What Kind of Mother” by Anna-Lou Weatherley is a great twisty thriller. This is the first novel I’ve read by her. Although this is in a series, it reads as a standalone.

This is the 8th installment of the Detective Dan Riley series. The story begins shockingly, with two dating teens returning home after a night out. They are covered in blood. The mother, Christine, of the boy, Conor, immediately goes into protection mode.

This book had a nice amount of tension, dread, danger, and shocking twists that kept me fully invested and turning the pages! Whew! What a ride! I had no idea where this book was going but enjoyed the ride, the investigation, and a mother's quest to save her child.

What Kind of Mother by Anna-Lou Weatherley taps into every mother's fears for her child. This author really knows how to dig deep and pull out all the emotions along with an ever building, constant suspense. Great book!

4 “love this series” stars!

A body is found brutally beaten to death and a local prominent family finds themselves mixed up in the investigation.

I am a huge fan of this police procedural series. The writing always grabs me immediately and keeps me wrapped up within the twisty and often dark plots. This book was no different than what I’ve come to expect from this series. The prologue sets the tone for the crime and Detective Dan Riley and his amazing team take on the case of finding answers.

My most favourite part of this series is the main character, Dan Riley. His personality has the perfect mix of true dedication to his job and a constant pull toward his family. He finds himself in a constant struggle to manage his work/life balance and I find it touching how he longs for more time with his wife and children. His family is always within the background of the story, but is a standout aspect for me as it brings an endearing, more sensitive side to his hard working, crime filled daily work life.

The storyline is dark and heavy, as with all of the books in this series. Dan’s inner thoughts and snark give the heaviness of the storyline breaks of humour and sarcasm. I love that he also finds guidance through remembered wisdoms from his father which come as memories throughout the books.

A few small critiques with this novel are that I felt the ending was a bit dramatic and some things cleaned up too neat and tidy. I haven’t had this issue with any of the previous books, so just a one-off in that regard. And I still thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Overall, this was another winner in this series! I would rank it my least favourite in the series so far, but still a strong 4 stars (this author can do no wrong!). I highly recommend this entire series and suggest starting with book 1 so you can experience the character growth.

Audio rating: 5 stars! The publisher has picked a true gem of an audiobook narrator for this series. He greatly enhances my connection and overall enjoyment every time!

Totally unpredictable
Totally brilliant
Immensley enjoyable

This is a story where you can discover just how far a parent is prepared to protect their child.

I'm not really sure either family dealt with things the right way, but it certainly made for a far more interesting story.

There are multiple moral dilemmas present within these pages, and its certainly a story that makes you think.

And its always good to catch up with Dan Riley and his team again, and I really do like his integrity and determination.

There are so many layers of lies and secrets that it was at times a bit tricky to keep on top of, but ultimately let to a fabulous finale.

Loved every second of this.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I didn't realize this book was part of a series when I requested it. However, it was amazing, and seems to be okay to read as a standalone. The book was so good that I will be going back to read the other seven books in this series. I'm so excited.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

I felt that this was more focused on the actions/reactions of the parents than on the investigation by DI Dan Riley which made for a refreshing change, and means that even though this is the eighth instalment in the Detective Dan Riley series, it is accessible for anyone who has never read them before.

What Kind of Mother by Anna-Lou Weatherley is the eighth installment in the Detective Dan Riley series. While I've read the other seven books, I believe you would certainly be able to read this on its own and enjoy it without feeling lost. With that being said, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend checking out the entire series because the books are AH-MAZING!

In this book, Christine and Ed are a normal couple. They both work hard while living paycheck to paycheck, trying to save up for the football academy their 18 year old son, Conor, plans to attend in hopes of being a pro footballer.

On a typical Sunday, Christine is up early getting ready to head to her job cleaning the house of a wealthy family but when she arrives, nothing is typical about what she finds. A horrifying discovery inside the house changes everything—and suddenly, Christine’s world is flipped upside down. What unfolds next is a gripping, emotional rollercoaster filled with secrets, suspicion, and the heart-wrenching question at the center of it all: how far would you go to protect your child? As always, Anna-Lou Weatherley delivers a twisty, high-stakes thriller that had me flying through the pages—I had to know how it would all unravel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Anna-Lou Weatherley for the opportunity to read this intense and unforgettable ARC!

The trope of this book was great. While it was an enjoyable read I felt my attention wandering at times. However the books ending a great way to wrap up the book and bring the story together

What Kind of Mother is book eight in the Detective Dan Riley series. I have read some, but not all of the series, and feel they can be read as standalone books but I would recommend them to be read in order to fully enjoy them. This one was packed full of twists and turns and I never knew quite where the story was going to head. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I’ve read all the other books in this series and really enjoyed them. I really struggled with this one and found it to be the weakest in the series. I struggled to relate to any of the characters and the storyline didn’t excite me like the others

I love this author and her thrillers. They are all truly great, she has such good storylines and intriguing plots. I was hooked from beginning to end. Also, this works perfectly fine as a standalone if you haven't read the prior ones in the serie. I had no idea where the story was going this story kept me on the edge of my seat.

I have a confession to make....

This is my first book by Anna-Lou Weatherley and I am truly embarrassed to admit it.

I have a lot of making up to do....

What Kind of Mother, is actually book EIGHT in the Detective Dan Riley series. As mentioned, this was my first book by Weatherley and was easily read as a standalone.

This book is jam packed with suspenseful moments, has elements of surprise and I truly captivated me early on.

Kudos to Weatherley, I am excited to see what's next.

Check out this teaser:

My son and his girlfriend stand there, two terrified teenagers shivering in the doorway, and say the unthinkable. ‘I think we killed someone.’ Now, I have to decide exactly what kind of mother I am…

Everything changes in a heartbeat the night Conor and his girlfriend Paris Levinson come to us begging for help, their clothes spattered with blood. They say it was an accident, that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time…

A mother’s intuition is never wrong, and I know there is more they aren’t telling us. But Paris’ mother Helen and I have to make a choice that will change all of our lives. Do we tell the truth, and risk losing our children forever? Or do we lie to keep them safe?

We will do anything to protect our children, but one wrong move could cost us everything. Lying to the police was a risk, and now Helen is acting more unpredictable by the day – turning up at my house unannounced, harassing my husband, telling lies about my past…

The only way to save my family is to uncover the truth about that night. I’m convinced the answers lie hidden inside the Levinsons’ house. I’d do anything for Conor, but am I prepared for what I might find behind locked doors? But when your son is in danger, you find out what kind of mother you are…

This is the 8th book in the Dan Riley series. The more books I read I love Dan more and more. This book held my attention and moves at a very fast pace. I love being suprised and this one certainly did. I connect with the authors writing style.

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Ann-lou Weatherley for the eArc of What Kind of Mother.

Having stumbled across the Dan Riley series several years ago, I have been invested in following the cases and the life of our DCI Dan Riley. This is book 8 in the series and Id highly recommend reading the previous books due to the secondary story that runs through these books.

There is something about Anna-Lou Weatherleys writing style that I find really engaging. There are a few tropes within these books that marry very well. The mystery/thriller side goes well with the speculativeness and there is an element of police protocol. Seeing that there is a secondary narrative of our Dan Riley, his life as it unfolds under his cases makes for a very compelling read.

The characters who are well established in this book still have character development, they are still changing and growing and makes me bound with them more. The characters that are " case" characters are built in progressively, unfolding with when and how the case that Dan Riley is investigating. As with all of these books, the foreshadowing is good, clues littered everywhere and often we find we know who the perp is around 3/4 of the way through. This doesn't detract from the building tension of how Dan is going to bring this person to justice.


4.5 stars for Storygraph, 5 stars for other review sites

i agve this book 4 stars! The main character takes a housekeeping job after the death of her own daughter. She starts cleaning for a wealthy family while trying to keep herself and life private. A murder occurs and she has to navigate keeping secrets for the rich family. I did not want to put this one down!

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again, So, so, so good!

What Kind of Mother by Anna-Lou Weatherley is a book about the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child. Christine and Ed have been married a long time and together since elementary school. They have a son, Conor, who is in high school. Christine works as a housekeeper for a wealthy family a few times a week. She cleans the house and helps out where needed. Christine is shocked when Conor is with the daughter of that family in her home. Conor and Paris like each other and have been out tonight. On their way home after they'd been drinking, they ran into a man while walking. That man ended up dead. He was in really bad shape as his face had been beaten so badly that you couldn't identify him. Conor and Paris are very upset and visibly shaken. They have blood on their clothes. Were they involved in the man's beating?

Christine and Ed try to get the story out of them when the tv has breaking news about the dead man. When they're working through the events of last night there's a knock at the door. It's Paris' parents, the Levinson's. Together the parents of both kids come up with a story to protect the kids. They tell the kids to change clothes so that they can be taken away. Why doesn't Paris seem happy to see her parents? This isn't a happy family and Christine has never seen them all together when she's working in their home. She now wonders why that is? How far will parents go to protect their children?

What Kind of Mother is a terrifying book where the suspense builds an builds until you can't stop reading! I read this book in one day and it kept me on edge throughout. What Kind of Mother is a fantastic thriller that will keep your heart racing and mind guessing throughout. I rate What Kind of Mother 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of What Kind of Mother in exchange for a fair review. The book is available now and should be added to your TBR pile. #WhatKindOfMother

A drug dealer is brutally killed. The suspects are the daughter of an MP and her boyfriend but DCI Dan Riley faces the wrath of his superiors who don't want to antagonise a prominent and famous individual. Dan's commitment to truth and justice put his career in jeopardy...
What Kind Of Mother is the 8th book in the DCI Dan Riley series. Each book works as a stand alone as there are no spoilers about previous cases.
Christine and Ed Carter wake to find their son and his girlfriend arriving home from a night out. The pair are covered in blood and watching the TV news which reports a man has been murdered. The parents' protective instincts kick in and they try to cover up any involvement but DCI Dan Riley can identify the teens from CCTV and comes knocking at the door.
The book is written from Dan's first person perspective as he investigates, and also multiple other suspects' viewpoints to show their tangled lies and personal issues. Dan is steadfast and honest in his investigation which puts him at odds with the hierarchy who warn him off making waves. I loved his character, which is very much understated and all the more believeable for it.
I loved this book. The Carter family are basically good guys, trying to make ends meet. Christine and Ed are haunted by the death of their daughter years ago and now would do anything to protect their only remaining son. The Levinsons also want to protect their daughter as well as their own status in the community so want to cover up any involvement in the murder. There are great plot twists and big issues such as dementia and abuse are handled sensitively.
What Kind of Mother is a tense, dramatic and engagingly written crime thriller and police procedural.

What Kind of Mother by Anna-Lou Weatherley was another excellent book and is the 8th book in the excellent Detective Dan Riley series. Like all Anna's books I was gripped from start to finish, once I started to read it, it was hard to put it down especially as it was fast paced with lots of great twists and turns and I just wanted to find out what happened next. I love the Detective Dan Riley character and looking forward to the next book within this series.

This book can be read as a standalone. However, I do highly recommend you read the other seven books they hve been a 5 star read and great books to take on holiday.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC.