Genre Fiction
![Mariah Fredericks - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_mariah_fredericks.jpg)
The Lindbergh Nanny: A Novel
Mariah Fredericks's The Lindbergh Nanny is powerful, propulsive novel about America's most notorious kidnapping through the eyes of the woman who found herself at the heart of this deadly crime.
"A masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining."―Nelson DeMille
When the most famous toddler in America, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped from his family home in New Jersey in 1932, the case makes international headlines. Already celebrated for his flight across the Atlantic, his father, Charles, Sr., is the country's golden boy, with his wealthy, lovely wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by his side. But there's someone else in their household―Betty Gow, a formerly obscure young woman, now known around the world by another name: the Lindbergh Nanny.
A Scottish immigrant deciphering the rules of her new homeland and its East Coast elite, Betty finds Colonel Lindbergh eccentric and often odd, Mrs. Lindbergh kind yet nervous, and Charlie simply a darling. Far from home and bruised from a love affair gone horribly wrong, Betty finds comfort in caring for the child, and warms to the attentions of handsome sailor Henrik, sometimes known as Red. Then, Charlie disappears.
Suddenly a suspect in the eyes of both the media and the public, Betty must find the truth about what really happened that night, in order to clear her own name―and to find justice for the child she loves.
"Gripping and elegant, The Lindbergh Nanny brings readers into the interior of the twentieth century's most infamous crime."―Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair
"A masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining."―Nelson DeMille
When the most famous toddler in America, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped from his family home in New Jersey in 1932, the case makes international headlines. Already celebrated for his flight across the Atlantic, his father, Charles, Sr., is the country's golden boy, with his wealthy, lovely wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by his side. But there's someone else in their household―Betty Gow, a formerly obscure young woman, now known around the world by another name: the Lindbergh Nanny.
A Scottish immigrant deciphering the rules of her new homeland and its East Coast elite, Betty finds Colonel Lindbergh eccentric and often odd, Mrs. Lindbergh kind yet nervous, and Charlie simply a darling. Far from home and bruised from a love affair gone horribly wrong, Betty finds comfort in caring for the child, and warms to the attentions of handsome sailor Henrik, sometimes known as Red. Then, Charlie disappears.
Suddenly a suspect in the eyes of both the media and the public, Betty must find the truth about what really happened that night, in order to clear her own name―and to find justice for the child she loves.
"Gripping and elegant, The Lindbergh Nanny brings readers into the interior of the twentieth century's most infamous crime."―Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair
Editorial Reviews
"Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2022"―CrimeReads
"Best Historical Fiction of Fall 2022"―Book Bub
"A poignant crime novel... Fredericks creates suspense for even those familiar with the case by suggesting the real-life culprit had accomplices, thus rendering everyone a suspect. Betty's distress and distrust are palpable, heightening anxiety. Historical mystery fans and true crime aficionados will be well pleased."―Publishers Weekly
"Mariah Fredericks is an expert at capturing history's ordinary voices in extraordinary circumstances, and The Lindbergh Nanny is her best yet. An eyewitness view of a still-shocking event that makes for perfect historical fiction." ―Crime Reads, "21 New and Upcoming Historical Fiction Titles to Check Out This Summer"
"Carefully researched . . .This is a compelling story about a courageous woman nearly forgotten by history, with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and redemption; for readers who enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini, Marie Benedict, or Melanie Benjamin."―Booklist
"Fredericks is especially adept at historical settings, and this book doesn't disappoint. The Lindbergh Nanny can cross-over in all kinds of directions, and should appeal to readers of crime fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction and those just needing a solid read."―First Clue (starred review)
"A bold and creative retelling of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining. We know how this tragedy ends, but Mariah Fredericks takes us on an extraordinary journey along a different path to get there. The writing is superb and the characters―real and fictional―come alive on every page." ―Nelson DeMille, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Gripping and elegant, The Lindbergh Nanny brings readers into the interior of the twentieth century's most infamous crime. Mariah Fredericks has meticulously crafted a story about the darkest pieces of celebrity, the unlikely people who get caught in its wake, and―most importantly―the heartbreaking loss of an innocent child."―Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair
"The Lindbergh Nanny is without doubt one of the most spellbinding and compulsively readable novels I've read in a long time, a dazzling take on a most infamous and horrific kidnapping. You will not be able t...
"Best Historical Fiction of Fall 2022"―Book Bub
"A poignant crime novel... Fredericks creates suspense for even those familiar with the case by suggesting the real-life culprit had accomplices, thus rendering everyone a suspect. Betty's distress and distrust are palpable, heightening anxiety. Historical mystery fans and true crime aficionados will be well pleased."―Publishers Weekly
"Mariah Fredericks is an expert at capturing history's ordinary voices in extraordinary circumstances, and The Lindbergh Nanny is her best yet. An eyewitness view of a still-shocking event that makes for perfect historical fiction." ―Crime Reads, "21 New and Upcoming Historical Fiction Titles to Check Out This Summer"
"Carefully researched . . .This is a compelling story about a courageous woman nearly forgotten by history, with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and redemption; for readers who enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini, Marie Benedict, or Melanie Benjamin."―Booklist
"Fredericks is especially adept at historical settings, and this book doesn't disappoint. The Lindbergh Nanny can cross-over in all kinds of directions, and should appeal to readers of crime fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction and those just needing a solid read."―First Clue (starred review)
"A bold and creative retelling of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining. We know how this tragedy ends, but Mariah Fredericks takes us on an extraordinary journey along a different path to get there. The writing is superb and the characters―real and fictional―come alive on every page." ―Nelson DeMille, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Gripping and elegant, The Lindbergh Nanny brings readers into the interior of the twentieth century's most infamous crime. Mariah Fredericks has meticulously crafted a story about the darkest pieces of celebrity, the unlikely people who get caught in its wake, and―most importantly―the heartbreaking loss of an innocent child."―Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair
"The Lindbergh Nanny is without doubt one of the most spellbinding and compulsively readable novels I've read in a long time, a dazzling take on a most infamous and horrific kidnapping. You will not be able t...
Readers Top Reviews
Marcia
Having long been fascinated and curious about the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby I was really looking forward to this read. Betty, the young nanny hired by the family to care for a very young Charlie had a very interesting back story that is slowly revealed. Almost the entire staff for the Lindberghs were from other countries which I found very interesting. It did amaze me that the Lindbergh’s seemed totally comfortable leaving Charlie with a new nanny for extended periods of time. Mr. Lindbergh’s rules seemed very harsh, especially the way he expected young Charlie to be treated. The fact that they never even considered leaving bigger clothes or money to purchase bigger clothes shocked me. Once I reached the actual kidnapping I did not want to put the book down. Coincidence or devious plot I wondered time after time, where anyone and everyone seemed to be connected to the kidnapping. I cannot imagine what it felt like to be an employee, especially Betty, in that household where the police and public sentiment decided you were guilty. I found it odd that they continued to employ Betty after they found Charlie. Such a heartbreaking story that captured the interest of the entire nation. After finishing the book I find myself wanting to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth but unfortunately that can never be. Thank you to Mariah Fredericks, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book, published today, and giving me something to ponder and something to further research to sate my curiosity. Job well done.
Lori HarrisMarcia
I am sure I am in the minority here, but I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. The story of the kidnapping is told through the eyes of Betty, the child's nanny who was the last person to see young Charlie on the night of the crime. The book starts out ok, introducing the reader to Betty, the Lindbergs and their extended family and servants. From there it loses me, the pacxe stalls, almost stopping and instead of being about the kidnapping I found it becoming about Betty's relationships, past and present and her seemingly endless theories on who kidnapped Charlie. It was no longer a book about the nanny in relation to the kidnapping but a book about the nanny, her relationships and never ending theories about who did the kidnapping. It was no longer centered on the kidnapping and the nanny in relation to the kidnapping, which was what I was expecting from it. Maybe I was expecting too much or the wrong thing. As always these are just my feelings and opinions. I wish I would have liked it more, but as is I am still going to give it 4 stars. I do not want anyone who is interested in it not to read it because of my personal expectations, I think it is well written and others may really enjoy the flow of the book and the direction it takes, it simply wasn't what I was looking for. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
