Cover Image: The Mother's Fault

The Mother's Fault

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Member Reviews

I have been keen to read a Nicole Trope book and I wasn't disappointed. Plenty of twists and turns and lots of intriguing characters. This is a page turner, Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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What was this?!
I fund this book to be super confusing, and I really had to concentrate to work out what on earth was going on.
This book was so far fetched, I just couldn't get my head around it.
The pacing was super slow too.
I really didn't enjoy this one!

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Thank you so much Netgalley for this thrilling ARC! Beverly, a single mom and her son Riley were as close as could be...until one day while making dinner she turns around and he is gone from the backyard. I could not put this book down, what a page turner! The only reason I gave this 4 stars was because it almost got too confusing at parts with different characters and stories woven in. A little unrealistic at times, but I still highly recommend!

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This is the second book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it.

The suspense and tension will keep you interested until the end.

It was quite a quick read which is always a bonus if you haven't got much time.

I will definitely read more from her in the future

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This has definitely been an engrossing and nail-biting read. I loved the fact that Nicole presents two very different stories but each one sends you off-kilter and makes you nervous, yet you feel powerless about what is unfolding in front of you.

Beverly is a complex character who has clearly been through a lot but is also untrustworthy in the sense that from the beginning, she is very open about the fact she is hiding a secret from us the readers and the rest of the world. However, you did feel like she was a very good protector of her son and the book is thought provoking in the way that it raises questions about genetics, parenthood, identity and personal choices.

This is an unpredictable and unputdownable read with a number of twists and the tension builds slowly but surely, which affects the reader emotionally and psychologically as they build a connection and understanding with the main characters.

The ending is cleverly crafted and this book proves to me that Nicole is establishing herself as a true QUEEN of this genre. I need more from this wonderful author soon, and am already excitedly anticipating her next release. A perfect choice for fans of Shalini Boland, Mel Sherratt and Miranda Rijks.

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Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this copy!

Beverly is a single mom to Riley. Although being a single mom is hard, Beverly loves being a mom. When she gets too close to Ethan and he's pressuring her to marry, she breaks it off. She can't let him get close. Why did she let him get this close? Now Riley is missing and all her secrets are going to come out.

This is my first novel by this author. Very well written and I have to say the author did an amazing job capturing 8 year old Riley's point of view during his chapters. I am a HUGE fan of domestic psychological thrillers and this one did not disappoint. A very fast read, with a major twist.

I will be reading her other books. Great job!

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Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of The Mother’s Fault by Nicole Trope.
This is the first novel I have read by this author and I went in completely blind. Trope has an addicting writing style that grabbed my attention right off of the bat. I love how she effortlessly creates suspense and you find yourself flying through the pages.

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This was a quick read. I rather enjoyed all the different perspectives and jumping backwards and forwards. There was lots of wee twists going on that I didn't really see coming and I liked how everything was all tied up by the ending.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Nicole Trope for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Nicole Trope - 4.5 stars!

Beverly is a young, single mom to 8-year-old Riley and is keeping lots of secrets. Riley knows his dad is dead but nothing else. After Beverly broke up with Ethan, a man she started dating, Riley began receiving anonymous presents in their mailbox. Beverly is convinced Ethan is behind the gifts but he's not answering her calls. When Riley disappears from their backyard, Beverly is terrified that her call to the police will uncover some of her lies. But what choice does she have?

This is a quick read that is told from the points of view of Beverly and a mystery person and full of twists and turns. I always enjoy Nicole Trope's books and this one was no exception. There were a lot of great characters in this book - loved Sam!

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Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions. Loved, loved, loved!!!!! Another great book from a fantastic author. You won't go wrong when you read one of Nicole Trope’s books. She has a writing style that will draw you in from the first paragraph to the very last page. She is now one of my favorite authors and I'm anxiously awaiting her next release!

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Beverly is a single Mum to eight year old Riley. Life is tough but she loves her little boy so much that she never lets anyone get to close.
Riley starts receiving anonymous gifts and Beverly is afraid. She has not been honest and she fears she has finally been found out.
A few days later Riley goes missing and Beverly knows that her past has finally caught up with her.

I love a good psychological thriller and this book is definitely a good one. I just could not put it down I had to know who the kidnapper was and what Beverly was hiding.
There was a few twists and turns that kept me guessing and I did not see the book ending the way that it did. Superb writing that draws you into the story and doesn’t let you go until the end.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Mother's Fault' by Nicole Trope.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Nicole Trope, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 15th October 2021.

This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl Who Never Came Home' or 'The Family Across The Street' which I also recommend anyone read.


I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'If you loved The Wife Between Us or The Girl on the Train you’ll be utterly glued to this page-turner.' I am a huge fan of 'The Girl On The Train' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Nicole and if this is half as good as 'The Girl Who Never Came Home' or 'The Family Across The Street' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 50 chapters and 3 epilogues. The chapters medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺.


This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Beverly, Riley and an unknown person. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of bith first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.

'The Mother's Fault' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Nicole discusses/includes mental health.


OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT HAVE I JUST READ!?!?!? Nicole Trope you are a writing legend!!!

This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all listening to the waves on the beach and feeling their heart pounding with Beverly's. This title, cover and synopsis suited it perfectly along with the cover and synopsis.

This book has got to be the most heart racing books I've read I a long time, of not ever!!! It had be hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliffhanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this this morning and finished it at 11.30pm reading it in one sitting and although I'm knackered today it was 1000000% worth it!!! I loved that you got to see everything that was going on from Beverly who was in the centre of it all, Riley who was the boy in the middle and an u know person who tells their side of the story. Obviously by the end you discover who it is but I won't say who as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. There were several red herrings as to who this person could be ans I never did guess right. When I found out I was completely shocked which is a huge achievement as Ive read so many books so it is harder and harder to shock me so another HUGE congratulations Nicole!!! It really does make you think how life can change so quickly and different decisions can change a life. It also makes you think how looks can be deceiving. I really liked Beverly from the start and became completely invested in her. Beverly, Riley and all the characters were realistic, well developed and had strong characteristics and personalities. I did absolutely NOT expect that humongous bombshell at all. What an absolute twist!!! I can hand on my heart say that I cannot remember when I was so gobsmacked by a book twist but Nicole you have done just that!!! This book is rammed with suspense and tension and will keep you biting your nails, on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding while your flipping the pages because you just cant stop.

If you read one book on your life, make sure it is this!!!! I would love to see this turned into a movie and Nicole I really hope you are working on your next psychological thriller at this moment because this book will go far!!! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on what promises to be a MASSIVE success!!!


Overall an absolutely heart racing, nail biting, unputdownable psychological thriller with a bomb shell you will not see coming!!!


Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Coming-Of-Age story, Noir Fiction, Crime Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell, 'Girl On The Train', anyone who has read any of Nicole's previous books AND YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY AND JUST EVERYONE!!! .


302 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I saw another bookstagram account review The Mother’s Fault so I frantically requested it through @netgalley. While this book was interesting and I read it in a day, it fell a little flat for me. I predicted a lot of it, and I felt like the ending was slightly rushed. I think this would be the perfect thriller for someone who wants to just dip their toes into the genre!

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The Mother's Fault is a psychological thriller by Nicola Trope. An author whose books I find so well written, gripping and always thrilling. I went into this book with high expectations and Nicola Trope, again, didn't let me down. Let's have a look at the synopsis
On a crisp winter's evening, Beverly is cooking for her son. Eight-year-old Riley is climbing a tree in the garden, and Beverly smiles as she watches him. Nothing makes her happier than her precious child having fun – she never thought they’d be happy again.
The water on the stove is boiling, and Beverly slides in a handful of spaghetti. When she glances out of the window again, Riley is not there.
She races outside, her heart thumping. Riley is nowhere to be found.
Instinctively, Beverly knows that her son has not just run away. She knows this because of her secret – the one she has kept for eight years. The one that means she has no choice but to keep neighbours at a distance, that stops her sleeping at night.
She thought she’d made the right decision, that she was protecting her son. But now he’s gone. Could this be all her fault?
She’ll do anything to save him. Yet if she tells the truth, she could lose him for ever…

We are told the story from three different perspectives; Beverly, her eight year old son son, Riley and a person who we don't know. This gives us an closer overall picture of these three. Nicola Trope has the skill that immediately puts you in the head of a worried mum when the story gives you Beverly's point of view, when the story turns to Riley, you are that eight year old. Even the unknown character puts you straight in that position. All of the characters are authentic and well drawn so you easily relate to, well the majority anyway!
A tense, thrilling and fast-paced read that is full of red herrings and an unpredictability that kept me glued to this book. I found that everytime I thought I had it all worked out something came along and shattered my ideas! This is the type of book that has you questioning everything right from the start with its immersive and intriguing plot. That's not even mentioning the chilling moments in which the tension is almost palpable.
Nicola Trope has again brought a story that proves she is at the top of her game and I can't wait to read her next book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy of this fantastic book.

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Nicole Trope stirs a pot spiced with secrets, danger, intrigue and suspense in her latest nail-biting page-turner, The Mother’s Fault.

It was a winter evening like any other. Beverly was in the kitchen cooking dinner while her beloved son Riley was in the garden climbing a tree. Beverly had no reason to think that something sinister or untoward was going to happen, however, the solid foundations of her entire world were shaken in one split second when Riley disappeared. Panic-stricken, the petrified mother rushed out of her kitchen and into the garden desperate to find her son – but Riley was nowhere to be found. How could a small boy disappear and vanish off the face of the earth like that? Beverly knows that her son didn’t run away or isn’t playing hide and seek; somebody has taken him. Somebody who knows the shocking secrets seemingly ordinary mum Beverly is hiding.

Beverly has been lying to her neighbours for eight long years. For almost a decade, Beverly has been tormented and persecuted by old demons and terrifying ghosts from her past that keep her from sleeping. For eight years Beverly hasn’t been able to let down her guard or let any one breach the iron-clad walls she had built around herself because she cannot risk discovery. Nobody must know what lies hidden deep beneath the surface because if Beverly’s shameful secrets are ever revealed, then she could stand to lose everything – including Riley…

Is her son’s disappearance her fault? Is Beverly somehow responsible for Riley being snatched away from her? Beverly knows that only the truth will set her free – even if it means losing Riley forever…

Nicole Trope always delivers intense and emotional thought-provoking reads that work on so many different levels. In The Mother’s Fault, Nicole Trope has written an astute and absorbing thriller and a complex, multi-layered and searing exploration of trust, guilt and fear that will keep readers on the edge of their seat until the very last page. Nicole Trope does not miss a single beat and in The Mother’s Fault, the pace never flags, the tension is heightened and brilliantly executed and the suspense will keep readers guessing until the end.

Written with style, confidence and flair, Nicole Trope’s latest novel The Mother’s Fault is one book readers won’t forget in a hurry.

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Single mother, Beverly's 8-year-old son, Riley, loved by both his mother and her boyfriend, Ethan starts receiving gifts at home through the mail. Beverly is a person with many hidden secrets so she pushes Ethan away as she doesn't want to share them nor have him find her out. One day, Riley is playing in the garden while Beverly is cooking and watching him through the kitchen window. One moment he is there... the next, he vanishes.

I've now read a few of Nicole Trope's novels and I really enjoyed The Mother's Fault as much as the other four. Narrated by Beverly, Riley and a third anonymous person this psychological thriller was really something! I was totally engrossed right from reading the very first words. Nicole Trope's characterisation was great and in the unfolding drama, I quickly found myself invested in them. With the brisk pace, my mind was full of questions and I relished the curveballs that kept on coming. There was palpable tension in parts and sections of creepiness all of which led to a thrilling finale. This meaty domestic thriller will doubtlessly enthral all readers of the genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

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Beverly has always been a good mother. However, she had a secret. A rather huge one. One she kept from the most important person in her life - her son Riley. As this story is delivered in three perspectives - that of Beverly, Riley and an unnamed narrator - the plot is set for a for another rocking psychological thriller by Nicole Trope.

As mentioned, Beverly was a very good mother. She loves Riley to distraction. However, the secret she kept is slowly unraveling itself to the point that one day Riley disappears. As we read Riley's point of view, he was a happy, well-adjusted eight-year-old boy. However, he really wished that he had a father like his friends had. In fact, when he begins receiving anonymous gifts, he imagines that he does in fact have a father, and that said father is sending him those gifts.

Meanwhile, these gifts are scaring Beverly. She does not know who they are from, although she does have her suspicions. Could these gifts be an omen? Do they have anything to do with Riley's sudden disappearance? Can Beverly trust the police to find her son without her secret being revealed? What of Ethan, the man she had been dating? Where could that relationship go?

All while things are being played out, Beverly does have an ace in the hole and that is one of her neighbors. But what of the third narrator in this chilling story? How much does this person know of Beverly's secret and what is their motive?

Readers will be kept on their toes as this book takes us down a road dark secrets and disturbing pasts with a fair share of twists and turns and a few red herrings which definitely kept me tapping my Kindle. The pacing was excellent, filled with tension and a few surprises, all which led to a thrilling conclusion.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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I really enjoyed ‘The Mother’s Fault’!
The book started well and stayed consistently good. It wasn’t amazing, but it definitely kept me hooked and once I got to around 40% of the way through I found I couldn’t stop reading.
The twists were very exciting. Each time I thought I had figured it out, I was pleasantly surprised with a shock twist.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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What a read!!! I was kindly gifted an early e-copy in return of an honest review. I loved this! The cover immediately caught my attention & I couldn’t put it down! I would certainly recommend.

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The Mother’s Fault by Nicole Trope

Beverley is a single mother who loves her son Riley very much but withing a few pages we discover that Beverley is hiding a secret that she wants to stay hidden to the extent that she breaks up with her boyfriend, Ethan as soon as he wanted their relationship to get serious.

I loved The Mother’s Fault; this is another one of Nicola Trope psychological thrillers that kept me on the edge of my seat.

This book is written in from three points of view; Beverley, Riley and a third anonymous person, who I kept trying to guess but never could until revealed towards the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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