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The Babysitter
Three women. Three secrets.
Claudia 's life imploded ten years ago when she was convicted of the murder of her child. Now she has done the unthinkable and confessed to manslaughter in order to be granted parole - her only hope of finding out what really happened to Tilly.
Sara is married to Joe, Claudia's ex-husband, and they have a young child together. She finally has everything she ever wanted, but Claudia's release threatens the perfect life she has created.
Anna was the babysitter who let Claudia and Joe down on day their daughter disappeared. Married with a child of her own, Claudia's reappearance in her quiet cul-de-sac is an unwelcome surprise.
These three women are tied together in more ways than they realize. But only one of them is capable of killing.
Claudia 's life imploded ten years ago when she was convicted of the murder of her child. Now she has done the unthinkable and confessed to manslaughter in order to be granted parole - her only hope of finding out what really happened to Tilly.
Sara is married to Joe, Claudia's ex-husband, and they have a young child together. She finally has everything she ever wanted, but Claudia's release threatens the perfect life she has created.
Anna was the babysitter who let Claudia and Joe down on day their daughter disappeared. Married with a child of her own, Claudia's reappearance in her quiet cul-de-sac is an unwelcome surprise.
These three women are tied together in more ways than they realize. But only one of them is capable of killing.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2023
108 people are currently reading
1513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
June 26, 2023
4+
Ten years ago in November 2013, eight month old Tilly is snatched from her home in leafy Kingston. Claudia, her mother, distracted by a phone call leaves her daughter momentarily with the new agency babysitter “Nadine“, except it’s not Nadine as the real deal turns up moments later, by which time Tilly has vanished. Claudia is convicted of killing Tilly whose body is never found, her innocence not believed as her story is a muddled one thought a fabrication to cover her guilt. Ten years later in October 2023, Claudia is released from prison after admitting her guilt, her agenda to get to the truth about who took her daughter. The story is told by Claudia, Sara now married to Joe, Claudia’s ex and father of Tilly, who has no intention of letting Claudia derail her life and by Anna, a new mother, who seems to know more than she should and harbours much anger and resentment.
This really is an unholy trinity of storytellers, herein lies the delicious dilemma of trying to figure out who is unreliable or perhaps that should be the MOST unreliable, in an attempt to sift through the truth from lies and figure out game plans! I can’t say any of the characters are especially likeable, but some are certainly more unlikeable than others with the author doing a great job in presenting the contrasting points of view. The characterisation is good and we watch the face off, who will concede first? Claudia is strongly portrayed with her mental fragility being very well conveyed and it’s inevitably an emotional read in places. at others, I have my fists clenched in disbelief at the gameplaying and manipulation.
This is a complex and carefully constructed psychological thriller that draws you in easily to the drama of these peoples lives. The pace is brisk throughout, as the plot reveal secrets, lies, and so much toxicity lurking behind comfortable, middle-class doors. There are plenty of suspenseful moments, and some good twists one which is a jaw/floor situation. The ending is dramatic, may be a tad far-fetched but nonetheless very enjoyable.
Overall, this is another compelling winner from Emma Curtis.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Ten years ago in November 2013, eight month old Tilly is snatched from her home in leafy Kingston. Claudia, her mother, distracted by a phone call leaves her daughter momentarily with the new agency babysitter “Nadine“, except it’s not Nadine as the real deal turns up moments later, by which time Tilly has vanished. Claudia is convicted of killing Tilly whose body is never found, her innocence not believed as her story is a muddled one thought a fabrication to cover her guilt. Ten years later in October 2023, Claudia is released from prison after admitting her guilt, her agenda to get to the truth about who took her daughter. The story is told by Claudia, Sara now married to Joe, Claudia’s ex and father of Tilly, who has no intention of letting Claudia derail her life and by Anna, a new mother, who seems to know more than she should and harbours much anger and resentment.
This really is an unholy trinity of storytellers, herein lies the delicious dilemma of trying to figure out who is unreliable or perhaps that should be the MOST unreliable, in an attempt to sift through the truth from lies and figure out game plans! I can’t say any of the characters are especially likeable, but some are certainly more unlikeable than others with the author doing a great job in presenting the contrasting points of view. The characterisation is good and we watch the face off, who will concede first? Claudia is strongly portrayed with her mental fragility being very well conveyed and it’s inevitably an emotional read in places. at others, I have my fists clenched in disbelief at the gameplaying and manipulation.
This is a complex and carefully constructed psychological thriller that draws you in easily to the drama of these peoples lives. The pace is brisk throughout, as the plot reveal secrets, lies, and so much toxicity lurking behind comfortable, middle-class doors. There are plenty of suspenseful moments, and some good twists one which is a jaw/floor situation. The ending is dramatic, may be a tad far-fetched but nonetheless very enjoyable.
Overall, this is another compelling winner from Emma Curtis.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 7, 2024
Did a woman posing as a babysitter abduct a baby or did a mother murder her baby daughter?
Ten years after a distraught mother admits guilt in a plea deal and is released from prison, she is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to her daughter.
The story unfolds from the POVs of three very, very, very unreliable narrators and never misses a beat.
All babysitters are not created equal and this is one babysitter thriller that you do not want to miss.
This is my third Emma Curtis book and this talented writer continues to wow me with her well-developed characters and her intricately woven plots.
I listened to the audiobook read by Jess Nesling.
Although Jess Nesling did a superb job with the narration, I would have preferred three narrators since the book unfolded from multiple POVs.
4.5 stars rounded up.
April 6, 2024
Another great reverting read from Emma Curtis.
The manner in which the narrative is told through three women's perspectives is well woven, as little bits of information concerning the dark subject matter of a baby death.
The main protagonist, Claudia decides to plead guilty of the crime she didn't commit to inable her to be released from prison earlier so that she can discover the truth is an interesting hook.
Whist Sara is an intriguing character who is now married to Claudia's ex Joe.
Plus Anna the babysitter adds an extra narrative to the mystery.
A nice fast paced thriller with an over dramatic conclusion.
The manner in which the narrative is told through three women's perspectives is well woven, as little bits of information concerning the dark subject matter of a baby death.
The main protagonist, Claudia decides to plead guilty of the crime she didn't commit to inable her to be released from prison earlier so that she can discover the truth is an interesting hook.
Whist Sara is an intriguing character who is now married to Claudia's ex Joe.
Plus Anna the babysitter adds an extra narrative to the mystery.
A nice fast paced thriller with an over dramatic conclusion.
December 4, 2023
4 / 5
I had a fun time ready this book, it had me on my toes and I could not predict the ending or how the outcome would play out. This book had a grip on me that I haven't experienced in a while so it was very refreshing to experience an actual good book. But wow, I really liked how the uncertainty is played out in the book, its not blinding obvious and you'll see from three different perspectives what's at stake and the impact of the truth.
The book follows three woman, Claudia who has served her time for 10 years after being charged with the murder of her child Tilly. She lied and confessed on the murder in order to be granted parole. Now she's out, she's on a mission to find out the truth. Sara who is married to Joe, Claudia's ex-husband who have a young child. She has everything she's wanted and when Claudia is released threatens her peace. Lastly, we have Anna who was the babysitter who was responsible for looking after Claudia and Joe's child 10 years ago. Claudia's returns comes as an unwelcomed surprised. All three of these woman are linked together all stemming from the past - once Claudia beings to unravel the events 10 years ago, secrets are revealed.
I liked how each perspective is shown and there is a level of clarity between them. What I mean is that there's no confusion on which perspective is who, time frames shown to give context. Not once did I get confused which is a common theme when reading a book with more than three perspectives. One aspect that I like the most about this book is the unpredictability and unwillingness to reveal the truth until the end which I liked. I hate reading books and already having an ickling on who is responsible which ruins the whole reading experience. I was surprised at the journey this book took me on, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting something different.
I had a fun time ready this book, it had me on my toes and I could not predict the ending or how the outcome would play out. This book had a grip on me that I haven't experienced in a while so it was very refreshing to experience an actual good book. But wow, I really liked how the uncertainty is played out in the book, its not blinding obvious and you'll see from three different perspectives what's at stake and the impact of the truth.
The book follows three woman, Claudia who has served her time for 10 years after being charged with the murder of her child Tilly. She lied and confessed on the murder in order to be granted parole. Now she's out, she's on a mission to find out the truth. Sara who is married to Joe, Claudia's ex-husband who have a young child. She has everything she's wanted and when Claudia is released threatens her peace. Lastly, we have Anna who was the babysitter who was responsible for looking after Claudia and Joe's child 10 years ago. Claudia's returns comes as an unwelcomed surprised. All three of these woman are linked together all stemming from the past - once Claudia beings to unravel the events 10 years ago, secrets are revealed.
I liked how each perspective is shown and there is a level of clarity between them. What I mean is that there's no confusion on which perspective is who, time frames shown to give context. Not once did I get confused which is a common theme when reading a book with more than three perspectives. One aspect that I like the most about this book is the unpredictability and unwillingness to reveal the truth until the end which I liked. I hate reading books and already having an ickling on who is responsible which ruins the whole reading experience. I was surprised at the journey this book took me on, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting something different.
May 11, 2025
Every character in this book was craycray and teetering on the edge of a psychotic breakdown.
I wanted to feel bad for Claudia, and I did to a certain degree, but the woman made one stupid decision after another. Could she have made herself look any more guilty?
The Babysitter is at least 30% filler and consists of a series of conversations at various locations.
The characters act so unhinged, they don't feel like real people. This includes the police who didn't have a single brain cell amongst the lot of them. Talk about idiotic and useless.
The entire story hinges on the fact that Claudia is convicted of killing her infant daughter, even though the child's remains are never found.
In the U.S. at least, it's extremely difficult to try someone for murder without a body; there needs to be a mountain of other evidence, but there was barely a smidgen tying Claudia to her baby's disappearance.
Also, nothing actually happens until the last 20% at which point the plot careens wildly out of control.
Considering readers had to slog through 400 plus pages, the ending wasn't terribly satisfying.
Who set the fire? What happened to Maeve? How was not found during the search and investigation?
The whole thing with Claudia and her brother was such a bizarre red herring; why even go there?
So, yeah, this book was far from perfect, but still 3 stars because Emma Curtis is a good writer; the tension was dialed up; and the story kept me guessing.
I wanted to feel bad for Claudia, and I did to a certain degree, but the woman made one stupid decision after another. Could she have made herself look any more guilty?
The Babysitter is at least 30% filler and consists of a series of conversations at various locations.
The characters act so unhinged, they don't feel like real people. This includes the police who didn't have a single brain cell amongst the lot of them. Talk about idiotic and useless.
The entire story hinges on the fact that Claudia is convicted of killing her infant daughter, even though the child's remains are never found.
In the U.S. at least, it's extremely difficult to try someone for murder without a body; there needs to be a mountain of other evidence, but there was barely a smidgen tying Claudia to her baby's disappearance.
Also, nothing actually happens until the last 20% at which point the plot careens wildly out of control.
Considering readers had to slog through 400 plus pages, the ending wasn't terribly satisfying.
Who set the fire? What happened to Maeve? How was not found during the search and investigation?
The whole thing with Claudia and her brother was such a bizarre red herring; why even go there?
So, yeah, this book was far from perfect, but still 3 stars because Emma Curtis is a good writer; the tension was dialed up; and the story kept me guessing.
October 12, 2023
3 women
One poor murdered child,Tilly
Claudia,Tilly’s Mum who has been convicted of her murder
Sara,the new wife of Claudia’s ex Joe
Anna,the babysitter who let them down the day of the murder
But which one is REALLY capable of the murder?
Claudia is now free and protesting her innocence ,she wants to find out the truth so why is everyone trying to stop her???
A story of many secrets,lies and much intrigue,I didn’t really know who to believe or trust tbh…
Really well written,emotive,twisty and poignant if you are anything like I was reading this book you will have your own ideas on the culprit and what really happened in this dark thriller with a,for me,shock ending
One poor murdered child,Tilly
Claudia,Tilly’s Mum who has been convicted of her murder
Sara,the new wife of Claudia’s ex Joe
Anna,the babysitter who let them down the day of the murder
But which one is REALLY capable of the murder?
Claudia is now free and protesting her innocence ,she wants to find out the truth so why is everyone trying to stop her???
