An absolutely heart wrenching, yet fast paced story that hits with quite the ending. I did not expect the change of events as the story developed. This one was a true joy to read.

This book is apparently part of a series, which I didn't know until partway through. Maybe that's why I couldn't connect with Louise, who I found to be rather pretentious in some of her interactions. This was a problem for me, as I need to become invested in the characters to care about the story.

The mystery itself was good but seemed to be overwritten in an effort to give "wow" moments. I don't need a lot of surprises if the mystery is compelling. There were also some parts of the storyline/timeline that needs better editing because the details don't make sense. I hope they are fixed before the final publication.

My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

I have read other books in this series in the past, although it has been awhile so I'm a bit confused why this one isn't listed as part of the Louise Rick series when it obviously should be. And while there appears to be a lot that has changed for Louise since I last read one of the novels, this one was easy enough to pick up on and understand.

And sadly, now I remember why I stopped reading them. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there will be many others who will enjoy this book much more than I did. But for me, it just comes across as lackluster and tedious.

I found Louise to be much more dislikable in this book than the others, much in the way that she bossed Camilla (her friend who happened to be a journalist) around, basically forcing her to agree to look into the case she was working even after Camilla repeatedly told her that she was taking a much needed break to spend time with her father. This was even more annoying because Louise had already gotten snippy with Camilla about being "pumped for information". I'm sorry what? You cannot basically demand someone to do research on your behalf and then get snippy when they ask questions. There were also a couple of times throughout the book where she just comes off as though she thinks she's better than her colleagues (or at least knows better than they do), and does things the way she wants instead of taking into account what others have to say.

Then there were the continuity issues. For example, when someone is explaining how they murdered someone it is said that they followed their victim to one location where they remained for an hour until the victim returned home. And which point the killer went to their own home to get the murder weapon, and yet someone when they arrived back at the victim's house, the victim themselves had just gotten there? How were they just arriving home if they had already been there when the killer went to retrieve the murder weapon? There is another instance where it is said that Louise went into the living room to spend time with her son and their downstairs neighbor, except shortly before that we are told that Melvin (the neighbor) had returned to his own home, and Jonas (the son) was in his bedroom. Or earlier in the story when it was stated that a couple who may have been a potential witness to a different murder were on their way to Odense, when they stopped and ate lunch in Odense before continuing on. But if they were going to Odense, how could they have already stopped there for lunch? It was all the little things like this that started to add up and wear on me as a reader.

Finally we come to what was probably the biggest disappointment of all. The "twists" that I believe were supposed to be these major moments were as a reader we were expected to gasp in shock just felt.... contrived. To the point that when we got to the last big "twist" involving a church and a child, I was just over it entirely. By that point it just seemed like a meaningless way to drive up the word count and that was all. It added nothing to the story whatsoever.

As I said prior, I do believe this story will appeal to a wide majority of other readers, I'm just starting to think this author just isn't for me.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

First and foremost, a huge thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide a review.

This was my first book by Sara Blaedel, and it probably won't be my last. It was a bit of a slow burn, and some of the characters were better developed than others. The question of the day for A Mother's Love is, who is the child? Followed by where is the child? Nobody knows, or they claim they don't know. But do they? The slow burn builds up into a satisfying ending.

The storyline felt a little disconnected and it just didn’t grab me liked I had hoped. This is the first book I’ve read by this particular author so Melanie she just isn’t my style.

This book was okay, but didn't grip me in any way. The plot itself was very unbelievable, one crazy plot twist after another.

Thanks to Netgally for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Dutton, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of the book, ‘A Mother’s Love’, by Sara Blaedel.

Louise Rick has been put in charge of a new police travel unit, Police District 13, and is not happy with how the unit is staffed. She is also not happy with her first assignment, to investigate the murder of an innkeeper in a small village, especially because the local team just doesn’t have enough staff of their own.

As Louise gets deeper in the case, horrendous secrets are revealed, and a second murder is inevitable. This story is well written and leads the reader through a dark world that some evil people have created.

A Mother’s Love by Sara Blaedel delivers an engaging mystery with satisfying twists and turns. However, Louise and Camilla’s storylines feel disconnected, lacking the synergy that could have made the story more compelling. Camilla’s arc, in particular, feels like an afterthought—her character falls flat, and the passion for journalism that defined her in the past seems missing. Despite these shortcomings, Blaedel’s strong pacing and suspenseful writing still make this a worthwhile read for mystery fans.

Rating: 3.5! Thank you to Netgalley for providing an E-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Danish detective Louise Risk has just taken the helm of the new Mobile Task Unit and reeling from a recent breakup is ready forma new case as a distraction. When the owner of a rural inn is found murdered she and her team are assigned the case. When Louise finds a nursery hidden in the upstairs apartment she is puzzled. The victim was recently widowed and childless. No one in the community was aware of a child and Louise must find not only a killer but a missing toddler. When she uncovers a cabin in the woods linked to a sordid sex trade she ponders the links. When more deaths ensue Louise and her team must pick up the pace to find the child and his identity and uncover the killer.. I enjoy Scandinavian Noir and Sara Bladel has been a go to author since I first discovered her. Louise is a strong protagonist depicted with human doubts and frailities. Bladel can always be counted on for a very twisty plot and unexpected revelations. Any reader who enjoys an emotionally charged police procedural that keeps you changing your mind about the suspects and connections every few chapters should give this compelling narrative a try. There are several entries in the Louise Rick series and each one is engaging and suspenseful.

A Mother's Love es el libro no sé qué número de la serie sobre la detective Louise. Si no han leído los libros anteriores, como yo, estarán perdidos respecto a lo que ocurre en la vida personal de los personajes. Lo bueno es que esto no afecta en nada al desarrollo del caso que deben resolver.

Los policías dejaron mucho que desear, especialmente Louise, ya que es la protagonista. Se pasa sacando conclusiones sin investigar, culpando a medio mundo y queriendo arrestar a personas inocentes. Le di esa calificación porque, a pesar de todo esto, el caso me pareció interesante, con muchos giros y un final inesperado.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall the plot was good,but I had a really hard time getting invested in the book. I found myself not wanting to read and I don't know the reasoning. Thr only thing I can think of was the book did not take place in America and i couldn't picture the setting.

A Mother’s Love by Sara Blaedel

The story begins with the murder of innkeeper Dorthe Hyllested. Shortly after, we learn that despite not known to have children, there is evidence that a little boy lived with her. Without spoilers, I’ll just say there is a lot going on in this mystery – murders, affairs, secrets… Who killed Dorthe? Who is this child? Where did he come from? And where is he now? Was her murder connected to the child? Was her husband’s death accidental as earlier determined or just coincidence? As the investigation unfolds, more questions and more secrets are uncovered.

For me, there were too many sub-plots making it longer story than it needed to be.
Despite not having read this series (I’ve only read one previous in the series), it didn’t seem that I missed anything – it can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Blaedel and Penquin Group Dutton for an advanced copy of this book.

This story had me captivated from the start with a death that lead to the discovery of a hidden baby room! But where’s the baby? Who’s the baby? The detectives have their work cut out for them. Sara Blaedel really knows how to create characters and pull you so deep into a story you think that you feel like you’re a part of it. This book was amazing. A definite must read.

I find Nordic novels enthralling and was excited to discover another new author. This story is a police procedural, a murder mystery and had a plot that went in a direction I never would’ve guessed. It’s set in Denmark with Detective Louise Rick heading up a new Mobile Task Unit with team members she’s never met. Louise was knowledgeable but didn’t always have the best people skills. A recent broken engagement causes awkward situations when he’s working a related case that overlaps hers. She is unquestionably dedicated to her work which means her home life suffers. I disagreed with some of her choices in regards to her personal life. Her own experience with young children is limited and she sometimes came across cold and insensitive. When the team is assigned it's first case they’re in an unfamiliar town. There was travel to several cities I’ve never heard of. There’s been a murder at an Inn, no witnesses or suspects. The discovery of child’s room puts a sense of urgency in the investigation as no one knows who the child is. The team had a good mix of personalities and strengths. I enjoyed them and the many surprising turns the evidence revealed. Louise is very good at leading and interrogating witnesses and suspects. The local police department isn’t supportive and only wants the glory in front of the cameras. The case kept me changing theories and reevaluating my suspects constantly as the twists just kept piling up. It was a wonderfully described police procedural and an emotionally charged case. I will certainly watch for more books by this author and am happy to recommend this title.
Thanks to Penguin Random House (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “A Mother’s Love” by Sara Blaedel, publication expected 04/11/2025. These are my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given freely with no expectation of compensation.

I loved the characters in this one It captivated me right from the start. I love having to guess and in this one I was wrong.

This book was okay, I guess.

I can't comment on some things, as the book is originally in Scandinavian and there are always minutae that gets lost in translation.

The story itself though was corny, almost rediculous. One crazy plot twist after another. Also, the brothel reveal was not a surprise. The synopsis told that secret already.

Others may enjoy this book, but I didn't.

Thanks to Netgally for the ARC.

What an intricate and absorbing mystery. Could not put it down. Sometimes I think the translator of this series omits too much emotion and that bothered me initially when I began to read this title however I quickly got involved in the characters and the story line. A number of story lines, some complex emotions but privately and work wise and a look at the toll it takes on those around you if you’re not honest with yourself.

I liked this one. Bladel is a favorite author for me . I know I’m going to get a fast paced readable novel that always is engaging and keeps you guessing till the end
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

I would say that this is average Scandinavian crime fiction---with language that is sparse, straightforward, and yet somehow magnetic, and a landscape that is a character is its own right. I liked all of Blaedel's characters, especially Louise and Eik, and the creation of a travel unit team leaves the author with plenty of ideas and settings for future novels. Where I felt this book was lacking was the plot---just too far-fetched and implausible, and we never get to know the victim's motivations in order to understand them (thus, they are painted as "evil" which is a bit too wooden). All in all, I read this quickly but found myself groaning at the twists and turns ("and now there's a brothel? Come on!")