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The Nanny: An addictive psychological thriller with a stunning twist set in Manchester

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306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

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About the author

Heather Burnside

32 books134 followers
Heather Burnside is a Manchester based author whose novels are set in her home city. She has published fifteen gritty urban crime novels to date most of which have become Amazon Category Bestsellers.

More recently Heather has written two psychological thrillers, which will be published in 2026. She is currently working on her third psychological thriller.

Before writing novels, Heather completed a creative writing course. During that time, she had various articles published in well-known UK magazines and went on to run a writing services business.

Her novels include: The Riverhill Trilogy, The Manchester Trilogy, The Working Girls Series of five novels, and four standalone novels.

You can find out more about Heather’s books by signing up to her mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/CP6YP to receive regular updates, or by viewing her website: www.heatherburnside.com.



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5 stars
108 (48%)
4 stars
72 (32%)
3 stars
26 (11%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
1 star
9 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for EatSleepReadRepeat.
119 reviews
May 29, 2026
Reviewing an advanced unedited copy courtesy of Pellerin Books. Sadly I found this book quite disappointing. The opening was horrible. Like I was being spoon fed the husband and son’s names rather than it being naturally alluded to through the phone call that follows.

The first sentence of the first chapter again feels like spoon feeding too much information in that one sentence. It doesn’t really even matter what his company does, as that doesn’t ever come up again. There was also so much repetition of the word obsequious, it felt lazy to keep using the same word.

I feel like the dynamic between husband and wife was off anyway to employ someone to be in your own home without properly discussing it together just seems so unlikely. Therefore I didn’t feel any camaraderie with Amanda, she definitely wasn’t blindsided by what was going on. She gathered it all very quickly.

It was also very clear very early on what the major twists were going to be, I just felt a bit cheated by it really because I didn’t get the surprise/shock factor when it was plain to see from so early on.
Profile Image for deborah fanning.
100 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Favorite character Amanda at first I thought she was a wet lettuce but loved how she grew in strength and guile as the book developed! I never like to put spoilers in but after this I don’t think I would ever employ a nanny 🤣
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
3,281 reviews149 followers
July 11, 2026
This is my first read by this author but I loved the front cover and even more so, I love a good psychological thriller, especially when the enemy is already within your own home.

I was instantly hooked and drawn into this storyline and I absolutely loved that this was set in Manchester.
Although I've lived elsewhere for more years than not now, I grew up in Manchester and will forever think of myself as a true Manc - this setting mad eme feel right at home and I couldn't wait to see if I'd recognise any of the places visited.

The writing style was perfect for this genre and I felt on edge from the moment we meet Katelyn. I think from the beginning she came across well, but I just knew what was lying ahead of us.

I can't say that I really loved any of the characters, but I'm almost certain that this is intentional and allowed us to stay detached enough as the story unfolds.
Although having said that, I absolutely felt for Amanda at times.
Imagine being in your own home and feeling like you're going mad.

The dual pov between Amanda and Katelyn allowed us to really delve around in both their minds and seeing events from both sides added new layers to the story and kept me guessing.

I kept coming up with theories but then something new would come to light and leave me reeling over all the twists.

This was a great fast paced read that had me racing through the pages, desperate to find out how things would end.
Profile Image for Joanna.
458 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2026
I received this as an unedited ARC from Pellerin Books in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first read by this author, and while I found the premise intriguing and the story easy to read, it ultimately fell somewhere in the middle for me.

The novel follows Amanda Fitzroy, who appears to have the perfect life: a successful husband, a beautiful home, and a young son she adores. Struggling to balance the demands of work and motherhood, Amanda hires a nanny, Katelyn, who initially seems like the ideal solution. She’s attentive, capable, and quickly becomes beloved by Amanda’s son. However, it isn’t long before small but unsettling incidents begin to occur, leaving Amanda questioning what is really happening within her own home.

One of the strengths of the book is the steadily building sense of unease. The early signs that something isn’t quite right are subtle but effective, creating an atmosphere of tension and suspicion. I found myself wanting to know whether Amanda’s concerns were justified or if she was simply overwhelmed by the pressures of family life. The domestic setting worked well, highlighting how vulnerable people can feel when their private space and family relationships come under threat.
The themes of obsession, manipulation, trust, and control are explored throughout the story, and I appreciated how the author showed the cracks forming in what initially appears to be a perfect family life. Amanda was a sympathetic protagonist, and it was easy to understand her growing anxiety as events escalated, though I d struggle to fully relate to her.

That said, I struggled with some aspects of the plot together with the repetitive language used in places. While the story held my attention, parts felt predictable, and I found myself guessing several developments well before they were revealed. Some characters also lacked depth, making it difficult to fully invest in their motivations or relationships. The pacing was a little uneven at times, with certain sections feeling repetitive before the action picked up again toward the end.

The ending provided a satisfying enough conclusion, but it didn’t quite deliver the level of shock or emotional impact I hope for from a domestic thriller. While there were certainly tense moments, I never felt completely gripped by the story.

Overall, The Nanny is an enjoyable and accessible domestic thriller with a compelling premise and plenty of family drama. Although it didn’t completely wow me, it was an entertaining read and a decent introduction to Heather Burnside’s work. I would be open to trying another of her books in the future.
34 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2026
Title: The Nanny
Author: Heather Burnside
Genre: Domestic Thriller 
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Rating: 4

This E-ARC was provided via Pellerin Books to provide a review.

 We are introduced to Alex & Amanda, a young, successful married couple who seem to have it all. Amanda is returning to work after giving birth to their lovely son Bradley, and she is a bit uptight and anxious about it all. So Alex suggests she enlist a nanny. Still a bit trepidatious about it, Amanda starts interviewing candidates and decides on Katelyn; Katelyn has all the qualities Amanda is looking for - experience, availability and Bradley has taken a liking to Katelyn from the start.  A perfect fit right? Katelyn provides the much needed help that Amanda needs but as time goes on, Amanda begins to feel uncomfortable around her; Katelyn has a bit of an "eye" for Alex and little strange occurrences begin to happen around the house and with Bradley. With each passing day, new things occur which make Amanda more and more suspicious of Katelyn and when discussed with Alex, he seems to not notice.  Now Amanda now begins to wonder "Is it me?" as Alex keeps saying or is Katelyn out to get her?

The Nanny is a fast-paced novel where you think you know what direction it's going in but then the plot redirects and you're left with your mouth in that proverbial "O" shape. A novel filled with lies, deceit and secrets that you can't figure out until the end. 

Thank you Pellerin Books for providing this E-ARC to review as I truly enjoyed reading it. 
Profile Image for whatmrsdobbsreads.
87 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 8, 2026
This one had me hooked from the moment Manchester was mentioned – being a Manchester girl myself, I instantly felt right at home in the setting.
But wow... I did NOT see that coming!
Page after page I found myself saying, "What?!" as twist after twist unfolded. This is exactly the kind of psychological thriller I love – the sort that grabs hold from the very first chapter and refuses to let go.
It really makes you question how well you can ever truly know someone, especially when you're welcoming them into your home and trusting them with the people you love most.
The tension builds perfectly, the suspense is relentless, and just when you think you've figured it out, Heather Burnside pulls the rug right out from under you.
If you're a fan of Freida McFadden's addictive, edge-of-your-seat style of storytelling, then you absolutely need to add this one to your TBR.
A completely gripping read that kept me turning pages late into the night!
#TheNanny #HeatherBurnside #BookReview #Bookstagram #BookTok
Profile Image for Mark.
1,835 reviews
June 23, 2026
Having been a big fan of the authors previous 15 Gangland drama books I wondered how the switch to psychological thriller would be?….it’s quite a change in direction so was keen to read this book

And am glad I did as enjoyed it,while its fair to say the theme has been done many times before it depends very much on the writing and the story as to whether it holds up in the genre now,and it did,the writing was as good as previous books by the author but obvs with a different ‘feel’ and the switch felt seemless,a well crafted story,characters to love and characters to love to hate and also back stories that all came together and were quite shocking when revealed

There was also the unbothered Mum who was more interested in her true crime dramas than her own family and their drama and couldn’t help but like her 😃

The ending was although abrupt and over before it began was again quite a shock and well done

Really pleased this was a good read and the author has chosen well in her new genre

A warning though….be prepared to despise The Nanny and her conniving ways!
Profile Image for andshe.reads.
794 reviews17 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 21, 2026
The Nanny follows Amanda, a working mum who hires a nanny to help balance family life. She thinks things are going well until she begins to notice Katelyn undermining her. Her suspicion mounts up & her confidence in her decision wavers, Amanda is determined to discover the truth. 

Burnside cleverly creates a sense of unease that crept up on me, the tension builds gradually from the outset via the small incidents that made me curious about what was happening. The psychological aspect of the story comes across realistic aided by the family setting. 

The main themes that Burnside covers are, manipulation, trust, family life, & of course obsession. To be fair it reminded me of books by Freida McFadden so if you're a fan of her books you'll definitely enjoy this. 

Thank you to Randomthingstours Pellerin Books & Heather Burnside for a digital copy of the book. 
Profile Image for Gemma Rogers.
Author 21 books637 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 14, 2026
An exciting new voice in the Domestic Thriller genre is here.

Heather creates a claustrophobic atmosphere in this tense thriller where you might think the story will be straight forward. You'll soon learn it's anything but.

Parents Alex and Amanda seek a nanny to help take care of their son Bradley. Alex comes home one day to find Amanda has employed Katlynn who at first seems a perfect fit. Little does Amanda know that she has employed a woman from Alex's past, one who is hell bent on rekindling their romance from years ago. He's the one that got away and she's not going to let it happen again.
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,811 reviews55 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 12, 2026
Would you let into your home?
Katelyn is the nanny, and adored by the Fitzroys son Bradley from the moment she arrived.
Amanda and Alex Fitzroy had it all successful jobs a nice home and a beautiful marriage.
But suddenly everything is falling apart.
Finding Katelyn a very dangerous woman with a history.
A tense psychological thriller with so so many twists and lies that you are unabled to put down.
Shocking chapters to give you goosebumps.
Totally enjoyed every bit of this book to the very end Wow!!!
Profile Image for Nikki.
57 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 2, 2026
What do you expect when you hire a young, hot nanny? Throw in every likely cliche you can think of with a doo-doo husband and you got The Nanny

Amanda is unpleasant and judgmental, casting condescending comments towards everyone around her including her coworker, husband and even her grieving, widowed mom

The only plot line that kept me reading was the mention of a deep dark secret held by the husband but even that was a disappointment

Every character is unlikeable and every attempt at building anticipation was cringe.
Profile Image for Zelda FeatzReviews.
851 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 29, 2026
Thank you to Random Thing Tours for the invitation to participate in this blog tour.
I was excited about this book, and it did not disappoint. This was a gripping thriller that explores how easy it can be to allow the wrong person into your home and around your children; while also raising questions about how well we truly know the people closest to us.
Although I am new to this author, I was quickly drawn into the story and invested in the characters. The author paints a picture of the perfect family, encouraging readers to bond with them, before gradually sowing seeds of doubt. There were a few slower moments, but overall, the pacing was strong and kept me turning the pages.
Amanda hires a nanny who appears to be perfect, but before long things start to go wrong. At the same time, her husband, Alex, begins acting strangely around Katelyn. As events unfold, Amanda uncovers secrets she never expected to find.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was how difficult it was to determine where Alex's loyalties truly lay. Every time I thought I had made up my mind about him, something happened that left me questioning my assumptions all over again.
Amanda was a strong protagonist. Alex and Katelyn repeatedly tried to make her seem unreasonable and overly critical, yet I suspect most mothers would sympathise with her concerns. I particularly enjoyed seeing her prove to be far stronger than she initially appeared. When the final truth was revealed, it genuinely surprised me. I certainly did not predict that ending.
I read this book in a single day, which says a great deal about how much I enjoyed it. However, while I am struggling to identify a specific criticism, there did seem to be something missing that prevented it from becoming a five-star read for me. Perhaps Amanda was a little too forgiving at times, or maybe she was slightly too passive to feel completely realistic. It could simply be a matter of personal preference, but I know I would have been much more vocal about some of the early warning signs.
Overall, this was an enjoyable thriller, and fans of family-centred suspense novels will find plenty to love here. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
https://featzreviews.com/review-the-n...
Profile Image for Stephy.
34 reviews
June 2, 2026
Thankyou to Pellerin Books for the ARC copy.

I read this book in 3 days, a real page turner. The characters were very believable and I loved how the wife moved from irritating me with her naivety to being so harmed by the emotional abuse that she retaliated in the most unexpected plot twist.
It shows you how hurt and abuse can make people stronger and find a way through to the other side once they realise they have a right to be happy.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Leona.
1,658 reviews
June 24, 2026
The Nanny is a page turning and at times heart stopping domestic thriller. Right from the start I was absorbed into the story and I was hooked until the final chapter. This is most definitely a page turner and one of my favourite genres. The characters are all well developed and one in particular I wanted to give s good shake to at times . A book with plenty of twists and turns and with an ending that rendered me speechless for a second or two this was such a good read.
Profile Image for Hayley_book_corner.
77 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 28, 2026
Thank you Pellerin Books and Heather Burnside for allowing me to read the ARC of The Nanny.

Oh My God! I have never been so exhausted by reading a book,
I've even been shouting at my iPad it's that good. I read it all in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.

This has to be on Psychological Thriller fans TBR!

Release date is 23rd June, definitely don't miss it!
Profile Image for Leanne.
2,420 reviews56 followers
Review of advance copy
June 6, 2026
Amanda and Alex hire a nanny to help look after their son. But what Amanda doesn't know is that she is someone from Alex's past and she is not there by accident. I love the suspense as the conclusion builds. It kept me glued and eager. This is definitely a thriller that is worth reading and the further I got in the book the more invested I became.
12 reviews
August 9, 2026
A rollercoaster read

Wow! Right from the very first chapter this book hooks you in! A brilliant rollercoaster read. A definite page turner that I couldn't put down. Excellent book and highly recommended.
3 reviews
June 28, 2026
Is it enjoyable for the most part…. Yes
Is the protagonist an idiot who falls for the weakest attempt at manipulation and blackmail…. Also yes
Profile Image for Landa.
330 reviews38 followers
July 2, 2026
😬😬😬😬😬
65 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2026
Brilliant

Is there a continuing book? Need to carry on the story please. It's left me wandering for the next chapter
Profile Image for Khurshid Ali.
925 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2026

After reading this book it is hard to believe that this book is Heather Burnside’s debut psychological thriller.

I loved the flow in this story allowing characters to develop. Meet Amanda and Katelyn. The only thing they have in common is Amanda’s husband.

The torture began slowly, just enough to cause fear.

Blackmail and vengeance are key

Be warned

Trust no one
Profile Image for Kelsiesinkandpages.
50 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 28, 2026
A fantastic psychological thriller!

I became deeply invested in Amanda and Katelyn’s story right from the very first page. This book has an unputdownable pace, the constant twist and turns keep you hooked and eager to read just one more chapter. The momentum leaves you in high suspense and desperate to find out what happens next. A must read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers!
Profile Image for Michelle.
405 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 23, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced readers copy of this title.
This is the first physcological thriller by this author, it was BRILLIANT ! Many, many twists and turns, it had me on the edge of my seat.
When Amanda hires a nanny Katelyn, she makes herself indispensable. Something however is not right? Items are being moved around the home, causing amanda to confront katelyn and instead of Amanda's husband Alex supporting her, he always is on the side of the Nanny. What is going on? Did they know each other before? According to Alex apparently not.
Katelyn has an ulterior motive, but what? Will Alex give in? Only thing is Alex is also hiding a dark secret of his own ? Will Amanda find out the truth? There were alot of (i didn't see that coming moments)
BRILLIANT READ !!
Profile Image for Tracy ann  Robinson.
1,235 reviews26 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. Amanda is married to Alex, and they have a young son. Wanting to return to work, Amanda decides to hire a nanny for Bradley. She interviews Katelyn, likes her immediately, and so does her son. When Alex meets Katelyn, he tries to discourage Amanda, but she insists on hiring her. As the story unfolds, it becomes an addictive and gripping read, full of trust issues and suspense—totally recommend.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews