I enjoyed this book, the first I have read from this author, however I do not think this was as much of a thriller as I was hoping. Of course learning Maria's background was interesting, but I had hoped for more of a grittier story.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines e.g. location 1483
- No clear definition of chapters.

I’m not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps and stops/starts which really ruined the flow. I would love the chance to read a better version as the description of the book appeals to me. I would be more than happy to re-read the book with a better file or as a physical book as the book topic and genre are of interest to me.

I received this arc through net galley and the publishers.

Having previosly read call me mummy i was looking forward to this one.

However the book didnt leave me satisfied and I didnt really think of it as a thriller/mystery type book, although we find out why the main character Maria is like she is and why she has killed the people that she has.



3 stars

My Rating Style: 4.5 rounded down to 4🌟🌟🌟🌟 ticked most of the boxes LOVED IT!!!

Maria will clean your surfaces so well that they will sparkle - depending on the type of person you are she may just leave you dead.

She cleans for Elsie, the funny old lady who is struggling with dementia who also has a terrible husband.

She cleans for Brian, a sweet, sensitive man with a bully of a boss.

She cleans for Balogan, a mysterious giant of a man who has disrespectful and disruptive neighbours.

If you are considering hiring Maria you should know she has a killer secret - she might have killed the terrible husband, the bully boss and the disrespectful disruptive neighbour. She may have also murdered the man she once loved.

Maria is a good woman, a kind woman who of course didn’t set out to kill anyone let alone hurt them. Her clients are so much happier these days without these terrible, horrible people around - but can Maria live with herself and how much longer can she get away with ‘Cleaning’ away murder!!

In the opening pages of this one you know something terrible has happened to someone and you can guess what happened and why based on the synopsis. However the story is slowly drip fed to you leaving you guessing, wondering and needing to know more. The story is told from Maria’s POV which worked really well but we travel back to her younger days when she meets the love of her life (or so she thinks) and to the present where she is a struggling cleaner, trying to make ends meet.

Maria works so very hard and you can feel her bones ache through the pages but she has a rage that simmers beneath her when she sees injustice. She is a thorough cleaner with a knack for being able to clean up the most ‘murderous’ messes. The trouble is there is always that guilty feeling for the wrong’s shes tried to right and the burdens she has to bear.

As the story unfolded I found myself needing to read more and more and more and I devoured this in almost one sitting. The writing was engaging just giving me enough to keep me hooked but not so much that it was being spoon fed to me. This was a really nice change compared to some of the books I have read recently where every word spoken, feeling felt and thing done was spelt out for me without me having to think… I much prefer being left to think and feel for myself. This was done really well.

Maria was relatable - you know something terrible has happened in her life but you don’t get all the details all at once you are led down the path of her past through flashbacks and dreams that she shares. It is a sad and sorry tale of a young girl led astray and no one standing up and taking proper care of her. Even though Maria has done, and does bad things you never really get the sense of her being bad… she is kind and caring and loving. But does not suffer injustice to those she cares about - those people suffer the rage she suppresses.

This probably wont be for everyone especially if you are looking for a standard thriller or an action packed spills and thrills kind of read. This is full of suspense and an impending sense of dread and exhaustion. I loved that about the writing it drew me in and made me absolutely feel like I couldn’t put it down.

I enjoyed the dark humour throughout the story as well, the dry and sarcastic British humour that I find relatable. It definitely gave it that next level. If you are on the fence about this one and feel like giving it a go then I definitely recommend it…

Thank you to Viper, NetGalley and Tina Baker for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a good book. It is not one that will stay with me though. I just didn’t find it that memorable but nevertheless it was well written and interesting.

What a superb read! I hadn’t read any of Tina’s books before but after this I’ve downloaded all of them! This is a beautifully written, multi layered novel. The character development and how it helps the plot roll out is skilfully done, leaving you with more than a little empathy with the main character. Very darkly funny and gripping. I couldn’t put it down

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read this extraordinary thriller. I devoured it in one day, I absolutely adored it right from page one, it had a humorous edge to it, as well as being extremely dark and menacing.

Well this was a little treat for my eyes. I haven’t read any of this authors books but I do have them on my kindle. This book had my attention from the first chapter and I really liked the way it was written, it had me wanting more after each page. I will definitely bump up the other 2 books now.
Brilliantly written, would highly recommend.

Raw, engaging and darkly funny.

