The heartbreaking and arresting story of the Lindbergh kidnapping was only a glimmer of a memory in my mind and to avoid spoiling the story went into it without prior researching it for a fresh look. Author Mariah Fredericks writes true accounts from copious studies and research (see her fascinating notes at the back) and is careful to differentiate between fact and her version of fiction. The Lindbergh Nanny is told from the perspective of the nanny Betty Gow who came under suspicion of kidnapping...and worse. I carefully gathered snippets of information to form my own views as the story is enshrouded in conspiracy theories.

Betty, a Scottish immigrant secures the position of nanny to Charles (Charlie) Lindbergh II, a curly-haired cherubic toddler who lived in America. His parents raise him using the Watson (hands off) method but Betty quickly falls in love with the adorable boy and is careful to show him love in tender touches and encouragement. Charles Lindbergh Sr. was the first to fly across the Atlantic and so garnered the world's attention. His shy wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh was also an aviator. Their passion for travel took them all over, leaving their wee son in the care of his nanny for months.

The family, Betty and staff were all at home at secluded Hopewell (Highfields) at the time of the 1932 kidnapping. The kidnapper sent ransom notes, demanding money, some of which was discovered later. Betty was Suspect #1 at first and with some remained that way. Her life after the tragedy was difficult as she was bombarded with threats and known as "that" nanny for several years, even after she left New Jersey. I like that the author includes this information as well as the stories of Violet and others.

If you are a fan of True Crime (especially if questions remain as to resolution) and Historical Fiction written with plenty of thought and consideration, do read this gripping and fascinating story. The author's words whisked me away immediately.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this thought-provoking unputdownable book. Some questions were answered yet many more are swirling in my mind which prompted me to do research of my own. Talk about fascinating!

So much has been written about the 1932 kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr., son of aviator Charles Sr. and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh. But, because she kept an extremely low profile for the rest of her life, not much is really known about Charlie’s nurse (nanny) who was the last person to see the baby alive, as well as the person who had the difficult duty of identifying his remains.

Although after the baby died, she went back to her home in Scotland, she found it difficult to get another job anywhere doing anything. She was looked at as a monster because the media had dubbed her as someone suspicious in the death. The experience affected her in so many ways. She never married or had children. It was only much later in her life that she decided to an interview to tell her story as she absolutely knew it.

Betty Gow came to the United States to be with a man she had been dating back home in Scotland. Unfortunately, that did not work out. Desperate to find a job, someone suggested her to the Lindbergh’s who were looking for a nurse for their baby Charlie. When she got the job, she couldn’t believe her luck.

Although the Lindbergh’s were a bit different, traveling frequently and leaving the baby at home, and Charles Sr. whom she dubbed as odd with “different” views, she adored the baby and got along well with the other staff. She enjoyed going out with the others from the household for drinks and even started dating a sailor named Henrik. She was very cautious with everyone, not wanting to overstep her boundaries for fear of being fired.

But everything changed the night Charlie disappeared. Suddenly she was thrust into the media and Betty became the Lindbergh Nanny forevermore. The media, suspicious of her from the start accused her of having something to do with the kidnapping. She could not fight back. And then her boyfriend was arrested.

All the while, Betty is grieving the loss of a child she adored, while suffering intolerable guilt blaming herself. If only…what if I had done… .

As much as the sensationalism of the kidnapping caused her anxiety, the trial of the kidnapper was an even greater worry as she played out different scenarios in her mind as to perhaps someone from the household possibly aiding with the kidnapping, knowingly or unknowingly. But her strength and intelligence were certainly on display as she aptly answered all questions thrown at her.

The story told by Betty is one of terror, horror, unresolved questions and dreadful guilt which lasted until the day she died.

Although most of the book is based on actual interviews, etc., Frederick’s does take liberties with some of her storytelling which she makes sure to tell the reader in the Afterward.

Although someone was brought to justice for this appalling murder, to this day there are still conspiracy theories as to who else could have been involved. But through it all no one ever really rallied around Betty, the Lindbergh Nanny whose only crime was loving and taking care of a baby in her charge. Until now.

Thank you #NetGalley #MonotaurBooks #MariahFredericks #TheLindberghNanny for the advanced copy.

Captivating, atmospheric, and immersive!

The Lindbergh Nanny is a fascinating, absorbing novel set in the early-1930s that sweeps you away to New Jersey and into the life of Betty Gow, a Scottish immigrant whose life is irrevocably changed when, after being hired by aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife, heiress Anne Morrow Lindbergh to be the caregiver for their first child, Charles Lindbergh Jr., she becomes one of the prime suspects in his kidnapping when it becomes apparent that the twenty-month-old toddler was abducted through a window she left open.

The prose is smooth and fluid. The characters are multi-layered, secretive, and troubled. And the plot builds nicely to create tension and suspense as it unravels all the histories, motivations, personalities, and relationships within it.

Overall, The Lindbergh Nanny is an insightful, well-written, tragic tale by Fredericks based on real-life events that does an exceptional job of highlighting her impressive research and knowledge into what is undoubtedly one of the most famous kidnapping cases of all time.

I liked that this book is told from the perspective of the nanny. I don't know a lot about the Lindbergh kidnapping but this book encouraged me to find more non-fiction to learn more. The author introduces many characters from the household staff and it is through them that we learn the details. I am a big fan of historical fiction and I loved learning more about this time period.

4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars on here)

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

A historical fiction set int the 1930s that focuses on the most famous kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr, Yes please! I haven’t heard much about this story but it is now something that I am definitely more interested in. You can definitely tell the amount of time that the author put into the research of this book and I loved the end section that discussed the fact vs. fiction at the end. I thought it was a nice touch and definitely helped provide the readers with additional information on this case.

I also loved that his book followed the nanny throughout the events. You could feel all the details that came through the pages and I feel like it just helped bring the story to life more. There were a few parts in the middle that dragged just a little but overall I would highly recommend this book. I loved the characters and how much thought went into them and just felt like they made the book. If you like historical fiction books, then you are going to LOVE this one!
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This review will be posted to my Instagram blog (read_betweenthecovers) in the near future!

A great historical mystery about the dynamic Lindbergh family and the kidnapping of their 20 month old son, Charles, Jr. . The author, Mariah Fredericks, does an excellent job in gathering facts, dispelling rumors and allegations. This is so well articulated with the inside story from the Lindbergh nanny, Betty, that I had not read. I like the way she compiled court documents, letters, diary entries and testimonies to create the atmosphere of what it was like for each character. I have read so many depictions of this controversial mystery, but never have I felt it was enough until I read this one. I felt the pain of all and can't imagine how the not knowing or the finger pointing did not tear them apart.

With each chapter, I felt we were closing in to the real killer. The characters introduced left imprints of how the police would accuse them then regroup to attack someone else. Some were released as justice served, but others were haunted by the newspapers depicting them having a part in this horrible crime and conspiracy against one of the wealthiest families in America in the 1930's.

It is still a mystery, but you will want to know what was uncovered in the end. Well-researched and indoctrinated with real people and how could anyone forget those adorable pictures of the Lindbergh baby with his blond tousled curls. Betty's love for the baby was real and how she cared for him appeared sincere. To know her testimony lives on and the unquestionable doubt she carried to her grave, she would be honored by this retelling.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

While I knew very little about the Lindberghs beyond their connection to aviation, I was at least vaguely familiar with the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and murder of their son. Thus, The Lindbergh Nanny piqued my interest, especially in its focus on a perspective I had never heard in passing, who was a figure who many were suspicious of at the time.

Betty Gow’s story is a truly compelling one, especially in terms of exploring the circumstances that led to her working for the Lindberghs and the complex power dynamics at play when she was under suspicion. She was a Scottish immigrant working to support herself, and she takes on the position of caring for baby Charlie. While readers know what will become of him, I couldn’t help but become invested in her day-to-day interactions with him, only for things to switch to fear when he ends up missing. I truly felt for her in how she blamed herself for what happened, even as she tried to clear her name of more direct wrongdoing.

This book is well-researched, with a lot of real people and events being true to life and any inconsistencies and liberties explained in the author’s note.

While Betty and her own experiences with the case are the most central part to the story, there’s also an attempt to provide justice and closure to the Lindberghs with regard to Charlie’s fate, with the narrative also following the trial of the perpetrator once he’s caught.

This is an engaging read about a shocking historical event, seen through the eyes of a person whose perspective has been obscured for too long. If you’re a fan of historical true crime, I recommend checking this out!

This is a story that I've always been interested in learning more. Learning from the nanny's perspective was a perfect direction. I could tell it was very well researched and factual based. There were some slow moments but that is expected when it's based on a true story.

Mariah Fredericks blends facts and fiction seamlessly in this highly readable and interesting novel based on the kidnapping of the twenty month-old Lindbergh baby in March of 1932. All of the characters are written with depth and complexity which bring them, and the story, to life in a vivid way.

The story is told from the point of view of young Betty Gow, a real person, who served as the nanny of the kidnapped child. From Scotland, she had been in America only a few years when the crime occurred. It is fascinating to read her inside view of one of America's most famous families of the time, have that contrasted with the lives of the people who served them, and see the relationships in and between each group.

Betty adored her young charge, but became a suspect following the kidnapping (as did each servant). Although there was a conviction in the case, there have always been doubts surrounding the case. Fredericks brings a new perspective and possibility to light.

I highly recommend this novel which captivated me throughout. I appreciate the research the author did as well as the sections the real Betty Gow, and The Lindbergh Nanny: Fact vs. Fiction placed at the end of the book.

My thanks to Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication 11/15/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

This might be most appreciated by those who have not read any of the many many books and novels about the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. Fredericks clearly has done her research and she's picked an interesting perspective to present her case for what happened but still, it's fiction. It was good to see flesh and emotion put on Betty, the proverbial nanny, and she became much more sympathetic than I expected. Thanks to netgalley for the ArC. For fans of historical fiction.

On March 1, 1932, Charles Lindbergh's first-born infant child, Charles Jr., was kidnapped and murdered in what the American media called the "Crime of the Century.”

Mariah Fredericks tells the story of this tragedy through the eyes of Betty Gow, known in the history books as The Lindbergh Nanny. Betty was a real person, said to be sharp, intelligent, tough, and feisty. Fredericks does a fantastic job of capturing her voice on the page. Betty is insightful & relatable, making her character the perfect narrator. Also, she was the last person to see Charles Jr. alive…

The crime sparked conspiracy theories (then & now). The way the narrative unfolds reflects that uncertainty and doubt. Fredericks bases her book on biographies, histories of the case, and a range of sources. She builds the story on fact but draws on speculation and rumor and, at times, takes creative liberty. For me, it all works perfectly!

Historical fiction isn’t usually my jam. But this book captured and held my interest. I got sucked into a rabbit hole of theories on the murderer’s identity. Let me tell you, that rabbit hole runs deep!

Pick this up if you like: historical fiction, true crime, or historical mysteries.

Thank you to @mariahfredericks & @minotaur_books for my gifted copy!

Almost all of us have heard the story of the Lindbergh kidnapping. It is absolutely heartbreaking. I’ve never read any books about it and as soon as I saw The Lindbergh Nanny I knew I had to read it.

This book is unique in that it explores this tragedy entirely through the eyes of Charlie Lindbergh’s nurse, Betty Gow. She was the last to see him alive, she discovered he was missing, she was a prime suspect, and she later identified his body. The love she had for this precious boy, and the courage she displayed throughout the horrible event, is evident in this story.

There are many conspiracy theories as to who committed this crime and how. A man was charged, tried, convicted, and executed for the kidnapping and murder of little Charlie Lindbergh, but many doubt he was the sole perpetrator. There are many holes in the police investigation. The Lindbergh’s and Morrow’s employed a staff of 20-30 people - the man convicted of the crime was not one of them - so how did he know their whereabouts on the night of the crime? It’s likely someone on the inside was also involved but no one else was ever charged. To this day the death of Charlie remains, largely, unsolved.

It is important to remember that this book, though based on real events, is entirely a work of fiction. It is well told though awkward at times (particularly the placements of the inner thoughts of Gow’s character and some of the side stories, ie: Lindbergh teaching Gow to drive). The pacing is slow in the first third or so of the book, then it picks up a bit with the kidnapping and investigation. I would have liked to see more emotion from the parents, especially Charles Lindbergh, who is portrayed as cold and controlling. I’ll be honest, to me, his actions throughout the book, and on the night of Charlie’s disappearance, should have made him a person of interest but this story never indicates whether the parents were suspected of involvement or not.

Pub day: 11-15-2022

When I first started this book, I told myself I’d just try one chapter and see how I liked it. Eight chapters later, I begrudgingly made myself stop so I could get things done but returned as soon as possible and finished in a day!

This story was so well written—every detail and moment felt significant and in need of my full attention. I knew only the basics of what happened with the Lindbergh baby, and I think not doing any research prior to reading this is the optimal way to go. I also recommend taking time to read the author’s note at the end because she breaks down the facts vs fiction. Those specific details really brought the story full circle and made it feel complete.

I will say that once everything with baby Charlie begins, it becomes a much heavier read. But the book was truly so interesting that I couldn’t stop even when the content got difficult. Definitely one I recommend for all my historical fiction friends.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the digital arc!

I love historical fiction and this was a good one. Not much is known about the players in the background of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, so this was really a unique story. It is obviously well researched, she is able to recount the the experiences of many of the Lindbergh household including the grandparents and various staff members that worked in the residences. The author, Mariah Fredericks also includes characters of her own to expand the storyline.
The story cover the hiring of Betty Gow, a young immigrant from Scotland, that travels abroad to care for the newborn child of the famous Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. When the baby is kidnapped, she and other members of the household are suspects in the kidnapping. She suffers the hatred that is directed at those in the household, all suspected of complicity, as the entire world is infatuated with the story.
As the trial evolves, they are hounded by the press and intimidated by authorities although the family are very protective of their staff. Of course the outcome is well known, but still difficult to relive.
I thought it was an excellent book and obviously well researched. My thanks to NetGalley and Minatour Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Heavily based on facts on the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, this was still a work of fiction. It was an interesting story and I definitely learned something new that I’ll be looking into more. For me, the story dragged and it was a little on the boring side.

The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks is a well written historical fiction based on the kidnapping of a 20 month old boy, in the 1930s.

I personally had never heard of this story before getting the ARC and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of truth and fiction in this novel.

Read if you enjoy mysteries, historical fiction and or/true crime.

I enjoyed the audio of this book. Wide range of character voices was done well with accents and all. The storyline was interesting as I didn't know much going into it about the Lindbergh family. It did tend to drag at a few points, but overall, I found it to keep my attention. I learned a lot about the circumstances surrounding the baby's disappearance and the people connected to the family.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I've always had a mild curiosity about Charles Lindbergh, as he is buried near where I live in Maui, Hawaii, and had a home here in a remote area that, local lore says, was a great solace to him in later life. However, I had never heard of the Lindbergh Nanny, nor knew much about the controversy surrounding the events of the Lindbergh Baby's kidnapping and death - I guess I had just assumed it was an open and shut case. Although this is a fictionalized account of those events, it inspired me to do some research after reading, and I feel it does a fairly good job of representing a lot of the mystery surrounding the case at the time (and to this day). I enjoyed the writing - I switched easily back and forth between the e-book and the audiobook and the transition between the two was seamless. The narrator was engaging and I didn't feel like I had to work to listen to the story. The characters were well-developed and there were a few I would have liked to know more about. My interested is so peaked, in fact, that I am searching for more material to read on the subject, which is always a good sign with Historical Fiction!

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

PUBLICATION DAY: November 15, 2022

Betty has had rotten luck since she moved to the USA from Scotland. Fortunately her luck is about to change as she’s just gotten the job of her dreams. After a few missteps (let’s not talk about Detroit), she is now the official Lindberg Nanny…and best of all she adores young Charlie. Betty dotes on him and tries to provide the love and softness that seems to be missing from his famous (yet absent) parents - the difficult to read Charles and the shy yet kind Anne. But when Charlie is kidnapped, it’s Betty’s worst nightmare to find herself doubted and blamed for the crime - what will she do to prove her innocence? And will it be enough?

PROS and CONS:
Well written, loosely based on historical records of this horrific crime. I think the trouble with basing a novel on a real event is that you lose the opportunity to embellish and make the plot more exciting/fast paced in places where it might be needed. When you know how it’s going to end, there’s not much keeping you along for the ride. This perception of this crime and the possibilities for how it may have happened were interesting to read, and I did enjoy it.

READ IT?
If you’re looking for…a measured look into the kidnapping of Charlie Lindbergh and you really love historical fiction and non-fiction, then this one’s for you!

4 Stars

Told in a very captivating manner through the eyes of Betty Gow, the Lindberg nanny, this fascinating book follows Betty from when she was hired until the end of the trial of the kidnapper.
We don't see very much of the actual lives of the LIndbergs themselves, which is fine, as Betty is a wonderful narrator. Her life and story are more than interesting enough, especially as told by Fredericks.
As someone who knew vary little of the actual details of the case, I found the weaving of facts and historical fiction to be very well done.