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The Secret Attic
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26The past isn't just haunting her—it's hunting her.
Addison Lowe knew her mother-in-law despised her, but inheriting Barb's massive estate after her death feels less like closure and more like a trap. Barb's hoarded rooms aren't just filled with clutter—they're filled with secrets. And it's Addison's job to unearth them while Luke grieves the loss of the mother he could never let go of.
But Luke grows stranger with every box they open—restless, secretive, cruel in ways Addison has never seen. And the house itself seems to breathe with Barb's presence. Ivy claws through the windows. A murder of crows drops trinkets at her feet. Dolls stare from the shadows, labeled with names Addison doesn't recognize—until she does. One doll bears the name Cassidy Warren, a girl who vanished years ago. And the more Addison uncovers, the more Barb's legacy seems tied to the streak of "bad luck" that has haunted Rockside Bay for decades.
The deeper Addison digs, the clearer it some secrets were meant to stay buried. And the husband she thought she knew may be hiding the darkest one of all…
Addison Lowe knew her mother-in-law despised her, but inheriting Barb's massive estate after her death feels less like closure and more like a trap. Barb's hoarded rooms aren't just filled with clutter—they're filled with secrets. And it's Addison's job to unearth them while Luke grieves the loss of the mother he could never let go of.
But Luke grows stranger with every box they open—restless, secretive, cruel in ways Addison has never seen. And the house itself seems to breathe with Barb's presence. Ivy claws through the windows. A murder of crows drops trinkets at her feet. Dolls stare from the shadows, labeled with names Addison doesn't recognize—until she does. One doll bears the name Cassidy Warren, a girl who vanished years ago. And the more Addison uncovers, the more Barb's legacy seems tied to the streak of "bad luck" that has haunted Rockside Bay for decades.
The deeper Addison digs, the clearer it some secrets were meant to stay buried. And the husband she thought she knew may be hiding the darkest one of all…
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 2, 2026
31 people are currently reading
17908 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Conradt
3 books165 followersChelsea Conradt is the USA Today bestselling author of The Farmhouse and The Secret Attic. She writes twisty speculative thrillers and psychological horror. Her short fiction has appeared in The Sunday Morning Transport and the Fractured Reveries anthology. Her stories are packed with both murder and kindness because we can be more than one thing.
When not writing stories that make you question what’s real, she is likely watching a baking show or a true-crime documentary. She is nothing if not on brand. Chelsea lives in Texas with her husband, son, and two big dogs.
When not writing stories that make you question what’s real, she is likely watching a baking show or a true-crime documentary. She is nothing if not on brand. Chelsea lives in Texas with her husband, son, and two big dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 22, 2026
This is my second read by Chelsea Conradt and I’m really starting to fall in love. And it’s not just because we share a first name!
Reading has always been a passion of mine. It brings me comfort. I believe certain books fall in your lap at the right time. This book fell into mine days after a close friend suffered a miscarriage. My heart fell into my stomach when I read the authors note at the beginning. I really appreciate her warning readers but also choosing a subject in her book that so many women experience.
The story is Coraline for adults. There’s some kind of creepy magic going on that will have you turning pages to uncover. It finishes on a twist that will make you wish for 100 more pages.
Thank you to Chelsea Conradt, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
Reading has always been a passion of mine. It brings me comfort. I believe certain books fall in your lap at the right time. This book fell into mine days after a close friend suffered a miscarriage. My heart fell into my stomach when I read the authors note at the beginning. I really appreciate her warning readers but also choosing a subject in her book that so many women experience.
The story is Coraline for adults. There’s some kind of creepy magic going on that will have you turning pages to uncover. It finishes on a twist that will make you wish for 100 more pages.
Thank you to Chelsea Conradt, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
April 17, 2026
The Crows, The Dolls, & ALL THE CREEPY
Chelsea Conradt absolutely flexes her talent in The Secret Attic. She is a phenomenally talented writer and The Secret Attic cements this for me. This is controlled, confident storytelling that knows exactly what it’s doing. She leads you down one path, lets readers settle in, and then yanks the rug out so fast it leaves you spinning in the best way. The misdirection here is next-level. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on what kind of story this is, Conradt shifts the ground beneath you. What starts rooted in gaslighting and simmering marital partnership slowly mutates into something far stranger, brushing up against mysticism and a decades-old mystery that refuses to stay buried. You might think you know where this story is going, believing clues placed along the way, telling a deliberate and layered story. Then the twists start unrolling, the imagery darkens like an evil storm and it explodes in a fiery crash.
And just when you think it can’t get any more unsettling, you get the birds (minus murderous intentions and more a Murder). THE CROWS. The atmosphere they bring is so eerie, so loaded with meaning, that they practically become a character of their own. Conradt uses them like a warning system, a haunting presence that keeps the tension dialed all the way up. What really got me is how seamless it all feels. Everything blends in this beautiful way. There are some serious undertones to this story and some personal connections and I think it blended in this exceptional thriller. The shifts in tone, in genre, in reality itself, none of it feels forced. It’s psychological, it’s uncanny, and it lingers. This is an author who fully understands how to manipulate both story and reader, and she does it with serious skill.
PS - I’m still just as concerned with Conradt’s coffee intake for her characters and for herself. The amount of coffee mentions is like my fun counting task as I read!
Chelsea Conradt absolutely flexes her talent in The Secret Attic. She is a phenomenally talented writer and The Secret Attic cements this for me. This is controlled, confident storytelling that knows exactly what it’s doing. She leads you down one path, lets readers settle in, and then yanks the rug out so fast it leaves you spinning in the best way. The misdirection here is next-level. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on what kind of story this is, Conradt shifts the ground beneath you. What starts rooted in gaslighting and simmering marital partnership slowly mutates into something far stranger, brushing up against mysticism and a decades-old mystery that refuses to stay buried. You might think you know where this story is going, believing clues placed along the way, telling a deliberate and layered story. Then the twists start unrolling, the imagery darkens like an evil storm and it explodes in a fiery crash.
And just when you think it can’t get any more unsettling, you get the birds (minus murderous intentions and more a Murder). THE CROWS. The atmosphere they bring is so eerie, so loaded with meaning, that they practically become a character of their own. Conradt uses them like a warning system, a haunting presence that keeps the tension dialed all the way up. What really got me is how seamless it all feels. Everything blends in this beautiful way. There are some serious undertones to this story and some personal connections and I think it blended in this exceptional thriller. The shifts in tone, in genre, in reality itself, none of it feels forced. It’s psychological, it’s uncanny, and it lingers. This is an author who fully understands how to manipulate both story and reader, and she does it with serious skill.
PS - I’m still just as concerned with Conradt’s coffee intake for her characters and for herself. The amount of coffee mentions is like my fun counting task as I read!
February 20, 2026
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC copy for my unbiased review.
We all hear stories about the Mother-in-law and how no one will ever be good enough for their child. Imagine your mother-in-law dies and now you and your spouse are tasked with cleaning up and preparing the estate for sale. This is where we find our main character Addison. She’s willing to do whatever she can for her husband to help him through this difficult time, but she’s not the first person to feel or do things for her husband, his mother was the first woman in his life.
Full of atmospheric suspense, puzzle piecing, and just sheer creepiness, the slow and steady discoveries keep you wondering what’s going to happen next. From a home that contains years of family history, a small town that is full of stories, dolls, and crows, there’s so much to be unpacked…literally. Can a marriage already suffering from a loss, survive a mother-in-law even if she’s dead? Join Addison as she pieces together a family history, struggles with the memory of her mother-in-law, and a husband she thought she knew.
This book has so many creepy elements and twists that keep you going, because just like Addison, you want to know what’s really going on.
We all hear stories about the Mother-in-law and how no one will ever be good enough for their child. Imagine your mother-in-law dies and now you and your spouse are tasked with cleaning up and preparing the estate for sale. This is where we find our main character Addison. She’s willing to do whatever she can for her husband to help him through this difficult time, but she’s not the first person to feel or do things for her husband, his mother was the first woman in his life.
Full of atmospheric suspense, puzzle piecing, and just sheer creepiness, the slow and steady discoveries keep you wondering what’s going to happen next. From a home that contains years of family history, a small town that is full of stories, dolls, and crows, there’s so much to be unpacked…literally. Can a marriage already suffering from a loss, survive a mother-in-law even if she’s dead? Join Addison as she pieces together a family history, struggles with the memory of her mother-in-law, and a husband she thought she knew.
This book has so many creepy elements and twists that keep you going, because just like Addison, you want to know what’s really going on.
March 17, 2026
2.75/5
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Chelsea Conradt for gifting me with this ARC to review! I wish I could give this a higher rating but unfortunately it fell pretty flat to me and I was left a bit unsatisfied.
Liked:
-creepy little dolls. There is just something about dolls that is so off putting. The porcelain ones are the worst honestly, they reek of evil (shoutout to my grandma who gave me one and I tossed that shit in my hope chest because I thought it would come alive at night).
Disliked:
-stop saying OMG or “____ king, king of ____” or “queen of _____”. It made me cringe every single time. Grown ass adults talking like that (absolutely not, if they were teens I wouldn’t be as cringed out)
-grow a spine and leave that man! Luke fucking sucked and I have to deal with Addison saying how much she loved him and how great he was (hint: he’s not). Their relationship pissed me off and I preferred when Addison was off on her own talking to the crows and blubbering over the boxes.
-the concept was interesting but there were too many unanswered questions. The crow’s role wasn’t fully fleshed out, how Barb made the dolls (magic?), shape shifting house?
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Chelsea Conradt for gifting me with this ARC to review! I wish I could give this a higher rating but unfortunately it fell pretty flat to me and I was left a bit unsatisfied.
Liked:
-creepy little dolls. There is just something about dolls that is so off putting. The porcelain ones are the worst honestly, they reek of evil (shoutout to my grandma who gave me one and I tossed that shit in my hope chest because I thought it would come alive at night).
Disliked:
-stop saying OMG or “____ king, king of ____” or “queen of _____”. It made me cringe every single time. Grown ass adults talking like that (absolutely not, if they were teens I wouldn’t be as cringed out)
-grow a spine and leave that man! Luke fucking sucked and I have to deal with Addison saying how much she loved him and how great he was (hint: he’s not). Their relationship pissed me off and I preferred when Addison was off on her own talking to the crows and blubbering over the boxes.
-the concept was interesting but there were too many unanswered questions. The crow’s role wasn’t fully fleshed out, how Barb made the dolls (magic?), shape shifting house?
April 15, 2026
I really enjoyed reading The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt and I would like to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC for review consideration.
The following is my personal perspective on the book.
The Secret Attic It’s a deliciously creepy tale of a son tasked with clearing out his childhood home after the passing of his socialite mother… from the unfavoured daughter-in-law’s POV.
