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The Good Mother
Three women – all with secrets. Secrets that can no longer be ignored...
Catherine is a good mother and a good wife. The family home is immaculate, her husband's supper is cooked on time, but when she starts writing to Michael, a prisoner convicted of murder, she finds herself obsessing about his crime and whether he can ever truly be forgiven...
Kate has no time for herself. Caught in the maelstrom of bringing up two young children with no money, and an out-of-work husband, she longs to escape the drudgery of being a wife and a mother. And she soon starts taking dangerous risks to feel alive...
Alison has flown the nest. But university life is not what she had hoped for, and she finds herself alone and unhappy. Until the day her professor takes a sudden interest in her. Then everything changes...
A gripping psychological suspense with a shocking twist that will leave you reeling... Perfect for the fans of Jenny Blackhurst and Sue Fortin.
Catherine is a good mother and a good wife. The family home is immaculate, her husband's supper is cooked on time, but when she starts writing to Michael, a prisoner convicted of murder, she finds herself obsessing about his crime and whether he can ever truly be forgiven...
Kate has no time for herself. Caught in the maelstrom of bringing up two young children with no money, and an out-of-work husband, she longs to escape the drudgery of being a wife and a mother. And she soon starts taking dangerous risks to feel alive...
Alison has flown the nest. But university life is not what she had hoped for, and she finds herself alone and unhappy. Until the day her professor takes a sudden interest in her. Then everything changes...
A gripping psychological suspense with a shocking twist that will leave you reeling... Perfect for the fans of Jenny Blackhurst and Sue Fortin.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2017
1024 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Karen Osman
7 books147 followersKaren Osman is an award-winning writer and best-selling author. Following her win at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Montegrappa Novel Writing Award 2016 with her crime-thriller novel, The Good Mother, renowned literary agent, Luigi Bonomi of LBA Books, secured a three-book deal with UK-based publishing house Head of Zeus.
Since then, The Good Mother, which was published in October 2017 and her second novel, The Home (September 2018), were both number one bestsellers. Her third book, A Perfect Lie, was published in August 2019 and she is currently working on her fourth novel.
In January 2019, Karen launched her own online show, Karen’s Bookshelf, all about books in partnership with Borders Middle East. Released weekly, each episode is available on IGTV, Facebook, Linked In, and YouTube and features an online book club, author interviews, and the latest book news.
Karen has also been a featured author at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature giving talks and workshops as well as giving writing masterclasses in partnerships with brands such as Costa. In 2017, Karen was included as Ahlan’s Hot 100 People, an accolade recognising the pioneers and game-changers shaping the UAE’s social and cultural landscape.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Karen founded niche communications company Travel Ink in 2011, providing content writing and strategy, public relations, social media, training, and translation services to hotels, airlines, and tourism establishments.
Karen uses her commercial experience in luxury hospitality, combined with her academic qualifications, which include a BA in Linguistics and English Language from the University of Durham and a Teaching (TEFL) Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
In her role as Managing Director, Karen oversees a team of writers, editors, and PR and social media consultants to deliver quality content for exceptional results. As a testament to its success, Travel Ink was shortlisted as a finalist for the SME Advisor Stars of Business Awards in two categories (Hospitality & Tourism and Communications) just one year after the company’s inception.
Karen has been recognised for her achievements in the areas of the written word, entrepreneurship, and luxury travel and has featured in various regional and international publications including Hello!, Stylist, Forbes, The National, Ahlan!, and Gulf News to name a few.
Karen lives in Dubai with her husband and two young sons.
Since then, The Good Mother, which was published in October 2017 and her second novel, The Home (September 2018), were both number one bestsellers. Her third book, A Perfect Lie, was published in August 2019 and she is currently working on her fourth novel.
In January 2019, Karen launched her own online show, Karen’s Bookshelf, all about books in partnership with Borders Middle East. Released weekly, each episode is available on IGTV, Facebook, Linked In, and YouTube and features an online book club, author interviews, and the latest book news.
Karen has also been a featured author at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature giving talks and workshops as well as giving writing masterclasses in partnerships with brands such as Costa. In 2017, Karen was included as Ahlan’s Hot 100 People, an accolade recognising the pioneers and game-changers shaping the UAE’s social and cultural landscape.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Karen founded niche communications company Travel Ink in 2011, providing content writing and strategy, public relations, social media, training, and translation services to hotels, airlines, and tourism establishments.
Karen uses her commercial experience in luxury hospitality, combined with her academic qualifications, which include a BA in Linguistics and English Language from the University of Durham and a Teaching (TEFL) Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
In her role as Managing Director, Karen oversees a team of writers, editors, and PR and social media consultants to deliver quality content for exceptional results. As a testament to its success, Travel Ink was shortlisted as a finalist for the SME Advisor Stars of Business Awards in two categories (Hospitality & Tourism and Communications) just one year after the company’s inception.
Karen has been recognised for her achievements in the areas of the written word, entrepreneurship, and luxury travel and has featured in various regional and international publications including Hello!, Stylist, Forbes, The National, Ahlan!, and Gulf News to name a few.
Karen lives in Dubai with her husband and two young sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
September 8, 2017
Catherine fills her hours with volunteer work so when the opportunity to take part in a pen pal program with prison inmates she finds herself signing up. Catherine's chosen inmate has been in prison for just over a decade for murder so she's a bit hesitant on what to say to him but feels it's her duty to try to help him reform. She decides this little project is not one to discuss with her husband and keeps the letters to herself as they come.
Kate is a young mother with two beautiful little girls that simply married and started her family too young and now feels she does for everyone but herself. She and her husband have had their share of disagreements over finances, the children and lack of time with one another just like other young couples so when Kate sees an opportunity to get out and take a writing class she jumps on the chance to just have a bit of free time for herself.
Alison is off to university and learning how to live on her own and balance her studies and college life. She's struggling a bit keeping up with the demands and finding it completely different than what she imagined university life would be. When Alison finds one of her professors taking a special interest in her she finds herself jumping at the chance to spend time with him no matter how wrong it may be and that they need to hide seeing one another.
The Good Mother by Karen Osman is a book that is told by switching the point of view between the three characters, Catherine, Kate and Alison with each chapter. Each story being told is completely different from one another and beginning the book it's hard to see what any of them will ever have in common other than all three seem to have some sort of secret in their lives.
I have to say while I enjoyed the author's writing and thought the ending was great with how everything ends up tied together this was one that was such a slow build that sometimes it was in danger of losing my attention. There are very small clues that lead to the explosive ending that one could pick up but other than that it lacked any huge twists or turns and just brought the reader to the explanation at the end. So while this one had good writing and a good ending I myself would have preferred something a bit more in the middle to really grab me and keep me on the edge of my seat leaving me to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Kate is a young mother with two beautiful little girls that simply married and started her family too young and now feels she does for everyone but herself. She and her husband have had their share of disagreements over finances, the children and lack of time with one another just like other young couples so when Kate sees an opportunity to get out and take a writing class she jumps on the chance to just have a bit of free time for herself.
Alison is off to university and learning how to live on her own and balance her studies and college life. She's struggling a bit keeping up with the demands and finding it completely different than what she imagined university life would be. When Alison finds one of her professors taking a special interest in her she finds herself jumping at the chance to spend time with him no matter how wrong it may be and that they need to hide seeing one another.
The Good Mother by Karen Osman is a book that is told by switching the point of view between the three characters, Catherine, Kate and Alison with each chapter. Each story being told is completely different from one another and beginning the book it's hard to see what any of them will ever have in common other than all three seem to have some sort of secret in their lives.
I have to say while I enjoyed the author's writing and thought the ending was great with how everything ends up tied together this was one that was such a slow build that sometimes it was in danger of losing my attention. There are very small clues that lead to the explosive ending that one could pick up but other than that it lacked any huge twists or turns and just brought the reader to the explanation at the end. So while this one had good writing and a good ending I myself would have preferred something a bit more in the middle to really grab me and keep me on the edge of my seat leaving me to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
September 23, 2017
I have no option but to give this the 5 stars I personally feel it deserves as it kept me from thinking of anything else, anyone else and focused completely on what was happening within these pages. I needed nothing else but to finish this and boy oh boy what a finish.
My jaw literally dropped to the floor, it was an unexpected ending that brought me out in a cold sweat, I really wasn't expecting that at all.
To think this all starts with a completely innocent 'pen letter' to a prisoner. The letter writing is controlled its all part of a project to help those in prison, and when Catherine agreed to volunteer for the programme it was something she hesitated to go full into the first time she wrote the prisoner she choose.
Michael, that is who she chooses to write to, a man who has been in prison for a decade.
Through the letter writing you can see that Michael doesn't seem to have an regrets, he even puts himself aloft of the other inmates.
Its quite clear he doesn't hold himself into any conflict over what he 'did'.
So does he deserve a secound chance?
Does he deserve forgiveness?
Catherine seems to give him an insight to the world outside, but is this an altogether good thing I questioned myself.
There are two ways of looking at this:
1. Does he DESERVE to know and have any insight into the outside world, afterall, he is in prison for a reason....right?
2. Or would Catherine sharing this make him think about what he is missing on the inside?
Catherine has a family, her husband she decides he doesn't need to know about her letter writing project to a man in prison. So when letters come through for her, she is on the watch, good or bad?
Then there is her daughter Alison is off to university, where she learns to be an adult, but this doesn't have altogether good aspects surrounding this at all.
I found this story full on, made me think as well, yes its fiction, but it brought up some thinking matter and I so enjoyed the story telling of this.
The writing is strong, concise, easy to follow, the characters are strong and oh so well to easily understand and read between the lines, but that ending, oh boy, that ending.
My huge thanks to Aria for my copy of this wonderful read.
My jaw literally dropped to the floor, it was an unexpected ending that brought me out in a cold sweat, I really wasn't expecting that at all.
To think this all starts with a completely innocent 'pen letter' to a prisoner. The letter writing is controlled its all part of a project to help those in prison, and when Catherine agreed to volunteer for the programme it was something she hesitated to go full into the first time she wrote the prisoner she choose.
Michael, that is who she chooses to write to, a man who has been in prison for a decade.
Through the letter writing you can see that Michael doesn't seem to have an regrets, he even puts himself aloft of the other inmates.
Its quite clear he doesn't hold himself into any conflict over what he 'did'.
So does he deserve a secound chance?
Does he deserve forgiveness?
Catherine seems to give him an insight to the world outside, but is this an altogether good thing I questioned myself.
There are two ways of looking at this:
1. Does he DESERVE to know and have any insight into the outside world, afterall, he is in prison for a reason....right?
2. Or would Catherine sharing this make him think about what he is missing on the inside?
Catherine has a family, her husband she decides he doesn't need to know about her letter writing project to a man in prison. So when letters come through for her, she is on the watch, good or bad?
Then there is her daughter Alison is off to university, where she learns to be an adult, but this doesn't have altogether good aspects surrounding this at all.
I found this story full on, made me think as well, yes its fiction, but it brought up some thinking matter and I so enjoyed the story telling of this.
The writing is strong, concise, easy to follow, the characters are strong and oh so well to easily understand and read between the lines, but that ending, oh boy, that ending.
My huge thanks to Aria for my copy of this wonderful read.
September 15, 2018
Wow.. what an ending that book had.. I did not see that coming!! the story of 3 women and their interactions . thank you to Aria via Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review in return for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2017
Loved this read ....A fresh take on the thriller genre , which already is an over crowded market ... haven’t given 5 stars since TheMagpies but I became so engrossed in The Good Mother that I was trying to squeeze in another chapter whilst cooking dinner, doing the washing ,hanging out the washing ..... I guess I made my point .
September 1, 2019
I think this book caught me at a bad time given all the positive reviews but I need (and am having, mostly) a break from missing children, guilty parents, yada yada. In short this book bored me to tears. On a good day I may have given it a three.
November 19, 2017
Kate is a mother of two children. Because her husband struggles with work they don't have much money. She tries to give her daughters everything she can, but by being a devoted wife and mother she risks losing herself. To do something that's just for her, Kate joins a writing class. It's the start of a more exciting life, but also one that forces her to take more risks. Is this really a good idea?
Catherine takes care of her family and she works as a volunteer. She tries to be the best mother and wife she can be. Her grownup daughter is living at home and Catherine makes sure their life is as prefect as possible. When she starts writing to an inmate, another volunteer project, she doesn't share this information with her family. Catherine is writing to a murderer, is that a good plan?
Alison used to be one of the smartest girls of her school, but at university she's struggling. She doesn't easily understand all of her subjects and has to work hard. She does have some sort of social life, but being at university overwhelms her and this makes her unhappy. When one of her professors shows an interest in Alison her mood changes, but is it a good decision to become involved with him?
The Good Mother is a gripping story about three women who are keeping major secrets from everyone around them. Kate is lonely and underappreciated, she needs a confidence boost and something to give her purpose. Catherine is a proud woman, someone who knows what she's doing. However, writing to someone who committed murder and might soon be free changes her life in a drastic way and makes her closed off from everyone around her. Alison is lost at university. She's insecure, doesn't know how to balance studying and being free and is feeling depressed a lot. She's a young vulnerable student and my heart ached for her. I was equally captivated by each of the three stories and couldn't wait to find out more about the women and where their story would lead. Karen Osman kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
The Good Mother is a fantastic story filled with surprising twists and turns and a spectacular ending. Karen Osman kept me guessing until the last pages, which is exactly what I think a good thriller should do. She writes about complex relationships, abuse, heartbreak and internal struggles in a raw and honest way. The Good Mother is a compelling emotional story. I read this amazing book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it.
Catherine takes care of her family and she works as a volunteer. She tries to be the best mother and wife she can be. Her grownup daughter is living at home and Catherine makes sure their life is as prefect as possible. When she starts writing to an inmate, another volunteer project, she doesn't share this information with her family. Catherine is writing to a murderer, is that a good plan?
Alison used to be one of the smartest girls of her school, but at university she's struggling. She doesn't easily understand all of her subjects and has to work hard. She does have some sort of social life, but being at university overwhelms her and this makes her unhappy. When one of her professors shows an interest in Alison her mood changes, but is it a good decision to become involved with him?
The Good Mother is a gripping story about three women who are keeping major secrets from everyone around them. Kate is lonely and underappreciated, she needs a confidence boost and something to give her purpose. Catherine is a proud woman, someone who knows what she's doing. However, writing to someone who committed murder and might soon be free changes her life in a drastic way and makes her closed off from everyone around her. Alison is lost at university. She's insecure, doesn't know how to balance studying and being free and is feeling depressed a lot. She's a young vulnerable student and my heart ached for her. I was equally captivated by each of the three stories and couldn't wait to find out more about the women and where their story would lead. Karen Osman kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
The Good Mother is a fantastic story filled with surprising twists and turns and a spectacular ending. Karen Osman kept me guessing until the last pages, which is exactly what I think a good thriller should do. She writes about complex relationships, abuse, heartbreak and internal struggles in a raw and honest way. The Good Mother is a compelling emotional story. I read this amazing book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it.
August 13, 2017
I'm the first person to actually review this one using words (aside from publisher's cheap ploy tactics/shameless promotions), so I'll try to be lenient. In the seemingly infinite realm of the ever popular for us by us female authored female driven suspense thrillers this one isn't going to make many waves, maybe a ripple or two. It's a debut and so some allowances must be made, it's perfectly decent. It creates a narrative via a three way split that comes together nicely in the end for that twist thrillers fans have come to expect from the genre. One third is a epistolary kind, involving communication with a convicted murderer about to be up for parole. One third is a chronicle of a two year abusive relationship between a university student and her professor. One third is a story of a young wife and mother who ends up having an affair with her writing class mentor. These I've just listed in a reverse chronology, but even without knowing the years, it's fairly obvious who ends up murdered, so the twist is more about how the other two plot lines are related. The pacing is nice, the writing has an amateurish vibe to it, it's serviceable, but simplistic, entirely too similar/identical really from one timeline to the next and quite estrogen heavy as these things tend to go. Decent fun and a relatively quick read, nothing special really, but passes the time in a relatively entertaining fashion. Thanks Netgalley.
October 12, 2017
I received an ARC through Netgalley, which didn't influence my opinion on the book.
Many thanks anyway to be able to review this book.
"A mother's love for her child is stronger than everything"
I enjoyed reading this book very much. My final rating would be 4.5 stars.
The book starts of with a 3 person-perspective, which I found a bit confusing at first. Note: when you start reading this book, you need to read at least 15% and get into it, or you'll be way too confused.
The 3 person-perspective is really interesting and just built up the suspense towards the end. You just keep on questioning: what do all these persons have in common with each other? For the last 20% of the book, I was just bummed that I had to go to work and finish during my lunch break. That's how captivating the story is.
The style reminded me of Liane Moriarty, but with less descriptions. This made it easier to read.
Plus, I did find the cover very appealing. I would have picked up this book in a bookstore, just because of the cover. Might buy it for a friend who's fond of thrillers;
PS: this was an uncorrected advance reader copy, but I found little flaw with it. This made it easy to read and review.
Many thanks anyway to be able to review this book.
"A mother's love for her child is stronger than everything"
I enjoyed reading this book very much. My final rating would be 4.5 stars.
The book starts of with a 3 person-perspective, which I found a bit confusing at first. Note: when you start reading this book, you need to read at least 15% and get into it, or you'll be way too confused.
The 3 person-perspective is really interesting and just built up the suspense towards the end. You just keep on questioning: what do all these persons have in common with each other? For the last 20% of the book, I was just bummed that I had to go to work and finish during my lunch break. That's how captivating the story is.
The style reminded me of Liane Moriarty, but with less descriptions. This made it easier to read.
Plus, I did find the cover very appealing. I would have picked up this book in a bookstore, just because of the cover. Might buy it for a friend who's fond of thrillers;
PS: this was an uncorrected advance reader copy, but I found little flaw with it. This made it easy to read and review.
February 24, 2018
I loved this book each chapter is divided by the story of the 3 main characters and at first the only connection seems to be they are all are attracted to wrong men,slowly as more is revealed the book grips you and my thoughts were going round and round Like in a washing machine at what the connection could be!!! Even when not reading this book the storyline stayed in my mind and afterwards I was blown away.
September 5, 2017
via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
“When I was asked to correspond with you as part of the charity’s efforts to help prisoners, I was initially apprehensive. However, I reminded myself that we have a duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and I hope that through these letters I can give you a little insight into the outside world.”
When Catherine, perfect wife and mother, begins writing a prisoner named Michael- the reader is curious to know just what he is guilty of. Her correspondences with the prisoner are tender and uplifting. Does he deserve to become a better person? To start fresh, have another chance to make better choices in life? Surely forgiveness should be easy to give if one is repentant! Right? And Michael certainly seems intelligent and good, not like the usual scourge of society. His mind seems to be in the right place, in fact it’s hard to remember he is a criminal, he seems nothing like the others.
Alison is off to university and finding it hard to assimilate with the other fresh students. The only thing holding her focus is ‘The Professor.’ He is older, intelligent, and before long she discovers that the feeling is mutual. Struggling with the law class, when he tells her his door is always open to her she imagines he is just being helpful. When he takes her to a pub instead of out for the purposed coffee, he confides he sees passion in her, and so begins the seduction. The relationship may be too much for Alison to handle, but he is an addiction she can’t kick. It will be a tumultuous time, and not because of her classes.
Kate is carrying her family, with her jobless husband and the intimacy between them dead she finds her days of raising her children and resenting her jobless husband too much to bear. The days of easy affection are long gone, his pride has left her sick with resentment, having risked so much of their security and his inability to accept the help they needed. Looking for an easy escape she finds something for herself, Kate wants to play, to feel like a woman and not simply a mother and put upon wife. How could she possibly have known that stealing a few moments for herself would cost her so much?
The women are all struggling with their emotional state, trying to tame danger or control fate. Michael is on the verge of release and as that day creeps closer, each woman’s choices are going to culminate but will anyone survive the destruction they’ve brought into their own lives? Just how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ are these women? What exactly has Michael done in the past?
It begins with an innocent correspondence between a woman and a prisoner, a young girl taking her first step into the adult world of university, and a mother/wife disappointed by her withering marriage and slowly spirals into darkness. A good read.
Publication Date: October 1, 2017
Atria
“When I was asked to correspond with you as part of the charity’s efforts to help prisoners, I was initially apprehensive. However, I reminded myself that we have a duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and I hope that through these letters I can give you a little insight into the outside world.”
When Catherine, perfect wife and mother, begins writing a prisoner named Michael- the reader is curious to know just what he is guilty of. Her correspondences with the prisoner are tender and uplifting. Does he deserve to become a better person? To start fresh, have another chance to make better choices in life? Surely forgiveness should be easy to give if one is repentant! Right? And Michael certainly seems intelligent and good, not like the usual scourge of society. His mind seems to be in the right place, in fact it’s hard to remember he is a criminal, he seems nothing like the others.
Alison is off to university and finding it hard to assimilate with the other fresh students. The only thing holding her focus is ‘The Professor.’ He is older, intelligent, and before long she discovers that the feeling is mutual. Struggling with the law class, when he tells her his door is always open to her she imagines he is just being helpful. When he takes her to a pub instead of out for the purposed coffee, he confides he sees passion in her, and so begins the seduction. The relationship may be too much for Alison to handle, but he is an addiction she can’t kick. It will be a tumultuous time, and not because of her classes.
Kate is carrying her family, with her jobless husband and the intimacy between them dead she finds her days of raising her children and resenting her jobless husband too much to bear. The days of easy affection are long gone, his pride has left her sick with resentment, having risked so much of their security and his inability to accept the help they needed. Looking for an easy escape she finds something for herself, Kate wants to play, to feel like a woman and not simply a mother and put upon wife. How could she possibly have known that stealing a few moments for herself would cost her so much?
The women are all struggling with their emotional state, trying to tame danger or control fate. Michael is on the verge of release and as that day creeps closer, each woman’s choices are going to culminate but will anyone survive the destruction they’ve brought into their own lives? Just how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ are these women? What exactly has Michael done in the past?
It begins with an innocent correspondence between a woman and a prisoner, a young girl taking her first step into the adult world of university, and a mother/wife disappointed by her withering marriage and slowly spirals into darkness. A good read.
Publication Date: October 1, 2017
Atria
March 12, 2018
I cheated!
I never cheat!
But I couldn't understand why the three stories didn't seem to be intersecting. By 75% it got to me and I skipped to the end. That satisfied me that it was worth persevering...so if you're feeling tempted to do the same, just stick with it, it's worth it.
I guess it also shows how fixed my expectations are and Karen has broken the mold with this book.
I was originally prompted to read the book because the author was coming to our up-coming Lit Fest, and as she lives locally she kindly agreed to join our discussion. She was one of the winners of the Montegrappa Writing Prize, awarded annually in conjunction with the literature festival. Some pretty big names have started off as a result of this award.
Three women, Catherine, Kate and Alison, are the main characters throughout the book. Each of them has secrets that they keep to themselves. That is about as much as I can say without giving too much away so you'll just have to read it and find out more.
So I'll add a couple of quotes instead:
"As humans we are all capable of killing - all it takes is provocation and the loss of control for just one second and your life is never the same again." (loc 2468)
"She let the apology settle like a snowflake, before it evaporated into the night, lost in the void between them." (loc 2893)
This was enjoyed by our book group and they can be a pretty harsh bunch of readers at times.
I never cheat!
But I couldn't understand why the three stories didn't seem to be intersecting. By 75% it got to me and I skipped to the end. That satisfied me that it was worth persevering...so if you're feeling tempted to do the same, just stick with it, it's worth it.
I guess it also shows how fixed my expectations are and Karen has broken the mold with this book.
I was originally prompted to read the book because the author was coming to our up-coming Lit Fest, and as she lives locally she kindly agreed to join our discussion. She was one of the winners of the Montegrappa Writing Prize, awarded annually in conjunction with the literature festival. Some pretty big names have started off as a result of this award.
Three women, Catherine, Kate and Alison, are the main characters throughout the book. Each of them has secrets that they keep to themselves. That is about as much as I can say without giving too much away so you'll just have to read it and find out more.
So I'll add a couple of quotes instead:
"As humans we are all capable of killing - all it takes is provocation and the loss of control for just one second and your life is never the same again." (loc 2468)
"She let the apology settle like a snowflake, before it evaporated into the night, lost in the void between them." (loc 2893)
This was enjoyed by our book group and they can be a pretty harsh bunch of readers at times.
October 7, 2017
The Good Mother is a chillingly refreshing psychological suspense. Written in such a way that it grips you from the onset but is so easy to sink into. The characters are all relatable and scarily realistic.
Three main women all have a man as a common link but getting to the reveal of that link takes many twists and turns. The plot-line is intriguing, Catherine, Alison and Kat all have secrets but on the surface seem ‘normal’ women going about their average daily lives.
I thought it may get pulled down into the drudgery of housework, kids, money problems etc but Karen manages to keep the tension at just the right level and I didn’t really guess the connection or the ending so this was a satisfying read.
I think the parts I enjoyed most were the pen-pal letters to a prisoner .. this appealed to the ‘taking a risk’ side of my personality!
I look forward to reading what comes next. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Three main women all have a man as a common link but getting to the reveal of that link takes many twists and turns. The plot-line is intriguing, Catherine, Alison and Kat all have secrets but on the surface seem ‘normal’ women going about their average daily lives.
I thought it may get pulled down into the drudgery of housework, kids, money problems etc but Karen manages to keep the tension at just the right level and I didn’t really guess the connection or the ending so this was a satisfying read.
I think the parts I enjoyed most were the pen-pal letters to a prisoner .. this appealed to the ‘taking a risk’ side of my personality!
I look forward to reading what comes next. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
September 11, 2017
My thank you goes out to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of the publication date, which is October 1. Three days after I finished this novel, my head is still spinning from the ending. I did not see that coming. I loved the unique plot and the way the author drew you in to the story. Three women tell their stories of how they connected with men they shouldn’t have.
Catherine is happily married, but lured into a volunteer job where she starts writing to a prisoner. Kate, who is married and has two daughters, never has any time for herself, so she begs her husband to let her take a writing class. And Allison is having a tough time in law school and turns to a relationship with one of her professors.
Each chapter takes you deeper into each woman’s story and how the “other” man becomes an obsession.
Loved this author’s fresh voice and plotting genius. Glad to read she has a three book contract. Osman is definitely an author to watch.
Catherine is happily married, but lured into a volunteer job where she starts writing to a prisoner. Kate, who is married and has two daughters, never has any time for herself, so she begs her husband to let her take a writing class. And Allison is having a tough time in law school and turns to a relationship with one of her professors.
Each chapter takes you deeper into each woman’s story and how the “other” man becomes an obsession.
Loved this author’s fresh voice and plotting genius. Glad to read she has a three book contract. Osman is definitely an author to watch.
September 26, 2017
I figured out the big "revelation" at the end about 25% into the book, but still found it enjoyable. Catherine (50s), Allison (18) and Kate (30s) all dealt with some life changes and choices according to this age and each of those revolved around a man in their lives.
October 13, 2017
A gripping psychological thriller, written from the viewpoint of 3 women, Kate, Allison and Catherine.
The story is a brilliant, well told thriller that had me addicted until the very end and wow, what an ending! My mind was completely blown! Thoroughly recommend this book, a well deserved 5 stars!! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
The story is a brilliant, well told thriller that had me addicted until the very end and wow, what an ending! My mind was completely blown! Thoroughly recommend this book, a well deserved 5 stars!! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
May 28, 2018
I don't even know where to start with this review. I have only read two books in my life that have had a twist so incredible to make me gasp out loud but now I have read a third. The structure of the book made it hard to even guess at the ending although I read this from cover to cover in 5 hours so perhaps I was too enthralled in the story to step back and realise what was going on.
The characters were enjoyable and at times very relatable despite there being moments where I felt they lacked realism and were rather plot driven. I 'm still too shocked to comprehend how well the characters were written in terms of having three separate narratives which I have too often seen go wrong but this handles it fairly well. There are really so many great things here but it is so hard to talk about them without ruining the plot which would be such an injustice.
The criticism I have is complicated because at the end of the book most things are revealed and resolved however there are a few things that struck me whilst reading this: each character is in a different time and it is not explicitly noted what year it is apart from Catherine's letters instead it is left to mentions by the character's which did leave me confused at points. I also felt there were some continuity errors that were made due to need for the plot which were noticeable but in the grander scheme could possibly be overlooked. I am just used to picking up all fine details so this may only be an issue I had.
But, really those negatives do not attract from the plot and the message of the entire book that even now reflecting on it as I'm writing this 10 minutes or so after putting it down, is really compelling and thought-provoking and takes a popular concept and has given in a new gripping angle.
I would definitely recommend this to readers. Most recommended readers would be thriller enthusiasts and any mothers. I will 100% be reading again.
The characters were enjoyable and at times very relatable despite there being moments where I felt they lacked realism and were rather plot driven. I 'm still too shocked to comprehend how well the characters were written in terms of having three separate narratives which I have too often seen go wrong but this handles it fairly well. There are really so many great things here but it is so hard to talk about them without ruining the plot which would be such an injustice.
The criticism I have is complicated because at the end of the book most things are revealed and resolved however there are a few things that struck me whilst reading this: each character is in a different time and it is not explicitly noted what year it is apart from Catherine's letters instead it is left to mentions by the character's which did leave me confused at points. I also felt there were some continuity errors that were made due to need for the plot which were noticeable but in the grander scheme could possibly be overlooked. I am just used to picking up all fine details so this may only be an issue I had.
But, really those negatives do not attract from the plot and the message of the entire book that even now reflecting on it as I'm writing this 10 minutes or so after putting it down, is really compelling and thought-provoking and takes a popular concept and has given in a new gripping angle.
I would definitely recommend this to readers. Most recommended readers would be thriller enthusiasts and any mothers. I will 100% be reading again.
July 14, 2018
The Good Mother is a solidly impressive piece of women’s fiction and whilst the suspense element at the start of this story is not always palpable, it certainly builds momentum making it a gripping page-turner that really caught me off guard! As a seasoned reader of psychological suspense I thought I had this story all sewn up only for an arresting denouement to blindside me completely! In a debut which was never anything but engaging and wonderfully insightful, Karen Osman weaves in an array of themes from the dilemmas of motherhood through to abusive relationships, the effectiveness of the prison system and whether forgiveness for committing a crime can ever be expected.
The novel is comprised of the three narratives of women each with secrets and the threat of exposure, living very different lives across a variety of timelines, all with one thing in common - a powerful and magnetic man. Savvy readers will intuit from the premise that these three narratives will coalesce and the man in question is one and the same, despite the surprising array of roles he is cast in over the years Whilst the preface hints at a threat to the life of one of the protagonists, just whom it is and how it arises hangs in the balance until the final moments.. By turns a professor, graduate student teaching creative writing and a prisoner, exploring the powerful man who has irrevocably altered the course of these women’s lives and his culpability is central to the story. All three females are such well-drawn and ordinary creations that it is impossible not to be drawn into their stories and vying for them is only natural, for behind each woman lies a family and the potential for far more hurt.
For throughly middle-class and happily married Catherine now in her 50s and living in the Lake District in 2010 with her husband, Richard, and adult daughter, her blissfully contented life is filled with volunteering for charities and good causes. Her latest effort is by way of corresponding with a convicted murderer who is coming up for parole and supporting his preparation for a life on the outside. Knowing her family would be horrified by her decision she omits to tell them however she finds herself becoming increasingly distracted by her letters to Michael, who has already served over a decade at HMP Durham. As Catherine attempts to read between the lines of his missives to see if he is truly remorseful for his actions she begins to obsess over whether he can ever expect or deserve forgiveness.
For sensible local student, Alison Owen, heading to Durham University and a law degree due to graduate in the millennial year 2000 all her dreams seem to have come true as her supportive and very proud parent witness her fly the nest for the full-on university experience. The sudden sinking feeling that she is out of her depth and struggling to keep her head above water with the intensive course soon drags her down and with just one friend and a lack of confidence she begins to slide into a lonely and unhappy existence. Desperately insecure and unsure where to turn for help, the attentions of “The Professor”, a charismatic and confident lecturer twenty years her senior offer the only ray of light in her student life.
For harassed twenty-three-year-old new mother, Kate, living in a council flat in Durham with her husband and two younger daughters in the late 1970s, she feels constantly depleted by the physical demands and emotional energy of early motherhood and marriage, with any illusion of romance a distant memory. Having waved goodbye to her freedom and the prospect of university life, just five years into her relationship with her husband, their relationship is fraught with unspoken animosity and resentment and she longs to escape the drudgery of domestic life. Driven to the brink of frustration and determined to seize the initiative she enrols on a creative writing evening class and soon begins to blossom. As she rediscovers something of her old personality and comes alive, the praise of her younger tutor, Mr Barnes, brings with it a temptation impossible to resist.
All three narratives are distinct and the characters behind them well-realised with accessible problems and secrets that the reader can identify with, which grounds the unfolding story in the realms of believability. Osman takes time to explore her characters and along with the even pace she asks so many thought-provoking questions of her three relatable lead protagonists that the reader is locked into their plight throughout, whether through judgement or empathy. Contributing cleverly to the escalating tension are some well-placed and subtle clues throughout.
As Catherine considers whether eleven years can ever really be adequate punishment for taking a life and whether her ‘pen pal’ is truly remorseful or is simply going through the motions and paying lip service in order to secure release, Karen Osman leaves the reader to decide by casting him in shades of grey and neither starkly black or white. The dynamics of each of the women’s relationship, be it through correspondence or in person serve to draw out the true nature of the man and the more the reader learns, the more unsettling everything becomes. Jealous, fond of playing mind games and quick to anger, do any of the three women really know the true nature of this powerful man? Admittedly the pace abates early into the second half of the book, but with the link between two of the narratives seeming self-apparent, a lingering doubt remains and it is this which drives the reader on along with the knowledge that as the months until his release tick down, one of these women across three era’s is drawn into a dangerous confrontation from which there can be no escape and as a bombshell revelation awaits with their secret pasts about to come back and haunt them all.
Whilst the constituent parts might be nothing startlingly original it is hard to fault when a story is as well-crafted, emotionally charged and wide in scope as The Good Mother. Packed with soul-searching questions and grounded on solid emotional underpinnings, the novel is not one of pulse-pounding action but a steadily burgeoning tension. Will Alison get the closure and fresh start she deserves? Will Kate find the peace of mind she so desperately craves? And will Catherine go one step too far to convince herself that Michael poses no further threat to society and in doing so unwittingly fall prey to a murderer?
An emotional, insightful and well-written novel on the multifaceted role of motherhood, the demands and responsibilities that it brings and the journey from doubt and insecurities to self-fulfilment. Unflinchingly raw and honest narration that airs a litany of questions faced by three ordinary women stepping out of their comfort zones and preordained paths in life. The story also takes time to shine a light on the path towards release for a long-term prisoner and some of the realities of a life behind bars. Excellent stuff.
The novel is comprised of the three narratives of women each with secrets and the threat of exposure, living very different lives across a variety of timelines, all with one thing in common - a powerful and magnetic man. Savvy readers will intuit from the premise that these three narratives will coalesce and the man in question is one and the same, despite the surprising array of roles he is cast in over the years Whilst the preface hints at a threat to the life of one of the protagonists, just whom it is and how it arises hangs in the balance until the final moments.. By turns a professor, graduate student teaching creative writing and a prisoner, exploring the powerful man who has irrevocably altered the course of these women’s lives and his culpability is central to the story. All three females are such well-drawn and ordinary creations that it is impossible not to be drawn into their stories and vying for them is only natural, for behind each woman lies a family and the potential for far more hurt.
For throughly middle-class and happily married Catherine now in her 50s and living in the Lake District in 2010 with her husband, Richard, and adult daughter, her blissfully contented life is filled with volunteering for charities and good causes. Her latest effort is by way of corresponding with a convicted murderer who is coming up for parole and supporting his preparation for a life on the outside. Knowing her family would be horrified by her decision she omits to tell them however she finds herself becoming increasingly distracted by her letters to Michael, who has already served over a decade at HMP Durham. As Catherine attempts to read between the lines of his missives to see if he is truly remorseful for his actions she begins to obsess over whether he can ever expect or deserve forgiveness.
For sensible local student, Alison Owen, heading to Durham University and a law degree due to graduate in the millennial year 2000 all her dreams seem to have come true as her supportive and very proud parent witness her fly the nest for the full-on university experience. The sudden sinking feeling that she is out of her depth and struggling to keep her head above water with the intensive course soon drags her down and with just one friend and a lack of confidence she begins to slide into a lonely and unhappy existence. Desperately insecure and unsure where to turn for help, the attentions of “The Professor”, a charismatic and confident lecturer twenty years her senior offer the only ray of light in her student life.
For harassed twenty-three-year-old new mother, Kate, living in a council flat in Durham with her husband and two younger daughters in the late 1970s, she feels constantly depleted by the physical demands and emotional energy of early motherhood and marriage, with any illusion of romance a distant memory. Having waved goodbye to her freedom and the prospect of university life, just five years into her relationship with her husband, their relationship is fraught with unspoken animosity and resentment and she longs to escape the drudgery of domestic life. Driven to the brink of frustration and determined to seize the initiative she enrols on a creative writing evening class and soon begins to blossom. As she rediscovers something of her old personality and comes alive, the praise of her younger tutor, Mr Barnes, brings with it a temptation impossible to resist.
All three narratives are distinct and the characters behind them well-realised with accessible problems and secrets that the reader can identify with, which grounds the unfolding story in the realms of believability. Osman takes time to explore her characters and along with the even pace she asks so many thought-provoking questions of her three relatable lead protagonists that the reader is locked into their plight throughout, whether through judgement or empathy. Contributing cleverly to the escalating tension are some well-placed and subtle clues throughout.
As Catherine considers whether eleven years can ever really be adequate punishment for taking a life and whether her ‘pen pal’ is truly remorseful or is simply going through the motions and paying lip service in order to secure release, Karen Osman leaves the reader to decide by casting him in shades of grey and neither starkly black or white. The dynamics of each of the women’s relationship, be it through correspondence or in person serve to draw out the true nature of the man and the more the reader learns, the more unsettling everything becomes. Jealous, fond of playing mind games and quick to anger, do any of the three women really know the true nature of this powerful man? Admittedly the pace abates early into the second half of the book, but with the link between two of the narratives seeming self-apparent, a lingering doubt remains and it is this which drives the reader on along with the knowledge that as the months until his release tick down, one of these women across three era’s is drawn into a dangerous confrontation from which there can be no escape and as a bombshell revelation awaits with their secret pasts about to come back and haunt them all.
Whilst the constituent parts might be nothing startlingly original it is hard to fault when a story is as well-crafted, emotionally charged and wide in scope as The Good Mother. Packed with soul-searching questions and grounded on solid emotional underpinnings, the novel is not one of pulse-pounding action but a steadily burgeoning tension. Will Alison get the closure and fresh start she deserves? Will Kate find the peace of mind she so desperately craves? And will Catherine go one step too far to convince herself that Michael poses no further threat to society and in doing so unwittingly fall prey to a murderer?
An emotional, insightful and well-written novel on the multifaceted role of motherhood, the demands and responsibilities that it brings and the journey from doubt and insecurities to self-fulfilment. Unflinchingly raw and honest narration that airs a litany of questions faced by three ordinary women stepping out of their comfort zones and preordained paths in life. The story also takes time to shine a light on the path towards release for a long-term prisoner and some of the realities of a life behind bars. Excellent stuff.
December 5, 2017
WOW! Did this one really make me sit up & gasp! This is another book that joins the list of books I can't quite get out of my head.
From the start we know something dreadful has happened. We don't know who and that is something to reflect on as the book progresses.
This book is told from three points of view. There is Catherine; middle aged woman with a grown up family. She spends her days volunteering for various good causes. She becomes involved with a charity that writes to prisoners and she starts to write to Michael; a convicted killer, who having served nearly ten years of his sentence for murder is coming up for parole. His letters begin to take over her life.
Kate is a rather harassed young mother. She has two small daughters and an overworked husband who has stopped noticing her. When there is a local night class for creative writing she goes along and soon discovers she has a talent for writing as well as for attracting the attention of the young tutor.
Alison was always a high achiever so she did not expect her first term at Uni to be so tough. As she struggles to understand her course and make some progress with her course she attracts the attention of the rather charismatic 'professor. However he is not all he seems.
As the story switches from one character to another, the reader is left to form their own opinions of them. I found Catherine a rather self satisfied snob. She was not a character I would want to spend time with. I felt sorry for Alison. It was easy to see from the outside that this relationship was toxic but also easy to see how she had drifted into it because of her self doubts and insecurities. Kate was the character I liked most.
I did not see the ending coming. I had worked out one bit of the puzzle early on but wouldn't have guessed the finale! Well done Karen Osman for a brilliant read; thanks also go to Netgalley & the publisher.
From the start we know something dreadful has happened. We don't know who and that is something to reflect on as the book progresses.
This book is told from three points of view. There is Catherine; middle aged woman with a grown up family. She spends her days volunteering for various good causes. She becomes involved with a charity that writes to prisoners and she starts to write to Michael; a convicted killer, who having served nearly ten years of his sentence for murder is coming up for parole. His letters begin to take over her life.
Kate is a rather harassed young mother. She has two small daughters and an overworked husband who has stopped noticing her. When there is a local night class for creative writing she goes along and soon discovers she has a talent for writing as well as for attracting the attention of the young tutor.
Alison was always a high achiever so she did not expect her first term at Uni to be so tough. As she struggles to understand her course and make some progress with her course she attracts the attention of the rather charismatic 'professor. However he is not all he seems.
As the story switches from one character to another, the reader is left to form their own opinions of them. I found Catherine a rather self satisfied snob. She was not a character I would want to spend time with. I felt sorry for Alison. It was easy to see from the outside that this relationship was toxic but also easy to see how she had drifted into it because of her self doubts and insecurities. Kate was the character I liked most.
I did not see the ending coming. I had worked out one bit of the puzzle early on but wouldn't have guessed the finale! Well done Karen Osman for a brilliant read; thanks also go to Netgalley & the publisher.
September 26, 2018
Holy shit! It takes a lot to knock me off my feet but this one did it in a matter of a few last pages that tied this story up into a neat little package! Gripping from page one, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Excellent!
May 23, 2019
Although I had this largely figured out by 1/3rd in it was still a great read! Well-written and so heartbreakingly relatable as a mother and wife. A bit dark/depressing which is my jam :)
March 6, 2018
Wow, I was crying at the end of this book.....proper tears, too, not just the odd snivel. It was sooooooo good !! And, upon checking on my Amazon page, I realised I downloaded it as a FREEBIE !! I was sure I'd paid for it but I'll definitely be happy to pay for her next. I've been lucky thus far in 2018, in that there have been a couple of proper gems I've read already for free, very unexpected indeed.
At the beginning of this I actually made handwritten notes as it's written featuring 3 women in 3 differing decades and I'm pleased I did, mainly so I knew when mobile phones or computers weren't readily available and things like this in the era I was in on that particular chapter.
She had to write very cleverly indeed. Firstly, to lead you bit-by-bit to the denouement by tying all the events together and secondly, in doing so, she omitted names a great deal of the time or substituted them. As I read, I could certainly appreciate how bloody tricky that had to be to do !! But so effective and so well executed. I was even pretty smug that I'd figured everything out before the end (although that in no way detracted from my enjoyment) only to learn there were still surprises to come I'd not even considered. Fantastically done !! The main characters had so many lovely, supportive family and friends created around them, too.
I'd not heard of Jack Vettriano and Googled him and loved some of his work, especially Back Where You Belong and Dance Me To the End of Love.....so that was a nice bonus.
There were the odd mistakes, though for once I feel a little churlish mentioning them here. Perhaps she can get them eliminated before there's another print run or something. Here and there, there were words added from or missed in sentences.....probably an e-book speciality....such as "it was a nice to know" or "...she broke into run to meet Laura" or "What mattered was that she broken his trust" and there were apostrophe errors, too, yet for most of the story they were correct. Maybe the proofreader or editor missed them....along with the odd missed fullstop, hyphen or speechmarks I noticed. There were NO atrocious spelling mistakes, though.
I was a little confused when Michael told Catherine that they "let us watch TV every week" in prison. I wasn't sure if it was a mistake or if he was being funny or what that meant. It did get a tad annoying how many times we were reminded of the differing weather patterns....we know it's "grim up north" so didn't need the persistent reminders.
Now, I would advise readers to avoid Amazon's X-Ray "thing" like the plague with this book. I was highly bloody annoyed that I highlighted something (no spoilers from me) and upon doing so, in order to make a note, the sodding thing opened and gave me a MASSIVE spoiler which DID spoil it a little. Actually, I need to switch that godforsaken thing off. I never use it and I've noticed before that it's done this, though not to the extent it did in this book.
I so look forward to this author's next story, although she's a lot to live up to, now !!
At the beginning of this I actually made handwritten notes as it's written featuring 3 women in 3 differing decades and I'm pleased I did, mainly so I knew when mobile phones or computers weren't readily available and things like this in the era I was in on that particular chapter.
She had to write very cleverly indeed. Firstly, to lead you bit-by-bit to the denouement by tying all the events together and secondly, in doing so, she omitted names a great deal of the time or substituted them. As I read, I could certainly appreciate how bloody tricky that had to be to do !! But so effective and so well executed. I was even pretty smug that I'd figured everything out before the end (although that in no way detracted from my enjoyment) only to learn there were still surprises to come I'd not even considered. Fantastically done !! The main characters had so many lovely, supportive family and friends created around them, too.
I'd not heard of Jack Vettriano and Googled him and loved some of his work, especially Back Where You Belong and Dance Me To the End of Love.....so that was a nice bonus.
There were the odd mistakes, though for once I feel a little churlish mentioning them here. Perhaps she can get them eliminated before there's another print run or something. Here and there, there were words added from or missed in sentences.....probably an e-book speciality....such as "it was a nice to know" or "...she broke into run to meet Laura" or "What mattered was that she broken his trust" and there were apostrophe errors, too, yet for most of the story they were correct. Maybe the proofreader or editor missed them....along with the odd missed fullstop, hyphen or speechmarks I noticed. There were NO atrocious spelling mistakes, though.
I was a little confused when Michael told Catherine that they "let us watch TV every week" in prison. I wasn't sure if it was a mistake or if he was being funny or what that meant. It did get a tad annoying how many times we were reminded of the differing weather patterns....we know it's "grim up north" so didn't need the persistent reminders.
Now, I would advise readers to avoid Amazon's X-Ray "thing" like the plague with this book. I was highly bloody annoyed that I highlighted something (no spoilers from me) and upon doing so, in order to make a note, the sodding thing opened and gave me a MASSIVE spoiler which DID spoil it a little. Actually, I need to switch that godforsaken thing off. I never use it and I've noticed before that it's done this, though not to the extent it did in this book.
I so look forward to this author's next story, although she's a lot to live up to, now !!
August 13, 2017
Described as a ‘gripping psychological suspense’ this book to a certain extent fulfils that description. It goes on to add ‘with a shocking twist’ and I would say that is an understatement, because I was certainly not expecting that.
On the face of it we are presented with the voices and stories of three different women:
Catherine has a nice home, with a good husband and a daughter. She is ‘lucky’ enough to be able to fill her days without the burden of working. Instead she works for various charities and decides to embark on writing to Michael a prisoner in Durham jail to ready him for his parole and eventual freedom. She keeps this a secret from her family and looks forward to the exchange of letters even though doubt creeps in when considering his sentence for murder.
Kate who was destined for university finds herself in love, abandons academia and has two children. When her husband finds himself unemployed he suffers from depression with the result that Kate is left somewhat lonely, feels unloved and unappreciated whilst putting her all into raising the children on little money. She then finds an outlet in writing.
Finally, Alison who escapes from home to University in Durham hoping for a degree in Law. Unfortunately Alison struggles from uncertainty and doubt until help arrives in the form of The Professor.
Three women, three stories each with a secret, a secret which leads to problems.
We have all read books with secrets at the heart of them, in a way it is a fundamental human condition – through embarrassment, shame or hurt we seek to protect ourselves and others by keeping the secret, whether it be your secret or someone else’s. Within The Good Mother the secrets are slowly revealed and you may consider the actions of the protagonists to be understandable and if they had only spoken…. Here is a story of abuse, physical and psychological and emotional negligence.
At the beginning of the book I struggled a little as I tried to bind the histories of the three women together but as I became involved in their stories this faded. I was just anxious to find out more, to see what developed. I am glad I did because I was more than surprised at the end. So, would I recommend this? Yes, I certainly would. Was it a page-turner? I read it in one-night foregoing sleep. Need I say more?
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
On the face of it we are presented with the voices and stories of three different women:
Catherine has a nice home, with a good husband and a daughter. She is ‘lucky’ enough to be able to fill her days without the burden of working. Instead she works for various charities and decides to embark on writing to Michael a prisoner in Durham jail to ready him for his parole and eventual freedom. She keeps this a secret from her family and looks forward to the exchange of letters even though doubt creeps in when considering his sentence for murder.
Kate who was destined for university finds herself in love, abandons academia and has two children. When her husband finds himself unemployed he suffers from depression with the result that Kate is left somewhat lonely, feels unloved and unappreciated whilst putting her all into raising the children on little money. She then finds an outlet in writing.
Finally, Alison who escapes from home to University in Durham hoping for a degree in Law. Unfortunately Alison struggles from uncertainty and doubt until help arrives in the form of The Professor.
Three women, three stories each with a secret, a secret which leads to problems.
We have all read books with secrets at the heart of them, in a way it is a fundamental human condition – through embarrassment, shame or hurt we seek to protect ourselves and others by keeping the secret, whether it be your secret or someone else’s. Within The Good Mother the secrets are slowly revealed and you may consider the actions of the protagonists to be understandable and if they had only spoken…. Here is a story of abuse, physical and psychological and emotional negligence.
At the beginning of the book I struggled a little as I tried to bind the histories of the three women together but as I became involved in their stories this faded. I was just anxious to find out more, to see what developed. I am glad I did because I was more than surprised at the end. So, would I recommend this? Yes, I certainly would. Was it a page-turner? I read it in one-night foregoing sleep. Need I say more?
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
January 28, 2018
This book deserves every one of the 5 stars that I rated it. It is a true psychological thriller. The story is about 3 different women who seemingly have nothing to do with each other. I tried to imagine in my mind where exactly the author was going with the story, but in the end was completely caught off guard. This is one of the best psychological thrillers that I have read.
April 4, 2018
This is a gripping novel with a storyline that gets under your skin and then ties up very cleverly at the end. A fantastic debut - I'm looking forward to reading Osman's next book.
January 5, 2019
Told from three different POV's. Allison a college freshman studying law. Kate a married mother of two trying to find something more in her life. Catherine a married volunteer looking to make someone's life easier.
It was one of those books that would've benefitted from less words. It went on a little too long. I skimmed through a few chapters but i still wanted to finish the book.
I received my ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
It was one of those books that would've benefitted from less words. It went on a little too long. I skimmed through a few chapters but i still wanted to finish the book.
I received my ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
October 21, 2018
Brilliantly written! Slightly confusing to begin with, but that only made me want to keep reading to find out the connecting factor between the three women. Kept guessing right up until the end! Would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of suspense/thriller type books!
October 5, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Three women, three different view points, three different sides to the story. How far would YOU go to protect your children? As parents, do we really need to give an answer to the question? Is it blatantly obvious or would some of us not know until the situation ever arose? Catherine is an extremely organised person. Her home is run to perfection with every day knowing exactly what she is doing and when. But, Catherine is hiding a secret from her husband...need I say more? The second woman in the story is Kate. A young mum with two young children and a husband who is wouldn't know how to be selfless if it came up and bit him on the toosh. Finding herself stuck in a rut, Kate vows to make slight adjustments to her life...whilst also keeping her husband in the dark. Once again, need I say more? Lastly is Alison, a university goer who has their whole future ahead of them. Independence. Exciting new prospects. A professor who isn't sticking to the curriculum.....
I have to say, I struggled with this book at the beginning because I found myself getting confused due to the lack of information surrounding each viewpoint. The time span wasn't always clear which meant I had slight difficulty in keeping up with the storyline as it wasn't clearly set out. Now, all three woman bring something completely different to the story. Not only are they at different points in their lives, their characters and personalities stand out in their own individual ways. Did I find myself warming to any of the three main characters in particular? Not really, but that's not to say that I didn't like them. Granted I didn't like some of their choices, but who does like everything someone else does? I had absolutely no idea where the storyline was heading, at all. The further into the book I read, the more comfortable I became with each viewpoint, yet I still couldn't full guess what would become of 'The Good Mother'.
As a parent myself, I related to the lioness elements with the constant worrying about making sure your child/ren are okay. My daughter is four yet she acts like a fourteen year old and already I worry about her. We wouldn't be parents if we didn't worry!
Without giving too much away, 'The Good Mother' contains some rather uncomfortable themes, eye-opening situations, as well as various antics which are most likely to make your skin crawl, whilst also becoming incredibly angry. Trust me, I became angry whilst reading certain parts. I felt sick to my stomach as well, I'm not going to lie, yet I just could not stop reading. Who on Earth was this monster?
The pace of this book overall was quite slow. There seemed to be a lot of background work and scene setting, before the nitty-gritty parts took over. At first I didn't really appreciate that about the story, yet when 'The Good Mother' reached its conclusion, I appreciated the pace a whole lot better. Well, I did once I put my jaw back after it reaching the floor. Oh my god, seriously, what an ending! No I didn't see it coming at all, but by golly was it worth the wait! Hats off to the author for such a nail-biting final part to the book. Brilliant craftsmanship.
Overall, 'The Good Mother' kept me intrigued and wanting more, whilst also igniting multiple emotions deep within, all at the same time. The storyline did keep me interested, but I did often find the pace to be a bit too slow burning. However, whilst each of the women had a lot of drama coming to light in their viewpoints (some more grittier than others), I did appreciate why the slow burning pace had to be like that.
Intense, suspenseful, and heart-breaking; 'The Good Mother' is a read that is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very last moment, whilst also being unable to forget the storyline for a while upon completion. With the best conclusion I have read in a very long time, 'The Good Mother' may have a slow pace but it is certainly worth the wait when you come to that ending. A suspenseful showstopper in the ending alone. Definitely a well crafted part of the novel.
Thanks Aria.
Three women, three different view points, three different sides to the story. How far would YOU go to protect your children? As parents, do we really need to give an answer to the question? Is it blatantly obvious or would some of us not know until the situation ever arose? Catherine is an extremely organised person. Her home is run to perfection with every day knowing exactly what she is doing and when. But, Catherine is hiding a secret from her husband...need I say more? The second woman in the story is Kate. A young mum with two young children and a husband who is wouldn't know how to be selfless if it came up and bit him on the toosh. Finding herself stuck in a rut, Kate vows to make slight adjustments to her life...whilst also keeping her husband in the dark. Once again, need I say more? Lastly is Alison, a university goer who has their whole future ahead of them. Independence. Exciting new prospects. A professor who isn't sticking to the curriculum.....
I have to say, I struggled with this book at the beginning because I found myself getting confused due to the lack of information surrounding each viewpoint. The time span wasn't always clear which meant I had slight difficulty in keeping up with the storyline as it wasn't clearly set out. Now, all three woman bring something completely different to the story. Not only are they at different points in their lives, their characters and personalities stand out in their own individual ways. Did I find myself warming to any of the three main characters in particular? Not really, but that's not to say that I didn't like them. Granted I didn't like some of their choices, but who does like everything someone else does? I had absolutely no idea where the storyline was heading, at all. The further into the book I read, the more comfortable I became with each viewpoint, yet I still couldn't full guess what would become of 'The Good Mother'.
As a parent myself, I related to the lioness elements with the constant worrying about making sure your child/ren are okay. My daughter is four yet she acts like a fourteen year old and already I worry about her. We wouldn't be parents if we didn't worry!
Without giving too much away, 'The Good Mother' contains some rather uncomfortable themes, eye-opening situations, as well as various antics which are most likely to make your skin crawl, whilst also becoming incredibly angry. Trust me, I became angry whilst reading certain parts. I felt sick to my stomach as well, I'm not going to lie, yet I just could not stop reading. Who on Earth was this monster?
The pace of this book overall was quite slow. There seemed to be a lot of background work and scene setting, before the nitty-gritty parts took over. At first I didn't really appreciate that about the story, yet when 'The Good Mother' reached its conclusion, I appreciated the pace a whole lot better. Well, I did once I put my jaw back after it reaching the floor. Oh my god, seriously, what an ending! No I didn't see it coming at all, but by golly was it worth the wait! Hats off to the author for such a nail-biting final part to the book. Brilliant craftsmanship.
Overall, 'The Good Mother' kept me intrigued and wanting more, whilst also igniting multiple emotions deep within, all at the same time. The storyline did keep me interested, but I did often find the pace to be a bit too slow burning. However, whilst each of the women had a lot of drama coming to light in their viewpoints (some more grittier than others), I did appreciate why the slow burning pace had to be like that.
Intense, suspenseful, and heart-breaking; 'The Good Mother' is a read that is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very last moment, whilst also being unable to forget the storyline for a while upon completion. With the best conclusion I have read in a very long time, 'The Good Mother' may have a slow pace but it is certainly worth the wait when you come to that ending. A suspenseful showstopper in the ending alone. Definitely a well crafted part of the novel.
Thanks Aria.
January 2, 2024
I absolutely LOVED The good mother.
I’ve read many thrilling books over the last few years but this one really stood out. It’s not the usual – something happens at the beginning and all detectives trying to find out whodunit etc… this was a perfectly plotted book with 3 main characters – Catherine, Kate and Alison.
The good mother is told from each, Catherine, Kate and Alison’s points of view. They all have very different lives, but throughout the book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that although they have these differences, they were connected somehow.
I most certainly wasn’t prepared for the twist that came about, wow. That really did take my breath away. I had to re-read what I’d already read, I thought I’d read it wrong at first! This is when the storyline, the characters, even the locations of the book really came together for me.
The good mother is a book that I WILL BE recommending to everyone as a MUST READ.
My thanks go to Melanie Price and Aria books for inviting me take part on this blog tour.
I’ve read many thrilling books over the last few years but this one really stood out. It’s not the usual – something happens at the beginning and all detectives trying to find out whodunit etc… this was a perfectly plotted book with 3 main characters – Catherine, Kate and Alison.
The good mother is told from each, Catherine, Kate and Alison’s points of view. They all have very different lives, but throughout the book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that although they have these differences, they were connected somehow.
I most certainly wasn’t prepared for the twist that came about, wow. That really did take my breath away. I had to re-read what I’d already read, I thought I’d read it wrong at first! This is when the storyline, the characters, even the locations of the book really came together for me.
The good mother is a book that I WILL BE recommending to everyone as a MUST READ.
My thanks go to Melanie Price and Aria books for inviting me take part on this blog tour.
January 29, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and despite the fact that it was written from the narrative of three different women, I found it easy to follow given that they are all such different personalities. Each of the women has a secret, and you learn more and more about them as the story progresses. Each of their stories is equally as gripping as the others, so I found myself in the mindset of 'just one more chapter!' over and over again. I was invested in each of their stories and wondering how it would all end. I feel there's a very minimal amount that I can say without giving anything away, but I will say that this is so cleverly written that it's worthy of 5*. The only thing that knocked it down to 4* for me, was the fact that the ending seemed a little too far-fetched and off the scale for me to get my head round. It was certainly a fantastic twist, but just a little too heavy for me to get on board with.
November 26, 2017
The good mother by Karen Osman.
Catherine is a good mother and a good wife. The family home is immaculate, her husband's supper is cooked on time, but when she starts writing to Michael, a prisoner convicted of murder, she finds herself obsessing about his crime and whether he can ever truly be forgiven... Kate has time for herself. Caught in maelstrom of bringing up young children with no money, and an out-of-work husband, she longs to escape the drudgery of being a wife and a mother. And she soon starts taking dangerous risks to feel alive...
A very enjoyable read. This was a shocker of a read. I really didn't expect that. Wow. 5*. Netgalley and aria.
Catherine is a good mother and a good wife. The family home is immaculate, her husband's supper is cooked on time, but when she starts writing to Michael, a prisoner convicted of murder, she finds herself obsessing about his crime and whether he can ever truly be forgiven... Kate has time for herself. Caught in maelstrom of bringing up young children with no money, and an out-of-work husband, she longs to escape the drudgery of being a wife and a mother. And she soon starts taking dangerous risks to feel alive...
A very enjoyable read. This was a shocker of a read. I really didn't expect that. Wow. 5*. Netgalley and aria.
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