The Nanny

The Nanny is a fantastic psychological thriller by Ruth Heald. I have read every one of her books and they all are unputdownable. In The Nanny, there are many twists and turns but they particularly happen in short sequence beginning at the midway point in the book. 

The publisher's summary:  

"I clutched baby Chloe's blanket, tears streaming down my face as I remember the night she disappeared. I looked up at the apartment block I once called home. I knew I'd never be welcome here again. One mistake had ruined everything.

When I  accepted a job working as a nanny for David and Julie and their young children, I couldn't believe my luck. I bonded with the baby Chloe instantly and would have done anything for her. She had David's thick dark hair and smiling eyes. I fell in love with her and was excited about her future. But when a terrible mistake led to Chloe disappearing, I was instantly blamed. With no evidence, I was let go and I returned home to try and rebuild my life. 

Twenty years later and I am still haunted by what happened. I have a family of my own now and I've worked hard to be the best wife and mother I can be. But I've never forgotten the child who stole my heart. Then a young woman arrived on my doorstep and the past secret that I have kept from my family comes hurtling into my present. I try to tell myself that I am overreacting but the woman in front of me looks so much like David. Who is she and why is she here?"

I loved this book. It is plot driven with a super fast pace. Half of the story takes place in 1999 Thailand and half in London in the present day. There isn't much that the Thailand setting provides other than being known for its stiff criminal penalties. 

There are quite a few characters. Hayley is the main character and she is married to Lars with a young daughter named Alice. Hayley's mother lives with them also as she has early dementia and mom has a caregiver named Michelle. In 1999 Hayley had been traveling during her gap year with two girlfriends and they landed in Bangkok. Running short of money caused her to accept a job with British expats David and Julie MacFarlane as a nanny for their newborn infant Chloe and two of David's daughters from an earlier marriage. 

Hayley has alot of secrets that she has kept from her girlfriends, the MacFarlanes, her husband and mother. Trying to keep them all close to her heart gives the story tension that keeps the reader engaged. We don't know what the secrets are and I wasn't sure who was going to turn out to be the villain. While the story is told in alternating time periods, there is no alternating plot. 

The Nanny is sure to be a hit with mystery lovers. 5 out of 5 stars.