The Nanny by Manchester-based bestseller author Heather Burnside starts very slowly, introducing the reader to such a homely ambiance that I´ve asked myself few times when the crime is about to lure. Or the psychological suspense. Alex and Amanda are a young family, with a young son that just hired a nanny to take over some of the daily chores.
Few pages later, there is a crime promise luring. Because the nanny, Katelyn, is there for a mission, as she has a past with Alex. A very tormented one, in fact. As she is making her way in the family´s life, her obsession with Alex is taking unexpected turns.
The background stories of the characters, as revealed by the author are interesting and their flaws made them human and relatable. (Although, I would really love to never deal with someone like Katelyn, to be honest.)
What is shocking and twists the dynamics between characters is the simplistic and toxic idea Katelyn has on love and relationships. Alex is a very antipathic character: weak, dishonest, unable to control his reactions and to restrain Katelyn.
Both Alex and Amanda, although at different extents, are hiding their own secrets and blurry past and this web of lies they are entangled to is clearly affecting their relationship. It would have been so easy to just be honest with each other... For the reader, those revelations and twists are keeping the interest high for the next possible evolutions. The relationship between Alex and Amanda looks so empty at times and it´s really hard to figure out what really brought and is keeping them together.
The episodes regarding domestic violence against women are strong enough to make us aware of the gravity yet everyday normality of such topics.
A recommended book for a thoughtful read for psychological crime lovers.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
