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Lullaby and Goodnight
New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub's LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT is beautifully repackaged and reissued in Pinnacle for those who may have missed it the first time around!
HUSH LITTLE BABY, DON'T YOU CRY...
At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she's going to have the one thing she wants most--a baby. Peyton's biological clock went off just as her fianc� took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton's going it alone. Already, she's making plans for the little one inside her . . . buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That's only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified...
MAMA WON'T BE SINGING ANY LULLABIES
As the months pass, Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on. Maybe there's someone close who doesn't think she should give birth at all. Someone who would do anything to have a baby. Anything...
HUSH LITTLE BABY, DON'T YOU CRY...
At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she's going to have the one thing she wants most--a baby. Peyton's biological clock went off just as her fianc� took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton's going it alone. Already, she's making plans for the little one inside her . . . buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That's only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified...
MAMA WON'T BE SINGING ANY LULLABIES
As the months pass, Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on. Maybe there's someone close who doesn't think she should give birth at all. Someone who would do anything to have a baby. Anything...
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 7, 2005
100 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Corsi Staub
81 books1,893 followersNew York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than ninety novels, best known for the single title psychological suspense novels she writes under her own name. Those books and the women’s fiction written under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also appeared on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookscan bestseller lists.
Her current standalone suspense novel, THE OTHER FAMILY, is about a picture-perfect family that that moves into a picture-perfect house. But not everything is as it seems, and the page-turner concludes “with a wallop of a twist,” according to #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben.
Her critically acclaimed Lily Dale traditional mystery series centers around a widowed single mom—and skeptic—who moves to a town populated by spiritualists who talk to the dead. Titles include NINE LIVES; SOMETHING BURIED, SOMETHING BLUE; DEAD OF WINTER; and PROSE AND CONS, with a fifth book under contract.
Wendy has written five suspense trilogies for HarperCollins/William Morrow. The most recent, The Foundlings (LITTLE GIRL LOST, DEAD SILENCE, and THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER), spans fifty years in the life of a woman left as a newborn in a Harlem church, now an investigative genealogist helping others uncover their biological roots while still searching for her own.
Written as Wendy Markham, Wendy’s novel HELLO, IT’S ME was a recent Hallmark television movie starring Kellie Martin. Her short story “Cat Got Your Tongue” appeared in R.L. Stine’s MWA middle grade anthology SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN and her short story “The Elephant in the Room” is included in the Anthony Award-nominated inaugural anthology SHATTERING GLASS.
A three-time finalist for the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award, she’s won an RWA Rita Award, an RT Award for Career Achievement in Suspense, the 2007 RWA-NYC Golden Apple Award for Lifetime Achievement, and five WLA Washington Irving Prizes for Fiction.
She previously published a dozen adult suspense novels with Kensington Books and the critically-acclaimed young adult paranormal series “Lily Dale” (Walker/Bloomsbury). Earlier in her career, she published a broad range of genres under her own name and pseudonyms, and was a co-author/ghostwriter for several celebrities.
Raised in Dunkirk, NY, Wendy graduated from SUNY Fredonia and launched a publishing career in New York City. She was Associate Editor at Silhouette Books before selling her first novel in 1992. Married with two sons, she lives in the NYC suburbs. An active supporter of the American Cancer Society, she was a featured speaker at Northern Westchester’s 2015 Relay for Life and 2012 National Spokesperson for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She has fostered for various animal rescue organizations.
Her current standalone suspense novel, THE OTHER FAMILY, is about a picture-perfect family that that moves into a picture-perfect house. But not everything is as it seems, and the page-turner concludes “with a wallop of a twist,” according to #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben.
Her critically acclaimed Lily Dale traditional mystery series centers around a widowed single mom—and skeptic—who moves to a town populated by spiritualists who talk to the dead. Titles include NINE LIVES; SOMETHING BURIED, SOMETHING BLUE; DEAD OF WINTER; and PROSE AND CONS, with a fifth book under contract.
Wendy has written five suspense trilogies for HarperCollins/William Morrow. The most recent, The Foundlings (LITTLE GIRL LOST, DEAD SILENCE, and THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER), spans fifty years in the life of a woman left as a newborn in a Harlem church, now an investigative genealogist helping others uncover their biological roots while still searching for her own.
Written as Wendy Markham, Wendy’s novel HELLO, IT’S ME was a recent Hallmark television movie starring Kellie Martin. Her short story “Cat Got Your Tongue” appeared in R.L. Stine’s MWA middle grade anthology SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN and her short story “The Elephant in the Room” is included in the Anthony Award-nominated inaugural anthology SHATTERING GLASS.
A three-time finalist for the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award, she’s won an RWA Rita Award, an RT Award for Career Achievement in Suspense, the 2007 RWA-NYC Golden Apple Award for Lifetime Achievement, and five WLA Washington Irving Prizes for Fiction.
She previously published a dozen adult suspense novels with Kensington Books and the critically-acclaimed young adult paranormal series “Lily Dale” (Walker/Bloomsbury). Earlier in her career, she published a broad range of genres under her own name and pseudonyms, and was a co-author/ghostwriter for several celebrities.
Raised in Dunkirk, NY, Wendy graduated from SUNY Fredonia and launched a publishing career in New York City. She was Associate Editor at Silhouette Books before selling her first novel in 1992. Married with two sons, she lives in the NYC suburbs. An active supporter of the American Cancer Society, she was a featured speaker at Northern Westchester’s 2015 Relay for Life and 2012 National Spokesperson for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She has fostered for various animal rescue organizations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 4, 2008
Disgusting book--very disappointed in this author. Should not be compared to Mary Higgins Clark. Don't waste your time.
Read
October 24, 2011I could not finish this book. The cloying back and forth about the killer and Peyton just wore me out.
February 2, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Mystery by Wendy so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i loved this book from Page one which kept me on the edge of the seat the whole time.
The Characters were interesting and intriguing to read about. Peyton and Allison were definately my favorites.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book with the characters while reading.
Overall a Good Mystery Novel about 7 Women who get pregnant by IVF who hire a Doula who seems trustworthy but turns out to be a golddigging kidnapper!! Can't wait to read more by Wendy in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Mystery by Wendy so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i loved this book from Page one which kept me on the edge of the seat the whole time.
The Characters were interesting and intriguing to read about. Peyton and Allison were definately my favorites.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book with the characters while reading.
Overall a Good Mystery Novel about 7 Women who get pregnant by IVF who hire a Doula who seems trustworthy but turns out to be a golddigging kidnapper!! Can't wait to read more by Wendy in the future!!
February 10, 2012
This is more a 2.5, but the writing style really annoyed me. A lot of unnecessary foreshadowing and red herrings, and if you have characters speaking Spanish, at least have them use the correct gender. Having said all that, it was decent. Some of the characters were even interesting.
February 19, 2014
I was very disappointed in this book because chapter 1 lays everything out for you and you just plod along with the main character until everything is revealed. No suspense, no mystery just kinda drag your feet
October 7, 2014
I hate not finishing a book but I just couldn't make myself endure this one! Way to much back & forth....back & forth, it wore me out.
May 18, 2014
I don't like writing critical book reviews because I know how much time and effort went into creating the story, but I did not care for the writing style or plot development in Lullaby and Goodnight.
I chose this author because she was compared to Mary Higgins Clark, and I've run out of new MHC books to read. I agree that both authors write mysteries, but that is where the similarities end for me. MHC writes with a grace and urgency that was missing from this book, which made it feel disjointed and confusing at times. But my biggest complaint is that I felt duped. After I read the ending, I went back and read the murderer's sections, trying to figure out if I had misinterpreted the character. Instead of creating a suspenseful plot that culminated in a shocking ending, I felt that the author lied to me, writing things from the character's perspective that eliminated her as a suspect. I understand the need to throw the reader off the murderer's scent, but I prefer an ending that wraps up all the loose ends rather than creating a slew of new ones.
On the bright side, it was nice to read a book with an all-female lead cast, and their stories intertwined interestingly.
