An exploration of how much blind faith a mother should have in her son. Would she a better mother if she accepted his flaws and forgave him anyway? How far are we to blame for the sins of our children? A great book club novel. I knew in my heart I had the ending figured out from about a third of the way in but I was still gripped to see if I was right (I’m not even telling you that!) and found this to be a real page turner. I enjoyed the different narratives, especially the more sympathetic consideration of Erica through Luke’s eyes which I think really added to the story. There were lots of little subplots woven in to deepen the discussion which worked well. Pretty gripping really.

Oh my god! How have I not read anything by Elisabeth Carpenter before! I have 11 Missed calls on my Kindle and I need to get 99 Red Balloons. But bloody hell, I need to sort this out pronto! I mean WOW what a book!

This book has put me through the wringer completely. I have been wrought with fear, fear what is going to come but it has caused something to happen in my eyes. I mean this liquid came out of my eyes a bit when reading this book and I am sure at one point she may have caused me a bit of heart failure. So when I say WOW about this book, I say it breathlessly as she has knocked me for six.

This book shows us what it could be like if we were Erica, the mother of a convicted killer, what lengths would we go to to protect our loved ones? Once her son goes to prison, she becomes a shell of a person. She is ostracised from the community, the things people say and do just broke my heart. It was all so realistic and harrowing because you know these things probably do happen every day.

The story is told between Erica, her excitement of having her boy Craig home and both their adjustments when he is home. She has always believed that he is innocent, but is he? Will things be the same? Will she still recognise that sweet boy she loved seventeen years ago? But we are also told the story by Luke, the reporter who wrote the articles regarding the murders seventeen years ago. He is trying to figure out why Craig was not convicted for both murders whilst juggling his home life.

Erica is the star here, fraught with the guilt of what happened in the past, her actions on that night. Did she behave correctly? Now with another girl going missing, can she rectify her previous transgressions?

I would have finished this in one sitting, had I not had to get up for work today. The way this book has been written is just addictive. Erica and Luke had a story that had to be told, a crime to be solved and resolution to be achieved. This book is tense, but the main focus is not on the missing girl nor the previous murder, but the every day with Erica. I knew the twist that would be coming, but it when everything played out it was shocking. The darkness inside of someone, the shock of their behaviour and emptiness of their emotions was just so harrowing in this book and quite frankly shocking.

This is another book I have read where it is so character driven and I loved it. The characters in this book, help build the world and they drive us forward, making me worry for them, care about them and fear what might happen to them. The story also unfurls slowly, forever building the tension which is why I flew through the book because I had to know.

I wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone and I think this is going to be hitting my top books for 2019 already! It took my breath away and I will be thinking about this book for a few days more.

‘Murderer; get out; scum’

The title opens with mum Erica Wright dealing with the aftermath of her sons convictions. Between the graffiti and excrement at her door, her life has spiralled out of control. She now lives her life dedicated to proving her son Craig’s innocence.
But is he really so innocent…

‘What I do know, is that my son would never harm anyone’

The novel is told from the point of view of not only Erica, but local Chronicle journalist Luke whom believes Craig will instantly re-offend. And the killer, whom we can’t be too sure is/isn’t the narration of Craig himself. The differing viewpoints keeps you on your toes and guessing at every turn.

‘I don’t have the power to protect him…’

After Craig is released from serving 17yrs in prion, for a crime his mother is convinced he didn’t commit. Their lives become increasingly difficult my local media interest and local resident’s dislike of having a criminal on their streets.
However, Luke is determined to find a link between Craig’s crime and an unsolved murder. Luke believes Craig is a sociopath and his mother is merely unable to see her son for who he truly is. Is Craig a crazed killer? or the wrongly convicted as his mother continues to claim?

‘Murderer to return to Preston’

Erica’s past is slowly revealed and her friendships and relationships laid bare. As much as it is easy to criticise Erica’s beliefs, I did genuinely feel sorry for her. It must take incredible courage to stand by your child, after such a heinous crime. However, she is rather naïve and this adds to the pity you begin to feel. This really is a story of the strength of motherhood bonds and how blinded a mother maybe.

The only person Craig has to turn to, upon release is childhood friend Jason. Whilst Erica is part of an online community that supports families of convicted criminals. As Erica clings to her sanity, whilst seeing images of Lucy everywhere she goes. Luke is working hard to dig into the previous unsolved rape and murder of Jenna Threlfall.
Then Erica uncovers a bunch of prison love letters, from a teen named Leanne. . .

