What do you think?
Rate this book
Mother Dearest
Not yet published
Expected 9 Mar 27A pulse-pounding, “you have to read it to believe it” domestic suspense novel featuring a young woman writing letters to her estranged mother about the man she’ll marry…except he already has a wife and family.
Imogene always wanted her freedom from her mother, and now she has it.
Mother Dearest,
I am still trying to sift through the events of last night. It all feels very surreal. When I woke up this morning, I hoped it was a dream. I’d even accept it as a nightmare. But it’s not. I’m not with you and that alone feels catastrophic. I can’t believe we had our first fight!
But the tendrils connecting a mother to her daughter will always run deep.
Freedom is a funny thing. It’s something I wanted so badly, but now I’m wondering if what I had with you was better? Is the price of all of this going to be worth it? Do you miss me yet?
What you said was hurtful, but I know I deserved it. I’m still processing my departure, it was rather sudden. I hope you know I haven’t been planning this. It just happened.
Imogene doesn't know how to handle her mother's estrangement. But then she meets the perfect man, the one even her mother would approve of. She just knows that once they get married, her mother will welcome her back with open arms. Except he has a wife and daughter.
As mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it.
A claustrophobic and can’t-look-away thriller, MOTHER DEAREST will have you on the edge of your seat with this sharp story you won’t ever forget.
"Unhinged." - Kelsey Cox
"Chilling." - Alex Finlay
"So addictive it should come with a warning." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney
Imogene always wanted her freedom from her mother, and now she has it.
Mother Dearest,
I am still trying to sift through the events of last night. It all feels very surreal. When I woke up this morning, I hoped it was a dream. I’d even accept it as a nightmare. But it’s not. I’m not with you and that alone feels catastrophic. I can’t believe we had our first fight!
But the tendrils connecting a mother to her daughter will always run deep.
Freedom is a funny thing. It’s something I wanted so badly, but now I’m wondering if what I had with you was better? Is the price of all of this going to be worth it? Do you miss me yet?
What you said was hurtful, but I know I deserved it. I’m still processing my departure, it was rather sudden. I hope you know I haven’t been planning this. It just happened.
Imogene doesn't know how to handle her mother's estrangement. But then she meets the perfect man, the one even her mother would approve of. She just knows that once they get married, her mother will welcome her back with open arms. Except he has a wife and daughter.
As mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it.
A claustrophobic and can’t-look-away thriller, MOTHER DEAREST will have you on the edge of your seat with this sharp story you won’t ever forget.
"Unhinged." - Kelsey Cox
"Chilling." - Alex Finlay
"So addictive it should come with a warning." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 9, 2027
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 25, 2026
Composed entirely through letters and newspaper clippings, MOTHER DEAREST is like a beautiful amalgamation of The Last Mrs. Parrish meets Sally Hepworth’s The Good Sister meets Liz Nugent’s Strange Sally Diamond with a narrator that you’ll truly never forget until your dying breath.
Imogene has found the man she’s going to marry, and she’s writing to her mother to share the exciting news… but there’s one problem: he already has a wife and family. Will that stop Imogene? I think it’s safely not a spoiler to say that absolutely nothing will stop her. She may be the most deranged main character I’ve ever encountered in a novel, and yet I still found myself inherently rooting for her.
Clare Bird’s insanely unhinged debut novel immediately puts her on my “one to watch” list for the rest of my reading life. I genuinely fear for anyone who picks up this book with plans afterward, because it is utterly compulsive. With mostly one to two page chapters {letters}, I found myself furiously turning the pages, desperate to reach the compelling ending.
5 deliciously demented stars!
Imogene has found the man she’s going to marry, and she’s writing to her mother to share the exciting news… but there’s one problem: he already has a wife and family. Will that stop Imogene? I think it’s safely not a spoiler to say that absolutely nothing will stop her. She may be the most deranged main character I’ve ever encountered in a novel, and yet I still found myself inherently rooting for her.
Clare Bird’s insanely unhinged debut novel immediately puts her on my “one to watch” list for the rest of my reading life. I genuinely fear for anyone who picks up this book with plans afterward, because it is utterly compulsive. With mostly one to two page chapters {letters}, I found myself furiously turning the pages, desperate to reach the compelling ending.
5 deliciously demented stars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mother Dearest,
I must confess: I absconded with the advanced copy of this book that my wife received. I was lured in first by the cover--very compelling--but once I saw the author’s name, I simply had to read it.
You see, Mother, the author is Clare--my sister (your daughter!). When exactly she found the time to write an entire novel remains a mystery to me, though I suspect some combination of late nights, determination, and mild delusion.
Anyway, Mother, the book was great. And I’m not just saying that because I’m related to the author. If I were giving it a biased brother’s rating, it would be a 6 out of 5. My strictly objective, professional, completely impartial rating is a firm 5/5.
I admired Imogene’s perseverance in solving problems and her relentless pursuit of meeting her mother’s expectations. It was also a joy to bring the side characters to life in my mind--Benjamin/Millie, Stevie, The Dream Team, Aunt Janie… and, of course, Mother.
Though, I must admit, Mother, I'm a little bit concerned.
This book was...how shall I put it--unhinged!
Reading the letters and gradually uncovering how Imogene processes the world was, at times, a bit unnerving. She was so likeable(?) that I found myself rooting for her success… while simultaneously wondering if perhaps she should, in fact, be stopped.
Which leads me to a question I feel only you can answer: do you think Clare is okay?
On a separate note, I have added several shows to my TBW list based on Imogene’s recommendations, so the book has already made a meaningful contribution to my personal growth.
Mother, I truly hope Clare writes more books. This is an exceptional debut, but I feel strongly that she should follow it up with, say, ten more--at minimum. Until then, I will be passing the time with episodes of Jeopardy! and quiet anticipation.
Lastly, let me say I am deeply grateful you were nothing like the mother in this book. She was… something else.
Mildly disturbed, deeply impressed,
Max
I must confess: I absconded with the advanced copy of this book that my wife received. I was lured in first by the cover--very compelling--but once I saw the author’s name, I simply had to read it.
You see, Mother, the author is Clare--my sister (your daughter!). When exactly she found the time to write an entire novel remains a mystery to me, though I suspect some combination of late nights, determination, and mild delusion.
Anyway, Mother, the book was great. And I’m not just saying that because I’m related to the author. If I were giving it a biased brother’s rating, it would be a 6 out of 5. My strictly objective, professional, completely impartial rating is a firm 5/5.
I admired Imogene’s perseverance in solving problems and her relentless pursuit of meeting her mother’s expectations. It was also a joy to bring the side characters to life in my mind--Benjamin/Millie, Stevie, The Dream Team, Aunt Janie… and, of course, Mother.
Though, I must admit, Mother, I'm a little bit concerned.
This book was...how shall I put it--unhinged!
Reading the letters and gradually uncovering how Imogene processes the world was, at times, a bit unnerving. She was so likeable(?) that I found myself rooting for her success… while simultaneously wondering if perhaps she should, in fact, be stopped.
Which leads me to a question I feel only you can answer: do you think Clare is okay?
On a separate note, I have added several shows to my TBW list based on Imogene’s recommendations, so the book has already made a meaningful contribution to my personal growth.
Mother, I truly hope Clare writes more books. This is an exceptional debut, but I feel strongly that she should follow it up with, say, ten more--at minimum. Until then, I will be passing the time with episodes of Jeopardy! and quiet anticipation.
Lastly, let me say I am deeply grateful you were nothing like the mother in this book. She was… something else.
Mildly disturbed, deeply impressed,
Max
August 17, 2026
I love a completely unhinged MC!! This book told completely in letters from Imogene to her estranged mother about her upcoming marriage and life since she left her home.
This book is so wild, a total page turner as we see how far Imogene will go. She is completely unhinged and diabolical while retaining a touch of innocence and naïveté. This was a total page turner and my jaw dropped at the same time I found myself chuckling at her absurdity. She reminded me a bit of Strange Sally but I wouldn’t do Sally dirty like that!
This book is so wild, a total page turner as we see how far Imogene will go. She is completely unhinged and diabolical while retaining a touch of innocence and naïveté. This was a total page turner and my jaw dropped at the same time I found myself chuckling at her absurdity. She reminded me a bit of Strange Sally but I wouldn’t do Sally dirty like that!
May 29, 2026
Thank you Minotaur Books for the gifted digital ARC!
The absolute CHOKEHOLD this book had on me, shew! I devoured it in less than 12 hours. Told entirely in letters, social media posts, and newspaper articles, this had so many of my favorite elements on display.
Our female MC, Imogene, is unhinged, unstable, unwell... you get the point. She was a trainwreck in human form, and I simply could not look away. While I was reading, I felt certain events were foregone conclusions, and yet the way the story was told was so riveting I could not put it down. The fact that this is a debut is incredibly impressive.
This is thriller writing at its very, very best. I don't want to say more for fear of spoiling anything!
Don't mind me reviewing this one 8 months before it comes out... oops! Pub date: March 9, 2027.
The absolute CHOKEHOLD this book had on me, shew! I devoured it in less than 12 hours. Told entirely in letters, social media posts, and newspaper articles, this had so many of my favorite elements on display.
Our female MC, Imogene, is unhinged, unstable, unwell... you get the point. She was a trainwreck in human form, and I simply could not look away. While I was reading, I felt certain events were foregone conclusions, and yet the way the story was told was so riveting I could not put it down. The fact that this is a debut is incredibly impressive.
This is thriller writing at its very, very best. I don't want to say more for fear of spoiling anything!
Don't mind me reviewing this one 8 months before it comes out... oops! Pub date: March 9, 2027.
July 11, 2026
Thank you so much to the publisher for my eARC. Full review to come but this book is wild and so unhinged and I LOVED IT
I am so impressed and also weirdly obsessed with this story! I knew from the first page, the very first letter, that I would binge this thriller and I certainly did. This has to be one of the most unhinged books I’ve read and devoured in a long time. I honestly felt like I could have read her letters for the rest of her life. I cannot believe this is a debut! Imogene is a MC we can’t help but feel bad for, I mean the way she was raised was atrocious. But you also want to do anything you can to stop her before she makes any more mistakes. Highly recommend!
I am so impressed and also weirdly obsessed with this story! I knew from the first page, the very first letter, that I would binge this thriller and I certainly did. This has to be one of the most unhinged books I’ve read and devoured in a long time. I honestly felt like I could have read her letters for the rest of her life. I cannot believe this is a debut! Imogene is a MC we can’t help but feel bad for, I mean the way she was raised was atrocious. But you also want to do anything you can to stop her before she makes any more mistakes. Highly recommend!
August 23, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
So this was quite unexpected. I didn’t know going into this, that this book is written entirely in letters! That normally would deter me but hear me out. This was VERY well written. I actually had to double check that this actually was this author’s debut because of how well it was paced and how effectively she was able to convey an entire character’s backstory and persona through letters only. The nonchalant way things are written (because Imogene is deranged from years of mental abuse and manipulation) and how info was dropped little by little at perfect pacing.
I think the reason why the writing is so effective is partially due to the fact that it is from the POV of a mentally deranged woman who is deeply confused, due to being abused her whole life. The way she sees the world, her nonchalant attitude towards morally reprehensible actions, that all ties into the readability. If I had to compare it, I’d say it’s somewhat like how Incidents Around the House was a standout horror novel because it was from the POV of a child who had an innocent and incomplete understanding of the horrors of the book. Imogene is like that. She’s so cognitively delayed from her abusive upbringing that she actually just doesn’t get it.
You can’t help but feel bad for Imogene,
despite her being a psycho, because it’s clearly the result of a lifetime of abuse by her mother. She’s a grown adult but has no knowledge of how the world actually operates. She doesn’t understand normal social cues. Which, it’s no wonder, because everything she’s learned was from her mother, with no computers or internet allowed. It doesn’t excuse how insane she acts but if your only source of knowledge is an abusive parent who purposely withholds information as a control tactic, you understand why she doesn’t understand why behaving a certain way is morally reprehensible. Her 26th birthday is her first exposure to a cell phone, texting, social media, news in general, and she barely even understands what the internet is.
Even though this story is told through Imogene’s letters, there’s random breaks of irrelevant articles about a missing boy who was found and only answers questions in Jeopardy format. How these two stories tie together is a huge motivator to read, because I knew it would all eventually make sense! It feels random but it adds to the readability of this because you know it fits into the larger mystery somehow!
A really well written debut that shows how the effects of abuse can go deeper than just one generation. It’s a chain that not only affects your kids, but their kids, and so on. No matter what people claim, many still do end up bringing up their kids in the way they were brought up, I suppose.
So this was quite unexpected. I didn’t know going into this, that this book is written entirely in letters! That normally would deter me but hear me out. This was VERY well written. I actually had to double check that this actually was this author’s debut because of how well it was paced and how effectively she was able to convey an entire character’s backstory and persona through letters only. The nonchalant way things are written (because Imogene is deranged from years of mental abuse and manipulation) and how info was dropped little by little at perfect pacing.
I think the reason why the writing is so effective is partially due to the fact that it is from the POV of a mentally deranged woman who is deeply confused, due to being abused her whole life. The way she sees the world, her nonchalant attitude towards morally reprehensible actions, that all ties into the readability. If I had to compare it, I’d say it’s somewhat like how Incidents Around the House was a standout horror novel because it was from the POV of a child who had an innocent and incomplete understanding of the horrors of the book. Imogene is like that. She’s so cognitively delayed from her abusive upbringing that she actually just doesn’t get it.
You can’t help but feel bad for Imogene,
despite her being a psycho, because it’s clearly the result of a lifetime of abuse by her mother. She’s a grown adult but has no knowledge of how the world actually operates. She doesn’t understand normal social cues. Which, it’s no wonder, because everything she’s learned was from her mother, with no computers or internet allowed. It doesn’t excuse how insane she acts but if your only source of knowledge is an abusive parent who purposely withholds information as a control tactic, you understand why she doesn’t understand why behaving a certain way is morally reprehensible. Her 26th birthday is her first exposure to a cell phone, texting, social media, news in general, and she barely even understands what the internet is.
Even though this story is told through Imogene’s letters, there’s random breaks of irrelevant articles about a missing boy who was found and only answers questions in Jeopardy format. How these two stories tie together is a huge motivator to read, because I knew it would all eventually make sense! It feels random but it adds to the readability of this because you know it fits into the larger mystery somehow!
A really well written debut that shows how the effects of abuse can go deeper than just one generation. It’s a chain that not only affects your kids, but their kids, and so on. No matter what people claim, many still do end up bringing up their kids in the way they were brought up, I suppose.
August 26, 2026
ARC review - thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🖤 Dysfunctional family
🤫 Family secrets
🧠 Psychological suspense
💌 Letters & correspondence
This book was definitely a different kind of read for me! I wasn’t completely sure how I felt about the letters going back and forth and the news updates throughout the story. I didn’t hate that format, but it took me a little while to get used to it but it kept me coming back to see what happened next. The storyline was pulled together nicely and it all wrapped up in the end that answered the questions I had.
That said, the mystery kept me intrigued and wanting to know how everything would come together. There were plenty of secrets, questionable characters, and moments that had me second-guessing what I thought I knew. 👀
Overall, I really enjoyed it! The unique format wasn’t necessarily my favorite, but it worked for the story and made this one stand out from other thrillers I’ve read.
I would definitely recommend to add to your TBR.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🖤 Dysfunctional family
🤫 Family secrets
🧠 Psychological suspense
💌 Letters & correspondence
This book was definitely a different kind of read for me! I wasn’t completely sure how I felt about the letters going back and forth and the news updates throughout the story. I didn’t hate that format, but it took me a little while to get used to it but it kept me coming back to see what happened next. The storyline was pulled together nicely and it all wrapped up in the end that answered the questions I had.
That said, the mystery kept me intrigued and wanting to know how everything would come together. There were plenty of secrets, questionable characters, and moments that had me second-guessing what I thought I knew. 👀
Overall, I really enjoyed it! The unique format wasn’t necessarily my favorite, but it worked for the story and made this one stand out from other thrillers I’ve read.
I would definitely recommend to add to your TBR.
July 12, 2026
3.5 Stars!!
This one was good, but also didn’t fully live up to my expectations going into it and I had wanted to like it more than I did.
The premise was very intriguing. The main character was totally unhinged and unpredictable.
I always love mixed media in books, so I was excited and enjoyed that this was all in letters, newspaper clippings, and social media posts/comments. I find that so unique to do (only other book I’ve read like that was The Correspondent). And typically with mixed media I find it so fast to read through, but I have to admit I found the pacing of this book to drag at times and I was wanting to put it down sometimes until the last 25% and then I found it to really pick up.
Overall it was a decently good book, but just didn’t fully grasp my attention, but I think it will for many others. Look forward to seeing what the author writes next after this debut.
This one was good, but also didn’t fully live up to my expectations going into it and I had wanted to like it more than I did.
The premise was very intriguing. The main character was totally unhinged and unpredictable.
I always love mixed media in books, so I was excited and enjoyed that this was all in letters, newspaper clippings, and social media posts/comments. I find that so unique to do (only other book I’ve read like that was The Correspondent). And typically with mixed media I find it so fast to read through, but I have to admit I found the pacing of this book to drag at times and I was wanting to put it down sometimes until the last 25% and then I found it to really pick up.
Overall it was a decently good book, but just didn’t fully grasp my attention, but I think it will for many others. Look forward to seeing what the author writes next after this debut.
August 24, 2026
This book was amazing especially being a debut! It’s written in letters and news articles and I really enjoyed the writing style. So thankful for this ARC! Phenomenal book!
August 12, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Mother Dearest by Clare Bird.
Mother Dearest is such a captivating psychological thriller that had me hooked from the beginning all the way to the very end. The story is told by the main character, Imogene, through her letters to her mother, as well as news articles, documentation from social workers and social media posts. As you read each letter, this dark and twisted story unfolds, leaving you wanting more. As an avid reader who especially loves thrillers, I have to say that I found it hard to put this book down. If I had the time, I would have read this book in one sitting. Mother Dearest is THAT good!
5 star read all the way for me! I look forward to reading more by Clare Bird in the future!
Mother Dearest is such a captivating psychological thriller that had me hooked from the beginning all the way to the very end. The story is told by the main character, Imogene, through her letters to her mother, as well as news articles, documentation from social workers and social media posts. As you read each letter, this dark and twisted story unfolds, leaving you wanting more. As an avid reader who especially loves thrillers, I have to say that I found it hard to put this book down. If I had the time, I would have read this book in one sitting. Mother Dearest is THAT good!
5 star read all the way for me! I look forward to reading more by Clare Bird in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow. This honestly ventured into psychological horror territory. I say that because I was thoroughly disturbed and it really stuck with me. Very very well done. Clear your schedules when you start this one, folks. It’s a “finish in one sitting” type of book.
June 24, 2026
Thank you so much to Minotaur Books for the opportunity to do a cover reveal for this one a while back and for sending me an ARC so I could read and review it!
Let's just say… the hype from other thriller authors surrounding this book is VERY real.
First of all, this was such a unique reading experience because the entire story is told through letters from Imogene to her mother. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about that format at first, but honestly? I loved it.
I've been having a rough time reading physical books lately. Life has been so busy, and by nighttime my brain has basically been mush. But this book completely changed that. Because of the format, it felt incredibly easy to pick up and read "just one more letter"… which quickly turned into "okay, one more" over and over again.
I had this book everywhere with me. Baseball games before they started, doctor's appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, tucked in my purse 24/7 until I finished it.
It was truly addicting.
Dark, unsettling, and impossible to put down, this is definitely one you'll want on your radar. The fact that everything unfolds through these letters somehow makes it even more unnerving because you slowly begin piecing together what is really happening alongside Imogene.
This one doesn't release until March 9, 2027, so we unfortunately have some waiting to do, but if it's available on NetGalley, I'd absolutely recommend requesting it.
This one is going to be a big thriller conversation next year.
📖 The Scoop:
Imogene has finally gotten the freedom she's always wanted from her mother… except freedom isn't turning out to be what she expected.
As she struggles with their estrangement, she meets the perfect man—the kind of man even her mother would approve of. There's just one tiny problem… he already has a wife and daughter.
And as her mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it. 👀🔪
Let's just say… the hype from other thriller authors surrounding this book is VERY real.
First of all, this was such a unique reading experience because the entire story is told through letters from Imogene to her mother. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about that format at first, but honestly? I loved it.
I've been having a rough time reading physical books lately. Life has been so busy, and by nighttime my brain has basically been mush. But this book completely changed that. Because of the format, it felt incredibly easy to pick up and read "just one more letter"… which quickly turned into "okay, one more" over and over again.
I had this book everywhere with me. Baseball games before they started, doctor's appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, tucked in my purse 24/7 until I finished it.
It was truly addicting.
Dark, unsettling, and impossible to put down, this is definitely one you'll want on your radar. The fact that everything unfolds through these letters somehow makes it even more unnerving because you slowly begin piecing together what is really happening alongside Imogene.
This one doesn't release until March 9, 2027, so we unfortunately have some waiting to do, but if it's available on NetGalley, I'd absolutely recommend requesting it.
This one is going to be a big thriller conversation next year.
📖 The Scoop:
Imogene has finally gotten the freedom she's always wanted from her mother… except freedom isn't turning out to be what she expected.
As she struggles with their estrangement, she meets the perfect man—the kind of man even her mother would approve of. There's just one tiny problem… he already has a wife and daughter.
And as her mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it. 👀🔪
August 14, 2026
Unhinged familial chaos
Flew through it! Suspense/Mystery told all through letters. Only a tad less heartwarming than The Correspondent 🫠🫠🫠
Not out until March but have a feeling people will love this one & that the audiobook will end up being phenomenal
Thank you Minotaur books for the advanced e copy!
Flew through it! Suspense/Mystery told all through letters. Only a tad less heartwarming than The Correspondent 🫠🫠🫠
Not out until March but have a feeling people will love this one & that the audiobook will end up being phenomenal
Thank you Minotaur books for the advanced e copy!
August 4, 2026
4.25⭐️ i loved the concept of this. written entirely in letters and news/ online forums. pretty predictable but overall a good read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Mother Dearest” by Claire Bird was one of those books where I kept thinking, “Okay, Imogene… what the actual hell are you doing?” Imogene is the very definition of an unreliable narrator, and I was all for it. I do want to provide a content warning for child abuse, as there is quite a bit of it shown through Imogene’s flashbacks.
The entire story is told through letters, newspaper articles, and other bits of media, which I honestly wasn't sure I would love going in. But it definitely worked. The letters give Imogene such a strong, unsettling voice, and because she has absolutely no idea how normal people are supposed to behave, she can casually describe something completely horrifying like it's the most reasonable thing in the world. That made the whole book feel even creepier.
Imogene grew up incredibly sheltered and isolated by her abusive mother. She's an adult, but she has basically zero understanding of how the real world works, social cues, relationships, or even what's morally acceptable. And unfortunately, she has absorbed a lot of her mother's messed-up behavior. So while there were plenty of moments where I felt genuinely sorry for her, there were also plenty where I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and yell at her to stop and develop some common sense.
Then she becomes obsessed with Benjamin, a married man, and decides that she is going to have the perfect life with him. Naturally, the fact that he already has a wife and daughter is merely a minor inconvenience in Imogene's master plan. Her thought process is so completely unhinged that I couldn't look away.
I really liked how the book explores the cycle of abuse. Imogene doesn't understand that the way her mother treated her was wrong because that's essentially the only model of love and parenting she's ever known. That doesn't excuse the awful things Imogene does, but it makes her behavior much more complicated. You can see how abuse has warped her perception of reality and how, without intervention, those patterns can continue from one generation to the next.
There are also newspaper articles and other random pieces about a young boy who disappeared back in 1994, and obviously you're sitting there going, “Okay, but what does this have to do with Imogene?” The connection eventually becomes pretty obvious, but I still enjoyed watching all the pieces fall into place, especially because Imogene herself somehow manages to miss clues that are basically being waved directly in front of her face.
The mixed-media format was definitely my favorite part. The letters start out almost innocent and gradually become more and more disturbing as Imogene's obsession grows. Her completely casual attitude toward increasingly horrifying behavior makes everything so much creepier.
The pacing wasn't perfect, though. The middle slows down quite a bit while Imogene focuses more on her relationship with Benjamin, and I definitely found myself wishing things would get moving again. Thankfully, the final stretch picks things back up as Imogene becomes increasingly determined to get the perfect life she's convinced she deserves.
And while I wouldn't call the twists particularly unpredictable, that honestly didn't bother me much because watching Imogene completely fail to understand what is happening around her is half the fun. She's such an unreliable narrator that even when you think you understand the situation, you have to wonder how much of what she's telling you is actually reality.
There is also a surprising amount of dark humor considering how bleak the subject matter is. Imogene's bizarre worldview makes some scenes unintentionally hilarious in that “Oh my God, this woman is completely insane” kind of way.
Overall, “Mother Dearest” was a dark, twisted, completely unhinged psychological thriller with a really interesting format and an absolutely wild protagonist. It definitely isn't a cheerful little domestic thriller, and the abuse/psychological trauma themes are heavy. But if you enjoy unreliable narrators, mixed-media storytelling, and watching a protagonist make one increasingly terrible decision after another, this one is a lot of fun.
“Mother Dearest” by Claire Bird was one of those books where I kept thinking, “Okay, Imogene… what the actual hell are you doing?” Imogene is the very definition of an unreliable narrator, and I was all for it. I do want to provide a content warning for child abuse, as there is quite a bit of it shown through Imogene’s flashbacks.
The entire story is told through letters, newspaper articles, and other bits of media, which I honestly wasn't sure I would love going in. But it definitely worked. The letters give Imogene such a strong, unsettling voice, and because she has absolutely no idea how normal people are supposed to behave, she can casually describe something completely horrifying like it's the most reasonable thing in the world. That made the whole book feel even creepier.
Imogene grew up incredibly sheltered and isolated by her abusive mother. She's an adult, but she has basically zero understanding of how the real world works, social cues, relationships, or even what's morally acceptable. And unfortunately, she has absorbed a lot of her mother's messed-up behavior. So while there were plenty of moments where I felt genuinely sorry for her, there were also plenty where I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and yell at her to stop and develop some common sense.
Then she becomes obsessed with Benjamin, a married man, and decides that she is going to have the perfect life with him. Naturally, the fact that he already has a wife and daughter is merely a minor inconvenience in Imogene's master plan. Her thought process is so completely unhinged that I couldn't look away.
I really liked how the book explores the cycle of abuse. Imogene doesn't understand that the way her mother treated her was wrong because that's essentially the only model of love and parenting she's ever known. That doesn't excuse the awful things Imogene does, but it makes her behavior much more complicated. You can see how abuse has warped her perception of reality and how, without intervention, those patterns can continue from one generation to the next.
There are also newspaper articles and other random pieces about a young boy who disappeared back in 1994, and obviously you're sitting there going, “Okay, but what does this have to do with Imogene?” The connection eventually becomes pretty obvious, but I still enjoyed watching all the pieces fall into place, especially because Imogene herself somehow manages to miss clues that are basically being waved directly in front of her face.
The mixed-media format was definitely my favorite part. The letters start out almost innocent and gradually become more and more disturbing as Imogene's obsession grows. Her completely casual attitude toward increasingly horrifying behavior makes everything so much creepier.
The pacing wasn't perfect, though. The middle slows down quite a bit while Imogene focuses more on her relationship with Benjamin, and I definitely found myself wishing things would get moving again. Thankfully, the final stretch picks things back up as Imogene becomes increasingly determined to get the perfect life she's convinced she deserves.
And while I wouldn't call the twists particularly unpredictable, that honestly didn't bother me much because watching Imogene completely fail to understand what is happening around her is half the fun. She's such an unreliable narrator that even when you think you understand the situation, you have to wonder how much of what she's telling you is actually reality.
There is also a surprising amount of dark humor considering how bleak the subject matter is. Imogene's bizarre worldview makes some scenes unintentionally hilarious in that “Oh my God, this woman is completely insane” kind of way.
Overall, “Mother Dearest” was a dark, twisted, completely unhinged psychological thriller with a really interesting format and an absolutely wild protagonist. It definitely isn't a cheerful little domestic thriller, and the abuse/psychological trauma themes are heavy. But if you enjoy unreliable narrators, mixed-media storytelling, and watching a protagonist make one increasingly terrible decision after another, this one is a lot of fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Minotaur Books x NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Guys, I'm being so honest I just requested this on a whim and decided to give it a chance without even knowing what it was about at first.
Imogene, is so freaking awkward and SCARY.
She's the kind of character you dislike but at the same time can't look away from. Everything about her is calculated, the way she moves through relationships, the way she reads people, the way she just knows exactly where to press and MANIPULATE!
And once you get why she's like that, you kind of wrap your head around it to understand, but at the same time you question, is she justifiable?
For as much as it points itself as a thriller, and yes, it does have its elements - it also really sheds light on a lot of things. I OBVIOUSLY do not want to spoil too much but what I will say is the perspective that we get from Imogene are ones that I enjoy reading more in comparison to other character arcs that are out there. I know that doesn't mean much but all I can say is that Imogene made me think, not only about her as a character, but about other people around me, and how I carry myself.
The ending felt a little safe and rushed to how interesting the rest of the book was. I wanted it to go further. And there was another storyline left me with more questions than answers, that was a little TINY BIT annoying to deal with.
I found myself liking the way it was written though. It's written through letters and transcripts... more of that, please. I don't need everything to be written with these huge paragraphs, I like the intimacy that letters carry with them.
Back onto the story lines, the more that I think about it, while I do appreciate the hints that were scattered throughout, I'm not too sure if the placement of them landed perfect every time for me, PERSONALLY.
However, I do think for a debut - this took me a little by surprise and I honestly enjoyed it overall.
I think for those interested in thrillers might honestly enjoy something that takes on a very dark, unsettling, psychological take. Definitely bookmark it if it's of interest to you! I was happy to branch out to a genre I don't read often and I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
BUT, this does carry a lot of heavy themes. Just wanted to point that out there.
Another note, I cannot stress enough that Imogene is actually so disturbing but sheds so much light onto the damages of abuse. This is not fiction, if you really give it some thought, and it can be uncomfortable to see it written in this way.
Guys, I'm being so honest I just requested this on a whim and decided to give it a chance without even knowing what it was about at first.
Imogene, is so freaking awkward and SCARY.
She's the kind of character you dislike but at the same time can't look away from. Everything about her is calculated, the way she moves through relationships, the way she reads people, the way she just knows exactly where to press and MANIPULATE!
And once you get why she's like that, you kind of wrap your head around it to understand, but at the same time you question, is she justifiable?
For as much as it points itself as a thriller, and yes, it does have its elements - it also really sheds light on a lot of things. I OBVIOUSLY do not want to spoil too much but what I will say is the perspective that we get from Imogene are ones that I enjoy reading more in comparison to other character arcs that are out there. I know that doesn't mean much but all I can say is that Imogene made me think, not only about her as a character, but about other people around me, and how I carry myself.
The ending felt a little safe and rushed to how interesting the rest of the book was. I wanted it to go further. And there was another storyline left me with more questions than answers, that was a little TINY BIT annoying to deal with.
I found myself liking the way it was written though. It's written through letters and transcripts... more of that, please. I don't need everything to be written with these huge paragraphs, I like the intimacy that letters carry with them.
Back onto the story lines, the more that I think about it, while I do appreciate the hints that were scattered throughout, I'm not too sure if the placement of them landed perfect every time for me, PERSONALLY.
However, I do think for a debut - this took me a little by surprise and I honestly enjoyed it overall.
I think for those interested in thrillers might honestly enjoy something that takes on a very dark, unsettling, psychological take. Definitely bookmark it if it's of interest to you! I was happy to branch out to a genre I don't read often and I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
BUT, this does carry a lot of heavy themes. Just wanted to point that out there.
Another note, I cannot stress enough that Imogene is actually so disturbing but sheds so much light onto the damages of abuse. This is not fiction, if you really give it some thought, and it can be uncomfortable to see it written in this way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ARC received via NetGalley.
Were you a fan of Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman? If so, you may enjoy Mother Dearest, although I found it to be much darker than either of those novels. At times, it was a difficult read because of the subject matter, so I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before deciding to read it.
Mother Dearest follows Imogene, the daughter of physically and emotionally abusive parents. After a fight with her mother, she leaves home to live with her "sick" aunt. Having spent her childhood in extreme isolation, Imogene has no idea that her upbringing was abnormal and abusive, until she begins experiencing life outside her childhood home.
Hoping to make amends with her mother, Imogene starts writing letters to her. Although the letters go unanswered by her mother, the correspondence from Imogene gives the reader insight into Imogene's very disturbing childhood. The letters also follow Imogene's journey as she begins to experience the outside world for the first time, including discovering things such as Netflix and Big Macs.
The novel is heartbreaking, unsettling, dark and completely unhinged in parts, while still managing to include moments of humour, primarily due to Imogene's naivety. I also found the format to be unique, as the story is told almost entirely through Imogene's letters, with occasional media reports, messages from chat rooms and documents interspersed throughout to bring in a second storyline. I'm not sure I loved the story being primarily told through letters because I found myself at times being relieved to finish a chapter and then finding the next chapter to be something else other than one of Imogene's letters.
As Imogene starts to build a life of her own, she becomes determined to marry a perfect man because this is the only way to become a successful woman according to the beliefs instilled in her by her mother. As such, Imogene will not let anything get in her way of marrying her perfect man.
Overall, I enjoyed Mother Dearest, although it was darker than I typically prefer, which is just my personal preference. I also thought this was an impressive debut novel from Clare Bird and I'll definitely be interested to see what she writes next.
Were you a fan of Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman? If so, you may enjoy Mother Dearest, although I found it to be much darker than either of those novels. At times, it was a difficult read because of the subject matter, so I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before deciding to read it.
Mother Dearest follows Imogene, the daughter of physically and emotionally abusive parents. After a fight with her mother, she leaves home to live with her "sick" aunt. Having spent her childhood in extreme isolation, Imogene has no idea that her upbringing was abnormal and abusive, until she begins experiencing life outside her childhood home.
Hoping to make amends with her mother, Imogene starts writing letters to her. Although the letters go unanswered by her mother, the correspondence from Imogene gives the reader insight into Imogene's very disturbing childhood. The letters also follow Imogene's journey as she begins to experience the outside world for the first time, including discovering things such as Netflix and Big Macs.
The novel is heartbreaking, unsettling, dark and completely unhinged in parts, while still managing to include moments of humour, primarily due to Imogene's naivety. I also found the format to be unique, as the story is told almost entirely through Imogene's letters, with occasional media reports, messages from chat rooms and documents interspersed throughout to bring in a second storyline. I'm not sure I loved the story being primarily told through letters because I found myself at times being relieved to finish a chapter and then finding the next chapter to be something else other than one of Imogene's letters.
As Imogene starts to build a life of her own, she becomes determined to marry a perfect man because this is the only way to become a successful woman according to the beliefs instilled in her by her mother. As such, Imogene will not let anything get in her way of marrying her perfect man.
Overall, I enjoyed Mother Dearest, although it was darker than I typically prefer, which is just my personal preference. I also thought this was an impressive debut novel from Clare Bird and I'll definitely be interested to see what she writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍, 𝑰 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝑨𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒋𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝑰𝒎𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
MOTHER DEAREST is the kind of thriller that makes you feel like you should look away, but you physically cannot. Told entirely through letters from Imogene to her estranged mother, along with court documents and the occasional court record, the story follows a young woman desperate for love, approval, and stability after separating from the mother who controlled every aspect of her life. Then she meets the perfect man. The only problem is that he already has a wife and child. What unfolds from there is claustrophobic, unsettling, and impossible to stop reading because every new letter feels like watching someone spiral in real time while still trying to convince themselves they are perfectly rational.
What made this book so effective for me was the structure. Each letter becomes slightly more erratic, more obsessive, more detached from reality, and I found myself reading faster and faster trying to pinpoint the exact moment everything became irreparable. The author absolutely nails that feeling of mounting dread where your logical brain already knows this cannot possibly end well, but you still have no idea just how horrifying the full picture will become. That tension made the reading experience genuinely uncomfortable at times because the story never lets you settle into certainty. It keeps revealing new layers of manipulation, delusion, and desperation with every page.
Despite all that discomfort, this book was wildly entertaining. I was completely locked into Imogene’s voice, even during the moments that made me want to scream at her through the pages. The epistolary format gave the story such an intimate, voyeuristic feeling, like reading documents you absolutely should not have access to. By the time the full truth finally came into focus, I was so invested in reaching the resolution that I could barely put the book down. Many thanks to Minotaur Books for this early copy that will publish March 9, 2027.
MOTHER DEAREST is the kind of thriller that makes you feel like you should look away, but you physically cannot. Told entirely through letters from Imogene to her estranged mother, along with court documents and the occasional court record, the story follows a young woman desperate for love, approval, and stability after separating from the mother who controlled every aspect of her life. Then she meets the perfect man. The only problem is that he already has a wife and child. What unfolds from there is claustrophobic, unsettling, and impossible to stop reading because every new letter feels like watching someone spiral in real time while still trying to convince themselves they are perfectly rational.
What made this book so effective for me was the structure. Each letter becomes slightly more erratic, more obsessive, more detached from reality, and I found myself reading faster and faster trying to pinpoint the exact moment everything became irreparable. The author absolutely nails that feeling of mounting dread where your logical brain already knows this cannot possibly end well, but you still have no idea just how horrifying the full picture will become. That tension made the reading experience genuinely uncomfortable at times because the story never lets you settle into certainty. It keeps revealing new layers of manipulation, delusion, and desperation with every page.
Despite all that discomfort, this book was wildly entertaining. I was completely locked into Imogene’s voice, even during the moments that made me want to scream at her through the pages. The epistolary format gave the story such an intimate, voyeuristic feeling, like reading documents you absolutely should not have access to. By the time the full truth finally came into focus, I was so invested in reaching the resolution that I could barely put the book down. Many thanks to Minotaur Books for this early copy that will publish March 9, 2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a wild story! The novel is told entirely through letters from Imogene Billings to her estranged mother and a few sparse news reports and internet chat forums. She’s found the “perfect man," the only small inconvenience being that he’s already married with a daughter. Rather than seeing this as an obstacle, Imogene views it as a problem waiting to be solved, echoing the lessons her mother taught her. The epistolary format means you’re trapped inside the head of someone who is almost certainly the villain but absolutely believes she’s the heroine.
This book is pure psychological tension.
Mother Dearest is the kind of psychological thriller that doesn’t ask you to root for its protagonist but dares you to understand her. The majority is told through letters from Imogene only hence to the "Mother Dearest" and it did get tiring and almost repetitive to read it purely in that form but I got used to it. Through increasingly unsettling letters, Clare Bird crafts an intimate portrait of obsession, maternal influence, and the dangerous stories we tell ourselves to justify the unforgivable. The miscellaneous reports about a missing boy known as the Jeopardy! Orphan was interesting enough for me to ignore the one sided Mother Dearest perspective.
Imogene is equal parts fascinating, infuriating, and impossible to look away from. Every letter peels back another layer of delusion, making you question whether you’re reading a love story, a confession, or a slow-motion catastrophe.
Rather than relying on shocking twists every few chapters, the novel build dread through voice alone. The horror isn’t simply what Imogene does but how completely convinced she is that she’s right. I did predict a couple of things but it did take away from my enjoyment. That last little chapter was a twist of its own though. Solid thriller debut!
This book is pure psychological tension.
Mother Dearest is the kind of psychological thriller that doesn’t ask you to root for its protagonist but dares you to understand her. The majority is told through letters from Imogene only hence to the "Mother Dearest" and it did get tiring and almost repetitive to read it purely in that form but I got used to it. Through increasingly unsettling letters, Clare Bird crafts an intimate portrait of obsession, maternal influence, and the dangerous stories we tell ourselves to justify the unforgivable. The miscellaneous reports about a missing boy known as the Jeopardy! Orphan was interesting enough for me to ignore the one sided Mother Dearest perspective.
Imogene is equal parts fascinating, infuriating, and impossible to look away from. Every letter peels back another layer of delusion, making you question whether you’re reading a love story, a confession, or a slow-motion catastrophe.
Rather than relying on shocking twists every few chapters, the novel build dread through voice alone. The horror isn’t simply what Imogene does but how completely convinced she is that she’s right. I did predict a couple of things but it did take away from my enjoyment. That last little chapter was a twist of its own though. Solid thriller debut!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some families should probably stick to Christmas cards.
If dysfunctional families are your thing, Mother Dearest delivers in spectacular fashion.
Told entirely through letters and newspaper articles, the story unfolds like you’re sifting through the evidence after everything has already fallen apart. It’s a format that could have easily felt gimmicky, but instead becomes one of the book’s greatest strengths. Every letter, every article, every missing piece quietly builds the tension, leaving you constantly questioning who can be trusted and what really happened.
And what a family it is.
Completely dysfunctional.
Entirely unhinged.
The kind of disaster you know you should probably look away from… but simply can’t.
Beneath all the chaos is something surprisingly heartbreaking. Through the letters, we witness the voice of a deeply broken young woman trying to make sense of the damage left behind by the people who were supposed to protect her. It’s a thoughtful look at the lasting effects of growing up in a home where love and dysfunction become so intertwined they’re almost impossible to separate.
The epistolary format also gives the mystery an extra layer of intrigue. Rather than handing you answers, it invites you to become part detective, part therapist, piecing together fractured relationships and conflicting perspectives until the bigger picture finally comes into focus.
For me, this landed at a solid four stars. It was entertaining from beginning to end, kept me guessing, and offered a fresh storytelling approach that made the pages fly by.
Mother Dearest is perfectly unhinged, deliciously messy, and exactly the kind of family drama you can’t help but binge.
Just don’t expect to be volunteering them for Family of the Year anytime soon.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity and ARC.
If dysfunctional families are your thing, Mother Dearest delivers in spectacular fashion.
Told entirely through letters and newspaper articles, the story unfolds like you’re sifting through the evidence after everything has already fallen apart. It’s a format that could have easily felt gimmicky, but instead becomes one of the book’s greatest strengths. Every letter, every article, every missing piece quietly builds the tension, leaving you constantly questioning who can be trusted and what really happened.
And what a family it is.
Completely dysfunctional.
Entirely unhinged.
The kind of disaster you know you should probably look away from… but simply can’t.
Beneath all the chaos is something surprisingly heartbreaking. Through the letters, we witness the voice of a deeply broken young woman trying to make sense of the damage left behind by the people who were supposed to protect her. It’s a thoughtful look at the lasting effects of growing up in a home where love and dysfunction become so intertwined they’re almost impossible to separate.
The epistolary format also gives the mystery an extra layer of intrigue. Rather than handing you answers, it invites you to become part detective, part therapist, piecing together fractured relationships and conflicting perspectives until the bigger picture finally comes into focus.
For me, this landed at a solid four stars. It was entertaining from beginning to end, kept me guessing, and offered a fresh storytelling approach that made the pages fly by.
Mother Dearest is perfectly unhinged, deliciously messy, and exactly the kind of family drama you can’t help but binge.
Just don’t expect to be volunteering them for Family of the Year anytime soon.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity and ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holy crap. This book sent me on one wild ride! 😳
This is the first book I’ve ever read that was told entirely through letters and news clippings, and somehow, it worked SO well. It made the story feel completely different from anything I’ve read before and kept me glued to the pages.
Imogene was someone I found myself secretly rooting for. I desperately wanted her to break free from her mother’s grip and learn how to actually live in the real world. She was so incredibly sheltered and abused that my heart broke for her. At the same time, she was completely unhinged, but honestly, considering she was raised with the expectation of being “perfect,” I can understand how she became the person she was.
The side characters were absolutely immaculate and added so much depth to the story. Ben, Millie, Stevie, the dream team, Aunt Janie, and, of course, Mother. And can we PLEASE get a book about Mother and Aunt Janie’s upbringing?! Because I need to know everything. The journals Imogene discovers give us such an interesting look into why Mother became the way she did, and it was heartbreaking to see just how deeply that cycle of trauma and control ran.
The twist at the end? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. 🤯 I was completely caught off guard, and I love when a book can genuinely surprise me.
This book had me not wanting to put it down. It was disturbing, heartbreaking, fascinating, and completely unhinged in the best way.
I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an earc for my honest review!
This is the first book I’ve ever read that was told entirely through letters and news clippings, and somehow, it worked SO well. It made the story feel completely different from anything I’ve read before and kept me glued to the pages.
Imogene was someone I found myself secretly rooting for. I desperately wanted her to break free from her mother’s grip and learn how to actually live in the real world. She was so incredibly sheltered and abused that my heart broke for her. At the same time, she was completely unhinged, but honestly, considering she was raised with the expectation of being “perfect,” I can understand how she became the person she was.
The side characters were absolutely immaculate and added so much depth to the story. Ben, Millie, Stevie, the dream team, Aunt Janie, and, of course, Mother. And can we PLEASE get a book about Mother and Aunt Janie’s upbringing?! Because I need to know everything. The journals Imogene discovers give us such an interesting look into why Mother became the way she did, and it was heartbreaking to see just how deeply that cycle of trauma and control ran.
The twist at the end? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. 🤯 I was completely caught off guard, and I love when a book can genuinely surprise me.
This book had me not wanting to put it down. It was disturbing, heartbreaking, fascinating, and completely unhinged in the best way.
I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an earc for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mother Dearest by Clare Bird is a fascinating and unusual read that takes readers on a dark and unexpected journey. The story takes a little time to adjust to at first because it begins at full speed. The entire novel is written as one-sided correspondence from Imogene to her mother, creating a unique storytelling style that slowly reveals more than what is being said.
Imogene is determined to find the perfect husband, and she believes she has found him in Benjamin. However, there is one major complication: Benjamin is not exactly single. As the story unfolds, subtle clues begin to emerge that suggest something may not be quite right with Imogene herself, adding an unsettling layer of mystery and tension to the narrative.
Interwoven throughout the book is the haunting story of a young boy who is found lost in the woods. This additional storyline adds another layer of intrigue and keeps the reader questioning how the pieces connect.
Bird’s novel feels like an exploration of the darkest thoughts and fears surrounding motherhood, transformed into a compelling and unconventional story. It is strange, thought provoking, and unlike many other books in its genre. While the subject matter can be unsettling, the unique format and intriguing characters make Mother Dearest an enjoyable and memorable read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Imogene is determined to find the perfect husband, and she believes she has found him in Benjamin. However, there is one major complication: Benjamin is not exactly single. As the story unfolds, subtle clues begin to emerge that suggest something may not be quite right with Imogene herself, adding an unsettling layer of mystery and tension to the narrative.
Interwoven throughout the book is the haunting story of a young boy who is found lost in the woods. This additional storyline adds another layer of intrigue and keeps the reader questioning how the pieces connect.
Bird’s novel feels like an exploration of the darkest thoughts and fears surrounding motherhood, transformed into a compelling and unconventional story. It is strange, thought provoking, and unlike many other books in its genre. While the subject matter can be unsettling, the unique format and intriguing characters make Mother Dearest an enjoyable and memorable read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2026
𝑴𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑻
𝑩𝒀 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑫
𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝑻𝑬 𝟎𝟑/𝟎𝟗/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕
5⭐️
YOOOOOOO!! This book was BANANAS!!
The entire book is told through letters and newspaper articles.
Imogen has just gotten the boot from her mother, and for the first time in either of their lives, they’re apart.
The letters begin innocently enough. Questions. Curiosity. A daughter trying to make sense of the world without her mother in it.
Then things start to unravel.
The questions become accusations. The curiosity becomes obsession. The letters become increasingly unhinged, and by the end, they don’t need answers. They need a wellness check.
Imogen already seems a little cuckoo in chapter One. By chapter Three, you’re rereading paragraphs just to make sure you actually read what you think you read.
It’s shocking ,unsettling, heartbreaking, and completely impossible to put down.
Watching Imogen’s mind spiral in real time through her own words is like witnessing a slow-motion train wreck written in perfect penmanship.
The abuse she’s went through , the things she hasn’t experienced….
As if she wasn’t dangerous enough already, she’s managed to wedge herself into the family’s life as a nanny, fueled by an unhealthy obsession with the husband Benjamin.
What she does is diabolical and the twist is exquisite , chefs kiss💋
#addthistoyourTBR
#clarebird
#minotaurbooks
#stmartinpress
#smpearlyreaders
𝑩𝒀 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑫
𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝑻𝑬 𝟎𝟑/𝟎𝟗/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕
5⭐️
YOOOOOOO!! This book was BANANAS!!
The entire book is told through letters and newspaper articles.
Imogen has just gotten the boot from her mother, and for the first time in either of their lives, they’re apart.
The letters begin innocently enough. Questions. Curiosity. A daughter trying to make sense of the world without her mother in it.
Then things start to unravel.
The questions become accusations. The curiosity becomes obsession. The letters become increasingly unhinged, and by the end, they don’t need answers. They need a wellness check.
Imogen already seems a little cuckoo in chapter One. By chapter Three, you’re rereading paragraphs just to make sure you actually read what you think you read.
It’s shocking ,unsettling, heartbreaking, and completely impossible to put down.
Watching Imogen’s mind spiral in real time through her own words is like witnessing a slow-motion train wreck written in perfect penmanship.
The abuse she’s went through , the things she hasn’t experienced….
As if she wasn’t dangerous enough already, she’s managed to wedge herself into the family’s life as a nanny, fueled by an unhealthy obsession with the husband Benjamin.
What she does is diabolical and the twist is exquisite , chefs kiss💋
#addthistoyourTBR
#clarebird
#minotaurbooks
#stmartinpress
#smpearlyreaders
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An eerie, bingeable, page turner of a debut by author Clare Bird-Answer: What is “Mother Dearest.” I love Jeopardy! and I enjoyed the part it played in Mother Dearest, an epistolary novel in which we are introduced to Imogen. An unreliable narrator, Imogen is a young woman who has suffered extensive mental and physical abuse at the hands of her mother. Imogen’s goal in life is to find the perfect man, an idea planted by her mother. When Imogen is kicked out of her home and goes to live with her disabled aunt Janie, she sets out to find a husband. When she meets married Ben, Imogen ingratiates herself into his family. There is nothing Imogen won’t do to make Ben hers.
Everything we know about Imogen is learned from letters she writes to her mother. The depictions of abuse were becoming increasingly difficult to read with each letter. Those inflicted on Imogen and those perpetrated by her. When Henry comes into the story, I immediately knew the trajectory it was headed.
Even though this is a popcorn thriller, this book was a lot. Nothing was off limits. It went there. It was viscerally unsettling and unflinching in its depictions of sustained cruelty. After finishing the last page, I was grateful for the reprieve.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Everything we know about Imogen is learned from letters she writes to her mother. The depictions of abuse were becoming increasingly difficult to read with each letter. Those inflicted on Imogen and those perpetrated by her. When Henry comes into the story, I immediately knew the trajectory it was headed.
Even though this is a popcorn thriller, this book was a lot. Nothing was off limits. It went there. It was viscerally unsettling and unflinching in its depictions of sustained cruelty. After finishing the last page, I was grateful for the reprieve.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a little hesitant after the first couple pages because I wasn’t sure I would be as immersed in the story if I was only reading from one perspective and in a letter format. I was happily surprised that I flew through this book! The letters gave the main character such a loud voice and the way it was written in so much detail truly made the book come to life!
Imogene Billings grew up extremely sheltered and horrifically emotionally, verbally, and physically abused by her mother. If you’ve seen the movie Mother Dearest the. I think you can understand why the other titled the book the same. “Mother” was a dark, sadistic, and grossly abusive parent (although she definitely didn’t earn the title of parent)
At many points in the book you feel sorry for Imogene and wish she could shed the naive and sheltered view on life, but then the next letter you are wanting to scream at her that she is not right in the head. Her screwed views on the world take a drastic turn and no one is safe.
I loved living inside the pages of Mother Dearest and I especially loved how at the end all of the plot holes that didn’t quite add up, were fully explained. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Thank you to Clare Bird, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! I highly recommend this book!!!
Imogene Billings grew up extremely sheltered and horrifically emotionally, verbally, and physically abused by her mother. If you’ve seen the movie Mother Dearest the. I think you can understand why the other titled the book the same. “Mother” was a dark, sadistic, and grossly abusive parent (although she definitely didn’t earn the title of parent)
At many points in the book you feel sorry for Imogene and wish she could shed the naive and sheltered view on life, but then the next letter you are wanting to scream at her that she is not right in the head. Her screwed views on the world take a drastic turn and no one is safe.
I loved living inside the pages of Mother Dearest and I especially loved how at the end all of the plot holes that didn’t quite add up, were fully explained. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Thank you to Clare Bird, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! I highly recommend this book!!!
Read
August 21, 2026Unhinged and unpredictable, two words to describe Mother Dearest.
Told solely through letter format, with news clippings and media posts, this mixed media thriller follows a young woman named Imogene working through her mother’s estrangement. When she meets the perfect man, one even her mother would approve of, she knows she must marry him and win back her mother’s approval. Except he has a wife and a daughter. “But as mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it.”
This was such a unique and interesting debut. The premise was intriguing, and the mixed media was a unique glimpse into the perspective and mind of our main character Imogene. I enjoyed the concept of this story, the twist at the end, and the unpredictability of the writing. I did, however, struggle with the pacing at times.
This thriller showcases greater themes in psychological discussion, noting how important a person’s environment is in affecting their mentation and growth. If you enjoy domestic psychological thrillers, mixed media, and following an unpredictable main character, I think you’ll enjoy this debut.
However, please check trigger warnings.
TW: Psychological trauma, Abuse
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Told solely through letter format, with news clippings and media posts, this mixed media thriller follows a young woman named Imogene working through her mother’s estrangement. When she meets the perfect man, one even her mother would approve of, she knows she must marry him and win back her mother’s approval. Except he has a wife and a daughter. “But as mother always said, a problem is only a problem until you solve it.”
This was such a unique and interesting debut. The premise was intriguing, and the mixed media was a unique glimpse into the perspective and mind of our main character Imogene. I enjoyed the concept of this story, the twist at the end, and the unpredictability of the writing. I did, however, struggle with the pacing at times.
This thriller showcases greater themes in psychological discussion, noting how important a person’s environment is in affecting their mentation and growth. If you enjoy domestic psychological thrillers, mixed media, and following an unpredictable main character, I think you’ll enjoy this debut.
However, please check trigger warnings.
TW: Psychological trauma, Abuse
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St Martin's Press for my early electronic copy.
For the sheer audacity of building an unhinged thriller around letters and transcripts that still manage to convey backstory and the voice of one disturbed woman, Mother Dearest deserves 5⭐
Imogene has long been shackled by her controlling mother but after an argument, Imogene heads to her aunt's home to cool off. As the stalemate between mother and daughter continues, Imogene writes letters home to her mother revealing to the reader just how twisted her life had been. Letter after letter after letter is sent only to be met with silence. In her newfound freedom, Imogene is free to expand her life in a way surely to make Mother Dearest happy. She will find a man, a perfect man, to make her mother proud.
Each letter kept me hooked to find out if Mother Dearest had softened toward Imogene. But as the letters become more illuminating of Imogene's family life, I became more concerned there would be a reconciliation. Mother Dearest can take some dark turns. Yes there are some twists and no one is quite innocent which makes the finale, in some ways, all the more surprising.
The epistolary format blended with a thriller creates quite an entertaining read.
For the sheer audacity of building an unhinged thriller around letters and transcripts that still manage to convey backstory and the voice of one disturbed woman, Mother Dearest deserves 5⭐
Imogene has long been shackled by her controlling mother but after an argument, Imogene heads to her aunt's home to cool off. As the stalemate between mother and daughter continues, Imogene writes letters home to her mother revealing to the reader just how twisted her life had been. Letter after letter after letter is sent only to be met with silence. In her newfound freedom, Imogene is free to expand her life in a way surely to make Mother Dearest happy. She will find a man, a perfect man, to make her mother proud.
Each letter kept me hooked to find out if Mother Dearest had softened toward Imogene. But as the letters become more illuminating of Imogene's family life, I became more concerned there would be a reconciliation. Mother Dearest can take some dark turns. Yes there are some twists and no one is quite innocent which makes the finale, in some ways, all the more surprising.
The epistolary format blended with a thriller creates quite an entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a ride! This was a story told entirely in the form of letters, with some news articles, online chat conversations and other little things thrown in. I've never read a book in this format and I actually really liked it! It made for such a quick read, with just the right amount of suspense.
In the book, main character Imogene is writing letters to her estranged mother, excited to tell her all about the perfect man she is going to marry. One problem though...this man is already married and has a child. But nothing will stop Imogene from having the perfect life that her mother always wanted for her.
The letters Imogene writes detail plans for her future as well as reminisce about her past living at home with her mother. Safe to say, Imogene's upbringing was far from normal. This family was completely deranged. Abuse, neglect and mental health issues are at the forefront of the story as you follow along with each hand written letter. Imogene's extremely sheltered upbringing is blown wide open as she learns to navigate the world and inserts herself into the lives of others. She is not a loveable character at all. She is interesting, crazy and a little dark.
This was a crazy story that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. It was dark, twisted and very entertaining.
In the book, main character Imogene is writing letters to her estranged mother, excited to tell her all about the perfect man she is going to marry. One problem though...this man is already married and has a child. But nothing will stop Imogene from having the perfect life that her mother always wanted for her.
The letters Imogene writes detail plans for her future as well as reminisce about her past living at home with her mother. Safe to say, Imogene's upbringing was far from normal. This family was completely deranged. Abuse, neglect and mental health issues are at the forefront of the story as you follow along with each hand written letter. Imogene's extremely sheltered upbringing is blown wide open as she learns to navigate the world and inserts herself into the lives of others. She is not a loveable character at all. She is interesting, crazy and a little dark.
This was a crazy story that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. It was dark, twisted and very entertaining.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Mother Dearest” by Clare Bird is a debut mystery that is gripping and unsettling, and had me hooked from the very first page. Told through a series of letters written by a daughter to her estranged mother, the story takes on a unique and compelling structure that immediately sets it apart. As the increasingly unhinged narrator reveals her version of events, we slowly uncover a deeply disturbing childhood marked by abuse, isolation, and control.
The author does an excellent job of developing this main character, carefully layering her voice while gradually weaving the plot together. The format works perfectly here, adding intimacy and tension as the truth begins to unravel in unexpected ways.
This is a very dark read, with some graphic depictions of child abuse, so I would strongly recommend checking content warnings before starting. Overall, I found the thriller to be a creepy, addictive, and entertaining debut. The fresh narrative approach added to the intrigue, and I was completely absorbed throughout. I look forward to seeing what Clare Bird writes next.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The author does an excellent job of developing this main character, carefully layering her voice while gradually weaving the plot together. The format works perfectly here, adding intimacy and tension as the truth begins to unravel in unexpected ways.
This is a very dark read, with some graphic depictions of child abuse, so I would strongly recommend checking content warnings before starting. Overall, I found the thriller to be a creepy, addictive, and entertaining debut. The fresh narrative approach added to the intrigue, and I was completely absorbed throughout. I look forward to seeing what Clare Bird writes next.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! Mother Dearest by Clare Bird was such a dark, twisty psychological thriller that I know it’s going to stick with me!
Imogene Billings had a bizarre childhood, to say the least. In her mid-twenties, she finally leaves her mother after an argument and sets out on her own. She knows very little about the world because almost everything she knows has been shaped by her unconventional upbringing.
Imogene decides she needs to find the perfect man—no matter what it takes. After all, her mother always told her that the perfect man solves everything.
The story is told through letters from Imogene to her mother, which made the whole thing feel even more unsettling. It was dark, creepy, twisted, and completely addictive. I couldn’t look away—and I couldn’t stop reading! I finished it in one day.
If you love psychological thrillers that get inside your head and leave you thinking about them long after you’ve finished, definitely put this one on your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ rounded up to 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Imogene Billings had a bizarre childhood, to say the least. In her mid-twenties, she finally leaves her mother after an argument and sets out on her own. She knows very little about the world because almost everything she knows has been shaped by her unconventional upbringing.
Imogene decides she needs to find the perfect man—no matter what it takes. After all, her mother always told her that the perfect man solves everything.
The story is told through letters from Imogene to her mother, which made the whole thing feel even more unsettling. It was dark, creepy, twisted, and completely addictive. I couldn’t look away—and I couldn’t stop reading! I finished it in one day.
If you love psychological thrillers that get inside your head and leave you thinking about them long after you’ve finished, definitely put this one on your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ rounded up to 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews