Joy Fielding was an author that I most likely read as an introduction into mystery and thriller books about 15ish years ago. The Housekeeper was so well thought out and I felt so indignant alongside Jodi and all the ways her father and just how twisted that Housekeeper really was. Every chapter I was like no way this can’t get worse, and then it did. It was full of twists and turns and my mind was whirling throughout the whole thing! It’s a family drama with components of mystery and psychological elements. Very fast paced and gripping. I really really enjoyed this one!

This was an entertaining book overall, although the characters were very unlikable. It was very fast-paced and twisty - it is an easy domestic thriller for those who like the genre!

The book is a quick read, with a good story albeit a bit predictable but still enjoyable nonetheless. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this arc

Joy Fielding’s “The Housekeeper” is a gripping domestic suspense with lots of drama in this dysfunctional family which becomes complicated when Jodi, hires a housekeeper to help with her aging parents. Compounded by her own personal family issues, she fails to see the red flags when things go missing in her parents home and other things she should notice.

Narrated by Jodie, we feel her frustrations, as things unfold with the creepiness of the house, twists occur and we are surprised that not everything is what it appears.


Thank you to NetGalley, Randomhouse Doubleday Canada for the digital copy of this book.

Jodi is the only responsible adult in her family. She hires the perfect housekeeper to take care of her elderly parents. Has she made a mistake? This book is a little predictable, but I enjoyed it. There were sections I ended up skimming through though.
A sincere thank you to NetGallery for this book.

Super quick read. Great storyline, I found the main character very relatable, although at times I wanted her to stand up for herself more, I understand women who are abused don't always know how to, especially when it started as a child. I liked the ending and how all the loose ends were tied up nicely. It was a mild thriller, nothing too intense, perfect for readers who prefer that. I received an advanced readers copy from netgalley and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this one! It kept me guessing and I felt unease as I was reading it which I love in a thriller. Highly recommend this one!

Hmm. Where to start. This gem was a delightful and delicious read. I have been reading Joy Fielding almost as long as she has been writing and I think this was my favourite of hers. So I am really glad that she didn’t end her career with Cul de Sac, as she intended.
Jodi is successful and seems to have a comfortable life to be envied. She is really good at selling real estate in Toronto in an agency started by her father. She has two beautiful and wonderful kids. But what appears on the outside may not be the reality. That wonderful husband really isn’t that wonderful. He’s been writing his second book for many years but is resentful of the hours Jodi works to support their family. And no, he really isn’t wonderful at all. And neither is her father, who never misses an opportunity to cut her down while doting on her sister, self centred Tracey. And her mother has Parkinson’s and is only a shell of the person she used to be.
When caring for her mother becomes too much for her father, Jodi decides to hire a housekeeper. And then found one that seemed was too good to be true, Elyse. She had glowing references, was so caring and went above and beyond. Jodi couldn’t have found anyone better. But maybe she could have. Elyse seems to be worming her way into their father’s life. Or maybe it’s just Jodi jumping to conclusions, for Elyse seems so sincere. When Jodi’s mom has a sudden deadly fall; isn’t Elyse a little to eager to become mistress of the mansion? And just like that, Jodi’s life is spiralling. And Elyse has covered all the bases.
This book had me gripped and wouldn’t let go until I finished. There were twists and angles and the story itself was fascinating.
Sometimes it is hard to read a book when you can’t relate to or dislike the characters. Sometimes it takes away from the enjoyment of the book. But not this time. I disliked pretty much everyone. From Jodi’s husband with his cutting comments and unrealistic expectations to her sister, Tracy, who was more than content to let everyone support her while she took advantage of everyone. From the manipulative Elyse to the cruel, nasty father who never ever had anything nice to say about Jodi while doting on Tracy. And Jodi. I can’t say that I disliked Jodi. But I wanted to smash her over the head with some sense. I almost was cringing at times pleading with her to get some balls and stop being a doormat to everyone.
Despite that, I loved this book. I loved how I wanted to just ignore everything and just read, a definite sign of a really good book. I loved the plot and how everything played out; the suspense as I tried to figure out where everything was going and how it would end up. Don’t stop now, Joy Fielding. I bet you have some more great story ideas that you can weave for us.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and Joy Fielding for free e-ARC of The Housekeeper in return of my honest review.

Disclaimer: I will be biased because the story took place in my city, Toronto, and I adored it for that. It’s not often I read books in a city that I know well and lived in, where the streets and intersections make sense.

