Oh my goodness! Gilly Macmillan is one of my favorite authors, and The Manor House did not disappoint! I love how developed her characters were, from Olly and Sasha, to Nicole and Tom, to Anna and Kitty, to the two detectives, and Patrick and the vagabond. With a huge cast of characters, it would be easy to lose track of the story, but each chapter is from a different perspective. I really appreciated how the day of Tom's death was seamlessly woven in detail by detail to create a suspenseful whodunit mystery. The only part I didn't love was the secret from Nicole's past - I almost wish that had been left out as I think the ending would have been even more satisfying. There definitely were a few loose ends that could have been tied up, but overall, I loved this book!

Nicole and Tom Booth have literally hit the jackpot when they win the lottery. Nicole carefully manages their winnings, but the couple does build a custom house located on a peninsula between England and Wales. The neighborhood is upscale, and their glass home is next door to the Manor House that Nicole knows from her childhood. All their money can’t keep tragedy from striking, though, and one day, Nicole finds Tom dead in their swimming pool. She turns to her neighbors at the Manor House, Sasha and Olly, and their housekeeper, as well as an old friend of Tom’s. However, it seems like several people are keeping secrets, which could put Nicole in danger.

I love the premise of this book. The first few chapters start slowly but set up a tense, foreboding atmosphere. The story is told from multiple points of view, mixed in with journal entries from five years in the past from a woman with an unknown tie to the current events. Everything eventually all comes together, but as you’re reading the book, the journal entries interrupt the flow of the narrative about events going on in the present. Things continue to slowly build, but then things pick up when several plot twists occur. The author does a great job in creating characters so vivid that I had a strong, negative reaction to a few of them. This shows how skilled the author is. However, I still found some parts of the story hard to get through because the actions of a couple different characters are so appalling. The ending is surprising and satisfying in this imaginative thriller.

~ Christine

This was a creepy slow burn mystery full of twists I didn’t see coming!

The characters were compelling! I did like some more than others and one of them did have the same name as me which was a little strange lol. This story was told from different povs, which I loved, but it did include a pov of the murder victim. As it was intriguing to read Tom’s own account of the day he died, at the same time I didn’t love it.

The mystery itself was creepy! I loved how the smart house played a role and I really enjoyed the twists!! The story itself was a bit of a slow burn and I think it would have been better if it was about 50 pages less.

This was an enjoyable story with great scenic descriptions and I can’t wait for what the author writes next.

Pub date: 11/7. OUT NOW!

This eARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Nicole and Tom have become lottery winners. Now, they have bought a place called the Glass Barn nearby a palatial place called the Manor House. When Nicole comes home one day, she is shocked to find Tom dead in the pool.

Olly and Sasha live in the Manor house. Olly is a writer and Sasha teaches Yoga.

Nick and Anna originally owned the Manor House. They were taken with its intricate history and Medieval markings on the walls. When Nick died, Anna was bereft and soon felt like she had no friends and her memory wasn’t what it used to be. Sasha who taught yoga encouraged Anna to join and soon became close to the woman.

There are a lot of characters here in addition to Hal and Jen, the police investigating Tom’s death. There were times I wondered what I was reading and how naive some people can be. But, that’s what makes this plot so compelling. In life, you wonder whom you can truly trust and that’s true in this novel. Be ready for a story the likes of which you have probably never read before. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A Couple win the lotter and build their dream home in the country. It is a glass barn with all the security systems money can buy. Nicole comes home from a Country show to find her husband, Tom, dead in the pool and a head wound. She runs to the neighbors for help after calling the police. The police are suspicious right from the start. The story is told from several points of view interspersed with extracts from a journal. You also hear from Tom on the day he dies as what he is up to throughout the day, before he dies. This story has many twists and turns and tries to lead you into different directions as to what may have happened. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC.

Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? No.
It was super twisty and in some places, very outlandish. It was slow to start with some good parts and some totally weird parts

Thank you to netgalley & William morrow publishing for the eARC!

3.5 ⭐️

What a ride this thriller was! Things started out fast from the start with the main plot point happening within the first chapter. The character development was amazing. We really got to know each character & the motivations behind their actions which is hard to do with this many POVs usually. I also really enjoyed the change in the writing with the flashbacks to Tom’s POV & entries from Anna’s diary. Unfortunately, after the initial event, the pacing slowed down. It still kept my interest but it wasn’t like I couldn’t put it down. There was a lot going on during most of the book & not all of it felt necessary. There was 1 plot twist about halfway through the book but after that everything played out kind of predictably. I enjoyed the read, it’s a good thriller but not an edge of your seat, unpredictable read like I’m usually drawn to.

This ARC was provided by the publisher on exchange for an honest review

My advice when reading this intriguing book? Don't take anything for granted. It's got more twists than a 10-pound bag of licorice sticks.

Nicole and Tom love their new home - an eye-popping custom-built model with lots of glass, a secluded location and a plethora of accoutrements including Tom's Maserati. But it wasn't always this way; not long ago, in fact, they were barely making ends meet. That changed when they won a bundle - several bundles, actually - in the lottery. Now they're living like the king and queen that Nicole always dreamed they would.

Then tragedy strikes; Nicole comes home from an outing and finds Tom dead in their swimming pool. She runs screaming to their neighbors' Manor House for help - the folks who sold Nicole and Tom the land for their dream house. Sasha and Olly are sympathetic, as is Kitty, their housekeeper who lives in their coach house. And so is Tom's longtime friend Patrick, with whom he recently had a major falling out; now, Patrick has returned with a giant apology and a promise to help Nicole get on with her life.

Tough situation, and one that gets worse by the day after the police begin to question whether Tom's death really was an accident. But at least Nicole is surrounded by friends and neighbors who can help her navigate the rough spots, right? Well, maybe, maybe not. Through flashback chapters, readers get glimpses into all the characters and events that led up to Tom's death. Mind you, I'm not a fan of this kind of writing; normally, it causes more confusion than it's worth. Here, however, I actually looked forward to them - and found my jaw dropping at more than one revelation. Put another way, just when I thought I had things figured out, I didn't.

By the end, I was so engrossed that I was actually happy to have an extra hour to finish the book (that was the night we set back the clocks to wipe out Daylight Savings Time - usually the biggest bummer night of my entire year). All in all, a treat to read - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Gilly is a master at creating novel that will make you want to stay up late flipping the pages.

Another winner Gilly!

This was definitely a wild ride! It was such a twisty and at times very dark novel. I did enjoy it, I just think it could have been about 100 pages shorter.

Gilly Macmillan (favorite author) returns following The Long Weekend and The Nanny with her latest taut, twisty, atmospheric psychological thriller, THE MANOR HOUSE. A couple wins the lottery and builds a beautiful home next to neighbors who may not be trustworthy.

A murder, deception, journal entries, gaslighting, and an ongoing whodunit collide when the past meets the present. Everyone wants a piece of the action when you are a lottery winner.

Tom and Nicole are in love, childhood sweethearts, married, and have just won the lottery. They want to keep it quiet and are building the house of their dreams. A beautiful glass smart home barn mansion amid luxurious grounds they called The Glass Barn. They cannot wait to move in and, hopefully, children to follow.

It is located on the Lancaunt Peninsula, an outcrop formed by a dramatic bend in the River Wye, on the border between England and Wales. They have it all, from the home, pool, luxury cars, and everything they have always wanted.

Their neighbors, Olly (writer) and Sasha (yoga instructor) live in the Grand Manor House, and their housekeeper, Kitty, in the adjacent coach house. The two mansions are entirely different. Tom and Nicole's Glass Barn is new and modern, whereas The Manor House is old, grand, and Gothic, with creepy tunnels.

After six months, they have started trying for a baby. When the worst possible thing that could happen—Nicole comes home to find the music blaring, and Tom is face down, drowned in their pool. She is frantic and seeks her neighbor's help.

Was this an accident, or did someone murder Tom?

Detectives Hal and Jen are leading the investigation. Who murdered Tom, and what motive? Can Olly and Sasha be trusted? What about Patrick, Tom's old friend who wanted money? Could he protect her?

From the past (five years earlier) to the present (The Day of his death) to one month to ten months later —told from alternating POVs: Nicole, Tom, Olly, Sasha, Hal/Jen (detectives), Kitty (maid), and the mysterious Anna's journal.

Macmillan sets the stage brilliantly with her vivid descriptions of architecture and design, which draw you into the atmospheric, lush setting.

THE MANOR HOUSE is multi-layered, full of plot twists, turns, suspense, menace, and some unreliable characters, keeping you guessing which characters are to be believed and which are cons. The two mansions are like additional characters. Anna's diary entries added intrigue and mystery.

There is another layered revenge plan besides the murder mystery, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats!

As always, the author delivers another fabulous whodunit psychological suspense with excellent characterization! For fans of Carol Goodman, Shari Lapena, Riley Sager, A.J. Banner, and Sarah Pearse.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

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JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 7, 2023
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The plot was good and I enjoyed the story, but some parts felt like it just dragged on. I liked the multiple POV but found it hard to like most of the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nicole and Ted's lives are forever changed after they win 10 million pounds in the lottery.
They move into a state of the art home called The Glass Barn.
Nicole comes home to discover her husband floating face down in the backyard pool. Nicole rushes over to the neighbor's home...The Manor House for help. Was this an accident or murder?

The two homes are very different The Manor House is an old stately mansion, very majestic. The Glass Barn is the total opposite, modern and contemporary.

I found the first few chapters a bit slow. The journal entries slowed the pace but did full in some of the gaps in the story and added a plot twist.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you NetGalley the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

4.5 stars
The Manor House by Gilly MacMillan is a taut, suspenseful thriller with enough twists and turns to satisfy the most discerning readers of psychological suspense! Told in two timelines—present and 5 years earlier—it is the story of a lucky young couple, Nicole and Tom, who win the British National lottery. They purchase a lovely rural property and build the high-tech mansion of their dreams, The Glass House. Their world is upended early on when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool. From that moment, the plot twists begin, as Nicole grieves and the police look for Tom’s murderer.
The author drops plenty of breadcrumbs as the story is narrated by multiple unlikable and twisted characters. The narcissistic wealthy neighbors in the nearby Manor House, Sasha and Olly, figure prominently in the plot, as well as their obsessive-compulsive housekeeper Kitty. The red herrings are abundant, and the Manor House itself is a shady character with walls that have ears and listen!!
The beginning chapters were a bit slow, but they laid important groundwork in classic mystery fashion. Then the action and intrigue pick up, culminating in an exciting, dynamic conclusion.
No spoilers here—the epilogue may turn your theories upside down!!
This novel is clever, twisty, well-plotted suspense with multiple POVs, told in a very creative framework.
I highly recommend this book and believe it is MacMillan’s finest thriller thus far!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

When Nicole and Tom win the lottery their lives change. They build a custom state-of-the-art home dubbed the Glass Barn and begin their new lives on their shared property with the luxurious Manor House. However, when Nicole comes home one day to find her husband dead in the pool, she begins to question if her neighbors can be trusted.

THE MANOR HOUSE is the latest fast-paced thriller from Gilly Macmillan.

This one was quick with its multiple POVs (including our deceased, Tom’s) and had that juicy need to flip through pages that Gilly tends to elicit in her books!

However, I had a hard time liking any of the characters - they felt two-dimensional and naive despite the fact that they should have been quite complex. I also felt myself harboring some questions at the end that were never fully answered.

I’m definitely in the minority with my meh-ness (and my obvious love for her last book THE LONG WEEKEND), so definitely give this one a shot if you love a quick-paced thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: Nov 7

The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan was a fast paced, suspense fuelled thriller that kept me gripped from the very beginning.
Gilly Macmillan writes a tense, multilayered and complex character-driven story.
I really enjoy her style of writing. It flows well and it keeps you entertained from the beginning to the end.
The plotting is very tight, the characters are superb in this multiple point of view read.
A whip-smart, twisty thriller with a crazy twist you don’t see coming.
The Manor House is the type of book that begs to be read in one sitting.

I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Anna is lonely after the death of her husband, and begins taking a yoga class. She meets Sasha, a vivacious and confident person, who has some rough patches in her life.
Tom and Nicole are living their best lives, enjoying being lottery winners, and their new home. When Tom turns up dead, Nicole is shattered. It is a tragic accident, right?
Sasha and Olly have moved in with Anna, and are helping her to move past her grief, but there is something amiss, and the detectives cannot quite put their finger on what it is. Anna, it seems, is not available, and the housekeeper seems to be hiding something.

OHHHH my goodness, this book! I was hardly able to put it down. I wanted more, and when it ended, I had to sit there and say, this is it? Is there another book coming? I NEED more!
While investigating the death of Tom Booth, the detectives are turned on to another mystery. However, they cannot quite shake the feeling that something is really off. Is the housekeeper trustworthy? Can they really trust her? Nicole seems to be hiding something as well - and the sudden appearance of Patrick, Tom's best friend, throws another wrinkle into the case. He seems to be living larger than life, but he too, has secrets.
Sasha and Olly - what can I really say about these two? I wanted to throttle them sooo many times throughout the book. I could not believe the amount of confidence that Olly exuded, and his "I am only trying to help you" sanctimonious appearance. There were so many red flags, yet Anna (aka Kitty) seemed to overlook all of them - or did she? There is more to this plucky lady than meets the eye - and she turned out to be one of my favorite characters throughout the book. I really felt for her, and the horrific turn of events that brought her to the current state she finds herself in.

Looking for a good thriller? You need to check this one out! It was perfection in a book.

Can a book that is written to be what the industry calls a thriller really be a farce? I sure think so.
“The Manor House” is the story of an English couple who won ten million pounds in the lottery. They build a glass barn on some land purchased from a recent widow who lives in the Manor House and has let two young people move in with her to ward off her loneliness. What possibly can go wrong? In the first chapter, the husband of the couple who won the lottery is found dead in his swimming pool. Was it an accident or a murder? The bumbling police can’t seem to figure it out.

The house is full of the newest electronic gadgets, which seem to work only sporadically. The voice-automated window shades are a particular issue for the new widow.

Good writing, a fast pace, and a vivid sense of place make this novel readable. But, it is not a thriller.

Olly and Sasha live in the old Manor House, previously occupied by Anna and Nick, and retain longtime housekeeper, Kitty. They live close to Nicole and Tom who recently moved into their newly built modern mansion, The Glass Barn.

I loved the ins and outs of the plot, when people are not whom they seem to be, complicated by the unexplained death by drowning of Nicole's husband, Tom. Nicole's house, the Glass Barn, is an intricate part of the plot, another character in a bunch of characters in the novel. The Glass Barn is controlled by unfathomable electonic devices and computerized so-called amenities that confuse Nicole and which only Tom, now dead, knew how to operate.

The title of the book could easily be The Glass Barn instead of The Manor House, though I love that the very old Manor House has its own intricacies such as hidden rooms.

An elaborate plot of death, manipulation, elder abuse, and vengeance.

These 336 pages felt like 500. The plot was good and I enjoyed the story, but at times I felt like it just dragged.

Like I said, I enjoyed the plot itself. It had a few twists and it was well thought out.