Mother

'The Family' Psychological Thriller Trilogy #2

by Jack Stainton

The glue that holds the family together…

Matt Walker had just witnessed the murder of Graham Meadows, his psychopathic brother-in-law; or so he thought.

After all he had been through, what, or who, could he believe anyway?

Eighteen months previous, after meeting the love of his life, Matt had envisaged finally settling down. However, soon after he married Amelia, his life began to spiral out of control; ever since the day she introduced him to The Family .

Yet somehow he managed to escape, free to start over.

But as Matt attempted to get his life back on track, Amelia’s news hit him like a sledgehammer. And to compound the misery, his best friend Lisa asked him to move out, leaving Matt to fend for himself once more.

Undeterred, he found himself in a new apartment, with a gorgeous new neighbour for company. A fresh start was so close, he could almost touch it…

But the family weren’t finished. They’ll never be finished.
Read ‘MOTHER’ Now! Part Two of 'The Family' Psychological Thriller Trilogy

Genres: Psychological Thriller, Thriller

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2022

About the author

Jack Stainton is a writer of everyday psychological thrillers. Stories which could happen to anybody at any time.

After thirty years working as a professional consultant, he has now put pen to paper to realise a lifetime ambition.

His debut novel, ‘A GUEST TO DIE FOR’ was released in September 2020.
The second novel, 'YOU'RE FAMILY NOW' is available now in eBook and print.

Jack loves to hear from readers and always responds. Contact him directly in any of the following ways:

Email: info@jackstainton.com
Twitter: @jack_stainton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackstaintonbooks

Reviews

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio - 4 stars
Story - 1 Star

[Kimmy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt.
Matty Matty Matt Matt Matt.
Mattster.
Mate.
Just stay AWAY from the creepy family with malevolent intent. Did you not learn that the first time around?
This taut follow up to You’re Family Now sees (and I may be alone here in finding him a bit thick) our protagonist recovering his life after being entangled with Melissa et al, finding new love - more than once, not knowing who to trust, lies, deceit, a bit of danger from foreseen quarters, and then coming out the other side.
Seriously, that man needs a slap upside the head if he even thinks of the word ‘Amelia’ ever again.
But, I see that another book in the series is coming out this year, so will I read it?
You betcha.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The sight of his motionless body offered me little satisfaction. The man, who I would have willingly killed myself, lay forlornly before me."

Having read the first book the other day, I knew I needed to get straight on this one and I'm so glad I did.
The story continues straight from where the first one ends, straight into the aftermath and everything that happened. The pace slows down a little as we go on before once again finishing strong.
I do have to say though, that I really really don't like Matthew. Don't get me wrong, part of me feels sorry for him, but I just really find him unlikeable. Does he really need to fall for, and sleep with, every woman he meets? It's kind of annoying.
I kind of guessed where this story was going as soon as his wife said she was pregnant. I was glad to see that I was right and that even though I'd figured it out, it didn't spoil it.
Once again, a really great read. And yet another trilogy I've started before realising a third book is due out next year. So now I will, very impatiently, wait for the next installment from Jack Stainton.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot how naive the MMC is in this series. The women are able to walk all over him because he believes every word they say just because they’re pretty.

I could see the main plot twist coming from about chapter 5 which dampened my enthusiasm a little. And there were times that I just wanted to shout at the guy and tell him to just walk away from them all.

However, there’s something about this series that keeps pulling me back. I don’t know what it is, but I always look forward to reading more.

[Secka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many plot holes. I should have known I would not enjoy this book. It took me three tries to read the first book “ your family now”. I forced myself to finally finish that one because I was interested in this second book. I’m disappointed I made myself finish it. I thought the second book “Mother“ would be better, but it was just as bad and repetitive as the first book.

The characters are extremely unlikable. I didn’t click with any of them. They were all either too weird, or too stupid for me to enjoy the book. Let’s start with the fact that the main character Matthew continues on with this dysfunctional family ( the Reids) as if they just recently (book 1 spoilers) didn’t trick him into marrying Amelia, murdered his rich aunt ( oh, Matthew didn’t know he had a rich aunt but the Reid’s knew) had him drugged up, tied to a bed for days, made him sign over his inheritance, and almost killed him. It’s as if we, as the reader are supposed to forget or ignore all of that and sympathize with him as a man who just wants to get back with his pregnant wife Amelia. Whose only proof that she’s pregnant is that she starts to wear baggy clothes and Matthew just swallows it up with no suspicion as to why she won’t go to the doctor or let him touch her belly. Even though in the past, Amelia told him she was barren.

Another fat hole is that characters who are supposedly on Matthew’s side would give him bits and pieces of cryptic clues instead of just telling him the full story. There’s a point in the story where two of the characters who were fearful for their lives, stayed in place instead of running to escape. Instead of fleeing, they destroyed the camera that was watching them, to discuss their current situation.

This second book was incredibly predictable. I wish I would’ve just trusted myself in what I knew was going to happen and saved myself the time.

[Lisa Cornetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES!!! This book was just as EPIC as the first in the series, “You’re Family Now.” It wrapped up all the loose ends, and further confirmed that Matt was as thick-headed as I suspected he was from book 1. How he did not learn to stay away from that family, I will never know! He kind of thought of himself as a Ladies Man, bagging every woman he met, which I didn’t care for much, either. I’m just happy most of the family was taken down, one way or another, and Katrina found a good family to foster her. We leave it as Matt is now Lisa’s problem, god bless her for having to deal with that dimwit!! Keep on writing, Jack, I’m excited for more!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisty story full of secrets and lies

Wow this trilogy of books just gets better and better. Fast paced and extremely suspenseful. What a twisted family they are. Full of secrets and lies. I couldn’t get enough and was page turning so quickly wanting more and more. Just when I thought I’d worked it out along came more unexpected twists. Jack Stainton is a fantastic author and I can’t wait to read the third book in this trilogy!

[Vampire Unicorn Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book carries on from the first one, the author says you can read them as standalone books but IMO you really can't. Matthew doesn't get any less stupid with the decisions he makes, it's quite frustrating reading about his idiotic choices. The ending wraps up nicely, not sure I'll read the third one but we'll see.

[Andy Beskers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book at 5am. I guess that tells you all you need to know. ;)

Thank you, Jack Stainton, for bringing us yet another "unputdownable" psychological thriller. I've been looking forward to part II for a while now, and you definitely did not disappoint.

[Hannah Nowak · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 rounded up* This one wasn't as addicting as the first, but the final 25% got twisty. Some of the twists were obvious and why can't Matthew stay away from this family?!

[Michelle McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the first, though not sure about the ending.
Now for last one to lie.

[sue bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother

I loved the book. Lots of twist and turns. I couldn't put it down. Matt got on my last nerve. At the end he fought for what he wanted.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW!

This is the sequel to A Part of the Family. Can't wait until the third book comes out. Jack Staunton is a masterful storyteller.

[Vikki Staincliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt my friend STAY AWAY from that family! Loved this book and read it straight after I finished the first one. When is the final book coming out???

[Abbie Hankins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 i HATE main character

[Deborah Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

good sequel

This was an interesting twist for a sequel. Keep my attention. Wondering what the story line is going to be for the third book.

[Jim Stennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, here’s the deal. The protagonist is the stupidest guy ever. He knows he’s being trapped and conned, but he constantly loses his cell phone, doesn’t mark his path in the woods, sleeps with women he can’t trust, etc., etc. The story is all but impossible, but dammit, I kept reading and I’ll read the third one when it comes out next year. Sigh. I hate myself for it, too. Author is a fluid writer and pages fly by, but it needed a good copy editor … as do all books these days.

I’m not English, but I guess constant drinking and sleeping around is how they deal with trauma and stress, but seems like a bad plan to me. And what’s with falling in love with a woman who constantly tries to kill you, steal your money, kidnap your kid? I get being polite, but there’s a line, British people. There is a line.

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can’t believe I stuck with this. Matt is so ridiculous!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was gripping, much like the first novel in the series. However, it starts to get a bit unbelievable towards the end with so many twists and turns. It’s as if these characters are living completely in their own world and not in a good way. There’s many questions left unanswered and you will not get those answers in the third book. I wanted more on the storyline of Katrina but between everyone��s lies you never know what really caused her to be that way. Was she born that way and her behavior did start at 2, did it start after her father disappeared or was it because of the medication she was given? Also, what the f is up with Patrick?! He plays a huge role in unlocking pieces of the puzzle just to never be heard from again. Did Julia kill herself?! Why was everyone, including Andy, so willing to just go along with major felonies?! It became so tough to believe the gripping thrills and mysteries around every corner.

[Rebecca Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took a very long time for anything interesting to happen. The main character is so unlikable and needs to just keep it in his pants. He almost deserves the constant situations he gets himself into because he clings to toxic, unhealthy, dishonest relationships and jumps into bed with any female that crosses his path, despite being married and still somewhat in love with Amelia. The end of the book did wrap everything up but the ending was pretty predictable. I still may try the third book just because I don’t like leaving things unfinished, but this one was just okay

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story, once again, and the sense of suspense was present much earlier than in the previous book in the trilogy. I did, however, find some of the writing to be a little sloppy- unusual words repeated (not for effect- it seemed more like it was out of desire to evoke that feeling without knowing other synonyms). Despite this, I’m still about the start the final instalment, so it definitely hasn’t put me off.

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great One !

Mathew is still chasing demons & trying to put faith in his ex-wife,even after finding out that two women responsible & two men would finally pay for their misdeeds of driving him almost cuckoo.
Will he ever be able to have a stable life?
You will just have to read,this,the 2nd.book in the trilogy & wait for the third due out 3rd.week of May.
This has been another great read,hated it to end !

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the first time I immediately read a sequel after finishing the first book. This family was just so twisted and conniving that I just couldn't stop reading to see what they would do next! It was crazy! Although I'll be honest, not sure why this book was called Mother, as she was barely involved in this book, but maybe had to do with who becomes a Mother. Overall, I read this book quickly and it kept me on my toes. Just too much chaos for one person to go through!!

[Sheryl Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Does this Author Do It ?.

This author never never never fails to outdo himself on his next book. Such an exciting writer. I am so looking forward to the last in this series. A master story teller with such rich characters and plots that twist and turn until the very last page. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a set of stories this much.

[Samantha Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, Mother lacked all the creepy & unnerving vibes that I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 about You’re Family Now.

Though this one didn’t have me quite as captivated as the first one, I still thought it was a good continuation of the story. Matthew’s dumb shenanigans were entertaining & I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 that big twist towards the end.

I look forward to reading the third book & finishing this trilogy!

[Jo Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oohh I ❤️ this book even though I held by breathe a few times as I had figured out they were lying about the baby. Katrina is such a strong character you feel like you need to shake her to get her to answer the questions.
Looking forward to reading the 3rd book to see where it goes but really enjoyed them

[Terri]

This is book #2 in a 3 part series. The family continues to try to take control. A pregnancy is announced which seems to change everything. There are more murders, suspects and mysteries. The main character, Matthew, has become more unlikeable to me. He drinks too much, he cheats on his wife and he lies excessively.

[Kendra Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother

Jack Stainton paints such descriptive pictures with his words whether it is a beautiful woman, or a crusty dried chapped lipped seeping blood in a creepy way. I love his style of writing and I can never get enough of his books. I can't wait for his next. Great read!!!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
Mother by Jack Stainton starts where You’re Family Now finished and builds excellently on both plot and suspense. Some new characters are introduced who fit seamlessly with the old and the book ends on another cliffhanger, leaving the reader desperate for more.

[Judy Scaife · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

Though not quite as intriguing as book one, I found the story hard to put down towards the end. I found the character frustrating in the things that he didn’t do and he simply drank way too much which didn’t help him at all.