What do you think?
The Nanny
Would you invite her into your home?
Amanda Fitzroy has everything she ever a successful husband, a beautiful home, and a precious young son. When the pressure of juggling work and motherhood becomes too much, hiring a nanny feels like the perfect solution. Katelyn is capable, attentive, and adored by Amanda’s little boy. Almost overnight, life becomes easier.
But then things start to go wrong…
At first it’s small changes – appliances are turned off. The coffee is in the wrong place. Her son doesn’t come back from the playground on time. But when her husband starts to act strangely around the nanny, Amanda realises her carefully controlled world is beginning to spin out of control…
Can she regain the household she adores? Or is the danger already inside her home?
A tense psychological thriller about secrets, obsession, manipulation, and how easily a family can be undone, The Nanny is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Rona Halsall and Valerie Keogh.
Amanda Fitzroy has everything she ever a successful husband, a beautiful home, and a precious young son. When the pressure of juggling work and motherhood becomes too much, hiring a nanny feels like the perfect solution. Katelyn is capable, attentive, and adored by Amanda’s little boy. Almost overnight, life becomes easier.
But then things start to go wrong…
At first it’s small changes – appliances are turned off. The coffee is in the wrong place. Her son doesn’t come back from the playground on time. But when her husband starts to act strangely around the nanny, Amanda realises her carefully controlled world is beginning to spin out of control…
Can she regain the household she adores? Or is the danger already inside her home?
A tense psychological thriller about secrets, obsession, manipulation, and how easily a family can be undone, The Nanny is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Rona Halsall and Valerie Keogh.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published June 23, 2026
About the author
Heather Burnside
32 books134 followersHeather 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 11, 2026
What despicable people. I didn’t like anyone but the baby. Lol.
July 16, 2026
I only finished like 25% and it was so cliche I couldn’t go another minute. Hot nanny that wife shouldn’t have hired. Dresses inappropriate and oversteps boundaries but keeps her on anyways. Husband of course has past relationships with her that’s a secret. Nanny has blackmail material. It was so typical that I couldn’t even read on to find out what the blackmail was because I just didn’t even care. It’s VERY rare I don’t
finish a book, and I read a lot And I don’t usually
Post reviews but I was so over it I had to say soenthing. I feel bad because I know someone worked hard on this but I just couldn’t do it
finish a book, and I read a lot And I don’t usually
Post reviews but I was so over it I had to say soenthing. I feel bad because I know someone worked hard on this but I just couldn’t do it
August 18, 2026
I liked this but it’s not good, it entertained me though. I appreciate that the bare bones writing wasn’t even trying to be good.
July 10, 2026
This was a total miss for me. I didn’t like the characters. I didn’t like the writing style of Burnside.
July 22, 2026
DNF at around 40% hoping it would get better.
Men are so stupid, Women are even more stupid, the horrible Nanny shagging my husband is stupid - and I think I'll write a book about it and get a Narrator to do a good job in portraying ordinary stupid people and my bad writing might make it to publication.
The book has indeed been published and narrated- that says a lot about the audience making it profitable. But Bravo for doing it, there clearly is an audience for this banal empty writing.
Free on Audible July 2026
Don't let that put you off - I've discovered some brilliant books on Free Audible Plus, but sadly, Amazon does use the free platform to foist all sorts of Authors that need a plug on us, using the 'free' marketing premise.
Some are absolute Gems, but most just fall by the wayside.
However it teaches us how difficult it is to even get published in the first place and gives new aspiring writers some hope.
Men are so stupid, Women are even more stupid, the horrible Nanny shagging my husband is stupid - and I think I'll write a book about it and get a Narrator to do a good job in portraying ordinary stupid people and my bad writing might make it to publication.
The book has indeed been published and narrated- that says a lot about the audience making it profitable. But Bravo for doing it, there clearly is an audience for this banal empty writing.
Free on Audible July 2026
Don't let that put you off - I've discovered some brilliant books on Free Audible Plus, but sadly, Amazon does use the free platform to foist all sorts of Authors that need a plug on us, using the 'free' marketing premise.
Some are absolute Gems, but most just fall by the wayside.
However it teaches us how difficult it is to even get published in the first place and gives new aspiring writers some hope.
July 18, 2026
I’ve just finished The Nanny by Heather Burnside, and I genuinely think it may be the worst book I’ve ever read.
At one point I started questioning myself. Is this how people actually converse? Have I spent my entire life speaking incorrectly? Has every other author been getting dialogue wrong, and Heather Burnside alone has cracked the code?
The conversations don’t resemble a single interaction I’ve ever witnessed between actual human beings. I reread multiple passages convinced I’d misunderstood something, only to discover… no, it really was written like that.
The characters seem to change personalities between chapters. Actually, scratch that—they change personalities between sentences. Every interaction feels like everyone has simultaneously forgotten who they were five minutes earlier.
And then there are the random details that leave you questioning your own existence. At one point someone is counting tampons. Counting. Tampons.
Have I been menstruating incorrectly for the last thirty years? Are we all supposed to be conducting monthly stocktakes? Do people open a fresh pack every time and keep a running inventory? I’ve never felt so baffled by sanitary products in my life.
I kept reading, partly because every few chapters a completely random literary word would appear, like it had wandered in from a Booker Prize novel by mistake, and partly because I became fascinated by just how much worse it could get. It stopped being reading and became an endurance event.
The whole experience has taught me one thing: I’ve clearly been parenting incorrectly. I tell my child he can achieve great things if he works hard. Apparently the correct message is simply, “You can be absolutely anything you want,” because somewhere out there someone wrote this, someone published it, thousands of people bought it… and, against all odds, I finished it.
It would also make an excellent hate-read if you’re ever looking to test the limits of your perseverance.
⭐☆☆☆☆ (and that’s only because Goodreads won’t let me award negative stars.)
At one point I started questioning myself. Is this how people actually converse? Have I spent my entire life speaking incorrectly? Has every other author been getting dialogue wrong, and Heather Burnside alone has cracked the code?
The conversations don’t resemble a single interaction I’ve ever witnessed between actual human beings. I reread multiple passages convinced I’d misunderstood something, only to discover… no, it really was written like that.
The characters seem to change personalities between chapters. Actually, scratch that—they change personalities between sentences. Every interaction feels like everyone has simultaneously forgotten who they were five minutes earlier.
And then there are the random details that leave you questioning your own existence. At one point someone is counting tampons. Counting. Tampons.
Have I been menstruating incorrectly for the last thirty years? Are we all supposed to be conducting monthly stocktakes? Do people open a fresh pack every time and keep a running inventory? I’ve never felt so baffled by sanitary products in my life.
I kept reading, partly because every few chapters a completely random literary word would appear, like it had wandered in from a Booker Prize novel by mistake, and partly because I became fascinated by just how much worse it could get. It stopped being reading and became an endurance event.
The whole experience has taught me one thing: I’ve clearly been parenting incorrectly. I tell my child he can achieve great things if he works hard. Apparently the correct message is simply, “You can be absolutely anything you want,” because somewhere out there someone wrote this, someone published it, thousands of people bought it… and, against all odds, I finished it.
It would also make an excellent hate-read if you’re ever looking to test the limits of your perseverance.
⭐☆☆☆☆ (and that’s only because Goodreads won’t let me award negative stars.)
August 6, 2026
Giving 2 stars for the narration and setting, Other than that didnt like it. For a book like this to work you have to be at least a little bit invested in the charachters, found them to all be shallow and not very nice apart from the baby, so wasnt bothered about what happened. Stuck it out to see what the ending was.
July 6, 2026
Queer rep: na
First half was a boring story, the second half was more interesting. I just don’t think it was well written. I feel like the story has a lot of potential and could be way better if it were written differently.
First half was a boring story, the second half was more interesting. I just don’t think it was well written. I feel like the story has a lot of potential and could be way better if it were written differently.
July 2, 2026
The Nanny by Manchester-based bestseller author Heather Burnside starts very slowly, introducing the reader to such a homely ambiance that I´ve asked myself few times when the crime is about to lure. Or the psychological suspense. Alex and Amanda are a young family, with a young son that just hired a nanny to take over some of the daily chores.
Few pages later, there is a crime promise luring. Because the nanny, Katelyn, is there for a mission, as she has a past with Alex. A very tormented one, in fact. As she is making her way in the family´s life, her obsession with Alex is taking unexpected turns.
The background stories of the characters, as revealed by the author are interesting and their flaws made them human and relatable. (Although, I would really love to never deal with someone like Katelyn, to be honest.)
What is shocking and twists the dynamics between characters is the simplistic and toxic idea Katelyn has on love and relationships. Alex is a very antipathic character: weak, dishonest, unable to control his reactions and to restrain Katelyn.
Both Alex and Amanda, although at different extents, are hiding their own secrets and blurry past and this web of lies they are entangled to is clearly affecting their relationship. It would have been so easy to just be honest with each other... For the reader, those revelations and twists are keeping the interest high for the next possible evolutions. The relationship between Alex and Amanda looks so empty at times and it´s really hard to figure out what really brought and is keeping them together.
The episodes regarding domestic violence against women are strong enough to make us aware of the gravity yet everyday normality of such topics.
As for the ending, it was really worth waiting for it.
A recommended thoughtful read for psychological crime lovers.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Few pages later, there is a crime promise luring. Because the nanny, Katelyn, is there for a mission, as she has a past with Alex. A very tormented one, in fact. As she is making her way in the family´s life, her obsession with Alex is taking unexpected turns.
The background stories of the characters, as revealed by the author are interesting and their flaws made them human and relatable. (Although, I would really love to never deal with someone like Katelyn, to be honest.)
What is shocking and twists the dynamics between characters is the simplistic and toxic idea Katelyn has on love and relationships. Alex is a very antipathic character: weak, dishonest, unable to control his reactions and to restrain Katelyn.
Both Alex and Amanda, although at different extents, are hiding their own secrets and blurry past and this web of lies they are entangled to is clearly affecting their relationship. It would have been so easy to just be honest with each other... For the reader, those revelations and twists are keeping the interest high for the next possible evolutions. The relationship between Alex and Amanda looks so empty at times and it´s really hard to figure out what really brought and is keeping them together.
The episodes regarding domestic violence against women are strong enough to make us aware of the gravity yet everyday normality of such topics.
As for the ending, it was really worth waiting for it.
A recommended thoughtful read for psychological crime lovers.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
August 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
I did enjoy this one! It was an easy read that kept me interested and I always wanted to pick it back up and carry on reading. I became quite invested in what was happening and definitely had some strong feelings about certain people and their choices along the way 🤣
There were characters I really liked and felt for, and then there were others who drove me absolutely insane! I spent a lot of the book questioning people's decisions and wanting to shake them, which definitely kept me entertained.
My biggest frustration was the lack of communication. There were SO many times I was thinking JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!! 🤣 But then again, if everyone in books communicated properly we'd probably lose about 90% of our stories, so I'll allow it 🤣
I liked the way things gradually started coming together as the story went on, although I did find quite a few parts fairly predictable and worked some things out a few chapters before they were revealed. I don't necessarily mind guessing things, but it meant some of the bigger moments didn't have quite as much impact as they could have.
I also felt like the story was a little slow in places and could have had a bit more depth. There were some things that I would have loved to see explored further, while other pretty big things seemed to be accepted or moved past surprisingly quickly.
I did enjoy the direction it eventually took towards the end and seeing everything fall into place. I just wish there had been a little more happening throughout to give it that extra something.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it and I'm glad I did. It kept me interested, made me frustrated, made me suspicious and definitely gave me people to have a good rant about 🤣 It just lacked a little lustre for me and didn't quite have enough to push it beyond 3 stars.
I did enjoy this one! It was an easy read that kept me interested and I always wanted to pick it back up and carry on reading. I became quite invested in what was happening and definitely had some strong feelings about certain people and their choices along the way 🤣
There were characters I really liked and felt for, and then there were others who drove me absolutely insane! I spent a lot of the book questioning people's decisions and wanting to shake them, which definitely kept me entertained.
My biggest frustration was the lack of communication. There were SO many times I was thinking JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!! 🤣 But then again, if everyone in books communicated properly we'd probably lose about 90% of our stories, so I'll allow it 🤣
I liked the way things gradually started coming together as the story went on, although I did find quite a few parts fairly predictable and worked some things out a few chapters before they were revealed. I don't necessarily mind guessing things, but it meant some of the bigger moments didn't have quite as much impact as they could have.
I also felt like the story was a little slow in places and could have had a bit more depth. There were some things that I would have loved to see explored further, while other pretty big things seemed to be accepted or moved past surprisingly quickly.
I did enjoy the direction it eventually took towards the end and seeing everything fall into place. I just wish there had been a little more happening throughout to give it that extra something.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it and I'm glad I did. It kept me interested, made me frustrated, made me suspicious and definitely gave me people to have a good rant about 🤣 It just lacked a little lustre for me and didn't quite have enough to push it beyond 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Nanny immediately reminded me of The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, which is what drew me in at first. Both books have that unsettling feeling of someone stepping into a household where things are not quite what they seem. However, as the story unfolded, it developed in a very different direction and became its own gripping and distinctive read.
I was hooked from the opening chapters and found it difficult to put down. Heather Burnside does a brilliant job of creating tension without relying on constant shocks. Instead, there is a steady sense that something is lurking beneath the surface, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
The characters felt believable, with strengths and flaws that made them seem like real people rather than stereotypes. I particularly enjoyed how the relationships evolved throughout the story, revealing new layers and motivations as more of the truth came to light.
What stood out most for me was the atmosphere. There is a feeling of unease running through the book that never quite lets up, and it made for a genuinely engaging reading experience. Just when I thought I had worked everything out, the story managed to surprise me. Ending full of twists. Full marks.
I was hooked from the opening chapters and found it difficult to put down. Heather Burnside does a brilliant job of creating tension without relying on constant shocks. Instead, there is a steady sense that something is lurking beneath the surface, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
The characters felt believable, with strengths and flaws that made them seem like real people rather than stereotypes. I particularly enjoyed how the relationships evolved throughout the story, revealing new layers and motivations as more of the truth came to light.
What stood out most for me was the atmosphere. There is a feeling of unease running through the book that never quite lets up, and it made for a genuinely engaging reading experience. Just when I thought I had worked everything out, the story managed to surprise me. Ending full of twists. Full marks.
July 23, 2026
This was a solid, middle-of-the-road thriller for me. It kept me engaged the entire time, and I always wanted to know what happened next, but I never found myself emotionally invested in the characters. Most of them were frustrating at best.
The twists were entertaining, but by the last quarter of the book I’d already pieced together the ending, so the big reveal wasn’t much of a surprise.
And can we talk about the husband? I spent the whole book hoping he’d prove to be more than the stereotypical cheating spouse. I kept waiting for the author to zig instead of zag, but he ended up being exactly who I expected him to be. It wasn’t shocking—it was just disappointing.
Even so, the story held my attention from beginning to end. It wasn’t groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it was an entertaining, fast-paced read that made for a good palate cleanser between heavier books. If you enjoy domestic thrillers and don’t mind a few predictable moments, it’s still worth picking up.
The twists were entertaining, but by the last quarter of the book I’d already pieced together the ending, so the big reveal wasn’t much of a surprise.
And can we talk about the husband? I spent the whole book hoping he’d prove to be more than the stereotypical cheating spouse. I kept waiting for the author to zig instead of zag, but he ended up being exactly who I expected him to be. It wasn’t shocking—it was just disappointing.
Even so, the story held my attention from beginning to end. It wasn’t groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it was an entertaining, fast-paced read that made for a good palate cleanser between heavier books. If you enjoy domestic thrillers and don’t mind a few predictable moments, it’s still worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amanda is a busy mum juggling family life and a full time job and thinks all her dreams have been answered when she hires a new nanny. To start with things are perfect she finally has a more balanced life with her work and family and everyone seems to be happy, but when things start to be moved around or changed she starts to question is the new nanny really helping her and why does her husband keep giving her funny looks. As things seem to take a strange turn she starts to question who has she let into her house but is it too late to ask her to leave. This is a great read with a twist I did not see coming! Don’t miss this one!
July 9, 2026
The Nanny is not who she says she is. And the Husband knows. Amanda thinks she found the nanny at random but the nanny had already been doing research about her family prior to being hired. She's something sneaky, maybe she has an ulterior motive. But she's working for Amanda and things are going great. Until they aren't. Things slowly start happening including an allergic reaction for her son when there's not any nuts in the house. Amanda definitely starts to question things, but she doesn't want to believe it's the Nanny because things have been so good since they hired her. Nice little suspense story.
Read
June 7, 2026🌸 ARC REVIEW 🌸
Reading The Nanny had me suspicious of absolutely everyone!
Heather Burnside delivers a gripping mix of suspense, secrets, and unexpected revelations, keeping the tension simmering throughout. Her writing style is engaging and atmospheric, steadily building intrigue with every chapter.
Every time I was convinced I had figured it all out, I was proven wrong in the most clever and satisfying way.
A twisty, addictive read that kept me guessing right until the end - my amateur detective
skills never stood a chance!
Reading The Nanny had me suspicious of absolutely everyone!
Heather Burnside delivers a gripping mix of suspense, secrets, and unexpected revelations, keeping the tension simmering throughout. Her writing style is engaging and atmospheric, steadily building intrigue with every chapter.
Every time I was convinced I had figured it all out, I was proven wrong in the most clever and satisfying way.
A twisty, addictive read that kept me guessing right until the end - my amateur detective
skills never stood a chance!
July 16, 2026
This book started off seeming predictable and then it got interesting! Definitely reminded me of Freida McFadden’s “The Housemaid,” except told from the pov of the wife this time. Definitely some good twists and turns!
The one aspect I think could’ve been better was Alex’s character development. It seemed too good to be true that he had such a violent past and was so violent with Katelyn, yet acted like a perfect gentleman with Amanda & Bradley. The storyline with Amanda and Daniel also seemed too convenient. However, really enjoyed this one!
The one aspect I think could’ve been better was Alex’s character development. It seemed too good to be true that he had such a violent past and was so violent with Katelyn, yet acted like a perfect gentleman with Amanda & Bradley. The storyline with Amanda and Daniel also seemed too convenient. However, really enjoyed this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fans of Freida McFadden will absolutely eat this thriller up! This was a fast paced, atmospheric page turner packed with suspense and plenty of moments that had me side eyeing every character. The tension builds so well and the cast will leave you constantly questioning who can actually be trusted. If you love psychological thrillers full of secrets, obsession, and manipulation, add this one to your TBR immediately!
June 23, 2026
You employ a nanny to make your life easier, don’t you? That’s exactly what Gemma did. I couldn’t get enough of Gemma and Katelyn’s journey and then there was poor little Bradley, the kid at the centre of it all. Boy did I have some tension going on when it came to him. Then KAPOW - the twists and turns sent me giddy. I raced through the second half, desperate to know what the hell was playing out in front of me, and that ending… superb!
June 23, 2026
Wow what a read a totally different sort of book to be written by this author but wow she absolutely smashed it I loved every minute of this book I finished it in one day was such a good well written book where the story kept flowing with lots of twists I couldn’t put it down 10/10 I would definitely recommend.
July 27, 2026
From the very first chapter, I was completely invested. The twists and turns kept me guessing right up until the end, and I honestly did not see the ending coming! I was shocked, but it also made me wonder—would I do the same thing to save my family? I think I would.
A fabulous book that kept me hooked from beginning to end!
A fabulous book that kept me hooked from beginning to end!
August 15, 2026
A good solid page turner but absolutely pointless storyline. Everyone in the book is abhorrent and absolutely ridiculous. The main character Amanda is incredibly hypocritical and self absorbed along with most of the other characters. I did read the whole book but was left thinking what was the actual point of this.
September 11, 2026
When I started reading I thought right away it’s pretty cliche and it was obvious the moment they mentioned peanut allergy that there would be an incident that involved peanuts, but I humoured myself anyway and of course that happened. But I assure you if you read on this storyline evolves and it had twists that I didn’t expect .
September 19, 2026
4.2⭐ — I finished it, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The adults were honestly the worst part of the story and made so many frustrating choices that I had a hard time caring what happened to them. The book never fully connected with me, and the payoff wasn’t strong enough to make up for that. Not terrible, just not one I’d tell someone else to pick up. 📚😮💨
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July 29, 2026I know there can be no book without conflict, but honestly, these stories make me feel like I'm an insane outlier for having any direct and transparent conversation with anyone. ever. Why are books with insufferably passive FMCs so popular?
July 30, 2026
3 Stars
People compare this one to The Housemaid but I’d say it’s more like the Primark version. 😂 It’s not the best thriller I’ve read, but honestly, it was better than some of the reviews I read and it was free!
People compare this one to The Housemaid but I’d say it’s more like the Primark version. 😂 It’s not the best thriller I’ve read, but honestly, it was better than some of the reviews I read and it was free!
September 2, 2026
This was a satisfying story in some ways. The problem is that it’s a little too satisfying. I wanted a bit more grit. I kept waiting for the antagonist to really cut loose but she was mostly just annoying. The ending came rather abruptly. I expected another twist.
July 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ The ending was worth it
July 8, 2026
Easy listen on Audible. 3.5 stars
July 12, 2026
An easy read, held my attention throughout. A little slow at some points but picked up near the end. It was slightly predictable but ended up fairly twisted. Entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews