I loved the premise of this book, it pulled me right in. If I understand correctly, this book was originally released in 2001, but was republished in February of 2025. I know this can be done when a new publisher comes along or if the book is edited after its initial release, but I didn’t spend the time to look into it.

I had to restart this book multiple times because the first few chapters get long winded. While not usually someone that needs action right off the bat, it would’ve made getting into this story easier. I found the pacing way off, very slow burn to start and then all the action in the third quarter. I also didn’t feel connected to any of the characters- and at one point had to start notating who each character was in relation to the main storyline.

I rated this one a 2.75, rounded up. I think overall the drag of the first half of the book ruined the experience for me. Thank you NetGalley and Datura Books for this arc.

The Housemate was a tense and twisty read, full of suspense, mystery, secrets, and lies.
I enjoyed Sarah's writing style, I was drawn in immediately and couldn't put it down.

This is the first book I've read from Sarah Bailey, and I'm definitely interested in reading more.
Oli was a great main character. She was strong, determined, loyal, and relatable.
I found the story lagged slightly in the middle, but the twists and turns at the end more than made up for it.

3.5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Datura Books, and Sarah Bailey for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always loved Sarah Bailey’s writing, and this book is another testament to her talent for crafting intelligent, complex female characters. Her women are layered—flawed, smart, and quietly powerful—and this time, we meet Olive (Oli) Groves, a seasoned reporter with a complicated past.

A decade ago, Oli was the first journalist on the scene of a shocking crime: Evelyn, a university student, was brutally murdered. One housemate, Nicole, vanished without a trace, while the third, Alex, was found drenched in blood and later arrested. Nicole was never seen again.

Now, ten years later, the case is back in the spotlight after a surprising development. Oli, older and wiser, returns to cover the story—this time paired with Cooper Ng, an ambitious young podcaster digging into the infamous "housemate murder."

Adding another layer of complexity, Oli is now engaged to the widower of Isabelle Hardley, the original detective on the case. As Oli tries to build a life with Isabelle’s children and her new fiancé, she finds herself haunted—both literally and figuratively—by the woman she’s replacing. Isabelle’s old journals become a powerful thread in the narrative, offering insight and emotional depth as Oli tries to reconcile her present with the shadows of the past.

The novel unfolds in a dual timeline—then and now—which adds richness and tension to the storytelling. It’s a gripping, character-driven mystery filled with psychological nuance, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up late racing to the final pages, eager to see how all the pieces would fall into place.

There’s a large cast of characters and many intertwining plotlines, but Bailey weaves it all together masterfully. Every thread serves a purpose, and the payoff is deeply satisfying.

If you're looking for an intelligent, layered mystery that keeps you thinking and constantly guessing, this one should be at the top of your list.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. ooo an australian murder, that was fun. the characters were well-formed and you can connect to them. i also thought the device of using a podcast to move the story along was a great idea. it works so well with true crime and thrillers.

A very long book for a thriller. There are plenty of twists incorporated throughout to keep the reader interested. The dual POV really kept me interested as well so I wasn’t becoming bored being in the head of the same person.

Suspenseful
Twisty
Juicy

The Housemate, by Sarah Bailey, is a ride you will never want to get off of ! The twisty narrative explores themes of trust, secrets, and the dark side of seemingly perfect lives.

Bailey creates a palpable sense of unease and tension, drawing you in to the increasingly unsettling atmosphere of the shared house. The characters are well-developed, with hidden agendas and complex motivations. Olive, is relatable and compelling, as she navigates the shifting dynamics of her new living situation.

It seems everyone has their own secrets ... all of which is unraveled throughout the book.

The plot is carefully constructed, well paced and has the perfect amount of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

The Housemate explores the fragility of trust and the ease with which appearances can be deceiving, delving into the darker aspects of human nature, questioning the limits of friendship and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

I was hooked right up to the last page! Bailey is a force to be reckoned with!

Check out this teaser :

Three housemates. One dead, one missing and one accused of murder.

