Her Daughter's Mother: A Gripping Domestic Thriller of Motherhood, Betrayal, and Obsession

by J. Cronshaw

What if another woman tried to take your place as “Mummy”?

Sally Bentham thought adoption made her family safe. She was wrong.

When Amelia’s new teaching assistant turns out to be her birth mother, Sally’s world begins to collapse.

Robyn Clarke is warm, capable, trusted by everyone. At the school gates each morning, she whispers in Amelia’s ear, wins over the parents, charms the teachers—and slowly draws Sally’s daughter closer.

Neighbours insist Sally’s paranoid. Friends tell her to be grateful. But Sally knows what Robyn wants.

And she knows she’ll stop at nothing to get it.

Her Daughter’s Mother is a dark, addictive slice of domestic noir about obsession, betrayal, and the dangerous secrets lurking behind respectable doors.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish, and Shari Lapena.

Order now and discover the book you won’t be able to put down.


What Readers are Saying About J. Cronshaw★★★★★ – “Domestic Noir At Its Best.”

★★★★★ – “Cronshaw is a master storyteller.”

★★★★★ – “Off the scale rating! This was absolutely brilliant, riveting and captivating. I could not stop reading.”

★★★★★ – “I don’t think this psychological thriller will leave me for quite some time.”

★★★★★ –”Wow, this guy knows how to write psychological domestic noir.”

★★★★★ – “Unputdownable. Loved it! Great storyline and strong characters.”

★★★★★ – “This novel is so intense. I never began to think I had it all figured out and the ending wraps up everything so completely. A terrific read with a storyline and characters that quickly grab you and keep you reading way too late.”

★★★★★ – “This isn’t just a twist it’s a whole corkscrew of one.”

★★★★★ – “Terrific book that has so many unexpected twists and ending that totally blew me away. Nothing is as it seems until the very end when it cleverly comes together.”

★★★★★ – “Wow!! What did I just read!! J Cronshaw has done it again.”

Genres: Amazon

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2025

Reviews

[Clarabelle]

I wasn’t expecting this book to get as intense as it did. It starts off with adoption and family stuff, but then it slowly turns into this really tense “who actually has the right to decide?” kind of story. The scariest part is that nothing feels over-the-top—everything feels like it could happen in real life, and people can look completely normal while still doing something messed up.

Sally’s situation kept stressing me out in the best way, and Robyn is written so well because she doesn’t come off obviously evil at first. She’s warm and convincing, which makes it even harder to trust what’s going on.

If you like dark domestic suspense with secrets and controlling relationships, this is a really good pick.

[Mrs N E Hartley]

Enjoyable psychological thriller about a mother. You start to wonder is she being gaslit or is she becoming paranoid? Which is it? Well narrated

[Nicky Bale]

Oh my word this was gripping. I needed to get to the end to make sure it turned out alright. The author has written about flawed characters in great detail , demonstrating the frailties and obsessions that destroy. I was with the main character all the way and hated how she was treated but at the same time could completely understand how the people around her got dragged into the awful persons plot.

[alisdiscovers]

Her Daughter’s Mother is a gripping psychological thriller that slowly draws you in before tightening its hold. The story begins as a slow burn, carefully setting the scene from the mother’s point of view. As the narrative unfolds, the sense of fear and tension steadily builds, pulling you deeper into the story.
Cronshaw expertly layers doubt and uncertainty throughout, leaving you constantly questioning who can be trusted. It taps into every mother’s worst nightmare, creating an unsettling and eerie atmosphere that lingers. The book had me fully invested as I found myself switching from feeling sorry for the main protagonist, to questioning her actions, and then back again a testament to Cronshaws writing.
The novel explores powerful themes of motherhood, obsession, fear, judgement, and the frustration of not being believed. With plenty of unexpected twists and turns, it kept me guessing right to the end.
I also want to give a special mention to the narrator, Alice Sockett, who did a fantastic job bringing the story to life in the audiobook.
Overall, this is an engaging psychological thriller that blends family secrets, emotional conflict, and suspense. If you enjoy thrillers that delve into complex relationships and the darker side of maternal love, this is definitely one to add to your list.

