What My Mother Hid

by Daniel Hurst

Motherhood can be murder...Being a mother isn’t easy. But one woman has perfected it. Her name is Gianna and she’s nothing like me. She has it all. The lifestyle. The luxury. The big family portrait full of smiling, happy faces.

As I struggle to deal with life with my new baby, I look to Gianna for advice. While I’ve had one child, she’s had six, so she must know what she’s doing. That’s why I find a way to contact her. I want her to help me. I want us to get close. I want to know about how she was the perfect mother to all those children. But as with every family, all is not what it seems.

People have secrets. Parents have secrets.

I am just trying to do my best as a new mother. But I’m starting to realise that all mothers have something to hide. The problem is, me and my baby are in danger unless we find out what Gianna is hiding. Before it is too late…

A new page-turning psychological thriller from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor’s Wife, The Couple’s Revenge and My Neighbour’s Affair.

Genres: Psychological Thriller

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a hard time believing in the plot, and I didn’t care much for the writing style either. A lot of repetition of the obvious and very basic style. Not for me.

[Melody McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the first part of the story was pretty good, with an interesting take on a familiar premise. But the twists toward the end, although surprising, seemed to come out of left field, and I had to suspend disbelief for the rest of the book. While the ending was action-packed, I felt that the dialogue was overly-dramatic and cliched, and the quality of the writing deteriorated, with some awkward phrasing and a few grammatical errors. Other readers enjoyed this one more than I did, but it was not my favorite of the author's books

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great thriller with lots of twists and turns by Daniel Hurst. I just can’t wait for his next book!!!!

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT MY MOTHER HID BY DANIEL HURST.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I do love a good suprise book by Daniel Hurst.
I find myself always looking forward to a new book coming out and I get it immediately.
This one was brilliant and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Bring on the next one ☺

[Pauline Torsney · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Repetitive and boring

[Abby Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

So incredibly boring

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel Hurst always writes quick, easy popcorn thrillers and this one is definitely more entertaining than his last release. The setup had me thinking this was going to land in the 3.5 to 4 star range. We start with two moms. Bronwyn is a brand new mother and Gianna is the old school mom influencer with six kids by twenty six, giving “Jon and Kate plus eight” but with a better reputation.

The opening is strong. Then suddenly Bronwyn is hopping on a plane with her newborn to meet Gianna in person because she is a fan and wants advice or vibes or something. Bronwyn, girl, you do not know this woman. Immediately the energy shifts because of course Gianna wants to kill her and take her baby. And the gag is she has done this before. She murdered her sixth child’s mother at a book signing. At that point I just had to laugh because it gets ridiculous fast and Hurst will always lean into the ridiculous and repetitive.

But the wildest part is Bronwyn suddenly screaming “You stole my great auntie’s baby Gianna. I am here to avenge.” I had to flip back and make sure I did not miss a chapter. Nope. Prior to this moment Bronwyn reads as a genuine fan, even in her private thoughts. No reason to pretend. It makes no sense and it is laughable.

Then Gianna burns the house down. Like ma’am, you have been covering your tracks for years. You are not going to get away with this one. Arson leaves evidence. A body leaves evidence. You are finished.

It probably sounds like I am dragging this book and revealing the big moments but honestly it was an okay read. Fast, silly, dramatic, and entertaining in a “roll your eyes but keep flipping pages” kind of way. I enjoyed the ride but it is not a favorite and not one I can really recommend.

[Terri Beckett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a great start but took a wrong turn toward the end.

[Jodie Devereaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy it, thought the storyline was very far fetched

[Emma Sandhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can count on Daniel Hurst for a good read, sometimes the language is slightly too clear and perhaps not how people speak. In any case, other than the intentions of the elder main character being made clear too soon (in my opinion), it was engaging and interesting to read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite book by Daniel Hurst. It started out well but then became extremely far fetched and the ending was almost farcical.

