As I sat down to write this review, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony. Here I am, a writer who spends her days crafting fictional worlds, completely captivated by a story that blurs the lines between reality and paranoia. “Don’t Let Her Stay” by Nicola Sanders had me questioning my own perceptions, much like its protagonist Joanne.
I stumbled upon this psychological thriller during a late-night scrolling session, searching for inspiration for my next novel. The title alone piqued my curiosity – who is “her,” and why shouldn’t she stay? Little did I know that this impulse purchase would keep me up for the next two nights, unable to put the book down.
From the very first page, Sanders plunges us into the claustrophobic world of new mother Joanne. As a writer who has explored themes of motherhood in my own work, I was immediately drawn to the raw, honest portrayal of postpartum life. The sleepless nights, the constant worry, the overwhelming love mixed with fear – it all felt painfully real. But Sanders takes these universal experiences and twists them into something far more sinister.
The arrival of Chloe, the estranged adult daughter of Joanne’s husband Richard, sets the stage for a masterclass in psychological manipulation. As strange occurrences begin to pile up, I found myself torn between empathizing with Joanne’s growing paranoia and questioning her reliability as a narrator. It’s a delicate balance that Sanders maintains expertly throughout the novel.
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its pacing. Sanders knows exactly when to ratchet up the tension and when to offer a moment of respite. Just when I thought I had things figured out, she’d throw in a twist that sent my theories spiraling. It reminded me of the advice I often give to aspiring thriller writers: keep your readers on their toes, but don’t exhaust them.
There were moments, however, when Joanne’s decisions frustrated me to no end. As a character, she often teetered on the edge of becoming a stereotypical “hysterical woman,” which felt at odds with the nuanced portrayal of her mental state. I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and shake some sense into her. But perhaps that was Sanders’ intention all along – to make us feel as helpless and confused as Joanne herself.
The exploration of family dynamics in “Don’t Let Her Stay” particularly resonated with me. As someone who has written about complex familial relationships, I appreciated the layers Sanders added to each character. No one is entirely good or bad, and the shifting alliances and betrayals felt painfully authentic. There’s a scene where Joanne confronts Richard about Chloe’s behavior that left me breathless – the tension, the unspoken history, the fear of fracturing this newly formed family unit – it was all so palpable.
Sanders’ writing style is crisp and efficient, perfect for the genre. She doesn’t waste words on flowery descriptions, instead focusing on building atmosphere through small, unsettling details. A misplaced toy here, a half-heard conversation there – it all adds up to create a sense of wrongness that permeates the novel. As a writer, I found myself taking mental notes on her techniques for creating suspense.
One aspect of the book that truly impressed me was how it tackled the theme of gaslighting. Having researched this topic for a previous novel, I know how challenging it can be to portray accurately. Sanders nails it, showing the insidious nature of psychological manipulation and how it can make even the most level-headed person doubt their own sanity. There’s a particular passage where Joanne is trying to explain her concerns to Richard, only to have them dismissed and minimized, that made my skin crawl. It was uncomfortably familiar, a reminder of how often women’s fears are brushed aside in real life.
As the story hurtled towards its conclusion, I found myself holding my breath, torn between wanting to know the truth and dreading the revelation. The final twist – which I won’t spoil here – left me reeling. It was one of those endings that makes you want to immediately flip back to the beginning and reread the entire book with your new knowledge.
“Don’t Let Her Stay” isn’t just a thrilling read; it’s a book that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. It made me reflect on the nature of trust, the vulnerability of new motherhood, and the sometimes murky lines between protection and control in families. As a writer, it inspired me to push myself further in my own work, to dig deeper into the psychological complexities of my characters.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, but with a caveat. If you’re looking for a light, easy read, this isn’t it. “Don’t Let Her Stay” is a book that demands your full attention and emotional investment. It’s for readers who enjoy having their assumptions challenged and don’t mind feeling a bit unsettled.
For my fellow writers, especially those interested in the psychological thriller genre, this book is a masterclass in building tension and creating unreliable narrators. And for new parents? Well, maybe wait a few months before diving into this one – it might hit a little too close to home.
In the end, “Don’t Let Her Stay” did what all great books should do: it entertained me, challenged me, and left me thinking long after I’d finished it. Nicola Sanders has earned herself a new fan, and I can’t wait to see what twisted tale she’ll weave next. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing your houseguests a little more suspiciously after reading this one. I know I will.