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The Shalini Boland Collection: The Secret Mother, The Child Next Door, The Silent Sister
If you are after nail-biting, spine-tingling suspense, look no further!
Discover the thrilling psychological fiction of million-copy-bestseller Shalini Boland in this box set of three standalone books, and find your new favourite author.
The Secret Mother : ‘Are you my mummy?’
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children. Not anymore… Who does the child belong to, and why is he there? And is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realises?
The Child Next Door : ‘Don’t take my baby.’
Kirstie Rawlings is jolted awake by a child crying. Racing upstairs to check on her new-born, she is plunged into every parents’ worst nightmare. She hears an unknown voice on the baby monitor, ‘Let’s take the child – and go.’ Is someone trying to steal her little girl?
The Silent Sister : ‘You don't deserve a sister…’
Lizzy Beresford is at home alone when she finds a chilling letter in her kitchen. Someone has been into her home – someone who wishes Lizzy harm. Desperate, Lizzy reaches out to her sister, Emma. They haven’t spoken in years, not since the argument that tore them apart. But Emma has been receiving letters too…
Utterly unputdownable, full of twists and turns that will make your jaw drop – if you love Louise Jensen, Claire McGowan and Gillian Flynn, Shalini Boland’s books are for you!
‘ Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn't see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!! ’ Goodreads Reviewer , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ OMG!!! The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and instantly set my teeth on edge! Don’t forget to read to the very last word though because that ending… WOW, completely unexpected!! ’ Stardust Book Reviews , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Oh yes, yes, yes, yes this was my kind of read … A screaming-from-the-rooftops fantastic read … So fast paced it leaves you breathless. One of the best psychological thrillers that I have read .’ Read Along With Sue , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Wow, wow and wow! What a read! Gripping from start to end and a very clever plot that keeps you guessing all the way . I loved this book… Didn’t want it to finish.’ Nicki’s Book Blog , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ I literally could not put it down … I finished in less than 24 hours , it draws you in from the very first chapter… WOW… And just when you think that’s it… BAM .’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ BOOM, my whole evening just disappeared! There are literally so many twists and turns towards the end. It was brilliant! I loved every minute of it … A page-turner of a read that will have you gripped .’ By the Letter Book Reviews , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Oh my. A captivating, unputdownable , evocative, emotional, twisted thriller. Oh, that ending… OMG, that ending, did NOT expect that. It blew me away .’ Read Along With Sue , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘5 star read! … Absolutely amazing … Thrilling. Shocking, tense , and taut! The ending will make your head spin again and again! ’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ OMG. What a phenomenal book! I read this book in 24 hours because I could not put it down .’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ A gripping psychological thriller that leaves you never knowing who to trust from one minute to the next… You won't rest until you get to the end! ’ Thoughts from Irene , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Absolutely brilliant!!! I loved it and the ending left me speechless!! It blew my mind!!… This is a must read!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Discover the thrilling psychological fiction of million-copy-bestseller Shalini Boland in this box set of three standalone books, and find your new favourite author.
The Secret Mother : ‘Are you my mummy?’
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children. Not anymore… Who does the child belong to, and why is he there? And is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realises?
The Child Next Door : ‘Don’t take my baby.’
Kirstie Rawlings is jolted awake by a child crying. Racing upstairs to check on her new-born, she is plunged into every parents’ worst nightmare. She hears an unknown voice on the baby monitor, ‘Let’s take the child – and go.’ Is someone trying to steal her little girl?
The Silent Sister : ‘You don't deserve a sister…’
Lizzy Beresford is at home alone when she finds a chilling letter in her kitchen. Someone has been into her home – someone who wishes Lizzy harm. Desperate, Lizzy reaches out to her sister, Emma. They haven’t spoken in years, not since the argument that tore them apart. But Emma has been receiving letters too…
Utterly unputdownable, full of twists and turns that will make your jaw drop – if you love Louise Jensen, Claire McGowan and Gillian Flynn, Shalini Boland’s books are for you!
‘ Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn't see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!! ’ Goodreads Reviewer , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ OMG!!! The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and instantly set my teeth on edge! Don’t forget to read to the very last word though because that ending… WOW, completely unexpected!! ’ Stardust Book Reviews , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Oh yes, yes, yes, yes this was my kind of read … A screaming-from-the-rooftops fantastic read … So fast paced it leaves you breathless. One of the best psychological thrillers that I have read .’ Read Along With Sue , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Wow, wow and wow! What a read! Gripping from start to end and a very clever plot that keeps you guessing all the way . I loved this book… Didn’t want it to finish.’ Nicki’s Book Blog , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ I literally could not put it down … I finished in less than 24 hours , it draws you in from the very first chapter… WOW… And just when you think that’s it… BAM .’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ BOOM, my whole evening just disappeared! There are literally so many twists and turns towards the end. It was brilliant! I loved every minute of it … A page-turner of a read that will have you gripped .’ By the Letter Book Reviews , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Oh my. A captivating, unputdownable , evocative, emotional, twisted thriller. Oh, that ending… OMG, that ending, did NOT expect that. It blew me away .’ Read Along With Sue , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘5 star read! … Absolutely amazing … Thrilling. Shocking, tense , and taut! The ending will make your head spin again and again! ’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ OMG. What a phenomenal book! I read this book in 24 hours because I could not put it down .’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ A gripping psychological thriller that leaves you never knowing who to trust from one minute to the next… You won't rest until you get to the end! ’ Thoughts from Irene , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Absolutely brilliant!!! I loved it and the ending left me speechless!! It blew my mind!!… This is a must read!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
672 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2020
36 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
48 books3,500 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 21, 2020
5⭐️The Secret Mother is a psychological thriller that will have you questioning every character, every behavior, every reaction, and every action.
Tessa’s character was emotionally unstable. Tessa lost her babies, lost her husband, and was accused of abducting a young boy. Tessa has a long list of questionable actions that the police wanted answers to. The press and journalists wanted a story from her. Tessa wanted answers herself. She attempts to find out the answers on her own, then with the help of a neighbor. Essentially all these actions formed a mysterious and dramatic set of circumstances at unfolding the truth.
Tessa and Scott are separated living separate lives. For a year and a half Tessa has been drowning in grief while Scott moved forward. Each coping with the pain differently.
Tessa’s emotional state of mind was a cause for concern for the police, her husband, her boss, her neighbor, and the press. Understandably so with her prior actions and behaviors after losing her son, it’s no wonder Tessa has suffered a breakdown in life. Her husband abandoned her when she was coping with the loss.
Tessa’s only friend is a journalist. The one person who used to have her back and unconditional support, her husband, has started a new life leaving her to cope and grieve by herself. Aside from her grieving Tessa dealt with some strange circumstances involving a five year boy who showed up sitting in her kitchen. This sparked a lot of attention from the police and the press causing interruptions at her work and home.
Ben her boss and owner of the garden center she works at has been a positive attribute through the press nightmare. He has her back proving support and understanding.
Scott had Tessa convinced she needed therapy to cope with her mental instability and depression. Scott couldn’t see beyond her grief and gave up hope. Tessa’s fragile state of mind had her convinced she’s a mess of emotions not ready to trust another man. Scott’s unwarranted support creates doubts in Tessa’s mental state of mind.
Scott and Tessa had a strong marriage up until the death of their babies. Both grieving and coping in different ways, pushed them apart. The once strong bond was weakened by this devastating circumstance. Instead of working together to share the burden of their loss their coping styles forced distance in their relationship.
Depression became Tessa’s only means at surviving. Tessa wanted to continue remembering her babies by visiting the cemetery and staring at photos while Scott wanted to forget their memories by moving forward.
Shalini had me guessing from the beginning. I only discovered the truth just as Tessa was discovering it. I had my hunches but nothing substantial.
This story illustrated how a once strong marriage couldn’t withstand the dark circumstances of life proving not all relationships are meant to last forever. This couples solid foundation began to crack when a hardship fell upon them.
5⭐️The Child Next Door is about a woman who is a wife and mother named Kirstie Rawlings, who recently had a baby. The baby is six months old. Kirstie and her husband Dominic live on a cul-de-sac with 5 other houses. Kirstie knows all her neighbors. They have lived on this street for several years.
Kirstie grows more and more paranoid as the days stretch into weeks with worry about some unusual activity on her street, causing her to grow unstable. There’s this building of curiosity from her neighbors.
Kirstie has been on maternity leave for the last six months. Kirstie is a teacher who spends her days at a school not at home being the nosy neighbor whose enticed by neighborly gossip. Yet here she is spying on her neighbors.
Kirstie is experiencing change in her life with having a baby to care for. Her world has been turned upside down. She’s had to make adjustments while her husband continues on with his work and training with no interruptions.
Shalini eventually introduces all neighbors allowing the reader to digest their actions to formulate their own interpretation of their behavior. Shalini easily sways the reader in many directions. This had some twists and turns. There were secrets and lies. This is a great mystery. Shalini had me guessing the entire time.
3⭐️When doubt and paranoia begins to creep into Lizzy Bereford’s mind, she starts to question everyone around her. Lizzy is obsessed by the note unable to concentrate. Panic and fear sets in quickly, yet in the beginning it was unwarranted.
Lizzy had a basic routine lifestyle at home and at work. Her relationship with her boyfriend was concerning sometimes.
The story is character driven with Lizzy as the main character. She is telling this story from her point of view. It’s her perspective that has me questioning the behavior of the stalker. Something doesn’t fit. I feel like Lizzy is projecting more fear into the words than the words are implying. When I read the words without projecting fear I don’t read anything threatening.
This was by no means an investigation story. Rather the story centered around the notes. These notes led to Lizzy behaving with a suspicious mind questioning everyone around her. It was difficult to get excited when little progress was being made by the police. With the entire story being based on Lizzy’s speculation about each incident it became repetitive.
I certainly questioned every character which seemed unnecessary since Lizzy questioned each character as well. In fact, my thoughts became hers. Every concern was immediately answered by Lizzy.
I wasn’t gripping my seat with fear. The malicious acts were mild and at no time did I find this story utterly addictive, in fact, I took many breaks from reading to allow my mind and body time to adjust to the slow pace. I grew impatient with the note sender and annoyed by their weakness to stir up any sense of fear. I suppose if I had this happen to me I might react with fear.
The notes didn’t have a tone of voice attached to the words to make its point. Possibly a good narrator will be able to create that sense of fear I’m not feeling. It’s like watching a scary movie with no sound it loses the heart racing fear factor without the music and screaming.
I wasn’t surprised nor shocked at the big reveal. With all the speculation taking place it was too easy to figure out the stalker.
Just because this story didn’t win me over doesn’t mean I won’t read other books written by Shalini. I like her writing style. This story fell flat for me.
Tessa’s character was emotionally unstable. Tessa lost her babies, lost her husband, and was accused of abducting a young boy. Tessa has a long list of questionable actions that the police wanted answers to. The press and journalists wanted a story from her. Tessa wanted answers herself. She attempts to find out the answers on her own, then with the help of a neighbor. Essentially all these actions formed a mysterious and dramatic set of circumstances at unfolding the truth.
Tessa and Scott are separated living separate lives. For a year and a half Tessa has been drowning in grief while Scott moved forward. Each coping with the pain differently.
Tessa’s emotional state of mind was a cause for concern for the police, her husband, her boss, her neighbor, and the press. Understandably so with her prior actions and behaviors after losing her son, it’s no wonder Tessa has suffered a breakdown in life. Her husband abandoned her when she was coping with the loss.
Tessa’s only friend is a journalist. The one person who used to have her back and unconditional support, her husband, has started a new life leaving her to cope and grieve by herself. Aside from her grieving Tessa dealt with some strange circumstances involving a five year boy who showed up sitting in her kitchen. This sparked a lot of attention from the police and the press causing interruptions at her work and home.
Ben her boss and owner of the garden center she works at has been a positive attribute through the press nightmare. He has her back proving support and understanding.
Scott had Tessa convinced she needed therapy to cope with her mental instability and depression. Scott couldn’t see beyond her grief and gave up hope. Tessa’s fragile state of mind had her convinced she’s a mess of emotions not ready to trust another man. Scott’s unwarranted support creates doubts in Tessa’s mental state of mind.
Scott and Tessa had a strong marriage up until the death of their babies. Both grieving and coping in different ways, pushed them apart. The once strong bond was weakened by this devastating circumstance. Instead of working together to share the burden of their loss their coping styles forced distance in their relationship.
Depression became Tessa’s only means at surviving. Tessa wanted to continue remembering her babies by visiting the cemetery and staring at photos while Scott wanted to forget their memories by moving forward.
Shalini had me guessing from the beginning. I only discovered the truth just as Tessa was discovering it. I had my hunches but nothing substantial.
This story illustrated how a once strong marriage couldn’t withstand the dark circumstances of life proving not all relationships are meant to last forever. This couples solid foundation began to crack when a hardship fell upon them.
5⭐️The Child Next Door is about a woman who is a wife and mother named Kirstie Rawlings, who recently had a baby. The baby is six months old. Kirstie and her husband Dominic live on a cul-de-sac with 5 other houses. Kirstie knows all her neighbors. They have lived on this street for several years.
Kirstie grows more and more paranoid as the days stretch into weeks with worry about some unusual activity on her street, causing her to grow unstable. There’s this building of curiosity from her neighbors.
Kirstie has been on maternity leave for the last six months. Kirstie is a teacher who spends her days at a school not at home being the nosy neighbor whose enticed by neighborly gossip. Yet here she is spying on her neighbors.
Kirstie is experiencing change in her life with having a baby to care for. Her world has been turned upside down. She’s had to make adjustments while her husband continues on with his work and training with no interruptions.
Shalini eventually introduces all neighbors allowing the reader to digest their actions to formulate their own interpretation of their behavior. Shalini easily sways the reader in many directions. This had some twists and turns. There were secrets and lies. This is a great mystery. Shalini had me guessing the entire time.
3⭐️When doubt and paranoia begins to creep into Lizzy Bereford’s mind, she starts to question everyone around her. Lizzy is obsessed by the note unable to concentrate. Panic and fear sets in quickly, yet in the beginning it was unwarranted.
Lizzy had a basic routine lifestyle at home and at work. Her relationship with her boyfriend was concerning sometimes.
The story is character driven with Lizzy as the main character. She is telling this story from her point of view. It’s her perspective that has me questioning the behavior of the stalker. Something doesn’t fit. I feel like Lizzy is projecting more fear into the words than the words are implying. When I read the words without projecting fear I don’t read anything threatening.
This was by no means an investigation story. Rather the story centered around the notes. These notes led to Lizzy behaving with a suspicious mind questioning everyone around her. It was difficult to get excited when little progress was being made by the police. With the entire story being based on Lizzy’s speculation about each incident it became repetitive.
I certainly questioned every character which seemed unnecessary since Lizzy questioned each character as well. In fact, my thoughts became hers. Every concern was immediately answered by Lizzy.
I wasn’t gripping my seat with fear. The malicious acts were mild and at no time did I find this story utterly addictive, in fact, I took many breaks from reading to allow my mind and body time to adjust to the slow pace. I grew impatient with the note sender and annoyed by their weakness to stir up any sense of fear. I suppose if I had this happen to me I might react with fear.
The notes didn’t have a tone of voice attached to the words to make its point. Possibly a good narrator will be able to create that sense of fear I’m not feeling. It’s like watching a scary movie with no sound it loses the heart racing fear factor without the music and screaming.
I wasn’t surprised nor shocked at the big reveal. With all the speculation taking place it was too easy to figure out the stalker.
Just because this story didn’t win me over doesn’t mean I won’t read other books written by Shalini. I like her writing style. This story fell flat for me.
February 6, 2021
1 star as I couldn't even finish this book - I was reading the silent sister.
July 29, 2021
I love her books. This collection I couldn’t put down!
December 30, 2020
Loved this collection! Could not put down!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews