What the Knocker-Upper Woke Up

by Sarah J. Maxwell

Not long after the Big Stink of 1858, Mary the vagrant, stood Sideways at the site of the burnt mental asylum and smelt a smell even worse than the Big Stink. A smell that was spreading, like a virus and disguised itself as slithers of silver, luring the naïve and the distracted. Drunken men and curious children stumbled Sideways and were lost forever. Those that managed to escape, would have Sideways in their soul, changing who they were supposed to be.

And there was something else slumbering in the blackened bones of the asylum. Something that wanted to wake up and rampage through Mary’s city. She warned everyone who would listen, but Alice, the Knocker-Upper, walked Sideways anyway, and woke it up.

Unknown Binding

Published June 5, 2022

About the author

Sarah grew up in South London. Her passion was horses, 80's TV shows, reading and acting. She fell in love with Australia in her 20's and met, then married an Australian. At 31 she achieved a First-Class Degree in English with Creative Writing. She now lives in Tasmania with hubby, two teenagers and two dogs. If she's not at her desk writing, she'll be walking the boys. You can visit Sarah online at: www.sarahjmaxwell.com

Reviews

[Hayley Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Knocker-Upper Woke up combines the darkness of both the modern era and times past into an atmospheric paranormal. The story starts in Victorian-era London as it follows a few characters who stumble upon the darkness awaiting in a derelict mental asylum. Fast forward to present day, and the evil of the place continues to cause trouble for the characters of the present.

The writing style here is both rich and evocative in describing the creepiness of the Sideways and its inhabitants. Tess and the other characters are likable and easy to root for, but I did feel like this one was a bit slower to develop. (However, as I usually prefer breakneck pace, I think this is definitely a personal preference. 😂) The ending was unexpected though, and I thought it perfectly wrapped up this spooky paranormal. Recommended for fans of unique, well-written YA paranormal. (4.5/5)

[Sarah Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

'What the Knocker-Upper Woke Up' - due out early 2022!

[Lelita Baldock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy. Immersive description. A true page-turner.
Sarah J Maxwell has done it again. Bringing her exceptional creativity and story-telling flare to Victorian London and weaving a tale of legend. 
What the Knocker-Upper Woke Up brings together myth and mystery from the past and joins it with today's world. The descriptions are exceptional, you can feel the fleas crawling on your flesh, and smell 'The Great Stink'. You are drawn to each character, whether they be off-putting or endearing, and want to know what happens next for them with a nail-biting need to turn the page.
I was throughly immersed in Maxwell's world and genuinely could not put this novel down.
Highly Recommended!

[C B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderfully creepy story. We follow Tess as she discovers Sideways and struggles to keep her family safe whilst realising what she must do to accomplish that.
Just like Sideways, this book is full of atmosphere with vivid descriptions and characters who stay with you. I really felt for Tess as she strived to do the right thing.
The story stays on the right side of scary for me, not too much, not too little. This is a five star read.

[ems_booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in London in the 1800’s, before the time of alarm clocks and technology. Alice is a knocker-upper, her job to shoot peas at windows to wake people in the morning for the day. However, people are not the only thing Alice wakes…

If you love a creepy and disturbing atmosphere, with rich writing and a dark plot, this one is for you!

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story by Sarah.
It was thrilling and engaging, just what I would expect from this fabulous author!
I encourage everybody to support Sarah's writing journey.
Thanks for another brilliant adventure. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

[K.M. Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in London, this fantasy mystery from Sarah J. Maxell is told in descriptive detail with an imaginative world that is both interesting and terrifying. When Tess's little brother disappears one morning while they're visiting their clock-maker grandfather, she ventures to an area behind his clock shop that has always felt strange and off-putting to Tess. What she had been sensing is Sideways, an unseen, gray world that pulls victims into it to feed the Sideways Lady. An entity born from a fire that ravaged a mental asylum many years ago, the Sideways Lady is attracted to shiny things and children, one of whom woke her up. Alice, a knocker-upper in Victorian London times, has been trapped in Sideways for centuries and helps Tess navigate it to find and save her brother. Changed by her visit to the horrifying place, Tess vows to defeat the Sideways Lady in a plan that is both brave and heartbreaking. A must-read for anyone who enjoys spooky stories, interesting characters, and well-written works.