Charlotte knows her daughter is different to other children. Stella often has melt downs and is awkward in social situations, but is highly intelligent. When their nanny, Blanka unexpectedly goes, Charlotte begins to notice huge changes in her daughter. Charlotte soon becomes obsessed with these changes and is convinced that Stella is in danger.

I am glad I went into this not knowing too much about the plot, as the less you know the better. This ended up being a fantastic story and nothing at all like I expected it to be. The story focuses on anxieties during parenthood, while exploring themes such as neurodivergence and mental health. The story js told in the voice of Charlotte and she is portrayed well, in the sense that I could empathise with how she was feeling, even if at times she frustrated me. I usually enjoy books with an unreliable narrator so this element worked well for me.

The story goes into unique, intriguing directions and I kept changing my mind at what I thought was going to happen next. There is a creepy, dark undertone which helps keep up the suspense and kept me interested. I would recommend this to those looking for a clever, creepy story which is layered with emotion and quite different to the usual thrillers. I would definitely read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Ooh I really enjoyed this one. An incredibly clever, intriguing psychological thriller that kept me second-guessing the whole way through. Stella is a clever, complicated and possibly neurodivergent young girl with a very close connection to her mother, Charlotte. Pregnant again, Charlotte's world starts to unravel when Stella's babysitter, Blanka, suddenly dies. Shortly after Blanka's death, Stella's personality starts to change. At first, the changes seem like a good thing. But Charlotte becomes increasingly convinced there's more to to Stella's changed personality than she first realised. She is convinced that Stella has become possessed with Blanka's spirit.

This is an incredibly clever book with a premise that is so hard to pull off. Yet Helena Echlin manages to do it with a plot that kept me turning the pages and a truly compelling central narrator.

More than anything, I loved Irina - Blanka's mother - who is a truly fabulous character and a force to be reckoned with.

A great read!

With Clever Little Thing, Echlin carefully buids that unsettling atmosphere and sense of dread to weave a story that thrives in ambiguity and suspense.

Oh this was clever. I love a book that keeps you guessing and this delivers that in spades. All the way through, you are questioning the version of events presented to you. It is masterfully done in how Echlin flits between aspects of the Gothic and psychological thrillers. No clear answers are provided and that is the beauty of it all. Echlin mediates on the resounding impacts of grief and how this can alter a person, but also on manipulations and deceit. I loved the ambiguity and the willingness to stay in the murkiness of the unknown. It all makes for a fiercely compelling read.

It is wonderfully paced, never quite allowing you to draw breath but still giving you enough time to get inside these characters’ heads and learn more about them. The suspense is palpable as Charlotte tries to piece together what is happening. As a reader, you are right there with her but you also have further context from the dual timelines. It is fractured and fragmented, adding to that sense of ambiguity. It touches on some difficult topics with nuance, using them as genuine moments for conversation rather than shock factor reveals. It is intense and dark. Echlin particularly excels in creating an atmosphere that truly rattles you. It is peturbing and uncanny in a way that plays with your mind just so. For a story interested in manipulation as a primary theme, it mirrors that in your reading experience.

Clever Little Thing burrows under your skin, giving you a shiver in the process. You’ll be left pondering this long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had just hit my reading goal for the year and I never would have expected to suddenly exceed it because I finished this in 3 days! It wasn’t my favourite book of the year but it was certainly the most gripping.

I think there is a very well established formula at play here which is “woman narrator who is made to feel crazy by everyone and everything around her but is obviously correct from page 1”, I have seen this too many times, in books, miniseries, or miniseries-from-books, so I can’t say that there were huge levels of suspense. I think I’m pretty good at figuring out the twist in this type of story so, while I found it predictable, I still wanted to keep reading to see how the crux of the story was going to be resolved.

Stylistically, I did not enjoy the constant Americanisms when the MC is supposed to be originally British but married to an American. I have since learnt that this seems to mirror the author’s real life marriage, but the MC talks about British culture as if this is something she is still discovering, and really oversimplifying things for an American audience, for example saying that Stella has a “teacher training thing” instead of the right word for it which is inset day and I’m sure an American reader could google this if they were stumped!

The author succeeds in giving us a very unlikeable MC who is obsessing about her daughter in an extremely unhealthy way and fits the stereotype of an “autism mum” who makes it all about herself while at the same time being really strongly against labelling her child as autistic or accept that she might also be. The side characters who help her journey through this are not very well fleshed out and only serve as ploys to advance the plot, but I do enjoy that by the end of the book the MC seems to have at least one friendship, plus of course accepting Irina into her family as a surrogate mother/grandmother figure. In fact, the part of the book I thought was most intriguing was the MC’s relationship to her mother and the work that she does to retrospectively understand it, no thanks to the psychologist figures in the book but mostly through her own introspection.

Overall, I think this book is worth reading and I’ve already recommended it to someone! It will be released 3 weeks from now on 14 January.

Very cleverly written, leaving the reader wondering about the ending. There are twists and turns which throw suspicion on different characters, The main characters are well written. Definitely will be reading more by Helena Echlin.

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin is a gripping and chilling psychological thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The story centres on Charlotte, whose daughter, Stella, undergoes a dramatic and unsettling transformation after the death of her babysitter, Blanka. Once a disruptive, anti-social child, Stella becomes eerily docile and begins mirroring Blanka’s personality in ways that disturb Charlotte to her core. From mimicking Blanka’s accent to craving Armenian meat stew despite being a vegetarian, Stella’s behaviour raises unnerving questions.

Charlotte, already drained and ill from her pregnancy, becomes consumed with the belief that Blanka’s spirit has somehow possessed Stella. While her husband dismisses her concerns, Charlotte’s obsession with saving her daughter intensifies, leading to a heart-pounding, supernatural tension that keeps the reader guessing.

Echlin’s writing is both captivating and eerie, blending psychological suspense with supernatural elements in a way that will haunt readers long after they finish the book. The pacing picks up in the second half, making Clever Little Thing an addictive, binge-worthy read. With its unique premise and nuanced exploration of motherhood, this book will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and paranormal mysteries.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Oh I loved this book, I was immediately captivated by the suspense and intensity of it, and couldn’t stop reading once I started. The story kept me guessing, with unexpected twists that left me questioning everything I thought I knew. By the time I reached the finale, I was left stunned, and wanting more. What a book this was, loved it.

Such a wonderful, clever, intriguing book. It had me hooked from the start and kept me dangling to the very last humdinger of a twist. I swung from disliking spoilt Charlotte to feeling sorry for her and everything she had to deal with. Her story was revealed in such a clever way I didn't even realise my attitude to her was changing. Definitely a book I'm happy to recommend and an author I'll watch out for.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A strange one this. Stella is a gifted child, indulged and spoilt by her parents, and not particularly likeable. When her babysitter of several years dies unexpectedly, Stella's personality begins to change. She becomes quite, introspective and docile. She develops cravings for meat after being raised vegetarian. Her mother Charlotte is pregnant with her second child and begins to think the deceased Blanka is somehow influencing Stella. Meanwhile her husband thinks Charlotte has mental issues...

I have to admit I didn't like any of the characters, but nonetheless enjoyed the book. It's well written and really quite creepy

I loved this book! It started off intriguing and gradually evolved into creepiness, in just the same way that Stella evolves slowly into Blanka. Really well written and engaging.

Neurodivergence comes in many forms and is difficult to describe in fiction. Stella (8) is intellectually precocious but socially constrained. Her mother, Charlotte, is excessively attentive, her father, Peter, is a workaholic but caring parent, who struggles somewhat with her behaviour (such as talking and reading science at adult level but ‘terrified’ of the sound of water). The only non-family person who seems comfortable with her is Blanka, her placid Armenian babysitter. When Blanka dies, Stella slowly starts to become more placid, less intellectual, less chatty, Charlotte believes that something is wrong, while Peter thinks she is now becoming more ‘normal’. Her eating habits also change, from vegetarian but not eating much, to carnivore with a voracious appetite. Charlotte believes that Blanka’s death has triggered the change, but is it just a psychological effect or has Stella’s body been possessed by Blanca’s spirit? Either way, the family dynamic will be changed for ever.
This is billed as a psychological thriller, which is true, but there are also supernatural aspects which give it an additional flavour. Whether or not you accept the latter possibility or cleave to the rationality of the former will determine the way you understand the story. Certainly, Charlotte, the central figure and narrator, is conflicted, but her overriding motivation is the love of a mother for her child (perhaps a bit over repeated). There are a few little glitches in the plotting, but they don’t interfere with the reader’s enjoyment, and the writing is quite literary in places. The dénouement sequences are a bit predictable, but you will still be left thinking about the resolution.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Clever Little Thing is a well-written psychological thriller. I enjoyed the original plot and the author conveys a chilling, creepy atmosphere throughout. I'm not a fan of the supernatural but this compelling read is a real page-turner.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Clever Little Thing is an incredibly suspenseful, haunting read. I loved how it intertwines struggles of motherhood, sinister mystery, and hints of the supernatural. I read this novel while on the train to Edinburgh to attend my graduation and it made the time fly by. Echlin has crafted an entirely original, eerie thriller that kept me turning the pages my entire train journey.

Charlotte has had a variety of odd and stressful things happening in her life. Her child's babysitter dies in mysterious circumstances, she's struggling to fit in with her friends, and Stella is acting increasingly erratic and unrecognisable.

I don't want to spoil anything but the plot is quite clever and events take a turn towards the implausible. The narrative of Charlotte's quest to find the truth is creepy, unnerving, and compelling. The novel's timeline is jumbled, told mostly in flashbacks with a few flash-forwards to the 'present' timeline where Charlotte is in dire straits.

Moreover, the novel's conclusion and final plot twists are pitch-perfect. Echlin builds up to a perfectly planned ending. I also enjoyed how much each character jumps off the page, especially Stella and Irena.

My one complaint is that sometimes the representation of neurodivergence felt like a one-dimensional plot device rather than a realistic, nuanced depiction. Stella and Charlotte are neurodivergent and this adds an interesting and important layer to the story, but I feel that Echlin could have expanded more on their experiences.

Overall, I would highly recommend Clever Little Thing. This highly original tale will captivate you and keep you guessing.

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to the publishers and net galley for an advance ecopy in exchange for a review. I haven’t read anything like this before, it was definitely original. The book follows a mother and daughter who has behavioural issues. It is told from the mother’s POV and when her old nanny dies she believes she has taken over the body of her daughter Stella. The whole way through I am unsure as to whether the mum is imagining her daughter’s issues and whether perhaps she is the one that is unwell like her husband suspects. The book focuses heavily on the bond between mum and child and I did enjoy the story and writing.

Creepy is the stand out description of this book.
Stella is a socially awkward child, possibly on the autism spectrum although this is only ever really implied so when she changes dramatically and begins to behave in ways her parents had always encouraged it seems like things are on the up...except for that niggling feeling that there is something darker at work.
The mother, Charlotte, is something of an unreliable witness and there is an ongoing struggle to make herself heard about her concerns for Stella that keeps the reader on the edge of knowing what is real and what is not.
A great read!

Ooh so good

I very much enjoyed this clever creepy little book .To begin with you. Think you’re reading something light and in the category of women’s fiction however it soon becomes clear that there is something else going on in this novel
When when Charlotte Nanny that she’s employed to look after her little daughter Stella suddenly she expects her to take it badly however it soon becomes clear that there’s something more going on. She starts to behave in a different fashion. Before the nannies death she was difficult and antisocial potentially on the autistic spectrum but afterwards she starts behaving perfectly and speaking differently Taking on her nannies accent. She’s always been vegetarian and she starts eating meat and devouring it with pleasure.
Of course if your child starts behaving in a quiet civilised fashion very few people will believe there’s anything wrong and it takes some others intuition to seek help. The help she receives from psychology professionals gaslight her. Mother really wants her child back.
Then into the picture comes mother who lives nearby and starts to offer free childcare to the family Stella loves her and they quickly developed a strong bond
This book was interesting quirky and innovative. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
The book moves along to fast pace and I was enthralled throughout and didn’t really want to put it down
Start to read the book expecting something awful to happen rather like watching Doctor Who from behind the sofa is a child or peeking through your fingers you know something is going to happen. You don’t want it to happen but of course it must and does.
This is an incredibly well crafted novel. I don’t usually read thrillers but pick this one up because of the child’s psychology element to it. I found that manipulated my emotions. Very well whilst reading it I felt quite anxious and tense.
I’ve seen the book compared to the push by Audrey Audrain I can see why I think if you’d love that book you love this
I read nearly copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 14th of January 2025. I Think it would make an ideal Christmas Read.
will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicsarahsbookswordpress.com
After publication, it will also appear on Amazon UK

Quite an intriguing read, that once again has the male partner turning out to be far from perfect. You feel sorry for the mother coping with pregnancy, a hateful husband and a 'possessed' daughter.

I have not read a book like this in a long time. It had me gripped at the very start.
It was hard to tell if Charlotte was mentally unwell at the start, the characters were amazing! I loved how it had some supernatural aspects as well as being a psychological thriller. I recommend this book 1000000%.

Thank you for such an amazing read!!!

Taut, gripping and all consuming. This book had me on the edge of my seat.

Charlotte' is a fascinating character and i could never work out if she was crazy or the only one telling the truth. As for Stella I just thought she was brilliant, unique and adorable in her own way.

Less said about Peter, the better but he was a vital character and play a pivotal role in the narrative.

The plotting is meticulous, the ending chefs kiss and I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.

Stella is an eight-year-old high achiever who has learnt to read books many adults would struggle with. Her vocabulary and ability to question things puts her ahead of her peers while isolating her also. Charlotte, her mother, is pregnant with her second child when she decides to stay at home to spend more time with her. This is when things start to go wrong. She gets rid of her nanny, Blanka who she didn’t rate anyway only to discover days later that she has committed suicide.

Out of guilt Charlotte strikes up a relationship with her mother, Irina who in turn seems to have an unhealthy hold on the family as we see Stella change from a fussy eater to one devouring meat. Her mannerisms change as she morphs into the dead nanny using specific phrases and writing in Armenian. Pete appears to be the perfect husband and doting father, albeit he is hardly there. He is ecstatic however that his once shy daughter is making friends and behaving normally.

In the second half of the novel Echlin introduces the idea of the supernatural; Is Blanka haunting Stella and if so, why?

This is one hell of a psychological thriller; on the one hand is Charlotte an overprotective mother who refuses to have her daughter diagnosed as her friends suggest or is she justified in her concerns and need to protect her. At times we buy into Pete’s diagnosis that it is down to her hormones, but how sure are we? One thing for sure it put the heebie jebbies up me and I felt that icy chill at the back of my neck.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication. What a year 2025 will be.