The Housekeeper

Toronto real estate broker Jodi Bishop, the narrator of this engrossing psychological thriller from bestseller Fielding (Cul-De-Sac), has a lot to worry about. Jodi’s husband, a onetime literary sensation whose second novel has been stalled for years, takes his writing too seriously to care for their children. Her parents, Vic and Audrey Dundas, are overwhelmed by Audrey’s advanced Parkinson’s disease. When Audrey suffers a dangerous fall, Jodi overrides her father’s objections and hires a live-in housekeeper. Interviewing Elyse Woodley after several lackluster candidates, Jodi ignores her sense that the vibrant 62-year-old widow seems too good to be true. Elyse promptly charms Vic and gets the Dundas household organized, freeing Jodi to focus on her embattled marriage and busy career. Then Audrey’s health fails precipitously while Elyse begins wearing Audrey’s expensive Cartier watch and limiting Jodi’s access to her parents. Unsure whether these are warning signs or coincidences, Jodi tries to ensure her parents’ safety without overriding their wishes. Though this isn’t Fielding’s most inventive plot, her well-wrought characters carry the story. This insightful exploration of the complexities of caring for aging relatives deserves a wide readership. Agent: Tracy Fisher, WME. (Aug.)