The Babysitter

British author Browne makes her U.S. debut with an overwrought domestic thriller. When Mark and Melissa Cain invite their 20-something neighbor, Jade, who claims to have taken a college childcare course, into their suburban home after her house burns down, Jade’s affinity with their two young children leads to an offer as a live-in babysitter. At first, Jade is a boon for busy Mark, a detective inspector, and artist Melissa, but it soon becomes clear that Jade plans to claim Mark and the children for herself. Short, alternating chapters reveal that Mark is preoccupied with a little girl’s disappearance, and Melissa struggles with low self-esteem and balancing motherhood with her career. Jade sometimes sounds like a cartoon villain (“We want her gone, don’t we, my precious?”), and readers will marvel at how effortlessly she manipulates two supposedly intelligent adults. In addition, the stereotypical depiction of Melissa as hysterical and out of control strikes a sour note. This predictable tale is long on melodrama and short on suspense. Few will be eager to read the bonus novel that’s included, The Affair. [em]Agent: Claire Bord, Bookouture (U.K.). (July) [/em]