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The House Keeper
The House The BRAND NEW completely addictive, unputdownable psychological thriller from bestseller Valerie Keogh for 2023
300 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2023
1527 people are currently reading
1030 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Keogh
44 books811 followersValerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
September 19, 2023
Have you ever read a book, and felt so much relief when you finished it? That is my feeling after reading The Housekeeper. As one other reviewer mentioned, I feel that the title is totally misleading. Unfortunately for me, the book did not deliver as a thriller. This is a story of a woman starting over after escaping a tragically questionable past. There were parts that piqued my interest, but sadly those moments were few and far between. I was somewhat disappointed with this book after enjoying other thrillers by this author. My rating is 2 1/2 stars rounded to 3. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy.
October 14, 2023
A House Keeper but not as you may expect….An interesting story building on the premise of a widow selling up in London and buying her dream home to turn into a B and B……however there is a lot of guilt she is trying to run away from and inevitably this follows her…….also the dream home is more than in need of renovation…..and it has a past,a murky one that some people want left in the past and don’t take kindly to the possibility of it all being unearthed The story is told well,although Cassie ( main character ) is very defensive and has a habit of causing herself untold grief by seeing slights that just aren’t there half the time…...there are reasons for this though…..(there are too many coffees mentioned 😊 at one point Cassie was on her 4th in the matter of a couple of hours ) nevertheless a good intriguing story that took a surprise twist near the end and was not what I was expecting at all….😎
September 13, 2023
2.5 Stars
"The House Keeper" by Valerie Keogh left me with mixed feelings, and I can only give it a 2.5-star rating. While the book had some potential, several aspects of it were problematic and hindered my overall enjoyment.
To begin with, the title itself, "The House Keeper," felt misleading. When one thinks of a housekeeper, the image that typically comes to mind is that of a maid. Many readers, including myself, may have been confused by the title, as it didn't seem to align with the actual meaning of the title, which only becomes clear around 85% into the book. This poor choice of title led to confusion and frustration for a significant portion of the story.
The choice of antagonists in the book also posed a significant problem. The motivations and actions of the villains felt incredibly far-fetched and unbelievable. It was challenging to buy into their reasons for being the bad guys, and the practicalities behind their actions strained credulity. It almost seemed as though the author was attempting to make a political statement, which didn't quite fit the narrative.
Furthermore, the character of Daniel Cody, who had considerable setup, didn't receive the payoff he deserved. He was one of the few characters I liked and wanted to see more of, but he ended up feeling like a mere plot device, which was disappointing.
The constant references to Cassie's car accident and her former marriage also left me puzzled. While it appeared to be leading towards an exploration of Cassie's morality, this angle didn't pay off well in the story. The connection to the main plot felt weak, and its relevance remained unclear.
Character development beyond Cassie was lacking, and many of the characters, including Cassie herself, felt underdeveloped and, at times, unlikable. Cassie's self-serving behavior and her unfounded questioning of others' motives didn't endear her to me as a protagonist.
The characterization of Richie was inconsistent, and his actions and behaviors didn't align with his initial description, leaving me confused about his character.
Additionally, Cassie's frequent injuries, from falls to cuts and thorns, seemed gratuitous and failed to serve a meaningful purpose in the story. It almost appeared as if it were an attempt to reinforce stereotypes about women's practicality, which was disappointing and unnecessary.
While the book had a well-written style that I appreciated, the overall storyline and character development fell short of my expectations. "The House Keeper" had potential, but it ultimately left me dissatisfied with its misleading title, problematic character choices, and a storyline that failed to engage me fully.
Lastly, the recurring issue of lights going off in the house begged the question of why Cassie didn't carry a flashlight with her at night, a simple solution to a recurring problem that left me puzzled.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
"The House Keeper" by Valerie Keogh left me with mixed feelings, and I can only give it a 2.5-star rating. While the book had some potential, several aspects of it were problematic and hindered my overall enjoyment.
To begin with, the title itself, "The House Keeper," felt misleading. When one thinks of a housekeeper, the image that typically comes to mind is that of a maid. Many readers, including myself, may have been confused by the title, as it didn't seem to align with the actual meaning of the title, which only becomes clear around 85% into the book. This poor choice of title led to confusion and frustration for a significant portion of the story.
The choice of antagonists in the book also posed a significant problem. The motivations and actions of the villains felt incredibly far-fetched and unbelievable. It was challenging to buy into their reasons for being the bad guys, and the practicalities behind their actions strained credulity. It almost seemed as though the author was attempting to make a political statement, which didn't quite fit the narrative.
Furthermore, the character of Daniel Cody, who had considerable setup, didn't receive the payoff he deserved. He was one of the few characters I liked and wanted to see more of, but he ended up feeling like a mere plot device, which was disappointing.
The constant references to Cassie's car accident and her former marriage also left me puzzled. While it appeared to be leading towards an exploration of Cassie's morality, this angle didn't pay off well in the story. The connection to the main plot felt weak, and its relevance remained unclear.
Character development beyond Cassie was lacking, and many of the characters, including Cassie herself, felt underdeveloped and, at times, unlikable. Cassie's self-serving behavior and her unfounded questioning of others' motives didn't endear her to me as a protagonist.
The characterization of Richie was inconsistent, and his actions and behaviors didn't align with his initial description, leaving me confused about his character.
Additionally, Cassie's frequent injuries, from falls to cuts and thorns, seemed gratuitous and failed to serve a meaningful purpose in the story. It almost appeared as if it were an attempt to reinforce stereotypes about women's practicality, which was disappointing and unnecessary.
While the book had a well-written style that I appreciated, the overall storyline and character development fell short of my expectations. "The House Keeper" had potential, but it ultimately left me dissatisfied with its misleading title, problematic character choices, and a storyline that failed to engage me fully.
Lastly, the recurring issue of lights going off in the house begged the question of why Cassie didn't carry a flashlight with her at night, a simple solution to a recurring problem that left me puzzled.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2023
An unwelcome guest? Still in shock after the tragic death of her husband, Richie, Cassie Macreddin hopes that her new home, historic Hindon House, is the place where she can heal her pain and hide her secrets. But Hindon House has secrets of its own.... Cassie soon realises that not everyone is pleased to see her arrival and that someone is actively trying to make her leave Hindon House.... but who? And why?
Needing to make a new start after her husband died, Cassie bought Hindon House so that she could renovate it and turn it into a Bed & Breakfast.
I was pulled in from the first page, and I could not put the book down. I needed to know who or what was behind the weird occurrences that were taking place in Hindon House. The title of the book is misleading. The characters are a mixed bunch of likeable and dislikable people. I love the author's writing style. This is another great read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ValerieKeogh for my ARC of #TheHouseKeeper in exchange for an honest review.
Needing to make a new start after her husband died, Cassie bought Hindon House so that she could renovate it and turn it into a Bed & Breakfast.
I was pulled in from the first page, and I could not put the book down. I needed to know who or what was behind the weird occurrences that were taking place in Hindon House. The title of the book is misleading. The characters are a mixed bunch of likeable and dislikable people. I love the author's writing style. This is another great read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ValerieKeogh for my ARC of #TheHouseKeeper in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2023
This has not been my favourite book by Valerie Keogh.
The first half of the book is boring. The main character Cassie Macreddin bought an old house that she wants to renovate and start a B&B. She is still recovering after the death of her husband only one day after he told her that he wants a divorce. Cassie thinks about it every few pages of the book hinting about her implication in his death and how it helped her to start this B&B dream project.
The house is old and needs a lot of renovation. Problems with it are piling one on top of another. Cassie is suspecting everyone around her except, of course, the people who want her out of the house.
Events become tense and more interesting only in the last 20% of the book when events, hard to believe and a bit bizarre, start to unfold.
For me, Cassie was an unlikable and unpractical character.
This is 4th Valerie Keogh's book and three previous ones were better than this one. I have not given up on this author. I hope that the next books will impress me more.
The first half of the book is boring. The main character Cassie Macreddin bought an old house that she wants to renovate and start a B&B. She is still recovering after the death of her husband only one day after he told her that he wants a divorce. Cassie thinks about it every few pages of the book hinting about her implication in his death and how it helped her to start this B&B dream project.
The house is old and needs a lot of renovation. Problems with it are piling one on top of another. Cassie is suspecting everyone around her except, of course, the people who want her out of the house.
Events become tense and more interesting only in the last 20% of the book when events, hard to believe and a bit bizarre, start to unfold.
For me, Cassie was an unlikable and unpractical character.
This is 4th Valerie Keogh's book and three previous ones were better than this one. I have not given up on this author. I hope that the next books will impress me more.
October 18, 2023
A twisty, chilling read from Valerie. This one was different from her others and at times it gave me shivers down my spine. I wondered if the main character was imaging things in her house. But, I was completely wrong. Loved this o e. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
December 26, 2023
Really poor… it was an effort to read unfortunately and I found myself skimming through just to get through it. The plot was boring, dragged out and not a suprising ending. Very dissapointing
September 15, 2023
This book will really freak you out!!!!!
Oh my one of this author's best has blown me away once again.
Your house Her house the Housekeeper.
Cassie Macreddin leaves London heading to the village of Hindon Wilshire to see the estate agency, a little to early she investigates the village that she will soon be calling home. Then due to a slight hick up the viewing of the house won't take place till the afternoon and that's no good she has to travel back to London, she will try anything to get a viewing and has big plans to turn it into a B&B in the right location. The estate agent pulls out a bunch of keys letting her view alone giving her directions she finds it, Idyllic place ,wrought-iron gates, over grown garden a lot of work out and in she is hoping to be done in six months, this is a new life that will help chase away her demons.
The early victorian three storey mansion with a lot of history no going back to her old life and job that is one big lie, she puts a bid in.
This book is so exceptional in a lot of ways, dark, creepy, cobwebs hidden, secrets and so much more that makes it unputdownable, I had shivers up and down, I had goosebumps, I had tears, all my emotions , that this book felt so real chapter after chapter. a very contented booklover is done leaving a full five out of five that both together leaves ten.
Oh my one of this author's best has blown me away once again.
Your house Her house the Housekeeper.
Cassie Macreddin leaves London heading to the village of Hindon Wilshire to see the estate agency, a little to early she investigates the village that she will soon be calling home. Then due to a slight hick up the viewing of the house won't take place till the afternoon and that's no good she has to travel back to London, she will try anything to get a viewing and has big plans to turn it into a B&B in the right location. The estate agent pulls out a bunch of keys letting her view alone giving her directions she finds it, Idyllic place ,wrought-iron gates, over grown garden a lot of work out and in she is hoping to be done in six months, this is a new life that will help chase away her demons.
The early victorian three storey mansion with a lot of history no going back to her old life and job that is one big lie, she puts a bid in.
This book is so exceptional in a lot of ways, dark, creepy, cobwebs hidden, secrets and so much more that makes it unputdownable, I had shivers up and down, I had goosebumps, I had tears, all my emotions , that this book felt so real chapter after chapter. a very contented booklover is done leaving a full five out of five that both together leaves ten.
November 29, 2023
Rubbish book
This was just tosh. I flicked through the last quarter of the book. It was so boring to read all the ridiculous injuries, boring repetitive situations, boring dropping of torches, boring self dialogue related to- well to everything. I don’t intend to read anything by this author again. What a waste of my life that was.
This was just tosh. I flicked through the last quarter of the book. It was so boring to read all the ridiculous injuries, boring repetitive situations, boring dropping of torches, boring self dialogue related to- well to everything. I don’t intend to read anything by this author again. What a waste of my life that was.
September 21, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely love Valerie Keogh's writing style. I have read all her books and loved them all !! I may be slightly biased hihi.. Cassie seems to be hiding a big secret about the death of her husband, and is going through quite a lot in this house she just bought. I really thought I had it figured out but wow, it was someone else and way bigger than what I thought !!! I loved this !!
I absolutely love Valerie Keogh's writing style. I have read all her books and loved them all !! I may be slightly biased hihi.. Cassie seems to be hiding a big secret about the death of her husband, and is going through quite a lot in this house she just bought. I really thought I had it figured out but wow, it was someone else and way bigger than what I thought !!! I loved this !!
September 4, 2023
An interesting title and one that made me think- not a housekeeper in the domestic sense but the keeper of a house. Cassie has bought Hindon house- an old partly derelict property with a view to making it a bed and breakfast. She lost her husband in a car crash a while ago and is determined to make a new start in the country. She soon finds Daniel and employs his company to do the building work for her, however since she has arrived the lights keep going out- a switch being flipped in the fuse box. She's had the electrics checked and it keeps happening. Is someone trying to put her off living there? Many others have only lasted a short time and no-one really knows why, just thinking they ran out of funds to do the place up. Who would want Cassie out, why, and what is her secret about what happened with her husband?
Oh wow! I know when a book is good that I read it in a setting or two in day- I couldn't take my eyes away from it. There is a brilliant tension between the pages which kept me turning to ever find out what on earth was happening and why. There are a few well thought out red herrings and the perpetrator…… I won’t give anything away. A very clever, brilliantly written book that totally had me hooked right the way through. P.S don’t read this one alone with the lights out….
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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Oh wow! I know when a book is good that I read it in a setting or two in day- I couldn't take my eyes away from it. There is a brilliant tension between the pages which kept me turning to ever find out what on earth was happening and why. There are a few well thought out red herrings and the perpetrator…… I won’t give anything away. A very clever, brilliantly written book that totally had me hooked right the way through. P.S don’t read this one alone with the lights out….
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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February 2, 2024
Badly researched and heroine implausible.
Anyone who has ever bought a house needing major renovations, consults architects and builders and considers planning permission before going ahead.
They don't move in and then look for a builder.
In this story a builder can, miraculously, start the following week. Really? Builders are booked up months ahead. No planning permission, no building regs, just get stuck in!
Then our paranoid heroine veers relentlessly between saying how tough and determined she is and, by the end of the paragraph, falling apart because she thinks all the other characters are out to get her.
It really is implausible and unbelievable.
Anyone who has ever bought a house needing major renovations, consults architects and builders and considers planning permission before going ahead.
They don't move in and then look for a builder.
In this story a builder can, miraculously, start the following week. Really? Builders are booked up months ahead. No planning permission, no building regs, just get stuck in!
Then our paranoid heroine veers relentlessly between saying how tough and determined she is and, by the end of the paragraph, falling apart because she thinks all the other characters are out to get her.
It really is implausible and unbelievable.
May 7, 2024
Sadly it was neither thrilling or mysterious, which was disappointing. I had most of the plot figured out halfway through.
July 27, 2024
The house keeper title really threw me off because I was thinking it was someone that cleaned the house. Nope. It’s someone who was keeping the secrets of the house. Cassie’s husband recently died and with the insurance money she bought an old house in a small town to convert into a BnB! Now throughout half of the book they make it seem that Cassie killed her husband but really they just got in an argument in the car because he wanted to leave her and she grabbed for the wheel, they crashed, and he died. It was an accident. What wasn’t an accident was the person that was trying to run Cassie off from the house. Mrs. Morgan. Who wasn’t a Mrs. She was a nun at one point! (I did figure out at the beginning when she kept visiting that she had something to do with everything that was going on. Turns out that the church used to house nuns there and they would have single and young women give birth and bury their dead babies in the floor boards of the home. She’s tried to keep that secret ever since. She only told Patrick, Daniels brother and he came back to finish Mrs Morgan’s job of offing Cassie but he got offed in the process. The story made headlines and women were able to heal from the trauma they went through there. The church bought the house and grounds and Cassie moved on with her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2023
An unwelcome guest? Still in shock after the tragic death of husband Richie, Cassie Macreddin hopes that her new home, historic Hindon House, is the place where she can heal her pain and hide her secrets. But Hindon House has secrets of its own… Cassie soon realises that not everyone is pleased at her arrival and that someone is actively trying to make her leave Hindon House….but who? And why?
Another very enjoyable book by this author. Usually I am pretty good at picking who is the main culprit but I was way off with this one. A very fast read that had me taken in after the first page and kept me engaged throughout. A great cast of characters who do lead your thought processes to wonder who is actually behind all the shady incidents that Cassie is facing, I would think it was someone and then doubts would be cast in my mind if that was correct or not. It really was a case of twists and turns around each corner. Once you know who was the offender and what had really happened, it took the book to another level for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another very enjoyable book by this author. Usually I am pretty good at picking who is the main culprit but I was way off with this one. A very fast read that had me taken in after the first page and kept me engaged throughout. A great cast of characters who do lead your thought processes to wonder who is actually behind all the shady incidents that Cassie is facing, I would think it was someone and then doubts would be cast in my mind if that was correct or not. It really was a case of twists and turns around each corner. Once you know who was the offender and what had really happened, it took the book to another level for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2023
4⭐️
Valerie did it again! I loved this book.
