Clever Little Thing

Charlotte-s daughter, Stella, is sensitive and brilliant - perhaps even a genius - but after the sudden death of Stella-s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. And what-s more unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka-s personality, from her accent and repetitive phrases to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian.

Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, depleted and sick, and convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella-s transformation. But how could Blanka still be entwined in their lives? Has Stella somehow become Blanka?

As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, it-s clear that her husband believes this is all in her head and soon, Charlotte is sure only she can save her daughter . . .

Told through a singular, chilling voice, Clever Little Thing holds light to the blurred lines of diagnosis in children and to the vital power of maternal instinct. Kaleidoscopic and tense, pulse-pounding and genuinely creepy, this is an ode to motherhood and a page-turner that will haunt readers long after its epic finale.