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 colicky. Natalie Fanning loves her son unconditionally, but being a mother is not all she wants 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 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?
⭐⭐⭐💫
What’s it about (in a nutshell):
The New Mother by Nora Murphy is an eye-opening domestic thriller that explores postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and the inherent vulnerability of new mothers.
Bullet Point Review:
- I loved the 2nd half of the story, which is the thriller I hoped the book would be. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, creepy, and truly wicked.
- In alternating chapters, the story is narrated in first person through the new mom Natalie Fanning and her neighbor, stay-at-home dad, Paul.
- The narration starts as a focused stream of consciousness in the story’s first half, which was quite difficult for me to read. I felt mired down by the minutia of their thoughts and just wanted the story to begin.
- I thought the portrayal of postpartum depression was spot on and done respectfully and empathetically. I particularly loved how this part of the plot is resolved at the end.
- I wish that the book’s first half had been reduced by about half and that the second half – the actual thriller story – was given extra room for better development. It ended a bit abruptly but had the potential to be such a great thrill ride.
- I also loved how a new mother is portrayed in the story. It’s hard being a parent for the first time. Whether to stay at home and give up your career or entrust the care of your child to someone else is never an easy decision, and that reality is reflected excellently.
- The story shows different types of families and different decisions as to which parent can be the stay-at-home care provider – if any are. This was a great touch because it reflected a modern family’s range of possibilities.
- None of the characters are particularly likable though Natalie’s character is highly relatable if you have had a baby or are close to someone who did. Nat’s character felt very authentic in what she experienced after the birth of her first child.
- The pace is plodding for the book’s first half and very fast for the second half.
- The story is set outside of Baltimore, Maryland, but the setting serves no particular purpose. It could have been set anywhere.
- Moods
- Emotional
- Tense
- Dark
- Mysterious
- Read, if you like
- Domestic Thrillers
- A relatable story about being a new mother
- The mental health issues of postpartum depression and psychosis
21 responses to “The New Mother by Nora Murphy #BookReview #DomesticThriller #Thriller”
Too bad the first half of the story is slow and hard to get through. I do like that post partum psychosis and depression is handled well. It is a mental health issue that doesn’t get enough exposure. Great review, Tessa.
I agree. I’m so glad it was handled the way it was 💕
Love the sound of this one, but not too sure about the stream of consciousness in the first half. Glad it picked up in the second half half though. Fab review!
The second half just races by. I never do well when stuck in people’s heads like I was in the first half. But I’m glad I stuck it out.
Looks like the representation of postpartum depression was amazing. I also wouldn’t like lengthy monologues and slow pace of first half. Excellent review! I like this bullet point better than in pictures.
I had to change which book review I posted last minute because of confusion with a blog tour, so I’m glad you liked the bullet point this way! I imagine it would be easier to read maybe.
Yes and for you to write than making graphics.
Hmm. That opening gives me pause. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tessa.
Yeah, it was pretty tough for me. I’ve never liked stream of consciousness even by the most skilled author (and yes I’m side-eyeing Virginia Wolf’s Mrs. Dalloway as I type this). The second half is an excellent thriller though. Once I got to that point, the pages didn’t turn fast enough.
I join your side-eye. I’m not a SOC fan, either.
It’s too bad that the whole story didn’t flow together as nicely, but I’m glad you enjoyed the thriller aspect. Great review!
The thriller plot in the second half is excellent. I imagine the first half was done to show what postpartum depression is like but I never do well when stuck in someone’s head.
Excellent review, Tessa💜 Though I added it earlier, I may rethink this.
With a skilled narrator, the first half might be interesting. The second half is a very good thriller though!
As someone who dealt with postpartum depression, I’m glad to hear it was handled well. Too bad the first half wasn’t as compelling as the second. Great review, Tessa!
I think the first half was like it was to help the reader understand what postpartum depression is like. And even though I definitely empathized and could relate, I just don’t do well in someone else’s head. The second half was excellent though.
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This sounds okay but knowing different families must be interesting even though they weren’t likeable. Great review!
It was a bit different but I loved the thriller once it got going
I really don’t like stream of conscientiousness so I’ll be passing this one by. Thanks for the heads up.
That’s the tough part for sure