Thank you to NetGalley and Gemma Rogers for giving me the ARC of this book.
The Stranger at No. 6 follows Molly, a 22 year old junior journalist who dreams of more for her future. To save money for her dream camper van, Molly partakes in ‘phrogging’ - living harmoniously in someone else’s home undetected without ill intention. Molly believes she has found the perfect home and will be sharing it with a happy and loving family. Little does Molly know that she will be a witness and reported of a local crime.

Personally I found the book slow to start but once I got into it the book moved at a faster pace. We definitely experience the psychological thriller aspect of this book as Molly tries to remain undetected.

I would recommend this book to someone who wants to start out in reading psychological thriller. It is a good opening to this category.

I definitely see the potential for either a second book or a short story following Molly.

Molly Hudson is in her early twenties and working as a reporter at a small local newspaper. Her big secret is that she is living in someone else's house without their knowledge. And while she is upstairs at their family home she hears what sounds like a clandestine affair between a young woman and the man of the house. When the young lady turns up dead, Molly is determined to get to the bottom of it.

I knew this book was going to be a good one from the first paragraph of the prologue which started with the definition of the word phrogging. Confused? Yep, me too. I'd never heard of phrogging which is "Phrogging is the act of secretly living in another person’s home without their knowledge or permission." So creepy, but intriguing too. The story was interesting though it did lag in places. I ended up rooting for main character Molly, even though she was illegally (and creepily) staying in an occupied house--she was plucky and did whatever it took to get her case solved. A quick, entertaining thriller. 3.5 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The premise behind this book is phrogging - if you haven't heard of it, it is when someone secretly living in an occupied home without the owner's knowledge or permission, often in unused spaces like attics, basements, or crawl spaces. Here, we have Molly, a broke journalist, who decides she will try phrogging at a three level home on Church Road, where a new family has moved in. As Molly lives alongside the family, she realizes the image of a perfect family is a facade. And when a local woman goes missing, Molly suspects that the husband is the culprit. Molly journalist instincts kick in and she is super invested. But what if she is putting herself in danger living with this family?

I quite enjoyed this one! The phrogging concept was super interesting. It provided the perfect claustrophobic backdrop for this thriller. It's a fast-paced and quick read. I wouldn't say it is the most character driven or unique novel, but it is definitely entertaining. It did drag on at some points which took away from teh suspenseful environment.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book a lot! The premise of the story is absolutely wild! I’d never heard of the term ‘phrogging’ before and since learning exactly what it is, I still can’t get my head around it actually being a thing…But it is and it’s crazy.
It’s a well written book which at times had me on the edge of my seat thinking the protagonist was going to be caught. I guessed who the killer was fairly early on but that didn’t in any way detract from the story as I couldn’t wait to find out the circumstances surrounding it.
This is the first book I’ve read by Gemma Rogers and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

Loved this book so much, read it in 3 hours. A page turner from start to finish. Although I did guess who had done it halfway through it is still a great read. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for ARC.

Gemma Rogers's "The Stranger at No. 6" is a gripping psychological thriller that is deeply unsettling.

The story centers on Molly, a London journalist who finds herself broke and unhoused. She decides to remedy that situation by "phrogging," secretly living in the attic of the Reilly family's newly restored home without their knowledge. Her life unfolds quietly as she coexists with the family, eating their food, using their Wi-Fi, and watching their every move, including the husband's affair. Then his mistress goes missing.

Rogers expertly keeps the writing sharp and the pacing tight throughout the story. The tension remains high, and there are enough unsettling characters, unnerving secrets, and surprising twists to keep readers completely hooked until the very last page. "The Stranger at No. 6" is a fast-paced thriller in the vein of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell, and fans of the genre will find this one hard to put down.

