I am childless by choice, so I’ve never experienced childbirth or postpartum depression. I know it can be severe, and I have immense respect for any woman who goes through it and overcomes it.

That being said, this book really overdoes it. The first half is literally nothing but Natalie (the FMC) struggling with new motherhood. Good gravy! It’s as if there was no trust in the readers’ ability to grasp the concept within the first 50 pages, so it was unnecessarily dragged out for another 100 pages! But I kept reading.

When something finally started happening to indicate this book was actually a thriller, the pace was way too slow to hold my interest, and plot points were repeated too much. I felt like I was reading a dry, daily news report about a murder, rather than experiencing a thriller novel. But I kept reading.

The book ended strangely and abruptly, but it did include an epilogue. I usually love epilogues, but in this case, it felt like an odd way to wrap things up, as it didn’t provide much additional insight. Instead, it seemed to rehash some of the story I just read. Once again, it felt like there was a lack of trust in the reader’s ability to understand the story without extra help.

Repetitive and slow plots in thrillers, especially with unsatisfying endings, always pose a challenge for me. They significantly affect my ability to connect with and enjoy the story.

Thank you @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me a copy of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book was slightly terrifying for me. The premise of it includes a couple that’s just moved into a nice neighborhood where everyone is living in the upper echelons of society. The wife, Natalie, is a new mother grappling with all the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges of early motherhood. Kids are exhausting and I viscerally remember the early days with both of mine. Enter a neighborhood dad stopping by to help and befriend Natalie. It seems so innocent and nice, but Paul has an ulterior motive…this is classified as a thriller, so know that’s where this is going.

I liked this one, but didn’t really love it. Some parts of the ending were a bit unrealistic to me, but overall I think it’s a solid read.

"Mom. It was the greatest honor. It was homogenizing. It was all-consuming, devouring, crushing."

I love books about the difficulty of motherhood and this was no exception.

Nat is in the early days of being a mom--the sleepless, spit-up riddled, anxiety-filled days. She feels like she's losing her mind and no one understands her. Not her father, not her husband Tyler, not even her pregnant pediatrician and best friend. The only person who even comes close to understanding is her neighbor Paul--a stay at home dad who is able to magically soothe Nat's own colicky baby. But Paul isn't the saint Nat believes he is....

I loved Murphy's last book, The Favor, so I was anxious to pick this one up. And please don't let the fact that I let this languish on my shelves for awhile influence your opinion because if you enjoy thrillers with a side of motherhood this is made for you. It was twisty and crafty and original Nat was so relatable. I won't let Murphy's next book sit on my unread shelf for so long.

Natalie knows that the birth of her son should be celebrated but she's numb. She's sure the feelings she has are not normal, but there's no one to tell her how she should feel. Then her neighbor, Paul, offers help. But way? The story builds slow until Natalie finds herself in a situation she can't get out of.

Great read, kept me engaged all through. The main characters' challenges with a newborn are relatable to many. plus the twists with the neighbor Highly recommend.!

This one was alright— I was hoping for something more fast paced and it was a slower domestic thriller. It seemed a bit repetitive throughout the chapters which I feel like could have been improved

At first, I was so confused by Natalie's behavior. It made it hard to understand what she was going through especially when she couldn't voice it herself. And when Paul enters the picture you're aware that he plans to use her state as a new mother for his nefarious plans, you just don't know how.

Thankfully she wakes up before it's too late

Natalie is a new mother, living in a new home, and her son is colicky. She feels lonely and tired. She loves her son but being a mother is not all she wants to be.

Enter her neighbor Paul, he offers her a lifeline when she's feeling the most overwhelmed. His presence offers comfort especially when he helps with Oliver, leaving her feeling that she can rest.

Little does she know that it's no coincidence Paul has befriended her. She's the perfect pawn for his plans. But will she realize it in time?

Thanks so much to the author and Minotaur Books for this ARC to review.

Natalie Fanning is a new mother who just wants to get everything right. Her baby develops colic, and she is finding it hard to create a routine. That's when her next door neighbor, Paul, who has a daughter of his own steps in and offers a little help. But all is not what it seems, and Natalie isn't sure what is real, and what is all in her head.

This is a very slow-burn story told in dual POV, broken up into 4 parts. I think that Natalie's POV was quite repetitive, but I enjoyed Paul's POV a lot, and wish there had been more. I liked how flawed all of the characters were. I wouldn't classify this as a thriller per say, as a lot of it is just Natalie going through her every day life, struggling with post partum depression and a colicky baby. It is more so a domestic drama about manipulation, and the mental health of a new mother. The ending was quite rushed, and I do wish that it had been expanded a little bit. It would have been nice to hear Paul's final thoughts on the matter, but alas we don't aways get what we want.

"The New Mother" by Nora Murphy is an incredible story that really grips you from the get-go. It’s a perfect blend of drama, emotion, and suspense that makes it hard to put down. Murphy’s writing is so vivid and engaging, you feel every moment.

The characters are fantastic, especially the protagonist. Her journey through the ups and downs of new motherhood is so relatable and powerful. There’s this memorable scene where she faces an intense and emotionally charged confrontation with her own mother. The raw emotion and depth in this scene are just incredible—you can feel every bit of the tension and heartache.

The pacing is excellent, with just the right balance of tension and emotional depth. Murphy does a brilliant job of bringing the characters’ struggles and triumphs to life, making you root for them every step of the way.

If you’re looking for a book that’s both heart-wrenching and inspiring, "The New Mother" is a must-read. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

Natalie Fanning can't sleep. She just gave birth to a son named Oliver who seems to cry all day and night. Natalie is struggling to adapt to the sleepless night, being away from work, and motherhood in general when she meets a neighbor named Paul. Paul is a stay-at-home dad and seems to instantly calm down her colicky baby. Natalie is happy to have someone help her so she can finally rest but Paul has his own hidden motives for helping Natalie. Soon after their budding friendship begins, Natalie discovers that her new pal may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As a mother of two, this book instantly transported me back to the days of being a new mom. Having a career and being a mother is a struggle for all women so I could instantly connect to Natalie. The beginning was a bit too slowly paced for my taste but halfway through it began to pick up and I could not put it down until I finished it.

I really enjoyed Nora Murphy’s debut novel, The Favor and I found The New Mother equally as entertaining. I can see a lot of fans of domestic thrillers enjoying this one!

I did not love this one, unfortunately. I think this really drug out and I had a hard time maintaining interested. Honestly, I kind of regret powering through it. The ending was rushed and anticlimactic at best. I wanted to love it, but I didn't. I would be open to giving future works by this author a chance---this might not have been the book for me, but I definitely think that the author is talented!

2.5 stars, rounded down.

I really enjoyed Nora Murphy's debut, The Favor, so I was pumped to read this one! Unfortunately it just didn't do it for me. This is advertised as a thriller/mystery and while yes, there was a murder, the depiction of motherhood outweighed the murder and left me wanting way more. I didn't find any of the characters realistic or very intriguing.

All in all, I was disappointed. With that said though, I will definitely try her next book as I enjoyed her first so much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scary af. Not in a horror sense, but in a new-mother sense. Natalie is very lonely, sleep deprived, exhausted, depressed and trapped in her house with her new baby. Her emotions and feelings are very real. She's also had a C-section which is described pretty realistically. No one really understands her, until she meets new neighbor Paul. Paul seems a bit too good to be true though.
Fantastically written, more twists than a pretzel and that ending, yikes!

I think ALL mothers can relate to parts of this and I for onw am glad I can't relate to the rest!! Good slick read that had my heard pounding at times. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher.

I would say this book is more suspense than a true thriller. A woman suffering from sleep deprivation with a new baby becomes friends with a stay at home dad in the neighborhood. There is a lot of detail about her misery in the weeks following the birth that I’m sure mothers can relate to.

Thanks to NetGalley, Book Club Girl, St. Martin's Press, and Minotour Books for this copy of "The New Mother."

This was a fascinating story on many levels so it made a great thriller as it highlights the innate fears that most first-time mothers have.

What if I'm not a "natural" at this? What if I'm exhausted and need help? Will my husband still love me if the baby needs me more right now? What if being a mother isn't fulfilling enough for me?

So when Paul, a neighbor, offers to help, is he being nice or preying on her vulnerability?

And wow, what a very memorable ending!

While I did enjoy The New Mother, it read a lot more like lit fic. It deals so well with the effects of PPD, the lackluster world of an unsupportive partner, the scary newness of motherhood. But it didn't hit the 'thriller' mark for me. Still a very engaging read! Just not what I was expecting.

This was such a good book. I read it in one sitting! The characters and storyline, I really enjoyed. I wanted to strangle her to open her eyes and see what was happening. I would definitely recommend this book.

Natalie and Tyler Fanning are the perfect couple with promising careers as lawyers, moving into a new house in a new neighborhood with a new baby. So much excitement and so many changes can be so overwhelming.....how to emotionally deal with it all? Natalie struggles with her new baby, Oliver, and fears doing anything wrong....which leads her to an obsession to what she feels are the needs of Oliver - constant nursing and holding. Post Partum Depression takes hold of Natalie - but she does not recognize that is what is taking control of her every sleepless hour. Enter the seemingly compassionate and baby-knowledgeable neighbor - Paul. Natalie falls into a trap being set by Paul that will come close to destroying her life. The storyline leads the reader into both compassion and frustration with Natalie, but it also has a tendency to drag with repetition of the confusion and dependency of Natalie. Tyler's character is carried in the background most of the time, being forced there by Natalie, making the reader wonder about their relationship and will it be able to stand the drama that is ongoing in their marriage. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, - Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheNewMother

This was a fun and fast thriller. Thank you for the advanced copy and sorry for the late review!
I waited until I had some time to sit and read this book because I figured it would draw me in and I was right!