This was absolutely fascinating, and so difficult to put down. Having not heard or known much about the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, the story quickly captures your attention. The author did a fantastic job of mixing factual information regarding the case with engrossing theories and stories about the various characters and staff working at the time of the kidnapping. For those who don't know the story or outcome, Ms. Fredericks' account keeps you guessing and questioning everyone's involvement and motives. Would definitely recommend this captivating read to anyone interested in what happened on that March night in 1932. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publishers for the opportunity to review this eBook.

I love historical fiction and this book does not disappoint. The Lindbergh kidnapping has been written about many times but this book takes the perspective of the nanny and all of the heartbreak she must have endured, from being a suspect to a witness in the trial, Much of the book is written from true accounts with some liberty taken to embellish the story. I didn’t know what those were until reading the acknowledgements at the end. It made for.a very compelling and engaging read!

The Lindbergh Nanny is an amazing work of historical fiction, blending fiction with fact. The story of the kidnapping of young Charlie Lindbergh is well known however, Mariah Fredericks brings it to life again in an interesting way, with good character development and presentation of the thoughts and feelings of all of the main characters in the event. The book focuses on Betty Gow, the Lindburgh nanny. The book is told by Betty, as a first person narrative, giving it a real life feel for the events and Betty's perspective and involvement. Although this book is fiction, there is so much real history involved, that I learned so many details that I never knew. It made learning about this historical event, engaging, and I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in historical events, and historical fiction. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to #netgalley for this ARC. While I have read books about the Lindbergh family, this was the first I had ever learned about - or realized the significance of - the Lindbergh nanny, Betty Gow.

Mariah Fredericks writes in a very clipped, matter of fact - almost stream of consciousness- style that gives the reader a lot of insight into Betty’s demeanor and fortitude. I enjoyed that writing style very much.

The author also explains exactly what was fact and what was fiction - and gave many suggestion for further nonfiction reading if you want to dive deeper into the topic.

I’m very glad I read this book, and will recommend it come publication day!

This is the kind of historical fiction book that I return to every single time. The author takes a character from history and creates a sub-story that intertwines with that historical character. I will forever love this formula, especially when the author takes a story such as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and gives us a subplot /new suspect, that blew me out of the water! I don't want to give away anything, because I think this book was fantastic, but I want you to know that this book was very entertaining, original, and hard to put down.

A bit of the plot: We have the Lindberghs, Anne and Charles, in their very large mansion. They have the sweetest baby, Charlie. They hired Betty to be their nanny because they are so busy and not very hands-on parents in some aspects. Betty has to toilet train the baby, feed and clothe him, but also keep strangers from invading the home and taking photos of the baby. Betty does not have an easy job, but she comes to love the child very much. Everything changes on a cold, wet night, the baby is kidnapped! It became the story of the century. Everyone was looking for the Lindbergh baby. That is all I will tell you, but the story is wonderful.

I knew about the kidnapping and have read a lot about the Lindberg's, especially Anne Morrow. However, I found this a fascinating historical fiction novel as well as a mystery. The author did meticulous research and the afterward about the real Betty Gow was very interesting. The characters were well portrayed. Highly recommended..

What do you do if one of the most famous babies in the world disappears on your watch?

Meet Betty Gow, better known as the Lindbergh Nanny. Her job is taking care of Charles “Charlie” Lindbergh, the son of the famed aviators Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who have some very particular ideas about his upbringing.
On the night of March 1,1932, Charlie is taken from his crib. In the days that follow Betty must decide who is to be trusted, and who has betrayed them all.

Thanks very much to NetGalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read the Lindbergh Nanny in exchange of a fair review.
Historical fiction is my number 1 genre so I was quite excited to pick up this book. Everyone knows the compelling story of the Lindbergh baby and the kidnapping and subsequent trial. Fredericks takes this news story and builds it from a different angle, of the nanny taking care of baby Charles. The facts of the case are google-able. The difference here is we are learning about Betty Gow; what brought her to America and how her past mistakes led her to her deep connection to the infant. We learn about how nannies and other servants worked, lived and were treated by the wealthy of the era. We also learn about the Morrows and the Lindbergh families beyond the pages of the papers.
I felt the book too long to establish Betty's place in the household and the buildup to the kidnapping. I struggled to bring myself back into the story once the investigation began, which should have been gripping. Betty's background story didn't do much to help me like her character which could have been part of it. I didn't feel the urgency of the situation until about the middle of the book, even though I knew it was coming. I know many will disagree with me, but I yearned for a more compelling story from Betty and the other servants if they were going to exclude the Lindberghs so much in the first half of the story.
3* for 'like' but not 'love'

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy of The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks in exchange for an honest review. It publishes November 15, 2022.
This is a standout among a sea of bland historical fiction novels. This was so well-written and researched, I could not put it down! I was so engaged I had to find out what would happen. I’ve already recommended it to multiple people who cannot wait to get their hands on it!

My biggest recommendation/suggestion if you don’t already know the story of the abduction of the Lindbergh baby.. what happens & who did it. Do NOT read up on it prior to reading it because you’ll majorly spoil this book.

I think a lot of avid readers will say/agree that there are many ‘nanny’ themed books especially in the suspense genre. This was not your typical nanny book! Also it’s inspired by real events of the Lindbergh family & their baby being abducted back in the 1930’s, so that was what really intrigued me & had me wanting to read it.

I loved this book! I loved Mariah Fredericks’ writing style. The way she developed the characters & was able to describe them to where you could both visualize them as well as get a real sense of their personality. The main character Betty, her character cracked me up but more so because of her dry sense of humor throughout the book. Ellerson the chauffeur you could feel his energy in the book. The Lindbergh’s were interesting characters. Sometimes I liked them sometimes not so much. I think Fredericks did an excellent job of having each characters personality fit the part perfectly for the book & also to represent how they were in real life (the non-fiction parts of it). Each & every character was very defined & different. It was like the reader was there with them in the 30’s & sitting with these people hearing them & watching their actions. This book had a little of everything in my opinion. Some parts that have the reader chuckling to themselves (Betty), a little romance or relationships on the side when ‘the help’ wasn’t working, the suspense aspect of course, and some history snuck in there as far as obviously the abduction of the baby but also the aviation background of the Lindbergh couple Charlie & Anne

Great book!! I highly recommend this to both fans of suspense & historical fiction/non-fiction. I’d be interested in reading more by this author now that I’ve read this☺️

Thank you so much to NetGalley & the publisher St Martin’s Press, especially St Martin’s for being so generous & often giving me the opportunity to read advanced copies of books.

Historical fiction fans as well as mystery lovers will both find this book to be interesting and entertaining. It is a fascinating character study of the people surrounding the tragic kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby in 1932. The reader follows the life of Betty Gow, the real life nanny who was in charge of taking care of the baby before the kidnapping. Being a good employee and a devoted and loving nanny was not enough to keep Betty from being closely scrutinized by the police and ridiculed by the public.

I was quickly captivated by the case history of the Lindberghs, and the staff within the Lindbergh household; which was numbered to be about twenty or thirty. Everyone was a suspect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and feel that it would be an excellent choice for book clubs because it would evoke a lot of questions and good discussion.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for an ARC of The Lindbergh Nanny in exchange for an honest review.

Prior to reading this book, I admit I only had general knowledge about this famous case. The title grabbed my attention.

I found the story riveting from start to finish. It’s written from the perspective of Betty Gow, Charlie Lindbergh’s nurse/nanny. The reader first meets Betty on the ride to her interview for the job that will change the course of her life.

The characters are all well developed. The author’s writing style brings this story to life. I found myself instantly immersed in the life of a nanny of a world famous couple. I loved reading about the day to day happenings as well as the “below the stairs” intrigue with the interactions and drama of the staff with their real life flaws. Despite knowing the kidnapping is going to happen, it’s no less horrifying and tragic when it does.
I love that The Lindbergh Nanny is not a regurgitation of facts. It’s a compelling, thoughtful story that weaves fiction with real life events. The ability to do this seamlessly is a gift. This event left no staff member unscathed; each was scrutinized and placed under a microscope, especially Betty Gow. Her bravery and quest for the truth in order to clear her own name truly takes her from suspect and nearly public enemy number one to well respected heroine.

Be sure to check out the “The Real Betty Gow” and the fact vs. fiction at the end of the book.

If you love historical fiction, definitely check this title out its release date of November 15.

What a wonderful book! I was enthralled from the beginning and let things sit by the wayside so I could read. I’ve always been curious about the Lindbergh kidnapping, and Mariah Fredericks gives us another viewpoint to consider. The true account at the end of the book led me to find more information after I finished the book. The Lindbergh Nanny will make a delightful Book Club choice which will invoke a long discussion after reading.

Elizabeth Gow applied for the job as a nanny for the Lindbergh's. Was accepted but had certain rules to follow. She was not to pick the baby up if he cried and fuss over him. The Lindbergh's were preparing for a long trip and would not be taking the baby. So Betty as she was called and the baby Charlie moved back to Maine the Morrow"s family home with the Mother of Mrs. Lindbergh. A new home was being built for the Lindbergh's and Betty and Charlie went there to wait for the parents when baby Charlie was kidnapped, that caused a lot of investigating by the police. The nanny felt it was her fault. I felt all the ups and downs as the story ended with a trial. Be sure you read past the story pages.

First sentence: I can see the house. But not all of it and certainly not how you get there from here.

Premise/plot: The Lindbergh Nanny is historical fiction. It opens in February 1931 and closes shortly after the trial (and conviction) of carpenter, Bruno Richard Hauptmann. It follows (closely) the events through the nanny's perspective; her name is Betty Gow.

My thoughts: This is FICTION. It is important to remember that. Yes, it is inspired by a real event. Yes, some amount of research was done. But this is a blending of fact and fiction. And sometimes the line between the two--fact and fiction--get very blurry. Facts can be embellished and changed.

The perspective makes sense. Who better to tell the story than the child's nanny? Who better can "give" us readers a behind the scenes glimpse into the whole story--before the kidnapping, the day of the kidnapping, the immediate days following the kidnapping, the weeks, months, years of aftermath as the kidnapping/murder case is investigated. The nanny would know all the major players--both upstairs and downstairs, if you will--and be an eyewitness to all the great dramatic scenes. So the perspective does make perfect sense.

The protagonist's point of view is that Bruno Richard Hauptmann was guilty. The author crafts a couple of scenes where the Nanny sees HIM, recognizes him, even interacts with him. This is pure fiction. The author does point out in a note that she also believes that Bruno Richard Hauptmann is guilty. She says she is no conspiracy theorist and that justice was done.

I do disagree. I don't violently disagree. (Enough to throw a book against the wall.) But there are hundreds if not thousands of holes in the case and how it was handled from day one through the appeal process. There are legitimate questions that don't have satisfying answers. Enough questions that it is easier to say I DON'T KNOW.

This one was a difficult read because of the content. It was a heartbreaking tragedy. This book does make the players in this tragedy feel more 'real' or 'human.'

The history of Lindbergh’s has always been of fascination
to readers. Frederick’s novel focuses on the nanny Betty Gow and much of the servant staff. The book is an easy read and hooks you immediately as Betty becomes the nanny of Charlie, the Lindbergh’s baby. Frederick’s details the details of life in the Lindbergh and Morrow households. She writes of some of the idiocies of Charles Lindbergh and his paranoia with the media. The story follows the historical facts, but we as the reader are able to see this all through Betty’s. For anyone interested in this historical event and time period, I highly recommend.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC of which I have given my honest review

A fascinating selection of historical fiction about the Lindbergh kidnapping. This book is based on a real event, told from the perspective of the Lindbergh Nanny. There has never been a book written from the perspective of the Nanny so the author of this book researched manuscripts from the trial and pieces together events as to how the events could have played out.

The reader doesn’t know who to trust and is kept guessing. It’s not until the very end of the book that the puzzle is “solved” even though it is a work of fiction.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

In 1932 the world was mesmerized by the newspaper reports of the Lindbergh kidnapping. There were rumors, speculation, and worldwide interest in the who, how, and why of the event that carried forward into the trial of the accused kidnapper. Author Mariah Fredericks has taken this event and interwoven fact with fiction in her thought-provoking book, The Lindbergh Nanny.

The Lindbergh Nanny offers up the story of the kidnapping of 20 month old Charlie Lindbergh as told through the voice of Betty Gow. Betty Gow comes to New Jersey, and the employ of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow, from Scotland via Detroit in February of 1931. During her time with the family as Charlie’s nurse/nanny, Miss Gow introduces the reader to other staff members of the household along with Anne’s family. We become acquainted with the personalities and behaviors of those who have the trust of the Lindbergh family, as well as the Lindberghs themselves, as seen from her point of view. The reader also gets the opportunity to experience what it would have been like to be the person entrusted with the care of a child and have something unthinkable happen to that child. We follow the story from the kidnapping through the investigation and trial.

Ms. Fredericks does an excellent job of melding fact with fiction. Readers will find that they empathize with some characters while questioning the motives of others as they begin to draw their own conclusions and theories. This book will make a fantastic Book Club selection as it unearths more questions than it answers.

Expected release date is November 14, 2022. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for this ARC.

3 stars for this book!
The reason for the in between review is because I had mixed feelings about this novel.
First of all, I mean we have all heard of the Lindbergh baby. I admit that for me, that just meant I had heard the name before. This book is the reason my favorite genre is historical fiction. I love reading about periods of history I didn’t know much about in the first place. It causes my curiosity to have to know all the things. That’s what this book did to me and I’m so glad it did. I think others will like that as well. When I was looking into things about the Lindbergh kidnapping there really wasn’t a lot of fiction or films about this piece in history.
Now for the not so great. The first half of this novel is amazing. It actually reminded me a little of something Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote. And with me saying that, it’s a compliment. I love TJR. But the second half seemed to really drag for me. It just sort of left me behind. I couldn’t follow characters or what was happening in the criminal investigation. I just wanted it to be over.
I’m glad I read this book and I hope it does well!
Also we sure to read the authors notes at the end of the book! Really interesting!

Mariah Fredericks’s latest book centers around the 1932 kidnapping of 20-month-old Charles LIndbergh from the family’s New Jersey home. An emotional and compelling story, this book reveals the real loss by a real family and those who served them. It also reveals the destruction experienced by those close to the Lindbergh family.

I knew absolutely nothing about this kidnapping case, so I patiently and carefully read the arduous lead up in order to garner facts to help me with my process of deduction. Was it someone in the inside? The author skillfully unveiled facts at just the right time and I found myself having to reevaluate my suspect list. I enjoyed the building suspense and believe that the author’s expert choice of first person contributed to the anxiety and suspense I felt.

Not only did Fredericks show us that in the midst of a terrible loss is a great love, but also showed us the real Betty Gow and did her story justice.

The author’s notes tied up any remaining questions I had and raised the quality of the novel for me.

I was gifted this advance copy by Mariah Fredericks, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.