I have always been fascinated by the infamous kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. While written as fiction, there is enough fact behind the writing to make it believable. The descriptions of the LIndberghs are spot on. Betty is the nanny to the Lindbergh baby and after being badly hurt by a relationship, falls into a new one with a sailor named Red. When the kidnapping occurs they are in the spotlight as people of interest, therefore Betty must solve the mystery to prove her innocence. A fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion here is solely my own.

4.5 stars for The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks

In March 1932, 20-month-old Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr, was kidnapped from his home near Hopewell, New Jersey, leading to a massive search and investigation. As the son of famed aviators Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the child’s disappearance and $50,000 ransom caused a worldwide media sensation.

Investigators strongly believed the kidnapper received inside help from a Morrow or Lindbergh employee, and with up to 30 employees serving at the Morrow estate, the home of Anne’s parents offered suspects aplenty. Only three employees were routinely present at the Lindbergh home near Hopewell, however, so while many staff members were questioned multiple times, no one was under more suspicion initially than nanny Betty Gow.

The novel is written from Betty’s perspective, giving readers an insider’s view of the Lindbergh and Morrow families, the kidnapping and the extensive investigation. Ms. Fredericks does an admirable job weaving fact and fiction together to create a compelling tale, and the author’s notes following the ending add further depth to Betty Gow’s story.

As a reader who knew nothing of the Lindbergh kidnapping case besides the baby’s fate before reading The Lindbergh Nanny, I found the details of the investigation and storylines of the nanny and other Lindbergh and Morrow staff and family members to be very interesting. Lovers of historical fiction, the Lindbergh’s, crime stories, or the era following The Great Depression will likely enjoy reading this novel, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the author for the advance reader’s copy of this novel. All opinions expressed above are my own. The expected publication date of The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks is November 15, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the copy of The Lindbergh Nanny. The book was from the POV of Betty, the nanny, and I never really connected to her or her thoughts. The set up for the kidnapping was long, especially because we knew it was going to happen, so why not just get it over with? I appreciated the author notes and admired how much research she did. I wish I could have gotten more immersed in the book because it's a good story, it just wasn’t really for me.

I wish I could explain how much this book meant to me. I "like" historical fiction, to an extent, but as someone who spent (pre-internet-as-we-know-it) *years* as a teen obsessing over this case...this was the book I didn't know I'd been waiting for nearly all my life. Engaging and well-written, and extremely well-researched, this book presents the famous kidnapping in a way that addresses the heartache, the confusion, the mystery, and the narrowing to the resolution without ever feeling drawn-out or overdone. Told from the point of view of baby Charlie's nurse (nanny), Betty Gow--who had suspicion cast on her that outlasted her own life--Fredericks's book casts a sharp eye on each fallible human in Charlie's periphery, sprinkling in so much truth and true tale that it frequently feels like a genuine first-hand account from Miss Gow. Even as someone well-acquainted with the case, I appreciated the inclusion of the detailed author's notes at the end. An easily high-recommend to readers.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting look into the lives of the Lindbergh family both before and after their son's kidnapping. There are consequences and tragedy that come out of the event that I didn't know about before. While this is historical fiction, it is somewhat based on the real events.

The Lindbergh case has fascinated me for decades. The man who defied death in his historic flights, attracted fame and power while providing what he thought was protective wealth for his family lost his child and his vulnerability was displayed to all. As the years pass we have understood Lindbergh was not the virtuous hero the media painted him to be. Still his child was murdered. We had a glimpse into how his wife coped via her own writings Gifts From the Sea. But what of the Nanny? Fredericks’ exploration into this true character is detailed and rings true. She even provides a fact & fiction at the end of the book. This historical fiction was satisfying but still read with sadness as one can’t help but think of all that was lost for many. Highly recommend!

A reimagining of the most well-known kidnapping in American history told through the eyes of The Lindbergh Nanny, Betty Gow. As the last person to see Charlie before he disappears, Betty falls under critical eyes during the investigation as the Lindbergh family stands behind her. How will she clear her name when prosecuted as guilty via the media and amid public opinions?

Much of the information contained in the novel is factual. There’s an author’s note at the end which was interesting and well worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I first learned of the kidnapping when I was in school and this just filled in so many details. It was extremely well researched and answered many questions. It was very interesting reading the fact vs fiction section at the end of book.

Good book overall. I love historical fiction and felt that this book did a good a job balancing the mystery and story with the historical aspect.

I’ve always heard about the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, but never knew too much about it. My interest was peaked when I saw this book. All in all I really enjoyed it, it gave a lot of history that I didn’t know and I liked reading from the nanny’s point of view. I was inspired to dig deeper and research players from the story.

The kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby is one of those incidents that permeates the American consciousness to some degree no matter when you were born. As an 80's baby, I was familiar with the broad strokes - that Lindbergh was a Rockstar for his time based on his solo flight across the Atlantic, that the kidnapping shocked the nation, that there was much confusion and intrigue about who might have been to blame etc... but the rest was fuzzy around the edges for me. What I adored about this book is that it really centered the story through the eyes of Betty Gow, the Nanny for the Lindberghs at the time of the kidnapping. Through her reflection we learn about the character of the Lindbergh family and the Morrows (the in-laws who held great political sway as well). I also valued that the author spent time building out Mrs. Lindbergh as a full and rich character - emphasizing her accomplishments as a pilot as well. What the book is most successful at, in my opinion, is bringing context to how the level of media circus and intense scrutiny impacted the lives of everyone involved, especially for those who were implicated either in the court of public opinion like Betty Gow was, or in the genuine course of investigation. The narrative helped me feel rooted in the period, through her nods to social and moral standards and expectations, the references to technology and the depiction of the workings of the press and media. While this is a novelization and not served up as a true crime investigation, I finished the book feeling like I had a fairly nuanced understanding of the investigation, the various people accused at different points and who played various roles in the investigation (interesting to see Stormin' Norman's father led the case, for example!). If you're into historical fiction, true crime, or mystery - this is a compelling read. Despite the verdict being widely known, the storytelling is woven in a way that leaves you on the edge of your seat as far as what will happen to the characters you've gotten to know intimately.

3.5/5
This book covers the true events of the kidnapping of the Lindberg baby. I always enjoy historical fiction in this way because I feel that I get to learn about something that I had no idea happened! I'm sure this was a very big deal at the time, but I had never heard of it before picking up this book.

It took me a little bit to get into the book. Once the Nanny started taking care of the child and was fully involved in the family, I was interested. However, the book lost my attention shortly after the child was kidnapped. I felt that there were so many characters involved as well as possible theories, that it was just too much for me to take in. I didn't really gravitate towards one theory or the other. Personally, I think I would have enjoyed the book more if more time would have been spent on the relationships between the Lindbergs and the nanny.

However, I know that some people will truly enjoy this book, especially if they are familiar with the case. Historical fiction isn't usually my preferred genre because I feel like the language can feel old. I did not feel that was the case in this book. The story was easily read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a very well-written historical novel. It kept me engaged from the very beginning. Also appreciated the info at the end regarding the author’s use of fact vs, fiction.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC, in exchange for honest review*

Mysterious. Engaging. Memorable.

Despite being a famous case, I hadn’t heard anything about the Lindbergh kidnapping before reading the book. The title caught my attention first, followed by the summary of the book. The Lindbergh Nanny is one of those books that will have your attention from the start until the end. Even as I turned the last page, I wondered what had happened after. Every page and chapter had me wondering what would happen next. Would they find out who kidnapped Charlie? I wasn’t there, but all the emotions that Betty felt in the book before the kidnapping and afterward felt so real. That was one of my favorites about this book; it felt realistic. While reading, it was as if I was there besides Betty, going through everything she was going through. Like Betty, I fell in love with Charlie. I can’t even begin to imagine the horror the family felt when he was taken from them, and my heart broke for them.

I loved the connection that Betty had with Charlie before the kidnapping. It didn’t take him long to get attached to Betty, and I could tell she loved him. I could tell that after some time, Mrs. Lindbergh became jealous of the bond that Betty and her son had developed. When Charlie was kidnapped, I thought of so many suspects, but the actual suspect was the last person I thought would have anything to do with the case. I learned a lot about the case in the book. The book had me curious, so once I finished the book, I went back and researched the real-life case. I enjoyed that at the end of the book, the author talked about the facts and the fictional that she added, making the book even more realistic.

All the characters were so well developed in the book, especially Betty, who changed the most of all the characters. As I said before, I love historical fiction mixed with mystery. The Lindbergh Nanny was one of the best books I have read this year. I was on the edge of my seat from the start to the end. I would highly recommend that to any historical fiction and mystery fans. I’m happy that I got a chance to read this book, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Being a fan of historical fiction I was very happy to be approved for the ARC copy of this book. Mariah Fredericks writes a high explosive story of the most famous kidnapping the world has ever encountered. Yet I learned so much about the family, the people involved with the Lindbergs and Betty Gow the young girl who becomes the nanny to the famous Lingbergh baby.

This book takes you from the beginning of how Betty gets to America to take care of this precious child. Little did she know that months later her private life will be plastered all over the world, and how she gets involved with the multitude of suspects in this horrible crime..

With this case I myself only knew what was printed in history books and papers. Mariah Fredricks brings to life the characters and wrote them so well since this is historical fiction. I didn't know that so many people were involved with little Charlie's kidnapping. The information both fictional and true had me turning the pages so I could finish this book. I couldn't put it down.. Betty Gow was a nobody to me and when I finished this book she became my champion. The love she had for this little boy, the pain of being a suspect in his murder really made me want to know more about her. So having the authors notes at the end giving us the details of Betty once she returned home gave me closure to this whole ordeal.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the approval. Thank you Mariah Fredericks for such a wonderful written book, that gave me a better insight to this horrible tragedy.

This is a very well written historical fiction novel. It was very intriguing and kept my interest from beginning to end. There were a lot of characters so I had a hard time keeping up with who was who at times. This story centers around Betty Gow, who was the nanny/nurse for Charlie Lindbergh. Charlie gets kidnapped in the early 1930’s and this book takes place from Betty’s point of view. I like how at the end the author described what was factual and what she added to various parts of the book. This was a job well done. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

The Lindbergh Nanny
By Mariah Fredericks
Series: None
Publisher: St. Martian’s Press
Rated: 2
Obtain:
Back of the Book: “When the most famous toddler in America, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped from his family home in New Jersey in 1932, the case makes international headlines. Already celebrated for his flight across the Atlantic, his father, Charles, Sr., is the country’s golden boy, with his wealthy, lovely wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by his side. But there’s someone else in their household—Betty Gow, a formerly obscure young woman, now known around the world by another name: the Lindbergh Nanny.
A Scottish immigrant deciphering the rules of her new homeland and its East Coast elite, Betty finds Colonel Lindbergh eccentric and often odd, Mrs. Lindbergh kind yet nervous, and Charlie simply a darling. Far from home and bruised from a love affair gone horribly wrong, Betty finds comfort in caring for the child, and warms to the attentions of handsome sailor Henrik, sometimes known as Red. Then, Charlie disappears.
Suddenly a suspect in the eyes of both the media and the public, Betty must find the truth about what really happened that night, in order to clear her own name—and to find justice for the child she loves.

Impressions: I started this book but the text was choppy. It lacked the grace and flow to be enticing and easy to read. I did not finish this book.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mariah Fredericks' The Lindbergh Nanny. I would love to read more like this from the author. Five stars.

This book is about the famous abduction of the infant son of Colonel Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The case received international attention in 1932, due to the popularity of the young American couple and their accomplishments in aviation. This particular novel is from the perspective of baby Charlie's Scottish nanny, Betty Gow, who was initially a suspect in the case. The timeline begins with her appointment as nanny, and takes us through the trial in early 1935.

I found this story to be a bit slow at first, but I enjoyed the character development and the details about the Lindberghs' lifestyle. The pace picks up significantly when Charlie is kidnapped from his bedroom, and I flew through the rest of the book. Betty's perspective was new for me, and I think it paints an intimate portrait of the horrific events, given how close she was to the baby.

I much appreciate when historical fiction authors take the time to discuss their research and separate fact from fiction in their narratives in an author's note, which Mariah Fredericks does here. A sad but fascinating story, told well from a new perspective!

Thank you to Mariah Fredericks, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is historical fiction and follows the events leading up to and after the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. It is from the nanny - Betty Gow's perspective.

I found it to be a bit disappointing. The dialog was choppy and hard to follow at times. I suspect it was meant to be stream of consciousness thoughts from Betty, but it detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, it was a slow-moving book, and I was just glad to be finished with it.