The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

by Robert Tine, Amanda Silver (Contributor)

Claire Bartel hires a nanny, Peyton Flanders, unaware that the mysterious young woman is determined to take over her family

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the film is one of my very favourites I was fascinated to discover that there was a book to go along with it!
After newly pregnant Claire is molested by her gynocologist Dr Mott, she lodges a complaint, and he commits suicide to avoid being tried.
Later on, Dr Mott's pregnant widow loses her baby due to the stress of the allegations, as well as the news that she will have to leave her lovely home. This causes her to begin a campaign of revenge against Claire for taking her husband away. This takes place in the form of her integrating herself into Claire's home as their nanny. The next step is to undermine Claire and get her existing daughter Emma on her side by forcing her to tell secrets on her mother, then finally the last step is to seduce her husband.....
I loved this, and read the book in one sitting, it's also made me want to go back and revisit the film AGAIN!

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it. Back when the film came out. It really is the same as the film but somehow reading this story was not as fun as seeing the actual movie which I quite liked. Usually I prefer the book version. Here the opposite is true.

[Rosy (SparklesBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book but I think that’s because I have seen the movie so many times that I could picture it scene by scene. There’s not a lot in this book that isn’t in the movie so if you’re going to choose one or the other, I’d say stick to the movie.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re familiar with the movie, this book won’t be much of a surprise to you as its heavily based on the screenplay. I still enjoyed it for what it was and liked the bit of extra background info that didn’t make its way into the film and will make watching even better in the future.

I feel like this story could have been fleshed out even further when it came to the characters, but it still did a pretty good job at creating tension early on. It was nice to see Solomon’s character fleshed out even more than it is in the movie. The climax itself felt a bit rushed, though, as well as the ending—I was expecting a little more in the written version.

This was an enjoyable read, though the movie is definitely the better medium—though I could also just be biased because of how much I’ve loved the movie for decades.

[Julieta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book and I couldn’t believe it when I found a copy from 1995 (I’m pretty sure they don’t print it anymore).
It is an entertaining short thriller, written based on the screenplay, not the other way around. I read it in a day as a palate cleanser and it served its purpose.

[Ayana McKinney]

The movie was better.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another spooky book about a woman who looses her husband and child and her attempts to punish those she thinks is responsible.

[adél · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Fed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would make a beautiful mother's day gift. It is an ode to motherhood.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I really care for the characters. I do wish the ending was a bit longer though.

[Shane]

It was basically like reading the movie.