The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
A twisty, compelling novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in murder…
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.
I’m really starting to like Sally Hepworth books. I think this is my third, but might be my fourth. I recently read an arc of her upcoming book and enjoyed that one too.
Lucy lost her mother when she was young and looked forward to having a mother in law once she married Ollie. But Diana just didn’t seem to like her. Not even when she made her a grandma. But Lucy still tried and didn’t give up. They had an interesting relationship. It really hit Lucy when Diana died though. The book goes back and forth in time with Lucy and Diana. We slowly see why Diana is the way she is. Her husband is the friendly one that spoils his kids. Diana believes that they shouldn’t give them handouts at all. That becomes a huge issue when her daughter needs money for IVF. Ollie is closest to his mom, but even their relationship is rough at times. All of them have issues with Diana which makes them all suspects when the police decide that she was murdered.
I gave this book 4 1/2 stars. Please be aware that there is a lot of talk of infertility issues, adoption, and suicide/depression.
Have you read this? Is it on your TBR?
