The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch: Book Review

 **ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

The Author

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakeable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.

She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story, usually over tacos and queso.

Book Review

One thing I have learned about Jessica R. Patch books... they are not for the faint of heart! Every time I pick up one of her books, I know I am in for a story that isn't going to be afraid to tackle the darker realities of life and are truly some of the most suspenseful I've found in the Christian suspense/thriller genres. That was certainly true for this one as well. Despite the difficult themes and topics though, her stories also don't leave readers in the darkness but offer a sense of hope and healing as well. Given its subject matter, this one wasn't the easiest of reads... but it was executed brilliantly with so many twists and turns. A few that I did see coming, but most of them taking me by complete surprise... just a great thriller should. I've enjoyed all of Jessica's books that I have read so far, but I do believe this one is a new favorite, solidifying her as a must-read author for me! If you love a Christian suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is one not to be missed. 

The Girl Upstairs is a Christian suspense/thriller with no language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4qEW0EL