When you think you have the book figured out, a twist comes along and blows your mind. The pacing was slow in the beginning, everyone was insufferable, and the ending seemed predictable, although it didn’t end up being so.

The pace did pick up towards the end, and the conclusion was satisfactory.

What do you do when you feel stuck in a marriage with a man you don’t love? Have a baby! That’s exactly what Sarah did, and then things took a turn.

Their baby has been taken, Sarah is acting strange, and her husband Nick is beside himself. Is she, or isn’t she, responsible for the kidnapping of their baby?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free copy of this book.

Who doesn’t love to read a book where you are a character in it, not just any character but a PC! Let’s just say I did good!….or should that be Valerie did good?!

This is a book that keeps on giving! Twist after twist. I had a feeling of how the players were playing, and I feel part of that was the plan. But for the bigger part of this book, I felt seen. I had and still do have a hard time adjusting to being a mother and the inner monologue of Sarah and Zoé-Lee was, to me, spot on. It was like Valerie had dug around in my head and spoken my thoughts. To me, this was powerful more so than the book. so thank you for verbalising my thoughts.

The rest of the book is a rollercoaster through Sarah’s head. Yes at times she repeats herself, but then who doesn’t? But Sarah could be me, well apart from the kidnapped baby etc etc, never had a character resonated so much in me. I felt like it was my life on those pages up to when the baby was born.

The thriller side was thrilling. We work with everyone to find the truth, and as much as I guessed the who, it did break my heart a little bit. Not because I was right, because we all love to be right but because I was right with the person. I didn’t want to think bad of them.

I really enjoyed this story and I am so pleased I got to read it. It has something for everyone and a whole lotta shocks!

Although Sarah Westfield is married to the perfect husband she is strangely dissatisfied with everything about her life. When her husband Nick persuades her to have a baby Sarah instinctively knows this is the wrong decision for her and yet she finds herself agreeing that a baby would be good for them. When the baby arrives Sarah is just as cold towards motherhood as she is towards her husband.

What then follows is a convoluted story which takes Sarah on nightmare journey which looks at the complicated bonds of motherhood, marriage and female friendship and wraps them all together in a story which grabs our attention right from the opening prologue which hints at dark deeds ahead.

This clever author never fails to offer up a really good story. Filled with all the twists, turns and red herrings which we have come to expect, I love how all the loose ends come together and even though I try and second guess the ending I am never completely correct and that's what makes these clever thrillers such a joy to read. The Mother doesn't let up on excitement until the climax with an ending to the story which more than matched my expectations.

I have read a few @valeriekeogh2 books and this is definitely a new favourite and I can guarantee if you are a thriller lover you will be hooked too. The dark narrative of this book pulled me in and I couldn't turn the pages fast I needed to what happened, I loved the fact we had chapters from both Sarah & Nicks POVs that slowly revealed the truths and the motive behind it. I found I was constantly questioning everything you are told and was never sure who to believe. I genuinely believe the ending was plotted perfectly and you won't forget it in a hurry. #themother @theboldbookclub #netgalley

I feel these domestic tropes are numerous and can run familiar after awhile but this was good one, It was tense from the getgo and that's what I like in a thriller. This plot had me thinking all over the place - fun for thriller readers! Thank you for the advanced read.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed several of Keogh's books to date and just when you think you've read her best, she comes up with another blinder.

It's a pacey read. It's tense, suspenseful, has some brilliant twists and it's so engrossing it will have you reading till late in the night. Trust me, I know.

Character-wise they were quite the 'marmite' bunch weren't they? I took an immediate dislike to Sarah and had high hopes that she would redeem herself by the end.

Didn't see that ending coming though. What a note to finish on!

I love this author’s writing; I can hear her soft accent in my head leading me down paths where I think I know the destination, but no. This is a standalone psychological thriller involving the ‘domestic bliss’ of Sarah Westfield & her husband, Nick.

G.P. Sarah married on the rebound; she admits this to herself & her best friend, Jade but her doting husband is seemingly oblivious. She gears herself up to leave him but then inexplicably agrees to have a baby. That baby is taken just weeks after birth & that’s where this wild ride really takes off.

