Book review: The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet

Caroline and Francis have hit a bit of a rough patch in their marriage. After a period of prolonged fighting, near divorce and an affair, the couple has decided to take some time together to go away and work on their relationship. With their young son in the care of Caroline’s parents, and a house swap arranged with a stranger in another city, they seem to be all set for a getaway that won’t break the bank, but could serve as a fresh start. However, Caroline finds herself out of sorts during their trip as small but consistent reminders of her past and her affair creep into her mind, spoiling any attempt at reconciliation with her husband. As she starts to wonder if there is more to the innocent but bland house they are staying in than meets the eye, she can’t help but recall her past, her reckless abandonment with another man, and the catalysts that almost ruined her marriage and her life.

The House Swap can only be defined as a sexy thriller. With a narrative laced with lust, mistrust and hair-raising suspense, there is no way that you cannot enjoy this book. A profound tension is built up throughout the novel as the reader is slowly exposed to Caroline’s infidelity, and inadvertently given the job of working out what exactly is wrong with a picture that seems, from the outside, to be idyllic. As Caroline fights to stay in the present, the reader fights to uncover her past. Sharp and witty writing accompany a fast-paced narrative that is as exciting as it is easy to read in Fleet’s offering of domestic noir and the suspense of the ordinary. With a final flourish in an unexpected twist, this book is a worthy contender among the myriad whodunits currently available, and speaks to Fleet’s creativity and skill.

The House Swap is an easy and addictive read that captivates and entertains, and I cannot wait to see more from Rebecca Fleet.

The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet is published by Penguin Random House.