Mother Dear: A Slasher Novel

by Ivy Tholen

With its mix of bloody wedding dresses, florists who can’t seem to stay alive, and a family with more money than sanity, Ivy Tholen’s darkly comedic slasher answers the age old What if the dad in Father of the Bride was also the mother from Serial Mom?

Life is good for Katie Rose Waters. Her family is filthy rich, she has her beloved Mother Dear’s undivided attention, and she can get away with murder any time she wants…literally.

When Katie Rose’s estranged older sister Kit returns home after ten years, Katie Rose’s perfect life is thrown into a tailspin. Moments after saying hello—and insulting Katie Rose’s shoes—Kit announces she’s coming back for good, and she’s bringing her new fiancee with her. Suddenly Katie Rose is old news, as Mother Dear shifts her attention to planning the wedding of the century. Between work and Kit, Mother Dear can’t find the time for Katie Rose unless she needs help choosing flowers or decapitating the baker. It’s simply devastating.

As the big day approaches, tensions run high. Katie Rose vows revenge on her sister, Kit threatens to reveal old family secrets, and Mother Dear must go on an all antacid diet, but everything will be fine as long as they avoid stress, because that’s when things get messy.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing more stressful than a wedding...

Genres: Horror, Fiction

314 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2024

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a few Ivy Tholen books, and this one is my least favorite so far. It was fine, just not as entertaining for me as the overs. I wasn't totally sold on Katie Rose as the main POV, and I think it would have been interesting to see the story from Kit's POV instead. I know we would have lost a lot of the murder scenes, but I just think it would have been more engaging. I just liked Kit better, I guess.

I did love the ending though! I'm also starting to enjoy all these weird stories taking place in this one little Texas town. Stuff like that hooks me, so I'll be reading more!

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Welcome back to Beldam Texas Slasher Capital of the world. The Water’s family is full of Kathrynn’s. Katie Rose is Rynn’s (Mother Dear’s) shadow. Always just behind her looming tall in her Louboutin combat boots. Like many other families in Beldam they have a bit of a violent streak and are a little unstable and now the eldest daughter Kit is home with news of a surprise engagement adding more stress.

Wedding plans, parties, and carnage ensue as the Kathrynn’s get ready for the event that will be the talk of the town. Kit just want’s something low key but Mother Dear has bigger plans and Katie Rose will make sure she gets her way

A good dose of humor and fun kills keep me reading Ivy Tholen’s work. Her slashers remind me of the Fear Street and Christopher Pike novels of the 90’s except grown up. Watching the town’s history unfold has been a blast throughout the novels with cameos popping up from time to time. But they can still be read stand alone. Fun for anyone who enjoys slasher’s and violent horror that doesn’t require a trigger warning. As advertised it does feel like Father of the Bride meets Serial Mom.

[Rae Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Rose Waters lives the epitome of a charmed life. With disgustingly rich parents, a mother who lives for her every whim, and the ability to literally murder anyone who annoys her and get away with it-what more could a girl want? But when her estranged sister comes back to town with a fiance in tow, Katie Rose finds herself playing second fiddle to the wedding preparations and her chaotic family dynamics in play once again.

When a neighborhood florist turns into a far more interesting time diversion for Katie Rose, she finds herself figuring out what life may or may not look like if she has another interest outside of her beloved mother. As family ties start to strain and the chaos builds, the bodies start to pile up-will it bring the Waters women together or will it end in blood? *literally*

This book was the most insane bloodthirsty shitshow ever and I devoured every minute of it. This was yet another slasher thriller written exactly how I like them by the author that seems to eternally knock it out of the park time and time again. There is something about the way that Ivy Tholen writes slashers that just makes me happy-gory kills that border but NEVER ACTUALLY CROSS the line of absurd and ridiculous, characters that you absolutely loathe but then again are also kinda rooting for (even though they're literally serial killers and psychopathic monsters), all while telling a story that actually makes sense because she's just good at what she does.

This book was another 10/10 no notes Ivy Tholen horror romp. I cannot WAIT for more...

[Kathy Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author for allowing me to receive an eARC of her book!

Yet another fantastic book by Ivy Tholen! It is full of her normal slasher/gory goodness, but it definitely has a fun dark comedy twist to it! I enjoyed every minute of this story!

[Livvy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly just fine. A cool concept but felt very meh in execution. Though the last montage of mother dear, kit and Katie rose killing the guy was certainly satisfying.

[MollyK · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something seriously wrong in Texas. Even more so in the Bedlam Texas area.

I enjoy the heck our of these popcorn slasher books! Just supper dark, twisted, campy, snarky, and funny too. I also love all the Easter Eggs the author packs in. It's Spooky Season y'all so grab a glass of wine or a pumpkin spice and enjoy the ride. I have a feeling that there will be a lot more murderous fun to be had in Bedlam.

[Nicole_cries_alot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I loved this. It didn’t go anywhere near what I was expecting it to do. Katie Rose is truly unhinged and I’m here for it. This is very tongue in cheek and funny. It’s also fairly gory but not scary
The stakes are high and people are dying left and right around this wedding.

[kim wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Dear

Really enjoyed this book . Loads of laughs, lots of gore . The narrative between the characters was hilarious 🤣
Absolutely loved Katie Rose …ADHD on steroids ❗️❗️
I need more Mother Dearest , Katie Rose and Kit .
Brilliant 🤩

[Pulp_Fiction_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

IVY THOLEN NEVER MISSES! This was great, a tale of a disfunctional family of unhinged characters filled with gore and tons of darkly comedic, laugh out loud moments, which are tough things to marry together (pun intended) and is something I always love about Ivy Tholen's work. She is also a master of writing a fantastically fleshed out, genuinely interesting character. Which I find seriously lacking in so much media these days. I also love how her books take place in the same town and how she incorporates a ton of subtle easter eggs in her work tying them all together. Last but not least, the artwork on her covers is just phenomenal. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, absolutely do when it comes to these.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original and entertaining. Engaging, unique characters and a compelling narrative that combined elements of the horror genre with dark humor and kept me turning pages. Although it was not the terrifying, “ sleep-with-the-lights-on” book that one typically associates with the horror genre, it was so well executed and refreshingly original that it was a genuinely enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a horror story that will have you checking under the bed and jumping when the refrigerator compressor kicks on, this probably won’t be the book for you, but if you want an interesting, original, and expertly written tale that combines dark humor with plenty of gore and horror elements, give Mother Dear a try. This was my first read by the author and I am already looking for more.

[Kelsi - Slime and Slashers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great character development and lots of humor with some fun kills too. This is a WONDERFUL and unique slasher book! Easy 5 stars. I liked it better than Tholen's Maul Rats, and I almost like it more than Tastes Like Candy - which I consider one of my very favorite slasher books of all time 🙌

Mother Dear was just so fun. It also focused on a dysfunctional family and featured lots of drama - so it had a lot more to offer in terms of character development and character relationships versus your typical slasher book!

Highly recommend!

[Kalin Stevey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.75 stars rounded up*

Ivy Tholen is one of very few authors that I can pick up their book and know I’ll enjoy it. This is the fifth book I’ve read from them and yet again it was excellent. I loved all the references to places and characters from older books. Katie Rose was one of the most interesting and unhinged characters I’ve ever read a POV from and it was a blast. There were so many unique “slashes” in here too. The flower scene? Yikes! That’s going to stay with me lol. I had a great time with Mother Dear and already can’t wait for another book!

[Rachella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I really enjoyed the creativity of the murders and ways of luring the victims in. Just enough wedding drama to keep me interested. I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Katie Rose. At times, I found her both relatable and hilarious. Other times I thought she was an annoying brat.

I still prefer Sugarless and Tastes Like Candy, but this book was good in its own way.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

I usually love Ivy Tholen’s books, but this one didn’t quite work for me. The setup is creative and the dark humor had some strong moments, but overall, I struggled to stay invested. Katie Rose, the main character, was especially tough to get through — her selfishness and pettiness just made her hard to root for, even in a story where you're supposed to enjoy the chaos. I can see what the book was aiming for — a satirical, over-the-top slasher comedy — but for me, it never fully clicked. I’m still looking forward to whatever Ivy Tholen writes next, but this one just wasn’t my favorite.

[Sierra Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS!!! Ivy Tholen is a gem, because this book is a gem. This is my first slasher in a long time that I have loved completely!!! I was 100% into it and wanted to know what was going to happen as fast as I can!! This was a FUN time!!

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Ivy Tholen's writing. This was the perfect mix of dark, gory, and funny with a touch of sweetness. This entire family was so dysfunctional but I loved them. Katie Rose was something else and I loved her the most!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. I love Tholen’s popcorn slasher books.

[Shana C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this freakish fam! Another hit from Ivy tholen for me. Who doesn’t love homicidal women and ultimate bridezillas!? Super entertaining book with a wild family dynamic.

[TheseHauntedPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Dear showcases Ivy Tholen's unique creative kills in this dark comedy that has gory moments, revenge and a whole lot of family issues.

Katie Rose is one bat shit crazy character which makes this a fun read, you really don't want to get on her bad side and you never know what to expect.

If you've read any other books from the author then you may pick up on a few references which are dotted about.

[Shannon Nuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read! The characters are even relatable despite their penchant for murder, with several laugh out loud moments.