The Housemaid was a fun & slightly absurd page-turner.

 

We’re following Millie, who somehow lands a dreamy job as a live-in housekeeper for a rich family. Considering she’s been freshly-released from prison and has been staying in her car for weeks … things couldn’t seem more perfect. But her new boss Nina is - in a word - unpredictable. She throws tantrums and switches up manipulative stories, and her creepy young daughter and hot-yet-docile husband are no help. 

 

Millie just wants a fresh start and a normal life. But more is going on at the Winchester house than meets the eye, and they don’t know the full breadth of Millie’s history …

 

Is this plot illogical? Yes, definitely. But is it a mesmerizing way to spend a chilly evening? That’s another resounding yes from me. 

 

The writing flows well and builds up atmospheric unease. There’s a splash of wit and dark humor. Millie’s got some big ole dramatic angst, and it’s fun to watch these events unfold through her eyes.

 

While the plot will be very familiar to any thriller-lover, the speedy chapters and engaging writing keeps this feeling fresh. And the ending is particularly delightful - it’s satisfying for sure.

 

CW: domestic abuse, emotional & physical abuse, torture, gaslighting, violence, confinement, murder, death, infidelity, mental illness, forced institutionalization, child abuse, infertility, self harm, psychosis

 

(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)