The Stranger on the Stairs by Ruth Mancini

The Stranger on the Stairs is a dark and disturbing tale of how injustice and corruption can affect so many lives.

The prologue describes a violent and horrific scene from the past, where a young mother is murdered while her seven year old daughter is in the vicinity. The story proper starts twenty years later when a woman bumps into an attractive man in a bookshop. The budding relationship is cut short when police visit her home to inform her that he is a murderer and recently released prisoner, and, of course, there are safeguarding issues involved.

Other central characters include a criminal solicitor focusing on a pro bono case and a traumatised young woman who questions some of the decisions she made when she was a child. All three are connected to the released prisoner in some way.

The story is set in an affluent part of London, mostly, and the family life of the characters is laid out, demonstrating the supportive and caring aspects as well as the judgemental sides. At times this is a tad tedious until the real purpose of the book kicks in: a legal thriller. It is fascinating to learn how British justice works, the intricate legal documents and the way forensic evidence is collected and used.  

An emotive read that is scarily realistic about justice, primarily. But it also features a thread about the bonds between mothers and their children that lasts even when they are not around. Tense and touching, a great read. Don't forget to read the Author's Note at the end to put the book into its full context.

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Published by Random House Cornerstone, Century on 23 April 2026.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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