Clever Little Thing

Psychological thriller about a mother who must confront a sudden and terrifying change in her daughter after the abrupt death of their babysitter, asking the question: what lengths will a mother go to to protect her daughter. THE SERVANT (Apple) meets the THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.

Charlotte’s daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behaviour has alarmed her parents.

Following the sudden death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But what’s unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka’s personality, from Blanka’s repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian…She’s even started to walk like Blanka, and dress like her too.

Charlotte is pregnant with her second child and depleted and sick with the pregnancy, and she’s convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella’s transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka’s spirit somehow possessed Stella? Has Stella become Blanka? And would this explain why Blanka’s mother seems to be the only one Stella actually likes and trusts?

As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter…even though it’s soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlotte’s head.

About Helena Echlin:

Helena has written for numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Guardian and The Times. She taught at Stanford University for eight years and has recently returned to the UK, where she now teaches fiction writing for Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education. She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two children.