Mummy’s Little Secret

by M.A. Hunter

Four little words can ruin a life.

When Jess meets five-year-old Daisy and her mum, Morag, in a local London park, they seem a perfectly happy and loving pair. Until Daisy whispers four little words that send ice seeping down Jess’s spine…

She’s not my mum.

Determined to save Daisy, Jess becomes obsessed with unearthing Morag’s secrets. As she digs ever deeper, her friends and family start to question her own increasingly paranoid behaviour…

Four little words can end a life.

But Jess knows what she heard and she’s certain the fear in Daisy’s eyes was real. Of course she isn’t imagining things… Or is she?

Mummy’s Little Secret is a nerve-shredding new psychological thriller from the author of The Missing Children Case Files – perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and C.L. Taylor.

Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Family

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2021

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading positive reviews about the author’s series, “The Missing Children Case Files” but not wanting to commit to six books, I was excited to be offered the opportunity to read this new standalone, from M.A. Hunter.

The book is told over two timelines-although they are only one week apart.

BEFORE:

“She’s not my mum”

Daisy whispers these four words to Grace’s mum, Jess, in a London playground-arousing her suspicion about Morag, who is the “older” woman accompanying the five year old child.

Why isn’t Daisy smiling while playing with Grace on the seesaw? Was her lip trembling when she uttered those words? Could she have misheard? Though not impossible, Morag does seem a bit old to be the mother of this child.

Morag wonders what Daisy has just whispered to the young wheelchair bound mum, she was just speaking with. They have only just moved here-their secret cannot already be exposed-she doesn’t want to have to move again so soon.

Both women ARE paranoid, but I APPRECIATED that it wasn’t because they were unreliable or unbalanced!! Told from each of their alternating POV’s we learn the factors which could be at play.

Jess’s husband Charlie doesn’t pick up any red flags, when he meets them at the BBQ held at their home and watches Daisy joyfully playing with Grace on a trampoline.

Has Jess imagined the child’s fear?

Jess is unable to let go of her initial unease. What if Daisy needs help? Her back story of dealing with now being “less abled” while trying to make sense of this, gave a fresh approach to this trope.

Morag IS hiding something and is therefore overly suspicious of everyone she meets, even wondering if Jess even needs her wheelchair or if it could be a prop she is using to deceive her? Her story arc was a bit more predictable but still kept me engaged.


NOW :
Told from the POV of DI Mike Ferry who one week later, is on THE CASE.

But, he may not be on THE CASE you are expecting him to be on-as this is NOT your standard “is this child missing? kidnapped? abducted?” story-(and this is definitely NOT a police procedural per say)

I am glad that I went into this blind, as I wasn’t expecting ALL that happened in the NOW chapters.

I would’ve liked more resolution about a certain private investigator and some of Charlie’s behavior but all in all, I thought this was an enjoyable story which I would categorize as domestic suspense because despite the subject matter-the tone is NOT dark at all.

3.75 rounded up!

DeAnn and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was really going on! Be on the lookout for her amazing review!

Thank You to One More Chapter for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

AVAILABLE August 5th 2021!

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘She’s not my mum’ whispers Daisy to Jess who is at a playground with her daughter Grace. Is Morag her mother?? Her loving behaviour towards the little girl suggests so but Jess’s suspicions are aroused. The story is told ‘Before’ by Morag and Jess and ‘Now’ via DI Mike Ferry, when a body is found at a bloody crime serene with a near catatonic, blood stained possible witness. This works extremely well with the storyline flowing between the different points of view and timelines.

This is a well written mystery thriller which has a plausible plot and plenty of pace. The novel has several layers to it, all of which are interesting. Jess is recently confined to a wheelchair and this storyline is particularly compelling as we learn her backstory. The author conveys effectively the difficulties Jess faces in just getting around but also in how she’s treated at times, you feel her powerlessness then, and her lack of choice. Her character is well fleshed out, you sense her grief, anger, confusion and her obsession in trying to learn the truth about Daisy. I like how the author balances Jess’s darker issues with the bubbliness of Grace who is a lovely, confident girl who proves a loyal friend to Daisy. The mystery of Morag is a good one as you realise there are a load of secrets to be uncovered. The plot builds well, there’s a lot of tension between several of the protagonists which builds to a crescendo. The ending is tense and it takes DI Ferry a while to sort out exactly what occurs in this difficult investigation which throws up a lot of confusion. My only reservation is that towards the end I find some of the dialogue a bit unrealistic but it’s only a small criticism as overall the book is really good and a gripping read. It’s definitely made me want to read more by the author.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins:One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[DeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 secretive stars

This one is told in a style I really liked, we get the “before” chapters which introduce us to the characters and the “now” chapters are dealing with the aftermath of a crime. This definitely kept the tension at a high level!

Can you believe what children tell you? Jess is visiting the park with her daughter Grace. There’s another little girl at the playground and she shares with Jess that “she’s not my mom” – referring to the older woman with her at the park. What should Jess do with this information if it is true? Jess decides to try to find out more before confronting the woman, Morag.

The book also alternates with the points of view from Jess and then from Morag and it’s fascinating how each appear to each other. Both women have secrets and my sympathies wavered back and forth. Jess is recovering from a physical injury and in a wheelchair and she hasn’t fully processed the tragedy from six months ago. Morag is clearly hiding things about her background, and I kept trying to guess just what those secrets were for her.

This one has a bit of a complex plot, but I enjoyed trying to figure out what everyone was hiding. This is a new author for me and I liked the writing!

Another great one for a buddy read with Jayme. Her review has some excellent insight on this one.

Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review was first posted on Mystery and Suspense. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/mu...


Jess - who lives in the London suburbs - has been wheelchair-bound for six months, since an epidural needle slipped and paralyzed her legs just before she gave birth to a stillborn son. Jess is still reeling from the double tragedy, but tries to keep life as normal as possible for her four-year-old daughter Grace. Thus Jess is watching Grace frolic at the playground.....





.....when a little girl grasps the arm of Jess's wheelchair and nervously whispers "She's not my mum."

A moment later a fifty-something woman with a Scottish accent trots into view calling "Daisy? Daisy?"



The woman apologizes to Jess for her daughter being a nuisance, and introduces herself as Morag. Grace and Daisy run off to play, the mothers start to chat, and they discover that Grace and Daisy will be starting school together next week.



Morag, apparently eager to help Daisy make friends, asks about arranging a playdate. She then says she's parched and suggests they all go to a nearby refreshment stand for juice and cake. Jess, whose husband Charlie has been pushing her to get out more, reluctantly agrees.

However Jess can't forget Daisy's four little words - She's not my mum - and views Morag with deep suspicion. Morag is old to be Daisy's mother; evades explaining why she, her husband Angus, and Daisy recently moved to London; and appears anxious. Moreover Daisy is quiet and subdued, almost as if she's afraid to speak.



For Morag's part, she's uncomfortable with Jess's questions and senses that Jess views her with mistrust. Worse yet, Jess keeps looking at Daisy askance, as if she senses something is wrong.

After this initial encounter, Jess and Morag meet repeatedly, either by design - when Morag invites Jess's family to her home for a barbecue; or accidently - when the women are dropping their children off at school, shopping for groceries, or in a boutique shop. Jess becomes increasingly uneasy about Morag, does research online, and concludes Morag abducted Daisy.



Jess confides in her husband Charlie, but Charlie - who's often harried and working late - thinks Jess is just being paranoid.



Actually Morag IS hiding something and trying to evade someone. Morag is uncomfortable with her repeated 'accidental' encounters with Jess and becomes convinced Jess has been hired to spy on her.



The tension between Jess and Morag escalates, there are further developments, and a homicide occurs.



The story switches back and forth between Before and Now, and is told in the alternating voices of Jess, Morag, and Detective Inspector Mike Ferry, who's investigating the homicide.

In the Before chapters we see what led to the murder. In the Now sections, DI Ferry is probing the crime with the Chief Super on his back to make an arrest. Ferry's unit had a recent run-in with Professional Standards and barely escaped with their jobs. Now the boss wants things done fast and by the book. But Ferry is having difficulty making sense of the death, and working with his detective ex-girlfriend just makes things harder.



The story is cleverly constructed, and tension builds as Jess and Morag's secrets are slowly revealed, and the details of the crime are unearthed bit by bit.

A positive aspect of the book is the depiction of Jess as a recent paraplegic who gets around on her own.



