The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes

In foggy, fearful London, a couple takes in a mysterious lodger just as a series of brutal murders reminiscent of Jack the Ripper begin to plague the city. As the husband grows increasingly paranoid and the wife becomes oddly protective of their tenant, suspicion and dread mount within the household. The plot expertly builds psychological tension, blurring the line between innocence and guilt. Lowndes crafts a chilling, slow-burning thriller focused more on fear and uncertainty than on overt horror. It’s a masterful exploration of suspicion, trust, and the shadows we let into our homes.