I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

While I knew very little about the Lindberghs beyond their connection to aviation, I was at least vaguely familiar with the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and murder of their son. Thus, The Lindbergh Nanny piqued my interest, especially in its focus on a perspective I had never heard in passing, who was a figure who many were suspicious of at the time.

Betty Gow’s story is a truly compelling one, especially in terms of exploring the circumstances that led to her working for the Lindberghs and the complex power dynamics at play when she was under suspicion. She was a Scottish immigrant working to support herself, and she takes on the position of caring for baby Charlie. While readers know what will become of him, I couldn’t help but become invested in her day-to-day interactions with him, only for things to switch to fear when he ends up missing. I truly felt for her in how she blamed herself for what happened, even as she tried to clear her name of more direct wrongdoing.

This book is well-researched, with a lot of real people and events being true to life and any inconsistencies and liberties explained in the author’s note.

While Betty and her own experiences with the case are the most central part to the story, there’s also an attempt to provide justice and closure to the Lindberghs with regard to Charlie’s fate, with the narrative also following the trial of the perpetrator once he’s caught.

This is an engaging read about a shocking historical event, seen through the eyes of a person whose perspective has been obscured for too long. If you’re a fan of historical true crime, I recommend checking this out!

This is a story that I've always been interested in learning more. Learning from the nanny's perspective was a perfect direction. I could tell it was very well researched and factual based. There were some slow moments but that is expected when it's based on a true story.

Mariah Fredericks blends facts and fiction seamlessly in this highly readable and interesting novel based on the kidnapping of the twenty month-old Lindbergh baby in March of 1932. All of the characters are written with depth and complexity which bring them, and the story, to life in a vivid way.

The story is told from the point of view of young Betty Gow, a real person, who served as the nanny of the kidnapped child. From Scotland, she had been in America only a few years when the crime occurred. It is fascinating to read her inside view of one of America's most famous families of the time, have that contrasted with the lives of the people who served them, and see the relationships in and between each group.

Betty adored her young charge, but became a suspect following the kidnapping (as did each servant). Although there was a conviction in the case, there have always been doubts surrounding the case. Fredericks brings a new perspective and possibility to light.

I highly recommend this novel which captivated me throughout. I appreciate the research the author did as well as the sections the real Betty Gow, and The Lindbergh Nanny: Fact vs. Fiction placed at the end of the book.

My thanks to Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication 11/15/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

This might be most appreciated by those who have not read any of the many many books and novels about the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. Fredericks clearly has done her research and she's picked an interesting perspective to present her case for what happened but still, it's fiction. It was good to see flesh and emotion put on Betty, the proverbial nanny, and she became much more sympathetic than I expected. Thanks to netgalley for the ArC. For fans of historical fiction.

On March 1, 1932, Charles Lindbergh's first-born infant child, Charles Jr., was kidnapped and murdered in what the American media called the "Crime of the Century.”

Mariah Fredericks tells the story of this tragedy through the eyes of Betty Gow, known in the history books as The Lindbergh Nanny. Betty was a real person, said to be sharp, intelligent, tough, and feisty. Fredericks does a fantastic job of capturing her voice on the page. Betty is insightful & relatable, making her character the perfect narrator. Also, she was the last person to see Charles Jr. alive…

The crime sparked conspiracy theories (then & now). The way the narrative unfolds reflects that uncertainty and doubt. Fredericks bases her book on biographies, histories of the case, and a range of sources. She builds the story on fact but draws on speculation and rumor and, at times, takes creative liberty. For me, it all works perfectly!

Historical fiction isn’t usually my jam. But this book captured and held my interest. I got sucked into a rabbit hole of theories on the murderer’s identity. Let me tell you, that rabbit hole runs deep!

Pick this up if you like: historical fiction, true crime, or historical mysteries.

Thank you to @mariahfredericks & @minotaur_books for my gifted copy!

Almost all of us have heard the story of the Lindbergh kidnapping. It is absolutely heartbreaking. I’ve never read any books about it and as soon as I saw The Lindbergh Nanny I knew I had to read it.

This book is unique in that it explores this tragedy entirely through the eyes of Charlie Lindbergh’s nurse, Betty Gow. She was the last to see him alive, she discovered he was missing, she was a prime suspect, and she later identified his body. The love she had for this precious boy, and the courage she displayed throughout the horrible event, is evident in this story.

