'The Perfect Mother' by Aimee Molloy follows a group of new mothers known as the May Mothers who gather regularly to discuss the challenges of motherhood. When one of the babies is kidnapped after a night out, the group becomes obsessed with solving the crime, leading to the uncovering of secrets and suspicions among the members. The book alternates between different women's perspectives, exploring themes of motherhood, postpartum depression, and the complexities of female relationships. As the suspense builds, the truth behind the abduction is gradually revealed, keeping readers guessing until the end.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, representing diverse backgrounds and deeply personal struggles related to motherhood, adding richness to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging with a focus on suspense and character development, incorporating multiple perspectives and annotations to enrich the reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The story is a suspenseful mystery about a baby abduction that engages readers with unexpected twists and character secrets.

Setting:

The story is set in Brooklyn, focusing on the lives of new mothers and the societal pressures they face, highlighted by the mother's group dynamic.

Pacing:

The pacing starts fast but slows in the latter part, maintaining suspense while building to a climactic and surprising ending.

To: May Mothers From: Your friends at The Village Date: July 4 Subject: Today’s advice Your toddler: Fourteen months In honor of the holiday, today’s advice is about independence. Do you notice that y...

Notes:

The book revolves around a group of new moms called the May Mothers, who meet regularly in Brooklyn.

It explores the pressures and challenges faced by new mothers, particularly the comparisons and judgments they experience.

The story centers on the disappearance of a six-week-old baby, leading to a suspenseful investigation.

The narrative alternates between multiple characters' perspectives, allowing deeper insights into each mother's struggles and secrets.

The author, Aimee Molloy, has written non-fiction before and this book is her debut novel.

The book has been adapted into a film, with Kerry Washington starring in a leading role.

Themes of postpartum depression and societal expectations of motherhood are prevalent in the story.

The mystery keeps readers guessing, with many twists that lead to an unexpected conclusion.

Annotations from the author provide additional context and insights into character motivations and writing choices.

Readers found the portrayal of modern motherhood relatable, particularly the aspect of needing support from other moms.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include infant abduction, postpartum depression, and psychological themes that may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

LibraryReads Selection

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

An addictive psychological thriller about a group of women whose lives become unexpectedly connected when one of their newborns goes missing.

A night out. A few hours of fun. That's all it was meant to be.

They call themselves the May Mothers-a group of new moms whose babies were born in the same month. Twice a week, they get together in Brooklyn's Prospect Park for some much-needed adult time.

When the women go out for drinks at the hip neighborhood bar, they are looking for a fun break from their daily routine. But on this hot Fourth of July night, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is taken from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but her fellow May Mothers insisted everything would be fine. Now he is missing. What follows is a heart-pounding race to find Midas, during which secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are destroyed.

Thirteen days. An unexpected twist. The Perfect Mother is a "true page turner." -B.A. Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors

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The Perfect Mother

Aimee Molloy