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The Secret Mother
Are you my mommy?
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she is his mother. But Tessa doesn't have any children.
Not anymore.
She doesn't know who the little boy is or how he got there. After contacting the police, Tessa is suspected of kidnapping the mystery child. Her whole life is turned upside down. And then her husband reveals a secret of his own...
Tessa isn't sure what to believe or whom to trust. Because someone is lying. To find out who, she must first confront her painful past. But is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realizes?
The Secret Mother is an intense psychological thriller with a twist that will make you wonder if you can ever trust anyone again.
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she is his mother. But Tessa doesn't have any children.
Not anymore.
She doesn't know who the little boy is or how he got there. After contacting the police, Tessa is suspected of kidnapping the mystery child. Her whole life is turned upside down. And then her husband reveals a secret of his own...
Tessa isn't sure what to believe or whom to trust. Because someone is lying. To find out who, she must first confront her painful past. But is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realizes?
The Secret Mother is an intense psychological thriller with a twist that will make you wonder if you can ever trust anyone again.
244 pages, ebook
First published November 9, 2017
10985 people are currently reading
17227 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
41 books3,432 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,663 reviews
January 31, 2018
4.5 stars!
Tessa Markham has just finished visiting the cemetery at the graves of her two twins. She visits them a lot, to try to get over her grieving. One twin dies at birth and the other dies a few days later. When she comes home, she sees a little boy in her kitchen, and he asks her, "Are you my Mummy"? Tessa lives alone. She no longer has any children. She then calls her ex-husband and he comes over and calls the police. She then becomes a suspect of abducting the child. She has to prove her innocence. Her ex husband thinks she is unstable and has just had enough of Tessa.
The only person who believes her is her boss. This has become a total nightmare for Tessa. She does not know how this child got there, and doesn't know him. Tess begins not trusting herself. Journalists are following her everywhere and harassing her. Her neighbor is also a journalist. She is trying to clear her name.
How did this little boy get there?
This was a very gripping and addicting read. I finished it in two days. It was full with twists and turns. I could not put it down. It is a page turner. Once you start this make sure you have a lot of time because you won't want to put this down. I did find it a little predictable but I didn't figure out the motive and the story behind it. It was so shocking. I was glued to the pages. It was like a thrill ride.
I loved the characters. I really became to know them very well. My heart went out to Tessa and I couldn't stand her ex husband Scott. I also loved the writing style. I have read a lot of psychological thrillers lately and this one is one of the best thrillers. If you don't believe me look at the ratings. 4.15 rating with 305 reviews. That should be able to tell it all.
I want to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2017
4.5 Stars* (rounded up)
Brilliantly Done.
Could you imagine coming home and finding someone in your kitchen? Would your reaction change if that someone were an innocent little boy who asks “Are you my mummy?” I sure can’t. One day however, that’s exactly what happens to Tessa Markham who comes home to find a little boy named Harry sitting in her kitchen. She has no idea who he is or how he got there.
Once she calls the police however, they think she kidnapped him. Her past, you see, it’s a colorful one and no one believes her. Thereafter she has to fight to prove her innocence – as even her husband from whom she’s separated, think she’s guilty. After the press attack her, Tessa’s life is completely torn apart and things go from bad to worse. Tessa however, can only think about one thing: Harry.
Shalini Boland’s “The Secret Mother” sucked me in immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I hardly ever do that anymore. I was in a frenzy to finish and couldn’t wait to get to the very end. None of the characters in this novel are even remotely trustworthy – Shalini Boland did a spectacular job in making me question each character and their actions. I admit that I even questioned poor little Harry. How’s that for fantastic writing?
“The Secret Mother” is now the third novel that I’ve read by Shalini Boland and it is her best yet and that, my friends is saying something. I loved “The Girl from the Sea” and liked “The Best Friend.” In my humble opinion however, “The Secret Mother” far surpasses Ms. Boland’s prior novels – the writing is sharper, crisper and more clever. I was glued to this book and could not tear myself away and that did not happen previously. While I had an idea as to what was going to happen in the end, it did not hinder my interest, nor was I disappointed in anyway. In short, if you are looking for a fabulous mystery/suspense, please do yourself a favor and check this one out, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Shalini Boland for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook on 11.8.17.
*Will be published on Amazon on 11.9.17
Brilliantly Done.
Could you imagine coming home and finding someone in your kitchen? Would your reaction change if that someone were an innocent little boy who asks “Are you my mummy?” I sure can’t. One day however, that’s exactly what happens to Tessa Markham who comes home to find a little boy named Harry sitting in her kitchen. She has no idea who he is or how he got there.
Once she calls the police however, they think she kidnapped him. Her past, you see, it’s a colorful one and no one believes her. Thereafter she has to fight to prove her innocence – as even her husband from whom she’s separated, think she’s guilty. After the press attack her, Tessa’s life is completely torn apart and things go from bad to worse. Tessa however, can only think about one thing: Harry.
Shalini Boland’s “The Secret Mother” sucked me in immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I hardly ever do that anymore. I was in a frenzy to finish and couldn’t wait to get to the very end. None of the characters in this novel are even remotely trustworthy – Shalini Boland did a spectacular job in making me question each character and their actions. I admit that I even questioned poor little Harry. How’s that for fantastic writing?
“The Secret Mother” is now the third novel that I’ve read by Shalini Boland and it is her best yet and that, my friends is saying something. I loved “The Girl from the Sea” and liked “The Best Friend.” In my humble opinion however, “The Secret Mother” far surpasses Ms. Boland’s prior novels – the writing is sharper, crisper and more clever. I was glued to this book and could not tear myself away and that did not happen previously. While I had an idea as to what was going to happen in the end, it did not hinder my interest, nor was I disappointed in anyway. In short, if you are looking for a fabulous mystery/suspense, please do yourself a favor and check this one out, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Shalini Boland for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook on 11.8.17.
*Will be published on Amazon on 11.9.17
November 10, 2017
Whew! I haven't read a book in one sitting in awhile. This one was devoured before bed when I only planned to get through about 25% of it. It certainly keeps you reading. I definitely should have heeded the warnings from several reviews of this book written by friends: don't start unless you have time to finish. I had time, I just got way less sleep than I should have! There's never really a good time to stop, this story takes no breaks.
This is the fourth book I've read from Shalini Boland, and I think she's definitely one to watch. She just signed with one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture, so I see many more immensely readable books to come.
