Wow. It’s hard to describe what being a new mother is like, but Nora Murphy nails it in this book. Natalie, the main character, is the new mother I am talking about and her character is written so well. So well, it was actually uncomfortable to read her parts at times. (Trigger warning for anyone who had PPD.)

This story is told between Natalie’s POV, and her neighbor’s, Paul. Natalie meets Paul one day while she’s on a walk and sees him as a friend that can help her get through raising her new son. While Paul seems like a good guy at first, there is more to him that meets the eye.

Gripping, with strong characters, this book kept me on my toes. The ending was satisfying and I can’t wait to see what Nora writes next! Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur, and the author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!

I read this book from start to finish only because I thought it would get better and I wanted to know the outcome. This book is 90% new mother struggles and 10% suspense. The suspense isn’t really until the end of the book. I also felt like the main character was very unlikable. Aside from being a new mother, she is a lawyer…a very naïve lawyer. There was also very little dialogue which I’m not a fan of. I did enjoy this author’s debut novel, The Favor. The New Mother was not a hit for me.

I don’t have children, and after reading this I don’t ever want to. Are we sure this isn’t a horror story with Oliver at the center? All kidding aside, this story centers around Natalie, who’s struggling with undiagnosed postpartum depression, her son Oliver - a very high maintenance baby, and Paul, the neighbor who decides to take advantage of Natalie’s circumstances. Readers who have struggled with postpartum depression reading this book will likely empathize with her struggles; as someone who hasn’t had children I struggled with her character because she really isn’t likable due to her condition. I think this book does a great job of drawing attention to how dangerous postpartum depression can be for women, and how it can warp their perceptions of reality and impact their relationships. I feel like the cat and mouse element of the book needs work and better development. The culmination is brief and Natalie’s means of protecting herself brings that part of the story to an abrupt and kind of unsatisfying end. It feels too easy. Murphy does a great job in the afterword of drawing attention to the struggles Natalie goes through; pointing out that it isn’t as rare as people might like to think, and providing resources for women that may be struggling themselves or know of someone who is. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Natalie is a new mother and a lawyer, staying at home with her new baby. She and her husband, Tyler, recently bought a house on a cul-de-sac. This is a good domestic mystery. Recommended.

This is a great yet heartbreaking novel about motherhood (its challenges, its wonder, and...jealousy)! Natalie has a difficult time after giving birth to Oliver as she was a successful attorney but now at home she suffers from sleep-deprivation (both hers and her son's). Neighbor Paul who is a stay-at-home dad befriends her and they bond over babies--even as his daughter is ten. Sound perfect? Of course it isn't as there are nefarious plans afoot and both families are swept up in drama and death! I really enjoyed this one as I couldn't stop reading!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a quick read by an author I haven’t read before. It’s different , not many suspense novels are depicted around a newborns birth. And I’ve no problem reading about unlikable characters. It just seemed a bit far fetched. I’m a mom of 3, had PPD with the last. Maybe I can see all this occurring with your first but….. no bottle EVER? Why do u pump? You can’t take care of a child on 3hrs max of sleep per night. And my last child had colic (maybe why I had PPD?? J/S) Again, a good read if you don’t think too deep or haven’t been there before 🤷🏼‍♀️

Okay wow, this was very chilling. I started this book earlier today and couldn't put it down because it was so good! I have to admit the main theme of this book (motherhood and postpartum depression) had me feeling a bit uncomfortable but I liked how it was explored here, it felt very real. I really liked how Natalie and Paul's POVs were in first and third person respectively, I think it was an interesting detail.

I do think the last part of the book was a bit rushed, I would've liked seeing Natalie realize things sooner and for them to have the cat and mouse game a bit longer but I think the author's intent was to shine more light into Natalie's depression so I could understand.

But all in all, this was an entertaining book to read, I had a good time and will definitely check out more of the author's work.

I was intrigued by the dynamic between a new mom and her mysterious neighbor but it was the accurate and nuanced description of new motherhood that won me over. This is one of the only novels I've read that shows how difficult and overwhelming those first postpartum weeks can be. Thank you to the author for writing this and creating an engaging story on top of that!

I was really hoping this would be a winner but alas it fell short. I was looking for a thrill, some suspense with maybe a dash of some fun crazy. This story is basically circled about postpartum depression and how it can make a woman crazy. I get it - it’s a real thing and it can be debilitating and agonizing and make you cray. But I didn’t want to read and read and read about it on a loop. The first half gave me all the feels of baby memories. As a mom of three, it made me miss the newborn cuddles and snuggles! Other than that it was kind of pointless. Enter Paul the neighbor who becomes newly mom Natalie’s supportive friend. Here comes the middle with the plot and twist and then more fluff and then the end.

It was just a really slow pace and it was just not the most bone chilling story I was expecting. It was an easy read and the flashbacks of my own babies it gave me was nice but other than that it was just a bit ehh.

Thank you St. Martins press and netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The New Mother by Nora Murphy Found the story to be very slow paced and depressing. Natalie was not a very likeable character, being in her head throughout most of the book was very uncomfortable. That her husband, and her best friend who was a doctor didn't see how much Natalie was struggling was quite distrisbing. The actual murder and the police investigation was rushed and anticlimatic.
The author does going into detail in her notes about PPD and Post Partum Psychosis.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

“The New Mother” is a thriller by Nora Murphy. What I really liked about this story was the twist. I kinda saw it coming, but I didn’t realize the depth of the twist. I know dealing with PPD is exhausting and Natalie showed a number of classic signs. While I could understand her being obsessed with Oliver’s well being, I found it more sad that she shut her husband out - who did nothing to provoke her fury (I guess that was the PPD taking over?). There is a lot of pressure (external and internal) to be what one considers a “good mother,” so it was interesting reading how Nat took both imagined external criticism and her constantly berating internal monologue and tried to deal with it (note - one cannot). My one comment was that this book moved extremely slowly - a good chunk was devoted to Nat adjusting to a new one, then meeting the neighbor, then (finally?) the plot started rolling. I understand why there needed to be a bit of “setting the scene,” but it took it’s good time getting there. I rather thought the idea of the twist was a great one, even if the person doing it was a lot warped (but I guess one has to be) and the fact that his “perfect world” wasn’t so perfect I thought was rather fitting. I think that Ms. Murphy is a good writer, but the focus on PPD was a bit excessive - even if it was bring voice to a serious medical issue.

Natalie is a new mother. She and husband, Tyler, have moved into a new home in a great neighborhood with baby Oliver. Everything seems ideal, but Natalie is struggling. Oliver isn't an easy baby, and after only 8 weeks of maternity leave Natalie has trouble returning to work. She and Tyler are both lawyers. Luckily they can afford to have her stay at home full time. The only problem is that isn't what Natalie really wants. But Oliver comes first, even to the detriment of her health. Not being able to sleep is just the beginning. Will it ever get easier? There might be some hope when she meets neighbor Paul who is a stay at home Dad, but Paul needs something too.

Thank you so much to @minotaur_books for the eARC of The New Mother! It's been a while since I've been this excited reading a thriller. The New Mother is a quick read, not because it's full of action or fast paced. On the contrary, it starts off a little slow. But stick with it because all of it is necessary to establish the main character's state of mind. I became invested emotionally. Even when I was surprised at some of her behavior I couldn't stop reading. Something was going to happen one way or the other. When it does there's such a sense of urgency. Your heart beats faster along with Natalie's. Without giving spoilers I was happy to see the direction the action went.

The New Mother is a rewarding thriller that I think many people will be able to relate to. There's a good message here. It's a satisfying read that I recommend everyone read when it is released May 30!

Nora Murphy is one of my new favorite authors! I loved her first book and this one is excellent as well. She also 100% nailed new motherhood in this fast paced thriller! Even though it has been 16 years since I was a new mother I could completely relate to Natalie. I went through almost the exact same emotions and feelings as I moved into a brand new house with a baby who was colicky and never stopped crying. I shed tears while I was reading as it was amazing to read about a character who experienced some of the same thoughts and emotions that I had as well. This book was not just about motherhood but also about a murder in this idealistic neighborhood.

Natalie is struggling as she is doing all she can but is getting no sleep. Her prayers seem to be answered when her neighbor, Paul, strikes up a friendship with her. Paul is a stay at home dad with a ten year old daughter and seems to be able to soothe Oliver, Natalie's baby, easily. While Natalie and Paul's friendship is blossoming, Natalie's marriage with Tyler and Paul's marriage with Erin seem to get worse and worse. Little does Natalie know that Paul's friendship might have something sinister hidden behind it.

A wonderful thriller and I think any mother who has ever had a colicky baby or suffered through postpartum depression will relate to this book!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

The New Mother by Nora Murphy catapulted me back to the lonely, sleepless, exhausting, and endless days of new motherhood. I didn't have a C-section, but I related to sooooo much of what Natalie was going through. Which made this novel that much more terrifying as Natalie was deceived by her neighbor, Paul. This book is creepy and emotional and I could not put it down. Highly recommend!

The thing that appealed to me about Nora Murphy’s new novel, The New Mother, was the intriguing, upcoming murder. But that doesn’t happen until later in the story. Much, much later.

Contrary to all the reviewers I’ve read so far, I did not love this book. I’ve never given birth. I’m not a mother. Well, I’m a cat mom, so I do understand the frustrations of dealing with a being who fusses, complains, and cries incessantly. Ms. Murphy’s Natalie Fanning is a first-time mother whose baby, Oliver, will not sleep. Well, not never. It just seems that way. Therefore, Natalie is extremely sleep-deprived as well. She refuses to let her husband help because, well, Oliver doesn’t respond to him. Of course, he can’t breast feed him, and Natalie refused to bottle feed. It gets so bad that her return to work is a disaster and she’s forced to take a sabbatical. Then she really starts to lose it. She’s forgetful, losing time, is irritable. Her relationship with her husband is in trouble.

Enter Paul. Paul is a married, stay-at-home dad. He has a special way with babies. Paul also has a past, of which Natalie is blissfully unaware. The plot is no surprise. Some may call it a page-turner. For me, it was, in a sense, I was turning pages as fast as I could to get to the good part. Sorry if I sound “snarky.” It did get good, around 70 or 80%. I don’t want to ruin it for readers, because I’m just one reader, and so far, I’m in the vast minority.

The epilogue explains a lot. So, Natalie, you’re forgiven. I just wish that someone had helped you sooner.

I received a digital copy of The New Mother in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author. My thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 stars rounded up.

This was a decent psychological thriller. Paul is a “baby whisperer” and misses the days when his daughter, Petra, was a baby. As such, he enjoys being able to help out his new neighbor, Natalie, who is struggling to adjust to motherhood (postpartum depression, colicky baby, etc.). Natalie cares about Oliver too much, convinced that she is the only one who can care for him, especially as nursing is the only thing that seems to soothe him. She is angry at her husband, Tyler, for not doing more to help and not being better at anticipating the needs of her and their son, but when he tries to help, she rebuffs him. She is also angry that he has been able to return to his career, and even receive a promotion, while her attempt to return after her maternity leave fails spectacularly due to sleep deprivation and undiagnosed postpartum depression and psychosis.

While Paul does enjoy spending time with Oliver and Natalie, he also recognizes that in her diminished state, Natalie can be of use to him, giving him a way to deal with his wife, Erin, who does not respect or appreciate him or their daughter. He takes advantage of Natalie’s sleep deprivation, as well as her trust in him as a source of support and understanding, to set her up for the murder of his wife. He does a masterful job of manipulating situations and evidence to make it appear that Natalie is infatuated with him. Will his plan succeed or will Natalie and/or the police figure out his scheme in time? You will have to read the book to find out.

My only real criticism of the story is Natalie taking naps while Paul is in her house with Oliver. It provides convenient opportunities for Paul to manufacture evidence and manipulate events. However, it is not plausible that Natalie, with her anxiety and insecurities and other issues, would be comfortable and relaxed enough to fall asleep. Taking a shower or bath, doing errands upstairs, or otherwise getting things accomplished while Paul is keeping Oliver content would be plausible, and would still allow opportunities for Paul to enact his scheme.

The New Mother followed Natalie Fanning as she gave birth to her son Oliver, who was not an easy baby. Her struggles with breastfeeding were well described as was her descent into postpartum depression and psychosis. She became fast friends with her neighbor Paul, a stay at home dad who was able to offer advice, kindness and a few alternative motives of his own. An interesting novel that will keep you in it's grip until the last page. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The New Mother by Nora Murphy
⭐⭐⭐/5
Releases may 30 2023

I don't know about this one.. I think I was more eager in hoping something would happen, rather than actually sucked into the plot.
I really, really dislikd the main Character Natalie. She was obsessed- like creepily obsessed with her new born . I understand new mom fear . But she was on a whole new level. She was unnecessarily confrontational with her husband, who absolutely did nothing to provoke it . She was to chumy with another womans husband and thought his wife was in the wrong to be jealous ( uhm what ?? )

The whole book was slow . Very very slow .. and it never picked up .. the first 40% is literally the main character complaining about her new life as a mother . . The next 20% is this neighbor man butting his way into her life. And then suddenly, things happen . Police are now investigating someones being murdered .. and even that was slow .. there was no thrill ! I was like " god, just get a search warrant, already "

Well, that being said . I loved the favor by Nora Murphy . I do enjoy the writing style . I just feel she my be a hit or miss writer . And that's ok .. this book was still good and maybe she meant for the reader to be annoyed with Nat . 🤷‍♀️

TW : theme of Post Partum Depression, mentions of Psychosis.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur books for the early copy of this book ❤

During the first half of this book, I despised the main character. I almost gave up on this book. I'm so happy I didn't because the second really pulled the entire story together. I would rate the first half a 3 and the second half a 5. So I'll go with a 4.

The New Mother by Nora Murphy left me speechless a few times with its painfully accurate portrayal of postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis. It paints a vivid picture of the main character, Natalie, as she and her husband bring home their first child. Her journey was so well written that I was having a hard time remembering that she is fictional. Perhaps because even if she is, she’s not, she’s so many mothers.

While she is home on work sabbatical, her creepy dude neighbor Paul befriends her and takes advantage of her mental state to make her a pawn in his messed up plan. The way he talked about his wife made me want to throw things and I would have loved a POV from her.

Overall the writing had me engrossed, the author knows how to build a multi-dimensional character, but the thriller label has me scratching my head. This felt like contemporary fiction about a mother’s experience with postpartum, returning to work outside of the home, and trying to process her mental state. There was a mystery-ish plot that kicked off around 50% though it wasn’t tense enough to call it thriller, nor did it have anything to really solve as a reader. It was attention-holding though – I stayed up past my bedtime to finish because I was invested.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts. I appreciate you!

Content warnings: Postpartum depression / anxiety / psychosis (including intrusive thoughts), Death