Of course, this story will resonate most deeply with parents but it is also a story of rash decisions & who you can trust with your innermost thoughts. Thrown away comments can have dire consequences. A pacy read without a wasted word which adds to the tension & despair of Sarah. Recommended.

I have read most of Valerie Keogh’s fresh releases over the last few years and this one has a slightly different feel to it, unlike her other fresh books.
As you read it, you are too busy hating (or at least disliking) everyone in this book, that you forget to notice all the weirdness that is actually happening there. At least, that was the case for me. I have rarely been interested in finding likable or relatable characters in my reads, and this book took it to the next level – I disliked everyone, each character got a various level of dislike, and that level changed throughout the book.
Overall, this was another story to remind you that you have no clue what is going on in the minds of those around you, even the closest ones, even the ones you think you know best.
Can’t wait to see what Valerie Keogh is working on now and what gem of a book she writes next!

Author Valerie Keogh returns following The Mistress with her latest domestic suspense, THE MOTHER. A bad marriage, a baby, a kidnapping, and a deadly cat-and-mouse game will have you turning the pages to see how this one will turn out.

About ...

Sarah is unhappily married to husband Nick. He was a rebound and wanted to marry. She agreed, but now he is clingy and needy. She is a doctor and wants a divorce. She regretted getting married too quickly.

However, before she can ask for a divorce, Nick wants a baby. (Like that will solve a bad marriage). That is the last thing Sarah wants to be tied to this man with a child.

But she thinks that will take the heat off her, so she agrees. (wrong decision about becoming a mother).

However, once the baby, Kayla, is born, she is not bonding with the baby, and all the work to do and no sleep. All she wants to do is go back to work.

She definitely is not showing Nick any love now. Now that she has a husband and a baby, Nick is not getting any attention.

Nick and Sarah visit a pub from her background out of town. The pub is crowded, and they sit with two other women. The baby is screaming, so the woman says she will walk her so they can eat. Taking up an offer to let a stranger walk your baby?

The one takes the baby, and when she does not return, the next one goes after them. Neither returns and now their baby is missing.

Nick is distraught, and Sarah is not showing much distress. Maybe the baby would be better off with someone else. Is she a terrible mother? YES!

There is an investigation, and the authorities think Sarah is acting a little strange, and Nick seems upset.

But things are not as they appear. Who has the baby? Was this planned? Mix in Sarah's best friend, Jade, who knows things about her from her past. Can she trust Jade?

Then, there is a break-in at her condo, and someone tries to kill them in a hit-and-run accident. What is going on? Could it be related to her baby's kidnapping?

As the investigation continues, Nick may not be the perfect husband, and Sarah is far from it. Will she ultimately get her baby back and be the best mother she can be?

My thoughts...

Trust no one here. Everyone is keeping secrets.

THE MOTHER explores the dark side of motherhood and marriage in this twisty, deadly game. Who is the villain, and who is the victim? With these two parents, the baby does not stand a chance. It's a twisty who and why-dunit psychological thriller with no likable characters.

Then you have a Detective who is a mother who would prefer to go out of town with work and leave her baby at home with its work-from-home dad. She is initially very judgmental about Sarah when she might be just as bad herself, which adds another level of intrigue to the storyline.

The author cleverly keeps you in the dark with misdirection, offering some final twists in this entertaining popcorn thriller.

Recs...

THE MOTHER is for Keogh fans and those of Daniel Hurst's The Doctor's Wife series and Freida McFadden.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for a gifted digital advanced review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: June 27, 2024
June 2024 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter

This book revolves around Sara, the main character, who marries Nick, seemingly as a rebound and to mend her shattered heart. Though Sara appreciated Nick's care and it helped her heal from her broken heart, she never really had a deep romantic connection to him, and sadly, Nick picked up on it. There has been a disconnect the entire time, so Sarah decided it was time to call it quits. Despite her reservations, Sarah agrees with Nick when he suggests they should have a child. It was at this time that I became quite frustrated and started to yell, and I realized that I would not be able to Set this book aside. Due to a horrible pregnancy and ongoing sentiments of contempt for Nick, Sarah makes a valiant effort but is unable to form a strong bond with her infant daughter, Kaya. How do mothers seem to have it so naturally? Because I loved to detest them, I adored the characters in this book. The way this was presented through Sarah's eyes really helped me understand how frustrated she is with everything, and you can see things are only going to get worse when she can't even begin to bond with her new kid. It should be inconceivable for both parents when the unimaginable occurs and little Kayla is taken away at the age of just two weeks—or is it? The narrative moves quickly because you have to keep reading to find out what happens and how it all ends. I was engrossed in this story nonstop. I cherished the characters and thoroughly enjoyed delving into the truth of the events prior to their disclosure. You'll be gripped by this book till the very end because everyone is a suspect. I was unable to turn the pages quickly enough to see what actually transpired. The conclusion was incredible and rendered me utterly dumbfounded. That was something I never saw coming. With an abundance of deceptions, suspense, and mystery, Valorie is a skilled storyteller. Excellent read, and I'm delighted I had the opportunity to Look into it. This one will have everyone talking because it has so many clever story twists. If you want to be a part of it, check it out; you won't be sorry. All book groups should read this book, but avid thriller readers should pick it up first.

The Mother was a great read, it was fast paced and full of twists. I loved how the author was able to alter the opinion of characters frequently to keep the reader guessing. I ended up becoming suspicious of all the characters at some point in the book.

I thought the characters were written well and I enjoyed reading the story from different perspectives, especially how the police investigation was going. I was convinced I knew what happened but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. The mystery behind the baby’s abduction gets more complicated as the book goes on.

I thought this book was written well and the plot was gripping. I was eager to get to the bottom of the mystery which made me read the book quickly. I highly recommend this book and author!

I was so excited to be able to read this book because from the premise it was exactly up my street.
Sarah is not the best wife, she isnt happily married to her husband and why she thought a baby would fix things she doesnt know? However there is that fleeting moment where she thinks it might. Thinking it wont happen for a while but might buy her some time she goes along with the suggestion by her husband. After all he isnt a bad man, just not the man for her. She knows the baby will be loved and thats what matters.

Once the baby arrives, things change even more - she isn't happy, shes angry with her husband as their bond grows. She really starts to think having this baby maybe wasnt the right idea but then she goes missing and Sarahs whole world changes. This was certainly a book about relationships. I feel like that was the main focus as they played the key part. Sarah and her relationship with her husband, her best friend and herself.

Not all is as it seems at face value in this thrilling read, with everyone seeming to have an ulterior motive. I thought it really was a case of an unhappy marriage, a missing baby and thats that but oh boy - the depth and the complications thrown in that allow the reader to really take a journey was brilliant. I found myself picking this up constantly and really enjoyed both the writing style and pacing. I enjoyed Sarah - i enjoyed watching her flawed character discover not only herself but how others around her saw her.

A thrilling read that is one to be picking up.

Brilliant read in he sitting totally riveting book.
Sarah is married to Nick, but she feels claustrophobic with his obsessive behaviour and when she falls pregnant it gets worse. Baby Kaya I’d born but Sarah is finding motherhood difficult whilst Nick loves the baby and has bonded quickly.
Then Kaya is kidnapped and that leads to events that are beyond Sarah’s control.
Who can she trust and who has her baby?
With many twists and turns this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! The Mother is a twisty thriller that is full of drama. I couldnt get passed the fact that the couple let “strangers” take their infant so they can enjoy a meal and then were surprised when their baby had been kidnapped.
I did enjoy the ending- definitely didnt see the outcome coming. I will post my review on my bookstagram @bookofthemeg on 6/27!

I throughly enjoyed reading this fantastic book! It was hard to put down as I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I thought I had it all figured out but knew Keogh would pull a major twist that I could never guess...I was NOT disappointed!!! Needless to say I was completely wrong and the ending left me picking my jaw up off the floor! You won't want to miss this fantastic domestic thriller!!!!

Thank you for the ARC copy!

If you like the crime mystery genre with a twisty turny plot then you will love this.

Ms. Keogh is so skilled at creating her characters that she seems to inhabit them. The main character in this book, Sarah, is utterly believable and easy to identify with. She is a busy GP with an overbearing husband who she is not in love with. Add a newborn into the mix, and it makes for a complex situation.

It is fast paced and the dialogue and excellent prose keep the plot moving along perfectly. It is suspenseful throughout and every time I thought I had worked out where the plot was going, the next page would turn my theory on it's head. The ending was surprising and I had not worked out that it would end in that way.

Excellent fiction.

It’s been a while since I read a Keogh book (they are gradually stacking up on my Kindle!) but it is clear this author still has what it takes to write a gripping thriller. I could not put this book down and was absorbed by this fast-moving narrative.

I found it interesting how Keogh manipulates reader opinions of the main characters. The protagonist, Sarah, started off having my sympathy, which then evolved to frustration and suspicion, altering again before the novel had finished. I felt sorry for Sarah because she is introduced as having married fast, on the rebound, and is now having second doubts. Yet, when her doting husband suggests having a baby, Sarah sees this as an opportunity to redirect her husband’s feelings: Sarah feels that Nick is suffocatingly devoted and would rather him shower his affections on their child.

Yet, as you would expect, things don’t miraculously improve after Kaya is born. When Sarah suggests a mini-break with their young daughter, things turn for the worse as Kaya is abducted. The book then spirals into a web of suspicion as I was convinced that someone was involved in organising the disappearance of a daughter that Sarah has come to resent.

The narrative includes perspectives from an unknown character, as well as parts of the police investigation. I really enjoyed seeing how the officers had investigated the baby abduction, especially as I agreed with the suspicions that one officer held. For me, reading this book made me more convinced that I was correct with my theories, only for the writer to shatter them with later revelations.

Whilst I had guessed some of the plot development, I still found the novel thrilling and exciting. In some respects, I thought Sarah was a deserved victim and sympathised with her husband because of how she treats him. On the other hand, I could understand why Sarah felt so trapped, turning to her best friend for a listening ear and advice. Yet, the moments when the baby is abducted literally turned my blood ice cold and I think this moment marked an increase in intensity in the story.

Brimming with twists, turns and a range of suspects, this book had me on edge until the very end. It was a great read and I loved trying to solve the mystery behind Kaya’s abduction.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Written by Valerie Keogh, this book is an engaging, quick reading story. It’s well written, with an exciting ending!

Sarah is married to Nick, but she’s not happy. Her husband, on the other hand, is madly in love with Sarah.
Complicating the relationship is her pregnancy, and subsequent birth of their daughter, Kaya.
Desperate to find a pathetic to happiness, Sarah plans a mini vacation, to have some fun.
However, tragedy occurs when baby Kaya is abducted, and a police hunt begins.

We, the reader, are wondering if this was a planned kidnapping, arranged by Sarah?

The story has a lot of action as well as a giant twist at the end!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. My opinions are honest and unbiased.

I've said this before and I'll shout it out from the rooftops again. Valerie Keogh has the ability to surprise and throw you into something that you never expect.

Sarah is so desperately unhappy in her marriage to Nick and he knows it. Nick offers Sarah the one thing that she has been hoping for, a baby of her own and Nick in a desperate attempt to save their marriage offers her that one last piece of hope.
Sarah didn't believe that she would get pregnant so quickly but when the pregnancy test proves positive she knows that she will end up being with Nick forever.

Pregnancy wasn't easy for Sarah and when Kaya was born she struggled with the expected motherly love and bond.
Of course Nick stepped in to pick up the pieces.

When a twisted turn of events happen and Kaya goes missing, Sarah's heart is truly broken.

But with so many of Valerie's books there are some brutal home truths and secrets to reveal.
And that ending!!

Sarah has it all - the dream job, a loving husband and a beautiful baby. But she doesn’t want it. She wants to be free from Nick and the daughter she feels he tricked her into having. So when in a moment tragedy strikes and everything changes, who exactly is to blame?

The characters here reflect really well the different biases we all hold when we see a news story like this - all eyes point towards the family, and maybe even the lonely best friend who knows everything... But I never expected the twist that dropped! Would definitely recommend this one!

(Hopefully I’ve kept it spoiler free)