[Elda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally predictable, repetitive and not a single likeable character 1.5 ⭐️

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out so good but when the premise completely shifted it got lame real quick. There were several inconsistencies and some of was just so far fetched that it wasn't even remotely close to being interesting.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing thriller with suspense, manipulation and murder to the huge twist ending that left me reeling. Bronwyn has just had a baby and wants a big family like her idol, Gianna, who had 6 kids before 26. She has watched and knows everything about this amazing mother and wants to be just like her. Bronwyn contacts Gianna and is surprised when she receives a reply back. Even more surprised when Gianna invites her and her baby to come stay for a few days. But things seem weird and not is what it seems. Gianna has a secret and Bronwyn is determined to figure it out, before it’s too late.

[Carol Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from this author probably one of his best but that's very hard to say.

it was a tense, dark in parts, psychological fast paced thriller with well described characters. It draws you into the storyline from the very first page and I couldn't believe what was happening.

It kept you involved in the storyline until the brilliant ending, who would have guessed? just so well executed, well done Daniel you never disappoint.

[Angela Bradfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one because the premise had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The story felt very predictable, and the twists were either obvious or not impactful enough to feel satisfying. The characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect emotionally or care about what happened to them.

While the writing was easy to follow and the book moved quickly, it relied too heavily on shock value rather than strong storytelling. Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t live up to the hype and felt forgettable once finished.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨ ????? this book was too much, too many plot twists, too confusing, hard to follow along lol. the only reason i’m giving it 3 starts is because i liked the premise of the plot but the actual story felt repetitive in the beginning and then like too busy in the end

[Lauren Elkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaos, pure unadulterated chaos. Loads of twists and turns. A wild psychological thriller. Daniel knows how to write a thriller for sure

[Aaron Todd Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThde6Dvx/

3.25

A very strong initial 70%. I enjoyed the prose and plot setup. The author catapults us into the stakes, which is always a fun way to begin a new book.

Where the author lost me is the last 30%. There’s one plot twist in particular that completely took me out of the story, unfortunately. I’m totally fine being left in the dark by an unreliable narrator… but it was a big miss, for me. Things escalated really quickly. We could have stood for 50-100 more pages to truly unravel what the author was aiming for.

I’d still definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of thrillers from the likes of McFadden.

Fast-paced, short, and twisty.

[Vicki Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok for the first half - weird story but had my attention. Then why it all happened was confusing and lost me!

[Pheadra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off well as most of this author's books do. Sadly, this then went off kilter and beyond being clichéd, became implausible. I don't like having to suspend belief, so I'm in the minority of readers on this one, but it was just okay. 3 stars.

[Kristin Montague · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished it, but it was less than great.

[Trevor Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What My Mother Hid is a quiet gut-punch of a book, the kind that leaves you staring at the wall long after you’ve turned the last page.
Daniel Hurst takes a premise that could have been melodramatic (a twelve-year-old boy discovers his mother has been hiding an entire other family for years) and treats it with such tenderness, restraint, and emotional truth that it absolutely broke me. Told in alternating chapters between “now” and the mother’s past, every secret is revealed at exactly the moment your heart can bear it, and then Hurst somehow manages to peel back one more devastating layer.
This isn’t a thriller built on cheap twists; it’s a deeply human story about love, shame, sacrifice, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. The mother, Rachel, is one of the most complex, heartbreaking characters I’ve read in years. You’ll want to scream at her, hug her, and ultimately forgive her all at once. The son’s voice feels painfully authentic; his confusion, anger, and eventual understanding had me crying on the train more than once.
I finished it in two sittings because I physically couldn’t stop, and when I reached the final page I just sat there sobbing (quietly, because public transport). It’s beautiful, brutal, and hopeful in a way that feels earned. One of those rare books that’s both a page-turner and a soul-changer.
If you loved The Push or We Need to Talk About Kevin but wished they had more grace at their core, read this immediately. Daniel Hurst just skyrocketed to my auto-buy list. Masterpiece.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆.

The latest from this author had him taking a different spin on the #TradWife craze that's been in so many thrillers this year. Bronwyn has dreamed of a large family her whole life, and she's just given birth to her first baby. She's distraught to find out how difficult just one baby is, especially since her idol, mom influencer Gianna has had six children before she was 26.

While she's perusing a message board for new moms, she makes contact with Gianna, whose children are all grown now. To her astonishment, the woman reaches out to her and offers her personalized help. The help is much more than just messaging back and forth--the woman has invited Bronwyn, along with her newborn, to her home. Soon after arriving, Bronwyn begins to see the loneliness behind the facade--the walls may be filled with photos of children, but the phone never rings, and there's never anyone at the door. Is this because Gianna's children are all grown now with families and obligations of their own, or is it because of something much more sinister?

