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Mother Said So
A battle for dominance erupts between a monstrous mother and her meek son, in this psychological thriller by the author of Bad Company and Uninvited.
Dennis is in his thirties. He has an ineffectual father, a domineering mother, and a socially awkward demeanor. Nevertheless, he’s determined to find a girlfriend, despite his mother’s taunts that he is incapable of such a feat.
When he finds an alcoholic woman in an unconscious stupor by the roadside, recently beaten and robbed, he brings her back to his new the basement of a house in which he is the caretaker.
Rosie awakens to find herself in the hands of a strangely unthreatening but disturbing an innocent in the world around him; gentle and mild yet still very unsettling. Every evening, he returns to the family home to spend time with Mother.
What ties the twisted mother and son so inextricably together? Is Rosie’s fate sealed?
And how far will Mother go to regain her control?
Dennis is in his thirties. He has an ineffectual father, a domineering mother, and a socially awkward demeanor. Nevertheless, he’s determined to find a girlfriend, despite his mother’s taunts that he is incapable of such a feat.
When he finds an alcoholic woman in an unconscious stupor by the roadside, recently beaten and robbed, he brings her back to his new the basement of a house in which he is the caretaker.
Rosie awakens to find herself in the hands of a strangely unthreatening but disturbing an innocent in the world around him; gentle and mild yet still very unsettling. Every evening, he returns to the family home to spend time with Mother.
What ties the twisted mother and son so inextricably together? Is Rosie’s fate sealed?
And how far will Mother go to regain her control?
- GenresThriller
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2024
158 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 1, 2024
The Quincey’s
Remember that surname
Never have I met such a family and I have met a lot!
Charlotte, Mum…..a heinous psychopath, who is controlling, vile, totally @unpredictable, and nasty, pure nasty….but of course a wonderful ‘love to utterly loathe’ character
Henry, Dad, weak, weaker, weakest and pathetic although totally ruled by Charlotte, one minute I couldn’t stand him the next I was urging him on
And Dennis, Mummy’s boy Dennis, enthralled and petrified by Charlotte, who absolutely hates him ( and his Dad )
A threesum not to forget, it is impossible to do so
Enter Rosie, unwittingly dragged into this harem of spite and toxicity, forced to act to save her life
What happens will shock, every page did me
Yet there is great sardonic humour from Rosie which had me chuckling, the ‘cliffhanger’ joke very funny
You have to read this book, it’s a diamond of a psychological thriller with stunningly obnoxious characters and an eye popping story….
Remember that surname
Never have I met such a family and I have met a lot!
Charlotte, Mum…..a heinous psychopath, who is controlling, vile, totally @unpredictable, and nasty, pure nasty….but of course a wonderful ‘love to utterly loathe’ character
Henry, Dad, weak, weaker, weakest and pathetic although totally ruled by Charlotte, one minute I couldn’t stand him the next I was urging him on
And Dennis, Mummy’s boy Dennis, enthralled and petrified by Charlotte, who absolutely hates him ( and his Dad )
A threesum not to forget, it is impossible to do so
Enter Rosie, unwittingly dragged into this harem of spite and toxicity, forced to act to save her life
What happens will shock, every page did me
Yet there is great sardonic humour from Rosie which had me chuckling, the ‘cliffhanger’ joke very funny
You have to read this book, it’s a diamond of a psychological thriller with stunningly obnoxious characters and an eye popping story….
May 29, 2024
You've been bad you must be punished.
An enormous psychological thriller.
Dennis Quince wanted out from his mother Charlotte, the woman who had dominated his and his dads lives, he had to escape, her one rule is to show every night at 6.30 for dinner with her, it's to be obeyed.
He was free, he was to become a playboy for now anyway.
Rosie Dalton woke up in a strange room to a man with a bag over his head, he told her not to be frightened all he said was I saved you.
Dennis has got his girlfriend, his play thing and no way is he letting her go.
SO CREEPY, Dennis is creepy, a psychopathic in all his ways.
And his mother Charlotte the mother from hell, some pretty scary stuff in entailed in this book that makes it so unputdownable and your reading with eyes wide open, and mother said so so she knows so.
This book you see a massive twist to end all ends, fabulous absolutely fabulous read. This author has done a job so well done. her work just gets better and better.
I loved it, I honestly truly did. And this my honest review leaving five big stars.
An enormous psychological thriller.
Dennis Quince wanted out from his mother Charlotte, the woman who had dominated his and his dads lives, he had to escape, her one rule is to show every night at 6.30 for dinner with her, it's to be obeyed.
He was free, he was to become a playboy for now anyway.
Rosie Dalton woke up in a strange room to a man with a bag over his head, he told her not to be frightened all he said was I saved you.
Dennis has got his girlfriend, his play thing and no way is he letting her go.
SO CREEPY, Dennis is creepy, a psychopathic in all his ways.
And his mother Charlotte the mother from hell, some pretty scary stuff in entailed in this book that makes it so unputdownable and your reading with eyes wide open, and mother said so so she knows so.
This book you see a massive twist to end all ends, fabulous absolutely fabulous read. This author has done a job so well done. her work just gets better and better.
I loved it, I honestly truly did. And this my honest review leaving five big stars.
July 29, 2024
Jocelyn Dexter what a amazing book I finished it today and couldn’t put it down
Was so gripped from beginning to end and all I can say I’m glad she wasn’t my mother 😂😂😂🫣
Was so gripped from beginning to end and all I can say I’m glad she wasn’t my mother 😂😂😂🫣
July 28, 2024
Brilliant and disturbing.
Not only was this book ultra disturbing with some unbelievably shocking moments, it was incredibly funny and the book managed to have an extremely touching ending which didn't have a stupid contrived twist, which I had been worried it could have been going in that direction. As other reviewers have said it is a good portrayal of the damage that abuse within a family can do. But it is not graphic or gory (despite some of the concepts being enough to give you nightmares) and does have some very funny moments. All the characters were terrifying in different ways and I appreciated that they all were given a lot of depth and written sympathetically (except Mother lol) even though some of their actions were utterly horrifying. Mother/Charlotte was an utterly terrifying character. I'm sure that some will say that her actions were unbelievable but I have listened to enough true crime to say that it is unfortunately realistic. This is one of the most memorable books I have listened to in some time and I highly recommend it.
Not only was this book ultra disturbing with some unbelievably shocking moments, it was incredibly funny and the book managed to have an extremely touching ending which didn't have a stupid contrived twist, which I had been worried it could have been going in that direction. As other reviewers have said it is a good portrayal of the damage that abuse within a family can do. But it is not graphic or gory (despite some of the concepts being enough to give you nightmares) and does have some very funny moments. All the characters were terrifying in different ways and I appreciated that they all were given a lot of depth and written sympathetically (except Mother lol) even though some of their actions were utterly horrifying. Mother/Charlotte was an utterly terrifying character. I'm sure that some will say that her actions were unbelievable but I have listened to enough true crime to say that it is unfortunately realistic. This is one of the most memorable books I have listened to in some time and I highly recommend it.
June 27, 2024
This is my first book by this author. If you are looking for a creepy, page turner, look no further. This story is haunting and disturbing. I really, really did not like the mother. She was absolutely horrible. Reminds me of some people I know unfortunately. Most of the characters are unlikeable......I'm actually not sure if I liked any of them to be honest. But it didn't deter from my enjoying the book. Some unexpected twists kept me on my toes.
July 7, 2024
Omg what have I just read. Such a brilliant if sometimes scary read. Dennis still lives at home with his mother(not mummy) & father, although now in his 30s. Dennis decides he wants to leave home but Mother isn't happy she rules the house. Rosie has a drink problem and worries about her ma whose in a care home. Dennis finds Rosie drunk and "Saves her" . Mother will not be happy. Highly recommend this book
July 1, 2024
Jocelyn has surpassed herself with this novel! Great characterisation and many
‘oh my God’ moments for lovers of thrillers. And that mother! Omg. Not a book to miss if you like creepy characters and surprises.
The power struggle between Charlotte and her adult son Dennis grows even more creepy and weird with each chapter that it was just impossible to put this book down! Would highly recommend..
‘oh my God’ moments for lovers of thrillers. And that mother! Omg. Not a book to miss if you like creepy characters and surprises.
The power struggle between Charlotte and her adult son Dennis grows even more creepy and weird with each chapter that it was just impossible to put this book down! Would highly recommend..
June 30, 2024
Flippin’ ‘Eck what a brilliant psychological thriller this is. I physically had to stretch my feet at times as my toes were curling at some of the exploits of this extremely dysfunctional family.
Meet the Quince family. Charlotte, the domineering & psychotic mother; Henry, the abused & put upon father & Dennis, the sop of a son in complete thrall to Charlotte & still living at home in his early 30’s. Dennis has a wish list - get a social life, leave home & get a girlfriend. He achieves the first two with relative ease although he still has a 6.30pm dinner appointment with his mother every day. The girlfriend issue is resolved when he discovers an unconscious woman in the street, he simply picks her up & takes her home. When Rosie awakes she realises that she has been kidnapped, so what next?
Told from varying POVs of all the characters, the family are just plain creepy but I couldn’t stop reading about them. A fabulous, fast paced tale & I have no hesitation in recommending that you read it. A proverbial cushion to hide behind might be handy too!
Meet the Quince family. Charlotte, the domineering & psychotic mother; Henry, the abused & put upon father & Dennis, the sop of a son in complete thrall to Charlotte & still living at home in his early 30’s. Dennis has a wish list - get a social life, leave home & get a girlfriend. He achieves the first two with relative ease although he still has a 6.30pm dinner appointment with his mother every day. The girlfriend issue is resolved when he discovers an unconscious woman in the street, he simply picks her up & takes her home. When Rosie awakes she realises that she has been kidnapped, so what next?
Told from varying POVs of all the characters, the family are just plain creepy but I couldn’t stop reading about them. A fabulous, fast paced tale & I have no hesitation in recommending that you read it. A proverbial cushion to hide behind might be handy too!
June 26, 2024
This is the darkest and most disturbing psychological thriller I have read in years. For eliciting the menace that lurks in familiar settings Jocelyn Dexter writes with a talent as frightening as the late, great, Patricia Highsmith.
In creating the Quince family - Charlotte, Henry and Dennis - the author had unleashed the ultimate dysfunctional family from hell on her unwary readers. When you include Denise Quince and Dolly Quince it makes one feel the world is more dangerous behind the closed doors of suburbia than ever before.
This is a gloriously twisted, totally addictive, terrifyingly claustrophobic, story with an atmosphere of unspeakable foreboding and nameless dread, that is deliciously satisfying.
In creating the Quince family - Charlotte, Henry and Dennis - the author had unleashed the ultimate dysfunctional family from hell on her unwary readers. When you include Denise Quince and Dolly Quince it makes one feel the world is more dangerous behind the closed doors of suburbia than ever before.
This is a gloriously twisted, totally addictive, terrifyingly claustrophobic, story with an atmosphere of unspeakable foreboding and nameless dread, that is deliciously satisfying.
July 16, 2024
Wow, what a ride!! I just couldn't put it down. From the jaw-dropping twists to the completely crazy characters. This books kept me up well past my bed time. Highly recommend 🌟
June 20, 2024
Last year, I read my first book by this author, Bad Company, and absolutely loved it!
I was so excited to see this new release and just had to dive straight in.
This read actually gave me chills.
From a mother of boys, I literally couldn't imagine being so controlling and manipulative as Dennis' mother was with him.
We all know boys and all say come back for dinner often - just in the hope that one day in a blue moon they actually think to show up and let you know they're alive still!
Well, Charlotte was something else!!
Still at home at 30, Dennis finally gets some freedom but his mother has rules for him still! He must come home every night for dinner at 6.30.
At this point I was feeling uncomfortable and quite sad for Dennis. But excited that he might start to love his own life.
But when he finds Rosie and "rescues" her we see a completely different side to him and my feelings stewards him flipped straight back!
The characters were so well presented and their development worked so well throughout - I was pretty confused with my feelings towards them all - but never failed to be totally creeped out by the dynamics in the family and the behaviours of everyone.
Great storyline with a shock ending!
So fast-paced and I raced through it so fast! - I just had to keep reading one more chapter and was so on edge that I needed to get to the end to find out what would happen.
Already can't wait for the next book to come out!!
I was so excited to see this new release and just had to dive straight in.
This read actually gave me chills.
From a mother of boys, I literally couldn't imagine being so controlling and manipulative as Dennis' mother was with him.
We all know boys and all say come back for dinner often - just in the hope that one day in a blue moon they actually think to show up and let you know they're alive still!
Well, Charlotte was something else!!
Still at home at 30, Dennis finally gets some freedom but his mother has rules for him still! He must come home every night for dinner at 6.30.
At this point I was feeling uncomfortable and quite sad for Dennis. But excited that he might start to love his own life.
But when he finds Rosie and "rescues" her we see a completely different side to him and my feelings stewards him flipped straight back!
The characters were so well presented and their development worked so well throughout - I was pretty confused with my feelings towards them all - but never failed to be totally creeped out by the dynamics in the family and the behaviours of everyone.
Great storyline with a shock ending!
So fast-paced and I raced through it so fast! - I just had to keep reading one more chapter and was so on edge that I needed to get to the end to find out what would happen.
Already can't wait for the next book to come out!!
June 17, 2024
Never expect run of the mill psychological fiction when you pick up a Jocelyn Dexter book!
This one was decidedly creepy and had me holding my breath.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Charlotte, the monstrous Mother; Dennis, the son; Henry, the ineffectual father and Rosie who just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time for Dennis to abduct her. In fact, Dennis, being as ineffectual as his father didn’t really abduct Rosie in a positive sense, he just finds her drunk in the gutter.
Charlotte clearly has a hold on her son Dennis and the reader’s mind runs riot as to what possibly takes place when Dennis and Mummy have dinner at 6.30pm every night. When the truth emerges it is every bit as shocking as your wildest imagining. When Dennis finally finds the will to escape I found myself cheering him on but when he takes Rosie prisoner the story takes on a more chilling turn. Is Dennis as monstrous as his dreadful mother? Has she made him in her own image? At the same time I asked myself why Henry didn’t stand up to Charlotte for the sake of his son? Isn’t it time that the worm turned?
And Rosie, an admitted alcoholic with a mother suffering from dementia doesn’t stand a chance from being manipulated by these characters. She isn’t going to be missed anytime soon and is just a pawn in the mad game taking place in the Quince family. Can she stand up against so much malevolence?
I just couldn’t second guess what might happen next and I raced to the end to find out. The ending was a surprising twist. Thank you to the author and Bloodhound Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This one was decidedly creepy and had me holding my breath.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Charlotte, the monstrous Mother; Dennis, the son; Henry, the ineffectual father and Rosie who just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time for Dennis to abduct her. In fact, Dennis, being as ineffectual as his father didn’t really abduct Rosie in a positive sense, he just finds her drunk in the gutter.
Charlotte clearly has a hold on her son Dennis and the reader’s mind runs riot as to what possibly takes place when Dennis and Mummy have dinner at 6.30pm every night. When the truth emerges it is every bit as shocking as your wildest imagining. When Dennis finally finds the will to escape I found myself cheering him on but when he takes Rosie prisoner the story takes on a more chilling turn. Is Dennis as monstrous as his dreadful mother? Has she made him in her own image? At the same time I asked myself why Henry didn’t stand up to Charlotte for the sake of his son? Isn’t it time that the worm turned?
And Rosie, an admitted alcoholic with a mother suffering from dementia doesn’t stand a chance from being manipulated by these characters. She isn’t going to be missed anytime soon and is just a pawn in the mad game taking place in the Quince family. Can she stand up against so much malevolence?
I just couldn’t second guess what might happen next and I raced to the end to find out. The ending was a surprising twist. Thank you to the author and Bloodhound Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2024
A psychological thriller about the seriously freakish Quince family that beat the Munsters for creepy by miles! We have Charlotte the mother, Henry the under the thumb father and Dennis the 32 year old completely useless son and under the control of his mother. What’s not to say about this dreadful threesome? Charlotte mentally and physically abuses Henry who takes it all lying down. Dennis has never left home and has to sit down to dinner with his mother at 6.30 exactly. Told from multiple POV’s, the three I just mentioned and Rosie who joins the story later.
Briefly, Dennis has a tick list. (1) Leave home (2) become independent and enjoy life and (3) get a girlfriend. Bravely leaving home despite the seriously bitter words of his mother he finds a flat to live in and has quickly ticked off the first two items. Now for the third. When Rosie, who is an alcoholic, falls unconscious in the street Dennis drives by and when Rosie wakes up she finds herself locked in his flat. So Dennis has his girlfriend so what next?
This is not so much a psychological thriller but psychological warfare. Mind bending but so clever it is impossible to put down. I can’t say for certain which member of the family creeped me out the most but I wouldn’t want to meet any of them. Fast paced and twisted tale with some very good twists and turns and that ending! A compulsive read. 4.5⭐️
Briefly, Dennis has a tick list. (1) Leave home (2) become independent and enjoy life and (3) get a girlfriend. Bravely leaving home despite the seriously bitter words of his mother he finds a flat to live in and has quickly ticked off the first two items. Now for the third. When Rosie, who is an alcoholic, falls unconscious in the street Dennis drives by and when Rosie wakes up she finds herself locked in his flat. So Dennis has his girlfriend so what next?
This is not so much a psychological thriller but psychological warfare. Mind bending but so clever it is impossible to put down. I can’t say for certain which member of the family creeped me out the most but I wouldn’t want to meet any of them. Fast paced and twisted tale with some very good twists and turns and that ending! A compulsive read. 4.5⭐️
June 21, 2024
New Review
Releases June 28th
Ahhh, so much to say, so little time! Just all around fantastic read! Man Charlotte aka Mother was a straight up B*tch!!
“Mother Said So” is a bewitching psychological thriller that explores the twisted dynamics between an aberrant mother and her submissive adult son. I must say Charlotte is an absolute whack-a-doodle. Just you wait and see! The family secrets that will be disclosed and hidden agendas will make you shake your head and keep you questioning, why?
So onto Dennis, determined to find a girlfriend, rescues an alcoholic woman who has been beaten by the side of the road. Meanwhile, Rosie, awakening in the hands of this peculiar man, wonders about the mysterious connections that bind this mother-son duo. See for each evening, Dennis returns to the family home to spend time with “Mother.”
Jocelyn seamlessly intertwines suspense and psychological intrigue. I found the characters’ quirks very interesting, and lead me to have a love/hate relationship with a couple of them.
Prepare to be immersed in a world where nothing is as it seems, and where the battle for dominance takes unexpected turns.
Releases June 28th
Ahhh, so much to say, so little time! Just all around fantastic read! Man Charlotte aka Mother was a straight up B*tch!!
“Mother Said So” is a bewitching psychological thriller that explores the twisted dynamics between an aberrant mother and her submissive adult son. I must say Charlotte is an absolute whack-a-doodle. Just you wait and see! The family secrets that will be disclosed and hidden agendas will make you shake your head and keep you questioning, why?
So onto Dennis, determined to find a girlfriend, rescues an alcoholic woman who has been beaten by the side of the road. Meanwhile, Rosie, awakening in the hands of this peculiar man, wonders about the mysterious connections that bind this mother-son duo. See for each evening, Dennis returns to the family home to spend time with “Mother.”
Jocelyn seamlessly intertwines suspense and psychological intrigue. I found the characters’ quirks very interesting, and lead me to have a love/hate relationship with a couple of them.
Prepare to be immersed in a world where nothing is as it seems, and where the battle for dominance takes unexpected turns.
June 23, 2024
Dennis is socially awkward and is still attached to the umbilical cord of "Mother". Mother is so disappointed with Dennis, he's just a useless buffoon. She doesn't love Dennis like she does his sister Denise. Denise is beautiful with her long golden ringlets she is Mother's favourite. Every evening at 6.30 Denise plays the piano and makes Mother so happy.
Rosie is a troubled young lady with a bit of a dependence on alcohol. Her mother has dementia and doesn't even recognise Rosie anymore.
One fateful evening Dennis finds Rosie in an unconscious stupor and decides she will be his Rosie Posie girlfriend. That will show Mother..
Wow Wow Wow!!! Absolutely loved Mother says so. It's deliciously creepy and seriously disturbing! I raced through, was on tenterhooks as I had absolutely no idea where the story was going. This is the first book I've read by this author, I'll certainly be reading more. Highly recommended, but clear yourself a couple of days as you won't be able to put it down!
Rosie is a troubled young lady with a bit of a dependence on alcohol. Her mother has dementia and doesn't even recognise Rosie anymore.
One fateful evening Dennis finds Rosie in an unconscious stupor and decides she will be his Rosie Posie girlfriend. That will show Mother..
Wow Wow Wow!!! Absolutely loved Mother says so. It's deliciously creepy and seriously disturbing! I raced through, was on tenterhooks as I had absolutely no idea where the story was going. This is the first book I've read by this author, I'll certainly be reading more. Highly recommended, but clear yourself a couple of days as you won't be able to put it down!
February 20, 2025
🎧 Well, this is one wackadoo story!
Dennis, a socially isolated man, makes a desperate attempt to change his lonely existence. When he meets traumatized alcoholic Rosie, his response is questionable, but his domineering mother’s is absolutely bonkers!
The audiobook narrator is fantastic as both Dennis and his mother—their voices were so creepy! I couldn’t decide who was more awful and unlikable!
Mother Charlotte is horrific, and it’s baffling how her husband and son have relented and accepted the situation. A lot of her cruelty is alluded to rather than shown in full. What we do see is disturbing, but given the family trauma, there’s clearly much worse. I wish more of her wickedness had been shown.
There’s no big twist, but I still found the end highly entertaining and satisfying.
This psychological thriller isn’t particularly realistic, but watching such a tragic family unravel was strangely enjoyable!
Dennis, a socially isolated man, makes a desperate attempt to change his lonely existence. When he meets traumatized alcoholic Rosie, his response is questionable, but his domineering mother’s is absolutely bonkers!
The audiobook narrator is fantastic as both Dennis and his mother—their voices were so creepy! I couldn’t decide who was more awful and unlikable!
Mother Charlotte is horrific, and it’s baffling how her husband and son have relented and accepted the situation. A lot of her cruelty is alluded to rather than shown in full. What we do see is disturbing, but given the family trauma, there’s clearly much worse. I wish more of her wickedness had been shown.
There’s no big twist, but I still found the end highly entertaining and satisfying.
This psychological thriller isn’t particularly realistic, but watching such a tragic family unravel was strangely enjoyable!
June 26, 2024
If you're looking for a psychological thriller that turns the tension all the way up, Mother Said So is the book you are looking for! I read with a constant and ever-increasing air of unease as the power struggle between Charlotte and her adult son Dennis grew even more creepy and weird with each chapter. Their complex personalities are so intriguing that it was just impossible to put this book down!
Caught up in the hideous behaviour, and each with their own part to play in the twisted games, Henry and Rosie are as much of a strange delight to read as Charlotte and Dennis. Yes, there are shocks, but the way this book is so completely compelling throughout scores more points than the shocks, for me. Aside from a couple of points that were not quite believable, this book has everything a great psychological thriller needs.
Caught up in the hideous behaviour, and each with their own part to play in the twisted games, Henry and Rosie are as much of a strange delight to read as Charlotte and Dennis. Yes, there are shocks, but the way this book is so completely compelling throughout scores more points than the shocks, for me. Aside from a couple of points that were not quite believable, this book has everything a great psychological thriller needs.
July 1, 2024
Could not put this book down. Dennis lives with his mother and father and his mother rules the house. Dennis wants to get out and manages to secure himself a housesitting/caretaker for a family who are abroad and he gets to stay in the basement. He then comes across a woman Rosie in the street who has had too much to drink who he helps and takes her back to his basement home and keeps her captive and wants her to be his girlfriend.
Mother is not happy he has left and starts to follow him and finds where he lives and she discovers Rosie and takes them both home. Will Rosie escape, was she safer in the basement? Will the father help her or all they all as bad as each other?
Who will win the battle between Mother, Father, son and captive?
Thank you to the author for my advance copy of this book.
Mother is not happy he has left and starts to follow him and finds where he lives and she discovers Rosie and takes them both home. Will Rosie escape, was she safer in the basement? Will the father help her or all they all as bad as each other?
Who will win the battle between Mother, Father, son and captive?
Thank you to the author for my advance copy of this book.
June 17, 2024
A disturbingly powerful page turner, with many twists in the plot. I honestly had no idea how the situation would develop and almost hated reading it and while being absolutely compelled to carry on. A very emotional and frightening depiction of how one woman’s disappointment could lead to an obsession that destroyed the lives of those closest to her. Charlotte appears to be the pure depiction of evil, whilst Dennis is simply her most vulnerable victim. But what of Henry? Is he not equally to blame? Rosie, on the other hand, is a fighter, battling alcoholism, her distress at her mother’s dementia and, then, being kidnapped not once, but twice. A fascinating and memorable read. Definitely recommended.
June 10, 2024
My overwhelming reaction to this book was Urgh! It was so creepy from start to finish. It was interesting to learn more about Dennis and why he was the way he was. In parts, I felt sorry for him being so let down by his parents and other times I just wanted to scream at him to break the mental chains! It was interesting how Rosie developed especially once she met Mother and whether any relationship with a mother figure is better than no relationship with a mother figure. It did leave me wondering a lot about the formative experiences of Charlotte and Henry that led to their behaviour in adulthood. Lots to think about and well written, but I did find it very uncomfortable reading in parts.
June 13, 2024
Dennis has problems. A sick, demanding mother and a horribly weak father fill his life with their disturbing actions. As his mother, Charlotte, abuses him, his father, Henry, stays away. Unable to deal with this awful situation, Dennis goes out and finds his own apartment. His mother is furious! So begins the events that change all of them.
Ms. Dexter has created a wonderful and disturbing story about abuse and its effects. The characters are all struggling in their own way. This book is haunting and sad. There are unexpected twists and turns that the reader does not see coming. This is an excellent novel. I definitely recommend it.
Ms. Dexter has created a wonderful and disturbing story about abuse and its effects. The characters are all struggling in their own way. This book is haunting and sad. There are unexpected twists and turns that the reader does not see coming. This is an excellent novel. I definitely recommend it.
June 13, 2024
Dennis has problems. A sick, demanding mother and a horribly weak father fill his life with their disturbing actions. As his mother, Charlotte, abuses him, his father, Henry, stays away. Unable to deal with this awful situation, Dennis goes out and finds his own apartment. His mother is furious! So begins the events that change all of them.
Ms. Dexter has created a wonderful and disturbing story about abuse and its effects. The characters are all struggling in their own way.
This book is haunting and sad. There are unexpected twists and turns that the reader does not see coming. This is an excellent novel. I definitely recommend it.
Ms. Dexter has created a wonderful and disturbing story about abuse and its effects. The characters are all struggling in their own way.
This book is haunting and sad. There are unexpected twists and turns that the reader does not see coming. This is an excellent novel. I definitely recommend it.
July 6, 2024
This is the first book that I’ve read by Jocelyn Dexter in the psychological thriller genre. “Mother Said So” takes readers on a chilling journey through the intricacies of the human mind and the dark secrets that lie within families. Dexter masterfully creates a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and psychological depth. The characters are deeply complex, adding layers of intrigue to the story. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, "Mother Said So" is a must-read that will leave you captivated and wanting more.
June 19, 2024
When Jocelyn Dexter writes a book, I immediately have to put up a closed sign and disturb me at your peril notification up.
With 'Mother Said So' that was exactly what I did.
I have eagerly awaited the publication of this book and boy it throws some hard hitting punches which I thoroughly enjoyed and reviled in.
Most will write an opening for Dennis in their review. But this book is so much more than him.
For me the mother of Dennis should have her own standing ovation in the most perverse and cunning woman on the planet.
She has controlled and forced him and her husband for the end game.
But she didn't foresee Dennis having a plan of his own!
Rosie has had a pretty bad life recently, but things are looking up until she walks into a pub and gets so drunk she has a blackout.
When she wakes her whole life is turned upside down.
Where is she and who the heck wants her to be the mother of his child?
One of the best psychological thrillers of the year!
With 'Mother Said So' that was exactly what I did.
I have eagerly awaited the publication of this book and boy it throws some hard hitting punches which I thoroughly enjoyed and reviled in.
Most will write an opening for Dennis in their review. But this book is so much more than him.
For me the mother of Dennis should have her own standing ovation in the most perverse and cunning woman on the planet.
She has controlled and forced him and her husband for the end game.
But she didn't foresee Dennis having a plan of his own!
Rosie has had a pretty bad life recently, but things are looking up until she walks into a pub and gets so drunk she has a blackout.
When she wakes her whole life is turned upside down.
Where is she and who the heck wants her to be the mother of his child?
One of the best psychological thrillers of the year!
June 17, 2024
This is my fourth book by this author and is my new favourite. This is an unflinching, edge of your seat, hold your breath, dark psychological thriller. I love reading thrillers with disturbed family dynamics, and my word, it does not get much more disturbing than this. At some point I despised and sympathised with every character in the book. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times. Fantastic immersive writing and I know that Rosie, Mother, Dennis, and the rest will live in my head rent free for some considerable time. Excellent. I’d highly recommend this book.
August 13, 2024
What...
This was... Interesting lmao. And the idea of mental illness running that rampant in a family was alarming. I felt bad for Dennis. I probably shouldn't have, but I did. His mother was a cruel, sociopathic, wench. And his father was a pansy with little to no backbone. It would be nice to read a prequel to Mothers life. I liked Rosie, although, I would have risked that threat and went to the police. I feel like the solution would have been easier, but we wouldn't have the book we have now, so I'm glad she did things differently.
This was... Interesting lmao. And the idea of mental illness running that rampant in a family was alarming. I felt bad for Dennis. I probably shouldn't have, but I did. His mother was a cruel, sociopathic, wench. And his father was a pansy with little to no backbone. It would be nice to read a prequel to Mothers life. I liked Rosie, although, I would have risked that threat and went to the police. I feel like the solution would have been easier, but we wouldn't have the book we have now, so I'm glad she did things differently.
September 3, 2024
page turner!
this book reminded me so much that we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. in public someone could be one way and complete different at home. quite sad really. I felt bad for all the characters and thought they all needed psychiatric help. Especially Mama Quince she's a riot. a real psychopath. anyone who wonders why serial killers become serial killers read this
this sounds like some of the things they'd deal with at home with their insane parents. ill reread this book in 2 years for sure it was awesome! very well done!
this book reminded me so much that we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. in public someone could be one way and complete different at home. quite sad really. I felt bad for all the characters and thought they all needed psychiatric help. Especially Mama Quince she's a riot. a real psychopath. anyone who wonders why serial killers become serial killers read this
this sounds like some of the things they'd deal with at home with their insane parents. ill reread this book in 2 years for sure it was awesome! very well done!
May 30, 2024
Dennis has got himself a girlfriend, and his overbearing mother wants to meet her. All is not as it seems, and the family dynamics of the Quince family are laid out for the reader to see. But this is not a 'normal' family. I really felt for Rosie being dragged into this strange situation and shed a few tears for her at the end. Any book that can get me to cry is worth 5 stars. It's a fantastic read.
June 15, 2024
Seriously creepy and weird book. Dennis is well and truly under mother's thumb, husband Henry does as he's told too. Then Dennis gets a "girlfriend" Rosie and it all becomes even more twisted.
The dynamics between all the relationships were fascinating and a psychiatrist would have a field day. Rosie and Charlotte's (the mother) relationship is particularly intriguing as to how it develops. Well written and certainly keeps you guessing right to the end.
The dynamics between all the relationships were fascinating and a psychiatrist would have a field day. Rosie and Charlotte's (the mother) relationship is particularly intriguing as to how it develops. Well written and certainly keeps you guessing right to the end.
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