I’m calling it - this could be the next ‘Gone Girl’ or ‘The Girl on the Train’ the concept is too flawless.
‘Frogging’ is when you stay in someone else’s house without them knowing you are there. Our protagonist is a ‘frogger’ blogging about her experience.
This gives the book a ‘fly on the wall’ aspect while simultaneously maintaining suspense the whole way. Molly could be caught anytime?
When a murder occurs and she knows more information about than anyone else, she is left with the choice to admit to breaking and entering or potentially let a killer walk free.
I wanted it to go more off the rails than it did but it’s still 5 stars and has the potential to be the thriller of the year! I read this as an eARC and want to buy a shelf trophy when it drops even though I don’t love the cover 🤣

4.5 stars
Oh wow I loved this! I will admit, the first few chapters felt slow for me, but once I was around 40% in, I couldn't put this down! I felt so eager to continue reading, but also so at unease and fearing for Molly incase she was ever caught by Jack and Helena. I honestly couldn't put this down and the twistbwas definitely unexpected. I dont know if "phrogging" is actually a real thing, but this makes me terrified to even consider it

A Thrilling Peek Behind Closed Doors: The Stranger at No. 6 by Gemma Rogers Gemma Rogers delivers a masterclass in suspense with The Stranger at No. 6, a domestic psychological thriller that grips from the first page and doesn't let go. Molly, a resourceful investigative journalist, resorts to "phrogging"—secretly living in someone else's home—to save money. Her latest hideout? The Reilly family's dream home on Church Road. Unbeknownst to them, Molly occupies their vacant loft, observing their every move. What begins as a survival tactic soon spirals into a web of secrets and lies. When a local woman vanishes, Molly becomes suspicious of Jack Reilly, suspecting his involvement despite his seemingly airtight alibi. As she delves deeper into the family's affairs, the line between observer and participant blurs, leading to a heart-pounding climax. Rogers crafts a narrative that's both chilling and captivating. The concept of phrogging adds a unique twist, making readers question the boundaries of privacy and trust. The pacing is relentless, with short, punchy chapters that propel the story forward, ensuring readers are hooked until the very end. The characters are richly developed, with Molly's complex motivations and the enigmatic Reilly family adding depth to the narrative. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a series of twists that are as satisfying as they are unexpected. For fans of domestic thrillers with a psychological edge, The Stranger at No. 6 is a must-read. Rogers has once again proven her prowess in crafting tales that are as thought-provoking as they are thrilling.

Well, Gemma Roger’s has done it again! Captivating, heart stopping, and what a plot twist! The Stranger at No. 6 has certainly made it onto my favorite book list! I am a sucker for anything crime and mystery. However, that’s not the best part of this book. Not only is this book beautifully written, but the reader would never guess what comes next! I highly recommend this book!

The main purpose of phrogging is to cohabit peacefully without being detected. Free room and board with minimal interference with homeowners’ lives. Molly Hudson, a journalist for the Crawley News, thinks this trend which started in America is a good idea for her to try. What could go wrong?

I enjoyed reading The Stranger at No. 6 which got off to a very good start. The author and Molly Hudson both did their research and from the start introduced the reader to phrogging. This story is told only from Molly’s point of view and she is one naive and irritating young woman. Her ethics are dodgy and she takes far too many risks. Unfortunately due to her cavalier attitude this story lacks realism, especially towards the end.

I liked how phrogging was used to make this book very different to the average thriller. However this phrogging was essential as a vehicle to make this story work. A nice touch was that Molly walked along the Worth Way, a disused railway track that runs between Crawley and East Grinstead. From this track she was able to access the rear garden of No. 6 Church Road, Crawley. I hope that the author or publisher has given a copy of this book to the genuine homeowners of No. 6 as readers may lurk outside out of interest!

I found the plot okay because I keep an open mind when a crime has been committed. I did find it frustrating how Molly was always jumping to conclusions about who the bad guy may be. Anyway, everything was explained by the end making me feel this was an entertaining GOOD 4 star read.

This book was fantastic!
Full of mystery and suspense which had my heart pounding in some parts! The whole idea of Phrogging is actually incredibly creepy, however, the way this book draws you and keeps you wanting to learn more about what Molly is witnessing is one thing I really enjoyed!
I did guess the twist at the end, although, I did doubt myself at points on whether I was on the right path or not.
All in all, I really enjoyed it!

I loved everything about this book. "Phrogging" is another term for a "squatter." This is the setting for this read, and boy is it action-packed. Molly is in for the ride of her life with dark secrets hidden by the Reilly family. Fast paced and relatable characters, this was a great psychological thriller that I could not put down.

Do not wait to get your copy!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eArc.

I love this story! I love the lead character Molly! I am blown away by the concept of phrogging, living alongside someone in their house without their knowledge. This story works so well as Molly is so damn likeable. And it didn't just unfold the way l thought it would. The loose strands are pulled together nicely at the end too. Without spoiling it - Molly is a phrogger hiding in a house alongside "Instagram happy" couple Jack & Helena and their son Nathan.
Behind closed doors all is not well. She doesn't trust her serial-shagger hubby one bit. Then Grace his latest conquest goes missing. And turns up dead. Molly has all the evidence to convict him. Did he do it? This is a pacy, entertaining read and I'm looking forward to reading many more of Gemma Rogers books. Thanks to Boldwood amd the author for the eARC in turn for an honest review. Denise x

Wow!!! Is all I can say about this absolutely outstanding book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope there is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked! This was an outstanding novel from the cover to the last page!

Firstly thank you to Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book by this author

Gritty page turner, edge of your seat didn’t want it to finish

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Reporter Molly secretly lives in the Reillys’ house extension. Watching the home owners Helena, Jack, and son Nathan, she discovers Jack’s affair. But when his mistress vanishes, Molly suspects Jack and decides to investigate.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
I loved the popcorn vibe and the chance to learn about phrogging! Unlike squatting, phrogging involves secretly living in someone’s home while they’re present. Molly hides in the unfurnished loft extension, always on edge, catching fragments of private conversations.

Molly felt relatable, and I found myself envious of her youth and fearless naivety. Unfortunately, other characters aren’t as developed, which would have added more depth.

The pace occasionally dragged due to repetitive rumination. I would have preferred more action and drama over contemplation. The twist was clever—I didn’t guess it—but it didn’t fully connect with the phrogging experience.

The pace dragged at times - I wanted more action and drama instead of so much repetitive contemplation. And the twist - while it took me by surprise - it didn’t blow me away. I’d have loved it to match the intensity of the phrogging, but unfortunately it was just so-so.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This was an entertaining and highly suspenseful read - frogging is terrifying and thrilling and just for the exploration, I’d recommend this thriller.

Thank you @theboldbookclub and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Imogen Church
📖 Publishes 09•08•25 | 312 pages | 9h 47m

Phrogging, journalism, murder, extra marital affairs - this book has it all.

My heart was in my mouth much of this book wondering when and if the family would find the stranger living amongst them in plain sight.

Something totally different in genre with lots of twists and turns.

I’d highly recommend.

**BOOM** I loved this, it was very different regarding the subject of phrogging, which i had never heard of . Very interesting with a bit of CREEPY thrown in. This was a pulse pounding read for me.
Megan is a phrogger residing in a second floor room owned by Helen and Jack. She creeps out when she knows they will have left for the day. She helps herself to food in the cupboards and fridge careful not to make it noticeable. Megan is a reporter working for a local newspaper. When Grace a teaching assistant is found. Murdered, little did anyone know that Megan knew., but how? She needs to piece the puzzle together., to find out the truth., before she is caught in their home highly recommend this nice one Gemma Rogers .....

Gemma Rogers knows how to spin a domestic thriller that gets under your skin. It’s got secrets, suspense, and just the right amount of ‘what on earth is going on here?’ to keep you flipping pages like a woman possessed. If you like your reads twisty and tense with a dash of suburban paranoia, this one’s a proper treat. I’ll be recommending it to anyone who loves a good mystery with bite