I’m a 2026-denier. We are still in 2025 and I still have time to post about all of my audiobooks from the last quarter of the year… So, let’s go back in time. It’s constant grey skies and rain and cold. I’m stressed at work, overwhelmed with house renovations and unprepared for Christmas. And what you won’t see in this list of reviews are the three audiobooks I started but couldn’t get into, the two audiobooks I DNF’d at over 50% and the one I keep saying I’ll get back to. Yet, over those few days in the magic period with no work, I managed to devour two audiobooks. Both thrillers and both extremely compelling. The perfect antidote to eradicating stress before a new year.
The Plot: ‘The Housemaid’ is a thriller about a wealthy woman, Nina, and her maid, Millie. Newly released from prison, Millie is sleeping in her car and desperate to get a new job. So, when she’s hired as a maid by Nina Winchester, she’s willing to put up with anything. But, as Nina’s behaviour goes from anal-retentive housewife to ridiculously demanding, Millie’s not sure if she can put up with it anymore. At least Nina’s husband is nice to her. More than nice. He’s handsome and smart and… well, Millie’s not sure what he sees in his wife.
Rating: To be honest, I read this because I kept seeing adverts for the film adaptation.But I have to admit, I’m going along with the hype. This is an addictive thriller that’ll keep you great company on a long drive or while doing errands. The pacing and short chapters kept me on the hook, and I couldn’t wait for the inevitable twist to drop. This story isn’t crazy-clever and some elements are slightly cliched and predictable. It’s not trying to be literary and some of the description is a bit basic. But it’s highly entertaining and I stormed through the audio super-quickly.
The Plot: ‘The Midnight Feast’ is a locked-room mystery novel in the style of Agatha Christie. In a West Country village, the old Manor house has been transformed into a luxury rural retreat for the London elite. To celebrate its opening night, a huge party has been planned for midsummer’s day. But just outside the gates, the local villagers have been snubbed – the beach has turned private, the woods have been enclosed and they’re more likely to be hired as a cleaner than get an invite to the big ‘do’. Then, during the opening event there’s a fire and a body is discovered…
Rating: This book is set inSouth West England and a huge theme is about class and wealth, particularly the disparities between the Londoners and “the locals”. As a recent London ex-pat to Somerset, this was hilariously apt and I was totally invested in the ridiculous “rah’s” getting their comeuppance. I always love Lucy Foley’s multi-POV, dual-timeline mysteries. She always has a group of people trapped in an old house (or similar setting) and a murder investigation in a parallel timeline. Although some elements are guessable, there’s always a satisfying twist and the good guy’s win in the end. Is this the best novel she’s written? Probably not. Do the stereotypes of the locals make me feel uncomfortable? Yes, I cringed quite a few times. But would I recommend it for a quick, fun read? Hell, yeah.
Amina's Bookshelf 