The New Mother: A Novel by Nora Murphy

The New Mother: A Novel by Nora Murphy

Title: The New Mother: A Novel

Author: Nora Murphy
Publisher:  Minotaur Book
Genre:  General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle
No. of Pages:  295
Date of US Publication:  30 May, 2023
My Rating:  4 Stars

My Thoughts 

I’ll admit that after reading the synopsis, I wasn’t completely sure, but after really enjoying Ms. Murphy’s first novel, The Favor, when I was invited to read this, I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it. 

Well, wow, this one pulled me in immediately and I read it until I got a slight headache, which is the only reason I didn’t finish this in one day. 

Nat and Tyler are brand new parents to Oliver. Giving birth = having your life and hormones fluctuate like crazy - you’re elated, you’re miserable, you don’t feel like you, you’re amazed at what your body is capable of, while also wondering when you be scared to go the bathroom, and   if your nipples are ever going to stop hurting, and don’t get me started on the horror of getting one or more babies into their car seats to go on solo errands. Going out alone becomes a golden mecca, a paradise. That’s kind of where Natalie is at. It’s a rough season to get through. 

This took that completely off the rails, in an incredibly stressful and fun way. 

Although I found aspects of the plot implausible, I kept at this and read it over two days - it’s a definite page turner and one I enjoyed. I look forward to reading whatever’s next from the author. 

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Description

From Nora Murphy, author of The Favor, The New Mother is both relatable and nerve-wracking, sympathetic and bone-chilling— a fresh new twist on motherhood and murder in suburbia.

Isolated. Lonely. Tired. It's hard being The New Mother. Sometimes it's murder.

Nothing is simple about being a new mom alone in a new house, especially when your baby is collicky. Natalie Fanning loves her son unconditionally, but being a mother was not all she wanted to be.

Enter Paul, the neighbor.

Paul provides the lifeline she needs in what feels like the most desperate of times. When Paul is helping with Oliver, calmed by his reassuring, steady presence, Nat feels like she can finally rest.

But Paul wants something in return. It’s no coincidence that he has befriended Nat—she is the perfect pawn for his own plan. Will Nat wake up in time to see it?