Rowan Caine is in prison awaiting trial for the death of a child who was under her care. She’s telling her story through a letter to an attorney who is successful in handling cases like hers and she’s hoping he’ll take her on before it’s too late. It all began when she happened upon an ad for a nanny and it was position she couldn’t resist for a lot of reasons, one being the salary. It required her to leave England and be a live-in caregiver to a family in a countryside town in Scotland. Everything seemed to be too good to be true (it was) and soon she was overwhelmed by the burden of three little children who weren’t all well behaved and didn’t seem to want her there; a smart house that confounded her (and me); parents who were out of town more than they were home; and mysterious, inexplicable things repeatedly happening that frightened her or creeped her out. Now one of the children is dead and she didn’t do it.
The story’s beginning grabbed me right away. Sometimes beginning with the end and working backwards doesn’t work very well but this isn’t one of those kind of failures. Rowan narrates her story very well and you can relate to a lot of the things she did and how she chose to handle the situations that got her in trouble. I couldn’t predict the paths her story would take and her outcome was always in the background, so I was paying attention, trying to figure out where she misstepped. There were a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming and were jaw dropping. And that ending….
I opted for the audio version and that was a wise decision, most especially because Imogen Church was the narrator. It was like listening to the most skilled storyteller who was in the room with me sharing all that happened, dramatic flourishes and character distinctions enthralling me. I could imagine everything! I have to admit to rewinding and relistening to the ending to make sure I got it right. It was perfect, the kind where you just sit back and say, “Well, now!” You don’t want to miss this one.
Book Info
- Release Date: August 6, 2019
- Narrator: Imogen Church
- Audio Length: 12 hours, 13 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
So glad to see you enjoyed this one! It was one of my favourite books last year. Ruth Ware is fab!
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Thanks, Eva💜 This was a wonderful listening experience!
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I wanna hear this narrator. Got to hear her soon. You made it sound so fascinating
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Imogen Church narrates so many British mysteries. I love when I see her name attached to a book I’m considering. She’s often the tipping point.
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Ooooh I gotta check that
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I’ve been thinking for ages I must read this author. Is this a good one to start with?
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I think so, Cathy. My first was The Woman in Cabin 10 and I like this one more.
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Thanks, Jonetta. I’ll go to Audible, I like the fact you can return books if you don’t like them for any reason.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it too because so many Ware fans were divided on this one. Great review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Kyra💜 I think I know why they are divided. I found the ending brilliant.
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I rewound and relistened to the end too! Yes it was a great story. Noooo I don’t want a smart house.(or cameras in my bedroom!) I’ll email you some questions soon. Excellent review!
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Thanks, Anne💜 No, I like technology but that house was a bit too far. Waiting for those questions!
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Great review! I love love love the poison garden!
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Thanks, Paul💜 I’d never heard of such a thing!
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Fantastic review! I’m so glad to Imogen Church’s narration was perfect!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 She’s one of your favorites, right?
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Yes she certainly is!
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I hope the paperback matches up to the audiobook, I have this one to read! Great review, I can’t wait to read my first novel by this author.
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Thanks, Inge💜 I think this book is a great read in any format. Imogen Church just takes it up a notch!
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I loved the audiobook version of this one too. Such a great narrator.
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She is, isn’t she? Glad you had the same experience, Suzanne!
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So glad you loved the audio version of this one! It is on my audio short list for 2020 🙂
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Oh, Tina, you’re in for a good one!
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Ooh, great review! You’ve made me really excited to read this — my book group picked it for later in the year, and now I can’t wait!
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Thank you💜 Oh, Lisa, this will be a good one for a group discussion!
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Fab review! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one as well. xx
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Thanks, Yvo💜
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Fantastic review! I loved this one as well. I bet audio was amazing!!! Super creepy.
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Thank you, Kim💜 Imogen outdid herself with this one!
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I haven’t read the book but when completed reading this review I also have temptation to read the book for knowing the secret behind the home
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That’s what lured me in, too!
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