The Housekeeper's Secret
A Memoir
by Sandra Schnakenburg
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date 3 Dec 2024 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2025
Sandra Schnakenburg | She Writes Press
Description
When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea that she’s about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At the age of seventy-two, Lee falls ill and on her deathbed asks Sandy to write her story. The only problem is, Sandy doesn’t know the story.
Embarking on a quest to honor Lee’s final wishes, Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths not only about her beloved housekeeper but also her own upbringing. As she digs further, she learns that Lee came to her family’s sprawling estate in Barrington, IL, harboring a secret past. For decades, she’s been in hiding. But Lee is not the only one with secrets; Sandy’s quest forces her to grapple with her own family history as well, and to finally confront the effects of the psychological abuse she suffered as a child.
Both a chilling and exciting personal tale of love and survival, The Housekeeper’s Secret is a gripping saga that illuminates the resilience of the human spirit.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781647427603 |
| PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 22 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1168908
What a touching but at times difficult book to read. The Housekeepers Secrets tells the story of how a family is held together by Lee the housekeeper, when she arrives and finds the family falling apart by an abusive father/husband who seems only interested in what is in his best interest. As the story unravels over the years so does the story of Lee and the horrors somewhat of the family, more sadness than happiness. The story does end on a happier note and I am glad I read the book. Thank you NetGalley for the read.
Reviewer 1440467
This intriguing memoir captivates readers until the very end. It is a story about the housekeeper, Lee Metoyer, but it includes descriptions of the lives of the individual family members, chiefly the overbearing and abusive husband and father. As the family grows, Lee and the author's mother hold the family together through love, support, warmth, and caring.
The author writes and researches Lee's story, which she always kept secret from the family. It is shocking, brutal, and remarkable. The author writes Lee's story with honesty and compassion while honoring her beloved housekeeper. Sandra's writing throughout the book is heartfelt and gracious. Her sincere and vivid descriptions of Lee encourage readers to understand and appreciate her completely.
This is an emotional story that will move readers. I enjoyed it immensely.
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