Slow build mystery with characters you'll hate, sinister psychology, and puzzling set of circumstances...

The standout aspect of The Manor House, for me, was the depiction of manipulation/gaslighting. In the beginning, there's a sense that certain characters may not be what they seem - tiny deceptions, unsettling inconsistencies, and odd impositions. Soon, these small warning signs develop into very slow creeping, yet absolutely despicable psychological abuse, and shocking outcomes.

The first half of the book felt very much like setting up the game board - getting the pieces into place. I actually like when things feel puzzle piece-y in that way. However, I prefer when the setup is better disguised within the narrative. When the setup feels obvious, as it sometimes did here, it takes me out of the story. I start thinking about the mechanics of writing rather than being lost in the plot.

There were A LOT of perspectives, I think 9? Like I said earlier, much of this book is about manipulation. So, getting POVs from both the abusers, and the abused, made it super interesting from a psychological perspective. That said, having so many viewpoints also made for a disjointed, hectic reading experience. The constant jumping around killed my relaxation, and I'd often forget where I left off with each character and would have to page back.

I'm landing in a very neutral place with this one. The characters and story were interesting, it was just told in an obvious, plodding way that didn't always work for me. I wanted the same things to happen, but to happen faster, and with more flair.

If you're okay with slower pacing, multiple perspectives, and are looking for something that's just very solid and standard for the genre, this could be your book.

Sometimes I wish I had a tail to wiggle when I got excited.

That’s bizarre, right?

Well if I DID have a tail it would be wagging right now.

I went on a book binge for the past week and would put one book down and pick up the best without even so much as a pee break .

I was lost in the pages and I couldn’t not quench my insatiable lust for more and more thrillers. Deep down, subconsciously, I was searching for a book that would make me stop dead in my tracks.

Mission accomplished

The Manor House

Gilly Macmillan is “queen” when it comes to delivering 5 star books and this book literally broke the 5 star scale.

Mesmerized by the cover, this was a book I just had to have. I wish I could whisper a warning in my naive little ear before I picked this one up as my day became completely consumed by Macmillan Yes, this book is THAT good.

My mind is blown…

I will be unable to pick up another book for a bit. I need to let this one settle in.

Here’s a bit of a teaser for you :

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew comes the terrifying story of what can happen after all your dreams come true

Be careful what you wish for...

Childhood sweethearts Nicole and Tom are a normal, loving couple—until a massive lottery win changes their lives overnight.

Soon they’ve moved into a custom-built state-of-the-art Glass Barn on the stunning grounds of Lancaut Manor in Gloucestershire. They have fancy cars, expensive hobbies, and an exclusive lifestyle they never could have imagined.

But this dream world quickly turns into a nightmare when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool. Was Tom’s death a tragic accident, or was it something worse?

Nicole is devastated. Tom was her rock. And their beautiful barn —with all its smart features that never seem to work for her—is beginning to feel very lonely. But she’s not entirely by herself out there in the country. There’s a nice young couple who live in the Manor itself along with their middle-aged housekeeper who has the Coach House. And an old friend of Tom’s from school has turned up to help her get through her grief.

But big money can bring big problems and big threats. And is Nicole's life in danger as well?

Nicole’s beginning to feel like a little fish in a big glass bowl.

Surrounded by piranhas.

3.5 stars. Good. Started off a little slow and at one point felt like I just wanted to get off the two properties! Things sped up for me midway and then I needed to know what would happen. A few twists along the way, with a little revenge and betrayal! Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the early read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This one had a pretty slow start for me and there were so many characters and storylines to keep track of, which made it hard to follow. The short chapters also made the story feel somewhat choppy, which I also struggled with (and I usually love short chapters)! However, it picked up about halfway through and then I became more invested in the story. Once things got going, I kept turning the pages, because I HAD to know how everything wrapped up. I will say though that I thought there were too many suspects, which made it overwhelming at times. There were also some really unlikeable characters and some characters seemed overly manipulated and gullible, which was annoying to me. There were some twists I saw coming, but others really surprised me! Overall, I thought this was a good read!

The Manor House tells the story of a couple who win the lottery and build their dream home on the property of the Manor. The story is a murder mystery but it's not hard to figure out quickly what is going on. I wasn't surprised by any of the "twists" and it took me longer to read this one than others. I wasn't invested in any of the characters except the one who died at the beginning! It's an ok read but definitely will be forgettable. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Manor House" by Gilly Macmillan is a gripping and suspenseful tale that explores the dark side of sudden wealth and the unexpected perils that come with it. Macmillan's adept storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they are drawn into a world where dreams can quickly transform into nightmares.

The novel follows the journey of childhood sweethearts Nicole and Tom, whose lives take a dramatic turn after winning a massive lottery jackpot. Their seemingly idyllic life is filled with opulence and luxury as they move into the extravagant Glass Barn on the grounds of Lancaut Manor. However, their newfound wealth also brings with it unexpected challenges and dangers.

The narrative takes a chilling turn when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool of their grand estate. Nicole is left devastated, trying to make sense of the tragedy and grappling with the loss of her partner. The suspicion surrounding Tom's death casts a shadow over Nicole's life, making her question the motives and intentions of those around her.

Macmillan skillfully weaves together a web of secrets, lies, and hidden agendas that keep readers guessing until the very end. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own motives and secrets that contribute to the overall sense of unease and tension.

The portrayal of Nicole's isolation within her luxurious surroundings adds to the psychological suspense of the story. The Glass Barn, with all its advanced technology that seems to constantly malfunction, becomes a metaphor for Nicole's own vulnerability and the precariousness of her situation.

As the story unfolds, Nicole finds herself surrounded by people who may not have her best interests at heart. The sense of paranoia and the feeling of being watched create an atmosphere of palpable tension. The pacing is well-executed, keeping the reader engaged and invested in uncovering the truth behind Tom's death and the potential threats to Nicole's life.

"The Manor House" is a riveting psychological thriller that explores themes of greed, jealousy, and the consequences of unbridled desire. Gilly Macmillan's masterful storytelling and ability to build suspense make this novel a must-read for fans of twisty and immersive mysteries.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

A thrilling whodunnit of fellow neighbor Tom, after his wife finds body facing down floating in their pool.

I will be honest, I enjoyed the premise and overall plot. But there were way too many characters that I found the different perspectives hard to follow. Definitely lost track of some of the characters.

I thought the premise was interesting, but the execution fell short. I loved some of the descriptions of the Manor and grounds, and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. However, the pace was slow, and the characters were "meh" and underdeveloped. I never got invested in them, so it was hard for me to care about what happened to them. The setting was the best part of the story. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

Whoa the secrets these people had! It’s amazing what can go on behind closed doors! While I loved the concept, the writing felt a little scattered and staccato to me. It became a chore to finish, even though the ending was good. It just kinda dragged out to me. I would still read some other books by this author.

Suspense and mystery lurk around every corner, with new secrets and deceptions popping out with every turn, this book will keep you up into the wee hours of the night because it is simply unputdownable!
#TheManorHouse #ItNeedsASequel

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan. This was a great novel with well thought out characters all with a back story and secrets. The story revolves around Nicole and Tom who won the lottery and constructed a beautiful glass barn house close to The Manor House originally owned by Anna. Poor Tom winds up drowning in his pool and the novel aims to find out what actually happened to him. Everyone is a possible suspect if he was indeed murdered. The plot kept me interested until the end. Would definitely recommend. And also will look for more novels by this great author!

The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan is a well-written book and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Great characters, plenty of menace, unexpected twists and a lot you don't see coming. Love this book.

Love a novel with twist and turns, especially if you feel like you have figured out the mystery every 10 pages - only to be surprised. The novel dragged on for 30 pages in the middle but I couldn’t stop reading nonetheless.

I enjoyed this book. The plot was a little meh but it still kept me intrigued. Couldn’t tell where it was going. The epilogue had a lot of info but it was a good twist. I would read another book from this author and recommend this!

SO many twists and turns in this story!! I really enjoyed this fast paced story that kept me guessing, and the ending was satisfying. As with many thrillers, I doubt the details will stick with me, but this was an entertaining read that kept me turning the (digital) pages, so it was well worth my time.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I love Gilly MacMillan so I was excited to read this one. It fell so flat for me!!! Really disappointed with the slow pace and predictable ending
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In short, I thought this book was just okay.

I was intrigued by the plot — a married couple wins the lottery and goes from rags to riches overnight. I liked the setting of Lancaut Manor which was home to the Glass Barn and the Manor House.

I enjoyed the story but I was not hanging on the edge of my seat to find out what happened. Rather, I felt like the clues were given to the reader a little too early, which made each of the “twists” predictable.

There was one revelation towards the end that surprised me, but it didn’t add too much to the story for me.

As for whether or not I recommend this book, I would say put it on your list if you like mysteries that take place in mansions, but I would not consider it to be a must-read.

This book was fine, just not for me

~This book was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book! It was a great read that captivated me. The story line was unique with Nicole and Tom winning the lottery - I do wish there was a little bit more about their background before winning the lottery. I like the twists that happened with every character as well.

Gilly MacMillan has done it again!

Nicole and Tom hit it big in the lottery! They build their dream home on a beautiful property in the countryside but everything changes when Tom winds up dead in their swimming pool.

Was it an accident? Was it murder? If it wasn't an accident, who would've had it out for Tom? Nicole loves their beautiful glass barn house with it's very smart features but she suddenly feels like she's on display. A guppy in a fish bowl, surrounded by piranhas.

5 star read, you definitely won't want to miss this!