In My Cozy Den: A Thrilling Tale of Exploitation and Power

A lonely, middle-aged man decides to rent out an apartment in the basement of his house.

A young single mother moves in with him and her daughter. The three quickly form a close-knit family: he helps them with everything, and she brings joy to his life. They go for walks in the woods, celebrate Christmas together, and he looks after her daughter.

Fifteen years later, they find themselves in court. He is in the dock, and she realizes with bitterness that their safety was merely an illusion. How did they end up in this situation?

“In My Cozy Den” is an elegant, compelling, and unsettling portrait of two people who become entangled in each other’s lives. It explores themes of self-deception and transcendence, in a story inspired by true events.

The suspense grips the reader from the very beginning, but Helen Ury never lets up. Here, a masterful writer demonstrates how to keep the reader glued to the screen for half the novel, without a single moment of sleep. Cohabitation and breakdown, hidden desires, lies and betrayals—these form the unsettling landscape in which author Helene Orrie frequently navigates.

Always swift and sharp, her writing is witty and engaging, yet always imbued with deep empathy. Even after the crime is solved, the novel maintains its appeal through Orrie’s profound psychological insight. “In My Warm Den” is a captivating read, offering insightful observations on the complexities of everyday life.