The Nanny is a gripping psychological thriller, dark and atmospheric, filled with secrets, deception, obsession, and strained family relationships. However, I found the beginning a bit slow and struggled to connect with the writing at first. I set the book down for a day, then returned to it with fresh eyes. Once I got back into it, I became more engaged and found myself enjoying the complex and twisted narrative.

Gilly Macmillan crafts an eerie, suspenseful story that slowly builds in intensity. It took me about 20% of the way through the book before things started to click and I could fully appreciate the plot. The slow burn may frustrate some readers, but once the pieces fell into place, the rest of the novel was much more enjoyable for me.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, including a detective, the protagonist Jo, her mother Virginia, and an unnamed narrator who adds an extra layer of mystery and unease. Oddly enough, I found myself more drawn to Jo’s daughter, Ruby, than to Jo herself. Jo’s decisions often left me frustrated, as her inability to see the truth right in front of her was maddening. I wanted to shake her and yell, “How can you not see what’s going on?”

Despite a slow start, The Nanny grew into a suspenseful and unsettling read, with plenty of twists to keep me hooked by the end. Macmillan's skill in building tension and creating complex characters really shines here. Fans of dark, atmospheric thrillers will find much to enjoy in this one.

Was not sure what to expect from this book but I loved it. The intricacies of family. Seeing Jo and her mother’s relationship so broken and the lengths a mother will go to to protect a child. There are so many little stories inside the whole just brilliant

Back when I received this arc I was having trouble with Kindle so didn't get chance to read it. Now 4 years later I have brought a copy and I am loving it. And actually wished I'd read it sooner!.....full review to follow

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

An enjoyable and easy read with a satisfying pay-off, this would make an excellent beach read. I was hooked early on and the suspense grows nicely and while it never quite reaches nail-biting levels, it had me engrossed enough to keep the pages turning rapidly. The plot has a few moments that require stretches of your suspension of disbelief, but it's not so far out there that you lose engagement with the characters. I enjoyed the slow reveal, the mounting sense of menace and the dawning comprehension that nothing is quite as it seems. The ending is, perhaps inevitably, pure nonsense but it is enjoyable and deliciously satisfying nonsense.

Excellent page-Turner. Such a brilliant and addictive read. I’ll definitely look out for the next Macmillan. Absolutely excellent!

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

Well written, flowed easily, interesting characters, although after initially liking the daughter and sympathising with her, I ended up thinking she was rather mean to her Mother. Good story.

In this compulsively readable tale of secrets, lies, and deception, Gilly Macmillan explores the darkest impulses and desires of the human heart. Diabolically clever, The Nanny reminds us that sometimes the truth hurts so much you’d rather hear the lie.

Initially I thought the book was a bit slow, but the pace picked up and I found it a really good thriller. Would love to read more by Gilly Macmillan, this was a really enjoyable read.

This thriller cleverly builds up pace and tension until it is difficult to put down.

The relationship between the main character Jo and her mother really intrigued me and I liked how you were kept guessing with secrets, lies, mystery, and deception.

Great characters, a clever plot and a surprising ending.

Mystery thriller readers who love a little family drama thrown in will really enjoy this book.

The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew conjures a dark and unpredictable tale of family secrets that explores the lengths people will go to hurt one another.

When her beloved nanny, Hannah, left without a trace in the summer of 1988, seven-year-old Jocelyn Holt was devastated.

This was a brillianlt read! Full of twists and turns that will have you gripped until the ending.

Can you trust your memory? Jo remembers her Nanny fondly, she loved her more than she loved her mother. But one night the nanny vanishes without a trace.Years later, when Jo returns to her family home, a body is pulled out of the lake. At first Jo thinks it must be her long missed Nanny Hannah. But then Hannah suddenly reappears....

There's a lot going in in this book. Maybe a bit too much at times. The main story is great but theres a few side stories (details would be spoilers) that seemed superfluous but luckily do not overtly detract from this been an enjoyable twisty suspense novel.

I really enjoyed this book that was part mystery part thriller that I couldn't put down. Will be looking out for the next book by Gilly Macmillian

This was an excellent mystery thriller and one which I got stuck into right from the beginning. It wasn't a very fast paced read but nevertheless it was one which I thoroughly recommend.

A modern day version of Downtown Abbey. A nail biting read which had me rooting for the main character to battle through to the very end.

I positively devoured this book and loved it right up until the end, which had so many holes, they could have filled the Albert hall.

Jo adored her nanny, Hannah, so she is devastated when she suddenly disappears. When Hannah returns many years later, however, she brings with her a whole heap of new problems.

While the plot is well set up, there are a lot of character flaws which simply don't make sense. Jo forgets important details; her mother is callous and uncaring until she isn't. These flaws are, unfortunately, essential to the plot which is what made this ultimately so disappointing.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation to review.

A thrilling read which kept me turning the pages, characters you care for and just brilliantly written. Great novel!!

A Nanny, one child, titled folk and a dark secret - what could possibly go wrong?

The Holts are well to do, titled family with Lord and Lady Holt at the helm. Jocelyn, whom we come to know as Jo later in the book has a Nanny. Nothing out of the ordinary here, until one day, the Nanny has gone, nowhere to be seen, no clue, nothing.

Fast forward to adult Jo, life hadn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for her and she turns up at the family home with her own child in tow. But she isn’t the only one! The Nanny is back too, but how, wasn’t she dead? Is she still dead? Is it all a dream?

Well, this is one book which takes you down the path of mystery, reveal, plots which thicken and surprise you and who is telling the truth? Who is lying? Well you have to read and find out for yourself, but it isn’t what I expected to read 👍🏻

Wow! This was such a good book with a really unusual theme.
Jocelyn grows up in a life of luxury and wants for nothing. She is doted on by her Nanny and her parents (her mother in particular) pays her little attention.
One day, her Nanny, Hannah disappears and Jocelyn is devastated. Jocelyn is told Hannah left because of she was such a. naughty girl.
Skip forward to Jocelyn (now Jo) being forced to move back to Lake Hall with her daughter Ruby as her husband has died and she has nowhere else to go.
Her father Lord Holt has died in the interim and the house seems empty without him.
A human skull is found in the lake at the house, could it be Hannah who hasn’t been heard of since her mysterious disappearance?
Without adding any spoilers, what follows is a fabulous trail of deceit and lies that have held the family together and now threaten to fracture it completely.
I so enjoyed this book and will definitely look for more by this author.