An horrifical situation to be in- entrusting your child to another family in an attempt to fit in and find friends, and then discovering them gone without a trace. So many suspects and motives are in play from the very start that the untangling of who is who and what is happening are quite complex in parts and the final revelation is absolutely mindblowing!

This is the first novel by Andrea Mara, but it won’t be my last as I was hooked on this.

The plotline moves quickly, takes twists and turns, with many red herrings to come crashing to the end where I was like what? How like eh what?
I can honestly say that I never saw it coming.

Though thinking back there were clues dropped into the plot line but is all they are. Clues and hints. Not spoilers that you think ah that’s what’s going on.

Which is what makes this novel so enjoyable.

Marissa goes to collect her son Milo from a playdate. But the playdate is not at the address, and Milo is missing. It quickly emerges that a local nanny has taken Milo, but why?

Bodies start to pile up, fingers are pointed, the school gates is a witches coven of judgementalism and Marissa and the nanny’s employer Jenny form a tight friendship against the finger pointing.

This keeps you going until the end when you finish with a What Have I Just Read moment that caught me completely unawares.

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for an advance copy that has gone onto my five star list for 2021.

When Marissa goes to collect her four year old son, Milo, from his first playdate, she is shocked to discover that he isn't there- in fact the family don't even live at that address. It's scary that in today's society, it would be all too easy to arrange a playdate over text message as they had.

I liked the writer's description of a group of school mum's as 'the coven', The writing was engaging and kept me guessing throughout. There were so many potential suspects. When bodies are found, it becomes apparent that it is much more than just a random kidnapping.

Fabulous twist after a well paced and well thought out plot.

Thanks indeed to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I thought this book started off a bit slow and I weren't that sure whether or not I would enjoy it, OH! HOW WRONG WAS I. Once the story got started and all the characters truly came to life off the page, I was completely gripped, It's a mind blowing thriller with shocking twists and plenty of OMG moments. When I got to the end and the twists ramped up one hundred per cent, the first thing that popped into my mind was the saying "all good things come to those who wait" you might think that's a strange saying for a domestic thriller book, but the ending was phenomenal and the character of Marissa certainly played her cards right. It's a fantastic read with relatable characters and a brilliant plot. I will definitely be recommending this book and I can't wait to see what Andrea writes next.

Loved. Loved Loved this book! A story that plays on every mothers worst nightmare, the support characters are all shady enough to be suspects so it kept my guessing till the end.

Twists and turns galore in this family thriller about a missing boy. It wrapped up a little oddly but overall kept me hooked and I read it in an afternoon

This has been a read filled with tension and suspense and I have been completely hooked. I have adored the way this has been written and fully engaged in this novel.

I couldn’t put this book down! My life had to be put on hold until the book was finished. On the surface, it is about everyone’s worst nightmare - a missing child. However, there is so much more to this story. Told partly in flashback and in different voices, the reader is totally gripped until the very last page. Nothing is as it first appears. Highly recommended!

All Her Fault.. what a cracking read! I was pulled in from the first page! Marissa and Peter's son Milo is on a playdate.. but when Marissa goes to collect him he is not there. Not to mention that someone else completely lives there. Where is Milo?
A superb psychological thriller that had me holding my breath throughout. I love all of Andrea's books and this one is no different! Highly recommend!

‘All Her Fault’ had all the makings of an amazing thriller from the start. The gossiping mothers, the twists and turns, the tension between couples, the different points of view.... and I had absolutely no idea where this book was going, which for me made it the perfect thriller.
There was a point at about 80% of the way through that my mouth dropped open in shock. After that, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow loved this book so many twists and turns it starts as Marissa arrives to pick up Milo from his playdate with a boy at his new school. and he is not there.
The mum that Marissa met at a party a few days earlier or who she even she recognises.
As the story progress's the whole of Dublin is looking for Milo and the nanny who is on a few days holiday .but it soon becomes clear this is not the case
I don't want to spoil it for you but as more suspects are uncovered the plot thickens and I couldn't put this book down
Definitely recommend this book

I was offered this book free to read by Penguin after reviewing a previous Penguin book " Keep her Quiet" by Emma Curtis another good read but this was even better
Thank you Penguin & Net galley for allowing me to read this book before it was released

4-5 rounded up

Marissa Irvine believes her son Milo is on a post school playdate with Jenny’s son Jacob and duly arrives at 14 Tudor Grove to collect him only to find the front door opened by a complete stranger. Thus begins every parents nightmare. Jenny is in France on business and has no knowledge of any arrangements and over the next few days suspicions fall in several places. The story is told from several perspectives including Marissa and Jenny which works very well.

