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La mère de famille
Preorder the BRAND NEW psychological thriller from the NUMBER ONE bestselling author of The Nurse A terrible wife...
Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. Handsome, devoted and kind, he should be the ideal man for her, but Sarah knows their marriage is the biggest mistake she’s ever made…and she wants out.
But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.
Sarah is horrified – a baby would tie herself to this man forever…wouldn’t it? Or could it be exactly what she needs?
So Sarah agrees.
A terrible mother?
When the baby arrives, Sarah struggles with motherhood and her resentment towards Nick only grows. Sarah feels more trapped than ever, but she loves her precious daughter...doesn’t she?
And then baby Kaya goes missing...
And everything Sarah has ever believed in comes crashing down around her...
Don't miss the brilliant new story from the psych thriller queen!
Praise for The
‘Keogh is the queen of compelling narratives and twisty plots’ Jenny O'Brien
'A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.' Anita Waller
'This deliciously twisty story kept me up late at night, desperate to know the outcome. A definite 5 stars.' Keri Beevis
Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. Handsome, devoted and kind, he should be the ideal man for her, but Sarah knows their marriage is the biggest mistake she’s ever made…and she wants out.
But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.
Sarah is horrified – a baby would tie herself to this man forever…wouldn’t it? Or could it be exactly what she needs?
So Sarah agrees.
A terrible mother?
When the baby arrives, Sarah struggles with motherhood and her resentment towards Nick only grows. Sarah feels more trapped than ever, but she loves her precious daughter...doesn’t she?
And then baby Kaya goes missing...
And everything Sarah has ever believed in comes crashing down around her...
Don't miss the brilliant new story from the psych thriller queen!
Praise for The
‘Keogh is the queen of compelling narratives and twisty plots’ Jenny O'Brien
'A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.' Anita Waller
'This deliciously twisty story kept me up late at night, desperate to know the outcome. A definite 5 stars.' Keri Beevis
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2024
3205 people are currently reading
1957 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Keogh
48 books836 followersValerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
September 26, 2024
Man this went off the rails.
February 6, 2025
This book just had way too many twist and turns that were simply unbelievable. And I honestly didn't like either of the main characters that we started to follow in this, Sarah and Zee. The other characters that we follow were not very well developed and the overall flow of the book was just so slow.
"The Mother" follows newlywed Sarah Westfield. Sarah isn't happy and she realizes that she should not have married her husband Nick. However, when Nick proposes they have a baby, she starts to hope the baby will bring them closer [ahem, this is always a terrible idea---do not do this]. When their baby Kaya arrives though, things seem to be even more bleak. When Sarah proposes a trip for their new family, they go out and just like that, Kaya is taken. The book follows the Westfield's marriage and who could have taken Kaya and why.
Eh. Sarah sucks. Her best friend, Jade, at one point reads her for filth and she needed it. She's selfish, does not really care about others, etc. Once again, it's hard to read a thriller where you don't like the main character in it.
Nick was not well developed at all. He was barely in this book, but we hard how annoying he was constantly from Sarah.
The other characters, Jade, the parents, etc. just come in and out and don't really do anything. Jade we only come back to in the end.
The book also then shifts to Zee, a police officer who is suspicious of Sarah and her story about her daughter being taken. Zee isn't much better. Instead she judges Sarah for being a terrible mother [she is though so whatever to that whole thing]. I don't think shifting the book from Sarah to Zee made much sense. Probably because readers already knew what Sarah was/was not doing so it was a weird thing to toss in there especially when we get to the end and don't follow back up with Zee.
The flow was just awful. The book is just Sarah complaining throughout and doing some terrible things through justifications of her marriage.
The ending was a mess.
"The Mother" follows newlywed Sarah Westfield. Sarah isn't happy and she realizes that she should not have married her husband Nick. However, when Nick proposes they have a baby, she starts to hope the baby will bring them closer [ahem, this is always a terrible idea---do not do this]. When their baby Kaya arrives though, things seem to be even more bleak. When Sarah proposes a trip for their new family, they go out and just like that, Kaya is taken. The book follows the Westfield's marriage and who could have taken Kaya and why.
Eh. Sarah sucks. Her best friend, Jade, at one point reads her for filth and she needed it. She's selfish, does not really care about others, etc. Once again, it's hard to read a thriller where you don't like the main character in it.
Nick was not well developed at all. He was barely in this book, but we hard how annoying he was constantly from Sarah.
The other characters, Jade, the parents, etc. just come in and out and don't really do anything. Jade we only come back to in the end.
The book also then shifts to Zee, a police officer who is suspicious of Sarah and her story about her daughter being taken. Zee isn't much better. Instead she judges Sarah for being a terrible mother [she is though so whatever to that whole thing]. I don't think shifting the book from Sarah to Zee made much sense. Probably because readers already knew what Sarah was/was not doing so it was a weird thing to toss in there especially when we get to the end and don't follow back up with Zee.
The flow was just awful. The book is just Sarah complaining throughout and doing some terrible things through justifications of her marriage.
The ending was a mess.
June 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Mother by Valerie Keogh. This was a great read. It was fast paced and had several twists. The ending was a real shocker!! There were so many directions that this book could go so it kept me guessing. It was very engaging and I highly recommend it to others. This book was my first book by this author but I will definitely read more by her. I enjoyed the writing style as well as the plot. A 5 star rating from me.
October 1, 2024
This was an addictive read I totally loved it and it played with my emotions #KindleUnlimited
June 27, 2024
It’s been a while since I read a Keogh book (they are gradually stacking up on my Kindle!) but it is clear this author still has what it takes to write a gripping thriller. I could not put this book down and was absorbed by this fast-moving narrative.
I found it interesting how Keogh manipulates reader opinions of the main characters. The protagonist, Sarah, started off having my sympathy, which then evolved to frustration and suspicion, altering again before the novel had finished. I felt sorry for Sarah because she is introduced as having married fast, on the rebound, and is now having second doubts. Yet, when her doting husband suggests having a baby, Sarah sees this as an opportunity to redirect her husband’s feelings: Sarah feels that Nick is suffocatingly devoted and would rather him shower his affections on their child.
Yet, as you would expect, things don’t miraculously improve after Kaya is born. When Sarah suggests a mini-break with their young daughter, things turn for the worse as Kaya is abducted. The book then spirals into a web of suspicion as I was convinced that someone was involved in organising the disappearance of a daughter that Sarah has come to resent.
The narrative includes perspectives from an unknown character, as well as parts of the police investigation. I really enjoyed seeing how the officers had investigated the baby abduction, especially as I agreed with the suspicions that one officer held. For me, reading this book made me more convinced that I was correct with my theories, only for the writer to shatter them with later revelations.
Whilst I had guessed some of the plot development, I still found the novel thrilling and exciting. In some respects, I thought Sarah was a deserved victim and sympathised with her husband because of how she treats him. On the other hand, I could understand why Sarah felt so trapped, turning to her best friend for a listening ear and advice. Yet, the moments when the baby is abducted literally turned my blood ice cold and I think this moment marked an increase in intensity in the story.
Brimming with twists, turns and a range of suspects, this book had me on edge until the very end. It was a great read and I loved trying to solve the mystery behind Kaya’s abduction.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found it interesting how Keogh manipulates reader opinions of the main characters. The protagonist, Sarah, started off having my sympathy, which then evolved to frustration and suspicion, altering again before the novel had finished. I felt sorry for Sarah because she is introduced as having married fast, on the rebound, and is now having second doubts. Yet, when her doting husband suggests having a baby, Sarah sees this as an opportunity to redirect her husband’s feelings: Sarah feels that Nick is suffocatingly devoted and would rather him shower his affections on their child.
Yet, as you would expect, things don’t miraculously improve after Kaya is born. When Sarah suggests a mini-break with their young daughter, things turn for the worse as Kaya is abducted. The book then spirals into a web of suspicion as I was convinced that someone was involved in organising the disappearance of a daughter that Sarah has come to resent.
The narrative includes perspectives from an unknown character, as well as parts of the police investigation. I really enjoyed seeing how the officers had investigated the baby abduction, especially as I agreed with the suspicions that one officer held. For me, reading this book made me more convinced that I was correct with my theories, only for the writer to shatter them with later revelations.
Whilst I had guessed some of the plot development, I still found the novel thrilling and exciting. In some respects, I thought Sarah was a deserved victim and sympathised with her husband because of how she treats him. On the other hand, I could understand why Sarah felt so trapped, turning to her best friend for a listening ear and advice. Yet, the moments when the baby is abducted literally turned my blood ice cold and I think this moment marked an increase in intensity in the story.
Brimming with twists, turns and a range of suspects, this book had me on edge until the very end. It was a great read and I loved trying to solve the mystery behind Kaya’s abduction.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2024
3.5 stars. This was an engaging, easy to read thriller. Sarah is trapped in a marriage to man she does not love with a baby she has not bonded with and then their baby is kidnapped.
None of these main characters are likable. I kept trying to like Sarah but I couldn’t get there.
The story was unbelievable at times but that’s typical of this genre.
There were twists and even though I had predicted the outcome I did enjoy watching to see how in unfolded.
If you are a lover of a good psychological thriller you should give this one a go!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
None of these main characters are likable. I kept trying to like Sarah but I couldn’t get there.
The story was unbelievable at times but that’s typical of this genre.
There were twists and even though I had predicted the outcome I did enjoy watching to see how in unfolded.
If you are a lover of a good psychological thriller you should give this one a go!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 9, 2024
The Mother
By: Valerie Keogh
Pub Date: June 27, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books
This was my first book by this author and I devoured this one. As a mother this one stabbed at my heart.
A couple marries, but they each have their own reasons for getting married. Sarah’s new husband Nick is kind, charming and adores her. She said Yes, too soon and wished for a different life.
