Review: THE MOTHER, Jane Caro

• 
  This edition read as an e-book on my Kindle
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MQ3PN1W
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allen & Unwin, Australia, Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2022
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 365 pages  

Synopsis (Amazon)

From the Walkley Award winning journalist, social commentator and author comes a gripping domestic thriller with a moral dilemma at its core.

'A timely, tense and important story that takes you to the heart of a toxic relationship, fighting to get free.' Michael Robotham

Just like the garden, the fuse box, the bills, bin night and blown light bulbs, this was just something else she'd now have to take care of herself.

Recently widowed, Miriam Duffy is a respectable North Shore real estate agent and devoted mother and grandmother. She was thrilled when her younger daughter Ally married her true love, but as time goes by Miriam wonders whether all is well with Ally, as she moves to the country and gradually withdraws, finding excuses every time Miriam offers to visit. Their relationship has always had its ups and downs, and Miriam tries to give her daughter the distance she so clearly wants. But is all as it seems?

When the truth of her daughter's situation is revealed, Miriam watches in disbelief as Ally and her children find themselves increasingly vulnerable and cut off from the world. As the situation escalates and the law proves incapable of protecting them, Miriam is faced with an unthinkable decision. But she will do anything for the people she loves most in the world. Wouldn't you? 

My Take

An absolutely engrossing book. You begin to suspect halfway through where it is heading, and then whammo! 

Two issues stuck out for me. First of all the changes to her life that Miriam has to face when her husband suddenly dies, too young. And then the domestic violence that Ally faces.

Highly recommended.  Make sure you read the author's notes at the end.

My rating: 4.9

I've also read  4.8, LYREBIRD 

Review: LYREBIRD, Jane Caro

• 
  this edition a paperback published 2025 by Allen & Unwin Australia
  
• 360 pages
• ISBN 978-1-76147-153-7 

Synopsis (publisher)

Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so if they mimic a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, they have witnessed a crime. But how does a young, hung over PHD student and a wet behind the ears new detective, convince anyone that a native bird can be a reliable witness to a murder, especially when there is no body and no missing person?

And what happens when they turn out to be right?
A sound froze her blood. A woman. A woman screaming in pure terror. Screaming and sobbing—begging—out here, in this desolate place.

Twenty years ago, ornithology student Jessica Weston panicked when she heard a woman screaming for her life in the remote Barrington Tops. Her relief, when she discovers that it is a lyrebird making the sounds, is profound. She is thrilled to have caught his display on video. Then she remembers—lyrebirds are mimics. Whatever the wild creature has heard must have really happened, and happened nearby.

Jessica takes her video to the police. Despite support from newly minted detective, Megan Blaxland, with no missing person reported and no body, her evidence is ridiculed and dismissed.

Twenty years later, a body is unearthed, just where Jessica said it would be.

Horrified they let the case go cold, Jessica, now an associate professor, and Megan, recently retired but brought back to head up the investigation, reunite and join forces. They are determined to find the killer, whatever it takes. What they don't realise is that they are not just putting their lives in danger, but also the lives of those close to them . . . 

My Take

This is my first novel by Jane Caro and I can tell already it won't be my last. I read this one in one day which is unusual for me.

The starting point is arresting: a lyrebird imitating the cries of a murder victim. No body found at the time. And then twenty years on, a body is found at that location. And the realisation that what the lyrebird imitated really happened.

The plot becomes much more complex than we might have predicted: the original cop is called out of retirement to take on the case, the person who first recorded the lyrebird's mimicry is involved, and their personal lives are explored. 

A satisfying read.

My rating: 4.8 

About the author

Jane Caro AM is a Walkley award-winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, feminist, public education activist and social commentator. She was awarded the B&T Women in Media Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Once upon a time, she was a multi-award-winning advertising copywriter and an academic. These days, she is a full-time writer, novelist, speaker, MC and TV, radio and media pundit. She has published thirteen books, including the bestselling novel The Mother. Lyrebird is her second novel for adults.