Andrea Mara has a new fan! This is a dark and gritty mystery, a psychological thriller which is really well written and very easy to read, in fact, it’s gripping from beginning to end. The characterisation is excellent although it’s fair to say that some are far from likeable. Marissa’s emotions are really well portrayed and you feel her pain and although Jenny has nothing to feel guilty about, you feel that too. The ‘ judgey’ school gate witchy coven of the wealthy Dublin area adds an intriguing but fist clenching dimension too. There are some very odd dynamics in the book which do lead you down a certain path of suspicions and the odd red herring deceives you somewhat! The breath taking tension ramps up, the plotting is very clever and the brisk pace is maintained throughout. I did have some of the plot dots but I hadn’t managed to join them up correctly so they made the actual picture! There’s a trail of destruction, some HUGE secrets and ginormous lies which makes you wonder how some people live with themselves. The twists keep coming right to the end where I’m pleased to say one just dessert is most definitely served!!

Overall, this is such a good novel and one I’d have no hesitation in recommending to fans of the genre. Andrea Mara is a must read for me from now on!

With thanks to especially to Random House, Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

What an excellent , well paced thriller. Full of twists and turns I was sure I’d worked out the answer several times only to have everything turned on it’s head ! Will definitely look for other books by this author.

I really liked the premise of this book so was really happy to receive a copy from NetGalley.
And what can I say? I was blown away by this book. It made me smile, cry and gasp out loud at the twists - more than once!
When a play date is arranged for her son Milo, Marissa goes to collect him from the address on the text from Jenny, the other mum, although Marissa is told it will likely be Carrie, the nanny, who answers. It’s actually a stranger and she has no idea who or where Milo is....and neither does anyone else. It’s the start of a nightmare for Marissa and the story unfolds brilliantly, with so many twists along the way.
I loved this book and will be highly recommending it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. And OMG what a book it was. Absolutely brilliant from beginning to end. The characters and the storyline where amazing. The twists and turns had my head spinning how do authors come up with these stories is beyond me. This is one I’ll not forget too soon. I honestly thought Brian had something to do with it as he was acting so unusual. All the different pov’s where great. Well plotted and thought out. I think in the end it worked out really well, Peter got his comeuppance. I couldn’t believe he done what he did, as for adeline she needs a good slapping. Hopefully jenny sorts her out. Nasty woman. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey that was some read... I was enthralled from the very first word. Love Andrea Mara’s style of writing and how she has such a way of playing on your worst fears. Loved the pace and flow of the plot as it never took its foot off the throttle. This is a storyline anyone can identify with and you can’t help but put yourself in Marissa’s shoes. Really well developed characters that you get great insight into there lives which I really liked. Theres a lot more to this book then the blurb suggests from family dramas, relationships, friendships, school yard dynamics and how the grass always appears greener. Really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend but be prepared to get nothing else done once you start.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC that was published on the 22nd of July.

‘All Her Fault 👩‍👦’ by Andrea Mara
🌟🌟🌟 🌟 4/5
.
This was my first book by @andreamaraauthor and certainly won’t be my last! A fast paced psychological thriller that has you gripped from the start. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book and you were kept guessing as to who done it. I like a book where I am wrong with my prediction and I was SO wrong with this one!!

There were lots of characters and you got an in-depth insight to their life as well, which I liked! It was done in clever way that you weren’t confused and knew exactly who was who. The characters were all believable and had their place within the book, which was a plus for me as the last couple of thrillers I have read have been too unrealistic!

As a mother of a baby boy this really plugged at my heart strings. I think because the plot is so real it make it a much more intense read!

Thank you Random House and Andrea Mara for access to this eARC.

All Her Fault centers around Marissa and her son Milo. Milo has gone for a playdate after school at the house of a classmate, however when his mother arrives to collect him Milo isn't there, and the person who answers the door has never heard of them. From then on you are led on a race against time to get Milo back with his family and find the person responsible for kidnapping him.

Andrea did a great job with this book, especially considering it was loosely based on a true story. It had me on the edge of my seat and convinced I had solved the crime only go be proven wrong at the end (which is a very rare occurrence) intentional misdirection :P I loved it. I honestly could not keep up with the twists.

There are absolutely amazing supporting characters (Jenny and Esther) people you just want to hate (Sarah, Irene and Adeline). This just goes to show the lengths that good character development have in a book, its not always the characters you like that stick with you, we have all had the smarmy school gate mum, the awful mother in law etc. 

A really great book, and I would highly recommend it. As a parent myself, I almost died for Marissa, but I am glad things worked out in the end, for Andrea in real life, as for Marissa, you will have to read the book to find out.

Marissa Irvine arrives at 14 Tudor Grove, expecting to pick up her young son Milo from his first playdate with a boy at his new school. But the woman who answers the door isn't a mother she recognises. She isn't the nanny. She doesn't have Milo. And so begins every parent's worst nightmare.

There are countless twists and unexpected turns that this story takes, and lots of characters introduced throughout the book. Despite this, every single loose end was tied up, and the relevance of every character to the story was explained.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This book grabs you and drags you in and doesn't let you put it down until the very last sentence. So many twists and turns and unexpected happenings. Excellently written with a strongly drawn mix of characters. I loved it from start to finish.