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The Fairytale Mother
Once upon a time two lives intertwined…
A broken heart.
When Andrew Krenshaw’s wife goes missing, terror becomes desperation as he is forced to cope with a world of uncertainty where he has suddenly become a single father, an unfortunate celebrity… a potential murderer.
A hopeful heart.
Melanie Tull has everything she ever wanted in her life… except perhaps love. Her husband is absent and demanding all at once. Her home, a shell of perfection with a cold center. Her life, busy yet vacant.
… Herein lies the tale that binds them.
A broken heart.
When Andrew Krenshaw’s wife goes missing, terror becomes desperation as he is forced to cope with a world of uncertainty where he has suddenly become a single father, an unfortunate celebrity… a potential murderer.
A hopeful heart.
Melanie Tull has everything she ever wanted in her life… except perhaps love. Her husband is absent and demanding all at once. Her home, a shell of perfection with a cold center. Her life, busy yet vacant.
… Herein lies the tale that binds them.
- GenresSuspenseFairy Tales
469 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2013
2 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Heather Muzik
8 books149 followersAfter a childhood spent living in various northern states--New Jersey for half of that (South Jersey, exit 4, to be exact)--she struck out on her own. First stop, Atlanta, Georgia. After attending GA Tech to study Industrial Engineering, she settled down in a small town outside the city where she has remained ever since. She keeps house for one husband, two sons, and a thankless dog (who she adores anyway). The four dirtiest words she knows: wash, cook, dust, iron.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2019
It wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t great either. I kind of figured out the just of the ending part half way through the book. The epilogue was very unsettling and I disliked the lack of conclusion it left.
July 10, 2013
I have so many things to say about this book, I’m afraid I’ll forget something.
First, BEST Heather Muzik work yet!
Corinne goes missing and I just about went crazy right along with Drew. It was different to see this story from his perspective when my instinct was to wonder if there was evidence, did they check her phone records, was her credit card used. Very scientific details. No, instead Heather Muzik takes us deep into the darkness of Drew's despair, all while he tries to keep his children innocent.
I was leery of Melanie and her relationship with Paul. I was a nervous wreck when she was heading into the attic and I didn't even know why.
These are deep complex characters that you think you know. You might think you've got it all figured out and know exactly what they should do, or what will happen next.
You'll be wrong.
This is the quality of writing that you're used to seeing on the bestseller lists!
First, BEST Heather Muzik work yet!
Corinne goes missing and I just about went crazy right along with Drew. It was different to see this story from his perspective when my instinct was to wonder if there was evidence, did they check her phone records, was her credit card used. Very scientific details. No, instead Heather Muzik takes us deep into the darkness of Drew's despair, all while he tries to keep his children innocent.
I was leery of Melanie and her relationship with Paul. I was a nervous wreck when she was heading into the attic and I didn't even know why.
These are deep complex characters that you think you know. You might think you've got it all figured out and know exactly what they should do, or what will happen next.
You'll be wrong.
This is the quality of writing that you're used to seeing on the bestseller lists!
May 27, 2013
*I received this book through Goodreads First Reads*
I loved this book. Within pages I was pulled in and didn't want to stop reading. I had suspicions as to what happened and how Andrew and Melanie were connected but I never would have guessed the story would go where it did.
The ending however has left me frustrated with far to many questions. But even with these questions, chances are I will be reading again and again.
I loved this book. Within pages I was pulled in and didn't want to stop reading. I had suspicions as to what happened and how Andrew and Melanie were connected but I never would have guessed the story would go where it did.
The ending however has left me frustrated with far to many questions. But even with these questions, chances are I will be reading again and again.
July 14, 2013
This book began as a riddle. The most pleasant sort of riddle for someone who is an avid reader. I liked to be surprised. I like when I cannot guess what will happen next. The characters were somewhat confusing, and that's what reeled me in. Then I couldn't put it down. I thought I knew what was going on, but I had to keep reading and guessing.
Well done Heather Muzik. A very entertaining, realistic and likeable story. I could relate to all of the characters.
Well done Heather Muzik. A very entertaining, realistic and likeable story. I could relate to all of the characters.
July 14, 2013
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Andrew and Corrine have a great life. They have two kids, a comfortable home and each other. Unfortunately Andrew is a workaholic and feels that this is the only way for them to have all that they do. All she wanted was some family time and he couldn’t give it to her. He comes home one evening to find her car missing and the kids asleep, where did she go?
Paul and Melanie Tull have three kids. Paul seems bent on always knowing where Melanie is. Because he constantly checks up on her, she feels like she doesn’t live up to his standards. Unlike Andrew, Paul is home on time every night. He makes up fantastic bedtime stories for the kids about “Princess Elsa”, but afterwards locks himself away in the study. He doesn’t really have a relationship with his wife because of this.
This book was amazing. I was captivated from the very first page. I loved the way each chapter was from a different point of view. You could connect with the each character emotionally, and I really enjoyed that. This was a great dark novel with a unique, unexpected twist. This is a great read, one that is hard to put down and will keep you up late at night.
Paul and Melanie Tull have three kids. Paul seems bent on always knowing where Melanie is. Because he constantly checks up on her, she feels like she doesn’t live up to his standards. Unlike Andrew, Paul is home on time every night. He makes up fantastic bedtime stories for the kids about “Princess Elsa”, but afterwards locks himself away in the study. He doesn’t really have a relationship with his wife because of this.
This book was amazing. I was captivated from the very first page. I loved the way each chapter was from a different point of view. You could connect with the each character emotionally, and I really enjoyed that. This was a great dark novel with a unique, unexpected twist. This is a great read, one that is hard to put down and will keep you up late at night.
September 12, 2014
Muzik is gifted with writing some of the most relatable characters that I've had the pleasure to read. This story was a page turner from go that kept you wanting more. I suspected the climactic plot twist during the failed bedroom seduction scene, but those suspicions weren't confirmed until the very end.
The jury is out on whether I like a conclusive ending where the events are all wrapped up nicely, or a open ending where your own imagination can take the story anywhere *you* envision it going - perhaps both. This is an open (can of worms!) ending that lingers making you wonder what happened, I pondered just that for some time after the last page! I would recommend this to anyone that likes true to life, "what if" scenario type stories.
While this is not a period piece, I would also like to point out that I received a copy of this way, *way* in advance of the release of the movie Frozen - life got in the way of me reading it before now - anyway, there is a Princess Elsa in this story. The protagonist tells his children bedtime stories of the skilled baking princess. She is no Snow Queen and Muzik deserves a nod for being the first to conceive a princess named as such :)
The jury is out on whether I like a conclusive ending where the events are all wrapped up nicely, or a open ending where your own imagination can take the story anywhere *you* envision it going - perhaps both. This is an open (can of worms!) ending that lingers making you wonder what happened, I pondered just that for some time after the last page! I would recommend this to anyone that likes true to life, "what if" scenario type stories.
While this is not a period piece, I would also like to point out that I received a copy of this way, *way* in advance of the release of the movie Frozen - life got in the way of me reading it before now - anyway, there is a Princess Elsa in this story. The protagonist tells his children bedtime stories of the skilled baking princess. She is no Snow Queen and Muzik deserves a nod for being the first to conceive a princess named as such :)
September 3, 2013
I want MORE!!! This is my CURRENT favorite HM Novel! I just finished Apathetic and went right into this AND I have to say that the most enjoyable thing about all of Heather's books is that they are all different. I never know what to expect! This one is FANTASTIC. The content, the format, the suspense, the ending... it was brilliant and shows just how versatile Heather can be. I finished this in about a week and for a SUPER BUSY Soccer Mom, Soccer Player and Full-Time Worker Bee that is a miracle. PLUS, I was sad that I was done, that to me, is the single most telling sign, when you love a book you will be sad when its over.... Thank you Heather, this was the BEST House warming gift EVER! Now we need to have a sit down, because I want to know what happens next???? I'm dying here!
July 9, 2013
I loved this book. It was the first of Heather Muzik's that I had a chance to read and WOW, what a way to start. It was a darker, more emotional read than I expected, and was filled with vivid imagery and characters with depth. The stories of the two families involved were combined beautifully into a surprising tale that kept me needing to read “just one more page” from start to finish.
November 16, 2013
Major kudos to Ms. Muzik!! She did a great job and had me fooled til the end. I didn't have any doubt that these 2 stories were happening simultaneously and I was completely floored. This was an excellent book and I didn't even have a clue that anything was amiss. When Melanie figured it out was when I figured it out. This had a great story and I highly recommend it.
July 14, 2013
Stayed up until 3 am to see how this book ended. Two stories overlapped-- I thought I had it figured out early, but Muzik kept me unsure until the end of the novel.
November 27, 2013
Another book I read without any clue what it is about. I was so afraid it was going to be super scary. Instead it was mysterious. i really liked it.
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October 1, 2014
Pretty good but really drug on in the middle. I guessed what was going on at this point though. So maybe it doesn't drag too much in the middle if you haven;t guessed what is going on
November 16, 2015
Couldn't put this one down. Didn't figure it out. Highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys suspense.
January 2, 2016
Enjoyable , good book. I would have given it 4 stars if it hadn't had such graphic sex scenes ( yea, I know- I'm a prude) but I found it totally unnecessary to the story.
April 18, 2016
"Grown-up language"
and too much of it for me. Not my style of reading material even though premise sounded really good. I read to escape the world not immerse myself in it.
and too much of it for me. Not my style of reading material even though premise sounded really good. I read to escape the world not immerse myself in it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews