The Other Mother : A psychological thriller with a final twist you won’t see coming

by Kate Gable

She thought the worst was over after childbirth. She was wrong.

Claire Matthews has everything she thought she wanted.
A healthy newborn.
A beautiful new home in the California desert.
And a husband who says everything is going to be fine.

But Claire can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong.

The baby’s blanket doesn’t match.
A woman at her support group whispers a chilling warning.
And when Claire discovers mismatched hospital ID bracelets, she begins to question everything she remembers about the day her daughter was born.

Her memory is full of holes.
Her instincts are screaming.
And the deeper she digs, the more she realizes someone is lying to her.

Maybe even herself.

As Claire fights to uncover the truth, one question haunts

If this isn’t her baby…
then where is the one who is?

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell, and other domestic psychological thrillers.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Kate Gable loves a good mystery that is full of suspense. She grew up devouring psychological thrillers and crime novels as well as movies, tv shows and true crime.

Her favorite stories are the ones that are centered on families with lots of secrets and lies as well as many twists and turns. Her novels have elements of psychological suspense, thriller, mystery and romance.

Kate Gable lives in Southern California with her husband, son, a dog and a cat. She has spent more than twenty years in this area and finds inspiration from its cities, canyons, deserts, and small mountain towns.

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Reviews

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This psychological thriller is definitely worth reading. I was captivated from the very first page. The pain, the anguish, constantly questioning your thoughts and actions wondering if what you’re feeling is real or imagined is exactly what Claire’s going through since she gave birth to her child, only to feel and realize that the baby she gave birth to doesn’t feel like hers. Constant inconsistencies and strange behaviour coming from every person she seems to speak with increases her suspicions and beliefs that something is very very wrong. Determined to find the truth , Claire is persistently convinced that she must seek the truth for her state of mind but what she discovers shatters her in more ways than one. An AMAZING thriller worth 5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 and more !

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire moved to the desert just before her baby is due. Her Mum has recently passed away and with no friends nearby for support she only has her husband Adam. After a long 40 hour labour and an emergency C section something feels wrong to Claire. Adam is adamant everything is fine and it’s just postpartum depression but Claire isn’t so sure. First there’s the blanket why is it not the one her Mum beautifully emboirdered before she died and how did the car seat change colour. Claire knew they picked a white expensive seat that was reportedly the best, so why was there a photo with a grey seat coming home from hospital. We follow Claire’s journey as she tries to get to the bottom of these mysteries to see if she is right that something is wrong or is she really just depressed and imagining things that aren’t happening. There’s lots of twists throughout this book and if you like physiological reads you will like this book.

[Karen Lathbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Kate Gable and I will be reading more! Claire Matthews gave birth after a traumatic C-section, everything was hazy, her memory was vague. Now she is home with her newborn, Eva, but why does she feel this isn't her baby. She goes through the everyday motions of a new mother, but can't shake something is really wrong. Little things start happening, meeting a mother at a meeting. finding things in her home push Claire to search for the truth. What she finds is the manipulation she has experienced by someone so close to her, more devastating than she could ever imagine. I couldn't put the book down, Kate Gable has a new fan. I highly recommend that you read this and if not already a fan you will be.

[Joanne Bandfield-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I am so glad that I am past my giving birth time after reading this. So scary to even think about this possibly happening. Such good writing and a very interesting story.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is A Psychological Thriller and omg it is definitely a must read. Claire has just had her daughter Eva but things are not making any sense because she is struggling as different things keep happening and her husband said she is imagining everything because of her having postpartum depression but Claire can sense that something is very wrong and she doesn’t have the right baby and things are not adding up at all. When Claire started to uncover what had happened she is angry and shocked but determined to make things right and get justice but now she had unleashed the biggest can of worms ever. Wow I absolutely could not put this book down and read it in one sitting because it was so addictive and kept my attention throughout while having me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath wondering what else would happen and would she eventually get the answers that she wanted in the end. This book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of so many emotions as Claire struggles with not only motherhood but also everything else that is happening around her and my heart broke with everything that she was going through and all the manipulation around her by the one person in her life that should have been there to love, support, protect her and been there for her throughout it all and wow I really loved the ending which was well deserved especially after all of the chaos. I have been lucky enough to read everything that Kate Gable has written and they have all been absolutely amazing but this one is definitely my favourite of them all. I definitely recommend you read this book and others by Kate Gable and you will not be disappointed.