Dubbed the Housemate Homicide, it's a mystery that has baffled Australians for almost a decade.

Melbourne-based journalist Olive Groves worked on the story as a junior reporter and became obsessed by the case. Now, nine years later, the missing housemate turns up dead on a remote property. Olive is once again assigned to the story, this time reluctantly paired with precocious millennial podcaster Cooper Ng.

As Oli and Cooper unearth new facts about the three housemates, a dark web of secrets is uncovered. The revelations catapult Oli back to the death of the first housemate, forcing her to confront past traumas and insecurities that have risen to the surface again.

What really happened between the three housemates that night? Will Oli's relentless search for the murderer put her new family in danger? And could her suspicion that the truth lies closer to home threaten her happiness and even her sanity?

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

**Book Review: The Housemaid**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In *The Housemaid*, author [Author's Name] orchestrates a thrilling psychological drama that blends obsession, unresolved trauma, and the quest for truth. The story follows journalist Olive Groves, who has been haunted by the infamous "Housemate Homicide" case since her early reporting days. Now, nearly a decade later, the discovery of the missing housemate’s body on a remote property reignites her obsession, leading her back into a web of mystery she thought she had left behind.

Olive is paired with Cooper Ng, an eager and tech-savvy millennial podcaster keen to unravel the layers of this long-buried case. Their partnership is fraught with tension as Olive confronts not only the secrets surrounding the murder but also her own insecurities and past traumas that begin to resurface. The author effectively captures their contrasting perspectives, with Olive’s seasoned skepticism clashing against Cooper’s fresh enthusiasm, creating a compelling dynamic that enhances the investigation.

As they dig deeper, new facts surface, and the narrative unfolds with suspense, continually challenging Olive to confront her own vulnerabilities. The tension builds masterfully, keeping readers riveted as they piece together the puzzle of what really happened that fateful night. A striking quote that resonates deeply is: “Sometimes, the truth we seek in others leads us to confront the truths we fear within ourselves.” This insight encapsulates Olive's internal struggle as she navigates the complexities of the case and her own life.

*The Housemaid* excels in its psychological depth and intricate storytelling, delivering unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing. The themes of obsession, guilt, and the haunting grip of the past weave through the plot, creating an evocative portrait of a woman in search of resolution—not only for a crime but for her own fractured sense of self.

With its strong character development and a tight, engaging narrative, *The Housemaid* is a standout in the psychological thriller genre. The author brilliantly examines the intersections of journalism, personal history, and moral ambiguity, leading to a satisfying conclusion that leaves readers reflecting on the nature of truth. This gripping tale is a must-read for fans of suspense and psychological intrigue, ensuring they will be eagerly turning the pages to uncover each twist and revelation.

In the early hours of a Saturday morning in October 2005, Oli Groves, then a reporter for The Daily, is quick enough on the scene of a St Kilda murder to get a glimpse of Evelyn Stanley’s body lying in the hall of her share house. She watches as DS Isabelle Yardley arrives to head the case, and sees a blood-soaked Alex Riboni led from the scene. Their friend and housemate, Nicole Horrowitz, has disappeared.

Alex serves three years in prison before her successful appeal, but does not remember much about the events of that Friday night beyond a knife in her hand and a river of blood. Now, almost ten years on, she is ready to tell all she knows to Cooper Ng in a podcast for Melbourne Today.

Currently living with her lover of that time (and widower of Isabelle), Oli is the obvious choice to cover the shock announcement about the missing housemate: her editor sends her racing to the little village of Crystalbrook in the Dandenongs when the body of Nicole Horrowitz, apparently having committed suicide, is discovered. This turns upside-down many of the theories advanced about what happened that night.

She’s not overly pleased to have Cooper along: she isn’t convinced by the digital revolution taking over her industry. But the young man is enthusiastic, has initiative, and seems to have a knack for convincing people to participate in his podcast interviews. Together, they get some good photos and information about the young woman’s life as Natalie Maslan in Crystalbrook, including the existence of a daughter, Evie.

When an explosion and fire destroy the cabin that Natalie/Nicole was living in, with first responders injured, there’s speculation as to who might have set this up, and the whereabouts of ten-year-old Evie. But everyone is in for another shock: the body turns out to be Alex Riboni. Police surmise she was mentally disturbed and that guilt led her to suicide, but Cooper isn’t convinced, and his preliminary recordings with her reveal a woman ready to confront the truth, an unlikely suicide.

As Oli and Cooper conduct investigations and revisit and interview many of those present on the night of the murder, learning more about the housemates: close friendships under tension, arguments, drug use, possibly prostitution, and some mysterious source of cash. All this is happening against a background of a newspaper under threat, and a state premier charged with historical sex offences. As conflicting stories in this tangled web emerge, Oli often wonders just whom she can trust.

Bailey has once again crafted a tightly plotted crime thriller with plenty of red herrings and distractions to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the nail-biting climax. And while the reader may cheer Oli on in her dogged pursuit of the truth, her occasional poor behaviour proves her very humanly flawed. Rusty Frost easily endears himself to the reader, and Cooper Ng is a delight. Excellent Aussie crime fiction.

Thank you Datura Books and Net Galley for this eARC.

This was the first book I’ve read by Sarah Bailey and overall was a good read. At times I found myself getting confused with the long list of characters, so at times the story was difficult to follow. However towards the end of the book I was gripped and keen to find out the ending.

The Housemates is a gripping tale of murder, missing persons, manipulation, and cover-ups. What initially appears to be a straightforward story — one murdered housemate, one guilty housemate, and one missing housemate — quickly unravels into something far more complex.

The premise had incredible potential: a cold case from a decade ago, a roommate presumed guilty, and another who vanished without a trace. When the missing woman is found dead, Oli, a reporter who covered the crime years ago, is drawn back into the mystery. But as she digs deeper, the truth becomes increasingly elusive.

Told through dual perspectives, The Housemates delivers a suspenseful, twist-filled thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The layers of secrets and unexpected turns made for a thoroughly entertaining read.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt it could have been a tighter read. At times, the pacing lagged, making certain sections feel longer than necessary. A slightly shorter narrative would have enhanced the suspense even more.

Overall, this was a captivating read that held my interest the whole way through. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. If you’re a fan of layered mysteries and slow-burn thrillers, this one’s worth checking out!

The Housemate is a riveting crime thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The story follows journalist Olive Groves as she revisits the infamous "Housemate Homicide" case, where one housemate was found dead, another went missing, and a third was accused of murder. As new evidence emerges, Olive must confront her past and unravel a web of secrets. Bailey's masterful storytelling and well-developed characters make this a must read.

I have never read anything from this author before. I thought this book was good. It wasn't amazing but still something I enjoyed reading.

I’ve spent the day thinking this rating over.
I liked the book, but I personally felt it was too long for a mystery/thriller. The plot felt convoluted, with too many cases being discussed at once. I felt that some of them could have been omitted since they had no real connection to the main storyline.
At times, I found myself confused about which case we were focused on, especially with so many character names being thrown around. It was difficult to keep track of who belonged to which case. The timeline also jumps from between the present (2015) and the past (2005), when the original “Housemate” case took place.
One aspect I really I appreciated was the book’s exploration of the ethics of media reporting, journalistic integrity, and the pressure to sensationalize true crime stories.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with most of the characters. The only one I felt any real attachment to was Cooper, and he wasn’t even the main character.
The pacing felt uneven, with excessive details in some areas and not enough in others. For a thriller, the stakes didn’t feel high, and there was little suspense until around the 70% mark.
While I enjoyed the read overall, I don’t think I’ll find myself recommending it.

🅁🄰🅃🄸🄽🄶 : 3.75

🄵🄾🅁 🅁🄴🄰🄳🄴🅁🅂 🅆🄷🄾 🄻🄸🄺🄴

☆ Mystery / Thriller
☆ Investigative Journalism
☆ Media Ethics
☆ Cold Case Investigation
☆ Dual Timeline

🄵🄰🅅🄾🅁🄸🅃🄴 🅂🄲🄴🄽🄴

Watching Oli and Cooper’s relationship evolve from reluctant partners to genuine friends was my favorite part of the book.
At first, Oli wants nothing to do with working alongside someone so young and inexperienced. She’s seasoned, no-nonsense, and firmly believes real journalism belongs in print. Cooper, on the other hand, is all about the future. He believes in embrassing podcasts and digital media. They’re polar opposites. Oli is reserved and straight to the point, while Cooper is talkative and driven by emotion.
Their dynamic was so unique, and I loved how they constantly challenged each other.

🄵🄰🅅🄾🅁🄸🅃🄴 🅀🅄🄾🅃🄴

"He never understood her restlessness. Didn't understand how she could be so dissatisfied, want ao much more than she had. But that's because he doesn't know what it's like to have so little."

"Funny how everyone wants her to remember. All she wants is to forget."

"He makes her feel safe, but he can't be her savoir."

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Datura Books, for the advanced copy of this unique book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Arc review:

The Housemate is a dark, layered crime thriller that pulls you into a decades-old mystery full of secrets, betrayals, and shocking twists. Sarah Bailey does a fantastic job creating an eerie, slow-burning atmosphere, but at times, the pacing and character development held it back for me.

The premise is compelling—three housemates, one murdered, one missing, and one convicted. When journalist Oli Groves reopens the case years later, she uncovers twists, hidden motives, and long-buried secrets. The dual timeline adds layers of intrigue, and I really enjoyed piecing everything together.

While the setup is gripping, the middle of the book sometimes dragged, with some investigative elements feeling repetitive. There were moments where I wished the plot moved faster or had tighter editing to keep the tension high.

The last few chapters were the strongest part of the book. The final twists were unexpected and satisfying, tying the mystery together in a believable yet still surprising way.

Overall, The Housemate is a solid thriller with a gripping premise, but slow pacing and some character frustrations held it back for me. If you enjoy slow-burn crime stories with layered mysteries, this is definitely worth a read—but don’t expect a fast-paced thriller!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I am finding so many good books by Australian writers these days. Some of these are women’s fiction while others are the crime stories of authors like Jane Harper. I’ve read other title by Sarah Bailey (for example, The Dark Lake) and she is an author whose books I always want to read. At over 450 pages, this one kept me immersed for a while.

Readers follow protagonist and journalist Olive Groves as she revisits events from nine years earlier when she was a junior reporter. What happened with the three roommates back then? What will come to light now?

Here is a twisty tale that will keep readers on edge. Those who like their stories a bit dark may well want to reach for this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Datura for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was a fast paced easy to follow thriller that will easily help cleanse your pallet when you’re needing a reset!

The Housemates is a story about murder, missing people, manipulation and cover-ups. What seems like a story of a murdered housemate, a guilty housemate, and a missing housemate, warps into a story that runs much deeper. As Bailey’s tense and fast paced story develops, the reader is exposed to the toxicity of corruption and abuse. Both adults and children are involved in the storylines about abuse and manipulation so be prepared if you plan on reading it.

I’m being vague because if I say too much I’ll spoil some part of the book, there are many things at play! I knew there was going to be a twist but I didn't expect the story to unravel the way it did. This was my first time reading Bailey’s work and I enjoyed the atmosphere and storyline she created

Great, twisty story. Who can be trusted and who cannot. Kept me guessing until the end. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Sarah Bailey's THE HOUSEMATE is a strong example of suspense crime writing done right. Full of twists and turns, the tension builds perfectly throughout the narrative, leaving the reader desperate to keep reading. The middle third could use perhaps a little more momentum, but I think this is due to the sheer number of characters and moving parts involved, which made it somewhat trickier to follow in this section. But as Olive starts to piece everything together, we tumble towards a climax that you don't see coming, and fits the narrative super well.