Tina’s writing is absolutely brilliant. I enjoy her dry humour and no frills attitude to life and how it can sometimes be a bit ‘rubbish’. Her words are beautifully crafted and she never repeats herself or endlessly over describes events and surroundings. What you get is raw and totally engaging.

You can tell that Tina loves her cats (well all animals really!). She has made extra effort with the descriptions and activities of Elsie’s furry companions throughout this book. It’s this hilariously insightful comedy that keeps the book from being a bit stale and lacking emotion.

I don’t want to undersell the book, as it is a genuinely good read. It’s just taking me awhile to realise it’s not the book I thought it was. The story itself is a lot ‘softer’ than I thought it might be and not as dark as I was hoping. It did however keep me turning pages and at times laughing.

The murders mentioned in the synopsis can best be described as ‘accidentally on purpose’. Maria isn’t a killer, but she kills. She’s a complex character which is mostly because she never had the opportunity to find out who she really. Although she understands completely what she’s capable of.

I found her disconnected view of these ‘accidents’ a bit jarring. For someone who is so kind and caring, who goes out of her way to defend the defenceless … she has no feelings towards those that cease to exist. It’s like the only time she feels anything other than empathy is when she’s murdering someone. Then, as their life ceases to exist so do her feelings towards them and what she has done.

I really enjoyed this book and have loved all of the previous by Tina Baker. But this is not my favourite, I’m genuinely on the fence. I loved it but wanted more. I loved reading it and wasn’t finding myself distracted or bored. But for me, there was something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. This thing is what made this book a 3 star not 4.

Maria cleans for a living. She'll clean up after a party, she'll clean your dirty kitchen floor, and she'll probably help you cleanse your life of that seriously irritating person that you just can't stand. Maria is a good person. In fact, I'd quite like to meet her and have her in my corner, as I've a feeling I'd be more than happy to employ someone with those skills; and talking of skills, this is another extremely clever and immensely enjoyable tale of dark humour and originality from Tina Baker. Some beautifully drawn characters really enhance the story - old Elsie, who Maria looks after when she's not busy cleaning and burying the bodies, is wonderful, and Elsie's nephew has a few walk-ons that really made me laugh (as well as want to punch his lights out, but let's not go there).

I'd say that one of Tina Baker's strengths is her strong and varied characterisation but that does a disservice to do much else. There is humour, a great plot, she definitely knows when "less is more" and, for me, that is so important in a thriller. Not many crime writers can make dark comedy work, but Baker successfully does.

My thanks to Viper Books for providing an advance reading copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed this book and I read it in one sitting. It was well written with a compelling storyline that engaged me the whole way through and well developed characters. It was gripping and instantly had me hooked and I didn't want to put it down even for a second. It was dark, disturbing and fast paced with a good amount of twists. A great read.

Make Me Clean is a novel that you read in one sitting. Original, with a flowing narrative and an emphatic and humane main character who, although she is a killer, does it out of necessity and to help others.

Maria is a good cleaner, with a warm heart and a sad past. She helps Elsie who has dementia, and Brian who has problems at work, she helps if she can, whenever she can.

Because her new improved skills surpass everyday scouring and tidying and taking out the rubbish. Her special deep cleans now run to the removal of violent husbands and bodies rather than basic waste disposal. Maria does not like control freaks. And she hates bullies. She swore to herself she would never put up with anything like that again.

Is she a woman who cares deeply for a vulnerable old woman? Someone reliable, a hard worker? A good friend who’d do anything for someone? A good person? Or is she selfish and untrustworthy? A cold-hearted murderer?

Although the book could be heavy and dark, Tina Baker wrote it with great feeling and ease. The characters are eccentric and very intriguing.

Love it!

*I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

4-5 stars

Karma is a cleaner.

Maria is an excellent cleaner, she’ll leave your surfaces gleaming and carpets pristine. She cleans for elderly Elsie, sadly losing the battle against dementia. Elsie has an awful husband and a world-weary nephew with his eyes on the prize of Elsie’s house. She cleans for Brian near Crouch End who offers her dubious tea concoctions as he tries to find the wherewithal to tackle his bully of a boss. Then there’s mysterious nightclub owner Balogan whose luxury flat in Southbank with its wonderful views of the London skyline is blighted by dreadful neighbours. Maria works incredibly hard, she’s long suffering and financially strapped. However, one way or another Maria is a survivor, she’s world-weary that’s for sure and underneath the somewhat silent exterior she’s stewing pot of fury.