‘It’s not normal to be afraid of your own son’

This is a modern psychological thriller that plays on a mothers worst fears. Dealing with themes of friendship and betrayal, with a killer ending.
The question remains… How far are you willing to go as a mother? 4*

Fantastic page turner of a book that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. My full review will be posted as part of the blog tour soon.

I appear to have Elisabeth Carpenter's first two books (99 Red Balloons and 11 Missed Calls, in case you were wondering), waiting for me on my TBR pile. I must rectify this as I enjoyed her latest offering, Only a Mother, very much indeed.

In fact, this is a book I found hard to put down, racing through the final 120 pages in one go. The story is told mostly from two characters' points of view: Erica's in the first person and Luke's in the third. Erica is the mother of Craig, a man who has been in prison for years for the murder of a young girl. When we first meet her, he is about to be released and she's wondering what life will be like with him back living with her after so long.

Luke is a journalist on the local newspaper. He lacks the ambition of some reporters but is always looking for a story. He's also probably far too kind and thoughtful for cut-throat journalism, but it made me take to him as a character.

Luke is obviously interested in Craig's release as a story, especially when another girl goes missing soon after. But this is really not the story of missing girls, it's very much a look at how a mother copes with the incarceration of her child. Erica is targeted by the local community, pretty much ostracised and lives a lonely life. I thought this angle was so interesting and it really made me think about how you deal with something like this as a parent.

Whilst not a story filled with action, I found it really fast-paced and exciting, one of those books I couldn't wait to get back to. I think the strength is very much in the characterisations, especially Erica who I thought had a compelling voice.

I must admit that there were no surprises for me in the plot. I guessed which way it was going fairly early on, but I didn't mind that. Whilst those 'OMG' moments are great, if a book is well-written it needs only that to hook me and reel me in. Only a Mother definitely fits the bill.

Only a Mother is fantastic insight into a mothers love for her child and what she will do to protect him and I loved reading every page. 

We follow Erica, the mother of Craig who has been in prison since he was found guilty of murder when he was only 20. Now 38, he is due to be released and although Erica is happy at the thought of this, she is also incredibly apprehensive about what life will be like for Craig and also herself.

I liked how the author has told the story from Erica's point of view along with a reporter who is covering the release and also wanting to get to the bottom of another murder that occurred the same time as Craig's arrest. We don't hear from Craig until near the end and I think this suits the storyline perfectly. Although this is about Craig and his past, the story and attention belongs to Erica.

It is Erica who was left behind and who was the person that the public and her community turned on. She's has had to ensure the public hate and has essentially hidden herself away. The author has captured this perfectly and we feel a sense of compassion and almost pity for Erica as she tries to come to terms with the past and what her son, although she tries to deny it, is capable of. Although I did partially guess the ending, this didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book in the slightest.

This is another brilliant book from Elisabeth Carpenter and probably my favourite of hers so far (although I did really love 99 Red Balloons!). 

Highly recommended from me.

Only A Mother is the third book I have read by Elisabeth Carpenter and in my opinion is the best one yet.

It is a crime novel, but one that deals with what happens years after the crime. Most of it is told by the viewpoint of either Erica, mother of Craig who has just been released from prison or Luke who is a journalist covering the story of a killer released back into the local area. I found it mesmerising. The abuse that Erica faced daily. Not just vandalism but also the whispers and the isolation that she has been forced into. Luke also has issues, married with two young children, he should feel happy but he feels like a failure.

Whilst the crimes do feature it is the emotion that carries this novel and makes it believable. It made me think about what a Mother would do to protect her child, how hard is it to feel loyal and give support to a convicted killer. And always wondering if he was capable of murder. It is a crime novel that made me feel emotional at times, especially near the end.

As well as the storyline I also enjoyed the local setting. I live in the town in which the book is set and I had a lot of fun identifying local places. Elisabeth Carpenter is an author who has plenty more novels to come. Recommended.

I really enjoyed the first two books by Elisabeth Carpenter, 99 Red Balloons and 11 Missed Calls, and so when the opportunity arose to read this latest offering, I jumped at it. Would the book meet my expectations? Well ... it's a very different kind of read, a different tone and perhaps even pacing, but yes. Yes, it absolutely did.

This is, in essence, the story of Erica, a woman who has had to come to terms with the fact that her son is a convicted murderer, a child who, somewhere along the way, went off the rails and murdered his girlfriend. At least she has accepted that he has been convicted - she has never, ever, believed him to be guilty. But is he?

We meet Erica and Craig on the verge of his release from prison. Erica has spent years hiding from people, suffering all manner of abuse and suspicion, deemed almost as guilty as her son for what has happened. She is an intelligent and resolute, but also kind of meek woman, and Elisabeth Carpenter has done a brilliant job of presenting a woman who has been beaten down but has not yet given up. She is convinced of Craig's innocence, but shocked by the way in which prison has changed him.

