The Homemaker by Miranda Rijks Published by Inkubator Books on October 22, 2023
Genres: Thriller
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher, ZooLoos Book Tours
Buy on Amazon
Maria always wanted a family. Now sheās found one.
Imogen has never been so busy ā sheās juggling two jobs, has a young family and now sheās pregnant again.
Enter Maria, the perfect housekeeper. Hard working and capable, she seems like the ideal solution to Imogen's chaotic life. But Maria isnāt at all what she seems ā she has a sinister agenda of her own.
Little by little, she installs herself at the heart of Imogenās family ā doing the school run, cooking meals, caring for Imogenās little girl.
But once she has won the familyās trust, Maria starts to do some digging. And discovers that Imogen has been keeping a terrible secret, a secret which Maria threatens to reveal unless Imogen starts to run this home the way Maria sees fit.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Imogen has no choice but to comply.
A terrible mistake. Because as the full scale of Mariaās horrifying plan becomes apparent, Imogen realises that everything she holds dear ā her marriage, her family, her friends ā all may fall victim to The Homemaker.
My Thoughts
In Miranda Rijks’ The Homemaker, Imogen hires a housekeeper, Maria, to bring order to her life. Maria is a hardworking and capable solution, but she has a sinister agenda. She gains the trust of Imogen’s family, uncovers a dark secret, and exerts control over Imogen, manipulating her into running her home according to Maria’s wishes.
Imogen finds herself caught in a web of deceit and manipulation, unable to escape Maria’s grasp. Rijks’ psychological thriller keeps readers on edge with its tension and suspense. The story explores themes of control, manipulation, and the devastating consequences of secrets and lies. The Homemaker is a chilling reminder that pursuing perfection can have severe consequences.
There are moments when the narrative becomes rather unsettling as we witness the disintegration of Imogen’s life and the increasing malevolence of Maria. Despite this, the novel remains thoroughly engaging. The unique storytelling style, where the narrative alternates between the perspectives of each woman, adds a layer of richness and complexity. The varied viewpoints offer a multifaceted look into their intertwined lives, making it a compelling read despite its darker elements.
If you want a good psychological thriller to read, this one would be the one to pick up. This is a page-turner that you will find difficult to put down, great characters, a twisty plot, and well written.
Thank you to ZoĆ© from ZooLooās Book Tours and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read and review this book.
About Miranda Rijks
Miranda Rijks is the author of 20 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and two black Labradors.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She’s so grateful that she’s now a full-time author and living the dream!
