Erica Wiggins
Content Warning: suicide, murder, miscarriage, abuse, potentially triggering mental health concerns
Beneath The Stairs is the debut novel from Jennifer Fawcett, who grew up in Eastern Ontario, Canada. She worked in theatre before moving to the USA and currently lives in New York where she teaches writing.
In the small town of Sumner’s Mills sits the Octagon House, hidden where few can find it, and even fewer have the guts to go. In this house, a man murdered his family, and the town is working hard to move on from this tragedy. Teenagers Clare and Abby decide to brave entering the house, but when Abby emerges, she is different. Twenty years later, Abby’s mother contacts Clare and asks her to come home because Abby has attempted suicide. Clare must return to her hometown and uncover what lead up to Abby’s attempt.
The prologue sets the tone and is atmospheric and creepy, immediately luring me into the story. This underlying vibe is felt throughout the story—the feeling that something is lurking and of wanting to look over your shoulder. Fawcett’s writing style shifts seamlessly from past to present so seamlessly that, at times, lines almost feel like they are blurring in the best possible way. Sumner’s Mills feels like a true-life small town. A group of young girls, older brothers, budding crushes, and local lore. Being from a small town, I easily related to these girls and the feeling of wanting to leave it all behind, getting out, and then receiving that call that brings you back to the place.
About halfway through, the pace really picks up, and I couldn’t put it down. The timelines were clearer, and it felt like I was hurtling towards the end. I have not read a novel like this one. It completely put me on edge, and I had no idea where the story was going.
I viscerally felt all the feelings with this book. I connected with Clare immediately. I was the younger sister—I wanted all the adventures, the crushes, and to go everywhere my brother went.
This story highlighted that the things that we experience as a child, including trauma, can shape us and follow us into adulthood. There were some serious mental health concerns in the story, and the author dealt with these in a very real way—the ups and downs, success and failures involved when coping and living with mental health concerns.
I love this author’s writing style. I love that not only is she from Canada but Ontario - which relates to me. I love the eeriness of this story and the way that I cannot stop thinking of it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, thrillers, cursed places, and a little horror. A reminder to check the trigger warnings as they are prevalent throughout the book. I cannot wait to read anything else from this author!
Run, don’t walk to get this book, and make sure you read it upstairs with the lights on!!
Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.