THE HOUSEMATE

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞
𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐢 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝟒𝟓𝟒
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫/ 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲
𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑


The entire nation of Australia was shaken by a crime that sent shockwaves through the community. After a turbulent party in a Melbourne suburb, three female housemates became the subjects of infamy. The next morning, the scene revealed a horrifying tableau: one housemate was brutally murdered, another covered in her blood, and the third mysteriously vanished, her body never found. The nation was captivated by the Housemate Homicide – a perplexing and disturbing case that remained unsolved for years, leaving everyone baffled and enthralled, including Olive Groves, a journalist who rose to prominence covering the initial murder and subsequently became consumed by the quest to crack the case.

Nearly a decade later, the missing housemate's remains are discovered on a remote property in the Victorian countryside. Despite grappling with her own personal demons, Olive is assigned to report on the unfolding story, propelling her back into the depths of her deepest obsession. Partnered with Cooper Ng, a millennial podcaster, Olive becomes deeply engrossed in the investigation, reigniting her fervent determination.

As they dig into the intricacies of the murder and the lives of the three women involved, Olive and Cooper stumble upon shocking revelations. The housemates harboured hidden depths and sinister secrets that remained concealed for years. The true identities of these women were far from what they appeared, and the mysteries surrounding the case deepen even further. What could have driven them to commit such heinous acts, and what was the dreadful secret they were willing to protect at any cost?
As Olive delves deeper, she begins to uncover a dark and intricate conspiracy that stretches beyond the Housemate Homicide. The web of deceit may have tendrils closer to her own life than she ever anticipated, threatening to shatter her world. In her relentless pursuit of the truth, Olive risks everything, unsure if she is prepared for the devastating consequences that await her once the enigmatic puzzle comes to light. The path to resolution may be fraught with danger and uncertainty, and Olive will soon learn that some secrets are best left buried in the shadows.

This murder mystery is exceptionally well-crafted, keeping readers engrossed throughout. Oli and Cooper stand out with their intriguing personalities, adding depth to the story. The plot is laden with numerous unexpected twists, making it challenging to guess the true identity of the killer and the motive behind the Housemate murders until the very end. The writing style is both engaging and easy to follow, making the story a gripping read.
While I appreciated how all loose ends were neatly tied up, I must admit that I occasionally found myself confused while reading the book. The abundance of characters, some existing only as memories, made it necessary to reread sections to decipher who was involved in each part of the plot. Despite this, the overall narrative is compelling, leaving readers hooked till the final revelation. One aspect that struck me while reading the book is its length; I felt that it could have been condensed to around 300 pages. The storyline is undoubtedly gripping, but after reaching the 300-350 page mark, I became eager to uncover the motive and the culprit behind the murders. If the book had been around 300 pages, it would have been perfect for thriller lovers. Even if the suspense had been maintained for a more extended period, as a reader, I think it might have made the story feel slightly slow-paced.

My Rating:

4/5

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