The Housemate by Sarah Bailey is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Kate, a journalist who becomes entangled in the mysterious past of her new housemate, Olivia. The novel masterfully builds tension, exploring themes of trust, deception, and hidden secrets. Bailey crafts well-developed characters, particularly Kate, whose vulnerabilities add depth to the story, while Olivia remains enigmatic throughout. The suspenseful plot and unpredictable twists keep readers on edge, though some twists may feel formulaic. Overall, it’s a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller that will keep you hooked until the end.

Nearly a decade ago 3 female housemates were inseparable. They even looked alike. But one fateful night one housemate is in jail accused of murdering a second while the third went missing. Crime reporter Olive Groves worked the original scene as a junior reporter. When the missing housemate turns up dead, the case is reopened and Olive is once again assigned the story. Pairing up with a young techie podcaster, Olive is not entirely pleased and barely tolerates Cooper. As dark secrets and lies start to emerge so does the danger. Who can Olive trust and has she put her new family in the crosshairs? A riveting, fast paced tale. Thank you to Watkins Media and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This had potential. A long ago case, one roommate murdered, one roommate missing, and one guilty. The missing woman’s turns up dead and the case is re looked at by Oli, a reporter who reported on the crime 10 years ago. However, nothing is as it seems. She looks deeper into the why and the how.

I say it had potential because the synopsis got me in, but the story was mediocre at best. Oli was annoying and flat, the story was complex beyond necessity and so slow going. I had such a hard time getting through this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!

*The Housemate* by Sarah Bailey is a gripping thriller that masterfully intertwines journalism with psychological suspense, ensuring readers are captivated from the very first page.

Almost a decade ago, journalist Olive (Oli) Groves was on the scene of the notorious Housemate Homicide, where one housemate was murdered, another went missing, and a third was arrested. Now, as the missing housemate is discovered, Oli finds herself once again pulled into this shocking case. Partnering with Cooper Ng, a millennial podcaster, Oli is determined to uncover the truth behind the events of that fateful night. However, as they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover more secrets than they ever anticipated.

This novel is undeniably intriguing! I particularly appreciated the dynamic between Cooper and Oli. From the outset, I was drawn in and eager to piece together the clues alongside them. With a narrative brimming with tension, suspense, and unexpected twists, *The Housemate* is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

The Housemate is a twisty, unpredictable thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story was filled with surprises, and just when I thought I had figured it out, it threw me for a loop. While the pacing was a bit drawn out at times, the plot’s surprises made up for it. I found myself conflicted about the main character—I'm still not sure how I feel about her.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and plan on reading more from this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and Datura, for providing me with an advance copy.

Sarah Bailey’s suspense thriller The Housemate is told from the POV of Olive Groves, an investigative journalist in Melbourne. She worked on The Housemates Homicide nine years before and it was labelled that by the papers. It took me time to really get into this book and I didn’t love all the characters. Once it got its groove the story became more captivating


Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, I’d like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for sending me this stunning work of fiction.

Even though I'm a diverse reader and read 'a bit of everything', I've read my fair share of mysteries and thrillers. Even though there are many options to go through, The Housemate has something I rarely find in a book - stone cold realism and raw emotions. It's easy to find oneself barraged by a sea of fluff, metaphors and indirect commentary and that's why finding a book like this one is so precious.

Alongside the main character, Olive Groves, multiple others are laid bare with their emotions and traumas to be seen and analyzed by us, the readers. The way The Housemate is written is extremely easy to read and I partially attribute it to how human it all sounds. Every struggle, pain, joy, obstacle and regret is none other than human. And in a way, despite being relatable, the characters' actions can almost be understood.

What I found commendable about Bailey's work is that she identifies where the old and the new blend together and addresses this blurry line in a very attractive way. This is done when talking about the theme of investigative journalism and the media as a whole, as it evolves and transforms into something more digital - something more easily consumed. I thoroughly enjoyed Olive's inner monologues about the significance of this evolution alongside her investigation of what really happened that one fateful night ten years ago. It was a greatly appreciated detail that shouldn't be overlooked.

Overall, this was a book I devoured. It wasn't to be eaten course by course, it was to be consumed as a whole - a raw compendium of all that's flawed and complicated, in other words, all that's human. I believe it was a physical manifestation of what it means to exist. Nothing's black or white but rather, everyone lives in a sea of gray. This was a riveting journey and one I can only recommend to fellow readers.

The Housemate by Sarah Bailey is a suspenseful thriller novel that blends journalism and psychological suspense. This book will definitely keep you hooked from the very beginning.

Almost ten years ago journalist Olive (Oli) Groves was able to get on the scene of the infamous Housemate Homicide where one housemate was dead, one went missing and one was arrested for the murder. Now nearly a decade later when the missing housemate is found, Oli is once again thrust into the shocking case. Teamed up with Cooper Ng, a millennial podcaster, Oli is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago. But the more Oli and Cooper dig into this mystery the more secrets come to light.

This was definitely an intriguing novel! I really liked the contrast between Cooper and Oli especially. From the beginning of this novel I was engaged and interested in piecing together the clues right alongside with Oli and Cooper. With a plot that is jam-packed with tension, suspense and twists and turns The Housemate is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Bailey, and Datura Books for this ARC. Publication day is February 25th 2025.

This book kept my attention all the way through, it had so much intensity and suspense running throughout that kept me drawn to it.

The Housemate is an intriguing, complex mystery with an assortment of likable and detestable characters. Ten years ago, journalist Oli was sent to a crime scene on Paradise Street where three friends lived in an ordinary townhouse. That morning, one friend was discovered brutally murdered, another was missing, and the third was hauled away in handcuffs. In the present, the missing friend is finally found - dead. Oli is once again put on this story; however, this time, she is partnered with the energetic and ambitious podcaster, Cooper. Will they finally be able to solve the case and discover what truly happened between the friends all those year ago?

I finished The Housemate with mixed feelings. I found the book to be well-written with interesting, morally gray characters. The author does a good job of portraying the changing atmosphere of media today and the conflicting attitudes towards journalism and reporting. I absolutely loved Cooper! He was by far my favorite character. Oli was an excellent unreliable narrator, as was Alex. What I did not overly enjoy was the overall mystery. I felt that there were too many pieces the author was trying to force together. Between the mystery of the housemates, the Premier, the missing child, the murder of the wife, and the campus corruption - it was all just too much. By the end, I was having a difficult time remembering how everything and everyone related to the story. Then, to add to all of that, there was Oli's love life that we were following. Overall, I found The Housemate to be a decent thriller with some unexpected twists.

This was a very run of the mill thriller/mystery book. Nothing great stood out to me, but it wasn't bad either. If you are wanting a good but that is a normal thriller then this is what I recommend.

The Housemate is a dual POV suspenseful thriller that had many twists and turns that was very entertaining to read. The story is told in the present by Olive (Oli) POV and the past by Alex’s POV. I understand that in order to get the full picture both timelines are necessary but the dual POV got a bit confusing at times when I had my Kindle reading it to me (making it an audiobook basically) but I enjoyed looking at the story from both characters.

I enjoy crime shows and podcasts so I really appreciated that this story was from a journalists perspective which was a nice change from the usual law enforcement POV. Merging old school journalism (print) with new journalism (podcasts) was brilliant. I think it made the story fresh and current with the times. There were many whodunnit theories throughout but in the end I was completely wrong on who the killer was. The only con for me was there was too many characters to keep track of. I had a hard time following some parts and had to go back and reread some parts to understand what was going on. Overall, I would read another Sarah Bailey book in a heartbeat. Check out this book if you enjoy reading Freida McFadden or Lisa Jewell.

Thank you to NetGalley and DATURA BOOKS for the gifted E-ARC. All opinions are all my own.

I want to say so much but it all feels like it'd be a spoiler. At no point did I know where this going to end up and I don't want to use the word 'satisfying' here because I felt ill about it, but the way everything fell together was really well done. Really well written and I loved Oli, our main narrator. It really feels like you're at the front of an ongoing investigation, everything happening so fast, clawing to find out more. And Cooper, oh - I loved Cooper. Sweet Cooper. Their dynamic was the best, by far.

I really, really enjoyed this and am on my way to add more from this author to my tbr immediately.

I’m still on the fence on thrillers using a podcast scenario to help solve a crime and this one fell into my undecided pile. I did think Oli & Cooper made an original partnership but unfortunately I didn’t feel any great liking of either of them.
A deserved three stars this time.

Sarah Bailey’s The Housemate is a gripping, intricately woven thriller that masterfully blends crime, journalism, and psychological suspense. Known for her Gemma Woodstock series, Bailey proves once again that she’s a master of the genre, crafting a narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

At the heart of the novel is Olive Groves, a seasoned Melbourne journalist who once covered the infamous Housemate Homicide—a case that left one housemate dead, another missing, and the third accused of murder. Nearly a decade later, the case takes an unexpected turn when the missing housemate turns up dead, forcing Olive back into the mystery alongside the ambitious young podcaster Cooper Ng. As the two dig deeper, long-buried secrets resurface, placing Olive’s personal and professional life in jeopardy.

Bailey’s storytelling is rich with tension and atmosphere, balancing a compelling crime mystery with a deep exploration of Olive’s past traumas and emotional struggles. The dynamic between Olive and Cooper adds an intriguing layer, contrasting old-school investigative journalism with the rise of true-crime podcasting. The novel also delves into themes of media ethics, personal bias, and the cost of relentless pursuit of the truth.

With sharp twists, complex characters, and a plot that steadily unravels in unexpected ways, The Housemate is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. Bailey delivers a suspenseful, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page, proving that some mysteries are never truly solved.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Datura for gifting me a digital ARC of this mystery by Sarah Bailey. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

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. 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. Oli is once again assigned to the story, this time reluctantly paired with precocious millennial podcaster Cooper Ng. What really happened to the housemates that night?

This was an intriguing mystery, with the murder taking place years ago but suddenly thrust back into the present time. I loved Cooper’s character, and he was a good contrast to Oli’s more traditional journalistic style. Oli was an interesting character as well – she’s engaged to a wealthy man from her past whose wife was killed, leaving him to raise their twin daughters. But is he hiding something from Oli?

Australia set mystery by a new author for me, in 2005 Evelyn was murdered and one of her housemates Alex was charged and sentenced to the crime. It’s almost the 10th anniversary and the other housemate Nicole from back then has been found hanging from a tree. Nicole disappeared the same night Evelyn was murdered and it was speculated that Alex also murdered her. But then questions arise if the body is really Nicole.

As a young journalist Oli was at the scene reporting on the ‘Housemate Homicide’ and now finds herself ten years on working on this new death that seems linked to what happened in 2005. She is coupled up with a young journalist - Cooper, which she isn’t impressed about but their relationship was interesting and grew throughout the story. They embark on launching a true crime podcast and their discovery’s lead them down dark paths.

Oli’s relationship with partner Dean is also part of the story and I found that was interesting and worked well within the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review

This was a bit confusing to get through but overall the story was amazing. I love Sarah Bailey works, I love the Gemma series better. but a must to read if you love a good detective mystery thriller with lots of caracters POV.

Sarah Bailey delivers an engrossing suspense novel with The Housemate, a gripping mystery filled with secrets, twists, and intrigue. From the very beginning, the novel keeps readers engaged as they attempt to piece together the truth alongside the characters.

The story unfolds with a well-crafted sense of tension, making it both a compelling read and a satisfying puzzle to solve. While the plot is rich with unexpected turns, there are moments where deeper character development—particularly for the main characters—would have added even more emotional depth to the narrative.

Nonetheless, Bailey’s writing is sharp, and the atmosphere she creates enhances the suspense, making The Housemate an engaging read for fans of psychological thrillers. With its layered mystery and well-executed twists, this novel is sure to keep readers hooked until the very end.

EXCERPT: Oli comes to an abrupt halt. Through the trees she spies the distinctive blue-and-white chequered police tape and, beyond that, a cluster of people. Two cops in uniform and two male detectives in suits and winter coats stand a little further along.
'Bowman.' Cooper points to the right of the group, where Gregory Bowman's white hair glows through the trees.
Oli's pulse picks up again. She ducks down and creeps further along the fence.
'Where are you going?' Cooper whispers.
She doesn't reply but keeps moving parallel to Bowman. He's homing in on something. She starts to jog, still bent at the middle. Not far from Bowman there's a blur of white: forensic technicians clad in body suits. She trips on a tree root and stumbles against the flimsy wire fence.
Bowman has stopped. Two of the techs are on their hands and knees a few metres from him, crouched over a synthetic sheet, but his face is fixed skyward. Oli knows what she is about to see.
She closes her eyes, opens them. Allows her gaze to scan up.

ABOUT 'THE HOUSEMATE': 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. Oli 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?

MY THOUGHTS: The Housemates is a well-crafted tightly plotted Australian crime thriller in which the main character is journalist Olive Groves. Oli is dogged, determined but also slightly fanatical, and sometimes more than a little unbalanced. I often didn't like the way she treated Cooper Ng, the assistant she has thrust on her. Cooper is bright, enthusiastic, innovative and looks to the future. When Oli manages to climb down from her high horse and acknowledge Cooper's input, they work well together.

The story is told over two timelines - now (2015) and then, ten years earlier. Between numerous red herrings and the concurrently running threads of Oli's crumbling home life, the newspaper being under threat, and a state premier being charged with historical sex offences, there's a lot going on and it is easy to become distracted from the main storyline.

The denouement is a stunner and took me quite by surprise. Kudos to Sarah Bailey.

However, I do feel that the book blurb gives away too much. A less revealing rewrite would be a plus.

The Housemate by Sarah Bailey is due for publication February 25th, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#TheHousemate #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Sarah lives in Melbourne, Australia with her partner, three children and cat.

Sarah is currently working on ​her next novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Datura Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Housemate by Sarah Bailey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.