Very nearly DNF'd this.

Non-Christian cult. New age dowsing. Feet that can sense the dead. Killer poodles. *Everyone* under the spell of or getting paid off by the cult leader so no justice is ever possible. Abide or die.

This plot could really have been a hilarious spoof, but it was 100% serious and I nearly sprained my eyes from rolling them. I don't know at what point I quit caring what happened, I just felt compelled to finish the book to see if it ever got better. It did not.

The pace is medium, the characters are flat and most are unlikable, and the mystery was all over the place. The author did a great job of making a soap opera of the suspects, flip-flopping the FMC's trust back and forth enough to give the reader whiplash. Dissociation while listening to the audiobook was inevitable.

This book had an intriguing premise. I did like it and thought it was easy to listen to. If you've read other books with cults and enjoyed them I think you'll like this one.

Many thanks for my gifted ALC copy.

A Mother Always Knows presents an intriguing premise with a blend of mystery, family secrets, and supernatural elements. Stella O'Neill’s background—growing up in a Vermont commune and witnessing her mother’s murder—is compelling, and the plot about her needing to confront her past while on the run adds suspense. However, at times the story feels a bit slow, especially with detailed descriptions of the commune and spiritual practices that don’t always serve the pacing. The supernatural gift adds an interesting twist, but it occasionally feels underdeveloped or inconsistent. The characters, including the charismatic guru Radcliffe MacBeath, are intriguing but sometimes lack depth, making it harder to fully invest in their journeys. Overall, a decent read with some engaging moments, but it falls slightly short of being truly gripping. Fans of spiritual mysteries might enjoy it, but readers looking for a tightly woven thriller may find it a bit uneven.

A Mother Always Knows had it all. It was a thriller about cults, murder, a deity, mystical power. There was a lot to take in and to suspend disbelief but that is what books are for! Lots of twists. Very different than any other book I have read. If you are looking for cult type books this is for you. I enjoyed the narrator. I give this a 3.5.

This book was fine, but it wasn't earth shattering. I LOVE a good cult story, so this one got a star just for that because this cult was giving all the vibes. The characters were decent, though some of them fell a little flat, and a few plot points felt very forced to me. One of the twists at the end was just too much, and I couldn't suspend my disbelief on that one, but overall it was an ok mystery. If you're looking for cultish vibes, and you don't care too much if the story is realistic, then this will be a fun read for you!