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Call Me Mummy
Glamorous, beautiful Mummy has everything a woman could want... except for a daughter of her very own. So when she sees Kim—heavily pregnant, glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop—she does what anyone would do. She takes her. But little foul-mouthed Tonya is not the daughter that Mummy was hoping for.
Meanwhile Kim is demonised by the media as a 'scummy mummy', who deserved to lose Tonya and ought to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, she begins to spiral, turning on those who love her.
Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle...
Meanwhile Kim is demonised by the media as a 'scummy mummy', who deserved to lose Tonya and ought to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, she begins to spiral, turning on those who love her.
Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle...
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2021
130 people are currently reading
2094 people want to read
About the author
Tina Baker
5 books121 followersTina Baker, the daughter of a window cleaner and fairground traveller, worked as a journalist and broadcaster for thirty years and is probably best known as a television critic for the BBC and GMTV. After so many hours watching soaps gave her a widescreen bum, she got off it and won Celebrity Fit Club. She now avoids writing-induced DVT by working as a Fitness Instructor.
Call Me Mummy is Tina's first novel, inspired by her own unsuccessful attempts to become a mother. Despite the grief of that, she's not stolen a child - so far. But she does rescue cats, whether they want to be rescued or not.
Call Me Mummy is Tina's first novel, inspired by her own unsuccessful attempts to become a mother. Despite the grief of that, she's not stolen a child - so far. But she does rescue cats, whether they want to be rescued or not.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
March 19, 2021
I loved this character driven story with extremely flawed characters, some I liked and others I did not. It’s also not a typical child kidnapping story which added to my enjoyment of the book.
Kim is in a store shopping with her children. Tonya is five and her young son is in a stroller and she’s very pregnant with a third. She’s hyper-focused about what she needs to purchase, resulting in her waning attention span and ignoring her daughter, Tonya, who is a high-energy child simply wanting to look at all the toys.
A stranger witnessing the event becomes enraged that a mother could be so irresponsible with her child and quickly deems the mother unworthy of having children, rectifying the situation by kidnapping Tonya to raise as her own.
The chapters alternate between Kim, the mother, and the kidnapper, referred to as “Mummy”. Later in the book Tonya’s perspective is added.
Mummy has a beautiful life and home and seems perfectly capable of doting on a child, giving the child the world. However, she is overly prim, proper and a perfectionist with deeply-rooted religious values. Her upbringing was horrendous, full of violence and abuse. She is unable to have children and desperately wants to love a child in exchange for the child’s affection and adoration.
Kim, Tanya’s mother, has also had a rough life and a horrible history involving drugs and alcohol. She has cleaned up her life and is now married and loves her children. Due to such a street-hard life, Kim is a hardened, foul-mouthed force to be reckoned, which is why she has only 1 friend. She and her husband struggle financially and often things have to wait until their hand-to-mouth payday, not to mention Kim is struggling with the kids on her own, because her husband needs to work extra hours. Aside from this, her love for her child and missing her child is palpable.
Reactions to their agony left me speechless and in a state of disbelief, multiple times, and I wondered how far they would sink into the murky waters of pain before they would see there is a bottom and slowly push to rise to the surface.
One thing that really struck me is how angry and inflamed people became once the news of the kidnapping broke. Instead of wanting to destroy a malicious kidnapper, they instead misfired their hate and spite for a mother, another victim, who made a tragic mistake. Isn’t her palpable grief and remorse enough pain for one lifetime?
All in all, I can’t say that I particularly liked any of the main characters, including the child, but together I loved their story.
The book gave me much to think about and analyze. I savored this book because of the dynamics and dichotomy, having to put aside my own judgements and instead focus on the impact and ripple effects for each character. I definitely recommend this book.
Kim is in a store shopping with her children. Tonya is five and her young son is in a stroller and she’s very pregnant with a third. She’s hyper-focused about what she needs to purchase, resulting in her waning attention span and ignoring her daughter, Tonya, who is a high-energy child simply wanting to look at all the toys.
A stranger witnessing the event becomes enraged that a mother could be so irresponsible with her child and quickly deems the mother unworthy of having children, rectifying the situation by kidnapping Tonya to raise as her own.
The chapters alternate between Kim, the mother, and the kidnapper, referred to as “Mummy”. Later in the book Tonya’s perspective is added.
Mummy has a beautiful life and home and seems perfectly capable of doting on a child, giving the child the world. However, she is overly prim, proper and a perfectionist with deeply-rooted religious values. Her upbringing was horrendous, full of violence and abuse. She is unable to have children and desperately wants to love a child in exchange for the child’s affection and adoration.
Kim, Tanya’s mother, has also had a rough life and a horrible history involving drugs and alcohol. She has cleaned up her life and is now married and loves her children. Due to such a street-hard life, Kim is a hardened, foul-mouthed force to be reckoned, which is why she has only 1 friend. She and her husband struggle financially and often things have to wait until their hand-to-mouth payday, not to mention Kim is struggling with the kids on her own, because her husband needs to work extra hours. Aside from this, her love for her child and missing her child is palpable.
Reactions to their agony left me speechless and in a state of disbelief, multiple times, and I wondered how far they would sink into the murky waters of pain before they would see there is a bottom and slowly push to rise to the surface.
One thing that really struck me is how angry and inflamed people became once the news of the kidnapping broke. Instead of wanting to destroy a malicious kidnapper, they instead misfired their hate and spite for a mother, another victim, who made a tragic mistake. Isn’t her palpable grief and remorse enough pain for one lifetime?
All in all, I can’t say that I particularly liked any of the main characters, including the child, but together I loved their story.
The book gave me much to think about and analyze. I savored this book because of the dynamics and dichotomy, having to put aside my own judgements and instead focus on the impact and ripple effects for each character. I definitely recommend this book.
February 19, 2021
4.5 stars - Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Call Me Mummy is a brutal, harsh, yet surprising easy read that I read in just one day. The book is told in mainly two viewpoints, Kim the mother of the child that has gone missing, and the woman who took her known as ‘Mummy’.
Five-year-old Tonya is with her mum and little brother Darryl out shopping when she wanders off to look at something. Her mother is a foul-mouthed woman who has been shouting at her daughter and on the phone moments before. A woman approaches Tonya and talks to her until she notices some bruising and decides that the child needs a loving home. With the promise of seeing some puppies, Tonya walks off with the woman.
The aftermath of the media scrutiny on Kim shows the truly horrible side of social media and comments sections on newspapers/websites as people call her all kinds of names, as well as a bad mother and that they are glad the child has been taken.
The abductor soon discovers that Tonya, or Izzy as she has now named her isn’t the little angel she was hoping for. As Tonya pushes against the woman, the more she loses it and starts to treat her terribly. This isn’t the child she longed for.
The storyline was gripping and had me fully fixated on the two women and little Tonya. We do get to read small sections from Tonya but these were the parts that I felt didn’t work as she was only five years old yet spoke like an adult, lots of swearing and mentioning things such as being hungry and not getting enough food and that at least she would be losing weight.
In the beginning, you feel that all though abduction is never right that perhaps Tonya not being with her mother was for the best. This is a woman who doesn’t know how to be a mother. A woman who is happy to swear at her children and cause them physical injuries. The abductor is a woman who looks after her home, eats healthily, and seemingly wants the best for Tonya, that is until her buttons are pushed and her past is revealed.
The book had my emotions in overdrive and I was desperate to hurry through it hoping that Tonya would be found, but the longer her ordeal went on, the less I was sure, especially with the secrets that are exposed. It has short chapters which added to the intensity. A fabulous debut novel that will make you angry at both women and sorry for the young girl caught in the middle.
Call Me Mummy is a brutal, harsh, yet surprising easy read that I read in just one day. The book is told in mainly two viewpoints, Kim the mother of the child that has gone missing, and the woman who took her known as ‘Mummy’.
Five-year-old Tonya is with her mum and little brother Darryl out shopping when she wanders off to look at something. Her mother is a foul-mouthed woman who has been shouting at her daughter and on the phone moments before. A woman approaches Tonya and talks to her until she notices some bruising and decides that the child needs a loving home. With the promise of seeing some puppies, Tonya walks off with the woman.
The aftermath of the media scrutiny on Kim shows the truly horrible side of social media and comments sections on newspapers/websites as people call her all kinds of names, as well as a bad mother and that they are glad the child has been taken.
