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The Mother Upstairs
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 26She knows your secret. And she’s in your house.
Mellie’s future mother-in-law bursts into the bridal suite, a piece of paper clutched in her hand. ‘I know your secret,’ she says, a satisfied smile on her face. ‘And I will not let you marry my son.’
Two months later, anxiety twists in Mellie’s stomach as she watches the taxi arrive. She knew her mother-in-law would move in after her stroke, her husband Henry had insisted on it. But now they’re under the same roof, she knows she’s in danger…
Because locked is the attic is a piece of paper that could destroy everything. And Mellie knows that Pauline will expose her secret.
As Pauline rests, Mellie frantically searches the house for the key to the attic. But when she finds it and starts tearing through boxes of papers, her blood runs cold at what she finds. Hands shaking, she tries to make sense of the words in front of her, realising with a bolt of terror that Henry has his own dark secret. One that could destroy her.
Then she hears footsteps downstairs. The doctors said Pauline would be bedbound for weeks, but what if they were wrong? Neither woman knows what the other is truly capable of, and just how far they will go to protect their secrets. But who will make it out of this house alive?
An unputdownable and addictive thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Packed with twists, this psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.
Readers love Becca Day’s psychological
‘EVERYONE NEEDS TO DROP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR! PERFECTION! I felt like I was on a rollercoaster… I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!… an utterly thrilling storyline that kept me turning the pages at lightning speed!’ arcreviews_by_m, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘MYYYYY GOOD LORD!!!! This was a wild ride from start to finish. The twists n turns had me on the edge of my SEAT!!!… WOW WOW WOW!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Completely consumed my weekend… grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. I had plans, but all I wanted to do was keep reading… Had me constantly second-guessing everything. The suspense is relentless, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist sent me spiralling in a new direction… Keeps you hooked chapter after chapter.’ read_review_repeat, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hot dang y’all!! This is how a thriller is done!… I thought I knew where it was headed, and then BANG! New direction! I loved the sudden shift! I started reading, and before I knew it, I was three-fourths done.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh. My. Gosh. I was NOT expecting that!!! What a page-turner! I binged this book… Wow!… Would give it 6 stars if I could.
Mellie’s future mother-in-law bursts into the bridal suite, a piece of paper clutched in her hand. ‘I know your secret,’ she says, a satisfied smile on her face. ‘And I will not let you marry my son.’
Two months later, anxiety twists in Mellie’s stomach as she watches the taxi arrive. She knew her mother-in-law would move in after her stroke, her husband Henry had insisted on it. But now they’re under the same roof, she knows she’s in danger…
Because locked is the attic is a piece of paper that could destroy everything. And Mellie knows that Pauline will expose her secret.
As Pauline rests, Mellie frantically searches the house for the key to the attic. But when she finds it and starts tearing through boxes of papers, her blood runs cold at what she finds. Hands shaking, she tries to make sense of the words in front of her, realising with a bolt of terror that Henry has his own dark secret. One that could destroy her.
Then she hears footsteps downstairs. The doctors said Pauline would be bedbound for weeks, but what if they were wrong? Neither woman knows what the other is truly capable of, and just how far they will go to protect their secrets. But who will make it out of this house alive?
An unputdownable and addictive thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Packed with twists, this psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.
Readers love Becca Day’s psychological
‘EVERYONE NEEDS TO DROP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR! PERFECTION! I felt like I was on a rollercoaster… I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!… an utterly thrilling storyline that kept me turning the pages at lightning speed!’ arcreviews_by_m, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘MYYYYY GOOD LORD!!!! This was a wild ride from start to finish. The twists n turns had me on the edge of my SEAT!!!… WOW WOW WOW!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Completely consumed my weekend… grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. I had plans, but all I wanted to do was keep reading… Had me constantly second-guessing everything. The suspense is relentless, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist sent me spiralling in a new direction… Keeps you hooked chapter after chapter.’ read_review_repeat, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hot dang y’all!! This is how a thriller is done!… I thought I knew where it was headed, and then BANG! New direction! I loved the sudden shift! I started reading, and before I knew it, I was three-fourths done.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh. My. Gosh. I was NOT expecting that!!! What a page-turner! I binged this book… Wow!… Would give it 6 stars if I could.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 2, 2026
233 people want to read
About the author
Becca Day
6 books566 followersBecca Day lives in Surrey with her husband, two daughters and cocker spaniel. She studied acting at Guildford College and went on to start her own Murder Mystery theatre troup. It was this move that inspired her love of crime fiction, and when she sold the company she threw herself head first into crime writing. Her short fiction has won several prizes and The Girl Beyond The Gate is her first full-length novel. Aside from writing, she is also an avid reader and runs Reading Parties with fellow author William Shaw.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You thought your mother-in-law was bad? The Mother Upstairs might just make you rethink everything! Mellie’s future mother-in-law claims she knows a secret that could ruin everything, and when she moves in, danger seems to lurk around every corner. Fast-paced, twisty, and full of suspense, this psychological thriller is impossible to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Mother Upstairs is one of those psychological thrillers that sinks its hooks in from the very first line. The setup is irresistible: a mother‑in‑law who knows too much, a secret locked in the attic, and a marriage built on far more cracks than Mellie ever realised. The tension starts early and never really lets up.
Mellie is a great central character — anxious, determined, and constantly trying to stay one step ahead even as the walls close in. Pauline, meanwhile, is the perfect unsettling presence. Even bedridden, she feels like a threat lurking just out of sight, and that simmering dread gives the whole book a wonderfully eerie atmosphere.
What I enjoyed most is how the story keeps shifting beneath your feet. Just when you think you understand the dynamic between Mellie and Pauline, a new layer peels back. And the discovery in the attic adds a sharp, unexpected twist that throws everything into question. The secrets in this house aren’t just dangerous — they’re competing.
The pacing is tight, the stakes escalate beautifully, and the final act delivers exactly the kind of breath‑holding tension you want from a domestic thriller. Fans of The Housemaid and Verity will feel right at home with the blend of paranoia, secrets, and shifting power plays.
A gripping, twist‑packed read that keeps you guessing right up to the last page.
with thanks to Becca Day, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Mellie is a great central character — anxious, determined, and constantly trying to stay one step ahead even as the walls close in. Pauline, meanwhile, is the perfect unsettling presence. Even bedridden, she feels like a threat lurking just out of sight, and that simmering dread gives the whole book a wonderfully eerie atmosphere.
What I enjoyed most is how the story keeps shifting beneath your feet. Just when you think you understand the dynamic between Mellie and Pauline, a new layer peels back. And the discovery in the attic adds a sharp, unexpected twist that throws everything into question. The secrets in this house aren’t just dangerous — they’re competing.
The pacing is tight, the stakes escalate beautifully, and the final act delivers exactly the kind of breath‑holding tension you want from a domestic thriller. Fans of The Housemaid and Verity will feel right at home with the blend of paranoia, secrets, and shifting power plays.
A gripping, twist‑packed read that keeps you guessing right up to the last page.
with thanks to Becca Day, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Becca Day took me on a wild ride and had my heart pounding for the better part of my evening! This book is about a mother-in-law who has recently had a stroke, but seems strangely aware of her surroundings after she moves in with her son and daughter-in-law (Mellie). Mellie soon realizes that her mother-in-law (Pauline) knows a dangerous secret and that she'll stop at nothing to reveal it. It's best if you go into the story not knowing much more than that, but it's worth the time and will keep you on the edge of your seat well into the night!
I was hoping for a bit of a different ending, but I still loved it just the same. I enjoyed the unhinged characters and the crazy climax. I read it in one sitting!
Thank you so much to the publishers at NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-ARC! I was sick with the flu when I read it, and this book gave me all of the excitement and thrills I wouldn't have otherwise experienced while I was stuck in bed. It is definitely a must-read thriller for 2026!
I was hoping for a bit of a different ending, but I still loved it just the same. I enjoyed the unhinged characters and the crazy climax. I read it in one sitting!
Thank you so much to the publishers at NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-ARC! I was sick with the flu when I read it, and this book gave me all of the excitement and thrills I wouldn't have otherwise experienced while I was stuck in bed. It is definitely a must-read thriller for 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fun read! I can always count on Becca Day for a fast-paced, unputdownable, thrill ride and she did not disappoint with The Mother Upstairs. The suspense and intensity had me on the edge of my seat, flying through the pages at warp speed while navigating through all the twists and turns. I even got spooked a few times. Yes! I can't say that I loved the ending, but only because I wanted a different outcome. It had nothing to do with the author's storytelling, nor did it deter me from enjoying this crazy thriller. I just think that this certain character deserved a win for once. Great read though! This book is sure to be a hit with all the psycho thriller fans. Definitely recommend!
Thank you Bookouture for granting me early access to a DRC via NetGalley!
Thank you Bookouture for granting me early access to a DRC via NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Becca Day has once again written a fast-paced deeply disturbing psychological suspense drama that will leave readers gasping.
Mellie and Henry are newlyweds and are moving into his mother Pauline's house to help care for her after a debilitating stroke. But Pauline knows Mellie's dark secret she is harboring and will stop at nothing to reveal it to Henry. Mellie is no pushover, but how far will she go to keep her secret hidden.
This is a story that is so dark and disturbing. Everyone is keeping secrets from eachother. The characters are unhinged and the plot is engaging and twisty. It kept me on the edge wondering who would out maneuver who. It kept surprising me until the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy
Mellie and Henry are newlyweds and are moving into his mother Pauline's house to help care for her after a debilitating stroke. But Pauline knows Mellie's dark secret she is harboring and will stop at nothing to reveal it to Henry. Mellie is no pushover, but how far will she go to keep her secret hidden.
This is a story that is so dark and disturbing. Everyone is keeping secrets from eachother. The characters are unhinged and the plot is engaging and twisty. It kept me on the edge wondering who would out maneuver who. It kept surprising me until the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
On Mellie's wedding day, her future mother in law approaches her with a private investigator's report.
Unfortunately, the woman has a stroke before she can show Henry, her son, what she has found.
I really felt sorry for Mellie. Henry didn't believe her when she told him that his mother was not as disabled as she pretended to be.
The plot is twisty and engaging. I needed to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. OK, a little disappointed, as I can say I am a Mellie fan! She didn't exactly have a happy and safe childhood.
I think this book can be termed as a popcorn thriller, although it is quite dark and tragic. It is definitely a disturbing page turner.
I would have a trigger warning though.
Unfortunately, the woman has a stroke before she can show Henry, her son, what she has found.
I really felt sorry for Mellie. Henry didn't believe her when she told him that his mother was not as disabled as she pretended to be.
The plot is twisty and engaging. I needed to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. OK, a little disappointed, as I can say I am a Mellie fan! She didn't exactly have a happy and safe childhood.
I think this book can be termed as a popcorn thriller, although it is quite dark and tragic. It is definitely a disturbing page turner.
I would have a trigger warning though.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Mother Upstairs by Becca Day
Publication date March 2, 2026
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
A story about a mother, Pauline who believes no one is good enough for her son Henry. On the day of Mellie’s wedding her soon to be mother in law tells her she will not allow her to marry her son because she knows Mellie’s secret. While confronting Mellie, Pauline has a stroke. Henry moved Pauline in to their home to care for her but Mellie is not happy about this arrangement. Everyone has secrets and they all come out in the end. I was surprised at every turn. This is a quick, easy read and I recommend it if you like a good thriller. I haven’t been disappointed in any books by Becca Day!
Publication date March 2, 2026
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
A story about a mother, Pauline who believes no one is good enough for her son Henry. On the day of Mellie’s wedding her soon to be mother in law tells her she will not allow her to marry her son because she knows Mellie’s secret. While confronting Mellie, Pauline has a stroke. Henry moved Pauline in to their home to care for her but Mellie is not happy about this arrangement. Everyone has secrets and they all come out in the end. I was surprised at every turn. This is a quick, easy read and I recommend it if you like a good thriller. I haven’t been disappointed in any books by Becca Day!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Becca Day does it again! The Mother Upstairs is a tense, twisty psychological thriller that hooked me from the first chapter and kept me guessing the entire time.
There’s this constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, and I loved trying to piece everything together. Between the family secrets, shifting suspicions, and subtle clues, I was second-guessing everyone. I thought I had the ending figured out… and I was completely wrong (my favourite kind of twist!).
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of psychological mind games, this is a must-read if you love domestic thrillers that keep you turning pages late into the night. Another hit from an author who never disappoints.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC — I loved it!
There’s this constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, and I loved trying to piece everything together. Between the family secrets, shifting suspicions, and subtle clues, I was second-guessing everyone. I thought I had the ending figured out… and I was completely wrong (my favourite kind of twist!).
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of psychological mind games, this is a must-read if you love domestic thrillers that keep you turning pages late into the night. Another hit from an author who never disappoints.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC — I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story grabbed my attention from the start. The prologue opens the book up for needing to know what is this secret!? There were so many unexpected twists and turns but they were very well written. I definitely got creepy vibes at times, even though I was reading it in the daylight in my kids carpool line! This was the first book of Becca Day's that I've read but I will certainly be back for more of her stories! If you like thrillers, this one is worth the read! I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The prologue starts with Pauline approaching Mellie on her wedding day, with evidence from her past which proves to Pauline, she's not suitable to marry her precious son Henry.
Fast forward a few weeks and Pauline is wheeled into the family home after suffering a stroke on said wedding day. But is she as disabled as she appears? Mellie is convinced she's putting on an act and endeavours to keep her secret in the past.
This was a quick, fast paced read, leaving you wondering who is in the wrong, as events unravel, who is more unhinged? Sure to be another hit for the author
Fast forward a few weeks and Pauline is wheeled into the family home after suffering a stroke on said wedding day. But is she as disabled as she appears? Mellie is convinced she's putting on an act and endeavours to keep her secret in the past.
This was a quick, fast paced read, leaving you wondering who is in the wrong, as events unravel, who is more unhinged? Sure to be another hit for the author
January 26, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookoture and Becca Day for the ARC!
This is the first book I’ve read by Becca and it did not disappoint. It gives Verity vibes and is a little bit of a slow burn but it really ramps up towards the end. You flit backwards and forwards in time for Mellie’s past and present and you do find yourself rooting for her but you do wonder by the end if she is actually a reliable narrator or not and it definitely keeps you guessing. Henry was a bit grating definitely giving mummy’s boy, but overall a great solid book.
4****
This is the first book I’ve read by Becca and it did not disappoint. It gives Verity vibes and is a little bit of a slow burn but it really ramps up towards the end. You flit backwards and forwards in time for Mellie’s past and present and you do find yourself rooting for her but you do wonder by the end if she is actually a reliable narrator or not and it definitely keeps you guessing. Henry was a bit grating definitely giving mummy’s boy, but overall a great solid book.
4****
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun, quick read. I kept looking forward to picking it back up because I needed to know what would happen next. It was definitely on the darker side and had plenty of twists that kept me guessing the whole way through.
There were a couple small moments that reminded me of another book I’ve read before, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment. Overall, I had a really good time reading this and would absolutely pick up more books by Becca Day.
There were a couple small moments that reminded me of another book I’ve read before, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment. Overall, I had a really good time reading this and would absolutely pick up more books by Becca Day.
January 29, 2026
This book was great! Consistently fast-paced from start to finish, eerie, and even more twisty than I imagined it would be. The epilogue ties up loose ends nicely and I appreciated how likely each character was to truly act in the way they did. Do yourself a favor and snatch this one when it hits the shelves!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my second book by Becca Day & OMG!!! I could not put the book down!! Being stuck at home in a winter storm was perfect for this read!! The suspense kept me up way past my bedtime and I truly did not see the twists she added in throughout the book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This book had me hooked from start to finish. While I didn’t love how rushed the ending felt for the main character and was left with a few unanswered questions, the story itself was fast-paced and full of twists that kept me turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The first part of the book was very slow but then it got very twisty and got much more interesting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews