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The Man in My Attic

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He’s in our house.

I never imagined that moving into our dream home, a beautiful Virginia Colonial, would unravel my life. The renovations are finally complete and I revel in the quiet moments, sipping coffee in the morning sun.

But something is off. At first, it’s little things — a creak in the floorboards, a misplaced item. I brush them off, chalking it up to the house settling. My husband Jacob is more distant, buried in late-night meetings and coming home reeking of whiskey and lies.

But I love my life. So I let things go, sweeping them under the rug, because it’s easier that way. That my husband is having an affair isn’t an idea I’m ready to face or believe yet, either.

Our four-year-old son Noah mentions his new friend, Billy, who lives in the walls. I dismiss it as a child’s imagination. Maybe he’s picked up on the strains in our marriage.

As we’re having dinner, Noah peers at his father. “Billy said he knows what you did.” The idea my son knows about his father’s transgressions sends a ball of rage rumbling in my gut . . . and a shiver of fear.

Then one night I hear something — a soft thump in the attic. My heart pounds as I creep up the stairs, the silence of the house amplifying every sound. I reach the top, my breath hitching as I push open the attic door . . .

Billy isn’t imaginary. He’s real. And he’s living in our house.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2024

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About the author

Robin Mahle

48 books215 followers
Robin Mahle, Mystery and Suspense author, lives with her husband and two children in Virginia.

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5 stars
170 (53%)
4 stars
112 (35%)
3 stars
30 (9%)
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4 (1%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Lori Martin.
246 reviews187 followers
August 23, 2024
The Man in the Attic will have you jumping at every little noise in your house as you read it. This book grabs you and doesn't let go as the suspense builds at a blistering pace! Lauren and Jacob have just finished having their Virginia Colonial renovated. The house is beautiful and Lauren can't believe how well it turned out. Every older house has creaks and noises, right? What if those noises weren't actually just from the old house, but from someone within the house? That's the premise of The Man in the Attic and I loved this book!

Lauren works as an accountant at a law firm and Jacob is a partner at a big law firm. Noah, their son, is 4 years old and attends preschool for half of the day. Their elderly neighbor picks him up and watches him at their house until Lauren comes home. When Noah is upstairs in his playroom watching tv he hears a voice. The voice is talking to him and tells Noah he wants to be friends. He tells Noah to call him Billy. Noah is excited to have a new friend even if he can't see him. When Noah tells his parents at dinner that he has a new friend named Billy they tell him to invite him over. Noah tells his parents that he lives in the walls. Lauren and Jacob are shocked and think that Billy is just an imaginary friend. Jacob convinces Lauren that this is totally normal at this age. Is it though?

Lauren suspects that Jacob is having an affair and thinks Noah has picked up on the stress between them. Maybe that's why he's created this imaginary friend. At dinner a few days later, Noah tells Jacob that Billy has a message for him. Noah tells Jacob that Billy knows what you did. Jacob loses it and screams at Noah, scaring the boy. Lauren doesn't know how much more she can take of Jacob. He's always been a good father, but he's coming unhinged. He comes home late, misses dinner, and now blows up at their son. What's Jacob hiding? When Lauren hears a thump one night it wakes her up. The noise came from the attic. She goes up to investigate, but doesn't see anything from the top of the attic steps.

When detectives stop by because of the call from the house the night before they tell Lauren and Jacob that there have been 3 other families that were all killed in their sleep. There was no forced entry and it was like the killer was living somewhere in the house. They give the detectives a list of the contractors who worked on the renovation of the house. Maybe one of them is doing this, if there's anything going on at all? Could it be Jacob has an imaginary friend? Could the noises be just an old house settling? You'll have to read The Man in the Attic to find out! I rate The Man in the Attic 5 stars with my highest recommendation. If you love a suspenseful read that unsettles you, this is the book for you! The Man in the Attic is available now. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of The Man in the Attic in exchange for a fair review. #TheManInTheAttic
Profile Image for Teresa Brock.
457 reviews46 followers
August 22, 2024
The Man in My Attic
Robin Mahle
August 22, 2024
Joffe Books

From the prologue to the ending the tension builds and scenes unfold with perfect timing. Multiple POV’s and characters are all needed to make this come together. Be patient. It is worth it!

The lies and secrets abound. Unique, creepy and at times claustrophobic- I felt for Lauren. Like other readers, I am thankful that when I go to sleep tonight that we don’t have an attic.
21 reviews
August 18, 2024
It was a struggle to get into this book. All the characters were very one dimensional. The way the chapters would switch narrator made it difficult to connect to any one of them. Every single trope felt far fetched. I was close to DNF and almost wish I had.
August 4, 2024
This is a book that once you start reading, you cannot put it down as you try to predict what will happen next. The idea of someone unknown living in the attic of the house that one resides in is rather creepy. Also, the aspects of the killer’s motivation being unexplained is another factor that contributes the mystery in the story.

I think that descriptions and the different points of view are good and help to make the story more interesting with realistic characters. I absolutely enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to Jofee Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
6,695 reviews93 followers
August 26, 2024
The man in the attic by Robin Mahle.
Secrets and Suspense book 2.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I got into it straight away. I did like Lauren and little Noah. I didn't trust Jacob one bit. Twisty and gripping. I liked the cover and blurb. I didn't expect that it did surprise me. I did like the ending though.

Blurb.
He’s in our house.
I never imagined that moving into our dream home, a beautiful Virginia Colonial, would unravel my life. The renovations are finally complete and I revel in the quiet moments, sipping coffee in the morning sun.

But something is off. At first, it’s little things — a creak in the floorboards, a misplaced item. I brush them off, chalking it up to the house settling. My husband Jacob is more distant, buried in late-night meetings and coming home reeking of whiskey and lies.

But I love my life. So I let things go, sweeping them under the rug, because it’s easier that way. That my husband is having an affair isn’t an idea I’m ready to face or believe yet, either.

Our four-year-old son Noah mentions his new friend, Billy, who lives in the walls. I dismiss it as a child’s imagination. Maybe he’s picked up on the strains in our marriage.

As we’re having dinner, Noah peers at his father. “Billy said he knows what you did.” The idea my son knows about his father’s transgressions sends a ball of rage rumbling in my gut . . . and a shiver of fear.

Then one night I hear something — a soft thump in the attic. My heart pounds as I creep up the stairs, the silence of the house amplifying every sound. I reach the top, my breath hitching as I push open the attic door . . .

Billy isn’t imaginary. He’s real. And he’s living in our house.

#themanintheattic @RobinMahle #joffebooks @zooloobooktours #zbt #psychologicalthriller #PsychologicalFiction #ad #FreeBookReview
Profile Image for Jen.
940 reviews103 followers
August 28, 2024

This was a wild ride! It centers on Lauren, who is living in her newly renovated house in northern VA with her (jerky) husband Jake and son Noah, when weird things start to happen around the house, like sounds she can’t explain. Her son then tells her about a new “friend” named Billy who “lives in the walls”. There also happens to be a string of unsolved murders in the area. The chapters are told from various perspectives- it’s primarily Lauren’s story but the other POVs are interesting and tie the story together well.

The story was fast paced and the chapters were short. I liked both Lauren and the police detective and felt that I could understand where both were coming from even when they didn’t make the right decisions. There were some definite creepy parts throughout. I also enjoyed the police investigation part, as it didn’t get really deep but it was just enough detail to tie together pieces of the story and I felt like good decisions were made. The twist at the end was a complete surprise to me (which is rare!) but that twist did lead me to another question that I didn’t think was answered. The ending of the book worked for me and I was satisfied with how it turned out.

Overall, I really liked this one and would love to read more from this author. I thought this was a creepy and engaging read overall. Thanks to Netgalley for pricing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda.
395 reviews
August 1, 2024
Wow, this was an amazing read. I loved the way it was written with different chapters for each of the characters as the story progressed. Each chapter told us what was happening in each individuals life and we saw the whole thing from different perspectives. This is a technique I have seen before, which doesn’t always work but on this occasion, it perfectly enhances the reading experience. The story itself was totally gripping as we were taken on an extremely scary journey through the lives of Lauren Hale and her family, and I found my sympathies switching from one person to another as the tale went on. All the characters were well thought out and believable as they were thrown from one chilling event to another. Gradually as the action progresses, the reader is presented with some interesting little snippets of information that makes us suspect that there may be more to this whole drama than we thought we knew. The final few chapters are such a huge surprise, I certainly never saw it coming and it was an enormous twist to the story. The epilogue was a satisfying conclusion to an excellent read and I will be watching out for more from this author.
Profile Image for Evan-Leigh.
7 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2024
4.25 / 5 ⭐️

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!

A gripping story from start to finish. It starts off with a gripping prologue, making you unable to put the book down from the second you open it.

A well written villain and likeable main character (that being Lauren, of course). As for Jacob, I knew he was a bad guy, but oh my, one particular part definitely shocked me.

The one thing I have to say is the vast amount of different characters’ point of views was a bit of a rollercoaster, although in order to tell the story Robin Mahle wanted to tell I suppose it was necessary.

Robin certainly does a good job at holding the reader’s attention, I know I couldn’t stop reading! A good read for any thriller fan.

I know one things for certain after reading this rollercoaster of a book- I’m not going to be able to write off the noises in my attic quite as easily anymore…

👨🏻🏡
Profile Image for lindsey.
14 reviews27 followers
August 7, 2024
I'm rating this closer to a 4.5 rather than a 4.
This was such a great book!
It started off a little slow for me, but picked up quickly. Without spoiling, the entire premise is one of my worst paranoid fears haha.
The Man in my Attic has multiple POVs and a twist that I didn't see coming at all.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Emma Lewis.
70 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2024
Fast paced, short chapters which end in cliff hangers most of the time. Keeps you wanting to read more and more. I think some parts were a bit far fetched and wrapped up a bit quickly but I didn’t see the twists coming. Overall good, gripping psychological thriller
Profile Image for Angelica.
69 reviews7 followers
August 22, 2024
Thank you, Robin Mahle, for providing me with this Advanced Reader Copy to review.

This book reminded me of the movie, I See You, which I also enjoyed. It's unique however, because most of the evidence is told from the mind of a 4-year-old and because unlike the movie, he's not there as a prank.

"I made a new friend today"
"You did? What's his name?"
"He said I could call him whatever I wanted, so I named him Billy."
"You named him Billy. Is this a friend in your class at school?"
"No, I don't know where he goes to school.
"I'm confused, honey, how did you meet Billy?"
Oh, he lives in the walls.

Instead, this man lives in the walls because he doesn't have a family or a place to live, which at first made me feel bad for him, but quickly changed as the reader learns how dangerous he can be.

This book was gripping from the start, I loved that it had short, immersive chapters and it was an easy and fast read.

However, I gave it four out of five stars because I think the whole wife thinks there's something wrong and the husband doesn't believe her bit is overdone as well a part of the ending that I found annoying.

Otherwise, great story and I'd be happy to recommend this book as well as read more from her in the future.
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
2,976 reviews429 followers
August 21, 2024
Robin Mahle (favorite author) returns following The Chef and her popular detective series with THE MAN IN MY ATTIC —a creepy, heart-pounding, twisty suspense psychological thriller about a family who renovates a house to find they have a murderer living in their attic. What is the motive?

That person (or is it an imaginary friend) happens to be talking to their young son through the walls—telling the father's dirty secrets.

What a wild, thrill ride! Robin cleverly grabs your attention and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the explosive, jaw-dropping conclusion!

Lies, betrayal, and MURDER!

About...

Set in Virginia in the suburbs of Alexandria, Lauren has a challenging past but is excited about their lovely colonial home. They finally have the renovations complete.

Lauren works as an in-house accountant at a law firm. Her husband, Jacob, is a partner at a law firm (not the same one since he left there to enter corporate law). They have a four-year-old son named Noah.

She suspects her husband is having an affair but is not sure she wants to confront it until she has more proof. He is hiding lots of secrets.

Lauren is a great mom, and she does not want to rock the boat, but she may have to. She has had a traumatic past, so security and family mean everything to her.

Then strange noises and things begin happening in their home. Then Noah says he has a friend named Billy who lives in the walls. They think this is just an imaginary friend.

Lauren feels violated, frightened that someone may be in their house lurking at night. Plus, her marriage was on the verge of collapse. She must keep her son safe, which is her #1 priority.

However, things take a turn when Billy tells Noah to deliver messages to Jacob. He knows what the slimy Jacob is up to.

Weeks ago, Lauren was just a wife and mother, getting by the best she could, not realizing the secrets simmering below the surface. But she knows now. However, she has no clue what is coming next!

In the meantime, people are being murdered in their homes. Is someone getting inside the homes when the residents work and then strikes at night?

Detective Collins is on the case. They need to take this family's concern seriously before there is another murder. There are more brutal murders and innocent families. They must catch this killer before he strikes again.

Is Noah's imaginary friend, Billy for real? They must take him seriously.

What is Jacob up to, and how far does his deceit go? How are all the pieces connected?

My thoughts...

Wow, THE MAN IN MY ATTIC was so much fun! I read it in one sitting. Mixed with suspense and humor—I loved it! Unexpected, unsettling, twisted, mesmerizing, and original—it will keep you guessing until its wild ending. I loved Billy telling Jacob's dirty secrets.

A mysterious family drama and riveting domestic suspense thriller —a whodunit and whydunit! The author is a pro, whether it's an intense detective series or a standalone. I enjoy her style and well-developed characters. The plot is always engrossing, keeping the reader guessing how all the puzzle pieces will be connected.

The murderer is a monster. A serial killer. Clever, calculating, and conniving!

Told from alternating POVs of Lauren (mom), Jacob (dad), Detective Collins (great name), Gary (janitor), and Madison (paralegal), THE MAN IN MY ATTIC is complex, multi-layered, twisty, wicked, and scandalous.

Noah's character is hilarious and I enjoyed how all the sins were unraveled. Lauren is a fantastic character who possesses more strength than she knows. She was trapped between her desire for revenge and her desire for her family.

A modern version of The Haunting of Hill House! Thriller lovers, get this one on your list for the fall!

Recs...

For fans of the author and Freida McFadden, Lisa Unger, Kaira Rouda, KL Slater, and Miranda Rijks.

Thanks to the author for a gifted advanced review copy for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 22, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Aug 2024 Must-Read Books
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Profile Image for Jenny M.
223 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2024
Wow, what a seriously crazy ride!

The story revolves around Lauren and her family, including her four year old son, Noah. Lauren finally has the house of her dreams. Renovations are done and everything looks perfect. She hears some creaking floorboards in the night, but chalks it up to the old house settling. Although Lauren's house may be perfect, her marriage is anything but. She is well aware that her husband is having an affair, but has yet to confront him.

One night, when Lauren's husband is actually home for dinner, Noah tells his father that, "Billy said he knows what you did". Now Lauren is panicking. has Noah found out about his father's affair and this is his way of dealing with it? Kids have imaginary friends all the time, right? Sure, but what if the imaginary friend is real?

This book is really well written. I loved the alternating chapters between different characters. It made for a cohesive storyline and also, in part, led me to finishing the book in one day (I had to see what was going to happen to a certain character, but their chapter was still a few away...so I kept going lol) Such a fast paced and twisty read that you will not be able to put down!

Creepy vibes galore - it is kind of crazy to think that someone could be living in your house without you knowing! I've heard of phrogging and squatters, but this books takes things to a whole new level - and it is very creepy! Let's just say you will be feeling quite unsettled next time you hear a random creak in your house...

Cannot wait to read more by Robin Mahle!

Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Chantelle.
48 reviews6 followers
August 22, 2024
“The Man in My Attic” by Robin Mahle is a masterclass in suspense and psychological drama. From the outset, the seemingly perfect life of the protagonist, set against the backdrop of a picturesque Virginia Colonial, begins to unravel in the most unsettling way. The subtle hints of disquiet—creaks, misplaced items, and an increasingly distant husband—are skillfully interwoven with the protagonist’s growing dread, creating a mounting sense of tension. The introduction of Noah’s imaginary friend, Billy, who is more than just a figment of a child’s imagination, adds a chilling layer to the narrative.

Mahle’s storytelling excels in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, making every sound in the house seem menacing. The protagonist’s denial and attempts to keep her life intact despite mounting evidence of betrayal and danger reflect a deeply human struggle. As the story builds towards the climactic reveal of Billy’s true nature, the suspense becomes almost unbearable. The ultimate twist is both unexpected and profoundly satisfying, tying together the threads of deception and fear in a way that will leave readers gasping.

Overall, “The Man in My Attic” is a gripping thriller with a pace that ensures readers are hooked from start to finish. Fans of psychological thrillers and domestic mysteries will find this book a compelling read, filled with twists and turns that keep the stakes high and the tension palpable.
56 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2024
Thank you to Robin Mahle for providing me an advanced reader copy of this book.

Wow...I'm speechless regarding this book, excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. This book will definitely give you the chills and have you second guessing every little bump in the night for weeks after finishing.

Synopsis: Lauren and her husband Jacob have just completed the renovations on their home when their young son Noah tells them he has a new friend named Billy. Billy "lives in the walls" according to Noah, however the couple are convinced he's just an imaginary friend. Things take a turn though when Billy tells Noah to deliver messages to Jacob. What happens next you'll never guess.

Review: I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I could not put it down and often found myself saying, just one more chapter lol! It was such a fast paced and quick read for me that I highly recommend it. The multiple perspectives were not difficult to follow as they are in other books. I feel that they helped the overall appeal of the book and made the story that much better and easier to follow. The main character is very likeable and easy to root for. I knew from the minute that the villain entered the book he was bad news, as well as the husband, I just didn't expect that major twists that were coming at the end!

Look for this book coming out August 22, 2024.
Profile Image for Hayley.
178 reviews9 followers
August 25, 2024
This was a great read! We knew who the man was, we knew what he was capable of, we just didn't know why he did what he did and that was just brilliant. I loved the way the storyline unfolded but twists and turns kept coming - ones that I didn't see and I was like - now I get it!!

I liked Lauren and felt really sorry for her, her husband Jacob, was keeping secrets from her and an affair (which Lauren had inklings about). I think he thought that he would get away with everything and carry on living the way he was. 'Billy' however, had other ideas! I thought the way that 'Billy' lived in the walls and spoke to Noah was really clever, especially when passing on messages to Jacob to let him know that his secret was going to be exposed! I did also feel a little sorry for Gary as clearly he was missing things in life and hadn't had it easy.

I also liked our police detective as she was following her instinct of nothing more than hunches at one point with no actual evidence, but I'm glad that she trusted her gut! I loved the way this was written as each chapter was from one of our main characters points of view whilst progressing the story forward. And each one had me more and more gripped as I really wasn't sure where this was headed.
Profile Image for Hannah May Book Reviews.
382 reviews15 followers
August 22, 2024
The title and the creepy as heck description drew me in with this book, I loved how it had given me the creeps before I’d even picked it up!

The story is told through multiple points of views, this was easy to follow and flowed nicely, and I really enjoyed being in the character’s heads, especially little Noah as that just added to the eerie feels. There was a great mix of characters too, some you really connected with, some that were scary as hell and some you just wanted to reach in and shake them.

I genuinely was scared for the characters at times as things got very tense, the author did an amazing job at creating an atmosphere that had you on edge. The story really does pack a punch too! There was lots going on and had plenty of twists and turns throughout to keep you on your toes.

This was a very cleverly plotted read, the author knew exactly what to do to engage the reader. The pace for me didn’t feel overly fast, but the slower build up I think added to the creepiness. I did enjoy the short chapters though.

It’s safe to say though, I may be worrying about future lofts and cellars now!
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
1,601 reviews95 followers
September 2, 2024
Having read a couple of books by this author now, I just knew that I was going love this new release just as much.
Right from seeing the front cover, I had an uneasiness that had me on edge before I'd even started reading.

After a long renovation, Lauren and Jacob finally move into their dream home and life is just perfect.
With a gorgeous house, beautiful son and loving husband, Lauren is happy - even if she has some small worries.
When her son starts to imagine he hears voices in the walls she assumes that his over-active imagination is working hard - until she starts to hear noises too...

I loved how this storyline emerges over time and via multiple pov's.
Although always progressing forward, this drew out the events and added a real tense and intriguing vibe.
This format also had me forever eking out just one more chapter as I had to find out what each pov would reveal.

The whole idea of having someone hidden and living in your house was just so creepy and I raced through this just to find out how things would end.
I just couldn't relax and felt so pleased we don't have an attic - although I was more wary of our eaves cupboards for a short time!
It's amazing how children are sometimes less affected by things that would literally terrify me now!
I also liked that we knew who Billy was but had to wait to find out why he was doing this to the family.

The writing style was brilliant as ever, creating just the perfect atmosphere and setting for a story like this.
The characters were well developed and I loved the twists and turns that kept me guessing right to the end.

This one stayed with me for a while after finishing - an enjoyable but chilling read and I can't wait to see more from Robin.
Profile Image for Ryan.
34 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2024
Thank you to Joffe Books, who I received this eARC from in return for my honest review!

The Man in my Attic was a gripping and easy read. It's fast paced, leaving you wanting more when the time comes to put the book down. Very chilling scenes that actually put me on edge as well, the descriptions of not knowing someone is in your house but hearing noises is enough to scare most people and I'm definitely going to be second guessing any noises in my house now! In ways, the book reminded me of the movie "Open House" (which I also recommend).

The story is told from the POVs of several people. It's really easy to follow and really interesting to see everyone's perspectives, especially when you know something that the main character does not. I actually didn't see the end twist to this story, which was a nice surprise! There is so much happening in this book, but not to the point where it's overwhelming. The book is nicely fleshed out and makes a satisfying read. Totally recommend this book to anyone who loves crime fiction thrillers!
103 reviews5 followers
July 29, 2024
This was definitely a jaw dropping thriller that keeps you wanting to turn the pages. The idea that someone could be living in your attic is just creepy within itself. Then you add the warped ideas that the killer had to justify his killings is just crazy. The characters are well written and the multiple POVs make them even more relatable and made the book more enjoyable in my opinion. I was feeling for Lauren and her son, Noah throughout the whole story. I found myself wanting her to just man up and do something about her husband Jacob. I will state that the multiple twists that came out at the end were crazy and I honestly didn't see them coming. It has been so long that I have read a thriller that actually shocked me in the end, but this one did it!

If you like thrillers, you will want to get a copy of this book as soon as it publishes in August 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Andria.
25 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2024
If you like Freida McFadden as well as John Marrs, then I think you have found your perfect book. Robin Mahle seems to be a pleasant combination of the two writers, which I could not be happier with!

The way time flew by while reading this book was insane. I felt as though I had just picked the book up and then the next thing I know, I was almost done with it. Had I not had to feed my family dinner, I would have finished the book in one sitting. It is so faced paced!

I always had a fear in me when we first bought our house that maybe someone could be up hiding in the attic or even down in the basement. That's what happens in this book, and when I tell you all those fears came right back to me, I am not even joking!

With the several different POV's that are told in the story, there are so many twists and turns that you might need to wear a neck brace! You definitely will not see the ending coming at all!
2,524 reviews9 followers
August 22, 2024
Lauren and Jacob seem to have the perfect marriage on the surface, their house has just been renovated, they have a wonderful four year old son, Noah and their lifestyle is great.
But beneath the surface lies are swirling.
Jacob is in trouble at work and also having an affair.
Then the noises in the attic start and strange things happening around the house.
Noah even says that his imaginary friend Billy has told him that he "knows what daddy has done."
As the cracks in her marriage add extra stress and creepy things happening at home, Lauren begins to wonder if she is going insane or whether Billy is not so imaginary after all...
Omg this was a wow factor book, the first page was eye popping and grabbed the reader's attention.
I just couldn't put this down and also told all my family about it so highly recommended it.
Sinister, chilling and with a creep factor that makes for unsettling reading at night, especially if you have an attic someone could get into...
Fantastic read.
Profile Image for Siobhain McCormick.
712 reviews32 followers
August 26, 2024
The Man in My Attic was an interesting and sometimes difficult read. The plot itself I was hooked with from the start but  the problem I had was the characters. I just felt that they never really developed that much and seemed to stay rather trope like throughout. I think this stuck out more to me because each chapter has a point of view of the characters it highlighted this more. If it had been more of a third person narrative this might not have been so easy.

That said the plot itself did keep me invested. It was interesting enough to hold me, even if I was hoping more than once some of the characters would end up victims. The subplot with Jacob was a nice little extra to add in a few more twists and turns. All in all this was a good thriller. For me the only let down where some of the characters. This was a easy 3 to 3.5 that I’ve rounded up to 4.

As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours and Joffe Books for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
1 review
August 27, 2024
This is the first Robin Mahle book I have read and what a book to start with. The Man In My Attic gripped me from the prologue and I couldn’t put it down.

Seemingly one family is about to have their life turned upside down by a stranger living in their attic, but is he a stranger or the little boys imaginary friend.

Each time I thought I had figured out the story line, there would be a twist which would keep you second guessing the rest of the read, which in turn made it hard for me to stop reading.

I really like the way the author gave each character their own voice, told from alternative points of view and kept the face pace story alive and didn’t just focus on the man living in the attic, but all of the secrets that he would reveal.

Highly recommend it to any thriller fans.

Thank you to the author, Joffee Books, Zoe from zooloo book tours for allowing me to read and review this book.
284 reviews4 followers
August 12, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this eCopy to review

The Man in My Attic is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story revolves around a family who moves into their dream home, only to discover that their new house harbours dark secrets. Lauren is grappling with a strained marriage and unsettling occurrences, is forced to confront the terrifying reality that someone is living in their attic.

Mahle masterfully builds suspense, with each creak and misplaced item adding to the tension. The characters are well developed especially Lauren's growing paranoia and fear. The twist involving the imaginary friend, Billy chilling and unexpected.

The novel’s pacing is excellent, with a blend of slow-building dread and sudden, shocking moments. An intricate plot and the final twist leave a lasting impact
Profile Image for 2manybooks2littletime.
372 reviews36 followers
August 30, 2024
Thank you to my partners, Zooloo’s Book Tours and Joffe Books, and the author. I appreciate the gifted ebook, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐎𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 - Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat for most of this one. Billy’s presence in Lauren and Jacob’s house is creepy and unimaginable. Especially when he talks with their son, Noah.

2. 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 - I know some kids do have imaginary friends, but the things that Billy says to Noah that he relays to his parents should have had them tearing up the floor boards and ceiling tiles. No way am I believing that it is the imagination of a 4-year-old.

3. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 - As Gary befriends Lauren more and more, his incredibly strange feelings and thoughts towards her were just downright disturbing. I was always taken aback by his imagined intimacy - but not necessarily romantic. Just strange.

4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 - I really enjoyed the resilience of Lauren. I don’t think I would have stuck it out like she did, but she showed some backbone that proved to be the needed ingredient in the end.

5. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 - Holy smokes. It does end up all coming together at the end. And I felt like it was a believable twist that I just didn’t see coming. I had some ideas that were kind of in the range but not what was actually going on.
Profile Image for Natalie Reads Alot.
35 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2024
📕 Title:The Man in the Attic
📃 pages:324
🔪 🏠 Genre: Psychological Thriller
⭐️ Rating: 5/5

This book was sooo good. It actually had me creeped out. I hate basements and attics and cellars and anything similar! This book grabbed me and never let go! It was so suspenseful and just downright creepy. Imaginary friends for 4 year-old son, wife thinking husband is cheating, dad blows up on son, everyone is getting unhinged and just not enjoying their dream home. After all this, detectives come and complain of noises and mention how 3 other families were killed in their sleep; also mentioning it was like if someone was in the house the whole time in the walls…. Could it be the contractors who did the house, what about the son’s imaginary friends? Is it one of them? You’ll have to read this 5 star un-put-a-down-able book to find out!
Profile Image for Kearsten Ballard.
339 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2024
Wow, I honestly did not see that ending coming at all. The book follows several perspectives. While normally that would be hard to keep track of it was very easy with this book. The perspectives made sense and gave you so much more in the book. The book gets your attention and keeps it the entire time you are reading. I was honestly so hooked there was times I had to go back and reread things to make sure that what happened really did happen. The characters are both loveable and scary. The way some of the characters think is astonishing. Overall if you are looking for a murder mystery that throws in some loops this is definitely the book for you. Every time I though I knew what was going to happen something else would happen.
398 reviews6 followers
August 26, 2024
Although this is book 2 of Secrets and Suspense. It's a standalone in its own right.
This is a creepy, gripping, well written storyline and plot, which kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat.
The thought of that loft hatch in my bedroom creeped me out, reading this.
I liked the way you got to know the characters through their different chapters.
Although you know the culprit, I had no idea why he was acting this way, and it came as a shock when things were revealed.
There is many a twist and turn, with surprising revelations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to that twist of an ending.
I will definitely have to read the other book by this author.
My thanks to Joffe books. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
Profile Image for Becci.
126 reviews7 followers
August 30, 2024
Gary just wanted to be part of a family, he would get attached, hide away in their home and would think nothing of killing them if they found him.

The first few pages got me thinking damn this is a good creepy thriller.
But unfortunately not a great deal happened after that. I found it boring and repetitive. The characters were irritating and frustrating.

Jacob, the husband, wanted you to feel sorry for him when things went wrong after an affair, I'm sorry but keep it in your god damn pants then you wouldn't have an issue.
Lauren the wife was so irritating, withholding information knowing it would help the police find a killer.

By the time the reveal came about I really couldn't care what happened.
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