This book started off quite strong however I did lose interest quite quickly. Unfortunately the characters were hard to find any connections with and I actually found the main character quite annoying, which meant I didn’t really have the drive to find out what had happened. The conversation and relationships between characters didn’t feel real unfortunately. I really enjoy fast paced thrillers and this just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Esmie is out to avenge what happened to her brother Nico.

In her tatty uniform of leggings and t shirt she quietly goes about her deadly business right under the nose of those who employ her

Being a lowly cleaner for the rich residents of a quiet neighbourhood she uncovers secrets and desires that she isn't meant to know.

I loved this book. It is deadly, full of deceit and with lots of drama.

This would make a good TV drama. The characters are unlikeable but the plot is riviting.

I loved the premise of this and had high expectations for something different and fresh. The setting and characters worked well but the plot didnt feel especially new or distinctive and the prose/protagnosit voice didnt always sparkle for me. It was, however,, an entertaining easy read. It reminded me of The Housemaid to an extent but didn't land quite as well as that book.

I loved this. The lies, and the deceit was highly entertaining. I had a few guesses but genuinely didn’t know how this would pan out. My jaw DROPPED multiple times.
The DRAMA in this was chaotic but in the best way. The twist at the end was just mind blowing, I read the whole book genuinely holding my breath and sat on the edge of my seat, huge props to the author for keeping my guessing the entire time.
To add to the suspense was the timeline jumps. Subtle enough to give you a little bit of the puzzle but not enough for you to figure out the picture. Always giving you a crumb, leaving you needing more and unable to stop reading until you got more!
Very well written.

"The Cleaner" by Mary Watson is an outstanding adult novel debut. As promised author delivers very complex plot with dark and atmospheric twist. It is incredible picture of family links, jealousy, secrets and revenge. Likeable characters are changing with each exposed secret and teaching us that we all have darkness within. It is definitely well thought book and deserves 5 stars.

Description :
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…

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Esmie is a cleaner for an exclusive neighbourhood in Ireland. Wearing plain t-shirts and leggings, Esmie is invisible to the privileged families who live at The Woodlands.

But Esmie isn’t really a cleaner. She’s only there for one thing, revenge. Quietly sneaking around and scrambling for pieces of information, Esmie soon finds herself entangled in the lives of the people that she came to destroy.

The Cleaner is Mary Watson’s debut adult book. I read this in less than one day, a real page turner. Full of thoroughly dislikeable people, plot twists and a few surprises along the way.

3.5 stars


What a bunch of thoroughly dislikeable people.
With their secrets and obsessions, lies and manipulations.
We know from the start Esmie is out yo discover what happened to her brother Nico in this small community, and becoming the cleaner, someone who hardly gets noticed is perfect cover.
She unearths a few surprises along the way, which was entertaining.
An enjoyable read.

In the Woodlands gated community, the well heeled never notice the hired help. Put on an overall and leggings, and brandish a duster, and it renders you invisible.

Esmie is there to clean up. Not just the detritus of the lives which are less than perfect the closer you look. She's there for revenge.

And her weapons of choice are the secrets that the Woodlands residents try to keep hidden.

Excellent