The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew conjures a dark and unpredictable tale of family secrets that explores the lengths people will go to hurt one another. Here is our review of “The Nanny”.
It may be October, but not everyone is into the horror books that are popular around Halloween. If you like a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat without keeping you up all night, “The Nanny” is the book for you. The book, told in alternating points of view, centers around Jocelyn Holt. Holt, along with her young daughter Ruby are forced to move back to Lake Hall, the manor where she grew up, after her husband’s untimely death. The house brings back memories of her beloved Nanny Hannah, and also stirs up her distrust of her mother. But things are not always what they seem….
As the book progresses, so do the family’s secrets and lies, spinning a web of deceit. Macmillan’s writing helps the reader visualize the estate where the bulk of the action takes place. The characters take on a life of their own, each holding your interest. Victoria is alternatively strong and forbidding and then vulnerable and full of doubt. You may, at times, find Jocelyn frustrating but never unlikeable. Hannah is by far the most interesting character, but we won’t spoil anything in the book by telling you more than that.
“The Nanny” really gets into the minds of all of the characters, leaving you with no questions left unanswered by the end of the book. The plot, much like the atmosphere of the story, is sinister and moody. A sense of dread, as the story progresses, will leave you tense with anticipation. There will be many twists and turns, but Macmillan’s easy prose will not leave you scrambling to remember any details. The ending will shock you, but that is what makes the book so great. It has everything from gripping storytelling to a satisfying, surprising conclusion. This is perfect for readers who loved “The Perfect Girlfriend” or “I Invited Her In.”
