A five-star read that is quicker than a slight of hand. This is my first read by this author, but it won’t be the last, this was such a fast paced and thrilling read, even if you are quick and catch some of the easter eggs this is still a brilliant read, as you will never get there until it smacks you in the face like a fantastic hand at poker. Sienna Walker will just keep you hooked, she is such a complex and interesting character that will surprise you at every turn, she is so strong and caring, and just simply blew me away from start to finish. There are so many characters that will surprise you and thrill you in this story, so do not miss it.

This book was full of twists and turns, and the final one was a nail in the coffin. And I could never in my wildest dream would have seen that coming!! It had me on my toes and kept on the edge throughout the entire read. I loved it so much. Sheridan never disappoints!!

Flipping heck! Mind blown. I’m currently loving romantic suspense, and Bad Mother definitely has the suspense, I was kept guessing throughout. The romance is a lovely add on, but is not front and centre by any stretch. No, that honour went to the plot, put together by a true calculated mastermind. I had no clue how this was going to pan out, such a clever plot, dead bodies popping up all over Reno, with no apparent link. Detective Sienna Walker was kept busy from her first day arriving back in Reno after an 11 year absence. The killer seems to be one step ahead at every turn, and when Sienna seeks the assistance of Gavin Decker, her ex-fiancé (and the reason she left Reno 11 years earlier), things get even more complicated for her, both on a personal and professional level. Not too gruesome, but I think extremely emotional in places, some of the letters left by the killer made my heart hurt. At the end I was uncertain who my tears were actually for. I was riveted throughout, it definitely kept me on my toes, what a fantastic read. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

4.5 ⭐

“Mother smiled, sweetly, gently, her eyelids fluttering. My, but she was pretty, my mother. Pretty and perfect in every single way.”

This was a great thriller. Partially predictable, but immersing and exciting. It pulled me in from the start and it stayed engaging till the very end.

I usually don't like detective stories or thrillers about serial killers, but this one felt very personal for everyone involved and I guess that's what made it so unputdownable.

I also love when we get thriller-romance combos. It's a good way to get little breaks from all the gruesome scenes. In this case, the second chance romance was done pretty well.

However, make sure to check all the trigger warnings before deciding if you want to read this book. It was packed with all kinds of dark, gory and emotionally-wrecking scenes. Seriously – it gets really bad.

A huge thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan in exchange for an honest review.

So I don't know why, but I had no idea Mia Sheridan actually wrote thrillers, or romantic thrillers, to be more specific, I only read two romances by her and loved them so much, so of course I wanted to read this book to see if she would be as good in this genre.
Let me get this out of the way, she didn't disappoint! This was one of the most addictive, captivating and engrossing books I've read this year, it literally checked all the boxes: clever plot ✅, amazing sequence ✅, loveable/relatable characters ✅, good dialogues ✅, beautiful relationships between characters ✅, what's more to add?
When writing a detective thriller, especially serial killers stories, you have to keep the balance between gruesome and clever, you can't have it so bleak and make it flat, or overly tricky so it'd feel tacky, this book was one of the good ones👍
This book is the perfect middle ground between hardcore thriller readers and thriller beginners.
Loved it👌
* I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *

Let me start by saying I love Mia Sheridan. I'm a long time fan and I have read all but two of her books. This book is NOT a romance or even a romantic thriller, in my opinion. There was a romance in the background/on the side (though it was not very well developed) and only one juicy scene but I am not even mad about that because the story otherwise was so good. This is a thriller and it was quite thrilling for the most part. I will admit it was slow to start. I guess that is my only complaint. I had read for several days and was only at 30% so I was getting worried. But then, it took off and it only took me 1 day to read from 35% to the end. This book was super creepy, dark, sad at times, suspenseful and twisty. I really enjoyed trying to piece together the puzzle along with the detectives. Highly recommend this book! I never hesitate to read whatever Mia Sheridan writes.

I seriously enjoyed this read!!! This a very suspenseful wonderful book. A female detective seeking redemption falls into the sights of a serial killer. The storyline was compelling and kept me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of Bad Mother.

This is one of the best books I've read recently. The plot keeps you guessing all the way through. Do you like solving riddles? If so this book is for you! Can you help them solve the case?

My first from Mia Sheridan in YEARS and I'm all kinds of giddy that I decided to pick this one up. Talk about a mystery that had me on the edge of my seat throughout, Bad Mother delivers in a big way. Sheridan combines a second-chance romance with the unexplained murders of 3 seemingly random Reno, Nevada residents that had me as baffled as the detectives on the case.

The newest member of the Reno PD, Sienna Walker's return to the town she called home is filled with trepidation as she is not only thrust immediately into this latest case but has to face the past she wishes she could forget. But I loved how Sheridan carefully allows Sienna to remember the good along with the painful as the boy who stole her heart, Gavin Decker, is suddenly back in her life.

In fact, the dangerous game of cat and mouse she and her partner Kat are forced to play with their presumed killer is helped along with a bit of Gavin's expertise putting the former lovers in each other's universe whether either wants it or not. The obvious longing between them was all I needed to know that they were destined to be together again, no matter what might happen with this intense case.

But the true star of this show is the complicated ruse the killer puts into play with clever clues hidden in handwritten notes that Sienna and Kat have to decipher in order to stop him for good. As someone who will forever struggle with solving these kinds of storylines, I will admit that I may have been on the right track with my own theories for a while, but the way everything is revealed blew me away even more than I could have imagined. The twists and turns ultimately created one heck of a brilliant surprise as the last few chapters came to a close. I'm wildly impressed at Sheridan's creativity and it reminded me of how one of my faves of hers, Midnight Lily, also kept me guessing.

This is romantic suspense at its very best featuring thoughtful characters, a believable and well-thought-out plot along with a sweet reunion between two former lovers. Again, I am beyond happy I gave this talented author another go and very gladly give Bad Mother a huge 5 stars!!!

Mia Sheridan is one of my favourite authors ever and that is saying something as I read a book for at least 2/3 hours every evening and listen to an Audible during the day... every day... You can say I am a bookworm!!!

Mia Sheridan is absolutely the best author in writing about sad beginnings in life, grief and hope against all odds. With Mia Sheridan, you know she will take you through a wonderful emotional adventure and will leave you feeling hopeful :). It's a beautiful gift and THE VOICE is in my opinion her best work. I don't usually read books again but I do make an exception with that book.

Therefore, I could not wait to put my hands on "Bad Mother" which is a wonderful read. The main storyline is a series of murder mysteries with clues along the way with a backdrop of a love story developing in the background. Once again it's a wonderful read, leaving you as ever wanting for more from this author.

A gifted author sharing her gift in these challenging times.... more please!!!!

Mia Sheridan does it again! A very interesting read which kept me engaged from the beginning.

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.

Omg such a thrill ride. Hooked from the middle. So many twists and turns just when you thought you'd worked it out new things appear. Was disappointed when it ended as i just wanted it yo go on.
An ex local js transfered back and ends up working a serial killer case which seems very personal as secrets are exposed. A simple story which is greatly told. A pleasure to read. Highly recommended

I love this author but I am not a fan of horror books. I got through it just fine! So many twists and turns.

It has the creep factor with the serial killer. It has a great heroine with Sienna. We get a sweet second chance romance with Sienna and Gavin. And we get all the phycological angst that is tied up in coming home again and starting over.

I can't say it will be a second read for me--because I'm a wuss. But the author once again spins a very multi-layered web for us to sort through.

This book was given to me by NetGalley in return for my honest review. As much as I usually like books by Mia Sheridan this one was not my cup of tea. I think it may have to do with the genre of this book. From the very beginning I had a feeling that Mirabelle & Gavin had something to do with the killer.

One of the best thrillers I have read in awhile! Mias attention to detail was excellent! Every twist and turn had me on my toes.
I thought I had someone in mind and I was way off. The dialogue was right on and you can tell she researched everything! Totally recommend!!

I am so loving this new direction Mia Sheridan has gone with writing mystery/thriller stories. Of course, I have been a long-time fan of her contemporary romances, but when she veered paths and started writing in this new genre, I was SO there for it! She has quite an innate talent for the whodunnit.

I really loved the way Mia wove a second chance romance story between Sienna and Gavin throughout this mystery/thriller story that had me guessing, and second guessing myself, all the way through. I was obsessed with trying to ferret out the clues before they were presented on page, but I was highly unsuccessful. Mia truly crafted a complex story leading Sienna, her partner Kat, and Gavin on a thrilling chase to solve these murders before another body is discovered.

I was so impressed with how Mia laid this story out. The clues the killer left, along with the notes that may or may not be autobiographical had my mind racing on who would eventually be revealed to be committing these crimes. And why? The victims seemed to be completely random, the clues more complicated than my brain could handle. But somehow, between Sienna, Gavin, and the police department, they managed to close in on the killer. I admit I had an inkling on who it was, but the way all the clues finally came together knocked me for a loop!

Mia really is a master at interweaving such deep emotions and thoughts throughout her stories, and this one was no different. Sienna’s backstory on how she ended up back in Reno, a place she swore never to return to, was quite a tug on the heartstrings. Her childhood growing up there, with only Gavin, his mother Mirabelle, and Argus as her makeshift family. And the backstory on what broke Sienna and Gavin up the first time, only for them to be brought back together by this serial killer. There was a purpose to everything this killer did, a specific chess piece they were expertly moving across the board. I just ate this story up like candy!

This is not a story for the feint of heart, that is for sure. But it is a Mia Sheridan book, and she always gives her readers a story of love and redemption and forgiveness and healing. And I really loved it.

O M G!!!!!! THIS book had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time!!!! I was trying to crack the case and kept getting thrown curve balls!! This was such a suspenseful read!!!! I could NOT put it down!!!

Mia Sheridan is one of my go to authors! Her books always hit & stick hard after reading! Highly recommend if you are looking for a suspenseful thriller!!

I could see this book on the big screen while reading! It was SO jacked!!!

And I have to say… that epilogue….XOXO!

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

I read it once and then had to read it twice because I love to pick apart clues.

Did you watch Squid Games?

Do you like escape rooms?

Do you watch the detective series and solve the plot?

This is the mother of squid games.

Mia Sheridan cemented herself as an amazing romance writer in my head a long time ago. Now she twists my brain with her detective series, and my heart is happy that the romance part of her writing still remains.

Oh my heart! Sienna Walker and Gavin Decker have the kind of relationship that I love in books. Childhood best friends turn into first loves and then they are torn apart. Both build lives apart until they are brought back together. Thank you world, for bringing them back together.

There’s so much plot to unpick. Clues to find. I love it when my brain can sort out the clues and try to solve the mystery. I think I would have made a good Velma in Scooby Doo.

My heart is still racing at the way the ending played out and what an ending! It was so well played and, in my opinion, that was such a great hand.

Every second counts and this book is worth it and so much more.
Sienna returns to her hometown of Reno where seemingly a game of killing has begun. Clues are provided, so much is known but yet unknown. I had my suspicions but I was wrong through all the twist and turns of roads I was lead on. Thrilling- you just never know.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, for someone who doesn't really read much mystery, I really enjoyed this! I felt like Mia Sheridan put a lot of effort into putting the perfect mix of both mystery/crime and romance into this book (although I felt like I was so involved in the mystery whenever it flashed to Sienna and Gavin working on their relationship rather than solving the crime I was like omg stay on task 😭). Also this kept throwing out surprise after surprise and I loved every second of it. Though, I felt like I could sort of make connections to what I expected to happen compared to what actually did, I was still shocked I would highly recommend this book to anyone who truly enjoys both the romance and mystery genre with unexpected plot twists! (Thank you so much to Netgalley and Montlake for this arc in exchange for an honest review!)