The Child In My House

by Lucy Lawrie

A family riddled with lies. A little girl who won't speak. What if keeping her safe means losing her forever?

Juliet only wanted to see her childhood home one more time – to look at it from the street. She never intended to meet the new owners, let alone talk her way into a position as their new live-in nanny. But it’s too late now to tell the truth about who she really is.

Six-year-old Kitty has progressive mutism and cannot speak. Nobody knows why she keeps making silent phone calls to the police. Juliet makes it her mission to find out.

As Juliet settles into the house, nostalgia for her childhood gives way to uneasiness, as troubling memories surface. She begins to realise that her new employers have a connection to her own past, and family secrets she has tried hard to forget. And she is horrified to learn that they have a secret too – one that could blow their world apart.

Juliet faces an impossible choice. Keeping Kitty safe could cost her everything.

Escape into this stunning psychological thriller with unforgettable characters and an ending you won't see coming.

What readers are saying about The Child In My

"My women's crime book of the year - truly immersive and page-turning!" --- Jane Renshaw, author of The Child Who Never Was

"An utterly riveting read which kept me up late into the night as I didn't want to put it down!" --- Jera's Jamboree

"Wow! I didn't see that coming. A twist and a huge one and I galloped through the pages to see what happened - I was enthralled and gripped." --- Nicki's book blog

"A fantastic read which is jam-packed with twists and turns. Gripping and intriguing from the very start." --- Charlene's book blog

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

I grew up in Edinburgh in a house overflowing with books, and I spent most of my childhood either reading or scribbling in mysterious notebooks.

After studying English literature at university, I returned to Edinburgh and worked as a commercial lawyer for several years, specialising in employment and pensions law. But it was motherhood that propelled me into writing, generating ideas that I wanted to explore through stories. I started writing my first novel, just to see what would happen, and then found it impossible to stop.
It took me a few years to work out what I was doing, but Tiny Acts of Love, the very same novel that I started as a new mum, has now been published! I'm now writing my second novel, when permitted by my two small daughters.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by this author. And wow !! What a terrific book. The author made the characters come to life on the pages. I could not put this book down. Although this was a thriller, it was also a story of love and loss and how once things are in motion, a course is set. I honestly cannot say one bad thing about the book. The ending was brilliant. I will definitely read more from her. I highly recommend this.

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am tired of writing negative reviews. Some people obviously like this book, given its 4+ star rating. I didn't particularly care for it but I slogged through to see where it was going. I had just DNFed a book and I didn't want to do it again. But I should have.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this particular author, and I enjoyed it very much! I liked Juliet's character. She has such determination to figure things out with Kitty and the people in that house overall. I loved how connected and compassionate she was to kids, especially kids with disabilities and/or struggles. Kitty, I adored! She was just 6 years old and going through so much. She struggled with progressive mutism and with how to get someone to see the situation she was in. Juliet and Kitty made a beautiful fit! This I'd label as a psychological thriller and darned good one it was!

[Matt Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly brilliant - I just couldn't tear myself away!

The characters were so well written and the plot kept me hooked throughout. The twist at the end was so well written and I really didn't see it coming. What a finale.

It is rare to have a book that combines such character depth with a really engaging plot but Lucy Lawrie has achieved that with this novel.

It is a book that I was desperate to finish as I wanted to know what happened to Juliet and Kittie and what linked them and their stories.

It is a great book to escape into and one that will hold you throughout as you root for the characters

[Mónica Medeiros Saraiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment. It held so much promise and it could have made for such a good read. But it was too slow, too dull, so much back and forth and very little tension in either timeline. Most of the plot was ridiculously contrived. Everything was so perfectly convenient I had to roll my eyes to the back of my head.

I made myself finish it because I wanted to figure out the little girl's mystery. The plot really picked up at about 80% on but it was too little too late. The resolution was perfectly tied with a too perfect little bow and I felt nothing. It even had the big bad guys making full confessions in their mustache twirling monologues... The saccharine sweet and eye roll inducing sex scene had me snorting.

Oh well. What could have been!

[Shaleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could go into all the strange things, all the things that make no sense, the crap romance, the characters who are terrible people but who are presented as good, the justification of "bad" things because "someone else did something bad, too!" and the laughable ending, but instead I will just say one thing: this book, respectuflly, sucks.

[Jitka Mackintosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy story, great villain and one very brave little girl. The story was so achingly slow and tender that occasionally I wanted to scream but was pleased with myself to finish it. Well done

[Alexis Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure where this story was headed for a while. I love the plot twist and the ending.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girl not speaking was intriguing, reminded me a bit of Silent Patient. While not bad, I was imagining a different ending. Admittedly my theory would've been absolutely wild and far-fetched in practise, but I would've liked it nevertheless. Oh well, maybe I should read fairytales for a change.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considering how many stories are happening at one time and how long this book is or seemed… it was slow moving and boring. I was glad it was over.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unreliable narrator, a heaping amount of tragedy and the twist I dared to hope for throughout! I picked this book up after a few non-starters during a trip and I'm glad I found it. Juliet is a good person, but it seems like all the evidence keeps telling her that she's bad. Children in her care keep getting hurt. Inexplicably she has one real friend, but even rekindling that friendship seems like a step down the wrong path. Is he really on her side in all of this, or is he laughing behind her back, ready to betray her as she slowly comes to terms with her break from reality?? No spoilers here, but I enjoyed the not knowing - wondering which of the characters was actually 'speaking' the truth.

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heartily loved this book it was so good and emotional I feel Lawrie knows how to make characters feel like real people because I adore the connection Juilet had with Kitty all I wanted was the best for them so I rooted for the two throughout the book Kitty was the most adorable little girl I’ve read she was quite interesting because of her condition I sympathised a lot with the disability representation this book had even though it was a thriller I didn’t feel the tensions like most psychological thrillers had but I felt the gripping and the emotions conflicts this book did play as a premise why I gave this a four because I wanted some tension but I felt this book didn’t have that

[Bri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed by this book. I didn't find the main character Juliet very likable. The "Mystery" and "Thriller" parts of this book were scarcely interwoven throughout the story and only finally picked up towards the end. I found myself getting so bored and just waiting for the pace to pick up. The ending was pretty unrealistic, with everything being perfectly wrapped up so that Juliet ends up with the man, house, and child.

[Heather Saizar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me a little bit to get into. The plot and storyline were good and well written, but just a little too slow paced for me. I enjoyed the characters and where the story led them so all in all it was a decent read and one I would recommend if you’re looking for a mystery with a found family and a little romance mixed in.

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great overall. It felt too long at times and could be slow (stronger editing would improve the story) but I never lost interest or wanted to DNF (we all know how quick I am to quit lol)

There are a lot of sub and side stories but it doesn’t bog the book down too much. I liked going back and forth between the backgrounds and then/now.

I was surprised often and not sure how it would shake out. I also liked the MC and child; I found it easy to root for them. I will read more by this author.

Only complaints was how long the book felt and that some twists or conveniences were feeling a bridge too far. I also can’t help but roll my eyes about adults who are still in love with someone from their childhood in their 40s.

3.5

Included with audible membership

[Mandy Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

The child in my house

I could not put this book down. So many emotions and twists and turns. I highly recommend it. Can,t wait to read more from the author.

[Georgia Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Loved it

[Candace Applebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read definitely recommend

[Jo Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my type of book. Well written tho.

[Laken Burdick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery that keeps you reading. It was exactly what I needed right now. Very eerie and dreary but ultimately a great ending! It was a hard but read.

[Lorraine Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book was a heartbreaking story Juliet a nanny who visits her old house 1 last time and end up looking after the child kitty but she doesn’t speak

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF just simply bored

[Krista Middleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love it…but man, I couldn’t get into it. Too many stories happening at one time. The house, the school nanny job, the family issues, Kitty, the relationship from the past, new divorce, school issues, the promethazine, etc. -KM

[Meg D'Assis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible

[Barbara Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really loved it! I have been checking out new authors lately, and apparently, I'm on a good streak.  I had several "favorite" authors (no name dropping here) that I used to clamor to read, and I've really been very disappointed with the books that SOME of them are releasing. (Not all of them) But it seems to me that it's quantity not quality, and I'm kind of sick of reading the same thing over and over. The authors I have loved, who had their books on Kindle unlimited, now cost $6.99. And their new books are DEFINITELY not worth $6.99. The thing is, there is no way an author can pump out 3 or 4 books a month and have all of the books be amazing.  Try mediocre.  Some seemed rushed, and some were just boring. So I'm continuing to look for someone new that can grab my attention and keep it. This book is definitely one of them and was shockingly good! It actually surprised me so much. I really could hardly put this book down. So many things kept luring me back in. The characters were just so real. It was told from a couple of perspectives, and it also was present day and back when they were little kids, and I really do like it when an author does that. I feel like you can really understand so much from a childhood that may have been chaotic and how the adult characters turned out. I won't spoil it for you, but I did just want to let this author know what a great job she did with this book. So many of the twists and revelations really surprised me!  I will definitely  read this author's next book.  Actually,  I'm starting her second one right now!

[Anastasiya M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had the bones of a really compelling story, but unfortunately, it just didn’t come together for me. The premise hinted at something dark and unsettling—a child, a house with secrets, a protagonist unraveling—but instead of drawing me in, it ended up feeling more muddled than mysterious.

The plot moved slowly, which wouldn’t have been a problem if the tension had been built more deliberately or the atmosphere had been thicker. But instead, it felt like a lot of waiting around for something to happen, and when it finally did, the payoff wasn’t strong enough to make up for the drag. There were a few twists sprinkled in—some I saw coming, some that felt a bit forced—but none of them had that gasp-worthy punch I look for in this genre.

The main character, Beth, had potential. She’s clearly going through something, and I appreciated the psychological layers that were hinted at, but I never fully connected with her. It felt like I was being told how she felt rather than shown, and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested. The side characters were more frustrating than intriguing—particularly the husband, whose behavior felt more like a plot device than something grounded in real emotion or logic.

Thematically, it tried to explore motherhood, grief, memory, and the blurry line between reality and imagination—which I love when it’s done well—but here it felt a little too scattered. Like the ideas were there, but never fully developed or grounded enough to make me feel something.

The setting was one of the stronger elements, with the house meant to be eerie and full of secrets, but even that didn’t reach the level of haunting it could’ve. The genre itself—psychological suspense with a possible supernatural edge—should’ve worked in its favor, but it never fully committed to either lane, which left things feeling unfinished.

The writing style didn’t help matters. It was serviceable, but not particularly atmospheric or gripping. I kept waiting for that moment where I’d get swept away in the prose or caught up in the character’s spiral—but it never came. Instead, it felt like I was being kept at arm’s length the entire time.

By the end, I just felt underwhelmed. It had all the ingredients, but the execution fell flat. A bit more emotional depth, stronger pacing, and tighter plotting might’ve made this one hit harder—but as it stands, it was just a bit forgettable.

Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my usual type of read as I usually avoid children in peril stories, but I decided to give it a try when it came up on Prime Reading. There are character and time shifts in this story - I coped with them, but I think it would have been helpful to have given the sections in the past some indication in the heading such as 'twenty years ago' or whatever and not just the character name.

The story blends the crime related mystery with a low key romance between two characters who have met again after events in the past tore them apart. It seems things are too late for them to get back together, but there is a slim strand of hope which gradually grows stronger. Again, I don't usually read romances but this was understated in treatment and the emotional side given prominence so no steamy sex scenes.

I enjoyed the story although I did wonder why most of the main characters, apart from the villains (and one of them was an out and out sociopath), had major mental health issues. The little girl's was, of course, fully understandable once the whole horrifying truth of what is going on in the home comes out, but the nanny having had a history of cutting herself and her father suffering from depression, with suicide suspected, started to make things a little too much to believe.

I also found the ending of the main story a bit unconvincing (not the rather sentimental epilogue tacked on). If the police had been so unrelentingly sceptical throughout, I wasn't sure what suddenly made them pull out the stops when it mattered. The book was well written though, with emotions well conveyed, and on the whole I would rate it at 3 stars.

[Emilia Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Lawrie’s “The Child in My House” keeps you on edge, constantly wondering what’s really going on beneath the surface. Is there something supernatural happening, or is there a sneaky plot unfolding? The book has you guessing about who can be trusted—at times, even little Kitty, the six-year-old, seems a bit suspicious.

Lawrie’s writing is clever and creepy, building tension through well-placed hints and glimpses of dark themes (the “tongue tier” being particularly unsettling). She’s good at telling one story while making you question what you’re actually reading. The love stories scattered throughout are surprisingly touching, especially the one revealed near the end.

Juliet makes for an interesting flawed character whose view shapes how we see this uneasy world. Her lie about the house—rather than being annoying—turns out to be important to the twists that follow. The book plays with uncertainty about characters’ motivations, creating a creepy vibe without going overboard on gore.

The pacing is sometimes slow, but the story is engaging enough that the length doesn’t really matter, and things do pick up toward the end. The ending works well and will likely prove your theories wrong. For fans of books like Sarah Waters’ “The Little Stranger,” this novel offers similar tension but in a modern-day setting.

“The Child in My House” can be genuinely scary at times while keeping you entertained throughout. Interestingly, the houses in this book become as interesting as the people themselves, adding another layer to this unsettling story that’s best read with the lights on.

[The Reading Pilgrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
“An emotional, suspenseful journey through identity, adoption, and the ties that bind.”

The Child in My House tells the story of Maddy, a woman thrust into turmoil when her biological child is discovered living secretly in the home she’s co-owned with her estranged husband. As their worlds collide, the novel explores profound questions of motherhood, belonging, and moral responsibility.

Lucy's writing is sensitive and immersive—she captures Maddy’s emotional fragility with authenticity, while weaving in enough tension to keep you turning pages. The domestic setting creates quiet suspense; every room hides emotional landmines.

What makes the book powerful is its refusal to offer easy answers. Maddy’s inner struggle—divided between social expectations, legal rights, and maternal instinct—unfolds in a way that feels honest and raw. The pacing is deliberate, giving space to reflect on the impact of her choices.

📌 Perfect for readers who enjoy:

Emotional domestic suspense

Stories centered on motherhood and identity

Quiet, character-driven drama that lingers after the last page

📌 Favorite moment:
Maddy’s realization that love and motherhood aren’t always aligned with biology—sometimes they’re forged in the space between.

Bottom Line:
The Child in My House is a touching, quietly gripping read about family, secrets, and what it truly means to be a parent. It’s one to savor slowly—and one that stays with you.