The abductor soon discovers that Tonya, or Izzy as she has now named her isn’t the little angel she was hoping for. As Tonya pushes against the woman, the more she loses it and starts to treat her terribly. This isn’t the child she longed for.
The storyline was gripping and had me fully fixated on the two women and little Tonya. We do get to read small sections from Tonya but these were the parts that I felt didn’t work as she was only five years old yet spoke like an adult, lots of swearing and mentioning things such as being hungry and not getting enough food and that at least she would be losing weight.
In the beginning, you feel that all though abduction is never right that perhaps Tonya not being with her mother was for the best. This is a woman who doesn’t know how to be a mother. A woman who is happy to swear at her children and cause them physical injuries. The abductor is a woman who looks after her home, eats healthily, and seemingly wants the best for Tonya, that is until her buttons are pushed and her past is revealed.
The book had my emotions in overdrive and I was desperate to hurry through it hoping that Tonya would be found, but the longer her ordeal went on, the less I was sure, especially with the secrets that are exposed. It has short chapters which added to the intensity. A fabulous debut novel that will make you angry at both women and sorry for the young girl caught in the middle.
February 25, 2021
Call Me Mummy is Tina Baker's powerful first novel, inspired by her own unsuccessful attempts to become a mother. Despite the grief of that, she’s not stolen a child – so far. It's the run-up to Christmas and Mummy is reluctantly Christmas shopping but gets distracted by the cute pink dresses and tiny baby clothes when she comes upon a mother, Kim, and her beautiful daughter, who she learns is called Tonya. Shouting profanity, Kim cannot hide her annoyance at her young children as she witters away on her mobile phone barely keeping an eye on her precious kids, which makes Mummy's blood boil. Five-year-old Tonya skips over towards Mummy to look at some Peppa Pig pyjamas and Mummy notices an adult-sized bite mark on her arm before convincing herself that the child's mother is not worthy of having her, so much so that she makes the split-second decision to abduct her and take her home knowing, with a total lack of guilt or compassion for her mother, that she can give her a better and more prosperous life. She has so much to offer a child but was sadly unable to bear her own. She quickly chaperones Tonya through the shop and out of the exit promising her puppies, kittens and a life as the little princess she deserves to be. But it doesn't take long for Mummy to realise the gravity of exactly what she's done when Tonya fails to live up to the expectations she had built up in her head. Mummy tries to manipulate and mould her into the child she wants her to be but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as they say, and Mummy realises how much like her profanity-spouting, doggedly determined, fierce and chaotic mother she really is.
Unfortunately, Mummy wasn't set the most proficient example of parenthood and what it includes by her mother and father and she is having great difficulty reconciling the differences between her fantasies of having a child and the cold, harsh reality. Meanwhile, Kim is living her own, and many other mothers', worst nightmare. She's devastated, distraught and angry and because she fails to behave the way the media and press deem appropriate she is demonised and given the horrible name of "scummy mummy". When she leaves the house she is sneered at by strangers and neighbours and evil internet trolls start targeting her online. Over time both women begin to spiral and their family relationships begin to disintegrate. What will happen to Mummy, Kim and Tonya as their lives fracture? This is a compulsive, heartbreaking and highly original thriller with tonnes of grit and an emotional intelligence I rarely see in the genre. It shows how we vilify and mock others we see as different often more easily than offering compassion and it highlighted the turmoil women desperate to have a child experiences when that chance is taken away. Alternating primarily between chapters from Mummy and Kim's perspectives, interspersed with the point of view of Tonya, we are immersed in these three lives and learn to understand them as people. It is a wickedly enthralling tale that winds its way through a series of surprising twists and becomes an intense drama that envelopes you and does not let go. This is a clever, poignant and deeply emotional tale, and although all three main characters are easy to dislike, Baker has certainly crafted complex personalities that are realistic and come alive on the page. Highly recommended.
Unfortunately, Mummy wasn't set the most proficient example of parenthood and what it includes by her mother and father and she is having great difficulty reconciling the differences between her fantasies of having a child and the cold, harsh reality. Meanwhile, Kim is living her own, and many other mothers', worst nightmare. She's devastated, distraught and angry and because she fails to behave the way the media and press deem appropriate she is demonised and given the horrible name of "scummy mummy". When she leaves the house she is sneered at by strangers and neighbours and evil internet trolls start targeting her online. Over time both women begin to spiral and their family relationships begin to disintegrate. What will happen to Mummy, Kim and Tonya as their lives fracture? This is a compulsive, heartbreaking and highly original thriller with tonnes of grit and an emotional intelligence I rarely see in the genre. It shows how we vilify and mock others we see as different often more easily than offering compassion and it highlighted the turmoil women desperate to have a child experiences when that chance is taken away. Alternating primarily between chapters from Mummy and Kim's perspectives, interspersed with the point of view of Tonya, we are immersed in these three lives and learn to understand them as people. It is a wickedly enthralling tale that winds its way through a series of surprising twists and becomes an intense drama that envelopes you and does not let go. This is a clever, poignant and deeply emotional tale, and although all three main characters are easy to dislike, Baker has certainly crafted complex personalities that are realistic and come alive on the page. Highly recommended.
June 28, 2021
A cleverly constructed thriller regarding such serious issues as abduction, abuse and neglect that guarantees to keep the reader totally gripped and absorbed from start to finish.
A. Thoroughly believable and impressively realistic storyline told from the completely different perspectives of the two female lead characters, Mummy and Kim, who may just have more in common than at first thought.
Full of brilliant twists and turns which are delivered using a wonderfully real-life narrative that feels natural and true, especially for readers living in the UK. The appropriate ending was also exceptionally good and left me guessing what was going to happen right until the story’s final moments.
When I read the synopsis for this book I just knew that I would just love it. I was not wrong.
A highly impressive debut novel from this very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work in future.
Rating: 4.8 stars.
A. Thoroughly believable and impressively realistic storyline told from the completely different perspectives of the two female lead characters, Mummy and Kim, who may just have more in common than at first thought.
Full of brilliant twists and turns which are delivered using a wonderfully real-life narrative that feels natural and true, especially for readers living in the UK. The appropriate ending was also exceptionally good and left me guessing what was going to happen right until the story’s final moments.
When I read the synopsis for this book I just knew that I would just love it. I was not wrong.
A highly impressive debut novel from this very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work in future.
Rating: 4.8 stars.
February 16, 2021
Mummy has everything a woman could want.... except a child of her own. So when she sees Kim - heavily pregnant, glued to her phoneand ignoring her eldest cild in a busy shop - she does what anyone else would do. She takes her. But little foul-mouthed Tonya is not the daughter Mummywas hoping for. Meanwhile Kim is demonised by the medis as a ''scrummy mummy'', who deserved to loose Tnya and ought to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, she begins to spiral, turning on those who love her.
It took a few chapters before i got into this bok but when i got in, i was hooked. It was a bit predictable and repetitive in the middle. Mummy and Kim have both had traumatic pasts. Two completely different women from different backgrounds who have many similarites. This is a dark read with plenty of twists. The pace is fast and the story is told from multiple points of view. This is a really good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #SerpentsTail #ProfileBooks and the author #TinaBaker for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It took a few chapters before i got into this bok but when i got in, i was hooked. It was a bit predictable and repetitive in the middle. Mummy and Kim have both had traumatic pasts. Two completely different women from different backgrounds who have many similarites. This is a dark read with plenty of twists. The pace is fast and the story is told from multiple points of view. This is a really good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #SerpentsTail #ProfileBooks and the author #TinaBaker for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2022
daję 3,5 (7/10) - książka na początku serio była cudowna, ale uważam, że mogłaby być trochę krótsza i mieć lepsze zakończenie
July 20, 2023
While out shopping, Kim, who is heavily pregnant, loses sight of her daughter, Tonya. But Tonya doesn’t come back, and she isn’t found. Another woman, desperate for a child, has set her eyes on Tonya, and she has a plan for the girl. A police investigation begins, and there is a huge amount of interest in the case.
Kim, Tonya’s mother, is a really compelling character. After her daughter’s disappearance, she comes under a lot of scrutiny from the press and the public. People say hurtful and disgusting things about her on online forums, and the press are quick to lap it up There may be a lot of readers who dislike Kim when they read this book. Although she desperately wants her daughter to be found, she isn’t portrayed in a very good light. She swears a lot, but this is just part of everyday speech in her family, which her children have also picked up on. But aside from this, I could see that she cares about her daughter, even if she isn’t the perfect parent, as some people might say.
I don’t want to give too much away here, but I found that I did feel sorry for Tonya’s kidnapper. You can see why they have acted in the way that they did. But as the novel progressed, I started to get fearful for Tonya. You can sense that things can go either way for her, and it made for really gripping reading.
Kim, Tonya’s mother, is a really compelling character. After her daughter’s disappearance, she comes under a lot of scrutiny from the press and the public. People say hurtful and disgusting things about her on online forums, and the press are quick to lap it up There may be a lot of readers who dislike Kim when they read this book. Although she desperately wants her daughter to be found, she isn’t portrayed in a very good light. She swears a lot, but this is just part of everyday speech in her family, which her children have also picked up on. But aside from this, I could see that she cares about her daughter, even if she isn’t the perfect parent, as some people might say.
I don’t want to give too much away here, but I found that I did feel sorry for Tonya’s kidnapper. You can see why they have acted in the way that they did. But as the novel progressed, I started to get fearful for Tonya. You can sense that things can go either way for her, and it made for really gripping reading.
February 19, 2021
Well! This book is a hell of a ride. It’s dark, it’s harrowing, it pulls no punches. And it’s also addictively brilliant!
All Mummy wants is a child of her own. So when she notices 5 year old Tonya in a shop, being neglected by her loud, common and noticeably pregnant mother Kim, something snaps. Mummy guides Tonya out of the shop, convinced that she could be a better mother to her. And from that moment on, life will never be the same for Tonya and her family.
Be warned, this book is unflinchingly honest; there are scenes that will make your heart break time and time again. But interspersed with this is humour and warmth and hope. The depiction of loss and heartache is, at times, hard to read as the writing is so brutally honest. But also so addictive that the pages practically turn themselves, so desperate are you to find out what happens to Tonya. Within a few chapters you know you’re in for the long haul.
The characters are also superb; multi layered so that one minute you loathe them, the next you’re empathising with them. Oh and a very clever and believable ending was the icing on the cake for me.
Tough, gritty, heartbreaking, funny and inspiring. I could keep going with the adjectives but you need to see for yourself - if you’re brave enough!! It’s definitely worth the risk.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole HQ and Viper Books for an ARC.
All Mummy wants is a child of her own. So when she notices 5 year old Tonya in a shop, being neglected by her loud, common and noticeably pregnant mother Kim, something snaps. Mummy guides Tonya out of the shop, convinced that she could be a better mother to her. And from that moment on, life will never be the same for Tonya and her family.
Be warned, this book is unflinchingly honest; there are scenes that will make your heart break time and time again. But interspersed with this is humour and warmth and hope. The depiction of loss and heartache is, at times, hard to read as the writing is so brutally honest. But also so addictive that the pages practically turn themselves, so desperate are you to find out what happens to Tonya. Within a few chapters you know you’re in for the long haul.
The characters are also superb; multi layered so that one minute you loathe them, the next you’re empathising with them. Oh and a very clever and believable ending was the icing on the cake for me.
Tough, gritty, heartbreaking, funny and inspiring. I could keep going with the adjectives but you need to see for yourself - if you’re brave enough!! It’s definitely worth the risk.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole HQ and Viper Books for an ARC.
January 11, 2021
Call Me Mummy is the first novel by British journalist, broadcaster, fitness instructor and author, Tina Baker. The woman in the department store isn’t paying her young daughter any attention, too busy on her phone. Pregnant, yelling at the toddler in the stroller and a sullen older boy trailing, she clearly doesn’t appreciate what she has. It is easy to entice the sweet angel away with promises of a puppy, and anyway, this foul-mouthed, tattooed slattern doesn’t deserve her, and couldn’t possibly give her the proper upbringing she needs.
Not quite soon enough, Kim Searle raises the alarm, but her five-year-old daughter, Tonya is gone. CCTV reveals that a tall black-clad figure carried Tonya out of the store, after which the trail goes cold. A TV appeal yields numerous tips, but none pan out and, with her abrasive demeanour and provocative attire, Kim does not endear herself to the public.
Soon, online forums, Facebook and Twitter are revealing a youthful history of drugs and sex, the press accentuate the negative, and the trolls enthusiastically do their worst, tagging her SCUMMY MUMMY. While her husband rages over this, for Kim: “The terrible thing has already happened. These f###ing amateurs can’t make her feel worse than she already does.”
The woman who has taken her quickly discovers that Tonya is not the compliant angel she’d hoped for. She is determined that discipline will remedy this, but Tonya stubbornly refuses her new name, insists The Woman is not her mummy and can only be temporarily bribed. If the reader initially cheers Tonya on: “Everything I do for her is unappreciated. In my most despairing moments I wonder why I managed to end up with this peculiar child. One who neither loves nor likes me. One so disobedient”, after some months, the danger of this maintained rage becomes apparent.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, and includes forum, Facebook and Twitter posts. It does perhaps drag a little, but this illustrates the tedium of the wait for any development, any news. Baker includes a sad irony in the similarity of several aspects of the upbringing of Kim and the woman who has taken her daughter.
Readers are warned that there is copious use of expletives, quite in keeping with those characters, but it may cause offence. Baker’s depiction of this distressing experience is wholly credible, and the journey her characters take feels authentic. Readers will admire Kim’s steadfast friend, Ayesha, and cannot fail to applaud young Tonya for her persistence.
Baker doesn’t give the reader a Hollywood ending; rather, she reminds us that, in the real world, we don’t always find out exactly what happened. She also deftly demonstrates what a leveller such a traumatic event can be: rich or poor, sophisticated or down-to-earth, the anxiety is just as destructive, the heartbreak equally profound. This is an outstanding debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Serpent’s Tail/Profile Books.
Not quite soon enough, Kim Searle raises the alarm, but her five-year-old daughter, Tonya is gone. CCTV reveals that a tall black-clad figure carried Tonya out of the store, after which the trail goes cold. A TV appeal yields numerous tips, but none pan out and, with her abrasive demeanour and provocative attire, Kim does not endear herself to the public.
Soon, online forums, Facebook and Twitter are revealing a youthful history of drugs and sex, the press accentuate the negative, and the trolls enthusiastically do their worst, tagging her SCUMMY MUMMY. While her husband rages over this, for Kim: “The terrible thing has already happened. These f###ing amateurs can’t make her feel worse than she already does.”
The woman who has taken her quickly discovers that Tonya is not the compliant angel she’d hoped for. She is determined that discipline will remedy this, but Tonya stubbornly refuses her new name, insists The Woman is not her mummy and can only be temporarily bribed. If the reader initially cheers Tonya on: “Everything I do for her is unappreciated. In my most despairing moments I wonder why I managed to end up with this peculiar child. One who neither loves nor likes me. One so disobedient”, after some months, the danger of this maintained rage becomes apparent.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, and includes forum, Facebook and Twitter posts. It does perhaps drag a little, but this illustrates the tedium of the wait for any development, any news. Baker includes a sad irony in the similarity of several aspects of the upbringing of Kim and the woman who has taken her daughter.
Readers are warned that there is copious use of expletives, quite in keeping with those characters, but it may cause offence. Baker’s depiction of this distressing experience is wholly credible, and the journey her characters take feels authentic. Readers will admire Kim’s steadfast friend, Ayesha, and cannot fail to applaud young Tonya for her persistence.
Baker doesn’t give the reader a Hollywood ending; rather, she reminds us that, in the real world, we don’t always find out exactly what happened. She also deftly demonstrates what a leveller such a traumatic event can be: rich or poor, sophisticated or down-to-earth, the anxiety is just as destructive, the heartbreak equally profound. This is an outstanding debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Serpent’s Tail/Profile Books.
February 19, 2021
Amazing.
Dark, disturbing and as gripping as you'll ever want in a thriller. There were so many emotions racing through my system- despair, heartache, pity, grief and complete and utter horror.
Really made me consider how judgmental our society has become, and this was a little unexpected for a thriller. It had much deeper feelings that went past the initial 'enjoyment' of the book, and the characters will definitely resonate with me for some time.
Fantastic to be reading this through Pigeonhole and being able to discuss theories, emotions with others and share them with the author! A very brave and vulnerable thing to do, but truly made the reading experience fantastic.
Dark, disturbing and as gripping as you'll ever want in a thriller. There were so many emotions racing through my system- despair, heartache, pity, grief and complete and utter horror.
Really made me consider how judgmental our society has become, and this was a little unexpected for a thriller. It had much deeper feelings that went past the initial 'enjoyment' of the book, and the characters will definitely resonate with me for some time.
Fantastic to be reading this through Pigeonhole and being able to discuss theories, emotions with others and share them with the author! A very brave and vulnerable thing to do, but truly made the reading experience fantastic.
June 20, 2022
3,7⭐️ Cała historia była naprawdę mega wciągająca! Wręcz nie dało się oderwać, bo tak wciągała, że tylko chciało się wiedzieć co będzie dalej? Rozwiązanie sprawy też mi się spodobało, ale to zakończenie… mocno mnie rozczarowało. Gdyby było jakieś serio „wow” to może i bym dała nawet te 4,5⭐️ tzn 9/10.
Chciała mieć dziecko, więc je sobie wzięła. A co było potem? Przeczytajcie sami!
Chciała mieć dziecko, więc je sobie wzięła. A co było potem? Przeczytajcie sami!
February 23, 2021
Prepare to be horrified!
Cliffhanger after cliffhanger after cliffhanger, this book knows exactly how to keep a reader on the edge of his/her seat, heart galloping, breath hitching and nerves well and truly shredded!
I LOVED it from start to finish.
It does tackle issues that are dark and desperately sad, and whilst these aspects are hard to read, they are very much a part of some people's childhood experiences and they are extremely pivotal in Call Me Mummy, in forming the personalities and behaviours of the two central female characters Kim and Mummy.
Kim already has two children. Tonya and younger brother Darryl, with another sibling on the way. Mummy however is on her own and lacking something she very much wants.
This is an abduction story that grips you by the throat. It shakes you, unsettles you, leaves you curled up and cowering in the corner, but you hang on desperately in the spirit of survival to get to the truth.
Call Me Mummy gives two very different points of view. We have Kim who is bereft, blaming herself and portrayed by the press as a very unlikeable person, and we have Mummy, whose disturbed mind seemingly has no boundaries to thinking up the next vile act in her attempt to turn one small girl into her girl.
It is tense, chilling and very cleverly written because, whilst one woman is suffering loss, another is trying to mould a life, and yet both women have so much more in common than they ever could imagine. The parallels in their lives are drawn subtly in the small details of things which take place.
The depiction of madness, of a mother's despair, of wild thoughts and dangerous deeds, of the kindness of someone society deems invisible, the strain on a partnership and the power of friendship, is a joy to behold. Call Me Mummy called to me as a lover of thrillers and screamed at me to take notice.
I did and I am glad I did.
With thanks as always to the publisher, author and Pigeonhole for the chance to read ahead of publication, a book that is surely bound to do shockingly well.
Cliffhanger after cliffhanger after cliffhanger, this book knows exactly how to keep a reader on the edge of his/her seat, heart galloping, breath hitching and nerves well and truly shredded!
I LOVED it from start to finish.
It does tackle issues that are dark and desperately sad, and whilst these aspects are hard to read, they are very much a part of some people's childhood experiences and they are extremely pivotal in Call Me Mummy, in forming the personalities and behaviours of the two central female characters Kim and Mummy.
Kim already has two children. Tonya and younger brother Darryl, with another sibling on the way. Mummy however is on her own and lacking something she very much wants.
This is an abduction story that grips you by the throat. It shakes you, unsettles you, leaves you curled up and cowering in the corner, but you hang on desperately in the spirit of survival to get to the truth.
Call Me Mummy gives two very different points of view. We have Kim who is bereft, blaming herself and portrayed by the press as a very unlikeable person, and we have Mummy, whose disturbed mind seemingly has no boundaries to thinking up the next vile act in her attempt to turn one small girl into her girl.
It is tense, chilling and very cleverly written because, whilst one woman is suffering loss, another is trying to mould a life, and yet both women have so much more in common than they ever could imagine. The parallels in their lives are drawn subtly in the small details of things which take place.
The depiction of madness, of a mother's despair, of wild thoughts and dangerous deeds, of the kindness of someone society deems invisible, the strain on a partnership and the power of friendship, is a joy to behold. Call Me Mummy called to me as a lover of thrillers and screamed at me to take notice.
I did and I am glad I did.
With thanks as always to the publisher, author and Pigeonhole for the chance to read ahead of publication, a book that is surely bound to do shockingly well.
February 19, 2021
This book had me spitting vitriol early on at each of its three main themes: Judgements, Misinterpretation of religion and the effects of abuse.
In a nutshell this is the story of a child being abducted by a mentally unbalanced, formerly abused woman(Mummy). The child's biological mother(Kim) has to withstand a myriad of abuse from outsiders about her mothering skills and doesn't do herself any favours by adopting the attitude of get them before they get you, probably a result of her own sexual abuse as a child.
Mummy was raised by a staunchly religious nutcase(Mammy) who believed that sparring the rod would spoil the child. Mummy is as a result unbalanced. Added to her anorexia and drinking, she is a highly deplorable character, made worse by inflicting her beliefs on Tonya (the 5 year old she abducts).
In times when people are quick to cast aspersions on others, particularly on social media, this story brought to the fore how very unkind people are, when they remain incognito behind a computer screen.
No religion teaches one to hurt someone and be unkind yet the severely flawed character of Mummy having had an earful from her Mammy about what a staunch catholic should and shouldn't do, continues to live a warped version of this.
Many books write about abuse of children by a family member- brother, stepfather etc. What I liked about this book was the revelation of how this abuse continues in the minds of the victims years later, but also how one can choose to move past this or continue to perpetuate the cycle of damage.
4 and a half stars!
In a nutshell this is the story of a child being abducted by a mentally unbalanced, formerly abused woman(Mummy). The child's biological mother(Kim) has to withstand a myriad of abuse from outsiders about her mothering skills and doesn't do herself any favours by adopting the attitude of get them before they get you, probably a result of her own sexual abuse as a child.
Mummy was raised by a staunchly religious nutcase(Mammy) who believed that sparring the rod would spoil the child. Mummy is as a result unbalanced. Added to her anorexia and drinking, she is a highly deplorable character, made worse by inflicting her beliefs on Tonya (the 5 year old she abducts).
In times when people are quick to cast aspersions on others, particularly on social media, this story brought to the fore how very unkind people are, when they remain incognito behind a computer screen.
No religion teaches one to hurt someone and be unkind yet the severely flawed character of Mummy having had an earful from her Mammy about what a staunch catholic should and shouldn't do, continues to live a warped version of this.
Many books write about abuse of children by a family member- brother, stepfather etc. What I liked about this book was the revelation of how this abuse continues in the minds of the victims years later, but also how one can choose to move past this or continue to perpetuate the cycle of damage.
4 and a half stars!
May 16, 2022
Walka wieczoru: matka z patologicznego środowiska vs zwichrowana bogaczka, która mimo pieniędzy, wyglądu i pozornej klasy przedstawia sobą obraz jeszcze większej patologii niż jej "przeciwniczka". Cóż to była za lektura!
Historię poznajemy z punktu widzenia Kim - jednej z tych kobiet, z którymi większość z nas wolałaby nie mieć do czynienia (bluzgi przy dzieciach, papierochy w ciąży i te sprawy), oraz z punktu widzenia "Mamusi" - babeczki, która marzy o posiadaniu dziecka, mimo, że nadaje się do tego tak, jak ja do badań nad toksycznością grzybów pleśniowych, czyli wcale. Ale wychodzi widocznie z założenia, że marzenia trzeba spełniać, więc ustawia się w blokach startowych i gdy tylko nadarzy się okazja, porywa małą Tonyę.
- Bardzo wyraziste postaci kobiece - autorka wiele uwagi poświęciła portretom psychologicznym głównych bohaterek.
- Fabuła przepełniona emocjami - raz się wściekasz, innym razem kręcisz głową z niedowierzaniem, a następnie odczuwasz trochę współczucia, bo po chwili ponownie kląć na czym świat stoi. Prawdziwy rollercoaster wrażeń!
- Bardzo udane zakończenie! Z rodzaju tych, o których myśli się jeszcze kilka dni po lekturze.
Nieustające napięcie, sporo zaskoczeń po drodze, świetne pióro Tiny Baker - tę powieść warto przeczytać!
Historię poznajemy z punktu widzenia Kim - jednej z tych kobiet, z którymi większość z nas wolałaby nie mieć do czynienia (bluzgi przy dzieciach, papierochy w ciąży i te sprawy), oraz z punktu widzenia "Mamusi" - babeczki, która marzy o posiadaniu dziecka, mimo, że nadaje się do tego tak, jak ja do badań nad toksycznością grzybów pleśniowych, czyli wcale. Ale wychodzi widocznie z założenia, że marzenia trzeba spełniać, więc ustawia się w blokach startowych i gdy tylko nadarzy się okazja, porywa małą Tonyę.
- Bardzo wyraziste postaci kobiece - autorka wiele uwagi poświęciła portretom psychologicznym głównych bohaterek.
- Fabuła przepełniona emocjami - raz się wściekasz, innym razem kręcisz głową z niedowierzaniem, a następnie odczuwasz trochę współczucia, bo po chwili ponownie kląć na czym świat stoi. Prawdziwy rollercoaster wrażeń!
- Bardzo udane zakończenie! Z rodzaju tych, o których myśli się jeszcze kilka dni po lekturze.
Nieustające napięcie, sporo zaskoczeń po drodze, świetne pióro Tiny Baker - tę powieść warto przeczytać!
November 15, 2023
Call Me Mummy was my second Tina Baker novel, and it will not be my last. Had me on the precipice of tears and rage all the way through.
Call Me Mummy. Mummy. That’s all I hear all day, every day, or at least a variant of it. Mummy – especially when they’re after something, usually mum. Mum, get me a snack, help me with homework, where’s the clean clothes. Never had the name had such negative connotations. Tina Baker has somehow made the word have an entirely different meaning.
Take the ingredients of a thriller. Complex characters, unreliable narrators, a tense atmosphere just to name a few. I’m used to these roads, they’re familiar, the landmarks a comfort. But when it comes to the topic of infertility, it feels like I’d been thrown in the boot of Baker’s car and gagged to stop me from shouting. I felt those topics right in the chest. I’ve been able to have 3 gorgeous boys but I’m also going through the perimenopause at the tender age of 36. I feel like I’ve had the decision for more children ripped away from me. It feels like an injustice and so Call Me Mummy was a real tearjerker for me.
Apparently, I can read about serial killers on the rampage and home intruders with ease but give me a storyline with infertility or child loss and I am absolutely ruined.
The ending left my mouth agape…
The story is told in multi POVs, Mummy, Kim, and Tonya. Kim is a woman that is both hugely unlikeable but on the same hand you can’t help feeling sorry for her. Her child is snatched in broad daylight while out shopping. The onslaught of media frenzy surrounding it paints Kim as a loud mouthed, scummy mummy. Images are caught of her smoking and the publics minds are made up on what kind of mother she is.
Tonya is the girl that is taken. I liked her, a lot. She doesn’t take what ‘Mummy’ demands of her. These were the scenes that really broke me. Imagine being in that situation. You are ripped away from everything you know, into a home that is alien to you.
Mummy is the woman who takes Tonya. She honestly feels like she was doing the girl a kindness by taking her away from that ‘foul mother.’ She very quickly discovers that it isn’t all that easy being a mother. You are faced with disagreements, temper tantrums and fussy eating. Mummy quickly descends into her own hell, her madness bubbling up from the inside. She likes a drink, and something really awful has happened to her husband…
Call Me Mummy. Mummy. That’s all I hear all day, every day, or at least a variant of it. Mummy – especially when they’re after something, usually mum. Mum, get me a snack, help me with homework, where’s the clean clothes. Never had the name had such negative connotations. Tina Baker has somehow made the word have an entirely different meaning.
Take the ingredients of a thriller. Complex characters, unreliable narrators, a tense atmosphere just to name a few. I’m used to these roads, they’re familiar, the landmarks a comfort. But when it comes to the topic of infertility, it feels like I’d been thrown in the boot of Baker’s car and gagged to stop me from shouting. I felt those topics right in the chest. I’ve been able to have 3 gorgeous boys but I’m also going through the perimenopause at the tender age of 36. I feel like I’ve had the decision for more children ripped away from me. It feels like an injustice and so Call Me Mummy was a real tearjerker for me.
Apparently, I can read about serial killers on the rampage and home intruders with ease but give me a storyline with infertility or child loss and I am absolutely ruined.
The ending left my mouth agape…
The story is told in multi POVs, Mummy, Kim, and Tonya. Kim is a woman that is both hugely unlikeable but on the same hand you can’t help feeling sorry for her. Her child is snatched in broad daylight while out shopping. The onslaught of media frenzy surrounding it paints Kim as a loud mouthed, scummy mummy. Images are caught of her smoking and the publics minds are made up on what kind of mother she is.
Tonya is the girl that is taken. I liked her, a lot. She doesn’t take what ‘Mummy’ demands of her. These were the scenes that really broke me. Imagine being in that situation. You are ripped away from everything you know, into a home that is alien to you.
Mummy is the woman who takes Tonya. She honestly feels like she was doing the girl a kindness by taking her away from that ‘foul mother.’ She very quickly discovers that it isn’t all that easy being a mother. You are faced with disagreements, temper tantrums and fussy eating. Mummy quickly descends into her own hell, her madness bubbling up from the inside. She likes a drink, and something really awful has happened to her husband…
February 19, 2021
Young children, a new born baby, kittens, puppies – all the things that make me stressed when reading. And two main protagonists who are both spiralling out of control and you have a tale of two women descending into madness, which is all very Shakespearean and definitely tragic.
This is a book like no other. We read about the kidnap from the point of view of the kidnapper, only ever referred to as ‘Mummy’ as she tries to justify her behaviour. But then no-one else could justify it like she does. She had a terrible childhood, full of hatred, child abuse, fanatical religion and cows (no nor me – at least not yet). A dangerous combination, but one that does not excuse her maniacal behaviour. And if you think her treatment of the child Tonya is bad, just wait till the story progresses – or is it regresses?
Kim is Tonya’s grieving mother. She has a toddler Darryl and is also heavily pregnant with Nate. We are sympathetic – nothing could be worse than losing a child – but it’s not easy. She doesn’t endear herself to anyone. She screams and swears at the police and the press, pushes her husband to the limit and becomes aggressive towards anyone who speaks to her. Social media call her ‘scummy mummy’. KIm too has had a difficult childhood. She just doesn’t know how to cope.
Kim’s best friend Ayesha is a godsend and her rock. She sticks by her through all the anguish and rejection, even though she has her own children to look after including a severely disabled son called Mo, Tonya’s best friend.
When Kim is at her lowest, husband Steve brings home a Dachshund puppy which they call Sausage. The last thing that Kim wants or needs is another mouth to feed, but Sausage becomes a glimmer of hope. Tonya would love him.
I don’t think the police or social workers do much to help. There seem to be no clues to the kidnapper and no-one seems to pick up on Kim’s mental state.
I loved this book. It goes where others fear to tread. It’s only the brilliance of Tina’s writing that allows humour to creep into something so dark and disturbing.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable – if somewhat stressful – read. We were so involved in the story that we planned our own rescue!
This is a book like no other. We read about the kidnap from the point of view of the kidnapper, only ever referred to as ‘Mummy’ as she tries to justify her behaviour. But then no-one else could justify it like she does. She had a terrible childhood, full of hatred, child abuse, fanatical religion and cows (no nor me – at least not yet). A dangerous combination, but one that does not excuse her maniacal behaviour. And if you think her treatment of the child Tonya is bad, just wait till the story progresses – or is it regresses?
Kim is Tonya’s grieving mother. She has a toddler Darryl and is also heavily pregnant with Nate. We are sympathetic – nothing could be worse than losing a child – but it’s not easy. She doesn’t endear herself to anyone. She screams and swears at the police and the press, pushes her husband to the limit and becomes aggressive towards anyone who speaks to her. Social media call her ‘scummy mummy’. KIm too has had a difficult childhood. She just doesn’t know how to cope.
Kim’s best friend Ayesha is a godsend and her rock. She sticks by her through all the anguish and rejection, even though she has her own children to look after including a severely disabled son called Mo, Tonya’s best friend.
When Kim is at her lowest, husband Steve brings home a Dachshund puppy which they call Sausage. The last thing that Kim wants or needs is another mouth to feed, but Sausage becomes a glimmer of hope. Tonya would love him.
I don’t think the police or social workers do much to help. There seem to be no clues to the kidnapper and no-one seems to pick up on Kim’s mental state.
I loved this book. It goes where others fear to tread. It’s only the brilliance of Tina’s writing that allows humour to creep into something so dark and disturbing.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable – if somewhat stressful – read. We were so involved in the story that we planned our own rescue!
February 19, 2021
This book is horrifying, gruesome and terrifying but also darkly funny in places. I was expecting a run of the mill thriller but this was beyond what I thought it would be.
In a blink of an eye the Mummy of the title kidnaps a 5 year old from a busy store while the child’s mother is distracted. The child’s mother, Kim has already had a tough life and we see the loss of her daughter Tonya, through her eyes and through the eyes of the people who judge her. In the meantime Mummy is definitely not going to win any parent of the year competitions herself.
I read this with The Pigeonhole - it seems it’s their most commented upon book ever, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a real page-turner, where things just get worse and worse all the time. If you could reach inside and help, you would. The ending nearly broke me.
This is a great book, but you will need nerves of steel to read it. Brilliant writing and a great story.
In a blink of an eye the Mummy of the title kidnaps a 5 year old from a busy store while the child’s mother is distracted. The child’s mother, Kim has already had a tough life and we see the loss of her daughter Tonya, through her eyes and through the eyes of the people who judge her. In the meantime Mummy is definitely not going to win any parent of the year competitions herself.
I read this with The Pigeonhole - it seems it’s their most commented upon book ever, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a real page-turner, where things just get worse and worse all the time. If you could reach inside and help, you would. The ending nearly broke me.
This is a great book, but you will need nerves of steel to read it. Brilliant writing and a great story.
May 15, 2022
Marzę by znów przeczytać kryminał, który pochłonie mnie bez reszty.
„Zła mamusia” niestety tego nie dokonała i nawet bym powiedziała, że to baaardzo średnia historia z nijakim poziomem emocji.
Mamy kobietę, która marzy o posiadaniu dziecka idealnego za wszelką cenę, więc po prostu bierze je sobie z galerii handlowej.
Mamy dziewczynkę, która zostaje porwana i całkiem daleko jej do ideału, w jej nie poskromionej naturze.
Mamy mamę porwanej dziewczynki, która idealnej rodziny ze swoim partnerem nie tworzy, ale pragnie by jej dziecko do niej wróciło.
Brzmi, że mogłoby być fajnie, prawda? Fabuła mogłaby trzymać w napięciu, bylibyśmy ciekawi jak to może się skończyć. A jednak! Coś, gdzieś tu całkiem nie wyszło. Rozmyło się. I całość wyglada właśnie jak takie pomyje.
Emocji brak, zakończenie całkiem przewidywalne, pojawia się przez chwile jakaś niby zagadka, ale po kilku akapitach wiadomo gdzie jest rozwiązanie tej zagadki.
Albo ja wyrastam z takich książek, albo ta historia jest naprawdę bardzo mierna. Chociaż widziałam, że oceny ma całkiem nie złe. Więc może to i ze mną coś nie tak?
„Zła mamusia” niestety tego nie dokonała i nawet bym powiedziała, że to baaardzo średnia historia z nijakim poziomem emocji.
Mamy kobietę, która marzy o posiadaniu dziecka idealnego za wszelką cenę, więc po prostu bierze je sobie z galerii handlowej.
Mamy dziewczynkę, która zostaje porwana i całkiem daleko jej do ideału, w jej nie poskromionej naturze.
Mamy mamę porwanej dziewczynki, która idealnej rodziny ze swoim partnerem nie tworzy, ale pragnie by jej dziecko do niej wróciło.
Brzmi, że mogłoby być fajnie, prawda? Fabuła mogłaby trzymać w napięciu, bylibyśmy ciekawi jak to może się skończyć. A jednak! Coś, gdzieś tu całkiem nie wyszło. Rozmyło się. I całość wyglada właśnie jak takie pomyje.
Emocji brak, zakończenie całkiem przewidywalne, pojawia się przez chwile jakaś niby zagadka, ale po kilku akapitach wiadomo gdzie jest rozwiązanie tej zagadki.
Albo ja wyrastam z takich książek, albo ta historia jest naprawdę bardzo mierna. Chociaż widziałam, że oceny ma całkiem nie złe. Więc może to i ze mną coś nie tak?
December 27, 2022
This started off with excellent pace and had me immediately gripped.
Kim is out shopping with her two children Tonya and Darryl, Tonya is 5 and Darryl is smaller, in a buggy. Kim is distracted and in that moment The Woman takes her, using the promise of a puppy as bait.
Poor little Tonya is kept prisoner by this lunatic who thinks that she can give the child a better life. The Woman feels her breeding and higher class is a gift to give this child who, she believes, in not much better than feral.
What commences is a dark unraving of an extremely unwell, traumatized woman. Tonya, even though she is only 5, is more than a match for The Woman.
Kim's life with husband Steve, Darryl and being heavily pregnant, also begins to unravel. Judgement comes from every angle, the expectation of how they should react in this situation is under a microscope.
I liked a lot about this book, the characters, their story's and the whole plot. It was just too long. I skimmed at least 30% of it, much of The Woman's backstory, I just didn't care about it.
It's a harrowing read in parts and I desperately wanted to know what happened towards the end. A 3 stars for me.
Kim is out shopping with her two children Tonya and Darryl, Tonya is 5 and Darryl is smaller, in a buggy. Kim is distracted and in that moment The Woman takes her, using the promise of a puppy as bait.
Poor little Tonya is kept prisoner by this lunatic who thinks that she can give the child a better life. The Woman feels her breeding and higher class is a gift to give this child who, she believes, in not much better than feral.
What commences is a dark unraving of an extremely unwell, traumatized woman. Tonya, even though she is only 5, is more than a match for The Woman.
Kim's life with husband Steve, Darryl and being heavily pregnant, also begins to unravel. Judgement comes from every angle, the expectation of how they should react in this situation is under a microscope.
I liked a lot about this book, the characters, their story's and the whole plot. It was just too long. I skimmed at least 30% of it, much of The Woman's backstory, I just didn't care about it.
It's a harrowing read in parts and I desperately wanted to know what happened towards the end. A 3 stars for me.
February 19, 2021
An emotional rollercoaster of a book but well worth reading. Make sure you have tissues to hand as you will need them.
June 5, 2023
My Review:
This is Tina Baker’s debut novel which had been sitting on my kindle for ages. I read her latest (third) novel Make Me Clean first (review here) which I adored so I decided to catch up with her previous books.
Obviously I was aware of Tina from TV and having met her in real life a few months ago at a literature event, I can confirm she’s completely bonkers but in a brilliant way.
Call Me Mummy has everything I personally love in a psychological thriller. A batsh*t crazy female protaganist, a little girl with a potty mouth, a completely dysfunctional family with a gripping plotline which constantly makes the reader change their minds about who deserves their sympathy and who should be locked up!!
The book begins with a child abduction (this could be triggering to some readers), a harrassed “scummy mummy” with several young children and heavily pregnant is at a local department store screaming at her children who are misbehaving when her 5 year old daughter Tonya disappears.
The book then starts to examine who and why this child has been taken. The chapters alternate between the real mother of Tonya, Kim and the new mother who believes it is her sole purpose in life to rescue Tonya and give her a better life.
The author also inserts little chapters from the public and media point of view including WhatsApp messages from neighbours and school mums, which are really ferocious towards Kim and her family.
This is a really dark book with some heavy and disturbing themes running throughout and those who are triggered by child abuse/rape/domestic violence might not be able to read this book.
I personally found it very thought-provoking. My emotions towards Kim “scummy mummy” flew back and forth throughout the book as we discover more about her past and why she behaves the way she does. “New Mummy” is a whole new bag of nuts though.. she is literally barking mad and my heart broke at the relentless abuse towards this little girl who had to cope with being ripped away from her family.
This is a brilliant debut book. My ONLY complaint and the ONLY reason I didn’t award it 5 stars was that the C-word was used too many times .. I’m not really a prude but personally didn’t feel it needed to be used as much.
This is Tina Baker’s debut novel which had been sitting on my kindle for ages. I read her latest (third) novel Make Me Clean first (review here) which I adored so I decided to catch up with her previous books.
Obviously I was aware of Tina from TV and having met her in real life a few months ago at a literature event, I can confirm she’s completely bonkers but in a brilliant way.
Call Me Mummy has everything I personally love in a psychological thriller. A batsh*t crazy female protaganist, a little girl with a potty mouth, a completely dysfunctional family with a gripping plotline which constantly makes the reader change their minds about who deserves their sympathy and who should be locked up!!
The book begins with a child abduction (this could be triggering to some readers), a harrassed “scummy mummy” with several young children and heavily pregnant is at a local department store screaming at her children who are misbehaving when her 5 year old daughter Tonya disappears.
The book then starts to examine who and why this child has been taken. The chapters alternate between the real mother of Tonya, Kim and the new mother who believes it is her sole purpose in life to rescue Tonya and give her a better life.
The author also inserts little chapters from the public and media point of view including WhatsApp messages from neighbours and school mums, which are really ferocious towards Kim and her family.
This is a really dark book with some heavy and disturbing themes running throughout and those who are triggered by child abuse/rape/domestic violence might not be able to read this book.
I personally found it very thought-provoking. My emotions towards Kim “scummy mummy” flew back and forth throughout the book as we discover more about her past and why she behaves the way she does. “New Mummy” is a whole new bag of nuts though.. she is literally barking mad and my heart broke at the relentless abuse towards this little girl who had to cope with being ripped away from her family.
This is a brilliant debut book. My ONLY complaint and the ONLY reason I didn’t award it 5 stars was that the C-word was used too many times .. I’m not really a prude but personally didn’t feel it needed to be used as much.
April 24, 2021
Suicide is a mortal sin, Mummy, you *know* that. But then of course, so is murder.
This is obviously my month for books that hurt. After ANNA comes "call me mummy" (yes, there's a reason for the lack of capital letters).
A straight contemporary thriller this time not speculative fiction, and if anything that makes its claws even sharper. This stuff actually happens, to real people in the real world.
A vivid, painfully alive tale of abduction, abuse, alcoholism, anorexia and depression, portrayed through pinpoint-sharp use of language, character voice, and a very keen observation of the power of social media. A real page-turner; I read this in two days flat, which is almost unheard of for me.
Superbly done, and definitely one for fans of Sarah Pinborough and Catriona Ward. I can see this on TV in a couple of years, billed as the new Taken.
This is obviously my month for books that hurt. After ANNA comes "call me mummy" (yes, there's a reason for the lack of capital letters).
A straight contemporary thriller this time not speculative fiction, and if anything that makes its claws even sharper. This stuff actually happens, to real people in the real world.
A vivid, painfully alive tale of abduction, abuse, alcoholism, anorexia and depression, portrayed through pinpoint-sharp use of language, character voice, and a very keen observation of the power of social media. A real page-turner; I read this in two days flat, which is almost unheard of for me.
Superbly done, and definitely one for fans of Sarah Pinborough and Catriona Ward. I can see this on TV in a couple of years, billed as the new Taken.
December 27, 2022
Mimo, że spodziewałam się innego zakończenia, ta książka mną wstrząsnęła. Naprawdę było to straszne, gdy dziecko nie poznało własnych rodziców.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2022
Motyw porwania bardzo często występuję nie tylko w literaturze, ale także w filmie. Jest to przerażający temat, w szczególności jeśli dotyczy dzieci, ale dla czytelnika bardzo emocjonujący. Wyróżnić się na tle tylu napisanych historii jest bardzo cieżko. Myślicie, że autorce „Złej mamusi” się to udało?
Moim skromnym zdaniem autorka wykonała świetną robotę. Nie tyle skupiła się na samym porwaniu, co na osobach w nie uwikłanych. Bogata i piękna Sara, która z pozoru ma wszystko, a do szczęścia brakuje jej tylko dziecka. Nie zważa na konsekwencję swoich czynów i porywa małą Tonye. Czy to wydarzenie sprawi, że jej życie stanie się pełniejsze i będzie w końcu szczęśliwa?
Kim, matka dwójki dzieci oczekująca na pojawienie się trzeciego, potrzebująca chwili wytchnienia. Rozkojarzona telefonem nie zauważa kiedy ze sklepu znika jej córka. W tym momencie zaczyna się istne piekło. Internet i prasa, aż buzują od wiadomości dotyczących przeszłości młodej matki, która nie zawsze była aniołem i radziła sobie jak umiała, żeby przetrwać. A w tym czasie Tonya próbuje zrozumieć co się stało i dlaczego jest w zupełnie innym domu z obcą dla siebie kobietą.
„Zła mamusia” to przemyślany w najdrobniejszych szczegółach thriller psychologiczny. Tina Baker doskonale rozbudza w nas ciekawość poznania tej historii, po malutku dawkując nam emocje i sekrety do odkrycia. Od książki nie można się oderwać. Już od pierwszych stron wiedziałam, że będzie to historia, która na długo zagości w mojej głowie i nie pozwoli o sobie zapomnieć. Autorka po mistrzowsku zbudowała swoje bohaterki, które niejedno mają do ukrycia. Czy dwie tak różne kobiety, pochodzące z dwóch różnych światów mogą mieć ze sobą coś wspólnego? Tego musicie dowiedzieć się sami i przeczytać tę historię. Ja mogę tylko powiedzieć, że mimo odczuwanego bólu i przerażenia w trakcie czytania polecam gorąco Wam tę pozycję. Aż trudno uwierzyć, że jest to debiut! Autorka bardzo wysoko postawiła sobie poprzeczkę, dlatego czekam na więcej!
Moim skromnym zdaniem autorka wykonała świetną robotę. Nie tyle skupiła się na samym porwaniu, co na osobach w nie uwikłanych. Bogata i piękna Sara, która z pozoru ma wszystko, a do szczęścia brakuje jej tylko dziecka. Nie zważa na konsekwencję swoich czynów i porywa małą Tonye. Czy to wydarzenie sprawi, że jej życie stanie się pełniejsze i będzie w końcu szczęśliwa?
Kim, matka dwójki dzieci oczekująca na pojawienie się trzeciego, potrzebująca chwili wytchnienia. Rozkojarzona telefonem nie zauważa kiedy ze sklepu znika jej córka. W tym momencie zaczyna się istne piekło. Internet i prasa, aż buzują od wiadomości dotyczących przeszłości młodej matki, która nie zawsze była aniołem i radziła sobie jak umiała, żeby przetrwać. A w tym czasie Tonya próbuje zrozumieć co się stało i dlaczego jest w zupełnie innym domu z obcą dla siebie kobietą.
„Zła mamusia” to przemyślany w najdrobniejszych szczegółach thriller psychologiczny. Tina Baker doskonale rozbudza w nas ciekawość poznania tej historii, po malutku dawkując nam emocje i sekrety do odkrycia. Od książki nie można się oderwać. Już od pierwszych stron wiedziałam, że będzie to historia, która na długo zagości w mojej głowie i nie pozwoli o sobie zapomnieć. Autorka po mistrzowsku zbudowała swoje bohaterki, które niejedno mają do ukrycia. Czy dwie tak różne kobiety, pochodzące z dwóch różnych światów mogą mieć ze sobą coś wspólnego? Tego musicie dowiedzieć się sami i przeczytać tę historię. Ja mogę tylko powiedzieć, że mimo odczuwanego bólu i przerażenia w trakcie czytania polecam gorąco Wam tę pozycję. Aż trudno uwierzyć, że jest to debiut! Autorka bardzo wysoko postawiła sobie poprzeczkę, dlatego czekam na więcej!
February 19, 2021
Wow! What an amazing, brilliant book. SO well written, with believable characters who made me cry, laugh, despair, hate, love, loathe and so much more. It was an emotional rollercoaster, very hard to read at times and "can't breathe" moments throughout for me as well as my fellow pigeons (reading through the Pigeonhole, not actual pigeons!). Excellent! Thank you Tina for writing this and for sharing your work.
February 20, 2021
"Call Me Mummy" is a sparkling debut from Tina Baker. On the surface it's a very readable tale of child abduction, which exploits one of every parent's worst fears - losing a child during a shopping trip. The terror of those seconds before re-locating your child, having turned your back briefly. But Tonya isn't swiftly located. The plot then unravels from various perspectives. Tonya herself is given a point of view which is a nice touch. She's a tough wee cookie! Baker straddles the worlds of the affluent Mummy and poor Kim with ease. Through them, she explores the lasting impact of abuse in childhood, the grip of addiction and the many forms of self-harm. Baker looks at judgment and superiority, how we look down upon those less fortunate, and she gives us a masterclass in the cesspit that is social media. We also have the opportunity to consider our public expectations of grief and how we categorise it - e.g. is the mother making a televised appeal crying too much/not enough? There is some choice and offensive language throughout which authenticates the characters. "Call Me Mummy" offers accessible commentary on how we demonise the less fortunate, and the pain of desperately wanting to have a child of your own.
September 9, 2021
This was the first novel by British journalist/broadcaster and fitness instructor Tina Baker and it did not disappoint.
This was a VERY dark tale about a kidnapped 5 year old, which was told from a few perspectives.
Firstly, "mummy" a deeply troubled individual who's desperation for a child comes to fruition in the children's clothing section of Peacocks in the run up to Christmas.
Secondly, from Kim, the mother of the kidnapped child who has demons of her own to deal with from her past as they haunt her as she tries to deal with the trauma of her daughter's kidnapping.
Thirdly, we see little bits from Tonya, as she is five turning six these are very short but add to the readers alarm at the situation.
The book covers the (long) time period of the kidnapping and a little of the aftermath.
It is very well written, Tina has clearly done a lot of research into areas and also a lot of people watching, in real life and of social media as this is interspersed in the book/shown in the characters.
This was a mix of a challenging read due to the darkness (violence towards children, animal cruelty, suicide and post- natal psychosis to name a few areas) with some (dark) humour/social commentary interspersed to no doubt stop it from going too dark. The last half I did occasionally have to breakaway from the book and do a lighter activity as it was so darkly disturbing but I did return as I enjoyed (not sure if that the correct word) the book so much.
This should definitely be on people's TBR list as it was so good, the characterisation and social media commentary within the book added to the gripping story. You are willing for Tonya to escape and your sympathies between the main characters of Kim and "mummy" swap and change throughout the book.
Definitely a book for those who enjoy the "dark side", definitely not one for people who are triggered by child abuse or swearing (there is a lot, including the c-word but it is used correctly in context, so please don't buy this book and then complain about the swearing you have been warned).
Will look out for future books by this author.
Thank you to the author for joining in the readalong and to pigeonhole for the opportunity.
Further to above have also listened to the audiobook version, the narrator has done an excellent job, giving the different characters their own voice.
This was a VERY dark tale about a kidnapped 5 year old, which was told from a few perspectives.
Firstly, "mummy" a deeply troubled individual who's desperation for a child comes to fruition in the children's clothing section of Peacocks in the run up to Christmas.
Secondly, from Kim, the mother of the kidnapped child who has demons of her own to deal with from her past as they haunt her as she tries to deal with the trauma of her daughter's kidnapping.
Thirdly, we see little bits from Tonya, as she is five turning six these are very short but add to the readers alarm at the situation.
The book covers the (long) time period of the kidnapping and a little of the aftermath.
It is very well written, Tina has clearly done a lot of research into areas and also a lot of people watching, in real life and of social media as this is interspersed in the book/shown in the characters.
This was a mix of a challenging read due to the darkness (violence towards children, animal cruelty, suicide and post- natal psychosis to name a few areas) with some (dark) humour/social commentary interspersed to no doubt stop it from going too dark. The last half I did occasionally have to breakaway from the book and do a lighter activity as it was so darkly disturbing but I did return as I enjoyed (not sure if that the correct word) the book so much.
This should definitely be on people's TBR list as it was so good, the characterisation and social media commentary within the book added to the gripping story. You are willing for Tonya to escape and your sympathies between the main characters of Kim and "mummy" swap and change throughout the book.
Definitely a book for those who enjoy the "dark side", definitely not one for people who are triggered by child abuse or swearing (there is a lot, including the c-word but it is used correctly in context, so please don't buy this book and then complain about the swearing you have been warned).
Will look out for future books by this author.
Thank you to the author for joining in the readalong and to pigeonhole for the opportunity.
Further to above have also listened to the audiobook version, the narrator has done an excellent job, giving the different characters their own voice.
March 6, 2021
What happened to Kim is MY WORST NIGHTMARE!!!!!!! I am paranoid when I take my boys shopping. I’ll admit one of them did wander off and it was the worst minute of my life!!!
I loved the split dialogue. Getting inside Mummy’s head was interesting. Se is very influenced by her upbringing (as we all are) but I personally didn’t feel that was a positive. She’s desperate to prove she’s a good mum at all costs. It does beg the question, does everyone have it in them to be a parent? Is it just a matter of wanting it or is there some magical gene that makes you a parent?
Kim, what do I say? She’s got problems and that’s before Tonya disappears. The media spotlight exacerbates these and highlights everything she does as you’d expect in this current culture. Everyone has an opinion on Kim and her behaviour but only we the reader know what’s going on in her head which is a mess!
Baker has written a twisted tense thriller that would be any parent’s nightmare. She’s curated the emotional journey of both Mummy and Kim brilliantly. I was invested in this story, hooked to see what Mummy would do next to attain Tonya’s affection and obedience. This book is yet another cracking debut for 2021 and Baker is one to watch. Please say there is a book 2 in the pipeline??! 🤞🤞🤞
I loved the split dialogue. Getting inside Mummy’s head was interesting. Se is very influenced by her upbringing (as we all are) but I personally didn’t feel that was a positive. She’s desperate to prove she’s a good mum at all costs. It does beg the question, does everyone have it in them to be a parent? Is it just a matter of wanting it or is there some magical gene that makes you a parent?
Kim, what do I say? She’s got problems and that’s before Tonya disappears. The media spotlight exacerbates these and highlights everything she does as you’d expect in this current culture. Everyone has an opinion on Kim and her behaviour but only we the reader know what’s going on in her head which is a mess!
Baker has written a twisted tense thriller that would be any parent’s nightmare. She’s curated the emotional journey of both Mummy and Kim brilliantly. I was invested in this story, hooked to see what Mummy would do next to attain Tonya’s affection and obedience. This book is yet another cracking debut for 2021 and Baker is one to watch. Please say there is a book 2 in the pipeline??! 🤞🤞🤞
November 28, 2021
Glamorous mummy has everything she could ever wish for... apart from a child. Kim has two children and one on the way, is stressed and has a lot to do to finish the Christmas season. Their paths cross in a store, Kim hitting boiling point and looking away from 5 year old Tonya for a few moments - mummy can't believe it. How dare she have these children and not watch them. In a split second decision, mummy has taken Tonya. However, Tonya isn't the quiet, obedient child mummy thought. Kim is hounded by the press, details from the past being exposed, being called awful names. However, mummy and Kim are both scarred by their pasts, and are similar than they could ever realise. As both start slipping into the horrors of their past, poor Tonya is stuck in the middle, and nothing will ever be the same...
I loved this book. The short chapters, every sentence used relevant to the story. Twists used for maximum impact. The conflicting feels of sympathy and dislike for Kim and mummy. Sadness for Tonya, a little girl stuck in the middle. This story really brings out emotions/feelings! Fantastic book, I can't wait to read more by this author! A must read book!
I loved this book. The short chapters, every sentence used relevant to the story. Twists used for maximum impact. The conflicting feels of sympathy and dislike for Kim and mummy. Sadness for Tonya, a little girl stuck in the middle. This story really brings out emotions/feelings! Fantastic book, I can't wait to read more by this author! A must read book!
December 15, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 4*
Characters: 5*
Twisted Darkness: 5*
The premise - One woman loses her child, one woman gains one.
So this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Yes I knew this was about child abduction and what follows, but it was so much more than that. Was I supposed to feel sorry for anyone, maybe, maybe not, after all someone just lost a child, but someone couldn't conceive altogether. But this book drip feeds you the story, and the backstory, until you realise what you're reading is utter poison. Theres this way you find out little bits of the past before you really notice what you've read, and its so unique, and very disturbing. This is good but in a really dark way. I'll recommend this to many, but I don't know what that will say about me in that I really enjoyed this.
Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 4*
Characters: 5*
Twisted Darkness: 5*
The premise - One woman loses her child, one woman gains one.
So this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Yes I knew this was about child abduction and what follows, but it was so much more than that. Was I supposed to feel sorry for anyone, maybe, maybe not, after all someone just lost a child, but someone couldn't conceive altogether. But this book drip feeds you the story, and the backstory, until you realise what you're reading is utter poison. Theres this way you find out little bits of the past before you really notice what you've read, and its so unique, and very disturbing. This is good but in a really dark way. I'll recommend this to many, but I don't know what that will say about me in that I really enjoyed this.
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