Molly Wynters is returning to her small hometown to care for her father, who recently suffered a stroke. Newly divorced and a single mom of a teenage son, she’s hoping that the move will be a positive one for them both. But the 40th anniversary of her mother’s death is approaching. And the small town never forgot what happened to her decades ago, or the role that then four-year-old Molly had played. Slowly, Molly’s memories of that fateful night and subsequent trial resurface. Only now she’s not so sure if her recollection of events – and her testimony – includes the entire story. And when she starts receiving anonymous threats that hint just that, she begins to realize just how much damage she might have caused. A Man Downstairs by Nicole Lundrigan is a psychological thriller in which Molly must be brave to reveal the truth about what actually happened all those years ago – and how many lives were destroyed.
Book
Molly’s testimony at the trial of her mother’s murder states that she saw “a man downstairs.” Given the evidence at the time, the main suspect, a local teen, was convicted and sent to jail. Now she’s back and reconnecting with old acquaintances. And she’s learning more details that her four-year-old self didn’t know – or that were kept from her. On top of that, her son Alex has chosen Edie’s murder as a subject for an assignment in his law class. And because her father, Gil, can no longer communicate, he is unable to provide any clarity to the situation. Soon enough, Molly can’t help but think that everyone else knows more about that night than she ever did.
Review
Throughout A Man Downstairs, we learn how many of the locals still reside in her hometown. Even more surprising, however, is just how linked their lives were to each other and the Wynters Family. And because this story is told through dual timelines and multiple POVs, readers slowly absorb the information they need to start putting the pieces together themselves. Even though we get more details, questions still remain. Who did Molly actually see hunched over her mother’s body all those years ago? And who’s targeting her now?
Lundrigan hooked me from the start of A Man Downstairs. Not only is the story complex and captivating, but the author paces the suspense perfectly. The characters are realistic and suspicious enough that anyone could be behind Molly’s threats. Anyone could be withholding information that would reveal the truth once and for all. And once the series of events culminate into the big reveal, the plot twists keep coming until the very end. I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped multiple times within the last 15% of a book, but it did with this one. People need to add A Man Downstairs to the top of their reading list.
Nicole Lundrigan joins the Cantina Book Club podcast to talk about the challenges of developing this story and plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the interview in an upcoming episode and preorder A Man Downstairs, available March 5.
Cantina Book Club is also hosting a GIVEAWAY for a free copy of A Man Downstairs! Check out the Instagram page for details! A winner will be selected on Saturday, March 2. Cheers!
