Book Review for The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer

 

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer

Format

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Publication

February 27, 2023 by Bookouture

 

 

Taken from Goodreads:  I glance over at Lou’s house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou’s car is nowhere to be seen…

The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.

As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou’s car, with my children’s schoolbags still inside along with Lou’s phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my husband’s hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I’ve not been honest. I’m being punished for what happened all those years ago.

And then I get Lou’s message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love.

What I don’t yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again.

 

My Thoughts:  What a thriller!!  Leah Mercer had me hooked from the first chapter.  I start a book with the hopes off figuring out the twist before the author reveals it.  I had ideas with this one, I had HUGE hopes that I had it figured out…I did not have it figured out. I am not upset about that because oh what a twist.

 

The characters in this book are all relatable.   They are moms, they have mom lives, and mom dramas.  I could relate to each of them and could have been living their lives.   The fact that there was more to each character than I first glance just added to the mystery of where Lou and their children were. 

 

The Mother Next Door is a phenomenal thriller.   I could not put it down. 

 

FIVE WONDERFUL STARS

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

 

Meet Leah Mercer (Taken from her website):  Leah can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

 

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

 

Whe she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plotlines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland.