REVIEW: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Suspense, USA

Read: 23rd April 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 26th April 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

MY REVIEW:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Freida McFadden's chilling domestic thriller THE HOUSEMAID.

WOW! What a mind-blowing and intense read THE HOUSEMAID is! How do I even begin to articulate my thoughts into a review? For it is certainly a wild ride that didn't let up once the tension mounted. And mount it most certainly did! This is my first read by Freida McFadden...are they all as mind-blowing as this one?

Struggling to find work, Millie Calloway is living in Casa Nissan having lost her previous job and no way to pay the rent, when she comes across an ad for a live-in housemaid. She never thought in a million years that she would be successful, especially when her prospective employers run a background check on her. But when Nina Winchester calls to offer her the job, Millie cannot believe her luck.

But no sooner has she accepted the position that cracks begin to appear. The pristine house she was interviewed in is now a sloppy mess. The angelic child Cece she'd been told about is a spoiled brat who behaves like the spawn of Satan. Gone is the fresh-faced friendly Nina from the interview and a moody and argumentative one is in her place. She accuses Millie of stealing as well as claiming she'd told her things that were never mentioned or asking her to do things and then claiming she didn't. And nothing Millie does is ever right. No sooner has she cleaned than everything is filthy once again. The only saving grace is Nina's husband Andrew. He is kind, considerate and continually apologises for his wife's outbursts and behaviour.

And then there is Enzo, the gorgeous Italian landscape gardener who, although with very limited English, warns Millie that it is not safe and that she is in danger. But Millie cannot afford to leave...and so she takes Nina's constant criticism and mood swings as well as Cecelia's spoiled little rich girl attitude and just gets on with the job. And when she finds anti-psychotic medication in Nina's bathroom coupled with her recent change in behaviour, Millie begins to question Nina's mental health. Was Enzo right to warn her?

But Millie has her own secrets and she cannot risk them finding out or she can kiss this job goodbye. But she soon learns that this is the very least of her worries...because nothing is at all what it seems. 

With more masks than a masquerade ball, THE HOUSEMAID is un-freaking-believable! I thought I had it figured out (and no one hoodwinks me) but Freida McFadden sure did as I never saw the twist coming! But when it did - BOOM! It all made sense and I was shaking my head in disbelief and the pure ingenuity of it all. What can I say?

The first half of the book is narrated solely by Millie as the story reaches its peak as the tables are turned leaving the reader with a severe case of whiplash due to its ferocity. From there Nina takes over the reigns as narrator and it becomes a whole different ball game.

THE HOUSEMAID is fast-paced with short snappy chapters and strong engaging characters making it a suspenseful addictive read that will have you glued to the pages into the wee hours. It is most definitely a "just one more chapter" type of read that you will not be able to put down.

As my first read by this author, I am keen to seek out other thrillers by her and have put her on my watchlist to look out for. Especially if THE HOUSEMAID is anything to go by! Holy-flipping-heck! It was one hell of a ride that I didn't want to get off until the end...perish the thought I had to rejoin the real world before it did!

Dark, disturbing and chillingly twisted, THE HOUSEMAID is addictive and unputdownable with a deliciously malevolent ending. One of the best domestic psychological thrillers I've read.

I would like to thank #FreidaMcFadden, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheHousemaid in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

#1 Amazon bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

COVER REVEAL: Two New Stephen Edger Thrillers

PRESENTING

without further ado...

...these stunning covers for Stephen Edger's two new exciting thrillers coming to you very soon!

What Lies Beneath
Amazon
UK
US
Publication: 6th June 2022

Grieving father Joe Irons wants nothing but justice following daughter Lydia's abduction and murder. But when police release prime suspect David Calderwood due to a lack of evidence, Joe feels compelled to act. In the dead of night he weighs up the moral implications of whether doing a bad thing for a good reason is justifiable. With Calderwood abducted and imprisoned in a cell beneath the stairs, Joe intends to obtain a confession no matter the cost.

When Joe learns that another child has been taken, he’s certain David is involved, and is in a race against time to break his prisoner, but wanting to hurt someone isn’t the same as physically doing it.

Invading David’s home, Joe begins to piece together how his captive thinks, picking up the investigation the police have left open. With a child’s life hanging in the balance, will Joe have what it takes to find the truth?

WHAT LIES BENEATH is an adrenaline-fuelled, high concept thriller that will appeal to fans of Adrian McKinty’sThe Chain, and CJ Tudor’s The Other People.

The Prodigal Mother
Amazon
UK
US
Publication: 5th September 2022

Five years ago, Abbie's son Josh died during delivery. It's taken this long for her and husband Mark to even think about trying to restart their family. Now eight months pregnant, Abbie won't dare dream of a happy ending in case it is snatched away again.

When a stranger tells Abbie that Josh was switched at the hospital and is living under a new identity, Abbie desperately wants to believe it's a second chance, but Mark isn't as easily convinced, especially when the stranger's mental health issues come to light. 

Abbie can't find Josh without the stranger's help, but she can't risk the life of the child she is carrying. And she doesn't know how far Josh's new family will go to keep their secret buried.

Told at a breakneck pace, and with twists on every page THE PRODIGAL MOTHER is a gripping psychological suspense, perfect for fans of CL Taylor, Louise Jensen, and CJ Tudor.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Stephen Edger is the Amazon bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including Snatched, and the Kate Matthews series. Born in the north-east of England, he now lives in Southampton where most of his stories are set, allowing him to use his insider knowledge to deliver realistic and unsettling suspense on every page.

Away from writing, Stephen loves to read anything that will keep him awake at night. He’s also a passionate advocate for contemporary cinema and binge-watching the latest offerings from streaming services. He is married with a son and a daughter, and two dogs.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Serial Killer's Girl by L.H. Stacey

The Serial Killer's Girl by L.H. Stacey

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 22nd April 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 27th April 2022

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Does a killer’s blood run in the family?

Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past.

But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves.

Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.

MY REVIEW:

I went into this book with an open mind and high hopes for the story as the premise was intriguing to say the least. And the setting...Holy Island, cut off from the mainland by a causeway that is only open twice a day when the tide recedes - atmospheric. I found myself googling Holy Island just to check it out via street view! Very definitely the perfect place for a chilling, sinister and atmospheric thriller. It had all the promise of one but, in the end, it failed to deliver. But having said that, I still enjoyed it...I just wasn't WOWed.

The main character, Lexi Jakes, is a journalist who really doesn't do much in that she could have had any occupation and ended up in the same predicament. The only tangible link between her and her occupation was that she got news of her biological mother's murder before it hit the press. And it was this news that sent her world into a complete tailspin and lead her to make some idiotic decisions. But that wasn't all...her mother was murdered in the same way her father had committed his crimes, with a red silk scarf and leaving a chess piece behind as a calling card. But her father, Peter Graves, has been serving a life sentence in prison for the past twenty years. So who could have committed this latest murder using his MO? Could it be someone known to him? Or a copycat?

Lexi is so disturbed by the news she rushes home where she processes it all via a bottle of wine...which is where Nate finds her when he gets in. Lexi's first thought is "Where's Isla?" (their two year old daughter) but is relieved when Nate informs her that she's at his mother's. Her first instinct as a mother is to protect Isla at all costs which is why she insists they bring her back home. 

But the following morning, Isla is troubled when "Agafa" doesn't respond to her shaking the treat box before breakfast. And so Lexi begins the hunt for the kitten to appease her distraught daughter while Nate heads off to work. But Agatha is nowhere to be found. And then the doorbell rings with a delivery which Lexi assumes is for Nate. But it's the banging and mewling coming from her wheelie bin that Lexi rushing to free her distressed kitten...but she's shocked to discover the sight that greets her. A rather perturbed Agatha with a red silk scarf tied in a bow around her neck. Lexi drops the package she'd been holding which opens to reveal chess pieces. What the...?

Without a second thought, she hurriedly packs her, Isla and an unamused Agatha in her crate in the car and flees the home she had thought she was safe in. Under a new name, a new life...she thought no one could tie her to Peter Graves, the serial killer. But someone has...and has left a warning. So where does she go? To the only other place she felt safest - Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland, and the foster home where she grew up. She and Isla will be safe there.

But...didn't she think that if the killer could find your new identity and where you now live, then surely they can figure out the first place you'd run to. And then there were the other decisions Lexi made, or non-decisions in some cases where she'd say one thing and do another. The only thing Lexi was consistent in was being inconsistent.

But she wasn't the only one that was inconsistent - the author was as well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but the story as a whole was a tad convoluted with of lot of filler-fluff that didn't need to be there. It didn't even provide readers with red herrings to lead us astray. It just didn't go anywhere. The killer's chapters were too long, for a start, and too wordy and didn't need that amount of description. It is a case of less is more, in that respect. Just a few well placed sentences and nuances to keep readers guessing and the tension palpable. 

And then there are the scenes which have no real bearing on the plot at all. Didn't even drop a little hint or a fabricated clue...they just didn't seem to have a place in the story and went nowhere. Again, less is more. On the whole, the book seemed to be too long and sluggish in parts with parts that could been editted down to keep the pace moving along and the reader engaged. Need I say it again? Less is more.

The concept was definitely intriguing but it has been done before a little more successfully. I did figure out the killer around 30% so it wasn't entirely a mystery but even after working it out, there was nothing happening to put me off the track or give me cause to question myself. A few well-placed red herrings would have kept things interesting. As it was, the killer was a tad obvious.

That aside, I did generally enjoy THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but would have probably enjoyed it more had it been shorter and pacier. But I really did love the whole isolated setting of Holy Island which was incredibly atmospheric and really is the perfect place for a thriller.

Overall, the book had a lot of promise but was poorly executed. So much could have been editted out for a seamless, tense and chilling thriller. But I did enjoy it somewhat. It was a good read but not a great one.

I would like to thank #LyndaStacey, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSerialKillersGirl in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lynda, grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. She works full time as well as being an author and is currently the Sales Director of a stationery, office supplies and office furniture company in Doncaster, where she has worked for the past 28 years.

Over the past 30 years she's often worked two jobs and has also been a nurse, a model (in her much younger days), an emergency first response instructor and a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor ... and yes, she was crazy enough to dive in the sea with sharks, without a cage.

Following a life changing car accident in 2008, Lynda was left with limited mobility in her right arm. Unable to dive or teach anymore, she turned to her love of writing, a hobby she'd followed avidly since being a teenager.

Her own life story, along with varied career choices helps Lynda to create stories of romantic suspense, with challenging and unpredictable plots.

After joining the Romantic Novelist Association in 2014 under the umbrella of the New Writers Scheme, Lynda's debut novel 'House of Secrets' won the Choc Lit Search for a Star competition in 2015. She's previously published five books, her sixth book 'No Place Like Home' will be brought out in July 2021, with her new publisher Boldwood Books. 

She currently lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her 'hero at home husband', Haydn, whom she's been happily married to for over 25 years.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | BookBub | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: Aiden's Story by Sarah A. Denzil

Aiden's Story (The Silent Child #1.5) by Sarah A. Denzil

Genre: Psychological thriller, Short Stories, Quick Reads

Read: 28th April 2022

Goodreads

Published: 15th December 2019

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

When Aiden Price was just six years old he was abducted. Ten years later, he's reunited with his family, but can no longer communicate. Slowly, Aiden begins to speak again, and his psychologist asks Aiden to write down his experiences.

This is his story.

A companion short story to SILENT CHILD.

MY REVIEW:

A short story sequel to "The Silent Child", AIDEN'S STORY is just that - Aiden's story - following his ten years in captivity after he found freedom. It gives readers an insight into how Aiden is adjusting to life "on the outside" of the bunker in which he had been held and the difficulties he faces.

I read "The Silent Child" about four years ago so I've had a little trouble remembering all that had taken place. I didn't even remember the name of his abductor or anyone else. Only Aiden. And in the original story, we didn't get any of his thoughts or feelings...hence its title "The Silent Child".

In AIDEN'S STORY, he articulates his thoughts and feelings in a stream of consciousness style of writing or, as his therapist says, narrative writing. He basically writes out all that he thinks and feels as he thinks and feels them and the struggles he now faces. After ten years in captivity with no sense of daylight or time, it must be overwhelming to his senses now to see and hear so many sights and sounds.

On its own, AIDEN'S STORY is not much of a read. But coupled with "The Silent Child", the reader can then grasp his story in context with everything else that happened.

At around 15 pages, this insight into 16 year old Aiden's mind after his decade long state of forced captivity is ther perfect companion read with the original story "The Silent Child". 

