This is one of those wonderfully unsettling reads that keeps you off-balance from start to finish. It begins with Meg returning to the grand estate where she once grew up—this time as a nanny to two young children. But from the moment she steps inside, it’s clear something isn’t quite right.
One Dark Summer by Saskia Sarginson
Genres: Thriller

It was the summer that changed everything…

With trembling hands, Meg knocks on the door of the large manor house. Behind her, the view down to the river is spectacular. She’s here to be the nanny to two young children.

It’s not the job Meg is anxious about, though. It’s the house itself that scares her, and the secrets lurking inside. Not only that, but will her new employer recognise her?

The door opens. A beautiful, smiling woman greets her and ushers her inside.

As she walks in, Meg realizes the house is exactly as she remembers. Her employer hasn’t changed much, either, unlike Meg. The last time they met was fifteen years ago, when Meg was a child.

Because this is where Meg lived the summer her mother went missing. The summer her life changed. The summer Meg believes she killed a man.

Now she’s back, in disguise as Margaret the nanny, and determined to find out what really happened. But some secrets are best left buried. Because someone knows exactly who Meg is, and they will do whatever it takes to keep her quiet…

A completely gripping, powerfully-written, nailbitingly-twisty thriller, guaranteed to keep readers up all night, from bestselling Richard & Judy Bookclub author, Saskia Sarginson. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Freida McFadden and Girl on the Train.

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Review

Deben Manor holds secrets that refuse to stay buried in this atmospheric, emotionally rich mystery that pulled me in with its layered characters and slow-burning intrigue. After her mother’s mysterious disappearance, Meg spends a formative summer at her cousins’ sprawling estate. Years later, under a new identity, she returns—determined to uncover the truth that has haunted her for years.

What begins as a quiet re-entry into a once-familiar world gradually unravels into a complex exploration of grief, memory, and the shadows families keep hidden. I loved how the story wove between past and present, gradually revealing the emotional threads that bind these characters. While the transitions between timelines felt a bit jarring at first, they ultimately added to the fragmented, unsettled tone that suits a mystery of this kind.

The characters truly shine in this story. Meg is a deeply compelling lead, and the evolution of her relationships with her mother and cousins is heartfelt and beautifully written. The emotional growth across timelines gave the story a sense of depth and authenticity that made the quieter moments feel just as meaningful as the reveals.

Though it leans more toward mystery than fast-paced thriller, the atmosphere, character development, and emotional undercurrent make this a standout read. If you love stories that center around old houses, long-buried family secrets, and the quiet unraveling of truth, this is a book you won’t want to miss.

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