The New Mother: A BRAND NEW chilling thriller of a haunted house, buried secrets and a terrifying warning for 2026

by M.A. Hunter

Our dream home was supposed to be a fresh start before our baby arrived.

My husband Jamie and I poured all our savings into this isolated, 1920s fixer-upper in the Hampshire woods, hoping it would be the perfect place to raise our child and for me to write my next novel.

But from the moment we crossed the threshold, dark omens told me it was a huge a mistake…

A petrified crow crashes into our kitchen window.

Scratching sounds echo from behind the locked basement door.

A terrifying message scrawled in thick red HELP US.

All lead me to find out the horrible truth… something terrible happened in this house and the house wants its revenge.

Jamie thinks I'm losing my mind, but I know there is something sinister lurking within these walls, waiting for my child.

I have to uncover the truth about what really happened in that basement—before this cursed house claims my family next…

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2026

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband Jamie and I poured all our savings into this isolated, 1920s fixer-upper in the Hampshire woods, hoping it would be the perfect place to raise our child and for me to write my next novel. But from the moment we crossed the threshold, dark omens told me it was a huge mistake....

A petrified crow crashes into our window.

Scratching sounds echo from behind the locked basement door.

A terrifying message scrawled in thick red HELP US.

All lead me to find out the horrible truth.... something terrible happened in this house and the house wants its revenge.

This is a cleverly crafted story. Rachel is pregnant when she and her husband Jamie move into their dream home. But Rachel gets a feeling that the house isn't going to be the home she first thought it would be.

This is a twisted and suspenseful read. I was not keen on Rachel or Jamie. It also has an eerie feel to it. The pace has been perfectly set. Rachel is an unreliable narrator. I kept guessing all the way.

Published 9th November 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MAHunter for my ARC of #TheNewMother in exchange for an honest review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you very much Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I know I am biased, but in my eyes, MA Hunter can basically never disappoint.

His latest book, The New Mother, once again managed to catch my attention from the very first page, always wanting me to read 'just one more chapter'. And an old manor as the scene where the story takes place? Yes, please! I am always in when it comes to houses holding dark secrets - as long as it is not my own, of course.

Overall, I was feeling for Rachel and wanted to slap Jamie more than once for just not taking his wife seriously all of the time. Like, come on....

Anyway, highyl recommending this one! You should all read it when it does publish on November 09!

[Concha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
When Jamie and Rachel finally get their dream home, they discover that something terrible happened there.
Rachel, who is heavily pregnant, begins to experience strange incidents that make her husband increasingly concerned about her mental health.
A novel that perfectly creates an atmosphere of tension right from the start. In my case, this is also helped by the character of Jamie, whom I didn’t find particularly likeable, even though he might sometimes have been in the right, his complete disregard for Rachel’s feelings didn’t sit well with me. Special mention must go to Rachel’s mother.
Overall, a satisfying read for lovers of psychological thrillers with a dark twist.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Heavily pregnant Rachel and husband Jamie move into their dream home, it needs work but they know it will be their forever home. But on moving in day Rachel is struck by a feeling about the house, not helped by a crow crashing into the window, feeling superstitious Rachel has an uneasy feeling about the basement. Finding out about the previous owners and their deaths has her deciding they cannot live there any longer. A visit from her estranged mother just adds to her worries
This novel is very cleverly written as I didn't find either of Rachel or Jamie's characters particularly likeable but this just added to the tension, which one is the reliable narrator?

[Sue · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Rachel, heavily pregnant, and Jamie move into a house that needs fixing up. It is all they could afford to buy, and from the first page, things go wrong.
Rachel is beginning to regret their decision.

I am not a fan of paranormal novels. This one had my hair standing on end.

It is twisty, mysterious, and extremely suspenseful. I felt uneasy throughout, with the strange happenings.
Rachel was right in wanting to move out!

The effect the basement had on Rachel's unborn baby was something to think about though.

Dark and eerie, the book made me wonder what was real, and what was part of Rachel's heightened imagination.

Jamie isn't a particularly likeable character. His attitude toward his wife left much to be desired.
Rachel's mother - no wonder she wasn't part of their lives for so many years! Jamie was completely in the wrong when he called her.

Well written, and perfectly paced, this book had me on the edge of my seat. MA Hunter seldom disappoints.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book- it had great suspense and a genuinely creepy atmosphere. It centers on Rachel, who is pregnant, and her husband Jamie as they move into a new house in an unfamiliar area. The house is a little rundown, and they soon learn it has a history that makes them realize they're getting something very different than they expected. Almost immediately, frightening things start happening, leaving them questioning their decision and trying to uncover more about the home's past. Rachel serves as an unreliable narrator, which added to the tension.

I really enjoyed the suspense, and the happenings in the house were truly creepy. That said, I found it hard to believe that Rachel and Jamie didn't do any research before buying the house- if you're moving to a whole new area and into a home no one has lived in for a very long time, it seems like you'd do a little digging first. I love a story with an unreliable narrator, but Jamie drove me crazy by being so unsupportive of Rachel, especially when it came to the dynamic with her mother. While there's clearly more to that story, I was frustrated with how often he went against his wife, particularly given their situation. I was surprised by the big reveal and thought it was really well done. I do wish I'd gotten a little more background once everything came to light, but I was still satisfied with the ending overall.

Overall, this was a suspenseful and eerie read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a creepy haunted house story. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The New Mother” by M. A. Hunter was SO twisty! I was hooked right away. It’s creepy, suspenseful, and filled with dark secrets that just refuse to stay buried. It had me questioning what was real and what wasn’t all the way to the end. I loved the twists and the constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right. A great psychological thriller that kept me guessing!

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third M.A. Hunter book, and once again, another five-star read for me! The New Mother has everything I love in a psychological thriller PLUS creepy haunted house vibes — SO good! I couldn’t fly through the pages fast enough trying to uncover the mysteries of the old house and figure out what the characters were hiding. I absolutely loved it!

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jamie and Rachel have bought their dream home fixer-upper and can’t wait to move in. But a series of strange events begins to make them second-guess their decision. Messages scrawled in paint, scratching sounds from the basement, etc. Of course, that starts to make sense when they discover that a crime was committed in the house decades earlier. Rachel’s more freaked out than Jamie and can’t stop thinking that they made a huge mistake, especially with a baby on the way. Will they make peace with their new home or high tail it out of there?

Much of the story is filled with Rachel and Jamie arguing about her obsession with the crime that occurred in their house. She feels strongly enough that she wants to turn around and put the house back on the market after they just purchased it. Jamie’s a bit more rational, but it doesn’t matter because she gets whatever she wants if she complains enough (I didn’t really like either character). It’s not like the crime just happened; we’re talking sixty years ago.

And Rachel has a weird non-relationship with her mother, and she doesn’t want her involved in their lives, but she never just sits down and talks to Jamie about it. But then she gets mad because he doesn’t understand why they don’t get along and keeps asking her to, you know, communicate with him about it. Ugh. It’s no wonder things go downhill after that.

And a minor nitpick: it’s called The New Mother, but she doesn’t have the baby until the last part of the story, so it’d be better off titled The Mother-to-be or something referencing the house. It’s just a bit misleading.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free advance reading copy of this book.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jamie and Rachel have just moved into their new home with a baby on the way and lots of decorating to do, but Rachel is not happy as she sees faces at the window and hears footsteps in the loft and scratching in the basement and on decorating help is written on the wall when they removed the wallpaper.
Rachel refuses to stay but they can't afford to move.
Jamie invites Rachel's mother to help though she hasn't seen her since she left home as they didn't get on.
Rachel is so OTT for me to enjoy the book you just want to slap her.

[TAE · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Would you reread it? Yes.
Would you recommend it? Yes. I really enjoyed the writing style and pacing.
Would you read another book by this author? Absolutely.


The New Mother immediately caught my attention when I read the description on NetGalley, and I was excited to receive an ARC. Going into it, I expected something along the lines of the psychological thrillers I usually read, particularly those involving motherhood, pregnancy and something sinister happening within a family home.
After finishing it, though, I do think the title is slightly misleading. The majority of the story revolves around the crime connected to the house and Rachel's family's history, while the baby isn't actually born until quite late in the book. Rachel spends much of the story pregnant rather than actually being a new mother, so I did find myself wondering whether the title completely reflected what the story was about.
That isn't necessarily a criticism of the book itself, but I think I would have connected with the title more if it reflected the central mystery surrounding the house and Rachel's family.
That aside, I really enjoyed this book. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and one of my favourite things was the writing. The author captured my attention from the beginning and kept me interested until the very end. I finished the book in two days, which is always a good sign for me. When I really enjoy a book, I want to completely immerse myself in it and finish it before doing anything else!
I also really liked the premise. I was worried that the story might become predictable because psychological thrillers involving family secrets can sometimes make it obvious who is responsible fairly early on. Thankfully, I didn't feel that way here. There were moments where I thought I had figured things out, but the story continued to give me reasons to question what I thought I knew.
I do think the story could have explored the mother's character more. There were moments where I wanted her behaviour to become even more extreme, and I think there was potential to delve further into her motivations and psychology. Some of her actions felt like they were building towards something even bigger, so I was left wanting a little more from that aspect of the story.
The characters
Now, Jamie.
I really did not like Jamie. 😂
I found him incredibly frustrating because I felt that he repeatedly put other people's emotions and opinions above his wife's. I understand that he was trying to be rational and grounded, particularly when money and the house were involved, but I didn't think he was taking Rachel's feelings seriously enough.
Honestly, so much of what happened could have potentially been avoided if Jamie had simply listened to Rachel, investigated the situation properly and considered selling the house and moving on.
I understand that financial problems aren't something you can just ignore, and that selling a house isn't necessarily an easy solution. But at some point, the emotional and psychological consequences of staying there became much more significant than the financial inconvenience.
I also found it frustrating that people in the town seemed to know things about Rachel's family but remained silent for so long. Jamie could have pushed harder and spoken to more people rather than repeatedly brushing things aside.
For someone who is an investment banker, I sometimes found myself thinking, where is the intelligence? 😂
Rachel was more complicated for me. I could understand why she was overwhelmed, particularly with everything happening during her pregnancy, but there were moments when I really wanted her to stand up for herself more.
I understand that she was vulnerable, but I kept thinking: Girl, please stand up for yourself!
I also found the repeated references to Rachel being autistic a little heavy-handed at times. I understand why it was relevant to her character and experiences, but occasionally it felt like the book was reminding us of it rather than naturally allowing it to form part of her character.
That said, I did appreciate the way her past and her relationship with her mother influenced her decisions. There was clearly a lot of emotional history there, and I think that helped explain some of her reactions.
The little details
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the use of little clues and Easter eggs throughout the story.
For example, the significance of the name Lucy and the connection between the women in Rachel's family was such a clever little detail. I love when authors include small pieces of information that initially seem insignificant but later become meaningful.
Those details made me feel like there was always something underneath the surface of the story.
I also really appreciated the pacing overall. There were a few places where I felt the story moved slightly too quickly, and I sometimes wanted a little more space between certain events. This may also be partly because I read a digital copy, so I can't compare the formatting directly with the finished physical edition.
Personally, I also like books that have natural breaks between sections because it helps me process what I've just read rather than having everything feel like one continuous piece of writing. That's more of a personal reading preference than a criticism of the story itself.
Overall
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed The New Mother. It's 4/5 stars from me.
The writing was one of the strongest aspects of the book, and I was engaged enough to finish it in just two days. I loved that the story wasn't completely predictable, and I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the house, the family history and the smaller clues hidden throughout the story.
There are definitely things I would have liked to see explored further, particularly the mother's character and some of the motivations behind her behaviour. I also think the title could potentially be reconsidered because the story is much more heavily focused on the house, the family history and the surrounding mystery than the experience of being a new mother.
Despite those points, I would absolutely read another book by this author. I really enjoyed their writing style and would be interested to see where they go with future stories.
And when this book is officially released, I would genuinely love to buy a physical copy and add it to my completed-books collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was happy to read it and share my thoughts.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The New Mother by MA Hunter, in a month Jamie and Rachel are expecting their first child a little boy so they want to move into their forever home as soon as possible the only problem is as soon as Rachel crosses the threshold of this 1920s cottage she feels ominous feelings. Rachel has autism and has lots of guidelines she lives by to be happy so when she tells Jamie about the scratching in the basement he blows her off per usual and even when she sees someone in their bedroom window he tells her it must’ve been the way the light was hitting it and no one was actually there. From documents found in their attic, they learn the mother who previously lived in the home in the 60s killed her husband and child. when James asked Rachel to invite her estranged mother to stay with them she absolutely is a hard no absolutely not no way no how so imagine Rachel surprise when a week later James shows up with her mother. This only causes a frightened and at times confused Rachel to become even more emotional especially when James starts to quote her mother to explain Rachel’s out of the ordinary actions. is Rachel right and there’s an evil entity in their home or did her husband James invite the evil entity. This was a pretty OK book I know everyone else said they loved it but in the beginning of the book it said they visited the home three different times before picking it so I don’t get why when they’re moving in they all of a sudden she thinks it’s evil like that made no sense to me. Either way MA hunter is good at riding thrillers and I found the ultimate explanation for everything was really a good one because I was not expecting that I was trying to put the pieces together but couldn’t and then by the end it all fit in place so it’s a good thriller I just IDK I don’t like when men will believe strangers over the wives they put in charge of their life their children their heart and all it takes is one sentence from a stranger to put this person in question but I digress if you like thrillers and don’t mind suspending belief you absolutely enjoyed this book I’ve had a love-hate relationship with M.A. hunters books and although this one wasn’t my favorite like always I will not pass up the next one. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Theo Wynn · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

The New Mother by M.A. Hunter was a really enjoyable psychological thriller that kept me guessing from beginning to end. The story follows Rachel and her husband Jamie, who have just purchased a large country home with plans to renovate it and make it their forever home. Rachel is eight months pregnant, and with their entire savings tied up in the property, they’re ready to start this next chapter of their lives. But as they settle into their new home, strange and increasingly unsettling things begin to happen, leaving Rachel questioning whether there’s something supernatural going on or if something far more sinister is at play.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the dual POV between Rachel and Jamie. I always appreciate getting both sides of a story, especially when it allows you to see the same events through two very different perspectives. The pacing was fantastic, and the shorter chapters kept things moving along nicely. I found myself getting more and more invested as the story unfolded, and I genuinely had no idea where things were headed.

I also really liked how everything came together in the end. The story kept me guessing, delivered plenty of suspense, and wrapped things up in a way that left me satisfied. This was a great read, and M.A. Hunter is definitely an author I’ll be looking to read more from!

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

What happens when nobody believes you, and you know you're in danger?

This was one creepy book, and far scarier than I've come to expect from M. A. Hunter. I read it in one sitting, and I'd say don't make my mistake, read it well before bedtime or every creak in your house will have you jumping.

The isolated house in the Hampshire woods got under my skin from the first chapter: the crow hitting the window, the scratching behind the locked basement door, and those two words in red paint. Every time I thought I could relax, something else crept in.

I felt so much for Rachel. She knows from the moment she steps inside that something is wrong, and the horror is in being the only one who believes it. Jamie made me want to shout at the page. His heart is in the right place, but his loyalty should have been with his wife. And Marina? Unhinged from her very first appearance, and I couldn't look away.

Then there's the twist when Rachel speaks to Dora. I won't say more, but it stopped me cold.

This one will haunt me for a while. If you like your suspense dark, twisty and a bit too close to home, read it, but take my advice and save it for daylight.

My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. All views are my own.

[Sarah Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and Boldwood Books for approving my request to read this book.

I loved this one, it's deliciously dark and creepy with an unsettling plot-all the things I love in a book. I was gripped from the first page until the very last and enjoyed the multiple twists that were thrown my way. I found myself questioning everyone and everything and kept changing my mind about who to believe, it gave my brain quite the workout I tell you!

I'd highly recommend you pop this one on your to be read this if you are a fellow psychological thriller fab, you won't be disappointed.

[Caz Reads · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Publisher and Author for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

3.5 stars.
This was a twisty thriller set in a creepy old Manor house. Rachel and Jamie move in to their forever home as Rachel is due to give birth soon.. but when they arrive Rachel senses a sinister presence in the house and things go downhill fast. Jamie doesnt believe her and calls her mother for help who turns up unannounced at the house much to Rachel's dismay.

I really didnt like Jamie. He so quickly changed his opinion of Rachel and believed a stranger i found him beyond frustrating! I also found the ending felt really rushed and left me wanting more.

[Connie Rivet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review**

M.A. Hunter has done it again! The New Mother is a compulsive, fast-paced, creepy read that I didn’t want to put down. I loved the atmospheric setting of an old house surrounded by a forest. The town and the equally creepy people who lived in it. I liked how he used his own experience of being autistic to help form the character Rachel. While I had an inkling about one of the twists, I didn’t know how it would all come together, and I loved every minute of it!

If you’re looking for a haunted house story with a twist that you won’t want it to put down, then pick this one up!

[Victoria · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Title: The New Mother
Author: MA Hunter
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: November 9, 2026

That Prologue!!! 👩🏼‍🍳 😘 LOVED it!! The rest of the book?? Ehhhh... It was just OK. I am not into ghosts/supernatural stuff, and this book was just chock-full of it. It just seems so fake and unrelatable, so much that I found myself rolling my eyes a few times. I was also extremely annoyed with Jamie. His actions were grounds for divorce in my book!

Even though I was able to figure out the big twist pretty early in the book, the few suspenseful moments make this a worthwhile read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New Mother was the perfect read for the fall spooky season. It had just the right mix of suspense and thriller elements to keep me turning the pages. I enjoyed that the twists felt believable rather than overly outrageous, and I was genuinely interested throughout the book to see what was going to happen next.

Overall, this was an engaging and suspenseful read that kept me guessing and was a great choice for a spooky-season TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t put my finger on exactly how I feel about this book. While I absolutely loved the last 20% and the twist, I spent the first 80% rolling my eyes and pissed off at the characters. I did really enjoy the writing style and it was an easy and entertaining read. I think maybe I found it a bit triggering as a mum myself who did suffer with my mental health postpartum.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review

[Emily West · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I gave this book 3.5 stars as it was a decent read but I felt there were a few holes in the plot. It all felt a bit too scripted and there was ant enough jeopardy early on. The tension ramped up near the end and the conclusion was quite good. It would definitely prey on your fears if you don’t like isolated houses surrounded by woodland.

[Jo Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book definitely keeps you on your toes! It's twisty and creepy but brilliant. It keeps you hooked all the way through. Definitely one to read when published. Thanks for Netgallery for letting me read this early

[Carol Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book this is with great characters a good storyline which had me involved from the very beginning.

Overall it was a great read, spooky in parts but I absolutely loved it.

I can thoroughly recommend this book you will not be disappointed and a very worthy five ⭐.

[Zoreads_ox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great fun easy read for me!
I loved the vibes of the house was very creepy and
I was very suspicious of marina from the beginning but didn’t expect that twist at the end!
Thank you to netgally for letting me arc read this book!

[Lyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟
A good creepy read but I guessed a few things throughout.