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The Other Tenant
THE TWISTY NEW THRILLER FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE RUMOUR. Coming soon and available to pre-order now! 'DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE' Marlow has always lived in unusual places. But when she accepts a vacancy as a property guardian, she finds herself moving back to a place she swore she'd never return to.Right from the start, she knows it's a terrible mistake. Something sinister is happening on the site - the previous tenant, Hayley, has disappeared without warning, and Marlow suspects the other guardians know far more than they're letting on. She's determined to find out what happened to Hayley, but which of these strangers can she trust?And what secrets from Marlow's own past are about to make things even worse?
352 pages, Hardcover
Published April 25, 2024
55 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Kara
6 books859 followersLesley Kara is the Sunday Times Top 10 author of psychological thrillers. Her first book, THE RUMOUR, was the highest selling print crime fiction debut of 2019, has sold in over 18 countries and is soon to be a major TV series on Channel 5! Subsequent books are: WHO DID YOU TELL, THE DARE, THE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS, and THE OTHER TENANT.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
March 30, 2024
Property guardians are quite common in my country. Due to the housing crisis, its often the only kind of property that is available at an affordable rent. As the rent for social housing is nearing 727 pounds/917 dollar a month, many young (and not so young) people are very happy to be able to live somewhere, anywhere, for something like 150 pounds/215 dollar a month. Even if it means you can only stay a year in an old school building.
Having to live in an old school, as Marlow is forced to do in this story, may sound nice because of the size of the rooms. But not for Marlow, as soon as she discovers she has to live with a bunch of strangers in her old school. The one where the biggest tragedy of her life happened. Property guardians are supposed to watch the building and take care it stays safe and will not be overrun by squatters. To er shock and dismay Marlow finds out that the self-proclaimed ‘head guardian’ is keeping secrets and there are multiple signs that the building is not safe at all. Especially not the old swimming pool…
Despite her mixed feelings about living in the building, Marlow decides to find out what’s happening.
It’s always nice to read about a group of people coming together in a story, when you know there must be something strange going on. Who’s having ulterior motives and who’s not?
A nice enough read although it’s not I could really engage with the characters.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this review copy.
Having to live in an old school, as Marlow is forced to do in this story, may sound nice because of the size of the rooms. But not for Marlow, as soon as she discovers she has to live with a bunch of strangers in her old school. The one where the biggest tragedy of her life happened. Property guardians are supposed to watch the building and take care it stays safe and will not be overrun by squatters. To er shock and dismay Marlow finds out that the self-proclaimed ‘head guardian’ is keeping secrets and there are multiple signs that the building is not safe at all. Especially not the old swimming pool…
Despite her mixed feelings about living in the building, Marlow decides to find out what’s happening.
It’s always nice to read about a group of people coming together in a story, when you know there must be something strange going on. Who’s having ulterior motives and who’s not?
A nice enough read although it’s not I could really engage with the characters.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this review copy.
March 30, 2024
Lesley Kara books are always so fun and addictive. I read The Other Tenant in an evening, unable to put it down. The mystery of the old abandoned school had me hooked. A story full of untrustworthy characters, in a place where nothing was as it seemed.
I had not heard of property guardians before but it makes a lot of sense. Marlow was one of a group of people who were living in an old private school that was set for redevelopment. Their job was to look after the place and make sure it wasn’t taken over by squatters and destroyed beforehand. It was an interesting story with plenty happening all the time..
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 25th.
I had not heard of property guardians before but it makes a lot of sense. Marlow was one of a group of people who were living in an old private school that was set for redevelopment. Their job was to look after the place and make sure it wasn’t taken over by squatters and destroyed beforehand. It was an interesting story with plenty happening all the time..
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 25th.
April 18, 2024
This is a great mystery thriller.
Marlow is a property guardian and enjoys staying at properties with a bit of history.
When she’s told it’s time to move out of the old church she’s been staying at, she wonders what will be next.
She’s quickly offered a room at an old school but when she realises it’s her old school, she’s suddenly unsure due to what happened when she was there.
We don’t find out until later what happened but just being there is affecting Marlow more than she thought.
The other property guardians are a mixed bunch and when it’s clear a previous guardian has gone missing, Marlow is determined to find out what happened.
This is a great read, with a few twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Marlow is a property guardian and enjoys staying at properties with a bit of history.
When she’s told it’s time to move out of the old church she’s been staying at, she wonders what will be next.
She’s quickly offered a room at an old school but when she realises it’s her old school, she’s suddenly unsure due to what happened when she was there.
We don’t find out until later what happened but just being there is affecting Marlow more than she thought.
The other property guardians are a mixed bunch and when it’s clear a previous guardian has gone missing, Marlow is determined to find out what happened.
This is a great read, with a few twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 27, 2024
The story is based on a concept of ‘Property Guardians’ that I wasn’t aware of before reading this book. For a reduced rent and without the usual tenant legal security, people occupy empty properties for securing and safeguarding purposes. Here, the main character Marlow is a property guardian. It’s rather an itinerant lifestyle, she can be moved on without notice but it suits her and she can indulge her passion for photography, old buildings being a favourite for her social media. When she is asked to move from her existing church building she is offered a new property – McKinleys School for Girls located in north London which is to be redeveloped. Even though 18 years have passed, she is horrified at returning to the scene of a traumatic event in her past which still impacts her life. However with nowhere else to live, she has no choice.
Marlow will be joining other guardians at the abandoned school. They were a diverse and mostly unlikeable bunch of people and I felt that any one of them had something to hide. When Marlow discovers that the nicer room (now out of bounds) that was meant to be hers had previously been occupied by a young woman whose sudden and out of character disappearance hadn’t raised any flags she is suspicious and determined to find out why. She really should have left well alone.
The old school is very much the main focus of the story and the author’s use of atmospheric detail and vivid imagery made it a creepy and forbidding place to live. I was fearful for Marlow, especially when she made some rather questionable decisions in her quest to find answers. The sinister voice of a nasty anonymous character adds to the tension, they have someone in their sights but why and how far will they go.
The Other Tenant is a chilling and unsettling read. There are secrets and deceit and I had no idea who was trustworthy, if indeed anyone. The slower pace is perfectly suited for ramping up the suspense. An addictive and engrossing read, I enjoyed this, despite being slightly saddened by one aspect of the story. Can’t say what. Spoilers!
Marlow will be joining other guardians at the abandoned school. They were a diverse and mostly unlikeable bunch of people and I felt that any one of them had something to hide. When Marlow discovers that the nicer room (now out of bounds) that was meant to be hers had previously been occupied by a young woman whose sudden and out of character disappearance hadn’t raised any flags she is suspicious and determined to find out why. She really should have left well alone.
The old school is very much the main focus of the story and the author’s use of atmospheric detail and vivid imagery made it a creepy and forbidding place to live. I was fearful for Marlow, especially when she made some rather questionable decisions in her quest to find answers. The sinister voice of a nasty anonymous character adds to the tension, they have someone in their sights but why and how far will they go.
The Other Tenant is a chilling and unsettling read. There are secrets and deceit and I had no idea who was trustworthy, if indeed anyone. The slower pace is perfectly suited for ramping up the suspense. An addictive and engrossing read, I enjoyed this, despite being slightly saddened by one aspect of the story. Can’t say what. Spoilers!
July 6, 2024
Not the best book I’ve read lately - it was okay
Read
May 2, 2024An original story about a woman called Marlow who gets offered a property guardianship which turns out to be in her old school. Somewhere she swore she would never enter again. This is something I’ve never heard of before, but it appears it is actually something that happens and it seems like, in reality, a good idea, in fiction, maybe not so much! A property guardian will move into an empty property at a much reduced rent and is there to take care of it for a limited period of time to prevent squatters, and to ensure the building is maintained Very well written and from multiple POV’s, one an unknown person from Marlow’s past, and with flashbacks to Marlow’s school days, this was an easy and entertaining read.
Briefly, with her current guardianship over Marlow has moved into the school alongside nine other guardians. However, she discovers that the guardian she is replacing, Hayley, just disappeared and her room has been locked so Marlow has to take a different room. What none of the other guardians know is that Marlow is also hiding a secret from her school days, and although she wants to leave she is suspicious about Hayley’s disappearance and has to find out what happened to her.
The guardians are a pretty strange bunch of people and the old building with its discarded items and empty corridors was a creepy setting, particularly for Marlow. It’s clear that there are secret being hidden by the other guardians and it was hard to know who to trust. Well paced, dark and creepy, and with a good plot I found this to be an enjoyable read.
Briefly, with her current guardianship over Marlow has moved into the school alongside nine other guardians. However, she discovers that the guardian she is replacing, Hayley, just disappeared and her room has been locked so Marlow has to take a different room. What none of the other guardians know is that Marlow is also hiding a secret from her school days, and although she wants to leave she is suspicious about Hayley’s disappearance and has to find out what happened to her.
The guardians are a pretty strange bunch of people and the old building with its discarded items and empty corridors was a creepy setting, particularly for Marlow. It’s clear that there are secret being hidden by the other guardians and it was hard to know who to trust. Well paced, dark and creepy, and with a good plot I found this to be an enjoyable read.
December 9, 2024
Marlow is what’s known as a Property Guardian, a person who lives in empty properties to protect them from damage. When the opportunity to become a guardian at her old school arises she’s hesitant, she has bad memories of the place, for reasons which will become clear in time. But she decided to face her fears and go for it.
But McKinleys Private School for Girls is not quite as she imagined. It’s eerie and empty and she’s not sure about the other property guardians. Then there’s the girl who had gone missing. The more Marlow discovers the less she likes. And the more concerned she becomes.
I loved the concept of these property guardians wandering round these empty buildings briefly taking ownership of them. The story was creepy and clever, with short snappy chapters and intriguing characters. A great easy read.
But McKinleys Private School for Girls is not quite as she imagined. It’s eerie and empty and she’s not sure about the other property guardians. Then there’s the girl who had gone missing. The more Marlow discovers the less she likes. And the more concerned she becomes.
I loved the concept of these property guardians wandering round these empty buildings briefly taking ownership of them. The story was creepy and clever, with short snappy chapters and intriguing characters. A great easy read.
May 15, 2024
I was disappointed in this book. Thought the blurb sounded great and ‘right up my street’. Found the book quite boring and my mind wandering onto other things whilst reading. The end picked up slightly therefore 2 stars.
May 9, 2024
4⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT ~ Book Tour
A gripping thriller that won’t take you long to consume! 🔥
This was such a quick and easy book to read with its short chapters and multiple POVs. I sped through the final 80% in one day. It was so easy to read that one more chapter and Kara has the craft where she makes you want to continue reading too.
Marlow is a property guardian. She lives in places to make sure they are looked after and not broken into. She takes up an offer to live in an old Victorian school but it’s full of her worst nightmares. One of the other tenants has gone missing and she suspects that the other nine tenants know more than they are letting on. She’s determined to find out what happened, but who can she trust?
It took a little while to get going and for the gears to change, but it definitely ramped up at the midway point. This is where the twists and turns started to creep out more regularly and a few of them shocked me.
Kara utilised setting to her advantage in this suspenseful thriller to create a foreboding atmosphere. You can’t beat a creepy setting, but when this walks hand in hand with an unlikely group of suspicious characters, you know you’re in for a good ride.
I didn’t really gel with protagonist Marlow. She was likeable at times, but I really didn’t feel sorry for her. I appreciate that I would hate being on high alert, on edge and paranoid every minute of the day, but I kind of think she deserved it.
I loved the question that this book raised - is revisiting the past worth it? - and I liked how the final chapters played out. I feel like I was expecting a little bit more though.
Overall, this is a speedy and easy thriller with the perfect setting, characters and a great plot. I look forward to checking out more of Kara’s books.
A huge thanks to @randomthingstours, @bantambooksuk and @lesleykarawriter for this proof copy and having me on the Book Tour. The Other Tenant is out now. I recommend this book!🩵
💬: ‘Some rules have to be broken because they are the wrong rules.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT ~ Book Tour
A gripping thriller that won’t take you long to consume! 🔥
This was such a quick and easy book to read with its short chapters and multiple POVs. I sped through the final 80% in one day. It was so easy to read that one more chapter and Kara has the craft where she makes you want to continue reading too.
Marlow is a property guardian. She lives in places to make sure they are looked after and not broken into. She takes up an offer to live in an old Victorian school but it’s full of her worst nightmares. One of the other tenants has gone missing and she suspects that the other nine tenants know more than they are letting on. She’s determined to find out what happened, but who can she trust?
It took a little while to get going and for the gears to change, but it definitely ramped up at the midway point. This is where the twists and turns started to creep out more regularly and a few of them shocked me.
Kara utilised setting to her advantage in this suspenseful thriller to create a foreboding atmosphere. You can’t beat a creepy setting, but when this walks hand in hand with an unlikely group of suspicious characters, you know you’re in for a good ride.
I didn’t really gel with protagonist Marlow. She was likeable at times, but I really didn’t feel sorry for her. I appreciate that I would hate being on high alert, on edge and paranoid every minute of the day, but I kind of think she deserved it.
I loved the question that this book raised - is revisiting the past worth it? - and I liked how the final chapters played out. I feel like I was expecting a little bit more though.
Overall, this is a speedy and easy thriller with the perfect setting, characters and a great plot. I look forward to checking out more of Kara’s books.
A huge thanks to @randomthingstours, @bantambooksuk and @lesleykarawriter for this proof copy and having me on the Book Tour. The Other Tenant is out now. I recommend this book!🩵
💬: ‘Some rules have to be broken because they are the wrong rules.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
April 5, 2024
The story centres around Marlow who finds herself with not much choice but to move into an old school having been given notice on the property she has been living in. I’ve no idea if property guardians are an actual thing but it certainly seems a good idea to have people living in properties to stop squatters etc moving in. Although I do have to admit I would miss certain home comforts.
