Clever Little Thing: A Novel

ISBN: 0593656075

Author: Echlin, Helena

Condition: New

"Sharp and unflinching-a perfectly unnerving story." -Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The PushA taut, powerful mom-noir psychological thriller following a mother who must confront a sudden and terrifying change in her daughter after the abrupt death of their babysitterCharlottes daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behavior has alarmed her parents. Following the sudden death of Stellas babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But whats unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blankas personality, from Blankas repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian.Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, and depleted and sick with the pregnancy. She is convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stellas transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka somehow possessed Stella? Has Stella become Blanka? As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter. . . even though its soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlottes head.Helena Echlins singular, chilling voice 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, and infused with shades of the supernatural, Clever Little Thing is an ode to motherhood and a nuanced critique of the caretaking industry, a page-turner that will haunt readers long after its epic, surprising finale.