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Cutting Teeth: A Novel
"With devourable writing and pitch-perfect humor, Cutting Teeth is a sharp, original, wickedly astute look at the sting of modern motherhood." --Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
New York Times bestselling author Chandler Baker's Cutting Teeth is a witty, thrilling story of parental love that is there anything a mother won't do for her children? Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea are on personal quests to reclaim aspects of their identities subsumed by motherhood--their careers, their sex lives, their bodies. Their children, though, disrupt their plans when an unsettling medical condition begins to go around the Little Academy the kids are craving blood. Then a young teacher is found dead, and the only potential witnesses are ten adorable four-year-olds.
Soon it becomes clear that the children are not just witnesses, but also suspects . . . and so are their mothers. As the police begin to look more closely, the children's ability to bleed their parents dry becomes deadly serious. Part murder mystery, part motherhood manifesto, Cutting Teeth explores the standards society holds mothers to--along with the ones to which we hold ourselves--and the things no one tells you about becoming a parent.
New York Times bestselling author Chandler Baker's Cutting Teeth is a witty, thrilling story of parental love that is there anything a mother won't do for her children? Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea are on personal quests to reclaim aspects of their identities subsumed by motherhood--their careers, their sex lives, their bodies. Their children, though, disrupt their plans when an unsettling medical condition begins to go around the Little Academy the kids are craving blood. Then a young teacher is found dead, and the only potential witnesses are ten adorable four-year-olds.
Soon it becomes clear that the children are not just witnesses, but also suspects . . . and so are their mothers. As the police begin to look more closely, the children's ability to bleed their parents dry becomes deadly serious. Part murder mystery, part motherhood manifesto, Cutting Teeth explores the standards society holds mothers to--along with the ones to which we hold ourselves--and the things no one tells you about becoming a parent.
512 pages, Library Binding
First published July 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,420 reviews
September 22, 2023
I am not surprised by the 3.38 average Goodreads rating and I blame that on the marketing of this book. Anyone going into this book expecting a horror novel of vampiric children are going to be very disappointed. This is women's fiction or maybe even a mommy-centric mystery. The blood thirsty four year old's are more of a meditation on how children can drain a women's livelihood dry.
Expectations of mothers far exceed that of fathers. I'm not saying that there aren't good, hands on Dads out there - they are - but the expectations are different. Moms are meant to be endlessly selfless and it is often without gratitude or recognition because it's just what moms are expected to do. Dabbing snotty noses, cleaning vomit, wiping poopy butts all while still keeping the household afloat and dinner on the table. It is endless and exhausting. Everyone always tells you it will get easier but does it really? My son is almost 18 years old and it's not any easier now than it was then. Instead of worrying about him hurting himself on the sharp edge of a table or falling down stairs it's now worrying he'll be in a terrible car accident. So it doesn't really get easier it's just that the worries of a toddler to a teenager morph and change. A mom will always be a mom not matter the age of their child and with that there will be heart soaring moments and moments of utter defeat.
"Has he ever stopped to wonder why being a mom actually is the hardest job in the world and not just something thoughtless people say?
It's because there's never a day off - not just a day, not an hour, not so much as a minute. Is she sick? Is she feeling under the weather? Too bad! There's no one to cover her interminable shift; she'll get off when she dies."
This is a well written and thoughtful exploration on the bond between a mother and child but that's a narrow audience so even though I enjoyed this very much I can't promise another reader will have the same experience that I did. 4 stars!
For those of you looking for a horror novel about vampiric children then I highly recommend the absolutely chilling novel Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie. It will be the perfect addition to your spooky October line up. 👻
Thanks to Overdrive for the loan!
Expectations of mothers far exceed that of fathers. I'm not saying that there aren't good, hands on Dads out there - they are - but the expectations are different. Moms are meant to be endlessly selfless and it is often without gratitude or recognition because it's just what moms are expected to do. Dabbing snotty noses, cleaning vomit, wiping poopy butts all while still keeping the household afloat and dinner on the table. It is endless and exhausting. Everyone always tells you it will get easier but does it really? My son is almost 18 years old and it's not any easier now than it was then. Instead of worrying about him hurting himself on the sharp edge of a table or falling down stairs it's now worrying he'll be in a terrible car accident. So it doesn't really get easier it's just that the worries of a toddler to a teenager morph and change. A mom will always be a mom not matter the age of their child and with that there will be heart soaring moments and moments of utter defeat.
"Has he ever stopped to wonder why being a mom actually is the hardest job in the world and not just something thoughtless people say?
It's because there's never a day off - not just a day, not an hour, not so much as a minute. Is she sick? Is she feeling under the weather? Too bad! There's no one to cover her interminable shift; she'll get off when she dies."
This is a well written and thoughtful exploration on the bond between a mother and child but that's a narrow audience so even though I enjoyed this very much I can't promise another reader will have the same experience that I did. 4 stars!
For those of you looking for a horror novel about vampiric children then I highly recommend the absolutely chilling novel Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie. It will be the perfect addition to your spooky October line up. 👻
Thanks to Overdrive for the loan!
August 20, 2023
Chandler Baker came up with one way to spice up the thriller genre: vampire children.
The kiddos in Cutting Teeth aren’t really vampires, though. It’s not like they sleep all day or have pointy, razor-sharp teeth. And they don’t have an unusual aversion to garlic and holy water. They’ve simply developed a medical condition that causes them to crave blood.
When this medical condition spreads like wildfire amongst the 4-year-olds at the Little Academy preschool and a teacher is found dead, moms Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea are determined to protect their children. Because everyone is a murder suspect, parents and children alike.
The mom in me sure had fun with this one. Cutting Teeth is a compelling thriller, yes, but it’s also a clever examination of motherhood. The inadequacy so many moms feel, the pressure to live up to ridiculous societal standards, the need to please our children, husbands, and everyone else around us – it’s all there, interwoven within an entertaining murder mystery.
It’s a bit Big Little Lies. A tad Desperate Housewives, even. I admired Baker’s sharp writing and laughed at her twisted humor. And the ending made my jaw drop.
