If I’m being totally honest, I almost didn’t finish this book but I’m glad I stuck it out. It’s a slowwwww burn and let me tell you why. Natalie and Tyler have a brand new baby boy named Oliver. Right off the rip this book is honest and raw about the difficulties of becoming a new mother. I can only imagine but I really think Murphy hit the nail on the head with this one. While I’ve never given birth I am a parent and I was able to relate to some of the things she wrote about. Natalie suffers from intense postpartum depression and sleep deprivation. I absolutely love the way this author brought awareness to some really difficult topics and I believe it’s so important to talk about them. With that being said, that was the entire beginning 50% of the book. Personally I had a hard time getting to that 50% mark without anything thrilling happening. I just found myself wanting a little something more in between. I was glad I finished it because once it picked up I flew through to the end. I’d recommend this book if you’re new to thrillers and looking for something lighter on the thriller side. I think if you’re a mother you’ll definitely connect with this one!
Thank you @minotaur_books for this ARC.

Natalie can't sleep. Her newborn son won't sleep. She is struggling, but wants so badly to be the perfect mother that she doesn't let anyone know what's going on. This book is classified as a psychological thriller, and while I do agree that it is, a lot of the book is just about a new mother REALLY, really struggling. I am not saying that's a bad thing, it sets the perfect stage to enter the "nice", helpful neighbor, and for Natalie's credibility to be constantly questioned - by others and herself. This book is RAW y'all. It immediately transported me back to those hard newborn days where you are just in constant survival mode. They call it "100 days of darkness" for a reason! If you had a difficult postpartum, parts of this book might be hard to read. I did - but I still enjoyed this one! This book was so frustrating, I wanted to scream at so many of the characters and I really wanted to give Natalie a hug. And a nap. When I got to the end of the book and saw the eyes "epilogue" I immediately skipped back thinking I had missed a few chapters. The ending felt very abrupt and I wanted more, but overall I really liked this one!

Natalie is a successful, meticulous, organized lawyer who is used to always being prepared but motherhood proves to be a challenge that even Natalie can't tackle. When Natalie's son, Oliver, is born, Natalie quickly becomes overwhelmed with her colicky, sleepless child and begins to experience isolation, depression, and even pyschosis and loss of periods of time. So, when her stay at home dad, neighbor, Paul forms a friendship with Natalie, she develops a need for time with him as he makes her feel that all she is experiencing is normal and will improve with time. But, Paul has a more sinister motive in mind for befriending Natalie! He sees her in her current state as the perfect pawn for his plan for...murder!

Will Natalie be able to come out of her fog enough to save herself before it's too late?!

The New Mother is told from the points of view of Natalie, as a new mother facing new challenges, and Paul, the stay at home dad with ulterior motives. Murphy does a great job of describing the feelings most new mothers face and bringing awareness to postpartum depression. She does spend a little more time building up Natalie's vulnerability, I would have preferred the story to move a little quicker. But, overall I did really enjoy this book! It was a unique storyline with good character relation! Murphy's writing was very emotion triggering and brought back a lot of the emotions that I felt after having each my children! She is definitely a talented author and I look forward to reading more of her writings!

The New Mother should probably come with a warning for expecting mothers though as it is very in depth into what new mother's face!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is absolutely amazing! I struggled so much as a new parent when I had my son, postpartum was a thing that most people looked down on because I had this wonderful blessing that many would die to have, and I KNEW that, but I was struggling.

Although this book wasn't all about postpartum depression, it put a huge focus on that and how a new mother feels and what it looks like and I am SO thankful for that. I felt heard, I felt seen, and I felt understood.

This book hooked me in from the first chapter, it's a wonderful psychological thriller and I will recommend it to everyone.

Not a typical thriller, this is more a meditation on motherhood and women’s roles as default caregivers with a suspense thread woven through. Not that this is a bad thing, I just think it’s important to have the right expectations going in. There is no mystery to figure out and the suspense comes from knowing what the villain is doing/planning and watching our main character navigate the fall out.

I think being a little farther out from my child being a newborn that this was something I was able to read and enjoy. We spend a lot of time in Natalie’s head while she is going through that rough newborn period of no sleep, loss of self, and anxiety. I related to a lot that Natalie was feeling and think if I had been in the throes of this, or even a couple of years removed, it might have been uncomfortable for me to read and relive those times. I would encourage a bit of caution for parents currently in this stage.

There was good commentary on the roles that are expected of women and the sacrifices we are just expected to make without a second thought. I do think this would have packed more of a punch if the length was shortened a little, I did feel like some things got a little repetitive, but I never lost interest.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I can so relate to Natalie’s rough start as a new mom as it was much like mine. You’re trying so hard to be the perfect mom, breastfeeding and getting zero sleep. It makes you nuts! It’s no wonder she was so relieved to meet her stay at home neighbor Paul who is devoted to his daughter. Unfortunately he has a very nasty wife who isn’t standing for their friendship. Is it enough to kill for? A great story!

Nora Murphy really sucked me in with The New Mother! From the first page I was hooked. My daughter is 10, but her portrayal of Natalie a first time mom just hit home. Now, Natalie had a more difficult experience with her newborn than I did...but it really brought me back to those early days of sleep deprivation and (temporarily) losing my sense of self.

As Natalie struggles with adjusting to her her life she feels alone and misunderstood. Until she meets her neighbour Paul, a stay at home dad. He gets it. He sees her. He can get the baby to stop crying and get him to sleep. They start to spend more time together and this helps Natalie feel so much better. Unfortunately, Paul's interest in Natalie is nefarious and she's playing right into his hand.

I really enjoyed The New Mother and highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of The New Mother in exchange for an honest review.

Natalie and Tyler have it all, great careers, a new home, and now they have complete their little family with newborn baby Oliver. Natalie, inspired to be the best mom takes her role seriously. She sets out to do everything perfect, enjoying her time with her newborn before she returns to the workforce. But perfect takes it's toll as she struggles through the adjustment of healing, sleepless nights, around the clock feedings, and the isolation that often accompanies this phase of motherhood. Tyler does his best to help her with Oliver, but babies just want their mother. Eventually Natalie while out walking Oliver, meets her neighbor Paul who has the magic touch and calms her crying baby instantly. Paul is a stay at home father to Petra, and seeing The new Mother struggling he takes her under his wing. His charming thoughtfulness, and generosity makes them fast friends. But soon things take a dark turn that will change their lives forever.
Such a compelling book, especially relatable to all those new Mothers out there that know the struggle only a new mom can know. Although not much of a mystery this book drew me in right away, highly relatable, darkly disturbing book. I can't wait to check out Nora Murphy's other books.
Thanks you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press

This book offers a real life look into the troubles of postpartum depression and psychosis. Natalie and her husband bring home their newborn son, Oliver and Natalie finds herself dreaming of her previous life. She and her husband moved into an exclusive sought after neighborhood and they seem to have it all. She finds herself isolated with her newborn baby while her husband is working nonstop trying to make partner and is eager to accept a new neighborhood friend. But, what are his intentions?

This is a slow-burn mystery that dives deep into the realities of a newborn baby. It takes a while for the mystery to build, but the author did a great with the detailed descripotions!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A must read for all new mothers even if it is scary. We should all know as much as we possible can about postpartum depression.
The first half of this book was so painfully relatable that I kept having to take breaks to recover before I dove back in. On page 189 there is a line about how we are always on trial. If I still had a book club I could go over this part for half of the time. We are punished for motherhood, all of us, all of the time.
But also maybe some of us are taking it all much too seriously.
I picked up on this theme with Paul and Erin as well. He loathes her for working and doing her thing while he's home, which you would think would be similar to how we are about our husbands who work but we do not describe them as cold or see them in the same way. Even when we are angry we are still expected to be grateful, and we are. Isn't that something?
Erin was making it work and he hated her for it.

I also really felt for our protagonist's husband. He was just going with the flow, like all dads do, but his wife was putting herself into situations he couldn't get her out of.

I think I would like to attend a book discussion about this amazing book. I could examine and discuss it for hours,

While suspenseful, there weren't really any twists and I could predict the ending relatively easily. I did find Natalie to be very realistic - while I can't relate to having a newborn, her thoughts and frustrations and loneliness weren't overdone. The beginning was very slow, but the second half picked up some when the mystery started to unfold.

Posted on GoodReads, live now - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5343337821?book_show_action=false

Finally, a book I can give people when they ask my why I don't want children...

But seriously, this is not a normal thriller. The first 40% or so of this book is just describing how horrible it is to be a new mother. Everything seems to be going wrong for this poor, sleep-deprived woman who finally catches a break when a neighbor shows some kindness. Of course, the husband is useless and does a lot of shoulder shrugging throughout the book.

The book starts to feel like an actual thriller about 2/3 into the book. It more or less a "come for why being a mother is a horrific experience, stay for the murder mystery" kind of book.

For what it is, it’s not a bad book. I think maybe this book is just marketed incorrectly? It’s not a thriller. It’s more of a warning to new mothers about the effects of child birth and child rearing.

The entire first half of the book was literally just about the things that happen as a new parent (specifically a mom) and baby. Absolutely nothing else happens in that time.

It did keep me reading though, so I can’t say it was boring - possibly because I’ve been there. Three times. I know the difficulties and I know the rewards, so it was kind of cathartic to read.

The second half is when things start to happen, but it really isn’t all that exciting. It’s predictable as can be - not one surprise here- and turns out just as you would expect in the end.

Overall, it was interesting enough to keep me reading, but wasn’t anything spectacular.

I really enjoyed this thriller. Completely up my alley and it was very well written. Please go read if you enjoy a juicy thriller

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC The New Mother written by Nora Murphy. It has been some time since I have read a book that grabbed me from the start and continued grabbing! I loved this book. Post partem depression with a new mother,, Natalie ,feeling she had to do it all on her own, taken advantage by her next door neighbor.Paul, a stay at home dad, whose wife is tired of supporting the family. Paul is not what he seems. This tightly woven suspense kept me turning the pages. Great read.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The New Mother. If you liked “Push” or “mothered” this book is for you.
Written in 2 voices for the most part - a new mother and her neighbor. Both stay at home parents that meet and share a bond. Soon Natalie the new mom meets her charming neighbor, Paul and they become friends.
Natalie is struggling with motherhood and she is having a hard time. No one understands. Not her husband, her friends or work. But Paul does. He has been there and he listens and understands her loneliness.
Natalie’s husband has no idea of the friendship and Paul’s wife works all day and supports the family. Paul’s wife is not a very understanding woman and wants Paul to work but he is dedicated to raising his 10 year old daughter.
Soon things change and it appears Paul may have his own agenda. And that agenda is frightening and will soon change everything Natalie believes or thinks. Because she is being looked at as a Murderer. And the victim is Paul’s wife.
Wow. This was really good and I read till I finished.
Recommend 5 stars

A new house, a coveted neighborhood, a new baby… what more could you ask for?

Natalie wished she could handle motherhood. Her son would not sleep or stop screaming.

She became more and more sleep deprived and forgetful and decided to take a sabbatical from her job.

She became even more forgetful as time wore on and found her neighbor who was a stay-at-home dad a comfort because he gave her confidence.

This neighbor had plans other than being helpful.

He was a grooming Natalie to unknowingly be involved in his plan.

What was his plan?

Find out what happens in this slow burn that grows in intensity.

You will be biting your nails as the ending pages unfold.

Ms. Murphy also includes the importance of getting help if you have postpartum depression.

Enjoy THE NEW MOTHER when you read it. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

As someone who dealt with PPD, I resonated deeply with the main character. This made it easier for me to get through the first 1/2 of the book. If I wasn’t able to relate so much, I assume this section would feel lengthy and unnecessary. It took about 160 pages for the action to really begin and then it felt a bit rushed in the end. Overall, I enjoyed the story! A solid 3.5 stars with an enjoyable ending.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The New Mother by Nora Murphy, published by St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books
I enjoyed this novel, it was a quick read. I enjoyed the storyline, but felt the main character Natalie was a little exaggerated, she lacked a bit of depth
The story focused on Natalie, a new mother, dealing with the struggles of a newborns demands, her husband doesn't give much support, but she doesn't allow him to either. She finds her neighbor Paul to be the best support for her and her newborn Oliver. Until Paul's wife ends up dead and all eyes turn to Natalie.
This story's underlying theme is about post partum depression, not to be taken lightly
I have read The Favor by Nora and really enjoyed that novel. I'd recommend both of those books

I suffered through the first 3/4 of the book. Only kept reading to find out how it ends.

Natalie is a new mother. Not being a mother, she kind of annoyed me. However after I understood her at the end, I did truly emphasize with her. If you don't understand what she is going through, you may find her annoying.

Paul was the charming nice guy until out under pressure. He was likeable to a point and I just gave up on him.

It was just long and dragged out. You knew who the killer was but didn't know how the detectives would solve the crime. I felt underwhelmed throughout most of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.