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The Other Child
Who do you trust when you can’t trust the one you love?
Four years on from the devastating loss of their first child, Lauren and Alex De Vale are finally the proud parents of new baby, Charlotte.
However as Lauren – who struggled to bond with her late son – returns to work, she is riddled with anxiety.
She knows all too well that one little mistake can lead to tragedy. What if something terrible happens to Charlotte while she’s not there?
Fear, grief and guilt make for a potent mix. And all it takes is one neighbour’s offhand comment to spark Lauren’s worst fears - and deep-seated suspicions . . .
Praise for Susi Fox
‘An original, brave new voice.’ Australian Women’s Weekly on Mine
‘I couldn’t sleep until I finished it . . . and then I couldn’t sleep at all.’ Dervla McTiernan on Mine
Four years on from the devastating loss of their first child, Lauren and Alex De Vale are finally the proud parents of new baby, Charlotte.
However as Lauren – who struggled to bond with her late son – returns to work, she is riddled with anxiety.
She knows all too well that one little mistake can lead to tragedy. What if something terrible happens to Charlotte while she’s not there?
Fear, grief and guilt make for a potent mix. And all it takes is one neighbour’s offhand comment to spark Lauren’s worst fears - and deep-seated suspicions . . .
Praise for Susi Fox
‘An original, brave new voice.’ Australian Women’s Weekly on Mine
‘I couldn’t sleep until I finished it . . . and then I couldn’t sleep at all.’ Dervla McTiernan on Mine
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 1, 2025
Lauren and Alex De Vale lost their first child Billy in a drowning accident four years ago and they have a new baby. Lauren’s an obstetrician and she thought she knew everything about pregnancy and raising an infant? However, Lauren found it hard to bond with her late son, she had postnatal depression and blames herself for what happened to him.
Charlotte is twelve weeks old and Lauren's returning to work, Alex will be a stay at home dad and she’s very anxious on her first week back. He reassures her that everything will be fine, Lauren can’t understand why he’s not messaging and keeping her up to date with what Charlotte is doing and he must know she’s feeling anxious.
It doesn’t help when the nosey next door neighbour tells Lauren the second she gets out of her car, that she’s heard a baby crying all day, Alex assures her it’s nonsense and she needs to relax and stop being paranoid.
Lauren has two friends at work, Devan who’s almost finished his obstetrics training and Natalia a counsellor and they try and reassure her Charlotte is fine, she’s trying to juggle pumping and storing her milk, a busy case load and being a mum. Her mother-in-law arrives, this makes Lauren feel worse, is Alex not coping or are they worried about her and she starts noticing some downright odd stuff, is Lauren on the verge of another bout of postnatal depression or her mind is playing tricks on her or is it because she feels guilty?
I received a copy of The Other Child by Susi Fox from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an unbiased review.
*** Trigger warning this novel includes the drowning death of a baby and not everyone will be comfortable with this topic and will find it extremely upsetting. ***
The narrative is full of so many deviations and turns, and just when I thought I had figured out what was going on between all of the main characters including Alex, Lauren, Magdala, Natalia, Elspeth and Karla, I was completely wrong and blindsided.
A great idea to use a medical condition and treatment in the story, approximately only 1 to 3 people in 10,000 have it and 30% more common in women and I’m one of them and I discovered Ms Fox is doctor and it added another complex layer.
People see what they’re lead to believe and in this case it’s much more twisted and dangerous than you can ever imagine and it’s hard to stop reading this mild psychological thriller and five stars from me.
Charlotte is twelve weeks old and Lauren's returning to work, Alex will be a stay at home dad and she’s very anxious on her first week back. He reassures her that everything will be fine, Lauren can’t understand why he’s not messaging and keeping her up to date with what Charlotte is doing and he must know she’s feeling anxious.
It doesn’t help when the nosey next door neighbour tells Lauren the second she gets out of her car, that she’s heard a baby crying all day, Alex assures her it’s nonsense and she needs to relax and stop being paranoid.
Lauren has two friends at work, Devan who’s almost finished his obstetrics training and Natalia a counsellor and they try and reassure her Charlotte is fine, she’s trying to juggle pumping and storing her milk, a busy case load and being a mum. Her mother-in-law arrives, this makes Lauren feel worse, is Alex not coping or are they worried about her and she starts noticing some downright odd stuff, is Lauren on the verge of another bout of postnatal depression or her mind is playing tricks on her or is it because she feels guilty?
I received a copy of The Other Child by Susi Fox from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an unbiased review.
*** Trigger warning this novel includes the drowning death of a baby and not everyone will be comfortable with this topic and will find it extremely upsetting. ***
The narrative is full of so many deviations and turns, and just when I thought I had figured out what was going on between all of the main characters including Alex, Lauren, Magdala, Natalia, Elspeth and Karla, I was completely wrong and blindsided.
A great idea to use a medical condition and treatment in the story, approximately only 1 to 3 people in 10,000 have it and 30% more common in women and I’m one of them and I discovered Ms Fox is doctor and it added another complex layer.
People see what they’re lead to believe and in this case it’s much more twisted and dangerous than you can ever imagine and it’s hard to stop reading this mild psychological thriller and five stars from me.
October 29, 2025
What Susi Fox does well in The Other Child is create a picture of what gaslighting looks like. Lauren De Vale is under attack. She's already lost one child and she's terrified of losing her second. The descriptive writing creates an ominous sense of threat and paranoia very well. Lauren doubts herself: "Me, responsible — albeit unintentionally — for his death. And now me, returning to work so soon after my second baby's birth. I am the common denominator here, so what does that mean for my new baby? I desperately don't want to screw it up this time." Her partner's behaviour feels familiar to her because of a background of childhood trauma that becomes more clear as the book progresses: "my childhood was marred by my father's drinking and his harsh words, by Mum's whimpers echoing through the walls." I think it covers how you learn to suppress your real feelings in a relationship characterised by coercive control to keep yourself and your children safe quite well: "suddenly aware of the automatic docility in my voice, a strategy I'd learned growing up. I hadn't realised until just now, how much I instinctively placate Alex when I sense his anger threatening to emerge."
The themes in the book include domestic and family violence, motherhood, child protection, mental illness, coping with the death of a child, being abandoned by a parent, domestic homicide, child homicide... so it's packing a lot into a short and initially fast-paced book. Where it lost me is in the twist. I guess these sorts of books have become quite formulaic in the sense that they all need a twist, but I hate it when it's not intuitive. The twist takes it away from what we know about gaslighting and coercive control. It's predominantly perpetrated by male intimate partners (yes, sometimes with the help of their family members who reinforce their patriarchal control). The writing fell down in the final section because the motivations of the perpetrator required too much explaining: "Her desperation led her to orchestrate a speedier, more concrete way to have Charlotte". Show don't tell.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for sending me a copy to read.
The themes in the book include domestic and family violence, motherhood, child protection, mental illness, coping with the death of a child, being abandoned by a parent, domestic homicide, child homicide... so it's packing a lot into a short and initially fast-paced book. Where it lost me is in the twist. I guess these sorts of books have become quite formulaic in the sense that they all need a twist, but I hate it when it's not intuitive. The twist takes it away from what we know about gaslighting and coercive control. It's predominantly perpetrated by male intimate partners (yes, sometimes with the help of their family members who reinforce their patriarchal control). The writing fell down in the final section because the motivations of the perpetrator required too much explaining: "Her desperation led her to orchestrate a speedier, more concrete way to have Charlotte". Show don't tell.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for sending me a copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Other Child by Susi Fox is a psychological thriller which for me unfortunately didn’t quite hit the mark. At the centre of the story are Lauren and Alex and their young baby Charlotte, having recently lost a child under tragic circumstances, Lauren is paranoid that something is going to happen to Charlotte, and when a neighbour plants a seed of doubt in her mind, Lauren begins to distrust everyone around her.
While the story’s premise is intriguing, I sometimes felt it didn’t have a sense of originality, intrigue or menace and as a result it lacked impact. Also some of the timelines/ flashbacks were a bit confusing.
I thought the characters wouldn’t always act the way they did especially Lauren’s character, given the fact that she was full of “fear, grief and guilt” she seemed to happily go along with everything anyone suggested which I didn’t find believable. Additionally I felt the author didn’t go into the backstory of the perpetrator’s character enough to make me understand why they did what they did, which was a shame.
I did however feel that the tension built up well towards the latter part of the book and that held my attention and I didn’t guess the final twist, always a bonus !
Overall this is a decent enough story which I read in two sittings. Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for the advanced copy.
While the story’s premise is intriguing, I sometimes felt it didn’t have a sense of originality, intrigue or menace and as a result it lacked impact. Also some of the timelines/ flashbacks were a bit confusing.
I thought the characters wouldn’t always act the way they did especially Lauren’s character, given the fact that she was full of “fear, grief and guilt” she seemed to happily go along with everything anyone suggested which I didn’t find believable. Additionally I felt the author didn’t go into the backstory of the perpetrator’s character enough to make me understand why they did what they did, which was a shame.
I did however feel that the tension built up well towards the latter part of the book and that held my attention and I didn’t guess the final twist, always a bonus !
Overall this is a decent enough story which I read in two sittings. Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for the advanced copy.
October 13, 2025
Susi Fox returns with a quietly devastating thriller that explores the fragile terrain of motherhood, memory, and trust. The Other Child is not just a mystery—it’s a portrait of a woman unraveling under the weight of grief and suspicion, where every glance and comment feels like a threat.
Lauren De Vale is a character you ache for. Four years after losing her first child, she’s finally a mother again—but joy is tangled with anxiety, and her return to work becomes the catalyst for a slow, terrifying descent. Fox writes with elegant restraint, allowing fear to seep in through the cracks of everyday life. A neighbour’s offhand remark becomes a haunting echo, and Lauren’s world begins to tilt.
What makes this novel sing is its emotional truth. The tension is psychological, the stakes deeply personal, and the prose quietly lyrical. It’s a story that asks: what happens when the person you love most might be hiding something from you? And how do you protect your child when you’re not sure what’s real?
Perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Louise Candlish, The Other Child is a slow-burning, beautifully crafted thriller that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to Susi Fox, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC,
Lauren De Vale is a character you ache for. Four years after losing her first child, she’s finally a mother again—but joy is tangled with anxiety, and her return to work becomes the catalyst for a slow, terrifying descent. Fox writes with elegant restraint, allowing fear to seep in through the cracks of everyday life. A neighbour’s offhand remark becomes a haunting echo, and Lauren’s world begins to tilt.
What makes this novel sing is its emotional truth. The tension is psychological, the stakes deeply personal, and the prose quietly lyrical. It’s a story that asks: what happens when the person you love most might be hiding something from you? And how do you protect your child when you’re not sure what’s real?
Perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Louise Candlish, The Other Child is a slow-burning, beautifully crafted thriller that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to Susi Fox, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC,
December 20, 2025
The Other Child is a domestic suspense novel and wow what a page turner it was. I was first introduced to Susi Fox many years ago with her gripping novel 'Mine' and I was so excited to see that she had finally written another book.
It tells the story of Lauren and Alex who have a 3 month old baby Charlotte. They are still recovering from the loss of their previous child who accidentally drowned. Lauren is an obstetrician and has returned to work to help with her mental health after suffering dreadfully after her son's death. Strange things begin to happen - her neighbour reports to hear the baby crying for hours at a time while Alex is the stay at home dad, her mother in law moves in supposedly to help, her expressed breast milk disappears from the fridge and baby Charlotte appears with a bruise on her back. Lauren is convinced she is going mad and Alex is very condescending towards her and seems to be watching her every move.
This book was absolutely tension filled and you felt so much for Lauren and feared for baby Charlotte. Run don't walk and read this one if you like thrillers - you won't be disappointed. I hope its not so long until Susi releases a new book - she is a go to author for me. I read this in 2 days!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for a copy of this book for review purposes.
It tells the story of Lauren and Alex who have a 3 month old baby Charlotte. They are still recovering from the loss of their previous child who accidentally drowned. Lauren is an obstetrician and has returned to work to help with her mental health after suffering dreadfully after her son's death. Strange things begin to happen - her neighbour reports to hear the baby crying for hours at a time while Alex is the stay at home dad, her mother in law moves in supposedly to help, her expressed breast milk disappears from the fridge and baby Charlotte appears with a bruise on her back. Lauren is convinced she is going mad and Alex is very condescending towards her and seems to be watching her every move.
This book was absolutely tension filled and you felt so much for Lauren and feared for baby Charlotte. Run don't walk and read this one if you like thrillers - you won't be disappointed. I hope its not so long until Susi releases a new book - she is a go to author for me. I read this in 2 days!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for a copy of this book for review purposes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Other Child is a thrilling novel encompassing concepts of loss, grief, trauma, control and domestic suspense. The story follows Lauren, an obstetrician navigating motherhood with baby Charlotte after losing her first child in a traumatic accident. Recently returning to work as an obstetrician at 3m post-partum, Lauren begins to have feelings of overwhelming anxiety about baby Charlottes health and wellbeing. Strange things are happening, important items are disappearing and people are becoming involved, leading Lauren to doubt herself and her ability as a mother.
This novel explores complex trauma, domestic abuse, coercion, control and gaslighting. This at times was an uncomfortable read but In the best way. I found myself questioning whether Lauren was experiencing psychosis or whether these strange things were indeed happening.
I did not see the plot twist at the end, I thought I had figured it out but indeed I hadn't. I found myself being unable to put this down as I just had to know what was in store for Lauren and Baby Charlotte.
If you love suspense thrillers, you won't be disappointed in this one! Thank you to Susi Fox, Penguin Random House Publishing and Netgalley for choosing me as an ARC reader.
Releasing 6th January 2026.
This novel explores complex trauma, domestic abuse, coercion, control and gaslighting. This at times was an uncomfortable read but In the best way. I found myself questioning whether Lauren was experiencing psychosis or whether these strange things were indeed happening.
I did not see the plot twist at the end, I thought I had figured it out but indeed I hadn't. I found myself being unable to put this down as I just had to know what was in store for Lauren and Baby Charlotte.
If you love suspense thrillers, you won't be disappointed in this one! Thank you to Susi Fox, Penguin Random House Publishing and Netgalley for choosing me as an ARC reader.
Releasing 6th January 2026.
Review of advance copy
The Other Child is one of those books that keeps you up late at night, flipping the pages wanting to know how it’s all going to end and leaves you feeling very satisfied.
Lauren and Alex De Vale are a successful and loving couple.
But the sad loss of their first child has left a hole in their hearts.
Now four years on they are happy parents of a new daughter, Charlotte.
Leaving Alex at home with her, Lauren has returned to work but unfortunately filled with dread.
She worries that something bad will happen to Charlotte.
Colleagues, family and a neighbour make comments that sets off her anxiety and Lauren believes the worst.
Then her suspicions become dangerous and she wonders if what she is feeling is real….
I had my suspicions and a pat on the back for me as I guessed correctly.
While this is a shortish read, they say good things come in small packages and in this case it’s very true.
It’s sharp, smart and so very readable.
The plot is addictive, the characters suspicious and the atmosphere is very tense, all the best qualities for this genre and a wonderful reading experience.
After enjoying this so much I will seek out Dr Susi’s first book and will be definitely adding this talented author to my favourites list.
Lauren and Alex De Vale are a successful and loving couple.
But the sad loss of their first child has left a hole in their hearts.
Now four years on they are happy parents of a new daughter, Charlotte.
Leaving Alex at home with her, Lauren has returned to work but unfortunately filled with dread.
She worries that something bad will happen to Charlotte.
Colleagues, family and a neighbour make comments that sets off her anxiety and Lauren believes the worst.
Then her suspicions become dangerous and she wonders if what she is feeling is real….
I had my suspicions and a pat on the back for me as I guessed correctly.
While this is a shortish read, they say good things come in small packages and in this case it’s very true.
It’s sharp, smart and so very readable.
The plot is addictive, the characters suspicious and the atmosphere is very tense, all the best qualities for this genre and a wonderful reading experience.
After enjoying this so much I will seek out Dr Susi’s first book and will be definitely adding this talented author to my favourites list.
October 12, 2025
Review of ‘The Other Child’ by Susi Fox, due to be published on 5 February 2026 by Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House.
Lauren, Obstetrician and new mum to Charlotte, is returning to work and leaving the baby in the care of her father, Alex. Still grieving the death of her first baby Billy 4 years ago, Alex has convinced her that it’s for the best if she returns to work early.
With her anxiety heightened, Lauren spends her time at work thinking something terrible is going to happen.
With an array of supporting characters - mother in law Magdala, neighbour Karla, work colleagues Natalia and Elspeth - Lauren doesn’t know who to turn to and who to trust.
The storyline is leading you to an obvious conclusion, with a few sprinkles of doubt carefully sown in here and there to make you think that it might not be what you think - then the ending twist comes crashing in and is a huge surprise!
A good psychological thriller, full of secrets, lies, gaslighting and the determination of a mother to get to the truth. Recommended read.
Lauren, Obstetrician and new mum to Charlotte, is returning to work and leaving the baby in the care of her father, Alex. Still grieving the death of her first baby Billy 4 years ago, Alex has convinced her that it’s for the best if she returns to work early.
With her anxiety heightened, Lauren spends her time at work thinking something terrible is going to happen.
With an array of supporting characters - mother in law Magdala, neighbour Karla, work colleagues Natalia and Elspeth - Lauren doesn’t know who to turn to and who to trust.
The storyline is leading you to an obvious conclusion, with a few sprinkles of doubt carefully sown in here and there to make you think that it might not be what you think - then the ending twist comes crashing in and is a huge surprise!
A good psychological thriller, full of secrets, lies, gaslighting and the determination of a mother to get to the truth. Recommended read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When the content is geared to the death of a child layered with domestic violence it’s never going to be an easy read. Susi Fox created a far more challenging layer of plot in a back story which is gradually leaked to the reader to create a strong psychological tension and fear for the reader. Laura , the mother is an obstetrician recently returned to work after the birth of her second child via an egg donor. Her husband Alex is controlling and hell bent on destabilising her current situation. We immediately identify with Laura, her love for her child and her everyday fears for her safety. Fox cleverly gives us a real insight to the reality of abused women as Laura feels there is no one she can trust. The plot is strong and the unveiling of the real perpetrator is the stuff of thrillers. I can recognise the talent but I’m not sure I could say I enjoyed reading this. Too many women face this as their reality. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy and to @penguinaus the publisher for shining a light in some dark and distressing parts of our lives.
December 18, 2025
This book had me so confused the entire time — and I mean that in the best way possible. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, the story completely flipped the script and proved me very wrong.
The Other Child is a seriously suspenseful, fast-paced read that I absolutely demolished in under 24 hours. The tension never lets up, and the constant sense of unease kept me turning pages long past when I should’ve gone to sleep.
Susi Fox did an incredible job of making me feel deeply for the FMC, while also planting just enough doubt to have me questioning her sanity the whole time. Was she truly unraveling… or was something far more sinister at play? That psychological push and pull was executed so well and kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you love twisty, unsettling thrillers that mess with your head and leave you second-guessing everything, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The Other Child is a seriously suspenseful, fast-paced read that I absolutely demolished in under 24 hours. The tension never lets up, and the constant sense of unease kept me turning pages long past when I should’ve gone to sleep.
Susi Fox did an incredible job of making me feel deeply for the FMC, while also planting just enough doubt to have me questioning her sanity the whole time. Was she truly unraveling… or was something far more sinister at play? That psychological push and pull was executed so well and kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you love twisty, unsettling thrillers that mess with your head and leave you second-guessing everything, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Other Child by Susi Fox was a wonderful read. I just struggled to stop reading as it was so engrossing.
The story is told though the eyes of Lauren who is being emotionally and psychologically abused by her husband Alex, who presents himself as the perfect man, husband and friend but there is more there than meets the eye. We are taken on Lauren’s journey following the emotional turmoil she is experiencing - not sure of herself and questioning her own judgement and the loyalty of her friends.
While at times I struggled with the changes in the period of time it was generally easy to follow. The twists and turns are terrific. While I had my suspicions about some of what was happening, I must admit the ending was a surprise.
Highly recommended read.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Penguin Random House Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#Theotherchild #NetGalley
Review of advance copy
An overwhelming , gut-wrenching, pure psychological thriller.
What an insane read! The plot is insane and there were places where I just wanted to skip ahead to escape the feelings of craziness! I was questioning every character and every motive.
Lauren and Andy are believable in their roles and capacities. There are, however, a few holes e.g. missing emergency buttons (not a spoiler but it will make sense when you get there) and other little bits but nothing stopping it being a brilliant read. My only other reason for deducting a star is that I picked the main person around halfway.
Tight writing that delivers a punch.
P.S. strong themes of coercive control.
What an insane read! The plot is insane and there were places where I just wanted to skip ahead to escape the feelings of craziness! I was questioning every character and every motive.
Lauren and Andy are believable in their roles and capacities. There are, however, a few holes e.g. missing emergency buttons (not a spoiler but it will make sense when you get there) and other little bits but nothing stopping it being a brilliant read. My only other reason for deducting a star is that I picked the main person around halfway.
Tight writing that delivers a punch.
P.S. strong themes of coercive control.
January 17, 2026
Who knew that the sentence ‘I’d wished I’d thought to bring sunglasses’ could be so chilling. I devoured this book quickly and had to keep going back to chapters to confirm the depths of manipulation from some of the characters. I especially loved the chapters that included emails, legal documents and communication. These were a perfect addition. There are a lot of triggers in this story and can be quite an upsetting read for some people but if you can get through it I highly recommend.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC
January 23, 2026
Wow. Just wow.
I was hooked.
For a majority of the book, I was like, “There’s no way there could be a plot twist. I’d have to have it all figured out.” But did I have it figured out? No, not completely.
This book will be on my mind for awhile.
It’s that good! Go read it! This book and author deserves the hype! 5 stars, easy!!!
I was hooked.
For a majority of the book, I was like, “There’s no way there could be a plot twist. I’d have to have it all figured out.” But did I have it figured out? No, not completely.
This book will be on my mind for awhile.
It’s that good! Go read it! This book and author deserves the hype! 5 stars, easy!!!
December 2, 2025
A great twisty read that gripped me from the start to finished. The anxiety level was very high for me with this one. A good psychological thriller that was entertaining and captivating.
With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC.
With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC.
January 13, 2026
OMG! I have no words…only to say that I could literally not put this book down and read it from cover to cover in one sitting
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