The Secret Mother: A gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked

Shalini Boland

Nov 2017 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘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 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

Ratings and reviews

Tessa Markham heads for home after a day of work and stopping by the cemetery to spend some time with her twin babies as she does every week. Much to her surprise, there is someone in her house .. and she lives alone. Astonishingly she finds a young boy sitting at her table, drawing pictures. Looking up, he says " Are you my mummy?". And so begins Tessa's descent into a nightmare. She's being accused of kidnapping this boy. Even though she vehemently denies it, the police know she's done it before, but there were no charges brought. Her estranged husband is living with his pregnant girlfriend ... they think she's still grieving the death of her children and won't believe her denies of taking this child. Her 'friends' won't believe her. The police won't believe her. The media is camped on her front door. Tessa isn't sure who she can trust but she knows instinctively that something just isn't right. And who is the woman who seems to be following Tessa? Somebody is lying ... and finding the truth may be more dangerous than she knows. This is a well-written psychological thriller featuring credible characters. The story line is good, even though a little predictable. It's mysterious, but not suspenseful. It's a fairly fast read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this type of book. Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Great book.It really had me guessing until the end.You wanted Tessa to be innocent but there was just that little bit of doubt.She didn,t make some of the greatest decisions. In the end though it just sheer determination the find the answers of who has interfered with her life.

This book is brillant! Kept me gripped , i couldn't put it down. I finished it within less then a week and that really is a record for me. I tend to drag out books even if i like them but this one was different, well worth the read eventhough i guessed the twist at the end well before it happened.