Anyway, I found The Housekeeper quite good and entertaining. Sometimes I had hard time to stop and read into the night, no regrets.

The story is about a woman who wants to help her aging parents and fire a housekeeper who quickly becomes a little bit more than a housekeeper. The changes are subtle and sweet at first, though when the narrative changes, the protagonist is in deep trouble.

I liked the story and the narration types, yes, the protagonist is at times annoying and whining, however, imagining myself on her place, it is understandable. The plot is interesting and fun with a few twists. I enjoyed it quite a lot and look forward to more work by the author.

Upon reading the first sentence of The Housekeeper, I was hooked. Three simple words, “It’s my fault” was all it took to draw me in.

Jodi hires a housekeeper to help take care of her aging parents. Her Mom has Parkinson’s and her dad is approaching 80. Jodi’s husband, Harrison complains that she spends too much time helping her parents and focusing on her career as a realtor and not enough time on their marriage and two young kids. So when Elyse accepts the job as her parents Housekeeper Jodi is beyond relieved. This will now free up a lot of her time, making her life much simpler. But sadly this is not what happens at all. Hiring Elyse as a housekeeper makes everything worse.

Fast forward a few months; Jodi’s mom is dead, her father is now married to Elyse the Housekeeper and Jodi has been blackmailed. What else could go wrong?! No spoilers here but you absolutely won’t believe what happens.

As I said I was immediately hooked. I loved the drama, the fast pace, the intensity and the lies and deception. That being said, I have to admit, I did figure out the plot twists quite early on but it didn’t seem to make a difference. The book was still thoroughly enjoyable and addictive.

Joy Fielding did an amazing job in making me loath almost every single character in the story except Jodi and her two children. Harrison, Jodi’s husband was a master manipulator, selfish and a real pro at gaslighting. Jodi’s dad was a grumpy old, cold man who did nothing but criticize and put down Jodi. The Housekeeper, was a conniving, manipulative, gold digger. The common theme seemed to be that everyone Jodi loved mistreated her and took her for granted. Normally when I’m reading a book and I loath a character I find it hard to finish the book. But for The Housekeeper, it only fuelled my desire to root for Jodi and continue reading to see how it all turned out. Such an excellent book. In fact I loved it so much that after finishing my e-arc I went and bought a physical copy of the book!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada, NetGalley and Joy Fielding for my electronic arc of The Housekeeper, in exchange for my honest review.

Jodi Bishop is a busy woman. A successful real estate agent, the mother of two young children and with two aging parents to care for Jodi’s plate is full. Her husband Harrison is a full time author and teaches part time. Though he helps out with the child care his resentment is apparent.
Jodi’s father Vic Dundas has been caring for his wife Audrey who has Parkinson’s disease. As the mother’s condition is getting more serious Vic is having problems coping. After many unsuccessful attempts at finding and keeping a housekeeper Jodi finally finds Elyse Woodley. Elyse fits in immediately and even manages to keep the cantankerous Vic under control. At first Jodi thinks her prayers have been answered. As time goes on and Elyse appears to be making inroads into Vic’s life Jodi starts to wonder if she is too good to be true.
While I liked THE HOUSEKEEPER the plot and the storyline felt too familiar. There was a bit of a twist at the end which I think helped strengthen my opinion of the story.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital edition of THE HOUSEKEEPER by Joy Fielding.

I was so excited for this book and was a little disappointed. It was okay, nothing exciting.

Jodi hires a housekeeper to help lord after her sick mother and aging father but the housekeeper is not who she seems. That’s about it. I loved the writing style of the book but the story itself was mediocre.

3.75 stars, rounded to 4. Another solid book by Joy Fielding. This is a domestic mystery/thriller that will have you flipping the pages, your heart beating faster as you move through the story. When Jodi finds the most wonderful woman to be her parent’s housekeeper, she is so relieved and grateful. Jodi will finally be able to appease her husband, Harrison, a struggling author, and hopefully spend more time on her kids and husband, as well as her real estate career. Jodi’s mom, Audrey, has advanced Parkinson’s, and her retired father is a very harsh, difficult man, so the new housekeeper will be a super positive addition to their lives. But when Jodi, and eventually her sister Tracy, begin to get the feeling that something isn’t right, and the evidence starts to mount, Jodi realizes she is running out of time and racing against the clock to get to the bottom of it all.

And wow, the author does a spectacular job of building suspense by having Jodi narrate the story, as a retelling of what happened. Her thoughts are peppered with foreshadowing and intrigue. It’s difficult at times seeing how Jodi is treated by her father and husband which adds to the darkness of this satisfying story.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday) and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing like a dysfunctional family drama to keep you company as you recover from that nasty pandemic germ.😷

The Housekeeper reminds you - what appears too good to be true, normally is. When Jodi hires a housekeeper to take care of her Dad and support her dying Mum, she can’t believe her luck - Elyse is perfect - there isn’t anything she won’t do to help the Bishop family. However, it doesn’t take long until things take a turn for the worse and - well, out of control.😳

You have probably read other books with a similar plot - so it does become somewhat predictable but it did keep me reading while stuck at home. Loved the 🇨🇦 setting. If you’re looking for a easy read with a dose of family drama - this may be for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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4.5/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I really enjoyed the fast pacing.

This story is about a woman (Jodi) who hires a housekeeper to care for her aging parent’s house and them. In the beginning, the housekeeper (Elyse) seems too good to be true; but then things start to happen. Each time an issue came up that made Jodi sure that Elyse was being deceitful, there seemed to be a plausible explanation. Jodi is the one who hired the housekeeper and then seemed to be the only one that thought she had made a mistake. Elyse covered her tracks so well.

Without exposing spoilers, I will just say that the story had me captivated. Elyse’s explanations always covered things off, so that Jodi was left unsure. It’s difficult to believe that a woman could be so duplicitous and come across as so reasonable. Elyse snowed everyone at turns. Things just keep getting worse and worse as Elyse takes over and then … Well, I’ll just leave it at that.

You’ve got to read this book!

Thank you @doubledayca @penguinrandomca for the gifted copy !

Jodi Bishop needs help taking care of her aging (and wealthy) parents. Enter Elyse. On paper, she’s the the housekeeper equivalent of Mary Poppins. In reality, she has serious ulterior motives as she integrates herself into the family and starts taking control.

This is my second Joy Fielding book and I can’t believe it took me this long to start reading her work! She is officially a new go-to for domestic suspense.

Her writing is sharp and snappy and draws you into the story immediately. She pairs this with a well - plotted story and strong character development. Jodi and Tracy’s character arcs were standouts for me, as well as their way their relationship as sisters changed and grew.

One thing I love about domestic suspense is that it puts the thrills and chills in a relatable and realistic setting. While reading, I was constantly thinking that this could totally happen to me. Dad, if you’re reading this, I promise I won’t do this to you ;)

I can’t talk about The Housekeeper without giving serious bonus points for the Toronto setting 😍🇨🇦. I am all in for this current trend of setting thrillers in Canada.

If you’re a fan of domestic suspense like me, add this one to your TBR!

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This book is so wild! It feels like it could very realistically actually happen to a loved one which made it so intense to read. I read it very quickly because you don’t want to put it down. It left you guessing even until the last few pages. The family dynamics are super interesting and my favourite was the relationship between the main character and her sister. You really feel for the main character and want to protect her from the other characters, which created a strong emotional investment with the book for me.

This was a very entertaining mystery thriller about a woman, Jodi Bishop, who hires "the perfect" housekeeper to take care of her ailing mother. The housekeeper turned out to be too good to be true though, as Jodi begins to notice increasingly suspicious behaviour.

But who's going to believe Jodi's paranoia that something strange is going on with the housekeeper when the housekeeper's sunny personality seems to charm and win everyone over?

While there were certain aspects of the story that was pretty predictable (there was also a lot of foreshadowing, which made the twists even more unsurprising), the writing and story were addictive, and the characters were very interesting. The fact that the story revolves around a dysfunctional and toxic family makes the story even more compelling.

This is my first Joy Fielding book, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I love a good thriller, and this book does not disappoint.

Jodi is a successful real estate agent who struggled with the guilt of caring for her aging parents while also raising a young family of her own. When she decides to hire a housekeeper, she finds a seemingly perfect candidate in Elyse. At first things go well, and Jodi even finds herself confiding in Elyse about her personal struggles. Not wanting to ruin a good thing, Jodi ignores the small red flags till Jodi herself is completely shut out of her parents’ lives.

The plot twists are somewhat predictable, the characters are all flawed and the family is wildly dysfunctional. All in all, a captivating read.

This is a story of a very dysfunctional family who hires a housekeeper to help their mother/wife who has Parkinson’s Disease. The twist and turns in this story surprises you. You have to feel for Jodi who never seems to get the love she needs. I really enjoyed this book and the ending was a big surprise. I received an arc and the views and opinions are my own.