Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of tis book and for letting me take part in this tour. I am a huge fan of Detective Dan and have been reading these books since the beginning of the series but this is not necessary to read this book. It could very easily be read as a standalone.

Detective Dan has caught quite the case this time. With lots of secrets and lies it's not easy for him to uncover the truth.

When I first started reading this series, back in 2018, I wasn't yet a mother. I now have a 15 month old and some of these storylines just hit different now. I could completely understand Christine's character and I empathised with her differently to how I think I would have done before having my little girl. During her monologue near the end of the book I felt myself nodding along with her completely agreeing with everything she said.

I consumed this book from start to finish. I don't always get as much time to read now, #toddlermumlife, but I made sure I got all those chores done as quickly as possible to I could get back to this story. I really struggled to put it down. Anna-Lou had me hooked from the first page and had me in tears by the last.

A thrilling, intense ride that's perfect for fans of psychological thrillers.

I try to ignore Helen as she presses me for details about my life as I go about my chores. I like to keep the past in the past and do what’s best for my boy – my angel – Conor. Helen’s daughter Paris is cagy and shy, but I never ask questions. Even though I suspect there’s something dangerous hidden within the Levinsons’ immaculate home. But everything changes the night I wake to find Conor and Paris terrified at the bottom of the stairs, their clothes spattered with blood. They say it was an accident, that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. And now, Helen and I have to decide: do we tell the truth and risk losing our children forever, or do we lie to keep them safe?

Two mothers thrown together to protect our teenagers, one wrong move could cost us everything. But Helen is acting more unpredictable by the day; turning up at my house unannounced, harassing my husband, and making up stories about the daughter we lost. Lying to the police was a risk, but letting Helen in feels even more dangerous. Uncovering the truth about that night is the only way to save my son – and myself – but by the time I get answers, will there be anything left of my family to save? What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t even try?

Yes! I loved this. The lengths a mother will go to protect their kids. Gives me shivers. Excellent read. It had me hooked right from the beginning, and kept me turning pages late into the night. A few unexpected twists and turns got me, too. Highly recommended! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series prior to reading this book, but I was still able to understand and I don’t necessarily think you need to read the previous books to read this one.
This storyline was good and at times kept me needing to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I thought this book was very interesting and unique. It made me question how far I would go to cover up a crime for my child.

What Kind Of Mother, is the eighth installment in the Dan Riley mystery series by Anna Lou Weatherly, on a Sunday morning Connor Carter and Paris Levins, wake their parents up to tell them they think they’re murderers Connor‘s parents are shook, but Paris‘s parents go on immediate defense and it’s up to detective Dan Riley and his crew, to figure out what really happened. The case will bring Dan to the ugly underbelly of the town he loves but DNA will bring it right back to the teenagers. Who killed Matt Shepherd and why? I really like these books. I love that they’re standalone and read like thrillers and although there’s a bit far-fetchedness with some of the story, I would still absolutely recommend it. I love that. Dan is respectful to everyone until giving a reason not to be. I thought the intrigue with his boss trying to rush the case added another level to the story and I absolutely love the way. The book ended. I don’t like when I think I know how it’s going to end and although I’ve only read three books in the series, I’ve never guessed the ending not once this time included.#NetGalley, #AnnaLouWeatherly, #WhatKindOfMother, #DetectiveDanRileyMysteries,

I stayed up all night to finish this book and now have to work a 12 hour shift, it was definitely worth it.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. With this being said, I think I will be in the minority with this one, and a lot of people will enjoy it.

One of the reasons that this was a DNF for me was early on in the book, there was an extremely detailed description of a corpse. It felt unnecessary to the book to go into that much detail, and was rather disturbing. Every time I picked up the book, it was the first thing I thought of. I wasn’t aware of any trigger warnings going into the book (I may have missed them), but if they are not in there, I believe they should be!

Another reason is that I found it hard to connect with the characters in the book. As someone who does not have a child, it was not engaging to read a novel about the strength of the mother-son relationship and how far a parent will go for their child.

I do think that this is an entertaining and well-written novel, but just not the right fit for me. I recommend reading this is you like face-paced thrillers and novels that will draw you in from the very first page. I see a lot of people comparing it to The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden, and I couldn’t agree more!

I am amazed at this book! I had no idea what, or honestly who, to believe when it came to the characters and who the murderer was. This has been the only Dan Riley book so far that I really had no theory on what was going to happen. The ending did not disappoint!

Status, a parents nightmare and what you are willing to do to look after your child’s future.

This was a quick read, I wish we had a little more time with the characters but this would be an exceptional weekend all in one read. It’s got twists, drama and secrets and lies.

There was such intensity, danger and suspense in this book that I felt hooked and I felt so drawn in to the secrets and lies.

*All opinions are my own.*
What Kind of Mother by Anna-Lou Weatherley is book number eight in the Detective Dan Riley series but 100% can be read as a standalone. I had not read any of this author's previous work so I didn't even know it was part of a series. It works perfectly by itself.
Christine, her husband Ed, and their son Conor live a pretty simple life. Christine is a house cleaner for a very wealthy, powerful and political family, the Levinsons. Conor is the pride and joy of the family. He is eighteen and hoping to make a career out of football (in America it is soccer). Previously Christine and Ed had a baby girl named Cora that they tragically lost due to meningitis, so Conor is fiercely loved, and protected. When one morning, Christine and Ed awaken to crying and a commotion downstairs, they discover Conor and his girlfriend Paris, covered in blood and distraught. Paris just so happens to be the daughter of Christine's employers the Levinsons. When Conor finally tells his parents that they killed a man, the bottom drops out of Christine's life. How far will she go to protect her son? What really happened the night a man lost his life? And why does Helen Levinson seem to be completely unfazed by the situation?
Right from the beginning this story had me hooked. The action and suspense is non-stop. It really seems like each chapter there is another twist that gets you thinking in a different direction. This fast paced narrative worked perfectly and I found I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. After finding out the this was the eighth book in a series, I was pleasantly surprised. I did not get a sense of missing any information from the previous books. And now I have a whole lot of catching up to do with the rest of the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley, and Bookouture for this ARC opportunity. Expected publishing date is January 8th 2025.

I've never read anything by this author before. But I'm already investigating her others. So that tells you alot about how much I enjoyed this book. It feels.a.great privalege to review these books. And even more so when you come across a new author to pour into.
This is a book packed with punch. Lots of emotion. Lots of family ties. Lots of need to protect. It all ramps how invested you are in the characters and the story. And I was following the increased inte situ with the writer as I desperately needed to know what was going to happen.
It so brought lots of thinking points. What would we do for those we love. And how? And who do you trust at that point in time.
There is a mother at the centre of this story. Who has already lost so much which if anything makes her more determined to save what she has left.
I wasn't sure who was on whose side for some of this. And if you ever can be all for one when you've got your "own" person to protect.

It was never my dream to clean the Levinsons’ mansion for a living, but since my daughter passed away, I’ll do anything to keep my family afloat. Helen Levinson is a mother like me, but that’s where the similarities end. I’ll keep her house spotless, but will I keep her secrets?! Good book! It was sad at times but still a good read! It had good suspense, mystery, murder, dark secrets, intrigue, and a few wild twists! The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

How far would a mother go to protect her only child...?

Ed and Christine Carter are struggling financially, raising their only son Conor and paying for the care of Christine's mother who has dementia. Though Conor is their only child, they had a daughter Cora who they lost to meningitis twenty years before but the pain remains. A parent shouldn't have to bury their child. And so they have poured all their love into their remaining child as he follows his dreams to become a professional footballer.

And then one night, Conor and girlfriend Paris return from a night out and all is well until they see the news the following morning. And both are racked with worry and guilt and panic about what lay in store for them.

Christine is awoken by the young couple's frantic whispers and heads downstairs to investigate. The morning news is blaring from the TV about the murder of a young local man the night before, which only seems to sends Paris into even more wailing. Christine is shocked. She didn't even know Conor knew Paris Levinson, the 17 year old daughter of the affluent couple she cleans for to keep a roof over their heads and her mother in proper care. But that aside, the couple are frantic about something. And when she manages to get some semblence of sense from them, Christine pales. She calls for Ed. And then the doorbell rings. Everyone panics.

Enter Helen and Bryan Levinson. The rich wife and prominent MP who has his fingers in many pies. Why are they calling on them at their house at this hour on a Sunday morning? And how did they even know where they lived? But more than that, how are they going to keep their children from being charged with murder?

As the story unfolds, we see the parents bans together to cover up their childrens' involvement in the murder but it does get a little unhinged at times. Are they even on the same team?

With secrets and lies in abundance, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Including in DCI Dan Riley's personal life concerning one of his own children. I love Riley and his team though I felt they didn't seem to feature quite as much as they have in previous books. But that's OK as I love Anna-Lou's style of blending the investigation with the lives of other characters involved in the story. However, this one is a little different than the others. I can't say how as that would be a spoiler but suffice to say that it's not tied up as neatly in the end as previous books or stories.

While it was entertaining throughout, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as all her previous ones which I believe were just phenomenal. I'm not sure what it was about this one that made it different but it just was. Well, there are a few key aspects that do make it different (none of which I can reveal) but on the whole, I'm not totally sure why. Even so, it was still relatively entertaining even if I didn't get all the answers at the end. Like...who was Bradley? And why did Cynthia keep insisting Christine had a sister? I know she had dementia, but as she featured as a key witness of sorts I kind of expected some of what she said to be explained at the end.

Overall, a fast paced entertaining thriller with a few unexpected twists along the way.

I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #WhatKindOfMother in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

This was my first read by Anna-Lou Weatherly and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will now be reading her other books about Detective Dan Riley.

What Kind Of Mother follows 2 families tied to a murder in their town and how far they will go to protect their own as Detective Dan Riley investigates. Corruption, scandals, and more secrets no one wants out are exposed as the investigation unfolds.

Twist after twist until the very end. I couldn't put this book down. It was an absolute page turner and I was hooked from the first word.

#WhatKindOfMother #Anna-LouWeatherly #NetGalley

What Kind of Mother
Two mothers would do anything to protect their teenagers as they admitted to accidentally killing someone.
Christine, Helen’s housekeeper, needs to uncover the truth about that night. In the meantime, Helen is becoming unstable.
Christine was my favorite character as she goes through so many stressful situations in order to protect her son from danger and to find out just what kind of mother she is!
Full of twists and turns with a surprise ending.

I clean house for Helen Levinson. Helen and her daughter, Paris are weirdly secretive about certain rooms in their mansion. Paris and my son Conor are shivering in my doorway, stating that they think they killed someone. Do Helen and I lie to keep the childern safe or go to the police?

I must save my family. I must discover what happened the night Conor and Paris showed up on my doorstep. I believe the answers are behind the locked door at the Levinson's mansion. What will I find behind that door. Thanks netgalley.

I really enjoyed this book! The twists were unexpected, and the fast pace kept me hooked from beginning to end. Although this is the eighth book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone, which was great for me since this is my first book by this author—but it definitely won’t be my last!

The story of two mothers trying to protect their children, each hiding dangerous secrets, was absolutely gripping. The suspense was intense, and I loved how the tension kept building. The characters felt real, especially the dynamic between the two mothers.

If you’re looking for a thrilling, well-crafted story full of twists, this book is definitely worth reading! Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Detective Dan Riley series never fails to impress me. Brilliant twists, excellent characters and pacy plot lines mean all of these books are my favourite.
I enjoyed the element of the corrupt MP and cop in this but I mainly enjoyed the fact it’s drawn together by a loving family. This was a brilliant read, thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley,

Wealthy people behaving badly sums this book up. “What Kind of Mother” is eighth in a series involving DCI Dan Riley, but it can read like a stand alone. This was a first read for me from author Anna-Lou Weatherley and it won’t be my last. DCI Dan Riley and his team were very likable so I would like to read more about him in previous books. This book kept me guessing from the beginning with a lot of twists and turns, but I did feel like some of them were a little far fetched and felt like they came out of left field.

Christine, who lost an infant daughter many years prior, will do anything to protect her remaining child, Conor. When he comes home with Paris, the daughter of a wealthy couple whose house Christine cleans, both covered in blood, she doesn't know what to think. But she will do anything, along with her husband Ed, to protect him. When Paris' parents suddenly become best friends with Christine and Ed, it baffles Christine and the police as well. But the two couples agree to dispose of their children's soiled clothing, and stick to a story of innocence.

This book had a number of unexpected twists and the suspense remained high throughout, with a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.