As Luke and Addison begin to sift through the vast amount of belongings his mother Barb has accumulated over the years, Addison discovers a hidden room beyond her mother-in-law’s closet. Within this secret room, Addison finds a mountain of boxes; each labeled with the name of a woman. Who are these women? She has even more questions when she looks inside and the contents causes her blood to run cold.
This book was a slow burn and although I found the first half a little repetitive, I enjoyed the character development for both the living and deceased. The overall concept of this book was really intriguing (and creepy!) which kept me wanting to read more.
3.75 ⭐️
The following is my personal perspective on the book.
The Secret Attic It’s a deliciously creepy tale of a son tasked with clearing out his childhood home after the passing of his socialite mother… from the unfavoured daughter-in-law’s POV.
As Luke and Addison begin to sift through the vast amount of belongings his mother Barb has accumulated over the years, Addison discovers a hidden room beyond her mother-in-law’s closet. Within this secret room, Addison finds a mountain of boxes; each labeled with the name of a woman. Who are these women? She has even more questions when she looks inside and the contents causes her blood to run cold.
This book was a slow burn and although I found the first half a little repetitive, I enjoyed the character development for both the living and deceased. The overall concept of this book was really intriguing (and creepy!) which kept me wanting to read more.
3.75 ⭐️
April 15, 2026
The Secret Attic is dark, unsettling, drama, and creepy.
This was a tense, atmospheric read that kept me curious to uncover what was really going on behind closed doors. I thought the storyline was different and unique, which kept my attention page after page.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, and Chelsea Conradt for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a tense, atmospheric read that kept me curious to uncover what was really going on behind closed doors. I thought the storyline was different and unique, which kept my attention page after page.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, and Chelsea Conradt for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 7, 2026
After reading Chelsea Conradt’s debut last year, she’s become an author whose books I have to read. The Secret Attic was the perfect creepy, gothic thriller.
It’s a slow burn, which really helps build the tension. Although I will say, some parts were kind of repetitive which sort of dragged it out. I loved Addison as a main character, I found the dolls creepy as hell and overall the book had some excellent twists and a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
It’s a slow burn, which really helps build the tension. Although I will say, some parts were kind of repetitive which sort of dragged it out. I loved Addison as a main character, I found the dolls creepy as hell and overall the book had some excellent twists and a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 16, 2026
Thank you to net gallery and Poison Pen Press for this ARC.
The Secret Attic is a slow burn Gothic thriller that takes place in Oregon. Addison Lowe’s mother-in-law has recently passed away. Addison and her husband Luke return to his childhood home to clear out her belongings. Addison and her mother-in-law never got along. Barb seemed to have an open dislike for Addison, so she wasn’t sad to hear of her passing.
As they’re cleaning out the house, Addison finds a secret attic. The door of the attic is and her mother-in-law’s bedroom. When Addison opens the door, she finds a room full of boxes with girls names on them. As she starts to open some of the boxes, she finds creepy porcelain dolls, as well as some of the girls belongings. What unfolds is a mystery surrounding why does Barb have these things? Does Luke know these girls? And what happened to them?
I found the story, Yuri and suspenseful and the best possible ways. There’s a hint of the supernatural that makes you wonder. Is this a ghost story or a mystery. I found out was a very likable character and I was rooting for her throughout the story. However, I did find the book a bit slow. There is minimal dialogue between Addison and Luke as well as other characters in the story. Mainly what you’re reading about is Addison’s experiences in Barb’s house as she sorts through the attic. The story does pick up at the end and many of the loose threads are nicely tied up. The book ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger and leaves the story open to a sequel if the author is so desires. Overall, I’d recommend a secret in the attic for those who like mystery, especially Gothic mysteries.
The Secret Attic is a slow burn Gothic thriller that takes place in Oregon. Addison Lowe’s mother-in-law has recently passed away. Addison and her husband Luke return to his childhood home to clear out her belongings. Addison and her mother-in-law never got along. Barb seemed to have an open dislike for Addison, so she wasn’t sad to hear of her passing.
As they’re cleaning out the house, Addison finds a secret attic. The door of the attic is and her mother-in-law’s bedroom. When Addison opens the door, she finds a room full of boxes with girls names on them. As she starts to open some of the boxes, she finds creepy porcelain dolls, as well as some of the girls belongings. What unfolds is a mystery surrounding why does Barb have these things? Does Luke know these girls? And what happened to them?
I found the story, Yuri and suspenseful and the best possible ways. There’s a hint of the supernatural that makes you wonder. Is this a ghost story or a mystery. I found out was a very likable character and I was rooting for her throughout the story. However, I did find the book a bit slow. There is minimal dialogue between Addison and Luke as well as other characters in the story. Mainly what you’re reading about is Addison’s experiences in Barb’s house as she sorts through the attic. The story does pick up at the end and many of the loose threads are nicely tied up. The book ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger and leaves the story open to a sequel if the author is so desires. Overall, I’d recommend a secret in the attic for those who like mystery, especially Gothic mysteries.
April 13, 2026
I had high hopes going into this one but sadly it just left me disappointed. The premise sounded appealing to me but I wasn’t a fan of how the story was executed. The set up was good; a woman, helping her grieving husband take care of his late mother’s estate, finds mysterious things hidden that make her question who her mother-in-law actually was. I felt many things were repeated too often like the MC reiterating how much her MIL disliked her and how she needed to set her feelings aside to be there for her husband.
I did like the eeriness of the story but was still left with questions when it concluded. What was the role of the crows? How did the house seem to shapeshift? Was magic involved? I wanted to like this story more but the execution just was lacking.
I did like the eeriness of the story but was still left with questions when it concluded. What was the role of the crows? How did the house seem to shapeshift? Was magic involved? I wanted to like this story more but the execution just was lacking.
April 3, 2026
ARC Review:✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’m mere feet from a dead person. A murder victim-no one who dies from natural causes gets hidden beneath the begonias.”
My first read from @authorchelseaconradt & @poisonedpenpress and it did not disappoint ✨
A slow-burn thriller layered with rich character depth, haunting flashbacks, and a thread of romance woven throughout. The storytelling really shines in how vividly each scene is painted—you feel completely immersed in the main character’s world.
It’s definitely a longer read (word count TBD since it’s not yet published), but one that rewards your patience. I’m so glad I stayed with it… that twist at the end made it all worth it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’m mere feet from a dead person. A murder victim-no one who dies from natural causes gets hidden beneath the begonias.”
My first read from @authorchelseaconradt & @poisonedpenpress and it did not disappoint ✨
A slow-burn thriller layered with rich character depth, haunting flashbacks, and a thread of romance woven throughout. The storytelling really shines in how vividly each scene is painted—you feel completely immersed in the main character’s world.
It’s definitely a longer read (word count TBD since it’s not yet published), but one that rewards your patience. I’m so glad I stayed with it… that twist at the end made it all worth it
March 21, 2026
This was such a creepy, addictive read. The atmosphere hooked me right away, and the deeper the story went, the more unsettling it became.
The attic discovery alone was enough to pull me in, but the real standout was how the story built its sense of dread. The dolls, the names, and the slow realization of what was actually happening made this genuinely eerie.
I also really liked how the horror elements were handled. It leans into the supernatural, but in a way that still feels grounded and tied to the characters, especially Addison. Finding her own connection to everything was one of the most chilling parts.
And that final twist? It worked. It added one more layer without feeling overdone and left the story on a strong note.
Overall, a creepy, engaging read with just the right level of horror. Definitely one I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The attic discovery alone was enough to pull me in, but the real standout was how the story built its sense of dread. The dolls, the names, and the slow realization of what was actually happening made this genuinely eerie.
I also really liked how the horror elements were handled. It leans into the supernatural, but in a way that still feels grounded and tied to the characters, especially Addison. Finding her own connection to everything was one of the most chilling parts.
And that final twist? It worked. It added one more layer without feeling overdone and left the story on a strong note.
Overall, a creepy, engaging read with just the right level of horror. Definitely one I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange due my honest review.
The story told in this book is unique and I enjoyed it. At one point I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong.
The book has great descriptive writing, although it does still have a few errors. The story seemed to repeat itself a few times, and could definitely use a final edit.
The ending seemed very abrupt and could use a little more development.
Overall, I really liked this book.
#netgalley #arc #review
The story told in this book is unique and I enjoyed it. At one point I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong.
The book has great descriptive writing, although it does still have a few errors. The story seemed to repeat itself a few times, and could definitely use a final edit.
The ending seemed very abrupt and could use a little more development.
Overall, I really liked this book.
#netgalley #arc #review
May 3, 2026
ARC NetGallery / Poisoned Pen Press
Secret Attic is a very slow burn mystery. Addison and her husband, Luke are preparing his late mother’s home for sale when Addison starts hearing strange noises and seeing weird stuff in the home while walking on eggs shells around her husband. When Addison discovers porcelain dolls and scattered doll parts. Honestly I’d be out of that house in a heartbeat.
Secret Attic is a very slow burn mystery. Addison and her husband, Luke are preparing his late mother’s home for sale when Addison starts hearing strange noises and seeing weird stuff in the home while walking on eggs shells around her husband. When Addison discovers porcelain dolls and scattered doll parts. Honestly I’d be out of that house in a heartbeat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Addison faces one last trip to her awful and now late mother in law's, Barb's, house - this time to clean the place up and get it ready for being rented out. But what should be a much easier trip without constantly being reminded of how she'll never be good enough, turns into its own kind of nightmare, when Addison starts discovering things her husband immediately tells her to just forget about. And it's not only the creepy doll collection, the hated murder of crows outside or the hoarder's treasure trove Addison has to deal with - like, her husband clearly isn't just grieving with how aggressive he gets about certain questions he's asked or things he's shown. With a mother in law keeping a whole secret attic worth of dark secrets and plants that slowly start to invade the house, Addison has her work cut out for her.
Honestly, this wasn't really my favourite book - it had potential, that's for sure, but the writing style was simply not for me. I know it's supposed to be more modern and young, but reading things like OMG frequently or the whole rant Addison went on about some glitter (please don't get me wrong, I like jokes! But this just went on for too long).. Or the whole thing about naming the birds, then the two of them calling each other "context king", "queen of whatever" etc constantly.. Addison seemingly having to mention at least once per chapter how in love she is, while Luke behaves how he does.. I just couldn't enjoy that which made this story just a little bit hard to get through.
The setting itself was well done - the whole small town feeling, everyone knowing everything about everyone and therefore even just going out to eat is a pain.. Absolutely believable, even though we barely spend time there. Also the plot itself had premise - the whole finding the mysterious hidden attic, Luke's reaction, the pull to find out more.. The whole build up of that mystery was interesting. It was the supernatural elements, that felt a little bit disjointed to me - especially the random wounds or the size of that room, without giving too much away. The plants invading the house somehow still felt connected because we tie that up in the end, I just wish we'd have gotten some closure for the rest as well. Same goes for things like the random slippers in Addison's size - why were they there? - or the random clothes in different sizes, or even just that apple dish, that I guess I just would have liked to get some answers about in the end. The birds as a spooky element were very nice though, I like how they added some natural drama to the plot and then even had a reason to be there, even if that was just a bit of another unanswered question in the end.
