Cover Image: The Mother's Mistake

The Mother's Mistake

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Member Reviews

A UK based psychological thriller about a new mother, for whom the past seems to be very much at the forefront of her mind. This book is full of red herrings, and whilst it might be easy to work out where part of the story is going, I was still very surprised when the plot came together and everything slotted into place - which made for a real page turner, particularly towards the end of the story.

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A really enjoyable book - I was wondering how the two stories would come together and when they did, I was very pleased with how they linked - an enjoyable read and the portrayal of post natal depression was really well written and the sense of paranoia very well written. Recommended.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately gripped from the prologue where we see someone witnessing a child who drowned. The cops are frantically trying to revive the little girl but to no avail.

We fast forward to present day where Claire, her husband, and infant daughter have relocated to a country cottage owned by her mother in law. We start to get snippets of information that Claire’s first daughter died.

So I unfortunately had to DNF this book early on because of the domestic violence scenes. I have an incredibly hard time reading about graphic abuse. I think that this book is probably spectacular from start to finish, but I can no longer continue.

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The Mother's Mistake had me interested from the getgo. It tells the story of Claire, her husband and young baby girl. When they move back to her husbands home town, onto the grounds of where his parents live, things don't become as iddylic as Claire had hoped. Matt is away from home a lot of the time setting up a new Veterinary Practice, Claire is left at home with the baby she is unable to bond with. Its here that we meet 3 characters - Emma a "new" friend with a young baby also. Then there is Ruth , Matt's Mother - an unlikeable character who is very protective over her son. We also meet Sarah - she works for Matt - but we also find out she is an Ex of Matt's.
Claire has had a bad past and we realise she has been unstable in the past, but when things start happening in her house we dont know whether to believe her or is she just going mad, Things keep being moved in the house, and it appears people are coming in - is it just Ruth or is someone else getting in. Who can Claire believe, who should she trust, is Claire going insane? Read it to find out!!!

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What could you have done that was so bad that when someone tells you that you don’t deserve your child that you believe them? You can’t feel any connection to this child that you gave birth to and your attempts at soothing her are unsuccessful. Claire moves with her husband to his childhood town and gets nothing but grief from her mother-in-law. She also has suspicions about her husband due to all his lies and the time he is spending with a childhood friend. Claire finds comfort in her new friend Emma who has a baby just a month older than Claire’s daughter and they soon become inseparable. When Claire starts finding things out of place and finds a note under her door, she will have to decide who she can trust and face her demo s from the past. This book flowed so well. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read her next book!

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The Mother's Mistake is a clever thriller that caught my attention from the first few pages and kept me guessing until the end. The story is well plotted and the characters developed, making me invested in their stories. Recommended!

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This book has all the gripping, twisty-turny moments you want from a thriller. Aside from this, it also deals with post-partum depression, and Claire’s struggles as a new Mum, which I think was very well written. We learn very early on in the story that Claire witnessed something extremely tragic three years earlier, but I wasn’t sure how this was connected with the story – it’s very satisfying when it is all revealed. There are two main plots running through this book, and I think it was very well done. I really liked the character of Claire, and there was the recurring question throughout the book about whether mistakes should be forgiven.
The Mother’s Mistake is heartbreaking as well as thrilling, and I’d really recommend it.

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A great atmospheric read that will grip you from the very first page. Twists and turns a plenty with strong characters that lead you through the story

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Claire is a new mother who is having a really hard time. She’s finding it difficult to bond with her baby, Olivia, and she and her husband have just moved across the way from her difficult mother in law, Ruth. Not to mention the fact that her husband works long hours away from home setting up his new vet practice. In the new house, Claire feels she’s going insane. Things keep moving from where she put them and she’s sure someone has been in the house. Have they? Or is she just crazy like everyone thinks?
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Review: I really enjoyed this book. It really was a great thriller that keeps you guessing! Once you get to the end, you can understand why the villain did what they did. I enjoy stories where even the worst characters are humanized. Only negative: Constant, and I do mean CONSTANT, breastfeeding references. Almost Every. Single. Page. I got tired of reading but about that. Overall though, enthralling thriller!

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A thoroughly enjoyable book by Ruth Heald. Dealing into postnatal depression and past secrets, this book will keep you turning the pages eager to discover the mysteries of the individual characters. I couldn't decide which character was genuine so Ruth was especially good with developing complex characters. Well worth the read.

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Although the narrative is told by more than one narrator it doesn't detract from the other plot which is well exectued and intelligent. I really loved it and will look out for more from this author.

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This book starts off really strong, It quickly grabbed my attention and I was hooked. It’s a bit confusing with the unknown point of view switches. But it does make you want to find out what’s going on, why and to whom. It all wraps up in the end revealing all the answers it makes you ask along the way, so definitely worth sticking until the end, I ended up loving the book and do recommend for fans of psychological thriller drama books.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book via #NetGalley.

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Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and the Author. What a great thrilling read which has you hooked right from the beginning. I would highly recommend

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Wow what a book. I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn into the story from the beginning.
This book kept me guessing until the end. A great psychological thriller. The best book I have read in ages

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this book is a must read has it all twisty addictive it pulls you in from page one Claire has what she wants but all is not what it seems in her life she moves back to her husbands hometown she got mother In law from hell this book gets in your head the house so creepy and things keep happening all is not what it seems will say no more its a must read

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I really loved this book from the start! Read in one day, couldn't put it down! Definitely a 5 star read★☆★☆★
Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to read it early

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Perfect psychological thriller that gripped me from start to finish.
A thought provoking suspenseful plot narrating two story lines in parallel time lines that collide together into an amazing totally unexpected twist. Highly recommended.

Thanks #Netgalley, #Bookouture, and author Ruth Heald for a chance to read this wonderful book.

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A great read!

Matt and his wife Claire are "starting anew" with their 3 month old daughter, Olivia. Matt's grandmother had passed away and his parents said that they could live in his grandmother's house. This, free of rent, since Matt is relocating his veterinarian practice from London. Claire and Matt are happy to be in the countryside.

It seems as if Matt's mother never cleaned anything out of the house, however. This becomes an issue. So does the fact that Matt hires an old flame, Sarah, to be his receptionist. Matt comes home late many times - he says the new practice needs a lot of attention. Claire is worried that Sarah is the one getting the "attention".

Claire and Emma become friends. Emma's baby, Lizzie, is 2 months old, so they have a lot in common. Emma helps Claire whenever needed. They take walks and go to the stores.

While cleaning out the pond, all of Matt's family, Sarah and Emma are there to help. Olivia's carrier drifts into the pond and they have trouble getting Olivia out of the water. Matt does CPR and once in the hospital ER Olivia is checked out and is fine. (Yet, Claire has a great fear of Olivia near water). Also, the doctor shows Claire two bruises on Olivia's thighs that seem to be indicative of some kind of abuse? She is told to watch closely anyone with whom Olivia comes in contact with.

Then the story really becomes unfurled. So as not to leave any spoilers, let me say that all is not as it seems and MORE!!!

This is another of the best books I have read this year! A fast-moving thriller that constantly has the reader in suspense!

Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a wonderful read!

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Two separate stories running along parallel lines that converge in a stunning twist. The law of unintended consequences and a theme of should all mistakes be forgiven. Tight, tense and twisty psychological thriller.

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Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5***

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