The House Swap

by Keri Beevis

The next BRAND NEW pulse-pounding thriller from Keri Beevis, author of the BESTSELLING The Sleepover and The House Sitter. Praise for Keri

'Another winner from Ms Beevis. A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns' - J.A. Baker

‘From the start I was glued - a cracking roller-coaster ride of a story’ - Susanna Beard

‘Compelling, addictive, fast-paced and chilling. I loved it!’ - Amanda Brittany

'A tense, clever and thought-provoking thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and long afterwards.' - Natasha Boydell

'This is how to write a page turner.'- Valerie Keogh

'Another suspenseful page-turner from this very talented author' - John Nicholl

'Brilliant, chilling, and unputdownable' - Gemma Rogers

'Another gripping fast paced story from the brilliant Keri Beevis.' - Sadie Ryan

‘Beevis has created a dark psychological thriller thick with atmosphere. Cleverly woven threads pull together in a heart-stopping conclusion in this satisfyingly clever tale. Highly recommended’ - Diane Saxon

'A disturbingly chilling thriller which is completely gripping. The Sleepover is an intense mystery full of clever twists which I didn't see coming' - Alex Stone

'An atmospheric thriller that grips until the last page. Beevis at her best!' - Diana Wilkinson

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Hi, I'm Keri Beevis, and I'm the author of the bestselling psychological suspense thrillers, Deep Dark Secrets, Dying To Tell, The Sleepover, and The Summer House.

Other titles I've written include Trust No One, Every Little Breath, The People Next Door, and The House in the Woods (previously released as The Boat House).

I am signed with Boldwood Books and my twelfth thriller, Nowhere To Hide is out 2nd April.

You can find out more about me on my website.

https://keribeevis.com/

Reviews

[Mya Joan Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this one because the setup sounded like the perfect creepy thriller. After needing to get away, the main character swaps homes with a "friend" and heads to his villa in Crete with her best friend Keira. At first, everything seems perfect—beautiful beaches, warm sunshine, peace and quiet, and finally a chance to relax. But that feeling doesn’t last long.

When Keira suddenly leaves without any explanation, the whole atmosphere changes. The neighbours seem to know things they shouldn’t, the handyman is constantly hanging around, locked doors are mysteriously being opened, and things inside the villa start moving. I really enjoyed that feeling of slowly realizing something was wrong and wondering whether she was actually in danger or simply starting to question her own mind.

There were some genuinely creepy moments, and I liked the isolated setting and all the questions surrounding what was happening. I just found myself losing interest in parts of the story, and unfortunately, it didn’t keep me as hooked as I wanted it to.

Overall, I liked the premise and the mystery behind the house swap, but this ended up being more of an okay read for me. The secrets, suspicious neighbours, disappearing friend, and feeling of being watched definitely kept things interesting, even if the story didn’t completely work for me.

[Lady MacDeath 🌒🌕🌘 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to like this book, more than I did, though there were bits that didn’t sit comfortably with me. I mean, come on Poppy…why house swap with a “friend” you barely know, and go all the way to Crete, for goodness sake, it’s not as though you’re familiar with the area either.
I admit there are some creepy moments in the book, which kept me reading. To be honest, I didn’t like any of the characters, maybe only Poppy’s best friend Keira, because she was so loyal. Poppy kept questioning everything, but still placed herself in certain situations. I mean, if you’re creeped out by someone, don’t go to dinner with them, simple!

House Swap by Keri Beevis, is okay imo, and as I said there are some creepy moments, but the ending didn’t have the WOW factor either, it just felt a little bit too rushed. I know I’m in the minority, as there seems to be a lot of people who love this. I’m glad I read it, and of course, I will be checking out other books by this author, as I like her writing style.

3 ⭐️

Thanks to Keri Beevis, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

Available: NOW

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great psychological read.my rating 3.5 rounded to 4...Poppy had trouble she needed a break away from it all she wanted to go to crete where her friend Tom lives they done a house swap her friend kiera went with her for a few days..when she met people she started to distrust them was she paranoid as she felt someone was watching her..a good read i guessed most of it..looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This cover truly captures the essence of the story! I mean, Crete! Stop what you're doing and run to read this one! Your responsibilities will still be there when you're done!

The book plunges straight into the mind of a stalker, which is both chilling and a departure from Keri's earlier works! I was hooked right from the start. The narrative unfolds in two parts, shifting between the perspectives of Poppy, the stalker, and Keira. Poppy is a young, successful editor facing a tough time after a scathing review of her work goes online. As someone who strives to maintain a good reputation for her business, I could relate to her dread, fury, and helplessness in dealing with the situation. Thankfully, her best friend Keira is there for support. When Poppy is offered the chance to swap homes with her client in Crete—since he’s heading to London—it feels almost fateful. But is it really? We all know that when something seems too good to be true, it usually is...

