The Mother Next Door

by Leah Mercer

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.One of my reading goals for 2023 was to read more thrillers/mysteries. Therefore, picking up The Mother Next Door was a no brainer. With its compelling, suspenseful and fast-paced storyline, The Mother Next Door delivered a thrilling ride from start to finish.

The Mother Next Door introduces Fiona, Allison, Jasmine and Lou. Fiona, Allison and Jasmine may dislike each other, but they have several things in common. Their children attend the same school, they are friends with Lou and they are trying to bury the guilty feelings of a shared secret from their past. All three women trusted Lou with their lives. Therefore, they have no qualms in allowing her to pick up their children from school. However, on one fateful day with a storm brewing, Lou failed to bring the children home, placing Fiona, Jasmine and Lou in a state of panic.

While wondering where Lou could be with their children, they each received a text message for Lou. A message which sends chills down their spine and will require them to revisit a past they would rather forget. However, their children’s lives are at risk, forcing them to dig up a secret which they thought would remain buried. Will they be willing to face their fears and confess, or will they risk the lives of their children to keep their secret buried?

Told from multiple POVs, The Mother Next Door will have one flipping the pages as one tries to decipher how the events would unfold. The story provides readers with Fiona, Allison and Jasmine’s POVs along with that of Tabitha, one of the children being held captive. At the beginning of the story I sympathized with the women, after all it must be scary not know what happened to their children. However, with the progression of each event, my feelings towards them changed. Their actions reeked of selfishness and cowardice, rendering them unlikeable. I had difficulty dredging up an ounce of compassion for them.

The delivery of the story between the past and the present helps readers to understand the nature of the secret and the ultimate reason for the kidnapping. The big question, though, is what does this secret have to do with Lou?

Tabitha’s POV opened the reader’s eyes to the dangers the children faced. One could not help worrying about their safety. Health issues, a raging storm and an unstable kidnapper adding to the intensity of the story. It sure kept me on the edge of my seat. The story also delivered some interesting and shocking turn of events leading up to a satisfying end.

Fans of domestic and psychological thrillers should consider adding The Mother Next Door to their TBR. This was my first Leah Mercer read and it will not be my last.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading