all the best ways. And the writing? Sharp, clever, and cinematic—you can practically smell the coffee, hear the creak of floorboards, and feel the thrill of sneaking past unsuspecting homeowners. ☕👣

Twists hit hard, stakes climb higher, and my heart raced like a kid who knows they’re about to get caught. Secrets, lies, and a top-floor hideout make this one unputdownable. Just… maybe check your attic before you curl up with it. 😏

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Atmospheric, twisted fun with a deliciously dark sense of humor.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing this advance copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #TheStrangerAtNo6

[Jacki van de Schoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stranger at No. 6 was a fast-paced, entertaining read full of intrigue, suspense, secrets, lies, and betrayal. I really enjoyed it.

I loved Molly. She was charismatic, strong, determined, smart, and relatable.
I love Gemma's writing style. I was hooked immediately, I honestly couldn't put it down.
The storyline was compelling, clever, and unique. I loved the phrogging aspect of it, not knowing if Molly would get caught. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

This is the third book I've read from Gemma Rogers, the first two being: The Honeymoon & The Night Shift, which were also fantastic reads.
I look forward to seeing what Gemma comes up with next. I'll also definitely be looking into her previous novels.

I highly recommend.

4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Especially for fans of Pip Drysdale, Catherine Steadman, and Lucy Clarke

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Gemma Rogers for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne Fernihough · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Wow Phrogging i have never heard of this before and now im checkinh every small space to make sure noone is phrogging in my house.

I was hooked from the start and i was terrified for the main character Molly how anyone could do that i dont know, i would constantly be on edge. Then when Molly overheard the goings on in the house i was scared even more and wanted to keeping shouting at her to get out. In the end she did what was right and stood her groud to bring justice to those that needed it.

[Zizi · Rating 3 out of 5]

You always hear from the "prey," but in this, you hear the perspective of the "hunter." I must say, I knew it would have something to do with the WIFE.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - 5

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

Whoa - what a wild concept! I always appreciate a book that introduces new concepts and ideas. Because of this, I was hooked right from the beginning!

Molly is a journalist hoping to rise through the ranks at work, and on the side, she writes a blog about her phrogging lifestyle. (Not squatting—phrogging. The difference? The homes aren’t abandoned. Phroggers sneakily tip-toe alongside the residents, eating their food, drinking their water, using their electricity and Wi-Fi, even their washing machines, all without being discovered.) As a homeowner - this sounds terrifying to me!

Molly picks her next house and begins her newest phrogging adventure—but quickly gets way more than she bargained for. She witnesses the husband having an affair with Grace, a woman around her own age who works at the same school as him. Gross? Yes. But it’s not until Grace goes missing that things start to spiral.

Molly suddenly questions everything. Who is this man she’s been watching? What kind of danger might she be in? And what does she do with what she knows? Confessing to the police, her boss, or even her best friend means revealing how she found out—and that’s not exactly legal.

But when Grace’s body is discovered, things go from bad to worse… and Molly has some big decisions to make.

Does she come clean? Shut down her blog? Reveal the truth to protect others—even if it means exposing herself?

This book was super suspenseful and easily a FIVE STAR read for me. There were so many edge-of-your-seat moments where Molly nearly got caught, and I felt that pulse-pounding anxiety like I was right there with her. When a thriller gets under your skin like that? I’m all in!

I’ve read all of Gemma Rogers’ books and continue to be blown away by her storytelling. If you love a jaw-dropping, twisty thriller—this one’s for you!

📚 The Stranger at No. 6 releases September 8th, 2025.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Gemma Rogers, and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ll be counting down to the next thrill ride!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you familiar with the term ‘phrogging’?
Honestly, I had never heard of it before, but once it was explained, I realized that I had come across something similar in a book before — though it was used a bit differently than in this case.
I sincerely hope I never have to deal with something like that.
Just the thought gives me the creeps!
Luckily, I don’t think my circumstances would make me a likely target for that kind of visitor. I’m pretty sure there are easier options out there. Phew! ;)

I definitely don’t approve of Molly’s actions — after all, she steals, and it's clearly out of self-interest.
But I also can’t deny that, in this particular case, it had some positive consequences and even helped solve a crime.

Still, I felt a lot of sympathy for Molly. She’s such a kind and likable character, and I kept hoping she wouldn’t get caught.

The story is fascinating and had me hooked the entire time.
That’s why I ended up reading the whole book in a single day — I just couldn’t put it down.

Sometimes, people act in the spur of the moment out of panic, unable to think clearly, and end up digging themselves into an even deeper hole.

One suspect on my list felt a bit too obvious to be true, but I still couldn’t rule them out.
Another person kept catching my attention as well, and the two suspects were constantly battling in my head for the top spot.

But the final twist? That never would have crossed my mind — not even in my wildest dreams.

I really enjoyed seeing how Molly’s life evolved throughout the story.
In her mind, the end probably justified the means, and while I might disagree with that, I still found this to be a very compelling read and truly enjoyed it.

I also really connected with Molly — the author made her so likable that I honestly couldn’t help it. :)

Top score for this book — a full 5 stars.

Thank you!

[Sheila Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book in its entirety! I was completely drawn in by the concept of “phrogging,” which was new to me. I enjoyed the suspense and the twists and turns in the plot! It was a really fun, enjoyable read which I recommend to anyone who likes a good, fast-paced psychological thriller!

[Alice Olea Hatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This caught my attention right away, which is necessary right now. Sometimes I love a slow burn that will slowly consume me but other times I need a page turner that I can burn through without having a significant effect on me. This book was short, digestible and very predictable.

I saw where this was going pretty early on, which doesn’t always matter when I’m reading if the story is good enough, but this one was a little too easy and.. not good enough.

The details about Phrogging were chilling overall. The first time I heard about this phenomenon terrified me and this story went deep into someone’s experience and this is what caught my attention initially. But the topic didn’t save the book overall. It became slow and redundant which is a bummer because the topic of phrogging could have been so creepy and interesting

Decent but pretty forgettable. 2.50 stars.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

not good. at all. molly was a terrible person im my opinion

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Molly who tired of sofa surfing, she decides her best option financially is to do some 'Phrogging'. This is where you sneak it to someone's house and live there rent free without their knowledge. Molly soon realises she has picked the wrong house when barely a week goes by and she suspects one of the occupants is living a secret life and they will do anything to keep it that way.


The story is told from Molly's pov and because she is sneaking around, this was effective in ramping up the tension. Some parts were edge of the seat stuff as she almost got caught.


The writing flows nicely and the story was engaging and easy to follow, I read it quickly as I needed to know what came next. I thought I had figured everything out but there was an unexpected twist which made for a great ending.


I think Thriller readers will find a lot to love with this one!


With huge thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review. 

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE STRANGER AT NO.6 BY GEMMA ROGERS
Release date set for the 8th of September 2025
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Wow this book was amazing.
I do love myself a bit of Gemma Rogers.
I think this one is now my top favourite of hers.
I was hooked immediately and it continued to be captivating till the very end.
Absolutely amazing.
I can't say I've ever heard of the word Phrogging before but I know now.
I really can't wait for the next book now.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good Domestic Thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. I had never heard of the concept of ‘Phrogging‘ before but don’t think it would be something I’d be willing to try ! This book had everything I need in a good thriller, great characters and an excellent storyline. I was sure I had everything worked out but I sure was wrong. I look forward to reading more from Gemma Rogers in the future