AIDEN'S STORY is available for free from Sarah Denzil's goodreads profile page.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sarah A. Denzil is a suspense writer hailing from Derbyshire in England, an author who has also previously gone under the name of Sarah Dalton writing Young Adult fiction and speculative fiction primarily for teenagers. Now focusing primarily suspense and mystery, she is adept at creating a tone of foreboding and intrigue, something which has managed to garner her acclaim from far and wide in a relatively short amount of time. Knowing and understanding her genres well, she has become a master of marketing, as well as being a highly gifted writer and contemporary author, as she builds her name and brand on a worldwide scale.

As a bestselling author of psychological suspense novels, Sarah's books include number one bestseller Silent Child, which was a Goodreads Choice semi-finalist in 2017. Her books have been published in several different languages and have appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her husband and cat, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather. She loves to write moody, psychological fiction with plenty of twists and turns.

For cat pictures and book news follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads

REVIEW: A Quiet Wife by Sarah A. Denzil

A Quiet Wife by Sarah A. Denzil

Genre: Psychological thriller

Read: 28th April 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 25th April 2022

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

A twisty, psychological novella by the author of Silent Child.

Jack is smitten with his neighbour, Audrey, but she’s already taken… and they’ve never met. Every morning, he watches Audrey make breakfast for her husband. She dutifully waves him goodbye from the window as he leaves for work. She’s a loyal, quiet wife, and there’s nothing Jack wants more than to be in her husband’s shoes.

But when Audrey’s husband leaves her for another woman, he seizes the opportunity to insert himself into her life. After all, Jack knows everything about Audrey. He knows she likes to dance in her garden. He knows she’s almost always alone. He knows her every move because he’s been watching her through his telescope for months.

And there’s a room in his house just for her. He has it all prepared. There’s just one thing missing—Audrey.

A short and creepy read that delivers on the chills and the twists. Not to be missed.

MY REVIEW:

I love Sarah Denzil and was quick to pounce on her newest novella A QUIET WIFE which was published just a couple of days ago. As is her style, this creepy psychological thriller is uniquely original that is as chilling as it is addictive. A quick read at only 69 pages that is perfect for an hour to kill. There isn't a lot I can say about this spine-tingling thriller without giving too much away.

Jack is a lonely pre-middle aged man smitten with his neighbour although they have never met. Looking to cure his loneliness through the lens of his telescope as he spies on her daily. He doesn't know her name, but he knows her routine and he watches her keenly as she sleeps, wakes and goes about her day. He's just a quiet man who watches this quiet wife.

There is only one problem. She has a husband. And Jack wants nothing more than to be the one in his shoes.

And then one day her husband leaves and doesn't return. She is alone. So Jack takes the opportunity to become a part of her life; to make himself invaluable to her. And hopes that soon the place that he has made especially will be filled with the very essence of her. 

Because Jack wants nothing more than to have this beautiful woman all to himself. But be careful what you wish for...sometimes it's the quiet ones you have to watch.

While that is pretty much a retelling of the premise of the book, there is little else I can say without giving too much away. You truly have to read it for yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sarah Denzil never disappoints.

Creepy, dark and deliciously disturbing, A QUIET WIFE is a quick entertaining read with a chilling twist. And although I saw it coming it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this exciting read. If you want a quick short read with a delicious twist, then look no further. A QUIET WIFE is an addictive fast paced thriller that you will easily devour in less than 90 minutes. 

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sarah A. Denzil is a suspense writer hailing from Derbyshire in England, an author who has also previously gone under the name of Sarah Dalton writing Young Adult fiction and speculative fiction primarily for teenagers. Now focusing primarily suspense and mystery, she is adept at creating a tone of foreboding and intrigue, something which has managed to garner her acclaim from far and wide in a relatively short amount of time. Knowing and understanding her genres well, she has become a master of marketing, as well as being a highly gifted writer and contemporary author, as she builds her name and brand on a worldwide scale.

As a bestselling author of psychological suspense novels, Sarah's books include number one bestseller Silent Child, which was a Goodreads Choice semi-finalist in 2017. Her books have been published in several different languages and have appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her husband and cat, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather. She loves to write moody, psychological fiction with plenty of twists and turns.

For cat pictures and book news follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads

REVIEW: Other People's Lives by J.E. Rowney

Other People's Lives by J.E. Rowney

Genre: Psychological thriller

Read: 20th April 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

UK

US

Published: 22nd April 2022

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Listen carefully.

Watch closely.

Trust nobody.

 

“Let me ask you. Are you worried that someone is watching you, or are you worried that you think someone is watching you?”

Sophie Portman has lost her husband, and she thinks she may be losing her mind.

She seeks the help of psychiatrist Andrew Thacker, but as she starts to open up, the truth begins to unravel and nothing is quite as it seems.

Other People's Lives is a gripping psychological thriller from bestselling author JE Rowney.

 

"A heart-stopping twist. I never saw it coming." - advance reader review. 

MY REVIEW:

I am going to be in the minority here with my rating because honestly? I don't see it as exceptional as most other people have. And they are like raving about how "freaking awesome" it is. Maybe I missed something because it didn't speak volumes to me at all. In fact, while I did enjoy it, it was still just an average read for me to be honest. And the reference to "The Silent Patient" just falls flat with me as I've never read that book so cannot compare it at all.

OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES...where do I start? It's such a difficult book to review without giving too much away...particularly a major plotline reveal running throughout that has readers believing one thing and it actually turns out to be another! In fact, I suspected this facet of the story early on when certain aspects seemed suspect in the narrative. That's all I can say without giving anything away.

What I can say is this...

She lost her husband. Now is she losing her mind?

Sophie Portman is a thirtysomething teacher seeking psychiatric help because she believes she is being watched/followed/stalked. She reported her fears to the police but without any tangible proof to back up her claim there was little they could do. So she seeks help from psychiatrist Dr Thacker hoping he might have some answers and help her move on.

Seven months ago, Sophie lost her husband Jack who had been on a geological expedition to the Arctic. And as she continues to struggle with the loss she begins to wonder if she is losing her mind. Cue in Dr Thacker. Throughout her sessions, Sophie continues to maintain her feeling of being watched. But is her perception real, paranoia or delusional? 

It takes time for Sophie to open up to her psychiatrist and even then, she isn't being completely honest...only telling him pieces of truth. But one thing is clear - she is haunted by whatever happened prior to his disappearance. So what happened to Jack? Is he dead? Is he alive? Or has he left his marriage and abandoned the expedition he worked so hard to win?

Listen carefully. Watch closely. Trust nobody. Nothing is as it seems.

Although it is an exceptionally quick read, OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES is a book you need to pay close attention to as nothing is really as it seems. Having said that, how I interpreted the ending didn't hit me like a bolt of lightning as it appears to have done so with others. Which makes me wonder if I somehow missed something...but I don't think I did. I see what she did. I see what he did. I see what they did. I see how it played out. And I see each of the characters in their completely deluded worlds. And yeah? So...?

So yeah, I was pretty much underwhelmed. Although I did enjoy it, I just wasn't WOWed by it. I especially like the letter form that portrayed Sophie's narrative - it was done very cleverly...as was the interweaving of each of the narratives. Again...watch closely and listen very carefully.

I can't say I liked any of the characters and for a quick read it was incredibly slow to take off. Still, I finished it within four hours but it's not be a memorable read for me unfortunately.

A very clever concept and equally ingenious plotline, OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES is an entertaining psychological thriller that is a quick read to while away a couple of hours. But that's it.

I would like to thank #JERowney, #BooksGoSocial and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #OtherPeoplesLives in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

J.E. Rowney spent several years in the cold Yorkshire hills, but now lives on the south coast of England. She spent ten years working as a midwife before turning in her gloves to become an author.

She has written ten novels, and also enjoys writing short stories. In 2020 she was the winner of the Pen to Print Short Story award, the Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction, and, in 2021, the Fresher Publishing Student Writing Award.

She spends lots of time writing in coffee shops, so if you see her, say hello.

Ms. Rowney says: "I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."

You can find out more about JE Rowney on her website (where you can download a free book!), or follow @jerowneywriter on social media.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: Nanny Needed by Georgina Cross

Nanny Needed by Georgina Cross

Genre: Domestic thriller, Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 24th April 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 28th April 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A young woman takes a job as a nanny for an impossibly wealthy family, thinking she's found her entry into a better life--only to discover instead she's walked into a world of deception and dark secrets.

Nanny needed. Discretion is of the utmost importance. Special conditions apply.

When Sarah Larsen finds the notice, posted on creamy card stock in her building's lobby, one glance at the exclusive address tells her she's found her ticket out of a dead-end job--and life.