Adding a child in to the mix was not ideal. Sarah never seemed to bond to her daughter, but when she is missing, things get crazy! Will she finally bond with her child? Will she fall in love with her husband? Can tragedy bring them together or make matters worse. Throw in a best friend who knows their secrets and YOU get one twisty story..
Loved this one so much, and will read more by Keogh. Thank you Boldwood Books for this advanced.
By: Valerie Keogh
Pub Date: June 27, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books
This was my first book by this author and I devoured this one. As a mother this one stabbed at my heart.
A couple marries, but they each have their own reasons for getting married. Sarah’s new husband Nick is kind, charming and adores her. She said Yes, too soon and wished for a different life.
Adding a child in to the mix was not ideal. Sarah never seemed to bond to her daughter, but when she is missing, things get crazy! Will she finally bond with her child? Will she fall in love with her husband? Can tragedy bring them together or make matters worse. Throw in a best friend who knows their secrets and YOU get one twisty story..
Loved this one so much, and will read more by Keogh. Thank you Boldwood Books for this advanced.
January 12, 2025
This carefully written thriller centers on Sarah who after a whirlwind romance is trapped in a marriage with a good man who she doesn't love and some how she has agreed to having a baby who she has really bonded with . Her best friend Jade is always in the background ready to help her. A few days away and the baby is taken by strangers. Queue a mystery as to where is the baby and who is responsible. Nothing is as its seems each character has a motive and loaded with secrets. I was totally thrown as i went from character to character thinking they were responsible. The action and reveal was well paced and far out there not sure the ending was realistic but was a nice way to tie it all together. The police being women gave this an underlying attempt to discuss the implications and the internal struggle of all working mothers. This deal with obsession, alongside child abduction, abuse, and depression in an everyday understandable way. I hated sarah for a lot of the book then felt sorry for her as i realised the writing was true to life and she was a very complicated character. Her husband however felt unused in the story and i wanted to see more of him.It was a good entertaining read full of twists and turns perfect for thriller lovers. Thanks to netgallery, publisher and author.
December 19, 2024
I am a fan of Valerie Keogh since the first book I've read of hers and up to now, she has never disappointed. The twists took me by surprise !! I thought I knew where it was going at one point, but boy, I was so wrong !! It absolutely loved reading this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2024
3.5⭐ - it was a good book but the sudden diagnosis of BPD felt unnecessary. It wasn't mentioned again and it really wasn't needed. There is such a stigma in the media against those with BPD and I'm sad to say this has added to that pile for me.
December 15, 2024
Quick read, good thriller
October 6, 2024
3.5 stars. I liked the story, and it was an easy read. I just never really felt an emotional connection to any of the characters. Other than that, it was a good story. I'm glad I read it. 🙂
May 9, 2024
Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. Handsome, devoted and kind, he should be the ideal man for her, but Sarah knows their marriage is the biggest mistake she’s ever made…and she wants out.
But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.
Wow what a story, once again Valerie Keogh has shown me why she is at the top of my best authors list. Once I see one her books on offer I do not even bother reading the blurb, I just request it straight way. You are in for a very wild ride and I loved every moment of it. Against her better judgement Sarah decides to go ahead with Nick's plan but if only she knew what the repercussions of this decision would be she may have thought twice. Often in life we feel the people closet to us are the ones we know the best, but then along comes a situation that totally blows this theory out of the water and we are totally blindsided.
Who do you trust when the chips are down and you really need your closest friends around you? This books explores themes of love, fidelity and friendship. So is Sarah a victim of her own making or should we be feeling genuinely sorry for her? The answers will all be delivered as the book reaches its conclusion but even then you are in for another big surprise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.
Wow what a story, once again Valerie Keogh has shown me why she is at the top of my best authors list. Once I see one her books on offer I do not even bother reading the blurb, I just request it straight way. You are in for a very wild ride and I loved every moment of it. Against her better judgement Sarah decides to go ahead with Nick's plan but if only she knew what the repercussions of this decision would be she may have thought twice. Often in life we feel the people closet to us are the ones we know the best, but then along comes a situation that totally blows this theory out of the water and we are totally blindsided.
Who do you trust when the chips are down and you really need your closest friends around you? This books explores themes of love, fidelity and friendship. So is Sarah a victim of her own making or should we be feeling genuinely sorry for her? The answers will all be delivered as the book reaches its conclusion but even then you are in for another big surprise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2024
I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author and "The Mother" has the same fast pacing and twists and turns I expect from Valerie Keogh. Sarah is a doctor married to Nick who works in finance. Sarah met Nick when she was on the rebound from another romance and he quickly won her over with his declarations of love. Sarah comes across as a cold person and Nick seems overly smothering. Nick wants to have a baby and without really thinking it through, Sarah agrees. I really have a problem reading about people who hate their children or children being harmed, so I was hoping that this would go in a different direction.
Sarah doesn't care about her baby girl Kaya at all and does the minimum to take care of her while Nick showers her with attention. Then one day while on vacation, baby Kaya is kidnapped. The rest of the book is through the eyes of Sarah and two police officers who are trying to get the baby back.
The book has a lot of suspense as the police get closer into figuring out what happened and Sarah and Nick face danger from this person who wants a baby at any cost. The author explores issues of parental love and women facing expectations toward motherhood that men don't have to face. I figured out one of the twists even though it seemed unbelievable but the author had a few more surprises up her sleeve. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC to review.
Sarah doesn't care about her baby girl Kaya at all and does the minimum to take care of her while Nick showers her with attention. Then one day while on vacation, baby Kaya is kidnapped. The rest of the book is through the eyes of Sarah and two police officers who are trying to get the baby back.
The book has a lot of suspense as the police get closer into figuring out what happened and Sarah and Nick face danger from this person who wants a baby at any cost. The author explores issues of parental love and women facing expectations toward motherhood that men don't have to face. I figured out one of the twists even though it seemed unbelievable but the author had a few more surprises up her sleeve. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC to review.
July 3, 2024
Who doesn’t love to read a book where you are a character in it, not just any character but a PC! Let’s just say I did good!….or should that be Valerie did good?!
This is a book that keeps on giving! Twist after twist. I had a feeling of how the players were playing, and I feel part of that was the plan. But for the bigger part of this book, I felt seen. I had and still do have a hard time adjusting to being a mother and the inner monologue of Sarah and Zoé-Lee was, to me, spot on. It was like Valerie had dug around in my head and spoken my thoughts. To me, this was powerful more so than the book. so thank you for verbalising my thoughts.
The rest of the book is a rollercoaster through Sarah’s head. Yes at times she repeats herself, but then who doesn’t? But Sarah could be me, well apart from the kidnapped baby etc etc, never had a character resonated so much in me. I felt like it was my life on those pages up to when the baby was born.
The thriller side was thrilling. We work with everyone to find the truth, and as much as I guessed the who, it did break my heart a little bit. Not because I was right, because we all love to be right but because I was right with the person. I didn’t want to think bad of them.
I really enjoyed this story and I am so pleased I got to read it. It has something for everyone and a whole lotta shocks!
This is a book that keeps on giving! Twist after twist. I had a feeling of how the players were playing, and I feel part of that was the plan. But for the bigger part of this book, I felt seen. I had and still do have a hard time adjusting to being a mother and the inner monologue of Sarah and Zoé-Lee was, to me, spot on. It was like Valerie had dug around in my head and spoken my thoughts. To me, this was powerful more so than the book. so thank you for verbalising my thoughts.
The rest of the book is a rollercoaster through Sarah’s head. Yes at times she repeats herself, but then who doesn’t? But Sarah could be me, well apart from the kidnapped baby etc etc, never had a character resonated so much in me. I felt like it was my life on those pages up to when the baby was born.
The thriller side was thrilling. We work with everyone to find the truth, and as much as I guessed the who, it did break my heart a little bit. Not because I was right, because we all love to be right but because I was right with the person. I didn’t want to think bad of them.
I really enjoyed this story and I am so pleased I got to read it. It has something for everyone and a whole lotta shocks!
June 5, 2024
Sarah is married to Nick. She loves her job as a G.P but now realises that she doesn’t love Nick anymore and she wants out. Her dream job is to get a job in Scotland but, she can’t do that if she is still married to Nick. Nick is a devoted husband and will do anything for his wife. So, before Sarah tells him how she feels about him. Nick tells her that he wants her to have a baby and Sarah reluctantly agrees.
But Sarah doesn’t realise how quick she got pregnant and baby Kaya arrives. She finds it hard to juggle the job and baby Kaya and she thinks that she doesn’t love her. She gets Nick to do all the hard work looking after Kaya. But when she is abducted, she seems to have a change of heart. Where is my baby?
I have read several books from Valerie Keogh now and I have enjoyed them immensely. The story of the mother started quite slow to begin with and at times I thought the story was a bit farfetched. But it made me want to carry on reading and it had a quite a surprise twist at the end. 4 stars from me.
But Sarah doesn’t realise how quick she got pregnant and baby Kaya arrives. She finds it hard to juggle the job and baby Kaya and she thinks that she doesn’t love her. She gets Nick to do all the hard work looking after Kaya. But when she is abducted, she seems to have a change of heart. Where is my baby?
I have read several books from Valerie Keogh now and I have enjoyed them immensely. The story of the mother started quite slow to begin with and at times I thought the story was a bit farfetched. But it made me want to carry on reading and it had a quite a surprise twist at the end. 4 stars from me.
May 15, 2024
I was frankly interested in this book because I love the author. I usually tend to seek books that aren’t domestic thrillers, and I was afraid this was one of those “Mother is crazy” books. But it wasn’t like that at all. We have a doctor whom is married to someone she doesn’t love. Strangely enough, she decides having a baby to make her home life better. This is where the crazy starts! I won’t give any more details; just know that the action increases and so does the reading pace. I gave it 4 stars as a tiny bit can be a little unbelievable. But it’s all good! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
June 4, 2024
The Mother, by Valerie Keogh is a slow burn thriller that follows new mom, Sarah, and her search for her kidnapped infant. This twisted tale takes you through a mother’s worst nightmare, the disappearance of her newborn- or is it? While not the most reliable character, Sarah bounces back and forth over her complex feelings of motherhood, her marriage, her friendships. I found this book to be a slow go until 3/4 of the way through when I audible gasped! Overall, the story is a solid 3.5⭐️. I enjoyed the way the chapter flowed without demanding you to keep going, but the constant questioning of what happened kept me moving forward.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
May 20, 2024
This was a good book, a bit slow for my taste, but I did read it in a few hours. I did not like one character, but that's not unusual for me. The storyline was interesting, even without liking the main character. It did pick up maybe half way through, and the twists were good, I didn't see that coming, my mind had a totally different twist.
I can't wait for more from this author!
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and Valerie Keogh for the chance to read this advanced copy.
I can't wait for more from this author!
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and Valerie Keogh for the chance to read this advanced copy.
August 20, 2024
3.75 Stars
Not bad for my first book of this author's. It was a pretty good story and I did like the twists and turns until the final mother of all twist. I'll definitely have to try another Valerie Keogh book in the future for sure.
Not bad for my first book of this author's. It was a pretty good story and I did like the twists and turns until the final mother of all twist. I'll definitely have to try another Valerie Keogh book in the future for sure.
October 2, 2024
Slap bang average thriller, 99p kindle deal. Was a page turner but I really don’t know how all the reviews are glowing 😬
May 25, 2025
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Be careful what you wish for...
It's been awhile since I read a Valerie Keogh thriller (because some could be hit or miss) but I needn't have worried. This one is a definite hit! I don't know what I was expecting going in except maybe a slow start (which is usually Keogh's way) and yes, it was a slow burn to start but boy did it pick up pace into a fast-moving narrative! And while it did venture into crazy land a tad towards the end, it was still believeable, readable and thrillingly enjoyable! Even if none of the characters were all that likeable. Really, they weren't.
Sarah is a thirty eight year old GP married to Nick. Unhappily married, I might add. And with the distance Nick has been keeping lately, Sarah is sure Nick feels the same way. They met and married after a whirlwind romance, her on the rebound of a three year relationship to who she felt had been the love of her life. But six months later, she and Nick are married and are a happy...for a while. Now she dreads returning to the flat they chose together each night, stopping at a pub on the way and numbing her senses with a double vodka before going home.
But when Nick suggests they have a baby, instead of saying how she really feels, Sarah stupidly agrees hoping she won't fall pregnant. After all, her biological clock is ticking. But she does. And she has a rough time of it. But at the end of it all, baby Kaya is born and she is perfect. Nick is sputtering platitudes of how beautiful and perfect she is while Sarah struggles to find any emotion for this screaming bundle she just ejected from her body.
Naturally, as the reader would expect, things do not improve - neither for Nick and Sarah or for Kaya and Sarah. She does not love her husband and she cannot feel any love for her baby daughter either. Can things possibly get any worse for her? She wanted out before a baby was added to the mix; and nothing has changed. If anything, she wants out more than anything. She wished she wasn't married to Nick and she wished she never had a baby. She wished both of them would disappear...and she could continue her life and maybe fulfil her dream of becoming a country GP.
So when baby Kaya is kidnapped (rather stupidly, by all accounts), Nick is understandable distraught since he's the one who has doted on her from the beginning; he's the one who wanted her. But Sarah is detached. It's hard to find any emotion on the woman who has just had her three week baby daughter kidnapped from under their noses and yet there is none. None that the police could see, at any rate. Which naturally raises their suspicions. But Sarah was trapped in a marriage she felt stifled in to a man she didn't love and it was clear she was suffering post natal depression. Wasn't it?
The author cleverly weaves a tangled web of lies and deception, manipulating not only her characters but also her readers' opinions of the main characters. One could be forgiven for feeling at first sympathy for Sarah before becoming frustrated with her and then suspicious of her motives and behaviour. As frustrating as Sarah was, I could relate to her not wanting a child despite her husband thrusting the choice upon her. And then when she loses that child her emotions are even more confused. Did she want her baby to just disappear? Or is it a case of "don't know what you have until it's gone?" and she is inwardly distraught at what's happened but feels she doesn't deserve the right to grieve because she never wanted her in the first place? Emotions are complex and are running high in this incredibly emotive and deceptive tale.
The narrative included one of Sarah's confused state, the police investigation into the abduction and the perspective of an unknown character peppered in between. Together, it weaves a deceptive tale that is both complex and clever. Keogh cleverly manipulates her readers to the point we are second guessing every move and every twist right up to the shocking end.
Admittedly, I had begun to piece it all together with Zoe-Lee and Sarah completing the picture before the next big reveal - no, Keogh wasn't finished with us yet!
Very clever, very addictive and very twisted. A must for psychological thriller fans!
I would like to thank #ValerieKeogh, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Be careful what you wish for...
It's been awhile since I read a Valerie Keogh thriller (because some could be hit or miss) but I needn't have worried. This one is a definite hit! I don't know what I was expecting going in except maybe a slow start (which is usually Keogh's way) and yes, it was a slow burn to start but boy did it pick up pace into a fast-moving narrative! And while it did venture into crazy land a tad towards the end, it was still believeable, readable and thrillingly enjoyable! Even if none of the characters were all that likeable. Really, they weren't.
Sarah is a thirty eight year old GP married to Nick. Unhappily married, I might add. And with the distance Nick has been keeping lately, Sarah is sure Nick feels the same way. They met and married after a whirlwind romance, her on the rebound of a three year relationship to who she felt had been the love of her life. But six months later, she and Nick are married and are a happy...for a while. Now she dreads returning to the flat they chose together each night, stopping at a pub on the way and numbing her senses with a double vodka before going home.
But when Nick suggests they have a baby, instead of saying how she really feels, Sarah stupidly agrees hoping she won't fall pregnant. After all, her biological clock is ticking. But she does. And she has a rough time of it. But at the end of it all, baby Kaya is born and she is perfect. Nick is sputtering platitudes of how beautiful and perfect she is while Sarah struggles to find any emotion for this screaming bundle she just ejected from her body.
Naturally, as the reader would expect, things do not improve - neither for Nick and Sarah or for Kaya and Sarah. She does not love her husband and she cannot feel any love for her baby daughter either. Can things possibly get any worse for her? She wanted out before a baby was added to the mix; and nothing has changed. If anything, she wants out more than anything. She wished she wasn't married to Nick and she wished she never had a baby. She wished both of them would disappear...and she could continue her life and maybe fulfil her dream of becoming a country GP.
So when baby Kaya is kidnapped (rather stupidly, by all accounts), Nick is understandable distraught since he's the one who has doted on her from the beginning; he's the one who wanted her. But Sarah is detached. It's hard to find any emotion on the woman who has just had her three week baby daughter kidnapped from under their noses and yet there is none. None that the police could see, at any rate. Which naturally raises their suspicions. But Sarah was trapped in a marriage she felt stifled in to a man she didn't love and it was clear she was suffering post natal depression. Wasn't it?
The author cleverly weaves a tangled web of lies and deception, manipulating not only her characters but also her readers' opinions of the main characters. One could be forgiven for feeling at first sympathy for Sarah before becoming frustrated with her and then suspicious of her motives and behaviour. As frustrating as Sarah was, I could relate to her not wanting a child despite her husband thrusting the choice upon her. And then when she loses that child her emotions are even more confused. Did she want her baby to just disappear? Or is it a case of "don't know what you have until it's gone?" and she is inwardly distraught at what's happened but feels she doesn't deserve the right to grieve because she never wanted her in the first place? Emotions are complex and are running high in this incredibly emotive and deceptive tale.
The narrative included one of Sarah's confused state, the police investigation into the abduction and the perspective of an unknown character peppered in between. Together, it weaves a deceptive tale that is both complex and clever. Keogh cleverly manipulates her readers to the point we are second guessing every move and every twist right up to the shocking end.
Admittedly, I had begun to piece it all together with Zoe-Lee and Sarah completing the picture before the next big reveal - no, Keogh wasn't finished with us yet!
Very clever, very addictive and very twisted. A must for psychological thriller fans!
I would like to thank #ValerieKeogh, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
February 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ this one was kind of all over the place. The author leads you to think that one character is to blame, but there were so many things happening that it was pretty unbelievable. I think it was weird that the story ended up following the life of the detective a little because I don’t see how that was relevant. Overall, still quick and interesting but too much going on and the ending was not my favorite.
July 31, 2025
Not my favourite of Keogh's, as for much of the book I couldn't stand the main character. However by the end I had some more sympathy for her and I can't say I hated it.
There were a few errors which I couldn't get past (the characters talking about the plot of the TV show The Cry incorrectly, and mentioning how "barely a month ago" the main character was heavily pregnant, when chronologically she had her baby more than 5 weeks previous 🤔
Frustrated me a bit.
Also, I guessed the ending from the get go, so... 🙈
There were a few errors which I couldn't get past (the characters talking about the plot of the TV show The Cry incorrectly, and mentioning how "barely a month ago" the main character was heavily pregnant, when chronologically she had her baby more than 5 weeks previous 🤔
Frustrated me a bit.
Also, I guessed the ending from the get go, so... 🙈
May 21, 2025
Une bonne lecture! Les premières pages ont été difficiles du fait de l’alternance entre la narration à la première et à la troisième personne, et de quelques passages un peu lents.
Puis finalement, le drame arrive vite et j’ai été captivée par l’enquête qui s’ensuit. Tout au long du récit, on doute, on fait face à des personnages troublants et complexes. Entre les rebondissements, l’écriture fluide et les chapitres courts, tout est réuni pour rendre la lecture addictive. Les twists s’enchaînent avant le dénouement final, et certains m’ont vraiment étonnée !
J’ai apprécié les messages transmis autour de la maternité. À travers le personnage de Sarah, l’autrice évoque la pression sociale exercée sur les mères, la notion de « bonne mère » et la réalité de la dépression post-partum. 👏🏼
Puis finalement, le drame arrive vite et j’ai été captivée par l’enquête qui s’ensuit. Tout au long du récit, on doute, on fait face à des personnages troublants et complexes. Entre les rebondissements, l’écriture fluide et les chapitres courts, tout est réuni pour rendre la lecture addictive. Les twists s’enchaînent avant le dénouement final, et certains m’ont vraiment étonnée !
J’ai apprécié les messages transmis autour de la maternité. À travers le personnage de Sarah, l’autrice évoque la pression sociale exercée sur les mères, la notion de « bonne mère » et la réalité de la dépression post-partum. 👏🏼
September 24, 2024
The Mother by Valerie Keogh
302-page Kindle Ebook story ends on 290
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Featuring: Unhappily Married, One Sided Love Trope, Doctor, Yorkshire, England; London, England, Pregnancy, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Baby Blues, Cornwall, Devon, England; Detectives, Media, Apartments, Excerpt from The Mistress - Chapter One, Author's Bibliography
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½👩🍼
My thoughts: 🔖Page 16 of 302 [Chapter] 3 - Nothing going on so far, other than this guy moves quickly.
🔖60 [Chapter] 12 - I don't get the appeal of this story it's kind of choppy and all over the place.
🔖79 Chapter 17 - I have to leave but I am going to have to go back to Ch. 15 later because I am confused.
🔖130 Chapter 28 - I reread Chapter 15 and I still don't get it, although the picture is clearer. It's giving me The Couple Next Door vibes. At least Sarah is being judged for her actions, sense or not, but the extra narratives are confusing and hard to keep up with.
🔖272 Chapter 56 - I was partially right. I wish I had time to finish.
This was predictable once the reveals started coming but I was still surprised by some of the revelations. I'm likely going to read more from this author, it wasn't bad at all.
Recommend to others: Sure, it's a popcorn thriller but once you get past the drama it's pretty good.
302-page Kindle Ebook story ends on 290
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Featuring: Unhappily Married, One Sided Love Trope, Doctor, Yorkshire, England; London, England, Pregnancy, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Baby Blues, Cornwall, Devon, England; Detectives, Media, Apartments, Excerpt from The Mistress - Chapter One, Author's Bibliography
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½👩🍼
My thoughts: 🔖Page 16 of 302 [Chapter] 3 - Nothing going on so far, other than this guy moves quickly.
🔖60 [Chapter] 12 - I don't get the appeal of this story it's kind of choppy and all over the place.
🔖79 Chapter 17 - I have to leave but I am going to have to go back to Ch. 15 later because I am confused.
🔖130 Chapter 28 - I reread Chapter 15 and I still don't get it, although the picture is clearer. It's giving me The Couple Next Door vibes. At least Sarah is being judged for her actions, sense or not, but the extra narratives are confusing and hard to keep up with.
🔖272 Chapter 56 - I was partially right. I wish I had time to finish.
This was predictable once the reveals started coming but I was still surprised by some of the revelations. I'm likely going to read more from this author, it wasn't bad at all.
Recommend to others: Sure, it's a popcorn thriller but once you get past the drama it's pretty good.
April 28, 2025
This book delves into the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and personal identity. The narrative centers on Sarah Westfield, who finds herself in an unhappy marriage with Nick, a man who appears perfect on the surface. In an attempt to salvage their relationship, Nick suggests having a baby—a proposition Sarah reluctantly agrees to, hoping it might bring fulfillment. However, motherhood proves challenging for Sarah, and her feelings of entrapment intensify. The situation escalates when their baby, Kaya, goes missing, plunging Sarah into a whirlwind of suspicion and self-doubt. 
Keogh skillfully weaves a narrative filled with unexpected turns, keeping readers on edge as they navigate the unfolding mystery. The novel tackles difficult subjects such as postpartum depression, marital dissatisfaction, and the societal pressures of motherhood, offering a raw and honest portrayal of Sarah’s internal struggles.
Some readers (myself included) may find it challenging to connect with the characters. Sarah’s actions and decisions can be perplexing, and Nick’s character lacks depth, making it difficult to fully empathize with their plights. The narrative occasionally shifts focus, introducing perspectives that may disrupt the story’s flow and dilute the central tension.
SPOILERS: Sarah hands her baby to a stranger to soothe while and her husband eat and boom she is kidnapped. It was too easy to assume Sarah lined it up because she wanted out of the marriage and being a mother. Turns out her bestie Jade and her husband Nick planned it all. Nick wanted her attention again and jade wanted her happy so jade found a previous patient of Sarah’s that had fertility issues. They then plotted the kidnapping. Once that was done jade did a hit and run that killed Nick. She thought if I can’t have you no one can and she tried to kill them both. Everyone got in trouble. Nick died. Kaya was returned to Sarah and Jade killed herself. The end.
Keogh skillfully weaves a narrative filled with unexpected turns, keeping readers on edge as they navigate the unfolding mystery. The novel tackles difficult subjects such as postpartum depression, marital dissatisfaction, and the societal pressures of motherhood, offering a raw and honest portrayal of Sarah’s internal struggles.
Some readers (myself included) may find it challenging to connect with the characters. Sarah’s actions and decisions can be perplexing, and Nick’s character lacks depth, making it difficult to fully empathize with their plights. The narrative occasionally shifts focus, introducing perspectives that may disrupt the story’s flow and dilute the central tension.
SPOILERS: Sarah hands her baby to a stranger to soothe while and her husband eat and boom she is kidnapped. It was too easy to assume Sarah lined it up because she wanted out of the marriage and being a mother. Turns out her bestie Jade and her husband Nick planned it all. Nick wanted her attention again and jade wanted her happy so jade found a previous patient of Sarah’s that had fertility issues. They then plotted the kidnapping. Once that was done jade did a hit and run that killed Nick. She thought if I can’t have you no one can and she tried to kill them both. Everyone got in trouble. Nick died. Kaya was returned to Sarah and Jade killed herself. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Valerie Keogh’s latest novel!
Sarah is unhappily married to Nick. Nick is everything her ex wasn’t, in the best ways possible. But for Sarah all the love and attention is too smouldering for her. Their marriage is on the rocks. When Nick tells Sarah they have to talk she thinks this is her wish come true, Nick will want a divorce. Wrong, Nick wants to try for a baby. Reluctantly Sarah agrees. When baby Kaya is born, Sarah struggles with motherhood and her resentment for Nick continues to grow. But then Kaya goes missing and everything Sarah has ever believed in comes crashing down.
I thought for sure ok I know what’s happening, but just when you think you know, you don’t. Plot twist! Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. Great premise but it wasn’t my favourite read. It is a slow burn that does keep you guessing.
A lot of people did enjoy this book so I do recommend picking it up and trying for yourself.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley. The Mother is available now.
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Valerie Keogh’s latest novel!
Sarah is unhappily married to Nick. Nick is everything her ex wasn’t, in the best ways possible. But for Sarah all the love and attention is too smouldering for her. Their marriage is on the rocks. When Nick tells Sarah they have to talk she thinks this is her wish come true, Nick will want a divorce. Wrong, Nick wants to try for a baby. Reluctantly Sarah agrees. When baby Kaya is born, Sarah struggles with motherhood and her resentment for Nick continues to grow. But then Kaya goes missing and everything Sarah has ever believed in comes crashing down.
I thought for sure ok I know what’s happening, but just when you think you know, you don’t. Plot twist! Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. Great premise but it wasn’t my favourite read. It is a slow burn that does keep you guessing.
A lot of people did enjoy this book so I do recommend picking it up and trying for yourself.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley. The Mother is available now.
May 20, 2024
Twist After Twist!
As always, Valerie has given us another incredible novel. I am never disappointed and read everything she puts out immediately.
This was a quick read and definitely seemed to get quicker as the story went on. I could not put it down. There were so many unexpected twists and events, I am still in shock about some of them.
The characters were intriguing and held my attention throughout. The story itself was shocking and heart wrenching at times.
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a fast paced, easy to follow thriller that you won't be able to put down.
As always, Valerie has given us another incredible novel. I am never disappointed and read everything she puts out immediately.
This was a quick read and definitely seemed to get quicker as the story went on. I could not put it down. There were so many unexpected twists and events, I am still in shock about some of them.
The characters were intriguing and held my attention throughout. The story itself was shocking and heart wrenching at times.
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a fast paced, easy to follow thriller that you won't be able to put down.
August 18, 2024
"The Mother" by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of motherhood, family secrets, and the dark side of human nature. The story follows the protagonist, Sarah a devoted mother who is forced to confront a series of shocking revelations that unravel her seemingly perfect life. Keogh masterfully weaves a tale filled with suspense, twists, and deep emotional turmoil that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
One of the standout aspects of "The Mother" is Keogh's skillful character development. The characters are multi-dimensional, flawed, and relatable, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Sarah’s internal struggles, fears, and past traumas are expertly portrayed, allowing readers to empathize with her journey as she navigates through a web of deception and betrayal.
Furthermore, the novel's pacing is expertly crafted, with tension steadily building throughout the story. Keogh skillfully creates a sense of unease and foreboding, keeping readers guessing until the final, shocking reveal. The intricate plot twists and unexpected turns make "The Mother" a thrilling and immersive read that will leave you questioning the true nature of maternal love and the lengths one would go to protect their family.
In conclusion, "The Mother" by Valerie Keogh is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. With its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and skillful execution of suspense, this novel delivers a captivating and chilling exploration of the darker aspects of human relationships. Keogh's writing is engaging, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant, making "The Mother" a standout addition to the genre.
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