A story of many secrets,lies and much intrigue,I didn’t really know who to believe or trust tbh…
Really well written,emotive,twisty and poignant if you are anything like I was reading this book you will have your own ideas on the culprit and what really happened in this dark thriller with a,for me,shock ending
August 19, 2023
Claudia has been released from prison after ten years for murdering her 8-month-old daughter Tilly. But her body was never found. Now released, she admits that she lied about killing her and the killer who took her daughter is still out there, and she will do anything to find out whom. Is her daughter still alive?
When she is released, she stays at her parent’s house as now ex-husband Joe is married again to Sara, and they have a young child and so is the babysitter Anna who is now grown up and has her own child. But as she investigates, tensions rise between the trio and bad things start to happen and all the blame is put on Claudia. Because everything was good before she arrived.
This is the first book from Emma Curtis that I have read, and it has unique, several point of view storyline full of tension and suspense. This is also and emotional ride between the three main characters and who is the real killer. You will have to read it to see. I thought the real villain of this story was ex-husband Joe. If as a teacher, her didn’t fraternise with the children in his care. It would have been a different story. 4 stars from me.
When she is released, she stays at her parent’s house as now ex-husband Joe is married again to Sara, and they have a young child and so is the babysitter Anna who is now grown up and has her own child. But as she investigates, tensions rise between the trio and bad things start to happen and all the blame is put on Claudia. Because everything was good before she arrived.
This is the first book from Emma Curtis that I have read, and it has unique, several point of view storyline full of tension and suspense. This is also and emotional ride between the three main characters and who is the real killer. You will have to read it to see. I thought the real villain of this story was ex-husband Joe. If as a teacher, her didn’t fraternise with the children in his care. It would have been a different story. 4 stars from me.
November 13, 2023
3.4
It’s no secret that I find domestic thrillers insanely addictive. There are times when I have finished a book in just a day, soaking up the adrenaline and suspense it has to offer. But the downside of such books is that it leaves no scope for imperfections. Loopholes and silly mistakes are often recipes for disaster. I went in to read The Babysitter with high expectations having read very good reviews of it on goodreads and I really did enjoy the first half of it. But quickly things started to fall apart in the second half. The pacing of the story felt a bit off. But this is the sort of story that has the ability to win over a major chunk of readers so you may as well like it.
Claudia is out on parole after a 10 year imprisonment for a crime she thinks she didn’t commit. When her daughter, Tilly goes missing 10 years ago, Claudia is taken into custody based on her mental health issues in the past. When she is finally released, she comes with the mission of finding her lost daughter and to find the real culprit. It doesn’t take long for her to realise that her ex-husband’s current wife and her babysitter may be involved in her daughter’s disappearance. Curtis builds a story around these three women, adding twists and turns that keeps you guessing.
When I sat down with this novel, I was quite convinced that I’d end up liking it because it had all the makings of a perfect domestic thriller. While the first half was perfect, it was the latter part of the book that didn’t work for me. It felt as though Curtis’s hold on the story slackened a bit which led to a chaotic and messy climax. The characters were interesting enough but not all of them could shoulder the responsibility of carrying the story. Nevertheless, this was a quick read and may very well work others. And this certainly won’t be the last time I’d be reading something by Curtis.
It’s no secret that I find domestic thrillers insanely addictive. There are times when I have finished a book in just a day, soaking up the adrenaline and suspense it has to offer. But the downside of such books is that it leaves no scope for imperfections. Loopholes and silly mistakes are often recipes for disaster. I went in to read The Babysitter with high expectations having read very good reviews of it on goodreads and I really did enjoy the first half of it. But quickly things started to fall apart in the second half. The pacing of the story felt a bit off. But this is the sort of story that has the ability to win over a major chunk of readers so you may as well like it.
Claudia is out on parole after a 10 year imprisonment for a crime she thinks she didn’t commit. When her daughter, Tilly goes missing 10 years ago, Claudia is taken into custody based on her mental health issues in the past. When she is finally released, she comes with the mission of finding her lost daughter and to find the real culprit. It doesn’t take long for her to realise that her ex-husband’s current wife and her babysitter may be involved in her daughter’s disappearance. Curtis builds a story around these three women, adding twists and turns that keeps you guessing.
When I sat down with this novel, I was quite convinced that I’d end up liking it because it had all the makings of a perfect domestic thriller. While the first half was perfect, it was the latter part of the book that didn’t work for me. It felt as though Curtis’s hold on the story slackened a bit which led to a chaotic and messy climax. The characters were interesting enough but not all of them could shoulder the responsibility of carrying the story. Nevertheless, this was a quick read and may very well work others. And this certainly won’t be the last time I’d be reading something by Curtis.
October 5, 2023
the thing about books like this where no one acts plausibly human for even the tiniest millisecond is that you can’t predict what’s going to happen next because it could be quite literally anything. is this the hallmark of a ‘good’ book Well no. but i had fun!
December 5, 2023
Didn't get on with this. Was a bit of a slog. Not badly written or anything, although on one page a main character takes his jumper off twice, but only finished it because I'm stubborn.
April 19, 2024
Audio- This was really good! The narrator Jess Nesling was brilliant,having a lot of women in the story would be confusing if it wasn’t for the talent of Jess to make them all sound so different and put a different picture in my mind of what they look like. The first thing that kept me interested was what happened to Tilly,was she still alive somewhere,who did it?! I kept changing my mind on who was guilty because of the clever twists making all the characters seem like possible killers. This was very Shakespearean with all the tragedy and family fall outs,I couldn’t believe how taken in by Joe all the women were but then this is what grooming and brainwashing does. This made me think,when a criminal has done their time do they deserve to be continuously hounded? I felt sorry for Claudia,especially the way the police treated her,they should be impartial. Sara was very Jekyll and Hyde but unlikable.I never thought Claudia would get a break but I loved how the reporter believed her and supported her. I am looking forward to reading other books from this author.
August 27, 2024
All of this OVER A MAN!?!!!???!?
August 10, 2023
I have read and enjoyed other books by Emma Curtis, and this book was no exception.
The Babysitter centres around Claudia, who is released from prison after falsely admitting the murder of her baby daughter Tilly, who disappeared 10 years ago. Sara, now married to Claudia's ex-husband Joe, is not keen to have her life unravelled by the return of Claudia. Anna, the old Babysitter of Claudia's seems to harbour a lot of anger towards Claudia when she returns to live in the cul-de-sac.
Claudia is determined to prove to everyone that she is innocent, but someone doesn't want the truth to get out and will stop at nothing.
The story is told from the perspective of the three female characters. Emma Curtis's crafts her characters well, and you get a feel of each of their personalities. None of the characters were particularly likeable, and it's difficult to know who to trust. I was eager to find out what really had happened to Claudia's daughter Tilly.
A character-driven psychological thriller that gathers suspense as the story progresses and a fantastic read which you will devour in one-sitting!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC.
Puplication Date: 05.10.2023
The Babysitter centres around Claudia, who is released from prison after falsely admitting the murder of her baby daughter Tilly, who disappeared 10 years ago. Sara, now married to Claudia's ex-husband Joe, is not keen to have her life unravelled by the return of Claudia. Anna, the old Babysitter of Claudia's seems to harbour a lot of anger towards Claudia when she returns to live in the cul-de-sac.
Claudia is determined to prove to everyone that she is innocent, but someone doesn't want the truth to get out and will stop at nothing.
The story is told from the perspective of the three female characters. Emma Curtis's crafts her characters well, and you get a feel of each of their personalities. None of the characters were particularly likeable, and it's difficult to know who to trust. I was eager to find out what really had happened to Claudia's daughter Tilly.
A character-driven psychological thriller that gathers suspense as the story progresses and a fantastic read which you will devour in one-sitting!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC.
Puplication Date: 05.10.2023
April 13, 2024
A solid 3.5/5 stars! The book started off on a strong note and got me hooked on. The story revolves around the main protagonist, Claudia who was blamed for killing her child and also involving 2 other women - Anna, the babysitter and Sara, the current wife of Joe. Claudia and Joe used to be married but had separated. As much as I enjoyed reading it, somewhere I felt that the story involved way too much drama between the 3 ladies which involved jealousy and betrayal. I had to skip a few chapters just to finish off the book and understand the plot.
January 19, 2024
Well written, good story. I enjoyed it.
October 24, 2023
This is my second book by this author and what a fantastic read. When you reach for this book, you can expect a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark and twisted connections between three women whose lives are forever entwined by a tragic past. This is a masterful blend of suspense and intricate character development, the author takes you on a roller-coaster journey through the complex emotions and secrets that bind Claudia, Sara and Anna.
The author skilfully weaves the story of these three women's lives, unveiling secrets and uncovering their shared history at a tantalizing pace. The tension and psychological intrigue continue to build as the plot unfolds, making this book a page-turner that’s hard to put down. The author’s writing is evocative and immersive, enabling you to feel the mounting tension and emotional turmoil experienced by each character. Her writing is engaging and she excels in creating a palpable atmosphere of suspense, adding to the overall thrill of the story.
The story centres around Claudia, a woman whose life was shattered a decade ago when she was convicted of her child’s murder. Desperate for parole and the truth behind her daughter Tilly’s death, Claudia makes a shocking decision to confess to manslaughter, hoping that this desperate move will provide her with the freedom to uncover the real story. Her character is portrayed with a mix of vulnerability and determination, making her a sympathetic and compelling protagonist.
Sara, married to Joe, Claudia’s ex-husband, appears to have finally achieved the perfect life she had always yearned for. However, Claudia’s impending release threatens to unravel the stability she has carefully built, revealing the underlying tension and insecurity that Sara grapples with. Her character is complex. As she grapples with her guilt and fear, you cannot help but sympathize with her predicament.
Anna, the babysitter who failed Claudia and Joe on the day Tilly disappeared is another intriguing character. Her marriage and child are disrupted when Claudia returns to their quiet cul-de-sac and Anna is forced to confront her own past mistakes. Anna’s character adds an element of mystery and suspense to the story, as her involvement in Tilly’s disappearance is shrouded in ambiguity.
I could not drag myself away from this book and raced to the last page. The story explores themes of guilt, deception, motherhood and the destructive power of secrets, all while keeping you guessing about the true nature of the crime and who might be responsible. This psychological thriller will leave you second-guessing and questioning the characters’ motivations and actions throughout the story.
This book has sailed onto my loved list for 2023. It is a fantastic read that has left me eager to spend more time with this author’s work.
This book is a compelling read that offers a riveting story filled with complex characters, intricate relationships and suspenseful twists. As the story unfolds you will be captivated by the characters’ hidden depths and the web of secrets that bind them together. The author keeps the suspense alive right to the end making this a book I cannot recommend highly enough to fans of psychological thrillers.
https://featzreviews.com/the-babysitt...
The author skilfully weaves the story of these three women's lives, unveiling secrets and uncovering their shared history at a tantalizing pace. The tension and psychological intrigue continue to build as the plot unfolds, making this book a page-turner that’s hard to put down. The author’s writing is evocative and immersive, enabling you to feel the mounting tension and emotional turmoil experienced by each character. Her writing is engaging and she excels in creating a palpable atmosphere of suspense, adding to the overall thrill of the story.
The story centres around Claudia, a woman whose life was shattered a decade ago when she was convicted of her child’s murder. Desperate for parole and the truth behind her daughter Tilly’s death, Claudia makes a shocking decision to confess to manslaughter, hoping that this desperate move will provide her with the freedom to uncover the real story. Her character is portrayed with a mix of vulnerability and determination, making her a sympathetic and compelling protagonist.
Sara, married to Joe, Claudia’s ex-husband, appears to have finally achieved the perfect life she had always yearned for. However, Claudia’s impending release threatens to unravel the stability she has carefully built, revealing the underlying tension and insecurity that Sara grapples with. Her character is complex. As she grapples with her guilt and fear, you cannot help but sympathize with her predicament.
Anna, the babysitter who failed Claudia and Joe on the day Tilly disappeared is another intriguing character. Her marriage and child are disrupted when Claudia returns to their quiet cul-de-sac and Anna is forced to confront her own past mistakes. Anna’s character adds an element of mystery and suspense to the story, as her involvement in Tilly’s disappearance is shrouded in ambiguity.
I could not drag myself away from this book and raced to the last page. The story explores themes of guilt, deception, motherhood and the destructive power of secrets, all while keeping you guessing about the true nature of the crime and who might be responsible. This psychological thriller will leave you second-guessing and questioning the characters’ motivations and actions throughout the story.
This book has sailed onto my loved list for 2023. It is a fantastic read that has left me eager to spend more time with this author’s work.
This book is a compelling read that offers a riveting story filled with complex characters, intricate relationships and suspenseful twists. As the story unfolds you will be captivated by the characters’ hidden depths and the web of secrets that bind them together. The author keeps the suspense alive right to the end making this a book I cannot recommend highly enough to fans of psychological thrillers.
https://featzreviews.com/the-babysitt...
February 29, 2024
This book GRIPPED me. It’s mostly got 5 stars for how desperate I was to find out what had happened, and the excellent pacing. It was really well done, and had me desperate to read it because I was so invested. I would’ve read this in one sitting, easily, if I didn’t have a job and yaknow, life.
October 10, 2023
The Babysitter is a tense and thrilling domestic thriller that I would recommend to readers of this genre. A great nail biting storyline filled with many unlikeable characters. The author has written a book that right from the start had me completely hooked and she has written and described the characters so well I had no clue who was telling the truth and who wasn’t. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.
October 12, 2023
Didn't see THAT coming!!
Claudia has just been released from prison where she was serving a sentence for murdering her own daughter. She didn't do it, but in order to get parole and find out who did, she had to admit her guilt. Her husband has remarried, her friends don't want to know and the neighbours are frosty to say the least, but she has to find out what happened to here gorgeous baby.
This is the first book I've read by Emma Curtis - but it most definitely won't be the last. I took to Claudia from the very start; I had no problem believing her innocence and was rooting for her throughout. This is a cracking thriller which kept me on my toes and even when the guilty person was revealed I struggled to believe it. Twist, turns and excitement galore kept me reading long after I should have been in the land of nod. Gripping from beginning to end and full of surprises. Easily earning all five glowing stars and my very highest recommendation.
Claudia has just been released from prison where she was serving a sentence for murdering her own daughter. She didn't do it, but in order to get parole and find out who did, she had to admit her guilt. Her husband has remarried, her friends don't want to know and the neighbours are frosty to say the least, but she has to find out what happened to here gorgeous baby.
This is the first book I've read by Emma Curtis - but it most definitely won't be the last. I took to Claudia from the very start; I had no problem believing her innocence and was rooting for her throughout. This is a cracking thriller which kept me on my toes and even when the guilty person was revealed I struggled to believe it. Twist, turns and excitement galore kept me reading long after I should have been in the land of nod. Gripping from beginning to end and full of surprises. Easily earning all five glowing stars and my very highest recommendation.
September 19, 2023
3.25
*read through netgalley*
the babysitter follows the story of claudia, who is on a mission to find out what really happened to her daughter tilly 10 years ago. one minute, tilly was with the new babysitter in the living room, and the next minute tilly and the babysitter were gone. except nobody believes that tilly was kidnapped. they think claudia, with a history of mental health issues, accidentally killed tilly and is in denial. ten years later, claudia is granted parole after finally, but reluctantly, admitting her guilt in tilly’s disappearance. she moves back into her childhood home, and sets out to find out what really happened to tilly. as claudia digs deeper and uncovers unsavoury secrets about the people in her life, she realises how intertwined her and tilly’s story is with her ex-husband’s new wife, sara, and their old babysitter, anna. will claudia manage to uncover the truth about her daughter when everyone she knows thinks she’s a killer?
the first half of this book was very good. curtis tells claudia’s story from the perspective of claudia, sara and anna – this had the effect of the narrative never being dull as the reader follows the lives of three different women, while simultaneously showing how their stories are all linked. through this switching of perspectives, curtis was also able to gradually release little snippets about all the characters to show that all is not what it seems; they are not all as wholesome as they make out, and they all have biases towards or against each other. curtis leaves it up to the reader to decide what characters are worth trusting and who should be questioned. the pacing of the first half of the book was a good balance of making sure the story kept going while really fleshing out the relationships between all the characters.
the second half of the book fell a little flat for me. curtis’s tightly weaved story seemed to unravel a little as she tried to show how all the characters tied in and were responsible for the disappearance of tilly hartman. i felt that somehow the pacing was rushed, while simultaneously dragging on, and could feel my attention slipping. unfortunately, because curtis had done such a good job at keeping who was truly responsible a secret, when it was finally revealed, i felt that the ultimate conclusion felt forced and unbelievable. i also felt like the discovery of who had been terrorising claudia once she was out of prison seemed strange; it didn’t really make sense to me how three different people managed to break into the house multiple times without leaving a shred of evidence. on the other hand, i thought curtis handled the grooming storyline very well and showed claudia’s realisation about her relationship with her ex-husband in a sensitive and gradual way.
despite its shortcomings at the end, the babysitter had me hooked almost all the way through this tense book and i found it really impressive how curtis managed to weave so many sub-plots alongside the main plot while simultaneously fleshing out the dynamic relationships between all the characters.
*read through netgalley*
the babysitter follows the story of claudia, who is on a mission to find out what really happened to her daughter tilly 10 years ago. one minute, tilly was with the new babysitter in the living room, and the next minute tilly and the babysitter were gone. except nobody believes that tilly was kidnapped. they think claudia, with a history of mental health issues, accidentally killed tilly and is in denial. ten years later, claudia is granted parole after finally, but reluctantly, admitting her guilt in tilly’s disappearance. she moves back into her childhood home, and sets out to find out what really happened to tilly. as claudia digs deeper and uncovers unsavoury secrets about the people in her life, she realises how intertwined her and tilly’s story is with her ex-husband’s new wife, sara, and their old babysitter, anna. will claudia manage to uncover the truth about her daughter when everyone she knows thinks she’s a killer?
the first half of this book was very good. curtis tells claudia’s story from the perspective of claudia, sara and anna – this had the effect of the narrative never being dull as the reader follows the lives of three different women, while simultaneously showing how their stories are all linked. through this switching of perspectives, curtis was also able to gradually release little snippets about all the characters to show that all is not what it seems; they are not all as wholesome as they make out, and they all have biases towards or against each other. curtis leaves it up to the reader to decide what characters are worth trusting and who should be questioned. the pacing of the first half of the book was a good balance of making sure the story kept going while really fleshing out the relationships between all the characters.
the second half of the book fell a little flat for me. curtis’s tightly weaved story seemed to unravel a little as she tried to show how all the characters tied in and were responsible for the disappearance of tilly hartman. i felt that somehow the pacing was rushed, while simultaneously dragging on, and could feel my attention slipping. unfortunately, because curtis had done such a good job at keeping who was truly responsible a secret, when it was finally revealed, i felt that the ultimate conclusion felt forced and unbelievable. i also felt like the discovery of who had been terrorising claudia once she was out of prison seemed strange; it didn’t really make sense to me how three different people managed to break into the house multiple times without leaving a shred of evidence. on the other hand, i thought curtis handled the grooming storyline very well and showed claudia’s realisation about her relationship with her ex-husband in a sensitive and gradual way.
despite its shortcomings at the end, the babysitter had me hooked almost all the way through this tense book and i found it really impressive how curtis managed to weave so many sub-plots alongside the main plot while simultaneously fleshing out the dynamic relationships between all the characters.
January 10, 2025
Fun book. The obvious one did the obvious thing
October 17, 2023
The Babysitter is just the thriller I needed! It's fast-paced, gripping, complex, and emotive story, centring around themes of secrecy, guilt, betrayals, and toxicity.
Curtis easily draws you in with her three female narrators. They each have their flaws, but they also have a mystery about them that you want to find out more about. Could they be capable of murder? Or are their secrets even darker than that? Every action had me questioning their motive, and I loved the clever way that they tiptoe around each other as the intricate strands of this story slowly weave together.
A story like this is obviously a very emotional one - whatever the outcome - so there are some obvious trigger warnings here regarding the potential harm of a baby. I knew from the beginning that however this story ended, it was going to bring a tear to my eye because Curtis had me feeling so invested that I would have found any outcome moving. And tears were definitely shed.
By the second half, I couldn't put this one down. It's a deeply engaging story that will have you desperate for answers.
Curtis easily draws you in with her three female narrators. They each have their flaws, but they also have a mystery about them that you want to find out more about. Could they be capable of murder? Or are their secrets even darker than that? Every action had me questioning their motive, and I loved the clever way that they tiptoe around each other as the intricate strands of this story slowly weave together.
A story like this is obviously a very emotional one - whatever the outcome - so there are some obvious trigger warnings here regarding the potential harm of a baby. I knew from the beginning that however this story ended, it was going to bring a tear to my eye because Curtis had me feeling so invested that I would have found any outcome moving. And tears were definitely shed.
By the second half, I couldn't put this one down. It's a deeply engaging story that will have you desperate for answers.
April 16, 2024
I feel like I just read a whole lot of nothing. The storyline itself was brilliant if a bit unoriginal, and the execution wasn’t all that bad, but it was such a slow read. I feel like I’ve been reading this book for a decade. There was no shocking twist, it was all so predictable, and the characters were so unlikable. Yeah I felt bad for Claudia but even she annoyed me at times. It was like she wanted to be recalled back to prison, doing everything she was told not to do, and yeah I know she just wanted to find out what happened to her daughter, but subtlety is a lot more effective. Also, come on if you’re gonna sneak into someone’s house and go rifling through their things at least wear gloves. Also I HATED the ending.
July 26, 2024
So yes, I have guessed the ending from the chapter 2. I was going to DNF this, but I needed to have it confirmed, that I was right and I could not find any spoilers anywhere, so I have pushed through with speeds 2.75x and 3.00x. Also, wonderful, that Joe just gets to live his life outside and not in prison, when he is a bloody groomer and probably a r**ist.
So for anybody who does not want to push through as I did here is your spoiler on how it ends:
Waste of time.
So for anybody who does not want to push through as I did here is your spoiler on how it ends:
Waste of time.
October 30, 2023
"The Babysitter" by Emma Curtis
🌚This breathtaking, mind-blowing, and unputdownable deeply psychological domestic thriller won't let you go till the final pages.
🌚The Plot: We follow Claudia, a woman in her mid-thirties who has been released from prison. She was incarcerated for allegedly killing her child. However, breathing the air of freedom exposes her to even greater danger than she faced behind bars. In her quest to uncover the truth and prove her innocence, Claudia, akin to a cornered animal, finds herself entangled in the unforgiving secrets of her past. If Claudia can navigate the threats closing in on her and survive, she may uncover the truth.
🌝The Writing Style: All the books by Emma Curtis are gems. This one is not an exception. It is one of the most integral psychological thrillers I've recently read. All the aspects of the book – the plot, characters, writing style, pace, and quotes – are complete and brilliantly intertwined in a unified whole that made my eyes glued to every single page. The book is very, very twisty and cleverly written. I gravitated to how truly perfect the events were unfolding. I read this book almost in one sitting and fidged on the sofa with every new, unexpected, intense twist. I literally couldn't get enough of this multilayered book from cover to cover. The thriller is juicy, memorable, and totally addictive.
🌝The Characters: This thriller has many characters, but Emma Curtis is a master at creating true-to-life characters and portraying them fantastically in all aspects. It's formidable how the characters' inner drama brilliantly intertwines with the plot and all the unfolding dramatic events. I found myself living with the main character long after finishing the book.
🫶🏼Fave quote: "Everything's to do with the past."
😊Would I read other books by this author: Can't wait to pre-order "The Commuter!"
⭐️My humble rating is: 5.5/5
🏆P.S. Emma Curtis is an exceptional author for me. This book grabbed me from the first chapters and didn't let me go till the final ones. The books went beyond my expectations. That's why I gave my highest humble rating to it. Incredible Emma Curtis's talent develops and matures with every new book.
A couple of years ago, during one of my family trips, we waited for the flight at the Albanian airport. As a passionate book lover, I visited one of the small bookstands there. "One Little Mistake" by Emma Curtis caught my eye at once. I knew nothing about the author then but loved the cover and synopsis.
Moreover, I enjoy discovering new authors. I had a gut feeling that Emma Curtis would be such an author. My intuition didn't fail me – Emma Curtis has been one of my auto-buy and favorite writers since then.
I happily pre-ordered "The Babysitter," and the copy arrived directly after reading "Invite Me In." I mean, literally, as soon as I closed the book, the doorbell rang, and the courier brought me a copy of "The Baby Sitter." I don't believe in coincidence, but I do believe in bookish magic. Well, I read and loved it so much.
Now, with this fairy-like feeling, I anticipate pre-ordering the new release by the adorable Emma Curtis – "The Commuter, " coming in autumn 2024.
I do hope you'll enjoy reading the books by Emma Curtis as much as I did!
Anyway, thank you for dropping by and reading the post that I created with the deepest love and care!
Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
🌚This breathtaking, mind-blowing, and unputdownable deeply psychological domestic thriller won't let you go till the final pages.
🌚The Plot: We follow Claudia, a woman in her mid-thirties who has been released from prison. She was incarcerated for allegedly killing her child. However, breathing the air of freedom exposes her to even greater danger than she faced behind bars. In her quest to uncover the truth and prove her innocence, Claudia, akin to a cornered animal, finds herself entangled in the unforgiving secrets of her past. If Claudia can navigate the threats closing in on her and survive, she may uncover the truth.
🌝The Writing Style: All the books by Emma Curtis are gems. This one is not an exception. It is one of the most integral psychological thrillers I've recently read. All the aspects of the book – the plot, characters, writing style, pace, and quotes – are complete and brilliantly intertwined in a unified whole that made my eyes glued to every single page. The book is very, very twisty and cleverly written. I gravitated to how truly perfect the events were unfolding. I read this book almost in one sitting and fidged on the sofa with every new, unexpected, intense twist. I literally couldn't get enough of this multilayered book from cover to cover. The thriller is juicy, memorable, and totally addictive.
🌝The Characters: This thriller has many characters, but Emma Curtis is a master at creating true-to-life characters and portraying them fantastically in all aspects. It's formidable how the characters' inner drama brilliantly intertwines with the plot and all the unfolding dramatic events. I found myself living with the main character long after finishing the book.
🫶🏼Fave quote: "Everything's to do with the past."
😊Would I read other books by this author: Can't wait to pre-order "The Commuter!"
⭐️My humble rating is: 5.5/5
🏆P.S. Emma Curtis is an exceptional author for me. This book grabbed me from the first chapters and didn't let me go till the final ones. The books went beyond my expectations. That's why I gave my highest humble rating to it. Incredible Emma Curtis's talent develops and matures with every new book.
A couple of years ago, during one of my family trips, we waited for the flight at the Albanian airport. As a passionate book lover, I visited one of the small bookstands there. "One Little Mistake" by Emma Curtis caught my eye at once. I knew nothing about the author then but loved the cover and synopsis.
Moreover, I enjoy discovering new authors. I had a gut feeling that Emma Curtis would be such an author. My intuition didn't fail me – Emma Curtis has been one of my auto-buy and favorite writers since then.
I happily pre-ordered "The Babysitter," and the copy arrived directly after reading "Invite Me In." I mean, literally, as soon as I closed the book, the doorbell rang, and the courier brought me a copy of "The Baby Sitter." I don't believe in coincidence, but I do believe in bookish magic. Well, I read and loved it so much.
Now, with this fairy-like feeling, I anticipate pre-ordering the new release by the adorable Emma Curtis – "The Commuter, " coming in autumn 2024.
I do hope you'll enjoy reading the books by Emma Curtis as much as I did!
Anyway, thank you for dropping by and reading the post that I created with the deepest love and care!
Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
May 11, 2024
Thanks Netgalley and Atlantic Books for allowing me to read this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
This book took me on a journey full of twists and turns, with moments of excitement and disappointment. However, despite the ups and downs, I found it rewarding to persevere to the end. Curtis skillfully tells the story from the perspectives of Claudia, Sara, and Anna, keeping the narrative engaging and revealing the complexity of their intertwined lives. From the outset, the three women have things in common, which deepen as the story progresses. In 'The Babysitter", the author uses multiple perspectives to show their different, often negative sides. This narrative technique is fascinating as it offers insights into the characters' relationships from different angles and allows readers to get a full picture of their dynamics.
The first half of the book progresses well, developing the relationships between the characters while keeping the story interesting. I admired Claudia’s courage (or rather her desperation) in turning to other women to get justice for her daughter. You can tell the woman has no plan for her goal, and at times I found her path too risky. In other cases, however, I was confused by her way of acting. An example of this is the unexpected visits to her home, both at night and when she's not home, and the constant jokes she makes around the house. Why didn’t she come up with something to figure this out and fix it instead of allowing it to continue?
In the second part of the story I found it dragged a bit and only towards the end, when the plot reached its climax, did the pace pick up again. However, the ending seemed too short and half-baked to me, as the author left a lot of clues throughout the story. I’m not saying the ending wasn't satisfying, but it felt a bit rushed when it could have used more development. For example, why isn’t there a scene where Claudia reconnects with her daughter? or even takes part in the process of ending his situation?
In summary, “The Babysitter” is a good read, for those who are interested in the mystery thriller genre where it focuses much more on the relationship than the action.
This book took me on a journey full of twists and turns, with moments of excitement and disappointment. However, despite the ups and downs, I found it rewarding to persevere to the end. Curtis skillfully tells the story from the perspectives of Claudia, Sara, and Anna, keeping the narrative engaging and revealing the complexity of their intertwined lives. From the outset, the three women have things in common, which deepen as the story progresses. In 'The Babysitter", the author uses multiple perspectives to show their different, often negative sides. This narrative technique is fascinating as it offers insights into the characters' relationships from different angles and allows readers to get a full picture of their dynamics.
The first half of the book progresses well, developing the relationships between the characters while keeping the story interesting. I admired Claudia’s courage (or rather her desperation) in turning to other women to get justice for her daughter. You can tell the woman has no plan for her goal, and at times I found her path too risky. In other cases, however, I was confused by her way of acting. An example of this is the unexpected visits to her home, both at night and when she's not home, and the constant jokes she makes around the house. Why didn’t she come up with something to figure this out and fix it instead of allowing it to continue?
In the second part of the story I found it dragged a bit and only towards the end, when the plot reached its climax, did the pace pick up again. However, the ending seemed too short and half-baked to me, as the author left a lot of clues throughout the story. I’m not saying the ending wasn't satisfying, but it felt a bit rushed when it could have used more development. For example, why isn’t there a scene where Claudia reconnects with her daughter? or even takes part in the process of ending his situation?
In summary, “The Babysitter” is a good read, for those who are interested in the mystery thriller genre where it focuses much more on the relationship than the action.
October 8, 2023
Ten years ago Claudia handed her baby daughter Tilly to the agency babysitter and she was never seen again, the police didn't believe her story and arrested her for her daughters murder, though her body was never found. Claudia insisted she was innocent but then confessed to manslaughter so she could gain early parole to find out exactly what happened to Tilly. Joe, her husband, has now moved on, married to Sara and with a baby of their own and Claudia's release threatens Sara's perfect life. Anna, the babysitter, who was a no show on the day Tilly disappeared has also moved on, now married and with a child of her own, but Claudia's return brings back painful memories for her too. Three women who are linked in more ways than they realise, only one of them knows the truth about that day.
The Babysitter is a multi perspective story told by the three main characters; Claudia, Sara and Anna, it's an intriguing read with unreliable and unlikeable characters, and had me switching my beliefs constantly as to who was responsible for Tilly's disappearance but I was steadfast in my belief that Claudia was innocent, only time would tell if I were to be proved wrong. This is a tale that covers many delicate subjects which the author deals with sensitively. There are times in the story where it's a little bit too far fetched and you do have to suspend belief, for that reason I've only given it three stars.
I'd like to thank Atlantic Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
The Babysitter is a multi perspective story told by the three main characters; Claudia, Sara and Anna, it's an intriguing read with unreliable and unlikeable characters, and had me switching my beliefs constantly as to who was responsible for Tilly's disappearance but I was steadfast in my belief that Claudia was innocent, only time would tell if I were to be proved wrong. This is a tale that covers many delicate subjects which the author deals with sensitively. There are times in the story where it's a little bit too far fetched and you do have to suspend belief, for that reason I've only given it three stars.
I'd like to thank Atlantic Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
October 24, 2023
We are following three women Ann's,Claudia and Sara thier lives are all intertwined after Tilly death.
Claudia's journey after the ending of her Jill sentence, which she pleaded guilty to even though she she's not.
Claudia has just been released from prison, where she was serving a sentence for the murder of her own daughter. She didn't do it, but to get parole and find out who did it, she must admit her guilt. Her husband has remarried, her friends don't want to know and her quiet neighbors are cold, but she must find out what happened to this beautiful baby.
This is the first book I've read by Emma Curtis - but it certainly won't be the last. I loved Claudia from the beginning; I have no problem believing in her innocence and always supporting her. It was a gripping thriller that kept me in suspense and even when the culprit was revealed, I still found it hard to believe. The twists and excitement kept me reading long after I should have been in nod land. Fascinating from start to finish and full of surprises. Easily earns five shining stars and my highest recommendation.
Claudia's journey after the ending of her Jill sentence, which she pleaded guilty to even though she she's not.
Claudia has just been released from prison, where she was serving a sentence for the murder of her own daughter. She didn't do it, but to get parole and find out who did it, she must admit her guilt. Her husband has remarried, her friends don't want to know and her quiet neighbors are cold, but she must find out what happened to this beautiful baby.
This is the first book I've read by Emma Curtis - but it certainly won't be the last. I loved Claudia from the beginning; I have no problem believing in her innocence and always supporting her. It was a gripping thriller that kept me in suspense and even when the culprit was revealed, I still found it hard to believe. The twists and excitement kept me reading long after I should have been in nod land. Fascinating from start to finish and full of surprises. Easily earns five shining stars and my highest recommendation.
February 10, 2024
Three women, three secrets. Claudia who was convicted for the murder of her baby. She admits to manslaughter in order to be granted parole so she can solve the mystery of her missing daughter.
Sara married to Joe who is Claudia’s ex husband. She has everything she ever wanted with Joe and their daughter but with Claudia being released will this threaten the perfect life she is living?
Anna the babysitter that let Joe and Claudia down on the day their daughter Tilly disappeared. She is now married with a child of her own and will Claudia’s reappearance into the quiet cul de sac where they live cause problems.
This book started well but then I got a bit annoyed with the back and forth between the 3 characters. It picked up again in part 2 and I did enjoy the ending. I just felt a little bit irritated with the 3 characters as they all had characteristics that made them all unlikeable but I did find the way the storyline tied them all together with written quite well. A decent thriller but not as good as I had hoped.
Sara married to Joe who is Claudia’s ex husband. She has everything she ever wanted with Joe and their daughter but with Claudia being released will this threaten the perfect life she is living?
Anna the babysitter that let Joe and Claudia down on the day their daughter Tilly disappeared. She is now married with a child of her own and will Claudia’s reappearance into the quiet cul de sac where they live cause problems.
This book started well but then I got a bit annoyed with the back and forth between the 3 characters. It picked up again in part 2 and I did enjoy the ending. I just felt a little bit irritated with the 3 characters as they all had characteristics that made them all unlikeable but I did find the way the storyline tied them all together with written quite well. A decent thriller but not as good as I had hoped.
September 30, 2023
“The Babysitter” is a first rate psychological thriller, that without doubt will keep you guessing till the end - I certainly couldn’t call it! The amount of effort that went into the planning of the storyline must have been incredible, since the twists and turns throughout send you down so many rabbit holes, you really don’t know one reliable witness to the next.
I found all of the characters unlikeable but I notice that in a lot of books in this genre they are typically contemptible and dishonourable.
It’s impossible to discuss the story without giving something away but suffice to say, all is not as it seems and as the plot deepens, the characters really show their true personalities and highly strung emotions.
Emma Curtis is already a best selling author and although I haven’t read any of her books yet (but have them to read) I do know from other reviews that “The Babysitter” is up to Emma’s normal exemplary standards and if you’re after a book in the family psychological/domestic noir genre then you won’t be disappointed in this book for sure.
I found all of the characters unlikeable but I notice that in a lot of books in this genre they are typically contemptible and dishonourable.
It’s impossible to discuss the story without giving something away but suffice to say, all is not as it seems and as the plot deepens, the characters really show their true personalities and highly strung emotions.
Emma Curtis is already a best selling author and although I haven’t read any of her books yet (but have them to read) I do know from other reviews that “The Babysitter” is up to Emma’s normal exemplary standards and if you’re after a book in the family psychological/domestic noir genre then you won’t be disappointed in this book for sure.
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