At the interview, the job seems like a dream come true: a glamorous penthouse apartment on the Upper West Side of NYC; a salary that adds several zeroes to her current income; the beautiful, worldly mother of her charge, who feels more like a friend than a potential boss. She's overjoyed when they offer her the position and signs the NDA without a second thought.

In retrospect, the notice in her lobby was less an engraved invitation than a waving red flag. For there is something very strange about the Bird family. Why does the beautiful Mrs. Bird never leave the apartment alone? And what happened to the nanny before her? It soon becomes clear that the Birds' odd behaviors are more than the eccentricities of the wealthy.

But by then it's too late for Sarah to seek help. After all, discretion is of the utmost importance.

MY REVIEW:

OK, first you need to go into this one a little open-minded as it is not your typical run-of-the-mill thriller. In fact it's quite an original spin on the nanny trope that is both fresh and utterly twisted! But, oh, what a read! And I loved every single minute of it.

This is my first book by Georgina Cross and I must say I was impressed...even if it is a tad far fetched. So what? It's fiction. It's supposed to be fun and entertaining. And, boy was it ever! And I do love a good nanny thriller. But where do I start to review this deliciously twisted tale?

Sarah Larsen is 26 years old and drowning in debt after caring for her now deceased Aunt Clara, who raised her after the death of her parents when she was five. Wanting a fresh start, Sarah left Virginia Beach and headed to the bright lights of New York, where dreams are made of (as the song goes). But living in NYC is a tough gig as it is so expensive. She meets and falls in love with Jonathan and the two bceome engaged and move in together to pool their expenses and help keep Sarah from bankruptcy. Jonathan is the perfect fiance, supportive and basically an all-round good guy. Currently getting by on tips waitressing, Sarah and Jonathan have grand plans for their future if only they could get out from this mountain of debt.

One day, Sarah comes across a flyer pinned to the noticeboard in the foyer of their apartment building advertising for a nanny in the Upper West Side.

"Nanny needed. Discretion is of the utmost importance. Special conditions apply."

That alone should have been a red flag but she applies for the position, is interviewed and offered the job. The salary alone is just what she needs to help get them out of debt and move towards their future together.

Arriving at the Upper West Side penthouse to start her employment, Sarah is keen to meet the child whom she is to nanny. Her employer, Collette Bird, greets her in a cloud of Chanel No.5 but with no sign of 4 year old Patty just yet. To say Collette is odd is a bit of an understatement. Eccentric? Loopy? Or just plain strange? Whatever it is, Sarah gets an odd vibe whenever she's in her presence that she can't quite explain. But she thinks no more about it after signing her employment contract, which she barely reads, for three months with a salary of $1200 a week and a condition that "discretion is the utmost importance". Red flag much.

After Collette herself, dealing mostly with her stepson Stephen and the housekeeper Pauline, Sarah believes this job to be a dream come true. But...if it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is.

The Birds are an extremely odd family with a lot of secrets and a circle of protection that surrounds Collette particularly. For she never ever leaves the apartment. And Sarah soon discovers there is far more to this nanny position than she had bargained for. But she has signed a contract by which she is bound for three months or she could face financial ruin with an unwelcome lawsuit. She should have read that fine print.

Just wow! NANNY NEEDED really is pure unadulterated fun and entertainment, even if you have to suspend belief at times. Who cares? It's fiction and it was such a fun read. It was certainly a bunch of crazy with some very odd occurrences and some strange people. There were times it was creepy particularly when the big reveal came as the narrative takes a very disturbing direction. Seriously, the Crazy Train has arrived and is ready for boarding!

It is such a crazy read that was such fun and had me turning the pages that I read NANNY NEEDED in the space of a few hours in a day. It was such an addictive read I couldn't put it down. I was seriously like a moth to a flame.

Overall, it was engrossing and heart pounding and a whole lot of crazy fun! The reveal was shockingly unexpected and well played. The ending, satisfying. I have to say it was one of the most fun reads I have had in a thriller. I enjoyed every moment of this deliciously disturbing tale.

I would like to thank #GeorginaCross, #Netgalley, #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #NannyNeeded in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Georgina Cross is the author of The Stepdaughter (September 2020) and The Missing Woman (January 2021) and Nanny Needed (April 2022) which are works of domestic suspense, psychological suspense, and thriller.