Is the house haunted or is someone messing with her! I could not stop reading! I was so anxious to find out what was happening!
This book pulls you in from the first page and then you can not put it down! Loved the fact that she combined the feel of a haunted house tale and a psychological thriller! You don’t know which one it is right up till the end! Also loved the sneaky little twist at the end!
Can’t wait for the author’s next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!
Valerie did it again! I loved this book.
Is the house haunted or is someone messing with her! I could not stop reading! I was so anxious to find out what was happening!
This book pulls you in from the first page and then you can not put it down! Loved the fact that she combined the feel of a haunted house tale and a psychological thriller! You don’t know which one it is right up till the end! Also loved the sneaky little twist at the end!
Can’t wait for the author’s next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!
April 5, 2024
waste of time
This was a poorly written, horrible story. I wish I hadn’t wasted my time reading it. Glad it was free on Amazon prime…
This was a poorly written, horrible story. I wish I hadn’t wasted my time reading it. Glad it was free on Amazon prime…
November 1, 2024
Six months after the tragic automobile accident that claimed the life of her husband, Cassie makes a clean break from her life in London. She buys an almost derelict house in the country, thinking she can use her husband's life insurance money to renovate it. She plans to open a B&B. After her arrival at the house, she quickly realizes that there is far more work to do than she had anticipated... Hindon House has had many occupants over the years. Besides individual families, it was also an army hospital during the war years, and then later on it was utilized as a convent.
Cassie hires some builders and gets to work herself filling skip after skip with the rubbish left in every room by previous owners.
Strange things begin to happen. Though she has been assured by the electrician she hired that the electrics are in good working order, the lights go out periodically - usually at the most inconvenient times. She injures herself several times while clearing out the house. Is she extra clumsy, or is something else, or someone else, at fault? Is someone trying to scare her away from Hindon House? Why did previous owners only live there for such brief periods of time? With her bank account dwindling dangerously, Cassie is between a rock and a hard place.
Determined to make her dreams come true, Cassie tenaciously endeavours to 'stick it out' despite some alarming setbacks. That is... until she can no longer do so... Hindon House's secrets and murky past are gradually revealed.
I just hate it when the description of a thriller reads that it is 'unputdownable'. However, that being said, this one pretty much lived up to this overused word. I devoured it, and enjoyed every page.
Cassie is a protagonist that I was uncertain about. Should I like her? Is she a nice person? At first yes, then maybe not, then yes again... The predicaments she finds herself in would try the patience and good humour of a saint. No running water except for in the antiquated kitchen. No hot water at all... She is sleeping on an air mattress. Her days are filled with more physical labour than she has every had to do before. Her every muscle aches.
I admit, the title threw me off. I really thought this book was about a perhaps creepy 'housekeeper'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Note the separation of the title words - House Keeper - or, keeper of the house.
I suspected several different characters at one time or another, yet, I was thoroughly surprised by the villain of the piece. The ending was highly satisfactory.
With the twists and turns of a truly suspenseful thriller, I can heartily recommend this book to fans of the genre. I'll definitely be reading more by Valerie Keogh.
This title is from my lengthy NetGalley backlist. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Cassie hires some builders and gets to work herself filling skip after skip with the rubbish left in every room by previous owners.
Strange things begin to happen. Though she has been assured by the electrician she hired that the electrics are in good working order, the lights go out periodically - usually at the most inconvenient times. She injures herself several times while clearing out the house. Is she extra clumsy, or is something else, or someone else, at fault? Is someone trying to scare her away from Hindon House? Why did previous owners only live there for such brief periods of time? With her bank account dwindling dangerously, Cassie is between a rock and a hard place.
Determined to make her dreams come true, Cassie tenaciously endeavours to 'stick it out' despite some alarming setbacks. That is... until she can no longer do so... Hindon House's secrets and murky past are gradually revealed.
I just hate it when the description of a thriller reads that it is 'unputdownable'. However, that being said, this one pretty much lived up to this overused word. I devoured it, and enjoyed every page.
Cassie is a protagonist that I was uncertain about. Should I like her? Is she a nice person? At first yes, then maybe not, then yes again... The predicaments she finds herself in would try the patience and good humour of a saint. No running water except for in the antiquated kitchen. No hot water at all... She is sleeping on an air mattress. Her days are filled with more physical labour than she has every had to do before. Her every muscle aches.
I admit, the title threw me off. I really thought this book was about a perhaps creepy 'housekeeper'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Note the separation of the title words - House Keeper - or, keeper of the house.
I suspected several different characters at one time or another, yet, I was thoroughly surprised by the villain of the piece. The ending was highly satisfactory.
With the twists and turns of a truly suspenseful thriller, I can heartily recommend this book to fans of the genre. I'll definitely be reading more by Valerie Keogh.
This title is from my lengthy NetGalley backlist. 4.5 stars rounded up.
October 5, 2023
The House Keeper by Valerie Keogh is the perfect pacey thriller, loaded with suspense and chills in every nook and cranny. I chomped at the bit to reach the end yet wasn't ready for it to be over. The pretty Wiltshire setting added a layer of haunting beauty to decrepit and grand Hindon House which oozes with secrets. But the reading experience doesn't stop with the story itself. Keogh consistently dazzles with clever writing and bendy twists which had me on edge in the best way possible. What a fun book to become completely immersed in, happily oblivious to real life for a few hours.
Cassie Macreddin is a widow after losing her husband in an accident. Rather than be mired down with memories and a mind numbing job she decides to buy a massive run-down property with beautiful bones to re-invent as a B&B. She tackles innumerable jobs immediately along with construction crews. Some locals are tense and suspicious in her presence, especially when they discover which property this newcomer has bought. Renovations come with special challenges and dangers which test Cassie's mettle. As the project continues, secrets surface. And, of course, there are crimes and red herrings galore, and as trite as it sounds, nothing is as it seems.
Searching for just enough thrillery vibes to hold you in their clutches, a sharp as tacks mystery and secrets darker and deeper than the deepest well? You need The House Keeper in your life. Valerie Keogh is an auto-author for me, no need to even read the synopsis.
My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this delectable novel. Ideal for any time, it seems particularly apt to read in October.
Cassie Macreddin is a widow after losing her husband in an accident. Rather than be mired down with memories and a mind numbing job she decides to buy a massive run-down property with beautiful bones to re-invent as a B&B. She tackles innumerable jobs immediately along with construction crews. Some locals are tense and suspicious in her presence, especially when they discover which property this newcomer has bought. Renovations come with special challenges and dangers which test Cassie's mettle. As the project continues, secrets surface. And, of course, there are crimes and red herrings galore, and as trite as it sounds, nothing is as it seems.
Searching for just enough thrillery vibes to hold you in their clutches, a sharp as tacks mystery and secrets darker and deeper than the deepest well? You need The House Keeper in your life. Valerie Keogh is an auto-author for me, no need to even read the synopsis.
My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this delectable novel. Ideal for any time, it seems particularly apt to read in October.
December 28, 2023
A plan for B&B and plenty of secrets and murder(s)
Cassie moves to Hindon House after the death(?) of her husband Richie. She is harbouring a secret of her own and wants to move on. Hindon House is the place that she has decided for it. The house has been abandoned and it would take a lot before she can make her dream of B&B a reality at Hindon House.
As she is having the house repaired, unexplained things start happening. The lights of the place start tripping and someone has even planned something more sinister there.
Cassie is convinced that someone is trying to scare her away or worse, and she is alone in a friendless new place.
The book is about the difficulties that Cassie faces alone to renovate the house and then the story slowly moves to the other side characters and the mysteries that the house throws up.
Cody, Mrs. Morgan, Patrick, Baker all come and go as the side characters as Cassie tries to find the truth behind whether someone is trying to sabotage her.
The mystery builds up as does the creepiness and the uneasiness of the readers wondering what would happen to Cassie and why all this is happening to her.
Good, intriguing mystery.
Cassie moves to Hindon House after the death(?) of her husband Richie. She is harbouring a secret of her own and wants to move on. Hindon House is the place that she has decided for it. The house has been abandoned and it would take a lot before she can make her dream of B&B a reality at Hindon House.
As she is having the house repaired, unexplained things start happening. The lights of the place start tripping and someone has even planned something more sinister there.
Cassie is convinced that someone is trying to scare her away or worse, and she is alone in a friendless new place.
The book is about the difficulties that Cassie faces alone to renovate the house and then the story slowly moves to the other side characters and the mysteries that the house throws up.
Cody, Mrs. Morgan, Patrick, Baker all come and go as the side characters as Cassie tries to find the truth behind whether someone is trying to sabotage her.
The mystery builds up as does the creepiness and the uneasiness of the readers wondering what would happen to Cassie and why all this is happening to her.
Good, intriguing mystery.
October 20, 2023
The main character, Cassie, recently widowed, leaves London to move to the countryside to fulfill her life long dream to run a B&B. Enter Hinton House, a large manor left to be overtaken by ivy, brambles, mold and rot. Cassie begins renovations on the house and strange things start to happen. Lights go off, breakers switched, running water, uplifted floorboards and more. With every obstacle, she desperately seeks out the history of the home and its past owners, convinced someone is out to get her. When things continued to happen throughout the book, it made me suspicious of different people, other possible paranormal activity, but in the end the real story was nowhere near what I had expected. It took me several days to read, longer than normal, it was slow in parts (not the fast paced thriller I had expected). The MC’s constant internal confidence battles and psychological breakdowns had me both angry and sympathetic. I really felt for her situation, and could feel her frustration, but also wanted to give her a swift kick-in-the-butt at times as well.
September 18, 2023
4.5 stars
Another awesome psychological thriller by Valerie. This author is another of my favorites.
This story follows Cassie Macreddin, a woman in mourning who moves to the historic Hindon House in the hopes of starting a new chapter in her life. However, it quickly becomes apparent that there are secrets lurking within the walls of the old house, and someone seems determined to drive Cassie away. Who wants Cassie gone from Hindon House?
Valerie does an excellent job of building tension and keeping the reader guessing throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. Cassie is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and it’s easy to root for her as she fights to uncover the truth about what is happening at Hindon House.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. It’s a well-crafted and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
Another awesome psychological thriller by Valerie. This author is another of my favorites.
This story follows Cassie Macreddin, a woman in mourning who moves to the historic Hindon House in the hopes of starting a new chapter in her life. However, it quickly becomes apparent that there are secrets lurking within the walls of the old house, and someone seems determined to drive Cassie away. Who wants Cassie gone from Hindon House?
Valerie does an excellent job of building tension and keeping the reader guessing throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. Cassie is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and it’s easy to root for her as she fights to uncover the truth about what is happening at Hindon House.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. It’s a well-crafted and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
November 19, 2023
creepy
A long drawn out creepy story. Not much to the characters. I did read this in a short period of time, but that was just to finish. The story could be true, but just didn’t hold my attention.
A long drawn out creepy story. Not much to the characters. I did read this in a short period of time, but that was just to finish. The story could be true, but just didn’t hold my attention.
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March 16, 2024A different Read
I enjoy this novel, however when I first started to read it I wasn't sure it was for me. It didn't take to lo g to want to know what kind of house was in this thriller. A must read.
I enjoy this novel, however when I first started to read it I wasn't sure it was for me. It didn't take to lo g to want to know what kind of house was in this thriller. A must read.
January 2, 2024
An extremely easy read that I read in an afternoon.
January 3, 2024
So good. Finished it in a day. Gripping and honestly couldn’t work out where the story was going which kept me turning pages in excitement!
November 25, 2023
Good book, not the ending you’d expect!
September 13, 2023
Pretty good book! I discovered Valerie Keogh last year and have read many of her books. This one wasn’t my favorite. I don’t understand why it’s called The Housekeeper although that is addressed later in the book-I just don’t feel that the title fit the actual story. It seemed to drag in places and I had difficulty relating with the main character. I do like her writing style and will continue to look forward to her books- I just had trouble getting involved with this one. Thank you to NetGalley, Valerie Keogh and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 11, 2024
What a twisted story this was! I was not expecting the awful history of this once grand home. I only have one question—- why didn’t this woman buy a flashlight?!?!
January 19, 2024
I’ve read (and enjoyed) other books by this author, so this one was a letdown for me. It’s a quick read, but much of the story felt redundant. I found myself much more interested in the history of the house, and I wished there had been more teased about it throughout the story or a bit more about the town. I understand the point of saving the twists for the end, but for me, the most compelling parts were rushed. I also found it really hard to be invested in the main character.
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