The Girl Upstairs - by Jessica R Patch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that's both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful." -New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

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...

Review Quotes

"Jessica R. Patch is the new Alfred Hitchcock, brilliant at plotting and at scaring readers!" -New York Times bestselling author Lisa Childs

"The Girl Upstairs is a chilling thriller that you can't put down." -Rick Mofina, USA TODAY bestselling author

"Jessica Patch is the best suspense writer out there today. Suspenseful and compelling with lots of twists and turns that are impossible to guess. Highly recommended!" -Colleen Coble, Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestselling author

"Riveting and utterly unputdownable, The Girl Upstairs is a chilling thriller that had me turning pages with one eye open and my heart racing. Fans of Lucy Foley, Lisa Jewell and Frieda McFadden will devour this story, but what sets Jessica Patch apart is the way she threads hope through the darkest corners. The Girl Upstairs isn't just a must-read--it's a must-experience." -Natalie Walters, bestselling and award-winning author of the Harbored Secrets and SNAP Agency series

"This psychological thriller kept me flipping pages until the wee hours of the morning. Jessica R. Patch has outdone herself!" -Patricia Bradley, ECPA, Parable & USA Today bestselling author

"Jessica R. Patch delivers suspense, thrills, and inspiration all within the setting of a murder house! The Girl Upstairs entertains and enlightens, all while probing the meaning of justice, of motherhood, and of faith. Jessica R. Patch delivers!" -Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author

"Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that's both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. I tore through this gripping thriller, shocked by twists I didn't see coming. The flawed, achingly real characters--especially Gwen--hit me hard. Masterful." -New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

"In a small, seaside Maine town, Gwen's new home hums with sinister secrets, and the visions that stalk her are as chilling as they are relentless. The masterful twists and turns intensify the dread, while Gwen's delicate and authentic friendship with Cady add a haunting layer of humanity, making the horrors hit even harder. Jessica R. Patch's The Girl Upstairs grabbed me by the throat and left me breathless." -Kristine Delano, author of The Lies We Trade

"A word of advice: do not start reading this book before bed. You'll be up long after you should be, sucked in by an atmosphere that crackles with tension, characters desperate to conceal their dark secrets, and the perfect setting for a spine-tingling psychological suspense. If you want shivers, Patch delivers."--Dana Mentink, New York Times bestselling author

"An atmospheric, sometimes chilling, yet utterly immersive tale. Two thumbs up." --Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Man of Shadow and Mist

"Deliciously creepy and twisty in the way only Jessica Patch can do... Weaving light into the darkness in a way that reminds us that light always wins, joy comes with the morning, and beauty comes from broken things. Another must-read!" -Jodie Bailey, New York Times bestselling author

"Jessica R. Patch has outdone herself! The Girl Upstairs is deliciously spooky and full of twists that take you by surprise just when you think you've finally figured things out. This intriguing story deserves a full five stars!" -Angela Carlisle, bestselling author of The Secrets of Kincaid series

"Mind-numbing and mind-twisting, The Girl Upstairs will take you on a psychological ride that won't let up, even after you close the last page. You can take the trip, just be sure to look over your shoulder and read it as dark settles around you." -Jaime Jo Wright, Christy award-winning author of The House on Foster Hill

"Jessica R. Patch delivers a story with more twists and turns than a high-thrills roller coaster. Every single chapter had me second-guessing all I thought I knew. I'll be unwinding this book in my mind for months to come. The Girl Upstairs is a not-to-be-missed story from an exceptional storyteller." -Christina Suzann Nelson, Christy and Carol Award-winning author