Book Review: The Housemate by Sarah Bailey

This book 😱. The Housemate absolutely delivered! The way all the different storylines wove together was pure magic. Sarah Bailey masterfully juggles timelines, secrets, and character arcs, creating a layered narrative that kept me fully immersed.

Toward the end, I started to piece together where things were headed—but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. There were still so many twists and turns along the way, including one particularly heartbreaking moment that hit hard. The emotional weight and surprises made the story even more impactful.

I really enjoyed this book. Without a doubt, The Housemate has earned a spot in my Top 5 reads of 2025. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent, emotional thrillers that leave a mark.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

At its surface, The Housemate reads like a cold case thriller: a notorious murder, three housemates, one woman dead, and years of silence. But Sarah Bailey isn’t interested in just reconstructing the crime. She digs deeper—through layers of media manipulation, personal trauma, and the slippery nature of truth. What emerges is a slow-burning psychological excavation.

The novel follows Olive “Oli” Groves, a seasoned crime reporter whose professionalism is frayed by personal entanglements with the infamous “Housemate Homicide.” Bailey doesn’t let her protagonist rest comfortably in the role of the impartial journalist; instead, Oli is flawed, fascinating, and, above all, human. Her return to the story isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal.

What’s particularly refreshing is the way Bailey grapples with memory and media. The Housemate is less concerned with solving the mystery and more with who gets to tell the story, and at what cost. The line between protagonist and observer blurs, and Bailey challenges us to interrogate our own voyeuristic thirst for true crime narratives.

Stylistically, the prose is lean but loaded, punctuated with sharp observational detail and emotional undercurrents that never veer into melodrama. The pacing simmers—more psychological inquiry than high-octane chase—making the eventual reveals feel earned rather than engineered.

A standout for readers who appreciate crime fiction with a conscience. Bailey isn’t just revisiting a crime—she’s interrogating the fallout, the forgotten voices, and the fragility of the narrative itself. The Housemate doesn’t shout; it murmurs unsettling truths, long after the final page.

I struggled to get invested in this one. There were so many plot threads that just fizzled out, and the pacing was painfully slow. I had higher hopes going into this book, but around the 25% mark, I started skimming large sections—it just wasn’t holding my interest. I didn’t fully re-engage until about 80%, and by then it felt like too little, too late.

The true crime podcast angle (which I usually love!) had potential but tapered off into nothing. The main character, Oli, spends most of the book driving around in the rain, avoiding any real emotional growth while bingeing junk food and feeling ill. Her disordered eating is constantly mentioned but never meaningfully addressed.

The writing style didn’t work for me—repetitive, overly descriptive in odd places, and full of awkward phrasing. Cooper, in particular, was written in a way that leaned heavily on stereotypes. Add in too many side characters with forgettable names, and the narrative just became a slog.

With some major editing, this could have been a tighter, more compelling read. As it stands, it felt overly long, unfocused, and not something I’d recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Datura Books Publishing for my DRC.

The Housemate is an engaging psychological thriller that keeps you guessing with its layered characters and simmering tension. Bailey does a great job building a suspenseful atmosphere, making every interaction feel loaded with potential secrets. The story explores themes of trust and deception, delivered through a compelling narrative that slowly unravels. A couple of plot points felt a bit predictable, which is the only reason it doesn’t quite hit five stars. Still, it’s a well crafted, tense read that’s perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a dark edge. Definitely worth a look if you’re into gripping, character driven mysteries.

This cover was so fun and is what made me request a copy. I love a good thriller and couldnt out this one down. Thanks so much for the gifted copy of this one!

3.5/5 rounding up to 4 Stars! Thank you NetGalley and Datura for this eARC of The Housemate by Sarah Bailey.

This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it! I'm a crime/documentary lover and this was quite a page turning. Let's just say that this book makes me so glad I don't live with roommates/housemmates anymore. Haha.

Thank you!

Honestly, as much as I hate saying this, I had to DNF at about 50%. I just couldn’t bring myself to keep picking up this book.

The characters felt very flat and the plot seemed to drag on and on.

I wish I would’ve liked this because it sounds like it could be such an interesting read.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

When one of three housemates ends up dead and another has disappeared, the third comes under suspicion. Ten years later, the missing housemate reappears - only to have died under suspicious circumstances. Reporter Oli was on the scene 10 years ago and finds herself paired with a young podcaster, Cooper to cover the new developments.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. I think there were slow moments where not much was progressing or it was progressing in a way that felt slow. I think part of it was that the author was laying breadcrumbs we needed later, but at times, this made it feel slow. I do think the twists towards the end were good. ***Spoilers ahead*** I do wish Cooper had not died. I think maybe if he had been in a coma and it appeared like he wasn't going to make it and then in the epilogue he was ok, it would have been more enjoyable. But part of that is Bailey does a good job making you like this character only for your heart to be broken when he is killed. It definitely raises the stakes, but I do wish he could have made it.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy this novel from start to finish. I loved how fast-paced this read was and it kept me on my toes. I liked the narrative strand about Oli's personal life because I felt like it added depth to her character and made her more likeable. She did face a lot throughout the novel and I felt for her on that account but with the way in which her background and personal struggles were explored I felt even more of a deeper bond with her,

There were lots of twists and turns to keep me entertained, but I did feel at times like it was having the effect I wanted it to.

This was a dark & twisty ride! I honestly wasn’t expecting this to be as dark as it was but I loved it! Will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!

Love the style of this book and the story! As a true crime lover and podcast lover this is a good thriller! Plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages!!

This was an entertaining and thrilling read that kept me paging and guessing until the end. I live by myself at present, and after this book I don't think I will ever get a housemate.... Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good book!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

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?