Relax and Read Book Club: Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

Spabreaks.com’s Relax and Read Book Club gives you the chance to discover new books, learn about the authors, share your opinions and really escape into an inspiring world of literature.

This month we're reading Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara, a gripping new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of No One Saw a Thing. Dark, creepy and utterly gripping, it begins with Anya enjoying a bath - the attack hatch swings open, a masked figure appears, and then she's dead. Meanwhile, in a gated community across town, Anya's friend sees an online video of a masked figure climbing out of an attic - the reason it's so chilling? It was filmed inside her house? Why would a stranger target her? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.

"I could not put this down. Captured from the first page. Fast moving with so many twists. Highly recommend. Brilliant." - Amazon customer review

Here, we interview the one and only Andrea Mara to find out more.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was at home alone one morning, working at my desk, when I heard a thump above me, and my first thought was: ‘There’s someone in the attic.’ Logic kicked in immediately and I realised that there really wasn’t someone in the attic – something had fallen over, perhaps. But it made me think about the irrational fears we have as children – worried that there’s someone under the bed or inside the wardrobe – then we become adults and accept that these fears aren’t rational. But what if they were? What if there really was someone under the bed or in the attic?

Can you provide a brief overview of the book's storyline or central themes?

Someone in the Attic is about Julia, who moves with her two children and ex-husband from San Diego to a luxury gated complex in Dublin. Her daughter spots a video on TikTok that appears to have been filmed inside their new house – it’s shows a figure letting themselves out of the attic and creeping around their house when they’re not there. At first Julia believes it’s some kind of prank, but she soon begins to wonder if there’s really someone in the attic. And if so, is it linked to the long ago death of one of her best friends, or to something that’s happened more recently?

Do you have a favourite character in the book? If so, what makes them special to you?

Julia, the main character, is probably my favourite – maybe because the whole book is from her point of view, so she’s the character I came to know best. She is struggling with raising her teen daughter who is resentful about the move to Ireland, and doing her best to bite her lip. As a parent of teens, I found Julia’s challenges relatable!

Could you share insights into your daily writing process and routines?

I write while my children are at school and I’m very disciplined about ignoring any kind of housework or admin during those quiet times while I have the house to myself. When I’m close to a deadline or writing a first draft, I work in the evenings too, usually plotting out the next day’s chapters so I don’t have to face a blank page in the morning!

Who are some of your favourite authors or books, and how have they influenced your writing?

Kate Atkinson is one of my favourite authors and it was reading her books long ago that made me think about how crime is so much wider than plot. I also love the Barbara Vine books, which were my first foray into psychological suspense/ domestic noir and probably why I ended up writing in that genre.

How does your wellness routine integrate with your writing practice, and do you make any specific adjustments during writing periods?

I do strength training and yoga at home and then get out in the fresh air to walk my dog every day. When my kids were small and I had very little time to write, I dreamed of a time when their school days would be a bit longer. Now that I have more time to write, I find it’s not good for me to sit at a desk for hours on end, so getting out and moving is really important.

Is there a particular spa treatment you enjoy, and what draws you to it?

I particularly love a head massage, it's one of the most relaxing experiences I've ever had, and really helps me to re-set.

Lastly, what is your top tip for maintaining overall wellbeing, especially during busy times like writing and promoting a book?

Time and again, I realise that the obvious answer is still the true answer – getting enough sleep, drinking water, eating protein, exercising, getting fresh air, sunshine, and if at all possible, taking time out.