Jess and Charlie can't afford an electric wheelchair and Jess has to hand push her chair's wheels to bring Daisy to school, do the shopping, take a train, bring Daisy to the playground, etc. Manipulating the wheelchair is painful and exhausting, and Jess's determination to be a good wife and mother - and perhaps get back to her job as a journalist - is encouraging.

Part character study and part police procedural, this novel will intrigue mystery lovers and armchair detectives.

Thanks to Netgalley, M.A. Hunter, and One More Chapter for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

“She’s not my mum” - these are the four words uttered by little Daisy to Jess in the park one day. The child, who looks to be around 5 years old - the same age as Jess’s daughter Grace, looks terrified! Soon the not-mum comes over and introduces herself as Morag and the two women chat for a while although Jess is wary. Soon Daisy and Grace are playing together on the seesaw. As they leave the park Jess can’t forget what the child said. But Jess is off her meds! Is Daisy really a victim of kidnapping or some other sinister plot, or is her mind spiralling into paranoia? Morag does look too old to be the child’s mother.

Jess suffers from anxiety and depression and is now wheelchair bound after an accident six months ago that lead to her being rushed into hospital in labour with her second child who was stillborn. A botched epidural resulted in the nerve damage that has put her in a wheelchair. As it transpires they run into each other again and again Morag makes friendly overtures but is guilty of her own paranoia. She wonders whether Jess is fair dinkum or spying on her for HIM. Who him is is not clarified until much later by which time it is already too late to prevent disaster!

The two women remain suspicious of each other and Jess’s husband, Charlie, is not supportive of her concerns. He is also behaving secretively and you start to order why. I didn’t think this book was as good as the author’s six book Missing Children Case Files series which I have also read. The plot was a little predictable and the ‘paranoid woman whom nobody will believe, especially her husband’ trope is getting a little stale. It’s easy to inject a little drama this way. Nevertheless, Jess’s suspicions and intrusions into the other family’s life did seem over the top and she never actually came out and asked Morag about it (until it was too late). I can’t imagine anybody I know behaving as Jess did.

I also thought the police investigation, after the terrible thing happens, was portrayed as rather slapdash. They took far too long to perform some basic tasks and seemed to off on wrong tangents. The officer running the investigation, DI Mike Ferry, inspired zero confidence that anything would be resolved.

Despite that it was a good story and I was keen to see how it ended. Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing a free eARC which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s not my mum.

Those words are included in the publisher’s blurb of M.A. Hunter’s Mummy’s Little Secret. They are spoken by a young girl called Daisy. She meets a stranger, a woman sitting in a wheelchair watching her daughter Grace play in the park. Jess, her mother, is taken aback, and frankly, is unsettled by the look of distress on the child’s face. Jess’ concerns increase as she meets the mother, Morag, who seems much older than she’d have expected, as Daisy appears to be about the same age as her four-year-old daughter.

The story is told from two points of view, that of each of the mums. It is also told in “before” and “now.” As the women continue to form an uneasy, wary relationship, we gradually learn their backgrounds. Jess became a paraplegic during a tragedy of childbirth. Morag clearly has a secret; she is evasive and seems to constantly look over her shoulder, literally and figuratively. Their husbands, Charlie and Angus, are supportive, and the marriages mostly seem strong. Mostly. Jess comes across as a difficult person to live with, not because of her physical limitations, but because of her obsession with this new event and people who have crossed her path. Charlie chalks it up to depression from her accident and loss. Morag, too, struck me as paranoid and quite single-minded of purpose. Why? You’ll have to read the book!

Throughout much of the “before” chapters, I found myself growing more and more confused. That’s not the author’s fault! By confused, I mean that I got so caught up in trying to solve the puzzle – I should clarify and say puzzles – because there are whispers and hints that Jess has secrets too. It got so that I wasn’t sure whom to like or believe. I just had a feeling that something big, and bad, was coming. But – all of a sudden, it’s “now”! The bad had arrived. Now the action has sped up. The present day chapters are shorter and more revealing. At this point, the book had become hard to put down.

There are some lessons here about making assumptions and judgments. The author very carefully paints a relationship filled with fear and meticulously fosters it so that it evolves into something unexpected. The young girls act their ages and hit it off; the adults are complex. Marriage, friendship, dealing with pain and suffering, and one’s self-worth are other aspects that are explored in this psychological thriller. This is my first experience reading M.A. Hunter. I suspect it will not be my last.

I wish to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for providing me with this e-book as an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

5 stars

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling and engaging

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jess meets five year old Daisy and her mum, Morag, in a local London park, they seem perfectly happy and loving pair. Until Daisy whispers four little words that send ice seeping Jess's spine - She's not my mum.

When Jess and her daughter Grace meet Morag and Daisy at the park, Daisy whispers to Jess that Morag is not her mum. Jess can't get Daisy's comment out of her head and soon becomes obsessed in finding out the truth. But what Jess doesn't realise is that she is opening a can of worms that should have remained tightly closed, because the secret Morag keeps will end up with someone being dead.

This is a tense and character driven read. There's a lot more to the story than we are first led to believe. The story is told in alternate chapters in the before format from Jess and Morag's perspectives and the now through DI Mike Ferry who is the SIO. Both Jess and Morag are fighting their own demons. The pace is fast and the plotline gripping. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for my ARC of #MummysLittleSecret in exchange for an honest review.

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn’t take me long to finish this well-written book because it’s the kind of story with the kind of characters that really takes you in from the beginning. All characters in this book, from little Daisy to her ‘mother’ Morag to wounded but strong Jess and her family, were drawn very clearly. And although Morag isn’t very likable in the beginning, once it’s clear why she does what she does, you can feel nothing but sympathy for her. You can feel the tension mounting and I especially liked the chapter describing the barbecue party where you can almost feel the tension yourself.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mummy’s Little Secret was an explosive and fraught story with past traumas around every corner. This story broke me a little inside, call it the powerful narrative, the secrets that we try to keep locked away or the maternal instinct within me, wanting to protect those that are vulnerable. I’m going to try and do this review justice and explain exactly why this book altered me emotionally. The prose was flawless, the teasing of the plot was carried out like a highly trained string musician.

Mummy’s Little Secret is told over two timelines, two families, two main characters. Before and now. Jess’s family and Morag’s. Two completely different women, from different walks of life but one thing in common – they are mothers to five-year-old daughters. Grace and Daisy, two little girls full of life but Daisy utters four unforgettable words – She’s not my mum. Jess can’t forget it, what if this little girl has been abducted and held against her will. She would never forgive herself if she didn’t try to find out more. It’s the start of an obsessive journey that will end with regrettable consequences.

One word of advice? Go into this story with your mind completely open. Go into expecting a thrill and not being disappointed. The subject matter elicited a shiver of anticipation at several points, it was glorious. Reading this book landed me shin deep in domestic drama, a rollercoaster of familial ties that will gut the reader open.

Jess is a young mother. She wears her trauma on her sleeve. She is mother to five-year-old, Grace. She is also a recently bereaved mother of Luke, a baby boy that died during labour. The situation was further tainted when the epidural needle left Jess paralysed from the waist down. She’s on a cocktail of painkillers and anti-depressants to just get her through each day. Her marriage is struggling, life is very different, and she still hasn’t processed the death of her son.

Morag is an older mother to Daisy. She finds herself not trusting easily, they’ve moved several times in the last few years but hopes they can finally plant some roots in Northwood. She is suspicious of Jess’s interest in their family. Just what does she suspect them of?

Mummy’s Little Secret and M.A. Hunter took me by surprise. Jess’s character reminded me so much of myself. I too have suffered post-natal depression and struggled to find my place in a role that requires so much of myself. Her uncertainty and pain is something a lot of mothers can relate to but unlikely feel able to talk about. The opening of the novel sets the tone and the darkness quickly envelops every page and every word. The impending doom surrounds every character like an ominous fog…you know it’s there, but you cant see through it and it clouds your judgement.

Mummy’s Little Secret grips from the very first page, unyielding but with an undercurrent of tenderness. Hunter is always five steps ahead with the multi layered examination of blood ties and familial bonds.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just OK, though I am clearly in the minority. It centers on Jess, who is recently wheelchair bound and morning the loss of her newborn son, both which happened during the same incident. Jess is trying to get herself back out there by taking her daughter to the park regularly. One day she meets another mother, Morag, whose daughter whispers to Jess that Morag is not her real mother, and sends Jess deep into investigation mode to find out what is going on. There are also alternating chapters from Morag's point of view.

The thing I didn't love about the book was how Jess immediately got over-involved in figuring out what might be happening, when she didn't really have any interest in getting to know the family, and she didn't have a lot to go on. This felt like a stretch to me. Also, though I can't say I fully figured out the ending but when it happened, it made sense to me based on the information I had been given thus far, so it didn't feel like much of a twist.

I did enjoy the alternating perspectives and the opportunity to learn more about each woman and why they made the decisions that they made. The book moved at a fast clip overall.

Again, not my favorite but it was a decent read. Looks like others have really loved it so seems like it's worth a read for anyone who enjoys the psychological thriller genre. I would check out other books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book kept me turning the pages till the wee hours of the morning. A fabulous psychological thriller with lots of twists to keep you intrigued. A great group of characters that are easy to like and week described by the author. When she became paralyzed from the waist down because of an accident during childbirth, Jess felt her life fall apart. Confined to a wheel chair, battling depression and the loss of her baby she is struggling to even function. When a child approaches her and says “she’s not my mother” everything changes. Told through the eyes of Jess and Morag you will go back and forth trying to decide what is reality and what is a delusion. A quick moving story full of mystery and it will keep you on your toes trying to figure out the story. Excellent book. Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read this fabulous book. This is a great author so check out some of their other books.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mummy's Little Secret by M.A. Hunter is a thrilling read that kept me guessing until the very end.

When Jess meets Morag and her daughter at a local playground, she is startled when little Daisy whispers in her ear that Morag is not her mum. Having recently suffered a two-fold tragedy of her own, Jess wonders if the drugs she takes to battle depression could be responsible for her paranoid reaction to young Daisy's claim. Dismissed by her husband as making too much of what she believes she heard, Jess is determined to get to the bottom of Morag and Daisy's true identities, all the while battling her own demons and teetering on the brink of credibility.

This is a compelling, utterly addictive read. I tore through the pages uninterrupted, desperately seeking answers. Recommended. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.

[Sharah McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mummy's Little Secret is a thriller told by two slightly unreliable narrators, Jess a wheelchair bound Mum, and Morag, an older Mum. After a chance meeting in a park while spending time with their young daughters, Jess and Morag's lives quickly become entwined. Both women are hiding secrets and show signs of instability. Alternating chapters give both women a chance to tell their story. The police procedural chapters of the book paint DI Mike Ferry as an inexperienced police office who makes mistakes under pressure. Parts of this story need reality to be suspended however I still enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy of M.A. Hunter's book. M.A. Hunter also writes under the name Stephen Edger.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting psych thriller with just the right amount of suspense to keep any reader hooked.

When Jess meets Morag in the park one afternoon as their children play, she is disturbed when Morag's daughter runs up to her and secretly tells her that Morag is not her mommy. There is no time to ask what she means before their brief interlude is interrupted. Jess, who has her own shady and tragic past, becomes consumed by what she hears. Morag has her secrets as well and begins to wonder if Jess is really just a random stranger she met at the park or if there's more than meets the eye.

The book alternates between three perspectives and two timelines- Before:Jess and Morag and Now: a police detective trying to solve a murder.

This thriller kept me on my toes and eager to know who was murdered and what the heck happened. Terrific audio performance. Definitely recommend.

[Babs | babs_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew when I saw M.A. Hunter on this one, I would want to read it. I was not disappointed. I'm fairly new to Hunter's books, but the ones I've read I consumed very quickly and this one was no different.

I wasn't prepared for the twists and turns this one took. I thought I had it all figured out and was pleasantly surprised when each time my guess was wrong. I had to keep turning the page to find answers and I wasn't ever ready to set it down.

I appreciate the writing and editing skill it takes to breakdown a story and tell it from 2 pov and from 2 places in times. The bounce between past and present really sets a tone and carries the book for me.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the review copy.

[Chryssie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was an enjoyable and suspenseful thriller full of secrets! Although a little predictable, there was a lot of action happening and it kept me intrigued to find out how it would all end. The two women, Morag and Jess, who have just met are both hiding past trauma and secrets of their own but they find themselves deeply suspicious of each other, They make many assumptions about one another, which questions, are they full of paranoia or are they right to be weary?
This was a really suspenseful book that I found enjoyable and would recommend for anyone who likes a good, easy thriller to curl up with on a weekend :-)
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for a copy of this book in return for my honest and voluntary review, I enjoyed it :-)

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is told across two timelines of ‘before’ and ‘now’.

‘Now’
A man’s body is found in a kitchen. A woman is at the scene covered in his blood but she appears to be in shock and is not able to speak.

‘Before’
The before is told from the POV of two female narrators, Jess and Morag.
Jess and Morag meet at a park where their daughters are playing. Morag’s daughter whispers to Jess ‘She’s not my mum’. These four words prey on Jess’s mind. Initially she wonders if she imagined it but decides she did say those four words. Was the girl lying or as Jess suspects telling the truth? Has she been abducted? Jess takes it upon herself to try to investigate and shares her worries with her husband who thinks she is making it up. Jess suffers from anxiety and depression which has worsened since an incident left her confined to a wheelchair.

Morag and her husband have recently moved to the area but are secretive about their past.

Morag and Jess are suspicious of each other although their young daughters become friends and start school together.

Jess also has suspicions that her husband may be having an affair.

I enjoyed the secrets and suspicions, and the twists and turns the story took.

I would certainly read more from this author,

Thank you to One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard great things about M.A. Hunter’s previous book, so I was glad to be offered a copy of their standalone book Mummy’s Little secret.
Jess is in a wheelchair after her car accident, were she lost Luke the child she was carrying. She hasn’t fully got over that time. She is in the park with her daughter Grace. were she meets a little girl called Daisy and her mother Morag. Morag seems to be a bit older to be the mother of 4-year-old Daisy Jess wonderers, but, when Daisy whispers in her ear that the woman isn’t her mother all thoughts of this go off in her head.
This starts Jess on a journey to not only find the truth about Daisy but, also her own sanity after the loss of her child. As confronting what she discovered to her husband Charlie and also her own mother they think that she is having a breakdown.
Thank you, the publisher, for a copy of Mummy’s little secret. Is a tense thriller set not only in three points of view about also two timelines, before and now. It is a clever multi-layered plot which keeps you wanting more but I found personally Jess quite irritating were she is hellbent finding the truth. It maybe it’s just me. 4 stars from me.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspicions

This book keeps you guessing, twists and turns coming from all directions. After a day at the park with her daughter Jess becomes obsessed with a girl named Daisy and her mother Morag. After Daisy whispers to Jess "She's not my Mummy" Jess has a suspicion that something is not right with Morag and Daisy.

When strange things happen and darkness descends upon Jess, she questions her sanity, her family questions her sanity. Is she dreaming it all or seeing what is not there? No one believes her so where does she go from here?

The story touches on mental health problems, depression, anxiety, dealing with a recent crippling disability. Jess finds out that people treat you differently when you are disabled in a wheelchair. She fights to be listened to and treated normally, but feels she is losing her battle.

She does not give up her obsession with Morag and Daisy, but will she make a bad situation worse?
This book keeps you reading from the beginning to the end. The ending is very much a surprise. I think anyone that enjoys psychological mysteries will enjoy this and I recommend it.

Thanks to M.A. Hunter, HarperCollins, U.K. , One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy for my honest review.

[Brenda Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jess takes her young daughter, Grace, to the park. Only to be met by Daisy - who tells Jess, her mom isn't her mom.
Jess becomes obsessed - focusing on researching Morag and Angus, missing children, anything to distract Jess from her own recovery from a tragic accident.
Morag can't help but wonder if Jess and Charlie were hired by him - a man who searches for her family relentlessly.
This suspense novel was driven by family secrets. What caused Jess' accident? Who is this nefarious man who is stalking Morag's family.
I certainly enjoyed the ending - the climax was well done, especially the hindsight provided by the last chapters.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. And I have to say, I'm really glad I did! This isn't one I would have found on my own, but I ended up enjoying it a great deal. All of the twists unfolded very organically, nothing felt forced or rushed. Nothing was out of the blue, "I didn't see that coming!" either though, so it doesn't quite get five stars. However I did very much like it and I will definitely be looking up more by this author!

[Linda Leone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess is at the park with her daughter when another child says to her : she's not my mum. Jess is left wondering if she heard correctly. Could Morag really not be Daisy's mother? The two women build a tentative friendship. Each woman has their won reasons for seeking the other out.
The book is from three perspectives: Jess, Morag and a police detective.
I am a huge fan of M. A. Hunter's The Missing Children Case Files series. I enjoyed this book as well. It is told for the most part with a little less blunt truth than the case files series but is equally addictive. I was very satisfied with the conclusion of the book.

Thanks to netgalley and One More Chapter for the advance copy

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read and loved Ransomed so knew I would like this one as well and it did not disappoint! When Jess and daughter Grace meet Daisy and Morag in the park she whispers to Jess, "She's not my mum." So of course Jess is stunned but not sure what to do as these two are strangers to her. So much happens! Twists and turns that will make your head spin and keep you guessing until the end! If Morag isn't the mother then who is and why would she have abducted Daisy? Don't plan on any adulting until you've finished this thriller as you won't be able to put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved books from this author, and once again this one did not disappoint.

Jess and morag, 2 women with young daughters that meet on a visit to the park.
Jess is wheelchair bound following the birth of her son which sadly did not survive.
Jess is approached a little girl in the park who wispers 'she is not my mummy' .
Jess is approached by Morag who seems anxious to move away from the park.

Jess becomes obsessed with the notion that something is very wrong with that mother/ daughter relationship and begins to try and unravel the secret life that morag seems to lead.

Meanwhile, a male body is found, stabbed and Jess is covered in his blood.

A story told in the 'before' and 'after' which has many twists and turns as hidden secrets are revealed. The intrigue around the murder kept me gurssing to the very end.

Highly recommend.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mummy’s Little Secret by M. A. Hunter is the first book I have read by this author and so glad it was a stand alone book. I loved it and was hooked within the first few pages. Mummy's little lie is a physiological thriller that kept
me awake all night as I wanted to find out if she was the little girls Mummy..........

Who is her mummy? OMG!!

WoW I found this book full of twists and turns throughout and it had me guessing. All the characters were likeable and all played a good part within this new book.

I highly recommend this book,. A very good read.

Big thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of this ebook.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if a child tells you that this woman is not my mum? I know I would want to find out more. I would want to help if I could. This story was compelling and a bit scary. I enjoyed it very much. But can you believe what a child confesses? I was on the edge of my seat. I want to believe that children so young would not make up things like this. I really wanted to be right but you will have to read this book to know the ending. I know I was hooked to learn the answer to my questions. *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything changes in the lives of two women in northern London when Morag’s daughter whispers to Jess, “She is not my mum.” Jess just can’t let this go, but her history of depression makes her husband doubt her story. Morag can tell Jess knows something and tries to find out without spilling her secrets.

This story is told using multiple timelines and points-of-view. It begins in the past and is very clear that both Jess and Morag have experienced heartache and are keeping secrets. Some of the chapters flash forward and the reader learns about a murder but isn’t sure how it’s connected to Jess and Morag’s story. I don’t want to say too much and spoil the story, but the way this story unfolds delivers a unique take on the domestic thriller with truly unexpected plot twists. The characters and situations aren’t what they seem and I really enjoyed the ending. This is a fast-paced book and if you like really being surprised by a thriller, I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mummy’s Little Secret by M.A. Hunter

Two women
Two little girls
Two husbands
One murder

Secrets, lies, and
Four little words…

“She’s Not My Mum”


This book flips between past and present looking at the lives of two women who meet one day in a park while little girls are playing. The four little words Daisy utters set in motion a series of events that leave all involved changed forever.

Intrigued by the idea of what I would do if a child came up to me and told me that the woman she was with was NOT her mother, I looked forward to reading the story. But, as I began to read and realized that it was not linearly told, then could not relate to the women or the situation, I found myself skimming to get the gist of it and some of the specifics. In the end I understood why the story was told as it was but never fully invested in the reading, story or outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

[Jayasree B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mummy's Little Secret was a superb psychological thriller. It was absolutely a thrilling read from start to finish. When everyone around Jess begins to doubt her, she still perseveres to find out the truth, despite the circumstances. Excellent writing and riveting plot!