Beneath The Stairs – Jennifer Fawcett

2022 – Traditionally published by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

A story revolving around an eerie house whose existence haunts the people who visit it. A page-turner that leaves readers on the edge of their seats, worried about the characters they grow to care about. This book is excellent for readers who enjoy atmospheric dread and piecing together small clues.

Moonshelf story: Yes! The author did a superb job of world-building, making us feel as though we were also trapped in this small town full of secrets. We grew to care about the characters and became emotionally vested in unraveling the house’s secrets.

The writing did not feel too heavy or dark, unlike other horror stories, which allowed us to enjoy it without becoming overwhelmed by anxiety. The house felt like a character we wanted to learn more about without immediately wishing it was gone. If you’re not a horror fan but enjoy reading stories that give you a bit of a scare, we recommend this one. I would recommend this book to friends that I’d want to introduce to the horror genre.

I enjoyed this book the most late at night with an herbal tea, and did not find any scenes triggering. The author did a good job of omitting unnecessary gore or scenes that did not add value to the story. My favorite character was Mitchell, followed by Lori, and I had a love-hate relationship with our main character.

Final notes, for fans wishing a little bit of a spook but not a full-on scare, this is an excellent book for you!