Title: The Housemaid
Author: Sarah A. Denzil
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Published: July 20th, 2021
Blurb
Housemaid wanted.
Skills required: Discretion, and the willingness to go the extra mile.
It seems like the perfect job. Great wages, accommodation provided, and all located within the walls of Highwood Hall, a stunning stately home owned by the Howard family. Not many little girls dream of becoming a maid, but this is an opportunity for me to get back on my feet. And for me to revisit my past…
But I soon realise I’ve made a mistake. The strict housekeeper, Mrs Huxley, watches my every move, emerging from the shadows when least expected. Lord Howard’s son, Alex, takes an interest in me, and as a former addict, I find myself drawn to him because I know he’s bad for me.
There’s a general atmosphere of unease at Highwood Hall, from the narrow tunnels laced throughout the sprawling house, to the abandoned north wing, rumoured to be haunted. It’s easy to imagine the secrets hidden within these walls, like the secrets I hold close.
On my first day, I receive a mysterious package. I open up the pretty gift box to find a miniature doll version of me trapped inside a dollhouse. In this scene I’m dead, lying in a pool of red paint at the bottom of the perfectly recreated staircase. Someone sent this threatening diorama to me, but who even knows I work at the hall? And what do they want?
I know only one truth: my perfect job is turning into my perfect nightmare.Â
SHOCKING, UNPUTDOWNABLE AND MYSTERIOUS.
Emily is looking for a job and gets lucky when she gets accepted as a housemaid in the luxurious Highwood Hall. However, everything is not what it seems. Scary packages begin turning up at the doorstep and before long, it’s obvious something really weird is happening at the mansion.
I love the setting, full of mystery and suspense. The mansion got me really curious and excited with its hidden doors, secret passageway and weird paintings. Emily is really strong, I must say, to work in a weird house like that. But well, all she cared about was finding out what happened to her mother. The friendship between Emily and Siobhan is amazing. I think Emily was lonely all her life and Siobhan is her first real friend. Emily’s relationship with Alex was kinda weird and from the beginning I never trusted him. There was just things off about him. I’m glad she found out what really happened to her mother. Even though it was heartbreaking. Mrs Huxley who was very mean softened at the end and I think that was because she never was really a bad person. Deep down, she knew it was wrong but was stuck with doing their bidding.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this addictive suspense. If you love books about old mysterious houses, then this book is for you. Thank you very much to Netgalley, the Publisher and the author for the arc copy of the book.
The Introverted Reader 📚 