The Stepchild

Name: The Stepchild
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9781836188971
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

A completely gripping psychological thriller full of twists

By Nicole Trope

0.0 (0 reviews)

Brief Description

Three-year-old Millie Everleigh disappears on a crisp winter's day, and nothing is as it seems... My phone rings. It's my stepdaughter, Shelby, who is babysitting my three-year-old little girl Millie. 'I only went upstairs for a second,' she says through her sobs. 'She's gone.' I race... Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Stepchild. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

PAGE2SCREEN 13 Oct 2026

TV Show Review on: Carrie

Liam's Review Carrie 26’Carrie has been on my radar for a while now, probably my...

FANTASY 13 Oct 2026

The Struggle of Working Somewhere That Sells Beautiful Books

The problem is…I work in the cutest little (I said what I said) bookshop and...

FICTION 13 Oct 2026

New Releases to add to your TBR this week (12th October)

There's new dark romance from one of our favourites, the brand new US edition of...

CHILDREN'S CORNER 12 Oct 2026

Recent Releases I Would Add to My Classroom Library

Lizzy is rounding up a bunch of the recent children's releases that she thinks would...

AUTHOR SIGNING 12 Oct 2026

Anthony Byrt visits Book Hero

We were lucky enough to hear from author Anthony Byrt as he was going to...

Description

Three-year-old Millie Everleigh disappears on a crisp winter's day, and nothing is as it seems...

My phone rings. It's my stepdaughter, Shelby, who is babysitting my three-year-old little girl Millie.

'I only went upstairs for a second,' she says through her sobs. 'She's gone.'

I race home to find my blue-eyed baby girl missing, and my heart ripped out of my chest. And when the police turn up, Shelby's story starts to unravel. What is she hiding?

Then I get a message saying, 'Your husband is not who you think he is.' Could he be lying?

Suddenly, my family feel like strangers. Everyone has a secret - even me.

Once the truth comes out, and all of our lies are exposed, will it be too late to save my precious child?

A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about family secrets, shocking pasts and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive. You'll lose sleep as you race through the pages until the final gasp-worthy twist! Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty and The Wife Between Us.

Readers love The Stepchild:

WOW!!!!! I couldn't put this book down, it was gripping from beginning to end... Had me on edge, I had to finish it the same day I opened it... A huge twist... WOW is the only thing after that last sentence I can say... It was too GOOD!!!' Goodreads reviewer, ?????

Grabbed me from the very first page and never let go... I loved this... Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I was thrown an ever bigger curveball... Amazing... I never saw the ending coming!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! My heart is still pounding! Amazing... Nail-biting thrill ride!... Absolutely unputdownable!! I read this in about 4 hours... I was on the edge of my seat.' Hockessin Book Reads, ?????

Omg, wow... Just wow. There are not enough superlatives in the English dictionary to express how much I loved this incredible thriller... Very very highly recommended by little old me.' Nicki's Life of Crime, ?????

Amazing amazing amazing. The Stepchild is brilliantly written. There is every kind of emotion that a person could feel within the plot... I adore Nicole Trope.' NetGalley reviewer, ?????

Wow, what a brilliant read this was!!!!!...It had me shocked and jumping up with joy all at the same time... I got so immersed... Could do nothing else until I finished it. Time totally stops when I'm reading one of Nicole Trope's books.' Goodreads reviewer, ??

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781836188971

Publisher: Bookouture

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bookouture

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 196.0mm

Height: 128.0mm

Weight: 227g

Pages: 320

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Nicole Trope Psychological Thriller

About the Author

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because, as her professor pointed out, 'It's not meant to be a story.'

She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters' degree. In between raising three children, working for her husband and renovating houses, she has published six novels. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Also by Nicole Trope

View all

The Stay-At-Home Mother

From a bestselling author, a psychological thriller about a mother's worst nightmare that will leave you on the edge of your seat—perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty. Her chest tightens, her heart speeding up. The kitchen is chaos. She steps on something hard and looks down. Toy dinosaurs are scattered everywhere. But her son is nowhere—her baby...

By Nicole Trope

Paperback

$53⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 2-3 weeks
The Stay-at-Home Mother

Her chest tightens. The kitchen is chaos. She steps on something hard, and looks down. Toy dinosaurs are scattered everywhere. But her son is nowhere—her baby boy is gone. The police arrive. She can't look at her husband. Instead, she studies the network of lines on her shaking hands. Then her phone beeps with a voice message. "Listen to it...

By Nicole Trope

Paperback

Sold Out
The Family Across the Street

How well do you know the people next door...? Everybody wants to live on Hogarth Street, the pretty, tree-lined avenue with its white houses. The new family are a perfect fit. Katherine and John West seem so in love, with their adorable five-year-old twins. But why don't they join backyard barbecues? Why do they brush away offers to babysit? Why,...

By Nicole Trope

Paperback

Sold Out

More from General Fiction

View all

Lizzy's Pick

Yesteryear

A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...

By Caro Claire Burke

Paperback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$36⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships today
Dylan's Pick

Theo of Golden

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...

By Allen Levi

Paperback

$28⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$34⁹⁹~~

(6)

In Stock
Ships today
The Wedding People

'BEST READ OF THE YEAR SO FAR' THE TIMES 'BOOKS AS FUN AS THIS ONE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN' GUARDIAN Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel in Rhode Island wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people — but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall...

By Alison Espach

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Threshing Day

The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day contains thirteen stories starring your favorite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-color illustrations by artist Joe Requeza. Rebecca Yarros is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing and In the...

By Rebecca Yarros

Hardback

$69⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships today
A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)

All five of the Court of Thorns and Roses paperbacks packaged together in a gorgeous box set. "Passionate, violent, sexy and daring." —USA TODAY on A Court of Thorns and Roses Feyre is a huntress. The skin of a wolf would bring enough gold to feed her sisters for a month. But the life of a magical creature comes at...

By Sarah J. Maas

Set

$99⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$124⁹⁵~~

(4)

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Threshing Day

The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day, contains thirteen stories starring your favourite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-colour illustrations by artist Joe Requeza and silver-gilded edges. *while stock lasts. Discover the beloved world of the record-breaking, multi-million-copy bestselling series where power always demands a price, secrets darken every hallway,...

By Rebecca Yarros

Hardback

$49⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$55⁰⁰~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
A Court of Mist and Fury

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas continues Feyre Archeron's epic journey in the world of the High Fae. Having survived the brutal trials under the Mountain, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. Though she now possesses the immortal powers of the High Fae, the traumatic experiences have left scars on her human heart. Haunted by the...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
A Court of Thorns and Roses

The first instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON and TikTok sensation, from multi-million selling and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan – Time Harry Potter magic, Taylor Swift sass, Fifty Shades-level athleticism – The Sunday Times With bits of Buffy, Game of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships today
A Court of Wings and Ruin

The third instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. In A Court of Wings and Ruin, the gripping third book of the ACOTAR series, Feyre Archeron faces the ultimate battle for her world. Having returned to the Spring Court, she is determined to gather...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
A Court of Frost and Starlight

In A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, readers are invited to revisit the enchanting world of Prythian in a heartwarming and introspective narrative. Set against the backdrop of the Winter Solstice, Feyre Archeron and her mate Rhysand return to centre stage as they strive to restore the Night Court after the devastating conflicts of A Court...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
Limited Edition

A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition

The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$25⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
Limited Edition

A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition

The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. An unmissable companion tale to the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$23⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.