We meet the other guardians living there and it soon becomes clear that something isn’t quite right in how the previous tenant left. You don’t really know who you can trust and they all seem to be hiding something, Marlow herself included. The old school gave me the creeps, there was no way I would stay there and was willing Marlow to get out as soon as she could. Marlow though is like a dog with a bone and even though she wants to leave, she won’t until she gets to the bottom of things.
The Other Tenant was an engrossing read that pulls you along at speed. There aren’t any shocking twists, not that it claims to have any, but you will definitely be taken by surprise with the secrets that are being hidden by the characters. The urgency to keep reading grows through out and there was no way I was putting it down the closer to the end I got until I had all the answers. Lesley Kara is a master of suspense and this story gave me serious chills. Tense and highly addictive!
We meet the other guardians living there and it soon becomes clear that something isn’t quite right in how the previous tenant left. You don’t really know who you can trust and they all seem to be hiding something, Marlow herself included. The old school gave me the creeps, there was no way I would stay there and was willing Marlow to get out as soon as she could. Marlow though is like a dog with a bone and even though she wants to leave, she won’t until she gets to the bottom of things.
The Other Tenant was an engrossing read that pulls you along at speed. There aren’t any shocking twists, not that it claims to have any, but you will definitely be taken by surprise with the secrets that are being hidden by the characters. The urgency to keep reading grows through out and there was no way I was putting it down the closer to the end I got until I had all the answers. Lesley Kara is a master of suspense and this story gave me serious chills. Tense and highly addictive!
January 19, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Marlow is a Property Guardian. That means she lives in properties that are currently unoccupied, but it’s completely legit, and helps both tenants and property owners. Marlow loves doing it, until her stint at a church is up and she’s offered a new place, in a school. Not just any school, her old school, where her best friend died. And she won’t be alone, as there are a whole crew of Property Guardians at the school. Despite her worries, she moves in. But she’s concerned about another tenant who has disappeared out of the blue, and her investigation begins.
This was such a unique story. I’ve never heard of Property Guardians before, but it’d work well in real life if it’s not already a thing. And for me, this is what made the whole story work well. I really liked the main character, Marlow, she carried a lot of demons and like all British people, she buried her head in the sand and tried to run away from those problems. The story had the right mix of tension, mystery, and entertainment. There were some sub plots mixed within aside from the main plot, and some of these were not solved, so I wish that the ending could have been slightly better, but I did enjoy the story overall,
Marlow is a Property Guardian. That means she lives in properties that are currently unoccupied, but it’s completely legit, and helps both tenants and property owners. Marlow loves doing it, until her stint at a church is up and she’s offered a new place, in a school. Not just any school, her old school, where her best friend died. And she won’t be alone, as there are a whole crew of Property Guardians at the school. Despite her worries, she moves in. But she’s concerned about another tenant who has disappeared out of the blue, and her investigation begins.
This was such a unique story. I’ve never heard of Property Guardians before, but it’d work well in real life if it’s not already a thing. And for me, this is what made the whole story work well. I really liked the main character, Marlow, she carried a lot of demons and like all British people, she buried her head in the sand and tried to run away from those problems. The story had the right mix of tension, mystery, and entertainment. There were some sub plots mixed within aside from the main plot, and some of these were not solved, so I wish that the ending could have been slightly better, but I did enjoy the story overall,
April 29, 2024
Marlow has always lived in unusual places, she loved to take photos of abandoned buildings, that’s the main reason she became a property guardian. Of course the cheaper rent is always a bonus, but being on hand to check out buildings that wouldn’t always be able to see by the general public was great.
When Marlow accepts to move into an old school which is due to be rebuilt into apartments is it all going to go as planned? She has a feeling she has made a terrible mistake as something very sinister is happening, can she escape her past?
This was a really great read, a page turning thriller that has you hooked from the start. Highly recommended!
When Marlow accepts to move into an old school which is due to be rebuilt into apartments is it all going to go as planned? She has a feeling she has made a terrible mistake as something very sinister is happening, can she escape her past?
This was a really great read, a page turning thriller that has you hooked from the start. Highly recommended!
May 11, 2024
Brilliant, just brilliant!
The perfect crime thriller!
So many questions and red herrings and the sort of twist ending you don’t really see coming until it takes you by the shoulders and slaps you hard across the face!
The setting of the old school building really made me think the secondary school I attended and of my own uncomfortable time there. Not in a bad way though. In a way that made me feel more engaged with the characters and what was happening in the story.
Very enjoyable, very entertaining and another absolute smasher from Lesley Kara.
I highly recommend!
The perfect crime thriller!
So many questions and red herrings and the sort of twist ending you don’t really see coming until it takes you by the shoulders and slaps you hard across the face!
The setting of the old school building really made me think the secondary school I attended and of my own uncomfortable time there. Not in a bad way though. In a way that made me feel more engaged with the characters and what was happening in the story.
Very enjoyable, very entertaining and another absolute smasher from Lesley Kara.
I highly recommend!
May 26, 2024
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, i love a good thriller that involves a bunch of people and you have to guess the "bad guy" is so this book was right up my street.
There was a decent amount of characters in this book but it thankfully didn't get too confusing. They all were reasonably fleshed out and had their own characters.
I loved the plot and pacing of this book, it was tense and creepy in some places. but slower and relaxed as well.
I didn't feel like the actual "mystery" was too great, I wasn't wowed when I found out who it was.
Thank you the NetGalley, Lesley Kara and Random House UK for this ARC.
There was a decent amount of characters in this book but it thankfully didn't get too confusing. They all were reasonably fleshed out and had their own characters.
I loved the plot and pacing of this book, it was tense and creepy in some places. but slower and relaxed as well.
I didn't feel like the actual "mystery" was too great, I wasn't wowed when I found out who it was.
Thank you the NetGalley, Lesley Kara and Random House UK for this ARC.
September 24, 2025
good read
May 16, 2025
I should have given up on this book when the author described a man eating a Pot Noodle with a spoon. I powered on, however, but almost quit again later on when someone had a "cardboard beaker" of coffee.
reluctantly, I finished The Other Tenant. If you're interested in Lesley Kara, I recommend any other book of hers that isn't this one.
reluctantly, I finished The Other Tenant. If you're interested in Lesley Kara, I recommend any other book of hers that isn't this one.
February 8, 2024
The plot of this book was very interesting and intriguing. I don’t know if there really are “property guardians” but it’s an interesting concept and makes for a unique storyline.
The plot has several different points of view and as the main character Marlowe is developed she seems to mature and become more confident and less self absorbed. The twists are not predictable and the last 50 pages are fast paced and you will find yourself completely absorbed to see how it all ends.
As a fan of Lesley Kara’s books I recommend adding this one to your TBR list.
Full disclosure I was given an early advance copy of this book.
The plot has several different points of view and as the main character Marlowe is developed she seems to mature and become more confident and less self absorbed. The twists are not predictable and the last 50 pages are fast paced and you will find yourself completely absorbed to see how it all ends.
As a fan of Lesley Kara’s books I recommend adding this one to your TBR list.
Full disclosure I was given an early advance copy of this book.
April 27, 2025
Not really a shock ending everyone behaved as predicted from the beginning. Wish we would have had more from the Kat character maybe stalking around watching scaring them etc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
The premise of this sounded interesting and while this starts strong, I felt that it became meh at the middle point and it was a struggle to finish. The plot felt stretched as it occurs over a week but it felt like it was longer than that.
Property guardian Marlow has stayed at some interesting spots like the old church she is recently residing in. I thought this job sounded unique and intriguing. An offer comes and she is reluctant to accept as it is at her old primary school where her best friend, Charlotte "Lottie" died in a fire, the memories and guilt cause her to second guess. Despite her reservations, she accepts and meets the other guardians such as Rob, the head guardian, stoic and stickler for rules (I think he is on the autism spectrum), the rest are couples: Craig and Elle, Big Dave and Bryony, Gilly and Nikhil and Lou and Mags (lesbian couple).
Big Dave seems friendly but turns out to be a cheater. Marlow is confused when she expected to stay in a classroom at the old building but is told it is too water damaged and given another classroom in the new building. The whole site is going to be redeveloped into new homes. She becomes involved in the disappearance of another guardian, Hayley who seems to have just left her post and notices strange things occurring. With a gut feeling, she starts to investigate. She also works at a photography studio.
The atmosphere of the abandoned and empty school as well as swimming pool was creepy. The story shifts POVs between Marlow and the supporting characters. The reader learns that Marlow (her real name is Marilyn DeVere-Cairns) is feeling very guilty and think she was the reason her best friend died in the fire. I was not sure the how Marlow's relationship with Dev and how she regrets keeping him at arms length enhanced the story, it could have been taken out. The relationship with her parents is estranged and she definitely sounds like she comes from a well off family as her parents are retired in France. Marlow looks back at the past and questions her decisions as a teenager thinking her art just was not good enough and wanting to ruined her A Level exams. She feels like everything from there just got worse until she is where she is now which she clearly feels is not the right place at this age. There could be a deeper narrative of what makes life worthy and it seems that societal and peer/family/citizens expectations is important.
The twist at the end was pretty good. It turns out
Property guardian Marlow has stayed at some interesting spots like the old church she is recently residing in. I thought this job sounded unique and intriguing. An offer comes and she is reluctant to accept as it is at her old primary school where her best friend, Charlotte "Lottie" died in a fire, the memories and guilt cause her to second guess. Despite her reservations, she accepts and meets the other guardians such as Rob, the head guardian, stoic and stickler for rules (I think he is on the autism spectrum), the rest are couples: Craig and Elle, Big Dave and Bryony, Gilly and Nikhil and Lou and Mags (lesbian couple).
Big Dave seems friendly but turns out to be a cheater. Marlow is confused when she expected to stay in a classroom at the old building but is told it is too water damaged and given another classroom in the new building. The whole site is going to be redeveloped into new homes. She becomes involved in the disappearance of another guardian, Hayley who seems to have just left her post and notices strange things occurring. With a gut feeling, she starts to investigate. She also works at a photography studio.
The atmosphere of the abandoned and empty school as well as swimming pool was creepy. The story shifts POVs between Marlow and the supporting characters. The reader learns that Marlow (her real name is Marilyn DeVere-Cairns) is feeling very guilty and think she was the reason her best friend died in the fire. I was not sure the how Marlow's relationship with Dev and how she regrets keeping him at arms length enhanced the story, it could have been taken out. The relationship with her parents is estranged and she definitely sounds like she comes from a well off family as her parents are retired in France. Marlow looks back at the past and questions her decisions as a teenager thinking her art just was not good enough and wanting to ruined her A Level exams. She feels like everything from there just got worse until she is where she is now which she clearly feels is not the right place at this age. There could be a deeper narrative of what makes life worthy and it seems that societal and peer/family/citizens expectations is important.
The twist at the end was pretty good. It turns out
May 7, 2024
Marlow is a property guardian and her next home is an old school. But when one of the tenant’s disappears Marlow makes it her personal mission to find out what happened to the tenant even if it means putting herself in danger.
What attracted me to this book was definitely the premise of the character moving into a building as a property guardian and the disappearance of once of the tenants.
This storyline kept me thinking and I would describe it as dark, sinister and very unnerving. There were scenes that really creeped me out. The story is told from multiple perspectives including the main character Marlow. I quite liked the multiple narratives in the story because it helped to build momentum, added layers to the story and gave the reader an idea of who the other characters were and how they fitted into the story. It also meant that we were introduced to different characters that didn’t appear as they seemed.
The main character Marlow was quite interesting. She is someone who is a bit of a free spirit especially because she doesn’t settle in one place but at the same time she’s also a bit of a loner. She’s been a property guardian for many years and it is at the start of the story that she discovers that she will soon have nowhere to live and has no opportunity to take up the role of a property guardian at an old school which is earmarked for demolition. But this just isn’t any normal school it’s Marlow’s old school. The school doesn't hold happy memories for Marlow and the tragic memories that she does have that are linked to the school have haunted her every day.
I definitely think that the tenants are brave to want to stay in the abandoned school because there was something about it that didn't feel right. Once Marlow joins the other tenants she becomes aware of the tenant she replaced called Hayley. She’s told that Hayley abruptly left because of a family emergency but then things start to become strange. Marlow is told by other tenants that it is very unlike Hayley to leave without telling them and then the room that she was meant to stay in which just so happens to be Hayley’s becomes out of bounds. Some tenants are concerned about Hayley as she’s not been in contact and others change the subject when Hayley is mentioned. Marlow then becomes a little obsessed with finding out what happened to Hayley even if that means creeping round parts of the building in darkness which are off limits. The more Marlow digs into uncovering what happened to Hayley she uncovers something more sinister and another secret that the school is hiding. At the same time Marlow constantly has an unsettling feeling that her every movement is being watched.
What I also enjoyed about the story is that there is one narrator who is unnamed and it isn’t clear who they are but they seem to know about the school and Marlow. To start with I wasn’t sure how this narrator was connected to the story but when the bigger picture was revealed at the end everything fell into place. When I read the last chapter I think my brain short circuited.
A dark and creepy thriller.
What attracted me to this book was definitely the premise of the character moving into a building as a property guardian and the disappearance of once of the tenants.
This storyline kept me thinking and I would describe it as dark, sinister and very unnerving. There were scenes that really creeped me out. The story is told from multiple perspectives including the main character Marlow. I quite liked the multiple narratives in the story because it helped to build momentum, added layers to the story and gave the reader an idea of who the other characters were and how they fitted into the story. It also meant that we were introduced to different characters that didn’t appear as they seemed.
The main character Marlow was quite interesting. She is someone who is a bit of a free spirit especially because she doesn’t settle in one place but at the same time she’s also a bit of a loner. She’s been a property guardian for many years and it is at the start of the story that she discovers that she will soon have nowhere to live and has no opportunity to take up the role of a property guardian at an old school which is earmarked for demolition. But this just isn’t any normal school it’s Marlow’s old school. The school doesn't hold happy memories for Marlow and the tragic memories that she does have that are linked to the school have haunted her every day.
I definitely think that the tenants are brave to want to stay in the abandoned school because there was something about it that didn't feel right. Once Marlow joins the other tenants she becomes aware of the tenant she replaced called Hayley. She’s told that Hayley abruptly left because of a family emergency but then things start to become strange. Marlow is told by other tenants that it is very unlike Hayley to leave without telling them and then the room that she was meant to stay in which just so happens to be Hayley’s becomes out of bounds. Some tenants are concerned about Hayley as she’s not been in contact and others change the subject when Hayley is mentioned. Marlow then becomes a little obsessed with finding out what happened to Hayley even if that means creeping round parts of the building in darkness which are off limits. The more Marlow digs into uncovering what happened to Hayley she uncovers something more sinister and another secret that the school is hiding. At the same time Marlow constantly has an unsettling feeling that her every movement is being watched.
What I also enjoyed about the story is that there is one narrator who is unnamed and it isn’t clear who they are but they seem to know about the school and Marlow. To start with I wasn’t sure how this narrator was connected to the story but when the bigger picture was revealed at the end everything fell into place. When I read the last chapter I think my brain short circuited.
A dark and creepy thriller.
May 3, 2024
In The Other Tenant, by Lesley Kara, we follow Marlow Cairns, a studio photographer in her early 30s, as she moves into her latest accommodation as a property guardian – which happens to be her old secondary school.
Property guardians are contracted to occupy empty buildings that are due for redevelopment, deterring anti-social behaviour in return for cheap rent. Marlow is one of ten in residence across the former McKinleys school site.
When Marlow discovers that her predecessor, Hayley, disappeared very suddenly without saying goodbye, she feels compelled to investigate whether Hayley truly left of her own free will. Could one or more of the other guardians – many of whom seem to be hiding something or other – hold the key?
At the same time, Marlow is forced to face her own demons from her time at the school. When she was 18, her best friend Lottie died in a fire in the art block – a death for which Marlow has always blamed herself, and that has shaped her life ever since.
Lesley Kara has done it again! The Other Tenant has quite a few characters and threads, yet she succeeds in keeping them distinct and easy to keep hold of. I galloped through the chapters as new information continually came to light, and Marlow and other characters kept getting/nearly getting caught in places they shouldn’t be. I just had to know what happened next.
The setting of an abandoned school – and Marlow’s troubled history with it – gives the story a really spooky atmosphere, which I revelled in. As well as the haunting vibe inherent in the deserted classrooms, abandoned furniture and equipment, and ancient graffiti in echoing toilet stalls, Marlow keeps finding things Hayley would surely have taken with her, and there are strange events nobody can satisfactorily explain.
While the core of the story is told from Marlow’s first-person perspective, we also cut away to scenes with other characters, which ramp up the intrigue as they tend to raise more questions than they answer.
Why is rules-obsessed House Guardian Rob experiencing so much inner conflict? What’s the deal with Elle and Craig? Where does the unpleasant internet troll who hates Marlow fit in? And is there anyone Big Dave won’t sleep with?
I found Marlow a likeable main character, which was particularly welcome, as my previous two reads had happened to feature dislikeable, morally grey ones! I was drawn to her curiosity and tenacity in getting to the bottom of Hayley’s unexpected departure, and admired her for expending so much effort trying to find someone she didn’t even know.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Marlow as she struggled with her memories and guilt over her friend’s death. She also seems very lonely, as her parents (who don’t really understand her anyway) live abroad and she keeps her one remaining friend, Dev, at arms’ length because she’s scared of losing someone close again.
A theme that stands out to me across all of Lesley’s books is that of “home”: her protagonists commonly find themselves in situations where home doesn’t mean safety (The Rumour, The Apartment Upstairs), or they don’t have much of a stake in the place they live (Who Did You Tell?, The Dare). The Other Tenant combines both of these.
While some commentators may portray property guardianship as a counter-cultural lifestyle choice, it doesn’t seem like many of Marlow’s fellow guardians would choose it if there was an affordable, more permanent alternative.
Marlow herself refers to the fact that, out of necessity, she has few possessions. She also considers the challenge of making a space feel like your home when it’s not designed for domestic use, you’re only there on a provisional basis, and the building itself might not even exist in a few months’ time.
It speaks volumes that Marlow regards her peripatetic existence a fitting punishment for what happened when she was 18, and that Harry Kierney, who owns the property guardian company, is incredibly posh and very much looks down on the tenants.
The Other Tenant seamlessly blends intrigue and suspense with thought-provoking social commentary.
Property guardians are contracted to occupy empty buildings that are due for redevelopment, deterring anti-social behaviour in return for cheap rent. Marlow is one of ten in residence across the former McKinleys school site.
When Marlow discovers that her predecessor, Hayley, disappeared very suddenly without saying goodbye, she feels compelled to investigate whether Hayley truly left of her own free will. Could one or more of the other guardians – many of whom seem to be hiding something or other – hold the key?
At the same time, Marlow is forced to face her own demons from her time at the school. When she was 18, her best friend Lottie died in a fire in the art block – a death for which Marlow has always blamed herself, and that has shaped her life ever since.
Lesley Kara has done it again! The Other Tenant has quite a few characters and threads, yet she succeeds in keeping them distinct and easy to keep hold of. I galloped through the chapters as new information continually came to light, and Marlow and other characters kept getting/nearly getting caught in places they shouldn’t be. I just had to know what happened next.
The setting of an abandoned school – and Marlow’s troubled history with it – gives the story a really spooky atmosphere, which I revelled in. As well as the haunting vibe inherent in the deserted classrooms, abandoned furniture and equipment, and ancient graffiti in echoing toilet stalls, Marlow keeps finding things Hayley would surely have taken with her, and there are strange events nobody can satisfactorily explain.
While the core of the story is told from Marlow’s first-person perspective, we also cut away to scenes with other characters, which ramp up the intrigue as they tend to raise more questions than they answer.
Why is rules-obsessed House Guardian Rob experiencing so much inner conflict? What’s the deal with Elle and Craig? Where does the unpleasant internet troll who hates Marlow fit in? And is there anyone Big Dave won’t sleep with?
I found Marlow a likeable main character, which was particularly welcome, as my previous two reads had happened to feature dislikeable, morally grey ones! I was drawn to her curiosity and tenacity in getting to the bottom of Hayley’s unexpected departure, and admired her for expending so much effort trying to find someone she didn’t even know.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Marlow as she struggled with her memories and guilt over her friend’s death. She also seems very lonely, as her parents (who don’t really understand her anyway) live abroad and she keeps her one remaining friend, Dev, at arms’ length because she’s scared of losing someone close again.
A theme that stands out to me across all of Lesley’s books is that of “home”: her protagonists commonly find themselves in situations where home doesn’t mean safety (The Rumour, The Apartment Upstairs), or they don’t have much of a stake in the place they live (Who Did You Tell?, The Dare). The Other Tenant combines both of these.
While some commentators may portray property guardianship as a counter-cultural lifestyle choice, it doesn’t seem like many of Marlow’s fellow guardians would choose it if there was an affordable, more permanent alternative.
Marlow herself refers to the fact that, out of necessity, she has few possessions. She also considers the challenge of making a space feel like your home when it’s not designed for domestic use, you’re only there on a provisional basis, and the building itself might not even exist in a few months’ time.
It speaks volumes that Marlow regards her peripatetic existence a fitting punishment for what happened when she was 18, and that Harry Kierney, who owns the property guardian company, is incredibly posh and very much looks down on the tenants.
The Other Tenant seamlessly blends intrigue and suspense with thought-provoking social commentary.
April 26, 2024
I really love it when I learn something new from a book and The Other Tenant introduced me to property guardians. I wasn't sure if this was something that the author had created for her story and immediately fell down a Google rabbit hole to research. Yes, property guardians exist and are doing a roaring trade. Licences are issued for these short-term lets. A property guardian is someone who has entered into an agreement to live in a building or part of a building that would otherwise be empty for the primary purpose of securing and safeguarding the property. There are currently between five and seven thousand people in the UK living as property guardians.
Marlowe is one of them. She's been living in an old church and has enjoyed her stay there, she's a photographer and there are so many opportunities for excellent images in the old building. However, the let has come to an end and Marlowe is given the opportunity to move into an old school that is earmarked for development. Her only problem about this is that it's the school that she attended and where the biggest tragedy of her life took place. Against her better instincts and with nowhere else to go, Marlowe moves in to one of the old classrooms.
She'd really love to occupy the room left empty when the last tenant left unexpectedly, but Rob, the head guardian makes it clear that is not possible. The door to that room is locked and Rob claims that there is water damage, making it unsafe for habitation.
Marlowe is introduced to the other guardians living in the property. A mixed and quite strange bunch of people that are difficult to figure out. They all seem to be hiding something, but Marlowe has many secrets of her own.
Marlowe becomes obsessed with what happened to Hayley, the last tenant. The other guardians are suprised that she left so quickly, without saying goodbye. As Marlowe explores the building, she discovers things that lead her to believe that Rob's story about Hayley is not true.
This is a great thriller, the old school itself becomes a major character in the story. The old building, filled with memories for Marlowe, and discarded items from years before is so wonderfully developed, adding an atmosphere that is threatening and eerie.
Throughout the story, we hear from an unnamed person. Someone who appears bitter and twisted, with long held grudges and will prove to become a danger to Marlowe, along with all of the other things that she discovers as she slowly tries to piece together what is really going on.
A novel that will keep the reader on their toes, with a mystery at its core that is intriguing. Characters who are all slightly odd, and combined as a group make for an excellent cast. Recommended by me.
Marlowe is one of them. She's been living in an old church and has enjoyed her stay there, she's a photographer and there are so many opportunities for excellent images in the old building. However, the let has come to an end and Marlowe is given the opportunity to move into an old school that is earmarked for development. Her only problem about this is that it's the school that she attended and where the biggest tragedy of her life took place. Against her better instincts and with nowhere else to go, Marlowe moves in to one of the old classrooms.
She'd really love to occupy the room left empty when the last tenant left unexpectedly, but Rob, the head guardian makes it clear that is not possible. The door to that room is locked and Rob claims that there is water damage, making it unsafe for habitation.
Marlowe is introduced to the other guardians living in the property. A mixed and quite strange bunch of people that are difficult to figure out. They all seem to be hiding something, but Marlowe has many secrets of her own.
Marlowe becomes obsessed with what happened to Hayley, the last tenant. The other guardians are suprised that she left so quickly, without saying goodbye. As Marlowe explores the building, she discovers things that lead her to believe that Rob's story about Hayley is not true.
This is a great thriller, the old school itself becomes a major character in the story. The old building, filled with memories for Marlowe, and discarded items from years before is so wonderfully developed, adding an atmosphere that is threatening and eerie.
Throughout the story, we hear from an unnamed person. Someone who appears bitter and twisted, with long held grudges and will prove to become a danger to Marlowe, along with all of the other things that she discovers as she slowly tries to piece together what is really going on.
A novel that will keep the reader on their toes, with a mystery at its core that is intriguing. Characters who are all slightly odd, and combined as a group make for an excellent cast. Recommended by me.
October 15, 2025
This was a very easy and fast read! I am a fan of Lesley Kara and while I enjoyed this book it wasn't my favourite of hers.
This is told in multiple POV but mainly with the point of view of Marlow, a property guardian (Admittedly I had to Google what that was! Basically someone that lives in a building for cheap while its being sold etc to stop vandalism and squatters). She was living in a church but gets evicted, so moves into her old school which is being redeveloped. The meets the other tenants and she finds out the person she replaced mysteriously disappeared.
The rest of my review will be under the spoiler tag!
I look forward to reading Lesleys next book!
This is told in multiple POV but mainly with the point of view of Marlow, a property guardian (Admittedly I had to Google what that was! Basically someone that lives in a building for cheap while its being sold etc to stop vandalism and squatters). She was living in a church but gets evicted, so moves into her old school which is being redeveloped. The meets the other tenants and she finds out the person she replaced mysteriously disappeared.
The rest of my review will be under the spoiler tag!
I look forward to reading Lesleys next book!
May 7, 2024
I must add more of Lesley Kara’s books to my TBR. I really enjoy her work. “The Other Tenant” is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Set in an eerie Victorian school-turned-apartment building, the novel follows Marlow, a live-in property guardian with a troubled past. Right from the beginning, the atmosphere is thick with tension and unease as Marlow navigates the shadowy corridors haunted by her own demons.
The author builds suspense, drawing you into Marlow's world as she uncovers dark secrets lurking within the walls of the building. The sense of foreboding is palpable as Marlow struggles with the disappearance of one of her fellow tenants and the unsettling behaviour of the others. Each character is shrouded in mystery, leaving you guessing at their true intentions until the very end.
What sets "The Other Tenant" apart is its exploration of trust and betrayal. Marlow finds herself questioning the motives of everyone around her, unsure of who she can rely on as she delves deeper into the mystery. The paranoia is infectious, keeping you guessing and second-guessing until the final reveal.
The writing is taut and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of the dilapidated school building and the claustrophobic world Marlow inhabits. Her writing is immersive, drawing you into Marlow's mind as she unravels the truth behind the disappearance and confronts her own past. While the plot is undeniably gripping, "The Other Tenant" also delves into deeper themes of trauma and redemption. Marlow's journey is as much about confronting her past as it is about solving the mystery, adding emotional depth to an already compelling narrative.
Overall, this is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end. With its richly drawn characters, twisty plot, and atmospheric setting, it's a must-read for fans of psychological suspense. Lesley Kara has crafted a masterful thriller that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. Be ready to read all night when you reach for this book, you won’t want to put it down.
https://featzreviews.com/the-other-te...
The author builds suspense, drawing you into Marlow's world as she uncovers dark secrets lurking within the walls of the building. The sense of foreboding is palpable as Marlow struggles with the disappearance of one of her fellow tenants and the unsettling behaviour of the others. Each character is shrouded in mystery, leaving you guessing at their true intentions until the very end.
What sets "The Other Tenant" apart is its exploration of trust and betrayal. Marlow finds herself questioning the motives of everyone around her, unsure of who she can rely on as she delves deeper into the mystery. The paranoia is infectious, keeping you guessing and second-guessing until the final reveal.
The writing is taut and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of the dilapidated school building and the claustrophobic world Marlow inhabits. Her writing is immersive, drawing you into Marlow's mind as she unravels the truth behind the disappearance and confronts her own past. While the plot is undeniably gripping, "The Other Tenant" also delves into deeper themes of trauma and redemption. Marlow's journey is as much about confronting her past as it is about solving the mystery, adding emotional depth to an already compelling narrative.
Overall, this is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end. With its richly drawn characters, twisty plot, and atmospheric setting, it's a must-read for fans of psychological suspense. Lesley Kara has crafted a masterful thriller that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. Be ready to read all night when you reach for this book, you won’t want to put it down.
https://featzreviews.com/the-other-te...
April 14, 2024
Marlow has always lived in unusual places as a live-in property guardian and is used to never staying in one place for long. When she accepts a position to live in an old Victorian school before it is turned into luxury apartments, she realises she’s made a terrible mistake as she ends up returning to a place she swore she never would. A place where the empty corridors are full of Marlow’s worst memories. When she finds out that she has replaced a tenant that has mysteriously disappeared without warning, it becomes clear that the nine other guardians know far more than they’re letting on. But who can she trust and can she uncover the truth before her own past catches up with her?
Lesley Kara has the ability to draw you into the story from the very first page, building the intrigue that all good thrillers should have. Told from multiple character POV’s, including flashback content to explain the background to Marlow’s fears and secrets, the story keeps a good pace throughout, right up to the final climatic reveal. The insertion of a character from Marlow’s past, told through a sideline POV, is also very cleverly executed and provides a vital addition to the ending as well.
At times the descriptive prose allows you to feel those creepy corridors and memories of an old school, that in itself is a scary thought as I for one would not like to return to my school days!🤣 It was also really interesting to discover the ‘live-in property guardian’ element, something I feel added that extra something in this thriller to set the scene with a difference. Another captivating read from this author that I really enjoyed.
Lesley Kara has the ability to draw you into the story from the very first page, building the intrigue that all good thrillers should have. Told from multiple character POV’s, including flashback content to explain the background to Marlow’s fears and secrets, the story keeps a good pace throughout, right up to the final climatic reveal. The insertion of a character from Marlow’s past, told through a sideline POV, is also very cleverly executed and provides a vital addition to the ending as well.
At times the descriptive prose allows you to feel those creepy corridors and memories of an old school, that in itself is a scary thought as I for one would not like to return to my school days!🤣 It was also really interesting to discover the ‘live-in property guardian’ element, something I feel added that extra something in this thriller to set the scene with a difference. Another captivating read from this author that I really enjoyed.
June 8, 2024
The story is centered around Marlow, a live-in property guardian who accepts a position in her old school only to realize that she's returned to a place filled with painful memories. As she uncovers the previous tenant's mysterious disappearance and the other guardians' unsettling behavior, she's thrust into a web of secrets and danger.
First of all, I do not know if property guardians are real. However, the concept of having people live in properties to prevent unwanted people from taking over seems sensible. It helps the building owner and tenants because the monthly rent must be less than the actual house.
The story started slow, with many characters introduced, and I struggled to get into this book and stay interested. However, once the plot picked up, I was drawn into the suspense and unexpected twists, although they came too late after chapter 44. Luckily, I didn’t lose total interest in this book.
Multiple character points of view kept the pace engaging throughout. The flashbacks explaining Marlow's fears and secrets added depth to the story, and the author’s clever handling of a character from Marlow’s past, woven into the narrative, clearly added a crucial layer to the gripping conclusion. That was a good plot.
Marlow's character development was particularly notable. Her journey from a carefree attitude to a more complex and conflicted persona, shaped by heartbreak, fear, and difficult realizations, was well-written and engaging. I like her and Lou, her partner-in-crime, in this book.
Despite the slow start and the plot picked up quite late, the book was enjoyable, and the final key reveal was satisfying. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow-burn thriller.
Thank you Times Reads for the review copy !
First of all, I do not know if property guardians are real. However, the concept of having people live in properties to prevent unwanted people from taking over seems sensible. It helps the building owner and tenants because the monthly rent must be less than the actual house.
The story started slow, with many characters introduced, and I struggled to get into this book and stay interested. However, once the plot picked up, I was drawn into the suspense and unexpected twists, although they came too late after chapter 44. Luckily, I didn’t lose total interest in this book.
Multiple character points of view kept the pace engaging throughout. The flashbacks explaining Marlow's fears and secrets added depth to the story, and the author’s clever handling of a character from Marlow’s past, woven into the narrative, clearly added a crucial layer to the gripping conclusion. That was a good plot.
Marlow's character development was particularly notable. Her journey from a carefree attitude to a more complex and conflicted persona, shaped by heartbreak, fear, and difficult realizations, was well-written and engaging. I like her and Lou, her partner-in-crime, in this book.
Despite the slow start and the plot picked up quite late, the book was enjoyable, and the final key reveal was satisfying. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow-burn thriller.
Thank you Times Reads for the review copy !
May 4, 2024
Here is my review of The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara
I was soon hooked by this book as it's an intriguing tale of guardian tenants to watch over empty properties before redevelopment. In this story, Marlow is uprooted from her single tenancy property and offered a room in a multi-tenancy property where there is a Head Guardian in charge of everyone and what goes on at the property. Only Marlow does not get the room she thought she was getting and the woman, Hayley, that she is replacing left without saying goodbye to anyone. There is an air of mysteriousness about this and Marlow takes it upon herself to investigate. The writing is superb and the plotting is excellent as is the descriptive text which at times leads to creepiness. Is Hayley still alive or has she been killed?
Blurb :
Marlow has always lived in unusual places. But when she accepts a position as a live-in property guardian, she finds herself moving somewhere she swore she’d never return to.
Right from the start, she knows it’s a terrible mistake. The elegant Victorian school is due to be turned into luxury apartments, but its eerie, empty corridors are full of Marlow’s worst memories.
And now something sinister is happening on the site. One of the other tenants has disappeared without warning, and Marlow suspects that the nine other guardians know far more than they’re letting on. She’s determined to find out what happened to the missing woman – but which of these strangers can she trust?
And can she uncover the truth before her own past catches up with her?
I was soon hooked by this book as it's an intriguing tale of guardian tenants to watch over empty properties before redevelopment. In this story, Marlow is uprooted from her single tenancy property and offered a room in a multi-tenancy property where there is a Head Guardian in charge of everyone and what goes on at the property. Only Marlow does not get the room she thought she was getting and the woman, Hayley, that she is replacing left without saying goodbye to anyone. There is an air of mysteriousness about this and Marlow takes it upon herself to investigate. The writing is superb and the plotting is excellent as is the descriptive text which at times leads to creepiness. Is Hayley still alive or has she been killed?
Blurb :
Marlow has always lived in unusual places. But when she accepts a position as a live-in property guardian, she finds herself moving somewhere she swore she’d never return to.
Right from the start, she knows it’s a terrible mistake. The elegant Victorian school is due to be turned into luxury apartments, but its eerie, empty corridors are full of Marlow’s worst memories.
And now something sinister is happening on the site. One of the other tenants has disappeared without warning, and Marlow suspects that the nine other guardians know far more than they’re letting on. She’s determined to find out what happened to the missing woman – but which of these strangers can she trust?
And can she uncover the truth before her own past catches up with her?
November 20, 2023
Marlow is a property guardian who is used to living in strange places. She accepts a place in a new building, one that has dark connections in her past and finds out that another tenant, Hayley, has gone missing. Soon she becomes
obsessed finding out what happened. What secrets will come to light?
I enjoyed Lesley Kara’s debut novel, The Rumour, and have read all her books since then. The Other Tenant is up there with one of my favourites. I found the writing style engaging and the use of the property guardian added an interesting, unique spin on an overused storyline. There are quite a few characters to get your head around but they are well written and have their own personalities. I enjoyed the chapters told in alternate voices and although the pacing dipped in a few places, it quickly picked up again. I enjoyed trying to work out the puzzles and there are a few twists and turns thrown in, some that I did not guess!
I wasn’t as keen on the conclusion and felt it was slightly underwhelming after all the build up but there were some tense final scenes which held me in suspense and made me want to carry on reading. I would also have liked to have seen more conclusions to some of the sub plots as they seem to not be fully resolved and left quite open. Overall, this was a good, entertaining thriller and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.
obsessed finding out what happened. What secrets will come to light?
I enjoyed Lesley Kara’s debut novel, The Rumour, and have read all her books since then. The Other Tenant is up there with one of my favourites. I found the writing style engaging and the use of the property guardian added an interesting, unique spin on an overused storyline. There are quite a few characters to get your head around but they are well written and have their own personalities. I enjoyed the chapters told in alternate voices and although the pacing dipped in a few places, it quickly picked up again. I enjoyed trying to work out the puzzles and there are a few twists and turns thrown in, some that I did not guess!
I wasn’t as keen on the conclusion and felt it was slightly underwhelming after all the build up but there were some tense final scenes which held me in suspense and made me want to carry on reading. I would also have liked to have seen more conclusions to some of the sub plots as they seem to not be fully resolved and left quite open. Overall, this was a good, entertaining thriller and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.
March 26, 2024
I have read most of Lesley Kara’s books and I was looking forward to reading this one.
Marlow is a Property Guardian. She lives in some empty places temporarily until they are re developed. She has been asked to move into an empty room in an abandoned Private school which will be soon re developed. The person who lived their previously (Hayley) had left suddenly and not even saying goodbye to the other eclectic group of Property Guardians living there.
When she arrives, she realises that it is the school that she went they’re as a child and vowed that she would never return after what happened their years ago. And the room that she was expected to move in is now out of bounds because of the roof leaked after bad weather. She has been allocated a room in another part of the school, which she is not happy about. And she soon realises that they haven’t had rain in weeks. She senses that something is not right about the place. What is going on? What happened to Hayley. She is on a mission to find out.
This is another addictive read that I read it mostly one sitting. I enjoyed the premise of this story as I find it quite unique. There was a lot of characters in this story which we could have heard a bit more about as it was centred around Marlow mostly. The only thing annoyed me was some parts of the storyline wasn’t concluded at the end that left me with a lot of questions. 4 stars from me.
Marlow is a Property Guardian. She lives in some empty places temporarily until they are re developed. She has been asked to move into an empty room in an abandoned Private school which will be soon re developed. The person who lived their previously (Hayley) had left suddenly and not even saying goodbye to the other eclectic group of Property Guardians living there.
When she arrives, she realises that it is the school that she went they’re as a child and vowed that she would never return after what happened their years ago. And the room that she was expected to move in is now out of bounds because of the roof leaked after bad weather. She has been allocated a room in another part of the school, which she is not happy about. And she soon realises that they haven’t had rain in weeks. She senses that something is not right about the place. What is going on? What happened to Hayley. She is on a mission to find out.
This is another addictive read that I read it mostly one sitting. I enjoyed the premise of this story as I find it quite unique. There was a lot of characters in this story which we could have heard a bit more about as it was centred around Marlow mostly. The only thing annoyed me was some parts of the storyline wasn’t concluded at the end that left me with a lot of questions. 4 stars from me.
April 26, 2024
From a plot scenario perspective I was in two minds about the concept of being a property guardian – by the way is this a thing? The idea of living in extraordinary spaces, unusual or perhaps those reserved for the more privileged, it’s intriguing. A little bit like treasure hunting, urban exploring and the appreciation of spaces.
The flip-side includes the trauma inducing deserted places, the shabby and spooky ones, but the dealbreaker for me would probably be the having to share living space with complete strangers on the spur of a moment. Frequently changing people and no control over how many or how often it may happen. Unless we are talking desperate measures, the apocalypse or a zombie invasion, I’m not sure I would ever agree to the above.
I think it’s the combination of enticing and trust your gut instinct that makes the concept such a great idea, because the reader kind of knows it has the potential to go really wrong for someone – is that someone Marlow?
Marlow finds herself right back at the core of her inner trauma when her role as property guardian takes her right back to her previous life, this time with a bunch of strangers who seem curiously disinterested in the disappearance of the person she is replacing.
It’s very much an atmosphere and space/place driven story, the author uses the evoked visuals to create a constant current of danger, fear and suspicion. It’s a great read.
The flip-side includes the trauma inducing deserted places, the shabby and spooky ones, but the dealbreaker for me would probably be the having to share living space with complete strangers on the spur of a moment. Frequently changing people and no control over how many or how often it may happen. Unless we are talking desperate measures, the apocalypse or a zombie invasion, I’m not sure I would ever agree to the above.
I think it’s the combination of enticing and trust your gut instinct that makes the concept such a great idea, because the reader kind of knows it has the potential to go really wrong for someone – is that someone Marlow?
Marlow finds herself right back at the core of her inner trauma when her role as property guardian takes her right back to her previous life, this time with a bunch of strangers who seem curiously disinterested in the disappearance of the person she is replacing.
It’s very much an atmosphere and space/place driven story, the author uses the evoked visuals to create a constant current of danger, fear and suspicion. It’s a great read.
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