I read "Greenwich Village" after receiving it as a gift so I was really excited to get my hands on Faulkner's sophomore novel! I have to admit, it took me a few times to really get into the plot as the first few chapters kind of dragged on for me. After that, the pacing really hit the ground running! I enjoyed the alternating POV that helped us to put everything together piece by piece - Faulkner has a great knack for thriller writing! This one hit a little close to home being a toddler mom, but I really enjoyed it. The ending felt a little disjointed, but still interesting and fit well with the rest of the plot. Thanks so much for the ARC - can't wait for what she releases next!

I loved Katherine Faulkner's debut Greenwhich Park last year, and I when I saw this second book from her being compared to Big Little Lies, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. It delivered on it's comparison and then some!

When a young nanny is found dead, new mom and newly freelance journalist Tash thinks she's found a story to relaunch her career. At the same time, she finds herself swept up in the playgroup friendship of three wealthy mothers, and when another body is found, she questions everything she thinks she's figured out about the nanny's death. Wondering who she can trust, Tash's world starts crumbling in on itself, and she's forced to decide how much discovering and telling the truth is really worth.

I was so hooked on the story from the very beginning. Faulkner does a great job getting right into the middle of the action, and when I thought I had it figured out around 65%, she proved me completely wrong with a stellar ending.

Fans of salacious, suspenseful domestic thrillers need to add this to their TBR right now!

Even though I don't have kids, I still enjoyed this story. Tash struggles with being a new mother to her son Finn and she just doesn't fit in with the other mothers. They all live a lavish lifestyle that Tash can't keep up with since her husband Tom is a new doctor and she works from home as a journalist. Her last big article was about a young nanny, Sophie, that died by 'accident' near her neighborhood. When Sophie's mom Jane comes to Tash and asks her to look into Sophie death because she doesn't believe it was an accident, she soon finds out secrets linked to Sophie and the other mothers.

Tash starts getting anonymous messages telling her to Stop Digging. Apparently, someone has found out that she is looking into Sophie's death. As she continues to dig further (since she just can't help herself - she's a journalist after all), the messages become more aggressive.

I enjoyed the suspense and the drama around all these mothers and their husbands. The POV's alternate between present Tash and past Sophie creating a nice plot pace between the 2 women. The conclusion seemed a little rushed and OTT, but overall, it was an entertaining book.

Characters you love to hate, slow burn suspense, and plot twists galore- Faulkner’s new novel delivers all of these and more. More than the typical domestic suspense novel, The Other Mothers takes the “mom group” trope and twists it into something sinister and disturbing.

I read this author’s debut, “Greenwich Park”, in 2021, and absolutely loved it., so I was very excited to get her sophomore novel as well. This is your typical neighborhood thriller/drama - with a twist. A few twists, actually! Sometimes I get tired of the Real Housewives trope, but this book made these rich and troubled women feel more fresh than flat.

A young woman named Sophie is the centerpiece of the story. She was a nanny who ended up dead after doing some “wild swimming” in a dangerous body of water. At least, that’s what the police said when they closed their case on her death. Then along comes Tash, a freelance journalist, and her husband, Tom. Tash feels like there is more to Sophie’s death, and begins investigating. Maybe this story will be her big break?

Tash has also met some other moms in town while at a local playgroup. These are the intimidating moms, the moms with Lululemon and Botox and nannies, who all have perfect hair and skin and nails. Tash knows she doesn’t fit in with this group, but she also wants to make friends, despite it severely affecting her bank account. As her investigation into Sophie’s death continues, these women also become wells of information…but somebody wants her to stop looking. Is it one of her new friends?

Perhaps turning this book into a journalistic endeavor was what made it better than most other types of these stories, because normally those go in my three-star category, but I’m giving this four stars. We get to hear a lot of Sophie’s voice, and that also makes the whole thing more compelling. This does have a few overdone thriller elements, but overall, it was a great story that made for a quick read!

(Thank you to Gallery Books, Katherine Faulkner and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 5, 2023.)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I enjoyed Faulkner’s previous novel, so I was happy to receive this one. I think Faulkner is one of the more interesting thriller writers out there right now. There were a couple things I didn’t have figured out right away, which is saying something since I read way too many thrillers. I will say I didn’t love the ending. It got a little too convoluted and think it would have been better to end it like 10 pages earlier.

The twists and turns in The Other Mothers will keep you guessing right until the very last moment! Journalist Tash begins to investigate Nanny Sophie's death, and Tash finds herself wondering about the women she's recently befriended as well as their husbands. A highly engaging, deeply intriguing, extremely suspenseful novel that is strongly recommended!

I was so excited to read this one and it did NOT disappoint. I was completely hooked and could not put this book down. There were so many secrets and lies and twists and yet everything flowed perfectly! I absolutely loved this book!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this authors first book (Greenwich Park) and now I can’t wait to see what she puts out next! RUN, don’t walk, and grab this book when it comes out on Dec 5th!

Thank you to the author, Netgalley & Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I sometimes struggle with the beginning of books, but not this time. THE OTHER MOTHERS was gripping from start to finish. I loved the alternating timelines and points of view as we hear from both Tash and Sophie. I don't know which one I enjoyed more, but the countdown of the days until Sophie's death kept me turning the pages. You won't know what to believe or who to trust as the author keeps you in suspense the entire time. This is definitely in the top 10 of the books that I've read this year and I've read over 150 this year.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.

4.5* A domestic thriller that may not grab your attention until halfway, but after the story is set..be prepared for an unbelievable investigation. I loved Faulkner's "Greenwich Park", so I knew with her skills it would pick up. I was not vested when I started it in the summer so I put it down for awhile. I picked it up again when I realized the Netgalley deadline is quickly approaching in December. Do not let my experience turn your opinion because it is an amazing mystery to solve.

Told in two POVs. Sophie is an upper-class nanny in a gorgeous neighborhood with very wealthy inhabitants. When she is found dead, an investigative reporter, Tash, is currently unemployed after the birth of her son Finn, infiltrates the "lavish play-dates" and becomes a frenemy with the mothers. She is desperate to fit in, but pushes her limits investigating Claire and Jez's nanny's death. Her bank account says otherwise when these play dates become expensive and a showdown of the wallet. It doesn't take long when you realize, they are investigating her also.

Tash receives warning messages, such as "stop digging" "you'll be sorry". When a photo surfaced of her husband, Tom, with the deceased victim, Sophie, the story had me desperate to finish and all I could think about. When one of Tash's friends is found dead, you will not be able to put it down. An unbelievable recovery mid-way in the book that moved it to one of my top books this year!

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5⭐️This was an excellent psychological thriller that had me glued from start to finish!!

Synopsis: Tash is a journalist investigating the death of a young nanny named Sophie, who worked in the neighborhood she recently moved to. At the same time, she is exploring new motherhood and eager to connect with the wealthy women in her son’s playgroup. As Tash gets closer to these mothers, she begins to realize that there may be a connection between them and Sophie… but at what cost.

Thoughts: This story was well-plotted and full of twists. Faulkner’s background in investigative journalism shined across the pages, and I liked how this thriller had a side of realism to it where I did not find my self suspending disbelief. I loved how the story was set around a children’s playgroup with cliquey moms and friendship drama. Also the two POVs, Tash in the present and Sophie in the past, weaved together perfectly with chapters ending in cliffhangers to keep you going!

Read if you like:
-Psych thrillers
-London setting
-Children-centered stories
-Journalism
-Family and friendship drama

The Other Mothers is about a journalist who is also a new mom who gets caught up in the mysterious death of an Au pair, while befriending other mothers in the neighborhood. These mothers have something to hide, especially the one for whom the au pair used to work. Throw in a couple of suspicious husbands and you have a big mess of a mystery that is a bit too convoluted to follow. That said, the writing is very engaging and kept my eyes glued to the page. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Katherine Faulkner is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller writers. Her writing is very sophisticated, and you can tell she pays attention to not only the carefully-constructed plot but also the craft of her prose, which really sparkles. THE OTHER MOTHERS is atmospheric and suspenseful in the best of ways. I was so eager to see what would happen next, but I also savored the writing itself. That's a rare combination. I highly recommend this novel for fans of literary fiction and suspense. I eagerly await Faulkner's next book.

Page turner!!! That's the best way to describe The Other Mothers! I could not finish this fast enough!! It has everything; over privileged rich people doing bad things, affairs, multiple murders, no one you can trust, secrets, lies, and everyone had motive!!! In the middle of all this is a new mom, Tash, a journalist, who infiltrates the tight knit group of moms in order to uncover the real story. But she soon finds herself seduced by the beautiful life these women seem to be living. Who's prey and who's predator?? Twisty and suspenseful, this is a must read!!

I read this author's previous book and knew that I was probably in for another slow burn. I was right, but wow... I think I may have gotten whiplash in the last 15-20% of the story! So many twists and turns. Some I saw coming, some I didn't. Overall I really enjoyed it.

If you enjoyed Big Little Lies, then you'll definitely want to pick up THE OTHER MOTHERS by Faulkner!

This was a fast-paced, don't know who you can trust, thrilling suspense. Each chapter gave you a little bit more insight into what actually happened and who (if anyone) was to blame. I really loved that it was both Multiple POV and multiple timelines - and one timeline counted down to the MCs untimely demise (can you call the victim an MC? I think I'm going to in this case).

I think that if you're a mother and you have children that are involved in some kind of play group that you will likely see a little bit of your own life reflected in this book. And it will probably make you wonder what's happening behind the glittering glass houses of the mom cliques that you know.

THE OTHER MOTHERS really brings to light that you can't trust the front that people put up for the rest of the world and that you never know what others might have done...or might be capable of.

Read If You Like:
Mommy Drama
Adorable little kids
Unreliable narrators
Unsympathetic MC

This book blew my mind. It has all the best tropes: rich people behaving badly, undercover reporter, multiple murders, everybody did it, and a TWIST ending. I wasn't a huge fan of her first book (Greenwich Park) but this made up for it. Personal note: I got home from work for two days straight, didn't turn on the tv, and went DIRECTLY to reading this because I could not put it down. Faulker did an AMAZING job of making you assume everyone was guilty.

Tash is a news reporter that gave up her career once she became a mother. Once it was time for her son Finn to go to school, he had a HARD adjustment. That is until, Claire, Laura, and Nicole took her under their wing and began scheduling playdates. The playdates then turned into coffees, spa days, and expensive brunches. Tash was sucked into this life of luxury she couldn't afford. As she begins to freelance report again, she begins to investigate the death of Sophie (Claire's nanny). As she uncovers more and more details about Sophie's "death", she also begins to receive anonymous threats telling her to STOP digging, but in true reporter fashion, she does not give up, until the case comes to a head at Claire's beachside home with no cell service.

This is told in DUAL POV and Timelines. You are getting the POV of Tash (the detective) and Sophie (the dead babysitter).

An absolute must for your thriller TBR!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC!

This had so many twists and turns towards the end, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I was anxious for the final revelation. I admit, I never once guessed correctly with any real substance to the reasoning for my guess. I enjoyed the occasional dark feel that this author created as well. It helped to add to the tension.

While I was intrigued throughout the majority of this story, I found myself struggling at times to connect with the main character. With a cast that was designed to raise suspicions, I found myself needing to feel a strong attachment to Tash that never really happened.

The changing points of view added to a bit of the build up as one of the points of view was on a count down. I enjoyed that format even if it did start to feel a little long towards the end.

I loved Faulkner’s debut GREENWICH PARK and was thrilled to get my hands on her next book! THE OTHER MOTHERS is another neighborhood drama that centers around the lives (+ lies) of mothers 🤫

It starts as a slow burn and took me a little bit to get invested, but I couldn’t put it down once I reached about the halfway point.

I enjoyed the short chapters and multiple POVs and Faulkner truly kept me guessing until the final pages.

thank you @gallerybooks for the #gifted advance copy and allowing my book club to read it early!

How to make you feel awkward and worried about possibly joining a mother’s group. This is quite a fun book, where no one is who they seem, and a simple murder ties together so many lies that the reader will never guess them all. This book is fast paced and just a fun read. There are enough twists and turns that you will want to keep reading right up to the end. Trust no one.
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.