[Tina Lincoln]

A life created and another life prestaged
When is a bond created between a child & mother? This question went through my mind many times while reading this story.
Sally & David had tried many times to get pregnant, in vitro, nothing worked. Then, they were able to adopt a 6 month old baby girl. They were so happy, they raised her as their own, and this story picks up when she is in grade one and 5 years old. Life is busy and great for them. Until there is a Teachers Assistant at school who shows alot more attention to Amelia, and things progress in ways that no parent ever wants to happen!
This book is good for most, and is one that will keep your attention.
Thank you, J Cronshaw, for another great story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[DijZhane’]

Good Read but SO frustrating

Imagine you’re unable to conceive after many negative pregnancy tests and failed IVF treatments. Adoption is your last option to become a mother and for five years you are living your most desired dream, as mother to a little girl named Amelia. After doing all you can to prove your worthiness to the courts, your motherhood is snuffed out and undermined little by little, by seeds of doubt sown by the new teacher’s assistance who gets too involved with your daughter. That’s the reality for Sally, and while she’s fighting to keep her sanity and protect her family from a woman who’s overstepping, al in her community are turning their backs on her to defend the very woman whom is threatening their stable lives, home, and wellbeing. Just how far is this teacher’s assistant willing to go to interweave herself into their lives…

[Tracy]

I don’t think this psychological thriller will leave me for quite some time. Jon really knows how to pull you into the story, making the characters so real so believable.

We have all come across people like Robyn who manipulate the narrative for their own benefit.

My heart was breaking for Sally and Amelia, I couldn’t put the book down I needed to know how all their lives turned out.

Thanks for the ARC copy, it was a privilege and this review is my honest opinion.

J. Cronshaw

[Constance M.]

Received this book from the author through Book Funnel.

components of the story resemble the author's other work, The Teacher.

often I wanted to walk away and abandon it, because it was upsetting. parts of it made me feel sick to my stomach, honestly.

while my personal experience does not include adoption scenarios, I still could relate to the situation and get caught up in the story.

The manipulation, gaslighting, lying, betrayal and other horrible behaviors were disturbing, and likely were the reason for my discomfort at continuing the book. I am glad I finished it, but I think I need a happy story to take me away from it.

[Crystal]

This was an amazing listen. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Several times I found myself yelling into the void in reaction to what was taking place. Cronshaw did an exceptional job of writing this phycological thriller. While this is not my normal genre, I thoroughly enjoyed it! No spoilers, but the ending had me in shambles! Highly recommend!

As for the narrator? Oh, my goodness! Alice did an excellent job bringing this already amazing story to life! I want to hear more from her!

[Alicia Beaudry]

Only the “wrap up” redeemed this story. Sally protecting Robyn and not “outing” her connection to her daughter, from the very moment she confirmed it, was a very weak point and never the 1st concern of a mother. Not in line with Sally’s overall characterization.

[Bea]

a story of manipulation and deceit and how some people are quick to believe what they want to believe regardless
The sly and deceitful actions of the majority of the characters is uncomfortable reading at times but it keeps you turning the pages

[Angela Weber]

Bad Hubby!!!

This is the very first book I have had the pleasure to read. I must say I am now a fan of your books. I cannot wait to read more. This book had so many twists... I could not stop reading. Thank you for such an intense, keep me guessing read.

[Mary Hazlerig]

I don't know if I've ever read a book that kept my anger up & broke my heart like this one. I wanted to yell at Sally to do something! I captured me early on and did not disappoint.

This is my first book by J. Cronshaw, but I will be reading more.

[Peta]

Good book. Found a few sections slightly repetitive in its language, but overall very good. It had me guessing whether she was mad, or she was actually the only sane one. Brilliant narration from Alice Sockett.

[Julie]

**SPOILERS**

This story is beyond ridiculous. The husband had an affair with the bio mom, and then I skipped a bunch of pages to find all of Sally’s friends (including her sister) had turned against her, her husband was gaslighting her, bio mom had everyone on her side and was trying to make Sally go crazy. But in the end, it all comes to light and ends well for Sally.

Don’t waste your time.

[Jolovesbooks]

This was a good read, but it was abit repetitive at times and lacked a big twist at the end. I really enjoyed this authors short story and style of writing so I will definitely be reading his future work.

[Lorraine Martin]

Enjoyed this one fast paced short chapter look forward to reading more from this author

[Laurie Robertson]

Another twisted psychological thriller from Jon. Who do you trust when you don’t feel like trusting anyone? A very strong emotive novel.

[Debbie]

The premise again was good, but the forgetting of what happened previously and behaviour of characters just didn't make sense. The legal process was wholly inaccurate.

[Margo]

This book was so good but absolutely infuriating! The gaslighting was unreal.

[Karen]

PG 6 stars

[Bookworm]

Emotionally gripping, absolutely affecting, terrifically tenseful through and through, she thoroughly transferred her inner turmoil and helplessness while giving the reader complete satisfaction at last by her resolute decisions and actions!