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The Photographer
"It’s Ben. He’s missing.”
My husband is gone. No note, no explanation—just vanished. And he left our four-year-old daughter, Fay, alone in the house.
He also left behind a mountain of bills I have absolutely no way of paying off.
So when my old sorority sister and Instagram celebrity Marissa Jones turns up offering me a job as her personal photographer, I can hardly refuse. I have to provide for my little girl.
Even if it means going back to Milwaukee—the place I swore years ago that I would never to go back to. The city that still haunts my nightmares.
At least Marissa’s brother, Teddy, is there. Back in college, he was always my protector, my safe space. And maybe, just maybe, he can be a whole lot more than that.
Before long, Fay and I start feeling right at home in Marissa’s gorgeous home. But something isn’t right.
I feel eyes on me—watching, judging…waiting.
And even worse than thinking I’m in danger, I fear my daughter’s life might also be at risk.
Guess what? The Photographer, formerly published as A Perfect Mother, is more thrilling than ever. It was updated & republished in September 2024!
My husband is gone. No note, no explanation—just vanished. And he left our four-year-old daughter, Fay, alone in the house.
He also left behind a mountain of bills I have absolutely no way of paying off.
So when my old sorority sister and Instagram celebrity Marissa Jones turns up offering me a job as her personal photographer, I can hardly refuse. I have to provide for my little girl.
Even if it means going back to Milwaukee—the place I swore years ago that I would never to go back to. The city that still haunts my nightmares.
At least Marissa’s brother, Teddy, is there. Back in college, he was always my protector, my safe space. And maybe, just maybe, he can be a whole lot more than that.
Before long, Fay and I start feeling right at home in Marissa’s gorgeous home. But something isn’t right.
I feel eyes on me—watching, judging…waiting.
And even worse than thinking I’m in danger, I fear my daughter’s life might also be at risk.
Guess what? The Photographer, formerly published as A Perfect Mother, is more thrilling than ever. It was updated & republished in September 2024!
399 pages, ebook
First published February 28, 2020
440 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Jo Crow
30 books135 followersJo Crow crafts chilling psychological thrillers that delve into the shadows of everyday life, where dark secrets and twisted motives lurk just beneath the surface. Her stories capture the eerie tension of family life, where the familiar can suddenly become dangerous.
When she’s not writing, Jo is a mom of two, often drawing inspiration from the unpredictability of parenthood. She enjoys curling up with a good thriller, taking her golden retriever on misty evening walks, and imagining the hidden fears that keep us awake at night.
Connect with Jo on Facebook, visit her website, or sign up for her mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks and updates.
When she’s not writing, Jo is a mom of two, often drawing inspiration from the unpredictability of parenthood. She enjoys curling up with a good thriller, taking her golden retriever on misty evening walks, and imagining the hidden fears that keep us awake at night.
Connect with Jo on Facebook, visit her website, or sign up for her mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks and updates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 16, 2020
That was both a lot of fun and another reminder (in case you needed it) of the dangers of social media but not in the usual sense. The story opens with Laurie, mother of 4 year old Fay and wife of Ben. To say Laurie is a worry-wart is a gross understatement. She has raging OCD which gets worse when she is stressed. And she is very stressed now. When she gets home from an evening photography class Ben is not at home. She cannot believe he left their daughter unattended. Not only that, it seems Ben was massively in debt.
Some time later, she is helping out at Ben’s bakery as he still hasn’t turned up and she sees an old friend from college, Terry. Terry remarks on the framed photos on the walls of the bakery, all taken by Laurie and mentions that his sister Marissa, whom Laurie also knew at college, is looking for a photographer for her social media influencer business. Since there is still no Ben but a mountain of debts that he left behind Laurie eventually agrees to take the job and moves to Milwaukee to take up the position. Marissa sweeps all before her and soon has Laurie moved into her mansion and Fay featured in many of the social media ‘shoots’ Laurie is not sure about all this. Fay is only 4 and doesn’t yet realise that Disney princesses are not real. But Fay is so happy and Terry begins almost courting Laurie. Could all her problems be over?
Unfortunately no, they are only just beginning. Look, I thought Laurie was quite annoying at the start of the book but she soon grew on me and I DO understand that OCD can be crippling for some people. Still, by 60% I had no idea where this was going but it was obvious it was going somewhere quite fishy. Things just didn’t seem quite right. For example, why was Terry so keen to be in the public spotlight? From that point on tension mounted inexorably until - well, you’ll have to read that for yourselves. Was it a perfect story? No. By the time I got close to the end I knew how it would go. But it was a lot of fun, well written, with realistic characters and some people you just love to hate. I enjoyed reading and am going to have a look for Jo Crow’s next book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Some time later, she is helping out at Ben’s bakery as he still hasn’t turned up and she sees an old friend from college, Terry. Terry remarks on the framed photos on the walls of the bakery, all taken by Laurie and mentions that his sister Marissa, whom Laurie also knew at college, is looking for a photographer for her social media influencer business. Since there is still no Ben but a mountain of debts that he left behind Laurie eventually agrees to take the job and moves to Milwaukee to take up the position. Marissa sweeps all before her and soon has Laurie moved into her mansion and Fay featured in many of the social media ‘shoots’ Laurie is not sure about all this. Fay is only 4 and doesn’t yet realise that Disney princesses are not real. But Fay is so happy and Terry begins almost courting Laurie. Could all her problems be over?
Unfortunately no, they are only just beginning. Look, I thought Laurie was quite annoying at the start of the book but she soon grew on me and I DO understand that OCD can be crippling for some people. Still, by 60% I had no idea where this was going but it was obvious it was going somewhere quite fishy. Things just didn’t seem quite right. For example, why was Terry so keen to be in the public spotlight? From that point on tension mounted inexorably until - well, you’ll have to read that for yourselves. Was it a perfect story? No. By the time I got close to the end I knew how it would go. But it was a lot of fun, well written, with realistic characters and some people you just love to hate. I enjoyed reading and am going to have a look for Jo Crow’s next book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my unbiased review.
March 9, 2020
A PERFECT MOTHER
BY JO CROW
This was an utterly mesmerizing story of psychological suspense. The good kind--that grabs your attention and sucks you in on the very first page and never lets you go. Laurie comes home to find her husband Ben missing after her photography class at about 9:00 P.M. at night. Her fellow students had tried to get her to go out with them all and have a drink and Laurie says "no, maybe next time."
Laurie has a secret that she has been harboring since college.
When Laurie arrives home she is stunned and majorly unsettled to find her daughter four year old Fay asleep in her and her husband's Ben's bed all alone. This panics Laurie as she goes from room to room looking for Ben. Ben is nowhere to be found. Ben owns his own bakery called Frosted with an investor named Joseph. When Laurie calls the bakery she finds out nobody has seen Ben
Laurie is unsettled as she feels like she is being watched and to her chagrin notices a blue sedan creeping slowly past their house but the windows are tinted black and she can not see the driver. She snaps a picture with her camera and calls the police. The police are not much help. They tell her that Ben cannot be reported missing until he has been gone for 48 hours. She tells them that he left behind his wallet and passport. But since there are no signs of foul play the police don't really help.
Roseanne, Ben's mother is the only one Laurie can think to contact and Roseanne is alarmed since she knows her son loves his daughter Fay and he would never willingly leave Fay all alone with Laurie have been out. Meanwhile the blue sedan keeps showing up and moving slowly past Laurie and Ben's house and stopping out front until Laurie runs outside and pounds on the windows asking "Who are you," and it speeds away. Laurie's only friend Kaity from Boston receives a frantic call from Laurie and Kaitie gets on the next plane to come and stay with Laurie to help sort things out.
Laurie finds that Ben was having huge financial difficulties which he kept hidden from her with his bakery Frosted. Laurie tries to fill in for Ben working shifts at the bakery but discovers that the debt is so high that she has no choice but to sell Frosted and pay off the mountain of debt. What happened to Ben? Why would he leave or runaway and leave his wife or daughter? How is Laurie going to provide for Fay and herself with her freelance photography?
An old college friend named Teddy learns of Ben's disappearance and suggests to Laurie that his sister Marissa, who was also a friend of Laurie's from college is a celebrity Influencer for Instagram and needs a professional photographer like Laurie. Marissa offers Laurie the job and also offers that Laurie and Fay can live free in her home but that entails a move back to Milwaukee. Soon Laurie can't believe what good fortune has come her way. This is the answer to all of Laurie's problems. Little does Laurie know that her problems are just about to begin.
This was a very well written mystery and a psychological thriller. There is so much more that I have not included about Laurie's past and psychological affliction to keep from giving away spoilers. I really did enjoy this one. Laurie is a likable character and trying to be a good mother to Fay. When things seem too good to be true they usually are with this story. If you are looking for a very suspenseful page turner then you might want to give this one a try. You will be riveted and unable to put this book down once you start it. I hope to read more from this author who was very trendy and it was interesting to watch Marissa who has to keep every detail of her life photographed not looking staged. It adds to the story seeing how Marissa's husband Joseph is the same investor who was Ben's silent partner in Frosted.
Publication Date: March 6, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, Jo Crow and Relay Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#APerfectMother #Jo Crow #RelayPublishing #NetGalley
BY JO CROW
This was an utterly mesmerizing story of psychological suspense. The good kind--that grabs your attention and sucks you in on the very first page and never lets you go. Laurie comes home to find her husband Ben missing after her photography class at about 9:00 P.M. at night. Her fellow students had tried to get her to go out with them all and have a drink and Laurie says "no, maybe next time."
Laurie has a secret that she has been harboring since college.
When Laurie arrives home she is stunned and majorly unsettled to find her daughter four year old Fay asleep in her and her husband's Ben's bed all alone. This panics Laurie as she goes from room to room looking for Ben. Ben is nowhere to be found. Ben owns his own bakery called Frosted with an investor named Joseph. When Laurie calls the bakery she finds out nobody has seen Ben
Laurie is unsettled as she feels like she is being watched and to her chagrin notices a blue sedan creeping slowly past their house but the windows are tinted black and she can not see the driver. She snaps a picture with her camera and calls the police. The police are not much help. They tell her that Ben cannot be reported missing until he has been gone for 48 hours. She tells them that he left behind his wallet and passport. But since there are no signs of foul play the police don't really help.
Roseanne, Ben's mother is the only one Laurie can think to contact and Roseanne is alarmed since she knows her son loves his daughter Fay and he would never willingly leave Fay all alone with Laurie have been out. Meanwhile the blue sedan keeps showing up and moving slowly past Laurie and Ben's house and stopping out front until Laurie runs outside and pounds on the windows asking "Who are you," and it speeds away. Laurie's only friend Kaity from Boston receives a frantic call from Laurie and Kaitie gets on the next plane to come and stay with Laurie to help sort things out.
Laurie finds that Ben was having huge financial difficulties which he kept hidden from her with his bakery Frosted. Laurie tries to fill in for Ben working shifts at the bakery but discovers that the debt is so high that she has no choice but to sell Frosted and pay off the mountain of debt. What happened to Ben? Why would he leave or runaway and leave his wife or daughter? How is Laurie going to provide for Fay and herself with her freelance photography?
An old college friend named Teddy learns of Ben's disappearance and suggests to Laurie that his sister Marissa, who was also a friend of Laurie's from college is a celebrity Influencer for Instagram and needs a professional photographer like Laurie. Marissa offers Laurie the job and also offers that Laurie and Fay can live free in her home but that entails a move back to Milwaukee. Soon Laurie can't believe what good fortune has come her way. This is the answer to all of Laurie's problems. Little does Laurie know that her problems are just about to begin.
This was a very well written mystery and a psychological thriller. There is so much more that I have not included about Laurie's past and psychological affliction to keep from giving away spoilers. I really did enjoy this one. Laurie is a likable character and trying to be a good mother to Fay. When things seem too good to be true they usually are with this story. If you are looking for a very suspenseful page turner then you might want to give this one a try. You will be riveted and unable to put this book down once you start it. I hope to read more from this author who was very trendy and it was interesting to watch Marissa who has to keep every detail of her life photographed not looking staged. It adds to the story seeing how Marissa's husband Joseph is the same investor who was Ben's silent partner in Frosted.
Publication Date: March 6, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, Jo Crow and Relay Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#APerfectMother #Jo Crow #RelayPublishing #NetGalley
October 20, 2024
This didn’t work out for me. It writing was too clunky with predictable plot points, and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Even for high stakes moments I felt indifferent. If you read a lot of thriller mysteries, this may come across as contrived and too boring, but if you’re newer to the genre and don’t mind the writing style and withholding tactics, you may find this intriguing and a good starting point!
• The main character’s inner monologue was repetitive and over-explainy. In that way where it’s obvious to the reader when a hint drops what could be happening, and then we have to read the main character go on and on about it in the wrong direction. So even in tense moments, I was eye-rolling and knocked out of the story.
• Elements of the story seemed like an afterthought thrown in for convenience. It felt like the main character was wishy washy and weak when it was convenient for the plot, then suddenly assertive and determined when that persona was no longer convenient.
• Frustrating, clunky writing style. In my mind’s eye this was playing out like bad acting the way the dialogue was written. ~Character says something.~ ~Long pause.~ ~Character checks script, realizes they are supposed to be getting angry, so screams the next line.~
• Overusing the heavily hinting withholding trope for suspense. The main character spends page after page agonizing over mundane details, and then for significant past events gives only vague hints and no depth.
• The kid was used as a plot device to stall progress way too much. Like constantly interrupting or doing annoying things every time the main character was having an important conversation, or we were about to get a reveal.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Relay Publishing and NetGalley
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
• The main character’s inner monologue was repetitive and over-explainy. In that way where it’s obvious to the reader when a hint drops what could be happening, and then we have to read the main character go on and on about it in the wrong direction. So even in tense moments, I was eye-rolling and knocked out of the story.
• Elements of the story seemed like an afterthought thrown in for convenience. It felt like the main character was wishy washy and weak when it was convenient for the plot, then suddenly assertive and determined when that persona was no longer convenient.
• Frustrating, clunky writing style. In my mind’s eye this was playing out like bad acting the way the dialogue was written. ~Character says something.~ ~Long pause.~ ~Character checks script, realizes they are supposed to be getting angry, so screams the next line.~
• Overusing the heavily hinting withholding trope for suspense. The main character spends page after page agonizing over mundane details, and then for significant past events gives only vague hints and no depth.
• The kid was used as a plot device to stall progress way too much. Like constantly interrupting or doing annoying things every time the main character was having an important conversation, or we were about to get a reveal.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Relay Publishing and NetGalley
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
November 2, 2024
This book is like an open sandwich—you can see every ingredient it has right from the start.
The story follows Laurie, a photographer with OCD, who is haunted by events from her past that drive her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly. One night, after returning from a class, Laurie discovers her four-year-old daughter alone at home and her husband, Ben, mysteriously vanished.
Left with a mountain of debt, Laurie struggles to accept that Ben would abandon her, dumping all his problems on her shoulders. Yet all evidence points to exactly that.
Now, with a young daughter to care for and no support, Laurie fights to keep the business Ben started afloat, but her efforts seem in vain. Help comes from an old college friend who’s now a major Instagram sensation and needs a skilled photographer. However, there’s a catch—Laurie must return to Milwaukee, a city filled with painful memories she’d rather forget.
The book’s blurb gives away even more, but I’ll hold back to keep the suspense alive.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a sharp focus on the dark side of social media and the world of influencers. The language flows smoothly, and the book is engaging. However, as I mentioned at the start, it’s like an open sandwich—you can pretty much predict the next twist and even the climax. While thrilling and entertaining until the end, it lacks the mystery element that seasoned readers crave.
If you’re a seasoned mystery fan, this book may fall short. But if you’re new to the genre, it could be a good introduction.
I received a review copy for free for a honest review from BookSirens, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story follows Laurie, a photographer with OCD, who is haunted by events from her past that drive her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly. One night, after returning from a class, Laurie discovers her four-year-old daughter alone at home and her husband, Ben, mysteriously vanished.
Left with a mountain of debt, Laurie struggles to accept that Ben would abandon her, dumping all his problems on her shoulders. Yet all evidence points to exactly that.
Now, with a young daughter to care for and no support, Laurie fights to keep the business Ben started afloat, but her efforts seem in vain. Help comes from an old college friend who’s now a major Instagram sensation and needs a skilled photographer. However, there’s a catch—Laurie must return to Milwaukee, a city filled with painful memories she’d rather forget.
