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The Housemaid cover art

The Housemaid

By: Sarah A. Denzil
Narrated by: Sophie Rundle
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Publisher's Summary

The latest dark and twisty thriller by the million-copy best-selling author of Silent Child.

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.

©2021 Sarah Denzil (P)2021 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about The Housemaid

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t finish it. Don’t start it!

I have enjoyed this author’s other books but couldn’t finish this one. What is it with the maids being attracted to obviously abusive men ? The scenes of the main character and Alex just annoyed me. Were those scenes supposed to be sexy? Reminded me of a Mills and Boon !
Can’t sit through this dribble to find out who sent the diorama.
Sorry.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Twisty

While the villains of the piece are obvious, the little twists along the way make for a very enjoyable read. I like that the heroine questions her attraction to someone who exhibits abusive characteristics, whether there’s something wrong with her. She is smart, analytical and emotive. The ending was very satisfying, even if others would call it “neat”.
Probably one of the most fun books I’ve listened to in a while, and the narrator’s voice is an absolute dream.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I mean… it wasn’t terrible…

The narration was well delivered but the story lacked character development. It actually had that same feeling when a book is made into a movie and you know they can’t go in to as much detail as the book did except this was a book..! I finished listening and still didn’t really know who the main character was as a person. The book relied on the story and plot but there was a lot of twists that didn’t feel necessary.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Different

Love Sarahs stories. Surpised at the twisted minds of some of the characters. Quite a different story by her overall I enjoyable. Good narration.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to put down. Exciting and disturbing story.

I found this book really scary in a good way. I like the narrator... She didn't use distracting voices for different characters so very easy to listen too. Sometimes I fall asleep during books but definitely not this one. Liked the story line and twists.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Good read, kept me interested, but didn’t love it. Still glad I listened though. Worth giving it a go.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing!!

The concept is well thought out and it's well written. The sadistic moments were not what I expected but bought a depth to the story relating to the men and their history.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully narrated

Suspenseful and addictive, this has been my favourite audiobook to date! Definitely 5 stars from me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Intrigueing

Easy read of the play of privilege, self obsession and psychopathy. Psychologically revealinging of systematic planned manipulation, violence and disregard for human life woven into a guise of compassion and hierarchical society. Humanity and equality overturn treachery.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow going but worth it

No spoilers from me, but there's a certain point when a so-so book becomes something very clever. It takes a while to get there, but it does get there.

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