I love Sally Hepworth books and this was no different. Great characters, plot, and a good twist at the end.

I really enjoyed reading this book with my book club. I found the characters to be gripping and that they drew me in to the plot of the book. I really enjoyed discussing this book and find that Sally Hepworth books lead to great discussions. Great book!

This was not what I was expecting and I mean that as a compliment! Relationships with in laws can be tricky, but wow, talk about an interesting story of this complicated family dynamic. I was engrossed and wanted to know - was this murder? And if so, who was guilty? Sally Hepworth writes some unputdownable domestic thrillers that can evoke emotion and make you think.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARV via NetGalley.

Thank you to St Martins Press for a free copy of this book for review. After reading quite a few thrillers I was looking forward to reading something along the lines of a domestic drama. I had been saving this book for that time and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I really enjoy this author’s writing and this was another 5 star book for me. Lucy’s mother passed away when Lucy was quite young so when she went to meet the woman who would become her mother in law she had dreams of Diana becoming like a mother figure to her. Her visions of this were dashed from their first meeting and although Lucy still was hopeful for a while she soon realized Diana was not going to fulfill that roll. Lucy has now been a member of the family for quite a few years when they receive word that Diana has not only been found dead but has been murdered. Lucy’s husband Oliver and his estranged sister and brother in law are as perplexed as Lucy as to who would have murdered Diana. As we learn more about the family dynamics we learn there are a lot of undercurrents and secrets to be uncovered. I really enjoyed how the book was written and the many layers of a family and the complicated relationships. I didn’t see the twist coming at the end although I probably should have. I was just happy to let the book take me along for the ride.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I was initially so excited to receive this but it's more of a run-of-the-mill type of read for me now - fine but not a standout

Really interesting family drama. The characters were very well developed. I liked the suspense and would recommend this book.

This book is about a Mother in law with a little bit of a creep side. The wife ends up dead but who is responsible. The book did not flow well for me.
#netgalley #sallyhelpworth #stmartnspress

"The Mother in Law," penned by Australian author Sally Hepworth, is a compelling and intelligently plotted domestic suspense novel that will captivate readers from its intriguing start to its unexpected conclusion. Hepworth's novel, although draped in the familiar garb of a mystery thriller, also takes a deep dive into the complex dynamics of family relationships, especially the often complicated relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.

The narrative toggles between Lucy, the daughter-in-law, and Diana, the mother-in-law, offering perspectives from both characters that unfold over a span of years. Diana is portrayed as a strong, independent, and stoic woman, whose lack of warmth makes it difficult for Lucy to establish the close mother-daughter relationship she longs for. Their complex relationship takes a dramatic turn when Diana, a woman of wealth and status, dies under suspicious circumstances and leaves behind a will that stuns the entire family.

Hepworth's strength lies in her character development. Lucy and Diana are finely drawn, nuanced characters that are relatable in their struggles, making readers empathize with both. She captures their internal struggles with a great sense of authenticity, providing the right balance of psychological insight and tension.

The mystery around Diana's death keeps the pages turning, but it's not the sole focus of the novel. Instead, Hepworth uses it as a catalyst to unravel family secrets, showcase personality dynamics, and explore themes of love, loss, and identity. The way Hepworth ties the multiple narrative threads together towards the end is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

One slight drawback might be that some readers may find the pacing slow, as the book leans heavily on family drama and character development rather than the traditional high-stakes tension associated with thrillers.

Nevertheless, "The Mother in Law" is a well-crafted, thought-provoking novel that is more than just a mystery. It presents a fascinating exploration of family dynamics, the power of perceptions, and the grey areas in relationships. It's a great choice for those who appreciate domestic dramas with a touch of suspense and a lot of heart.

Sally Hepworth has done it again! This story is told from 2 viewpoints - that of the mother-in-law and that of the daughter-in-law. You will see both sides of events that take place and the intentions behind them. You will feel bad for the mother-in-law and think "oh she's just misunderstood" but in true Sally Hepworth fashion, she will pull you in and make you feel a full range of emotions. I did not see the twist coming! When the mother-in-law of this story, Diana ends up dead and you find that every one in the family has a motive, you will be entranced. I finished this book in one sitting and did not guess the ending.

Love this book, so engaging. Keeps you wanting to keep reading. Couldn’t put it down! I would recommend this book to anyone

I have read several of Sally Hepworth's novels, and this one did not disappoint. It is told in both the present and the past. Lucy and Ollie are married with children, and his mother, Diana, is the mother-in-law. It seems that Lucy and Diana have a very fraught relationship. Ollie's sister, Nettie and her husband, Patrick, have been trying for a child, but having issues. Diana works with pregnant moms. When Diana is found dead, apparently by suicide, Ollie is crushed. As the family is under scrutiny regarding Diana's death, the past is told to the reader, so we get an insight into Diana, her hopes for her family, and her relationship with her children and in-laws.
As it comes to light that everyone in the family is hiding a secret, you wonder, was Diana's death suicide or not? It may surprise you to find the truth.

Well done! The narration alternated between the present and the past and each were necessary to build the The plot, climax and resolution. I enjoyed how Sally wrote this book and she left me guessing right up to the end. I felt like each character was well developed and understood through the text. These were rich characters with depth and they were believable.

What a great read this was! Really enjoyed this one.

I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.

"The Mother-In-Law" was an enjoyable trip. I have read two books by Sally Hepworth before and seriously enjoyed them, this was no different. It was a bit of a slow start for me but I quickly became invested. Good pacing and believable events. Definitely kept me on my toes!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. My opinions are my own*

This was an easy to read thriller that kept me wanting to come back for more. There were unexpected plot twists and it kept me thinking throughout the entire read. I loved it!

This was my first Sally Hepworth book and it will not be my last. I loved that this book was suspenseful but not scary. That mother-in-law was really something. It is a great story of family and relationships and what a surprise ending!

I was with other Sally Hepworth books, this is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book had me entranced as soon as I started reading it because the characters are so real and the setting is so well written you will fall right into this world and be trapped. The ending of this book is really interesting and I had a lot of fun reading it, it’s a great thriller with a good story imbedded.

Sally Hepworth is a great writer, I’ll give her that.

But, this was just not for me. It was hyped as a thriller but I would say this was more a quiet study in a family falling apart. It is not a thriller. I wouldn’t even peg it as a domestic one at that.

The dynamics of this family were complicated and intricate. The plot was well developed and concluded in a way that didn’t annoy me.

But for how this was marketed and hyped it would have been enjoyable, but I went in inspecting one thing and it was not that.

First of all, don't let the bland title and mundane cover keep you from reading this book. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth is a domestic drama that easily grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. This is now my second book by this author and I am hooked on her writing style.

Just like with The Good Sister , I think if you go into this expecting a thriller, you'll likely be disappointed. Although there is a mystery involved surrounding the mother-in-law's death, this was almost a back story in my opinion. What held me captive was the deep dive into her character. I found the mother-in-law, Diana, to be a remarkably fleshed out and enigmatic character. She had depth and I thought Hepworth did a great job peeling away her many layers and revealing to the reader who she was underneath.

Family relationships can be messy and complicated. This book explores that in a few different ways, but I was really intrigued by the complex relationship between Diana and her daughter-in-law, Lucy. The characters and their interactions with each other were believable which is always a bonus. I'm so glad this audiobook happened to be available on the Libby app through my local library. Now I just need to keep working my way through her previous books. 4 stars.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!