I enjoyed getting acquainted with Poppy, Keira, Tom, and a few other intriguing characters. What kept me on edge was Poppy's constant vigilance; she was suspicious of everyone, convinced that everyone had their own hidden motives. Yet, ironically, all this paranoia didn’t shield her from the ultimate danger! I found myself exhausted from all the relentless mind racing she was enduring! It truly kept me on my toes, and I felt like I needed to relax a bit while Poppy was on high alert 24/7—so strange! Keira seemed like a fantastic friend to Poppy, but then she vanished without a word. Hmm! Add to this the creepy handyman lurking around, the bizarre happenings in the villa, and the overly friendly older couple, and you have a whirlwind of suspense!

If you think this is a light, relaxing read, think again! This is a heart-pounding thriller that’s tough to put down, leaving you questioning who you can actually trust! I loved the vivid descriptions of the destination, the food, and the overall atmosphere. This secluded villa felt unsafe before you even realized the truth! And that perspective from the stalker creeping around at night? What on earth was that about? You’ll have to read it to find out!

On a personal note, I’m not going to lie—almost every book I read resonates with me in some way. Having lived on my own since I was 15, I’ve had plenty of both good and bad experiences, which is why some books hit home or remind me of different chapters in my own journey. I spent a month living in Crete, working in a restaurant for food and board, and it was an incredible summer. I met amazing people who stayed in touch even after I returned to reality. This book had me swooning over the food and the beautifully described surroundings...

If you enjoy a gripping, claustrophobic destination thriller that keeps you constantly on edge about what’s happening in the villa or around Poppy, this book is for you. You might think you have it all figured out, but there are plenty of surprises to keep you cringing. The ending was a complete shock, and the twists were skillfully woven into the narrative, surfacing when you least expect them. Bravo for hiding so much and revealing it at the perfect moments! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to email my friends in Crete and tell them about this book! Creepy!!! Ha!

Thank you, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for the widget DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tara Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peaceful swap turned living nightmare.

Poppy thought Crete was her chance to escape for a bit, but paradise quickly becomes a suffocating game of survival. As the unease deepens into a living nightmare, she realizes she isn't alone... and she might never make it home.

If you love isolated settings, mind games, and relentless tension, add this to your TBR ASAP.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars

Thank you to Keri Beevis, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for a copy of The House Swap in exchange for an honest review.

I am sad. Very sad. 😩

It appears that so many people absolutely loved this book, and I really wanted to be one of them. I wanted creepy. I wanted unsettling. I wanted that something is VERY wrong here feeling. Instead, I spent a good portion of the book wondering when I was going to become invested.

Poppy heads to Crete with her best friend, swapping her flat with Tom, an author she has edited, so they can enjoy his villa and get away from it all. Sounds perfect, right? Except, of course, things aren't always what they seem once they arrive.

There were definitely opportunities for this story to become the creepy, atmospheric thriller I was hoping for, but unfortunately, it never grabbed me the way I wanted it to.

And then there's Poppy. 🤦‍♀️

I just didn't like her. At all. I tried. I really did. But I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with her, to the point where I almost DNF'd the book. When I'm actively considering abandoning a book because I can't connect with the main character, that's usually not a good sign.

And then came the ending.

Knee-jerk.

And not the good kind.

It felt rushed and abrupt, and instead of giving me that satisfying OH DAMN! moment I was hoping for, I was more like, “Wait…that's it?”

The one thing I will give this book is that Crete itself was gorgeous. Keri Beevis did such a good job creating the landscape in my head that I could practically feel the sunshine and see the scenery. Honestly, Crete was my favorite character. 😂

Unfortunately, beautiful scenery can only carry a thriller so far.

Final Verdict: I hate being the odd woman out when everyone else seems to love a book, but this one just didn't work for me. I wanted creepy, suspenseful, and unputdownable. Instead, I struggled to stay engaged and couldn't connect with Poppy. The ending didn't help. 2 stars—and I'm giving those stars to Crete. 🌴☀️

[Rach Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like my good friend Jess I did enjoy the suspense that was building for Poppy in this book… I think a touch more horror wouldn’t have gone a miss to make it more engaging for the reader. The Tom/Martin thing was a bit like WHY? I get it, catfishes are wild but wanted maybe a bit more back story. Bit more at the culmination scene! All in all Keri you hooked me for the most and it was devoured in a few hours! 📖

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great psychological suspense thriller by Keri Beevis. After a few chapters I just knew this was my type of read and I quickly became hooked on the story. I loved the setting of Crete and although I found this book to be a slow paced read than her previous books it still had me glued to my kindle.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Beevis is a new author to me, but I’ve heard so many good things about her books, so I was delighted to be given an ARC of The House Swap. My thanks to Boldwood Books.

Set on the beautiful Greek island of Crete, this was the perfect setting for a destination thriller. Having visited Crete myself and, coincidentally, have recently been thinking about returning, I loved being transported back there. But this isn’t the sun-soaked, bustling Crete of the holiday brochures. Set out of season, the island provides an isolated and increasingly unsettling backdrop for Poppy as things begin to take a very sinister turn.

I was hooked from the beginning. There’s a real sense of tension running throughout the story, and at times it felt positively claustrophobic. As the twists and turns kept coming, I found myself constantly trying to work out what was really going on, who could be trusted and where the story was heading.

I also loved the pace. The short chapters and regular plot developments made this such an easy book to race through, with plenty of moments that made me think, just one more chapter…

Overall, I really enjoyed The House Swap. It kept me guessing, kept me turning the pages and had me desperate to uncover the answers. A gripping destination thriller with an atmospheric setting and plenty of twists.

Keri Beevis is definitely an author I’ll be exploring further.  I’m already looking forward to checking out her back catalogue!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Keri Beevis and I wrestled with this rating. I felt it is was very forward loaded with so much detail about Crete and the town she was in that probably wasn’t necessary. Whereas, the fast paced conclusion whizzed by.

Having been to Greece in the fall, I can attest that it is very quiet in the smaller towns and I could relate to her late night paranoia.

The perspective of Poppy, Martin and finally Keira helped advance the plot and kept the action interesting.
But, there was no wow factor at the ending but interested in the resolution.

I would recommend this. 3 is still a good rating in my mind and I did enjoy reading this.

[jesswouldratherbereading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably my least favourite Keri I’ve read so far :(((( I loooooved the build up of paranoia from Poppy over the book, thought that was really well done and made me doubt absolutely everyone. The main reveal though fell super flat for me in this one! I just didn’t buy into it and felt there wasn’t enough of an explanation. Wanted my usual dark, twisted plots and characters I’ve come to expect from Ms Beevis. Still demolished in a day though of course.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a 2.5, but kept me company as background audio for all my chores this week. Imogen Church is a great narrator.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4⭐️ read from Keri Beevis, to be fair I’m yet to read one of her books that doesn’t get me hooked right from the start.

Set in Crete this was the perfect back drop for a thrilling summer read. I didn’t want to put it down, the storyline was beautifully paced and had me racing through the chapters needing to know what happened next! Keeping me guessing right up until part 2.

And wow, what a twist and turn throughout the book wondering “who done it”, I loved how the story unfolded, the potential holiday romance, the overbearing middle aged couple that everyone seems to meet abroad and the way Poppy was made to feel uneasy and as if she was going mad, turning paranoid to anyone and anything.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

[Jennifer *Nottoomanybooks* · Rating 4 out of 5]

💭: Taking place in Crete, this one seems like it could be a romance and swiftly switches over to thriller mode! Told through the POV of Poppy, Keira and the stalker, you get to dive into the characters heads. I especially enjoyed the stalker chapters! Poppy is offered the chance to swap houses with a client and she jumps at the chance. She has just been slammed all over social media and needs to get away. When she arrives with her friend, she meets a few people. Eventually Poppy’s friend goes missing and Poppy becomes paranoid of everyone around her thinking they have hidden motives. The story is atmospheric and chilling and you will want to get to that ending!!

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE HOUSE SWAP FROM HELL! 🔑 The master of the unexpected twist is back with a vengeance!

A brilliant, deeply unsettling psychological puzzle. Keri Beevis proves once again why she is an absolute mandatory read for thriller fans.

Intro
Whenever a new Keri Beevis book lands on my desk, you know you are in for a treat. Having read every single one of her previous psychological thrillers, I know firsthand that she is an absolute master of the slow-burn puzzle and the jaw-dropping, unpredictable twist. Her latest release, The House Swap, is a masterpiece of domestic suspense—a brilliant, heart-pounding nightmare that takes a simple, relatable premise and completely shatters it into a million terrifying pieces.

🔑The Hook
Handing over the keys to your home seems innocent enough, until you realize the stranger living in your house knows every single one of your darkest, deadliest secrets.

Elevator Pitch
An ordinary couple looking for a refreshing escape decides to enter into a temporary house swap agreement with an seemingly perfect family online. But the moment they arrive at their new destination, a series of deeply unsettling anomalies begin to surface. Stranded in an unfamiliar environment, they are horrified to discover that their own home has been completely infiltrated by someone executing a brilliant, calculated plot of psychological warfare.

Setting
A deceptively beautiful, isolated getaway home sharply contrasted against the vulnerable, deeply violated spaces of the protagonists' own domestic sanctuary.

Vibe
Claustrophobic, high-stakes, hyper-paranoid, and dripping with mounting dread.

Genre
Psychological Thriller / Domestic Suspense

Themes
~The total illusion of domestic security
~The dangerous vulnerability of digital trust
~Revenge executed with clinical, terrifying precision
~Surviving a total invasion of privacy

Standout Characters
~The Main Couple: A grounded, fiercely protective pair whose attempts to save their relationship turn into an absolute battle for physical and psychological survival.
~The Shadow Guest: An elusive, deeply calculated antagonist who remains steps ahead, turning an ordinary house into a psychological chess board.

Author Writing Standout
Beevis’s writing standout is her absolute mastery of psychological pacing. She expertly builds a sense of quiet, everyday normalcy before pulling the rug out from under the reader with an explosive, perfectly timed twist that reframes the entire narrative trajectory.

Takeaway
The most dangerous monsters aren't hiding under your bed; they are walking through your front door with your permission.

Title Significance
"The House Swap" subverts a popular, trendy vacation phenomenon into a literal, bone-chilling catalyst for a total life demolition.

Metaphor
The traded keys serve as a profound metaphor for vulnerability—reminding us how easily we hand over control of our boundaries to complete strangers in the modern world.

Why You Should Read
For its relentlessly addictive plot, razor-sharp dialogue, and a masterclass twist that you will absolutely never see coming.

My Thoughts
As a long-time, devoted fan of Keri's entire catalog, I was completely captivated by the brilliant, tight narrative structure she created for this specific story. It delivers a solid mechanical precision wrapped in an emotional punch, keeping your heart hammered against your ribs until the final sentence.

Verdict 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"THE HOUSE SWAP is packed with deep psychological dread, flawless pacing, and a jaw-dropping signature twist that will leave you completely reeling. A heart-pounding psychological masterpiece that takes a simple vacation and turns it into a total living nightmare."

Recs or Read-Alikes
To experience Keri Beevis's absolute finest moments of jaw-dropping domestic betrayal and high-tension psychological puzzles, these standouts are mandatory reading
~The Sleepover by Keri Beevis
~The House Sitter by Keri Beevis
~The Boat House by Keri Beevis

Also for fans of Freida McFadden, Valerie Keogh, Emily Shiner, Daniel Hurst and Miranda Rijks.

Audio🎧 Standout
An absolute dream-team audio pairing! While I devoured the physical book for this release, knowing that the legendary, incomparable Imogen Church is narrating the audiobook makes this an instant auto-buy. Church’s unmatched ability to deliver raw, breathless tension is the is the perfect match for Beevis’s brilliant storytelling!

Special thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts>

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sep 1, 2026
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[Mona Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of *The House Swap* before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

*The House Swap* is a tense psychological thriller about trust, isolation and a holiday that gradually turns into a nightmare. Desperate to escape the pressures of her life, the main character agrees to exchange homes with Tom, a man she has grown close to, and travels to his villa in Crete with her best friend, Keira. The promise of winter sunshine, quiet beaches and a beautiful home initially appears to offer exactly the break she needs.

The holiday begins peacefully, but everything changes when Keira suddenly leaves without any proper explanation. Now alone in an unfamiliar country, she begins noticing increasingly disturbing details. The neighbours behave as though they already know her, the handyman seems to be constantly watching, and locked doors refuse to remain locked. Objects appear to move around the villa, leaving her uncertain whether someone is entering the house or whether stress is beginning to affect her judgment.

The isolated Crete setting is one of the strongest parts of the novel. The villa and surrounding landscape appear idyllic during the day, but at night the same quietness becomes threatening. Being far from home and unsure whom she can trust creates a convincing sense of vulnerability. I also enjoyed the way the story uses small incidents rather than immediate violence to build tension, making the protagonist question herself before accepting that something may genuinely be wrong.

The house-swap premise adds an effective layer of suspicion because the arrangement depends entirely upon trust. She has allowed Tom access to her own home while placing herself inside his, surrounded by people and secrets connected to him. As the strange incidents increase, she is forced to reconsider how well she really knows him and whether the exchange was ever intended to be an innocent holiday arrangement.

The pacing is quick, with short chapters and regular developments that make the story easy to continue reading. There are several secrets and changes of direction, although some aspects felt familiar from other destination thrillers involving isolated villas, disappearing friends and unreliable surroundings. A few decisions also seemed designed primarily to keep the protagonist alone and in danger, and some later developments required suspension of disbelief.

Overall, *The House Swap* is an atmospheric and entertaining psychological thriller with an appealing holiday setting and a strong sense of growing paranoia. Although not every twist felt entirely convincing, the unanswered questions surrounding Tom, Keira and the people near the villa kept me interested. It will appeal to readers who enjoy suspicious strangers, hidden motives and seemingly perfect holidays that become increasingly dangerous.

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keri Beevis has become one of those authors I'll happily pick up without needing much convincing. Her books are consistently entertaining, and while this one didn't end up being a favourite of mine, there was still plenty that kept me reading.

Poppy heads to Crete for a relaxing house swap with a man she's grown close to online, hoping a change of scenery will help her leave her worries behind. But when her best friend suddenly leaves without explanation, strange things begin happening around the villa, and before long she's questioning whether she's imagining it all or whether something far more sinister is unfolding.

One thing Beevis does well is get the story moving quickly. The short chapters are easy to race through, and before long I found myself questioning who Poppy could trust and what was really going on around her.

Crete also made for a great backdrop. I'm always drawn to thrillers set in holiday destinations, and the quiet beaches, isolated villa and unfamiliar surroundings all helped create an unsettling atmosphere. While I would have loved the setting to play an even bigger role as the story progressed, it still added something extra to the overall reading experience.

Where the book lost me was in the execution of the mystery. While there were a couple of developments towards the end that caught me by surprise, I found many of the bigger reveals fairly easy to anticipate. I also struggled to connect with Poppy, whose decisions sometimes felt driven more by the needs of the plot than what felt believable in the moment. As a result, I never became as invested in either her or the outcome as I'd hoped.

In the end, this was entertaining for the most part with a strong premise, a fast pace and an appealing destination setting, even if it didn't quite deliver the payoff I was hoping for. It sits somewhere in the middle of the Keri Beevis books I've read so far, but she's still an author I'll continue picking up, and I'll happily keep making my way through her backlist.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy Taylor is desperate to get away from the social media trashing that one of her clients is tossing her way. It’s humiliating and she’s tired of fighting the public criticism. She decides it’s time to get away from it all. A close friend, Tom Rainer, has the perfect solution. He owns a villa in Crete, Greece. He has to go to London, but Poppy is more than welcome to stay at his place. They switch homes and Poppy couldn’t be more excited.

Poppy’s best friend Keira wouldn’t mind a change of scenery herself. She accompanies Poppy so she’ll have some company. Then, Keira vanishes. Her suitcase is gone and there’s no sign of her. Not even a note. This is very unlike her friend. Poppy is unable to get in touch with Keira but she’s sure she will contact her.

Since it is the off season, the villa is quite deserted. Poppy meets a few people, but they start acting strange. There’s a maintenance man who appears to be watching her. Items in her villa start moving and her doors don’t seem to stay locked. Poppy is feeling unsettled and it doesn’t help that she still can’t get in touch with Keira.

Too many odd things are happening. Poppy is more than ready to go back home. That’s easier said than done.

This is a delicious thriller that kept me reading through the night. The author does a wonderful job of painting a vivid picture of a villa in a spooky atmosphere. It is spine-tingling. I felt as if I was right there by Poppy’s side. A true rollercoaster of drama with many twists and turns. Each chapter revealed a new surprise.

I was totally captivated by this story from the first page to the last. The ending really took me by surprise. I never saw it coming.

This is the first book I ever read by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. If I rated books higher than a 5, this would be one of those. Loved every minute of it. This would make an excellent movie.






Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keri Beevis has done it again! She is a favorite author for a reason, and I’m always up for one of her books because I know I’m going to get plenty of dark secrets, unexpected twists, and flawed characters I’m not quite sure I can trust. THE HOUSE SWAP was no exception!

We are introduced to our MC Poppy, who suffers a social media nightmare and ultimately decides to get away from it all for a couple of weeks. She thinks a house swap in Crete is exactly what she needs—a beautiful villa owned by her friend Tom (he will being staying at her flat in London) and a chance to get away from everything, at least for a little while. But once she arrives, things start getting weird almost immediately.

Her friend Keira, who traveled with her, unexpectedly leaves for an emergency with little explanation. And little things keep happening that have Poppy questioning her own mind and memory—iPhones moving location, gates being locked but then Poppy finding unlocked, wine bottles breaking inexplicably during the night. Is it her imagination or is someone watching her every move? And of course, the more questions Poppy has, the more suspicious everyone she meets in Greece becomes!

I kept changing my mind about whom could be trusted and what must really be going on. I love when a thriller makes me second-guess everything, and Keri Beevis definitely kept me doing that here, as she always does in each of her books. Her writing is incredibly engrossing and engaging, with a pace that steadily accelerates. Just when I thought I had things figured out, I was made to reassess every one of my assumptions.

The beautiful, atmospheric, yet isolated setting in Greece only added to the eery vibes, and the twists kept me guessing throughout. Keri Beevis definitely succeeded in taking the dream vacation and turning it on its head, morphing it into something sinister and nightmarish.

I want to thank NetGalley, Keri Beevis, and Boldwood Books for gifting me the ARC of THE HOUSE SWAP! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

[Andria Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by the author and I rather enjoyed it and I do have a few more of her books purchased and on my tbr list.

In The House Swap, Poppy is a book editor. A job she does for an author goes sideways and she finds herself blasted on social media with that author trying to ruin her business. She has an online male friend that is in another country that she has talked to for awhile and feels close to. She decides maybe its time to meet Tom in person and get away from the chaos awhile. After talking with Tom, she decides to go to Crete to visit him, but then he has an emergency and has a friend that is in the hospital in London. So Poppy and Tom make out an arrangement where she travels to Crete to stay in his villa while he comes to London and stays in her apartment. At the last minute, Poppy's friend Keira shows up at her doorstep and says she's going to Crete with her. After a few days in Crete, Keira disappears, but Poppy receives a message that Keira's had an emergency and returned home. Poppy is alone now. Poppy starts being paranoid while she is at the villa, sometimes things are not how she left them, doors are found unlocked that she is sure she locked, things moved and not like she left them, and she feels isolated and alone since Keira has left, and there are further events that escalate that paranoia, but I am not going to go into all those. Poppy questions herself wondering if she's imagining things, but is she really? There are also some different people she has met in Crete, that seem untrustworthy and so she is suspicious of them.

The story has three points of view, Poppy's, Keira's and a stalker. It has great twists and turns. I did pretty much figure out where the ending was probably going to go, as there are a limited number of suspects, but I still enjoyed getting there. The tension and dread built as the story went along and I thought it was a fairly easy, suspenseful entertaining read, with those isolation vibes.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★½☆☆

Having read thirteen books by Keri Beevis, I went into this one with genuinely high expectations. Her thrillers are usually dependable favourites for me, but unfortunately, this one missed the mark.

The premise sets up what should be an ideal getaway. Needing a quiet, safe escape, the narrator arranges a house swap with Tom, a man she has grown close to, flying out to his villa in Crete alongside her best friend Keira. At first, it feels like the idyllic break she needs with warm winter sun, empty beaches, and peaceful nights. Everything shifts when Keira vanishes during the night without a word or explanation. Left alone, the neighbours act like they know her far too well, a handyman lingers nearby watching constantly, and doors that were locked do not stay locked.

On paper, this setup had every opportunity to become the creepy, atmospheric thriller I was hoping for, but it never grabbed me the way I wanted it to. I kept waiting for that tight, skin-crawling tension where you sense something is horribly wrong. Instead, I spent a good portion of the chapters wondering when I was actually going to become invested in the story.

A major hurdle was the main character herself. I struggled to connect with her because her choices felt bafflingly naive and made little sense. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in an unfamiliar place, just go home. Even worse, having your best friend vanish overnight with zero communication should send you into an immediate panic, but her lack of genuine worry felt completely unrealistic.

The narrative also felt cluttered with a bunch of random characters who had nothing to do with the story, leaving behind several loose ends that were never wrapped up. When the bad guy was finally revealed, it felt predictable rather than shocking. It was a frustrating read, especially from an author whose storytelling I usually enjoy so much.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like thrillers that make you sweat and yell "DON'T GO DOWN THERE!", The House Swap should be your next read! This exciting new psychological thriller that will have you questioning everyone and your own processing abilities. I was terrified when Keira was missing after Poppy came back from shopping. Thank heavens it was just my anxiety 👀

Poppy needs to get away from her town and social media that- wrongly!- hounds her. Her long time penpal, Tom Rainer, suggests she visit him in Greece and Poppy joyfully agrees! Finally she'll be able to meet and spend time with her good friend! Unfortunately, an accident takes him away from the island, but serendipity allows for a house swap between the friends. Tom goes to Poppy's house, and Poppy travels to Tom's house with a beloved stowaway. Although this getaway is set on the beautiful island of Crete, beginning with a girlfriend holiday, I highly recommend reading after dark to submerse yourself in the more mysterious aspects of the story. Red flags begin to fly quickly, questions pile up, and before long, Poppy has evidence that her suspicions aren't mere paranoia- someone is coming onto Tom's property at night. And where the heck is Keira now?

Oh man! You'll be grabbing your chair, crying out at Poppy, "where is your self restraint, woman?!" As her anxiety and fears take over, consuming readers, we all start imagining monsters around every corner. Are they real or just a figment of our imaginations, skewing the real monsters from view? Suddenly the scandal that brought Poppy here doesn't seem so big and scary after all...

Troupes: scandal, getaway, girls trip, red herring, kidnapping, big reveal, surprising twist, secret identity
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 3/5 👀
Triggers: anxiety, kidnapping, assault and battery

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lenaasty · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Spoiler free ARC review]

1.5 ⭐

i am so incredibly disappointed after having loved two of her previous books, this one was completely off the mark :(

I don't know how many beta readers have gone through this book and not have said a word about how DUMB and utterly stupid and unrealistically naive the main character is??

any woman would have stopped trusting everyone in this story at the first major red flags they all gave, but Poppy here is the epitome of "mmh that's weird and suspicious, I must be crazy! lol moving on" and never questions anything. it ruins the whole story because there's no way a woman would do the following :

- leave her house to a long distance man she's never seen
- trust a stranger who magically knows her address
- trust the same stranger later on about her friend's disappearance
- accepts that things magically move around the house


maybe she's a pick me girl ready to run to any suspicious man for help no matter how incredibly dangerous they may be, just because they're hot and may like her back. I'm begging her to get a spine and some sense of self-preservation.

"This was [name]. Why was she even doubting him? He'd given her no reason to." clearly driving her home without any prior knowledge of her address isn't a reason ☝️🤓 she had yet to question him about it at this point...

A quote near the end that made me laugh : "Poppy could see now how badly her mind had wanted to make the pieces fit". mhhh literally never. she just accepts the suspicious signs and moves on. barely questions people and accepts their explication first try without further questioning. her mind didn't make the slightest approach to TRYING to put any pieces together because she throws the pieces away in seconds 😋


I'd recommend The Boat House and Nowhere to Hide much more than this one!

[Charlotte Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the fabulous team at Boldwood Books, and Keri Beevis for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Final review: 4 stars.

This is my first Keri Beevis read, and I feel that I likely would read more of her books again after my experience.

The plot revolves around a woman called Poppy, who is facing public scrutiny and criticism at her job, arranging a house swap with an online friend of hers, Tom, who lives in a villa in Crete. Despite the lush surroundings and dreamlike atmosphere, the off-season brings with it the feeling of isolation and unease - as people go missing and residents start behaving strangely, Poppy doesn't know who she can trust.

Keri Beevis' writing is very accessible and easy to read in a way that feels very appropriate for the story. You get a strong sense of the hot Greek landscape that simultaneously feels idyllic and unsettling, with plenty of room to understand Poppy's perspective. I really enjoyed the uncanny valley feeling that I got from most of the characters, as though I myself didn't trust them - this really allowed me to understand Poppy's paranoia and empathise with the dread and panic when unexplained events started happening. The twists work well - they are threaded through and make a lot of sense, but are also not easily guessable, which is a factor I really appreciate in a thriller book.

The main criticism I would draw from is that I struggled to understand Poppy as a person outside of her circumstances - I couldn't engage with her specifically rather than engaging with the plot, and I would have liked to have seen more of her character shine through.

Overall, this would be a great book for a holiday read or for something fast-paced and quick that will likely leave you spooked and unsettled about anyone you know.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy decides to engage in a house swap, moving from her flat in Bexleyheath, London to a luxurious villa in Crete. Can this holiday home exchange give her a refreshing break from her workplace troubles at home?

I think The House Swap is a BRILLIANT 5 star read and yet another psychological thriller from Keri Beevis. This is the fourth book I have read from this author and I think, without a doubt, this is her best. Usually Keri sets her books around Norfolk, neighbouring the east coast of England. Most of the action in The House Swap takes place in Crete, a Greek island, which is a big change of culture and locations for the author. But the storytelling is the same, a psychological thriller that nags at the reader when details raise doubts that things seem a little dodgy.

The House Swap is simply a pleasure to read and her writing style is so comfortable, like walking around in your favourite shoes. Right from the first page it feels as though Keri is talking to you and that you have known her for years.

The plot of The House Swap is simply brilliant. All the little details add up in the end. The story is mostly told from Poppy’s point of view with the odd short chapter from another character’s point of view, which adds yet more tension to the tale. Events and observations in Crete are very creepy at times as you puzzle if something sinister may be going on or if Poppy is oversensitive and rather dizzy.

The House Swap gives me everything I want from a psychological thriller. The writing is top quality with brilliant storytelling. Obviously this is a book for adults but there were no sex scenes anywhere, making this suitable for women of a certain age!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.

[Mimi Chamelian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A summer holiday thriller - give me that any day and I inhale that. What a vibe. And I loved many things about the book. But unfortunately many things irked me as well.
The premise was great, the characters of the annoying neighbours were chef kiss. In fact, there was a scene where it was written so well, it gave a feeling of claustrophobia and a panic attack and it was fabulous. Like, I really felt it. It was infuriating but in a good way.
The writing was easy to follow, making it a good palate cleanser.
Now onto things that annoyed me. The initial conflict with Simon was not strong enough but maybe I didn’t fully understand it. He claimed that Poppy ruined his book. But how would that work? If she edits, it won’t be published before he sees it. And if he sees it and doesn’t publish it and he’s just angry at the edits and the style then why be mad about it on social media? It’s such a non issue. I just didn’t buy it.
Poppy was so annoying! I wanted to shake her every time she was like “oh maybe I got paranoid or misinterpreted it”. The level of gaslighting herself was insane.
Without spoiling it, the villain was so one dimensional. It did not add up why they were the way they were. There was a life moment provided to explain the change of their behaviour but why though? Why would that happen? Also the aftermath of the life moment that made them like that was just so lazy. Such a cop out.
It felt like all the secrets were being given away way too early. I was hoping for some massive bombshell to drop at the end to compensate for the lack of suspense but it never came. There was an opportunity for one but then it was explained as a coincidence. Ugh. Why. Lazy.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

[Georgia Debbie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tense, Creepy Slow-Burn That Keeps You Guessing – Solid 4 Stars!
As a massive fan of psychological thrillers, I am always on the hunt for a book that can genuinely make me feel unsettled. The House Swap absolutely delivered on the atmosphere.
What I Loved
The Setting: Kerri Beevis does a fantastic job of turning a sunny, idyllic villa in Crete into something deeply claustrophobic and menacing. The minute the main character is left alone, the tension ratchets up perfectly.
The Paranoia: I loved the subtle, unsettling details—the shifting items, the unlocked doors, and the downright creepy neighbors and handyman. It makes you question whether she is genuinely losing her mind from stress or if something incredibly sinister is playing out around her.
The Pacing: It’s a slow-burn initially, but it builds a fantastic sense of isolation and dread that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
My Only Gripes
The Setup: The sudden departure of the best friend, Keira, felt a little abrupt and left me wanting a bit more explanation or confrontation early on to make it completely believable.
The Middle: There were a few chapters in the middle where the plot looped slightly with the "is she imagining it or not" trope before the final sprint to the finish.
The Verdict
If you love a thriller that relies heavily on isolation, paranoia, and a setting that feels like a trap closing in, you will really enjoy this one. It’s an atmospheric, gripping read that kept me hooked until the very end.
My Rating: 4/5 stars. Highly recommended for thriller lovers!

[Danny Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent psychological thriller from this fantastic author. Set in the idyllic island of Crete out of the main season it is pulsating and well paced with each new chapter springing more upon the reader.
Poppy, an editor, has just been slaughtered on all her socials by an author who's book she has recently edited. Emails and socials were subsequently full of people berating her, so much so she needed to escape from it all so where better than Crete. An opportunity arises when a friend, Tom, who had a villa in Crete offered her the opportunity to stay at his villa as he had lots of spare space. Her best friend Keira decided to join her for what would be a cheap holiday. When Keira suddenly disappears in response to a family emergency things start going very wrong in the villa. Doors and gates get left unlocked despite Poppy locking them, things get moved and she has the unnerving feeling of being constantly watched. With it being out of season there are only a few people around including a creepy maintenance man, who comes highly recommended, a married couple from the UK who have made the island their home and a personable young man, Jem, who is tying up his late Fathers affairs. Whilst the couple and Jem befriend her, it gets to the stage when Poppy doesn't know who to trust.
As a reader you start to second guess things and decide, rightly or wrongly, who the perpetrator of Poppy's angst is but will still be very surprised at the final twist.
Another winner for Keri Beevis!

[The Chapter Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Poppy’s entire life implodes, she is in desperate need of a getaway. Her over-the-phone friend Tom invites her to spend some time with him at his villa in Crete, and she instantly accepts, because why wouldn’t you go to another country to stay in the home of someone you’ve never actually met?

But then Tom suddenly HAS to go to London because his friend is in the hospital, sooooo why don’t they just do a house swap instead? Absolutely a winning idea.

Poppy’s bestie, Keira, volunteers to go to Crete with her, just to be safe. But then Keira randomly disappears, leaving Poppy alone in an unsettling mansion with an odd handyman, weird neighbors, and a whole lot of unexplainable things happening.

While I thought the premise was great, the atmosphere wasn’t nearly immersive enough for me. This is the kind of setting that could have been SO creepy and claustrophobic, and I wanted to really feel that unease. I also figured out what was happening pretty much from the beginning - it was just super obvious.

I wanted more backstory, too. I wanted to know more about why the situation that imploded Poppy’s life happened in the first place, and I especially wanted more explanation for why the villain was the way he was. Give me the WHY behind the unhinged behavior!

Ultimately, this was a fine summer thriller with a fun premise, but definitely not a favorite for me.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

After considerable study Poppy has taken the leap and become a self-employed book editor, following her heart. She is passionate about her work and is pleased with her expanding client base until she is slated by one of her authors. He posts some unpleasant professional comments about her on social media which go viral and the subsequent comments from others in their field start to lead Poppy down a black hole.
Poppy needs to get away and agrees to a house swap with Tom, meaning that she is soon jetting off to Crete with her friend Keira. As Poppy begins to relax, strange things start to happen, but Poppy can’t decide if they are really happening or whether her burnout has made her paranoid and over-sensitive. Then Keira has to fly home for an emergency without any warning, leaving Poppy floundering further.
Without the reassurance of her friend, Poppy’s mind goes into a total spin until she is unsure of what’s reality and what isn’t, and is constantly doubting herself. With the end of her holiday looming Poppy can’t leave Crete soon enough, but will she make it to the departure lounge unscathed?
A totally gripping page-turner of a book. From the first page I thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest instalment from Keri, a go-to author whose books I readily pick up without reading the plot first. I have no hesitation in recommending this book – a very easy and enjoyable 5 stars.