Sally Hepworth

1.5 Stars

A dry and unexciting domestic drama about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother in law, an ok read but not a memorable one. My mother in law was like a second mother to me so perhaps that affected my reading of this novel

Having read numerous favourable reviews for this novel I decided to give it try but unfortunately it fell short for me and while its readable and the story mildly entertaining it really didn't grip me and as thrillers go this one is a long way down the scale of thrills for me.
A host of dislikable and pretty unconvincing characters make up the cast of The Mother-In-Law and I really did find the plot quite ridiculous and I wasn’t even sure by the finish what the whole point of the story really was.

I know a lot of readers have really enjoyed this one but for me this is was just an ok read and certainly not a novel that I will remember in a years time.

I listened to this one on Audible and the narration was very good.… (more)

Realistic characters drive the story: in fact, they ARE the story. Lucy and Diana are both a joy to read. Neither one is perfect, and certainly they don’t get along with each other. Even so, I found myself drawn to both of them, rooting for them, and enjoying the time I spent in both their chapters. But even though the story, as the title suggests, centers on these two women, Hepworth still paid great attention to the supporting characters, too. Her attention to detail is exquisite, and the nuances of even the minor roles make for a thought-provoking read. This isn’t thriller by any stretch. The mystery unfolds slowly, with tension building steadily throughout, and I couldn’t put it down. A compelling story that raises many questions about family, priorities, and desperation.… (more)

Gabe and Pippa Gerard buy a house on the edge of an oceanside cliff in Melbourne. It becomes concerning when mentally unstable appear wanting to jump off the cliff. Gabe has taken it upon himself to act as savior to those he manages to "talk off the ledge". It continues until one day a woman walks up to the cliff and Gabe isn't able to help the woman before she is seen jumping off the cliff. As more information about the woman is revealed, the question arises of whether she jumped or if she was pushed. Gabe begins to take her death hard but suspicions rise when it is revealed that he knew the woman. There are fears about unfaithfulness and secrets being exposed. How does Gabe know this woman and why would she want to jump? Furthermore, why would Gabe want to push her?… (more)

I have been reading Advanced Reader Copies for years so I am prepared for some alterations prior to it being in its published form. I will often listen to the audio version when published to compare with usually only minor changes to people's names for example, addition or subtraction of sentences. This book had a very different ending from ARC copy and what went to print. This book was also first published in Australia and I understand that it also underwent the same transformations. To avoid spoilers I will just comment that verbal and physical abuse are addressed in this novel and the changes relate to how the story is resolved, if there is one.

It is narrated from different POV with addresses the women involved with Stephen Ashton, a heart surgeon, who is looking to remarry yet again at age 60 to Heather Wisher, a much younger woman at 34 years old who was hired as their interior designer. Meanwhile, Stephen is getting a divorce from Pamela whose health is declining due to Alzheimer's disease. It is difficult to write a spoiler free review given that both versions I've read lead down a confusing path. One version aimed to address some unresolved questions that weren't clear in the other version. It really felt like two different books in the end for me. Basically, all the women in the novel have encountered some sort of abuse whether revealed and discussed or ignored. There is a final twist in the end with the epilogue which occurs 3 years prior to the story which I don't think clarified the plot for me in anyway.… (more)