This book was definitely giving creepy vibes. I enjoyed this as it felt like a bit of a locked room mystery: I enjoyed the writing style and felt like it was easy to keep up with etc. I have read more from this author and this is one of the better ones in my opinion.

I did like the premise of this book and found most of it interesting but when I got to the halfway point t of the book I will say I think the quality started to go down as if it was written without as much thought as the first half did.

I really have no idea how I feel about this one. I think I was looking for more than what I got. The storyline was sad, with the death of her son and husband, and I thought that there would be something quite pivotal about it, and the same with the explosion. But they felt more like a push on the storyline. I thought they would be at the forefront of the book, however, the present day was the focus. Stephanie trying to find out why her son was depressed. The explosion especially was just a way to keep everyone locked in together. The more bangs, the more tense things got within the house, a pressure cooker of emotions. I think I was expecting more from the explosion and the crash rather than they were used as a plot device and there was nothing sinister behind either of them.

I think I was just a bit underwhelmed sadly, and I was looking forward to this. The book gives you a thriller vibe when you look at it, but the book was more of a domestic fiction. There were some inconsistencies in the book, one more minute the age gap between two of the characters was 2 years and then the next it was only 1 year, despite no birthdays being mentioned and it was only the next day. There was something else but I can't remember now - brain fog!

The story does jump a lot. You have to pay attention, but I felt that even though I was intrigued and wanted to know more, my attention was waning and I just felt it was anti-climactic. The ending was good, however, that email and that last thought - I did like that! I won't discuss the plot because I went in blind, and I found myself warming and championing two characters which I hadn't seen coming.

A bit of a downer here. I expected much more as it promised in the synopsis but it didn't make it. Too many timelines to follow. Finished it but wasn't what I thought. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

Really enjoy BP Walters books! Such a good writer. Another good book. Loved the story. Good plot. Few twists I enjoyed! It kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading.

The Locked Attic is a very different sort of read. Billed as a thriller, it is not exactly that. It is more of a dark and brooding family mystery.

The story centers around two families. Stephanie, her husband Peter, and son Danny have moved from London to Kent. Stephanie hopes this will be a fresh new start, but there is something decidedly odd about the Franklin family across the street. After a rough start, Danny becomes friends with the Franklin's son Jonathan. It is obvious that Jonathan has issues with both his parents.

Then one night after Stephanie picks up Danny and Jonathan from a party, she senses a divide in them, and afterwards her son is not the happy boy she's known. She is trying to get to the bottom of what is wrong when tragically, he and his father are killed in a car accident. In her grief, Stephanie decides she must know what was wrong with Danny before his death and she believes that Jonathan can tell her.

This was an interesting book, certainly not exactly what I expected when I began reading. The story just didn't resonate with me, but I can't fault the story telling or writing. I would rate it 3.5.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book was told in dual perspectives and at different stages of the storyline. I ended up putting down the book because the plot was mundane (definitely not a thriller) and I couldn’t get into the jumping around of characters and timelines.

It was quite a let down for me.

Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter for the digital copy of The Locked Attic.

*Due to the negative feedback I will not be posting to my social platforms.

"The Locked Attic" by B.P. Walter is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense, mystery, and complex family dynamics. The story centers around the protagonist, whose life takes a dark turn when secrets from the past begin to surface, specifically relating to an enigmatic attic that holds more than just forgotten belongings.

Walter's writing is taut and atmospheric, effectively building tension as the narrative unfolds. The characters are well-drawn, each grappling with their own demons and hidden motives, which adds layers of intrigue to the story. The exploration of memory and the impact of unresolved trauma plays a significant role, drawing readers into the psychological depth of the characters’ experiences.

The pacing is skillfully managed, with twists and turns that keep readers on edge, making it difficult to put the book down. Walter’s ability to create an unsettling atmosphere enhances the sense of foreboding, as the protagonist uncovers the truth about her family's past and the secrets that have been carefully buried.

Themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones are woven throughout the narrative, prompting readers to reflect on their own relationships and the impact of secrets.

Overall, "The Locked Attic" is a compelling and immersive read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. B.P. Walter has crafted a haunting story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, showcasing his talent for storytelling and character development. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a suspenseful and thought-provoking literary experience.

This was an alright read. It seemed a bit more of a domestic drama than a pure thriller. The ending had a decent twist, I felt like it really needed it by the time we got to it. It seemed nothing much really happened.

This book alternates between different days/times so it is quite confusing until you get into the story. Stephanie, her husband and her son move into a new neighborhood. The folks across the street have a son, Jonathan, Danny's age and they quickly become friends. Jonathan's parents are the kind of people that want everyone to think they are perfect, but they are hiding their faults behind closed doors (and, well, the attic). It's not quite the big reveal you think it is, but the story between Danny and Jonathan is sweet and sad.

This was a bloody strange one and it was a struggle to actually finish. I must admit I started heavily skimming as I was just rather bored as it took forever to get to the point. It was also completely different from what I was expecting it to be, I'm not sure what I thought this was before reading but it fell far from that mark. The blurb is the only mildly interesting thing about this one and I guess I was expecting some sort of psychological thriller and what I got was a confusing domestic drama with some mildly suspenseful elements (and that's pushing it really) that didn't actually go anywhere. It was also so bloody depressing and very unsatisfying.

I disliked the choppy disjointed style of narration I get that it was meant to convey a sense of intrigue so you keep turning the page and I guess it did its job as I did finish but it was just so bizarre and the resolution felt anti-climatic and somewhat strange. This follows Stephanie a mid-thirties, married woman in the aftermath of losing her husband Paul and teenage son Danny. It jumps back and forth a lot as Stephanie attempts to find some answers about what was bothering her son before he died.

It's narrated mainly from Stephanie's POV with some of Danny's sprinkled in. It all had a very domestic drama feel as Stephanie feels she married up and is currently residing in successful suburbia. She's a hodgepodge of insecurity and has a bad case of imposter syndrome which is evident in all of her internal thoughts and inner monologue.

It's a weird one for sure I only kept going because I wanted to discover the secret and was wondering about the aforementioned attic which, to be frank, was a complete letdown. Then there's the bizarre explosion that foreshadows the whole narrative. Yep, this was a serious letdown and I definitely didn't enjoy any of it though the writing itself was fine, which is pointless for me if the story itself didn't hit home. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the locked attic.

I loved a previous book by this author so I was surprised that this one was a disappointment. It was a fast paced story. The story is told in a dual timeline. But the execution was poor

Sadly, could not get into this so was DNF. However I'm hopeful for more work from B P Walter because I loved The Dinner Guest. So will keep trying all his work!

Told from different perspectives this is quite different to what I was expecting. The story is heartbreaking and believable and it’s perfect. I mean. I’ve read it in one sitting and am now thrilled to see that this writer has written more. I’m about to purchase her other books.
Very, very good. 5/5.

Domestic dramas concerning 2 families in a desirable neighbourhood. At first I thought this was going to be a great story, that is until the constant backwards and forwards began. Plus the POV’s of some of the characters. Quite honestly it was enough to make the reader dizzy plus trying to keep up and follow it all. I’m afraid this lost the book 3 stars. It doesn’t do much for me and I’d far rather start at the beginning and then progress in an orderly way to the end. And if it absolutely must be written as above then please not so many times as it interrupts the flow too much and I very quickly lose interest. Also the “big” reveal, was that it?? Very much like a firework which won’t light - all that promise but ultimately a letdown. Disappointing!

B.P. Walter's "The Locked Attic" unfolds as a tightly wound psychological thriller, skillfully weaving a multi-layered narrative that is both suspenseful and eerie. The story begins with Stephanie awakening in a hospital, disoriented and in pain, with fragmented memories leading her to the Franklins, her neighbours across the road on Oak Tree Close. A chill runs down her spine as she realizes the unsettling connection to what is concealed in their attic.

The narrative then takes us seven months back, tracing Stephanie's journey from picking up her son Danny and his friend Jonathan Franklin after a party in October. It is at this point that both boys exhibit strange behavior, setting off a chain of events spiraling out of control. The truth gradually unravels through various timelines, primarily narrated by Stephanie, with intermittent insights from Danny. Danny's sporadic voice adds a coming-of-age dimension, delving into the exploration of different forms of love.

In sum, "The Locked Attic" is a well-crafted and compelling psychological thriller, offering a gripping narrative with a skillful blend of suspense and psychological intrigue.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The title of the book was such that I thought it would be a locked room thriller / murder mystery as there was not much available for the synopsis but it was okayish kind of read. Very, very boring at times and very slow paced. There were times I felt like throwing away my Kindle because the story would simply not move ahead and I kept screaming in my head for it to do so.

But I finished it anyway.

I really enjoyed this twisty tale. It was told in multiple timelines but was easy to follow.
There was a "boom" in the neighborhood, and this weaves the tale of the time leading up to it, and following it.
I enjoy this author, and am thankful for the ARC!

Ech, I have a really mixed feelings about it. We have Stephanie who is in hospital and her memories are coming back in waves. Her son is dead and she cannot cope with that, what is not surprising. But she started to have an unhealthy obsession about her neighbors. She is watching them, trying to find some secrets about them, dome dirt, cause she is pretty sure that they have known something about ther son's death. Any proof? Nah, just call it "intuition". So, for me, it's kinda a red flag.

There are some things that are not logical at all. I'm trying to understand that she has a trauma, but still, I find this history hard to belive sometimes and have a trouble to fully immerse there...

It was ok. Just ok. It does not make me feel exicted, or make this book unputable. Sooo, like 3/5, for the potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Just an ok read for me. I had a hard time staying interested and I wasn’t thrilled about the timeline jumps.
Not bad but not a favorite of mine.