The end itself.. Again, I just wish we'd have gotten more proper answers. Leaving the story where we did though was a nice touch, gives the reader something to think about.
Overall, the story has potential, but I just had a few issues with the writing style and I think I would have just wanted a few more answers by the end of it.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Honestly, this wasn't really my favourite book - it had potential, that's for sure, but the writing style was simply not for me. I know it's supposed to be more modern and young, but reading things like OMG frequently or the whole rant Addison went on about some glitter (please don't get me wrong, I like jokes! But this just went on for too long).. Or the whole thing about naming the birds, then the two of them calling each other "context king", "queen of whatever" etc constantly.. Addison seemingly having to mention at least once per chapter how in love she is, while Luke behaves how he does.. I just couldn't enjoy that which made this story just a little bit hard to get through.
The setting itself was well done - the whole small town feeling, everyone knowing everything about everyone and therefore even just going out to eat is a pain.. Absolutely believable, even though we barely spend time there. Also the plot itself had premise - the whole finding the mysterious hidden attic, Luke's reaction, the pull to find out more.. The whole build up of that mystery was interesting. It was the supernatural elements, that felt a little bit disjointed to me - especially the random wounds or the size of that room, without giving too much away. The plants invading the house somehow still felt connected because we tie that up in the end, I just wish we'd have gotten some closure for the rest as well. Same goes for things like the random slippers in Addison's size - why were they there? - or the random clothes in different sizes, or even just that apple dish, that I guess I just would have liked to get some answers about in the end. The birds as a spooky element were very nice though, I like how they added some natural drama to the plot and then even had a reason to be there, even if that was just a bit of another unanswered question in the end.
The end itself.. Again, I just wish we'd have gotten more proper answers. Leaving the story where we did though was a nice touch, gives the reader something to think about.
Overall, the story has potential, but I just had a few issues with the writing style and I think I would have just wanted a few more answers by the end of it.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 21, 2026
This story had an interesting concept which made me read this. An attic with secrets will always hold an appeal to mystery fans, and it was the same for me.
The book started out well with initial tension that Addison faces in the house to her discovering the attic. I was as curious as her to know what was in the attic and when it was finally revealed, I was shocked!
Also, the question as to whether the book is actually dealing with horror or mystery compelled me to continue reading. I was curious to know whether whatever issues that Addison faces while in the house was due to a ghost or her mind playing tricks.
That said, I felt that the story lagged a little. Finding such an attic should have made Addison and Luke go through its contents faster. Instead, the attic was often kept aside by the main characters.
The end twist was good and I liked how Addison evolved over time. Her character is also well written and easily became my favourite.
Overall, it was a good mystery - horror read!
The book started out well with initial tension that Addison faces in the house to her discovering the attic. I was as curious as her to know what was in the attic and when it was finally revealed, I was shocked!
Also, the question as to whether the book is actually dealing with horror or mystery compelled me to continue reading. I was curious to know whether whatever issues that Addison faces while in the house was due to a ghost or her mind playing tricks.
That said, I felt that the story lagged a little. Finding such an attic should have made Addison and Luke go through its contents faster. Instead, the attic was often kept aside by the main characters.
The end twist was good and I liked how Addison evolved over time. Her character is also well written and easily became my favourite.
Overall, it was a good mystery - horror read!
May 7, 2026
This book was pretty good I enjoyed the constant mind games that the main character was going through. I didn’t enjoy the mother in law even though she was dead the thoughts from the past were slightly unhinged. Also her husband was pretty unlikable especially with what he did with his ex and everything. But overall it was fast paced book and recommend it b ! Thank you poisoned pen press and net galley for the e arc.
Did Not Finish
March 26, 2026This book, while it has an interesting story line, I felt the build up is just too slow and it felt hard to keep my interest peaked. At times, it felt repetitive and I just wanted to skip over those parts to find out what was going to happen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Psychological thriller 🕯️
TW: Miscarriage, death
Rating: 3.5/5
"Cassie's mouth opens, but it isn't humor that spills out. Dirt-dark and teeming with worms-falls from her lips."
Married couple Addison and Luke return to Luke's hometown to settle his late mother's estate, but what begins as a straightforward task quickly takes a dark turn. As Addison sifts through the home, she uncovers unsettling hoards left behind by her mother-in-law — most notably a collection of pincushion dolls that bear an eerie resemblance to people around town, each one seeming to mirror accidents those same people have experienced. Meanwhile, Luke grows increasingly on edge as strange things continue to surface throughout the estate.
The crows were my favorite element of this book. They're remarkably intelligent animals, and knowing that Addison's mother-in-law despised them told me everything I needed to know about her character almost immediately. There's also something deeply relatable about Addison's early morning moments spent connecting with nature — it grounded the story in a way that made the creepiness hit even harder.
Conradt's writing style kept me completely hooked, and I genuinely couldn't put it down. That said, I felt the ending was drawn out, and I wish the book had scattered more breadcrumbs along the way. A few more scares woven throughout would have made the payoff feel more earned. There's a lot of potential in this premise, and with a tighter build of dread, it could have been truly haunting.
TW: Miscarriage, death
Rating: 3.5/5
"Cassie's mouth opens, but it isn't humor that spills out. Dirt-dark and teeming with worms-falls from her lips."
Married couple Addison and Luke return to Luke's hometown to settle his late mother's estate, but what begins as a straightforward task quickly takes a dark turn. As Addison sifts through the home, she uncovers unsettling hoards left behind by her mother-in-law — most notably a collection of pincushion dolls that bear an eerie resemblance to people around town, each one seeming to mirror accidents those same people have experienced. Meanwhile, Luke grows increasingly on edge as strange things continue to surface throughout the estate.
The crows were my favorite element of this book. They're remarkably intelligent animals, and knowing that Addison's mother-in-law despised them told me everything I needed to know about her character almost immediately. There's also something deeply relatable about Addison's early morning moments spent connecting with nature — it grounded the story in a way that made the creepiness hit even harder.
Conradt's writing style kept me completely hooked, and I genuinely couldn't put it down. That said, I felt the ending was drawn out, and I wish the book had scattered more breadcrumbs along the way. A few more scares woven throughout would have made the payoff feel more earned. There's a lot of potential in this premise, and with a tighter build of dread, it could have been truly haunting.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nothing says “quality bonding time with your spouse” like cleaning out the hoarded mansion of the mother-in-law who openly hated you. Truly the dream. The fantasy. The romantic getaway every marriage deserves. Instead of a beach trip, Addison Lowe gets dust, secrets, and the lingering spiritual presence of a woman who absolutely would have thrived as the villain on an episode of Dateline.
That’s the situation in The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt. Addison returns to her late mother-in-law Barb’s enormous Oregon estate with her husband Luke to clean it out so they can sell it. Barb made no secret of the fact that she despised Addison, which adds a delightful layer of petty tension to the whole situation. Imagine sorting through the lifetime possessions of someone who would have preferred you vanished into the sea. Addison is trying to be supportive because Luke is grieving. But the house itself feels… wrong. Like it’s watching her. Judging her. Possibly plotting.
Barb, even in death, is the kind of woman whose energy fills the entire building. The house is pristine in some places and full hoarder chaos in others, which is already unsettling. But things get properly nightmare-adjacent when Addison discovers a hidden attic tucked behind Barb’s bedroom closet. Inside are boxes. Dozens of them. Each labeled with a person’s name.
And inside those boxes? Dolls. Not cute dolls. Not antique collector dolls. Not “grandma keeps these in a curio cabinet” dolls. These are handcrafted dolls that immediately give off the deeply unsettling energy of a craft project that should have been stopped by several concerned adults.
One of the boxes is labeled Cassidy Warren, a girl who vanished years earlier. And that’s the moment this book stops being “awkward estate cleanout” and becomes “ma’am you have discovered a serial killer hobby room.”
From there the story builds this wonderfully creepy sense of dread as Addison realizes Barb’s strange little doll collection might be connected to a string of accidents and tragedies that have haunted Rockside Bay for years. The house is filled with these tiny clues that something deeply wrong was happening here long before Barb died. Dolls staring from corners. Trinkets appearing in strange places. Ivy clawing at the windows like the house itself is trying to grow teeth.
And then there are the crows. The crows are honestly one of the best parts of this whole book. They keep dropping little objects near Addison, almost like they’re leaving her clues. Which creates the unsettling possibility that the local wildlife is more invested in solving this mystery than her own husband. Addison starts interacting with them in these quiet little moments outside the house that feel oddly comforting in the middle of all the chaos.
Meanwhile Luke is over here acting increasingly suspicious about literally everything. And I mean everything.
Sweet baby red flag Luke does not handle these discoveries well. The more Addison uncovers about his mother’s secret life, the more defensive and strange he becomes. He’s secretive. He’s dismissive. Occasionally he’s downright cruel in ways that make you want to gently take Addison by the shoulders and say, “Hey quick question, have you considered leaving this entire man in the haunted house where you found him?”
The book does a really good job playing in that uncomfortable gray area where you’re constantly wondering what the real danger is. Is the threat Barb’s horrifying legacy? Is the house itself full of dark secrets? Or is the problem the man standing next to Addison insisting everything is totally normal while a wall full of cursed dolls stares at them?
Atmosphere is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and honestly it works most of the time. The whole story feels soaked in that damp, foggy Pacific Northwest gothic vibe where every house looks like it has at least one tragic secret buried under the floorboards. The estate itself feels alive in that eerie way where every hallway seems to be quietly judging your life choices.
That said, this is a slow burn. And I mean slow burn in the way where you occasionally glance at the page count and whisper, “Okay but when are we emotionally setting this house on fire.” There is a lot of creeping through rooms, opening boxes, and piecing together clues while Addison processes everything she’s learning. The vibes are immaculate, but at times the pacing does feel like it’s also exhausted from hauling Barb’s junk down three flights of stairs.
But once the story starts revealing its bigger secrets, it absolutely commits to the chaos. The truth about Barb, the dolls, and the tragedies surrounding the town lands in a way that is unsettling, tragic, and just messy enough to make you sit there staring into the middle distance for a second like you’ve just witnessed someone else’s family drama explode.
At the center of it all is Addison, who ends up being a really compelling protagonist. She’s grieving a miscarriage, navigating a marriage that suddenly feels shakier than she realized, and slowly discovering that the woman who hated her might have left behind something much darker than a cluttered house. Watching her keep digging for answers even when everything around her feels wrong gives the story its emotional backbone.
"The Secret Attic" lands at a very solid 3.5 stars for me. It’s creepy, moody, and packed with unsettling imagery, even if the pacing occasionally wanders off to open Box Number Forty-Seven. If you enjoy gothic domestic thrillers with haunted houses, disturbing family secrets, suspicious husbands, and a flock of crows that might honestly be the smartest characters in the book, this one is going to hit the spot.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Permanently Suspicious of Anyone Who Owns Handmade Dolls
Huge thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Always thrilled to wander into a creepy house full of cursed dolls and terrible family secrets, especially when I can do it safely from my couch.
That’s the situation in The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt. Addison returns to her late mother-in-law Barb’s enormous Oregon estate with her husband Luke to clean it out so they can sell it. Barb made no secret of the fact that she despised Addison, which adds a delightful layer of petty tension to the whole situation. Imagine sorting through the lifetime possessions of someone who would have preferred you vanished into the sea. Addison is trying to be supportive because Luke is grieving. But the house itself feels… wrong. Like it’s watching her. Judging her. Possibly plotting.
Barb, even in death, is the kind of woman whose energy fills the entire building. The house is pristine in some places and full hoarder chaos in others, which is already unsettling. But things get properly nightmare-adjacent when Addison discovers a hidden attic tucked behind Barb’s bedroom closet. Inside are boxes. Dozens of them. Each labeled with a person’s name.
And inside those boxes? Dolls. Not cute dolls. Not antique collector dolls. Not “grandma keeps these in a curio cabinet” dolls. These are handcrafted dolls that immediately give off the deeply unsettling energy of a craft project that should have been stopped by several concerned adults.
One of the boxes is labeled Cassidy Warren, a girl who vanished years earlier. And that’s the moment this book stops being “awkward estate cleanout” and becomes “ma’am you have discovered a serial killer hobby room.”
From there the story builds this wonderfully creepy sense of dread as Addison realizes Barb’s strange little doll collection might be connected to a string of accidents and tragedies that have haunted Rockside Bay for years. The house is filled with these tiny clues that something deeply wrong was happening here long before Barb died. Dolls staring from corners. Trinkets appearing in strange places. Ivy clawing at the windows like the house itself is trying to grow teeth.
And then there are the crows. The crows are honestly one of the best parts of this whole book. They keep dropping little objects near Addison, almost like they’re leaving her clues. Which creates the unsettling possibility that the local wildlife is more invested in solving this mystery than her own husband. Addison starts interacting with them in these quiet little moments outside the house that feel oddly comforting in the middle of all the chaos.
Meanwhile Luke is over here acting increasingly suspicious about literally everything. And I mean everything.
Sweet baby red flag Luke does not handle these discoveries well. The more Addison uncovers about his mother’s secret life, the more defensive and strange he becomes. He’s secretive. He’s dismissive. Occasionally he’s downright cruel in ways that make you want to gently take Addison by the shoulders and say, “Hey quick question, have you considered leaving this entire man in the haunted house where you found him?”
The book does a really good job playing in that uncomfortable gray area where you’re constantly wondering what the real danger is. Is the threat Barb’s horrifying legacy? Is the house itself full of dark secrets? Or is the problem the man standing next to Addison insisting everything is totally normal while a wall full of cursed dolls stares at them?
Atmosphere is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and honestly it works most of the time. The whole story feels soaked in that damp, foggy Pacific Northwest gothic vibe where every house looks like it has at least one tragic secret buried under the floorboards. The estate itself feels alive in that eerie way where every hallway seems to be quietly judging your life choices.
That said, this is a slow burn. And I mean slow burn in the way where you occasionally glance at the page count and whisper, “Okay but when are we emotionally setting this house on fire.” There is a lot of creeping through rooms, opening boxes, and piecing together clues while Addison processes everything she’s learning. The vibes are immaculate, but at times the pacing does feel like it’s also exhausted from hauling Barb’s junk down three flights of stairs.
But once the story starts revealing its bigger secrets, it absolutely commits to the chaos. The truth about Barb, the dolls, and the tragedies surrounding the town lands in a way that is unsettling, tragic, and just messy enough to make you sit there staring into the middle distance for a second like you’ve just witnessed someone else’s family drama explode.
At the center of it all is Addison, who ends up being a really compelling protagonist. She’s grieving a miscarriage, navigating a marriage that suddenly feels shakier than she realized, and slowly discovering that the woman who hated her might have left behind something much darker than a cluttered house. Watching her keep digging for answers even when everything around her feels wrong gives the story its emotional backbone.
"The Secret Attic" lands at a very solid 3.5 stars for me. It’s creepy, moody, and packed with unsettling imagery, even if the pacing occasionally wanders off to open Box Number Forty-Seven. If you enjoy gothic domestic thrillers with haunted houses, disturbing family secrets, suspicious husbands, and a flock of crows that might honestly be the smartest characters in the book, this one is going to hit the spot.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Permanently Suspicious of Anyone Who Owns Handmade Dolls
Huge thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Always thrilled to wander into a creepy house full of cursed dolls and terrible family secrets, especially when I can do it safely from my couch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Chelsea Conradt’s The Secret Attic emotionally waterboarded me with creepy dolls, gaslighting husbands, grief, crows behaving like tiny gothic messengers from hell, and enough haunted-house energy to make me side-eye every attic door for the foreseeable future. Published by Poisoned Pen Press, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because this book fully consumed my last two brain cells and replaced them with irrational fear and crow appreciation.
This is one of those slow-burn gothic thrillers where the atmosphere becomes so thick you can practically breathe it in. Addison Lowe returns to her late mother-in-law Barb’s massive Oregon estate with her husband Luke after Barb’s death, expecting an emotionally exhausting cleanout full of hoarded junk, unresolved resentment, and awkward grief. What she doesn’t expect is a hidden attic stuffed with porcelain dolls labeled with names she recognizes from town… including missing women. Which is already horrifying enough before you add in the mysterious crows dropping trinkets at her feet, ivy clawing through the windows like the house itself is alive, and Luke slowly transforming into the human embodiment of a red flag convention.
And honestly? This book absolutely thrives in the unsettling details. The dolls alone deserve their own horror warning because every single discovery inside that attic made my skin crawl. Chelsea Conradt builds tension in such a suffocating, deliberate way that even ordinary moments feel dangerous. A hallway suddenly feels threatening. A locked office door becomes sinister. A conversation over coffee somehow feels like the beginning of a psychological breakdown. The entire house carries this damp, rotting grief that hangs over every page.
What really got me though was Addison. She’s grieving a miscarriage, trying desperately to support a husband unraveling in front of her, and constantly questioning whether she’s paranoid or genuinely uncovering something monstrous. Watching her slowly lose trust in the man she loves while digging deeper into Barb’s secrets made this feel less like a traditional thriller and more like emotional claustrophobia with creepy wallpaper and murder birds.
Luke? Sir. Absolutely not. The amount of times I wanted to shake this fictional man through my Kindle was honestly impressive. The gaslighting. The secrecy. The emotional manipulation. Every time he said Addison was imagining things while actively acting suspicious, I aged three years.
“The house doesn’t feel empty. It feels hungry.”
Yeah. That sentence alone nearly made me sleep with the lights on.
This definitely leans heavily into atmospheric suspense rather than nonstop action, so if you love fast-paced thrillers where bodies start dropping by chapter three, this may feel slower at first. But personally? I loved the creeping dread of it all. The story slowly tightens around you until suddenly every little detail matters. The crows. The dolls. The names. The town secrets. Barb’s obsession with protecting her son at all costs. Everything layers together into this eerie, emotionally messy gothic nightmare about grief, obsession, motherhood, marriage, and the terrifying realization that you may not truly know the person sleeping beside you.
And can we discuss the crows for a second? Because somehow they became my favorite part of the entire book. Tiny feathery chaos goblins leaving gifts while silently judging everyone’s terrible decisions. Icons, honestly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love books with haunted-house vibes, disturbing family secrets, emotionally messy marriages, creepy small-town mysteries, hidden rooms, and that delicious “something is deeply wrong here” feeling lingering over every chapter, The Secret Attic absolutely delivers. It feels like Coraline for emotionally exhausted adults who survive on caffeine, anxiety, and true crime documentaries.
Also… if your deceased mother-in-law left behind a giant creepy estate filled with dolls and hidden rooms, are you staying to investigate or immediately setting the whole property on fire and driving away? Because I genuinely need to know. 👀
#TheSecretAttic #ChelseaConradt #PoisonedPenPress #BookReview #NetGalley #HorrorBooks #ThrillerBooks #PsychologicalThriller #GothicThriller #MysteryBooks #SuspenseReads #CreepyBooks #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #DarkFiction #HorrorReader #BooksCoffeeBrews #SlowBurnThriller #AtmosphericThriller #HauntedHouseVibes #BookCommunity #ARCReader #2026Books #MysteryAndThrillers #WomenWhoRead #BookishL
This is one of those slow-burn gothic thrillers where the atmosphere becomes so thick you can practically breathe it in. Addison Lowe returns to her late mother-in-law Barb’s massive Oregon estate with her husband Luke after Barb’s death, expecting an emotionally exhausting cleanout full of hoarded junk, unresolved resentment, and awkward grief. What she doesn’t expect is a hidden attic stuffed with porcelain dolls labeled with names she recognizes from town… including missing women. Which is already horrifying enough before you add in the mysterious crows dropping trinkets at her feet, ivy clawing through the windows like the house itself is alive, and Luke slowly transforming into the human embodiment of a red flag convention.
And honestly? This book absolutely thrives in the unsettling details. The dolls alone deserve their own horror warning because every single discovery inside that attic made my skin crawl. Chelsea Conradt builds tension in such a suffocating, deliberate way that even ordinary moments feel dangerous. A hallway suddenly feels threatening. A locked office door becomes sinister. A conversation over coffee somehow feels like the beginning of a psychological breakdown. The entire house carries this damp, rotting grief that hangs over every page.
What really got me though was Addison. She’s grieving a miscarriage, trying desperately to support a husband unraveling in front of her, and constantly questioning whether she’s paranoid or genuinely uncovering something monstrous. Watching her slowly lose trust in the man she loves while digging deeper into Barb’s secrets made this feel less like a traditional thriller and more like emotional claustrophobia with creepy wallpaper and murder birds.
Luke? Sir. Absolutely not. The amount of times I wanted to shake this fictional man through my Kindle was honestly impressive. The gaslighting. The secrecy. The emotional manipulation. Every time he said Addison was imagining things while actively acting suspicious, I aged three years.
“The house doesn’t feel empty. It feels hungry.”
Yeah. That sentence alone nearly made me sleep with the lights on.
This definitely leans heavily into atmospheric suspense rather than nonstop action, so if you love fast-paced thrillers where bodies start dropping by chapter three, this may feel slower at first. But personally? I loved the creeping dread of it all. The story slowly tightens around you until suddenly every little detail matters. The crows. The dolls. The names. The town secrets. Barb’s obsession with protecting her son at all costs. Everything layers together into this eerie, emotionally messy gothic nightmare about grief, obsession, motherhood, marriage, and the terrifying realization that you may not truly know the person sleeping beside you.
And can we discuss the crows for a second? Because somehow they became my favorite part of the entire book. Tiny feathery chaos goblins leaving gifts while silently judging everyone’s terrible decisions. Icons, honestly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love books with haunted-house vibes, disturbing family secrets, emotionally messy marriages, creepy small-town mysteries, hidden rooms, and that delicious “something is deeply wrong here” feeling lingering over every chapter, The Secret Attic absolutely delivers. It feels like Coraline for emotionally exhausted adults who survive on caffeine, anxiety, and true crime documentaries.
Also… if your deceased mother-in-law left behind a giant creepy estate filled with dolls and hidden rooms, are you staying to investigate or immediately setting the whole property on fire and driving away? Because I genuinely need to know. 👀
#TheSecretAttic #ChelseaConradt #PoisonedPenPress #BookReview #NetGalley #HorrorBooks #ThrillerBooks #PsychologicalThriller #GothicThriller #MysteryBooks #SuspenseReads #CreepyBooks #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #DarkFiction #HorrorReader #BooksCoffeeBrews #SlowBurnThriller #AtmosphericThriller #HauntedHouseVibes #BookCommunity #ARCReader #2026Books #MysteryAndThrillers #WomenWhoRead #BookishL
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay — this is genuinely a great concept: a slow-burn mystery with supernatural undertones wrapped inside a domestic thriller, all set in a recently deceased mother-in-law’s house in Oregon. And when I say mother-in-law, we could just as honestly say monster-in-law — the kind of unnerving presence that gives off serious Weapons Gladys vibes (memorably played by Amy Madigan). From the very beginning, the setting delivers eerie, gothic energy in abundance.
Addison Lowe, still reeling from a miscarriage caused by a bizarre accident, travels with her husband Luke to clean out the massive estate of his late mother, Barb — a woman Addison had a strained, ill-fated relationship with from day one. Addison can’t quite say she’s grieving, but she is determined to support her husband. What she doesn’t anticipate is the overwhelming scale of the house — not just in size, but in clutter. Barb wasn’t simply difficult; she was a hoarder. And the estate is packed with an unreasonable amount of items that will take days — possibly weeks — to sort through.
But as Addison digs deeper into Barb’s belongings, the story takes a darker turn.
Inside Barb’s bedroom closet, Addison discovers a hidden compartment. It doesn’t open into Narnia — but what she finds may be worse. A concealed attic space filled with boxes. Each box is labeled with a person’s name. When Addison opens one marked “Cassidy Warren,” she finds a porcelain doll alongside deeply personal belongings — and the horrifying suggestion that the doll may be crafted with real human hair.
Yes. Things escalate quickly from unsettling to deeply disturbing.
What was Barb really doing in this house? Why did she keep these boxes? And how many names are there?
As the tension tightens, Luke begins acting increasingly suspicious. His grief feels complicated — maybe even performative. The more Addison uncovers, the more isolated she becomes. Is she uncovering a horrifying truth about her late mother-in-law? Or about her husband? And the most pressing question: will she escape this house — emotionally and physically — unharmed?
Overall, I truly loved the concept. The gothic atmosphere is one of the novel’s strongest elements. The house feels alive — not in an overt supernatural way, but as a suffocating presence, heavy with secrets and rot. Addison herself is a compelling protagonist. She’s fragile yet determined, grieving yet clear-eyed. You want to root for her. You want her to outsmart the sinister shadows of this household — both past and present.
However, my main issue was pacing.
The story leans very heavily into the “slow” in slow-burn. At times, it felt too restrained. Large stretches pass where very little happens, and I found myself wishing the tension would spike earlier. I genuinely had to push myself through the first half, hoping the momentum would build faster. While the eerie tone and unsettling discoveries kept me intrigued, the narrative didn’t fully hook me from the beginning.
When the twists finally arrive, they are intriguing — but they feel somewhat abrupt, almost as if the story shifts gears too suddenly after such a measured buildup. A stronger rhythm and sharper escalation could have elevated this from solid to unforgettable.
That said, the core idea is excellent. The creepy dollmaker element, the hoarder-house horror, the fragile marriage under strain — all of it works on a conceptual level. The execution simply needed tighter pacing and more sustained tension to prevent early stagnation.
In the end, I’m giving this a solid three stars. I appreciated the atmosphere, the tension, and Addison’s character arc. And I have to admit — the author’s imagination is undeniably creative and bold. I’m curious to read more of her work and hopeful that future novels maintain this eerie intensity while refining the pacing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital review copy of this haunting mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Addison Lowe, still reeling from a miscarriage caused by a bizarre accident, travels with her husband Luke to clean out the massive estate of his late mother, Barb — a woman Addison had a strained, ill-fated relationship with from day one. Addison can’t quite say she’s grieving, but she is determined to support her husband. What she doesn’t anticipate is the overwhelming scale of the house — not just in size, but in clutter. Barb wasn’t simply difficult; she was a hoarder. And the estate is packed with an unreasonable amount of items that will take days — possibly weeks — to sort through.
But as Addison digs deeper into Barb’s belongings, the story takes a darker turn.
Inside Barb’s bedroom closet, Addison discovers a hidden compartment. It doesn’t open into Narnia — but what she finds may be worse. A concealed attic space filled with boxes. Each box is labeled with a person’s name. When Addison opens one marked “Cassidy Warren,” she finds a porcelain doll alongside deeply personal belongings — and the horrifying suggestion that the doll may be crafted with real human hair.
Yes. Things escalate quickly from unsettling to deeply disturbing.
What was Barb really doing in this house? Why did she keep these boxes? And how many names are there?
As the tension tightens, Luke begins acting increasingly suspicious. His grief feels complicated — maybe even performative. The more Addison uncovers, the more isolated she becomes. Is she uncovering a horrifying truth about her late mother-in-law? Or about her husband? And the most pressing question: will she escape this house — emotionally and physically — unharmed?
Overall, I truly loved the concept. The gothic atmosphere is one of the novel’s strongest elements. The house feels alive — not in an overt supernatural way, but as a suffocating presence, heavy with secrets and rot. Addison herself is a compelling protagonist. She’s fragile yet determined, grieving yet clear-eyed. You want to root for her. You want her to outsmart the sinister shadows of this household — both past and present.
However, my main issue was pacing.
The story leans very heavily into the “slow” in slow-burn. At times, it felt too restrained. Large stretches pass where very little happens, and I found myself wishing the tension would spike earlier. I genuinely had to push myself through the first half, hoping the momentum would build faster. While the eerie tone and unsettling discoveries kept me intrigued, the narrative didn’t fully hook me from the beginning.
When the twists finally arrive, they are intriguing — but they feel somewhat abrupt, almost as if the story shifts gears too suddenly after such a measured buildup. A stronger rhythm and sharper escalation could have elevated this from solid to unforgettable.
That said, the core idea is excellent. The creepy dollmaker element, the hoarder-house horror, the fragile marriage under strain — all of it works on a conceptual level. The execution simply needed tighter pacing and more sustained tension to prevent early stagnation.
In the end, I’m giving this a solid three stars. I appreciated the atmosphere, the tension, and Addison’s character arc. And I have to admit — the author’s imagination is undeniably creative and bold. I’m curious to read more of her work and hopeful that future novels maintain this eerie intensity while refining the pacing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital review copy of this haunting mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Secret Attic" ist eine Geschichte über ein verheiratetes Paar, Addison und Luke, die nach dem Tod von Lukes Mutter, Barb, zu deren Anwesen nach Oregon fahren, um das Haus leerzuräumen und anschließend zu verkaufen. Barb hasste Addison abgrundtief, und auch wenn Addison am liebsten nie wieder einen Fuß in das Haus setzen würde, tut sie es nun, um Luke zu unterstützen. Gemeinsam beginnen sie also, das enorme Anwesen aufzuräumen - was sich schwierig gestaltet, denn Barb war jemand, der nichts wegwerfen konnte. Das Haus ist so vollgestellt mit Dingen, dass man sich darin kaum bewegen kann. Und so ist es nicht überraschend, dass Addison hinter Bergen von Kartons und Boxen plötzlich eine neue Tür entdeckt, die zu einem geheimen Dachboden führt. Dort findet sie Dinge, die sie sich nicht erklären kann, Geheimnisse, die sie nicht alleine lüften kann, und eine Verbindung zu ihrer eigenen Vergangenheit, die sie nicht erwartet hätte.
Ich liebe Thriller, Horror, Mystery, und das Buch hatte versprochen, genau das zu sein. Doch am Ende war es eine massive Enttäuschung. Ich weiß gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll. Es war nicht spannend. Es war nicht unheimlich. Es war langweilig. Es waren Seiten über Seiten über Seiten, wie Addison Boxen öffnet, wie sie sich nicht traut, in die nächste Box zu schauen, wie sie die Box zur Seite stellt, nur um sie dann doch zu öffnen. Es gab übernatürliche Elemente, die nicht erklärt wurden und deshalb im Nachhinein keinen Sinn ergaben. Irgendwie gab es Geister, irgendwie gab es Magie, irgendwie konnte das Haus seinen Grundriss verändern - nichts davon wurde genauer erklärt. Es gab Puppen und Raben, und eine Protagonistin, die sich mehr wie ein Teenager verhält als eine erwachsene Frau.
Damit kommen wir zum nächsten Problem. Die Charaktere. Es gab keine Dynamik zwischen den beiden. Luke verbringt die Hälfte des Buches allein im Büro seiner verstorbenen Mutter, um deren Papierkram in Ordnung zu bringen, während Addison alleine Boxen öffnet, Boxen schließt, Boxen bewegt ... Dabei denkt sie die ganze Zeit, wie sehr sie Luke liebt und wie sehr sie für ihn da sein will. Solche Gedanken kommen auf jeder zweiten Seite vor. Und wann immer Luke lügt oder ihr die Wahrheit vorenthält (was er von Anfang an tut, und was für den Leser verdammt nervig ist) ist Addison voller Verständnis, mit der Begründung, dass er trauert, dass er alles verarbeiten muss, dass es sie zu einer guten Ehefrau macht, wenn sie ihn in Ruhe lässt und keine Antworten verlangt. Dadurch wurde das Buch unglaublich zäh. Wir merken von Anfang an, dass Luke die Antworten hat - aber weil Addison ihn nicht überfordern will, lässt sie ihre Fragen immer wieder fallen. Wenn Luke einfach direkt ehrlich zu ihr gewesen wäre, bräuchten wir 90% des Buches nicht.
Auch der Schreibstil hat mir nicht gefallen. Die Autorin hat es viel zu ernst gemeint mit "Show, don't tell". Sie benennt keine Gefühle. Stattdessen beschreibt sie seltsame körperliche Reaktionen, aus denen wir dann ableiten müssen, was Addison gerade fühlt. In der Theorie wäre das gut, aber sie macht es so ... unbeholfen. Nicht nachvollziehbar. Sie beschreibt zum Beispiel einmal, dass Addisons Hände heiß werden. Im nächsten Moment fließen Tränen. Da fehlt mir einfach der Zusammenhang. Ich kenne es eher, dass die Augen heiß werden (oder prickeln, oder brennen) oder dass der Hals eng wird, bevor man weint. Nicht, dass die Hände sich erwärmen. Noch dazu wurde viel zu oft "OMG" geschrieben (ja, in genau dieser Form).
Das Buch endet enttäuschend. Nichts wurde erklärt. Die Raben, die Magie, die Geister ... alles blieb offen, aber auch eine frustrierende Art. Wenn ich dieses Buch nicht als ARC erhalten hätte, hätte ich es abgebrochen. Leider kann ich es nicht weiterempfehlen.
1 Stern.
Danke an NetGalley für den ARC dieses Buches.
Ich liebe Thriller, Horror, Mystery, und das Buch hatte versprochen, genau das zu sein. Doch am Ende war es eine massive Enttäuschung. Ich weiß gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll. Es war nicht spannend. Es war nicht unheimlich. Es war langweilig. Es waren Seiten über Seiten über Seiten, wie Addison Boxen öffnet, wie sie sich nicht traut, in die nächste Box zu schauen, wie sie die Box zur Seite stellt, nur um sie dann doch zu öffnen. Es gab übernatürliche Elemente, die nicht erklärt wurden und deshalb im Nachhinein keinen Sinn ergaben. Irgendwie gab es Geister, irgendwie gab es Magie, irgendwie konnte das Haus seinen Grundriss verändern - nichts davon wurde genauer erklärt. Es gab Puppen und Raben, und eine Protagonistin, die sich mehr wie ein Teenager verhält als eine erwachsene Frau.
Damit kommen wir zum nächsten Problem. Die Charaktere. Es gab keine Dynamik zwischen den beiden. Luke verbringt die Hälfte des Buches allein im Büro seiner verstorbenen Mutter, um deren Papierkram in Ordnung zu bringen, während Addison alleine Boxen öffnet, Boxen schließt, Boxen bewegt ... Dabei denkt sie die ganze Zeit, wie sehr sie Luke liebt und wie sehr sie für ihn da sein will. Solche Gedanken kommen auf jeder zweiten Seite vor. Und wann immer Luke lügt oder ihr die Wahrheit vorenthält (was er von Anfang an tut, und was für den Leser verdammt nervig ist) ist Addison voller Verständnis, mit der Begründung, dass er trauert, dass er alles verarbeiten muss, dass es sie zu einer guten Ehefrau macht, wenn sie ihn in Ruhe lässt und keine Antworten verlangt. Dadurch wurde das Buch unglaublich zäh. Wir merken von Anfang an, dass Luke die Antworten hat - aber weil Addison ihn nicht überfordern will, lässt sie ihre Fragen immer wieder fallen. Wenn Luke einfach direkt ehrlich zu ihr gewesen wäre, bräuchten wir 90% des Buches nicht.
Auch der Schreibstil hat mir nicht gefallen. Die Autorin hat es viel zu ernst gemeint mit "Show, don't tell". Sie benennt keine Gefühle. Stattdessen beschreibt sie seltsame körperliche Reaktionen, aus denen wir dann ableiten müssen, was Addison gerade fühlt. In der Theorie wäre das gut, aber sie macht es so ... unbeholfen. Nicht nachvollziehbar. Sie beschreibt zum Beispiel einmal, dass Addisons Hände heiß werden. Im nächsten Moment fließen Tränen. Da fehlt mir einfach der Zusammenhang. Ich kenne es eher, dass die Augen heiß werden (oder prickeln, oder brennen) oder dass der Hals eng wird, bevor man weint. Nicht, dass die Hände sich erwärmen. Noch dazu wurde viel zu oft "OMG" geschrieben (ja, in genau dieser Form).
Das Buch endet enttäuschend. Nichts wurde erklärt. Die Raben, die Magie, die Geister ... alles blieb offen, aber auch eine frustrierende Art. Wenn ich dieses Buch nicht als ARC erhalten hätte, hätte ich es abgebrochen. Leider kann ich es nicht weiterempfehlen.
1 Stern.
Danke an NetGalley für den ARC dieses Buches.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“The Secret Attic” is one of those slow-burn gothic thrillers that starts off feeling like a tense domestic drama and then slowly slides into something much darker and creepier.
The story follows Addison, who travels with her husband Luke to clean out his late mother’s huge estate in Oregon. Addison never had a great relationship with her mother-in-law Barb; honestly, Barb made it pretty clear she didn’t like her from the start. Still, Addison is trying to be supportive, especially since Luke is grieving. On top of that, Addison is dealing with the trauma of a recent miscarriage, so she’s already in a really fragile place emotionally.
At first, the situation just feels uncomfortable. The house is massive, packed with stuff because Barb was basically a hoarder, and the whole place has this weird, heavy atmosphere. But then Addison starts noticing things that feel off. Neighbors mention seeing strange figures in the windows, Luke gets strangely defensive whenever Addison asks questions about his mom, and there are creepy little details scattered throughout the house, like dolls that feel way too unsettling to just be decorations.
Things really escalate when Addison discovers a hidden attic space filled with boxes labeled with people’s names. Inside them? Dolls made with personal items, including human hair as well as crow feathers. From there, the mystery deepens: what exactly was Barb doing in this house, and how many people might have been affected by it?
One thing I really liked about this book was the atmosphere. The house itself feels almost like a character; it’s dark, cluttered, and full of secrets. There are also some genuinely creepy moments (especially involving the dolls), and the tension slowly builds as Addison digs deeper into what her mother-in-law might have been capable of.
Addison is also a pretty compelling main character. She’s grieving, vulnerable, and dealing with a husband who constantly dismisses her concerns. Luke spends a lot of the book gaslighting her and brushing off the weird things she discovers, which honestly makes him pretty frustrating to read about. But Addison keeps pushing forward anyway, determined to figure out what’s really going on, even when it starts putting her relationship and her safety at risk.
One of the more interesting elements is the group of crows that hangs around the house. Addison ends up forming this strange connection with them, and it adds another eerie layer to the story that makes you wonder just how supernatural everything really is.
The biggest downside is probably the pacing. The book leans heavily into the “slow” part of slow-burn, and there are definitely sections where things feel repetitive or drag a bit. It takes a while for the big reveals to kick in, and when they finally do, they come pretty quickly after such a long buildup.
That said, the final twists are really satisfying and tie together a lot of the strange details, like the dolls, the crows, and Barb’s disturbing influence over the family. There’s even one last surprise at the end that I genuinely didn’t see coming. The ending wraps up the mystery but still leaves things a little open when it comes to Addison and Luke’s future.
Overall, “The Secret Attic” is a creepy, atmospheric thriller with strong gothic vibes and a really interesting central mystery. If you like haunted-house stories, unsettling family secrets, and slow-building supernatural tension, this one is definitely worth checking out; just be prepared for a patient buildup before everything finally falls into place.
“The Secret Attic” is one of those slow-burn gothic thrillers that starts off feeling like a tense domestic drama and then slowly slides into something much darker and creepier.
The story follows Addison, who travels with her husband Luke to clean out his late mother’s huge estate in Oregon. Addison never had a great relationship with her mother-in-law Barb; honestly, Barb made it pretty clear she didn’t like her from the start. Still, Addison is trying to be supportive, especially since Luke is grieving. On top of that, Addison is dealing with the trauma of a recent miscarriage, so she’s already in a really fragile place emotionally.
At first, the situation just feels uncomfortable. The house is massive, packed with stuff because Barb was basically a hoarder, and the whole place has this weird, heavy atmosphere. But then Addison starts noticing things that feel off. Neighbors mention seeing strange figures in the windows, Luke gets strangely defensive whenever Addison asks questions about his mom, and there are creepy little details scattered throughout the house, like dolls that feel way too unsettling to just be decorations.
Things really escalate when Addison discovers a hidden attic space filled with boxes labeled with people’s names. Inside them? Dolls made with personal items, including human hair as well as crow feathers. From there, the mystery deepens: what exactly was Barb doing in this house, and how many people might have been affected by it?
One thing I really liked about this book was the atmosphere. The house itself feels almost like a character; it’s dark, cluttered, and full of secrets. There are also some genuinely creepy moments (especially involving the dolls), and the tension slowly builds as Addison digs deeper into what her mother-in-law might have been capable of.
Addison is also a pretty compelling main character. She’s grieving, vulnerable, and dealing with a husband who constantly dismisses her concerns. Luke spends a lot of the book gaslighting her and brushing off the weird things she discovers, which honestly makes him pretty frustrating to read about. But Addison keeps pushing forward anyway, determined to figure out what’s really going on, even when it starts putting her relationship and her safety at risk.
One of the more interesting elements is the group of crows that hangs around the house. Addison ends up forming this strange connection with them, and it adds another eerie layer to the story that makes you wonder just how supernatural everything really is.
The biggest downside is probably the pacing. The book leans heavily into the “slow” part of slow-burn, and there are definitely sections where things feel repetitive or drag a bit. It takes a while for the big reveals to kick in, and when they finally do, they come pretty quickly after such a long buildup.
That said, the final twists are really satisfying and tie together a lot of the strange details, like the dolls, the crows, and Barb’s disturbing influence over the family. There’s even one last surprise at the end that I genuinely didn’t see coming. The ending wraps up the mystery but still leaves things a little open when it comes to Addison and Luke’s future.
Overall, “The Secret Attic” is a creepy, atmospheric thriller with strong gothic vibes and a really interesting central mystery. If you like haunted-house stories, unsettling family secrets, and slow-building supernatural tension, this one is definitely worth checking out; just be prepared for a patient buildup before everything finally falls into place.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Genre: Psychological thriller/Mystery/Suspense
Title: The Secret Attic
Trigger Warnings: Miscarriage, child loss
Is it possible to love someone too much? This is the question Addison Lowe should be asking herself, but she thinks she's being the perfect wife to Luke and is just back in his hometown of Rockport, Oregon to support him as they clear through his late, pack-rat mom's three-story estate. The mother-in-law from Hell, Barb. What Addison discovers will test her faith in Luke, in her own sanity. But she's determined to find answers and with the help of a strange source, a murder ... of crows.
The Secret Attic has plenty of mystery and great writing skills to like in this work from Chelsea Conradt. Imagine trying to support the husband you adore as you put his strong-willed mother's hoard-filled house to rights then finding out her darkest secrets? That's what's in store for doting Addison in this dark look at the relationship between an adoring wife and the other woman in his life - mom.
This is a great mystery at its heart and a fun, sly poke at the old trope of the evil monster that is some mother-in-laws. I found the whole setting: the foggy, Pacific coast, and the "mystery room" very atmospheric and a perfectly dreadful opening to this novel. As we dove further into the exploration of this beautiful manor house, the greater the tension this skilled author ratcheted up in me, and yes, I loved it. 😍
My favorite moment in this book occurs when Addison has the house to herself for a couple of hours. Luke is off to attend a business lunch with someone he doesn't mention. By this point, I'm thinking affair despite Addison's constant gushy inner monologues over this dude. But Cordant has done a fabulous 👌 job of building up a delicious sense of anticipation within me. I almost yelled at the book, "Go find out what (or who!!??) the hell else is up in that secret room beyond that weird little door? It caused a pit in my stomach - showing great skill at tension building here! 👍👏
The carving on the door that led into an Alice in Wonderland experience for Addison was very clever as well, too, I thought, and I admit I never saw the ending twist coming, bravo!
Some aspects occasionally drew me out of the story. Specifically, the overuse of the term overwhelm. There were many instances of it and missed opportunities to use a different word. And yeah, I get that it's "creative license" but if you're going to do something like this, you must do it quite well, or not at all.
I am sorrow in the moment - odd phrase 🤔 but this one was unique and smart to me within the sad context.
Overall, I thought Secret Attic was a nice, interesting read that could benefit from a closer edit, and a book that anyone who enjoys mystery (or ever had a terrible MIL) could easily fall into and enjoy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌙 3.5 stars
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ARC and the opportunity to review it. My views are my own.
Some people collect momentos. Other people collect oddities. My late mother-in-law did neither, she simply amassed. And a tiny part of me relishes the petty joy of getting to throw it all out. <-great quote! 👍
Title: The Secret Attic
Trigger Warnings: Miscarriage, child loss
Is it possible to love someone too much? This is the question Addison Lowe should be asking herself, but she thinks she's being the perfect wife to Luke and is just back in his hometown of Rockport, Oregon to support him as they clear through his late, pack-rat mom's three-story estate. The mother-in-law from Hell, Barb. What Addison discovers will test her faith in Luke, in her own sanity. But she's determined to find answers and with the help of a strange source, a murder ... of crows.
The Secret Attic has plenty of mystery and great writing skills to like in this work from Chelsea Conradt. Imagine trying to support the husband you adore as you put his strong-willed mother's hoard-filled house to rights then finding out her darkest secrets? That's what's in store for doting Addison in this dark look at the relationship between an adoring wife and the other woman in his life - mom.
This is a great mystery at its heart and a fun, sly poke at the old trope of the evil monster that is some mother-in-laws. I found the whole setting: the foggy, Pacific coast, and the "mystery room" very atmospheric and a perfectly dreadful opening to this novel. As we dove further into the exploration of this beautiful manor house, the greater the tension this skilled author ratcheted up in me, and yes, I loved it. 😍
My favorite moment in this book occurs when Addison has the house to herself for a couple of hours. Luke is off to attend a business lunch with someone he doesn't mention. By this point, I'm thinking affair despite Addison's constant gushy inner monologues over this dude. But Cordant has done a fabulous 👌 job of building up a delicious sense of anticipation within me. I almost yelled at the book, "Go find out what (or who!!??) the hell else is up in that secret room beyond that weird little door? It caused a pit in my stomach - showing great skill at tension building here! 👍👏
The carving on the door that led into an Alice in Wonderland experience for Addison was very clever as well, too, I thought, and I admit I never saw the ending twist coming, bravo!
Some aspects occasionally drew me out of the story. Specifically, the overuse of the term overwhelm. There were many instances of it and missed opportunities to use a different word. And yeah, I get that it's "creative license" but if you're going to do something like this, you must do it quite well, or not at all.
I am sorrow in the moment - odd phrase 🤔 but this one was unique and smart to me within the sad context.
Overall, I thought Secret Attic was a nice, interesting read that could benefit from a closer edit, and a book that anyone who enjoys mystery (or ever had a terrible MIL) could easily fall into and enjoy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌙 3.5 stars
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ARC and the opportunity to review it. My views are my own.
Some people collect momentos. Other people collect oddities. My late mother-in-law did neither, she simply amassed. And a tiny part of me relishes the petty joy of getting to throw it all out. <-great quote! 👍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many things to unpack here. A way to get any thriller/mystery/suspense to work, you need a goofy main character (maybe they aren't smart, maybe too hard-headed) and a secret outcome that absolutely no one will guess because the plot wasn't developed enough to encompass that outcome. This book had that.
I enjoyed our main character. I thought she was much braver than I could ever be. She asked the right questions, but she remained too loyal to her husband that she should've left. After one too many secrets, I think she should've recognized that her husband is a complete wadball and doesn't deserve her. Yes, he loves her, but does he really if he keeps lying to her?
I'll admit the beginning was promising - except the OMG (it's a personal thing I don't care for), but once we kept having to repeat the word 'boxes' I kinda zoned out. This book would be much better as a movie, imo, than having to read the word box a million times because there's really only so many ways to say it. So the redundancy was taking away part of the immersion for me.
This is probably a misstep on my part but why do the birds care? Were they alive the many years ago when the girl's body was buried? Was Barb simply plain mean to them? If the birds weren't alive back then, is it a learned trait to distrust Barb? The birds help move the plot forward but it's over my head how they could've collected some of the most important breadcrumbs to the story.
The most frustrating part. Her husband was downright dirty. A straight up liar. Kept doing things that she would brush off once she got a simple 'i'm sorry'. Said he didn't know about the dolls but then later confesses he knew. But he didn't think to connect it with the accidents that would happen to people and definitely didn't know that his momma off'd someone? A very special someone. ***The death of that young girl was very dark, seemed like it was there for a shock factor, and it seems to cut short the heinous act that was committed against that girl (meaning, what did the town say when they found out miss perfect barb did what she did? did the family get any closure besides the officer that was her cousin? what did her older sister think of them now? We didn't get any of that in the story) EXCEPT we got a doll that was in the likeness of barb in her husband's closet.... but wait, I thought he said his mom never would've hurt his wife, that she wouldn't do something to hurt him that way. THEN WHY HAVE THE DOLL - it makes it seem that maybe he off'd her.. if he off'd her then that means he once again lied by telling his wife 'no, mom would NEVVVVVER hurt you or me'. It's a little hazy on that part because the husband is so annoyingly stupid and a big liar.
I wouldn't say that my reading experience was all negative - I found myself needing to know what happened and also if miss girl would end up being killed by her husband. However, there were a lot of issues I had with the plot, the characters, and the use of a secret pregnant 14 year old dead girl.
I enjoyed our main character. I thought she was much braver than I could ever be. She asked the right questions, but she remained too loyal to her husband that she should've left. After one too many secrets, I think she should've recognized that her husband is a complete wadball and doesn't deserve her. Yes, he loves her, but does he really if he keeps lying to her?
I'll admit the beginning was promising - except the OMG (it's a personal thing I don't care for), but once we kept having to repeat the word 'boxes' I kinda zoned out. This book would be much better as a movie, imo, than having to read the word box a million times because there's really only so many ways to say it. So the redundancy was taking away part of the immersion for me.
This is probably a misstep on my part but why do the birds care? Were they alive the many years ago when the girl's body was buried? Was Barb simply plain mean to them? If the birds weren't alive back then, is it a learned trait to distrust Barb? The birds help move the plot forward but it's over my head how they could've collected some of the most important breadcrumbs to the story.
The most frustrating part. Her husband was downright dirty. A straight up liar. Kept doing things that she would brush off once she got a simple 'i'm sorry'. Said he didn't know about the dolls but then later confesses he knew. But he didn't think to connect it with the accidents that would happen to people and definitely didn't know that his momma off'd someone? A very special someone. ***The death of that young girl was very dark, seemed like it was there for a shock factor, and it seems to cut short the heinous act that was committed against that girl (meaning, what did the town say when they found out miss perfect barb did what she did? did the family get any closure besides the officer that was her cousin? what did her older sister think of them now? We didn't get any of that in the story) EXCEPT we got a doll that was in the likeness of barb in her husband's closet.... but wait, I thought he said his mom never would've hurt his wife, that she wouldn't do something to hurt him that way. THEN WHY HAVE THE DOLL - it makes it seem that maybe he off'd her.. if he off'd her then that means he once again lied by telling his wife 'no, mom would NEVVVVVER hurt you or me'. It's a little hazy on that part because the husband is so annoyingly stupid and a big liar.
I wouldn't say that my reading experience was all negative - I found myself needing to know what happened and also if miss girl would end up being killed by her husband. However, there were a lot of issues I had with the plot, the characters, and the use of a secret pregnant 14 year old dead girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Secret Attic is a wonderfully eerie, slow‑creeping gothic thriller that blends domestic tension with supernatural dread in a way that feels both elegant and deliciously unsettling. It’s the kind of story where the house itself becomes a character—breathing, watching, remembering—and the further Addison wanders into its shadows, the more you feel the walls closing in around her.
Addison’s inheritance of her mother‑in‑law’s estate sets the tone immediately: this isn’t a gift, it’s a warning. The hoarded rooms, the ivy clawing through the windows, the dolls labelled with names she shouldn’t recognise—each discovery adds a new layer of unease. What I loved is how the book keeps its horror grounded in emotion. Addison is grieving, Luke is unraveling, and the house seems to feed on everything they’re too afraid to say out loud.
The tension between Addison and Luke is especially compelling. His shift from grieving son to someone secretive and sharp-edged gives the story a creeping psychological menace. You’re never quite sure whether the danger is supernatural, marital, or something tangled between the two. And the mystery of Cassidy Warren, the missing girl whose name appears on one of the dolls, ties the whole narrative together with a chilling inevitability.
The atmosphere is rich and oppressive in the best way—crows dropping trinkets, reflections that feel wrong, rooms that seem to rearrange themselves around Addison’s fears. It’s a story about legacy, obsession, and the kind of secrets that rot a family from the inside out.
A dark, elegant, and compulsively readable gothic thriller that kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped. Perfect for readers who love haunted houses with teeth, complicated marriages, and mysteries that refuse to stay buried.
With thanks to Chelsea Conradt, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Addison’s inheritance of her mother‑in‑law’s estate sets the tone immediately: this isn’t a gift, it’s a warning. The hoarded rooms, the ivy clawing through the windows, the dolls labelled with names she shouldn’t recognise—each discovery adds a new layer of unease. What I loved is how the book keeps its horror grounded in emotion. Addison is grieving, Luke is unraveling, and the house seems to feed on everything they’re too afraid to say out loud.
The tension between Addison and Luke is especially compelling. His shift from grieving son to someone secretive and sharp-edged gives the story a creeping psychological menace. You’re never quite sure whether the danger is supernatural, marital, or something tangled between the two. And the mystery of Cassidy Warren, the missing girl whose name appears on one of the dolls, ties the whole narrative together with a chilling inevitability.
The atmosphere is rich and oppressive in the best way—crows dropping trinkets, reflections that feel wrong, rooms that seem to rearrange themselves around Addison’s fears. It’s a story about legacy, obsession, and the kind of secrets that rot a family from the inside out.
A dark, elegant, and compulsively readable gothic thriller that kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped. Perfect for readers who love haunted houses with teeth, complicated marriages, and mysteries that refuse to stay buried.
With thanks to Chelsea Conradt, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
came for creepy attic secrets and a nightmare mother in law, and wow, this book really said “what if we just… did all of that, all the time.”
The Secret Attic has everything you’d expect. Hoarder house stuffed with bad decisions. Creepy dolls that absolutely should have been thrown into the sun. Crows lurking like they’re on payroll. A husband who sets off so many red flags he might as well come with a warning label. The setup is genuinely great. Woman inherits terrible house from terrible person and immediately regrets every life choice. Relatable.
And to be fair, the atmosphere is working overtime. It is creepy. It is tense. It will make you suspicious of any closed door in your home. For a while, I was fully locked in.
Then the pacing decides to sit down, get comfortable, and unpack everyone’s entire emotional history. Repeatedly. In detail. I did not expect to attend this many therapy sessions while reading a thriller, but here we are. Every time something exciting starts to happen, the book gently taps the brakes and says “but let’s process this first.”
Also, the symbolism. Subtlety has left the chat. The crows are ominous. The dolls are creepy. The house is bad. I promise, I understood this the first twelve times. You do not need to keep checking if I’m still following along. I am. I just wish the plot would hurry up.
That said, it is still a fun read. The mystery is engaging, Addison is easy to root for, and the whole “is my husband secretly awful” storyline absolutely delivers. It is the kind of book you speed through while occasionally muttering “okay, we get it” under your breath.
Final verdict: entertaining, spooky, and a little exhausting. Could have been sharper, but still worth it if you enjoy haunted houses, messy families, and men who seem like they absolutely have something to hide.
The Secret Attic has everything you’d expect. Hoarder house stuffed with bad decisions. Creepy dolls that absolutely should have been thrown into the sun. Crows lurking like they’re on payroll. A husband who sets off so many red flags he might as well come with a warning label. The setup is genuinely great. Woman inherits terrible house from terrible person and immediately regrets every life choice. Relatable.
And to be fair, the atmosphere is working overtime. It is creepy. It is tense. It will make you suspicious of any closed door in your home. For a while, I was fully locked in.
Then the pacing decides to sit down, get comfortable, and unpack everyone’s entire emotional history. Repeatedly. In detail. I did not expect to attend this many therapy sessions while reading a thriller, but here we are. Every time something exciting starts to happen, the book gently taps the brakes and says “but let’s process this first.”
Also, the symbolism. Subtlety has left the chat. The crows are ominous. The dolls are creepy. The house is bad. I promise, I understood this the first twelve times. You do not need to keep checking if I’m still following along. I am. I just wish the plot would hurry up.
That said, it is still a fun read. The mystery is engaging, Addison is easy to root for, and the whole “is my husband secretly awful” storyline absolutely delivers. It is the kind of book you speed through while occasionally muttering “okay, we get it” under your breath.
Final verdict: entertaining, spooky, and a little exhausting. Could have been sharper, but still worth it if you enjoy haunted houses, messy families, and men who seem like they absolutely have something to hide.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If vibes alone could carry a book to 5 stars, The Secret Attic would have *easily* made it.
Chelsea Conradt absolutely nailed the creepy atmosphere here. I’m talking full-on nightmare fuel: dolls watching from the shadows, crows dropping “gifts,” strange noises in the house, that constant feeling that something is *just out of sight but definitely there*. The setting felt alive in the most unsettling way, like the house itself was holding its breath and waiting.
Addison (and her husband Luke) inherits her mother-in-law’s massive, hoarded estate, which already sounds like a bad idea, and from the moment she steps inside, you can tell this isn’t just clutter… it’s secrets stacked floor to ceiling. As she starts digging through everything, trying to make sense of Barb’s life, things only get stranger. And then there’s Luke. The way he slowly unravels? So good. He goes from grieving husband to… something else entirely, and I was completely locked in trying to figure out what was going on with him. Every box they opened made things feel heavier, darker, and way more personal.
I was INVESTED. Like, “just one more chapter” at 2am invested.
But… the ending. Listen. I don’t know if it was me building up an even darker, twistier explanation in my head (very possible 😂), but the reveal just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. It wasn’t bad, it just felt like it didn’t quite live up to the insane level of creepiness and tension the rest of the book delivered. Total “whomp-whomp” moment after such a strong build.
That said, if you love eerie, atmospheric thrillers with haunted house energy, unsettling symbolism, and a steady drip of “what is actually happening right now,” this is still 100% worth the read. Just maybe go in for the vibes and the journey… not the final destination.
Chelsea Conradt absolutely nailed the creepy atmosphere here. I’m talking full-on nightmare fuel: dolls watching from the shadows, crows dropping “gifts,” strange noises in the house, that constant feeling that something is *just out of sight but definitely there*. The setting felt alive in the most unsettling way, like the house itself was holding its breath and waiting.
Addison (and her husband Luke) inherits her mother-in-law’s massive, hoarded estate, which already sounds like a bad idea, and from the moment she steps inside, you can tell this isn’t just clutter… it’s secrets stacked floor to ceiling. As she starts digging through everything, trying to make sense of Barb’s life, things only get stranger. And then there’s Luke. The way he slowly unravels? So good. He goes from grieving husband to… something else entirely, and I was completely locked in trying to figure out what was going on with him. Every box they opened made things feel heavier, darker, and way more personal.
I was INVESTED. Like, “just one more chapter” at 2am invested.
But… the ending. Listen. I don’t know if it was me building up an even darker, twistier explanation in my head (very possible 😂), but the reveal just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. It wasn’t bad, it just felt like it didn’t quite live up to the insane level of creepiness and tension the rest of the book delivered. Total “whomp-whomp” moment after such a strong build.
That said, if you love eerie, atmospheric thrillers with haunted house energy, unsettling symbolism, and a steady drip of “what is actually happening right now,” this is still 100% worth the read. Just maybe go in for the vibes and the journey… not the final destination.
May 3, 2026
The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt is a supernatural horror book with some dark magic mixed in. The story follows Addison and her husband Luke who have traveled to Luke’s childhood home to take care of his late mom’s estate. It is clear from the beginning that Addison is there to support Luke as best as she can given the fact that her MIL did not like her and made it known with any opportunity she had.
Addison tries to be supportive of Luke’s grief as she recalls a loss that they both experienced recently and he was very supportive so she was trying to reciprocate.
During their time at the house, Addison discovers creepy dolls that her MIL had made and there were so many boxes labeled with the names of the residents of the towns that had these creepy dolls. Addison also had unorthodox interactions with the crows that surround the house and it seems that they are trying to “tell” her something…almost like warning her of something.
There were some aspects of this story that I liked, the creepy dolls, the crows, the almost fever dream experience that Addison felt being in the house and the ending was very much surprising!
What I did not like is that Addison was trying so hard to be supportive of Luke that she failed to communicate with him about important and scary things that were happening in the house. I understand trying to not burden him due to his grief but spouses should not hesitate to tell each other important things. (This seems to be a theme with this author’s books because I recall having this same dislike from her other book)
Overall, the story was good and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good slow burn mystery horror book.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.
Addison tries to be supportive of Luke’s grief as she recalls a loss that they both experienced recently and he was very supportive so she was trying to reciprocate.
During their time at the house, Addison discovers creepy dolls that her MIL had made and there were so many boxes labeled with the names of the residents of the towns that had these creepy dolls. Addison also had unorthodox interactions with the crows that surround the house and it seems that they are trying to “tell” her something…almost like warning her of something.
There were some aspects of this story that I liked, the creepy dolls, the crows, the almost fever dream experience that Addison felt being in the house and the ending was very much surprising!
What I did not like is that Addison was trying so hard to be supportive of Luke that she failed to communicate with him about important and scary things that were happening in the house. I understand trying to not burden him due to his grief but spouses should not hesitate to tell each other important things. (This seems to be a theme with this author’s books because I recall having this same dislike from her other book)
Overall, the story was good and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good slow burn mystery horror book.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Some mothers will never accept who their son marries. No one will be good enough. Not for their little boy. Addison understands that. She’s lived it. Barb never approved of her and let her know that from day one. Despite that, Addy and Luke have done their best to make their marriage work.
Addy isn’t really that sad when Barb dies. However, she is not a big fan of cleaning out Barb’s house. But whatever it takes to support her husband during his grief. Well, double grief. Addy had an accident that caused her to have a miscarriage [TRIGGER WARNING: If you have had a miscarriage, that is mentioned quite a bit throughout this novel as Addy deals with the loss.]
Then, strange things start happening. And Addy finds things that she is pretty sure she, or anyone else for that matter, was never supposed to find. Addy sure wasn’t prepared for the impact that these discoveries would have on Luke.
“The Secret Attic” is dark and creepy. It is well written and is one of those novels you won’t want to put down and stay up waaaay too late reading. With a light on, of course. Because you will be hearing creaking in your house and bumps in the attic.
My only issue was that there were a few times the author was repetitive in their thoughts. That may be normal for a person going through all Addison is going through but can take you out of the scene while readding. To me, that should have been cleaned up in editing. But with that minor quibble, it is definitely worth the read. If nothing else, for the last chapter alone. So good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Addy isn’t really that sad when Barb dies. However, she is not a big fan of cleaning out Barb’s house. But whatever it takes to support her husband during his grief. Well, double grief. Addy had an accident that caused her to have a miscarriage [TRIGGER WARNING: If you have had a miscarriage, that is mentioned quite a bit throughout this novel as Addy deals with the loss.]
Then, strange things start happening. And Addy finds things that she is pretty sure she, or anyone else for that matter, was never supposed to find. Addy sure wasn’t prepared for the impact that these discoveries would have on Luke.
“The Secret Attic” is dark and creepy. It is well written and is one of those novels you won’t want to put down and stay up waaaay too late reading. With a light on, of course. Because you will be hearing creaking in your house and bumps in the attic.
My only issue was that there were a few times the author was repetitive in their thoughts. That may be normal for a person going through all Addison is going through but can take you out of the scene while readding. To me, that should have been cleaned up in editing. But with that minor quibble, it is definitely worth the read. If nothing else, for the last chapter alone. So good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
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