Title: THE REVENGE OF RITA MARSH
Author: Nilesha Chauvet
ISBN: 9780751382118
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Pages: 332
Source: Private Copy (Exclusive Books Warehouse Sale)
Rita Marsh is a good person.
By day, she runs a care home, looking after the elderly and infirm. By night, she’s a vigilante, posing online as young girls and snaring the men who prey on them, exposing them for what they are. Rita has successfully kept her two lives separate for years. But when an old classmate returns from her past, her two worlds start to collide. With both of her selves unravelling, Rita will have to choose between justice and revenge.
Is she a force for good – or will she become someone to fear?’
Official Summary
30 September 2025
This book grabbed my eye at the Exclusive Books Warehouse sale earlier this year; the bright orange cover could not be missed – naturally, I added it to my TBR without even reading the blurb. Here’s what I found when opening the cover….
The Revenge of Rita Marsh is one of those stories that instantly grabbed my attention because of its unique premise. Rita Marsh is an unforgettable character—a woman who spends her days compassionately running a care home and her nights ruthlessly trapping predators online. I loved how the book plays with that duality: caregiver by day, vigilante by night. It raises so many questions about morality, justice, and how far someone can go before crossing a line.
The pacing is strong, and I found myself completely hooked by Rita’s voice. She’s complex—likeable in her intentions but also deeply unsettling at times, which made me constantly question my own feelings toward her. The return of an old classmate from her past adds an extra layer of tension and really pushes the story into darker territory, blurring the lines between justice and revenge.
What I particularly enjoyed was how the book didn’t shy away from difficult topics. It’s gritty and thought-provoking, but also layered with moments of vulnerability that made Rita feel real. I wasn’t always sure whether to root for her or fear her, which made the reading experience even more compelling.
This is a gripping and bold read that may not be to everyone’s taste. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with morally complex protagonists and a storyline that makes you think about right and wrong in new ways, The Revenge of Rita Marsh is definitely worth picking up.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Nilesha Chauvet is a British Indian novelist and short story writer. Her debut novel, The Revenge of Rita Marsh, was published in hardback by Faber as a crime thriller superlead title in 2024.
Nilesha’s second novel, The Good Patient, is due for release on the 29th of January 2026.
Nilesha writes zeitgeist psychological suspense, crime and thriller. She is also the Managing Director of GOOD, which advises commercial brands on Purpose and helps charities raise millions of pounds for good causes.
A graduate of Faber Academy, Nilesha has also studied novels and short story writing at Curtis Brown Creative and City Lit. She read Philosophy & Theology at Oxford and was ordained an Interfaith Minister.
Nilesha is currently writing her third novel. She lives in London with her husband, two children and a cat named Leo.
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