I chose this author because she was compared to Mary Higgins Clark, and I've run out of new MHC books to read. I agree that both authors write mysteries, but that is where the similarities end for me. MHC writes with a grace and urgency that was missing from this book, which made it feel disjointed and confusing at times. But my biggest complaint is that I felt duped. After I read the ending, I went back and read the murderer's sections, trying to figure out if I had misinterpreted the character. Instead of creating a suspenseful plot that culminated in a shocking ending, I felt that the author lied to me, writing things from the character's perspective that eliminated her as a suspect. I understand the need to throw the reader off the murderer's scent, but I prefer an ending that wraps up all the loose ends rather than creating a slew of new ones.
On the bright side, it was nice to read a book with an all-female lead cast, and their stories intertwined interestingly.
December 19, 2016
This probably really gets 2.5 stars. I kept hoping throughout the book that it would get less predictable, but that didn't happen. I was able to discern the villain from the beginning and I feel that it wouldn't be a mystery for anyone.
September 25, 2017
I'm a big fan of Wendy Corsi Staub and have read over a dozen of her books. This one, Lullaby and Goodnight, was very suspenseful and hard to put down. The characters were all well-developed and I found I cared about many of them. The book keeps you in suspense and guessing, even when I was pretty sure I knew who the killer was, but still enough twits to make me doubt my guess. Highly recommended.
December 4, 2017
A decentish suspense story with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing, though well before the last few chapters you'll probably have worked out who the bad guy is. It's entertaining enough but a fairly standard thriller of the sort that while enjoyable at the time is, after a couple weeks, less than memorable.
October 7, 2017
I was at one time a fan....Too repetitive, jumping from character to character was often confusing. Quick moving ending saved it from terrible. Either her writing has changed or I have just outgrown her.
January 5, 2018
This was a lot of fun, especially because I guessed the killer right, which I NEVER do. I’m terrible at it. I was so proud of myself! Lots of purple prose and unbelievable events, but I enjoyed the crazy stuff that happened and the fast pace of the story.
October 18, 2024
This book was ok. About women who have trouble getting pregnant and a person (won’t reveal who) kidnaps them and steals their baby and then kills then and gives baby to other couples who can’t have baby.
August 27, 2025
Okay this was a good book had me trying to figure out who that bad person was all the way thru the book. Peyton Somerset is young and pregnant and sadly gets caught up in a bad situation where someone close to her wants her baby and plans to kill her to boot.. enjoy if you like murder and suspense
September 29, 2025
So far I have never read a book by Wendy Corsi Staub that I didn't like. I was amazed at some of the negative reviews of this book. It kept me totally engaged and after about half way in, I could barely put it down. It's an older book but so worth the read.
September 27, 2017
I just can not get into this book. I wish I'd read the reviews before I purchased this one.
December 15, 2018
4.5 stars
September 5, 2019
The story plot drug on a bit, and everything was kinda played out for you.
October 12, 2019
Didn't see the ending coming. Maybe I'm slow lol But I loved this book!
November 30, 2019
Meh! Not terrible but not that good either -
March 17, 2020
I was not super impressed. It was not a bad read. But to many characters to keep up with
June 6, 2024
As a mom I connected and related to so much in this book! It was very suspenseful.
It was a little drawn out, and while not my favorite book, I did really enjoy it.
It was a little drawn out, and while not my favorite book, I did really enjoy it.
October 14, 2014
At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she's going to have the one thing she wants most--a baby. Peyton's biological clock went off just as her fiancé took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton's going it alone. Already, she's making plans for the little one inside her. . .buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That's only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified . . .
Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on.
I liked this book while I was reading it, there just didn't seemed to be much substance to it. The authors uses red herrings, so I wasn't sure who was responsible, but when I figured it out, the whole story just kind of turned me off. So many people affected and so many people killed that was unnecessary. I was looking for a creepy Halloween read and this just wasn't it.
Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on.
I liked this book while I was reading it, there just didn't seemed to be much substance to it. The authors uses red herrings, so I wasn't sure who was responsible, but when I figured it out, the whole story just kind of turned me off. So many people affected and so many people killed that was unnecessary. I was looking for a creepy Halloween read and this just wasn't it.
April 6, 2009
Another exceptional novel by Staub!
From back cover:
"At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she's going to have the one thing she wants most-a baby. Peyton's biological clock went off just as her fiance took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton's going it alone. Already, she's making plans for the little one inside her...buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That's only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified...
Mamma won't be singing any lullabies.
As the the months pass, Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on. Maybe there's someone close who doesn't think she should give birth at all. Someone who would do anything to have a baby. Anything..."
From back cover:
"At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she's going to have the one thing she wants most-a baby. Peyton's biological clock went off just as her fiance took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton's going it alone. Already, she's making plans for the little one inside her...buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That's only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified...
Mamma won't be singing any lullabies.
As the the months pass, Peyton can't help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She's certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she's being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it's just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on. Maybe there's someone close who doesn't think she should give birth at all. Someone who would do anything to have a baby. Anything..."
January 14, 2015
This was a great book but very hard for me, as a mother, to read. The thought that anyone, man or woman, could be this sick and twisted is scary beyond belief. I found it hard at times to keep reading, not because the story was bad but because it was hard to imagine that things like this in fact do happen. The pitfalls of the human mind are disturbing and this one got to me, to the mother that I am. I finished the book because I always do, no matter what, but I repeatedly set this one down for minutes, hours even a day at a time to distance myself from the craziness. This book isn't for everyone and I don't know that I would pick it up in the store again if I had the chance. Downright disturbing.
August 10, 2019
Has no one told this author that she needs to put an extra space or some kind of indication when she changes to a different character? It happens frequently on every page but here is an example:
"No," Rita says (to Nancy) with a smile, shaking her head. "Sandwich complications. Talk to you later."
"You were right. This is a great restaurant, Peyton," Allison announces around a mouthful of Tequila Moon's famous refried beans."
There is no transition. Just one line to the next and we have a different pair of women.
I could not finish this book, and can't recommend it.
"No," Rita says (to Nancy) with a smile, shaking her head. "Sandwich complications. Talk to you later."
"You were right. This is a great restaurant, Peyton," Allison announces around a mouthful of Tequila Moon's famous refried beans."
There is no transition. Just one line to the next and we have a different pair of women.
I could not finish this book, and can't recommend it.
January 30, 2011
I enjoyed the book as I was reading it .
I had an idea that there was a fake prson but I had thought >>>>>SPOILER ALERT********
it was wanda pretending to be pregnant so was surprised regarding who the fake was.
Bit surprised that she could have ended up working for a doctor as a nurse under a name that was not hers.
It was ok but not a book that I would read again and whether to read it or not iit would not have mattered.
I had an idea that there was a fake prson but I had thought >>>>>SPOILER ALERT********
it was wanda pretending to be pregnant so was surprised regarding who the fake was.
Bit surprised that she could have ended up working for a doctor as a nurse under a name that was not hers.
It was ok but not a book that I would read again and whether to read it or not iit would not have mattered.
Read
July 22, 2012I enjoyed this book. The main character Peyton has a wonderful life with a thriving advertising career. She lives in a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And she finds out that she's pregnant, and her boyfriend leaves her. Isn't that awful.
Then she finds herself uncertain about several things. She believes that someone has been in her apartment, and following her. I read this book in 4 hours. I couldn't put this book down. Amazing!
Then she finds herself uncertain about several things. She believes that someone has been in her apartment, and following her. I read this book in 4 hours. I couldn't put this book down. Amazing!
October 20, 2014
Now That's What I'm Talking About!!
This was Truly a great thriller, I read this one very slow so I could drag it out didn't want to finish even though it was hard to put down. I loved the character's I could connect and picture what I was reading. I don't usually pay this much for my book's but I was not disappointed. I think I have to say I have another favorite Author besides Mary Higgins Clark. I highly recommend this book.
k.smith
This was Truly a great thriller, I read this one very slow so I could drag it out didn't want to finish even though it was hard to put down. I loved the character's I could connect and picture what I was reading. I don't usually pay this much for my book's but I was not disappointed. I think I have to say I have another favorite Author besides Mary Higgins Clark. I highly recommend this book.
k.smith
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews