Synopsis

A remote Cornish mansion. The perfect couple. And the deadly secrets that bind them.

When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.

The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny before? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?

As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realises that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies…

Review

Did someone say DuMaurier vibes? Get on my bookshelf!

This book was so atmospheric and I was swept up in the idyllic setting of the sweeping landscape and old country house, with nods to Rebecca. (Un)fortunately there was no Mrs Danvers to scare the living daylights out of me, but there were plenty of intimidating characters.

Lily is a surprising lady – we can’t help but admire her for the plunge she’s taken, but we’re also screaming at her not to repeat her old mistakes and – in my case – suspicious of her own intentions. Her interactions with Laurie were perfectly drawn, providing a great mix of maternal and mad, combined with artistic temperament. As for Charles… what a douche! He definitely gave me the ick factor, considering the age difference and I felt sorry for the children.

What I like about Lizzy’s books is that although we’re given enough information to have an idea of where the book is going, we are still entirely engrossed and can’t stop reading. In this case, we are also smugly waiting for a certain someone to turn up at the house, but our expectations are entirely wrong. There’s also a nonchalant little twist dropped in amongst all the drama, which I did not see coming, but absolutely loved!

There were quite a few mistakes in the prose, with repeated and missing words – especially towards the end – which surprised me as I did not read a proof copy; however, this did not affect my overall enjoyment.

Wonderfully disturbing and gripping, this book will make you scared and angry, all at the same time!

Thanks to Pan Macmillan for my copy. Opinions my own.