This is a whodunit mystery, but more than that it's a thoughtful engaging family story with well-developed characters. Initially I thought I'm reading just another thriller, but as I kept reading -- loved the two character narration -- I became engaged by the family relationships. Great and layered characters, an engaging plot and a setting in Australia that includes issues of the day, The Mother-in-Law is definitely worth reading.

Solid four stars. Maybe closer to 4.25. A quick and enjoyable read that is told from various view points and spans several decades. Ultimately, I think this book about love, and parental relationships. At times, I found Lucy unlikeable, but she grew on me as the story progressed. Like other books I have read recently, I feel like a few key details were glossed over towards the end, but I am glad I read this book!

The title captured me from the start because relationships with Mother-in-laws can be complex and interesting. The rest of the book - did not disappoint. It explored not just the mother and daughter in law relationship but also the dynamics between child/parent, husband/wife, and siblings and we know how complicated those can be. Exploring the emotions of the characters and giving us a new way of examining the circumstances of the death kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering what else was I going to learn!

I found my first Sally Hepworth book in London in a used book store and now can't wait until each new book of hers comes out. As her first thriller - this book did not disappoint!

This book was not what I expected when I started it. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it even more. I liked the structure of the narration. Except in one section, the story was told by Diana, the mother-in-law, and Lucy, the daughter-in-law. (Diana's daughter narrated a tiny bit towards the end). Diana and Lucy relate their stories moving back in time and in the present. It sounds like it would be confusing or choppy, by it isn't; it's very interesting how the narrations match up and feed off of each other. This is a story of family and parenting. It's mostly a story of the two women's journey to developing a relationship with each other. I really liked it.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Wow! This book kept me gripped all the way to the end! This suspenseful book is told by the perspective of two main characters, Diana, the mother-in-law and Lucy, her daughter-in-law. It switches between the past and the present as we wait to discover how Diana died. It is a true tale that there are always two sides to every story.

This was so gripping I couldn't put it down and in fact, I didn't. Literally put on my reading playlist and ignored everyone until about 10 minutes ago when I finished the book.

Told from duel perspectives in both past and present tense, I was easily consumed by the mystery surrounding Diana's death, the misunderstandings between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and seeing a first hand account of the inevitable trauma that comes with being part of a complex family. Lucy and Diana are both fantastic narrators and every person in this family played their role flawlessly. Concluding with a shocking twist that had me guessing right up until the reveal, this book is 100% the one you need to have on your radar. For me, it was an intro to Sally Hepworth that I won't forget and you bet I'll be checking out some more of her works ASAP.

Equal parts heartbreaking, thrilling and frustrating, 'The Mother-in-Law' is one of most engaging mysteries I've read in a while. If you like a family based drama that has all the best bits of a thriller scattered throughout, then this is one not to be missed.

I’m not sure why this is the first novel I’ve read by Sally Hepworth. It brings you in from the start and it was hard to put down. The relationship Lucy has with her mother-in-law, Diana, is one a lot of married women can understand. The story is told going from the present and the past as well as from Lucy and Diana’s perspectives. This was a little confusing at first, but after the first few chapters it was incredibly interesting to see where the book was going to go. In the present, Lucy and Ollie are being told that Diana has been found dead and it’s a possible suicide. And in the past, you see all the disfunction in the family and problems that either bring them together or tear them apart. After finishing the book, I’m glad there is a backlist of books for me to read by the author. The story was engaging, kept me reading until late into the night and the ending tied up the loose ends so I’m not left wondering what happened. I highly recommend this book. It’s worth the read.

A gripping suspense with a plot that has many twists and turns. This book will keep you up until the wee hours.

Phew! This book was a roller-coaster ride of suspense, emotions and relationships.
To be honest, it's not a typical nail-biting suspense or thriller. But the way this book captures the depths of emotions in a seemingly 'normal' and by all accounts a well-off household is extremely captivating! The storyline is really really good!! I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an arc

While the book is set up as a bit of a whodunit mystery in the beginning, the real meat of it is in the relationships. Hepworth does a great job breadcrumbing throughout the story, telling just enough to propel it forward. Although much of the book pits Diana and Lucy against one another, I found myself sympathizing with and relating to both. The alternating viewpoints just serve to remind us that if we assume the worst in people, we’ll always find something to complain about.

This is my first book by this author-- attracted because I needed a sorbet after some delicious entrees, and she had been compared to Liliane Moriarty, who I usually turn to in such circumstances. But I was bored early on, got so tired of long passages about clothes (one of my major bugaboos) -- at least I could skim through those so it didn't take me long to read. The characters were cobbled together from other similar books, and I know I've said it before but I'll say it again -- no more of these twisty psychological domestic dramas. They can only cover so much territory and then start repeating themselves. They're fine for many readers, but not this one.

This was my first book by Sally Hepworth and it won’t be my last!!! I enjoyed this story very much!! It delved into family relationships in particular between a mother and her children, wife and husband, and the role of a mother-in-law. You definitely get attached to each of the characters and it had me guessing till the end!!! Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

First book of the year from @sallyhepworth and it’s a 5 star! I loved her previous book “the family next door” and was so excited to get an ARC from @netgalley. This one is multi-layered and complex, with an unforgettable cast of characters. A read-all-night and wake-up-early book to start off the year. For fans of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty.

The Mother-in-Law draws you in from the beginning with the mystery of why exactly Diana is dead - did she commit suicide or was she murdered? The book goes back and forth from Diana and Lucy's perspectives from the past and present day. The author does a great job with the characters in this book and why they do the things they do. Diana is Lucy's mother-in-law and the dynamics of that relationship are at odds.

I really enjoyed this book - the characters, the story, and the mystery, up until the end and I was a little disappointed in the ending thoughts on why Diana died and the family fell apart.

This is the first book I read from this author and I thought it was great! I finished it in less than 24 hours. The story is told from two different perspectives- the mother in law and daughter in law. Both are relatable. It’s interesting to see how their relationship progresses throughout the book.
Lucy and her mother in law haven’t always gotten along. When Diana (mother in law) turns up dead, it looks like an apparent suicide but things aren’t always what they seem.

I received an ARC of The Mother In Law by Sally Hepworth from Netgalley. Thank you Netgalley. I LOVED this book. I finished it in a day…it totally kept my attention. It begs the question- are mothers in law awful people? Are they always against the daughter in law? Is no woman ever good enough for someone’s son? Are our sons really that special? No matter how much Lucy loved Ollie, she would never be good enough for Diana…or was she? When the police show up at Lucy and Ollie’s door to inform them that Diana is dead, it becomes clear that things are not always what they seem. Diana and Lucy had a strained relationship, but that may not be the only strained relationship in the family. I loved the way the story was told from alternating views, Diana’s view and Lucy’s view. This book was excellent, kept me interested the entire read, and I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun, face-paced read with several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Well done Sally Hepworth!!!

I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book. The writing was superb and the character development was amazing. It tells of family drama, love and loss and the stuff we should say while people are alive. Also a few twists and turns! Loved the alternating chapters of daughter-in-law and mother in law. Would definitely recommend. Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy and Diana have struggled for ten years to navigate the complicated relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and now that Diana has been found dead under suspicious circumstances, family secrets abound in this wonderfully-written family story by Sally Hepworth.

Told in alternating narration and flashing back in time, Hepworth skillfully explores the challenging dynamic between the two main characters while creating a story that remains a mystery until the very end. While the title and cover scream thriller, this is more literary fiction with a mystery element, which I found to be absolute perfection. I absolutely loved how Hepworth set up the relationship between Lucy and Diana - the intentions, the responses, the actions, the resolution. Wow.

Bonus points to Hepworth because the book has an outcome I didn't foresee; this is much appreciated, as I feel the predictability of books in this genre has become a minor annoyance.

I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Wow. This twisty new page turner had me from the start! Such a great family drama thriller that will sneak up on you. Definitely gave me all the Other Woman vibes which I loved so much! This was my first by this author and now I’m hooked! This was a quick easy read for me and I like the multiple POV!

I could not put this book down! This was my first novel by Sally Hepworth but it certainly won’t be my last.

Lucy couldn’t wait to have a Mother-in-Law after losing her own mother. This would be the relationship she could cherish. Diana, however doesn’t live up to her expectations, keeping her at arms length, never letting her in.
When Diana is found dead, suicide is suspected, however the autopsy results say otherwise. And everyone seems to have secrets.

What a page turner this is! From the very first chapter, I found myself immersed in the story and I truly struggled to put it down. Told in alternating voices, in both past and present, the character development and depth is wonderful. Each chapter I found myself second guessing my previous judgments on Lucy & Diana. And it kept me guessing right to the end.

Read it! You won’t be disappointed. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy.