‘Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn’t see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘Are you my mummy?’Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children. Not anymore.She doesn’t know who the little boy is or how he got there. After contacting … anymore.
She doesn’t know who the little boy is or how he got there.
After contacting the police, Tessa is suspected of taking the mystery child. Her whole life is turned upside down. And then her husband reveals a secret of his own…
Tessa isn’t sure what to believe or who to trust. Because someone is lying. To find out who, she must confront her painful past. But is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realises?
An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with a twist that will make you wonder if you can ever trust anyone again. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book will have you hooked.
What readers are saying about The Secret Mother:
‘Wow, wow, wow! What a fantastic book! The book starts with a bang… from page one and believe me, it doesn’t let up throughout the book and keeps you gripped until the very end!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Oh yes, yes, yes, yes this was my kind of read, I really have taken this and added it to my top 10 this year, it’s a screaming from the rooftops fantastic read, if you love a good thriller… if you love to stay up all night reading because you simply can’t switch your mind off from a book, this is it, you found it, don’t look any further… so fast paced it leaves your breathless. One of the best psychological thrillers that I have read that has shocked me, left me dribbling for me and wanting more from this author.’ Read Along With Sue, 5 stars
‘Wow, wow and wow! What a read! Gripping from start to end and a very clever plot that keeps you guessing all the way. I loved this book … didn’t want it to finish.’ Nicki’s Book Blog, 5 stars
‘Utterly gripping to the last page and full of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. A fantastic thriller!’ Sarah A. Denzil, author of #1 bestseller Silent Child
‘Another five-star winner from this author… Kept me gripped from the very first page… An absolute must read… Wish I could have given it more than just 5 stars!’ Bookseller Review, 5 stars
‘I was on the edge of my seat… This has to be one of the most suspenseful books I have ever read! I felt the hairs on the back of my neck go up and my heart raced a mile a minute.’ Touch My Spine, 5 stars
‘An absolutely brilliant story, I was so hooked, loved every minute of it, I couldn’t put my kindle down as I needed to know the ending, and what a brilliant ending it was!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Wow! What a thrilling ride! Enough twists to keep me guessing until the very end, this one took the idea of a curve-ball and brought it to a whole new level. The end was incredible. I’ve read some fantastic psychological thrillers lately, but The Secret Mother blew them all out of the water. Really, honestly, pick up this one.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘When a book captures you from the very first page and doesn’t let go to the very last, you read it in one sitting as you can’t put it down and then feel very satisfied when you have finished it then you know it is a special book. This is one of those books! … I totally recommend. 5 big shiny stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Absolutely loved this amazing book! … One of the best psychological thrillers I have read!’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars
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The opening scene of this book has an incredible hook, it’s a real ‘what the heck?’ moment. It’s skillfully written, and from that moment on I sped through this book, needing to know what on earth was going on.
The main character, Tessa, is really likeable, despite even her wondering if she’s mad, bad, or a little bit of both, as the story unfolds. Her back story, as a grieving mother trying to cope with the loss of her children and her marriage falling apart, is dealt with sympathetically, her pain palpable. But has it pushed her over the edge to do something silly? Something she can’t even remember doing? This tale is truly intriguing, and I raced through it.
Shalini Boland sets an eerie scene. Tess comes home from the cemetery to find a little boy alone in her kitchen. He asks if she is his mummy. And from there, we are taken on a wild ride of discovery–is Tess imagining things? Has she kidnapped the boy? Or is something more sinister afoot? Find out for yourself. A highly recommended read.
This book hooked me right from the very first page. The plot was so riveting that it took me less than a day to read. The book opens with the main character Tessa, coming home and finding a small child in her kitchen. After that, there is just no way I could put the book down! The author does such an awesome of job of making the characters believable that I felt like I personally knew each one by the end of the book. The story was suspenseful, the tension growing with each chapter with an ending that was just electrifying. Shalini Boland has done it again!
The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland is a twisty domestic thriller than will turn you around & maybe upside down trying to figure out where the truth lies. An absolute must read for all thriller/suspense fans.
Great story with a twist, Incredible book and author
Wow! The concept of the story was enough to draw me in, but the eloquent narrative kept me gripped until the end.
All i can say is WOW.
I love this! It was a quick, easy read. It kept my attention throughly to see what would happen with Tessa and Harry. I enjoyed the characters very much, with the exception of Scott and his new “floozy.” This is the second of Boland’s books I’ve read and it is another 5 star read for me!
This is a great mystery — a standout from so many old plots retold, time and again. Several chacters are endearing, others aren’t, and while the subject matter could easily become maudlin, it doesn’t! The story shifts with action, believable actions and never becomes an excuse to wallow in misery, while certainly, the emotion and loss are there, poignantly rendered by the author.
I’ll keep The Secret Mother in my library and won’t be tossing it into the heap buried in a cloud somewhere!
Thoroughly enjoyed
Couldn’t put this book down
Totally a Thriller!! I could not put it down!!
Wow! This story had me from the very start! Tess finds a strange child in her kitchen. Who else would she call besides her estranged husband Scott, that has moved on and thinks Tess has lost her mind? Wouldn’t be my first choice but who am I to judge? It doesn’t take long for me to also doubt Tess a. She even doubts herself. Is she a child abductor?
Broken hearts, broken promises, death, fear, danger, and all the doubts that build up in one’s mind haunts not only Tess but it seems everyone connected to her.
A well spun story and kept me turning the pages.
Couldn’t put it down. Read in one day!
I really enjoyed this book and all the twists and turns.
Enjoyed with an interesting twist
Read it in one sitting. It grabbed my interest right from the beginning with various plot twists. Good but easy read. Good thriller.
Best book for ever
I really enjoyed this book.
Excellent story.held my interest throughout and read it in two sittings.