
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
The rules are simple:
- Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want.
- Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
- Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other bloggers’ lists.
- Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is a freebie so we’re invited to come up with our own topic. I’ve chosen Fictional Housekeepers. Links will take you to my review or the book description on Goodreads.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – Featuring probably the most memorable housekeeper in literature, the creepy Mrs. Danvers
The Housekeeper by Rose Tremain (published in September) – ‘Daphne du Maurier stole my life.’ A fictional take on the inspiration for Rebecca
Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident by Martin Davies – Sherlock Holmes’ housekeeper turns detective herself
The Housekeepers by Alex Hay – Housekeeper Mrs King is suddenly dismissed from her post and plots her revenge in the form of the heist of the century
Mrs Finnegan’s Guide to Love, Life & Laxatives by Bridget Whelan – Mrs. Finnegan, doyenne of housekeepers, dispenses practical advice and words of wisdom
Thunderball by Ian Fleming – One of the few appearances by May Maxwell, James Bond’s Scottish housekeeper
The Household by Stacey Halls – Housekeeper Mrs Holdsworth presides over Urania Cottage, a refuge for ‘fallen’ women one of whose benefactors is Charles Dickens
The Well of Saint Nobody by Neil Jordan – A young woman answers a job advertisement – ‘WANTED. HOUSEKEEPER.’ – and goes to work for William Barrow, once an internationally renowned pianist who can no longer perform
4.50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie – When her friend Mrs. Elspeth McGillicuddy witnesses a women being strangled in the carriage of a passing train, Miss Marple asks Lucy Eyelesbarrow to take a job as housekeeper at Rutherford Hall
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë – Mrs Alice Fairfax, the elderly, kind widow employed as housekeeper at Thornfield Hall











Fab list and great idea!
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Have a great week and great day! Here is my TTT. https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2026/04/28/top-ten-tuesday-29-freebie-nature-on-covers/
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Ooh, what a fabulous idea!
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Mrs. Danvers creeped me out so much!
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What a great topic!
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Okay, so this is a creative topic! I’ve only read Jane Eyre on your list (and am currently listening to Shirley as I type), but should add some of these others to my list.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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If you enjoyed Jane Eyre, you are very likely to enjoy Rebecca.
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Lovely list! I remember the first time I read Jane Eyre. It was the first ‘grown up’ book I had ever read so I was pretty proud of myself lol
My List:
Top Ten Tuesday – Freebie! – The Gentle Chapter
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It’s one of my favourites.
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This is a cool list! I have only read Rebecca but have 4:50 To Paddington on my list to read. I need to check into the others, some of which I’ve heard of and some I haven’t heard of yet.
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Oh, this is such an original/creative idea. I love it. Great list!
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Thank you!
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I readn 4L50 from Paddington last year and enjoyed it. As for meeting May Maxwell, she’s a fantastic character. I’d love to know more about her.
Here’s my TTT for the week: https://readbakecreate.com/the-xs-ys-and-zs-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-x-y-or-z/
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I’ve only read one James Bond novel, Thunderball in which she makes a brief appearance. Apparently they didn’t want to have her character in the film versions as well as Miss Moneypenny.
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What a great idea! Rebecca was the only book that came to mind when I saw your topic.
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Now there’s a retirement job I’d take–007’s housekeeper!! The James Bond Dossier, which even mentions his shampoo, probably mentions here! Great topic!
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If it was the Sean Connery or Daniel Craig version of James Bond I’d definitely be tempted.
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Great choice for a freebie, Cathy. Of course the first ones that came to my mind were the Housemaid series by Frieda McFadden.
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I haven’t read any of those but they would be a great addition.
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Mrs Finnegan’s Guide to Love, Life & Laxatives sounds like fun.
Thanks for sharing your #TTT
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It was fun but I wouldn’t necessarily advocate following some of her advice!
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Fab list
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