[Janet Taggart Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY GOOD THRILLER!

This is my first book by this author and it grabbed my attention from the start. Claire and her husband have moved to a very hot and desert area of California just before she had her baby, she quit her job, and has no friends or support. She has a very foggy and confused memory of her C-section after 40 hours of labor, and her baby doesn't feel like her own. Her husband treats her with kid gloves like she is fragile and is sort of crazy and confused. The first third of this book is rather repetitive about how Claire feels about her baby, Eva, and her husband, Adam, but don't give up. This is the reason I took away one star from the book.

When Claire starts having flashes of memory in the way of night dreams, daydreams, or someone or something actually triggers her, she starts to put the fragmented pieces together. Now this is when it all starts to come together and gets really good!

Claire begins to research and use her skills she utilized as a top notch book editor. The inconsistencies and data she discovered could put her and Eva in grave danger! I was on the edge of my seat devouring this book, and was completely blindsided at the ending! Awesome!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE OTHER MOTHER by Kate Gable is a stand alone, contemporary, adult psychological thriller focusing on new mother Claire Matthews, and her daughter Eva.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Claire and Adam) THE OTHER MOTHER follows in the wake of the birth of Claire Matthews’ child, a child she no longer recognizes and struggles to accept as her own. Memories are missing; thoughts not her own, voices telling her nothing is as it seems, Claire is forced to believe she is suffering with post-partum psychosis, but Claire begins to suspect the truth is more than she could have ever imagined. Left to her own devices, as her husband Adam becomes more distant and confusing, Claire discovers the dangerous reality that is currently her life.


THE OTHER MOTHER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, psychological warfare and extreme gaslighting. The character driven premise dark, dramatic, edgy and thought provoking. The internal dialogue directs the story as our heroine struggles to come to terms with what has happened and why. The characters are determined and desperate


Copy supplied for review

[Karen Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, what a book! This psychological thriller grips you tightly right from the start; what a movie it would make. I could not put this book down. The twists you don't see coming are the ones you want to keep turning the pages for, holding your breath, and wanting to know what comes next. It is such an emotional rollercoaster.

Claire has just given birth to her daughter, Eva, but nothing seems to make sense. She struggles as different things keep happening, and her husband insists she is imagining everything due to postpartum depression. However, Claire senses that something is very wrong and believes she doesn’t have the right baby. As she begins to uncover the truth, she becomes angry and shocked but is determined to make things right and seek justice. Unfortunately, she has unleashed a can of worms that she never anticipated.

The ending was particularly satisfying and well-deserved, given all the chaos that had preceded it. I highly recommend you read this book and others by Kate Gable; you will not be disappointed.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire had a traumatic birth of her baby Eva. 30 hours labour's and then an emergency c-section. She doesn't remember anything about it all and is now home with her baby and something doesn't feel right. She is having trouble bonding with her baby and struggles to know what happened at the hospital. Her husband says she is just exhausted and things will settle down. But Claire knows something is not adding up. Is she going mad or are there things not adding up.
This is an amazing book, a great psychological thriller. I was captivated from the beginning and was desperate to find out how it ended and it had so many layers to it to make me want to know what happens next. And you know there was more to this story, the layers just kept getting deeper and deeper. I will definitely be reading more of Kate Gable's books.
I recieved an ARC from the author and this is my genuine review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I couldn't put this book down once I began. After having an emergency C-section, Claire Matthews gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Eva. But something doesn't feel right and although she mentioned this to her husband, he chalks it off as post-partum depression and anxiety being a new mother. But Claire feels something is definitely off with the baby and her and though her mind is foggy around the actual birth, the feeling won't go away. And little things keep adding up to add to her feelings like a baby blanket her mother made for the baby before she died is not the blanket she has now for one thing. She decides to investigate and wow what she discovers. We are taken on a roller coaster ride, page after page, twist after twist, on the edge of your seat until the very end! I highly recommend this book if you like edge of your seat thrillers and great endings. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Ilse · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a traumatic delivery, following a long labor that ended in a c-section, Claire Matthews is finding that motherhood is not how she envisioned it. She is having trouble bonding with her baby. She thinks it isn't the baby she gave birth too. Then bizarre memories creep in adding to her sense of no connection.

A rollercoaster ride into drama, suspense, and mystery. You will definitely enjoy the ride. As always, Kate weaves a well-written tale that has the reader turning the pages to the end.

The only negative for me is the referral to a single person as they/them. As a naturalized citizen, and being old school taught, proper English is a "thing" for me so using plural pronouns for a single person just grates on my nerves (yes, I know why it's done, but it goes against proper use of pronouns). It just makes it hard for me to read without cringing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary story because it could happen in today's society. Claire Matthews is a new mother and at a time when she should be rejoicing, she is questioning. her memory. He husband tells her is is post partum depression and everything will be fine. But will it? A woman in her baby group whispers a secret. Could it be true or is her mind playing tricks on her? My heart was pounding with every discrepancy Claire found. My jaw hit the floor when the truth is finally revealed. A must read for thriller readers. I received an advance copy of this book via the author and this is my honest review.

[P Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're Mine Right?

Claire Matthews married momma to a little girl, is losing herself...? Man this book is sensational. Claire has all these feelings ones that anyone could have but keeps them silent to save face. What happens when things that have been explained away start adding up and take shape? Postpartum and sleep deprivation aside, she opens a can of worms that unlocks a twisted truth that you really can't predict. The fear and anguish that leaps off the pages will grip you to the last word.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Mother by Kate Gable is the mind-shocking story of Claire. She just had her child…but, something isn’t quite right. Subtle little differences…and some memory gaps make her think twice about everything and start digging….she has to know the truth.

Whew!!! This story had me on pins and needles!!! So much drama, secrets, deceit, twists and turns, shocking revelations…and so much more!!! This story will tug at your heartstrings and, at times, rip them to shreds. Fantastic psychological thriller!!

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started with my favorite trope of missing child but then went on to the darker aspects of trafficking and disturbed minds.
As per the norm, when the wife finds anything troubling after child birth, of course, the husband would refer her to a psychiatrist and want her committed instead of trying to understand her.
Sheesh. I dislike this already done way of writing of making a woman feel she is slowly going mad.
Overall, read the book for its dual sub-genres.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite a ride. Claire comes home from the hospital after giving birth, but she does not remember much as she was sedated. The baby, Eva does not feel as though she is hers. Her husband, Adam claims she has postpartum depression. Claire attends a group of new mothers and meets Mara. Mara says to her you are the other mother. This is a page turning thriller that I could not put down.

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great psychological thriller, look no further. I couldn’t put this book down, as Claire unraveled everything that was going on around her. From the strange behavior from those closest to her, to the inconsistencies and the vague memories during her c-section, it was a wild ride. So enjoyed this book.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire finds a lot of changes in her life after her daughter is born. This story gets your attention from the start with it’s unique storyline. An edge of the seat read which is unputdownable. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a psychological story that is worth ride. A mother trying to deal with all the things new mothers go through. But she feels something is just not right. As you follow Claire through her emotional journey, questions of who she should trust come to light. This is a hard to put down book.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read so many of Kate Gable's books that I've lost count, but this one stuck with me long after finishing it I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Be prepared cause it's going to run the gamut of emotions just like Claire felt by the end of this book. This should be rated a 5 plus 5 stars.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a young woman that has a newborn but she is seeing thing that doesn’t add up like the blanket. She is asking questions but not getting answers that make sense. But what really happened and where is her real baby? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a mother who feels that the baby she brought home from the hospital was not hers. She collects evidence to back up her belief. You will need to read this e-book to find out what the twist is at the end. I refuse to give it away.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stara

Wow! This was an amazing Read. Claire is a very strong woman who knew something wasn't right. I really admired her strength and loyalty to Eva. This is by far my favorite from this author.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Claire just had a baby but things don't seem right to her so she starts digging and what she finds will turn her world upside down. Will she live long enough to bring justice to the other women and families that were destroyed?

[tabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!! Very suspenseful and a page turner. Has some twists I didn’t expect

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing psychological thriller that held me captive til the end. The suspense was incredible and kept me on the edge of my seat. This is an excellent must-read.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mind-boggling plot holes

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW I'm glad I wasn't pregnant when I read this book, as it is it's a horrible thought that this could actually happen. I enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down, an edge of the seat page turner.

[GG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read this book if you are pregnant or expecting a baby by surrogacy. Otherwise it’s a great read full of suspense & surprises.

[John Avlakiotis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable and boring. Not my cup of tea for sure. Thank God it was short. I struggled to finish it . 1.5.