This one grabs me from the startling start to the very satisfying finish. It’s darkly funny and very easy to read as it’s refreshingly different and I glide through it. At one point there’s quite a shock (okay, there are quite a few shocks!) often followed by a sprinkling of glee (sorry!) then a chuckle or three.

It’s very well written with excellent dialogue especially when Elsie is around and who couldn’t love her and her cats. Whilst Maria‘s tension is absolutely palpable, she’s a bag of nerves a lot of the time and brim full of fear which she tries to scrub from her mind but with limited success. You can’t help liking her as life really has chucked a lot of lemons at her, in fact more like a whole tree load of sour tasting unpleasantness. She is extremely kind and loving to Elsie which in my book makes her a good person.

Overall, this is a cracking read. It’s a really good combination of the dark, there’s violence but also a lot of humour. Maria will not be easy to forget.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Oh my gosh! Tina strikes again!! I wasn't sure I'd love anything like I loved Nasty Little Cuts but she pulled me in from the first chapter, had me wondering who was Maria, what had happened to her. I loved Elsie & Maria's relationship it was so beautiful.

An absolutely no doubt about it 5 star read. Read in 2 days and found it really hard to put down.

Gripping, compulsive, and tense – well written and great storyline. Tina Baker has put together a great novel about Maria, a cleaner who takes her cleaning a step to far into the dark side. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, sacked my cleaner and cannot stop thinking about the story.

Tina Baker's previous book Nasty Little Cuts is one of my favourites of the last year. Very few Domestic or Psychological Thrillers are so dark and disturbing. I loved it so much I read her debut Call Me Mummy immediately after and was really looking forwards to her next book.

Make Me Clean follows Maria, a cleaner, she's not had an easy life, she works hard and leads a quiet life. She finds herself in some sticky situations, but is good at cleaning up the mess.

We meet some of her eccentric clients, including Elsie, who is deteriorating with dementia, and the nearest Maria gets to a friend or family. We learn about Maria's troubled earlier years. There are some great moments throughout.

Tina Baker has a special talent for writing disturbing books with characters and events that take the reader to the edge of madness. Her writer's voice is very distinctive, unafraid and with the power to shock and disturb.

If you've enjoyed either of Tina's previous book this is a must read.

Nasty Little Cuts is still my favourite of Tina Baker's books, but you don't want to miss this.

Tina has pledged to donate 10% of her royalties from this book to AGE UK.

Thanks to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books

When I read the premise, I thought it sounded really engaging but the actual plot line was not what I expected at all! It's so cleverly written and multi layered that it's just so much more than just a thriller or just a domestic noir. I really felt for the main character and sometimes you have to make the most of a bad situation and unfortunately life often throws you a curveball that you have no choice but to just deal with! It didn't get under my skin or have me skipping dates to finish reading it but it was a good read!

A proper page turner!
Dark and an amusing thriller all rolled into one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
Spot on writing, i need to check this author out some more.

Make Me Clean is a thriller with no mystery, or twists – BUT it is a thriller that will keep you wanting, no, needing to turn those pages and read just one more chapter.

The story focuses on Maria, a reputable down to earth cleaner. Who harbours her own personal secret that no one can ever know about, while continuing to make more secrets that must stay hidden aside from those that were aware of what really happened.

Always struggling to make ends meet, it was hard to see Maria other than who she truly was. A nice and loyal person just trying to get her life where she wanted it to be.

She has made a lot of mistakes and has had a lot of accidents. She finds that her past heavily shadows her and she is constantly tired, with a lack of ambition she just wants a comfortable life with no worries.

Make Me Clean is an incredible thrilling read, refreshing in a way. It was captivating enough to keep me turning those virtual pages and was like reading the journal of Maria’s life.

Maria was an authentic and relatable character who I took to immediately. No matter what she had done, or continued to do – deep down she was a good person and she deserved happiness.

This was another incredible read by the legendary Tina Baker and is a book I would highly recommend.

Big thank you to both Viper Books and Netgalley for my copy of Make Me Clean in exchange for my honest review.

Possible spoilers

Another excellent page turner from Tina Baker.
I'll go so far as to say, my favourite yet.
It might not have the tension of the previous two books, but it has a lead character I could feel for.
Beaten down by life, struggling , yet still doing everything she can to help someone.
As her past opens up, it just had me feeling more and more sympathy for her, which isn't what you'd expect given the circumstances.
What I might never want her in my life to do any cleaning, glad I came across this book.