THE CARETAKERS

by

ELIZA MAXWELL

Genre:  Psychological Thriller / Gothic Fiction / Sisters Fiction

Publisher: Lake Union Press

Date of Publication: April 14, 2020

Number of Pages: 317

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In the isolated estate she’s found the perfect getaway. But there’s no escaping the past in this chilling novel from the bestselling author of The Unremembered Girl.

Filmmaker Tessa Shepherd helped free a man she believed was wrongly imprisoned for murder. When he kills again, Tessa’s life is upended.

She’s reeling with guilt, her reputation destroyed. Worse, Tessa’s mother has unexpectedly passed away, and her sister, Margot, turns on her after tensions from their past escalate. Hounded by a bullying press, Tessa needs an escape. That’s when she learns of a strange inheritance bequeathed by her mother: a derelict and isolated estate known as Fallbrook. It seems like the perfect refuge.

A crumbling monument to a gruesome history, the mansion has been abandoned by all but two elderly sisters retained as caretakers. They are also guardians of all its mysteries. As the house starts revealing its dark secrets, Tessa must face her fears and right the wrongs of her past to save herself and her relationship with Margot. But nothing and no one at Fallbrook are what they seem.

“Suspense fans will be satisfied.” —Publishers Weekly

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This is one author that I know will have me on the edge of my seat wondering what new twist will send us to new depths.  This book did not disappoint!

Tessa is struggling with the fact that she helped free a possible killer and the backlash from filming her documentary about his case.  But is he a killer?  There are many signs that point to yes, but just as many that say no as well.  As the story unfolds we learn the truth and a few twists that maybe we should have expected but still surprised this reader.  On top of this struggle, her mother passes away and now there is the news of her mother’s true family history or at least some glimpses into a past that she and her sister never knew about.  And let’s not forget the long-standing misunderstanding between Tessa and her sister Margo.  When the truth is finally revealed it was a little bit of a letdown because you had to wonder why they let it fester this long without talking to each other.  Or maybe that is me and knowing how my family would handle a similar situation.

As Tessa embarks down the rabbit hole of discovering her true past, so many secrets are revealed that you almost need paper to write down to keep straight.  How did everything come about for her mother?  Who are these new family members?  What are their stories?  We learn more as the book progresses and each chapter is a new delight in knowledge and understanding for the characters and their situations in the past.  I tried to decipher the family on my own but never would have guessed several of the revelations.

I was engaged in this book and enjoyed the layout of the chapters that alternated between the past and the present.  It led to the mystery of the story and discovering the truth of Fallbrook and Tessa and Margo’s heritage.  Kitty is a sweet octogenarian and has the kindest heart especially once she meets Tessa.  There are many facets to Kitty’s actions and words that are slowly revealed throughout the book.  Her sister, Deidre, is more reserved and protective of Kitty and Fallbrook and for good reason but you could see the love she felt for both and why she felt the need to protect them from outsiders.

I enjoyed this book and was satisfied with the ending, but I didn’t want the story to end and I wanted to discover what happened next for everyone.  I guess my imagination will have to create that additional story in my head!  We give this book 5 paws up.

Eliza Maxwell is the author of The Shadow Writer, The Widow’s Watcher, The Unremembered Girl, The Grave Tender, and The Kinfolk. She writes fiction from her home in Texas, which she shares with her ever-patient husband, two impatient kids, a ridiculous English setter, and a bird named Sarah. An artist and writer, a dedicated introvert, and a British-cop-drama addict, she enjoys nothing more than sitting on the front porch with a good cup of coffee.

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THREE WINNERS!

ONE WINNER: Signed Copy + $25 Amazon Gift Card

TWO WINNERS: Signed Copy

APRIL 14-25, 2020

(U.S. Only)

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