“She’s about to step inside and resume her search for Tom when she sees him. He’s directly below her, in the swimming pool, floating, facedown and motionless.”
The Manor House, Gilly Macmillan
Looking for a suburban thriller that’s White Locus meets Nine Perfect Strangers? The Manor House is the perfect blend! The main characters, Tom and Nicole, are fabulously over-the-top rich after winning the lottery and are trying to fit in with their wealthy neighbors. They have just built a giant glass barn in a secluded area. Their closest neighbors, Sasha and Olly, live in a traditional English manor, fit with features like a Great Hall and servants’ quarters.
Nicole arrives home from running errands all day and discovers Tom’s body floating in the pool. She immediately runs to the Manor House to get help. Olly runs to the Glass Barn to see if there’s anything he can do to save Tom, Sasha calls the police, makes sure Nicole is settled with their housekeeper, Kitty, then heads out to help Olly. Unfortunately, they’re all too late.
As the detectives begin their investigation, they have very few leads. The only motive they can find is Nicole and Tom’s brand-new fortune. As they start interviewing Nicole, Sasha, Olly, and Kitty, the detectives seem to find more questions and no answers. The four neighbors are the only people around for miles, and seem to have no clue what could’ve happened to Tom.
Because the majority of the story happens between the Manor House and the Glass Barn, the two extravagant homes are almost as much a part of the book as the main characters, and their descriptions bring them to life. The Glass Barn is modern, stark, and filled with impossible technology. Conversely, the Manor House is old, filled with secret passages and unused rooms. The two couples that live in these houses are fleshed out so well that each new twist feels like a true shock.
Ready for my full review (with spoilers)? Continue reading here!
This book is definitely a thriller, with Tom’s suspicious death happening within the first few chapters. And as the death is investigated, the intensity goes even higher. This will definitely keep your attention with its quick pace and sneaky twists!
Read with Fern 
Leave a comment