The Au Pair by Emma Rous is part gothic suspense with a full measure of domestic noir!
It’s Murder and Mayhem Monday here at Macsbooks and, if I were asked to choose the perfect MMM book, it would The Au Pair! There is absolutely nothing that I love more than dark, domestic tales of suspense and murder. The Au Pair has it all.
Seraphine and Danny are twins who, along with their older brother, Edwin, have been raised in an old Victorian estate in Norfolk (UK.) Their lives would appear charmed to the outside world, but there is a darkness within the family that pervades their existence. On the day that the twins were born, their mother threw herself off of a cliff. Now the siblings are attempting to cope with their father’s tragic, accidental death. While going through their father’s belongings, Seraphine discovers a photograph of their parents with one of the twins taken on the day they were born. Their mother looks blissfully happy. What possibly could have happened to make her kill herself and why is there only one twin? With stories of changelings, faeries and sprites haunting them all of their lives, Seraphine is determined to find answers. But will those answers be the ones she is hoping to find or will it lead to more heartbreak for this cursed family.
Told from two points of view, Seraphine’s and that of Laura, the au pair at the time of their birth, Rous weaves together a story of a wealthy family with mental instability, far too many secrets and characters who will stop at nothing to keep those secrets hidden. The complex plot twists and turns in very unexpected ways and takes the reader on a journey from the present to the past and back again. Although I am one who does not like surprises in my noir novels, this ending will absolutely blow your mind! The resolution, however, is perfection!
For those who love domestic drama, suspense and fast paced fiction, this is definitely a book you will want to read! Mark it now, order early, it will be published January 8th.
Many thanks to @BerkleyPub and #EmmaRous for my copy of this amazing tale.
This caught my attention this weekend and I still haven’t added it to my shelf. But, you’ve made the case to get off my fence😏 Excellent review, Mackey!
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I have had it for a few months and I have no idea why I put off reading it for as long as I did. It really is quite good! I hope you do read it – I think you would enjoy it. At the core, it is a family drama and the story is extremely well told. Let me know if you pick it up.
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Wonderful review! I have this one and will be reading it soon!
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Thanks! I think you’re really going to like this one! I’ll be watching for your review! Enjoy!
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Excellent review! I think I might go ahead and read this one this week if I get the chance! It sounds so good! I love the suspense!!
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Thank you Stephanie! I really enjoyed it a lot. I thought it was just going to be suspenseful – and it was – but it was the entire family drama that really made the book. I hope you enjoy it!! I’ll be watching for your review!
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You’re welcome! I’m so glad you did! I’ll plan to read it in the next week or so once school craziness dies down. I know we’re all ready for Christmas break around here, lol. Thanks!! 🙂
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this looks terrific!
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It really was da-Al! The writing is perfect and the setting of the book really lent itself to a great suspenseful, domestic noir tale.
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Great review, Mac! I started reading it last night and it was tought to put down!
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Ooohh, I’m glad you’re enjoying it too!! I’ll be watching for your review! Once I started it, I couldn’t stop!
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I finished this one last week and my head was spinning with those last twists. Loved it and it could be a 2019 favorite! Fab review.
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I knew you would like this one and I’m so glad to read that you did!
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I’m so excited to read this one, Mackey! It sounds like perfection in a thriller. Terrific review!
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Thanks Jennifer! It really was fantastic, I think you’ll like it a lot! Let me know what you think – or I’ll watch for your review, too.
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Thanks! I really loved this book and hope you do too!
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