Mary Watson
It’s not dust she’s looking for.
It’s dirt.
Esmie is supposed to be invisible. Just a cleaner with a foreign accent that no one quite has time to place. Her uniform of leggings and a duster allows her to explore the homes of the wealthy, unseen; an outsider creeping around the edges of privilege.
But as she sweeps through the exclusive Woodlands gated neighbourhood, cleaning is the last thing on her mind. Treading silently over the polished wooden floorboards and cloud-soft carpets, Esmie gathers up the mess of broken marriages, quiet deceptions and careless failures. She tucks away their fragments, keeping them safe. For now.
Because one of the residents took from her the person she loves most. She’s not here to clean; she’s here for revenge – and she’ll get it using the weapons her employers unwittingly handed her along with the keys to their homes: their own secrets…
My Review:
Mary Watson’s debut adult novel, The Cleaner, is a masterclass in suspense, delivering a gripping and original storyline that had me hooked from the very start. Without fully reading the blurb beforehand—the proof cover alone was enough to draw me in—I was immediately drawn into Esmie’s world: a cleaner who’s far more than she appears.
The tension as she navigates the secrets of the wealthy had my heart racing, constantly fearing she’d be caught snooping. Watson paints a vivid picture of a secluded street of posh houses on the edge of town, where everyone seems to be lying, hiding secrets not only from their neighbors but also from their own families and spouses. These tangled webs of deceit added layer upon layer to the story, making it even more engrossing.
Watson plays a brilliant game with the reader, putting each character in the spotlight at one point or another, creating a constant guessing game about who is responsible for the actions Esmie is seeking revenge for. I thought I had everything figured out early on, suspecting I knew who was behind it all—but I was wrong. Watson’s clever plotting kept me second-guessing myself, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was a twist that completely changed everything. It was a brilliant, unexpected turn that took the story in a direction I never saw coming.
Esmie’s journey is as emotional as it is thrilling, and her relentless determination kept me turning pages late into the night. The pacing is impeccable, and the narrative brims with tension, making it impossible to put down. Watson has crafted a story that’s both unique and utterly unforgettable.
The Cleaner is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a fresh twist. Mark your calendars for 16 January — you won’t want to miss this one!
The Author:
You can connect with Mary Watson at marywatsonbooks and on GoodReads, Instagram and Threads
The Book:
Title: The Cleaner
Author: Mary Watson
Publication Date: 16 January 2025 (preorder links)
The Review
A big thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Cleaner ahead of its publication. I was thrilled to have my wish granted, receiving a paperback copy (along with a chocolate key!) from Bantam, while the digital copy for review was released simultaneously on NetGalley.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I will never charge for a book review—#FreeBookReviewsAlways This review, or excerpts from it, may also be shared on my social media platforms (find me everywhere as momobookdiary) and on book sites like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Amazon. All links are accurate at the time of publication.
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