Working from my backlog again this week, I turn to The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan. I read a lot of thrillers and mysteries, so naturally there are countless authors who I have yet to encounter. Macmillan is one such author. I've been aware of her books for several years now, but I've never gotten to an opportunity to read one of her books. Enter The Nanny. I jumped at the chance to review this one when the publisher offered me a copy late last year. I devoured the novel in a few short sittings, and then, as is too often the case, it sat on my list of books to write a review for. At the start of this year, I vowed to work through that list of last year's reads, and have done a pretty good job of working my way through it. So without further ado, here are some thoughts on The Nanny. As is popular in many modern thrillers, The Nanny unfolds through alternating time periods, shifting between the past and present. I usually have a mixed reaction to this technique. Frankly, the shifting time periods can often muddy the clarity of the narrative and make it hard to follow along. That is not the case with this one at all. Macmillan effortlessly manages to keep the two time periods distinct while slowly driving them toward a very satisfying conclusion. If you are going to employ a common technique, you better do it well. Macmillan masterfully weaves together both of her narrative threads.
The novel focuses on the wealthy Holt family. Thirty years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Holt hired a nanny named Hannah to look after their daughter Jo. Jo's mother has always been more concerned with maintaining the family's high societal position than fostering a strong relationship with her daughter. While Lady Virginia Holt meticulously tended to the Holt estate, a strong, mother-daughter like bond formed between Hannah and Jo. Then one day everything changed. Hannah went missing out of the blue. Jo was beside herself, longing to continue the warm relationship she had with her nanny. Lady Virginia told Jo that she was the reason for Hannah's sudden departure. Jo's bad behavior became too much for the nanny to bear and drove her away.
In the present day, Jo and her young daughter Ruby are abandoning their life in California and returning to her childhood home in the English countryside. The sudden loss of Jo's husband precipitated the need for this sudden change. Jo and Virginia have been estranged for years, but they are the only family each other has left. Nothing brings a family together like a tragedy. As Jo and Ruby begin to settle into their new life, they decide to take a rowboat to the island in the middle of the small lake that rests behind the Holt estate. On the island, Ruby makes a startling discovery, the remains of what can only be a human skull.
The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan mixes family drama and childhood trauma with a modern-day thriller, the kind that will have you devouring the book in only a few sittings. I've already mentioned that the alternating timelines work well in this one. They truly add to the suspense as the revelations of the past begin to impact the motivations of the present-day character. The story in this one unfolds pretty much as I expected it to. I'm not sure if that has more to do with the story itself of just the pure amount of thrillers that I read these days. Still, there weren't any real shocks or twists that I didn't see coming in advance. That being said, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glued to this book. Each of the characters are well-written, the kind of characters that have enough emotional depth and complexity to sustain this otherwise straightforward narrative. Macmillan writes of a family drama that is relatable and increasingly engaging as the novel progresses. The Nanny is a solid thriller with the kind of flawed and believable characters that I love reading about. I'll be eager to read more from Macmillan soon.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 39)
Have you read The Au Pair? It sounds similar in some regards and is fantastic, though slightly unbelievable in one aspect. Still, you might give it a go. I am requesting this one now, big surprise! I am #5 in the queue on 6 copies.
ReplyDeleteI have not, but I'll certainly look it up now! Be warned, this one was more middle of the road for me, but at least you won't have to wait long for it!
DeleteThank you for the heads-up, if you only kind of liked it I will probably hate it! Emma Rous is the author and it was a really decent mystery. The only reason I did not give it five stars was the whole part that I mention that just kind of defies logic. It's an important part, but at the same time, the rest of the book was JUST. THAT. GOOD.
DeleteAdding to my ever-growing TBR!
DeleteHa, then you can start joining my 'Tackling the TBR' every week!
DeleteI don't have quite that many just yet haha
DeleteJust give it time! ;)
DeleteIt takes a lot of discipline to keep in manageable lol.
DeleteDespite not having a bunch of twists or surprises for you, I'm glad this book kept you reading! And yay for a book where dual timelines really work.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Me too. Sometimes characters can be the driving force behind a thriller. While this didn't end up being my favorite, I was still invested in the story.
DeleteI think it's a testament to an author's skill if they can keep you utterly riveted with a story, and don't need a twist to keep you going. THis sounds fantastic. And I need to check this author out more.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This wasn't my favorite book, but I'm still eager to read more from the author.
DeleteI am really impressed that you can write such a detailed review for a book you read months ago. Ah, to be young and have a steel-trap memory again. 😂 I am a fan of the dual timelines, when it comes to this genre. I like trying to find the clues or how the two time periods relate to each other.
ReplyDeleteI take notes for each book I read to help with writing reviews, so that definitely helps lol.
DeleteI am so bad with thrillers, I need to read more
ReplyDeleteI LOVE a good thriller!
DeleteI'm not a huge thriller fan but so much of my regular reading isn't connecting with me right now so I might give this a try.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I've been having the same troubles lately. Turning to genres outside of my normal reading habits has been a real help to me!
DeleteThis does sound like a book I'd really enjoy. I actually an quite a fan of the alternating timelines. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt is worth a read if you enjoy the genre!
DeleteI agree with you - with so many thrillers on the market today, it's hard for one to really distinguish itself from another. If you read enough of them, they all tend to blend together. That being said, I like Macmillan. THE NANNY isn't my favorite of hers, but it still kept me glued to the pages, same as you.
ReplyDeleteWhich one would you say is your favorite? I'm eager to read more from her!
DeleteWHAT SHE KNEW is my favorite one, but I also really liked ODD CHILD OUT and THE PERFECT GIRL.
DeleteThanks for the recommendations!
DeleteI am always up for a good thriller, especially during the summer months for whatever reason. I will definitely check into this one more.
ReplyDeleteIt is a quick read that serves its purpose nicely. I'm keen to read more from Macmillan since I've heard some of her other books are better.
DeleteI have a hard time writing a review for a book I read in the past. Bravo that you were able to do it and well! I also have mixed reactions to stories with different time narratives. Glad to hear this one worked. I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that problem too. As my backlog of books started to grow, I began taking notes about each book I read. This way it is much easier to remember my thoughts and reactions!
DeleteI missed this review. For some reason I love thrillers in the summer. This sounds good. Thanks for deciding to review it!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! I know you love a good thriller like I do!
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