This was a fascinating book that details the true stories of 3 different cases of Munchausen by Proxy (MBP). Andrea Dunlop teamed up with Mike Weber to tell the story of this happening in her own family with her sister, as well as two other women. It was very eye-opening to see how difficult the legal process is and the role of CPS and other organizations in these cases.

Overall thoughts: It is mind-blowing and sad to hear about this happening and in some cases, it can even be fatal to these poor vulnerable children. I found the progression of the stories to be interesting and the stories were full of details. This was a quick book to listen to and I feel that the authors did a good job explaining them and relating them to legal system. Quite terrifying and shocking.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio (#MacAudio2025) for the ALC!

I don’t read much nonfiction, but truth is more twisted than any fiction could ever be. In this book, a novelist and former Texas detective offer insight into Munchausen by proxy (MBP). MBP is hard to understand in any circumstances, but when it is a mother intentionally harming their children, it becomes truly horrifying. The authors, Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber, examine several cases where mothers make their children sick with medication, starvation and even bleeding her child to cause anemia. It’s hard for me to look at this with anything other than anger. I am a huge mental health advocate, but when the well-being of your child is at stake, it’s hard to feel any sympathy.

What makes this book even more chilling is that Andrea herself has experienced MBP within her own family, and she narrates the audio. Well researched, and in a clear, concise writing style, Andrea and Mike shine a light on something so sinister it’s painful to think about. Thanks to them, more people will be aware of what to look for and how to best protect children from medical child abuse.

”The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception and Munchausen by Proxy” is out now. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

If you enjoy true crime or books on Munchausen by Proxy, you'll like this one.

I was not familiar with the author (although she seems to be pretty well-known in certain circles), but this book definitely made me want to read more of her work.

In "The Mother Next Door," she highlights a few of the most notable and heartbreaking cases of Munchausen by Proxy that she and a former detective who specialized in the field have ever seen.

The stories are heartbreaking (though most have at least somewhat of a happy ending), but I find them very interesting nonetheless. After the whole Gypsy Rose debacle, people have become much more familiar with this condition. But I've not found a ton of reputable knowledge out there on the subject. (Other than those written about Gypsy Rose, of course.)

This definitely fit that bill.

Give it a shot if it's something you'd like to know more about.

If you are a fan of Andrea Dunlop's podcast "No One Should Believe Me," this book reads like an extended version of her podcast. In the book (which Andrea Dunlop narrates herself in the audio version), Andrea and Mike cover three cases of medical child abuse, as well as weaving in details about Andrea's own connections to medical child abuse via her sister's case. In the book, we learn more about Mike Weber's life and how he became so integrated in these cases. The book seems to be quite extensively researched and, while I can't imagine anyone actually *enjoys* this content, Andrea and Mike cover the cases with compassion and objectivity. I recommend it.

3.5 stars* This was a compelling and informative book that highlights three different child abuse cases in which the mothers had Munchausen by Proxy. I did not know that Andrea Dunlop had a podcast on this topic, but I will be sure to check it out! She does a good job narrating this audiobook. Dunlop mentions that her sister has Munchausen by Proxy but never explained the details surrounding that, assuming that the reader is familiar with the case. I’m guessing she discusses this in her podcast? That was one area for improvement in my opinion. I also wanted more of a psychological perspective rather than listing the facts of these cases, which is what this book essentially was. Overall, I liked this and would recommend it if you’re interested in the topic.

The Mother Next Door is out now. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an early copy of this audiobook via their influencer program!

This book is non-fiction. It is the retelling of three tragic stories of Munchausen by Proxy.
WebMD defines Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy as “a mental illness where a caregiver makes up or exaggerates an illness in a person in their care. It is now called a factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA). The caregiver, usually the mother, seeks medical help for exaggerated or made-up symptoms of a child in their care. The caregiver’s reward is attention.”
The Mother Next Door was written by author Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber. Dunlop is an author and podcaster. Weber was the law enforcement on the case.
Hope Ybarra, Brittany Phillips, and Mary Welch. Each of these women fabricated the medical story that their children had debilitating medical conditions.
Hope Ybarra: Mother of three. For eight years she claimed to have a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. She went through numerous, grueling treatments including radiation causing the loss of twin girls during the second trimester. The cancer spread to her brain and lungs. Her five year old daughter suffered health issues including cystic fibrosis and anemia. In her early twenties she began planning for a funeral. However, Hope never had cancer, she’d never been pregnant with twin girls and her daughter didn’t have cystic fibrosis.
Brittany Phillips was accused of injuring her child through medical child abuse. She enjoyed the attention she received through having a sick child. She lied about her daughter’s medical history and symptoms. She withheld food and het feces into her IV line or feeding tube.
Mary Welch was charged with medical abuse of her child. She doctor shopped until she found a dr. willing to do surgery on her son, and she treated him with medications. The boy had several surgeries: placed an intracranial monitor in his skull, inserted a spinal fluid drain, put a shut in his brain, did surgery on his esophagus and inserted a feeding tube. She also had the boy placed in a special school for autism.

This was a very interesting read. The author explored 3 cases of medical abuse all while tying in her personal connections.

Munchausen’s by proxy is an extremely sad phenomenon and I feel for the child who are its victims. I found it especially important how it was noted that this condition is characterized by a perpetrator who understands what they are doing and understand how their actions are wrong.

Thank you to MacMillan audio and Netgalley for a copy of this ALC!

The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop delves into cases of medical abuse and munchausen by proxy (MBP). The audiobook was very interesting and had many pros and cons.

Cons:
- The author jumps right in and acts like I know what’s going on and who she is. I have never heard of her podcast before this or her story with munchausen by proxy (MBP). She often eludes to her sister and munchausen by proxy but she never actually tells the story of what happened. She also praises her own podcast which seemed over the top for me.
- You need to be familiar with pop culture and recent documentaries. She references multiple different documentaries and tv shows. If you didn’t watch them then you’d be confused by the references. It felt unnecessary to include this.
- She randomly discusses political views. Andrea Dunlop brings up the fact that her and Mike Weber have differing political views. This has nothing to do with the MBP stories. It was out of place and honestly seemed rude.
Pros:
The actual MBP stories. It’s clear that the authors are invested in the stories and worked hard. It was really interesting to hear about Mike Weber and his career as a detective working on medical abuse cases. The cases are disturbing and mind blowing. It’s hard to imagine parents forcing illnesses and unnecessary medical procedures/treatments on their children.

Ultimately this book felt like a podcast turned audiobook (which it is). I would have enjoyed the book more if the author stuck to telling the stories of others and didn’t add all of the random tidbits or act like everyone should know who she is.

Wow!! This is an alarming and disturbing collection of documented cases of Munchausen By Proxy -something that more people need to read and share/dialogue with others. Too many people, at a variety of levels of authority, continue to turn a blind eye to MBP or simply deny that such a horrific thing exists.
I enjoyed not the subject matter but the articulate way in which the documentation/story has been written. This is a ‘must read/listen’!
Narration of the audiobook is very well done. Author, Andrea Dunlop’s pleasant voice is clear, well paced and very easy to listen to despite the horrific subject matter.
Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of this ARC and to Andrea Dunlop; Mike Weber for taking the initiative to present this information.

A deeply illuminating and incredibly scary look at Munchausen by proxy. The blend of investigative reporting and personal insight makes for a gripping, eye-opening read. The real-life cases are both shocking and heartbreaking, shedding light on a form of abuse that’s often misunderstood.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a very interesting read, really looking forward to reading more books by this author!

Wow this book was shocking and had my jaw on the floor multiple times!

This book takes a deep dive into Munchausen by proxy (MBP). It was written by a Seattle novelist whose own family was torn apart by it and a Texas detective who has worked on more medical child abuse cases than anyone in the nation. In this book, three high-stakes MBP investigations are discussed and through reporting and shocking stories from the family members, friends and doctors caught in the cross fires of these unthinkable acts, a twisted portrait of motherhood and deceit is revealed.

I was initially interested in this book because I am a healthcare provider, and I thought to myself how could these doctors participate and aid in such heinous acts. But after listening to this book on audio, I have a better understanding of how at times it could be possible that this could happen because with children you go off of the story from the parent, usually the mother (as most kids are brought to the doctor by their mothers). While I do feel there were some instances of malpractice and negligence on the doctors part, the fact that a mother could put her child through these unspeakable things just blows my mind. There were multiple times my jaw was on the floor and I audibly gasped from shock.

This was an eye opening book and it shocked me how hard it is to prosecute these cases. All the legal barriers for these cases and how the perpetrators are charming and can dupe so many people. You would think that the end goal for everyone would be protect the child at all costs, but that is not always the case with these cases. Keeping the family together, appears to be more important, which I don't agree with when the family member is causing the harm to the child.

This is a bingeable story and definitely sheds light on a crime that is not well known, but has grave consequences.

Read if you like:
-legal aspects of criminal cases
-have a heart for injustices against children
-can stomach reading unspeakable things done to children
-medical professional
-true crime lover

I highly recommend the audio version as it is read by Andrea Dunlop.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the #gifted ALC.

I have always been interested by Munchausen by Proxy (remember I’m a psychologist) but I will say it really hits different once you’re a mom!

I am so impressed by the way the authors wove clinical content/ diagnostic criteria and real life cases. This is a great read for both those interested from the clinical side or true crime cases. I also think this would be a great assigned reading for college psych classes!

Also, I hadn’t heard of @andreadunlop podcast but I will definitely be checking it out now!!

This book is sad and horrifying, but in a you can't look away type of way.

True stories of three mothers investigated for Munchausen by Proxy. I have heard of MBP and seen stories on it. But this book digs deep. For those that aren't familiary with MBP, it's when a caregiver, usually a parent (and I believe most often it is the mother) fabricates or induces illness in the victim, typically their child, to gain attention and sympathy. As a mother, it's horrifying to me. But also it is a mental condition and I try to keep taht in mind.

The two authors both have experience with this as Andrea Dunlop has a sister who was investigated for medical child abuse, and Mike Weber is a detective whose career has been spent helping children in this type of situation.

Often times the parent appears to be a caring, loving parent and is charming enough to fool medical professionals and other family members. This book also touches on how difficult it sometimes is to prosecute a case such as this.

Andrea Dunlop narrators and you can feel her passion about sharing information on this important topic.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC.

While the cases in this book were horrifying and unconscionable the audiobook production, narration and all the research behind the cases were simply outstanding! This book was so utterly heartbreaking, but a definite must read for people and medical professionals who are in contact with children on a regular basis.

Also I need to start listening to the podcast of this author, read her whole backlist, AND HAVE HER NARRATE MY WHOLE LIFE AND ANY AUDIOBOOK I EVER READ GOING FORWARD!!! Her voice was so caring and comforting!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!!! #MacAudio2025

5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook

Munchausen by proxy is a topic not for the faint of heart. Andrea Dunlops narrates this non-fiction/true crime book in a manner that pulls the listener in. She speaks with heart and brings a passion to the cause that not many can muster the strength for.
The Mother Next Door sheds light on 3 cases involving mothers whom put their own need for attention and control ahead of their child’s best interest and physical/emotional wellbeing.
Describing cases that co-author/police investigator, Mike Weber, has worked on; this book takes the reader/listener on a behind the scenes telling of investigations, revelations, and frustrations that come hand in hand with dealing with some of the worlds most heinous women.
For readers who delve into the true crime genre, or enjoy a true crime podcast, I highly recommend this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and McMillian Audio for early access to this audiobook.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and well researched about a topic that you don't usually find too many books about. The cases were interesting and ones I haven't heard of before.

The stories that were described here are true, but it is hard to believe that a mother would do that to their child. I was immediately invested in all of these stories and flew through this amazingly done audiobook. What kind of person would make up medical issues and put their child through hundreds of tests and procedures for no reason. It is one thing to make up issues about yourself, I have heard of people doing this for money and fame, but it is still not OK. It is another thing to do this to your child, someone who has no say. Some of this is on the doctors who perform procedures based on what the mother claims happened and on her demands. I enjoyed the crime podcast style of writing and the visibility to child medical abuse as it is not talked about enough.

This narrative nonfiction is a compelling look at Munchhausen by Proxy, a form of medical child abuse. While it certainly isn't easy material, it's an important work. The authors have first hand experience, one as an long-time medical child abuse investigator and the other in her own family.

I had heard of Munchhausen by Proxy before, but I was not aware of the commonalities between many cases. The information is presented well, not sensationalized, and will hopefully shine a light on the many challenges in recognizing, investigating and proving medical child abuse.

Andrea Dunlop narrates and does a great job.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for a free copy of #TheMotherNextDoor by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber. All opinions are my own.

This work of narrative nonfiction focuses on three case studies involving cases of Munchausen by Proxy that have been documented in Texas. The three cases were all worked by the same Texas detective who is one of the first medical child abuse investigators in the country.

The way this book is set up is highly approachable. The author opens with a strong introduction setting up the work, we're introduced to the detective who worked these cases as well as some background, and then we dive right into the first case. The cases are told with details surrounding the background of the perpetrators, how the cases were first noticed, the collection of evidence, their trials, and then their outcomes.

The cases all being worked by the same detective gave the book necessary cohesion, and I appreciated the personal notes that were included by the author. it was fascinating to see the similarities between these three cases as well as how different the outcomes can be based on such small factors. There was also a very strong conclusion, which is an added bonus to books like this.

If you're interested in true crime that is informative rather than sensationalist, then this is a must read. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.