The first book in the Housemaid series was pretty interesting. What made it such a unique closed-room (no pun intended) mystery was its brilliant execution of the shock-and-awe factors. Does the second book retain that thrilling punch-to-gut moment? Well, the answer is not so simple as the story is now complicated and fragmented, with new characters filling in their backstories.

Like the initial instalment, this second novel is carried forward by Millie’s story. She is now in-between jobs after working for different families as a maid in New York City. Technically, she has moved away from her previous employer, Nina Winchester, and their complicated entanglement. But in reality, that episode has boosted her confidence in acting as a vigilante for women experiencing toxic relationships and facing abuse in their everyday lives. No wonder then she decides to be a good Samaritan for her new employer- Douglas Garrick’s wife, Wendy.

Readers like me who are acquainted with the familiar tropes of this series and how it progresses won’t be surprised with the challenge accepted by Millie to ‘rescue’ Wendy by any means from her ‘abusive husband’ on priority. However, things soon start going south, and Millie realises, a tad too late, that she has paid a hefty price that can land her back in prison for life.

Initially, Millie is acting alone, but later, she is joined by her ex-boyfriend Enzo to support her in any means possible. It is Enzo who literally saves her and also the plotline of this somewhat predictable tome.

Otherwise, we are stuck with mindless love-me-love-me-not games played between Millie and her oh-so-perfect-almost-boyfriend Brock. He is dull as a dumbwaiter and is a perfect caricature of a middle class white collar professional who distances himself from any potential scandals or reputational damage at the first available opportunity.

The return of Enzo not only guarantees some much-needed machismo and sultry elements in this second novel of our morally fixated housemaid but also helps in carrying the story forward in the way only he could. The story climaxes with an unexpected twist and an unpredictable ending, thus keeping the readers hooked on till the end.

Definitely a recommended read for the fans of such captivating thriller books and all those who are glued to the Housemaid series from the first book onwards. Happy Reading!