The very beginning of this book felt like an overload of information and made me want to put the book down. At about page 60 I was so glad I kept reading. The house sitter by Ellery kane is an edge of your seat twisted thriller. Nothing in this book is what it seems and I mean nothing! The ending was a complete shock to me...I never would have guessed the ending in a million years. The house sitter is A summer 2022's must read novel

A well off lonely widowed elderly woman (Iris Duncan) meets a down on her luck waitress (Lydia mckay) at the restaurant Lydia works at. Rite from the get go they hit it off and Iris offers her work with better pay and a better boss. Iris becomes the best friend Lydia has always wanted and needed and Lydia becomes Iris's rite hand woman. Iris recently broke her arm and Lydia helps her with physical therapy as well as remembering her medications . They are both exactly what each other needs at this trying time in each of their lives. Iris becomes incredibly grateful and invites Lydia and her boyfriend Seth to move in with her because she was recently broken into and they are homeless and staying at a crappy dangerous hotel as well. Iris ends up not only employing Lydia but her boyfriend Seth also. Lydia cooks, cleans, helps with physical therapy, does laundry, makes sure Iris takes her medications, while Seth takes care of the maintenance of Iris's long overdue mess of a lawn. The home owners association has been threatening Iris ever since she became widowed about her neglecting her home, garden and her lawn. Seth steps in and does all the yard work and makes the garden look as good as it did when her husband was still alive. Iris starts to become a little too giving to the mckays and even buys them a new truck.
The closer they all become the more Iris starts to notice issues with Seth and Lydia's relationship. Lydia also starts to notice how bad Iris's memory really is as she gets lost, loses track of time and always thinks a burglar is stealing from her. Something terrible ends up happening to Iris and now she's missing. Are Lydia and Seth mckay really who they say they are? What really happend to Iris Duncan? Pick up a copy of The House Sitter this June to find out for yourself!

Wow, this fast paced thriller was quite the ride! The plot and characters kept me guessing and had me on the edge of my seat. It took me a minute to sink into the story, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. This was my first time reading from Ellery Kane and now I definitely need to read more!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I liked this a lot. It was nicely written and plotted. I loved Iris, and I felt that she and the other characters were very well-developed. Great twists, too--everything I look for in a thriller.

The House Sitter by Ellery Kane . Bits and pieces. Lots of bits about the characters past and personalities. Felt like there were separate stories put together in one book. Would have loved to learn more about Iris's background and story. She was quite the spitfire. Confused about Lydia, was she that naive or really that conniving? Seth's character wasn't all that deep. Didn't quite understand about the female detective's role, went her own way most of the time. The pieces eventually fit together but there seemed to be a couple missing. Entertaining read. A mystery for sure.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Iris Duncan was getting on in years. Nearly 70 years old, Iris has difficulty in not only the managing of her posh three story home, but also managing her memory. Iris was slowly succumbing to dementia.

While at a nearby café, Iris is waited on by a frail looking girl. Iris immediately took a liking to her and after some chit chat, Iris learned that her waitress’ name was Lydia. Lydia was like a fish out of water at that café, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Iris. Being that Iris needed help with her domestic chores and memory issues, Iris offered Lydia a position as caregiver and/or house sitter if Lydia ever wanted or needed a change. A few days later and to Iris’ surprise, Lydia accepted the position at a very lucrative wage. Just one catch. Lydia wanted Seth McKay to be included in the deal, which would be the beginning of Iris’ downfall.

The House Sitter is the second book that I’ve read from Ellery Kane and it is a page turner! I was hooked from the beginning.

The characters are superbly developed, especially the main character of Iris. Kane has deftly fleshed out the main players in her novel. So much so that I began to despise a few of them.

Plotwise, the suspense is intense. There are a number of twists and turns that left me guessing as to what would happen next. The only issue I had was the ending as I expected something more intense for that “wow” factor. Other than that, The House Sitter lives up to its promise of being an unputdownable novel. Four rousing stars.

I received a digital ARC from Bookouture. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I powered through this book! Lots of suspense, twists, secrets. I did figure out the connection between the two ladies etc. So I knew something was up that wasn't widely known. This was my first book by Ellery and it was a winner! Highly recommended!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Bookouture and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Fast-paced, intense, unpredictable, twists and turns. A read well worth the time.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Mystery and intrigue...secrets...friends and family...enemies...the elderly...the nasty selfish people who want something for nothing...an elderly lady takes in a couple she believes needs help...she is treated horribly...the story does move slowly at times...however, it finally moves quickly to the end...not a surprising end...this is a talented author in weaving a story that reads like true crime...this could happen at any time anywhere...

✨Book review✨
The House Sitter
By Ellery Kane

This was a first read Author for me, and I found it very interesting to learn that Kane is actually a Forensic Psychologist, as well as an Author!

This storyline was good, the characters were charismatic, and the “who done it”? factor played in my mind the entirety of the book! I felt the pages were filled with a lot of descriptive details ( probably due to Kane’s day job) which I loved, and made it easier to envision Iris’s world.

Two small gripes I have with this book- The first I feel the title is incorrect…..and the second I felt the synopsis was a bit misleading when it comes to the characters……but no spoilers here, I will let you read and decide for yourself!

All in all, I have to say I really enjoyed this book, and feel it is certainly worth reading when it releases on June 14th!! Add this one to your list!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Big thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the copy of this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced, tense, twisty and unpredictable that kept me guessing right until the end. I was gripped all the way through and I couldn't put it down, I read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed it.

From the very first chapter Ellery Kane's new novel The House Sitter grabs your attention. The heart-felt book is written in an easy to read style that is witty and suspenseful. Prepare to fall in love with Iris Duncan, the very charming and cute older adult in Ellery Kane's edge of your seat murder mystery.

Synopsis:
As a spunky widow Iris Duncan has been living all by herself until she meets a young couple willing to help with the gardening and everyday chores. Now that Iris' memory has started to fail Dean and Lydia appear to be the logical solution until a 911 call comes to emergency dispatch from Iris' house. The police respond and find the phone line cut and Iris missing. Can Dean and Lydia really be believed to be the trusting caretakers they appear?

Ellery Kane has taken a front row seat on my must read authors list. Kane incorporates her personal daily experiences as a forensic pathologist into her writing. "Real life is stranger than fiction and Ellery's writing is often inspired by her day job." (Goodreads Author Profile)

The House Sitter is available on June 14th. Don't miss this intriguing new book by the award winning author Ellery Kane. (4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this outstanding book. Your kindness is appreciated.

Loved this! Had me hooked from page one ! I just couldn't figure it out there are so many layers. Brilliantly written 5 stars!

The House Sitter by Ellery Kane was my introduction to this author's work, and I must say that I was completely blown away. This is a twisty, propulsive read that kept me glued to the pages.

Iris is a lonely widow who meets Lydia, a down on her luck waitress who is serving tables at a local cafe. As the two women begin to chat, it quickly becomes apparent that each has something to offer the other, and Lydia soon takes up residence in Iris's beautiful Pacific Heights home. One night, a 911 call from inside the house will bring police to the scene of a potential crime, and the realization that the two women are missing. What are the secrets that have brought Iris and Lydia to this desperate turn of events?

This is a thoroughly gripping read that is rife with twists and turns, and I could not put it down for even a moment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

The House Sitter will mess with your mind! I thought I had it pegged very early on, but there are many twists upon twists in this seemingly straight-foward murder mystery.

An elderly widow living in a big house, Lydia is happy to bring on the young couple she meets in town to work in the yard and help around the home. Little does she know, this couple has their own plans. Add in a stubborn but bright new police detective and the race is on to solve the mystery.

Do you love domestic fiction? Love twisty tales? This is a book for you, I guarantee you will not guess the ending!
#Bookotoure #Netgalley #Netgalleyreads

WOW... What A Ride!... the house sitter blew me away… The narrative grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let you breathe until the end… I read this book in one sitting. I stayed up until midnight devouring the action A unique story. I recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller or mystery, to add this book to your list. Your pulse will race as this story takes you on unforeseen twists and turns as the mystery is unfolding; be prepared to hang on tight.

I am proud of myself for figuring out the mystery half way thru the book but that did not diminish my enjoyment of the story at all! This was a layered book and I really appreciated that it was nice and long!

Good book! Wow! What a twist!! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, and quite a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I will definitely recommend reading this book! It was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This delectable thriller kept me up all night. I absolutely enjoy the characters and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen in the plot. I highly recommend this one it’s a real winner!

“All you need is one sucker.”

Inspired by her career as a forensic psychologist and by an event witnessed within her own family, Ellery Kane brings a heap load of authenticity to this psychological thriller! Like the Delores painting of the Golden Gate you’ll read about, this fabulous novel had a “palette of colours so bright and bold that it required effort to look away.”

I enjoyed all the characters, but I loved Iris Duncan! It was interesting to note that they all walked a fine line between hero and villain, sometimes choosing one over the other. Officer Maureen Shaw offered a great perspective to the story, too. Kane has taken what she’s learned in her years evaluating violent criminals and treating victims of trauma and brought it to her writing. Everyone has secrets and a past they’d rather keep buried. Kane noted that, with regards to her clients, “some struggle to get over it; some learn from it; some are changed by it; some are haunted” and we see that with Seth and Lydia McKay as well as with Iris and Maureen. What separates these individuals is what they chose to do with their past. We should take note.

Although I guessed the twist mid-book, I wasn’t sure of how the author would get there and that kept me turning pages. I loved the humour Iris brought to the story as much as the evil that Seth brought. Both were needed. I also enjoyed the nod to the gothic novel, Rebecca, and the reminder that ‘when a taker meets a giver, it never ends well’ It was an entertaining novel, stuffed with great characters and propelled by intriguing suspense.

I’m hoping the ending means that there’s a sequel in the works! It sure had me scratching my head and wondering if justice was served.

I was gifted this advance copy by Ellery Kane, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The house sitter by Ellery Kane
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Me during the reading of this book
" oh! I know .... oh wait ... nope. Never mind.
Oooohhhhh yes ! That i- ok nevermind that theory..
Ah-ha!! .... Nope ...
NOOOOOO!
I've got it.. I know . . And no I don't
AHHH ... WHAT !? "

Down on her luck Lydia seems to have caught a break when she meets 70 year old widow , Iris . Iris invites her to move in and help around her rather large home . In tow is her husband and all his nasty behaviors. But they escaped their past life and they have a fresh new start . The thing is .. should Iris trust these strangers ?

This book was full of twists and turns. Every chapter you find out something new that will blow your mind. But you end up feeling so sad and helpless for little old widow Iris . And it breaks your heart . Then truth starts flying around . And your sympathy starts moving onto to more characters. They all have something to hide . They are all hiding a secret ..

My only grievance was the ending seem anticlimactic.. I was expecting something different to come of it. After I found out the truth . Had it pegged and was actually correct. The ending was a miss for me . I feel like there was a piece of the story . A rather large chunk of perspective missing .

All in all I would recommend this one to a thriller fan such as myself . Just don't expect the ending to be the conclusion you need .