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The Mother-in-Law
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
A twisty, compelling new novel about one woman's complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in death... From the moment Lucy met her husband's mother, Diana, she was kept at arm's length. Diana was exquisitely polite, and properly friendly, but Lucy knew that she was not what Diana envisioned. But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country. Diana was happily married to Tom, and lived in wedded bliss for decades. Lucy wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law. That was five years ago. Now, Diana has been found dead, a suicide note near her body. Diana claims that she no longer wanted to live because of a battle with cancer. But the autopsy finds no cancer. The autopsy does find traces of poison and suffocation. Who could possibly want Diana dead? Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her adult children and their spouses? With Lucy's secrets getting deeper and her relationship with her mother-in-law growing more complex as the pages turn, this new novel from Sally Hepworth is sure to add to her growing legion of fans. Praise for Sally Hepworth: With jaw-dropping discoveries, and realistic consequences, this novel is not to be missed. Perfect for lovers of Big Little Lies. Library Journal, starred review "Hepworth deftly keeps the reader turning pages and looking for clues, all the while building multilayered characters and carefully doling out bits of their motivations." Booklist
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HeatherBookNerd
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

A family drama/mystery that is focused on the family relationships. It is told from various points of view as the book jumps from the past to the present, filling in crucial moments in those relationships. First book I‘ve read by this author and I will try another sometime.

LiteraryinPA I discovered her a few years ago and have now read maybe 5 of her books? I‘ve liked them all! 6mo
HeatherBookNerd @LiteraryinLawrence Look forward to reading some more 6mo
34 likes2 comments
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jdiehr
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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T-minus one week until we leave for our son's wedding!🤵👰‍♂️🥂

I'm going to be someone's mother-in-law 😄

#WhatsNewWednesday @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

TieDyeDude Be nice! 😅 7mo
dabbe Congrats to your son, almost mother-in-law-to-be! 🤩🤩🤩 7mo
BookmarkTavern Congrats to your whole family! 💖💖💖 7mo
See All 6 Comments
julieclair How exciting! My son got married a year ago. I love being a mother-in-law, and I hope you do, too! 7mo
Read4life Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 7mo
BiblioLitten Congratulations!! 🥳😊 7mo
19 likes6 comments
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Melkyl
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

I listened to this one on audio, and I enjoyed it. The story was engaging. I had a good time trying to figure out what really happened. It had a lot of twists and turns. The ending was satisfying, which I always appreciate in a mystery. I think the deceased, Diana, would have been an interesting person to know.

21 likes1 stack add
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Margot0817
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

4 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Several story lines perfectly woven together!
Topics: Murder Mystery, Infertility, desire for parental approval, loss of parent, Australia, ALS

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papascott33
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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#7 of 2024!
Started: 3/15/24 (St. Lucia 🇱🇨)
Finished: 3/28/24
14 Days

janeycanuck What a view! 9mo
7 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CBee
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

This wasn‘t as good as The Good Sister, but I kept turning the pages for more. Wouldn‘t call it a thriller by any means - a bit of a mystery but also heavy on the dysfunctional family fun (which I love). A low pick!

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ShyBookOwl
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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🤗🎉

LiteraryinPA Enjoy! I love this author and I feel like not that many people know about her for some reason. 1y
JamieArc I really like this author too. I feel like her books are just a little different than the normal domestic thriller/mystery. 1y
Jemgirl2014 Love her! Hopefully she‘ll get a lot more recognition after being an April 2023 BOTM pick! 😊 1y
See All 6 Comments
ShyBookOwl @LiteraryinLawrence @JamieArc I have no recollection of how I discovered her, but I'm so glad I did! 1y
ShyBookOwl @Jemgirl2014 Oh nice! That should help 1y
Jemgirl2014 @ShyBookOwl Here‘s hoping! 😀 1y
48 likes6 comments
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JessieKB
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Mehso-so

This one started off great. Realistic picture of hardship, family dynamics (some good laughs), overcoming, and clash of perspective brought about by life experience. I loved that the chapters alternated between characters so you could really grasp each POV. The let down came at the end. There was so much build up and enjoyment and then it just fell flat and that was it!

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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I never got around to posting my goals for #jubilantjuly yesterday.

Weeks 2 & 3 for The Messy Lives... #sundaybuddyread
Ch 42-end for Mother-In-Law #foodandlit #Australia

Read Lumberjanes Vol 9 #seriesread
Read Hungary overview #foodandlit
Listen to Abigail #foodandlit #Hungary

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Hope your Readathon is going well 😁 1y
45 likes1 comment
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SailorJohn
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
Pickpick

It just as easy could have been named The Daughter-in-Law, since both receive equal billing. Sally is a wonderful writer and she shows her skills in this book. You suspect from early in the book that there will be a reveal at the end and Sally does not disappoint. You will have to read to find out

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Night_Reader
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

4/5 🌟

Totally binge listening to Sally Hepworth's books!

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Kris10H
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️
Another mother-in-law story (the second one I've read in a matter of months). This one is a who-dunnit told from the perspective of the victim and her daughter-in-law, and as the story unfolds, you see that things are not what you might think in the beginning.

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LapReader
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Home tonight after a week visiting family. I bought my first ceramic piece from an art gallery, spent lots of time with my gorgeous nieces & nephews, had lots of lunches out, drank too much wine & ate too much choc but could‘ve had more baths than I did. Ha! Over 1/2 way through this book & not sure how it‘s going to end but I like it so far. Made the 5.5 hr bus ride go faster as did watching my racehorse nearly win his 3rd race in a row online!

34 likes1 stack add
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FelinesAndFelonies
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

I really enjoy Sally Hepworth novels. Even though they're marketed as thrillers, I find them to be more suspenseful contemporary fiction. Hepworth always delves into complicated relationships & has a way of making the characters relatable without losing momentum. This book focuses on the relationship between Lucy & her MIL Diana. It shows the way intentions can be misconstrued & break a family. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ @TheAromaofBooks this is my #bookspin square 19.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I have this one stacked... I'll get to it one of these days!! 3y
68 likes1 stack add1 comment
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atl_scfl
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
Pickpick

This story is told from 2 POVs and alternating between past and present. Loads of family drama and even more secrets. Last few pages were a little off and seemed a little rushed but an overall good read.

Bec_lectic Is it worth adding to my stack? 3y
atl_scfl @Bec_lectic yes! Nothing too crazy or shocking but I thought it was a pretty good book. 3y
Bec_lectic Ok I‘ll add! I just finished Verity by Colleen Hoover..if you haven‘t read that one yet I recommend! 3y
atl_scfl @Bec_lectic I am obsessed with Colleen Hoover's books! Most of them are punch in the gut, make you ugly cry stories, but Verity was so different! Loved the mystery aspect. 3y
9 likes1 stack add4 comments
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michellelav
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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What a book! 😍 I loved getting to know each character and their development. I also really enjoy books that are written in multiple characters points of view. Getting to see all sides really made it easy to feel compassion for them all. The whole time I was listening to this book I was picturing Diana (the mother in law) like Madeleine Stowe in Revenge. ❤

I can see why this was on @thegreensofa #newyearwhodis list! 📚😍😁 @monalysha

LapReader I loved the mother in law character on audio too. Good pick @thegreensofa 3y
monalyisha Woohoo! 🙌🏻🎉 3y
thegreensofa I‘m so happy you enjoyed it. There was so much going on, I loved it heaps too. I just finished your Anxious People pick and I loved that too. I wish I could read your list all at once I‘m so excited for the next book. I am waiting to see what comes back from the library! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
thegreensofa @LapReader thank you 😊 📚 3y
michellelav @thegreensofa It was so good! I can't wait to see what you think of the rest 😊📖 3y
58 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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carlthecattt
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Assisted suicide- should this be a legal way to go about ending your life?
This is just one of the many things brought up in “The Mother-In-Law” and personally I believe it should be.
This book had plenty of twists and turns, but by the end I was able to guess the truth of it all.
It was easy to fall in love with Tom and Lucy, and while you wanted to dislike Diana, you couldn‘t help but love her too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

27 likes1 stack add
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MindyK59
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

This book was our Book Club pick. It was a good story with lots of family drama. Every character had some issue. The story was told in alternating chapters by the daughter-in-law who so wanted to be accepted by her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law who just didn‘t think she was good enough for her son. In the end it seemed like they both came to understand and even love one another. But unfortunately it was too late.

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alecia3dixie
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Mehso-so

I wouldn't have marketed this book as a Thriller. I didn't find anything about this book thrilling. I thought it would have been better marked as a contemporary fiction. It pays homage to mother in laws and daughters in laws. I've been blessed with having an amazing mother in law, but I did like the story of the relationship between the two and their differences. 3/5 stars

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Eggs
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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This book gets some good reviews on Litsy. May have to stack it. Personally I dearly loved my MIL and miss her so much. She lived to 92 years of age ❤️
#inlaws #conflictedworlds @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

KathyWheeler I loved mine too. She died far too young and I miss her. I can‘t make up my mind about this book, so I‘ll be interested in your review. (edited) 3y
Eggs Good to hear I‘m not the only one blessed like this! @KathyWheeler 3y
KathyWheeler @Eggs I‘m so grateful that I‘m unable to relate to awful MIL stories. 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
magyklyXdelish I love my MIL. She‘s truly a second mother and has always accepted me as her own♥️ 3y
Eggs @magyklyXdelish how lovely for you❣️❣️ 3y
72 likes1 stack add7 comments
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AvidReader25
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

When Lucy meets her mother-in-law, Diana, she‘s expecting an instant connection. Instead, she finds a cold woman completely uninterested in doting on her. I love that Diana is not painted as a one-dimensional villain. Women are so much more complicated than that. We‘re able to understand her actions by seeing her past and her POV. So many misunderstandings happen, but that‘s life. The book left me wanting to read more from this author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EvieBee Right? I really enjoyed this one. I am always recommending it as a clean family drama. 3y
JamieArc I loved this one for those reasons as well. 3y
AvidReader25 @EvieBee @JamieArc Yes! I care very little about the “murder mystery” part because I cared about the character development. 3y
35 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LeslieO
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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I can‘t believe it‘s almost July. #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks I'm so not ready for 2021 to be half over! 😳 3y
26 likes1 comment
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EadieB
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

#TheMotherInLaw #SallyHepworth #BookSpinBingo

This book is a family drama about family relationships. When Diana is found dead, the death is pronounced a suicide but the autopsy proves it was murder. Lucy has not always gotten along with her mother-in-law so the story is told with Diana and Lucy‘s POV switching from the past to the present throughout the book. The family has deep secrets and they need to find out who benefits from Diana‘s death.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! This one has been on TBR for a while!! 3y
EadieB @TheAromaofBooks It's definitely a good read! 3y
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LeslieO
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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1. Into the Drowning Deep; Scales of Gold; Reading People
2. Tagged book
3. Mrs Weasley (from Harry Potter)
#WeekendReads
@rachelsbrittain

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Miss_Gilmore
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

This was an interesting read... kept me interested the whole time. Definitely had some moments that I am still pondering 🤔

33 likes2 stack adds
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Did you know that when you‘re behind on book club books (for work), you can listen at 1.5x and get it done in a day? I recommend headphones for waiting in the UPS Store line. I expected more of a thriller, but instead it‘s more of a curious family drama that kept me guessing. I enjoyed it and think there will be good discussion. #bookspinbingo #nobingoyet #wintergames2020 #teamreadnosedreindeer +16pts

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! This one is on my TBR as well. 4y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mogoeg
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

This was not what I was expecting- it is a thriller but one that is squarely in the domestic drama category. Told from the points of view of the titular MIL and her DIL, it eschews easy labels of heroes& villains. By the conclusion I had compassion for both the MC & I thought the ending was well done - happy but realistic-there was no easy reset.

I‘m probably making it sound better than it is! A quick read & the engaging POVs made up for a lot!

70 likes2 stack adds
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SerenaCrawford
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
Pickpick

2020 read great book 📚🤩

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Cinfhen
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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This audio called out to me, 30 seconds after I posted my #WeeklyForecast (where this book was NOT mentioned)

BookNAround That‘s the story of my life. 😂 4y
Bookzombie I think we all support veering off the TBR road. 😂 4y
MicheleinPhilly Inspired by today‘s outing, perhaps? 😂 4y
See All 9 Comments
Cinfhen Most definitely @MicheleinPhilly 😜 4y
Cinfhen And now this morning....I‘m not feeling the audio @BookNAround @Bookzombie 4y
BookNAround 😂😂😂 (Btw, I commented on your post and promptly picked up something not on my forecast list too.) 4y
Cinfhen Obviously @BookNAround 😜 4y
Reviewsbylola The life of a bibliophile! 4y
Cinfhen These days I‘m more of a casual reader @Reviewsbylola im just really unfocused and easily distracted 4y
81 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Valhalla
Mother-In-Law | Sally Hepworth
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My mystery of the month

13 likes1 stack add
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MissLiteraryAli
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth

There‘s really only two pieces of wisdom worth leaving behind. I worked hard for everything I ever cared about. And nothing I ever cared about cost a single cent.

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Katies_always_booked
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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#bookreport #katies_always_booked
🎧 Next Year In Havana
🎧 The Mother-In-Law
📖 Before She Was Helen
📖 Superfudge (read aloud with the kids)

#currentlyreading
📖 Less
🎧 Then She Was Gone

#weeklyforcast
🎧 Bear Town

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MissLiteraryAli
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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I wish I‘d brought a book along. Then I could have held it up, and they‘d have left me alone.

4 likes1 stack add
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LauraRenae
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Well that didn‘t go as expected.

The character development was much different than I predicted going in but that also allowed this one to expand a bit beyond a run-of-the-mill thriller.

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Well-ReadNeck
Mother-In-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

This was SOOOO MUCH FUN! loved the narration and all of the twists and turns. Not your typical mystery and I ❤️how original this is!!!!! #audiobook

TaciturnWhenReading I also did the audio version of this one and loved it! 4y
91 likes10 stack adds1 comment
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bluestocking.book.nerd
Mother-In-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

I'm not sure I like the blurb for #TheMotherInLaw - it feels like it's trying to sensationalize an extremely moving story about the power of bitterness and the effects it has on families. I am a Diana, not a Lucy, and I felt #seen by her struggles as a #singlemother. I also understand how difficult it can be to love someone who is endlessly practical, doling out the right kinds of #toughlove. #booknerdreads

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Kappadeemom
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Her mother-in-law kept her at an arm‘s length. She is cold to Lucy, when Lucy only wants a mother. Her own mother died when she was very young. But then the MIL ends up dead and everything Lucy thought about her turns out to be wrong.

JamieArc This book ended up being very different than I expected but I really liked it. 4y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kappadeemom
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Lunchtime reading with my Kindle and a #rumrunner 🥰🌴

Nute Nice! 4y
JennyM 👌 4y
KarouBlue Wow! Beautiful! 4y
40 likes1 stack add3 comments
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ClairesReads
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

A diverting domestic drama/whodunnit which occupied my early lockdown mind for a couple of days. It‘s well paced and uses multiple narrators, and interwoven past/present framing to work the slow reveal relatively effectively. I picked the ending a bit in advance, but I won‘t hold that against Hepworth. If you fancy a Liane Moriarty style romp, this ought to do the trick.

Eva_B I really enjoyed this book. Seeing your post has reminded me to find some more books by this author. 4y
ClairesReads @Eva2 I‘m glad- this was just what I needed right now 4y
Eva_B @ClairesReads I‘ve just reserved ‘The Secrets of Midwives‘ through my public library. It sounds good. 4y
Centique Are you in Auckland Claire? So am I! It‘s been a strange old time being thrust into lockdown so quickly. Hopefully it will all be traced and controlled soon 🤞🤞 Best wishes to you and your family 😘 4y
ClairesReads @Centique I am! It‘s a very strange time isn‘t it. I hope it‘s under control soon too. Hope you and your family are staying well xx 4y
35 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Kathfidler
Mother-In-Law | Sally Hepworth
Mehso-so

I got through this book real quickly, I thought the writing itself was excellent. I liked how it was writing from all the characters. I felt slightly disappointed by the ending but did enjoy the book overall.

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Hestapleton
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

It‘s been awhile since I‘ve sat down and read a thriller in a day! The tension is stable, slowly building towards the reveal, instead of twisting all over the place. I appreciated that this was more than a thriller: it‘s a book about families and how we love them. Thoughtful and suspenseful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley

LiteraryinPA I agree! It was a thriller but also a story about family. I‘ve liked others by her as well. 4y
76 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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SolitaryBookLover
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
Pickpick

The two main characters in this story, Lucy and Diana, tell their sides of past events in alternating chapters while Lucy also covers the current state of affairs. The beauty of this is we get both sides and how each of them felt, what they were thinking which gives a depth to the relationship between them. It made me think about how we never really know each other, what is going on for them or how they are feeling. Awesome, intriguing read.

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StaceyKondla
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

It‘s a family drama, it‘s a mystery, and it‘s a lesson that communication and honesty is so important, with underlying themes of women‘s health and class privilege to make it a compelling and well rounded novel. Great narration! Highly recommended
Also loved the Australian setting and accent of the narrator.
Highly recommended.

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j9brown
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

A slow burn family drama mystery. It was a really good quick read. I read the last quarter of it morning, with a big mug of coffee and the windows wide open. Perfect way to start the weekend! 😊

KatieDid927 Yay! Glad you liked it too. 5y
Texreader Your African violet is beautiful. My cat ate most of mine so I‘m trying to revive it. 5y
j9brown @Texreader Thanks!! It's my favorite, I can't stop touching those fuzzy leaves 😝 I hope yours makes a speedy recovery! 5y
40 likes3 comments
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SiriuslyWeasley
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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Penguin has his favourite blanky. I have a new book. What more could one need for a perfect Friday evening?! 🥰🐧📚

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 5y
wanderinglynn I love gingers! 🧡🐱 And I like his blanket. 5y
Jeannineth I loved the mother-in-law. 5y
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Nute
The Mother-in-Law | Sally Hepworth
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I am having a good time on my Kindle. This is almost as much fun as an in-store book browse. I have downloaded 17 book samples, and snuck an Amazon Gift Card into the grocery cart so I could purchase some of them.🙄
This tagged book was one that I could not bypass. I was captured from the first page. It‘s known as a “domestic thriller.” I‘ve never heard of that descriptive phrasing for books or genre.👇🏽

Nute We‘ll see if I can figure out what that means precisely after I read it.😆 5y
TaciturnWhenReading I listened to the audio version of this. I really liked it. 5y
Nute @taciturnbookworm It really grabbed my attention from the jump start! 5y
90 likes1 stack add3 comments