The Housekeeper, Joy Fielding, author; Finlay Stevenson, narrator
From beginning to end, this book will keep you guessing with lies, misdirection, secrets, manipulation, and infidelity. Who are the members of the Dundas family, and what are they really like in reality? Audrey is a former dancer who now has Parkinson’s disease. Victor has retired from his real estate business to care for her. They have two daughters, Jodi and Tracy, both over forty. One daughter, Jodi, is responsible, married and hardworking, though under-appreciated, and the other is a free spirit. Although four years older than Jodi, Tracy still has not found herself or her purpose in life. She doesn’t work steadily at anything meaningful. She has tried various jobs, but she quickly loses interest in most everything. Her father still supports her, paying for her rent, clothing, etc. Although she is often simply too busy to help her sister care for their parents, since she is preoccupied with taking care of herself, she is the best loved child. It is fortunate that Jodi is a compliant and agreeable young woman who avoids confrontation and simply accepts this behavior, shouldering the greater burden. Often, Tracy even twists events to make her sister Jodi look like the villain and she like the heroine. Jodi docilely accepts this cruelty, because it is simply Tracy being Tracy.
Jodi, the more responsible daughter who calls often and helps her parents, is also the one often insulted and degraded by the remarks made by her family and even her husband. While Traci is beloved and rewarded with praise for doing nothing, Jodi is often criticized. Traci seems to be cherished as perfect by both parents, while Jodi is regarded as not living up to her potential and is disregarded. Although she wants their approval and works for it, she never gets it. She has two children of her own, Samuel, who is eight, and Daphne who is three. Jodi is the main breadwinner of her family. She is a realtor in the business founded by her father, Dundas Real Estate. Her very handsome husband, Harrison Bishop, is working on his second novel. His last novel, written ten years prior, was a best seller. Like her father, he is difficult to please, and is often demanding, always feeling that his schedule has less flexibility than hers, and that she takes advantage of him because he works from home. Both Victor and Harrison have sharp tongues and are accomplished at giving left-handed compliments.
Harrison feels like a house husband, and because he resents his position and is jealous of hers, he is angry when she seems to devote too much of her time to her job and her “other” family. He feels neglected, although he appears to be catered to and is well loved. When Audrey’s health deteriorates further, Jodi recognizes that she and her almost 80-year-old father can no longer care for her alone. Partially to appease her husband and also to help her father, she engages a housekeeper to give them all more free time. Jodi’s parents are not easy people to please, though, so when she finds the perfect candidate, she cannot believe her good fortune. Even her father gives the housekeeper, Elyse Woodley, the seal of approval. She seems heaven sent, even loving Daphne and Sam, along with being kind and caring to her mother and catering to her father’s arrogant behavior and demands. She never watches the clock and often just stays at the house even when she is not working. Claiming that she enjoys being there, she even makes herself available to Jodi, encouraging her to lean on her shoulder when she seems tired and stressed because of her own personal problems.
Soon, however, things are not exactly what they seemed to be at first. Audrey’s health declines and Jodi grows suspicious of the relationship between her father and Elyse. As Harrison seems to grow more and more distant from her, Jodi grows even more confused about all the changes occurring around her and is even more filled with self-doubt. Elyse had good references so why was Jodi second guessing her decision to hire her? Observing the interaction between the two sisters, as a diabolical plan plays out, the reader will see them morph into more competent adults, both finally gaining the judgment and maturity to make better decisions. Human frailties live large on the pages, and they show us how insecurity can cloud our vision.