The Mother at Number 5
Jill Childs
341 pages
Bookouture
published June 21, 2023
About the book
I told her my darkest secret. Then she moved next door…
Once you find our perfect little town nestled between the gorgeous hills, you never want to leave. My husband and I both grew up here and we knew there was nowhere better to raise our two sweet girls… But when the moving van pulls up, and a mother and daughter jump out, my blood runs cold.
I met the mother once on our summer holiday and I let slip a terrible secret, something no one here must ever know… Fear rushes through me as I remember that night, but I’m sure I never told her where we live. As if she can read my mind she leans in close and says, ‘Don’t worry, you’d had a few drinks. Your secret’s safe with me.’ But I don’t trust her – why has she moved to my street?
I try to warn my kind, loving husband to stay away, but he laughs me off and invites her into our lives. When she lets my precious daughter get hurt, she’s gone too far. I know she’s here to destroy my perfect life.
But the mother at number 5 has made a mistake. She has underestimated me ever since the night we met. And she has no idea what I’ll do to protect those I love and keep my secret safe…
A completely unputdownable psychological thriller from the USA Today bestseller about family secrets, guilt and lies. If you love The Girl on the Train, The Housemaid or Lisa Jewell, you will gasp out loud at the shocking twists!
My Review
This book started out so slow and almost like a women’s fiction book and by the end I couldn’t believe the number of twists and turns this packed in. And while I didn’t really see the twists coming (one I almost kinda sorta worked out), but the bread crumb trails were there. While I might have said this had a little too much wow (yeah I know I am surprised I’m saying this), but since the twists weren’t coming out of left field, but with obvious hints and I missed them, I’ll retract that statement.
I am not sure I liked any of the characters, but I also think maybe this was the author’s intention. In the beginning, I could see the start of the framework of something, but once I realized what was going on, I needed to know which one of my guesses were right. Of course with my track record lately, maybe none of them. Secrets and trust are what all domestic thrillers seem to come down to and this one expertly used both. And make sure when you get close to the end, you can keep reading/listening as it went down to the wire to resolve one big issue.
I was able to both read and listen to this one and I enjoyed Charlie Norfolk’s narration. kept me wanting to find more time to listen. She used the author’s words and brought the story to life without overshadowing the plot.
It’s summer and definitely time for the twisty thrillers, so if you love those, I’d go into this one blind and throw your hands up and take the ride.
Author Bio:
Jill has always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent 30 years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she’s found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours.
If you’ve enjoyed reading one of Jill’s books, please do leave a review. For latest news, follow Jill on Twitter (author_jill) and Facebook (Jill Childs)
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