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The Secret Attic
The 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…
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Chelsea Conradt
3 books170 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 206 reviews
May 18, 2026
I recently read The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt, and I really enjoyed it. It falls into the psychological thriller / eerie mystery genre, and it has just enough creepiness to make you very aware of any attic, cupboard, or suspiciously quiet room in your house.
The story is an easy and engaging read that pulls you in quite quickly without being too complicated. I liked that it was accessible, because it meant I could just enjoy the story without overthinking it, but it still managed to keep a steady eerie feeling throughout.
The characters are fairly simple, but they work well within the story and help everything flow smoothly. For me, the standout element was definitely the atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that something isn’t quite right, and it builds in a way that kept me slightly suspicious of absolutely everything.
And then there are the dolls’ heads… I have no idea who decided those needed to exist in this book, but I would like to have a word. They were genuinely creepy in the best (and worst) way, and they definitely stayed in my mind long after I finished reading — possibly against my will.
Chelsea Conradt’s writing style is clear, straightforward, and very easy to read. It doesn’t try to be overly complicated, which actually works really well because it keeps the pace moving and lets the creepier moments do their job properly. It’s definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of book… which somehow turns into finishing half the book in one sitting.
The plot is interesting and easy to follow, without being overly twist-heavy or confusing. It keeps a steady sense of mystery and unease, which made it engaging from start to finish.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Secret Attic. It’s a fun, eerie read that delivers just the right amount of chills without going too far. A perfect quick thriller — just maybe don’t read it alone at night, and definitely don’t think too hard about what might be above your ceiling.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Chelsea Conradt for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: June 9th 2026
The story is an easy and engaging read that pulls you in quite quickly without being too complicated. I liked that it was accessible, because it meant I could just enjoy the story without overthinking it, but it still managed to keep a steady eerie feeling throughout.
The characters are fairly simple, but they work well within the story and help everything flow smoothly. For me, the standout element was definitely the atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that something isn’t quite right, and it builds in a way that kept me slightly suspicious of absolutely everything.
And then there are the dolls’ heads… I have no idea who decided those needed to exist in this book, but I would like to have a word. They were genuinely creepy in the best (and worst) way, and they definitely stayed in my mind long after I finished reading — possibly against my will.
Chelsea Conradt’s writing style is clear, straightforward, and very easy to read. It doesn’t try to be overly complicated, which actually works really well because it keeps the pace moving and lets the creepier moments do their job properly. It’s definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of book… which somehow turns into finishing half the book in one sitting.
The plot is interesting and easy to follow, without being overly twist-heavy or confusing. It keeps a steady sense of mystery and unease, which made it engaging from start to finish.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Secret Attic. It’s a fun, eerie read that delivers just the right amount of chills without going too far. A perfect quick thriller — just maybe don’t read it alone at night, and definitely don’t think too hard about what might be above your ceiling.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Chelsea Conradt for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: June 9th 2026
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!
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.
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?
June 2, 2026
Now that was creepy!!!
A slow burning story that I had to read with the lights on. Sinister dolls with real people’s names on the boxes and a murder of crows.. all it needed was a frightful clown and that would have killed me! Luke and his wife Addison are clearing out his mother’s house after her death. She was a bit of a hoarder and the place is a mess. Addison stumbles across a secret door which leads to a dark room filled with boxes filled with dolls. The house and the crows seem to be talking to her and giving her clues about something that has gone on in this house.
The ending shocked me, there were plenty of twists and turns throughout. Hard to say too much more without spoilers, but it was frightening 😱
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press on NetGalley for my copy of this book to read.
A slow burning story that I had to read with the lights on. Sinister dolls with real people’s names on the boxes and a murder of crows.. all it needed was a frightful clown and that would have killed me! Luke and his wife Addison are clearing out his mother’s house after her death. She was a bit of a hoarder and the place is a mess. Addison stumbles across a secret door which leads to a dark room filled with boxes filled with dolls. The house and the crows seem to be talking to her and giving her clues about something that has gone on in this house.
The ending shocked me, there were plenty of twists and turns throughout. Hard to say too much more without spoilers, but it was frightening 😱
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press on NetGalley for my copy of this book to read.
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 ⭐️
Read
May 13, 2026
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
DNF at 20%
I'm not adding a star review as I didn't finish the book so that wouldn't be entirely fair. I will say though, I have some thoughts.
As a professional editor and someone who has a degree in publishing and professional writing, I would never have moved this manuscript past the slush pile.
Technically and stylistically, this is a poorly written book, at least for adults. If I was the editor, I would've sent it back for either a full re-submission after the author took some more writing classes, or have them restructure it to a YA novel. The writing level is YA at most, and it could possibly do well in the age bracket.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but personally I found the characters flat and unsubstantiated. Everything about the story and characters was derived from stereotypes and the dialogue...godawful. I saw another reviewer say it was like a teenager wrote the dialogue and that's an apt description.
I mean, given that James Patterson is one of the most popular authors in the world, and his writing was literally taught in my university program as an example of very poor quality writing, I'm sure The Secret Attic will do fine.
DNF at 20%
I'm not adding a star review as I didn't finish the book so that wouldn't be entirely fair. I will say though, I have some thoughts.
As a professional editor and someone who has a degree in publishing and professional writing, I would never have moved this manuscript past the slush pile.
Technically and stylistically, this is a poorly written book, at least for adults. If I was the editor, I would've sent it back for either a full re-submission after the author took some more writing classes, or have them restructure it to a YA novel. The writing level is YA at most, and it could possibly do well in the age bracket.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but personally I found the characters flat and unsubstantiated. Everything about the story and characters was derived from stereotypes and the dialogue...godawful. I saw another reviewer say it was like a teenager wrote the dialogue and that's an apt description.
I mean, given that James Patterson is one of the most popular authors in the world, and his writing was literally taught in my university program as an example of very poor quality writing, I'm sure The Secret Attic will do fine.
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.
Read
May 27, 2026We've all heard the horror stories of a Mother in law who believes that no one will ever be good enough for her son. Chelsea Conradt took that to the next level and said here, clean out her house and find a secret attic full of creepy dolls while you're at it!
After just experiencing a loss as a couple, Addison is trying to navigate her own grief while supporting her husband, Luke through the loss of his mother, Barb, who has never liked her.
Addison takes full control of sorting the house while compartmentalizing her own emotions and swallowing her disdain for her late Mother in law to be a supportive wife to Luke.
After going through Barb's room, creepy things start taking place. Addison uncovers a secret attic full of boxes with women's names on them, porcelain dolls with life-like eyes that seem to follow her, and weird vines that somehow grow into the house?
The atmosphere was quite creepy. The pacing was a little off for me personally. I'm unsure if that was just my preference, or if that was to be intentional of the "fever dream" Addison could be experiencing in the house. I really enjoyed Conradt's writing style, and I did fly through this book in a day racing to get some of my theories proven right or wrong. Unfortunately at the end we are still left with quite a few things unanswered. I don't mind an ambiguous ending, but this felt too rushed. Even an epilogue, or an extra POV from Barb or Luke would have changed my experience with the book.
Luke is a horrible person and no matter how much Addison described her devotion to him or how amazing he was, that just solidified how much of a crap bag he is. Conradt did nail the "infuriating husband in a thriller" trope. Trust a murder of Crows before you trust a Mama's boy! (or your evil Mother in law)
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this early. All opinions are my own.
After just experiencing a loss as a couple, Addison is trying to navigate her own grief while supporting her husband, Luke through the loss of his mother, Barb, who has never liked her.
Addison takes full control of sorting the house while compartmentalizing her own emotions and swallowing her disdain for her late Mother in law to be a supportive wife to Luke.
After going through Barb's room, creepy things start taking place. Addison uncovers a secret attic full of boxes with women's names on them, porcelain dolls with life-like eyes that seem to follow her, and weird vines that somehow grow into the house?
The atmosphere was quite creepy. The pacing was a little off for me personally. I'm unsure if that was just my preference, or if that was to be intentional of the "fever dream" Addison could be experiencing in the house. I really enjoyed Conradt's writing style, and I did fly through this book in a day racing to get some of my theories proven right or wrong. Unfortunately at the end we are still left with quite a few things unanswered. I don't mind an ambiguous ending, but this felt too rushed. Even an epilogue, or an extra POV from Barb or Luke would have changed my experience with the book.
Luke is a horrible person and no matter how much Addison described her devotion to him or how amazing he was, that just solidified how much of a crap bag he is. Conradt did nail the "infuriating husband in a thriller" trope. Trust a murder of Crows before you trust a Mama's boy! (or your evil Mother in law)
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this early. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2026
Sadly, this one didn’t live up to my expectations. It’s never a good sign when a book takes me over a month to finish because I keep setting it aside in favor of more engaging reads.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to read it ahead of publication.
The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and the crows are basically my spirit animal, so I was excited to see how they would factor into the story. Unfortunately, their presence never felt fully developed or satisfactorily resolved. Instead, they seemed to be woven into the plot without a clear purpose, alongside several other story elements that were introduced but ultimately left dangling. By the end, there were simply too many unanswered questions and plot threads that never came together.
Another issue for me was the occasional word choice, which felt surprisingly juvenile and out of step with the rest of the prose. On the positive side, the writing is straightforward and free of unnecessary fluff, which is something I appreciate in a thriller. However, those jarring moments stood out even more because of the otherwise clean writing style.
The pacing was also incredibly slow, with a significant amount of repetition that didn’t seem to move the story forward. Overall, the book would have benefited from tighter editing and a more focused narrative.
One thing prospective readers should know is that the story does lean into supernatural elements. While the execution didn’t work for me, I actually enjoyed that aspect and felt it added an eerie atmosphere to the novel.
In the end, this is a book that had all the ingredients for a compelling thriller, but the execution never quite came together. Despite its strong premise and unsettling atmosphere, it ultimately left me wishing the story had delivered on the promise of its intriguing setup.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to read it ahead of publication.
The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and the crows are basically my spirit animal, so I was excited to see how they would factor into the story. Unfortunately, their presence never felt fully developed or satisfactorily resolved. Instead, they seemed to be woven into the plot without a clear purpose, alongside several other story elements that were introduced but ultimately left dangling. By the end, there were simply too many unanswered questions and plot threads that never came together.
Another issue for me was the occasional word choice, which felt surprisingly juvenile and out of step with the rest of the prose. On the positive side, the writing is straightforward and free of unnecessary fluff, which is something I appreciate in a thriller. However, those jarring moments stood out even more because of the otherwise clean writing style.
The pacing was also incredibly slow, with a significant amount of repetition that didn’t seem to move the story forward. Overall, the book would have benefited from tighter editing and a more focused narrative.
One thing prospective readers should know is that the story does lean into supernatural elements. While the execution didn’t work for me, I actually enjoyed that aspect and felt it added an eerie atmosphere to the novel.
In the end, this is a book that had all the ingredients for a compelling thriller, but the execution never quite came together. Despite its strong premise and unsettling atmosphere, it ultimately left me wishing the story had delivered on the promise of its intriguing setup.
May 30, 2026
Hoarding: a compulsion to collect things in mass quantities, that the hoarder has attached some intense emotional attachment too, that hinders the hoarder’s ability to process a difficult or trying time in their life and moving forward.
The story of The Secret Attic is an uncovering of a deeply unsettled time in the recently deceased, Barb Lowe’s life and the hoarding that seems to have hidden a plethora of disturbing behaviors and issues.
Barb, as the reader learns showed no affection to daughter in law, Addison and now as loathsome as it could be, Addison must aid her husband in cleaning out the house, but what if one item removed sets off a chain reaction of seemingly impossible events? Events that puts husband, Luke and his bizarre childhood in a bad light?
This second story from Chelsea Conradt is just as sinister in its depictions of dysfunctional families, and the darker side of motherhood as her first story, The Farmhouse; where that one displayed the shivers and shadowy monsters, this one delves deep into darkened souls.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this intensely dark arc of motherhood and all its “trappings”!,
The story of The Secret Attic is an uncovering of a deeply unsettled time in the recently deceased, Barb Lowe’s life and the hoarding that seems to have hidden a plethora of disturbing behaviors and issues.
Barb, as the reader learns showed no affection to daughter in law, Addison and now as loathsome as it could be, Addison must aid her husband in cleaning out the house, but what if one item removed sets off a chain reaction of seemingly impossible events? Events that puts husband, Luke and his bizarre childhood in a bad light?
This second story from Chelsea Conradt is just as sinister in its depictions of dysfunctional families, and the darker side of motherhood as her first story, The Farmhouse; where that one displayed the shivers and shadowy monsters, this one delves deep into darkened souls.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this intensely dark arc of motherhood and all its “trappings”!,
June 1, 2026
3★
This was a super interesting concept! I enjoyed the subtle supernatural vibes, and I am a sucker for thrilling and almost disturbing horror stories. Addison was a strong and well fleshed-out protagonist, and there were plenty of intriguing twists and plot points.
However, the pacing was off with this. I understand it was meant to be a slow burn mystery, but it was too slow in some points. I also had quite a few unanswered questions at the end where I feel like the book lacked clarity.
Luke was boring and I did not like him.
This had a very intriguing plot and was very imaginative, but overall wasn’t executed as well as I’d hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital review copy in exchange for a review.
This was a super interesting concept! I enjoyed the subtle supernatural vibes, and I am a sucker for thrilling and almost disturbing horror stories. Addison was a strong and well fleshed-out protagonist, and there were plenty of intriguing twists and plot points.
However, the pacing was off with this. I understand it was meant to be a slow burn mystery, but it was too slow in some points. I also had quite a few unanswered questions at the end where I feel like the book lacked clarity.
Luke was boring and I did not like him.
This had a very intriguing plot and was very imaginative, but overall wasn’t executed as well as I’d hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital review copy in exchange for a review.
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.
June 2, 2026
After absolutely devouring The Farm House, there was never a doubt that I would be picking up The Secret Attic by Chelsea Conradt and somehow this one still exceeded every expectation I had. This book is dripping with atmosphere from the very first page. You’ve got creepy dolls, crows that are watching your every move, and hidden rooms full of boxes hiding decades of secrets. Full disclosure the crows and their feathers – well that sent me straight down an internet rabbit hole after I finished reading because I needed answers immediately – and that simply leveled the entire thing up! BUTTT, let’s not discount the constant layer of insidious dread that clings to Addison like a second skin!
I absolutely loved Addison’s inner monologue. She is sharp, anxious, suspicious, funny, and so deeply human that I felt trapped inside that house right along with her. Chelsea Conradt brings every hallway, locked door, feather, and creaking floorboard to life so vividly that the house itself feels alive. Who would have thought crows could be characters, but in this case they absolutely were. The tension builds slowly and methodically, revealing tiny pieces of the puzzle until suddenly you realize you cannot stop reading. Toxic relationships, buried secrets, grief, manipulation, and decades of damage are layered into every inch of this story. This is gothic horror mixed with haunted house fiction and domestic suspense at its absolute finest and I ate up every eerie second of it.
I absolutely loved Addison’s inner monologue. She is sharp, anxious, suspicious, funny, and so deeply human that I felt trapped inside that house right along with her. Chelsea Conradt brings every hallway, locked door, feather, and creaking floorboard to life so vividly that the house itself feels alive. Who would have thought crows could be characters, but in this case they absolutely were. The tension builds slowly and methodically, revealing tiny pieces of the puzzle until suddenly you realize you cannot stop reading. Toxic relationships, buried secrets, grief, manipulation, and decades of damage are layered into every inch of this story. This is gothic horror mixed with haunted house fiction and domestic suspense at its absolute finest and I ate up every eerie second of it.
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.
June 2, 2026
That’s definitely a fever dream type of a book. I liked the concept of a murder mystery with a cruel mother-in-law. But I don’t think that I’m that much into it, even the creepy dolls (the trope that scars me the most) failed to capture me. It feels to me that a lot of things were put there just for the sake of being scary or mysterious. I’m still not sure what part the crows, the vines, the icy drafts, the neck tingles, the ghostly hands leaving bruises and all that play. Are they trying to help or stop or have some other motivation?
My favorite part was the couple, Addison and Luke. Their relationship is just the most green flag relationship I’ve ever seen in a book. It was a joy to observe them and every time I thought, alright here the shit goes down, either of them will pull through with solid communication.
The annoying part was Addison’s “Excuse me?!” at every turn. Yes, it’s definitely justified and conveys the right emotion, but so much that it became cringy.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
My favorite part was the couple, Addison and Luke. Their relationship is just the most green flag relationship I’ve ever seen in a book. It was a joy to observe them and every time I thought, alright here the shit goes down, either of them will pull through with solid communication.
The annoying part was Addison’s “Excuse me?!” at every turn. Yes, it’s definitely justified and conveys the right emotion, but so much that it became cringy.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this book for review consideration. 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.
May 24, 2026
This book was deeply dark in a way that only certain women can truly understand that have had a strained relationship with their mother in laws.
The themes of loss and struggles and pulls of trying to understand why someone dislikes you pull at you throughout this book as you twist and turn your way through a mother in laws dark and twisted inner world that is not only her mind but also her manifested home as well.
I definitely recommend this book if you are wanting an interesting spooky thrill that can keep just on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the book.
The themes of loss and struggles and pulls of trying to understand why someone dislikes you pull at you throughout this book as you twist and turn your way through a mother in laws dark and twisted inner world that is not only her mind but also her manifested home as well.
I definitely recommend this book if you are wanting an interesting spooky thrill that can keep just on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the book.
May 31, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
ARC review pending
ARC review pending
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
🐦⬛ "A deeply chilling, unsettling masterclass in gaslighting and gothic domestic horror."
In THE SECRET ATTIC, bestselling author Chelsea Conradt returns following her debut, The Farmhouse, with her latest novel, delivering a suffocatingly tense, emotionally complex psychological horror thriller. The story hinges on a woman trapped in an isolated, hoarded estate, facing an unravelling husband, a malicious house, and a decades-old town mystery—toxic family legacy vs. a living, breathing house that refuses to stay quiet.
"A slow-burning, intensely claustrophobic thriller where a sudden death drags a woman into a labyrinth of nightmare-fuel dolls, dark family secrets, and an ominous murder of crows."
Elevator Pitch
When her wealthy, mean-spirited mother-in-law passes away, Addison and her husband travel to the family’s massive estate to clear out the junk. Together, they try to sift through the intense clutter, but they soon find that the rooms hold far more than just family trash. All safety crumbles when Addison finds a secret room hidden in the attic containing a collection of labeled porcelain dolls—one bearing the name of a local girl who vanished decades ago.
The past isn't just haunting her—it's hunting her.
When Addison finds a doll named after a child who vanished years ago, she is thrown into a terrifying spiral of gaslighting and domestic paranoia as her husband grows dangerously cruel and the house itself begins to breathe with malicious intent.
Setting
The eerie, fog-drenched coastal town of Rockside Bay, Oregon. The entire narrative is anchored within a massive, suffocatingly cluttered hoarder's estate where ivy claws through the windows and a murder of crows drops ominous trinkets at the protagonist's feet.
Vibe
Unsettling, dark, and heavy with dread. It perfectly pairs the haunting, haunted-house claustrophobia of T. Kingfisher's A House with Good Bones with the toxic family psychological tension of Sally Hepworth's The Mother-in-Law.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Speculative Horror / Gothic Suspense.
Themes
~The Traps of Generational Grief
~The Weaponization of Gaslighting
~The Horrors of Inherited Secrets
~Nature and Houses as Malicious Observers
Standout Characters
~Addison Lowe: The resilient, deeply isolated protagonist.
Shunned and despised by her mother-in-law in life, she finds herself trapped uncovering the dead woman’s darkest secrets while fighting for her own sanity.
~Luke Lowe: Addison's husband;
Trapped in intense grief over the loss of a toxic mother he could never fully let go of. He grows increasingly strange, secretive, and cruel with every box they open.
~Barb: The catalyst; the mother-in-law.
The textbook "monster-in-law" whose hoarding hid a lifetime of malicious secrets and tied her family to a decades-long streak of local tragedies.
Author Writing Standout
Conradt’s extraordinary gift for writing mind-bending, uncomfortably tense domestic spaces shines through every slowly unboxed secret. She completely masterclasses the toxic mother-in-law dynamic, weaving the everyday nightmare of cleaning out a hoarded house with genuine gothic unease and sharp, unpredictable plot twists that keep the reader entirely off-balance.
Takeaway
The dead leave behind far more than just clutter; sometimes, the possessions we inherit are traps designed to keep family secrets buried forever.
Title Significance
The Secret Attic represents both the physical epicenter of the house's haunting and the psychological vault of the family's darkest sins. It is the place where the literal and metaphorical skeletons are kept, and the ultimate point of no return for Addison's survival.
Metaphor
The collection of labeled porcelain dolls serves as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent control, stolen lives, and the rigid, suffocating expectations of a mother-in-law who treated the people in her life like objects to be collected, manipulated, and locked away in the dark.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you love a slower-burning, intensely atmospheric haunting that blends the sharp, hyper-tense domestic manipulation of Darby Kane with the bone-chilling, speculative horror elements of Jennifer McMahon. It is the ultimate crossover for readers who want the real-world terror of a fractured marriage combined with a house that refuses to let you leave.
My Thoughts
The author succeeds beautifully in building a suffocating, skin-crawling dread in THE SECRET ATTIC. The hoarded estate is captured with terrifying realism, making the house feel like a living, breathing antagonist that traps the reader alongside Addison. Addison is an incredibly relatable, sympathetic lead; watching her navigate both her husband's terrifying behavioral shift and the ominous crows outside makes for an unputdownable read. A masterfully executed, spine-chilling climax with a twist I never saw coming.
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"A deeply unsettling, masterfully executed psychological horror novel that pairs a toxic domestic nightmare with a genuinely terrifying gothic mystery."
📚 Recs
~The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt (For more of the author's signature, five-star USA Today bestselling speculative horror and malicious landscapes).
~The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (For readers who love intense, sharp psychological tension centered around a complicated family inheritance and a toxic matriarch).
~Burying the Honeysuckle Girls by Emily Carpenter (For that perfect, deeply atmospheric Gothic tone where long-buried family secrets and an isolated setting threaten to swallow the protagonist whole).
~A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher: This is the ultimate read-alike for a "dark family secrets hidden in a hoarded house" vibe.
~The Watcher (Netflix) (For fans who want a binge-worthy TV thriller with the same suffocating paranoia of an isolated home hiding dark, local historical secrets).
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries QA with Chelsea and The Farmhouse (2025)
Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
June 2026 Must-Read Books
In THE SECRET ATTIC, bestselling author Chelsea Conradt returns following her debut, The Farmhouse, with her latest novel, delivering a suffocatingly tense, emotionally complex psychological horror thriller. The story hinges on a woman trapped in an isolated, hoarded estate, facing an unravelling husband, a malicious house, and a decades-old town mystery—toxic family legacy vs. a living, breathing house that refuses to stay quiet.
"A slow-burning, intensely claustrophobic thriller where a sudden death drags a woman into a labyrinth of nightmare-fuel dolls, dark family secrets, and an ominous murder of crows."
Elevator Pitch
When her wealthy, mean-spirited mother-in-law passes away, Addison and her husband travel to the family’s massive estate to clear out the junk. Together, they try to sift through the intense clutter, but they soon find that the rooms hold far more than just family trash. All safety crumbles when Addison finds a secret room hidden in the attic containing a collection of labeled porcelain dolls—one bearing the name of a local girl who vanished decades ago.
The past isn't just haunting her—it's hunting her.