Tessa's story is heartbreaking... she's a mother without children. Her little girl died not long after she was born, and her little boy passed away years later after an illness. Her husband left her. She left the job that she loved. Now she's a former landscape architect working at a garden center that barely pays the bills, visiting the graves of her children every Sunday... alone. One Sunday she expects to come back to the same old depressing empty house... but there's a little boy in her kitchen. He calls her mummy. Where did he come from? Charmed but confused and alarmed, Tessa calls her husband, who rushes over and calls the police. Little Harry is taken away, but that one word struck something long dead in Tessa's heart... why was he in her home, and why would he call her mummy?
If finding a missing child in her home wasn't enough cause for suspicion from the police, Tessa becomes increasingly unstable and obsessed with finding out where he came from. The public thinks she's a child abductor. The press follows her, hounding her both at home and work. Her husband thinks she's having a breakdown and begins to treat her as if she's just a bother. Her journalist neighbor just wants a story. The only person she thinks she can turn to seems to be Ben, her boss. He's kind and understanding, and doesn't act like she's lost the plot. But for us, it's not entirely clear if she has or not...
I figured things out a little early (I am, after all, an experienced armchair detective) but wasn't sure if I was right. I needed to know, and couldn't put the book down. Another great read by Shalini Boland, one you should plan on getting lost in for a couple of hours!
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
This is the fourth book I've read from Shalini Boland, and I think she's definitely one to watch. She just signed with one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture, so I see many more immensely readable books to come.
Tessa's story is heartbreaking... she's a mother without children. Her little girl died not long after she was born, and her little boy passed away years later after an illness. Her husband left her. She left the job that she loved. Now she's a former landscape architect working at a garden center that barely pays the bills, visiting the graves of her children every Sunday... alone. One Sunday she expects to come back to the same old depressing empty house... but there's a little boy in her kitchen. He calls her mummy. Where did he come from? Charmed but confused and alarmed, Tessa calls her husband, who rushes over and calls the police. Little Harry is taken away, but that one word struck something long dead in Tessa's heart... why was he in her home, and why would he call her mummy?
If finding a missing child in her home wasn't enough cause for suspicion from the police, Tessa becomes increasingly unstable and obsessed with finding out where he came from. The public thinks she's a child abductor. The press follows her, hounding her both at home and work. Her husband thinks she's having a breakdown and begins to treat her as if she's just a bother. Her journalist neighbor just wants a story. The only person she thinks she can turn to seems to be Ben, her boss. He's kind and understanding, and doesn't act like she's lost the plot. But for us, it's not entirely clear if she has or not...
I figured things out a little early (I am, after all, an experienced armchair detective) but wasn't sure if I was right. I needed to know, and couldn't put the book down. Another great read by Shalini Boland, one you should plan on getting lost in for a couple of hours!
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
October 31, 2017
Oh yes, yes yes yes yes, this was my kind of read, I really have taken this and added it to my top 10 this year, its a screaming from the rooftops fantastic read, if you love a good thriller, if you love to guess what happens next, if you love to stay up all night reading because you simply can't switch your mind off from a book, this is it, you found it, don't look any further.
This is so fast paced it leaves your breathless. One of the best psychological thrillers that I have read that has shocked me, left me dribbling for me and wanting more from this author.
Tessa comes home and finds an angel has delivered a young boy to her home whilst she was out, hes sat there, yes sat there in her kitchen drawing and colouring in.
There is an ex husband, she calls him, but there are mitigating circumstances surrounding her past with her husband that puts Tessa in danger of being accused of abduction.
Is Tessa going mad, some would think so, even her readers aren't sure.
I have just come across this author and I need to catch up on her other books, I will most certainly be doing that.
My thanks to the author, to Bookoutour and to Net galley for my copy.
This is so fast paced it leaves your breathless. One of the best psychological thrillers that I have read that has shocked me, left me dribbling for me and wanting more from this author.
Tessa comes home and finds an angel has delivered a young boy to her home whilst she was out, hes sat there, yes sat there in her kitchen drawing and colouring in.
There is an ex husband, she calls him, but there are mitigating circumstances surrounding her past with her husband that puts Tessa in danger of being accused of abduction.
Is Tessa going mad, some would think so, even her readers aren't sure.
I have just come across this author and I need to catch up on her other books, I will most certainly be doing that.
My thanks to the author, to Bookoutour and to Net galley for my copy.
November 8, 2017
Beware of this book!!! It will take you hostage from the first word to the last...you can forget about your to do list, this gripping read will make itself a priority above all else!
When Tessa, who lives alone, arrives home after visiting the graves of her twin children, she is shocked to discover a little boy in her kitchen, asking her " are you my mummy?" Who is this child and how did he manage to get into her house?
Upon contacting the police, Tessa soon comes under suspicion of child abduction. When even those closest to her question her innocence, one begins to wonder if Tessa is indeed losing it.
You'll be unable to turn your mind off from this one, constantly pondering and speculating as to what will happen next. This tale was very well thought out, providing everything you'd want in a good book: teasing questions you just HAVE to know the answers to; characters you'll be rooting for and others that just rub you up the wrong way; a dazzling ending that did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved this one, I just had to give it ALL the stars! It was a no brainer that it made my top 10 for the year.
Congratulations to Shalini Boland on a fantabulous read, I was thoroughly entertained by every page. So looking forward to reading much much more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and of course the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. The pleasure was all mine.
When Tessa, who lives alone, arrives home after visiting the graves of her twin children, she is shocked to discover a little boy in her kitchen, asking her " are you my mummy?" Who is this child and how did he manage to get into her house?
Upon contacting the police, Tessa soon comes under suspicion of child abduction. When even those closest to her question her innocence, one begins to wonder if Tessa is indeed losing it.
You'll be unable to turn your mind off from this one, constantly pondering and speculating as to what will happen next. This tale was very well thought out, providing everything you'd want in a good book: teasing questions you just HAVE to know the answers to; characters you'll be rooting for and others that just rub you up the wrong way; a dazzling ending that did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved this one, I just had to give it ALL the stars! It was a no brainer that it made my top 10 for the year.
Congratulations to Shalini Boland on a fantabulous read, I was thoroughly entertained by every page. So looking forward to reading much much more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and of course the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. The pleasure was all mine.
May 26, 2022
Another Bookoutlet read... I've lost track lol.
PSA: 3 stars is NOT a bad book. This is a solid guilty pleasure read.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
THE PLOT
Tessa comes home to find a five-year-old boy in her kitchen calling her mummy—the problem? She doesn't have a five-year-old boy. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!!!!!!
MY OPINION
Add this to my guilty pleasure shelf. Ok so I was thinking about what constitutes as an enjoyable mindless read to me and what doesn't, because you could say the likes of Unmissing, Stay Awake, The Golden Couple, etc are mindless reads as well but yet I abhorred them. My conclusion: if the author tries to punch above their weight class with "complex" characters and storylines, I can't do it.
For example: if you don't have the skills/knowledge to write a character who is an intelligent psychologist, that character ends up being a full blown clown who happens to be a psychologist and I end up being annoyed at Dr. Dumbass. But if you're like Shalini Boland or Samantha Hayes and write a wholesome female MC who just loves kids, has a "regular" job, and navigates life with a heart of gold, then I can buy into that and settle in for a nice ride.
SOOOOO with that verbal diarrhea tangent out of the way, I enjoyed this book because it stayed the course for what it is. Did some of it make sense? No. Did the epilogue read like an email you send to your mom summarizing your week? Yes. But once again: wholesome characters, the bad guys were clearly the bad guys, and a solid plot that didn't include 14091049 random trauma tropes just for shock value.
If you're looking for a breezy read in the hammock, on the beach, or waiting for a doctor apt because lawd knows they're always late, pick this one up. Simple, straightforward, and nicely wrapped up.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting premise, stayed the course, wholesome vibes
Cons: yes the ending was lol but whatever no big thang
PSA: 3 stars is NOT a bad book. This is a solid guilty pleasure read.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
THE PLOT
Tessa comes home to find a five-year-old boy in her kitchen calling her mummy—the problem? She doesn't have a five-year-old boy. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!!!!!!
MY OPINION
Add this to my guilty pleasure shelf. Ok so I was thinking about what constitutes as an enjoyable mindless read to me and what doesn't, because you could say the likes of Unmissing, Stay Awake, The Golden Couple, etc are mindless reads as well but yet I abhorred them. My conclusion: if the author tries to punch above their weight class with "complex" characters and storylines, I can't do it.
For example: if you don't have the skills/knowledge to write a character who is an intelligent psychologist, that character ends up being a full blown clown who happens to be a psychologist and I end up being annoyed at Dr. Dumbass. But if you're like Shalini Boland or Samantha Hayes and write a wholesome female MC who just loves kids, has a "regular" job, and navigates life with a heart of gold, then I can buy into that and settle in for a nice ride.
SOOOOO with that verbal diarrhea tangent out of the way, I enjoyed this book because it stayed the course for what it is. Did some of it make sense? No. Did the epilogue read like an email you send to your mom summarizing your week? Yes. But once again: wholesome characters, the bad guys were clearly the bad guys, and a solid plot that didn't include 14091049 random trauma tropes just for shock value.
If you're looking for a breezy read in the hammock, on the beach, or waiting for a doctor apt because lawd knows they're always late, pick this one up. Simple, straightforward, and nicely wrapped up.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting premise, stayed the course, wholesome vibes
Cons: yes the ending was lol but whatever no big thang
June 5, 2023
The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland is a 2017 Bookouture publication.
Tessa returned home to find a child in her house- a child that is not hers. Sadly, Tessa lives all alone after she lost her own two children and her marriage dissolved. Because of her history, she endures a great deal of scrutiny from the cops and the press. How did the boy get into the house and who does he belong to?
The only way Tessa can put this behind her is to confront her past- and discover how and why the boy was in her house. Her mission will be fraught with pain and danger as she peels back the layers of long held secrets and deception…
When this book was published, back in 2017, I suppose it would have been more lucrative to categorize it as a psychological thriller, but in my humble opinion, this book is truly a mystery with a heavy dose of drama. Yes, there’s a crime, and some suspense builds in a race against time scenario- but it’s not the nail-biting, edge of your seat, white knuckle stuff that makes you jump at the slightest little noise.
There’s a great deal of marital strife, and a menacing media presence, that takes up a great deal of real estate, as well as a budding romance. (Which includes the requisite semi-steamy interlude- for those who like content warnings.)
But truth be told, at the end of the day, this is a tragic drama more than anything else. Once the big twist is revealed- one I did guess at- the story concludes with a bittersweet, but hopeful outcome.
That said, despite the suspension of belief required in some spots, and what I feel was a misplaced genre label, the story, overall, is good. I picked this book out from the Kindle Unlimited library at random, and I liked it well enough to consider reading more of Shalini Boland’s work.
3 stars
Tessa returned home to find a child in her house- a child that is not hers. Sadly, Tessa lives all alone after she lost her own two children and her marriage dissolved. Because of her history, she endures a great deal of scrutiny from the cops and the press. How did the boy get into the house and who does he belong to?
The only way Tessa can put this behind her is to confront her past- and discover how and why the boy was in her house. Her mission will be fraught with pain and danger as she peels back the layers of long held secrets and deception…
When this book was published, back in 2017, I suppose it would have been more lucrative to categorize it as a psychological thriller, but in my humble opinion, this book is truly a mystery with a heavy dose of drama. Yes, there’s a crime, and some suspense builds in a race against time scenario- but it’s not the nail-biting, edge of your seat, white knuckle stuff that makes you jump at the slightest little noise.
There’s a great deal of marital strife, and a menacing media presence, that takes up a great deal of real estate, as well as a budding romance. (Which includes the requisite semi-steamy interlude- for those who like content warnings.)
But truth be told, at the end of the day, this is a tragic drama more than anything else. Once the big twist is revealed- one I did guess at- the story concludes with a bittersweet, but hopeful outcome.
That said, despite the suspension of belief required in some spots, and what I feel was a misplaced genre label, the story, overall, is good. I picked this book out from the Kindle Unlimited library at random, and I liked it well enough to consider reading more of Shalini Boland’s work.
3 stars
April 5, 2021
Landscape architect Tessa Markham has been touched by tragedy. What should have brought great joy - giving birth to fraternal twins.....
.....turned out to have sad consequences. Her daughter Lily died at birth and her son Sam died three years later from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Shortly after Sam's death Tessa 'kidnapped' an infant in a pram, and - when apprehended - claimed she found the baby unattended and was taking him to the police station. The story seemed sketchy but Tessa was known to be grief-stricken and clinically depressed, so no charges were filed.
Now, a couple of years later, Tessa is separated from her husband Scott, working at 'Villa Moretti Garden Center', and living alone.
So it's a shock when Tessa returns home one afternoon to find a little boy - who says his name is Harry - in her kitchen. Harry is calmly coloring pictures and says that Tessa is his new mummy.
Not wanting to face the police on her own, Tessa calls her estranged husband Scott - who immediately insinuates she snatched the child.
Unfortunately the police have a similar reaction, and Tessa teeters on the edge of being charged with abduction while the cops investigate.
Tessa's nosy neighbor Carly is a freelance journalist, and it doesn't take long for articles to appear online, with the headline: "Did Tessa Markham abduct a five-year-old boy?"
From here on, Tessa's life becomes a nightmare. Packs of journalists camp outside her home and workplace, and she can't put a foot outdoors without being chased by reporters and snapped by photographers. The news-people harass Scott as well, and he blames his wife for all the trouble.
Wanting to clear her name Tessa decides to launch her own investigation - to learn how Harry came to be in her house. To say more about the plot would be a spoiler.
The book is billed as a psychological thriller, but - in truth - there's not much suspense. Most readers will probably work out the 'secret' about Harry well before it's revealed in the story. Thus, interest in the book must be maintained by the characters, some of whom are more compelling and believable than others.
Tessa is an engaging protagonist, consumed by grief yet trying to get on with her life. She enjoys tending the plants at work (though it's a far cry from landscape architecture) and dreams of reconciling with Scott. Tessa is a loner, but gets on well with her boss - Ben Moretti - who runs 'Villa Moretti's' garden store and café.
For his part, Ben is a nice guy with a soft spot for Tessa. He provides her with coffee and cinnamon danish - or wine and lasagna - on occasion, and is always there when Tessa needs a hand. Ben's the hero of the book.
Tessa's husband Scott is an unsympathetic character.....a complete asshole. He's disdainful of Tessa's concerns, suggests she's mentally disturbed, and refuses to believe a word she says. When Tessa practically begs him to hear her out, he refuses. He's a totally unlikable person.
That said, I don't find Scott to be a credible character. Even an estranged husband wouldn't be that dismissive of his wife.....especially when she's going through such a trauma.
The journalist Carly Dean is annoying and intrusive, so she's quite realistic! Some of Carly's behavior, though, is outright illegal - and there should be consequences (IMO).
Other secondary characters add interest to the story, and keep the action moving.
I was disappointed with the mystery, which is easy to figure out.....with no major surprises. Also, one plot point is not satisfactorily resolved. Tessa repeatedly tries to discover why Harry's dad waited four days to report the child missing, but she never gets the answer. And I want to know!
In the end, I found this novel unsatisfying. However, I'm in the minority and many people love the book. So, if you find the premise intriguing, you might want to read the story and judge for yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Shalini Boland) and the publisher (Bookouture) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
November 7, 2025
4.5 stars
This was so good. The idea might not be that unique, but I loved the way the story was crafted. From the very beginning, when Tessa comes home to find a little boy in her kitchen asking her "Are you my mummy?", I found myself completely immersed and I didn't want to stop listening.
I loved Tessa. I felt for her and I could understand her. I did want to slap her a couple of times, when she says "I can't do that" and then proceeds to do exactly that, but that's expected in this genre.
Scott got on my last nerve. I wanted to slap him multiple times for being so insensitive and selfish, and not doing things he should have done. Carly is another character I wanted to shake. She has no shame, but she can also prove to be helpful, in her own twisted way. Luckily, there was Ben. I liked him.
I think that the storyline was very well thought out. The author made me question everyone and everything. At some point I did figure things out, but only because of the slow reveal of key details. Loved the ending.
My only complaint – well, more of an observation - is that I feel the male characters lacked some nuance and complexity. They are pretty straightforward and stereotypical. And there is a tiny plot hole here and there. None of those impacted how invested in the story I was, though.
I listened to the story on audiobook and I really enjoyed the narration.
This was so good. The idea might not be that unique, but I loved the way the story was crafted. From the very beginning, when Tessa comes home to find a little boy in her kitchen asking her "Are you my mummy?", I found myself completely immersed and I didn't want to stop listening.
I loved Tessa. I felt for her and I could understand her. I did want to slap her a couple of times, when she says "I can't do that" and then proceeds to do exactly that, but that's expected in this genre.
Scott got on my last nerve. I wanted to slap him multiple times for being so insensitive and selfish, and not doing things he should have done. Carly is another character I wanted to shake. She has no shame, but she can also prove to be helpful, in her own twisted way. Luckily, there was Ben. I liked him.
I think that the storyline was very well thought out. The author made me question everyone and everything. At some point I did figure things out, but only because of the slow reveal of key details. Loved the ending.
My only complaint – well, more of an observation - is that I feel the male characters lacked some nuance and complexity. They are pretty straightforward and stereotypical. And there is a tiny plot hole here and there. None of those impacted how invested in the story I was, though.
I listened to the story on audiobook and I really enjoyed the narration.
November 3, 2017
Tessa Markham has been living alone since she and her husband had split up after the loss of their son. When Tessa arrives home from work one night to what should be an empty house only to find a little boy in her kitchen she has no clue what she should do. When the little boy ask Tessa if she is to be his new mother Tessa knows she must find out just who this boy is and where he's come from.
Once the police arrive at Tessa's home she finds herself answering their questions over and over again. No one seems to believe that Tessa just found the boy in her home and it quickly turns into suspicion of her snatching the boy herself. Tessa even begins to question her own sanity knowing she'd been battling depression since the loss of her child but she is determined to find out just what is going on.
The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland is a highly addictive psychological thriller with just the perfect combination of a flawed main character and engaging story to keep the pages turning. Tessa pulled me into her world rather quickly and made me want her to find out just what had happened and how the child had come into her life.
The reason I'm not giving The Secret Mother a full five stars is due to the fact that fairly early on in the story I had my suspicions as to how it would work out which were pretty spot on. There was one little detail in the wrap up I wasn't a huge fan of but the fact that I still found myself completely engrossed in the book and not wanting to put it down regardless shows just how great the writing was in this book. I'd definitely recommend checking this one out to the fans of a good thriller.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Once the police arrive at Tessa's home she finds herself answering their questions over and over again. No one seems to believe that Tessa just found the boy in her home and it quickly turns into suspicion of her snatching the boy herself. Tessa even begins to question her own sanity knowing she'd been battling depression since the loss of her child but she is determined to find out just what is going on.
The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland is a highly addictive psychological thriller with just the perfect combination of a flawed main character and engaging story to keep the pages turning. Tessa pulled me into her world rather quickly and made me want her to find out just what had happened and how the child had come into her life.
The reason I'm not giving The Secret Mother a full five stars is due to the fact that fairly early on in the story I had my suspicions as to how it would work out which were pretty spot on. There was one little detail in the wrap up I wasn't a huge fan of but the fact that I still found myself completely engrossed in the book and not wanting to put it down regardless shows just how great the writing was in this book. I'd definitely recommend checking this one out to the fans of a good thriller.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
October 31, 2017
When Tess Markham arrives home after visiting the graves of her twins, she finds a little boy in her kitchen who asks her "are you my Mummy"? She does not know the child and she has no idea how he got into her house. After contacting the police, Tessa comes under suspicion of snatching the boy. She has to fight to prove her innocence but even the people closest to her are questioning the truth.
It took me a while to see where this story was going but it did not spoil the book for me as it is an edge of your seat plot line. None of us like to hear when children go missing and we all hope for a happy outcome from it, and this is what keeps us turning the pages in this book, we need to find out the answers. This book is well written and thought out. I just loved it.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Shalini Boland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while to see where this story was going but it did not spoil the book for me as it is an edge of your seat plot line. None of us like to hear when children go missing and we all hope for a happy outcome from it, and this is what keeps us turning the pages in this book, we need to find out the answers. This book is well written and thought out. I just loved it.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Shalini Boland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2024
Unputabledown!
I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I started listening to The Secret Mother.
The book begins with Tessa Markham returning home after visiting her dead children at the cemetery.
When she gets home, she finds a little boy in her kitchen. The boy asks her if she is his mommy!
Tessa doesn't know what to do so she called her ex Scott to ask him for help. Together they call the police who immediately suspect Tessa of kidnapping the child.
The press smells a story and they begin to camp outside her home trying to get a soundbite. Tessa is distraught. The press even tries to get her at work too. Her quiet life is imploding.
Tessa doesn't know how the child got into her home but after several days she begins to doubt herself. Did she snatch him and forget about it? She knows that at times her mind is not perfect after losing her children but was she capable of doing this?
Excellent plot. It sucked me in and it took me a while to figure it all out. Great outcome too!
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I started listening to The Secret Mother.
The book begins with Tessa Markham returning home after visiting her dead children at the cemetery.
When she gets home, she finds a little boy in her kitchen. The boy asks her if she is his mommy!
Tessa doesn't know what to do so she called her ex Scott to ask him for help. Together they call the police who immediately suspect Tessa of kidnapping the child.
The press smells a story and they begin to camp outside her home trying to get a soundbite. Tessa is distraught. The press even tries to get her at work too. Her quiet life is imploding.
Tessa doesn't know how the child got into her home but after several days she begins to doubt herself. Did she snatch him and forget about it? She knows that at times her mind is not perfect after losing her children but was she capable of doing this?
Excellent plot. It sucked me in and it took me a while to figure it all out. Great outcome too!
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 15, 2017
The secret Mother by Shalini Bolton was a excellent psychological thriller. I was hooked from the very first page until the last page. I really liked the character of Tessa and I did not want to put the book down and read it in one day. I will be looking forward to reading more books from this author. I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2017
I’m conflicted about how I felt about this one. As a psychological thriller it fell flat because there was little to no suspense, I can’t imagine there’s a reader who will pick this up and not work out the plot before the halfway mark and if there is then they mustn’t read many psychological thrillers. Even from the opening scenes it was kind of obvious what might have happened, but I was surprised at just how obvious it was as the story progressed.
Character wise I actually felt like the book was very strong in terms of our main character Tessa. Her disbelief at finding a child in her home and then her shock at the police and seemingly everybody around her assuming that she stole the child was palpable. The journey that she goes on for answers though is full of so many plot holes I lost count of them. It all just became a bit of a cliche and whilst I can’t go into detail about why, I was annoyed that the basis was there for a really strong story and we had a great character in Tess, but those around her were just so predictable. The ex who refuses to believe her. The typical reaction from members of the public. The news hungry journalist. And her knight in shining armour boss. It was all just very much a typical thriller but without the thrill and with nothing original to set it apart from others in the genre.
Having said all that I did have this read in just over a day and I enjoyed reading it and wanted to read on. At times the writing was strong and because I mostly liked Tess (and knew what was going to happen) I wanted to get to that point. I didn’t want the time I’d spent reading this book so far to be wasted. Witnessing everyone being horrible to her, seeing the pain and confusion that she was in made me want to read on and reach the end. I am glad that I did, but of course can only rate a book in terms of the enjoyment I took from it and the thrills it provided as a psychological thriller and unfortunately they were few and far between. I would not hesitate to pick up another book by Shalini Boland but wouldn’t recommend this one to fans of psychological thrillers.
Character wise I actually felt like the book was very strong in terms of our main character Tessa. Her disbelief at finding a child in her home and then her shock at the police and seemingly everybody around her assuming that she stole the child was palpable. The journey that she goes on for answers though is full of so many plot holes I lost count of them. It all just became a bit of a cliche and whilst I can’t go into detail about why, I was annoyed that the basis was there for a really strong story and we had a great character in Tess, but those around her were just so predictable. The ex who refuses to believe her. The typical reaction from members of the public. The news hungry journalist. And her knight in shining armour boss. It was all just very much a typical thriller but without the thrill and with nothing original to set it apart from others in the genre.
Having said all that I did have this read in just over a day and I enjoyed reading it and wanted to read on. At times the writing was strong and because I mostly liked Tess (and knew what was going to happen) I wanted to get to that point. I didn’t want the time I’d spent reading this book so far to be wasted. Witnessing everyone being horrible to her, seeing the pain and confusion that she was in made me want to read on and reach the end. I am glad that I did, but of course can only rate a book in terms of the enjoyment I took from it and the thrills it provided as a psychological thriller and unfortunately they were few and far between. I would not hesitate to pick up another book by Shalini Boland but wouldn’t recommend this one to fans of psychological thrillers.
November 12, 2017
4.5/5
I think it’s becoming more and more difficult to come up with a premise that instantly hooks the reader these days, especially in a psychological thriller but The Secret Mother instantaneously hooked me from the moment I finished the first chapter. Can you even imagine coming home one day to find a child that’s not yours just hanging out?! This is exactly what happens to Tessa and it’s all the more painful as her children have passed away, I swear this poor woman has been put through the wringer! I felt so awful for her, even when I wasn’t entirely sure if she was a totally reliable narrator…
I really don’t want to dive too deep into the plot because this is one hell of a tangled and twisted tale but I loved the way Boland created tension here, it was that awesome kind of mounting intensity and the scenes where Tessa was alone in her house while the press was waiting outside like a pack of vultures were so nailbitingly good! Tessa is relentless in her pursuit for the truth even when it seems like everyone around her thinks she’s crazy and clinging to the past and for the life of me I couldn’t decide if she was in fact sane or not. This was an excellent psychological thriller filled with uneasiness, doubt and a huge pack of lies, I loved it!
I think it’s becoming more and more difficult to come up with a premise that instantly hooks the reader these days, especially in a psychological thriller but The Secret Mother instantaneously hooked me from the moment I finished the first chapter. Can you even imagine coming home one day to find a child that’s not yours just hanging out?! This is exactly what happens to Tessa and it’s all the more painful as her children have passed away, I swear this poor woman has been put through the wringer! I felt so awful for her, even when I wasn’t entirely sure if she was a totally reliable narrator…
I really don’t want to dive too deep into the plot because this is one hell of a tangled and twisted tale but I loved the way Boland created tension here, it was that awesome kind of mounting intensity and the scenes where Tessa was alone in her house while the press was waiting outside like a pack of vultures were so nailbitingly good! Tessa is relentless in her pursuit for the truth even when it seems like everyone around her thinks she’s crazy and clinging to the past and for the life of me I couldn’t decide if she was in fact sane or not. This was an excellent psychological thriller filled with uneasiness, doubt and a huge pack of lies, I loved it!
July 28, 2018
Tessa Markham is a grieving mother who visits the graves of her twins to cope with her loss, she returns home to find a little boy in her kitchen asking " ARE YOU MY MUMMY" this sends shockwaves through her she rings Scott her ex husband & tells him to come home quick.
the police turn up at Tessa's & accuse her of taking the boy, Tessa vehemently denies this & Scott who is now living a new life with Ellie who is expecting their first baby Scott thinks she is delusional & manic , tells her to see a therapist, Tessa's rage consumes her as Scott does not believe her, so Now with the help of Ben Moretti & Carly a journalist they try & find out the truth & Tessa's innocence.
Its when she remembers something about the twins birth the premise really sends your head in a spin, there were so many twists & turns it did my head in, thought I'd picked out the protagonist but once again Ms Boland takes you in another direction.
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved every minute of this the pacing was right up there, loved all characters the author plotted a well crafted Psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages I could not put this down.
I have already bought The Silent Sister NO am not reading it now but bought it for a later date, recommended for Psychological fans 5 + brilliant Stars
the police turn up at Tessa's & accuse her of taking the boy, Tessa vehemently denies this & Scott who is now living a new life with Ellie who is expecting their first baby Scott thinks she is delusional & manic , tells her to see a therapist, Tessa's rage consumes her as Scott does not believe her, so Now with the help of Ben Moretti & Carly a journalist they try & find out the truth & Tessa's innocence.
Its when she remembers something about the twins birth the premise really sends your head in a spin, there were so many twists & turns it did my head in, thought I'd picked out the protagonist but once again Ms Boland takes you in another direction.
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved every minute of this the pacing was right up there, loved all characters the author plotted a well crafted Psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages I could not put this down.
I have already bought The Silent Sister NO am not reading it now but bought it for a later date, recommended for Psychological fans 5 + brilliant Stars
March 31, 2022
4 Stars
Tess has no ambition, no place or no real purpose. Her marriage is has fallen apart and one day when she comes back home there is a little boy (about 5 or 6 years old) perched on a chair at her kitchen counter.
Are you my mummy?
She has never seen this little boy in her life and she is not a mother, not anymore… she doesn’t know with this child in her home, her life will be turned upside down! So who is this boy and why does he think she’s her mother?!
For the first half I couldn’t guess the twist but in the second half toward the ending finally found out what was going on, well, it was a bit too late though. Haha! I’m a fan of this author’s books and like before it didn’t disappoint. The writing is addictive and it’s a page-turner. It’s not a twisty read but what it has, can surprise you. It’s a quick read, fast-paced with short chapters, an unreliable character, and with a satisfying ending. Overall, I had a good time reading it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Tess has no ambition, no place or no real purpose. Her marriage is has fallen apart and one day when she comes back home there is a little boy (about 5 or 6 years old) perched on a chair at her kitchen counter.
Are you my mummy?
She has never seen this little boy in her life and she is not a mother, not anymore… she doesn’t know with this child in her home, her life will be turned upside down! So who is this boy and why does he think she’s her mother?!
For the first half I couldn’t guess the twist but in the second half toward the ending finally found out what was going on, well, it was a bit too late though. Haha! I’m a fan of this author’s books and like before it didn’t disappoint. The writing is addictive and it’s a page-turner. It’s not a twisty read but what it has, can surprise you. It’s a quick read, fast-paced with short chapters, an unreliable character, and with a satisfying ending. Overall, I had a good time reading it and hope you enjoy it as well!
April 9, 2019
Shalini Boland writes good solid novels that grip the reader and thrill to the very end.
When Tessa Markham returns home she discovers a child in her kitchen who is convinced she is his mother. Tessa doesn't have any children and has no idea who this little boy is or how he got into her house. Although she contacts the police she is suspected of abducting the child and her life is shaken to the core.
This was a quick read, mainly due to the pace of the book and wanting to read one more chapter again and again. I challenge you to try and put this book down.
Another great read by this author.
When Tessa Markham returns home she discovers a child in her kitchen who is convinced she is his mother. Tessa doesn't have any children and has no idea who this little boy is or how he got into her house. Although she contacts the police she is suspected of abducting the child and her life is shaken to the core.
This was a quick read, mainly due to the pace of the book and wanting to read one more chapter again and again. I challenge you to try and put this book down.
Another great read by this author.
August 6, 2019
Tessa Markham comes home to find a little boy in her kitchen.
He looks up as I enter the room, his chocolate-brown eyes wide. We stare at one another for a moment.
‘Are you my mummy?’ the little boy asks.
I bite my bottom lip, feel the ground shift. I grasp the counter top to steady myself.
‘Hello,’ I say, my heart suddenly swelling. ‘Hello. And who might you be?’
‘You know. I’m Harry,’
Tessa tries to remain calm while she gently asks Harry more questions about how he came to be in her kitchen, Harry insists that he didn't run away and he's not lost. She tries again.
'And who did you come with?’ I ask.
‘The angel.’
I think I must have misheard him. ‘Who?’
‘The angel brought me here. She told me that you’re my mummy.’
‘The angel?’ He nods.
‘Harry, darling, what’s your mummy’s name?’ ‘You’re my new mummy. I have to stay here now.’
Questions swirl around with the growing panic in Tessa's mind. 'Because he’s not mine. I don’t have a child.
Not any more.'
Tessa knows she must call the police but she's dreading doing so. She knows what will happen. The suspicions and accusations of kidnapping. The whispers and sideway looks. She won't be believed. Not after what happened before. Now Tessa is on her own as she tries to prove she's not only innocent of taking Harry, but she's not lost her mind, either. Or has she?
This is my first book by Shalini Boland and it won't be my last! From the very beginning I found myself unable to put it down. The characters are well done and I found myself rooting for Tessa while despising her husband and others like him. The story is certainly feasible and moves along at a quick pace with lots of action. There are plenty of twists that made me feel as if I were in Tessa's place, constantly questioning who could be trusted. I felt like I was in Tessa's mind as the tiny clues state clicking slowly into place and the realization of the truth begins to come together. The twist at the end was brilliant!
Overall The Secret Mother is a great novel that I definitely recommend!
