The House Sitter - Ellery Kane

3🌟

This is a good psychological thriller with a twist at the end. While it started off good, I felt it got a bit flat and slow in the middle. This is my first book by this author and while I enjoyed it, I don't know could I say I'd rush out to get any future books. The book had a decent plot but I didn't really connect fully with any of the characters. It started off well, I loved the sound of the blurb but overall it fell a bit flat for me. That being said, I still wanted to read to the end and find out what in fact happened to Iris Duncan...I really liked the twist at the end but I sort of saw it coming as I neared the final chapters.

Thanks a million to Netgalley.co.uk, the publishers Bookouture and Author Ellery Kane for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#TheHouseSitter #Netgalley #Bookouture #ElleryKane #PsychologicalThriller

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Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was intrigued when reading the synopsis of this one. I don't really have much to say about it, it was one of those ok thrillers, not a page turner, not a and DNF just what I would call a fairly average read. ⭐⭐ #ellerykane #thehousesitter #netgalley #tea_sipping_bookworm #litsy #goodreads #thestorygraph #bookqueen #bookstagram

A desperate late night 911 call. An elderly woman in distress. The sound of gunshots ... and the line goes dead! The police immediately rush to investigate and discover a scene of chaos. They try to piece together what could have happened and they thought it must be pretty straightforward ... but there's no body! How do they prove that anyone's actually been murdered?

When elderly Iris (approaching her 70th birthday) meets young Lydia McKay, it’s perfect timing for both of them. Iris is no longer able to manage living on her own, and Lydia knows that she's useless at waitressing and is probably about to be fired from the diner where she's working. The two hit it off instantly, and regardless of the age difference they form an instant friendship which leads Iris to invite Lydia to come and stay with her. Even better, is that Lydia comes as a package deal with Seth, who'll be able to help with all the home and garden maintenance that Iris hasn't been able to maintain, causing the Home Owner's Association to be on her back, in the form of her annoying neighbour Bill.

In no time at all, Lydia and Seth are comfortably settled in Iris's home and making themselves indispensable to Iris. They ensure her pill box is filled and that she takes the right pills daily. Lydia cooks nutritious meals and Seth tends to the garden and fixes up all the wear and tear that's happened over the past while. He does seem to ask for cash for supplies rather often, but Iris knows that looking after a home is costly and that she's let things slide so she doesn't mind handing cash over whenever he asks for it. And she pretends not to see the dark looks that Lydia gives him every time.

But the comfortable set-up is short-lived. Iris is becoming increasingly anxious and forgetful. She's convinced that her possessions are being intentionally misplaced, and that there's a burglar entering her home and stealing from her. She's had this feeling before and thought that having Lydia and Seth there would be a deterrent, but it's not helping. And as time marches on, Iris's anxiety slowly morphs into irrationality. What is really going on here?

I couldn't put this down! It's a fast-paced, thrilling page-turner. You might think you have it figured out, but I can assure you that you probably don't! What made it even better for me was that none of the characters are particularly likeable. There's something a bit 'off' about each and every one of them! Yes, even helpless little old Iris, Maureen the cop, who just cannot do what she's told (I adored her!) and down-on-her-luck Lydia - who I initially knew I was meant to empathise with! It's clever and twisty ... and did I mention those unlikeable characters who are all actually quite brilliant ... well, except maybe for Seth, I didn't love him! But the rest of the bunch are quite a circus of crackerjacks!

This gets 5 stars from me.

Iris lives in a big house alone since her husband died years ago. While in a cafe she stumbles upon a couple that are down and out of their luck. Iris invites the couple to live with her. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The House Sitter from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I found myself drawn in from the very first page as it totally grabs your attention. I found the book was written in an easy to read style that is suspenseful and often times funny. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

The blurb for this book is completely correct. You’ll think you know what happened on the fateful night, but nothing is as it seems in this very cleverly plotted book.

The story starts with the traumatic events of the night in question, and then the plot moves backwards and forwards between the before and the after. At first it seems like it’s a fairly straightforward one to figure out. But nothing is as it seems, and there are some truly spectacular plot twists.

The plot is pacey and very intriguing, and the characters are all very well developed. I did not like the “house sitters” one bit, and even less so as the book went on! Iris I was very fond of, but I didn’t really see her true colours until much later on. Maureen, the police officer, was my favourite, with a really interesting back story, and a tenacious need to get to the truth.

I just flew through the chapters of this book and really wanted to find out what had really happened on that night. The truth is gradually revealed before the very end, and I thought it was very well done.

All in all, a really tense and exciting thriller, and a complete page-turner. Highly recommended.

Wow! This book had so many twists I didn’t see coming. It definitely had me turning the pages very quickly to find out what happened. I recommend to anyone who wants a fast paced sinister type of thriller. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Iris finds that she needs help. Nearing 70, currently has a broken arm she is having difficulty taking care of her home. One day at a diner, she meet meets A lovely young woman named Lydia that she ends up hiring as her helper. Lydia has a boyfriend named Seth and while Lydia helps Iris in the house, Seth can do some of the outside chores. It’s a perfect scenario for everyone involved, especially since it appears that Lydia and Seth needed a place to stay. Room and board in place of meeting Iris’s needs seems like a wonderful trade.

However, in one of the opening chapters a terrified Iris makes a phone call. She says someone is in her house and she is truly scared for her life. As the dispatcher is trying to get her help, the call is dropped, but not before gunshots heard. When the police arrive on the scene, Iris is nowhere to be found but the house is in disarray and there is a trail of blood.

One thing is made clear to the reader. Lydia and Seth are con artists and they have an ulterior motive that involves the reason that they have ingratiated themselves into Iris’s home and life. I loved how this book was written with the dual timelines, making me more than curious as to the transitions that were taking place considering that both Lydia and Seth had some sort of plan. The question that continued to be raised in this engaging read is, where is Iris?

With precision and misdirection, Ellery Kane has written quite an intriguing story. I had this review title as an audiobook ARC and it was expertly narrated by Kristin James. This already well-written book was made even that much more enjoyable in this format.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please also enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/uKBCSG7LGvI

Iris is having trouble taking care of her house after her husband passes. One day, she’s at a diner and meets a young waitress, Lydia, and offers her a job to take care of her house. Lydia is ecstatic to finally get out of the diner and earn more money and accepts. Lydia and her boyfriend Seth take care of everything for Iris, from arranging her medication, to taking care of her lawn. Iris is happy to not feel so alone. But one night, there’s a 991 call from the house, two gunshots are heard over the phone, but when help arrives, no one is home and no body is found. What could’ve happened?

I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book. It was nicely paced but Lydia and Seth just bothered me in the beginning. I’m also not the biggest fans of past/present chapters. Other than that, I did enjoy the book and I’m glad I read it! It has the kind of writing style that makes you want to keep reading.

Special thanks to the author and Bookouture for the review copy! This was my first book from Ellery and I can promise you, it will not be my last!

This book read so easily, the characters were very well developed and the plot was good…the final was EVEN better! I did not see the ending coming and it was so very good!

Iris, an older lady with memory issues and issues keeping up with her mansion. Her hoa is constantly on her to clean it up but, how’s an older lady supposed to do it by herself? So, she hires herself a young couple, Seth and Lydia to help get her home up to par. But, Iris soon starts forgetting more and even gets lost in her neighborhood. What are these con artist house sitters supposed to do? Rob her blind, kill her and take her money?

This story drew me in from the first chapter. I highly recommend it and I’m giving it five stars because of the fact, that it truly held my attention. I read past my bedtime last night and it was SO worth it!

THE HOUSE SITTER is a psychological thriller by Ellery A. Kane. I was hooked from the beginning.

The novel opens with a woman calling through to emergency to advise that an intruder is in her house, while she hides in the bedroom. What follows is the sound of gunshot, a scream…and then the line went dead.

Iris Duncan, a seventy-year-old widower and retired librarian, who lives in large home in an upscale neighborhood, needs help with the maintenance and upkeep of the house and yard. Iris also is suffering with onset dementia.

Iris goes to a diner and meets a young waitress named Lydia who is struggling and hates her boss. They both start talking and become fast friends. And Iris immediately realizes that Lydia was just the girl she had been looking for to help her at home. Iris offered Lydia a position as caregiver/house sitter if Lydia wanted a change. Lydia accepted the position but wanted her boyfriend, Seth to be included in the deal.

Lydia was responsible for cleaning, cooking and assisting Iris as needed., while Seth works outside, tending to the lawn and fixing the broken gate and outside upkeep. Things go well and eventually Iris invites the couple to move in. Lydia becomes invaluable to Iris, as Iris has become very forgetful and often can't remember if she's taken her pills or not.

One night there is a 911 call, a struggle and a gunshot. When the police arrive, Iris is missing. Now, the search is on. I loved the rookie cop, Maureen, a regular Columbo and her drive to find Iris.

And slowly we see the story unfold.

Police suspect at least two gunshots were fired during the robbery and believe the missing woman was seriously, possibly fatally injured in the attack.

Seth and Lydia are identified as persons of interest in the suspected homicide of Iris Duncan.

So where is Iris? Is she dead or alive? Where is she?

This book will keep you reading late into the night as you will want to know answers to these questions. The book follows the story before the disappearance, and after the disappearance. Clues and information are relayed on a need-to-know basis. As soon as you start reading The House Sitter, you’ll be hooked! Very enjoyable read with lots of twists at the end.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.

How gripping does this synopsis sound!!! We start the book with Iris making a 991 call to the emergency services as someone is breaking into her house again, then we hear 2 gun shots and silence...

As you read through the book we switch between 'before' and 'after' slowly starting to unravel many many secrets and surprises that lead you to question what is the truth and what has really happened. I think the amount of thrillers that I've read meant I was able to guess the twists and turns, or maybe I'm just too suspicious when reading thrillers now which did dull this slightly for me but it was still a good read.

I really liked this past and future tense style of writing as you felt like you were uncovering things, and I definitely think I would have been like Maureen in this, trying to get to the bottom of everything and to uncover the truth. She was probably actually my favourite character in the book, followed by 'Tallboy' and then Iris. I think I remained suspicious of both Lydia and Seth throughout the whole book and just felt like they weren't nice people, Seth especially but it's always good when an author makes you really feel things for or against a character!

Overall I enjoyed this book, it just didn't blow me away, but I think that was because I could see the twists coming. If you enjoy domestic thrillers then this is for you, I've also read lots of amazing reviews of the audiobook so maybe things come across more twisty when you're listening to this as

*Thank you to Bookouture, Ellery Kane, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-house-sitter/

“And it’s so far beyond fine that you know you can never go back to fine. That fast. You think: Oh, here is the rest of my life. It’s finally arrived.”

― Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl



Iris Duncan is almost 70 and completely alone after her husband dies. She lives in Pacific Heights in San Francisco, and she is unable to care for her large estate, of which her neighbor across the street, the head of the HOA, constantly reminded her. Iris also believes that someone is entering her home frequently and moving things around. When she encounters a waitress being treated poorly in Iris’s favorite café, she immediately hires her and her boyfriend, Seth, to be caretakers at her house to help with the upkeep. She offers them room and board at her house and treats them like family, especially Lydia, who is pregnant with her first child. When a 911 dispatcher receives a frantic call from Iris, and then a gunshot, they race to her house only to find no Iris and no Lydia or Seth, but a lot of blood.

Where is everyone? Are Lydia and Seth who they say they are? And who is Dolores? What happened to Iris? The truth begins to emerge, like in the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, where crumbs here and there lead the detectives to the truth. The premise of The House Sitter has been done before, but this is different and not at all what I expected. Told in dual points of view with the detective Maureen, Iris, and Lydia, in a before/after layout, there is lots of excitement, tension, and those little crumbs I mentioned. Ellery Kane does a great job at moving along the story at a good pace, intriguing the reader at the end of every chapter being left on a cliffhanger.

You can see that she had a plan for this mystery and was able to execute it flawlessly. While we are being veered towards one direction, suddenly we are on a completely different route, which certainly kept this reader on her toes. Each character is well thought out and keeping big secrets. Another wonderful thing about this book is the character of Iris is so batty that you never know, from her perspective, what is real and what isn’t.

This was my first Ellery Kane novel and I would be interested in picking up more of her books in the future. This seems to be a stand-alone, though I would love to see more of Maureen Shaw, the detective, in another novel. She was a unique character, and I enjoyed hearing her perspective on things.

Title: The House Sitter
Author: Ellery A. Kane
Publish Date: June 14, 2022
Publisher: Bookouture

What craziness in going on in The House Sitter?!?!
I had a hard time deciding on my rating for this book. The beginning of the story had me a bit intrigued. Then, it seemed to just go so slow on developing the storyline. As I continued to read, it did get a bit more intriguing and intense which moved my rating up from a 3 to a 4.
The story is told in a before and after timeline of the main characters disappearance. I can’t say I liked any of the characters. I suppose the rookie cop was my favorite character as she seemed to be the only one trying to figure out what the heck is going on.
Was it worth reading? I think you should read it and see what you think. Definitely a interesting psychological thriller with a twist at the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Cross posted to my Instagram: @shortbookthyme

A brilliantly plotted novel that makes you go 'Aha!' when the twists turn up.

Iris Duncan an almost 70yr old widow has been battling loneliness and struggling to get about with daily tasks with her injured hand and forgetfulness. So when she meets out-of-luck pair, Seth and Lydia Mckay, hiring them as her caretakers seem like the perfect solution for both parties. But now Iris is missing and while everything points to the Mckays as the culprits, with no solid evidence, it seems like they will get off scot-free. Officer Maureen Shaw, a rookie cop, is hot on the trails of the Mckays, despite orders from her superiors to back off. Traumatised from her own personal experiences, she is now determined to see justice done, no matter the risks involved.

While it starts off as any other thriller - with an intriguing event - nothing is as it seems in this simply unputdownable plot. The dual timeline, one before the incident and one after, helps to amp up the suspense. Though the plot twist is hinted at midway through the book, the actual revelation of it was still startling.

All the characters are excellently portrayed - Seth's deviousness, Lydia's helplessness, Iris's fragility and Maureen's desperation to avenge the wrongdoer are all so palpable that you can't help but feel revulsion, sympathy and empathy for them respectively. I do hope there is a sequel to the book featuring P.I Shaw 'cos I am here to sign up for it.

Overall, an engrossing and twisty read. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

‘You’re just the girl I’ve been looking for,’

Irish has been living alone in her old house in Pacific Heights. Her HOA has been breathing down her neck. She needs to keep up on things around her home but it's difficult being almost seventy and having to deal with her home and lawn’s upkeep after suffering a disturbing home robbery.

One day Iris meets Lydia at a café and offers her and Seth jobs as caretakers for her home. Lydia will help Iris out while Seth will take care of the lawn duties. This is a win-win situations for all involved especially since Iris have been confused lately.

Months later…

There is a disturbing 911 call. When the police arrive, they find Iris missing. Former musician turned police officer, Maureen is one of the first detectives on the scene and is unwilling to let this case go. Something isn't right, but what? Where is Iris? The crime scene is harrowing. Something bad happened here, but what?

This was a clever book that kept me on my toes. I loved how the book went back and forth between 'Before' and 'After'. This change in timelines kept me on my toes as the story went back and forth. Just when I thought I had things worked out, Kane gave just a little more info, threw in a twist or two, and had me questioning my suspect list. I was doing my own super sleuthing as Maureen did hers.

This was clever, fun, and intriguing. I enjoy books that keep me guessing and wondering who can be trusted. Plus, the underlying question about what happened to Irish kept me engaged. The pacing is spot on and kept things moving nicely. Nothing felt slow nor dragged out in this book.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

First, I want to thank Ellery Kane, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

WOW!! Ellery Kane takes us on a roller coaster of a ride with The House Sitter. This is one of Ellery’s best novel’s that I have read! It has 5 star must be read all over it! The House Sitter is twisted, suspenseful, lots of twists and turns that you won’t see coming. It will captivate your attention from the first to the last page.

This book is for Gar Ellery’s partner in crime!

One thing I have always enjoyed about Ellery’s novels is she bases them on her own experiences. In this book her real life “Seth” and “Lydia” preyed on close elderly family members who fell victim to financial exploitation. They took advantage of their good heart and declining cognitive abilities.

Ellery quickly grabs your attention with her intense fast paced prologue that had me at the edge of my seat! What a way to start off her book!

Seth was not my favorite character in the book as he showed his true colors.

There were definitely some heartbreaking moments that came as a shock to me.

I loved that the setting for this book was in the beautiful San Francisco area!

Oh the ending had a twist that I never ever saw coming and had my head spinning! I was totally shocked!

Yet another FANTABULOUS thriller by this author.
Talk about a lot going on... I am not even sure I figured out who did it...
But it was great reading regardless. Twists and Turns of unthinkable evil. Was it Lydia? Was it Seth? Or no one?
Well grab a copy and find out.
Highly recommend it if you like twisted... mind-scrambling...mystery-filled, psychological thrilling stories.

The beginning of The House Sitter is chilling enough for a crime story. The chase sets about from that fateful night, a 911 call, suspicious two gun shots, blood soaked bedding, post- it notes all over the house. Iris is missing brings the crime to the notice of the Cops and Detectives. With twists and turns in every chapter, I loved the author's mystery writing skills bringing vivid crime scenes into a page turner.

The story's setting has taken place around, Iris Duncan's, a lonely seventy year old widow's house who had no children. She lives in a massive Victorian mansion near to presidio, in the middle of the city at upper pacific heights. The fancy house becomes the location of the crime. Iris was most of the time forgetful, scared of someone breaking into her house and she took medications everyday. Iris complains that she is all alone in a big, sad and disorganized house, eventually hires Lydia and Seth as House sitters to help her from House Owner Association's Inspections.

I enjoyed the character Maureen, the concert pianist turned mass shooter survivor turned rookie cop, her enthusiasm with boldness to find the killer and Iris's missing body.

Will the murderer of Iris be brought to justice? Seth and Lydie desperately wants to prove their innocence in the whole act of crime committed. The ending is good and all through the book suspense aroused my curiosity to know the killer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Plotwise, the suspense is intense. There are a number of twists and turns that left me guessing as to what would happen next. The only issue I had was the ending as I expected something more intense for that “wow” factor. Other than that, The House Sitter lives up to its promise of being an unputdownable novel. Four rousing stars.