I really enjoyed this book that was FULL of twists and turns. I look forward to more books by this author.

The Caretakers
by Eliza Maxwell

I have always wanted to read this kind of genre and finally did it!
At first I was worried if I ever going to finish this book because I am so not used to reading mysteries at all. To my surprise, I couldn't let go of this book even though I had a hard time keeping myself amused for the first one-third of the book. I read the book but feels like I was watching a movie the whole time!

The story was full of twists and turns that I couldn't even guess. The point of view from characters in the story make the whole narrative feels like a lot going on but totally make sense in the end. There're parts where my heart was broken and shattered while reading this book, but later I also find a heartwarming relief from the resolution as the story unfolds.

Eliza Maxwell did a TERRIFIC job taking me through a journey filled with secrets and sentiment in The Caretakers and of course didn't disappoint and discourage me a a first time mystery reader.

Glad I picked up this book 🙌🏻

Initially I was drawn to this book because of the cover but the story and characters quickly dragged me into the story. I love it, couldn’t put it down for long. Can’t wait to see what else comes from this author.

Well written suspense. It has twists and turns you never seen coming. A fast-flowing book that is very well written and quite enjoyable mystery.

This was a really enjoyable book. I haven’t read anything by this author before but I will certainly be reading her other titles.
The book was fast paced and there were many twists and turns that kept you guessing right to the end.

2.5 Stars, rounded up!

--
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. But nothing at at Fallbrook is what it seems...
--

This book gave me major "Making a Murderer" and "The Family Upstairs" vibes! While I am OBSESSED with both of those, I struggled to completely love THE CARETAKERS. This book was super easy read and I demolished it in a couple sittings. The story was super intriguing and I loved how the two separate story lines started to allign. However, I never felt a strong connection to any of the characters, which left me a little unsatisfied. Even though this book wasn't a total win for me, I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fictional true crime or family drama thrillers!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy!

This book by Eliza Maxwell was filled with twists and turns and unexpected circumstances. Filmmaker Tessa Shepherd was responsible for freeing a man whom she believed was wrongly imprisoned for murder. Just when she is feeling really great about what she has accomplished the man kills again and as the story unfolds with more quirky twists we discover that Tessa is wrapped up in a spiderweb of mysterious occurrences. I was keep guessing as several points in the story and was not sure what the outcome would be. Definitely a book to read to keep you guessing. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book for review purposes.

I have read every book that Eliza Maxwell has published, and I am a big fan of her stories. She just has a way with words and knows how to create a mysterious and creepy atmosphere. You can't help but be sucked in and try to figure out what is going on. I love stories that can keep me guessing until the end, and this was definitely the case with The Caretakers. The story is told from Tessa's, and the caretakers Deidre and Kitty's POV. I am going to be pretty vague with my review, because I don't want to spoil anything. I just want to say that nothing is as it seems. Make sure to keep track of all the small things. I loved discovering new things throughout the book, which had me changing my theories about what was going on. I loved the twists and turns, which of some really surprised me.

There is a lot going on in this book but everything fits really well together. There was no dull moment and I was hooked until the end. This book was heartbreaking but also heartwarming in a way. I loved seeing the main character Tessa find peace and mend her relationship with her sister. I also enjoyed seeing Tessa learn the truth about her family. The cover of this book is gorgeous, and it really fits with the vibe of the story. I highly recommend this book if you are intrigued with what you read in the blurb/my review, or if you have read books by this author before. I think Eliza did a great job with this book, and I already look forward to the next one.

Wow, what a book! This book captured me from the first page. This story is packed with twists and turns. It has all the great elements of a really good mystery thriller, suspense, intrigue, mystery and then throw in a love story and a complicated relationship between sisters that appears to be both a love and hate relationship. Just when you think you know what's happening, two pages later you realize you were completely wrong! The characters are vivid, bold and haunting. The plot and subplots are very well written and stream smoothly through the pages. There really is no "down" time in this book, it's a breath taker from the beginning and keeps you until the last word! I am blown away by the twists and turns in this book. I literally could not put it down, I read it in one sitting. After reading this book, I am now an avid fan of Eliza Maxwell and her writing style. She kept the story alive, and yet she also wrapped up lose ends, but not in a way that spoiled the plot, The end of this book left me satisfied that I got the full story, it didn't leave me feeling like something was left out or left wanting more. Wonderful job. I can easily give this book 5 stars.

The Caretakers is a remarkable novel that is a must read. It would make a great gift. It is well written and has great characters.

A story about estranged sisters. The story flowed flawlessly within the two timelines. I was hooked until the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Tessa's world is falling apart. After filming a documentary to help a man she believed was wrongfully convicted of a murder get free, he kidnaps the police chief's daughter. Believing another woman dead, the public and the victim's family turn against Tessa for helping free him. Then Tessa's mother dies unexpectedly. She returns home and the strained relationship between her and her twin, Margot, and the press camped out on her doorstep leave her nowhere to go but an isolated, crumbling estate in rural Pennsylvania that her mother left in her will. Mystery and tragedy surround Fallbrook and the only way to discover the truth about the history of the place is through the two aging sisters who are caretakers. As more of the past is revealed, Tessa discovers that some stories should never be told.
Wow what a great story! Two storylines converge in this creepy setting of a crumbling murder house. The truth about the past history of the house was shocking, I never saw it coming, especially the connection to Tessa herself. The mystery in the present with Oliver was a little predictable but helped support the plot and the action of the rest of the story.

This novel is amazing, and I don't use that word lightly.
If you enjoy an author who takes you by the hand and leads you down an unknown path while you're wearing a blindfold, then The Caretakers is a book you should pick up.
EStranged sisters is at the heart of the plot, but also a decades old mystery and an unexpected ending makes Maxwell one of my new favorites.

Absolutely enjoyed this book and one that was full of twists and turns. It is not often that i am able to read a book within a day or two, but on this occasion, i did. The story flowed so well and although i am not going to write what the story is about as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, i can recommend. I shall be looking out for more books by Eliza Maxwell.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.

An incredibly easy read I thought... 
Told over two timelines of parts of the same family,both of them dealt in murder.
I'm actually struggling to find anything to say about the book... it was entertaining in itself,but there were no big surprises,and for me,it didn't stand out.

What a brilliant tale +5 stars from me. Beautifully crafted, as it unfolds you will discover two trails to follow. Just remember nothing is ever as it seems. Highly recommended. With thanks to Netgalley and Union Lake publishing

This book is amazing. I am sorry to say that I read it very quickly as I couldn't waot tp see how it ended. Kudos to the author and an anxious to read more of her works.

THE CARETAKERSS
BY ELIZA MAXWELL

This was an amazing mystery with quite a bit of suspense. It was plotted to be more of a mystery and historical fiction genre than thriller. There is a dilapidated, crumbling mansion in Pennsylvania where it becomes known to protagonist Telssa and her sister after their mother passes away suddenly that makes for the perfect hideaway for Tesss. Tesss didn't know her mother was adopted and when she unexpectedly passed away Tesss thinks it will be perfect to get away from the unruly media attention that she wants to escape from after making a documentary that freed a man from prison. Was he really innocent or guilty? Her sister Margot and her are slowly putting their relationship back to a good place. after being estranged.

There are also two sisters that live in the caretakers cottage on the estate. There are many twists and turns that make this an enjoyable read. I just loved the ending also. The author did a fantastic job making this addictive novel get better and better the more that I read. This has a dual timeline that adds a more complex thread that comes together in the perfect collision. I would recommend this to all of those who love a good mystery with historical fiction.

Thank you to Net Galley, Eliza Maxwell and Dutton Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tessa makes movies. Not the action-packed, edge of your seat kind with Tom Cruise on the big screen, but more like the Making a Murder docu-series a la Netflix. She was able to get an innocent man released prison, but while she’s still more or less riding high off of that major coup, she finds out that her mother has suddenly passed away. This puts Tessa back in her hometown, staying in the family house, staying in her old room with her twin sister just down the hall. As if this isn’t enough of a blow, the man Tessa was able to get free has gone out on a rampage, leaving Tessa questioning every decision she’s ever made. When her mother’s will leaves Tessa and her sister a huge old estate they never knew about, Tessa takes the opportunity to take refuge at the old home, meeting the older sisters living in the caretakers cottage on the edge of the property in the process. I really enjoyed this book, and I feel I’m not doing it justice in the description because there really was a lot going on, HOWEVER, the author did a fantastic job keeping the storylines clear. Like so many books I’ve read lately, this one didn’t need the last 2 pages or so---it just pushed the story’s credibility beyond necessity. I still thought it was a really good book, and I’ll be adding Maxwell to my list of authors to watch for going forward for sure!

Special Note: Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fast-paced mystery and intriguing and unputdownable. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.


The story follows the protagonist Tessa, a journalist who helped to get a wrongfully accused man out of prison. Until that man abducted the daughter of the lead police officer who was responsible for his incarceration. Saddled with guilt and feelings of responsibility for his freedom, as well as the press firestorm, she seeks refuge at an old estate that her mother left her and her estranged sister.
But nothing and no one at Fallbrook are what they seem, so does the house that she is staying in.


Am excellent mystery read and a bit scary for me. And with well constructed characters.
The plot twist was just unexpectedly amazing too.