The Other Mothers

I was enticed to read this domestic thriller by its blurb which offered a murdered nanny, a sinister feel, and a Desperate Housewives vibe - oh my! I love me a story with dual timelines and multiple POVs and this book fit the bill. The story is told in present day that follows the police investigation and 15 months earlier when a nanny is found dead under mysterious circumstances. 

This was a slow burn story where the action ramps up very late in the game. I appreciate how the author explores themes of privilege and motherhood with her cast that consists of a group of moms, their kids and husbands. Unfortunately, they are an unlikeable bunch who were so similar that they blended together. These factors didn't make me eager to pick up this book, which took me a lot longer than normal to finish. 

This domestic thriller had a good premise but didn't quite deliver on a twisty, tension-filled read for me. It wasn't a book that I was eager to pick up and with better focus on developing sympathetic characters, building tension throughout and a smoother delivery, this book would have garnered a higher rating from me. Many other readers have enjoyed this book so give it a try. It's in stores today - December 5, 2023.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book that they sent me in return for my honest review. 

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Katherine Faulkner

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Gallery Books

First Published: December 5, 2023

Book Description from GoodReads: The author of the “twisty, fast-paced” (The Sunday Times, London) Greenwich Park returns with a fresh and deftly paced thriller about murder, class, and motherhood in an exclusive London community.

When a young nanny is found dead in mysterious circumstances, new mom, Tash, is intrigued. She has been searching for a story to launch her career as a freelance journalist. But she has also been searching for something else—new friends to help her navigate motherhood.

She sees them at her son’s new playgroup. The other mothers. A group of sleek, sophisticated women who live in a neighborhood of tree-lined avenues and stunning houses. The sort of mothers Tash herself would like to be. When the mothers welcome her into their circle, Tash discovers the kind of life she has always dreamt of—their elegant London townhouses a far cry from her cramped basement flat and endless bills. She is quickly swept up into their wealthy world via coffees, cocktails, and playdates.

But when another young woman is found dead, it’s clear there’s much more to the community than meets the eye. The more Tash investigates, the more she’s led uncomfortably close to the other mothers. Are these women really her friends? Or is there another, more dangerous reason why she has been so quickly accepted into their exclusive world? Who, exactly, is investigating who?