This year marks the eighth year for A Book A Week. Over those years, I've counted many of my fellow bloggers as mentors and friends. Luanne at A Bookworm's World has been one of those from the very start. She posts insightful reviews of a variety of genres, hosts unique features, and has some of the best giveaways. In fact, that is how I came to acquire my latest read, A Mother's Lie by Sarah Zettel. At first, the publisher cautioned that it might take a while for me to receive my copy due to the ongoing restrictions from COVID-19. They even forwarded an ebook copy to hold me over while I waited! Out of the blue, my physical copy arrived last week, way earlier than I expected. Book mail is always a sweet surprise, but it is even better to receive it during a quarantine!Beth Fraser has worked extremely hard to shield her teenage daughter Dana from the harsh realities of the world. No, she's not one of those crazy mothers who deprive their daughters of the milestones that come with growing up. By all accounts, Dana is well adjusted. She has close friends, a love for cooking, and even has a promising summer internship on the horizon. Dana's father calls to cancel plans with her, attempting to avoid the difficult conversation with her by having Beth relay the message. This isn't really a surprise. He never really wanted anything to do with the girl, and Beth actually prefers it this way. Better for Dana to learn of the disappointments of the world now while her mother is still there to protect her.
The steel facade of Beth's life his built upon the wealth she's acquired with Lumination, a hedge fund company. She helped build the company and her reputation by sniffing out the sour apples, advising against poor investments, or suspicious individuals. Beth has a knack for reading people. Because of this, a situation with Dana's father shocks her. As she begins to deal with the ramifications of him reaching out, a Pandora's box to her past begins to open. Suddenly she is being forced to face her history, the lies, secrets, and yes, even her manipulative parents. With her carefully safeguarded life beginning to crumble, Beth faces the difficult task of attempting to keep everything together while dealing with the blowback of a past life being revealed to her daughter.
Coming off of a rather challenging read, A Mother's Lie by Sarah Zettel was the perfect novel to binge through. Zettel writes a compelling thriller that mixes in a family drama that is as riveting as the action. Chapters alternate between the perspectives of Beth and Dana, allowing the reader to see both sides of the drama as it unfolds. As each character is developed, more secrets are revealed. In the thick of the novel, I really couldn't decide who to believe. This only adds to the suspense and paranoia. There's nothing flashy here, no giant twists or big set pieces. Still, A Mother's Lie page-turner propelled by the intriguing family dynamic and shifting POV's. This is the kind of compulsive read that had me blowing through the pages and staying up way too late. In short, everything I want from a thriller.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 17)
This sounds really good. I like that the story is presented from both the mother and daughters perspectives and the story kept you guessing. Book mail sure is wonderful right now!
ReplyDeleteIt was a such a fun read!
DeleteBook mail is the best! Especially when the book turns out to be a compelling page-turner like it sounds like this one was. :)
ReplyDeleteI know publishers have been struggling to get books sent out, so I was so happy to get this one!
DeleteGetting books in the mail is nice. This sounds like it would be a good book and it's a new author to me.
ReplyDeleteIt really is the best. I was so excited to get this one!
DeleteI definitely love a good thriller so I will keep this one in mind!
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with a well-written thriller!
DeleteAh Ethan...you made my day! Thanks so much for those kind words. I appreciate your well written, thoughtful reviews. We have very similar tastes, so I'm always happy to see what you think of one I've read or am planning to read. It's nice to see more than one a week right now too! Mentioning your blogiversary has just made me realize - I missed celebrating mine in all this kerfuffle! (Love that word) March 18 was 12 years!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have your friendship! Congrats on 12 years!
DeleteI do love a good thriller that keeps me guessing, sucking me in without much thought! Now I'm curious about all the secrets!
ReplyDeleteBook mail is such a treat, right? And so nice that they were concerned enough to give you an e-copy on top of it so you didn't have to wait.
They were very generous to give me an e-copy too. It was pretty much one of the highlights of my week!
DeleteThat this doesn’t rely on a big twist and still hoomed you so thoroughly is what hooked me to this book. Definitley need this on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteIt was so refreshing to read a thriller that didn't try to shock me with the twist. I feel like Gone Girl made every thriller try to do this, and I don't think it should be a requirement.
DeleteZettel sounds familiar, I wonder if I have read her, I think so!
ReplyDeleteI should try this
This was my first book by her, but I'll be eager to read more!
DeleteThis sounds like the perfect read to binge during lockdown. Wonderful review, think I need to check this one out myself.
ReplyDeleteYou should! I hope you love it as much as I did!
DeleteCongratulations on eight years - I only wish we had found each other sooner!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like another one I might have to read - but my library only have it as a physical copy. Boo.
Thanks! Finding new bloggers who have similar tastes has been one of the great joys of all of this. I love connecting with everyone!
DeleteNever trust a blast from the past. Sounds like this bit of the past sent all the well assembled pieces of Beth's life tumbling. Though I don't read physical books, packages in the mail are always welcomed. Glad the pub was able to get this one to you, and that it was a satifying read.
ReplyDeleteSecrets never stay buried, especially in a thriller!
DeleteAlways a fan of a good thriller, and glad you enjoyed it! RO
ReplyDeleteThanks, RO. It was a fun one!
DeleteI'm always up for a riveting thriller. I'm definitely going to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great one!
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