Told partly from Erica's point of view, her story centres around her relationships - both with friends and neighbours, and with her son - just before and after he is released from prison and how she, and Craig struggle to adjust to the changes in front of them. We are also treated to the point of view of journalist, Luke, who covered the original case and is now trying to get more of a story out of Erica and Craig, particularly the belief that everyone has that Craig was responsible for another murder locally.

I love the way in which the author has slowly built the anticipation in this novel, gradually adding subtle layers of doubt and mystery into what should be an open and shut case. We are treated to the point of view of one other character, but as to who that is we cannot be certain. There are clues and hints dropped, perhaps the odd moment of misdirection, but it is all cleverly fed into Erica, Craig and Luke's stories, keeping the reader intrigued without jarring them out of the main action.

This is billed as suspense, and I can see that. However, where the previous two books perhaps fit more clearly into the genre, this book takes a much steadier approach, with a good proportion of Erica's story actually being a keenly observed study of how prison can affect both the guilty and their family and friends, and how the victims of a killer can extend well beyond the deceased. I was as intrigued by this portrayal of humankind every bit as much as I was the need to find out whether or not Craig was as guilty as his confession would suggest. The segments featuring Luke and, more especially, the mystery narrator perhaps fit the style more definitely, but all three narrative elements add to the story in their own way.

I love the way in which the author has developed the characters in this book, all of them believable, and often found myself feeling sympathy for Erica especially. I liked Luke too, the way he juggled the need to write his story, his personal beliefs, and his marriage which seemed to be struggling. It isn't a fast paced book so if you are looking for a cut and thrust thriller, this probably isn't for you. It is far more subtle than that, and all the richer for it. Don't get me wrong, the sense of jeopardy builds towards the end of the book and there is a powerful resolution which sees all remaining questions answered amid a very tense showdown involving all of the main characters.

If you are looking for a character driven story with a subtly built tension then this could be the read for you. I'd definitely recommend it.

I have read a few books by this author now and really enjoyed them so I was delighted to be able to get my hands on her latest release – Only a Mother!

I found the book to be well written and I was hooked by the plot line from the outset. I will admit that I guessed the ending and that did affect my enjoyment slightly in that it took away the surprise element as I was just left waiting to see when it would all happen, but I still though it was a really enjoyable story that had an excellent flow to it which helped add in suspense. The ending really suits the story and works well at wrapping up the loose ends.

The characters are very well developed and I really felt for Erica throughout the story. I went through the mill feeling her emotions, she has waited so long for her son to be releases and is determined to find who he told her was really responsible – has history really repeated itself?

Four stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed it – highly recommended and can’t wait to read what she releases next!

A good book, with a lot of tension.
It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I enjoyed it, and had to keep reading to find out what happened!

Nothing can falter a Mother’s love !! This is definitely true of the two mothers in this book.

Erica has always stood by her son, Craig, even though he has been in prison for the past 17 years. He was sentenced after being found guilty of a young girl, when he was only 17. He is now being released but not everyone is happy for him to be home. Did Erica do the right thing by standing by her son ? Were all the decisions she made the right ones ?

Erica’s best friend Denise, talked to the newspaper about Craig 17 years ago and they haven’t spoken since but Denise’s son was best friends with Craig and they start up their relationship again once Craig is released. Craig starts to stay out of the house for days on end and Erica straits to think that maybe things aren’t going to be as good as she thinks.

Then another girl goes missing ? Where was Craig ? Erica has no idea, but will she tell the police ? Can she still believe in her son, like she has the past 17 years ?

This is a great book with a gripping storyline that will keep you guessing. The characters will draw you in and you will be routing for Erica to find out the truth. This is a really great book and if you have read and enjoyed any of Elisabeth Carpenter’s previous books you will not be disappointed in this one.

Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Intense, original and involving, with a real sense of menace and foreboding. Beautifully written and plotted with excellently drawn characters.

This was a real discovery and highly recommended.

Having read Elisabeth Carpenter’s first two novels, I have to say that I think her latest Only A Mother is her best yet. In all three of her books, she has managed to create well rounded and intriguing characters that pull you in from the first page. They all feel like very real people, and I have always become invested in their lives.

We meet Erica who is preparing for her son’s release from prison, seventeen years after he was convicted for killing a young girl. He was also linked to the murder of another young woman, but not enough evidence could be found to charge him. Journalist Luke is desperate to find that evidence linking him to the second girl’s death, but what if all is not as it seems? Just how far will Erica go to protect her son?

Erica was a character who I really felt sorry for as I was reading this book. I could definitely understand her need to want to protect son, even though he committed such a heinous act and her love for him came across very strongly in her character, although it did seem a lot of the time as though she still thought of him as the young, gentle boy she once knew him as. She is also very much a victim herself as the people of the town she lives in swiftly turned against her after her son’s arrest.

Elisabeth constantly surprised me with her plot which was unpredictable and very twisty. I still haven’t forgotten the twist in her first novel 99 Red Balloons, and the twist in her latest blew me away again. It is devastating, and it only made me care for her characters even more. But as to what exactly happens I shall remain tight-lipped on that subject.

Only A Mother is a novel which was done in a very clever way. It is absolutely addictive, and it will make you re-examine everything that you thought you already knew. At its core it makes you think about a powerful question that will haunt any reader who is a parent themselves.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book is how the author created such an intense connection between me as the reader and the characters depicted in this book. For me in particular, I felt most strongly towards Erica who is the mother of Craig who was convicted of the murder of a young girl and has spent most of his adult life in prison. Erica has endured unbelievable backlash from the community and press after the conviction of her son to the point where she has basically been held just as liable for committing the crime as her son.

Despite the atrocious things she has had to deal with her faith in her sons innocence has remained steadfast.
I felt so strongly for Erica and can’t imagine what that must be like to have your only child accused and convicted of such a crime. The author beautifully put across Erica’s emotions and she was firmly a character I could get behind and wanted more than anything for her to prevail.

The other character we get to know quite in-depth throughout this book is Luke, a local news reporter who becomes entangled in the drama upon Craig’s release. We get some depth in to Luke’s background and his family issues however, for me personally I’m not really sure how these parts added much value to the story apart from rounding out Luke’s character. In my personal opinion I would have rather Craig’s character been developed more and would have liked to read more about his thoughts and mind-set. Having said this, I did really enjoy this story on the whole and it’s an interesting concept reading about this situation from the mother’s point of view.

I enjoyed this book, a dark thriller about a mother and son. Craig has just been realeased from prison, he’s mood is not normal and his mother start questioning his innocence.
While I got the plot and ending pretty early on, I still felt it was an enjoyable read.

Fabulous book with a great story well worth 5* and will recommend to friends.Look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the advance copy.
My first Elisabeth Carpenter book and always a delight to find a new Author, Only a Mother spins the tale of a Mother after her son is convicted of a heinous crime.
Erica the Mother of Craig is a tormented soul after the fallout of the events 17 years ago, we pick up the story as she awaits Craig's release from prison.
The book is told from two perspectives of Erica and Luke a local news journalist who covered the events and trial and is looking to do a follow up to his story regarding Craig's release, I found it strange that we didn't get Craig's perspective at all until the last few pages of the book, I feel Carpenter missed a trick here as it would have made the book for me more interesting.
Erica and Luke are well rounded and fleshed out characters but we don't really get to know Craig or understand his mindset, the writing is good and the story is well thought out and all gets wrapped up nicely in the end.
Its a slow burner and the pace was just a little too slow for me I also felt the book would have been served much better as I've said if we understood Craig's mindset instead we get Luke he is ok but a large part of the book is dedicated to him and his family which for me this could have been dedicated to Craig.

Overall an ok read worth your time and money.

A good book, with complex dynamics and a lot of tension.
It took me quite a while to get into it, but i did enjoy it, and kept reading to find out the truth.

I was very eager and excited to start reading this book, after I had read the blurb.

The story flows beautifully and is full of intense moments that make you so eager to continue on. The characters are well written and engaging.

I really could not recommend this book more to anyone,.

What an absolutely amazing read. I’ve been glued reading this.

The rounded out characters were so in your face and believable.

Erica the Mother of Craig who was convicted of a crime has always said her son was innocent. Let’s face it, we all would be the same, a friendly lad, a good son, who could imagine such a thing.

Was she right? Or was she wrong to trust her Mothers instincts?

She fell out with her long time best friend over an interview she gave to the papers about her son.

Erica stayed put in the home she raised her son for all kinds of reasons. The abuse and harm always being taken out on her. So much so that it appeared to me she accepted it as the price she had to pay.

I grew to adore Erica.

Her son Craig appeared to be a hardened criminal.

The plot was so thick you couldn’t see your way out at times as a reader. It took you in and overtook all you’re logical thinking. My confusion was like smog.
Towards the end the fog starts to clear as more and more comes to light peeking through.

I have the authors other two books on my kindle. I desperately need to get to them because I so thoroughly enjoyed this.