photo_library36
visibility7
Productstar 5.0
The Housekeeper. Frida Makfa
This novel tells the story of Frida Makfa, a housekeeper with a story that'll tug at your heartstrings. It's full of laugh-out-loud moments and relatable scenes that'll make you feel like you're right there with her, navigating life's ups and downs.
chevron_right
A Gripping Psychological Thriller for a Cozy Night In
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently devoured 'The Servant' by Frida MacCubbin, a psychological thriller that's perfect for a quiet evening at home. The book's engaging storyline and unpredictable twists kept me on the edge of my seat, making it a great choice for anyone who loves a good mystery. While the price has gone up since I bought it, I still think it's worth the cost. The author's writing style is easy to follow, and the book's themes of obsession and manipulation are thought-provoking. If you're looking for a gripping read that'll keep you up late at night, this is a great option. Just be prepared for a wild ride! I loved how the author built tension and suspense, making it hard to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives. The book's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced action and slower, more introspective moments.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Kitap_Dizayn8/10
Kitap_Kalite9/10
Kitap_Konusu7/10
Yazar_Yaklasimi8/10
Hello there! I recently read "The Servant" by Frida MacCubbin, a psychological thriller that's perfect for a cozy night in. I received this book as a gift from a friend on New Year's Eve, and it was a great choice. At the time, the price was around 1,297 rubles, but now it's gone up to 1,550 rubles. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra cost, but I'll try to justify it in this review.
Let's start with some basics. The book is a psychological thriller, and it's a great choice for a cozy night in. Here are some key details:
Book title: The Servant.
This is a psychological thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.Year of publication: 2022.
Author: Frida MacCubbin.
Short description: a psychological thriller with an unpredictable ending that'll keep you hooked.
The blurb promises a thrilling read, and I'm no exception – I was looking forward to it after reading the blurb.
Book design: the cover is soft and sturdy. The cover is a lovely blue color, with the title written in yellow letters.
The book's pages are white and dense.
I was surprised by how clean and fresh this book smells – or rather, doesn't smell. Most books have that distinctive book smell, but this one is completely odor-free, no matter how many times I sniffed it.
Page count: 305 pages.
Plot seems like a pretty standard setup: a family hires a maid, and the maid has a complicated past. But this isn't a romance – it's a psychological thriller.
As you might have guessed, the maid is a young, attractive woman (although the author doesn't go into much detail about her appearance, except to mention that she has light brown hair). The rest of the characters are the family – the mother, Nina, her husband Andrew, their daughter, and a gardener named Enzo who makes a few appearances.
The story takes place in the summer, and most of the action happens in the family's big house. The maid is given a tiny room on the attic, which is described in a really atmospheric way – I love moments like that.
12
It's not hard to guess that the attic plays a big role in the story. It's a creepy, atmospheric place that adds to the thriller vibe.
One thing that really stands out about this book is the writing style. It's super conversational and easy to follow, with short, simple sentences that make you feel like you're right there with the protagonist. The dialogue is snappy and engaging, and you get a real sense of the character's inner world, her thoughts and feelings about the situation and the people around her.
The first part of the book is told from the perspective of the maid, Millie. And let me tell you, her name is a bit of a contrast to the long, fancy names you might expect from this kind of story.
She tells us about her life working for the family, interacting with the mistress, her daughter, and the husband. It's fascinating to see how she perceives them, and how she starts to develop feelings for the husband, while trying to suppress them.
Getting to know Andrew
76As Millie describes her growing resentment towards her employers and her daughter, and her increasing infatuation with the husband, you start to wonder if this is going to be a romance novel. But nope, it's a psychological thriller, and it's a wild ride.
And don't even get me started on the attic room. It's a whole other level of creepy. 30 I really enjoy reading about cozy little rooms. p. 40I loved reading about the housekeeper and the married owner sneaking off to the musical and then having dinner at a restaurant. A romantic plotline in a psychological thriller, even with a married person – why not?
122So, what did I expect going forward? I thought it would be a predictable plot: the newly minted couple becomes lovers, and the wronged wife hunts them down with a chainsaw. And it all happens at night, in a quiet and deserted house where every dark corner seems ominous...
But... my expectations were not met. I won't spoil it – you'll find out by reading the book.
The second part of the book is told from the perspective of... Nina, the house owner.
179 It's interesting to read the thoughts of a woman who's portrayed as crazy in the first part of the book. You read and think – who's actually crazy?I'd say the second part of the book is more atmospheric than the first. But don't start reading from the second part without finishing the first. You won't understand what's going on, why, or how.
As for the ending, I'll just say that a famous meme applies here: 'That's a plot twist!'
I have to say, the epilogue didn't quite sit right with me. It does hint at the possibility of the story continuing, but the feeling that the maid is going to be used to solve problems her employer can't handle on her own is a bit of a downer. And, to be honest, that's not exactly the kind of thing that makes me root for the maid. But hey, that's just my two cents – you might disagree.
Where to read the book? If you want to get fully immersed in the psychological thriller, I'd recommend reading it in either:
a closet; a storage room; or, if you want to get really atmospheric, on the attic. I started out reading it in my old, comfy armchair, under the light of a single desk lamp. But then I stumbled upon a little nook my son had built under the bed, and I found myself reading in there, under the same desk lamp. It was like I was trapped in a small, enclosed space – and it actually added to the book's eerie, mysterious vibe. I have to say, I was only halfway through the second part at the time.
I did have a moment where I was tempted to skip to the end of the book, but I managed to resist. I think it would've been a bit rude to the author, and it was also a good exercise in self-control.
Bonus. I think the book's high price point is partly due to the fact that it came with a nice, colorful bookmark featuring the maid sitting on the attic.
Maybe it's so you can use the bookmark as a placeholder and imagine the scene for yourself. Another nice touch: the QR code with a link to a bonus for 'The Servant' book.
I was initially skeptical about this book, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up enjoying it. It's a great choice for a cozy night in, and I'd definitely recommend it. The writing style is conversational and easy to follow, with short, simple sentences that make you feel like you're right there with the protagonist. The dialogue is snappy and engaging, and you get a real sense of the character's inner world, her thoughts and feelings about the situation and the people around her.
One of the things that really stands out about this book is the way it keeps you guessing. I was surprised by the twists and turns, and I didn't see the ending coming. It's a great example of how a psychological thriller should be written.
As for the ending, I'll just say that it's a classic 'plot twist' moment. I won't give away any spoilers, but let's just say that it's a wild ride.
Overall, I'd say that this book is a great choice for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. It's a wild ride, full of twists and turns, and it'll keep you guessing until the very end.
So, if you're looking for a book to read on a cozy night in, I'd definitely recommend 'The Servant' by Frida MacCubbin. It's a great choice, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for reading!
A little about my son's bookshelf, where I read this book
The 'Nanny' book - an interesting book about a 'resurrected' nanny
The 'Mukhtar. He's back' series - a continuation of the series about a super intelligent police dog.
The 'Apprecot' rock concert - a super energetic band with a great voice.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is 'The Servant' a good choice for a cozy night in?
Yes, 'The Servant' is a great choice for a cozy night in. The book's engaging storyline and unpredictable twists will keep you on the edge of your seat, making it a great option for anyone who loves a good mystery.
What are the book's themes?
The book's themes include obsession, manipulation, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
Is the book's writing style easy to follow?
Yes, the book's writing style is easy to follow, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
Are the book's characters well-developed?
Yes, the book's characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives.
Is the book's ending predictable?
Some readers might find the book's ending a bit predictable, although I didn't see it coming.
What's the book's price?
The book's price has gone up since I bought it, but I still think it's worth the cost.
Is the book suitable for all ages?
No, the book's themes of obsession and manipulation can be disturbing at times, so reader discretion is advised.
Can I return the book if I don't like it?
Yes, you can return the book if you don't like it, but I think you'll find it's a great read.
How long does it take to read the book?
I finished the book in a week, but it depends on your reading speed.
check_circlePros
- •The book's engaging storyline is full of twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end.
- •The author's writing style is easy to follow, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
- •The themes of obsession and manipulation are thought-provoking and added depth to the story.
- •The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives.
- •The book's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced action and slower, more introspective moments.
- •The author does a great job of building tension and suspense, making it hard to put the book down.
- •The book's themes are well-explored, making it a great choice for readers who love a good mystery.
- •The author's use of language is vivid and engaging, making it easy to visualize the story.
cancelCons
- •The book's price has gone up since I bought it, which might be a turn-off for some readers.
- •The book's themes of obsession and manipulation can be disturbing at times, so reader discretion is advised.
- •Some readers might find the book's ending a bit predictable, although I didn't see it coming.
- •The book's characters can be a bit one-dimensional at times, which might make it hard to become fully invested in their lives.
- •The book's writing style can be a bit clichéd at times, which might make it feel a bit predictable.
- •The book's themes of obsession and manipulation can be a bit heavy-handed at times, which might be off-putting for some readers.
- •The book's plot can be a bit convoluted at times, which might make it hard to follow.
- •The book's characters' motivations can be a bit unclear at times, which might make it hard to understand their actions.
