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The Landlady
My new home, Rose Cottage, is perfect. The landlady has just one rule: no men. What happens if I break it?
It seemed perfect for me and my five-year-old daughter, Lily — a pretty little cottage on a quiet country farm. Our landlady, Mrs Skinner, greets us with a bone-crushing hug. She seems nice, motherly even. She brings homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese.
Then came the rule. No male visitors.
I told myself it didn’t matter. We needed somewhere safe. Anywhere was better than the women’s refuge.
But soon there are red flags. Mrs Skinner’s son watches me a little too closely. My lipstick disappears. Lily wakes screaming that there’s a stranger in her room.
And when I ask about the last tenant — the one who vanished, leaving all her furniture behind — Mrs Skinner just smiles, and says she only wants to protect us.
But what happens when I break her rules?
It seemed perfect for me and my five-year-old daughter, Lily — a pretty little cottage on a quiet country farm. Our landlady, Mrs Skinner, greets us with a bone-crushing hug. She seems nice, motherly even. She brings homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese.
Then came the rule. No male visitors.
I told myself it didn’t matter. We needed somewhere safe. Anywhere was better than the women’s refuge.
But soon there are red flags. Mrs Skinner’s son watches me a little too closely. My lipstick disappears. Lily wakes screaming that there’s a stranger in her room.
And when I ask about the last tenant — the one who vanished, leaving all her furniture behind — Mrs Skinner just smiles, and says she only wants to protect us.
But what happens when I break her rules?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2026
About the author
Jane E. James
20 books319 followersInternational best selling author, Jane E James creates chilling reads that appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, mysteries and dark fiction. Jane loves to weave tense and haunting tales that stay in the reader's mind. All her books are standalone novels.
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
June 11, 2026
Mother, father, sister, brother!!!! 3.5 ⭐️’s I am so enraged right now it’s not even funny!!! Well, actually it is 😂 Unbelievable! This was a damn good story until it wasn’t! The ending was so uncool and not fair to the reader lol! I’m for real, it’s like the author just said F it “The End’
I’m not going to recommend this one, but I will say this. It was a good story and there are some colorful wild characters that will have you shaking your head. This is a thriller heavy on the radical religious and mental health side of things. But nonetheless entertaining and for that I say…thank you.
I’m not going to recommend this one, but I will say this. It was a good story and there are some colorful wild characters that will have you shaking your head. This is a thriller heavy on the radical religious and mental health side of things. But nonetheless entertaining and for that I say…thank you.
March 29, 2026
The Landlady is a thriller that definitely keeps you tense and, at times, cringing. The premise itself is intriguing — a devout 70‑year‑old Christian landlady and a single mum with a purple pixie cut as her tenant. You can already imagine the chaos, the friction, and the messy love‑hate dynamic that follows. There were also a few side characters who added some fun and colour to the reading experience.
But while the story had potential, I found myself pulled out of the narrative by several discrepancies, especially around Christianity, ADHD, and unclear mental health condition/s. The attempt to include these themes was noticeable, but the execution felt tactless and not well‑researched. Some portrayals came across as insensitive, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy the story.
What I Enjoyed:
• Alternating first‑person POV
• Fast pacing
• Characters that were intriguing enough to keep me reading
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• Surface‑level and sometimes insensitive depictions of Christianity
• Unclear and inaccurate portrayal of mental health
• A premise that could have been stronger with better research and execution
Overall Thoughts:
It’s a decent weekend read if you’re simply trying to hit your reading goals or want something quick with a landlady‑tenant tension and a light thriller twist. I did enjoy parts of it, but I wouldn’t say I’m fully satisfied. The story had promise, but the handling of certain themes held it back for me. A solid premise, but ultimately a 2‑star read for me.
~JaNnA~
But while the story had potential, I found myself pulled out of the narrative by several discrepancies, especially around Christianity, ADHD, and unclear mental health condition/s. The attempt to include these themes was noticeable, but the execution felt tactless and not well‑researched. Some portrayals came across as insensitive, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy the story.
What I Enjoyed:
• Alternating first‑person POV
• Fast pacing
• Characters that were intriguing enough to keep me reading
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• Surface‑level and sometimes insensitive depictions of Christianity
• Unclear and inaccurate portrayal of mental health
• A premise that could have been stronger with better research and execution
Overall Thoughts:
It’s a decent weekend read if you’re simply trying to hit your reading goals or want something quick with a landlady‑tenant tension and a light thriller twist. I did enjoy parts of it, but I wouldn’t say I’m fully satisfied. The story had promise, but the handling of certain themes held it back for me. A solid premise, but ultimately a 2‑star read for me.
~JaNnA~
May 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC (Advance Readers Copy) of The Landlady by Jane E James. This book certainly had a creepy vibe. It is a bit twisted but the pace is good. It is a decent read but I am not sure I would categorize it as a thriller. There was some tension present and with the creepiness of it, I guess that's where it becomes a thriller. This is my second book by this author. It was well written and the author knows how to keep a reader captivated. Go ahead and give this sinister book a try. The suspense will keep you reading. A 4 star rating from me. #JoffeBooks #JaneEJames
May 12, 2026
after a terrible reading
slump only a good british
domestic dark story could
save, entertain and finally
shock me to my core. ♡
slump only a good british
domestic dark story could
save, entertain and finally
shock me to my core. ♡
May 10, 2026
This was so bad. Paper thin characters whose motivations made no sense. None of it made sense. It had all the ingredients to be good: creepy neighbours in a remote location, cultish religion, characters keeping secrets or having interesting backgrounds. But it all fell apart. The main character was, at the same time, so insufferable and so insubstantial (her whole personality was veganism, tattoos and piercings, nothing else, no likes or hates, no interests, no nothing) I was rooting for the vilain. At least the vilain and some interesting back story. What a shame the vilain was turned into a stupid nonsensical caricature.
Such a waste of time...
Such a waste of time...
June 6, 2026
This is the first book I have ever given up on. I stayed with it but then it became increasingly more of an effort and by half way through I was just done with it.
The characters are all one dimensional and even think in a one dimensional way. No one is likeable. The themes are so incorrect that they annoyed me greatly. A real life Christian sect is named and described and over the top claims about them made as if fact. The main character has just left a women's refuge and is going through child contact proceedings. Well that was me and let me tell you this book does not remotely get this right at all.
She wouldn't have even been in a local town for a start, refuges move women out of area as that is safer and protects the location. The book claims a woman at the refuge gave her ex her address! Police would have been called if an violent ex came on site and no woman would do that to another survivor.
She is a vegan but decides to rent a house on a working farm. I eat a plant based diet and that would be the last place I would ever feel at ease in - more so for her as she would involved in animal rights protest in the past!!!
She talks about a case worker - not entirely sure what that means, but her ex has supervised contact so she just agrees with him to have unsupervised out of the contact centre with her and her daugter together like a family trip and the case worker agrees?! Supervised contact after domestic violence is a process and doesn't work like that. It's a bad process that does not keep women and children safe but even that bad process isn't reflected accurately here at all.
The self absorbed annoying main character has self diagnosed her daughter with ADHD at 5 which would be very hard to clinically diagnose at that age let alone by someone with no qualifications experience in that field.
After so many misrepresentation of women's refuges, Christianity and child contact in domestic violence procedures I was ready to shut the book and be done with it.
The characters are all one dimensional and even think in a one dimensional way. No one is likeable. The themes are so incorrect that they annoyed me greatly. A real life Christian sect is named and described and over the top claims about them made as if fact. The main character has just left a women's refuge and is going through child contact proceedings. Well that was me and let me tell you this book does not remotely get this right at all.
She wouldn't have even been in a local town for a start, refuges move women out of area as that is safer and protects the location. The book claims a woman at the refuge gave her ex her address! Police would have been called if an violent ex came on site and no woman would do that to another survivor.
She is a vegan but decides to rent a house on a working farm. I eat a plant based diet and that would be the last place I would ever feel at ease in - more so for her as she would involved in animal rights protest in the past!!!
She talks about a case worker - not entirely sure what that means, but her ex has supervised contact so she just agrees with him to have unsupervised out of the contact centre with her and her daugter together like a family trip and the case worker agrees?! Supervised contact after domestic violence is a process and doesn't work like that. It's a bad process that does not keep women and children safe but even that bad process isn't reflected accurately here at all.
The self absorbed annoying main character has self diagnosed her daughter with ADHD at 5 which would be very hard to clinically diagnose at that age let alone by someone with no qualifications experience in that field.
After so many misrepresentation of women's refuges, Christianity and child contact in domestic violence procedures I was ready to shut the book and be done with it.
July 2, 2026
Entertaining weekend read. kept me guessing and loved the characters.
May 12, 2026
The main character is so unlikable
June 6, 2026
Too annoying and doesn't seem to know what it wants. Abandoned with 1 hour audiobook to go, I don't care what happens
May 17, 2026
This was just mildly an okay read.
The old lady killed a former tenant, a female she thought was flirting with her husband.
She kills her husband with rat poison.
She also killed the new tenants boyfriend.
The landlady hired the new tenants ex to help get them back together.
A cow tramples him doing some damage to his spine.
The landlady’s son sets their farmhouse on fire, killing his mom.
The landlady’s “slow son” likes the new tenant and in the end it’s not clear if he is actually “slow”.
————————————————
My new home, Rose Cottage, is perfect. The landlady has just one rule: no men. What happens if I break it?
It seemed perfect for me and my five-year-old daughter, Lily- a pretty little cottage on a quiet country farm.
Our landlady, Mrs Skinner, greets us with a bone-crushing hug.
She seems nice, motherly even. She brings homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese.
Then came the rule. No male visitors.
I told myself it didn't matter. We needed somewhere safe.
Anywhere was better than the women's refuge.
told myself it didn't matter. We needed somewhere safe.
Anywhere was better than the women's refuge.
But soon there are red flags.
Mrs Skinner's son watches me a little too closely. My lipstick disappears. Lily wakes screaming that there's a stranger in her room.
And when I ask about the last tenant - the one who vanished, leaving all her furniture behind - Mrs Skinner just smiles, and says she only wants to protect us.
The old lady killed a former tenant, a female she thought was flirting with her husband.
She kills her husband with rat poison.
She also killed the new tenants boyfriend.
The landlady hired the new tenants ex to help get them back together.
A cow tramples him doing some damage to his spine.
The landlady’s son sets their farmhouse on fire, killing his mom.
The landlady’s “slow son” likes the new tenant and in the end it’s not clear if he is actually “slow”.
————————————————
My new home, Rose Cottage, is perfect. The landlady has just one rule: no men. What happens if I break it?
It seemed perfect for me and my five-year-old daughter, Lily- a pretty little cottage on a quiet country farm.
Our landlady, Mrs Skinner, greets us with a bone-crushing hug.
She seems nice, motherly even. She brings homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese.
Then came the rule. No male visitors.
I told myself it didn't matter. We needed somewhere safe.
Anywhere was better than the women's refuge.
told myself it didn't matter. We needed somewhere safe.
Anywhere was better than the women's refuge.
But soon there are red flags.
Mrs Skinner's son watches me a little too closely. My lipstick disappears. Lily wakes screaming that there's a stranger in her room.
And when I ask about the last tenant - the one who vanished, leaving all her furniture behind - Mrs Skinner just smiles, and says she only wants to protect us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2026
A long build up for a very anticlimactic end. The landlady was a very interesting character but the story was very drawn out in some areas and rushed in others.
May 30, 2026
Audible
In the end I was rooting for all of the characters to die. Nothing likeable about any one of them.
In the end I was rooting for all of the characters to die. Nothing likeable about any one of them.
May 27, 2026
Highly suspenseful, dark and twisted. Surprising twists and a shocking conclusion.
May 9, 2026
Oh wow what a read this has been, absolute corker of a story which had my nerves running ultra high. To be honest, I probably shouldn’t have read this in the evening/during the night whilst home alone lols. Not to mention that it is based very near Peterborough which is where I live, gulp.
The story was very well written and literally had me on tender hooks and bated anticipation wondering what was going to happen next, not to mention, who can I trust and who can’t I trust, eek.
I don’t know where Jane gets her ideas from, but she sure as hell knows how to tell a story and to keep her readers captivated.
Just when you think things are going to be okay, you then get that ending, omg. I have no words and even if I did, I wouldn’t say anything as I’d be afraid of spoiling the story for other readers and I certainly wouldn’t want to do that.
So readers out there, all I can say, is if you like a real good tense thriller, then be sure to pick up this book as soon as you can.
The story was very well written and literally had me on tender hooks and bated anticipation wondering what was going to happen next, not to mention, who can I trust and who can’t I trust, eek.
I don’t know where Jane gets her ideas from, but she sure as hell knows how to tell a story and to keep her readers captivated.
Just when you think things are going to be okay, you then get that ending, omg. I have no words and even if I did, I wouldn’t say anything as I’d be afraid of spoiling the story for other readers and I certainly wouldn’t want to do that.
So readers out there, all I can say, is if you like a real good tense thriller, then be sure to pick up this book as soon as you can.
May 18, 2026
I really liked this book, a slow burn but the short chapters keep the pacing steady and the female characters have more in common than you think!
June 6, 2026
A good story lots of twists but I really did not like the tenant! I have no idea why she was weak afraid of everything and quite frankly just totally annoying! Parts of it were far-fetched, like she wouldn’t recognise the man that she lived with for years when she saw him even from a distance. This was included on Audible plus and I’m glad because, had I bought this book I would’ve been bitterly disappointed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2026
3.25⭐️
June 9, 2026
It held my attention enough - was it kinda corny in a McFadden sort of twisty way? Yep - but it made my daily walks entertaining. I appreciated the different POV's.
May 7, 2026
Molly and her daughter Lily are trying to rebuild their lives after escaping a volatile relationship, having spent time in a refuge before being offered what feels like a lifeline—a beautiful, remote cottage. Grateful for the chance at a fresh start, Molly believes she has finally found a safe and peaceful home for them both.
Their new landlady, Mrs Skinner, appears warm and welcoming, eager to have them as tenants. Her only rule—that Molly must not have any male visitors staying overnight—is explained as a matter of religious belief. At first, this seems like a small price to pay for such a perfect opportunity.
The story is cleverly structured, alternating between “Landlady” and “Tenant” chapters. This dual perspective works brilliantly, allowing the reader to see both sides of the narrative unfold. The tenant chapters focus on Molly’s hope and determination to create a better life for herself and Lily, while the landlady chapters are deeply unsettling, filled with a creeping sense of dread.
As we learn more about Pearl Skinner, her husband Stan, and their son Viktor, it quickly becomes clear that something is not right within this family. Their beliefs are strange and unorthodox, and the mysterious disappearance of the previous tenant casts a long shadow over Molly and Lily’s new home. From early on, there is a strong sense that they may have stepped into another dangerous situation.
The author builds tension in a very effective and intriguing way, slowly revealing the potential threats while keeping the reader guessing. It’s never entirely clear who poses the greatest danger, which adds to the suspense and unease. You can’t help but question who—if anyone—can be trusted.
As Molly begins to settle in, she also starts a new relationship with a kind and supportive man, offering a glimpse of hope for her future. However, when he suddenly goes missing, the tension escalates even further. Is his disappearance connected to the landlady and her family, or is something else at play?
With its sinister atmosphere, steady build of suspense, and well-placed twists, this story keeps you hooked throughout. It’s a gripping and unsettling read that constantly leaves you questioning what will happen next—and whether Molly and Lily have truly escaped danger, or simply walked into a new one.
Their new landlady, Mrs Skinner, appears warm and welcoming, eager to have them as tenants. Her only rule—that Molly must not have any male visitors staying overnight—is explained as a matter of religious belief. At first, this seems like a small price to pay for such a perfect opportunity.
The story is cleverly structured, alternating between “Landlady” and “Tenant” chapters. This dual perspective works brilliantly, allowing the reader to see both sides of the narrative unfold. The tenant chapters focus on Molly’s hope and determination to create a better life for herself and Lily, while the landlady chapters are deeply unsettling, filled with a creeping sense of dread.
As we learn more about Pearl Skinner, her husband Stan, and their son Viktor, it quickly becomes clear that something is not right within this family. Their beliefs are strange and unorthodox, and the mysterious disappearance of the previous tenant casts a long shadow over Molly and Lily’s new home. From early on, there is a strong sense that they may have stepped into another dangerous situation.
The author builds tension in a very effective and intriguing way, slowly revealing the potential threats while keeping the reader guessing. It’s never entirely clear who poses the greatest danger, which adds to the suspense and unease. You can’t help but question who—if anyone—can be trusted.
As Molly begins to settle in, she also starts a new relationship with a kind and supportive man, offering a glimpse of hope for her future. However, when he suddenly goes missing, the tension escalates even further. Is his disappearance connected to the landlady and her family, or is something else at play?
With its sinister atmosphere, steady build of suspense, and well-placed twists, this story keeps you hooked throughout. It’s a gripping and unsettling read that constantly leaves you questioning what will happen next—and whether Molly and Lily have truly escaped danger, or simply walked into a new one.
Review of advance copy
I'm curled up here with my favourite mug and a biscuit, writing this from the comfort of my own home and goodness, never have I felt more grateful for that simple fact. One of the quiet little joys of being a bookworm is that a brilliant thriller can make you count your blessings. The Landlady by Jane E. James did exactly that. I have never had to deal with renting, unpredictable landlords, or difficult neighbours, and after reading this one I am sending the universe a heartfelt thank you.
Our narrator arrives at Rose Cottage, a pretty little place on a quiet country farm, with her five-year-old daughter Lily tucked close. After time spent in a women's refuge, the pair desperately need a haven, and Mrs Skinner seems to offer just that bone-crushing hugs, homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese on the doorstep. Warm, motherly, reassuring. My own heart melted a little at that image. It felt like the kind of welcome you'd hope for.
Then comes the rule. No male visitors. Just the one. Reasonable enough, our narrator tells herself, and I found myself nodding along. They needed safety more than they needed anything else. But Jane E. James is far too clever to let cosiness linger for long. A son who watches just a touch too closely. A missing lipstick. And then the thing that made me set my mug down with a proper thud , little Lily waking in the night, screaming that a stranger has been in her room.
The dread here is beautifully crafted. It doesn't shout at you; it creeps. Every small detail , the smiling deflection when the previous tenant's name is raised, the furniture left behind as if she simply evaporated lands like a cold drip down the back of your neck. Jane E James writes with an intimate, close tension that makes the cottage walls feel like they are slowly pressing inward.
I rattled through the second half in one breathless sitting, tea going stone cold, biscuit entirely forgotten. The Landlady is the sort of book that burrows under your skin and stays there and if, like me, you have never had to hand over your keys and trust a stranger with your safety and your child's, it will make you feel profoundly, quietly lucky. Highly recommended.
Our narrator arrives at Rose Cottage, a pretty little place on a quiet country farm, with her five-year-old daughter Lily tucked close. After time spent in a women's refuge, the pair desperately need a haven, and Mrs Skinner seems to offer just that bone-crushing hugs, homemade cakes, freshly baked bread, and cheese on the doorstep. Warm, motherly, reassuring. My own heart melted a little at that image. It felt like the kind of welcome you'd hope for.
Then comes the rule. No male visitors. Just the one. Reasonable enough, our narrator tells herself, and I found myself nodding along. They needed safety more than they needed anything else. But Jane E. James is far too clever to let cosiness linger for long. A son who watches just a touch too closely. A missing lipstick. And then the thing that made me set my mug down with a proper thud , little Lily waking in the night, screaming that a stranger has been in her room.
The dread here is beautifully crafted. It doesn't shout at you; it creeps. Every small detail , the smiling deflection when the previous tenant's name is raised, the furniture left behind as if she simply evaporated lands like a cold drip down the back of your neck. Jane E James writes with an intimate, close tension that makes the cottage walls feel like they are slowly pressing inward.
I rattled through the second half in one breathless sitting, tea going stone cold, biscuit entirely forgotten. The Landlady is the sort of book that burrows under your skin and stays there and if, like me, you have never had to hand over your keys and trust a stranger with your safety and your child's, it will make you feel profoundly, quietly lucky. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2026
The Landlady by Jane E. James is marketed as "a totally addictive psychological thriller with a shocking final twist," and while I can see what it was aiming for, that description felt a bit like a stretch for me.
The story centers on Pearl Skinner, the landlady, and her tenant Molly, who moves into a countryside home with her daughter Lily after spending time in a refuge. The setup is immediately intriguing. A fresh start, a seemingly perfect home, and one strict rule: no men are allowed to stay overnight due to Pearl’s religious beliefs. Molly agrees to this condition, though it quickly becomes clear she has no real intention of honoring it.
Without getting into spoilers, I struggled with Molly as a protagonist. I found her difficult to connect with, as many of her decisions came across as impulsive, immature, and at times frustratingly self-serving. More importantly, I often felt she was not acting in her daughter’s best interest, which made it harder to root for her. On the other side, Pearl Skinner is portrayed as deeply religious, though at times her behavior veers into extremes that make her feel more unsettling than sympathetic.
There were elements I did enjoy. The dual POVs of Molly and Pearl added dimension to the story, and the short, quick chapters made it an easy, fast read. It definitely fits the “popcorn thriller” category in terms of pacing and accessibility.
That said, the story as a whole felt somewhat disjointed to me. At times, the writing came across as though we were reading the author’s internal thoughts rather than a fully formed narrative, though that may have been an intentional stylistic choice. Ultimately, the plot never fully pulled me in, and the payoff didn’t quite land the way I had hoped.
I do recognize that I may be in the minority on this one, so I’d encourage others to take my thoughts with a grain of salt. Reading is subjective, and what didn’t work for me may absolutely work for someone else.
Thank you to Jane E. James, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story centers on Pearl Skinner, the landlady, and her tenant Molly, who moves into a countryside home with her daughter Lily after spending time in a refuge. The setup is immediately intriguing. A fresh start, a seemingly perfect home, and one strict rule: no men are allowed to stay overnight due to Pearl’s religious beliefs. Molly agrees to this condition, though it quickly becomes clear she has no real intention of honoring it.
Without getting into spoilers, I struggled with Molly as a protagonist. I found her difficult to connect with, as many of her decisions came across as impulsive, immature, and at times frustratingly self-serving. More importantly, I often felt she was not acting in her daughter’s best interest, which made it harder to root for her. On the other side, Pearl Skinner is portrayed as deeply religious, though at times her behavior veers into extremes that make her feel more unsettling than sympathetic.
There were elements I did enjoy. The dual POVs of Molly and Pearl added dimension to the story, and the short, quick chapters made it an easy, fast read. It definitely fits the “popcorn thriller” category in terms of pacing and accessibility.
That said, the story as a whole felt somewhat disjointed to me. At times, the writing came across as though we were reading the author’s internal thoughts rather than a fully formed narrative, though that may have been an intentional stylistic choice. Ultimately, the plot never fully pulled me in, and the payoff didn’t quite land the way I had hoped.
I do recognize that I may be in the minority on this one, so I’d encourage others to take my thoughts with a grain of salt. Reading is subjective, and what didn’t work for me may absolutely work for someone else.
Thank you to Jane E. James, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2026
3.75/5 (rounded to 4)
The Landlady was my first book by Jane E. James & was a nice introduction to her work.
It centres around Molly who is trying create a better life for herself and her young daughter, Lily. What looks like an idyllic cottage soon turns into anything but, when the intimidating landlady, Pearl immerses herself into every area of their life, with tragic consequences.
Thing that first drew my attention to the book was the cover. Instantly, I needed to know more! Leading on from an intriguing cover, the author does a great job of building tension. There was many times where I found myself thinking “I don’t know if I want to read this at night” because the atmosphere felt so tangible. It felt claustrophobic which is something I always enjoy in a good thriller.
I think that having strong feelings (love/hate) towards characters is the sign of great characterisation. I found myself finding several of the characters in The Landlady repulsive, so I believe this is a strength of the author’s writing.
My favourite thing about The Landlady was the multiple POVs (alternating between “The Landlady” & “The Tenant”). On the whole, I think this worked really well. However, there was a couple of times where there seemed to be gaps in time that weren’t explained & left me going back to double-check I hadn’t missed anything.
There were a few things that affected my rating of the book. Whilst generally, the characters were well-written, there were several occasions where it felt like their actions didn’t quite fit their nature. There also wasn’t a big twist/climax at the end which is something I usually look for in a thriller. The tension was built really well, so it felt like it fell slightly flat at the end. However, I will say that there was a nice twist in the middle that I didn’t see coming, but made sense in hindsight.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Landlady and I would definitely re-read it in future.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Joffee Books for the ARC. :)
The Landlady was my first book by Jane E. James & was a nice introduction to her work.
It centres around Molly who is trying create a better life for herself and her young daughter, Lily. What looks like an idyllic cottage soon turns into anything but, when the intimidating landlady, Pearl immerses herself into every area of their life, with tragic consequences.
Thing that first drew my attention to the book was the cover. Instantly, I needed to know more! Leading on from an intriguing cover, the author does a great job of building tension. There was many times where I found myself thinking “I don’t know if I want to read this at night” because the atmosphere felt so tangible. It felt claustrophobic which is something I always enjoy in a good thriller.
I think that having strong feelings (love/hate) towards characters is the sign of great characterisation. I found myself finding several of the characters in The Landlady repulsive, so I believe this is a strength of the author’s writing.
My favourite thing about The Landlady was the multiple POVs (alternating between “The Landlady” & “The Tenant”). On the whole, I think this worked really well. However, there was a couple of times where there seemed to be gaps in time that weren’t explained & left me going back to double-check I hadn’t missed anything.
There were a few things that affected my rating of the book. Whilst generally, the characters were well-written, there were several occasions where it felt like their actions didn’t quite fit their nature. There also wasn’t a big twist/climax at the end which is something I usually look for in a thriller. The tension was built really well, so it felt like it fell slightly flat at the end. However, I will say that there was a nice twist in the middle that I didn’t see coming, but made sense in hindsight.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Landlady and I would definitely re-read it in future.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Joffee Books for the ARC. :)
June 12, 2026
The Landlady is the kind of psychological read that keeps you turning pages a little faster than you planned, not because it’s loud or flashy, but because it quietly tightens its grip the deeper you go. At its core, the story unfolds around a seemingly ordinary domestic setup that slowly reveals itself to be anything but. What starts with familiarity and surface-level normalcy gradually peels back into something far more unsettling—where trust, motive, and truth are all constantly in question. The characters don’t present as purely good or bad; instead, they exist in that uncomfortable middle space where everyone has something to hide, and everyone has a version of events they want believed. One of the strongest elements is how the characters are written as deeply human but also deeply compromised. They are relatable in their emotions—fear, desire, pride, loneliness—but often abhorrent in their choices. That contradiction is what makes the story stick. You find yourself understanding why they act the way they do, even when you don’t like them, and even when you probably shouldn’t be sympathizing at all. As the layers of hypocrisy are exposed, the book leans into the idea that perception is unreliable. People are not who they present themselves to be, and even the most “normal” interactions carry undertones of manipulation, self-preservation, or denial. That tension is what drives the narrative forward and keeps the reader locked in. Overall, it’s a compelling and uncomfortable read in the best way—one that lingers because it doesn’t offer clean resolutions or tidy moral lines. It leaves you sitting with the uncomfortable reality that almost no one in the story is entirely innocent, and almost no one is entirely beyond understanding.
May 9, 2026
I received this free advance reading copy via Netgalley. Thank you to Jane E James and JoffeBooks. This review is being left voluntarily and the opinions are my own.
I'm still processing this one because the closer it got to the end, the wilder the whole thing became and I just need a minute!
We have alll heard of nightmare neighbours but what if your nightmare neighbour was your landlady too? That's exactly what happens to Molly.
When she finds Rose Cottage things seem to finally be looking up. After fleeing an abusive ex and living in a womens refuge with her young daughter, she has finally found a place she can call home....or has she?
Meet The Landlady, Pearl Skinner, who you'd be forgiven for thinking was a sweet older lady. The perfect mother and grandmother figure that Molly is searching for in her and her daughter's lives.
An overzealous religious nut with a very dark side you definitely don't want to cross is probably a more accurate description of Pearl!
This one slowly built up the tension and gave off an air of mystery, leaving you wondering how and when things would unravel. The split Pov of the tenant and the landlady was a great touch and the short chapters really made the story fly.
I was genuinely shocked by the ending and some of the reveals along the way definitely made me gasp!
If you are a fan of Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait, I think you'll like this one!
I'm still processing this one because the closer it got to the end, the wilder the whole thing became and I just need a minute!
We have alll heard of nightmare neighbours but what if your nightmare neighbour was your landlady too? That's exactly what happens to Molly.
When she finds Rose Cottage things seem to finally be looking up. After fleeing an abusive ex and living in a womens refuge with her young daughter, she has finally found a place she can call home....or has she?
Meet The Landlady, Pearl Skinner, who you'd be forgiven for thinking was a sweet older lady. The perfect mother and grandmother figure that Molly is searching for in her and her daughter's lives.
An overzealous religious nut with a very dark side you definitely don't want to cross is probably a more accurate description of Pearl!
This one slowly built up the tension and gave off an air of mystery, leaving you wondering how and when things would unravel. The split Pov of the tenant and the landlady was a great touch and the short chapters really made the story fly.
I was genuinely shocked by the ending and some of the reveals along the way definitely made me gasp!
If you are a fan of Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait, I think you'll like this one!
May 25, 2026
3⭐️ ⚠️ Spoilers
This is one of those books where the setup was honestly better than the payoff.
The creepy landlord situation, the isolated atmosphere, and the son’s behavior pulled me in fast. I kept waiting for the story to turn into this super intense psychological thriller with bigger manipulation and paranoia.
Instead, most of the “twists” were things I already suspected pretty early on.
The reveal about the son not being as mentally disabled as everyone believed was treated like this huge shocking moment, but the book foreshadowed it so heavily that it barely felt like a reveal at all.
And don’t even get me started on the ending 😭
“Mom… it’s the hospital calling about daddy.”
…THE END.
Like wait WHAT? The book suddenly acts like this massive disturbing revelation just happened and then immediately cuts to credits before actually unpacking anything. No real explanation, no emotional aftermath, nothing.
Same with Martin Graves. The story kept making it seem like that situation was going to become deeply important later, but it mostly just felt like a way to create suspicion without much payoff.
Overall, the audiobook itself was easy to follow and I stayed interested enough to finish it, which says something because I DNF books all the time lately. But this definitely felt more like “creepy setup with unfinished ideas” than a truly satisfying psychological thriller
This is one of those books where the setup was honestly better than the payoff.
The creepy landlord situation, the isolated atmosphere, and the son’s behavior pulled me in fast. I kept waiting for the story to turn into this super intense psychological thriller with bigger manipulation and paranoia.
Instead, most of the “twists” were things I already suspected pretty early on.
The reveal about the son not being as mentally disabled as everyone believed was treated like this huge shocking moment, but the book foreshadowed it so heavily that it barely felt like a reveal at all.
And don’t even get me started on the ending 😭
“Mom… it’s the hospital calling about daddy.”
…THE END.
Like wait WHAT? The book suddenly acts like this massive disturbing revelation just happened and then immediately cuts to credits before actually unpacking anything. No real explanation, no emotional aftermath, nothing.
Same with Martin Graves. The story kept making it seem like that situation was going to become deeply important later, but it mostly just felt like a way to create suspicion without much payoff.
Overall, the audiobook itself was easy to follow and I stayed interested enough to finish it, which says something because I DNF books all the time lately. But this definitely felt more like “creepy setup with unfinished ideas” than a truly satisfying psychological thriller
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fantastic read.
It offered a unique atmosphere that was different from what I initially anticipated, but in the best possible way! The story revolves around a 71-year-old landlady, who has a complex, two-sided personality, and her 84-year-old husband, a solemn man with whom she shares a long, loveless marriage. Together, they have a 40-year-old son, still living at home and exhibiting some rather odd behaviors. Enter Molly Fox, our main female character, and her 5-year-old daughter Lily, who are thrilled to finally secure a charming cottage to rent from the family. However, things aren’t quite as they seem.
The narrative is filled with gripping, edge-of-your-seat moments, and I was hooked from the very first page to the last. The peaceful setting of a farm cottage, nestled within a working farm, contrasts sharply with the dark undercurrents running through the lives of all its inhabitants.
I found the alternating perspectives of the tenant and the landlady to be particularly effective, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
For me, this was a compelling and thought-provoking read that kept me engaged throughout. The tension, the atmosphere, and the complexity of the characters made it a truly memorable experience.
I recieved a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
It offered a unique atmosphere that was different from what I initially anticipated, but in the best possible way! The story revolves around a 71-year-old landlady, who has a complex, two-sided personality, and her 84-year-old husband, a solemn man with whom she shares a long, loveless marriage. Together, they have a 40-year-old son, still living at home and exhibiting some rather odd behaviors. Enter Molly Fox, our main female character, and her 5-year-old daughter Lily, who are thrilled to finally secure a charming cottage to rent from the family. However, things aren’t quite as they seem.
The narrative is filled with gripping, edge-of-your-seat moments, and I was hooked from the very first page to the last. The peaceful setting of a farm cottage, nestled within a working farm, contrasts sharply with the dark undercurrents running through the lives of all its inhabitants.
I found the alternating perspectives of the tenant and the landlady to be particularly effective, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
For me, this was a compelling and thought-provoking read that kept me engaged throughout. The tension, the atmosphere, and the complexity of the characters made it a truly memorable experience.
I recieved a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
May 7, 2026
I enjoyed the story! The story is told from two different points of view, one is the tenant and one is the landlady. The tenant is Molly who has a young daughter. Molly is running from a bad relationship but has a currently new relationship too. She wants to move out of a shelter situation and into a place for her and her daughter. She finds a cottage out in the country for rent. The landlady is the woman of the house on a farm and lives right near the cottage for rent. She has had a traumatic past herself. She has a husband and a grown mentally disabled son that lives with her. She's the type of person that is controlled by her husband but is also one that seeks revenge when things don't go her way. She has rules for the tenant, but the tenant doesn't intend to keep them. Let's just say that things heat up pretty quickly between the tenant and the ladylady. I don't want to spoil the story but let's just say there are deceptions,lies, deaths, twists and turns some of which I didn't see coming. I found the story very entertaining and very suspenseful as to who was going to come out on top between the landlady and the tenant and the cast of other characters. It seems that everyone in the story is quite a bit dysfunctional in some way or the other. Thank you netgalley and Joffe Books for the complimentary copy of the story.
May 10, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
This is a chilling psychological thriller. Molly moves into Rose Cottage with her daughter Lily, hoping for a fresh start. She doesn't seem to have much in common with her landlady, Pearl, despite her being kind and welcoming. Soon, strange things start to happen and Molly wonders if what she believed to be her dream home could turn out to be a nightmare…
I remembered enjoying a previous book by this author, and I enjoyed this one too. The cottage setting really appealed to me. For me, that always works really well with a thriller; I like the idea of a peaceful place where sinister things could potentially happen.
There were some very interesting characters; Pearl struck me as eccentric and sinister, and she gave me chills from the beginning. Pearl's son was another character who came across this way. Sometimes these types of characters are the most intriguing because you wonder what their true intentions are, or what motivates them. In fact, I was reminded a little bit of Ruth Rendell, and the way she presented some of her characters.
I enjoyed the suspense and atmosphere; this was definitely a page turner and I couldn't put it to one side until I'd finished.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a chilling psychological thriller. Molly moves into Rose Cottage with her daughter Lily, hoping for a fresh start. She doesn't seem to have much in common with her landlady, Pearl, despite her being kind and welcoming. Soon, strange things start to happen and Molly wonders if what she believed to be her dream home could turn out to be a nightmare…
I remembered enjoying a previous book by this author, and I enjoyed this one too. The cottage setting really appealed to me. For me, that always works really well with a thriller; I like the idea of a peaceful place where sinister things could potentially happen.
There were some very interesting characters; Pearl struck me as eccentric and sinister, and she gave me chills from the beginning. Pearl's son was another character who came across this way. Sometimes these types of characters are the most intriguing because you wonder what their true intentions are, or what motivates them. In fact, I was reminded a little bit of Ruth Rendell, and the way she presented some of her characters.
I enjoyed the suspense and atmosphere; this was definitely a page turner and I couldn't put it to one side until I'd finished.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It seemed perfect for me and my eight-year-old daughter, Lily a pretty little cottage on a quiet country farm. Our landlady, Mrs Skinner, greets us with a bone-crushing hug. She seems nice, motherly even. She brings homemade cakes, freshly made bread and cheese. Then came the rule. No male visitors. I told myself It didn't matter. We needed somewhere safe. Anywhere where it was better than the woman's refuge. But soon there are red flags. Mrs Skinner's son watches me a little too closely. My lipstick disappears. Lily wakes up screaming that there's a stranger in her room. And when I ask about the last tenant - the one who vanished, leaving all her furniture behind - Mrs Skinner just smiles and says she only wants to protect us.
But what happens when I break the rules?
Molly wants a better life for her and her daughter Lily. Rose cottage feels like it's a safe place for them to live. This is a quick book to read. It's chilling, twisted, intriguing and enjoyable. The pace is steady with a creepy vibe.I wasn't keen on the veganism, I felt it was trying to preach to me.
Published 7th May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JaneEJames for my ARC of #TheLandlady in exchange for an honest review.
But what happens when I break the rules?
Molly wants a better life for her and her daughter Lily. Rose cottage feels like it's a safe place for them to live. This is a quick book to read. It's chilling, twisted, intriguing and enjoyable. The pace is steady with a creepy vibe.I wasn't keen on the veganism, I felt it was trying to preach to me.
Published 7th May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JaneEJames for my ARC of #TheLandlady in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2026
one twist after another
I must admit, there’s a lot of Pavlovian responses in this book and all of them of a self righteous nature. For instance, vegans insist on the fact that animals are innocent yet they don’t talk about the poor innocent field mice chopped up by the blades of the combine harvester that puts food on their plates. I imagine social media hasn’t thought of that either. The book though, apart from being a lot of self righteous rubbish that vegans like to trot out isn’t bad. There are a good many twists and turns though Milly is not a nice person however much we’re expected to believe she is. In fact, only the ones we’re meant to believe aren’t nice truly might have some redeeming qualities. By the way, there’s no such thing as an empty magnum of champagne. You might have an empty champagne bottle or even a bottle that once contained champagne but it can’t be empty and have champagne in it at the same time. Also, I’m not sure of the law regarding fire extinguishers in rented properties. Both my neighbours are in rented accommodation and neither of them has a fire extinguisher, only smoke alarms. Anyway, apart from such pedantry, it’s a darned good book.
I must admit, there’s a lot of Pavlovian responses in this book and all of them of a self righteous nature. For instance, vegans insist on the fact that animals are innocent yet they don’t talk about the poor innocent field mice chopped up by the blades of the combine harvester that puts food on their plates. I imagine social media hasn’t thought of that either. The book though, apart from being a lot of self righteous rubbish that vegans like to trot out isn’t bad. There are a good many twists and turns though Milly is not a nice person however much we’re expected to believe she is. In fact, only the ones we’re meant to believe aren’t nice truly might have some redeeming qualities. By the way, there’s no such thing as an empty magnum of champagne. You might have an empty champagne bottle or even a bottle that once contained champagne but it can’t be empty and have champagne in it at the same time. Also, I’m not sure of the law regarding fire extinguishers in rented properties. Both my neighbours are in rented accommodation and neither of them has a fire extinguisher, only smoke alarms. Anyway, apart from such pedantry, it’s a darned good book.
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