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The House Sitter
A scheming traveller
Across Europe, a young woman with no name and no fixed appearance hops from empty villa to vacated apartment to dormant summer house under the guise of house sitter. Her agenda? Steal from the rich, and kill anyone who gets in her way…
A grieving wife
On a stormy night in England, travelling home down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat’s husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all…
A plot to kill
As the people in Oliver’s life try to reconcile what they’ve found with the man they thought they knew, a very different picture begins to emerge. But is it Oliver they shouldn’t have trusted, or is someone even closer to home harboring a secret they’d kill to keep hidden…?
Across Europe, a young woman with no name and no fixed appearance hops from empty villa to vacated apartment to dormant summer house under the guise of house sitter. Her agenda? Steal from the rich, and kill anyone who gets in her way…
A grieving wife
On a stormy night in England, travelling home down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat’s husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all…
A plot to kill
As the people in Oliver’s life try to reconcile what they’ve found with the man they thought they knew, a very different picture begins to emerge. But is it Oliver they shouldn’t have trusted, or is someone even closer to home harboring a secret they’d kill to keep hidden…?
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2023
49 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Howells
43 books747 followersDebbie self-published three women's fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and selected for the Richard and Judy book club.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister's Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women's fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.
Follow her on Facebook at Debbie Howells writer and on Instagram @_debbiehowells.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister's Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women's fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.
Follow her on Facebook at Debbie Howells writer and on Instagram @_debbiehowells.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 20, 2023
3.5 STARS
A good🍿listen!
10 hours, 4 min
Narrated by Sophie Roberts
A pretty typical popcorn thriller with multiple pov's, an intriguing house sitter that travels the world and two story lines that come together eventually.
This was just too long at 400 pages and could have been better if shortened.
There is also one plot point that I had a hard time overlooking, but just went with it for fun!
I am interested in reading more from this author. I think I would have enjoyed more if I hadn't seen what was coming.
A good🍿listen!
10 hours, 4 min
Narrated by Sophie Roberts
A pretty typical popcorn thriller with multiple pov's, an intriguing house sitter that travels the world and two story lines that come together eventually.
This was just too long at 400 pages and could have been better if shortened.
There is also one plot point that I had a hard time overlooking, but just went with it for fun!
I am interested in reading more from this author. I think I would have enjoyed more if I hadn't seen what was coming.
January 24, 2023
I always enjoy thrillers with endings that keep me guessing, second-guessing, and triple-guessing until the very, very last page.
"The House Sitter" was one of those books.
Kudos to author Debbie Howells for creating unlikable and unreliable protagonists that sizzled and soared.
Throughout the book's entirety, I never knew who to believe and/or what the book's final reveal would be.
I listened to the audiobook read by Sophie Roberts.
Although Sophie Roberts did an over-the-top job with the narration, the audiobook would have benefited from multiple narrators since it was told from multiple POVs.
5 enthusiastic stars!
"The House Sitter" was one of those books.
Kudos to author Debbie Howells for creating unlikable and unreliable protagonists that sizzled and soared.
Throughout the book's entirety, I never knew who to believe and/or what the book's final reveal would be.
I listened to the audiobook read by Sophie Roberts.
Although Sophie Roberts did an over-the-top job with the narration, the audiobook would have benefited from multiple narrators since it was told from multiple POVs.
5 enthusiastic stars!
December 4, 2022
This book comes with high praise from many reviewers and is told via multiple points of view from various times and locations and covers pretty much 2 separate stories and set of events that are linked and do, eventually, all come together
Not as complicated as I make it sound tbh and the various chapters are character headed to keep you on the right track
It is an unusual tale with a malevolence throughout but has to be said it has a glum feeling to it due to the stories and there isn’t really a break in this even for the odd bit of dark humour
The characters are written to be unlikeable and the author does that very well 😎
There was one massive bugbear to me re the plot, and this gives nothing away, and that was in this day and age who would let someone house sit without Police checks or checking references?, surely no one?, however this happens throughout and did remain a niggle for me
Still it’s a well written, different take on a theme we all know and was persistent enough in its intrigue keep me reading it
3 Stars
7/10
Not as complicated as I make it sound tbh and the various chapters are character headed to keep you on the right track
It is an unusual tale with a malevolence throughout but has to be said it has a glum feeling to it due to the stories and there isn’t really a break in this even for the odd bit of dark humour
The characters are written to be unlikeable and the author does that very well 😎
There was one massive bugbear to me re the plot, and this gives nothing away, and that was in this day and age who would let someone house sit without Police checks or checking references?, surely no one?, however this happens throughout and did remain a niggle for me
Still it’s a well written, different take on a theme we all know and was persistent enough in its intrigue keep me reading it
3 Stars
7/10
November 25, 2022
Review coming soon.
January 5, 2023
Another engrossing read from Howells, I was fascinated with the plot development and flabbergasted by some of the characters actions. This was a gripping read.
The novel is divided into two sections: the present-day narrative is all about the death of Oliver. Kat is, naturally, devastated by the news and her world is rocked even more when she discovers her husband had secrets. The police investigation intensifies further when suspicions are raised that perhaps Kat was involved in the tragic accident. Whilst this is developing, the narrative is split across several perspectives and I enjoyed how this disorientated the story, especially as I was so keen to learn more about Oliver’s secrets.
Yet, this isn’t the only device that the writer employs to delay revelations. Throughout the novel, readers are taken to Europe and the glamourous life of the house-sitter. Yet, from the beginning it is made clear that this house-sitter has not-so-honest intentions. I loved reading this element of the story because the lifestyle juxtaposed the actions. I delighted in being shocked and enjoyed how far the house-sitter would push boundaries to ensure their identity remained hidden. Furthermore, Howells takes a long time to reveal who this character is, and I liked how ambiguous this remained throughout the novel.
Although some of the revelations were not that surprising (especially when considering similar thrillers), it was the methods used by the writer that added to the thrill of the read. There was so much intrigue that I could not foresee how the two plot strands would eventually weave together. In terms of characters, there were plenty of motives involved that I could suspect the majority of them for wrongdoings. Furthermore, add in Ana’s character to the story and my imagination went wild with theories.
I was absorbed into this narrative and relished in the contrast established with the life of the house-sitter and the events unfolding in Deal. However, both are connected by the theme of secrecy and how far a person will go to ensure the truth is never revealed…
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The novel is divided into two sections: the present-day narrative is all about the death of Oliver. Kat is, naturally, devastated by the news and her world is rocked even more when she discovers her husband had secrets. The police investigation intensifies further when suspicions are raised that perhaps Kat was involved in the tragic accident. Whilst this is developing, the narrative is split across several perspectives and I enjoyed how this disorientated the story, especially as I was so keen to learn more about Oliver’s secrets.
Yet, this isn’t the only device that the writer employs to delay revelations. Throughout the novel, readers are taken to Europe and the glamourous life of the house-sitter. Yet, from the beginning it is made clear that this house-sitter has not-so-honest intentions. I loved reading this element of the story because the lifestyle juxtaposed the actions. I delighted in being shocked and enjoyed how far the house-sitter would push boundaries to ensure their identity remained hidden. Furthermore, Howells takes a long time to reveal who this character is, and I liked how ambiguous this remained throughout the novel.
Although some of the revelations were not that surprising (especially when considering similar thrillers), it was the methods used by the writer that added to the thrill of the read. There was so much intrigue that I could not foresee how the two plot strands would eventually weave together. In terms of characters, there were plenty of motives involved that I could suspect the majority of them for wrongdoings. Furthermore, add in Ana’s character to the story and my imagination went wild with theories.
I was absorbed into this narrative and relished in the contrast established with the life of the house-sitter and the events unfolding in Deal. However, both are connected by the theme of secrecy and how far a person will go to ensure the truth is never revealed…
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2022
Kat is at home and receives the terrible news that her husband has been killed in a suspicious car accident.. so why does she feel a bit of relief? It was her car that was tampered with, after all. His family rushes to her side and together they try to make sense of what happened and the new information they’re finding out about Oliver.
Also narrating from an unspecified time, a free-spirited woman is making her way through the world by house-sitting and scamming, with a little murder here and there. But only when she has to.. she’s not a monster! We know she will probably end up being important in our current story and timeline but we have no idea when or now.
The story started out strong and kept me hooked. I had hoped for the end to tie up a bit cleaner but it was still really good, even though no one beat up Ana for being really annoying. They were complex characters, flawed and believable, and built naturally instead of the endless chapters of character-building that peeves me in many books. Definitely recommend, just don’t take their AA advice. You don’t have a final AA meeting and you’re magically cured, it’s something you continue but that’s a conversation for another time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
Also narrating from an unspecified time, a free-spirited woman is making her way through the world by house-sitting and scamming, with a little murder here and there. But only when she has to.. she’s not a monster! We know she will probably end up being important in our current story and timeline but we have no idea when or now.
The story started out strong and kept me hooked. I had hoped for the end to tie up a bit cleaner but it was still really good, even though no one beat up Ana for being really annoying. They were complex characters, flawed and believable, and built naturally instead of the endless chapters of character-building that peeves me in many books. Definitely recommend, just don’t take their AA advice. You don’t have a final AA meeting and you’re magically cured, it’s something you continue but that’s a conversation for another time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
December 14, 2022
A scheming traveller - Across Europe a young woman with no name and no fixed appearance hops from empty villa to vacated apartment to dormant summer house under the guise of house sitter. Her agenda? Steal from the rich and kill anyone who gets in her way.
A grieving wife - On a stormy night in England, travelling down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat's husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all. This is a fast paced read that held my attention throughout. There are two stories running throughout the book, and I loved how they joined together seamlessly. It's told from multiple perspectives. The characters are well fleshed out, but I didn't really like any of them. Everyone seemed to be hiding something. I did guess how some of the story was going but not it all.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #DebbieHowells for my ARC of #TheHouseSitter in exchange for an honest review.
A grieving wife - On a stormy night in England, travelling down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat's husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all. This is a fast paced read that held my attention throughout. There are two stories running throughout the book, and I loved how they joined together seamlessly. It's told from multiple perspectives. The characters are well fleshed out, but I didn't really like any of them. Everyone seemed to be hiding something. I did guess how some of the story was going but not it all.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #DebbieHowells for my ARC of #TheHouseSitter in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2023
I just couldn’t get past the faults and ultimately this spoiled the read for me.
I do not enjoy unrealistic scenarios, multiple POVs interspersed with ever-changing timelines and writing that tells me every action/thought of a character. The novel, thus, was possibly doomed from the start for me. The writing tended to tell me what to think in every instance with unnecessary detail requiring no imagination. There were ‘fudgy’ facts and no ebb or flow of events.
I usually love a despicable character or two but these were so over the top they were unbelievable. From the outset when a mother says the funeral of her son is just a formula/a ritual to a father with so many pathologies realistically he should be committed to an institution; it didn’t work for me. It felt like a read where the author took every idea, suggestion, angle or writing tip and added all of them!
There are many four and give star reviews so maybe it was just me.
I do not enjoy unrealistic scenarios, multiple POVs interspersed with ever-changing timelines and writing that tells me every action/thought of a character. The novel, thus, was possibly doomed from the start for me. The writing tended to tell me what to think in every instance with unnecessary detail requiring no imagination. There were ‘fudgy’ facts and no ebb or flow of events.
I usually love a despicable character or two but these were so over the top they were unbelievable. From the outset when a mother says the funeral of her son is just a formula/a ritual to a father with so many pathologies realistically he should be committed to an institution; it didn’t work for me. It felt like a read where the author took every idea, suggestion, angle or writing tip and added all of them!
There are many four and give star reviews so maybe it was just me.
February 11, 2023
4 / 5
If anyone has read the Secret by Debbie Howell, you’ll know her style and approach to a solid unpredictable plot. Unfortunately I think her previous book was better than this book even though it ticked all the boxes for me.
At the start you’re thrown into two different storylines which run alongside one another. One about Katherine and Oliver, where Oliver had passed as a result of the car’s break lines being slashed, whilst the other plot talks about the journey of a human which adapts, travels around Europe house sitter.
For the longest time, I’d say 225 pages in there is almost NO CONNECTION between the two plots, or maybe my blind ass ( yes I do wear glasses) didn’t pick up. I didn’t understand why at that point we were still reading two different stories. At 250 pages is where the plot turns up, before this point it was a very slow build up with pretty much nothing happening unless the detective shows up and starts questioning and the characters use their brain to question why things weren’t adding up. But this is where everything turns up by ten fold, everything starts happening and then you reach that point of no way is that how it’s linked. Even I was shocked on how things started to connect. It’s up until the very last page where everything makes sense, and everything clicks. Which I really did enjoy the unexpected twists. I thought it was going to end this book with unanswered questions. But you really have to read the whole book to get it.
But unfortunately I felt as though the book was slow, the pace was slow it didn’t have the same intensity as her other book the Secret. I think if they started to add the subtle connections within the first 200 pages is where the book would have improved. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book, it had everything I wanted- but given how much I enjoyed her previous book, this didn’t live up to it. But a high rating as this is a plot I will definitely remember.
If anyone has read the Secret by Debbie Howell, you’ll know her style and approach to a solid unpredictable plot. Unfortunately I think her previous book was better than this book even though it ticked all the boxes for me.
At the start you’re thrown into two different storylines which run alongside one another. One about Katherine and Oliver, where Oliver had passed as a result of the car’s break lines being slashed, whilst the other plot talks about the journey of a human which adapts, travels around Europe house sitter.
For the longest time, I’d say 225 pages in there is almost NO CONNECTION between the two plots, or maybe my blind ass ( yes I do wear glasses) didn’t pick up. I didn’t understand why at that point we were still reading two different stories. At 250 pages is where the plot turns up, before this point it was a very slow build up with pretty much nothing happening unless the detective shows up and starts questioning and the characters use their brain to question why things weren’t adding up. But this is where everything turns up by ten fold, everything starts happening and then you reach that point of no way is that how it’s linked. Even I was shocked on how things started to connect. It’s up until the very last page where everything makes sense, and everything clicks. Which I really did enjoy the unexpected twists. I thought it was going to end this book with unanswered questions. But you really have to read the whole book to get it.
But unfortunately I felt as though the book was slow, the pace was slow it didn’t have the same intensity as her other book the Secret. I think if they started to add the subtle connections within the first 200 pages is where the book would have improved. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book, it had everything I wanted- but given how much I enjoyed her previous book, this didn’t live up to it. But a high rating as this is a plot I will definitely remember.
October 30, 2022
A young woman takes a job as a house sitter in France, living free in luxurious houses, stealing produce for the local farmers and scheming to earn money to live on. She has no scruples and will stop at nothing to insure that she doesn’t get caught.
In England Katherine’s husband has died in a car accident and it’s not long before his family find out that he had many secrets that he has been keeping from them.
A story with lots of twist and turns that keeps you guessing until the end. Impossible to put down, I read this in on sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
In England Katherine’s husband has died in a car accident and it’s not long before his family find out that he had many secrets that he has been keeping from them.
A story with lots of twist and turns that keeps you guessing until the end. Impossible to put down, I read this in on sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2023
Katherine is devastated to learn that her husband Oliver has died in a car accident. She is perplexed as Oliver is a pilot and should have been on a flight to Alicante. It soon became apparent that Katherine didn't know her husband as well as she thought.
A scheming traveller. A woman travelling across Europe with no name or fixed abode hops from empty villa to apartment to summerhouse in the guise of a "House Sitter." Her agenda is steal from the rich and kill anyone who gets in her way.
I loved how the two stories run parallel but join together seamlessly with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
A scheming traveller. A woman travelling across Europe with no name or fixed abode hops from empty villa to apartment to summerhouse in the guise of a "House Sitter." Her agenda is steal from the rich and kill anyone who gets in her way.
I loved how the two stories run parallel but join together seamlessly with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2022
Wow, this book just grabbed me right from the start. It was so twisty with two different stories running through it. The book was well set out so you didn’t get confused by the different characters. Towards the end I guessed a lot of how it would turn out but, this didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
September 21, 2022
Oliver is killed in a car accident and his wife Katherine is devastated. With detectives on the case, she learns a lot about her husband that she never knew. There is also another story here about a young girl that goes by different names through the years. She is a house sitter and not a very good one!! How do these stories come together? You have to read to find out.
I was quite invested in the story and read this in a days time. I really thought Debbie Howells was clever on how she brought these stories together in the end. I've read several of her books and I have never been disappointed! I recommend this one to keep you entertained for a day or two!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.
This review will be posted to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
I was quite invested in the story and read this in a days time. I really thought Debbie Howells was clever on how she brought these stories together in the end. I've read several of her books and I have never been disappointed! I recommend this one to keep you entertained for a day or two!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.
This review will be posted to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
November 15, 2022
I was so excited to see Debbie Howells writing psychological suspense again! She has such a knack for keeping readers on the edge of their seats and her spectacular narrative suspense is peppered with just enough short-term suspense to keep readers guessing. This long-awaited book proved to be everything I was expecting … and more!
The characters are amazing! What I especially loved was that each one had a unique voice; their name, personality, and ‘methods’ were refreshingly differentiated. The ‘house sitter’ was so expertly crafted that I couldn’t wait to see what she’d get up to next and when potential harm was headed her way, I was yelling at her to vacate the premises….despite her being despicable and scheming! That takes skill. Thank you to the author!
I loved how Howells was able to keep me in the dark. I had no idea how everything was going to connect and was completely surprised by the reveal. Most of all, I appreciated the in-depth characterization. Howells knew her ‘house sitter’ so well and it enabled her to present this complicated, multi-dimensional person and slowly reveal what is hidden beneath the surface. As she interacts with different people I saw different layers and different aspects of her character. When the big reveal arrived, I smacked myself up the side of the head and yelled, “Of course!” Howells got me again.
You’ll think differently about turning the key and walking away from your property the next time you go on vacation…I promise! You need to put this fantastic book on your TBR pile.
Please keep writing psychological suspense, Debbie Howells. You have an incredible gift that begs to be shared.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The characters are amazing! What I especially loved was that each one had a unique voice; their name, personality, and ‘methods’ were refreshingly differentiated. The ‘house sitter’ was so expertly crafted that I couldn’t wait to see what she’d get up to next and when potential harm was headed her way, I was yelling at her to vacate the premises….despite her being despicable and scheming! That takes skill. Thank you to the author!
I loved how Howells was able to keep me in the dark. I had no idea how everything was going to connect and was completely surprised by the reveal. Most of all, I appreciated the in-depth characterization. Howells knew her ‘house sitter’ so well and it enabled her to present this complicated, multi-dimensional person and slowly reveal what is hidden beneath the surface. As she interacts with different people I saw different layers and different aspects of her character. When the big reveal arrived, I smacked myself up the side of the head and yelled, “Of course!” Howells got me again.
You’ll think differently about turning the key and walking away from your property the next time you go on vacation…I promise! You need to put this fantastic book on your TBR pile.
Please keep writing psychological suspense, Debbie Howells. You have an incredible gift that begs to be shared.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 17, 2022
A scheming traveller
Across Europe, a young woman with no name and no fixed appearance hops from empty villa to vacated apartment to dormant summer house under the guise of house sitter. Her agenda? Steal from the rich, and kill anyone who gets in her way…
A grieving wife On a stormy night in England, travelling home down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat’s husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all…
A plot to kill As the people in Oliver’s life try to reconcile what they’ve found with the man they thought they knew, a very different picture begins to emerge. But is it Oliver they shouldn’t have trusted, or is someone even closer to home harboring a secret they’d kill to keep hidden…?
Wow couldn’t put this book down really well written and really enjoyed this book totally gripping and totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books Uk
I just reviewed The House Sitter by Debbie Howells. #NetGalley
A grieving wife On a stormy night in England, travelling home down narrow country lanes, a fatal car crash leaves Kat’s husband Oliver dead. But as Kat begins to mourn his loss, she discovers something that suggests she never knew her husband at all…
A plot to kill As the people in Oliver’s life try to reconcile what they’ve found with the man they thought they knew, a very different picture begins to emerge. But is it Oliver they shouldn’t have trusted, or is someone even closer to home harboring a secret they’d kill to keep hidden…?
Wow couldn’t put this book down really well written and really enjoyed this book totally gripping and totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books Uk
I just reviewed The House Sitter by Debbie Howells. #NetGalley
September 8, 2022
Put the word house in the title of the book and I'll grab it right away and read it! After reading The House Sitter, you'll not only wish you'd never heard of this term, but you'll also start to doubt your house guests or even family members. ;)
The book takes place in two timelines, we follow a young woman who tries to find her place under the sun and her own identity by becoming a house sitter in various luxury holiday destinations in Europe, while at the same time no obstacle stops her on the way to her goal.
The book also follows the life of a therapist who, after the death of her husband, realizes that her husband had a double life. Soon, relations with his primary family also begin to get complicated.
We all choose the face we want to present to the world. Everyone is hiding something and it's only a matter of time before it all comes out.
An extremely suspenseful novel that you won't be able to put down. I enjoyed it immensely.
The book takes place in two timelines, we follow a young woman who tries to find her place under the sun and her own identity by becoming a house sitter in various luxury holiday destinations in Europe, while at the same time no obstacle stops her on the way to her goal.
The book also follows the life of a therapist who, after the death of her husband, realizes that her husband had a double life. Soon, relations with his primary family also begin to get complicated.
We all choose the face we want to present to the world. Everyone is hiding something and it's only a matter of time before it all comes out.
An extremely suspenseful novel that you won't be able to put down. I enjoyed it immensely.
January 6, 2023
5⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
This is one blinding and enthralling read! 😍
What a superb read to kickstart 2023! I can already tell that this read will be one of my favourites.🔥
I praise Howells for constructing the perfect read. Right from the onset I was immersed into the nightmare situation and the more I read on, the more the book was stuck to my hands. I enjoyed the short chapters, multiple POVs and the underlying question of whether you ever truly know someone.
What I really loved about this read, was that I felt like I was reading two separate books and I was constantly intrigued as to how they would both connect. On one hand we had the chapters from Kat and Oliver’s mother Jude which demonstrated the agony and confusion their family were facing. On the other hand, the chapters from the house sitter and her antics were beautifully written alongside the descriptions of Europe.
The house sitter herself was incredibly duplicitous and created the perfect illusion. I loved her speech in the chapters and she was very intelligent and knew how to protect herself. I also enjoyed how sex and murder at times were not described and just implied and how the house sitter just continued in her daily lavish lifestyle despite this.
This read is also built upon deceit and the social economic disparities between the characters which runs throughout as a strong theme. I always enjoy reading thrillers that include wealth and money, highlighting how the rich always think they are above all else.
I really had no idea where this read was taking me. It was one feast of a thriller and when the penny dropped, I wanted to bow down to Howells for just how clever this read was. 🔥
I urge you all to check out this brilliant read that is published today (5th January 23) as this review really does not do it justice!
A huge thank you for this review copy Debbie Howells and Avon Books UK and happy publication day 😍❤️
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
This is one blinding and enthralling read! 😍
What a superb read to kickstart 2023! I can already tell that this read will be one of my favourites.🔥
I praise Howells for constructing the perfect read. Right from the onset I was immersed into the nightmare situation and the more I read on, the more the book was stuck to my hands. I enjoyed the short chapters, multiple POVs and the underlying question of whether you ever truly know someone.
What I really loved about this read, was that I felt like I was reading two separate books and I was constantly intrigued as to how they would both connect. On one hand we had the chapters from Kat and Oliver’s mother Jude which demonstrated the agony and confusion their family were facing. On the other hand, the chapters from the house sitter and her antics were beautifully written alongside the descriptions of Europe.
The house sitter herself was incredibly duplicitous and created the perfect illusion. I loved her speech in the chapters and she was very intelligent and knew how to protect herself. I also enjoyed how sex and murder at times were not described and just implied and how the house sitter just continued in her daily lavish lifestyle despite this.
This read is also built upon deceit and the social economic disparities between the characters which runs throughout as a strong theme. I always enjoy reading thrillers that include wealth and money, highlighting how the rich always think they are above all else.
I really had no idea where this read was taking me. It was one feast of a thriller and when the penny dropped, I wanted to bow down to Howells for just how clever this read was. 🔥
I urge you all to check out this brilliant read that is published today (5th January 23) as this review really does not do it justice!
A huge thank you for this review copy Debbie Howells and Avon Books UK and happy publication day 😍❤️
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
April 23, 2024
This book was right up my street! Told over a dual timeline, it kept me guessing right up until the last pages due to the unreliable narrators… loved it!
January 5, 2023
Hurray to seeing Debbie Howells returning to psychological thrillers. This book was a captivating read, full of well-rounded but totally unlikeable characters, dark events and secrets.
The story is told from two different time periods with multiple narrators. However the author is so adept at giving the characters voice, that there is never any confusion.
Starting with the house-sitting scenarios, the scene is set for some real tension, with shocking events. These continue throughout most of the book.
Alternating with this, are the tragic events surrounding the death of a young husband, Oliver, in a car crash.
As you would guess, nothing is at it seems and gradually the secrets start to come out. The reader is taken on a journey, suspecting first one, then another character.
For me, what makes it a four rather than five star read, is that I didn’t personally like/ invest in any of the characters, apart from Jude , as she puts her life back together towards the end of the book. However, despite this, the story had captured my imagination and attention.
The author shows great skill in bringing both the past and the present together, making the events finally fall into place, so seamlessly. Another powerful read from Debbie Howells and the Avon Books stable.
The story is told from two different time periods with multiple narrators. However the author is so adept at giving the characters voice, that there is never any confusion.
Starting with the house-sitting scenarios, the scene is set for some real tension, with shocking events. These continue throughout most of the book.
Alternating with this, are the tragic events surrounding the death of a young husband, Oliver, in a car crash.
As you would guess, nothing is at it seems and gradually the secrets start to come out. The reader is taken on a journey, suspecting first one, then another character.
For me, what makes it a four rather than five star read, is that I didn’t personally like/ invest in any of the characters, apart from Jude , as she puts her life back together towards the end of the book. However, despite this, the story had captured my imagination and attention.
The author shows great skill in bringing both the past and the present together, making the events finally fall into place, so seamlessly. Another powerful read from Debbie Howells and the Avon Books stable.
January 5, 2023
This book pulled a punch!!! Definitely a page turner, edge of your seat thriller. That ending though!!! Definitely the wow factor in this read.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
January 20, 2023
It’s an average read.
A fair few of the chapters are written in italics to differentiate between one character’s (‘the baddie’) backstory and the others. This character I got a bit bored with, as she didn’t seem to fit into the storyline, and indeed it didn’t, until one paragraph on the page before last. I felt this was a waste. I suppose the idea was to keep you guessing as to which of the two women was the baddie but I’m sure I missed salient points because I’d waited so long for the denouement.
A fair few of the chapters are written in italics to differentiate between one character’s (‘the baddie’) backstory and the others. This character I got a bit bored with, as she didn’t seem to fit into the storyline, and indeed it didn’t, until one paragraph on the page before last. I felt this was a waste. I suppose the idea was to keep you guessing as to which of the two women was the baddie but I’m sure I missed salient points because I’d waited so long for the denouement.
February 14, 2023
Definitely a switch your brain off type of thriller. I’m sure there were some major holes and things that didn’t make sense in the plot, but it was a fun read, and I couldn’t be bothered overthinking it.
One small gripe was the overuse of the “the happiest of…,” “ the brightest of….” descriptions. Found that a bit grating.
One small gripe was the overuse of the “the happiest of…,” “ the brightest of….” descriptions. Found that a bit grating.
August 16, 2023
2.5 stars**
Alright I’m done with audiobooks. I swear they make the book worse than they actually are. This was probably a lot better than what I’m rating it but the audiobook didn’t help!
Think I would have preferred this if I read it physically, but also if I think about the alternating plotlines, the plotline with the house sitter is mostly irrelevant to the present day storyline. It’s basically pointless, except one tiny little bit at the end that links one person in the past to the present. Every time we were in the house sitters point of view I got bored and wanted to go back to the present day storyline which is where the real plot was.
I wanted to like this one but I think this book could do with a little tidying up to make it a strong thriller/mystery. It was a little lacklustre for me sadly, but I could see glimpses of potential and it was overall easy to get through, and I stuck it through to the end.
Alright I’m done with audiobooks. I swear they make the book worse than they actually are. This was probably a lot better than what I’m rating it but the audiobook didn’t help!
Think I would have preferred this if I read it physically, but also if I think about the alternating plotlines, the plotline with the house sitter is mostly irrelevant to the present day storyline. It’s basically pointless, except one tiny little bit at the end that links one person in the past to the present. Every time we were in the house sitters point of view I got bored and wanted to go back to the present day storyline which is where the real plot was.
I wanted to like this one but I think this book could do with a little tidying up to make it a strong thriller/mystery. It was a little lacklustre for me sadly, but I could see glimpses of potential and it was overall easy to get through, and I stuck it through to the end.
May 22, 2023
Meh, wasn’t a fan of the story and it took way too long to connect both worlds and by the time they did connect I didn’t really care.
June 22, 2023
I was so confused at the end - I had to rewind and relisten to several times as i thought i missed something. Sort of a poor story - sorry Deb
December 13, 2022
The House Sitter is a novel full of deceit, unlikeable characters (which I always enjoy reading about!) and some really horrible family members!
We’re told the story through multiple perspectives, adding intrigue to the narrative, but we start the novel with an elusive ‘house sitter’ who travels through Europe “looking after” people’s homes whilst they’re away – but in fact stealing from them and much worse… This sets a mysterious feeling to the story, as we wonder who this person is and how she links with the story. We then swing back to the UK, as Katherine, Oliver’s wife, and his mother Jude discover Oliver has died in a car accident that seems increasingly suspicious. But both women – and Oliver’s brother Joe – discover that Oliver has been leading a secret life…
The plot moves between the house sitter’s chapters and the people mourning Oliver’s death. I don’t want to give too much away about the storyline but the reader soon begins to unpick the reality of Oliver’s situation. There were some parts which felt a little too convenient and far-fetched to me – mainly with the housesitter storyline if I’m honest – but it’s still an enjoyable, fun read!
I liked that the characters in this novel didn’t refuse to believe the evidence right in front of them, as often happens in novels, and each of them had their flaws – in fact, there wasn’t really anyone who could be said to be perfect (or hugely likeable) in this novel! Again, for me, this is a positive and feels much more realistic.
Despite the twists, I did guess some of how the book would end but it didn’t hamper my enjoyment. It’s a really fun read which kept me wanting to read on, and I’d recommend it.
3.75 bumped to 4/5 stars.
Many thanks to the publisher, Avon Books, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest review.
Read more book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com.
We’re told the story through multiple perspectives, adding intrigue to the narrative, but we start the novel with an elusive ‘house sitter’ who travels through Europe “looking after” people’s homes whilst they’re away – but in fact stealing from them and much worse… This sets a mysterious feeling to the story, as we wonder who this person is and how she links with the story. We then swing back to the UK, as Katherine, Oliver’s wife, and his mother Jude discover Oliver has died in a car accident that seems increasingly suspicious. But both women – and Oliver’s brother Joe – discover that Oliver has been leading a secret life…
The plot moves between the house sitter’s chapters and the people mourning Oliver’s death. I don’t want to give too much away about the storyline but the reader soon begins to unpick the reality of Oliver’s situation. There were some parts which felt a little too convenient and far-fetched to me – mainly with the housesitter storyline if I’m honest – but it’s still an enjoyable, fun read!
I liked that the characters in this novel didn’t refuse to believe the evidence right in front of them, as often happens in novels, and each of them had their flaws – in fact, there wasn’t really anyone who could be said to be perfect (or hugely likeable) in this novel! Again, for me, this is a positive and feels much more realistic.
Despite the twists, I did guess some of how the book would end but it didn’t hamper my enjoyment. It’s a really fun read which kept me wanting to read on, and I’d recommend it.
3.75 bumped to 4/5 stars.
Many thanks to the publisher, Avon Books, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest review.
Read more book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com.
January 14, 2023
Katherine McKenna is married to Oliver, an airline pilot. They live in a nice home and have a comfortable life. Katherine is a counsellor with an office in their home. Thinking Oliver is on a flight, she is shocked when the police come to her door saying Oliver was in an accident and did not survive. She learns that Oliver left his job two months ago. His brother, Joe and his mother, Jude, take her home with them as she grieves.
Gemma Hargreaves is a cleaner working for a lousy company of cleaners. The manager piles abuse on her and as she’s had enough, she quits. Now, she knows she won’t be able to pay her rent so she looks for another type of job. She sees an ad for house sitters in France for second and holiday homes. The house sitter keeps up the house and grounds. Assuming a new name, she writes a CV and adds some false references.
This story is divided up and told from two different women. Gemma is a nasty piece of work as she swims along through the book. At first I didn’t see how Katherine and Oliver came into play but the two women characters moved closer together as we get to the end of the book. It’s difficult to give out what I didn’t care for in this book without giving out spoilers. I would have liked to have seen a proper comeuppance, but that didn’t happen. I also cannot imagine why someone would feel the need to have a house sitter in their home when they’re not there. Lock of the place and get a gardener in once a week to cut the grass. Problem solved.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Gemma Hargreaves is a cleaner working for a lousy company of cleaners. The manager piles abuse on her and as she’s had enough, she quits. Now, she knows she won’t be able to pay her rent so she looks for another type of job. She sees an ad for house sitters in France for second and holiday homes. The house sitter keeps up the house and grounds. Assuming a new name, she writes a CV and adds some false references.
This story is divided up and told from two different women. Gemma is a nasty piece of work as she swims along through the book. At first I didn’t see how Katherine and Oliver came into play but the two women characters moved closer together as we get to the end of the book. It’s difficult to give out what I didn’t care for in this book without giving out spoilers. I would have liked to have seen a proper comeuppance, but that didn’t happen. I also cannot imagine why someone would feel the need to have a house sitter in their home when they’re not there. Lock of the place and get a gardener in once a week to cut the grass. Problem solved.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 10, 2022
The House Sitter is an alluring, dark, unsettling and disconcerting thriller which had me practically holding my breath for the entire ride. The various points of view are told with tremendous skill and insight into human nature. The characters, some detestable, others likeable, are adept at deception and think nothing of piling on the lies until, in some cases, there is no escape. Death is no accident.
Kat's life is shattered one day when police tell her about the death of her commercial pilot husband Oliver in a car accident. Oliver's parents and brother immediately rally round Kat and offer support as they share unimaginable grief. But it's not only Oliver who has a past.
A young woman quits her uninspiring job and decides to get rid of her belongings to live a new life housesitting in summer houses throughout Europe. Owners are only too happy to have their homes looked after in their absence. She enjoys her moments in the sun, fitting in with the local rhythm and meeting people until events start happening which cause her to make frequent changes like a chameleon.
What I liked best is the uniqueness of the story and how flawlessly the stories connected. Though I hated most of the characters, the angst is precisely what I look for in a thriller. Thriller readers, be prepared for a nail-biter!
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unforgettable stunner, leaving me thirsty for more!
Kat's life is shattered one day when police tell her about the death of her commercial pilot husband Oliver in a car accident. Oliver's parents and brother immediately rally round Kat and offer support as they share unimaginable grief. But it's not only Oliver who has a past.
A young woman quits her uninspiring job and decides to get rid of her belongings to live a new life housesitting in summer houses throughout Europe. Owners are only too happy to have their homes looked after in their absence. She enjoys her moments in the sun, fitting in with the local rhythm and meeting people until events start happening which cause her to make frequent changes like a chameleon.
What I liked best is the uniqueness of the story and how flawlessly the stories connected. Though I hated most of the characters, the angst is precisely what I look for in a thriller. Thriller readers, be prepared for a nail-biter!
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unforgettable stunner, leaving me thirsty for more!
January 4, 2023
A tangled web of murder, con artists, and deceit weave through this family like a spider weaves a web.
I had no idea of what I was getting into when I started reading The House Sitter,
through two days I had my mind blown more times than I can count.
In a story where every character has secrets and a past, we find out just how far someone is willing to go to protect it all and what happens when the skeletons come out of the closet.
Kat has been many things at many times, committed more crimes than I can count, and has proven herself to have ice water in her veins, and yet somehow I was still rooting for her, to me that is the very best type of character, one that is completely wrong but there's something about them that just makes you want them to walk out unscathed at the end.
If you're looking for a murder mystery that will have you looking over your shoulder and checking your breaks this is the one for you, it's gripping in the best of ways and gives you an ending that leaves the door open to hope for our characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an advance copy of this book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had no idea of what I was getting into when I started reading The House Sitter,
through two days I had my mind blown more times than I can count.
In a story where every character has secrets and a past, we find out just how far someone is willing to go to protect it all and what happens when the skeletons come out of the closet.
Kat has been many things at many times, committed more crimes than I can count, and has proven herself to have ice water in her veins, and yet somehow I was still rooting for her, to me that is the very best type of character, one that is completely wrong but there's something about them that just makes you want them to walk out unscathed at the end.
If you're looking for a murder mystery that will have you looking over your shoulder and checking your breaks this is the one for you, it's gripping in the best of ways and gives you an ending that leaves the door open to hope for our characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an advance copy of this book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 28, 2022
I am a huge Debbie Howells fan and was super excited to get the opportunity to read this novel. It was a great read, not as good as some of her others that I have read but still a great read.
We meet Kat, who is married to Oliver and she has just learnt that he has been killed whilst driving her car. We get to meet Oliver's family, namely his mother who some of the chapters are told through her view point, his father who is highly unlikeable and not a great dad/husband and his brother who is in love with Kat and has been for many years.
We then meet another woman who takes on people's identities and is the house sitter in many different countries.
The chapters are told via different character's view points and does keep you guessing as to what may have happened to Oliver as the police say it could be suspicious.
A really great read, with characters that are cleverly thought about and not likeable in the least.
Thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Howells and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
We meet Kat, who is married to Oliver and she has just learnt that he has been killed whilst driving her car. We get to meet Oliver's family, namely his mother who some of the chapters are told through her view point, his father who is highly unlikeable and not a great dad/husband and his brother who is in love with Kat and has been for many years.
We then meet another woman who takes on people's identities and is the house sitter in many different countries.
The chapters are told via different character's view points and does keep you guessing as to what may have happened to Oliver as the police say it could be suspicious.
A really great read, with characters that are cleverly thought about and not likeable in the least.
Thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Howells and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
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