Mia Sheridan outdoes herself with each of her books. I absolutely adore all of her stories but I have the impression that she is challenging herself more and more. Bad Mother is a masterpiece of intelligence, psychology, suspense, strong emotions... We clearly have a perfect thriller with a clever serial killer who leaves clues, or more precisely well thought-out puzzles giving an insight into his soul and causing the police to think hard. Each puzzle left by letters leads to a new clue or a new corpse.
His letters punctuate the investigation and the novel, everything is linked, we go from surprise to surprise and there is no downtime. The author has created a real scenario of an unbearable suspense film, we immerse ourselves completely in the story to find it difficult to come out of it.
Our killer isn't just the villain of the story. Just like our protagonists, we discover him little by little with parts of his life that he offers drop by drop. He shows us who he is, why he has come to such extremes, while playing with us. Over the pages, we discover that he is much more complex than he seems. Mia Sheridan has an incredible talent for endowing her characters with real deep psychology. She proves it once again here. The killer even manages to attract our sympathy, he brings out various emotions. From the first pages, I tried to guess his identity, but I couldn't. His name and his reasons will surprise you.
Sienna is an exceptional cop, putting the good of the innocent before her own interest. She loves justice more than anything. Her new investigation leads her on a tortuous path strewn with pitfalls but also with happiness since she finds her lost love, the one who represented her future several years ago.
Gavin is overwhelmed seeing Sienna come back into his life. The author does not forget her passion for romance. The love story is very beautiful, there were secrets and regrets, anger too. So tensions and discussions that will allow them to give themselves a second chance.
In this novel, mothers and maternal love are in the spotlight. What is a mother willing to do for her children? What impact does her behavior have on her child? To sum up, nothing is simple, the limit between a good mother and a bad mother may seem blurred. It all depends on the point of view, on the details. Being a mother, just like being in love with someone, sometimes means making difficult choices, assuming the consequences all your life. A mother's love can be absolute. We build ourselves thanks to our parents and especially our mothers. Mia plays with words, emotions, situations... brilliantly.
I am amazed by Mia's work, with among other things the references to poker. At the end, we discover an assembled puzzle that does not look like the pieces presented one by one. What a genius!
In short, this perfect novel is to be devoured!

This book has twists, turns, suspense and a little romance- it’s defiantly a page turner. Each chapter reveals just a little bit more to keep you invested. I love the way Mia Sheridan wrote this story and how it all unfolds. The suspense thriller side comes out with the game this serial killer decides to play by leaving clues at his crimes. These games are like an escape room or a game in squid games. Detective Sienna and her partner Kat are trying to figure out what these clues mean. Sienna moves back to Reno, Nevada for the job as deactivate. It’s where she grew up and has history with her ex, Gavin. On one of her first calls she notices something at the scene that is connected to Gavin. She runs into him shortly after and he gives her some information to his number 1 fan. When Sienna calls she finds that the killer has left something for her with this lady. Sienna is suddenly pulled into this game the serial killer is playing. This book will leave you on edge of your seat, guessing and trying to figure out the clues just as the main characters are. Loved the side story of the friendship rekindled with Sienna and Gavin. Many thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

NYPD Detectives Sienna left Reno at 18 vowing never to return, but a decision made at work forces her back. As soon as she is back in town she is drawn in to a deadly game. Sienna and her partner Kat work as part of a team to track down a killer who is leaving them clues which start to have connections to Sienna. The clues bring her ex Gavin back in to her life. They have a very complicated past and as they work together to solve clues the are brought closer together. I loved the connections Gavin & Sienna had from their past and how his family was there for her. Sienna was strong, honourable and caring. Gavin was loving, smart and determined to win back the love of his life. This was an intriguing story, with lots of twists. I found this a very enjoyable read but I would have liked a bit more clarity on certain aspects of the story. I kept thinking it would make a great film as I was reading it. I hope Kat gets a story of her own.

I haven’t read anything from Mia Sheridan except for her romances, so it was really fun seeing what she’d contribute to the thriller genre. In a nutshell, this is a suspenseful detective story about a serial killer. There was also a romantic subplot about a second-chance romance that added a nice layer to the story. I enjoyed this cat and mouse chase with clues leading up to a grand finale. The second-chance romance was a bit lacking and I wish Sheridan would’ve given us a bit more. The last 10% felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was a very solid read, though. I really liked piecing everything together and the letters from the serial killer were so good! Hoping Mia Sheridan continues to write more books in this genre.

From New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan comes the twisted story of one detective’s pursuit of a serial killer who’s taunting her…and the familiar connection between them that’s haunting her.

When Sienna Walker is nearly fired from the NYPD, the last thing she expects is a second chance in the one place she vowed never to return to. But she can’t afford to turn down the job offer, even if a painful familial past and a broken engagement hardly make Reno, Nevada, home sweet home.

It’s made even less sweet by Sienna’s first case―a serial killer with a curious fixation on her. Along with his victims, the killer leaves perplexing clues and chilling journal entries addressed to Sienna detailing the murders he claims his mother committed. The case continues to get personal when her ex-fiancé is called out by the killer as well. Whoever’s behind the diabolical murders, Sienna can only be sure of one thing…it’s someone close to home.

As the twisted truth forces Sienna to face her complicated feelings, she learns that no matter how far you run from your past, it always catches up to you in the end.



Soo good! Was not expecting that! Wow wow wow! I loved that we were in the mind of the killer. Definitely read this one!!!

This book had me hooked! I can honestly say I did not predict it at all
Mia has outdone herself with this book, the characters and the plot line is brilliant
I'm not a big mystery/thriller reader but I'll happily read any of Mia's again

Thankyou for the ARC Netgallery

When it comes to romantic suspense, the main thing I want is an equal balance between both aspects. And while I found this one to be a little lopsided, I still really enjoyed it.

I was immediately hooked by the serial killer competent of the story. The psychology of it all reminded me very much of ‘Bates Motel’ meets 'The Fall.’ It's a really interesting case of childhood trauma, mixed with a game of cat-and-mouse and delivering judgement. And it is very much the primary focus of this book.

And while I loved reading about the investigation, I was dying for more Sienna + Gavin content. Their tragic backstory could fill an entire book alone, so I was really hoping for more than one flashback scene. So I was pretty bummed about not get more of their history or exploring more of their present. If there was a little more romance, this would have definitely gotten 5 stars from me.

But readers looking for a crime/thriller novel that puts you in the mind of killer will have a lot of fun with this one!

Mia Sheridan is a master at foreshadowing. Bad Mother is full of connections. Many of those connections are shocking. I found the clues left by the killer to be intriguing. At times the story dragged but overall, I was engaged and interested. Mirabelle is my favorite character.

Bad Mother is a romantic suspense novel by Mia Sheridan about a detective named Sienna who has to relocate to her childhood home and is immediately thrown into a murder case. With each step of her investigation bringing up more questions than answers, she is forced to team up with a world renowned card player named Gavin who is also someone from her past.

I feel like Mia Sheridan is very well known for her romance books like Archer’s Voice but in my opinion, her romantic suspense is amazing. I read Where the Blame Lies last year and could not put it down! This one is gripping in a very similar way. I loved how the characters were very intelligent and able to puzzle out the clues in a believable way. I also loved how there was a big focus on games and essentially the suspect was playing games with the police.

I will say the ending went a little over the top. I could suspend my disbelief through most of the rest of the book but parts at the end kind of took me out of the story. Also the romance is definitely secondary to the mystery/suspense which didn’t bother me but it’s worth noting before going into this book of you think it’s going to be overly romantic. For me, it’s hard to believe a super, all absorbing romance taking place during a brutal murder investigation so I thought it was done really well.

As always, check content warnings before diving into a murder mystery book. A few that stood out to me were child abuse, sexual abuse, animal abuse, and violence.

What a book. I kept thinking I’d figured it out, but the big reveal was so much better and more shocking than I thought. This was the perfect mix of crime, suspense and romance, and I was totally gripped until the last page. I also loved the ending ❤️

Love love and loved this book! Can't wait to read more from this author!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

My home town ... 5 stars ofcourse :) Kidding aside …

WTF did I just read? Full disclosure, I don’t watch horror movies and I don’t read thriller books. I knew going into this it wouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows and fluffy romance. But I read all of this author’s books and I absolutely love her writing so I wasn’t going to pass on this one. Well, Mia Sheridan does not disappoint! This book is freaking CLEVER!!! I was scared to death but no pain no gain, right? It was so good and it was totally worth it.

Finished this book felt like I just got out of a giant ESCAPE ROOM except a 1000% more frightening – there is no “congratulations you escaped”. You figure it out or you die!!! The serial killer in this story leaves chilling letters with clues for the detective to solve before getting to the next clue. The clever one gets to the finish line first – catch the killer or be killed.

Sienna was almost fired from the NYPD so when she was given an opportunity to relocate to Reno, NV she reluctantly took the job. Reno is the last place Sienna wants to be. Not only was it the past she would rather leave buried but it is also the current home to her childhood lover/ex-fiancé - Poker legend Gavin Decker. Sienna wants to pay her penance for one year and get the hell out asap but unfortunately she could not escape Gavin long. Sienna needs Gavin’s expertise in card games to solve a murder. Sienna was hoping to work with Gavin as little as possible but soon it was apparent the killer is obsessed with Sienna and said killer is someone close to home. The past came back to haunt them all. This story definitely will keep you on your toes, your heart in your throat and adrenaline running high the whole way through. It is mysterious, thrilling, captivating, and chilling at the same time. Some scenes that are quite gruesome I might have brushed through really quick :0 The twist knocked me on my ass big time and I cried at the end. I feel so bad for everyone involved – it is so unfair.

Not to worry though, there is definitely romance in this book. Gavin hurt Sienna badly when they were just teenagers. Gavin was broken hearted too – he suffered and sacrificed because he truly loved her and wanted the best for her future. When Sienna came back in town, Gavin knew it was kismet - time to set things straight and make amends no matter what the outcome might be. The sweet happy ending came in the form of Sienna and Gavin so I was beyond relieved. It made going through the terrifying experience all the sweeter. I really love this author’s contemporary romance but this book is quite impressive. The complicated plot, the chilling details of the crimes, the twisted ending. Mia Sheridan’s talent has no bounds. EPIC Romantic suspense/second chance romance with a tiny warning – not for the faint of heart.

3.5 stars

I think that Mia Sheridan really found herself in the mystery/thriller genre. In this book the mystery/thriller aspect was way more developed and interesting than the romance. I loved reading the serial killer’s letters. Those were the most interesting thing about the book. The romance was dull for me. The whole book was just enjoyable enough.

Huge Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.

I went into this book with zero expectations and very little knowledge of the book itself besides the serial killer plot. I wasn’t expecting a romance storyline but that was pleasant and added to the twist of the book to be that much better.

I had a general idea of how the twist would play out but I didn’t see the detail, the organization and everything else about the climax of the book at all. I love when a book does well at shocking me and keeping me on my toes.

I do feel like the ending was rushed and could have been lengthen by a few chapters so explain the aftermath a little better, but other than that I can only rave about this book!

Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan is THE Thriller of the Year!!

Have mercy! Mia brought all the twist, turns, suspense, and feels.

Just when you think you know, you realize you so don’t know.

When I say I’m bowing down, I mean it.

This is a book I’ll be recommending to all my friends!!
And one I’ll be reading over again, just to try to catch all the clues I know I missed, and to experience all the feels.

Mia establishes such great and solid characters, starting with Detective Sienna Walker, whose world has been turned upside down, and she’s having to start over in the once place she never thought she would be again… Reno, Nevada… the place she grew up… and the past she wanted to leave behind.

Mix in a killer who is determined to play games on every level, and her ex love Gavin Decker, and you’re going to have to hang on tight for the ride.

I absolutely love the way Mia let’s this story unfold.

And believe me, you’re not going to want to put this one down once you start. So be ready for a late night of reading.

“A place didn’t define you, not if you didn’t let it.”

Such a powerful love story and thriller with so much suspense, you’ll be on the edge of your seat!

5 Nail Biting Stars

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me an early copy of Bad Mother. I have always enjoyed all of Mia's books I have read and so I was excited to start this one. This one was full of suspense and twists you don't expect. It was definitely a mystery on who the killer was and had me guessing until the end. Definitely a great thriller if you are looking for something to make your mind think!

Mia Sheridan is one of my favorites - but this one just missed the mark for me. I prefer more romance, less drama. But that's just my personal taste. I'm sure many will love this book and it is very well written. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mia Sheridan delivered again! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was a ride from beginning to end!

When this ARC was uploaded on NetGalley, I took a chance on it solely because I love me a good thriller (with a splash of romance). Also, this was my first Mia Sheridan read. I know…I’m late to the party. I haven’t read Archer’s Voice, yet. I’ll get there.

Sienna hasn’t had the best luck as a detective in the NYPD so when the opportunity to go back home to Reno, Nevada for work is presented, she takes it. Even if it’s not ideal.

There’s a serial killer on the loose who happens to also be taunting her. It’s personal but she can’t quite figure out how. The serial killer is also taunting her ex-fiance, Gavin. Gavin and Sienna had quite the childhood together and it grew into more as time passed.

Parts of me wished there was a bit more romance but with what was given, I was happy. Gavin and Sienna have a love that was evident without being too much given the thriller aspect of the book. They found their way to one another even after everything that happened in their past.

I definitely wasn’t expecting the serial killer to be who it was and their backstory was incredibly sad. On one hand, they’re a serial killer but on the other hand…their childhood sucked. It’s still not an excuse. It will play with your emotions for a bit in regards to the SK.

Thank you @netgalley for the eARC!

Believe it or not, I have never read Mia Sheridan. However, I saw the synopsis for this book, and I had to read it. I picked a winner.

This is a suspense novel with some romance in it, but it doesn’t s definitely heavy in the thriller and mystery plot line.

This story is meticulous. Not to be confused with slow because I did not feel it was slow at all. But Ms. Sheridan weaves together piece by piece, slowly connecting the past and the present.

Sienna Walker is trying to piece together each crime scene of what is being described as a serial killer. But each piece feels eerily close to home. Things get even closer to home when the love of her past, Gavin Decker, becomes connected to the case as well.

This is quite the tale with plenty of twists, and I loved every detail. If you enjoy mystery/thriller/suspense, you will not be disappointed in this one. Mia Sheridan really shone on this one!