3.75 stars

Just the concept of "motherhood" conjures images of terror for me, so the idea of a new mother in the midst of a mystery/thriller seems like a great fit from the jump...and it is.

Readers meet Natalie while she is literally in labor with her first child. While she shares perspectives with Paul, her neighbor, it's really Natalie whose story becomes prominent. Readers share incredibly intimate moments with her: not just that birth episode but also her many challenging and at times embarrassing experiences with her body and mind as she adjusts to the early stages of parenting. Natalie is depicted as a particularly *together* character: one who thinks her new home is more than they need and than she might want, who has a seemingly steady relationship with a long-time partner, and who is well educated and driven (a successful attorney). The depiction of Natalie as a high functioning individual offsets her rapid decline into another state altogether, and the writing effectively has readers, Natalie's husband and coworkers, and even Natalie wondering what the heck is happening to her.

Then there's Paul.

Readers learn how Paul became a stay-at-home dad early on, and there's no avoiding increasing suspicion around this dude. Once we get into his head, he offers many added reasons for how and why he is incredibly sus. That noted, because Natalie's confusion/repetition/wavering grasp on time and reality are all written so well, it's STILL tough to know - at times - who's really in the wrong, what has actually happened, and for sure how the novel will resolve. These bits of uncertainty offer readers a sliver of insight into what Natalie's life must be like, and it is truly unsettling (but fun to read!).

This is an engaging read; I listened to it nearly straight through during a lengthy day of errands, chores, and meal prep. I was engaged and interested the whole time, but I did note, especially because of the straight through listen, that there were some opportunities for editing. I'd have loved a little less repetition and detail in certain areas.

I'm coming out of this having enjoyed the read (especially thanks to the audio version), looking forward to more from this author, and reaffirming that motherhood really does seem like a frightening proposition!

Very appreciative to have been invited to read The New Mother on NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Natalie Fanning is a new mother, and while she adores her son, she's exhausted and falling apart. Little Oliver is a terrible sleeper and he's always ready for a feeding; Nat never gets to rest herself. Feeling lonely and isolated (she takes a longer sabbatical from work to care for her son), she strikes up a friendship with her neighbor Paul, a stay-at-home dad who assures her things will get better.

But Paul has plans for Natalie other than her friendship. And it might be too late for Natalie once she realizes what those plans are.

I'm conflicted in how to rate this book. I enjoyed the author's previous work and I'd definitely read more. Her writing sparkles, and in this book, she really captured the exhaustion of new motherhood and post partum depression. But I struggled to sympathize with Natalie and found her just as horrible as Paul.

Part of the problem is in the categorizing of the book itself, which isn't isolated to this one novel. Knowing it's a hot genre, it seems as though so many publishers throw books into the mystery/thriller/suspense without them being decidedly so. I would not recommend this to fans of the genre. It isn't until well after the halfway point things get "thrilling," and I honestly would have stopped reading this within the first 5-10 percent if I were reading this for any other reason than a NetGalley review.

The constant repetition of Natalie's sleeplessness and her breast-is-best/mommy martyrdom is as exhausting as she feels. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to yell at her to just buy a darn can of Enfamil and let your husband give the kid a bottle already.

As for the audience, I'm not quite sure. I don't think childless women (whether by choice or not) will relate to this. Mothers, especially those of us who have been in her shoes, will relate, but after while it's tedious. I skipped large blocks of text, especially when parts of Natalie's narrative got far too preachy.

So while I eagerly await to see what this author comes up with next, this one was a miss for me.

I really liked this one! It definitely brought me back to those first postpartum days/months and the feelings it can bring on. It was more of a slow burn that didn’t have too many twists but it was interesting to see how it all played out and wrapped up in the end. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller but more so to mothers who would be more familiar with the way the main character is feeling and how isolating and lonely you can feel postpartum. I really liked this author’s writing style and have added her other book, The Favor, to my TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this thinking I was getting a mystery, when in reality it was a hard, honest look at what it is like to be a new mother. Four stars for this one as it was thought-provoking and well done.

This is a slow burn read, that gradually grows in intensity. I found myself completely riveted to my seat for the last half. The building blocks of this story are expertly arranged. Leading you in deeper and deeper, while you are unaware that anything is off or that something sinister is brewing.

Nat has just given birth to her only son, Oliver. She cannot stop watching him in complete amazement and astonishment, that she brought this little human into the world. As the days progress, marching on endlessly. Slowly becoming a continuous circle of time. Crying, diaper changes, nursing, naps, crying, diaper changes, nursing, naps. The incredible loneliness that becomes soul crushing. Brings Nat to the edge of despair, looking for anyone who understands what she is going through and does not judge her. In walks Paul. The next neighbor who knows exactly what to do with a crying baby. Can calm any tension by just being there. Nat immediately attaches to him; he is her lifeline. Just a small light at the end of a very dark tunnel. This all changes when he begins to be standoffish. Not wanting to see her or needing their friendship. Nat is at a complete loss, making her desperate to know what she did. You must keep reading to find out what is going on in this seemingly safe suburbia neighborhood.

Murphy nailed the early days of motherhood. It brought me back to the endless sleepless nights and days. The crying will only stop when you hold the baby. Not wanting to look like a failure, even though you seem like you are at every corner. Post partum depression is brought to the forefront of the book. The characters are fantastically written, and you want to smack some, and hug others. Thank you to Nora Murphy, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for gifting me this fantastic

2.5 baby stars

This one had a very slow start for me. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that goes into so much detail about the difficulties of becoming a mother. There are physical issues, mental issues, and throw in a difficult baby who never wants to sleep, and you have a recipe for depression.

Natalie has moved into a new house and now has a new baby. She’s struggling to keep it all together. And what about her career?

A stay-at-home father in her neighborhood, Paul, gives her some tips about how to soothe baby Oliver. Soon Natalie is seeking out his company more and more. Does he have more sinister things in mind?

I did not find this one to be a true thriller and maybe that’s why it falls a bit short for me. I did enjoy some of the detective character storyline and I wish the conclusion was a bit more fleshed out.

3.5 stars, rounded up. This story was a slow pace thriller with not a lot of twists, just a slow build up to the predictable ending.

That being said, this book engrossed me from the beginning. I did find the main character Natalie truly unlikable at first. And though I am familiar with post-partum depression, I somehow didn’t know that’s what she was experiencing during the story, I thought she was just trying to keep up with all the mom advice online while making herself miserable. I found her more and more likeable past the 50% mark.

I did find the mixed POV a bit confusing to flip through- from first person Natalie to 3rd person focused on Paul.

Overall, a light thriller and not a bad read.

I was hesitant when I got approved for this arc, because I'm not a mother and have no idea what it's like and the reviews were all from people who'd experienced it. I don't know if my not being a parent made this more or less terrifying, but it was a very scary book.

Natalie is a new mother with a very weak support system and she's really struggling until her neighbour Paul, a stay at home dad, starts offering her help. But Paul isn't really there to help, he's there to prey on a sick and vulnerable woman.

I was definitely on the edge of my seat the whole time with this one. It also made me never want to have a baby though lol.

Warning: compulsive reading! If you're a mom-fiction fan, meet your new favorite read! I read The New Mother in one sitting! I can't wait to listen to the audiobook next! Nora Murphy writes with deft precision and her cat and mouse drama had me biting my nails until the end! One new mother + one good Samaritan neighbor = murder? A must-read to find out! Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to preread and review this amazing novel!

I so badly wanted to love this book. I had such high hopes when I requested an ARC.

I LOVED The Favor. I LOVE Nora Murphy. But this one just didn't do it for me. I think it had so much potential, but there was so much time spent on the breast feeding and the lack of sleep that the actual plot of the book got a little bit lost until the very end. There was no surprise twist, there was a tidy ending...it wasn't really a "thriller" for me and I didn't find myself waiting in suspense.

I still love Murphy's writing and will not hesitate to pick up her next piece. I think maybe this one could be more enjoyable to new mothers or mothers who have dealt with postpartum insomnia and depression. It just wasn't the book for me and that's okay!

I thought this was well written and a good storyline. I felt it was predictable because we knew each side the whole time and what each other was setting each one up for. So no mind blowing twists and turns like I enjoy. I felt a lot of time was spent on little details about motherhood and Natalie’s struggles as a mom versus the plot. Then it just wrapped up super quickly. A nice read if you are a mom and want to relive the struggles of that newborn and postpartum phase to have relatability. Some of us don’t want to remember those parts, ha!!!

I really enjoyed Nora Murphy’s debut, The Favor, and I enjoyed this book even more. Nora Murphy has become a new auto-buy author for me!

There were a few things that I thought may be an issue to other readers but ultimately weren’t a deal breaker for me:
I thought it took too long to get to the main plot of the story. I understand why it took so long, and I think other parents who have experienced the newborn stage will also understand why Natalie’s postpartum period is focused on as much as it is before getting back to the detective and the murder investigation that are mentioned at the beginning of the book. But it really does take 50% of the way through the book before that piece is even alluded to again, and I think that’s a bit long.

It also doesn’t really feel like a thriller at first. When the murder happens, the reader knows who committed the crime, but there were still some elements of suspense and the last 20% of the book or so kept me on edge to find out how things were going to end.

I think those that aren’t parents or haven’t experienced the newborn stage may not empathize with Natalie and therefore may not push through to 50% and stick with the story. There is a lot of repetition on things like sore nipples, as an example, that I thought actually worked to bring home the monotony of nursing a newborn and the loss of bodily autonomy you feel as a new mother. However, I can see how the repetitive nature of these types of scenes and phrases could put other readers off and result in a DNF.

I think Nora Murphy has done a great job, once again, of bringing tough subjects to light. The postpartum period is transformative in so many ways and there is an unfortunate stigma associated with the negative transformations that can occur as the result of the birth of a child. This book heavily discusses postpartum and all facets of that. If the postpartum period is in any way triggering to you, please read up on any warnings that may be applicable before reading this book.
Please also make sure you read the author’s note at the end of the book, it adds an extra special touch to the book.

It’s a very good domestic thriller and I recommend it to readers that enjoy the genre. A 4.5/5 star read for me, rounded up to 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

What a harrowing story involving both post-partum struggles and a murder plot. I was fully engrossed in the book, and felt so sorry for Natalie. I’m sure that many women who have given birth will be able to relate to a lot of what happens, just maybe not the murder part! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one is different in a way. No twists. We KNOW who the bad guy is. The pacing is slow, and without a mystery to unravel, some people may not enjoy it as much.

I enjoyed it. It’s quite realistic, so that made up for the lack of suspense.

This book may be a thriller but it tackles a big issue new mothers have..sleep deprivation and loneliness. Natalie, is the classic new mother, wanting to do it all herself regardless of what it takes from her mentally and physically. This was very realistic. Being a new mom is so hard and this book really shows the sacrifices mothers make and the hardships they go through. 

Then add in the element of a too friendly, too helpful neighbor...and that can really confuse the situation. 

I loved the concept of this plot but it felt like it dragged on a bit too long. I had an uneasy feeling throughout this book, worried that Natalie was getting herself in a situation that she could not come back from. We learn pretty quickly that Paul is not who he seems. 

Overall I liked the book, just wanted a little more excitement throughout the story.

What a page turner! I was on the edge of seat not wanting the book to end! You will not want to put this book down. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this amazing author!

Have to say I’m a little confused by this book… on one hand, the postpartum representation is SPOT ON and I related so hard to this new mother’s experiences. Unfortunately that was the only thing I found compelling about this book. The mystery of this book is literally not a mystery at all, and all of the other characters are one-dimensional and unbelievable. I even thought a twist of the book was going to be that some of the characters never existed because of how little development there was for them. But there were no twists, and while I think a book depicting postpartum depression is important, I wish it wasn’t marketed as a mystery/thriller because I think it really missed that mark.

This didn't feel like a thriller to me, more of a character based novel surrounding a new mother and what new motherhood is like. As someone who is child free by choice, I couldn't relate to Natalie's character and with no connection, the story felt slow and drawn out. With how long the story felt, the ending wrapped up to fast for me, I needed more details with the ending, it was too quick and glossed over. Murphy drew on personal experiences to create Natalies character and the bravery in that, and showing the darker, less talked about side of motherhood, is good to see and help destigmatize it. The New Mother might have been a miss for me, and could be triggering for new mothers, other readers might enjoy it more.
.
.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The New Mother creatively combines a deep dive into postpartum depression with the thriller genre.
Author Nora Murphy clearly paints the picture of what it can be like when a new mom experiences postpartum depression and psychosis. Natalie has recently moved to a new neighborhood with her husband to accommodate their growing family. She is feeling anxious and isolated and finds herself needing help, but she doesn't know how to ask for it making herself the ideal mark for a predator.

This book was entertaining, but I found certain parts to be repetitive. Natalie was clearly intelligent, but I did loose patience with her paralyzing depression and her husband's lack of response to it. Overall, I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy a fairly fast paced mystery.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The New Mother by Nora Murphy is a well written novel about motherhood that really tackles issues that many new moms face. And while I certainly appreciated and understood our MC I wanted a little bit more from this book. I feel like it wasn't as thrilling as I thought it would (or could) be.