The Other Mother

The Peasedsle Woods Killers #2

by Heidi Field

Suzannah is pregnant with her third child. The first is in prison. The second is dead. How far will she go to keep her unborn baby safe?

When Suzannah learns she is pregnant, she feels like safety and happiness are finally within reach. Her handsome, successful fiancé, Alec, is over the moon about the baby. He proposes and pampers her. He thinks this is Suzannah’s first marriage and first child, but she’s keeping a few secrets. Actually, a lot of secrets. And they are dangerous…putting Suzannah in a position where she must choose who and what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her baby and her freedom.

Drowning in her lies, Suzannah is desperate to bury her past, but her ex-husband, who abandoned her years ago, returns, stalking her and demanding to know what really happened to their daughter. When the imprisoned serial killer who lured and groomed her son, threatens to sell his story to the press, Suzannah feels like the life she’d built and the precious one she’s growing, teeter on a precipice. Now the two children she’s hidden from Alec may be the least of her worries.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K.L. Slater, and Shari Lapena, The Other Mother is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller of buried secrets, family betrayal, and the terrifying lengths one woman will go to for love.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2025

About the author

Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties she was a freelance Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three more young children. She still lives near her family home with her partner, their Great Dane and the children that have yet to fly the nest.

In her early forties, Heidi completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Winchester University. Writing contemporary thrillers, she likes to put relatable people in extraordinary situations, challenge them, push them to their limits and watch them fight for their sanity.

The Peasedale Woods Killers is Heidi’s first series, interweaving the relationships between mothers, sons, and serial killers, questioning where blame ends and responsibility begins.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunner Piper’s crimes are still haunting those that he left in his destructive path! Book 2 was completely different than book 1, as this one was told from the POV of Mason’s mom. Suzannah is dealing with the aftermath of her son being the accomplice of the notorious serial killer that name still reigns terror. She also has her own secrets that are threatening her livelihood.

It was nice to have the alternating timelines that revealed more about Mason’s biological father. This story revealed so much about the past, and it brought a lot of things home for me from book 1. Although Mason’s behavior was inexcusable, I feel as though I know him better now & more about it this childhood. Very well written & I’m hoping for a book 3!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with Suzannah, now pregnant with her third child, fathered by her fiancé, Alec. 🤰🏼 But Alec has no idea about her past that she was previously married, that her son Mason is in prison for being an accomplice to the murders, and that her daughter, Lily, has died 12 years ago. 🤔

Suzannah continues secretly visiting Mason in prison, all while telling Alec she’s visiting her friend, Blair. But her web of lies begins to collapse when her ex-husband, Breck, appears, demanding answers about the truth behind Lily’s death. 😬 Alec is devastated to discover the life Suzannah hid from him. And even when she’s forced to explain what happened to Lily, she still doesn’t reveal the full truth. 🫣

I felt such real empathy for Alec and wished he had been more assertive. At the same time, he didn’t deserve to be subjected to Suzannah’s constant lies and ever-changing stories. 😩

‘The Other Mother’ is a sequel to ‘The Other Boy’, it can be read as standalone but I highly recommend to read the first one so you’ll have the better understanding in the story… 🙌🏼

I absolutely loved reading ‘The Other Mother’ - the twists and turns were incredible and kept me hooked until the very end! I have to admit, I enjoyed this even more than the first book. 😍 And I’ve just discovered that the third book in the series, ‘The Other Killer’, is coming out on 15th April! 📚👀 I can’t wait to get my hands on it! 🤩

I would like to say thank you to Heidi and Zoe from Zooloos Book Tour for letting me participate in this tour and letting me have the opportunity to give my honest review. ♥️

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was every bit worth waiting for! I absolutely loved Field's debut The Other Boy which was the first book in The Peasdale Woods Killers series.

Suzannah's story really was quite tragic wasn't it? But no secrets stays buried forever...Exactly how far was she prepared to go for love?

It's dark, pace is fast and the suspense is through the roof. It's a nail bitingly good read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Roll on Book Three...

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Mother is an emotional and tense story that follows a woman facing secrets danger and rising pressure as her life changes. Each chapter adds another layer to the mystery around her and you can feel the weight of the choices she has to make.

The characters are written with real feeling and their fears hopes and doubts stand out in a strong way. The twists come at the right moments and the ending is both surprising and satisfying. It is a gripping and heartfelt read that stays with you.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

The Other Mother is book two in The Peasdale Woods Killers series. I haven’t read the first book but I enjoyed this one so think they can be read as standalones.

The story follows Suzannah who is trying to move on and live her life following the aftermath of her son being an accomplice to some gruesome murders.

I enjoyed this book, I think the pacing was great and it was written well. It’s told in two timelines - then and now.

The only let down for me was the ending. There was quite a shocking twist but then the end just falls a bit flat. Otherwise it’s a really good read!

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a tense psychological thriller.

Thank you Zooloosbooktours and Heidi for letting me be a part of this tour!

I give this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon)

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Mother is a sequel to The Other Boy. It can be read as a standalone, however, I definitely think having read the previous book was helpful for understanding the background of the FMC.

This book is very well written and engaging and kept me wanting to keep turning the pages to see how it would all unfold.

I definitely didn’t expect things to go the way they did and I was stunned at some points. I enjoyed her first book but I thought this sequel was even better. I look forward to read more by this author.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Heidi Field, Tule Publishing and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

DANG!!! Yet again I will reiterate that Heidi Field is my new favorite author of 2026!! After being introduced to her new series The Peasedsle Woods Killers Series first book The Other Boy she is my go to author in this genre!! She is the queen of twisted suspense reads!! Not since Gregg Olsen’s Detective Meghan Carpenter’s series have I been this invested and this excited about a book series!! Book two in the series is The Other Mother this time around it was Suzannah’s turn to tell her story. Let me tell you Netflix seriously NEEDS to make this book into a TV series adaptation!! Why?! Because stories of Suzannah’s past will literally blow your mind and leave you speechless!!

I must say that if you have not read The Other Boy by Heidi Field I would strongly suggest you do that prior to reading The Other Mother. Reason being you need to get the full back story on the characters and the storyline prior to reading this book. I feel that if you read this book without reading the other one you would be completely lost. Trust me you will be wanting to read them both. Note…there is a third book in the series.

Heidi went to the dark side a little bit when she shared the story of who Mason’s father really was. The whole situation was taboo in nature. But I couldn’t help laughing that she named the character Mr. Bang. So throughout the one scene I keep hearing the song she bangs from Ricky Martin in my head!!! Truthfully it is one of my favorite storylines of the whole book.

For the first time in a long time I grew very attached to one of the characters. Alec had some of the amazing qualities that I look for in a partner! He was very understanding, patient, kind, very loving, was always there for her through thick and thin no matter what. Suzannah was extremely blessed to have him. Now can someone please tell me where I can find a partner like him please?!

What drove me absolutely crazy is how Suzannah was constantly spewing out lie after another lie!! They just kept digging her into a bigger and bigger hole!!

The Other Mother is fast paced, addicting (I read it in one sitting I just could not put it down), gripping, so incredibly suspenseful and mind blowing that will question where this author has been all your reading journey!!!

Seriously, no joke there were times when Heidi had me yelling and screaming at my Kindle. Yet the next minute screaming No and bawling my eyes out saying how could she do that!!! Yes, this was an emotional read but not for the way that you think it would be!

Go pick up The Other Mother and The Other Boy and see for yourself why these two deserve 5 stars!

[Joanne Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the The Peasedsle Woods Killers series and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I’d highly recommend reading its prequel, ‘The Other Boy.’

Author Heidi Field writes in a style that immediately engages the reader, with intriguing characters and dark and sinister themes that keep you on the edge of your seat.

What I loved about ‘The Other Mother’ is how the web of lies told by Suzanna slowly starts to unravel, piecing together the back story of what has brought both her and son Mason to this point. The inclusion of a handful of chapters from the past serve to fill in several important gaps and also allows the reader to begin to understand more about her personality and how and why she made certain choices.

I found myself torn between feeling real empathy for Alec’s character and wishing he was more assertive but at the same time, he was certainly the perfect foil to help tell Suzannah’s tale.

There are elements within the plot where I had to suspend a certain amount of disbelief as it was hard to believe that so much could take place without consequence but I did nevertheless love the various twists and turns throughout.

The ending made me gasp out loud as I realised the significance of a detail in an earlier chapter and thought this was a writing master stroke- very clever indeed!

I’m intrigued as to whether the author has further plans for any of the characters and would certainly eagerly anticipate any future releases!

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this tour (and a huge apology for a mix up with the dates which has led to a late posting of this review!)

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s some time since I read The Other Boy, book one in the Peasedale Woods Killers series, so I didn’t initially associate the names Scott, Blair and Jamie with this second book. They barely feature in The Other Mother.

I’m not going to pretend I warmed to Suzannah, the main character and first person narrator. And that was before we discover everything she has done, and is lying about to fiance Alec, father of their baby-to-be. He has no idea that she has a son, Mason, in prison for helping the renowned Peasedale Woods serial killer Gunner Piper lure his victims to his shack in the forest.

Alec also has no idea that she had a daughter Lily who died aged five. Suzannah’s ex-husband Breck was Lily’s father, and he has come back on the scene, demanding to know what happened to Lily, certain that Mason killed her.

Hiding all these secrets from Alec seemed somewhat improbable, especially visiting Mason in a high security prison every week, it was bound to end in disaster. But the rest of Suzannah’s ‘crimes’ made me wonder at times if this was spiralling into dark humour, and was I supposed to take it seriously.

I couldn’t wait to find out what the outcome would be. Poor Alec. I really liked him as a character, far more than Suzannah. He’s kind, courteous, caring – everything she wants in a partner/ father, but doesn’t really deserve. Not that I am entirely blaming her for the situation she finds herself in, it’s the way she handles it and constantly lies. And the ‘it will destroy my life’, never that it will destroy Alec’s life or the baby’s.

However, in spite of my slight reservations, it was a great read and I will definitely be reading book three, The Other Killer. Just wondering who the main character will be next time.

Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

[Natasha sebuwufu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars ⭐️

I was so excited to be part of the book tour for The Other Mother by Heidi Field — as soon as I read the synopsis, I was intrigued, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint!

The storyline kept me hooked from the start, and I found myself eager to pick it back up every time I had to put it down. I screamed at our main character out loud so many times over some of her choices (in the best way 🤭). The male main character was such a kind soul, and their interactions were genuinely heartwarming. The pacing was spot on, with every chapter leaving me desperate to know more.

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!
This is the second book in The Peasdale Woods Killers series!
You talk about the edge of your seat nailbiter! Book one was amazing, but this one was over the top good! If you wanna fast paced suspense, this is one that you definitely do not want to pass up. I do have ever suggest you read the first book in the series. The Other Boy

Well, done, Heidi

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows the Peasedale murders in The Other Child and gives more insight into Mason and his family.

Susannah has moved on to a degree but it's not easy and she's not quite what you expect. Some elements are there that you'd expect from the mother of someone that had done something terrible. However, she has a few secrets of her own and those are unraveling quicker than she can provide answers.

She is an interesting character and justifies her actions but even so, she's got a personality that shows she's determined and likes things to go her way. I think Mason probably does take after her to some degree but maybe this is because he's used to tidying up! He was young when trying to deal with things and finding his own way in the world.

[Layla Penfold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Peasedale Woods Killers “ series. I didn’t know it was a series, in my opinion you can read this as a standalone.
Well, I would not like to be in Suzannah’s shoes, it’s such a disaster but unfortunately it can happen to anyone.
I understand completely with the lies, but if you’re pregnant and about to get married, I would be completely honest.
This will be catastrophic once everything comes to light.
This is a incredible book, it really makes you appreciate your own journey and your child is made from you, it doesn’t matter how old they are or what they have done, I hope I would stand by my kids no matter what.
In this scenario, the lad is doing his time and accepting his punishment, I couldn’t leave him to rot alone.
I’m going back to the beginning and will be starting book 1 very soon, I absolutely loved this read.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow where do I start, this is book 2 in The Peasedsle Woods Killers and you should probably read book 1 to fully appreciate this story. This is one of those books that just builds tension as you read so much so I actually gasped a few times, the twists are so good in this you’ll not want to stop reading.
So many secrets that you just know are going to come out but your heart races and is in your mouth as you read.
Such a good sequel to book 2 it will stay with you and these books would make excellent discussion points if read in a group or buddy read.
Bring on book 3 👏

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Other Boy back in the summer, I was excited to see the second book in The Peasedsle Woods Killers series.

 

Once again, I loved this dark and haunting front cover image but was again worried that this was going to be another stressful read, given the inference that families and children would feature again.

 

Now, I feel that this book would have read fine as a standalone read, just in case you haven't already seen the first book - but I think to get the most out of this and to fully feel the development of the characters, it's best to read the books in order of you can.

 

I found it really easy to fall right back into this read and loved seeing things from this new perspective.

I really struggled to work out my feelings towards Susannah though.

On the one hand, I felt for her trying to make this new life and knowing how strongly that urge to do anything you can to keep your children safe -but hiding something quite so big, I'm not sure I'd be able to do that.

 

This was another tense read and was packed with twists that just kept me engrossed and unsure of how things would eventually play out.

 

The writing really does transport you right into the thick of the story and kept me on edge throughout.

 

Another great read that had me hooked from start to finish.

I couldn't put this down and actually cannot wait to see what the next book holds!

[Faye Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Mother by Heidi Field
🌟🌟🌟💫
Suzannah is pregnant with her third child, but her partner thinks it's her first.
Her eldest is in prison
Her middle child has passed away
Suzannah is desperate to keep it all secret.
Alec dotes on Suzannah, to a stalker level. He follows, tracks and controls her
Suzannahs life starts to unravel. She drip feeds Alec information bit by bit, hoping he doesn't find out the next lie. Alec promises not to leave her if she tells the truth. The ending is unexpected!!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, come and settle in with me for a moment, grab yourself a warm drink and get comfortable, because today's tour stop has me with plenty to say! When the lovely folks at Zooloos Book Tours knocked on The Phantom Paragrapher's door with Heidi Fields' The Other Mother, I cleared my reading chair, pulled the blanket over my knees, and dove straight in. And what a tangled, twisty web awaited me.

Right from the opening pages, the premise alone had me hooked like a fish on a line. Suzannah is pregnant with her third child. Her first is in prison. Her second is dead. If that tagline doesn't make you sit bolt upright and demand answers, then I honestly don't know what will. It's the kind of setup that lodges itself in your brain at two in the morning and refuses to leave quietly.

Suzannah herself is a fascinatingly complex creation. She is deeply flawed, morally murky, and yet and here's where Heidi Fields does her most interesting work , you find yourself reluctantly rooting for her anyway. She's wrapped herself in so many layers of deception around her charming, unsuspecting fiancé Alec that you spend half the novel wincing on her behalf, waiting for the whole beautifully constructed house of cards to come crashing down around her. The tension that builds from her hidden past is genuinely suffocating at times, in the best possible way.

The supporting threats feel real and pressingly urgent. An ex-husband slinking back from the shadows, demanding answers about their dead daughter. A manipulative serial killer dangling Suzannah's imprisoned son over her head like a weapon. Every time poor Suzannah gets a breath, another hand reaches up to drag her back under. Heidi Fields clearly understands that the most effective psychological thrillers aren't about one big secret , they're about the avalanche effect of many secrets colliding at once.

That said, and I'll be honest with you here the way I'd be honest with a friend over the kitchen table, The Other Mother doesn't quite reach the heights its premise promises. The pacing wobbles in the middle section, and there were moments where I felt the revelations were telegraphed a touch too early, deflating what should have been genuinely shocking moments. Some secondary characters felt underdeveloped, and I wanted more emotional depth in the resolution, which arrived a little too neatly given the messy, complicated journey that preceded it.

But here's the thing for an entertaining, perfectly readable thriller that kept me turning pages on a rainy afternoon? It absolutely delivers. Not every book needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you just want a good, propulsive story with a morally complicated woman at its centre, and The Other Mother provides exactly that.

A solid three stars from this little corner of the book world. A perfectly decent thriller for fans of domestic suspense who don't mind a protagonist keeping secrets the size of mountains.

A huge thank you to Zooloos Book Tours for including The Phantom Paragrapher on this virtual tour stop.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Mother by Heidi Field is the second book in her The Peasedsle Woods Killers series. This thriller is very well written with lots of exciting twists and surprises. I read the first book in the series and find that it is helpful for my knowledge of the characters. The main character is Suzannah. We met her in the first book. Her oldest child, Mason was convicted for his part in assisting a serial killer and is in prison. We learn that Mason’s dad was a teacher at Susannah’s school when she was 15 years old. He was never in the picture. Then some years later she got married and had a daughter named Lily. Unfortunately, Lily died under very mysterious circumstances. She was four and was playing in the woods with nine year old Mason while Suzannah was in a nearby coffee shop working. Her husband didn’t get along with Mason and was abusive to him. After Lily died, he blamed Mason.

Suzannah is pregnant as the book opens. She has a fiancé who loves her and is excited about starting a family together. Alec has no idea about her past, including her having been married before and having a son in prison and a daughter who died. He has always asked her not to keep secrets from him. Suzannah continues to lie to Alec, telling him she is visiting her friend Blair in prison, not her son. Then when her ex husband shows up asking questions regarding the truth about their daughter’s death, Alec is shocked. Suzannah is forced to explain about Lily but she still doesn’t tell the whole truth. On one of her visits to see Mason, she meets another woman who also is visiting someone. They make plans to meet for coffee and talk. She is hopeful having a friend who understands what she is going through will help her. Suzannah is so afraid of losing Alec if he finds about all her secrets so she tells lie after lie. The reader also learns through flashbacks about Suzannah’s early life and more of her secrets are shared with us.

This book was very entertaining and enjoyable. It is a fast paced story with lots of twists and suspense. Suzannah is quite the multifaceted character. Every chapter seemed to introduce a new revelation. I was sympathetic to Alec’s continued exposure to so many lies and changed stories. There was lots of angst between the couple as well as affection. The interactions between the characters allowed for a very interesting book. It was a heart pounding story that I wasn’t able to put down. The ending was very unexpected. Heidi has given us a five star book I am happy to recommend.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Mother ~The Peasedsle Woods Killers #2 by Heidi Field

The Other Mother is the second instalment in Heidi Field’s Peasedsle Woods Killers series, and it’s an absolutely gripping read. Suzannah, pregnant with her third child, is haunted by the tragedies tied to her first two: one imprisoned, the other dead. Heidi masterfully builds tension around a chilling question—just how far will Suzannah go to protect the child she’s carrying?

This book showcases Heidi Field’s talent brilliantly. The writing is sharp and immersive, the characters feel authentic and emotionally layered, and the storyline pulls you in from the very first chapter. I particularly loved how the narrative dips into the past, revealing the dark history surrounding Mason’s father. These moments add depth and steadily heighten the suspense.

I was completely engaged throughout, and Heidi’s pacing kept me turning the pages long after I should have put the book down. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I have no doubt the rest of the series will be fantastic. I’m already eager for the next instalment—if there is one!

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy dark, suspenseful, character-driven thrillers.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Other Mother is a sequel to The Other Boy and the second book in The Peasedale Killer series, however I read this without reading the first.
Suzannah's first child is in prison, her second sadly died, and she is pregnant with the third. Her current fiancé knows nothing of the first two children, and nothing of his wife's previous life.
I read this book in two quick sittings as it flowed well, even with the back and forth between dual timelines. Covering dark themes, Heidi Field discusses grooming, child loss, and murder in an emotional way that really adds depth to the characters. The FMC did become a little annoying based on the sheer volume of lies she kept fabricating, but I'm not entirely sure how I would react in her situation either!
I do wish I had read book 1 first for more understanding of the background, but I do think it works as a standalone and I will be going back to read the first book in the hopes of a third being released!

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Peasedsle Woods series continues the story from the first book but the narration is from Suzannah whose oldest son is in prison for his involvement with the murders.
She is now pregnant again with her third child and as the book unfolds we learn secrets she has been keeping from her fiancee . Heidi Field has written another fast paced novel which kept me reading well into the night , as it has many twists and turns , which we might unravel in another book .
Thoroughly recommend for anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller
Thanks for the e-copy which I received to read and review

[Nan Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Mother is book 2 in the Peasdale Woods series and examines the serial murders from the POV of the mother of one of the jailed perpetrators. Field takes us into the convoluted and terrified mind of woman who is running from her past and hiding significant things from her fiance. She gets caught up in her own lies as her life goes over the edge. This one will keep you reading into the night until the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[George Stenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads free book.

Suzannah is the primary FMC and is very unlikeable. She is 8 months pregnant, and her fiancée is Alec. Suzannah had two children from previous relationships. However, she neglected to tell Alec. Slowly she has to tell Alec of her other children and past relationships. After each reveal, she promises Alec that there will be no more lies -- until the next time.

Suzannah is a master of deception, and I should have expected the twist at the end.

[Sue Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzannah is pregnant with her third child.

The first is in prison, the second is dead.

Suzannah's successful, loving fiancé Alec is over the moon about the baby. He thinks this is her first child but Suzannah is keeping secrets, desperate to bury her past, but drowning in lies.

The two children she has hidden from Alec may be the least of her worries.

Compulsive, gripping, page turning reading!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made for fabulous reading. The main character, Suzannah, was brilliantly portrayed. She is completely burdened and overwhelmed by secrets that she has been keeping from her fiancé, Alec.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very exciting and intense read. It was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. It had suspense, mystery, and drama. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys these aspects of a story.


I received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

[Myles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow wow ok

I had to DNF! Its a teacher and a student dark romance book! I'm sorry but thats not for me at all! The kid was 15!