The Housemaid

by Sarah A. Denzil

The Howards don’t know who I really am, but I’m learning all their secrets.

When I was six months old, my mother gave me to her sister. Then she left to work as a maid at Highwood Hall. She never came back for me.

I want to know why she abandoned me. So I retrace her steps, lying my way into the same job she held over twenty years ago.

As I slip through the old corridors of this stately home—uncovering secret tunnels and peepholes hidden behind the gloomy portraits—I’m desperate to uncover the truth. But it won’t be easy. No one knows why I’m really here.

I soon learn I need to keep it that way. Because there’s a chance I’m prying into matters someone wants left buried. A white gift box arrives addressed to me. One tug of the pretty ribbon unveils a twisted scene— a miniature doll version of me lying in a pool of red paint.

Who sent me this threat? The boss’s son, Alex, who proves fond of playing games with the maids? Perhaps it’s Mrs Huxley, the stern housekeeper always appearing mysteriously from the shadows?

All I know is what my mother wrote in a letter before she there's something wrong with Highwood Hall…

Rebecca meets Gone Girl in this atmospheric thriller by Sarah A. Denzil, the million-copy bestselling author of Silent Child.

Read what everyone’s saying about The

"A poignant, deliciously dark novel which kept me gripped." Vikki Patis, author of Girl, Lost, ★★★★★

"As the story unfolds and secrets unfurl, it leaves you gasping for breath!" Netgalley reviewer, ★★★★★

"An excellent mind-bending story tricking your thoughts in all directions!" Netgalley reviewer, ★★★★★

"One of the creepiest, craziest books I have read this year." Goodreads reviewer, ★★★★★

"Twists & turns aplenty with a killer of an ending!" - Goodreads reviewer, ★★★★★

"Amazing book. Truly a Denzil thriller, you never guess what's coming!" - Goodreads reviewer, ★★★★★

"This took so many turns my head is still spinning! The characters are so well developed I feel like I know each of them. Such a great read!" - Netgalley reviewer, ★★★★★

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

484 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2021

About the author

Sarah A. Denzil is a Wall Street Journal bestselling suspense writer. She is also known as young adult author Sarah Dalton.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.

She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.

You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3

Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/

Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil

Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/

Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com

Reviews

[Kelsey O · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omg I read this whole book thinking it was the one by Freda McFadden and it was only after I went to rate it on goodreads that I realized I’d read the wrong damn book. For several days, I thought everyone had gone insane because this book was not worthy of the praise I’d heard. It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me.

[Sarah Denzil]

What you should know about THE HOUSEMAID!

1. I've created a Spotify playlist of piano music to listen to while reading the book. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4UJ... The main character sits with the mysterious Alex Howard and turns the pages of his music as he plays the piano. Why not transport yourself there!

2. The stately house, Highwood Hall, is based on Haddon Hall in the Peak District. https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/ I visited when I was a child and thought it was very beautiful. I wanted to go while writing The Housemaid but unfortunately, it coincided with lockdown. But at least I could look through the gallery on the website.

3. The publication date is 20th July. You can go here to buy the book! https://geni.us/thehousemaid

4. The Housemaid is one of my favourite books. It was such a challenge to write but I'm really proud of how it turned out. I can't wait to share it with you all and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Sarah :)

[Greta Samuelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery shrouded in money and privilege.
The suspense was strong in this one. A young woman takes a job as a live in maid-not only because she is essentially homeless and needs a place to live just as much as she needs a job, but also because her mother worked there as a maid 20 years ago.

The mother she never knew.

She longs to find out about who she was and why she made the decision to give her baby to her sister to raise. What happened to her? Ruby’s aunt doesn’t know either but Ruby needs to figure this out to move forward in her life.

Ruby finds out so much more than she was looking for! As the reader, I kept looking left when I should’ve been looking right.

Exciting read.

[capture stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful, mysterious, and entertaining audiobook while I listen to when I run errands and do my chores. The storyline was interesting, with just the proper narration that brings the story to life. Every bit enjoyable. 😊

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was nasty 😝

Trying to make a life on her own after being abandoned by her mother when she was a child, a young woman is accepted as a housemaid for a rich family of Highwood Hall after years of battling addiction and rehabilitation.

Mrs. Huxley who has been working there for the past twenty three years has been guiding all the workers but something is there about her which is quite unsettling for Howard.

"Her, Miss Trunchbull, me Matilda." Exactly.

She gets disturbing mail threats depicting her dead. And more disturbing mails which depict threats to the rest of the Bertie family. And things about the family has so many secrets to uncover. The house just haunts it seems. The Bertie family members are quite interesting but quite bizarre.

I like the writing. It's haunting and intriguing. It gets more creepy the more you read.
Each of the character introduced seems like they have a big mystery hidden with them. Everything makes the reading quite fun and interesting. It makes you feel like a big reveal is going to happen anytime and you cannot afford to miss any of it.

The ending surprised me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's such a thrill.

Thank you, author and the publisher, to the advance reading copy.

[Kymberli Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read most of Sarah Denzil's books and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one, not so much. The writing was excellent but the characters simply didn't ring true, especially Emily/Ruby. The entire plot line was rather hard to follow; it read as if it were Victorian gothic until there was suddenly a cell phone. Perhaps it would have been more believable if it were Victorian? I don't know. I found the characters unlikeable, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but the protagonist was completely unbelievable. The twist at the end with Pawel made no sense at all. It felt as if it were just thrown in there to create a situation that had no relevance to the story. Where did Ruby/Emily and friends get the money and time to set up their/her elaborate plan? A "GoFundMe" plot in the background? And Alex happens to get away? Did Alex die (it's not clear), and what finally happened to Bertie? Mrs. Huxley's illness was very convenient, and what was the story with Charlie? He was thrown into the mix without any real purpose that I could find; certainly left unclear. If he was the motivation for Mrs. Huxley's actions, could he not have been fleshed out a little more? What about Margot and Lottie? There is really no closure regarding any of the characters, The more I think about it as I write this review, the less I am inclined to recommend this book to anyone. I may again be in the minority, but being fan of Sarah Denzil, this book was a big disappointment.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like torture, conspiracy, murder and a class of people getting away with it for a generation this is for you. I'm not a fan. 1 of 10 stars

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop what you are doing and grab this book! Seriously, The Housemaid is a clever and addictive novel that you won't want to put down. I have read alot of Sarah Denzil's books and this is up there as my favourite. You will never see where it is going and the ending with absolutely shock you.

Who wouldn't want to work as a housemaid and personal assistant at Highwood Hall, a beautiful stately home in Yorkshire. Accommodation included and a great wage. The chance comes up for this young woman, an opportunity for her turn her life around after a rough few years. It also allows her to look into a family mystery. But behind the walls of Highwood Hall, dark secrets are being kept by the family and the staff. Why is there a high turn over of maids? And who is sending the sinister packages, that are targeting the people that live there? You will have to read it to find out.

Thanks to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishing on July 20th

[Catherine Victor Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough but storyline was a little predictable will no real twists. Characters were a little one dimensional. I kept hoping for more sides to them but seemed they all just had the one purpose. Easy story but nothing special.

[Monica (is working the heck out of · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This one works as a Gothic-style novel, complete with the huge house, creepy rich family and strange sounds. You will need to suspend quite a bit of disbelief and some of the surprises and reveals are easy to guess. All in all, this was good.

[Loren Boutin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I am just so happy it is over

[Caitlin Stevens · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful, no wonder it was free on audible, lol. Totally unbelievable and just ridiculous quite frankly. I can’t believe I listened to the whole thing. Also- why choose a narrator with a southern accent when the entire book is about people born and brought up in Yorkshire??

[Julia Paradis · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Kat tells you to read “the housemaid” for book club and you realize 46% of the way thru that it’s the wrong book 😂 first half was boring af but honestly I didn’t love the writing at all in the second half but the plot wasn’t half bad! Lol ☠️

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No one aspires to be a maid. You are one because you are desperate."

I enjoyed this audiobook so much. This is the first time I've listened to a novel narrated by Sophie Rundle. Her voice reminds me of Rosie Jones. I was so captivated. Highly recommend. ❤❤

[Lost Vegas · Rating 2 out of 5]

After being abandoned as a child by her mother, Ruby (the author doesn’t mention her name much and I really needed to know) decides to interview for a job as a housemaid at the last place her mother worked.

Highwood Hall is a huge mansion lived in by the Howard’s. Lord Bertie is the Patriarch of the family, his mother in law Margot and two children, the creepy Alex and the somewhat strange Lottie. Ruby interviews with the formidable housekeeper Mrs Huxley and moves in ready to work the next day.

In her first few days Ruby receives a terrifying diorama in the post, despite having no family and no friends she doesn’t really seem as concerned as I would be with someone knowing where she is and threatening her life. This is one of the points I continue to be stuck on after reading the book. Throughout she seems largely unfazed by absolutely terrifying events.

The twist in this book was absolutely too far for me. I can easily suspend disbelief for many things but this went too far and was very disappointing. The entire ‘red room’ schtick is way too far and was done to perfection before.

I think this book would be enjoyed by those that enjoy thrillers but maybe were ready for a bit of a fantastical twist.

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Howard family all have their own if not somewhat warped personalities. Alex in particular and you feel early on that this is someone who is dangerous and things can’t possibly end well where he is concerned. Mrs Huxley, the house keeper, is also someone who creeped me out. In some ways she is your stereotypical house keeper that you come across in the sense that she is extremely strict with a no nonsense attitude that comes across as very unfeeling. It just added to the already tense atmosphere of the story.

The story is mainly set in present day with Ruby the new housemaid but it does jump back occasionally to her mother Emily. Ruby’s own connection with this house along with the ongoing events in the home make you keep turning those pages.

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although set in today's timeline, due to the setting of the book it has a creepy, gothic feel to it. I loved the atmosphere, the story itself and most of all Ruby, the housemaid.

[Dun's · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting is Highwood Hall, a Downtown Abbey-like household in modern England. A young housemaid is starting her new job there and on the down-low, trying to find out what happened to her mother after she disappeared while working at the very same house 20 years ago.

Overall, it's a pretty good mystery with an easy to follow story line that takes the reader through the then and now timelines.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow, that was way better than I expected. I sort of kind of guessed some of the plot twists but overall I was still pleasantly surprised, especially at the end. Solid thriller!

[Brianna Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to review this book without giving away clues to the "twist". At the end of Part One, there was a twist that was shocking. I was actually disoriented and confused. I needed to go back and read a couple chapters in Part One to put it together in my head. It did make sense when you knew what you were looking for. This was a long book, and I think that maybe about 80% of the way through I did start to get a little tired, hoping that things would speed up. This is a sad, scary, and maddening book. It begins with a young woman, around 21, who was abandoned by her mother when she was just a baby. She is a recovering drug addict, and has applied for a job at an aristocratic estate in England. She'd be a maid with room and board included, besides a salary, and considering that she's homeless and couch surfing, that's a big perk. There's another reason she wants to work there---her mother worked there, about 20 years earlier, shortly before she abandoned her and left her to be raised by her aunt. So now the daughter is hoping to find someone who was there when the mother was, to try to find an explanation as to why she was abandoned. Her mother thought there was something strange going on Highwood Hall, and now the daughter is experiencing the same thing. I'm not sure how I feel about all of the ending. I think a couple of the characters went overboard in their attempt to bring down the villains. There had to be a simpler way. That's the reason I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 stars. It went on too long with the convoluted "sting operation". There's more of an ending than there needs to be. Still, I would recommend this book to psychological suspense fans, because the rest of the novel is fantastic. It's well-written, and the characters really draw you in.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's applied for the of housekeeper and to her delight she is hired. The job comes with a great pay, a room of her own, and in a stunning stately home owned by the Howard family.

But she soon realizes she's made a mistake. The strict housekeeper, Mrs Huxley, watches her every move, emerging from the shadows when least expected. Lord Howard’s son, Alex, takes an interest in her, and as a former addict, she finds herself drawn to him. There’s a general atmosphere of unease at Highwood Hall, from the narrow tunnels laced throughout the sprawling house, to the abandoned north wing, rumored to be haunted. It’s easy to imagine the secrets hidden within these walls, like the secrets she holds close.

On her first day of work she receives a package .. but she's told no one where she's working. It's a gruesome miniature doll in her likeness, trapped inside a dollhouse, lying in a pool of blood. Who sent it .... what does it mean? Is this a threat .. or a warning?

Everyone is suspect in this well-written novel with compelling twists and turns at every corner leading to a killer of a conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn and all seem to have deep, dark secrets.

Many thanks to the author / Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op / Netgalley for the digital copy of this riveting psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed hear are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stately home plays a big part in this story. The images were so vivid in my head as the author really brings it to life. You’ve got to love a house with a history and we keep learning more about what dark secrets it holds. With it being an old house, there are also lots of secret passageways which gave the whole feel of the story an even more edgier feel.

The Howard family all have their own if not somewhat warped personalities. Alex in particular and you feel early on that this is someone who is dangerous and things can’t possibly end well where he is concerned. Mrs Huxley, the house keeper, is also someone who creeped me out. In some ways she is your stereotypical house keeper that you come across in the sense that she is extremely strict with a no nonsense attitude that comes across as very unfeeling. It just added to the already tense atmosphere of the story.

The story is mainly set in present day with Ruby the new housemaid but it does jump back occasionally to her mother Emily. Ruby’s own connection with this house along with the ongoing events in the home make you keep turning those pages.

The Housemaid was a tense and chilling story that was impossible to put down. The suspense was electrifying at times and I could see this making a great film. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I ended up reading it in two sittings as I found it so compelling. Another great read by the author!

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this is the same author who co- wrote "Poison Orchids", which I loved.

This book was a mistake as an audiobook. Once I realized it was written from the perspective of two different people, I couldn't easily flip back a few pages to re-read them.

The story was mostly long and boring as heck. Like a modern day Downton Abbey with a ridiculous twist at the end.

[LostinaLibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

*0.5 Stars rounded up

Never going to read another thriller novel by this author ever again 💀.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant read from Sarah Denzil.
It's a psychological/murder mystery that was very enjoyable. Yes, it is formulaic but the characters and plot are very good and worth a read if this is a genre you enjoy, as I do.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

People really like this. Cool, cool...

I thought I was going to like this. It started out well. Gothic setting and brooding dude. Our Brontë-esque main character actually has a little more edge than expected. I was in.

Until I wasn't.

See...this whole diorama thing was kind of like that CSI Miniature Killer story line, only toothless and kind of useless. Even the teeny explanation behind it all in the end didn't really make sense to me. I mean...why even do that?

There's no real surprise about the who of anything and the why is surface-level villain behavior. And even though I liked our edgy main character, I still didn't get *why* she would put up with certain things.

It's a fast read and it is interesting, but I couldn't help feel that much of it was illogical and really a stretch.

*ARC via Net Galley

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt transported to the Victorian ages, where reality and fantasy intermingled. 
There was something outworldly about the writing that kept me gripped to some parts of the prose. The atmosphere was brilliant. Slightly haunted, with different shades of gray, where I was unsure about everything around the main character. 

The book was verrrryyyy slow, even the audiobook didn't feel interesting. I had to switch over to the digital copy as I wanted to skip sections that were not interesting. The twist was far-fetched. Somehow there was an air of unbelievability in the book. It needed modern day suspense to make it entertaining. A lot of unanswered questions.  The subplots were not seamless. 

An okay read in some parts if you were willing to hop, skip, and jump around the prose. 
2.5stars

[Claire Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve read books by this author before and loved them all but this was just not for me.

It felt more like a Victorian romance novel than a crime/mystery thriller. The writing, as always is wonderful and that’s what kept me going. Sarah has a real talent for creating imaginary landscapes.

I felt this book was a bit too slow for my liking, the plot was a bit obvious and cliche and so I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would.

Thank to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up the wrong book with the same title and decided to read it anyway. I should not have done that.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost is another word for maid. No matter how close you believe you are to your family, one day you will mean nothing to them.

This is no truer than with our protagonist, which remains nameless (certainly a commentary on the social class system). She is a recovering drug addict who thinks she has finally found her lucky break by getting a job at Highwood Hall. However, an atmosphere of unease shrouds Highwood Hall and its residence. On her first day, strange things begin to happen to her-including receiving a diorama depicting her death. Who would send her something like that and why do they want her gone? Unfortunately for them, she isn't easy to scare and she also has a motive for wanting to stay at Highwood Hall. Her mother worked there years ago after abandoned our protagonist. She's determined to find out anything she can about her mother, but will she live long enough to solve the mystery?

Honestly, it took me awhile to get into this book. I thought it was going to be the cliché maid falls for the lord of the manor and they have a torrid, steamy affair troupe. And it felt very much like that for the first half of the book.

Why did I ever doubt Ms. Denzil?
This story morphed into a spinetingling The Most Dangerous Game style cat and mouse game, and I was living for it! It was completely unexpected, creepy and satisfying.
If you have any hesitations regarding the first half of the book and contemplate putting it down (like I did), stick with it. The second half well makes up for it.