This was a fun, twisty read that had me captivated, and that ending was so lever! Many thanks to the author for having me on his ARC team. This book is available now!

[Julie Bouchner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Bronwyn, a new mom who is overwhelmed and desperate to feel like she is doing something right. She has spent years admiring Gianna, a young mother of six who is treated like a parenting star. Bronwyn knows everything about her and dreams of having a big family just like hers. When she reaches out, she never expects Gianna to reply or invite her and her baby to stay for a few days. Once she arrives, it becomes clear that something is off. The perfect life Bronwyn idolized does not match what she finds, and Gianna is hiding something. Bronwyn becomes determined to uncover the truth before it puts her and her baby at risk.

Rating: 3.7 ⭐ Hurst is a great author if you want fast-paced books with quick chapters and plenty of twists. This wasn’t my favorite of his, BUT I still enjoyed the story, especially how quickly things shifted and how often new twists appeared. I also liked the use of different POVs. If you need a palette cleanser and want something twisty, this one is worth picking up along with his other books.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult to say too much re this book without giving too much away, what will say is any ‘why would she do that?’ make sense towards the end of the book and for me it was a ‘ha, genius’ moment

Bronwyn idolises Gianna Hope, the author of ‘Six Before Twenty Six’, Mum extraordinaire and in previous times TV celeb, adored and loved by millions for her love of her six kids and her ability to raise them so effortlessly

Bronwyn has just one child, Polly, but she wants more, lots more and intends to build her life copying Gianna and what she has achieved

So much so she contacts the author ( never a wise move imo 🤓 ) and arranges to meet her, the rest I will leave for you to discover

It is a dark and disturbing at times read, unpredictable and edgy but hallmark Daniel Hurst with the intrigue, cliffhanger chapter endings and the characters never quite being as we think/thought

For me a favourite by the author

[Holly Cerutti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through What My Mother Hid in just a few days, and by the time I reached the end, I was genuinely stunned by how cleverly it all came together. Daniel Hurst has this effortless way of pulling you into a story, and this one hooked me from page one.

The novel shifts between two mothers—Bronwyn in the present day and Ginna in the past, a public figure adored by many. Their stories unfold separately at first, but the tension that builds between the timelines creates a creeping sense of unease that never lets up. I kept thinking I had cracked the mystery early, only to be proven completely wrong.

And that final line? Absolutely wild. I reread it just to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.

Hurst excels at crafting characters you form instant opinions about, for better or worse, and he knows exactly when to drop a twist that changes everything. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that keeps shifting under your feet, this is one you shouldn’t miss.

[Lama Dabbagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists That Shock: My Take on What My Mother Hid

Daniel Hurst is one of my favourite authors, and I finished What My Mother Hid in a single day, I even read half of it before bed!

The story follows two mothers: Bronwyn, a young mum in the present day, and Ginna, a famous woman who inspires mothers, told across past and present storylines.

From the early chapters, I could sense the sinister vibes and thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong. There were twists that genuinely shocked me, especially the final line of the novel. I had to go back to the last page a couple of times to believe what I had read.

I love Hurst’s ability to make you love or hate his characters, and his twists and turns are always thrilling.

I highly recommend What My Mother Hid if you enjoy psychological thrillers that will keep you guessing until the very end.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so easy to deceive the readers who are about to read - Daniel Hurst. I was following Bronwyn's story quite intensely, wondering how a young woman was so influenced by her idol, Gianna, who had six children by the time she was twenty-six, and Bronwyn wanted to to be the same, to have six children. Gianna had written books, there were old TV shows, but at age sixty, Gianna was almost a recluse living remotely in Inverness. Bronwyn or Bronnie to her friends, somehow manages to wrangle an invite to meet her idol as Gianna invites her to her home.

Of course, this is a Daniel Hurst book, and there's lots more to the story.But as much as I'd like to, I can't tell you anymore than I already have. You do need to suspend your beliefs for the last 25 or so %. But overall, I enjoyed this new self-published book.

Published 15th November 2025

#KindleBook