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The Night Stairs
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jul 26When schoolgirls start fainting one after the other at an elite convent boarding school, old legends twist into new scandals. From irresistible bestselling storyteller Erin Kelly comes the new compulsive thriller that will leave you craving to read more.
Centuries of tradition are coming to an end at St Cordula's school. Deputy Head, Fiona Fox, is about to preside over a controversial move to save it from ruin. But it’s not easy to change things at a school this old.
Legend has it that the ghost of fifteenth-century nun, Sister Matilda, will keep St Cordula’s safe. But only as long as the words ‘GOD FORGIVE ME’, scrawled by Matilda on a chapel staircase wall before she fell to her death, are repainted every year. The words have only been allowed to fade once, in 2002. Then, fits of vertigo – ‘the spins’ – spread through the pupils, and a second girl fell to her death on the night stairs. But only three people know the truth of what happened the night of the tragedy.
Now the spins are back, and Fiona must stem the outbreak before it threatens St Cordula’s future, or worse, another girl loses her life. But when one of her pupils begins a dangerous investigation into the past, old secrets start to twist into new scandals…
Centuries of tradition are coming to an end at St Cordula's school. Deputy Head, Fiona Fox, is about to preside over a controversial move to save it from ruin. But it’s not easy to change things at a school this old.
Legend has it that the ghost of fifteenth-century nun, Sister Matilda, will keep St Cordula’s safe. But only as long as the words ‘GOD FORGIVE ME’, scrawled by Matilda on a chapel staircase wall before she fell to her death, are repainted every year. The words have only been allowed to fade once, in 2002. Then, fits of vertigo – ‘the spins’ – spread through the pupils, and a second girl fell to her death on the night stairs. But only three people know the truth of what happened the night of the tragedy.
Now the spins are back, and Fiona must stem the outbreak before it threatens St Cordula’s future, or worse, another girl loses her life. But when one of her pupils begins a dangerous investigation into the past, old secrets start to twist into new scandals…
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 9, 2026
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Erin Kelly
57 books1,613 followersErin Kelly was born in London in 1976 and grew up in Essex. She read English at Warwick University and has been working as a journalist since 1998.
She has written for newspapers including the The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Express and magazines including Red, Psychologies, Marie Claire, Elle and Cosmopolitan.
She has written for newspapers including the The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Express and magazines including Red, Psychologies, Marie Claire, Elle and Cosmopolitan.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4+
St Cordula’s RC School, located on the North York Moors, is now a girls boarding school but was once a 15th century Nunnery, steeped in mystery and legend. One such legend refers to the ghost of a nun, Sister Matilda, who will only keep the inhabitant safe provided the words “God Forgive Me” remain visible at the top of the night stairs. These words faded just once and the consequence of that being the girls getting the spins and one falling to her death on the night stairs. However, perhaps that’s not the whole story as only three people know exactly what happens on that night.
In the present day, Deputy Head Fiona Fox is desperately trying to save the school from financial ruin and is overseeing a bold and controversial move. That’s not her only concern though as the spins are back and she has to not only save the school but prevent the death of another girl before old secrets reveal a scandalous past.
A new Erin Kelly is always a cause for celebration and her latest novel does not disappoint. The premise is great and what emerges is hugely atmospheric with the old convent, it’s legends, myths and traditions is the star of the show and I love its connection to the past. At times it’s Gothic and ghostly, it’s creepy and mysterious with tantalising back stories reinforcing the puzzles of the present. The setting gives so much scope which is utilised to the max. If you add in the dynamics between the girls, the friendships and the not quite so friendly (polite version), the manipulations and the holding down of secrets with the inclusion of the spins, it equates to a gripping storyline. The spins or Mass Psychogenic Illness (formerly mass hysteria) is an inventive and creative elements and I can picture it happening. The catholic element with the nuns and things such as the teaching of the Lives of Saints, some of which leave me quite speechless which, trust me, is a rare beast!
The characterisation is exemplary, there are quite a lot of them but as the author gives them their own uniqueness it’s easy to know who’s so and what motivates them. There’s a strong literary element too via three central characters which I absolutely love, as it’s a book lovers dream.
The novel has multiple layers, it’s very well written, there are plenty of good twists and a satisfying end, although I’ve held back the full five stars because although it is a slow burner, at times it feels a tad drawn out.
Overall though, I do recommend this as it’s just that bit different.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Vintage for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
St Cordula’s RC School, located on the North York Moors, is now a girls boarding school but was once a 15th century Nunnery, steeped in mystery and legend. One such legend refers to the ghost of a nun, Sister Matilda, who will only keep the inhabitant safe provided the words “God Forgive Me” remain visible at the top of the night stairs. These words faded just once and the consequence of that being the girls getting the spins and one falling to her death on the night stairs. However, perhaps that’s not the whole story as only three people know exactly what happens on that night.
In the present day, Deputy Head Fiona Fox is desperately trying to save the school from financial ruin and is overseeing a bold and controversial move. That’s not her only concern though as the spins are back and she has to not only save the school but prevent the death of another girl before old secrets reveal a scandalous past.
A new Erin Kelly is always a cause for celebration and her latest novel does not disappoint. The premise is great and what emerges is hugely atmospheric with the old convent, it’s legends, myths and traditions is the star of the show and I love its connection to the past. At times it’s Gothic and ghostly, it’s creepy and mysterious with tantalising back stories reinforcing the puzzles of the present. The setting gives so much scope which is utilised to the max. If you add in the dynamics between the girls, the friendships and the not quite so friendly (polite version), the manipulations and the holding down of secrets with the inclusion of the spins, it equates to a gripping storyline. The spins or Mass Psychogenic Illness (formerly mass hysteria) is an inventive and creative elements and I can picture it happening. The catholic element with the nuns and things such as the teaching of the Lives of Saints, some of which leave me quite speechless which, trust me, is a rare beast!
The characterisation is exemplary, there are quite a lot of them but as the author gives them their own uniqueness it’s easy to know who’s so and what motivates them. There’s a strong literary element too via three central characters which I absolutely love, as it’s a book lovers dream.
The novel has multiple layers, it’s very well written, there are plenty of good twists and a satisfying end, although I’ve held back the full five stars because although it is a slow burner, at times it feels a tad drawn out.
Overall though, I do recommend this as it’s just that bit different.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Vintage for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Centuries of tradition are coming to an end at St Cordula's school. Deputy Head, Fiona Fox, is about to preside over a controversial move to save it from ruin. But it’s not easy to change things at a school this old.
Legend has it that the ghost of fifteenth-century nun, Sister Matilda, will keep St Cordula’s safe. But only as long as the words ‘GOD FORGIVE ME’, scrawled by Matilda on a chapel staircase wall before she fell to her death, are repainted every year. The words have only been allowed to fade once, in 2002. Then, fits of vertigo – ‘the spins’ – spread through the pupils, and a second girl fell to her death on the night stairs. But only three people know the truth of what happened the night of the tragedy.
Now the spins are back, and Fiona must stem the outbreak before it threatens St Cordula’s future, or worse, another girl loses her life. But when one of her pupils begins a dangerous investigation into the past, old secrets start to twist into new scandals…
I was gripped from the first page and totally absorbed in the story for the two days it took me to read it. Erin Kelly really knows how to get into the minds of teenage girls and having attended a Roman Catholic convent myself her portrayal of the rituals at the girls' RC school makes me think she's a fellow attendee (or she's done some incredibly in-depth research). The mystery gradually unfolds whilst drawing the reader into the girls' characters and the daily life of the school and then speeds up into a riveting climax. Fabulous!
My thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse UK, Vintage for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Legend has it that the ghost of fifteenth-century nun, Sister Matilda, will keep St Cordula’s safe. But only as long as the words ‘GOD FORGIVE ME’, scrawled by Matilda on a chapel staircase wall before she fell to her death, are repainted every year. The words have only been allowed to fade once, in 2002. Then, fits of vertigo – ‘the spins’ – spread through the pupils, and a second girl fell to her death on the night stairs. But only three people know the truth of what happened the night of the tragedy.
Now the spins are back, and Fiona must stem the outbreak before it threatens St Cordula’s future, or worse, another girl loses her life. But when one of her pupils begins a dangerous investigation into the past, old secrets start to twist into new scandals…
I was gripped from the first page and totally absorbed in the story for the two days it took me to read it. Erin Kelly really knows how to get into the minds of teenage girls and having attended a Roman Catholic convent myself her portrayal of the rituals at the girls' RC school makes me think she's a fellow attendee (or she's done some incredibly in-depth research). The mystery gradually unfolds whilst drawing the reader into the girls' characters and the daily life of the school and then speeds up into a riveting climax. Fabulous!
My thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse UK, Vintage for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
St Cordula's school convent school is where generations of girls from good Catholic families are educated like their female relatives before them. The place is steeped in tradition and stories. One of the most abiding ones is the story of a fifteenth century nun who fell to her death on the night stairs after scrawling 'God will forgive me' on the wall. Legend has it that the school will be safe so long as these words are repainted every year. Only once has this tradition lapsed and that resulted in an outbreak of 'the spins' and another death. In the present day, like many boarding schools are struggling. Deputy Head, Fiona Fox has a plan to make sure St Cordula's survives but now the spins have made a return. She needs to keep this quiet, but one student is determined to find out what happened last time.
Told from two timelines, the present and the previous outbreak of the spins. The cast of characters is an amazing variety of girls- some you'd want to to avoid at all costs. The author keeps the reader guessing, revealing hints as the story progresses. Having been to an all girls convent school I thought she captured the atmosphere perfectly. The story eventually kept me up to 2am as I just had to see how it ended. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this brilliant book- if all my reads are a patch on this one I'm in for a great year!
Told from two timelines, the present and the previous outbreak of the spins. The cast of characters is an amazing variety of girls- some you'd want to to avoid at all costs. The author keeps the reader guessing, revealing hints as the story progresses. Having been to an all girls convent school I thought she captured the atmosphere perfectly. The story eventually kept me up to 2am as I just had to see how it ended. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this brilliant book- if all my reads are a patch on this one I'm in for a great year!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Night Stairs by Erin Kelly is an eerie, atmospheric thriller set in a convent boarding school steeped in history and secrets.
The legend of Sister Matilda—a 15th-century nun who vowed to keep the school safe as long as her chilling words, “God Forgive Me,” remain painted on the chapel staircase—casts a shadow over the lives of three girls who find sanctuary in each other’s friendship. When “the spins” sweep through the school, leaving everyone dizzy and tragedy in its wake, the story takes a dark turn.
Years later, as the school struggles to survive, history seems to be repeating itself. I loved the creepy setting, the complex relationships between the girls, and the way the twists kept me guessing— happily wrongly!
(Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book).
The legend of Sister Matilda—a 15th-century nun who vowed to keep the school safe as long as her chilling words, “God Forgive Me,” remain painted on the chapel staircase—casts a shadow over the lives of three girls who find sanctuary in each other’s friendship. When “the spins” sweep through the school, leaving everyone dizzy and tragedy in its wake, the story takes a dark turn.
Years later, as the school struggles to survive, history seems to be repeating itself. I loved the creepy setting, the complex relationships between the girls, and the way the twists kept me guessing— happily wrongly!
(Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book).
December 7, 2025
I've had a run of great books which I did not want to break, so I picked up the new Kelly book.
Always a guaranteed great read
So it was again.
It felt quite lengthy,but nicely split over two timelines.
I loved the setting of an exclusive boarding school with an almost cult like reputation. And the evilness of teenage girls all living together.
There were plenty of creepy moments involving the said stairs, and the permanent question hanging over our heads of what actually did happen on them.
I had a few surprises along the way too .
I very much liked the friendships in the book, and particularly warmed to Fiona.
She seemed very relatable.
A solidly good read , as I expect from Kelly.
Never disappoints.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
Always a guaranteed great read
So it was again.
It felt quite lengthy,but nicely split over two timelines.
I loved the setting of an exclusive boarding school with an almost cult like reputation. And the evilness of teenage girls all living together.
There were plenty of creepy moments involving the said stairs, and the permanent question hanging over our heads of what actually did happen on them.
I had a few surprises along the way too .
I very much liked the friendships in the book, and particularly warmed to Fiona.
She seemed very relatable.
A solidly good read , as I expect from Kelly.
Never disappoints.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m always excited by a new Erin Kelly book, and this didn’t disappoint. Very different to her previous books, this reminded me of the St Oswalds trilogy by Joanne Harris.
It is set in the closed community of a Catholic girls boarding school in Yorkshire, and in the present day, facing closure or a merger with the boys boarding school.
Running parallel to this, in the 1990’s, is the story of how some misfit, easily bullied pupils cope in such an environment.
How these two threads merge and the shocking outcome form an excellent book, lots of twists, lots of lovely literary cultural references, and a twisty ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, UK, Vintage for the opportunity to read this book.
It is set in the closed community of a Catholic girls boarding school in Yorkshire, and in the present day, facing closure or a merger with the boys boarding school.
Running parallel to this, in the 1990’s, is the story of how some misfit, easily bullied pupils cope in such an environment.
How these two threads merge and the shocking outcome form an excellent book, lots of twists, lots of lovely literary cultural references, and a twisty ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, UK, Vintage for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In 1487 Sister Mathilda, banished from the convent and in despair threw herself from the top of the stairs leaving three words behind on the wall GOD FORGIVE ME.
The words have remained ever since. The one time they were allowed to fade the school was plagued with 'the spins', fits of vertigo and a girl fell to her death.
With the narrative switching timelines this was an absorbing thriller with great characters that so accurately portrayed teenage pupils at their best and their very worst.
A slow burn thriller that gains intensity as events from the past merge with the present bringing it to a gripping and very satisfying conclusion that had me flying through the pages.
My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own
The words have remained ever since. The one time they were allowed to fade the school was plagued with 'the spins', fits of vertigo and a girl fell to her death.
With the narrative switching timelines this was an absorbing thriller with great characters that so accurately portrayed teenage pupils at their best and their very worst.
A slow burn thriller that gains intensity as events from the past merge with the present bringing it to a gripping and very satisfying conclusion that had me flying through the pages.
My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in an old convent and taking into account historical context, myths and traditions, there is a truly Gothic feel to this novel. Kelly is really good at plotting, so it's a given that the plot will carry it well, but this is quite a long novel and I did wonder about the narrative pace. The setting though... oh yes, that's a great element of the novel, add to that the relationships between the girls and mass hysteria, and Kelly has done it again. Recommended for psychological thriller fans, but also for historical fiction readers, too. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers for the privilege of the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A then and now story featuring the whole menu of teenage girls, ghost stories, bullying, nuns, fainting, death and false identities. You would be right in thinking that the author has had to work hard to weave all of that, and a lot more, into this thrilling tale. it does all tie together in the end, with a satisfying, if slightly dizzying, finale.
December 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A great read with a very satisfying conclusion. While the pacing felt a little slow at times and the story was somewhat drawn out, the writing kept me engaged. The ending was the highlight for me; it wrapped up the story beautifully. If you enjoy a "slow burn" mystery that sticks the landing, this is a great choice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An unusual setting and premise for this nicely told story. It’s a slow burn as the author builds the tension and then gradually reveals the truth, leading to a satisfying conclusion. Erin Kelly doesn’t disappoint in her trademark tension building.
(Review of pre release NetGalley edition)
(Review of pre release NetGalley edition)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews