I hate to do this because I absolutely love joy Fielding’s books, like this one just did not do it for me. I am disappointed in the lack of mystery/thriller/suspense that she usually brings to her books. I also didn’t care for any of the characters!

I look forward to her next book and hope that it is more along the lines of what she usually writes, which are fantastic books!

Everyone who has ever envied someone with a housekeeper needs to read this book which is filled with twists and turns centered around the choice to hire Elyse to fill this role. Elyse is a well-developed and very unlikable character, just as she is meant to be. She is hired to take care of an ailing mother and ends up taking over the entire household, much to the dismay of the daughters. Tracy, the youngest daughter who thinks she is entitled to all good things, is oblivious about what is happening for most of the book. She is not very likable either but since her parents have coddled her, her attitude is understandable. Jodi, the older and much maligned sister, hires Elyse to help out her father Vic and her mother Audrey. Vic is a sarcastic and mean old man, especially when he is dealing with Jodi. Once Jodi realizes that the situation with Elyse may be endangering her family, her desire to change things may be too late. The family drama is riveting but somewhat predictable at times. I did enjoy the unexpected surprises throughout the book, mostly dealing with choices made by Jodi. I especially liked the big surprise twist at the end, too. None of the characters was particularly likable or relatable but they were well-fleshed out and realistically portrayed. The plot seemed to drag some in the middle, with the same things happening repeatedly until Jodi has finally had enough. Since the pace picked up again after that, it was a pleasure to read the book and find out the outcome. Fans of domestic suspense will enjoy the book as long as they keep an open mind that none of the characters is meant to be lovable; they are there for a purpose and they fulfill that well.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The ending had a nice Alfred Hitchcock twist to it, but getting there was long and tedious.

Since my introduction to Joy Fielding with Run Jane Run, I’ve thrilled to most of her books. I can still remember the heart stopping tension of Run Jane Run from 30 years ago.

The Housekeeper had lots of excess and filler which did nothing to advance the plot nor create tension. The story didn’t really take off until about the 75% mark and even then it was mostly predictable.

In all honesty I may have been turned off by the unpleasant characters and the fact that not one single character was worth cheering on. I need a hero. The other turn off to me was the very dysfunctional family. I guess both of these complaints are part and parcel of the same thing.

This generation seems to like self seeking people so I guess the book was written for them and I’m sure they’ll enjoy it. It was just a bit out of my comfort zone.

I appreciate the early reader’s copy from NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an early copy of The Housekeeper. Awesome, fast reading novel. Loved it! The characters were not kind towards one another and that made it an even better read because you were hoping there would be a better outcome. Fast moving book.

Thank you Random House Publishing - Ballantine and Net Galley for an early copy of The Housekeeper. This was a great, fast read!! I truly enjoyed it. Of course everything was obvious very early in the book and it still played out great. What manipulation! I love books like these, thank you again.

I am an avid fan of Joy Fielding's writing, so I am grateful to @netgalley and @randomhouse for offering me an advanced copy of her upcoming book "The Housekeeper" for my honest review.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Housekeeper gripped me from the start and did not let go until the very end. This book kept me up at night as I raced to the ending.

A "perfect" housekeeper, Elyse, is hired to care for Jodi's aging parents. She offers Jodi much needed time to devote to her family and her career. She seems too good to be true. Is she? Prepare yourself for a roller-coaster ride as Elyse's true colors are revealed, a little bit at a time.

I highly recommend this book.

@fieldingjoy

WOW! Another winner by Joy Fielding. I should have known better than to start this book at night.. I read the first 50 pages and went to sleep, only to wake up in the middle of the night wondering what would happen next. Long story short, Joy Fielding is responsible for my sleepless night!
It’s a great story about a Jodi, a realtor whose mother is in the last stages of Parkinson’s. Jodi’s father is her caregiver and Jodi hires a housekeeper to help him. There are multiple family dynamics going on. Jodi’s relationship with her sister, her father, her husband and children. It’s a great read. I’ll be recommending it to all my book reading friends and family. #Thehousekeeper #netgalley #joyfielding

Joy Fielding never disappoints and The Housekeeper was no exception. A quick, interesting read even though I found it pretty predictable and figured out the twist quickly on, still enjoyable.

This is my first Joy Fielding book, and now I will read them all. The housekeeper was a great read. Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to read.
Jodi and Tracy's mother is suffering from Parkinsons disease, and their father is the main care giver. As their mothers condition worsens they worry it is to much for their aging father to handle alone. Jodi sets out to find live in help for them. In comes Elyse, the house keeper, who checks off all the boxes of what they need and then some. Within weeks of hiring her, Jodi finds her mother dead and Elyse and Vic the father a little too close for comfort. After the funeral their is an all to quick wedding and the sisters are being kept at a distance. Jodi and Tracy begin to investigate Elyse, because they feel she is not all she seems to be and worry now for their father's well being.
If you love a good domestic thriller, definitely flag this as your next To Be Read book.

Last year I read 𝐶𝑢𝑙 𝐷𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑐 by @fieldingjoy and loved all the drama, so when I saw her newest novel on @netgalley I was so excited!

Author @fieldingjoy has written a ton of books, her newest 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟 is her THIRTIETH novel - how amazing is that?!

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟 is a domestic drama filled with secrets and tons of plot twists! There are many layers to this story- some parts are predictable like Elyse’s motives, but also tons of unpredictable twists and turns. The family drama is intense and it keeps you hooked from page one.

The characters are well developed and even relatable - especially Jodi who is a mom of two littles. I really enjoyed this one I found it entertaining and although somewhat predictable it was super addicting and I could not wait to see how it all ended!

If you enjoyed @fieldingjoy’s 𝐶𝑢𝑙 𝐷𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑐 you’ll love this one too! Special thanks to @netgalley and @fieldingjoy for the early copy!

✨release date is August 16!✨

SYNOPSIS: “ Exhausted from trying to balance her career, her family, and her parents’ needs, Jodi starts interviewing housekeepers to help care for her parents- Audrey and Vic. She settles on Elyse Woodley, an energetic and attractive widow in her early sixties, who seems perfect for the job.

Jodi is pleased to have an ally, someone she can talk to and occasionally even confide in. Until . . .

She shuts Jodi out. And Audrey's condition worsens—rapidly. Who is this woman suddenly wearing her mother’s jewelry? What is she after? And how far will she go to get it?”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for a honest review, all thoughts are my own. I absolutely loved this book! Joy Fielding has created a thriller that does not disappoint, I carried this book around to read every chance I got and finally I just said I need to see what happens! Jodi the dutiful daughter, sister, wife and mother has taken verbal abuse from her family her whole life. Now as a successful real estate agent following in the father's footsteps, she hires a housekeeper to help her dad with her very sick Mother who has Parkinson's. Jodi has never been good enough, weighs too much and she allows everyone to belittle her. Enter housekeeper Elyse who intertwines herself into the family, being perfect almost too perfect. Cozying up to Jodi's father and neglecting Jodi's Mom and once things are realized what can the daughters do? Missing jewelry, lies, affairs', bodies at the bottom of the stairs...…this book has everything. If you like domestic suspense, this is an absolute must read. This is going on my book club list when it comes out in August.

I want to thank Ballantine Books (Random House) and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Housekeeper by Joy Fielding.
Many years ago I read See Jane Run and more recently Cul de Sac by Ms Fielding which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sorry to say I can’t say the same about The Housekeeper. It seemed to never end. Too much repetition.
This book publishes August 16, 2022.

Contains Spoilers: Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of one of my favorite author's upcoming books. I started with See Jane Run and since then have been a Joy Fielding fan. This book also did not disappoint. The book follows Jodi who hires a housekeeper to take care of her parents, specifically her mother who has Parkinson's Disease. The housekeeper Elyse seems perfect until it is obvious she has her eyes on Jodi's father and his money. Jodi is married with two young children and an author husband. Her husband had one best selling novel 10 years prior and is still trying for his next big hit. Jodi is a realtor who is the breadwinner and feels very neglected by her husband and his demands, as well as her concerns that he is having an affair with one of his young community college students in his writing class. Jodi's sister also seems to shine where ever she goes, using their parents' money to fund her extraordinary tastes in clothing and dining. Jodi winds up having a brief affair with a potential home buyer who turns out to be Elyse's son who now holds the cards to blackmail her if she says anything about Elyse. Jodi's mother dies suspiciously and then Elyse really takes over. It is an interesting story with a satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend.

This is my first book by Joy Fielding, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Housekeeper moves in, marries dad, and takes over, and the children are powerless to stop it. Is she really who she says or is she fooling everyone? Read it and find out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

It's every family's worst nightmare- you need to hire someone to come live in your elderly, loved one's home to help care for them, only things go horribly wrong. Jodi Bishop is wearing herself thin- she is a successful realtor, who is the main breadwinner in her family, so her author husband can stay home and focus on writing his second book. In addition, she has 2 young kids, and spends a great deal of time helping to take care of her mother, who has Parkinson's. Jodi begins interviewing housekeepers for her parents, and as soon as she meets Elyse Woodley, she knows she has found the perfect one. Amazingly, she gets her controlling father to agree to accepting the help, and Elyse is hired. Jodi finds herself becoming close to Elyse, especially as someone she can talk to, and her children adore her. Elyse appears to be attentive to her mom and what needs to be done at home, and she knows how to deal with Jodi's difficult father. Things seem to be going amazing well.....until they aren't. Soon, Jodi begins to notice that things don't seem to be quite right when she drops by, and little by little, Jodi notices that Elyse is shutting her out from what it going on at her parent's home, and she is sure that something sinister is taking place.

"The Housekeeper" is the first of Joy Fielding's books that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last! This was a fast-paced thriller that was hard to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest reveiw. "The Housekeeper" is scheduled to be released on 8/16/22.

Another fantastic book by an excellent author! Ending was great as well which seems to be uncommon lately with thrillers. Highly recommend!!

A domestic thriller about a not so perfect family and how “things can always get worse”. Joy Fielding hooked me from page 1 and kept me there till the very end. Her writing flows so easily that without realizing I read this in 1 day (not a typical feat for me).

I own several of Joy Fielding's books and only quit purchasing them, because the offensive language seemed to be getting worse with each one. I just don't find it necessary to the enjoyment of the story to include it. In fact, I'm sure I'm not the only one who cringes throughout reading it.

In fact, as mesmerizing as this tale was, I did feel it necessary to deduct a point for that reason. I do love a story that holds my interest as this one did, though. You may have seen from other reviews about how the main character, Jodi, hires a housekeeper to help out with her elderly parents. A housekeeper who is so much more! And not always in a good way.

But it was the ending I liked the most. I did not see this coming and wondered throughout how it could possibly end.

Reviewed on GoodReads and will add Amazon and B&N upon publication.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4696999868

I love Joy Fielding. I actually just came across her on NetGalley and now have gone back and read all her books. The housekeeper is a mystery that kept me guessing. A loving daughter hires a live in housekeeper to help her aging parents. Everything seems perfect and the housekeeper is a dream come true. But is she too good to be true? I loved how the story unfolded and little by little we find out about the true motive of the housekeeper. An excellent read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review.

This is the year for thriller books about maids. This housekeeper will keep you on your toes and up all night to find out what happens here. A fast paced, who dunnit mystery. I love the ins and outs of peoples homes, so this was a fantastic read for me.