When Addison finds a doll named after a child who vanished years ago, she is thrown into a terrifying spiral of gaslighting and domestic paranoia as her husband grows dangerously cruel and the house itself begins to breathe with malicious intent.
Setting
The eerie, fog-drenched coastal town of Rockside Bay, Oregon. The entire narrative is anchored within a massive, suffocatingly cluttered hoarder's estate where ivy claws through the windows and a murder of crows drops ominous trinkets at the protagonist's feet.
Vibe
Unsettling, dark, and heavy with dread. It perfectly pairs the haunting, haunted-house claustrophobia of T. Kingfisher's A House with Good Bones with the toxic family psychological tension of Sally Hepworth's The Mother-in-Law.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Speculative Horror / Gothic Suspense.
Themes
~The Traps of Generational Grief
~The Weaponization of Gaslighting
~The Horrors of Inherited Secrets
~Nature and Houses as Malicious Observers
Standout Characters
~Addison Lowe: The resilient, deeply isolated protagonist.
Shunned and despised by her mother-in-law in life, she finds herself trapped uncovering the dead woman’s darkest secrets while fighting for her own sanity.
~Luke Lowe: Addison's husband;
Trapped in intense grief over the loss of a toxic mother he could never fully let go of. He grows increasingly strange, secretive, and cruel with every box they open.
~Barb: The catalyst; the mother-in-law.
The textbook "monster-in-law" whose hoarding hid a lifetime of malicious secrets and tied her family to a decades-long streak of local tragedies.
Author Writing Standout
Conradt’s extraordinary gift for writing mind-bending, uncomfortably tense domestic spaces shines through every slowly unboxed secret. She completely masterclasses the toxic mother-in-law dynamic, weaving the everyday nightmare of cleaning out a hoarded house with genuine gothic unease and sharp, unpredictable plot twists that keep the reader entirely off-balance.
Takeaway
The dead leave behind far more than just clutter; sometimes, the possessions we inherit are traps designed to keep family secrets buried forever.
Title Significance
The Secret Attic represents both the physical epicenter of the house's haunting and the psychological vault of the family's darkest sins. It is the place where the literal and metaphorical skeletons are kept, and the ultimate point of no return for Addison's survival.
Metaphor
The collection of labeled porcelain dolls serves as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent control, stolen lives, and the rigid, suffocating expectations of a mother-in-law who treated the people in her life like objects to be collected, manipulated, and locked away in the dark.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you love a slower-burning, intensely atmospheric haunting that blends the sharp, hyper-tense domestic manipulation of Darby Kane with the bone-chilling, speculative horror elements of Jennifer McMahon. It is the ultimate crossover for readers who want the real-world terror of a fractured marriage combined with a house that refuses to let you leave.
My Thoughts
The author succeeds beautifully in building a suffocating, skin-crawling dread in THE SECRET ATTIC. The hoarded estate is captured with terrifying realism, making the house feel like a living, breathing antagonist that traps the reader alongside Addison. Addison is an incredibly relatable, sympathetic lead; watching her navigate both her husband's terrifying behavioral shift and the ominous crows outside makes for an unputdownable read. A masterfully executed, spine-chilling climax with a twist I never saw coming.
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"A deeply unsettling, masterfully executed psychological horror novel that pairs a toxic domestic nightmare with a genuinely terrifying gothic mystery."
📚 Recs
~The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt (For more of the author's signature, five-star USA Today bestselling speculative horror and malicious landscapes).
~The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (For readers who love intense, sharp psychological tension centered around a complicated family inheritance and a toxic matriarch).
~Burying the Honeysuckle Girls by Emily Carpenter (For that perfect, deeply atmospheric Gothic tone where long-buried family secrets and an isolated setting threaten to swallow the protagonist whole).
~A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher: This is the ultimate read-alike for a "dark family secrets hidden in a hoarded house" vibe.
~The Watcher (Netflix) (For fans who want a binge-worthy TV thriller with the same suffocating paranoia of an isolated home hiding dark, local historical secrets).
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries QA with Chelsea and The Farmhouse (2025)
Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
June 2026 Must-Read Books
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.
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