A review by blanchreads
The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 

I’m in my mystery thriller binge mode and been reading  them one after the other.  This is another new author to me and  while I kinda enjoy this one, I find it a bit absurd. 

 

 

Nicole and Tom, childhood sweethearts, wins the lottery that changes their lives overnight.  They are living their life  they never imagined to have - mansion, fancy cars, expensive things and hobbies.  But this dream is turned into nightmares when Tom is found dead by Nicole faced down in the pool.  While in the process of grieving, she finds solace with the people around her,  the young couple who live  in the Manor and their housekeeper staying at the Coach House beside her, and Tom’s friend  from school has turned up. But not all of them have good intentions.  As investigation continues,  Nicole starts to think that Tom’s death was not an accident and that her life is in danger as well. 

 

It starts strong and captivating. Finding the dead person in the opening scene is very intriguing. As the story goes, it seems to be getting predictable. I like the vibe it’s giving, the mystery and the tense moments.  There are a few twists, some good and surprising that I didn’t see coming and some a bit far fetched, something that will not make me believe easily. The ending is not something I agree but enjoyed it still. 

 

 Overall, if you like slow-burn mystery with lots of unlikable characters, you might just want to pick this up.