The book’s blurb gives away even more, but I’ll hold back to keep the suspense alive.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a sharp focus on the dark side of social media and the world of influencers. The language flows smoothly, and the book is engaging. However, as I mentioned at the start, it’s like an open sandwich—you can pretty much predict the next twist and even the climax. While thrilling and entertaining until the end, it lacks the mystery element that seasoned readers crave.
If you’re a seasoned mystery fan, this book may fall short. But if you’re new to the genre, it could be a good introduction.
I received a review copy for free for a honest review from BookSirens, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2020
I got a free advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. Thanks NetGalley and Relay Publishing!
Motherhood is a demanding job as we all know. I can't begin to imagine how much harder it will be once you add OCD to the mix. Laurie Miller comes home from clasa one day to find her husband gone and their four year old daughter sound asleep in the middle of their bed. At first she thinks he has been abducted but then she finds a ton of unpaid debts left behind and realizes he also took some of his clothes with him. Suspecting that he may have abandoned them, she accepts a job offer to be a photographer for an Instagram personality. However, her daughter soon starts to attract a lot of attention and Laurie starts worrying about the consequences of their newfound fame. And then one day, her daughter goes missing...
A Perfect Mother is the perfect book to show that not everything you see on social media is true. While Marissa, the Instagram mom personality Laurie worked for, seemed like a supermom online, I instantly sensed some tension between her and her own daughter, Megan, offline. However, she seemed quite eager to snatch up Laurie's own daughter, Fay.
Laurie also seemed a bit weak to me. She did not seem able to stand up for herself to Marissa. I understand that she was grateful for all her help but there were some things that she allowed Marissa to do that most mothers would not. Who lets another woman put their child on the protective railing of a zoo animal to sit???
The sequence of events was also a bit off. When Fay disappeared, there was mention of an incident which happened. However, I had not read about it before and was understandably confused. The author then decided to just throw in the incident without any explanation leaving me to wonder if they somehow got Fay back without me knowing.
The surprise about her husband was not really a surprise because they kept hinting and making it obvious throughout the book. Neither was the other surprise a true surprise. The book was good though even with its issues. Suitable audience: Older teens and adults who enjoy thrillers can read this book.
Recurrent themes: Social media. Mental illness. Motherhood.
Violence: Mention of rape which may be a trigger for some.
Sexual Content:
Profanity: Quite a few obscenities present in this book
Religious Themes: None
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: Social drinking is mentioned. One of the characters smokes when stressed. The character who was raped was drugged
Motherhood is a demanding job as we all know. I can't begin to imagine how much harder it will be once you add OCD to the mix. Laurie Miller comes home from clasa one day to find her husband gone and their four year old daughter sound asleep in the middle of their bed. At first she thinks he has been abducted but then she finds a ton of unpaid debts left behind and realizes he also took some of his clothes with him. Suspecting that he may have abandoned them, she accepts a job offer to be a photographer for an Instagram personality. However, her daughter soon starts to attract a lot of attention and Laurie starts worrying about the consequences of their newfound fame. And then one day, her daughter goes missing...
A Perfect Mother is the perfect book to show that not everything you see on social media is true. While Marissa, the Instagram mom personality Laurie worked for, seemed like a supermom online, I instantly sensed some tension between her and her own daughter, Megan, offline. However, she seemed quite eager to snatch up Laurie's own daughter, Fay.
Laurie also seemed a bit weak to me. She did not seem able to stand up for herself to Marissa. I understand that she was grateful for all her help but there were some things that she allowed Marissa to do that most mothers would not. Who lets another woman put their child on the protective railing of a zoo animal to sit???
The sequence of events was also a bit off. When Fay disappeared, there was mention of an incident which happened. However, I had not read about it before and was understandably confused. The author then decided to just throw in the incident without any explanation leaving me to wonder if they somehow got Fay back without me knowing.
The surprise about her husband was not really a surprise because they kept hinting and making it obvious throughout the book. Neither was the other surprise a true surprise. The book was good though even with its issues. Suitable audience: Older teens and adults who enjoy thrillers can read this book.
Recurrent themes: Social media. Mental illness. Motherhood.
Violence: Mention of rape which may be a trigger for some.
Sexual Content:
Profanity: Quite a few obscenities present in this book
Religious Themes: None
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: Social drinking is mentioned. One of the characters smokes when stressed. The character who was raped was drugged
March 14, 2020
A Perfect Mother is one of those books that you can get involved in quickly and then forget quickly. The plot is predictable, the characters are overblown, and the ending is just what you would expect. Even at that, I finished the book and was at least somewhat entertained while reading it.
As happens in so many books, a spouse (in this case the husband), vanishes abruptly, leaving mountains of debt to his clueless wife, Laurie. Laurie suffers from OCD, stemming from a rape while she was in college. Her OCD is highlighted in the book and is one of the most believable and interesting story lines. It’s easy to guess early on who her rapist is, and the characters she later becomes entwined with are almost caricatures of real people, overly phony and non-believable. After her husband disappears, Laurie becomes involved professionally with an old friend, who is now an Instagram influencer. An influencer – that tells you pretty much what you need to know about that character, although there is a deeper side which emerges quickly. Ah, the plot thickens. But not much.
Seriously, the book was a fairly enjoyable read, if you’re not looking for much depth or challenge in trying to figure out who-done-it. One thing that bothered me, and this is strictly a personal issue, is that the story took place in the United States; the characters were from Milwaukee, and yet the author is apparently from another country, perhaps Britain. The terminology, the manner of speaking, the European spelling of certain words and the drinking of hot tea in the middle of a warm day definitely don’t scream Middle America.
This book wasn’t a bad read at all. It just wasn’t close to being a great one. It was at least a pleasant way to kill an afternoon, and maybe a character or two.
Thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
As happens in so many books, a spouse (in this case the husband), vanishes abruptly, leaving mountains of debt to his clueless wife, Laurie. Laurie suffers from OCD, stemming from a rape while she was in college. Her OCD is highlighted in the book and is one of the most believable and interesting story lines. It’s easy to guess early on who her rapist is, and the characters she later becomes entwined with are almost caricatures of real people, overly phony and non-believable. After her husband disappears, Laurie becomes involved professionally with an old friend, who is now an Instagram influencer. An influencer – that tells you pretty much what you need to know about that character, although there is a deeper side which emerges quickly. Ah, the plot thickens. But not much.
Seriously, the book was a fairly enjoyable read, if you’re not looking for much depth or challenge in trying to figure out who-done-it. One thing that bothered me, and this is strictly a personal issue, is that the story took place in the United States; the characters were from Milwaukee, and yet the author is apparently from another country, perhaps Britain. The terminology, the manner of speaking, the European spelling of certain words and the drinking of hot tea in the middle of a warm day definitely don’t scream Middle America.
This book wasn’t a bad read at all. It just wasn’t close to being a great one. It was at least a pleasant way to kill an afternoon, and maybe a character or two.
Thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
May 2, 2020
This book had missing parts and parts that didn't seem to be in the right order
April 13, 2020
Eek! So cringey and wonderful!
Her husband disappears in the middle of the night leaving her alone to mother their four year old daughter. And if that wasn’t devastating enough, Laurie discovers a mountain of debt she knew nothing about.
... What wouldn’t you do to provide for your child? Would you ignore every instinct you have? Ignore every red flag?
This book was non-stop suspense! I was filled with this deeply uncomfortable, cringey dread that begged me to devour page after page to escape it!
The pacing of this story was spot- on and the characters were dynamic and well developed.
There was only ONE thing about the telling of this story felt horribly inauthentic:
This book takes place in Wisconsin, all of the characters were born and raised in Wisconsin. And yet, the book is FILLED with British slag and terminology.
This inconsistencies kept pulling me out of the story line to confront how it felt knowing this was a fictional story in a fictional world with fictional characters.
It was really unfortunate.
Despite that, I did absolutely LOVE reading this book!
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RelayPublishing for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
April 7, 2020
When Laurie returned home from her night class of photography she realized the house was off balance. Her four year old daughter was in Ben and Laurie's bed alone. Where was her husband?
After reporting him missing Laurie felt the investigation wasn't going anywhere. The police felt as though he just walked out and disappeared.
Laurie struggles with ODC which only gets worse when she's stressed. She feels she's being watched. A mysterious car appears in her neighborhood several times. Is Laurie being paranoid? Or could that be a connection to her husband's disappearance?
Laurie discovered secrets that her husband was hiding.
Marissa, an old college friend, came to Laurie's rescue offering her a job. A fabulous opportunity for her and her daughter but they would have to relocate.
Laurie is uncomfortable as her daughter, Fay is pushed into the spotlight of social media.
Teddy, Marissa's brother and a college friend of Laurie's, is there once again to help comfort Laurie with her anxiety and to help her move forward.
When Fay is kidnapped Laurie's world comes crashing down. Is this the same person from the mysterious car?
As pieces of puzzle fall in place Laurie is put in danger.
A Perfect Mother will have you on the edge of your seat in this physiological thriller.
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
After reporting him missing Laurie felt the investigation wasn't going anywhere. The police felt as though he just walked out and disappeared.
Laurie struggles with ODC which only gets worse when she's stressed. She feels she's being watched. A mysterious car appears in her neighborhood several times. Is Laurie being paranoid? Or could that be a connection to her husband's disappearance?
Laurie discovered secrets that her husband was hiding.
Marissa, an old college friend, came to Laurie's rescue offering her a job. A fabulous opportunity for her and her daughter but they would have to relocate.
Laurie is uncomfortable as her daughter, Fay is pushed into the spotlight of social media.
Teddy, Marissa's brother and a college friend of Laurie's, is there once again to help comfort Laurie with her anxiety and to help her move forward.
When Fay is kidnapped Laurie's world comes crashing down. Is this the same person from the mysterious car?
As pieces of puzzle fall in place Laurie is put in danger.
A Perfect Mother will have you on the edge of your seat in this physiological thriller.
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 27, 2020
When Laurie Miller’s husband vanishes without a trace, leaving her alone with their daughter, the last thing she needs is to worry about the stack of bills she can’t pay.
But Laurie cant believe her luck when Marissa offers her a job photographing her Instagram postings along with staying in her house and a nice salary. But Marissa isnt all that she seems and things become too much for Laurie.
This book was great, kept you turning the page. Never knew what the next chapter would bring along with a surprise ending. Will definitely be reading more of Crow's books. #KindleUnlimited #fivestars
But Laurie cant believe her luck when Marissa offers her a job photographing her Instagram postings along with staying in her house and a nice salary. But Marissa isnt all that she seems and things become too much for Laurie.
This book was great, kept you turning the page. Never knew what the next chapter would bring along with a surprise ending. Will definitely be reading more of Crow's books. #KindleUnlimited #fivestars
September 30, 2024
What an intriguing start this story has! From the very beginning, you’re thrown into a world where things aren’t as they seem, and something sinister lurks beneath the surface. This clever plot hook immediately draws you in, and the suspense builds steadily, leaving you on the edge of your seat until the shocking revelation finally comes to light. Then you’re sitting there feeling like your head is spinning.
May 5, 2020
A well written psychological thriller.
Laurie's husband goes missing and it's all about finding out what happened, who's involved... the past isn't just the past...
Interesting storyline, good characters and plot. It keeps you turning the pages until the end.
ARC received through NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Laurie's husband goes missing and it's all about finding out what happened, who's involved... the past isn't just the past...
Interesting storyline, good characters and plot. It keeps you turning the pages until the end.
ARC received through NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2021
Author is sociologically confused!
These books aren’t high literature but for the ,most, they have been decent reads. This book irritated me to NO END. It don’t understand how the author, editor nor any proofreaders noticed while reading , that the story takes place in the United States— maybe the author forgot the physical location while writing—because this novel was is written with UK phraseology or British English, throughout. It was irritating and distracting.
These books aren’t high literature but for the ,most, they have been decent reads. This book irritated me to NO END. It don’t understand how the author, editor nor any proofreaders noticed while reading , that the story takes place in the United States— maybe the author forgot the physical location while writing—because this novel was is written with UK phraseology or British English, throughout. It was irritating and distracting.
March 7, 2020
This is a somewhat unusual tale of a woman called Laurie (Lo) Miller, who had a traumatic event happen to her when she was at college. Two people came to her rescue after the event, Teddy and his sister Marissa. She hasn’t seen them for years since moving away to Arlington, with her husband Ben, who she met after the event. She chose to live there to feel safer and her husband opened a bakery franchise there. They now have a four year old daughter, t are struggling with their relationship, having lots of petty arguments. Laurie isn’t working, while she focuses on a photography class and doing small photography jobs occasionally.
The traumatic event has left her with severe OCD and her husband is the main one to look after their daughter Kay and when she was on her meds, she was too spaced out to do so anyway. One night, he wants the car to go back to work, but it is her night class and she goes. When she gets back, there are no lights on as normal, but she doesn’t realise anything until a while later. Ben has disappeared at some point during the evening, leaving their daughter at home alone. The police don’t seem exactly interested and no-one wants to listen to her.
Worse is to come, when she finds out Ben has been hiding the problems with their finances and they are broke and owe thousands. She may even lose the house and has no work to earn anything herself! He has been hiding matters from her and the stress just makes her OCD even worse. She can’t even keep her daughter in nursery, so matters are declining rapidly. Trying to re-open the bakery leaves her with an unexpected meeting with Teddy, while Fay takes a tumble. He contacts her after with a possible job offer, being the official photographer for his sister and her Instagram account. She is somewhat of a super star on social media and the perfect mother!
Finding out she can’t sell her house until Ben either turns up or is found, as she has to wait seven years to declare him dead, she has little in the way of choices. She takes Marissa’s offer, which is very generous and even gives them somewhere to stay as well. What she doesn’t realise, is the small print in her contract and Marissa’s use of her young daughter to push up her fan numbers. Soon Fay seems to be more Marissa’s daughter than her own and is even becoming famous in her own right. Laurie feels a bit unsure and is persuaded to try and stop her OCD ticks and meds, while she is paired up with Teddy. Anything not to embarrass Marissa while she works in close proximity with her.
It seems Fay doesn’t even need or love her anymore and someone has posted every occasion where Fay was hurt or Laurie shouted at her. She is remind of things she has said or been told, but she has no recollection of these things. Is she going mad, is her OCD making matters worse? She wants to talk to her only friend, but her calls are being ignored. Something seems to be going on, but the police won’t listen, her supposed friends are never there and Teddy and Marissa, Marissa’s husband Joseph and even her assistant seem to be hiding things. Next her daughter Fay goes missing and what she thought she might have gone through when her husband Ben went missing, is nothing compared to her daughter’s kidnapping!
This storyline has so many twists and turns to it and there are some very dark elements behind what is happening to Laurie and her daughter. She will discover what happened to her life and why it has turned out the way it has, but there are plenty of surprises and unexpected events in her way. Whatever she may have thought was happening and who to suspect about her husband’s disappearance, she would never in a million years have come up with what happens in this storyline. A dark tale of the evil that some people can do and the problems too much exposure on social media can bring. An enticing read and one I have now bought for my collection. I can’t wait to read the next tale this author comes up with. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The traumatic event has left her with severe OCD and her husband is the main one to look after their daughter Kay and when she was on her meds, she was too spaced out to do so anyway. One night, he wants the car to go back to work, but it is her night class and she goes. When she gets back, there are no lights on as normal, but she doesn’t realise anything until a while later. Ben has disappeared at some point during the evening, leaving their daughter at home alone. The police don’t seem exactly interested and no-one wants to listen to her.
Worse is to come, when she finds out Ben has been hiding the problems with their finances and they are broke and owe thousands. She may even lose the house and has no work to earn anything herself! He has been hiding matters from her and the stress just makes her OCD even worse. She can’t even keep her daughter in nursery, so matters are declining rapidly. Trying to re-open the bakery leaves her with an unexpected meeting with Teddy, while Fay takes a tumble. He contacts her after with a possible job offer, being the official photographer for his sister and her Instagram account. She is somewhat of a super star on social media and the perfect mother!
Finding out she can’t sell her house until Ben either turns up or is found, as she has to wait seven years to declare him dead, she has little in the way of choices. She takes Marissa’s offer, which is very generous and even gives them somewhere to stay as well. What she doesn’t realise, is the small print in her contract and Marissa’s use of her young daughter to push up her fan numbers. Soon Fay seems to be more Marissa’s daughter than her own and is even becoming famous in her own right. Laurie feels a bit unsure and is persuaded to try and stop her OCD ticks and meds, while she is paired up with Teddy. Anything not to embarrass Marissa while she works in close proximity with her.
It seems Fay doesn’t even need or love her anymore and someone has posted every occasion where Fay was hurt or Laurie shouted at her. She is remind of things she has said or been told, but she has no recollection of these things. Is she going mad, is her OCD making matters worse? She wants to talk to her only friend, but her calls are being ignored. Something seems to be going on, but the police won’t listen, her supposed friends are never there and Teddy and Marissa, Marissa’s husband Joseph and even her assistant seem to be hiding things. Next her daughter Fay goes missing and what she thought she might have gone through when her husband Ben went missing, is nothing compared to her daughter’s kidnapping!
This storyline has so many twists and turns to it and there are some very dark elements behind what is happening to Laurie and her daughter. She will discover what happened to her life and why it has turned out the way it has, but there are plenty of surprises and unexpected events in her way. Whatever she may have thought was happening and who to suspect about her husband’s disappearance, she would never in a million years have come up with what happens in this storyline. A dark tale of the evil that some people can do and the problems too much exposure on social media can bring. An enticing read and one I have now bought for my collection. I can’t wait to read the next tale this author comes up with. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
May 25, 2025
Tense Thrilling, Read it in One Day
Well…
As far as psychological thrillers go,
This was definitely a page turner.
A “Stay up til two in the Morning” page turner.
What starts as a domestic thriller with the mysterious disappearance of Ben Miller.
( Baker and owner of “ Frosted” )
Who disappears one night while his wife Laurie is at photography class.
Leaves Laurie .and four years old Fay trying to cope with the trauma, and crippling debt he has left behind.
This story slowly turns to a psychological tense page turner, where Laurie, while trying to cope with her OCD and mental health, is hired as a photographer, by old college friend, and now Instagram influencer Marissa Jones.
All due to a chance meeting she has with Marissa’s brother Teddy,.
Marissa and Teddy had been there in Uni, when Laurie went through an extremely traumatic experience.
An experience we don’t find out about until later
Laurie soon finds out, via social media, that Marissa’s husband is a well known business start up investor, AND Ben’s ( silent ) partner, Joseph Jonas.
While shocked at this discovery, the opportunities that working for a Marissa would provide for Laurie and Fay, far outweigh any red flags.
The second part of this story really kicks up a notch once Laurie starts living under the same roof in Marissa, at her palatial Milwaukee home, helping with her social media presence.
The more 👍 “ Likes” the better things seem to be.
Things get weird though, as Marissa begins to use Laurie’s daughter, Fay in some photos allowing some fans to believe she is her daughter.
Then, they get weirder as Marissa comes up with a “ match making” idea using Laurie budding relationship with younger, handsome, Teddy,
As more fodder for her fans to drool over
( more 👍Likes )
As the months go by Marissa’s account becomes more and more popular as she manipulates the public, and companies for $$$ and clout.
Nothing and Nobody will stand in her way for fame.
In the mean time Teddy’s influence, (and then gaslighting) over Laurie gets worse as her mental healthy begins to deteriorate.
As the months go by, and there is no news about Ben ( remember him ) from the police it is presumed he has meet a bleak end.
However Laurie, in the eyes of the Law, has to wait seven years to make any Life Insurance claims so, she is completely reliant on working for Marissa if she is to pay her debts and make a life for herself and little Fay.
But!
At what cost to her daughter and herself.
This story was extremely tense, and a seriously could not put it down.
Yes! Laurie’s character could get irritating as times.
Yes! When Teddy showed up 18% in, I smelled a rat
Yes! there were some hole in the plot.
Yes! The third half threw up some convoluted over the top twists the didn’t stop until the epic moment at the end
BUT!
I Loved it 🤷🏻♀️
OH YEAH!
And there’s a HEA 😂
Well…
As far as psychological thrillers go,
This was definitely a page turner.
A “Stay up til two in the Morning” page turner.
What starts as a domestic thriller with the mysterious disappearance of Ben Miller.
( Baker and owner of “ Frosted” )
Who disappears one night while his wife Laurie is at photography class.
Leaves Laurie .and four years old Fay trying to cope with the trauma, and crippling debt he has left behind.
This story slowly turns to a psychological tense page turner, where Laurie, while trying to cope with her OCD and mental health, is hired as a photographer, by old college friend, and now Instagram influencer Marissa Jones.
All due to a chance meeting she has with Marissa’s brother Teddy,.
Marissa and Teddy had been there in Uni, when Laurie went through an extremely traumatic experience.
An experience we don’t find out about until later
Laurie soon finds out, via social media, that Marissa’s husband is a well known business start up investor, AND Ben’s ( silent ) partner, Joseph Jonas.
While shocked at this discovery, the opportunities that working for a Marissa would provide for Laurie and Fay, far outweigh any red flags.
The second part of this story really kicks up a notch once Laurie starts living under the same roof in Marissa, at her palatial Milwaukee home, helping with her social media presence.
The more 👍 “ Likes” the better things seem to be.
Things get weird though, as Marissa begins to use Laurie’s daughter, Fay in some photos allowing some fans to believe she is her daughter.
Then, they get weirder as Marissa comes up with a “ match making” idea using Laurie budding relationship with younger, handsome, Teddy,
As more fodder for her fans to drool over
( more 👍Likes )
As the months go by Marissa’s account becomes more and more popular as she manipulates the public, and companies for $$$ and clout.
Nothing and Nobody will stand in her way for fame.
In the mean time Teddy’s influence, (and then gaslighting) over Laurie gets worse as her mental healthy begins to deteriorate.
As the months go by, and there is no news about Ben ( remember him ) from the police it is presumed he has meet a bleak end.
However Laurie, in the eyes of the Law, has to wait seven years to make any Life Insurance claims so, she is completely reliant on working for Marissa if she is to pay her debts and make a life for herself and little Fay.
But!
At what cost to her daughter and herself.
This story was extremely tense, and a seriously could not put it down.
Yes! Laurie’s character could get irritating as times.
Yes! When Teddy showed up 18% in, I smelled a rat
Yes! there were some hole in the plot.
Yes! The third half threw up some convoluted over the top twists the didn’t stop until the epic moment at the end
BUT!
I Loved it 🤷🏻♀️
OH YEAH!
And there’s a HEA 😂
March 8, 2020
A picture is worth a thousand words—and every one is a lie in this gripping psychological suspense thriller.
Laurie Miller is left in utter shock when her husband vanishes without a trace, leaving her with a stack of bills she can’t pay. As the lonely days stretch into weeks with no reappearance or body resurfacing, the stay-at-home mom accepts a photography job from a former sorority sister, and current Instagram sensation, and returns to her Milwaukee roots—and the trauma she thought she’d escaped.
Her college days left her with scars no camera can capture, and Laurie’s old OCD coping mechanisms creep in as she navigates the frightening new life of single motherhood. But becoming a personal photographer to a popular Instagram-Mom is helping Laurie provide for her daughter like any good mother should. She just never expected her daughter to become the center of so much attention.
As the world of celebrity influencers feed her insecurities, Laurie realizes she’s not only lost her husband but now is losing the love of her only child. Arguments ensue. Accidental injuries surface. Allegations of neglect and endangerment are flung her way. But when Laurie’s daughter goes missing, a twisted scheme thrusts the past into the glaring light of the present.
And this time, her daughter’s life is at stake.
Bestselling domestic noir author Jo Crow invites you to hunt for the truth in this shocking psychological thriller with gripping suspense and a breathtaking twist that will keep you up at night...
**This novel contains sexual content, violence and profanity.**
Such a thrilling read!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Laurie Miller is left in utter shock when her husband vanishes without a trace, leaving her with a stack of bills she can’t pay. As the lonely days stretch into weeks with no reappearance or body resurfacing, the stay-at-home mom accepts a photography job from a former sorority sister, and current Instagram sensation, and returns to her Milwaukee roots—and the trauma she thought she’d escaped.
Her college days left her with scars no camera can capture, and Laurie’s old OCD coping mechanisms creep in as she navigates the frightening new life of single motherhood. But becoming a personal photographer to a popular Instagram-Mom is helping Laurie provide for her daughter like any good mother should. She just never expected her daughter to become the center of so much attention.
As the world of celebrity influencers feed her insecurities, Laurie realizes she’s not only lost her husband but now is losing the love of her only child. Arguments ensue. Accidental injuries surface. Allegations of neglect and endangerment are flung her way. But when Laurie’s daughter goes missing, a twisted scheme thrusts the past into the glaring light of the present.
And this time, her daughter’s life is at stake.
Bestselling domestic noir author Jo Crow invites you to hunt for the truth in this shocking psychological thriller with gripping suspense and a breathtaking twist that will keep you up at night...
**This novel contains sexual content, violence and profanity.**
Such a thrilling read!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2020
I think this is my favorite Jo Crow novel! It is the story of Laurie, a mom with OCD, who comes home one night to find her husband missing, and her young daughter, Fay, all alone. Ben is missing and the police aren't helping Laurie find him. Distraught and strapped for money, Laurie starts working at the bakery Ben owned, when Teddy - a friend from college - stops in. He views Laurie's photographs and suggests that Laurie might want to work for his sister, Marissa, an Instagram star. Laurie reluctantly agrees, and Marissa starts working her way into Fay's heart. Laurie is uncomfortable with the attention Fay is receiving online, and she also has a strained relationship with Marissa's assistant, Gretchen. In fact, the only person Laurie can confide in honestly is her friend, Kaity.
Laurie and Teddy become close, but Laurie feels guilty about Ben. Teddy had rescued Laurie years ago after a traumatic incident, and Laurie has always felt safe around him. Laurie has been seeing a therapist, Patrick, and working on her OCD, and making progress. Teddy, a school counselor, is trying to get Laurie to stop seeing Patrick, and reduce her meds.
However, nothing is as it seems on the surface. Ben's disappearance, the lack of police assistance, Gretchen's indifference, Teddy's care, and Marissa's kindness are all suspect.
There is something sinister going on and it will all come to a head - but will Laurie and Fay be able to come out of it safely? Will they be able to get their lives back to normal? Who is really their friend? Who is looking out for them?
Not sure why the title is A Perfect Mother. Yes, the story is about Laurie and her OCD and her trying to do the right things for Fay, but I am not sure it reflected the plot as well as another title may have.
#APerfectMother #JoCrow #Booksprout
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Laurie and Teddy become close, but Laurie feels guilty about Ben. Teddy had rescued Laurie years ago after a traumatic incident, and Laurie has always felt safe around him. Laurie has been seeing a therapist, Patrick, and working on her OCD, and making progress. Teddy, a school counselor, is trying to get Laurie to stop seeing Patrick, and reduce her meds.
However, nothing is as it seems on the surface. Ben's disappearance, the lack of police assistance, Gretchen's indifference, Teddy's care, and Marissa's kindness are all suspect.
There is something sinister going on and it will all come to a head - but will Laurie and Fay be able to come out of it safely? Will they be able to get their lives back to normal? Who is really their friend? Who is looking out for them?
Not sure why the title is A Perfect Mother. Yes, the story is about Laurie and her OCD and her trying to do the right things for Fay, but I am not sure it reflected the plot as well as another title may have.
#APerfectMother #JoCrow #Booksprout
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2020
I read this book as an ARC via NetGalley voluntarily in exchange for an honest review. The following review is a reflection of my opinion and experience reading the book.
I want to start off by saying that this book was a real struggle to get through for a number of reasons. It deals with a lot of intense topics such as sexual assault, child and domestic abuse, kidnappings, and compulsions. This book is a psychological thriller so it wasn’t unexpected, but it was just a lot. I didn’t think that these topics were handled with the amount of grace that I would have wanted, especially in relation to sexual assault. I feel like the depiction could have been more sensitive and respectful for readers, and that it shouldn’t have been used in a plot device in that way.
I found the pacing to be a bit off. It seemed like so much happened at the beginning, then for about 60% of the book nothing much happened. There were so many time skips and we didn’t get the chance to get close to the characters in the way I would have wanted to — especially for a psychological thriller. It then went really fast at the end, and it was like I was hit with a killer case of whiplash. Genuinely no idea where all of that plot came from in the last 15% of the book.
I also believe that part of my aversion to this novel was the fact that I don’t care for domestic stories all that much. Especially with kids — it leaves a sour taste in my mouth most of the time. I didn’t find myself rooting for any character in particular, and I found most of them really bland and two dimensional. I sometimes felt as though certain representations through Laurie were there as a token gesture for diversity’s sake and an afterthought. This really rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, I’d say that this book wasn’t for me for a number of reasons, all of which I listed above. If you would like to know more about any trigger warnings in this book, feel free to message me!
I want to start off by saying that this book was a real struggle to get through for a number of reasons. It deals with a lot of intense topics such as sexual assault, child and domestic abuse, kidnappings, and compulsions. This book is a psychological thriller so it wasn’t unexpected, but it was just a lot. I didn’t think that these topics were handled with the amount of grace that I would have wanted, especially in relation to sexual assault. I feel like the depiction could have been more sensitive and respectful for readers, and that it shouldn’t have been used in a plot device in that way.
I found the pacing to be a bit off. It seemed like so much happened at the beginning, then for about 60% of the book nothing much happened. There were so many time skips and we didn’t get the chance to get close to the characters in the way I would have wanted to — especially for a psychological thriller. It then went really fast at the end, and it was like I was hit with a killer case of whiplash. Genuinely no idea where all of that plot came from in the last 15% of the book.
I also believe that part of my aversion to this novel was the fact that I don’t care for domestic stories all that much. Especially with kids — it leaves a sour taste in my mouth most of the time. I didn’t find myself rooting for any character in particular, and I found most of them really bland and two dimensional. I sometimes felt as though certain representations through Laurie were there as a token gesture for diversity’s sake and an afterthought. This really rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, I’d say that this book wasn’t for me for a number of reasons, all of which I listed above. If you would like to know more about any trigger warnings in this book, feel free to message me!
April 6, 2020
A picture is worth a thousand words—and every one is a lie in this gripping psychological suspense thriller.
Laurie Miller is left in utter shock when her husband vanishes without a trace, leaving her with a stack of bills she can’t pay. As the lonely days stretch into weeks with no reappearance or body resurfacing, the stay-at-home mom accepts a photography job from a former sorority sister, and current Instagram sensation, and returns to her Milwaukee roots—and the trauma she thought she’d escaped.
Her college days left her with scars no camera can capture, and Laurie’s old OCD coping mechanisms creep in as she navigates the frightening new life of single motherhood. But becoming a personal photographer to a popular Instagram-Mom is helping Laurie provide for her daughter like any good mother should. She just never expected her daughter to become the center of so much attention.
As the world of celebrity influencers feed her insecurities, Laurie realizes she’s not only lost her husband but now is losing the love of her only child. Arguments ensue. Accidental injuries surface. Allegations of neglect and endangerment are flung her way. But when Laurie’s daughter goes missing, a twisted scheme thrusts the past into the glaring light of the present.
And this time, her daughter’s life is at stake.
Bestselling domestic noir author Jo Crow invites you to hunt for the truth in this shocking psychological thriller with gripping suspense and a breathtaking twist that will keep you up at night...
**This novel contains sexual content, violence and profanity.**
Such a thrilling read!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
Laurie Miller is left in utter shock when her husband vanishes without a trace, leaving her with a stack of bills she can’t pay. As the lonely days stretch into weeks with no reappearance or body resurfacing, the stay-at-home mom accepts a photography job from a former sorority sister, and current Instagram sensation, and returns to her Milwaukee roots—and the trauma she thought she’d escaped.
Her college days left her with scars no camera can capture, and Laurie’s old OCD coping mechanisms creep in as she navigates the frightening new life of single motherhood. But becoming a personal photographer to a popular Instagram-Mom is helping Laurie provide for her daughter like any good mother should. She just never expected her daughter to become the center of so much attention.
As the world of celebrity influencers feed her insecurities, Laurie realizes she’s not only lost her husband but now is losing the love of her only child. Arguments ensue. Accidental injuries surface. Allegations of neglect and endangerment are flung her way. But when Laurie’s daughter goes missing, a twisted scheme thrusts the past into the glaring light of the present.
And this time, her daughter’s life is at stake.
Bestselling domestic noir author Jo Crow invites you to hunt for the truth in this shocking psychological thriller with gripping suspense and a breathtaking twist that will keep you up at night...
**This novel contains sexual content, violence and profanity.**
Such a thrilling read!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
March 14, 2020
Mental health, OCD, people trying to manipulate you, your husband leaves you, the pull of social media and trying to be a loving mother- that sums up this book- that’s a lot going on in The Perfect Mother.
I give this book 3.5 stars. The story premise was good. There was a lot of moving parts to this book. When I thoughtI had a conclusion, the plot twists yet again. The story line is about a mother named Laurie, who comes home one night to her 4 year old daughter and husband, only to realize her husband was gone.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I don’t think I can review this book without giving a way a little bit of spoilers. The reason whyI gave this book 3.5 stars is I didn’t really care about the Laurie. I understand she has mental health problems, but I just wanted to get into the storyline myself and wiggle some sense back into her. Despite having massive OCD, she also was not confident in herself (or as a mother), she didn’t stand up for herself, she allowed Marissa to use her and talk to her however she wanted and allowed others to make decisions/answers for her. So many times during the book I kept thinking- why are you still there??? But I guess that’s what made the book a page turner- you just have to figure out how it ended. It’s also pretty sad how this story depicts the true lives of social media “influencers”. I get it, and I see those that are living a lie to get that extra “follower”... but to what extent? That’s what our society has come to.
Again, the story plot was good. I enjoyed how it ended. I just was not invested in the characters and wanted the story to end already to end her suffering. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!
I give this book 3.5 stars. The story premise was good. There was a lot of moving parts to this book. When I thoughtI had a conclusion, the plot twists yet again. The story line is about a mother named Laurie, who comes home one night to her 4 year old daughter and husband, only to realize her husband was gone.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I don’t think I can review this book without giving a way a little bit of spoilers. The reason whyI gave this book 3.5 stars is I didn’t really care about the Laurie. I understand she has mental health problems, but I just wanted to get into the storyline myself and wiggle some sense back into her. Despite having massive OCD, she also was not confident in herself (or as a mother), she didn’t stand up for herself, she allowed Marissa to use her and talk to her however she wanted and allowed others to make decisions/answers for her. So many times during the book I kept thinking- why are you still there??? But I guess that’s what made the book a page turner- you just have to figure out how it ended. It’s also pretty sad how this story depicts the true lives of social media “influencers”. I get it, and I see those that are living a lie to get that extra “follower”... but to what extent? That’s what our society has come to.
Again, the story plot was good. I enjoyed how it ended. I just was not invested in the characters and wanted the story to end already to end her suffering. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2020
One night, Ben and Laurie have a small argument before Laurie leaves for her photography class. When she returns home, her life will be forever changed. She finds that Ben is missing and their 4 year old, Fay, is in the house alone. Laurie has severe OCD and the added stress of a missing husband has a maddening effect on her. Wound tight and ready to snap, she discovers that her husband was deeply in debt and close to losing both their house and their business. At the end of her rope, a face from her past comes to her with a too good to be true offer- become his influencer sister's full time photographer.
Marissa even offers her and her daughter a place to stay with an astronomical pay check attached so she jumps at the chance to start her and her daughter's lives over. However, she quickly becomes uncomfortable with the influencer life and suspects something is seriously wrong and there are some deep dark secrets going on.
Though Instagram is not new, it is not really a frequent plot point in books. I know a few "Instafamous" people and they really do talk about how they have to be "on" all the time to keep their followers, but this was a whole new layer of insane. It was one of those dark suspense stories that has you wondering what the hell you just read. I enjoyed it, but by now we should all know how I feel about suspense. I devour them, the crazier the better. And this one was pretty crazy.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Marissa even offers her and her daughter a place to stay with an astronomical pay check attached so she jumps at the chance to start her and her daughter's lives over. However, she quickly becomes uncomfortable with the influencer life and suspects something is seriously wrong and there are some deep dark secrets going on.
Though Instagram is not new, it is not really a frequent plot point in books. I know a few "Instafamous" people and they really do talk about how they have to be "on" all the time to keep their followers, but this was a whole new layer of insane. It was one of those dark suspense stories that has you wondering what the hell you just read. I enjoyed it, but by now we should all know how I feel about suspense. I devour them, the crazier the better. And this one was pretty crazy.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
April 28, 2023
Scrolling through my Kindle, I didn't know what to read and this one jumped out at me as I figured it would be a thriller which is what I've been enjoying lately. In A Perfect Mother by Jo Crow, Laurie's life is about to come full circle as at the beginning of this book we learn that Laurie's husband Ben has vanished without a trace and her daughter Fay who is only 4 years old has been left home alone. Laurie is worried and calls the police and her mother-in-law but of course, since it hasn't been that long - they are reluctant to do anything and even after 48 hours - they are still convinced Ben was having an affair or had enough of their marriage and walked out on Laurie and Fay. As the book goes along, Laurie's OCD starts coming back as when she was in college, she experienced trauma which developed PTSD and OCD tendencies. During this hard time, Laurie runs into Teddy Jones and eventually his sister Marissa. Teddy and Marissa went to college with Laurie, Marissa was her sorority sister, and Teddy was her friend. The pair of them also helped her that fateful night at college. Marissa offers Laurie, an out and a way to get back on her feet but Laurie doesn't realize that in doing so - she may not only have lost her husband but could lose her daughter Fay forever as well. I quite enjoyed this thriller as it was a full-circle story as the ending is related to Laurie's college experience. I have one other of her book A Mother's Secret on my Kindle which I am now looking forward to giving her a read.
January 4, 2021
The story revolves around the disappearance of Ben, Laurie's husband and father of their little girl, Fay. When Laurie realizes she is in trouble financially, she's magically saved by her old college roommate Marissa, who is a famous influencer. Laurie takes a job as Marissa's social media photographer, and begins to see that everything in Marissa's life is staged. Soon, Marissa has exposed not only Fay, but Laurie and her budding romance with Marissa's brother Teddy to her thousands of fans.
Almost every single character has flaws, and one by one they spiral out of control until no amount of marketing spin can save them.
As other reviewers have stated, this book should definitely have been edited to correct the British language that had me checking to see where the setting actually was. There were sooo many grammatical errors, typos, and my big bugaboo, pronouns after verbs written as subjects rather than objects. In my copy, two chapters were reversed, leading me to search back in the book thinking I had glazed over some important events. So I would have rated this book higher for content, but there is no excuse for the lack of proofreading, so while I had to come down a star, it was still a fun read.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books for a courtesy review copy.
Almost every single character has flaws, and one by one they spiral out of control until no amount of marketing spin can save them.
As other reviewers have stated, this book should definitely have been edited to correct the British language that had me checking to see where the setting actually was. There were sooo many grammatical errors, typos, and my big bugaboo, pronouns after verbs written as subjects rather than objects. In my copy, two chapters were reversed, leading me to search back in the book thinking I had glazed over some important events. So I would have rated this book higher for content, but there is no excuse for the lack of proofreading, so while I had to come down a star, it was still a fun read.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books for a courtesy review copy.
November 4, 2025
3.5 stars
Laurie’s world collapses overnight. Her husband disappears, leaving behind a mountain of debt, unanswered questions, and a life that suddenly feels too heavy to carry. With her little daughter Fay depending on her, Laurie packs up what’s left of their life and moves to work as a photographer for an old college friend, Merissa, who is a popular Instagram mommy influencer.
Laurie battles with serious OCD, you feel her anxiety like it’s your own heartbeat. The rituals, the checking, the panic when her mind won’t obey her.
At first, Merissa seems like a lifesaver, rich, welcoming, successful. A woman with opportunities and influence. Laurie wants to trust her. To settle. To heal, but the more time she spends in that perfect home, the more you start to see cracks behind the filters.
You can feel Laurie’s paranoia growing, but the scariest thing is..you can’t tell if it’s her OCD or if danger is actually right in front of her.
This book blends motherhood, trauma, and manipulation into a thriller that keeps your glued.
It's fast-paced, unsettling, and driven by a woman fighting both the shadows around her and the ones inside her head. Sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones smiling for the camera.
Laurie’s world collapses overnight. Her husband disappears, leaving behind a mountain of debt, unanswered questions, and a life that suddenly feels too heavy to carry. With her little daughter Fay depending on her, Laurie packs up what’s left of their life and moves to work as a photographer for an old college friend, Merissa, who is a popular Instagram mommy influencer.
Laurie battles with serious OCD, you feel her anxiety like it’s your own heartbeat. The rituals, the checking, the panic when her mind won’t obey her.
At first, Merissa seems like a lifesaver, rich, welcoming, successful. A woman with opportunities and influence. Laurie wants to trust her. To settle. To heal, but the more time she spends in that perfect home, the more you start to see cracks behind the filters.
You can feel Laurie’s paranoia growing, but the scariest thing is..you can’t tell if it’s her OCD or if danger is actually right in front of her.
This book blends motherhood, trauma, and manipulation into a thriller that keeps your glued.
It's fast-paced, unsettling, and driven by a woman fighting both the shadows around her and the ones inside her head. Sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones smiling for the camera.
March 10, 2020
A Perfect Mother, a psychological thriller with a social media twist. Social media feeds our need for attention and also our need to be liked. It is a way to twist reality, to make our imperfect life seem perfect. Laurie is a mother who tries her best at motherhood but she feels that she is not a good mother. Her husband seems to have a better relationship with their daughter Fay. Laurie went to her photography class one night and came home to find her daughter alone in the house, her husband nowhere to be found. He doesn't answer his phone and she realized a few of his things were missing. After weeks of her husband missing she ran into an old friend Teddy who introduced her to his sister Marissa , a famous Instagramer, who offered Laurie a job photographing her for her instagram account. Laurie and Fay moved into Marissa's house and Laurie soon realized things were not as perfect as they seemed at first. Laurie starts questioning Marissa's so called perfect instagram life and starts to dig for the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it showed the effects of social media on our lives and how it can change the way we live.
May 2, 2020
#BookReview (Slight Spoiler Alert🚨 )
The inception of this story was intriguing. A woman with severe OCD symptom found herself searching for a missing husband after realizing he was in tremendous debt with no relief in site. With no money and no way to actually make money (since he was the primary bread winner), she ends up going to live with her social media crazed acquaintance from college who transforms her (and her 4 year old daughter) into a internet famous influencer. Did I mention that the acquaintance was a millionaire?
Sounds good, right? Well, yes but the ending was tough to get through. The author was shy on the realistic details of the story. It started reading like Scooby Doo fan fiction. Exhibit A - Sample from the text: “As Teddy lunged at me, I ducked under his arm...” This sounds like something Shaggy or Scooby would have done when running from the “ghost”.
Aside from that, the story was pretty good. Character development flowed nicely and the psychological traits were well executed. If the ending would have been better then this book could have easily been a 5 star read.
The inception of this story was intriguing. A woman with severe OCD symptom found herself searching for a missing husband after realizing he was in tremendous debt with no relief in site. With no money and no way to actually make money (since he was the primary bread winner), she ends up going to live with her social media crazed acquaintance from college who transforms her (and her 4 year old daughter) into a internet famous influencer. Did I mention that the acquaintance was a millionaire?
Sounds good, right? Well, yes but the ending was tough to get through. The author was shy on the realistic details of the story. It started reading like Scooby Doo fan fiction. Exhibit A - Sample from the text: “As Teddy lunged at me, I ducked under his arm...” This sounds like something Shaggy or Scooby would have done when running from the “ghost”.
Aside from that, the story was pretty good. Character development flowed nicely and the psychological traits were well executed. If the ending would have been better then this book could have easily been a 5 star read.
May 2, 2020
The inception of this story was intriguing. A woman with severe OCD symptom found herself searching for a missing husband after realizing he was in tremendous debt with no relief in site. With no money and no way to actually make money (since he was the primary bread winner), she ends up going to live with her social media crazed acquaintance from college who transforms her (and her 4 year old daughter) into a internet famous influencer. Did I mention that the acquaintance was a millionaire?
Sounds good, right? Well, yes but the ending was tough to get through. The author was shy on the realistic details of the story. It started reading like Scooby Doo fan fiction. Exhibit A - Sample from the text: “As Teddy lunged at me, I ducked under his arm...” This sounds like something Shaggy or Scooby would have done when running from the “ghost”.
Aside from that, the story was pretty good. Character development flowed nicely and the psychological traits were well executed. If the ending would have been better then this book could have easily been a 5 star read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sounds good, right? Well, yes but the ending was tough to get through. The author was shy on the realistic details of the story. It started reading like Scooby Doo fan fiction. Exhibit A - Sample from the text: “As Teddy lunged at me, I ducked under his arm...” This sounds like something Shaggy or Scooby would have done when running from the “ghost”.
Aside from that, the story was pretty good. Character development flowed nicely and the psychological traits were well executed. If the ending would have been better then this book could have easily been a 5 star read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2020
I'm not really sure where to start with this book. I feel like it could have been really good but it just didn't hit the mark. This was my first ARC read from Net Galley so I felt like I needed to see it through and also wanting to see how it ended is honestly what kept me reading it. But the story line was all over the place. I don't know if it was the copy that I received but one chapter talked about an incident and the next chapter was actually a continuation from two chapters before. I actually spent an hour going back over what I had read because I thought I had missed something only to find out that it was the book and not me.
The characters were a little on the predictable side. The main character Laurie had severe OCD due to a trauma she experienced in college. There were times that I felt bad for her but I feel like Crow wrote her to be unlikable on purpose. The ending was pretty good I saw some of it coming but not all of it the twist was pretty good. I've never read this author before so I want to look into any other books she's written because the potential in this book was there.
The characters were a little on the predictable side. The main character Laurie had severe OCD due to a trauma she experienced in college. There were times that I felt bad for her but I feel like Crow wrote her to be unlikable on purpose. The ending was pretty good I saw some of it coming but not all of it the twist was pretty good. I've never read this author before so I want to look into any other books she's written because the potential in this book was there.
April 13, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Explicit content: Rape, sexual assault, violence, kidnapping, death, OCD
This was a fun little ride. Maybe a bit longer than it needed to be, and pretty predictable once things got moving, but fun. It's definitely a spin on troubled-single-mom thrillers that I haven't seen before, and a good look at social media and...well, I can't go too much into it without spoiling things. Suffice to say it tackles a modern-day issue that's on the rise, and does so with surprising accuracy. The manipulative techniques on display were also top-notch, and even though sometimes you want to shake our main character at times, you still understand why they work on her. Things go kinda sideways after the climax in a way that felt very unnecessary - I think it would have been much simpler if everything was discovered then and there, instead of dragging things out for an extra 40 pages - but overall, I was pretty satisfied with this read.
Explicit content: Rape, sexual assault, violence, kidnapping, death, OCD
This was a fun little ride. Maybe a bit longer than it needed to be, and pretty predictable once things got moving, but fun. It's definitely a spin on troubled-single-mom thrillers that I haven't seen before, and a good look at social media and...well, I can't go too much into it without spoiling things. Suffice to say it tackles a modern-day issue that's on the rise, and does so with surprising accuracy. The manipulative techniques on display were also top-notch, and even though sometimes you want to shake our main character at times, you still understand why they work on her. Things go kinda sideways after the climax in a way that felt very unnecessary - I think it would have been much simpler if everything was discovered then and there, instead of dragging things out for an extra 40 pages - but overall, I was pretty satisfied with this read.
July 30, 2020
This is a psychological thriller that begins with a woman that already had some OCD issues, but her rape pushed her over the edge and drove her farther into her disease. Her husband was missing and her child was left at home alone. Her husband was more the caretaker of her child then she was and now she had to deal with parenting full time with the uncertainty of a missing husband. Her college friends tracked her down and offered her a job and a place to live which was perfect for her since her husband left her penniless. Everything was a set up and she slowly unraveled the Lies to get to the final climatic ending. You could tell the writer was from another country since there were several words that were definitely not used in the US where the story was based. Some things didn't make sense even though story was wrapped up at the end, but the story was entertaining and suspenseful. I received an ARC and I voluntarily reviewed this book.
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