November 17, 2017
Well, I read...okay devoured this book in about five hours straight. Yes, I was only going to have an hour before I cooked tea but that plan was well and truly scuppered and it was Pot Noodles all round. The opening chapter hooked me and reeled me straight in. Where the hell had this kid come from and what was in Tessa's past? Too many questions to be answered and ones I couldn't possibly ignore to cook. The pace of this book was tremendous and tense. I found Tessa to be authentic, believable and real, as were all the other characters and both (lovely) Ben and (donkey brain) Scott were drawn brilliantly. I found this book to be a thrilling, exciting ride right up to the final twist which left me open mouthed. Totally satisfying and highly recommended.
May 9, 2018
The Secret Mother is my second book by Boland, but it won't be my last. She writes good characters and engaging, not too grim mysteries, which I have found engaging from start to finish in both cases. Recommended!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2022
3.5 Stars
Rounding up because once I started, I couldn’t stop!!!
Rounding up because once I started, I couldn’t stop!!!
January 4, 2018
2'5*
I usually give 5 stars to everything Shalini Boland, but this time the plot was quite previsible for me. I mean, when we know that a certain someone worked in a certain place it was clear for me what all was about. Before I was thinking that she was making us doubt of the sanity of the main character so as not to be clear if she had really abducted the child or not, and I was expecting some of her usual twists, so I was surprised when all turned to be so... lineal. Maybe it is because I was expecting another kind of resolution, I don't know.
I also have to add that I was amazed by the gripping quality of the text, usual on Shalini's books, which makes you devour the book as it impossible to stop reading; and how round were all the characters.
I usually give 5 stars to everything Shalini Boland, but this time the plot was quite previsible for me. I mean, when we know that a certain someone worked in a certain place it was clear for me what all was about. Before I was thinking that she was making us doubt of the sanity of the main character so as not to be clear if she had really abducted the child or not, and I was expecting some of her usual twists, so I was surprised when all turned to be so... lineal. Maybe it is because I was expecting another kind of resolution, I don't know.
I also have to add that I was amazed by the gripping quality of the text, usual on Shalini's books, which makes you devour the book as it impossible to stop reading; and how round were all the characters.
November 9, 2017
Tessa returns home after visiting her children’s graves at the cemetery, only to find a little boy in her kitchen asking her if she is his mummy. Tessa has no idea where the child came from or how he even got into her house. When she contacts the police, she’s quickly suspected of child abduction and even those close to her don’t believe her version of events.
Make sure you have a free afternoon when you start reading this one because you won’t want to put it down. It’s a very gripping, fast-paced and addictive read. At times, I also found it quite moving and it made me angry as well. A lot of emotions to go through when reading a psychological thriller.
Not only does Tessa have to deal with this suspicion hanging over her head, there’s also the grief over the children she lost. And on top of all of that we get the utterly relentless hounding of the media which doesn’t just affect her but also those around her and you can’t help wondering how anyone is able to deal with that hassle and invasion of privacy.
I warmed to Tessa from the beginning and as the tension builds up and we get closer to the truth, you can’t help but root for her. It’s hard to say any more without giving anything away but I was with Tessa every step of the way as she digs deep to find out the truth and I sat here wondering if there was anyone who could be trusted. There may have been a character or two that weren’t quite as sympathetic but ultimately, the reasons for their behaviour were completely understandable and believable.
Shalini Boland has come up with a well executed and compelling plot that will keep you hooked from start to finish and I look forward to whatever is next.
Make sure you have a free afternoon when you start reading this one because you won’t want to put it down. It’s a very gripping, fast-paced and addictive read. At times, I also found it quite moving and it made me angry as well. A lot of emotions to go through when reading a psychological thriller.
Not only does Tessa have to deal with this suspicion hanging over her head, there’s also the grief over the children she lost. And on top of all of that we get the utterly relentless hounding of the media which doesn’t just affect her but also those around her and you can’t help wondering how anyone is able to deal with that hassle and invasion of privacy.
I warmed to Tessa from the beginning and as the tension builds up and we get closer to the truth, you can’t help but root for her. It’s hard to say any more without giving anything away but I was with Tessa every step of the way as she digs deep to find out the truth and I sat here wondering if there was anyone who could be trusted. There may have been a character or two that weren’t quite as sympathetic but ultimately, the reasons for their behaviour were completely understandable and believable.
Shalini Boland has come up with a well executed and compelling plot that will keep you hooked from start to finish and I look forward to whatever is next.
November 30, 2017
Tessa Markham heads for home after a day of work and stopping by the cemetery to spend some time with her twin babies as she does every week.
Much to her surprise, there is someone in her house .. and she lives alone. Astonishingly she finds a young boy sitting at her table, drawing pictures. Looking up, he says " Are you my mummy?".
And so begins Tessa's descent into a nightmare. She's being accused of kidnapping this boy. Even though she vehemently denies it, the police know she's done it before, but there were no charges brought.
Her estranged husband is living with his pregnant girlfriend ... they think she's still grieving the death of her children and won't believe her denies of taking this child. Her 'friends' won't believe her. The police won't believe her. The media is camped on her front door.
Tessa isn't sure who she can trust but she knows instinctively that something just isn't right. And who is the woman who seems to be following Tessa? Somebody is lying ... and finding the truth may be more dangerous than she knows.
This is a well-written psychological thriller featuring credible characters. The story line is good, even though a little predictable. It's mysterious, but not suspenseful. It's a fairly fast read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this type of book.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 17, 2017
Such a fantastic book! I read most of this in one night... only stopping when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I got sucked up into the story and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I really felt for Tessa and hoped that everything wpuld turn out alright for her. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review
December 13, 2017
Before reading The Secret Mother i felt in a bit of a reading slump. I just couldn't motivate myself to do much reading. Whether this was because of moving and a lot of other things happening I could't say but The Secret Mother helped me break this slump as I couldn't stop reading it. I have to be honest, it wasn't one that grabbed me right from the start but the more I read the more intrigued I became as more and more odd things came to light. I soon found that I was racing through the pages eager to find out more and discover the secrets behind the little boys sudden appearance in Tessa's kitchen.
The author does a brilliant job in slowly increasing the tension int he book, which was so intense at times I had to skip ahead to find out what was going to happen. This made it hard to put down and I often found myself trying to sneak a few more pages in.
I felt a lot of empathy towards Tessa and her predicament. Regular readers of my blog and my blogger friends will know that I also lost a child and therefore understood exactly how Tessa was feeling. The author does a great job in describing the emotions and behaviour of a recently bereaved mother, so much so that I think I would recommend this book to others just so they could understand more about how it feels to lose a child. I felt that she was very misunderstood and that no-one in her life, at the start of the book anyway, listened to her and let her get her point of view across. I did find myself almost screaming at the book because of some of the things she does trying to discover the truth. She seems quite a together lady sometimes but when it comes to discovering more about the child she doesn't always think straight. I think this is quite true to life as I remember being quite capable in some areas but going to pieces over very small things.
I'm not sure if it is pregnancy hormones but I seem to be reading about a lot of characters I'd happily hit at the moment. Ellie and Scott are another two that are so well describe that they made my blood boil. I hate people who act like that and couldn't believe they weren't more sympathetic towards her. They were also very real characters as I have, unfortunately, met similar people in real life.
The ending was brilliant and very unexpected. I had a lot of theories in my head about what would happen and how it would end but none of them proved correct. I love it when this happens and an author is able to keep me guessing until the end. I also liked that the author included a chapter on what everyone's life was like a few months down the line as it was very interesting to see how it all turned out for each of the characters.
This is the first book by Shalini Boland that I have read but it definitely won't be my last and I will look forward to reading more from her in the future. If you like perfectly plotted thrillers that make you think then you will love this book.
Thank you to Kim Nash and Bookouture for giving me a copy of this book and for inviting me on the blog tour.
The author does a brilliant job in slowly increasing the tension int he book, which was so intense at times I had to skip ahead to find out what was going to happen. This made it hard to put down and I often found myself trying to sneak a few more pages in.
I felt a lot of empathy towards Tessa and her predicament. Regular readers of my blog and my blogger friends will know that I also lost a child and therefore understood exactly how Tessa was feeling. The author does a great job in describing the emotions and behaviour of a recently bereaved mother, so much so that I think I would recommend this book to others just so they could understand more about how it feels to lose a child. I felt that she was very misunderstood and that no-one in her life, at the start of the book anyway, listened to her and let her get her point of view across. I did find myself almost screaming at the book because of some of the things she does trying to discover the truth. She seems quite a together lady sometimes but when it comes to discovering more about the child she doesn't always think straight. I think this is quite true to life as I remember being quite capable in some areas but going to pieces over very small things.
I'm not sure if it is pregnancy hormones but I seem to be reading about a lot of characters I'd happily hit at the moment. Ellie and Scott are another two that are so well describe that they made my blood boil. I hate people who act like that and couldn't believe they weren't more sympathetic towards her. They were also very real characters as I have, unfortunately, met similar people in real life.
The ending was brilliant and very unexpected. I had a lot of theories in my head about what would happen and how it would end but none of them proved correct. I love it when this happens and an author is able to keep me guessing until the end. I also liked that the author included a chapter on what everyone's life was like a few months down the line as it was very interesting to see how it all turned out for each of the characters.
This is the first book by Shalini Boland that I have read but it definitely won't be my last and I will look forward to reading more from her in the future. If you like perfectly plotted thrillers that make you think then you will love this book.
Thank you to Kim Nash and Bookouture for giving me a copy of this book and for inviting me on the blog tour.
June 8, 2018
another great gripping psychological thriller the secret mother is twist with a drop of annoyance thrown in to keep you on your toes,
It's not to heavy of read and is easy to just keep flipping pages.
It's not to heavy of read and is easy to just keep flipping pages.
January 30, 2025
~3.5~
The mystery - how and WHY did a little boy named Harry appear in Tessa's kitchen - is very straightforward. I saw where the story was going from the get-go, but I still enjoyed the process.
Tessa is the sole protagonist, so her POV is the only one we get. Tessa is a sympathetic character, so I didn't mind. She's just lost her 3-year-old son, Sam, to leukemia (she'd already lost one baby, Sam's twin, at birth), and her marriage is on the rocks.
Her estranged, soon-to-be-ex husband, Scott, is a condescending, belittling asshole, and I wanted to punch him in the face. Good riddance, I say.
Tessa's boss, the handsome (and Italian!) Ben is a dream though. The man is supportive, and he can cook. There's a bit of romance introduced between Ben and Tessa, but it doesn't take over the story.
The writing is engaging, and the pacing is steady throughout.
Rounding down for a couple reasons:
Considering Tessa is grieving Sam's death, she doesn't tell us much about him, just that he had chubby cheeks and an infectious laugh (which pretty much describes every 3-year-old). This didn't feel believable to me. I wanted to know more about Sam's personality and his battle with cancer.
There's a question in the book of why Harry's father waited four days to report him missing that's never answered. Wouldn't the police have considered that to be negligence? It's a big plot hole.
I also didn't quite buy that The author kept things vague where it suited her.
The mystery - how and WHY did a little boy named Harry appear in Tessa's kitchen - is very straightforward. I saw where the story was going from the get-go, but I still enjoyed the process.
Tessa is the sole protagonist, so her POV is the only one we get. Tessa is a sympathetic character, so I didn't mind. She's just lost her 3-year-old son, Sam, to leukemia (she'd already lost one baby, Sam's twin, at birth), and her marriage is on the rocks.
Her estranged, soon-to-be-ex husband, Scott, is a condescending, belittling asshole, and I wanted to punch him in the face. Good riddance, I say.
Tessa's boss, the handsome (and Italian!) Ben is a dream though. The man is supportive, and he can cook. There's a bit of romance introduced between Ben and Tessa, but it doesn't take over the story.
The writing is engaging, and the pacing is steady throughout.
Rounding down for a couple reasons:
Considering Tessa is grieving Sam's death, she doesn't tell us much about him, just that he had chubby cheeks and an infectious laugh (which pretty much describes every 3-year-old). This didn't feel believable to me. I wanted to know more about Sam's personality and his battle with cancer.
There's a question in the book of why Harry's father waited four days to report him missing that's never answered. Wouldn't the police have considered that to be negligence? It's a big plot hole.
I also didn't quite buy that The author kept things vague where it suited her.
January 1, 2018
I can’t believe that I’ve never read a Shalini Boland novel before!! I absolutely loved this book and read it from cover to cover in just under 2 hours whilst out having a pre Christmas coffee! I’m pretty sure I gasped out loud at one point as all the fast paced twists and turns gathered even more momentum. And I know my jaw definitely dropped firmly to the floor at that shocking moment when everything came together, finally hitting me full on with the truth about why and how that little boy came to be in Tessa’s kitchen. I loved Tessa and could feel her pain and distress radiating off the page as she tried to hide herself away, struggling to cope with the tragedies life had thrown at her. And I wanted to punch her husband for being such an unsupportive, selfish and dismissive idiot! God that man wound me up!! This fast paced and shockingly addictive page turner held my attention perfectly, keeping me guessing until that final twist was laid bare and giving me chills that I hadn’t expected whilst leaving me an emotional snotty mess. Absolutely loved it and Shalini Boland now has another huge fan!!
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