I loved this book! Could not put it down! I read it all in one sitting and afterwards had to take a moment to think over the book.
I am glad this is going to be a series, I really liked Cate as a character and am very much looking forward to read more about her!

Originally published in 2010 and soon to be re-released by Legend Press, The Woman Before Me is the first novel in Ruth Dugdall's Cate Austin series.

After serving nearly 5 years of a 8 year sentence, having been convicted following the tragic death of baby Luke Hatcher, Rose Wilks may soon be a free woman. The prison's new probation officer, Cate Austin, has been tasked with writing a report for the panel who have the power to release Rose. But did Rose commit the crime she was convicted of, and will Cate's report help set her free?

Told through chapters alternating between the past (Rose's black journal entries) and present (Cate Austin's investigation), we learn that Rose Wilks hasn't had an easy life. Her mother committed suicide. The aunt she was sent to live with died of cancer. And by the age of 16, Rose has been left to find her own way in life.

Some years later, Rose has landed a job at a hotel, where she meets and falls in love with Jason. Life is on the up, it seems. Except recently divorced Jason is still in love wth his ex-wife, Emma. Rose knows Jason doesn't love her but couldn't be happier when she falls pregnant with his child. Jason may not love her and still be sleeping with his ex-wife, but his love for their unborn child means he won't leave her and that, for Rose, is enough.

Tragedy is set to strike once more, though, when Rose suddenly goes into labour and ends up in surgery; her son, Joel, rushed to intensive care. While recovering from her emergency hysterectomy, and with Joel getting stronger every day, the paths of Rose and Emma collide; Rose recognising Jason's ex-wife from the photograph he still keeps of her in his wallet. Now remarried to Dominic Hatcher, Emma has given birth to a healthy baby boy, Luke. Emma has no idea that it's her former husband that's fathered Rose's baby and Rose wants to keep it that way, ensuring that Jason and Emma don't meet on the ward. With talk of going home ringing in her ears, the last thing Rose expected was the sudden death of Joel. He seemed to be doing so well.

After Joel's death, and with Jason retreating into work, unaware that Rose has befriended his ex-wife, Emma and Luke help fill the void, the two women becoming firm friends. Emma is finding it hard to cope with motherhood but fortunately Rose is on hand to help, looking after Luke when Emma can't calm him, and babysitting so Dominic and Emma can spend time together. Until one tragic night when there's a fire at the Hatcher home and baby Luke dies. The fire was, apparently, started by a cigarette - the same brand that Rose smokes. And it isn't long before Rose is arrested for causing Luke's death.

But what will Cate's report say? There's little question that Rose has been a model prisoner during her incarceration but is she sufficiently remorseful to be granted parole, or will Rose serve out the remainder of her sentence behind bars?

Inspired by a true event, The Woman Before Me is a tragic but brilliantly told tale. The characters are well-developed, the storyline nicely paced and compelling. And the twist at the end left me speechless. That the author herself has experience as a probation officer in Britain shines through in her portrayal of prison culture, and gives Cate Austin such an authentic voice that I've already download, the second book in the series.

This is a story about the effects of unrequited love, betrayal and loss. It is deliciously unsettling and intensely moving because you don't quite know what has been going on. Skilfully, some of the details have been omitted. It doesn't sit properly and you can't figure out why exactly. Cate Austin who has issues of her own is the probation officer who has to decide if Rose Wilks is ready for parole. Rose has served a four year sentence for the manslaughter of a baby. Is Rose guilty or innocent of the crime? Does she show any remorse? I was quite shocked - goose bump shocked - by life in a woman's prison. One wonders if they are sane when they go in if they can possibly be sane on release. What I thought was a bit rich is how the prisoners are referred to collectively as "cons" or individually by their surnames. It stinks of stripping their identity almost as a ploy to make them subservient. There are so many interesting dimensions to the story, like prison-life, the gay scene, integration and prejudice, the devastation caused by the death of a parent, an interesting part about spiritualism and lots of details about baby care and parenting. It was so vividly drawn I could almost feel and smell the babies. The author uses the sense of smell very effectively to create atmospheres and enhance. authenticity. Shocking ending. To my delight I discover I have Book 2 & 3 in this series already bought and on my Kindle which I didn't know were connected. I only need book 4 to complete the set. Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for a brilliant read and finding a new series.

As I began this book I was intrigued by Rose’s situation and I found the idea of Cate as a probation officer new to the prison system both appalling and captivating. However, I have to admit that you lost me a little when time went back to tell Rose’s early life story. Although I understand it’s importance in setting the scene, I found that it went on for too long and I was desperate to get back to Rose in prison. Perhaps that was a good thing as it gave me more empathy for her and I was ready to back her corner all the more! No give away here but stick with it to find out the how’s and why!

I first read this novel in 2015 and really loved it so seeing it was being re-released by Legend Press in 2018 I gave it another read. Ruth Dugdall blew me away with her new novel Humber Boy B so I dived into this one with great gusto. She did not let me down. Ruth has a way of writing that cuts to the very heart of human life and tragedy and moves even the most stoic of us readers. She pulls no punches either.

Ruth builds the story block by block, so that you are eager for the next piece of the picture, just when you think you are all complacent she will throw in a new element that challenges where you think the book is going. It's well plotted and really held me to the very end. I was surprised by this book hugely.

They came for me, just like I knew they would. Luke had been dead for just three days.'

Rose Wilks’ life is shattered when her newborn baby Joel is admitted to intensive care. Alongside her is Emma Hatcher, who’s just given birth to Luke. Joel dies and Luke is thriving, until tragedy strikes and Rose is the only suspect.

Now, having spent nearly five years behind bars, Rose is just weeks away from freedom. Her probation officer Cate must decide whether Rose is remorseful for Luke’s death, or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgment.

Should Rose be recommended for parole? Was she responsible for another baby's death? This is what Cate has to dig into and try to work out, but nothing about this case or the book is clear-cut.

The book moves between the mind and thoughts of Rose in prison today and Cate's interactions with her to the past, to where the story leading up to the tragedy begins. You will be hooked once that story starts, you will also think possibly you have this one all figured out a few times over. Stay open-minded dear reader.

The reveals and subtle twists as astonishing.

It's a book that makes you think about morals, right and wrong, I felt different emotions for Rose all through the book from pity, to empathy to sheer disgust, she is a complex and very flawed character. This is one of those books that you just can't predict and the very ending will just take your breath away.

Filled with elements of light and shade, it's so cleverly peeled away to reveal the truth that you doubt yourself a lot of the way. Awesome.

Well written, brilliantly plotted, cleverly paced and just a darn good read. I am a big (new) fan of Ruth's writing, I think I will be reading a lot more of her. 4.5 paw prints from the Booklover Catlady for this brilliant book - if you like a psychological thriller with a strong human element and a touch of crime this is one for you.

A nice quick mystery thriller read. I really enjoyed this book, read it in just a couple settings. It felt like it just got better and better as the story progressed. Rose is quite the character, she had a horrible childhood and has many many issues.
The book begins 5 years after Rose has been incarcerated in prison for the alleged murder of her lover’s ex-wife’s baby son not long after her own small son had died in ICU. When I read this in the description and reviews, I almost decided to skip it, but I am so glad I didn’t. The writing is excellent, the story switches back and forth between Rose’s “Black Book”, which is her life story that she is writing in prison that gives all the background and creepy things that she is capable of and to the present as she prepares for her parole hearing with a new parole officer, Cate. I love books that make you feel the creepy part, and Rose certainly has many creepy thoughts. It was so interesting to hear her explain her logic and the actions she took.
There are many faulted people in this book, and surprisingly Rose isn’t the worst one. The ending was done so well, I thought I had it figured out, but there were a few surprises. I would highly recommend if you enjoy a mystery and getting into the mind of an illogical person.
I thank Net Galley and Legend Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this book for free for my review.

This is an excellent read. The characters are so intriguing and the storyline kept me totally enthralled. It’s well written due to the authors previous experience within the prison system. It’s a definite 5 star read.

Although this is the first book in the Cate Austin series,she is essentially just a secondary character.The main protagonist is Rose Wilks who is just weeks away from freedom after spending nearly five years in prison for the murder of her best friend`s baby.As Rose`s probation officer Cate has to decide if Rose is remorseful about baby Luke`s death and wether she remains a threat to society.Despite warnings from her new colleagues Cate finds herself being drawn into Rose`s case and begins to doubt her own judgment.

Through entries written in Rose`s black book journal we learn about her life,from a young girl right through to the night of the fire that killed Luke.Rose obviously has major psychological issues but she is also very clever and manipulative.I felt she just wanted someone to love her which was why one of the twists in this story didn't make sense to me.Rose was such a unreliable character that I was never sure wether she was guilty of Luke`s murder or not.

The author has drawn on her personal experiences as a probation officer in her depictions of prison culture.The sexist banter between the prison officers,their mistreatment and bullying of the prisoners.How easily you can find yourself being ostracized for caring too much about the treatment of prisoners and if they are guilty or innocent.

The story was definitely creepy at times and I did enjoy the story enough that I wanted to finish it but I wouldn't call it a memorable book.To me it was one of those,right I've read that now what's next books but that's just my personal opinion.

A fantastic book that is stimulating and thought provoking. Interesting storyline sees a new probation officer Cate take a new case. She has to decide whether Rose is ready to be released or not. A brilliant plot and storylines all weaved together help you decide for you.

What a thriller and emotional ride!! This author is freaking amazing when will the book hit the shelves I need to buy this! I was not expecting the ending!

I started this book mid afternoon and stayed awake until five in the morning just to finish it. I did not expect this book to draw me in as much as it did, especially as it was on my IPad rather than a hard copy. However the skill of Ruth Dugdall submerging you into this world is ridiculous. With me being a mother myself, this made me imagine how I would react if my little boy had been rushed straight to intensive care, and how I would feel to see my replacement with everything that I lacked. This book is insanely addictive and definitely worth 5 Stars.

This is the 1st book in the Cate Austin series by author Ruth Dugdall, a series that I have already read and enjoyed two books of. Not quite sure why I didn't start reading this series from the beginning but I enjoy the writing of this author so I was not surprised that I found this one a very good read.
The novel focuses on Rose Wilks, whose life is destroyed when her newborn baby Joel is admitted to intensive care. At the hospital Rose befriends Emma Hatcher, a woman who has all that Rose lacks. Beauty. A loving husband. A healthy son. Until tragedy strikes and Rose is the only suspect.
Following nearly five years behind bars, Rose is just weeks away from freedom and her probation officer Cate must decide whether Rose is remorseful for the death of Emma's baby Luke or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgement.
This is a tragic story but so well told and I found it totally addictive and struggled to put it down. Great characters, well paced and full of twists and turns. Author Ruth Dugdall writes excellent novels and they are consistently of an hI just wish there were more of them to read.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Legend Press for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.