Cutting Teeth is a winner.
The kiddos in Cutting Teeth aren’t really vampires, though. It’s not like they sleep all day or have pointy, razor-sharp teeth. And they don’t have an unusual aversion to garlic and holy water. They’ve simply developed a medical condition that causes them to crave blood.
When this medical condition spreads like wildfire amongst the 4-year-olds at the Little Academy preschool and a teacher is found dead, moms Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea are determined to protect their children. Because everyone is a murder suspect, parents and children alike.
The mom in me sure had fun with this one. Cutting Teeth is a compelling thriller, yes, but it’s also a clever examination of motherhood. The inadequacy so many moms feel, the pressure to live up to ridiculous societal standards, the need to please our children, husbands, and everyone else around us – it’s all there, interwoven within an entertaining murder mystery.
It’s a bit Big Little Lies. A tad Desperate Housewives, even. I admired Baker’s sharp writing and laughed at her twisted humor. And the ending made my jaw drop.
Cutting Teeth is a winner.
May 20, 2023
I really expected to enjoy this book a lot more than I did. It was an enjoyable read but again, I found myself struggling to continue through it, hoping it would pick up half way through.
My thoughts are that the book is definitely primarily focused on the parent’s lives and the kids with their “cutting teeth” took a backseat in the story overall.
I was expecting a whole lot more creepy-vampire-kid action!
There were definitely some funny parts of the story and a couple of the references really did make me chuckle out loud, and hey, that cover—super cool!
Thank you to Flatiron books!! I won Cutting Teeth in a Goodreads Giveaway.
My thoughts are that the book is definitely primarily focused on the parent’s lives and the kids with their “cutting teeth” took a backseat in the story overall.
I was expecting a whole lot more creepy-vampire-kid action!
There were definitely some funny parts of the story and a couple of the references really did make me chuckle out loud, and hey, that cover—super cool!
Thank you to Flatiron books!! I won Cutting Teeth in a Goodreads Giveaway.
June 29, 2023
Behind every smile there is teeth, probably gritted as this is a book with plenty of bite, where you have to get past the veneer of lies to get to the tooth. Okay, got that out of my system! The focus of Chandler Baker’s latest novel is the seemingly perfect Little Academy preschool which the four-year-old children of friends Rhea, Darby and Mary Beth attend. Miss Erin Ollie is the highly qualified teacher who is perhaps not so great with the parents, just ask Rhea. However, when Miss Ollie is found dead it’s not just the mothers who are under the scrutiny of the investigating detectives, the children are too and shockingly, some are even suspects. Why? Well, here we have some vampiric children and if we add in the struggles of motherhood and the various attempts to take back their lives
we have us a very entertaining, original premise.
This is certainly different, it’s strange, weird even and very acutely observed and has me intrigued from the start and keeps me reading on, sometimes with my mouth open in shock! It’s part satire, part domestic drama, part murder mystery, partly a study of different brands of motherhood and female friendship and if that’s not enough for you, let’s chuck in the vampire behaviour of four-year-olds. If that doesn’t pique your interest I don’t know what will. This aspect of the storytelling is especially riveting, darkly so and yes, sometimes even yukkily so.
I think it’s exceptionally good on motherhood and here we have very different brands which of itself brings judgements and there are some very good scenes of the competitive/combative nature that motherhood can bring in its wake. It looks at just how far you would be prepared to go for your child. Hold that thought! Scattered throughout is plenty of biting (Sorry) wit, some snappy dialogue and there are some very funny scenes often surrounding the children which on occasions makes you want to pinch your nose. It’s all told at a good pace with some unexpected twists, the final one being intake of breath worthy. Didn’t see that coming!
I thoroughly enjoy this creatively different novel from this talented author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Vintage for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
we have us a very entertaining, original premise.
This is certainly different, it’s strange, weird even and very acutely observed and has me intrigued from the start and keeps me reading on, sometimes with my mouth open in shock! It’s part satire, part domestic drama, part murder mystery, partly a study of different brands of motherhood and female friendship and if that’s not enough for you, let’s chuck in the vampire behaviour of four-year-olds. If that doesn’t pique your interest I don’t know what will. This aspect of the storytelling is especially riveting, darkly so and yes, sometimes even yukkily so.
I think it’s exceptionally good on motherhood and here we have very different brands which of itself brings judgements and there are some very good scenes of the competitive/combative nature that motherhood can bring in its wake. It looks at just how far you would be prepared to go for your child. Hold that thought! Scattered throughout is plenty of biting (Sorry) wit, some snappy dialogue and there are some very funny scenes often surrounding the children which on occasions makes you want to pinch your nose. It’s all told at a good pace with some unexpected twists, the final one being intake of breath worthy. Didn’t see that coming!
I thoroughly enjoy this creatively different novel from this talented author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Vintage for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
2.5 🌟
Well you could say I was disappointed in this one Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker had me in the beginning but alas it didn’t keep me wanting to read this, for me the prose should have been about the children & cutting Teeth 🦷 being vampire kids it wasn’t it was more about the adults & their woes I am not sure what Chandler Baker comes under as it’s my first read by her.
This was also a bit slow for me the murder had me guessing & there were some laugh out loud 😹 moments I am an outlier on this one maybe it was the wrong genre I like some horror but not all especially vampire 🧛♂️ proses.
Well you could say I was disappointed in this one Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker had me in the beginning but alas it didn’t keep me wanting to read this, for me the prose should have been about the children & cutting Teeth 🦷 being vampire kids it wasn’t it was more about the adults & their woes I am not sure what Chandler Baker comes under as it’s my first read by her.
This was also a bit slow for me the murder had me guessing & there were some laugh out loud 😹 moments I am an outlier on this one maybe it was the wrong genre I like some horror but not all especially vampire 🧛♂️ proses.
July 5, 2023
No one -- absolutely no one -- can write social commentary like Chandler Baker. With Whisper Network, then The Husbands, and now Cutting Teeth, Baker makes it clear that she has her pulse firmly on issues affecting modern women, and she explores those issues in the most fascinating, fun, feminist, and utterly original ways. Whatever her topic -- women in the workplace, traditional gender roles, the pitfalls of motherhood -- she always makes me feel so seen.
The Upper 4's class at the Little Academy is dealing with a biting issue. Biting is totally normal at age four, all the parenting books say; it's a way children can express anger or frustration before they are mature enough to give voice to those feelings. But it's a bit more sinister in this case, because these little ones actually seem to be craving blood.
Dealing with this unsettling situation is the last thing the moms, including earth-mother Rhea, practical Darby, and picture-perfect Mary Beth, have the time to deal with. Their lives are already hectic enough as they try to balance work, the day-to-day trials of parenting, and their adult relationships. But then a teacher at Little Academy is murdered, and their adorable little blood-sucking children are the only witnesses...and suspects.
First things first: This is not a horror novel about vampiric children on a rampage. What it is, instead, is a masterful metaphor for the way children can unintentionally turn into little leeches, draining their parents until there is nothing left. With witty, insightful observations and wisdom in spades, Baker shines an honest light on motherhood: the standards mothers hold themselves and others to, the way mothers 0ften judge others who parent a different way. Her characters are sometimes frustrating and not always likeable -- but they are always relatable.
Baker totally nails the satirical tone of this story, which is part motherhood manifesto, part murder mystery, and part domestic drama. The pacing is perfect, and there are some great twists that caught me by surprise (that ending was a shocker!). Baker also writes children really well -- which is something not all authors are able to do -- and it makes the preschoolers in this book just as endearing as they are creepy.
I highly, highly recommend the audio version of this book. It's read by January LaVoy (at Baker's request!), and she does the most perfect job of narration -- especially for the children (complete with sweet, high-pitched little voices and lisps). It made this such an immersive reading experience for me.
To sum it up with some puns, Cutting Teeth is a bloody brilliant book that you can really sink your teeth into. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
The Upper 4's class at the Little Academy is dealing with a biting issue. Biting is totally normal at age four, all the parenting books say; it's a way children can express anger or frustration before they are mature enough to give voice to those feelings. But it's a bit more sinister in this case, because these little ones actually seem to be craving blood.
Dealing with this unsettling situation is the last thing the moms, including earth-mother Rhea, practical Darby, and picture-perfect Mary Beth, have the time to deal with. Their lives are already hectic enough as they try to balance work, the day-to-day trials of parenting, and their adult relationships. But then a teacher at Little Academy is murdered, and their adorable little blood-sucking children are the only witnesses...and suspects.
First things first: This is not a horror novel about vampiric children on a rampage. What it is, instead, is a masterful metaphor for the way children can unintentionally turn into little leeches, draining their parents until there is nothing left. With witty, insightful observations and wisdom in spades, Baker shines an honest light on motherhood: the standards mothers hold themselves and others to, the way mothers 0ften judge others who parent a different way. Her characters are sometimes frustrating and not always likeable -- but they are always relatable.
Baker totally nails the satirical tone of this story, which is part motherhood manifesto, part murder mystery, and part domestic drama. The pacing is perfect, and there are some great twists that caught me by surprise (that ending was a shocker!). Baker also writes children really well -- which is something not all authors are able to do -- and it makes the preschoolers in this book just as endearing as they are creepy.
I highly, highly recommend the audio version of this book. It's read by January LaVoy (at Baker's request!), and she does the most perfect job of narration -- especially for the children (complete with sweet, high-pitched little voices and lisps). It made this such an immersive reading experience for me.
To sum it up with some puns, Cutting Teeth is a bloody brilliant book that you can really sink your teeth into. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
August 6, 2023
The book is about mothers with 4-5-year-old children who are going to the Little Academy school
Some children developed strange cravings for blood. Their teacher promises to discuss with them this matter, but on the same day she is found dead and only her small students are witnesses. Or are they the murderers? Police are met with the hard task to interview them and find who was the killer.
It is supposed that the book has a lot of funny moments, but maybe it all depends if the reader has small kids or not. I don't have any. And I didn't enjoy so much reading about mothers whose subject of discussion is their baby's poo or their cravings.
I listened to the audio version and the narration was brilliant, but it didn't improve my feeling from the book. From 3 stars one is due for the narration and only 2 for the book itself.
Some children developed strange cravings for blood. Their teacher promises to discuss with them this matter, but on the same day she is found dead and only her small students are witnesses. Or are they the murderers? Police are met with the hard task to interview them and find who was the killer.
It is supposed that the book has a lot of funny moments, but maybe it all depends if the reader has small kids or not. I don't have any. And I didn't enjoy so much reading about mothers whose subject of discussion is their baby's poo or their cravings.
I listened to the audio version and the narration was brilliant, but it didn't improve my feeling from the book. From 3 stars one is due for the narration and only 2 for the book itself.
July 27, 2023
what can be creepier than
super-thirsty toddlers, asks
this fun dark ride, full of social
commentary: I'd recommend the
audiobook for the little voices. ;)
super-thirsty toddlers, asks
this fun dark ride, full of social
commentary: I'd recommend the
audiobook for the little voices. ;)
February 28, 2023
As I read CUTTING TEETH, the number one thought swirling through my head was: "At some point in the last year and a half, Chandler Baker rolled over in her bed one morning and declared: I'm going to write a book about vampiric four years olds that bite their parents and crave blood." And that just made me love her even more than I already do....I have definitely been a fan since WHISPER NETWORK, a Reese's Book Club pick, that has been one of my go-to recommendations over my time of book influencing.
Chandler Baker boldly goes in this novel, where I don't think anyone has gone before, in its level of not only satirical humor, but social commentary on the world of motherhood and the depths with which a parent will go to protect their child. And it's one of the most bizarre novels I've ever read in my young 27 years of life....but believe me when I say, it's just utterly fascinating. I didn't really know what I was going to think about it when I started, and even half-way I was still confused by my opinions on the book, but all I knew was that Chandler Baker was at her very best in this novel, writing some of the wittiest, sharpest lines of dialogue I've read in quite a while.
