• The Mother's Mistake: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller

  • By: Ruth Heald
  • Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
  • Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (289 ratings)

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The Mother's Mistake: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller  By  cover art

The Mother's Mistake: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller

By: Ruth Heald
Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
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Publisher's summary

Everyone makes mistakes. But does everyone deserve to be forgiven?

She runs past the tinkling of children’s laughter that fills the park. Heart hammering, feet stinging, she reaches the riverbank, her breath catching in her throat. And then she sees...

Three years later.

Claire has everything she’s always wanted. A newborn baby. A doting husband by her side. A picturesque home in the countryside.

But behind closed doors, Claire’s life is falling apart. Her husband is barely ever home, she’s struggling to bond with her baby girl, and she swears that she is being watched in the remote, lonely cottage.

And when a threatening note is posted through her letterbox, saying she doesn’t deserve her daughter, it’s clear that someone knows about the terrible mistake that Claire made - someone won’t let her forget it. Three years ago, she would have known who to turn to. But now she no longer recognizes those closest to her or the person she’s become. Whom can she trust?

A chilling psychological thriller about a mother’s worst nightmare. Fans of K. L. Slater, Shalini Boland, and The Girl on the Train will love the twists, turns and gasp-worthy shocks of this stunning debut from Ruth Heald.

©2019 Ruth Heald (P)2019 Bookouture

What listeners say about The Mother's Mistake: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller

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Listener received this title free

Solid.

The Mother's Mistake by Ruth Heald

From the beginning, it is clear Claire was running from something.

I think Claire only ever wanted an idyllic life in the country with her husband Matt and baby daughter, Olivia. What she did get is a flawed husband, a cottage in the country filled with her husband's deceased grandmother’s belongings while suffering an undiagnosed bout of postnatal depression. Oh, I almost forgot the forever intrusive mother-in-law.

Odd things start happening at home where Claire spend plenty of time on her own with a screaming baby Oliva (who feeds and screams more than any baby I have ever met) while her husband works at setting up his veterinary practice.

Even making friends with a single mom, Emma does not help Claire feel less isolated. She continues to feel a distance from her baby and her husband is spending more and more time at work.

As a subplot, running parallel there is mention of an abused woman. This thankfully pulls together in the end.

I must admit I was second-guessing everyone from the first chapter! Sometimes the book moves a bit slow, but the ending is worth it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping… Amazing… Must readi

I so recommend this book it is absolutely stunning and I was unable to put it down… They must must read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good book

I enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing . I will buy more from this writer and this narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • J.
  • 07-11-19

Haven't Been So Shocked By A Book in Awhile

This was incredible--worth it to the end!! I didn't believe the person who said that in the review. But they're right; amazingly done... she pulled every last detail together.

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9 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Chapters and chapters of whining!

While I did eventually like this novel, Ms. Heald took much too long to "cut to the chase." Readers/listeners were raving about this book, but I was frustrated waiting for something to happen. If I heard that "Olivia was screaming" once more I was going to start shrieking myself!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Wonderful book! It kept me on the edge of my seat. However, again I advise there is domestic abuse in this story. Sensitive listeners beware.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Exciting but too long

To dragged out, but good story over all. Interesting fries on motherhood. Good author you can count on.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

it was a good read

not crazy about weak women characters... but it was still a good read. I liked it okay... there were some really good parts.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Lots of twists and turns. Keeps you guessing until the end. You can’t go wrong with this one.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Tedious!

It was a bit tedious but I wanted to see the connections. First time I have noticed a background noise throughout the audio. Reminded me of whirling tape!

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