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The Jealous One
Rosamund and Geoffrey's new neighbor, Lindy, is smart, good-looking, friendly, and delightful in every way. The problem is Geoffrey's a little too delighted with her, and his wife is not happy about it. While Rosamund is in a feverish state from a bout of the flu, she dreams of murdering Lindy — and upon waking is horrified to discover that she has inexplicably disappeared. What could possibly have happened? Was it more than just a terrible nightmare?
"A tense situation, ultimately resolved by a beautifully fitting plot twist," declared Anthony Boucher in The New York Times , adding, "Even more memorable than the suspense story is the witty and acute comedy." Celia Fremlin is noted for injecting her fast-paced psychological thrillers with keen observations of domestic life in the London suburbs during the 1960s. Her other novels, also available from Dover Publications, include Uncle Paul, The Trouble Makers, and the Edgar Award–winning classic The Hours Before Dawn.
"A tense situation, ultimately resolved by a beautifully fitting plot twist," declared Anthony Boucher in The New York Times , adding, "Even more memorable than the suspense story is the witty and acute comedy." Celia Fremlin is noted for injecting her fast-paced psychological thrillers with keen observations of domestic life in the London suburbs during the 1960s. Her other novels, also available from Dover Publications, include Uncle Paul, The Trouble Makers, and the Edgar Award–winning classic The Hours Before Dawn.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
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1103 people want to read
About the author
Celia Fremlin
75 books95 followersCelia was born in Kingsbury, now part of London, England. She was the daughter of Heaver Fremlin and Margaret Addiscott. Her older brother, John H. Fremlin, later became a nuclear physicist. Celia studied at Somerville College, Oxford University. From 1942 to 2000 she lived in Hampstead, London. In 1942 she married Elia Goller, with whom she had three children; he died in 1968. In 1985, Celia married Leslie Minchin, who died in 1999. Her many crime novels and stories helped modernize the sensation novel tradition by introducing criminal and (rarely) supernatural elements into domestic settings. Her 1958 novel The Hours Before Dawn won the Edgar Award in 1960.
With Jeffrey Barnard, she was co-presenter of a BBC2 documentary “Night and Day” describing diurnal and nocturnal London, broadcast 23 January 1987.
Fremlin was an advocate of assisted suicide and euthanasia. In a newspaper interview she admitted to assisting four people to die.[1] In 1983 civil proceedings were brought against her as one of the five members of the EXIT Executive committee which had published “A Guide to Self Deliverance” , but the court refused to declare the booklet unlawful.
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia...]
With Jeffrey Barnard, she was co-presenter of a BBC2 documentary “Night and Day” describing diurnal and nocturnal London, broadcast 23 January 1987.
Fremlin was an advocate of assisted suicide and euthanasia. In a newspaper interview she admitted to assisting four people to die.[1] In 1983 civil proceedings were brought against her as one of the five members of the EXIT Executive committee which had published “A Guide to Self Deliverance” , but the court refused to declare the booklet unlawful.
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia...]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 6, 2022
Creeping tension, passive aggression, and domestic disharmony
This is another hugely entertaining 'domestic noir' from Fremlin. Originally written in the mid-1960s, this is a precursor to those contemporary 'cuckoo in the nest' psychological thrillers that deal with jealousy, women competing for one man, and rising tensions that threaten to escalate and explode.
Lindy, the third woman in this book, who gets her claws into the marriage of Rosamund and Geoffrey is deliciously awful with her manipulations, her malicious one-up-(wo)manship, and her sly charm.
But what really makes this so good is Fremlin's own sense of humour (think Patricia Highsmith-lite) and the way she uses the genre to comment on suburban coupled-up smugness, and the deadly mundane nature of women's lives centred on looking after their husbands, children, home and garden. The scene of competitive hostessing at coffee mornings, for example, is hilarious, but also makes a point of how a woman who 'works outside the home' is regarded by her stay-at-home peer group.
This one slightly fizzles out at the end, I'd say, but Fremlin crams more creeping tension, passive aggression, and domestic disharmony into 200 pages than most contemporary writers manage in double that number. Oh, and probably the best use of a dog in a plotline that I've seen in ages!
This is another hugely entertaining 'domestic noir' from Fremlin. Originally written in the mid-1960s, this is a precursor to those contemporary 'cuckoo in the nest' psychological thrillers that deal with jealousy, women competing for one man, and rising tensions that threaten to escalate and explode.
Lindy, the third woman in this book, who gets her claws into the marriage of Rosamund and Geoffrey is deliciously awful with her manipulations, her malicious one-up-(wo)manship, and her sly charm.
But what really makes this so good is Fremlin's own sense of humour (think Patricia Highsmith-lite) and the way she uses the genre to comment on suburban coupled-up smugness, and the deadly mundane nature of women's lives centred on looking after their husbands, children, home and garden. The scene of competitive hostessing at coffee mornings, for example, is hilarious, but also makes a point of how a woman who 'works outside the home' is regarded by her stay-at-home peer group.
This one slightly fizzles out at the end, I'd say, but Fremlin crams more creeping tension, passive aggression, and domestic disharmony into 200 pages than most contemporary writers manage in double that number. Oh, and probably the best use of a dog in a plotline that I've seen in ages!
January 20, 2026
The Jealous One (1965) is the fourth book I have read by the wonderful Celia Fremlin aka the grandmother of psycho-domestic noir.
Rosamund and Geoffrey have been married for years. They bond over judgemental gossiping about their friends and neighbours, whilst also feeling anxious about their wayward teenage son. That all changes with the arrival of a new neighbour, the exuberant Lindy. Within hours Geoffrey's head has been turned.
Once again Celia Fremlin skewers the dynamics of mid 1960s, middle class, suburban London life. We view events through Rosamund's eyes. She is determined not to become a possessive and jealous wife, however inwardly she is becoming ever more troubled, tortured and convinced that Lindy is manipulating everyone around her.
The novel opens with a sick and feverish Rosamund having had a vivid dream about killing Lindy. We then circle back to Lindy's arrival and it is not until around halfway that we arrive back at that opening scene.
It's another Fremlin masterclass as she slowly increases the tension. The last few pages are gripping.
As with other Fremlin novel's, if there's a weakness it lies in the slightly anti-climactic final reveal. That said, if you are interested in a snapshot of the mid 1960s suburban English milieu, aligned to a page turner of a plot, then you will most likely be as enthralled as I was.
4/5
Rosamund and Geoffrey have been married for years. They bond over judgemental gossiping about their friends and neighbours, whilst also feeling anxious about their wayward teenage son. That all changes with the arrival of a new neighbour, the exuberant Lindy. Within hours Geoffrey's head has been turned.
Once again Celia Fremlin skewers the dynamics of mid 1960s, middle class, suburban London life. We view events through Rosamund's eyes. She is determined not to become a possessive and jealous wife, however inwardly she is becoming ever more troubled, tortured and convinced that Lindy is manipulating everyone around her.
The novel opens with a sick and feverish Rosamund having had a vivid dream about killing Lindy. We then circle back to Lindy's arrival and it is not until around halfway that we arrive back at that opening scene.
It's another Fremlin masterclass as she slowly increases the tension. The last few pages are gripping.
As with other Fremlin novel's, if there's a weakness it lies in the slightly anti-climactic final reveal. That said, if you are interested in a snapshot of the mid 1960s suburban English milieu, aligned to a page turner of a plot, then you will most likely be as enthralled as I was.
4/5
February 1, 2022
I am so pleased that I discovered Celia Fremlin and have not, so far, read anything by her that I haven't loved. "The Jealous One," is Fremlin's fifth novel, first published in 1965 and I am delighted to say that I enjoyed it as much as the previous books I have read by her.
Rosamund and Geoffrey Fielding live with their teenage son, Peter. At first they are intrigued by their new neighbours, sisters Lindy and Eileen. Eileen has recently separated from her husband, while Lindy is single. Before long, Rosamund realises that Lindy's free and easy manner hides a rather passive-aggressive nature. Lindy insists that Eileen drove her husband away and tends to belittle all wives, placing them in a bad light, while husbands are seen as put-upon, nagged and neglected.
Before long, Lindy has insinuated herself into Rosamund and Geoffrey's lives, and marriage. Geoffrey is flattered and eager to assist, while Rosamund is beset by jealousy. Fremlin sets the scene so well, showing how Rosamund is gradually overcome by jealousy, resenting Geoffrey's attentions to their neighbour, her constant appearances whenever they plan to go anywhere and her taking over of her life. It is cleverly done, not obvious, and you can feel Rosamund's distress as she hesitates over the unfolding situation. Of course, there is a twist, as Lindy vanishes and Rosamund cannot recall what happened... A clever, intelligent and realistic psychological crime novel - Celia Fremlin is a fantastic author and deserves to be rediscovered by a new audience.
Rosamund and Geoffrey Fielding live with their teenage son, Peter. At first they are intrigued by their new neighbours, sisters Lindy and Eileen. Eileen has recently separated from her husband, while Lindy is single. Before long, Rosamund realises that Lindy's free and easy manner hides a rather passive-aggressive nature. Lindy insists that Eileen drove her husband away and tends to belittle all wives, placing them in a bad light, while husbands are seen as put-upon, nagged and neglected.
Before long, Lindy has insinuated herself into Rosamund and Geoffrey's lives, and marriage. Geoffrey is flattered and eager to assist, while Rosamund is beset by jealousy. Fremlin sets the scene so well, showing how Rosamund is gradually overcome by jealousy, resenting Geoffrey's attentions to their neighbour, her constant appearances whenever they plan to go anywhere and her taking over of her life. It is cleverly done, not obvious, and you can feel Rosamund's distress as she hesitates over the unfolding situation. Of course, there is a twist, as Lindy vanishes and Rosamund cannot recall what happened... A clever, intelligent and realistic psychological crime novel - Celia Fremlin is a fantastic author and deserves to be rediscovered by a new audience.
April 25, 2026
The Jealous One gives us a wonderful slow burn story. Geoffrey and Rosamund have lived perfectly happily from behind their curtains pronouncing their verdicts on what's acceptable and what is not in their neighbours.
So when Lindy moves in, at first the pair agree that the Pekinese-owning, dowdy woman is definitely in the pile of those to be pitied. But all that changes quickly as Lindy insinuates herself into the lives of the neighbourhood deriding the wives and flirting with the husbands.
Rosamund is determined not to appear jealous even as Lindy begins a campaign to pit her and husband Geoffrey against each other. But things come to a head when Rosamund wakes with no clear idea of where she has been, with disturbing clues as to what she has been doing. And then Geoff tells her that Lindy is missing.
Celia Fremlin is a master at the slow burn mystery, revealing clues so slowly it almost drives you crazy. And by the time Lindy goes missing I would cheerfully have buried her in a shallow grave myself.
Clever plot, frustratingly prim characters and a great twist. Loved it.
So when Lindy moves in, at first the pair agree that the Pekinese-owning, dowdy woman is definitely in the pile of those to be pitied. But all that changes quickly as Lindy insinuates herself into the lives of the neighbourhood deriding the wives and flirting with the husbands.
Rosamund is determined not to appear jealous even as Lindy begins a campaign to pit her and husband Geoffrey against each other. But things come to a head when Rosamund wakes with no clear idea of where she has been, with disturbing clues as to what she has been doing. And then Geoff tells her that Lindy is missing.
Celia Fremlin is a master at the slow burn mystery, revealing clues so slowly it almost drives you crazy. And by the time Lindy goes missing I would cheerfully have buried her in a shallow grave myself.
Clever plot, frustratingly prim characters and a great twist. Loved it.
July 28, 2025
So very compelling.
April 1, 2026
1965 English domestic noir. Housewife Rosamund wakes, feeling ill and confused, from a fever dream in which she has pushed neighbour Lindy off a cliff. Suddenly, Rosamund’s husband Geoffrey bursts in, announcing that Lindy has disappeared. He’s upset, of course, given how much he adores the young, fun single woman who recently moved in and has recently become a fixture in the couple’s lives. As Lindy fails to reappear and Rosamund is plagued by disturbing, fractured memories, she begins to wonder if she could be responsible for a murder.
A very atmospheric period piece, with that whiff of pressurized claustrophobia that marks a really good domestic noir. The denouement didn’t quite match the build up, but still excellent. Celia Fremlin novels aren’t easy to come across but it would be nice to see her work benefit from a revival.
A very atmospheric period piece, with that whiff of pressurized claustrophobia that marks a really good domestic noir. The denouement didn’t quite match the build up, but still excellent. Celia Fremlin novels aren’t easy to come across but it would be nice to see her work benefit from a revival.
February 7, 2022
I loved The Jealous One. Celia Fremlin was a completely new author to me and I’m very glad I’ve discovered her.
Written and set in 1964, this is a story of a 60s picture of settled suburban “domestic bliss” in the marriage between Rosamund and Geoffrey being disturbed by the arrival Lindy, the seemingly free-spirited, rather bohemian woman who moves in next door. She gradually infiltrates and disrupts all their routines and shared pleasures while Geoffrey begins to focus more and more on Lindy. And then Lindy disappears, but severe flu means that Rosamund cannot remember what happened that day...while sinister clues and dark imaginings begin to accumulate.
It began a little slowly for me, but I was soon hooked by Fremlin’s brilliant character portraits and witty, penetrating insights into people’s attitudes and what is really going on for all these seemingly contented, successful people. She captures perfectly the insecurities, pretences, competitiveness and so on endemic in the staid middle-class group for whom appearing supremely competent and perfectly happy is paramount. And all the while, a slow tension is building so that the final few chapters were truly gripping – although the climax and denouement didn’t quite live up to the rest of the book, I thought.
Nonetheless, I thought it was excellent. Fremlin’s writing, her witty and penetrating insights and her mastery of tension made this quite exceptional and I will definitely be revisiting her work. Very warmly recommended.
Written and set in 1964, this is a story of a 60s picture of settled suburban “domestic bliss” in the marriage between Rosamund and Geoffrey being disturbed by the arrival Lindy, the seemingly free-spirited, rather bohemian woman who moves in next door. She gradually infiltrates and disrupts all their routines and shared pleasures while Geoffrey begins to focus more and more on Lindy. And then Lindy disappears, but severe flu means that Rosamund cannot remember what happened that day...while sinister clues and dark imaginings begin to accumulate.
It began a little slowly for me, but I was soon hooked by Fremlin’s brilliant character portraits and witty, penetrating insights into people’s attitudes and what is really going on for all these seemingly contented, successful people. She captures perfectly the insecurities, pretences, competitiveness and so on endemic in the staid middle-class group for whom appearing supremely competent and perfectly happy is paramount. And all the while, a slow tension is building so that the final few chapters were truly gripping – although the climax and denouement didn’t quite live up to the rest of the book, I thought.
Nonetheless, I thought it was excellent. Fremlin’s writing, her witty and penetrating insights and her mastery of tension made this quite exceptional and I will definitely be revisiting her work. Very warmly recommended.
February 12, 2018
I adore Celia Fremlin's work; her writing is so controlled, yet builds to the most marvellous crescendoes. There is a real sense of claustrophobia in The Jealous One, as there is in most of her novels. I was immediately swept away, and cared tremendously for our protagonist, who was built realistically. The sense of foreboding slips in almost imperceptibly at first, but it is handled masterfully as it reaches its denouement. I did find the ending of The Jealous One a tad simplistic, but I was so 'in the zone' whilst reading the novel that I did not see it coming at all.
October 29, 2025
From 1965
A married woman feels the discomfort of her husband being enchanted by their female neighbor. This novel shows the anxieties then of whether a wife should work.
A married woman feels the discomfort of her husband being enchanted by their female neighbor. This novel shows the anxieties then of whether a wife should work.
February 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. In the main character of Rosamund, Fremlin has created another great 1960s housewife/heroine often worn by the trials and tribulations of everyday life. This story has Rosamund becoming jealous of her new neighbor Lindy who is spending a lot of time with her husband. Rosamund is a complex heroine the reader empathizes with but may not always sympathize with. A mystery entails. Unlike some of the book’s readers, I didn’t find the mystery’s ending to be anti-climactic - I thought it was appropriate and more realistically climactic.
I think the real pleasure of reading Fremlin is that so many of her observations about everyday people and life are incredibly sharp, witty, accurate and singular. I find myself often saying 'you are so right - and so clever." This book has many such observations.
A high-end Fremlin and satisfying reading experience. I rate it slightly above 4 stars.
I think the real pleasure of reading Fremlin is that so many of her observations about everyday people and life are incredibly sharp, witty, accurate and singular. I find myself often saying 'you are so right - and so clever." This book has many such observations.
A high-end Fremlin and satisfying reading experience. I rate it slightly above 4 stars.
August 6, 2020
WoW! This is a psychological thriller that has an extraordinary crescendo! This novel is the August selection from my Mysteries-Book-a-Month 2020 package from Bas Bleu or I might not have otherwise discovered this author/title independently.
Rosamund and Geoffrey Fielding have a new neighbor and they shared their usual delightful jokes with one another as they watched the activities of "move-in day." The new neighbors are 2 sisters, outgoing, single Lindy and reserved Eileen recently separated from her husband. With a setting in the London suburbs during the 1960s, the reader may not anticipate the full disruption that Lindy can bring to Rosamund and Geoffrey's domestic and habitual life.
As a former librarian, I had many conversations with readers at circulation desks and learned that some readers look at the number of pages as one of their determining factors for reading a novel. In the same way that some people determine 300+ pages is too long a book I've also viewed a book rejected as it is under 200 pages. For me, the number of pages in a book is never a factor. However, I do confess that I was surprised by the climax of this psychological thriller as I’ve read much longer psychological tales that were good stories but didn’t deliver the level of suspense in so few pages. I feel this is another credit to the Celia Fremlin’s writing style that she not only builds suspense in profiling the characters in their daily lives with perception and acute intricacies but delivers a power-packed punch ending.
Rosamund and Geoffrey Fielding have a new neighbor and they shared their usual delightful jokes with one another as they watched the activities of "move-in day." The new neighbors are 2 sisters, outgoing, single Lindy and reserved Eileen recently separated from her husband. With a setting in the London suburbs during the 1960s, the reader may not anticipate the full disruption that Lindy can bring to Rosamund and Geoffrey's domestic and habitual life.
As a former librarian, I had many conversations with readers at circulation desks and learned that some readers look at the number of pages as one of their determining factors for reading a novel. In the same way that some people determine 300+ pages is too long a book I've also viewed a book rejected as it is under 200 pages. For me, the number of pages in a book is never a factor. However, I do confess that I was surprised by the climax of this psychological thriller as I’ve read much longer psychological tales that were good stories but didn’t deliver the level of suspense in so few pages. I feel this is another credit to the Celia Fremlin’s writing style that she not only builds suspense in profiling the characters in their daily lives with perception and acute intricacies but delivers a power-packed punch ending.
May 15, 2022
I can't believe I'd never heard of Fremlin before! I wonder if she was eclipsed by Patricia Highsmith, who was writing in a similar era. I can't think of another reason she wouldn't be more well-known. Was Fremlin too dark for cozy-mystery readers, but not dark enough for those who would enjoy Highsmith?
Her stories are set in middle class suburban neighborhoods, full of housewives and mothers coping with the constraints of sexism, social expectations, and overwork,, but through every story, there runs a thread of darkness and suffocating fear. Like Highsmith, Fremlin saw the dark side of humanity, the boundaries people will cross out of desire and desperation.
In a way, she reminds me of Miss Marple, who knew her people and suspected everyone. No one in Fremlin's stories is entirely blameless and that is what can make it difficult to figure out who did it; in Fremlin's world, everyone is capable.
In this story, a flu-ridden, feverish wife has a dream about killing her single neighbor, Lindy. The thing is, in the dream, she's gleeful to see Lindy die, because Lindy has been monopolizing Rosamund's husband. But when Lindy subsequently disappears, Rosamund begins to wonder if it was a dream after all.
Something I love about Fremlin is how often I laugh aloud at her on-the-nose portrayals of humanity. I never laugh when I read Highsmith!
Here's an example:
Oh, and for anyone who read this book and was puzzled by the mentions of "Press Button A," I looked it up. From 1900s.org.uk: "Callers put their coins into the coin slot, dialled the number they wanted and pressed Button A to be heard or Button B to get their money back if no-one answered."
Also, "purple hearts" is a 1960s slang word for a combination of amphetamine and barbiturate. You're welcome!
Her stories are set in middle class suburban neighborhoods, full of housewives and mothers coping with the constraints of sexism, social expectations, and overwork,, but through every story, there runs a thread of darkness and suffocating fear. Like Highsmith, Fremlin saw the dark side of humanity, the boundaries people will cross out of desire and desperation.
In a way, she reminds me of Miss Marple, who knew her people and suspected everyone. No one in Fremlin's stories is entirely blameless and that is what can make it difficult to figure out who did it; in Fremlin's world, everyone is capable.
In this story, a flu-ridden, feverish wife has a dream about killing her single neighbor, Lindy. The thing is, in the dream, she's gleeful to see Lindy die, because Lindy has been monopolizing Rosamund's husband. But when Lindy subsequently disappears, Rosamund begins to wonder if it was a dream after all.
Something I love about Fremlin is how often I laugh aloud at her on-the-nose portrayals of humanity. I never laugh when I read Highsmith!
Here's an example:
"My goodness though, you do look washed out. Is it the 'flu? Do you have it very badly?"
"Yes, I suppose it is," she admitted. 'It's this one-day 'flu that everyone's been having, though it's lasted two days with me. My temperature was a hundred and two last night,' she added, warming to the recital.
Carlotta leaned forward, frowning anxiously. You might have supposed that the anxiety was for her neighbour's state of health, but even Rosamund could tell that this wasn't so. Carlotta was in fact being agonisingly torn between two treasured, but sadly contradictory, images of herself: one, as the woman who is never ill; the second, as the woman who has had a higher temperature than anybody else, ever, and much higher than Rosamund's paltry 102°.
Oh, and for anyone who read this book and was puzzled by the mentions of "Press Button A," I looked it up. From 1900s.org.uk: "Callers put their coins into the coin slot, dialled the number they wanted and pressed Button A to be heard or Button B to get their money back if no-one answered."
Also, "purple hearts" is a 1960s slang word for a combination of amphetamine and barbiturate. You're welcome!
December 6, 2018
A mighty rollercoaster of a reading that throws you up in a fraction of a nanosecond against a sky full of guessing games and then hurls you down painstakingly slowly towards the unfathomable.
Only this time that waiting climax that permeates every single of Celia's books did not meet my usual delicious misgivings. I (un)expected more shocking revelations and developments. It was getting there with ever page turned but it did not quite reached the brilliance of her books' fatal moments.
That said, I will never get tiered of saying...what a unique and singular talent, what an ingenious storyteller of the most intimate thoughts and sudden changes in paces, atmosphere and clues leaving the ecstatic but naive reader to simply be at the mercy of her trickery.
Only this time that waiting climax that permeates every single of Celia's books did not meet my usual delicious misgivings. I (un)expected more shocking revelations and developments. It was getting there with ever page turned but it did not quite reached the brilliance of her books' fatal moments.
That said, I will never get tiered of saying...what a unique and singular talent, what an ingenious storyteller of the most intimate thoughts and sudden changes in paces, atmosphere and clues leaving the ecstatic but naive reader to simply be at the mercy of her trickery.
March 16, 2026
I need more Celia Fremlin in my life. The Patricia Highsmith of domestic noir.
June 1, 2018
I have never read a book by Celia Fremlin. I never even heard of Celia Fremlin. Now I'm sitting here thinking of all the time I have wasted. I couldn't run through my "To be read" list quick enough trying to find more books to add by her.
The Jealous One is a psychological thriller at it's best. When you read a mysterious story and you immediately feel that dread, that foreboding, unease from the start...ah, you want to read more...it pulls you in....you know it's going to be good. The characters are interesting. The writing style is well done. I learned that these books are reissued...rather old stories...but timeless and enjoyable.
Thanks to Dover Publications (Reprint) and to goodreads for this free giveaway. I received the book. I read the book. I reviewed the book voluntarily and honestly.
The Jealous One is a psychological thriller at it's best. When you read a mysterious story and you immediately feel that dread, that foreboding, unease from the start...ah, you want to read more...it pulls you in....you know it's going to be good. The characters are interesting. The writing style is well done. I learned that these books are reissued...rather old stories...but timeless and enjoyable.
Thanks to Dover Publications (Reprint) and to goodreads for this free giveaway. I received the book. I read the book. I reviewed the book voluntarily and honestly.
March 12, 2023
It’s strange, having a deja vu feeling about this book when I am positive I have never read it in my life. It is exceedingly familiar however, and that might be because the story has been used in tiny ways to accelerate other more modern thrillers.
What a plot. I really enjoyed it and actually found myself getting scared at nervy as the story went on. My favourite of the Fremlin books I have read so far (I think this is the 3rd)
What a plot. I really enjoyed it and actually found myself getting scared at nervy as the story went on. My favourite of the Fremlin books I have read so far (I think this is the 3rd)
Read
February 2, 2026Leaving unrated because I skimmed to the end. Not really my cup of tea but that’s my own thing here. It is very well written and very suspenseful.
March 13, 2026
Ooo la la, what a clever ending. It took me completely by surprise. Touché!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
So very British! Een spannend verhaal op meesterlijk subtiele wijze verteld.
June 19, 2025
The book starts with a literal dream of murder and a missing woman before rewinding to weeks before. Rosamund and Geoffrey lead a contented suburban life, giggling together at neighbours' foibles, including new neighbour Lindy. Carefree, vivacious, and bohemian, Lindy is a stark contrast to her painfully quiet and shy sister, Eileen. Lindy manages to manoeuvre herself into everyone's lives, whether they like it or not. Rosamund finds herself increasingly irritated but is no longer able to share and laugh at those irritations with Geoffrey as he spends more and more time with Lindy. Desperate not to appear the jealous wife, Rosamund inadvertently facilitates Geoffrey's time with Lindy.
Some might describe this as a slow burn to start, but for me, Fremlin doesn't disappoint in terms of slowly building tension. She's an absolute queen of social commentary, and even though this was published in 1965, the domestic and suburban situations she portrays are still relatable. The social pressures to outdo neighbours - whether it's the standard of food at gatherings to parenting dilemmas, unwanted guests, dealing with your kids' friends, the awkwardness of parties you don't want to be at or engaging in dull conversations. Narrated from Rosamund's persepective, she navigates these societal obstacles as Lindy plays cuckoo, until Rosamund does feel like killing her. When Lindy disappears and evidence mounts, can Rosamund work out what really did happen and her own role in it? The ending reminds me a bit of Hitchcock. I've enjoyed every Fremlin I've read so far and will continue to seek these out - and still loving the retro covers :)
Some might describe this as a slow burn to start, but for me, Fremlin doesn't disappoint in terms of slowly building tension. She's an absolute queen of social commentary, and even though this was published in 1965, the domestic and suburban situations she portrays are still relatable. The social pressures to outdo neighbours - whether it's the standard of food at gatherings to parenting dilemmas, unwanted guests, dealing with your kids' friends, the awkwardness of parties you don't want to be at or engaging in dull conversations. Narrated from Rosamund's persepective, she navigates these societal obstacles as Lindy plays cuckoo, until Rosamund does feel like killing her. When Lindy disappears and evidence mounts, can Rosamund work out what really did happen and her own role in it? The ending reminds me a bit of Hitchcock. I've enjoyed every Fremlin I've read so far and will continue to seek these out - and still loving the retro covers :)
July 3, 2025
‘the voice of reason was thin and tiny, like a caged canary chirping, among the savage thunders of her dream. the sense of mortal struggle was back with her again … the clutching, desperate hands … the joy of victory. how real, how vivid, fever can make a mere dream …!’
this was so delightful and maybe my favourite celia fremlin yet. i adore her writing so much, and she crafts tension so expertly that her books are hard to put down. i loved rosamund so much and found her maybe one of the most relatable protagonists i’ve ever read - her hateful internal monologue was so fun to read and she never felt mean or unfair. lindy was so fun to hate, and i did hate her so much.
so addictive and readable. celia is on a winning streak!
this was so delightful and maybe my favourite celia fremlin yet. i adore her writing so much, and she crafts tension so expertly that her books are hard to put down. i loved rosamund so much and found her maybe one of the most relatable protagonists i’ve ever read - her hateful internal monologue was so fun to read and she never felt mean or unfair. lindy was so fun to hate, and i did hate her so much.
so addictive and readable. celia is on a winning streak!
January 20, 2026
Totally brilliant! My favourite of Fremlin's novels so far although luckily I still have a few to go.
The story centres around Rosamund and Geoffrey, whose comfortable marriage is shattered when Lindy moves in next door. Lindy is a vivacious flirt who hates wives and mothers and who is a hideous example of female anti-feminist feeling. As victims go, Lindy certainly has it coming!
When Lindy disappears, Rosamund is convinced she herself has something to do with it. But does she?
Fremlin's characters are so great and the tense scenes are superbly written. My heart was beating fast by the end.
The story centres around Rosamund and Geoffrey, whose comfortable marriage is shattered when Lindy moves in next door. Lindy is a vivacious flirt who hates wives and mothers and who is a hideous example of female anti-feminist feeling. As victims go, Lindy certainly has it coming!
When Lindy disappears, Rosamund is convinced she herself has something to do with it. But does she?
Fremlin's characters are so great and the tense scenes are superbly written. My heart was beating fast by the end.
September 12, 2024
Gut geschriebener, kurzweiliger Ehe-, Eifersuchts-Krimi. Lesenswert.
July 30, 2021
Last night Rosamund dreamed she killed her husband would be seducer from that moment we go into the past and meet new neighbour Lindy who is moving next to happily married Rosamund and Geoffrey. A “friendship” develops between the three, but Rosamund becomes jealous when her husband spends more and more time alone with Lindy. Then she had a fever and a weird dream… now, Lindy is nowhere to be found!
It may sound like a very recent family in peril book by the title, but it’s from 1965 and it’s not a thriller. We see the story from Rosamund’s point of view, but she doesn’t know everything herself. It’s a slow developing mystery where the clues makes sense in a certain way, but is it the way they should fit?
I had heard that there was a final twist and I tried to guess it… but I think I made it more complicated that it was and ignored clues I should have gotten. The ending is almost funny in a bumbling way.
I’m really liking Celia Fremlin, her characters are well written, the situations seem to be always twisted from what they appear and I like to see the era she wrote in (1960-70s) through her eyes.
It may sound like a very recent family in peril book by the title, but it’s from 1965 and it’s not a thriller. We see the story from Rosamund’s point of view, but she doesn’t know everything herself. It’s a slow developing mystery where the clues makes sense in a certain way, but is it the way they should fit?
I had heard that there was a final twist and I tried to guess it… but I think I made it more complicated that it was and ignored clues I should have gotten. The ending is almost funny in a bumbling way.
I’m really liking Celia Fremlin, her characters are well written, the situations seem to be always twisted from what they appear and I like to see the era she wrote in (1960-70s) through her eyes.
January 18, 2026
3.5
Rosamund and Geoffrey are intrigued by their new neighbours - Lindy and Eileen. Lindy is charming and soon works her way into everyone’s lives with her seamless entertaining and carefree attitude. However - Rosamund suspects she has designs on her husband and notices all the ways Lindy undermines her and wives in general. Then Lindy suddenly disappears. Great wee thriller and whodunnit. 😊
Rosamund and Geoffrey are intrigued by their new neighbours - Lindy and Eileen. Lindy is charming and soon works her way into everyone’s lives with her seamless entertaining and carefree attitude. However - Rosamund suspects she has designs on her husband and notices all the ways Lindy undermines her and wives in general. Then Lindy suddenly disappears. Great wee thriller and whodunnit. 😊
September 1, 2025
This book surprised me quite a lot, I wasn't expecting the events which had happened, nor did I expect the outcome of the whole book, despite the time that the book was written in, I found that it was easy and smooth to follow, that the language felt fresh and not outdated at all.
July 7, 2025
A fun little read. Maybe lagged a bit in places but I did enjoy the ending and the character descriptions of the annoyingly whimsical and relaxed Lindy were brilliant!
April 19, 2026
Fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Love the way she writes. Witty and precise. She writes about crime from a different angle to the norm so you don’t know in which direction the story will go.
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