There are many conspiracy theories as to who committed this crime and how. A man was charged, tried, convicted, and executed for the kidnapping and murder of little Charlie Lindbergh, but many doubt he was the sole perpetrator. There are many holes in the police investigation. The Lindbergh’s and Morrow’s employed a staff of 20-30 people - the man convicted of the crime was not one of them - so how did he know their whereabouts on the night of the crime? It’s likely someone on the inside was also involved but no one else was ever charged. To this day the death of Charlie remains, largely, unsolved.

It is important to remember that this book, though based on real events, is entirely a work of fiction. It is well told though awkward at times (particularly the placements of the inner thoughts of Gow’s character and some of the side stories, ie: Lindbergh teaching Gow to drive). The pacing is slow in the first third or so of the book, then it picks up a bit with the kidnapping and investigation. I would have liked to see more emotion from the parents, especially Charles Lindbergh, who is portrayed as cold and controlling. I’ll be honest, to me, his actions throughout the book, and on the night of Charlie’s disappearance, should have made him a person of interest but this story never indicates whether the parents were suspected of involvement or not.

Pub day: 11-15-2022

When I first started this book, I told myself I’d just try one chapter and see how I liked it. Eight chapters later, I begrudgingly made myself stop so I could get things done but returned as soon as possible and finished in a day!

This story was so well written—every detail and moment felt significant and in need of my full attention. I knew only the basics of what happened with the Lindbergh baby, and I think not doing any research prior to reading this is the optimal way to go. I also recommend taking time to read the author’s note at the end because she breaks down the facts vs fiction. Those specific details really brought the story full circle and made it feel complete.

I will say that once everything with baby Charlie begins, it becomes a much heavier read. But the book was truly so interesting that I couldn’t stop even when the content got difficult. Definitely one I recommend for all my historical fiction friends.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the digital arc!

I love historical fiction and this was a good one. Not much is known about the players in the background of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, so this was really a unique story. It is obviously well researched, she is able to recount the the experiences of many of the Lindbergh household including the grandparents and various staff members that worked in the residences. The author, Mariah Fredericks also includes characters of her own to expand the storyline.
The story cover the hiring of Betty Gow, a young immigrant from Scotland, that travels abroad to care for the newborn child of the famous Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. When the baby is kidnapped, she and other members of the household are suspects in the kidnapping. She suffers the hatred that is directed at those in the household, all suspected of complicity, as the entire world is infatuated with the story.
As the trial evolves, they are hounded by the press and intimidated by authorities although the family are very protective of their staff. Of course the outcome is well known, but still difficult to relive.
I thought it was an excellent book and obviously well researched. My thanks to NetGalley and Minatour Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Heavily based on facts on the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, this was still a work of fiction. It was an interesting story and I definitely learned something new that I’ll be looking into more. For me, the story dragged and it was a little on the boring side.

The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks is a well written historical fiction based on the kidnapping of a 20 month old boy, in the 1930s.

I personally had never heard of this story before getting the ARC and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of truth and fiction in this novel.

Read if you enjoy mysteries, historical fiction and or/true crime.

I enjoyed the audio of this book. Wide range of character voices was done well with accents and all. The storyline was interesting as I didn't know much going into it about the Lindbergh family. It did tend to drag at a few points, but overall, I found it to keep my attention. I learned a lot about the circumstances surrounding the baby's disappearance and the people connected to the family.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I've always had a mild curiosity about Charles Lindbergh, as he is buried near where I live in Maui, Hawaii, and had a home here in a remote area that, local lore says, was a great solace to him in later life. However, I had never heard of the Lindbergh Nanny, nor knew much about the controversy surrounding the events of the Lindbergh Baby's kidnapping and death - I guess I had just assumed it was an open and shut case. Although this is a fictionalized account of those events, it inspired me to do some research after reading, and I feel it does a fairly good job of representing a lot of the mystery surrounding the case at the time (and to this day). I enjoyed the writing - I switched easily back and forth between the e-book and the audiobook and the transition between the two was seamless. The narrator was engaging and I didn't feel like I had to work to listen to the story. The characters were well-developed and there were a few I would have liked to know more about. My interested is so peaked, in fact, that I am searching for more material to read on the subject, which is always a good sign with Historical Fiction!

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

PUBLICATION DAY: November 15, 2022

Betty has had rotten luck since she moved to the USA from Scotland. Fortunately her luck is about to change as she’s just gotten the job of her dreams. After a few missteps (let’s not talk about Detroit), she is now the official Lindberg Nanny…and best of all she adores young Charlie. Betty dotes on him and tries to provide the love and softness that seems to be missing from his famous (yet absent) parents - the difficult to read Charles and the shy yet kind Anne. But when Charlie is kidnapped, it’s Betty’s worst nightmare to find herself doubted and blamed for the crime - what will she do to prove her innocence? And will it be enough?

PROS and CONS:
Well written, loosely based on historical records of this horrific crime. I think the trouble with basing a novel on a real event is that you lose the opportunity to embellish and make the plot more exciting/fast paced in places where it might be needed. When you know how it’s going to end, there’s not much keeping you along for the ride. This perception of this crime and the possibilities for how it may have happened were interesting to read, and I did enjoy it.

READ IT?
If you’re looking for…a measured look into the kidnapping of Charlie Lindbergh and you really love historical fiction and non-fiction, then this one’s for you!

4 Stars

Told in a very captivating manner through the eyes of Betty Gow, the Lindberg nanny, this fascinating book follows Betty from when she was hired until the end of the trial of the kidnapper.
We don't see very much of the actual lives of the LIndbergs themselves, which is fine, as Betty is a wonderful narrator. Her life and story are more than interesting enough, especially as told by Fredericks.
As someone who knew vary little of the actual details of the case, I found the weaving of facts and historical fiction to be very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Mariah Fredericks and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Historical fiction is my JAM and this book did not disappoint at all. Over the summer I listened to a podcast about America's greatest mysteries and the Lindbergh kidnapping was one of the episodes. I was intrigued as I had heard of the kidnapping but didn't know a lot about it.

Once I saw this title and that it was from the perspective of the nanny I had to request it. We often forget that there are other people involved on the peripheral of any true crime case. I thought the author did an excellent job of marrying the facts of the case and also giving her own perspective of what could have happened.

Excellent job! Highly recommend for anyone that love a good re-telling of history.

I have always been fascinated by the Lindbergh kidnapping. The public intrigue and people's obsession with what happened and who did it. If you were questioned, you were an immediate suspect in everyone's mind. Mariah Fredericks chooses to tell the story through Charlie's nanny, Betty Gow. A young woman from Scotland, whose love for the boy oozes from the pages. You know she is devastated beyond words. Especially since she was the last one to see the little boy, and the first to discover he had disappeared. You are taken through that day as Betty ticks through every person she saw or talked to. Everyone shrouded in deceit and a possible suspect. The heartbreak and the emotion that Betty goes through as they search for months for Charlie and the years after as they search high and low for the person or people responsible. Will have your stomach in knots and your mind whizzing until the final pages.

Fredericks does a phenomenal job of mixing fact with fiction to bring Betty to life. To imagine what she went through and how she was feeling is perfectly portrayed. This is a gripping story that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. Thank you to Mariah Fredericks and Minotaur Books for this fantastic read.

I think this will be a popular selection for book clubs as there are so many different topics and themes to discuss. Historical fiction and mystery readers will scoop this off the shelves at the library!

A historical fiction account of the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby told from the POV of the nanny. This started strong and was interesting, but ultimately it just spent too long on the “missing” part of the story and gave the trial short shrift.

This is the story of the famous kidnapping of the young Lindbergh child told through the eyes of the child’s nanny, Betty Gow. Overall, I found the story to be fascinating, although the pacing was a little off. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end — interesting! 3.5 stars

The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks is an engaging historical fiction novel which is based on actual events and people. The book revolves around a singular event, the 1932 kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr at the tender age of 20 months from the families New Jersey home.

This is a very emotional and engaging book. Mariah Fredericks has an absolute gift for writing. She vividly captures the heartbreak, the mystery and the intrigue of this truly sad American story. This story is compellingly told. This story is very heartbreaking and depicts the real loss of an American icon’s son. The angle of the story is about the people who worked for the Lindbergh and Morrow families.

While I knew some information about the story, I dismissed any preconceived notions I had and let Ms. Fredericks lead the way. The author deftly reveals facts at just the right time. I found myself rethinking who could have done this. I was completely taken in by the building suspense.

The characters are wonderfully portrayed and are extremely well developed. The reader learns more about Mr and Mrs. Lindbergh, Senator and Mrs. Morrow and their employees. While I had never heard of Betty Gow, the nanny, Ms. Fredericks makes her come to life. Her love, her worries, her guilt, her angst, her self doubt, her determination is astonishing. Betty Gow was a woman who was crucified by the press and the police.

The author’s notes at the end of the novel is a must read. They are informative and enlightening. Ms. Fredericks is open and honest about the truth and the fiction. These notes tied up any remaining questions I had and just made the novel that much better.

I was completely sucked into this book. The author’s writing draws you in and keeps you so involved in the story that you find you have been reading for hours even though it’s way past when you should have been sleeping. Extremely well done. I can’t wait to see what Mariah Fredericks has in store for us next.

I would like to thank Mariah Fredericks, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.