June 20, 2022
Toronto real estate broker Jodi Bishop, the narrator of this engrossing psychological thriller from bestseller Fielding (Cul-De-Sac), has a lot to worry about. Jodi’s husband, a onetime literary sensation whose second novel has been stalled for years, takes his writing too seriously to care for their children. Her parents, Vic and Audrey Dundas, are overwhelmed by Audrey’s advanced Parkinson’s disease. When Audrey suffers a dangerous fall, Jodi overrides her father’s objections and hires a live-in housekeeper. Interviewing Elyse Woodley after several lackluster candidates, Jodi ignores her sense that the vibrant 62-year-old widow seems too good to be true. Elyse promptly charms Vic and gets the Dundas household organized, freeing Jodi to focus on her embattled marriage and busy career. Then Audrey’s health fails precipitously while Elyse begins wearing Audrey’s expensive Cartier watch and limiting Jodi’s access to her parents. Unsure whether these are warning signs or coincidences, Jodi tries to ensure her parents’ safety without overriding their wishes. Though this isn’t Fielding’s most inventive plot, her well-wrought characters carry the story. This insightful exploration of the complexities of caring for aging relatives deserves a wide readership. Agent: Tracy Fisher, WME.
June 10, 2024
As Jodi's mother faces her final battle with Parkinson's, balancing her parents' needs with her family and career becomes too much. Disrespected by her family and desperate for help, Jodi interviews candidates to step in as housekeeper and health aide. When the practically perfect Elyse comes along, with knowledge of degenerative diseases and a seemingly genuine kindness and compassion, Jodi can't hire her fast enough. Things take a dark turn, however, as Elyse gets a little too friendly with Jodi's father and a little too comfortable "borrowing" jewelry and clothing from Jodi's ailing mother. Too late, Jodi remembers what they say about things that seem too good to be true. Fielding (All the Wrong Places; The Bad Daughter) has created a compelling, character-driven story full of secrets and suspense. Cliffhangers and foreshadowing keep the narrative fast-paced, while narrator Finlay Stevenson enhances the unsettling atmosphere with tones varying from fragile to frantic. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners looking for an intricately plotted psychological suspense where nothing is as it seems and betrayal abounds. Recommended for fans of Lisa Scottoline, Tarryn Fisher, and David Bell.--Lauren Hackert
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