"The Other Mothers" by Katherine Faulkner is a compelling novel that captivated my attention from the very beginning. While it didn't quite reach the level of a perfect 5 stars, it's a solid 4-star read, and here's why.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the intricate and well-crafted plot. Faulkner weaves a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that kept me guessing throughout the story. The mystery element is well-executed, and the pacing is spot-on, ensuring that I was consistently engaged.

The characters in "The Other Mothers" are incredibly well-drawn and complex. I appreciated how the author explored the various dimensions of motherhood, friendship, and the challenges that women face in contemporary society. These characters felt like real people with relatable struggles and triumphs.

Faulkner's writing style is both vivid and emotive, allowing readers to delve deep into the minds and hearts of the characters. Her prose is evocative and rich, which added depth to the story. The narrative alternates between multiple perspectives, which gives a multifaceted view of the events and enhances the overall storytelling.

Everyone has their own version of the truth……

When a young nanny dies under mysterious circumstances, Tash is certain that this could be the story to relaunch her journalism career. She envisions a magazine article, an award winning Podcast and accolades for cracking a murder case on her own, between childcare commitments. Especially after the victim’s mother comes to her, because she believes that her daughter’s death was no accident, and when she learns that Sophie Blake was the nanny of one of her son’s playmates from his new playgroup.

But when Tash finally infiltrates the tight knit group of Moms who once shunned her, she begins to wonder if these women are really her friends? Or if there is another, more sinister reason, why she has suddenly been accepted?

Who, exactly, is investigating who?

STOP DIGGING

As Tash gets closer to the truth, she begins to receive warnings from an unknown number. And, what she discovers could endanger another life.

The book opens in the PRESENT with a Police inquiry, and then jumps back in time, alternating between the POV’s of Tash and our dead nanny, Sophie from 15 months earlier.

For about 25%, the story felt disjointed to me, as Tash struggles to find her footing as a new mother, and make friends with the mothers from her son Finn’s new playgroup, while also beginning her investigation into the nanny’s death. Perhaps if Sophie’s narrative had started a bit later, it would have felt more cohesive.

There is A LOT of talk about pregnancy, mothering, and what the toddlers are doing-playgroup and nannying scenes are plentiful-so this book didn’t work for my personal tastes since these details bore me.

I was attracted to the suspense aspect of the book, and the promise of an additional death in the synopsis but that didn’t occur until about the 70% point, so I guess I expected more balance.

Chapters continue to alternate between Sophie and Tash right up until ONE MINUTE before Sophie’s death, and the full TRUTH is not revealed until the epilogue.

While the story wasn’t the best fit for me, early reviews are more positive, so be sure to read a sample of reviews to determine if this book is a better fit for you.

AVAILABLE December 5, 2023.

Thank You to Gallery Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.

Great thriller that explores the impact of money on the motherhood experience. Did not see the final twist coming!

A standout among the domestic British thriller genre. Will keep you guessing until the dramatic conclusion

Katherine Faulkner's debut GREENWICH PARK came out early last year and ever since I read it, I've been eagerly anticipating her next release! If you know me, you know I love nothing more than some good neighborhood drama! Add in some daycare/school drama (think BIG LITTLE LIES) and I'm sold!

This one had my head spinning (in a good way)! There's so much going on, so many (CRAZY) moms, (CRAZIER) dads and everyone has a secret!

I'm literally copying this list from my review from GREENWICH PARK because SAME here:

1. Short chapters
2. Multiple perspectives
3. Multiple timelines
4. A bunch of twists and then a LAST minute twist at the end

This one starts out a little slow and then builds and builds to a crazy ending! This one gave me Sally Hepworth meets Ruth Ware vibes (and I love both of them)! As always, these books make me very thankful for my friends LOL

While you wait for this one to come out (December 5th), you should 100% go pick up GREENWICH PARK!

Gallery Books was kind enough to gift my bookclub with ARCs and we're reading this together this month and it will be so fun to discuss with the group! I highly recommend this for a bookclub pick!

I loved Greenwich Park so much that I couldn't wait to read this one and it did not disappoint!
Suburban thriller, slow burn, definitely recommend!
Thank you for allowing me to read this for an honest review!

I love me a good suburban domestic thriller, and this one was packed with so much drama and craziness that I found myself flipping pages late into the night and I’m not mad about it.

Tash (Natasha) is a freelance journalist trying to relaunch her career all while raising her toddler as a first-time mother. She quickly gets swept into the lifestyle of the wealthy moms she meets in her son’s playgroup, and finds herself entangled in the investigation of a nanny’s strange death that was deemed accidental by authorities. As Tash becomes more and more immersed in the group and her investigation, she finds herself questioning everything and everyone – even herself. Are these new friends who they let on? Is her husband telling the truth?

This is the perfect read for fans of Ashley Audrain, Liane Moriarty and Chandler Baker. Add this to your Fall/Winter TBR. It’s alternating timelines and quick pace is sure not to disappoint.

Thank you to Katherine Faulkner, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of the book for an honest review.

Such a fun book and a great addition to the genre. Tash is a complicated character, and readers will identify her paradox of wanting to be liked by women she doesn't trust.

This kept me so so entertained! I loved every second of it. I highly recommend! Five big ol stars from me.

Thanks to st martins press for this ARC!
3.5 ⭐️
The other mothers by Katherine Faulkner is a thrilling and carefully constructed story of Tash a young mother just trying to figure it all out. Although Tash’s general storyline is relatable, it was somewhat confusing time why she so desperately wanted these clearly messed up friends.

A slow burn, The Other Mothers really got me thinking and second guessing everything I thought to be true. A fun and exhilarating story of want, confusion and friendship.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was eagerly anticipating this book after I read Greenwich Park. This did not disappoint! The twists and turns kept me guessing and I did not see the ending coming. I really enjoy reading about London as I live in the United States. The characters were thoughtful and well rounded, but it turns out were hiding a lot!

A missing person thought to have gone wild swimming opens this fast paced, intriguing, and deftly paced thriller. A group of London city moms are the ma8n characters. Not to be missed.

I was so excited to see another new book from Katherine Faulkner - her "Greenwich Park" from 2021 was one of the best books that year; undoubtedly! "The Other Mothers", coming December 2023, is another hit that is sure to be one of the hottest books this holiday season. Add it to your wish lists or pre-order now!

Tash is a mother to with a young son and a struggling freelance journalist. She begins taking her son to playgroup and she meets beautiful, wealthy mothers - she quickly gets swept into their luxurious world and fitting in. At the same time, she gets swept away in investigating a strange death that the authorities have determined to be an accidental drowning of a young woman practicing wild swimming. As Tash becomes more and more swept away in both her roles, she finds their lines blurred more and more. Are the wealthy women, her new friends, involved in more than they let on? Is her family in danger?

This is another stunner from Katherine Faulkner! The characters are so believable and enjoyable, and you both root for and root against everyone for different reasons. The ending is perfection, and I so wish there had been a few more chapters to see how things continued to play out. Highly, highly recommend this book - one of only two books I've given five stars to in 2023.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC; all opinions are my own.

This wasn't quite as engaging as Greenwich Park, but I enjoyed it. It felt a little like watching reality TV. Our main character, Tash, is struggling to balance being a parent with her new role as a freelance writer and could really use a friend or two. As she starts investigating a suspicious death for a new writing project, a group of young mothers befriends her and pulls her in to their expensive lunches and playdates. The path to the truth is very twisty. A few more side characters are introduced and no one's story is quite adding up. No one in this book is especially likable, but I couldn't stop reading.

3.5 Star rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. This 2nd novel did not disappoint. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. It left me in suspense until the end and left me excited for the author's next book! She has a talent for engaging suspense novels.

This is the prefects suburban thriller! I love when there's some drama in these kinds of books and I feel like this one truly had it all! I devoured it!

I really enjoyed this story about a freelance journalist, Tash, investigating the death of a young nanny in her new neighborhood. Rich people with secrets is one of my favorite types of mystery so this was a fun ride. I also liked how the author told the story of Sophie (the nanny) as she navigated being a live-in caretaker for one of the local families. The viewpoints switch between current day and Sophie before her death until you reach the conclusion of the story. The end was well-paced and satisfying. I think all contemporary thriller readers will enjoy this one! Thanks to Katherine Faulkner, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tash (Natasha) is a journalist trying to relaunch her career as a freelancer while her husband, Tom, is busy working as a doctor. She's also preoccupied with their toddler and the pressures of first-time motherhood. Tash soon realizes while finding a playgroup for her son Finn, also involves fitting in with the other mothers.

Sophie is a nanny for Claire and Jez who are expecting their first baby together while raising Jez’s son, Jude. Sophie notices a strange detachment between Claire and Jude, and works to make sure he’s properly cared for, all while living under the same roof as the family.

Tash is quickly swept up in coffee dates and spa outings that she struggles to afford, in the upper class of London. All the while she’s spending her spare time investigating the death of a young nanny. But when the investigation leads her right to her own playgroup, and another young woman turns up dead, Tash has to wonder, who are these other mothers and why was she invited in?

Fans of Ashley Audrain and Chandler Baker will enjoy the similar themes of motherhood, friendship, envy, lust and suspense. The alternating timelines are layered intricately, building suspense so that the reader can’t put this one down.

Tash, mom to Finn and playgroup outcast, finds herself in too deep when she begins to uncover secrets in regards to the death of a local nanny from playgroup. When the other mothers begin to accept her, she begins to ask question that only a journalist can get away with. She is convinced that the death was no accident, and even though someone clearly wants her to stop digging, she can’t seem to stop. Will anyone stop her before she uncovers the truth?