She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Georgina has been writing since she was a child. Notebooks & floppy discs filled with stories: adventures growing up in New Orleans and tales from Malaysia & England where her family lives. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she pursued a career in marketing & communications and founded Susie's Wish non-profit which sends patients with life threatening illnesses to the beach. She spends time with her husband and their combined family of four sons watching plenty of scary movies and is thrilled to be a full-time author.

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REVIEW: The Widow's Husband by Lesley Sanderson

The Widow's Husband by Lesley Sanderson

Genre: Domestic thriller, Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 19th April 2022

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Published: 21st April 2022

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

For seven years I believed my husband was dead – until the note arrived this morning…

The day her husband Tom disappeared, Rachel’s life fell apart. Childhood sweethearts with two young children, they’d done everything together. And then, suddenly, Tom was gone. Without a word, without a note, without a single sign of where he might be, leaving Rachel to survive alone.

Now, nearly seven years later, Rachel has come to terms with life as a single mother, caring for their children who still secretly long for their father’s miraculous return.

But in his absence, Tom’s hidden life started to emerge, and Rachel has discovered things a wife should never have to. A secret life that betrayed everything Rachel thought she knew. Not knowing where he’d gone was no longer the main worry keeping her awake at night – it seemed much more likely he’d been silenced. Forever.

Until today, when – with just one month until Tom is to be declared legally dead – Rachel receives a note in handwriting she recognises with dread:

My darling, I’ve missed you so much. Give me a chance to explain. I’m coming home.

The husband she’d lost is alive.

And so are all his secrets…

A totally addictive and suspenseful thriller that will have you reading late into the night, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, T.M. Logan and Lisa Jewell.

MY REVIEW:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Lesley Sanderson's addictive domestic thriller THE WIDOW'S HUSBAND.

A husband who disappears without a trace. A concerned wife. An even more frantic girlfriend. And a tangled mess that he's left behind. Where is he? Is he dead or alive? Or did he feel the pinch of keeping two women and two households and flee?

Another compelling Lesley Sanderson thriller that I was excited to sink my teeth into. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed...and I wasn't. The premise was certainly intriguing and there were enough thrills and chills and twists to keep me enthralled from beginning to end.

Seven years ago, Rachel's husband Tom disappeared without a trace and has not been seen since. But before he went missing, Tom had left her for a younger woman, Heidi. One afternoon Tom fails to return home from work and Heidi rings Rachel in a frantic mess wondering if she has seen or heard from him. And despite police investigations, Tom was never found.

Now seven years later, Rachel has single-handedly raised their two children Lara (12) and Josh (8) who have no recollection of their father. Despite him leaving her for another woman, Rachel has had to come to terms with the fact that Tom is not coming back. And now the time is approaching when she can declare him legally dead and inherit all he has left behind. And then the first note arrives.

"I want to come back to you."

Rachel is speechless. She would know Tom's distinctive writing anywhere. Has he been alive all this time? And if so, where has he been? And why now? Just when they were getting their lives back on track...why now? But before she can make any sense of it, Tom's girlfriend Heidi reinserts herself in their lives...and takes young Lara under her wing. Lara who has no friends and is incredibly sensitive warms to Heidi instantly. Should she be worried? Her sister seems to think so...as does Freddie, Tom's business partner who has been showing an interest in Rachel of late. But Rachel begins to wonder if she can trust any of them.

And then another note appears; this time it's more in depth with details that only Tom would know about. Rachel knows without a doubt that Tom must be alive. And yet still she questions why now? Why is he contacting her now? As the story unfolds it soon becomes clear that there is far more to Tom's disappearance. But how can Rachel move on with so many unanswered questions?

THE WIDOW'S HUSBAND is certainly an addictive thrill ride as the reader questions everything and everyone. Cleverly told through multiple narratives both seven years ago and in the present day, this intriguing domestic thriller is fast paced and a quick read that will entertain and intrigue. There are some tense moments but I easily unpicked the tangled mess to unravel most of it before the grand finale...and I enjoyed every minute of it.

One of my favourite Lesley Sanderson thrillers to date, THE WIDOW'S HUSBAND is filled with secrets and deception and plenty of twists to keep you engaged until the very last page.

I would like to thank #LesleySanderson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWidowsHusband in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.

'The Orchid Girls' was her first psychological thriller followed by 'The Woman at 46 Heath Street' in 2019, The Leaving Party (2020), The Birthday Weekend (2020) and I Know You Lied (2020).

Lesley spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and works as a librarian. She loves the atmosphere and eclectic mix of people in the area. Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has been hooked on psychological thrillers ever since and is particularly interested in the psychology of female relationships.

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REVIEW: The Secret Voices by M.J. White

The Secret Voices (Cora Lael #1) by M.J. White

Genre: Crime fiction

Read: 24th April 2022

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Published: 28th April 2022

★★ 2 stars

DESCRIPTION:

They said they’d keep me safe.

They said, ‘It’s okay, Hannah. You know you can trust me.’

They lied.

When eight-year-old Hannah Perry goes missing in the small Suffolk village of St Just, the community is rocked. Heading up the investigation is Acting DS Rob Minshull, but he’s out of his depth in a case that seems to mirror the disappearance of a young boy, seven years ago. That search ended in unimaginable tragedy…and Minshull is praying that history won’t be repeated.

But with an investigation full of dead ends, and a kidnapper taunting the police with sinister deliveries of Hannah’s belongings and cryptic notes, the young girl’s life hangs perilously in danger.

Until Dr Cora Lael enters the picture. A psychologist with a unique ability, Cora’s rare gift allows her to sense emotions attached to discarded objects. When she is shown the first of Hannah’s belongings, she hears the child’s piercing scream.

With few leads on the case, could Cora prove Hannah’s only hope? And as time runs out, can they find Hannah before history repeats itself...?

A twisty, original and utterly gripping detective thriller that fans of James Oswald and LJ Ross will love. Don't miss the crime thriller debut from the bestselling women's fiction author, Miranda Dickinson.

MY REVIEW:

When 8 year old Hannah Perry goes missing in the small Suffolk village of St Just, it bears a striking resemblence to the disappearance of another young child, a boy, seven years before...with the search for him ending tragically. The community and the police alike are reminded of 10 year old Matthew Cooper and hoping that this case will have a much happier outcome.

Hannah was on her way home from school with her friend Ava and Ava's mother when she announced she was meeting her mother at the Easter Markets. They reluctantly left Hannah to make her way into the village as they made their own way home. Hannah, though, had other plans. She didn't want to go home. Her mum was at work and only her mother's boyfriend Shaun would be there so she decided to wander to the markets instead. She paused to look in shop windows - an estate agents, dreaming of a nice house; the house shop; a pet shop, longing for a dog of her own which she would name Amber. And then she saw the yellow balloons...and made her way over to the smiling face holding them. She would get one for her sisters Lily and Ruby.

And then she vanished.

DS Rob Minshull in heading up the investigation into Hannah's disappearance, as acting DS with the top brass looking to fast track him to DI by the end of the year. His superior, DI Joel Anderson, remembers his father...and not all that fondly. But having failed with the Cooper case, Anderson has been forced to hand the SIO reigns over to Minshull in the hope that history doesn't repeat itself.

And then there is Cora Lael. She is brought in as a civilian consultant on the investigation due to her unique abilities to sense emotions, thoughts and voices attached to discarded items. When given something of Hannah's she hears the girl's piercing scream. Can Cora's unique ability help the police find Hannah before it's too late?

I'm going to be in the minority here with my review but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I found it hard to get into and incredibly wordy. And I know it's about someone with a "supernatural gift" but I felt so much focus was placed on this that it took away from the crime story itself. Every time Cora was in a scene, it was all about the screaming voices from discarded detritus as she passed...blah blah blah. She hears voices from those who once held those items...we get the picture. There was a lot of excess fluff I felt didn't belong...maybe that was because this is the first book in the series and it somehow needed an introduction of sorts, I don't know. But I felt there was too much that just didn't need to be there.

The concept was intriguing as was the premise but I didn't find the story as gripping as I usually do with crime fiction. In the end, I found myself skimming most of it just to get to the end. Maybe it's just me, but I just couldn't get into the story and found many of the characters irritating.

THE SECRET VOICES was an OK read but I wouldn't be rushing out to read another.

I would like to thank #MJWhite, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSecretVoices in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

MJ White is the crime pen name of the internationally bestselling author Miranda Dickinson. To date she has sold over one million books worldwide and has been translated into sixteen languages. Miranda has always been a huge fan of crime fiction and The Secret Voices marks the start of a new and exciting departure for her writing.

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