Description;
A twisty, compelling new novel about one woman's complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in death...From the moment Lucy met her husband's mother, Diana, she was kept at arm's length. Diana was exquisitely polite, and properly friendly, but Lucy knew that she was not what Diana envisioned. But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country. Diana was happily married to Tom, and lived in wedded bliss for decades. Lucy wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law. That was five years ago. Now, Diana has been found dead, a suicide note near her body. Diana claims that she no longer wanted to live because of a battle with cancer. But the autopsy finds no cancer. The autopsy does find traces of poison and suffocation. Who could possibly want Diana dead? Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her adult children and their spouses? With Lucy's secrets getting deeper and her relationship with her mother-in-law growing more complex as the pages turn, this new novel from Sally Hepworth is sure to add to her growing legion of fans.
Review: 4 Stars
This book is a fast-paced and interesting read. While it is titled Mother In Law, it could just as easily be titled Family Ties or The Goodwins! To be fair, the story does start with Lucy and Diana but as you move along every single family member is actively involved in it. I wouldn’t call it a thriller, it is more like a domestic mystery but is an enjoyable as a thriller.
Ms. Hepworth has presented the story from both the sides, she gives us a view in to what the Diana is doing and thinking and at the same time how it is being perceived by the others. This is not something that many authors have done while writing such books and this gives the reader a very unique perspective. It helps you get a balanced view of everything that is going on and makes it much harder to pick sides. It also makes it hard to figure out what happened to Diana and while you can keep guessing who did it and why, it is difficult to be certain till the author chooses to reveal it. Each person has strong motives and peeling away the layers in this case is an enjoyable experience as a reader. I liked how the reader knows why things are a certain way but the characters probably don’t. The characters are well developed, very real and relatable.
But then this book was written by Ms Hepworth so right when you think you finally know everything, there is sudden shocking twist. Something completely unexpected near the end of the book that makes you jaw drop and say “What??!!”
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, the 10yrs later part was great and gave some good closure. Would I have liked to see Patrick’s fate taking a different turn, sure but then that’s fate, unpredictable as ever.
The book is like a jigsaw puzzle, just as you pick each piece of a puzzle and examine it, here you pick each character and their story and examine it. What’s wonderful is how it all comes together and gets neatly tied up in the end. Finishing this book gives you the same satisfaction you would get when you complete a puzzle.
I have only 2 complaints about this book:
One, which was a little annoying was the way the story moves from one incidence to another in the Past chapters. This slowed me down because I had to re-read to try and figure it out. I understand the chapter is titled as past but there is no demarcation between say the wedding day to a dinner that’s happening at a time when Lucy is 8 weeks pregnant. Or when Diana is meeting Nettie and suddenly recalling a meeting with Lucy. The writing seems a little disjointed in places and that causes some confusion to the reader. I think a simple double spacing or dotted line or a few words to indicate a flashback could make it easier to read.
And second, I do feel like the whole lack of communication angle is done to death (our not intended). I mean this book is set in recent times so really there is no reason why something can’t be texted! For instance, Diana forgetting to explain the significance of the grapes/chicken she gets for Lucy, Lucy forgetting to say thank you to Diana for taking her kids. I mean, seriously people, if you can’t discuss these things then at least pick up the phone and type a few words!
Thank you St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
