One of POPSUGAR’s Top 15 Medical Thrillers One of REAL SIMPLE’s 35 Chilling Psychological Thrillers A mother’s worst nightmare, a chance at redemption, and a deadly secret that haunts a family across the generations—“the psychological thriller everyone will be talking about” (Lisa Scottaline) There’s only room for one mother in this family. Claire Abrams’s dreams became a nightmare when she … Claire Abrams’s dreams became a nightmare when she passed on a genetic mutation that killed her little boy. Now she wants a second chance to be a mother, and finds it in Robert Nash, a maverick fertility doctor who works under the radar with Jillian Hendricks, a cunning young scientist bent on making her mark–and seducing her boss.
Claire, Robert, and Jillian work together to create the world’s first baby with three genetic parents–an unprecedented feat that could eliminate inherited disease. But when word of their illegal experiment leaks to the wrong person, Robert escapes into hiding with the now-pregnant Claire, leaving Jillian to serve out a prison sentence that destroys her future.
Ten years later, a spunky girl named Abigail begins to understand that all is not right with the reclusive man and woman she knows as her parents. But the family’s problems are only beginning. Jillian, hardened by a decade of jealousy and loss, has returned–and nothing will stop her from reuniting with the man and daughter who should have been hers.
Past, present, and future converge in this mesmerizing psychological thriller from critically acclaimed author Kira Peikoff.
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Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff
This book grabbed me from the beginning and kept me turning the pages till I was done! Thought provoking, told from multiple views and twists! What more could you want? Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this book and letting me leave my opinion.
Kira Peikoff has crafted a smart, pulse-pounding, and achingly human story of a family in the cross hairs of where ethics and science converge. A totally satisfying read.
After her young son, Colton, dies from a genetic mutation, Claire is desperate to have a healthy baby and asks well-known fertility doctor Robert Nash for help. He and his assistant, Jillian, have been researching issues just like this and have an unconventional, risky… and illegal solution. Will they all agree that it’s worth the risk? And, if they do, then what about the fallout of their decision?
Pulled in from the very first pages, this psychological thriller was mysterious, compelling, and deliciously twisty. The short chapters made it way too easy to read just one more chapter, and I had a hard time putting it down. Alternating between a few different narrators, it made me wonder, are any of them reliable? Who is telling the truth, and who is off their rocker? Much to my surprise, the end brought tears to my eyes.
If you enjoyed the DNA research in this thriller, then I would highly recommend one of my favorite thrillers ever, The One (5 stars) by John Marrs!
Location: New York (NYC and Garrison)
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
WOW! Not sure what I expected from this book but what I got was WOW!! It was a thrilling, scary, emotional read. A little sci-fi (which isn’t my thing) but more thriller (which is). Just when you think you know what’s going on there’s a twist and you’re confused again. It’s a little mind-boggling to know that this could actually happen and probably will but fascinating at the same time. Very well written and it keeps you riveted.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is a Sci-if thriller reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode. A mother’s need for another child after her first child, Colton, passes away due to an inherited trait. Claire wants a second opportunity for a second chance to raise a child but does not want to run the risk of another child dying. She Pleads with a fertility doctor to try an experiment of adding a second woman’s genes (Jillian’s) with hers to have a baby. This story alternates point-of-view between Claire, Jillian, and Abigail, Claire’s second child.
Keira Peikoff’s Book is fast paced as it explores the ethics of modifying reproductive science to have a perfect baby. It is a psychological thriller also as the book explores the effects of those involved. Many times while reading this book I could hear Rod Sterling in the back of mind saying “You have now entered….” Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Robin Cook you will love this book.
Claire Abrams has a genetic mutation that unfortunately killed her little boy. Claire’s husband wants her to try again but she is afraid. But she finds Robert Nash, a fertility doctor, who, with his associate Jillian Hendricks, is experimenting with genetic editing to prevent genetic mutations from being passed on. Working together they create the world’s first child that has three genetic parents. Now the drama – Jillian is out to make a name for herself but this illegal experiment blows up in her face. Robert and Claire go into hiding, while Jillian is sent to prison.
Ten years later, Jillian is back and determined to take what is hers. Nash was her man and Claire took him away. And she believes eleven-year-old Abigail should have been hers.
Fast-paced. Suspenseful. I was glued to it! The scientific portion easily understood, while the characters won my heart. I love how Peikoff superbly mixed science with human emotions.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy. All opinions are mine.
It was the cover of the book that originally caught my attention, the long red-haired plait, coupled with the title “Mother Knows Best” just made me curious. Then I read the blurb which had me even more curious! The genre is a bit different to my usual ones that I read but something about this book just held my attention.
The book begins by introducing Abby with her cool, glacier ice eyes, freckled nose and shiny red hair. The redness of Abby’s hair upsets her mother Claire, even more so since a stranger once made an offhand comment of, Are you sure she is your daughter? Since then it has obviously played on Claire’s mind. Then Claire goes on to describe their annual trip to the Natural History Museum. They go every year as a way to remember Colton, who was Claire’s son who sadly died due to a hereditary genetic condition. To be honest Claire has never really gotten over the loss of her son Colton, who would have been twenty one. They don’t go on outings to busy or crowded places normally, as Abby’s parents, Claire and Michael have a secret that they don’t want any one to discover. If found out it could mean prison for Claire and Michael, then who would care for Abby. Usually Abby isn’t overly excited for the Natural History Museum but this year she can’t seem to get there quick enough. When Abby reminds them of the school project Map DNA and that she has spoken someone online who is related to them via the site, both parents panic.
The book then goes back to the past to tell us the story of how Abby’s birth came about. Originally Claire was married to Colton’s father Ethan, after losing Colton they decide to try for another baby via IVF. Though Ethan disagrees with the genetic research and experiments that Dr Robert Nash does, he eventually gives in to Claire choosing him to help them. Though unbeknownst to Ethan a deal is struck between, Dr Robert Nash, Jillian Hendricks his scientific researcher and mum to be Claire. What the trio decide to do is unheard of, in fact some would say should never be done, no matter what the circumstance. Dr Nash creates a child using the genetics of one father, Ethan and two mothers, Claire and Gillian. Dr Nash and Jillian remove the hereditary part of the gene from which Colton died. Ethan is totally oblivious to the genetic engineering that is happening. Ethan simply thinks that eggs are being tested and the best one is being used in the IVF. Everything seems to be going well with Claire’s pregnancy until, Ethan finds Claire secretly messaging Dr Nash and jumps to the wrong conclusion thinking his wife has been having an affair with him. Which isn’t true as Dr Nash and Jillian Hendricks are in a relationship, though Jillian see’s more of a future in it than the Dr does. Claire ends up telling Ethan the whole truth about the experimental genetic experiment and being in the medical field he reports what has happened. In a panic as she flees from her home, Claire calls Dr Nash to warn him and Jillian but they are arrested. A date for the trial is set and things don’t look good for the scientific geniuses. When Claire becomes ill, once again she calls on Dr Nash and after some squabbling with Jillian he goes to Claire’s aid. Time goes on in the hideaway home that Claire and Dr Nash are in and just as he should return for his court date Claire goes into labour so he stays with her. Leaving Jillian Hendricks to take to the stand in court alone. Jillian is sent to prison, though she vows she will find Claire, Dr Nash and the baby the three of them created.
There comes a point in the book that Michael and Claire have to explain and reveal the details of the experimental genetic procedure to Abby. They had always planned on telling the unique child but perhaps when she was much older herself. Things take a drastic turn for the worse and Abby ends up reaching and receiving help from an unlikely source.
Jillian is the “evil genius” character in the book that I guess you could say causes all the trouble and strife. It is her scientific ambition and the way she urges on Dr Nash that is a decisive factor within the genetic engineering done. Then you also kind of feel sorry for her, she loves Dr Nash and though she agrees he should go help Claire, she truly trusts he will return to her and they will continue with their relationship until the trial. Jillian expects them to stand united in court, to end up being lauded as the first geniuses to come up with the techniques of ruling out hereditary conditions. Jillian is even expecting Dr Nash to come rushing into the court to rescue her at the last minute, but instead he stays hidden away with Claire and their genetically engineered baby. Jillian see’s Claire as having everything. In her mind Claire has taken both her man and their baby! I think Claire and Jillian were both desperate, and slightly flawed by life characters. In other circumstances they perhaps could even have been friends.
As a woman that has lost a child via late term miscarriage, I felt I could to an extent identify with Claire and Ethan’s desperation for another child, yet at the same time being afraid it could all happen again. The way they couldn’t bear thinking about losing another child. Would I have gone as far with all the genetic engineering behind the back of the father, I don’t think so. Though unless you are in that exact position how can you really know? I think perhaps if Claire had been honest with Ethan he may have eventually come around to the idea of the genetic engineering and interference as he looked at it.
The book is revealed with alternating sections of past that covers creating Abby, and the present with Claire and Michael worried as to who this relative is that Abby has contacted, could it be that Jillian is back for revenge? All this makes for a thrilling read and keeps you on the edge of your seat. All the careful secrecy, staying hidden away and it’s a school project that brings their secret out into the open. However just when you think it’s all over, there’s another super twist in the whole genetic engineering experiment revealed, as well as the past and present coming crashing together. This book really kept you guessing right to the end. I had a couple of times I wondered if I would read all way to the end of the book but after the first third of it, I really didn’t want to put it down. It’s also one of those books where you wonder if it’s ever really happened. Is there already an “Abby” out there some-where. The book also had me thinking about any possible side effects or problems the genetically engineered children would or could suffer in their future lives.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that I found this book to be such an interesting look at genetics and what can happen when someone is so desperate for a healthy child that ethical lines become blurred. I loved the brilliant twist in part four.
A lot of people/characters in the book eventually end up having to rethink their stance on the ethics and practices of genetic engineering. It is extremely easy to judge and make a decision when there are no parental emotions involved.
So to sum up if you like a thought provoking read, then this one should be on your “to read” list.
Needing a thriller to wet the appetite this one looked like it would. This is also the first time in reading this author. Not my typical read so I found it to pick at my curiosity.
This has characters that will have to have some backbone. Claire will take us quite the journey with some interesting events that at times seem far fetched but work perfect in this.
Abigail though I think is the center of it all with the adults going around her. They will each have their own story and path but will come together giving drama some body.
Going deep and having lots of twists and turns this story takes no prisoners with what happens and the outcome that unravels from there. At times it seems bizarre but goes with the story that you are like a hostage in the background until you reach the conclusion.
A good story that is told by different characters each chapter. At times I found it a bit hard to follow or keep who was who straight. The pace really picked up towards the end and kinda ended with a bang!
Thanks to Crooked Lane books for the early copy
Claire and her husband suffer an unimaginable loss with the death of their son. Ethan wants to have another child but with Claire’s medical history they are playing with fire. Claire finds a doctor doing experimental things to ensure a healthy child. The doctor takes most of Claire’s egg and mixes it with his assistant’s healthy egg and uses Ethan’s sperm. So in reality the baby has 2 mothers! It is all hush hush as it is against the law but once the truth comes out, Claire runs as she is 8 months pregnant. The book is told in before and after and from different points of view. I read this book in an evening as I literally could not put it down! It is the ultimate love story for a mother and her child. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
What would a mother do to protect her child? When Claire loses her son due to a condition she passed on to him, her deepest desire is to have another child, but to ensure that it is healthy, she has to cross ethical and legal lines. The lengths to which Claire must go in order to have and protect her child are one source of suspense in this book. The other is a psychotic, vengeful doctor who was an important part in making the birth possible.
This book grabbed my attention immediately, and the tension was sustained throughout the novel. There were several twists. One I suspected before it was revealed, the others I did not, but they didn’t come from the blue either. I could see how the author set up for them.
Sometimes an ending lets me down, or leaves me hanging, but that was not the case here. I was quite satisfied at the end and with this story overall. I do wish there had been less cursing. I found that distracting at times.
Thank you to BookishFirst for the early read!
This was one of those books that completely fascinated me because of the plot, but also the science behind the plot. Wonderful characters and a page-turner for sure.
This story held me hostage from the very beginning to the very end. Claire and Ethan had a son, Colton, who died of a mitochondrial defect when he was 8 years old. Claire had a mental breakdown and never seemed to get over his death. Ethan wants to have another baby using IVF and Claire seeks out an infertility specialist who is known to have worked with altering DNA on lab mice. One thing leads to another which provides for lots of twist, turns and surprises. The book is told in several POVs and in a then and now fashion. I was really surprised that I fell in love with this story so early on and then did not want to put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review.