It's centered on a young pre-school academy, where a group of children begins to develop a biting fascination and a craving for blood, and a little bit into the novel, our mystery begins when the teacher's body is found dead leaving the blood-hungry children as the witnesses...and I promise if that sounds too weird for you, try it anyway. I think you can get past the bizareness and appreciate it for the social satire that it is.
Fans of Baker's other feminist-centric mystery novels, though not nearly as bizarre as this one, the aforementioned WHISPER NETWORK and GMA book club pick THE HUSBANDS, should also fall in line and be fans of this one.
I think on plot alone I would give the book 4 stars, but this was totally a 5-star read for me, the writing itself was just so top notch and addictive, that I found myself continually eager to get to the final reveals of whodunnit.
Thank you to Macmillan/Flatiron for the ARC.
Chandler Baker boldly goes in this novel, where I don't think anyone has gone before, in its level of not only satirical humor, but social commentary on the world of motherhood and the depths with which a parent will go to protect their child. And it's one of the most bizarre novels I've ever read in my young 27 years of life....but believe me when I say, it's just utterly fascinating. I didn't really know what I was going to think about it when I started, and even half-way I was still confused by my opinions on the book, but all I knew was that Chandler Baker was at her very best in this novel, writing some of the wittiest, sharpest lines of dialogue I've read in quite a while.
It's centered on a young pre-school academy, where a group of children begins to develop a biting fascination and a craving for blood, and a little bit into the novel, our mystery begins when the teacher's body is found dead leaving the blood-hungry children as the witnesses...and I promise if that sounds too weird for you, try it anyway. I think you can get past the bizareness and appreciate it for the social satire that it is.
Fans of Baker's other feminist-centric mystery novels, though not nearly as bizarre as this one, the aforementioned WHISPER NETWORK and GMA book club pick THE HUSBANDS, should also fall in line and be fans of this one.
I think on plot alone I would give the book 4 stars, but this was totally a 5-star read for me, the writing itself was just so top notch and addictive, that I found myself continually eager to get to the final reveals of whodunnit.
Thank you to Macmillan/Flatiron for the ARC.
September 27, 2023
Before I talk about how much I disliked this book, let me start with saying I freaking loooooooooved The Husbands, so still give Chandler Baker some of your money. And if you are looking for a book about bloodsucking children for the spooky season, I highly encourage you all to check out The Lesser Dead.
To say Cutting Teeth was one of my most anticipated Fall reads would be an understatement. As I said above, I was looking forward to whatever Baker was going to come up with next after her revamp of a Stepford Wives story and when I saw this was about some bloodthirsty four year olds at the local preschool I was all in. That’s before I knew it was actually going to be A LOT of “mommy” talk about how haaarrrrrrrrrd it is to be a mom and judging of the “right” type of parenting and quite a bit of man bashing thrown in to boot and there is maybe nothing as mind numbing as people who only talk about their children nonstop . . .
But I could have just left it as this just not being for me until . . . .
No, ma’am. It is 100% NOT okay to simply regurgitate the younger ginger Murdaugh son’s sordid history into your page count when everyone in the G.D. universe was tuned in to that trainwreck for the past couple of years. Talk about lazy. This is only getting 2 Stars for the ending.
To say Cutting Teeth was one of my most anticipated Fall reads would be an understatement. As I said above, I was looking forward to whatever Baker was going to come up with next after her revamp of a Stepford Wives story and when I saw this was about some bloodthirsty four year olds at the local preschool I was all in. That’s before I knew it was actually going to be A LOT of “mommy” talk about how haaarrrrrrrrrd it is to be a mom and judging of the “right” type of parenting and quite a bit of man bashing thrown in to boot and there is maybe nothing as mind numbing as people who only talk about their children nonstop . . .
But I could have just left it as this just not being for me until . . . .
No, ma’am. It is 100% NOT okay to simply regurgitate the younger ginger Murdaugh son’s sordid history into your page count when everyone in the G.D. universe was tuned in to that trainwreck for the past couple of years. Talk about lazy. This is only getting 2 Stars for the ending.
June 15, 2023
If you ever get tired of parent/neighborhood dramas, make sure you pick up Chandler Baker's CUTTING TEETH and you will be right back in the game! CUTTING TEETH is a refreshingly devious take on the parent/neighborhood suspense sub-genre and it's my favorite release by the author thus far.
The story focuses on three women and their families—Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea—three women who have different ideas on what it means to raise a family and are doing it on their own terms, whether they are happy with the said terms or not, you'll soon find out. CUTTING TEETH has a few different storylines at once, including the death of a teacher at Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea's children's schoolteacher and a growing concern about the children's mental and physical well-being after several kids in class begin to have a growing appetite for biting and blood. These children are four years old, but when an investigation begins after the death of their teacher, investigators are very concerned about the children's new condition.
CUTTING TEETH is part mommy drama, part mystery, and part social commentary. It's a slower paced novel, which I usually don't go for, but I heard that this book had a great plot development by the end and I'm here to say that it does. The ending is sooooo satisfying, fun, and devious. You may think, hmmm, I don't do supernatural, but CUTTING TEETH is so much more than that so if you are questioning on reading it, just know that it will have you questioning everything. Only someone like Chandler Baker could come up with a story like CUTTING TEETH and it's a testament to the author's continual growth in the mystery/thriller genre. Keep going forward with these types of stories because readers will love CUTTING TEETH.
The story focuses on three women and their families—Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea—three women who have different ideas on what it means to raise a family and are doing it on their own terms, whether they are happy with the said terms or not, you'll soon find out. CUTTING TEETH has a few different storylines at once, including the death of a teacher at Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea's children's schoolteacher and a growing concern about the children's mental and physical well-being after several kids in class begin to have a growing appetite for biting and blood. These children are four years old, but when an investigation begins after the death of their teacher, investigators are very concerned about the children's new condition.
CUTTING TEETH is part mommy drama, part mystery, and part social commentary. It's a slower paced novel, which I usually don't go for, but I heard that this book had a great plot development by the end and I'm here to say that it does. The ending is sooooo satisfying, fun, and devious. You may think, hmmm, I don't do supernatural, but CUTTING TEETH is so much more than that so if you are questioning on reading it, just know that it will have you questioning everything. Only someone like Chandler Baker could come up with a story like CUTTING TEETH and it's a testament to the author's continual growth in the mystery/thriller genre. Keep going forward with these types of stories because readers will love CUTTING TEETH.
Read
August 22, 2023Cutting Teeth is a savvy thriller that subverts the tropes of the murder mystery in some clever ways, while also being a thoughtful and sometimes funny commentary on modern-day motherhood.
Our protagonists are three mothers, all of whom live in the same neighbourhood and have preschool-age children who attend the local Little Academy.
We learn about these women — Rhea, Mary Beth, and Darby — quickly and intimately. One has a suspect and useless husband; one hates what pregnancy and birth has done to her body; one is a vegan hippie mother.
As soon as the novel begins, these mothers’ children are part of a strange viral outbreak at their preschool that has given them all the taste for human blood, and thus the urge to bite. A lot.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/best-thriller...
Our protagonists are three mothers, all of whom live in the same neighbourhood and have preschool-age children who attend the local Little Academy.
We learn about these women — Rhea, Mary Beth, and Darby — quickly and intimately. One has a suspect and useless husband; one hates what pregnancy and birth has done to her body; one is a vegan hippie mother.
As soon as the novel begins, these mothers’ children are part of a strange viral outbreak at their preschool that has given them all the taste for human blood, and thus the urge to bite. A lot.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/best-thriller...
January 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I listened to this book.
The narrators were entertaining
plot was interesting and original at least for me!!!
the ending was a surprise for me!!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy psychological family drama
The narrators were entertaining
plot was interesting and original at least for me!!!
the ending was a surprise for me!!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy psychological family drama
April 19, 2023
Please see my review for this novel on www.mysteryandsuspense.com/cutting-teeth
Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea became friends when their children all started attending Little preschool. Each of the women are trying to redevelop their identities outside of being a parent, while still trying to maintain their respective relationships and households. As if that weren’t enough, the entire preschool class at Little Academy has developed an odd habit- they crave their mother’s blood. Trying to deal with this medical peculiarity has Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea at odds with each other, but then a teacher’s dead body is discovered stabbed to death and the women only have one another to turn to in order to keep their children safe.
Chandler Baker is the bestselling author of “The Whisper Network” and “The Husbands” and, like its predecessors, “Cutting Teeth” will leave a, ahem, mark. Vampiric children, the struggles of motherhood and a murder all in one entertaining and engaging novel? Leave it to Chandler Baker.
All three protagonists take turns narrating the novel, highlighting their individual perspectives on life and motherhood. As dissimilar as the women are, they are all genuinely likable and relatable in one way or another and I had their back from the first page. The medical conditions that affect (most of) their children is bizarrely original, but yet not so strange that it fails to be believable. Young children literally draining their mothers of blood is not as far-fetched as one would hope.
The novel starts off with a child biting, which slowly becomes a full blown identified “event”, affecting multiple children from one classroom. Then, a teacher is murdered, and the plot switches focus to the police investigation and the personal background of the relatively new primary school teacher. As suspects are highlighted and circumstances are laid out, the reader is pulled into a haunting murder mystery, where anyone could be the culprit. The vampiric children are not the focus of the novel by the time you reach the middle, and, in fact, several chapters go by where they are barely discussed. However, Baker doesn’t forget this unusual plot point and circles back to ensure the reader has full closure. The ending provides complete satisfaction, and Baker ties up all loose ends, leaving no stone unturned or question unanswered.
Baker examines the complexity of female friendships and the expectations of mothers in particular, making “Cutting Teeth” relevant and thought-provoking. Baker leaves room for ample twists and turns, and each chapter left me wanting more. The plot is well-developed and carefully executed, providing a hugely suspenseful and delicious enjoyable story. “Cutting Teeth” is going to bring Baker into the spotlight once again, and the praise is warranted.
Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea became friends when their children all started attending Little preschool. Each of the women are trying to redevelop their identities outside of being a parent, while still trying to maintain their respective relationships and households. As if that weren’t enough, the entire preschool class at Little Academy has developed an odd habit- they crave their mother’s blood. Trying to deal with this medical peculiarity has Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea at odds with each other, but then a teacher’s dead body is discovered stabbed to death and the women only have one another to turn to in order to keep their children safe.
Chandler Baker is the bestselling author of “The Whisper Network” and “The Husbands” and, like its predecessors, “Cutting Teeth” will leave a, ahem, mark. Vampiric children, the struggles of motherhood and a murder all in one entertaining and engaging novel? Leave it to Chandler Baker.
All three protagonists take turns narrating the novel, highlighting their individual perspectives on life and motherhood. As dissimilar as the women are, they are all genuinely likable and relatable in one way or another and I had their back from the first page. The medical conditions that affect (most of) their children is bizarrely original, but yet not so strange that it fails to be believable. Young children literally draining their mothers of blood is not as far-fetched as one would hope.
The novel starts off with a child biting, which slowly becomes a full blown identified “event”, affecting multiple children from one classroom. Then, a teacher is murdered, and the plot switches focus to the police investigation and the personal background of the relatively new primary school teacher. As suspects are highlighted and circumstances are laid out, the reader is pulled into a haunting murder mystery, where anyone could be the culprit. The vampiric children are not the focus of the novel by the time you reach the middle, and, in fact, several chapters go by where they are barely discussed. However, Baker doesn’t forget this unusual plot point and circles back to ensure the reader has full closure. The ending provides complete satisfaction, and Baker ties up all loose ends, leaving no stone unturned or question unanswered.
Baker examines the complexity of female friendships and the expectations of mothers in particular, making “Cutting Teeth” relevant and thought-provoking. Baker leaves room for ample twists and turns, and each chapter left me wanting more. The plot is well-developed and carefully executed, providing a hugely suspenseful and delicious enjoyable story. “Cutting Teeth” is going to bring Baker into the spotlight once again, and the praise is warranted.
August 23, 2023
When an unsettling medical condition begins to spread among the children of the Little Academy preschool, causing the children to crave blood, and then the children's teacher is found dead, it's clear the children may have witnessed the event...and perhaps even perpetrated it! A group of mothers begin to speculate what happened the day of the murder, and who's little one could have dunnit! Will they be able to uncover the truth and protect the ones they love before the police start pointing fingers??
Unfortunately, this was a disappointment for me. Maybe the month of August is just going to be one of those months?! Perhaps this was a book I just didn't get, or I'm just not the target audience. I'm not a mother, or even a parent, but I do love me some thrillers, so I figured I'd find enough to connect with in this novel to keep me entertained, but sadly I just barely finished this one.
To be fair, the premise of this seemed attractive and incredibly original, and it started off well enough, but then fizzled out quite a bit. I think the biggest issue for me in this one was that it took way too long to develop the murder mystery aspect of this one, and a lot of the stuff in between didn't really interest me, so I definitely felt the suspense portion of this one was majorly lacking. The other aspect that initially really intrigued me, the four year old's with Renfield syndrome, wasn't fully explored and the reason for why it even happened was left unanswered, leaving my especially frustrated, as I felt it was just a ploy to attract readers, and nothing more. In between the blood-letting, and pondering who may have killed the children's teacher, there was just a lot of perspective from frustrated mothers/wives, which I didn't really connect with and in turn, I couldn't really find anything similarities and connect with any of the protagonists, which is abnormal for me, so I really struggled finishing this one. One major positive in this novel was that there was quite a bit of unexpected and somewhat dry humor throughout, which was pretty much the only portion of this novel I found myself really enjoying.
Like I said, this one could just be on me, but this being the second novel of this author's that I've just not enjoyed, I think it's safe to say I'm probably done reading her. All things considered, I wouldn't say this one was a thriller, or even a suspense, but more of a mystery with a very small amount of horror/science fiction sprinkled in it...but more than anything it's a commentary on PARENTING. I wish I knew that before I purchased this one, but you win some, then you lose some, I suppose!
Unfortunately, this was a disappointment for me. Maybe the month of August is just going to be one of those months?! Perhaps this was a book I just didn't get, or I'm just not the target audience. I'm not a mother, or even a parent, but I do love me some thrillers, so I figured I'd find enough to connect with in this novel to keep me entertained, but sadly I just barely finished this one.
To be fair, the premise of this seemed attractive and incredibly original, and it started off well enough, but then fizzled out quite a bit. I think the biggest issue for me in this one was that it took way too long to develop the murder mystery aspect of this one, and a lot of the stuff in between didn't really interest me, so I definitely felt the suspense portion of this one was majorly lacking. The other aspect that initially really intrigued me, the four year old's with Renfield syndrome, wasn't fully explored and the reason for why it even happened was left unanswered, leaving my especially frustrated, as I felt it was just a ploy to attract readers, and nothing more. In between the blood-letting, and pondering who may have killed the children's teacher, there was just a lot of perspective from frustrated mothers/wives, which I didn't really connect with and in turn, I couldn't really find anything similarities and connect with any of the protagonists, which is abnormal for me, so I really struggled finishing this one. One major positive in this novel was that there was quite a bit of unexpected and somewhat dry humor throughout, which was pretty much the only portion of this novel I found myself really enjoying.
Like I said, this one could just be on me, but this being the second novel of this author's that I've just not enjoyed, I think it's safe to say I'm probably done reading her. All things considered, I wouldn't say this one was a thriller, or even a suspense, but more of a mystery with a very small amount of horror/science fiction sprinkled in it...but more than anything it's a commentary on PARENTING. I wish I knew that before I purchased this one, but you win some, then you lose some, I suppose!
December 8, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
Multiple POVs, but relatively easy to follow story lines/characters. However, I had such a hard time differentiating between Mary Beth & Darby. Idk why, but I couldn’t separate them in my head- their respective kids were how I could tell them apart. What a strange book, but I loved it! It gave me Big Little Lies vibes since it is about a circle of moms, their children at the same school, and the drama that surrounds them. However, this book has an almost comical appeal (and yet horrifying) as the children start to have bizarre cravings. I do NOT know how I wouldn’t handle this if it was my child 🤯 I’ve never read anything like this and it kept me interested the entire time. Dark humor mixed with a murder mystery. Easy to binge and definitely recommend for an easy read. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was so well done. The voice inflections and transitions from adult voices to children’s voices was impeccable. January has gained a fan from me and I will gladly seek out her work because of her talent!!
Multiple POVs, but relatively easy to follow story lines/characters. However, I had such a hard time differentiating between Mary Beth & Darby. Idk why, but I couldn’t separate them in my head- their respective kids were how I could tell them apart. What a strange book, but I loved it! It gave me Big Little Lies vibes since it is about a circle of moms, their children at the same school, and the drama that surrounds them. However, this book has an almost comical appeal (and yet horrifying) as the children start to have bizarre cravings. I do NOT know how I wouldn’t handle this if it was my child 🤯 I’ve never read anything like this and it kept me interested the entire time. Dark humor mixed with a murder mystery. Easy to binge and definitely recommend for an easy read. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was so well done. The voice inflections and transitions from adult voices to children’s voices was impeccable. January has gained a fan from me and I will gladly seek out her work because of her talent!!
July 7, 2023
This is a novel for anyone who wants to explore the intricacies of motherhood through a lens of dark satire. This is not a horror story about vampiric children who ravage a suburban town. Rather, it's a metaphor about how children can figuratively suck the life out of their parents, and more specifically their mothers.
Don't go into this thinking its a popcorn thriller either. This story demands consideration, though it is easily consumable, it is slightly slower paced. That said, it manages to pull off a mystery with some unexpected twists, while examining the societal expectations we put on women, and adding some exceptional dark humor along the way.
Don't go into this thinking its a popcorn thriller either. This story demands consideration, though it is easily consumable, it is slightly slower paced. That said, it manages to pull off a mystery with some unexpected twists, while examining the societal expectations we put on women, and adding some exceptional dark humor along the way.
November 7, 2023
I did not have a book about bloodthirsty preschoolers on my bingo card for 2023… but I’m glad I read this one! This book has a biting (no pun intended) wit, and enough twists to keep me turning the page. It explores themes of the sacrifices women are willing to make for their children, while questioning why we don’t ask dads to do the same. Fun, fast-paced and feminist!
July 24, 2023
*First off, thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC of this book*
Unfortunately, this one was just not it for me. I wanted so badly to enjoy this book, however the character development, bizarre actions of the children and the lack of shocking twists made it fall flat for me. It seemed as though there were too many random pieces being strewn together, which made them not work at all in my opinion. It made it difficult to follow along with the storyline, because I wasn't sure which piece we were on at that point... be it the children, the murder mystery, the random drama or what.
I do think the author did a fine job exploring the complications of motherhood. I'm personally not a mom, but I can see how this book would hit home for moms as they would be able to relate to the topic of motherhood and the complications of it that were included.
I think maybe this would have been better suited as a horror novel. Meaning I would have enjoyed it focusing more on the bizarre actions of the children. Where that stemmed from, how long it lasted, why they were the only ones doing it, etc. With that being glossed over and then sort of just accepted and encouraged, it made this too strange to be enjoyable for me.
As always I encourage everyone to read each book for themselves because what may not work for me may work for someone else. If you’re looking for something completely off the wall and thrown in from left field this may be the book for you!
Unfortunately, this one was just not it for me. I wanted so badly to enjoy this book, however the character development, bizarre actions of the children and the lack of shocking twists made it fall flat for me. It seemed as though there were too many random pieces being strewn together, which made them not work at all in my opinion. It made it difficult to follow along with the storyline, because I wasn't sure which piece we were on at that point... be it the children, the murder mystery, the random drama or what.
I do think the author did a fine job exploring the complications of motherhood. I'm personally not a mom, but I can see how this book would hit home for moms as they would be able to relate to the topic of motherhood and the complications of it that were included.
I think maybe this would have been better suited as a horror novel. Meaning I would have enjoyed it focusing more on the bizarre actions of the children. Where that stemmed from, how long it lasted, why they were the only ones doing it, etc. With that being glossed over and then sort of just accepted and encouraged, it made this too strange to be enjoyable for me.
As always I encourage everyone to read each book for themselves because what may not work for me may work for someone else. If you’re looking for something completely off the wall and thrown in from left field this may be the book for you!
January 29, 2023
Highly recommend!! Chandler Baker made me laugh and cry in this book. The story’s blood thirsty preschoolers are a bizarre yet comical take on the sacrifices mothers will make for their children and family. It was a delight to unfold the mystery, but my favorite parts of Chandler’s books (this and her previous 2) are the side comments on the feelings, emotions and experiences of her characters. I always feel seen!
August 23, 2023
3.5 🧛🏼♂️
A fun, ridiculous, satirical read. I loved the writing and it's very clear that Chandler Baker has stuff to say and I'm all ears. I wanted the reasoning for the vampire kids to be nefarious, but that's on me.
A fun, ridiculous, satirical read. I loved the writing and it's very clear that Chandler Baker has stuff to say and I'm all ears. I wanted the reasoning for the vampire kids to be nefarious, but that's on me.
July 24, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the Audiobook! This book was funny, silly and just a fun read. It wasn’t scary or anything. I highly recommend listening to it!
April 18, 2023
hmmm i definitely expected to enjoy this more than i did since i was a fan of Baker’s previous books. interesting concept on this one…but for a book with such a strong pitch about vampiric children, it felt like that part took a backseat to focus more on their parents’ drama
July 30, 2023
Sorry - but I could not warm up to the story and had to quit wasting my time.
Definitely DNF.
Why ?
Because we know, what is going on, a bunch of 4-year olds are into biting their moms and drawing blood, as well as killing their teacher.
That could have been explained in the first two chapters - but the story is just too drawn out and goes "round and around" - It bored me to death and was not very exciting at all.
It was simply not worth my time.
If you like something drawn-out, slow burning and boring without making much progress, of if you just need a book to put you to sleep, you would be ok with this book.
However, if you want a little more excitement read something else.
I give this book one single star because the idea how this story started out was a good one.
But my attention span is not sufficient enough (No, I do not have any ADD, ADHD or anything like that), since nothing happens instead of the obvious...
According to my kindle, there was still 10 hours left to read - No thank you, I do not have any tendencies to torture myself with boredom.
July 8, 2023
I received this audiobook for my fair and honest review.
The narrator did a fantastic job and in no way does the 3/5 stars reflect on the narrators execution of this twisted tale.
There are some elements of this story that do not fit. I was left scratching my head through most of the story. It has 4 different plots going at the same time. This made the book very hard to follow. The story was too long and most of it didn’t tie in. These could have been taken out and made into an entirely different book. I had to force myself to finish it.
The narrator did a fantastic job and in no way does the 3/5 stars reflect on the narrators execution of this twisted tale.
There are some elements of this story that do not fit. I was left scratching my head through most of the story. It has 4 different plots going at the same time. This made the book very hard to follow. The story was too long and most of it didn’t tie in. These could have been taken out and made into an entirely different book. I had to force myself to finish it.
June 7, 2023
If you're going to read Cutting Teeth, you have to keep in mind that it is a satire, but it's also a commentary on how parents judge each other.
The concept of this story is slightly disturbing. If you don't like blood, you may want to tread lightly. There were some parts that grossed me out for sure. However, it was also intriguing and I wanted to find out what actually happened to the teacher and how everyone else fit in to that tragic situation. I liked that there was more than one perspective. And I especially appreciated the part about how all parents have their flaws. I was recently reading a Buzzfeed article about things parents hate about having kids. It was honest and definitely relatable. The same holds true in this story.
The writing style felt very wordy at times and I had to re-read sentences and sometimes paragraphs to understand what was happening.
Overall, it kept me engaged and turning the pages. The parts where they were interviewing the kids were humorous. And the whole "Poodini" part was funny, even though it was gross, only because I'm a twelve year-old at heart. (I won't say what "Poodini" is in reference to though!)
Movie casting suggestions:
The concept of this story is slightly disturbing. If you don't like blood, you may want to tread lightly. There were some parts that grossed me out for sure. However, it was also intriguing and I wanted to find out what actually happened to the teacher and how everyone else fit in to that tragic situation. I liked that there was more than one perspective. And I especially appreciated the part about how all parents have their flaws. I was recently reading a Buzzfeed article about things parents hate about having kids. It was honest and definitely relatable. The same holds true in this story.
The writing style felt very wordy at times and I had to re-read sentences and sometimes paragraphs to understand what was happening.
Overall, it kept me engaged and turning the pages. The parts where they were interviewing the kids were humorous. And the whole "Poodini" part was funny, even though it was gross, only because I'm a twelve year-old at heart. (I won't say what "Poodini" is in reference to though!)
Movie casting suggestions:
Darby: Mary Catherine Garrison
Mary Beth: Ali Larter
Rhea: Jordana Brewster
Pastor Ben: Pierson Fode
Erin Ollie: Sadie Calvano
Detective Bright: Demetria McKinney
May 23, 2024
Fun and entertaining! Don't let the low rating make you skip this book... if it sounds good to you, definitely pick it up!
June 15, 2023
THIS ONE WAS MESSSSSSY, with capital letters. Full Stop.
I am so thankful to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Chandler Baker for granting me advanced audiobook access to this twistedly sickening read. Cutting Teeth hits shelves on July 18, 2023, and I can't wait to see what everyone else thinks.
There's something wrong with the 4-year-olds at the Little Academy... they might have weened off their mother's breast milk, but now they harbor a thirst for something else more sinister. Mary Beth's daughter Noelle has Renfield's Syndrome (which I researched and apparently it's more common in adults with fetishes, but still, odd) where each of the affected have a need and desire for drinking human blood. Yes, very odd. It's probably less common than we think, and I'm betting the mention of the illness as a whole, is meant to reference the way mothers feel as if their children are leeching from them in their early stages of life.
When a beloved pre-school teacher turns up dead and gains national attention, everyone begins to speculate these children have something to do with the bloody ordeal, but there's more at play in this scenario, deeper than one could ever imagine. What will these mothers do to protect their children? How far will they go to cover up gorey secrets? You'll just have to read more to find out!
I am so thankful to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Chandler Baker for granting me advanced audiobook access to this twistedly sickening read. Cutting Teeth hits shelves on July 18, 2023, and I can't wait to see what everyone else thinks.
There's something wrong with the 4-year-olds at the Little Academy... they might have weened off their mother's breast milk, but now they harbor a thirst for something else more sinister. Mary Beth's daughter Noelle has Renfield's Syndrome (which I researched and apparently it's more common in adults with fetishes, but still, odd) where each of the affected have a need and desire for drinking human blood. Yes, very odd. It's probably less common than we think, and I'm betting the mention of the illness as a whole, is meant to reference the way mothers feel as if their children are leeching from them in their early stages of life.
When a beloved pre-school teacher turns up dead and gains national attention, everyone begins to speculate these children have something to do with the bloody ordeal, but there's more at play in this scenario, deeper than one could ever imagine. What will these mothers do to protect their children? How far will they go to cover up gorey secrets? You'll just have to read more to find out!
June 25, 2023
This did not do it for me. We follow three mothers of preschool children who suddenly develop vampirism and their teacher was murdered. It quickly becomes a murder mystery, and I will say that plot line was good. The vampirism was where it lost me. They all just accepted it so quickly and started feeding their four year olds their blood. It was weird. I would have enjoyed this more if the focus was just on the murder.
July 17, 2023
3.5⭐️ A dark, satirical and creepy whodunnit involving a preschool class of children suffering from Pediatric Renfield’s Syndrome (aka children’s vampirism) and their parents.
Review: Holy creepy kids! From the first bite, you won’t be able to look away from these families. A dark and satirical look at parenthood, how far you’d go for your children and just how draining it can all be!
When the students in Ms. Ollie’s class begin biting and she ends up dead, it sets off an investigation into the four year old suspects and their parents. Told from the multiple POVs of three moms, Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea, we get their perspectives (and involvement) in the murder as the investigation unfolds.
I loved how Baker told this story - the secrets, the family drama, the friendships, the stress and expectations of motherhood, the ups and downs of marriage and the creepy children suffering from vampirism. It was all just so damn intriguing. I was worried about how it was all going to tie in together but it worked, albeit in a bizarre manner.
The audiobook was fun to listen to with the added music, interview clips and witness statements. The narrator, January LaVoy, did an amazing job voicing the characters. Highly recommend doing this one on audio!
Review: Holy creepy kids! From the first bite, you won’t be able to look away from these families. A dark and satirical look at parenthood, how far you’d go for your children and just how draining it can all be!
When the students in Ms. Ollie’s class begin biting and she ends up dead, it sets off an investigation into the four year old suspects and their parents. Told from the multiple POVs of three moms, Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea, we get their perspectives (and involvement) in the murder as the investigation unfolds.
I loved how Baker told this story - the secrets, the family drama, the friendships, the stress and expectations of motherhood, the ups and downs of marriage and the creepy children suffering from vampirism. It was all just so damn intriguing. I was worried about how it was all going to tie in together but it worked, albeit in a bizarre manner.
The audiobook was fun to listen to with the added music, interview clips and witness statements. The narrator, January LaVoy, did an amazing job voicing the characters. Highly recommend doing this one on audio!
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