Molloy, Aimee--The Perfect Mother Informal Buddy Read starts June 6, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy.



Synopsis
Vanity Fair calls it one of the most anticipated books of the summer. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Scandal's Kerry Washington.

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

They call themselves the May Mothers—a collection of new moms who gave birth in the same month. Twice a week, with strollers in tow, they get together in Prospect Park, seeking refuge from the isolation of new motherhood; sharing the fears, joys, and anxieties of their new child-centered lives.

When the group’s members agree to meet for drinks at a hip local bar, they have in mind a casual evening of fun, a brief break from their daily routine. But on this sultry Fourth of July night during the hottest summer in Brooklyn’s history, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is abducted from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but the May Mothers insisted that everything would be fine. Now Midas is missing, the police are asking disturbing questions, and Winnie’s very private life has become fodder for a ravenous media.

Though none of the other members in the group are close to the reserved Winnie, three of them will go to increasingly risky lengths to help her find her son. And as the police bungle the investigation and the media begin to scrutinize the mothers in the days that follow, damaging secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are formed and fractured.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Res

[Geri]

Posting so I can check in on the thread. See everyone on June 6.

[Laura]

Me too!
HI Geri!

[Vicki Willis]

Am here too.

[Brooke]

I’m in. I’ll be back in a few weeks!

[Chava]

I have this one high on my TBR list, I'm in too.
I've never done a buddy read before, how does it work?

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I'm in. This one sounds fascinating.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Chava wrote: "I have this one high on my TBR list, I'm in too.
I've never done a buddy read before, how does it work?"

Since this is an informal buddy read, basically you comment your thoughts in here (spoiler free or spoilers hidden) in this thread when you're reading.

[Chava]

Sweet! Thanks

[Chava]

well the wait for this book was just too long at the library, so I've bought a copy. I look forward to starting it this week!

[Kaley]

Joining from Team Bellatrix for TT challenge! I actually chose this book in May for my Book if the Month Club Book but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. This will be the perfect excuse to finally sit down with it!

[Chava]

It's been the 6th here for 21 hours and 21 minutes now, I am going to start. This book has been lying patiently next to my bed since I bought it a few days ago :D

[Laura]

Chava wrote: "It's been the 6th here for 21 hours and 21 minutes now, I am going to start. This book has been lying patiently next to my bed since I bought it a few days ago :D"

Lol... I'll be back Chava. ( I think I have a problem of overcommitting.) Hehe, I should have read mine weeks ago when I bought it!

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Chava wrote: "It's been the 6th here for 21 hours and 21 minutes now, I am going to start. This book has been lying patiently next to my bed since I bought it a few days ago :D"

Lol... I'll be bac..."

Me too, Laura. I'm definitely overcommitted this week. I'm excited to read this one, though!

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chava wrote: "It's been the 6th here for 21 hours and 21 minutes now, I am going to start. This book has been lying patiently next to my bed since I bought it a few days ago :D"

Lol...."

Me too! Cover is pretty!

[Geri]

Chava wrote: "It's been the 6th here for 21 hours and 21 minutes now, I am going to start. This book has been lying patiently next to my bed since I bought it a few days ago :D"

I’ll be starting this one today, Cheva. I’ll be back tomorrow to discuss with you!

[Geri]

Cheva - How far did you get? I read chapters 1-7. Interesting beginning, I think. (view spoiler)[ What do you think of the moms, Francie, Collette, Nell and Winnie? I find them an interesting mix of characters. The obvious suspect is Bodie Magerro. He may be too obvious? What do you think? (hide spoiler)]

[Kaley]

Hoping to start this today!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I just read the Prologue and first chapter. Wow, love the writing style so far! I can already tell I'm probably going to really like this one. What an ender to chapter one already...

[Vicki Willis]

I am #4 on the list at the library (down from 31) already. There are 21 copies, so it won't be long! Better late than never!

[Geri]

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "I just read the Prologue and first chapter. Wow, love the writing style so far! I can already tell I'm probably going to really like this one. What an ender to chapter one already..."

The book does get really good as you read more. The Moms are interesting. The mystery really gets complicated. But in a good way. Right now, I don’t know what to think. But I want to know how the book ends!

[Geri]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I am #4 on the list at the library (down from 31) already. There are 21 copies, so it won't be long! Better late than never!"

Never too late, Vicki!

[Geri]

Chapters 8-15

(view spoiler)[ Winnie has secrets. But I am not sure she is responsible for Midas’ disappearance. The author is trying to convince us she might. I still wonder about Midas’ father. Could he have something to do with this?

The news report trashing Winnie for a night out did seem realistic. It is something that happens a lot during a tragedy.

I do find it interesting how all the mothers are investigating.

I do wonder how the story will end. Does Winnie’s stalker have something to do with this? What does Tolken’s arrest have to do with anything?

I was surprised when they found the body of the gameskeeper at Winnie’s home. How does this all fit together? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I'm going to start this tonight!

[Amy]

Just finished through chapter 4

(view spoiler)[This is getting interesting! I had trouble at first placing all of the moms and who was in the core group and who wasn't, but I feel like I understand who is who now. Now I just have to remember all their different backstories as they're told. Winnie is the most mysterious to me. I need to know what happened to her at the bar that night and what happened to her phone after Nell couldn't find it?! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I got through chapter 4 last night also.

(view spoiler)[Amy, I agree that at the beginning it was a little difficult keeping everyone straight. But I've got more of a grasp of it now. Francie's relationship with her mother is interesting; there is more there for sure. And what is going on with Nell? She obviously doesn't remember everything from the night at the bar, and things have happened to her before.

I do want to learn more about Winnie, obviously, but I think Nell and Token have a lot of hidden things left to uncover. (hide spoiler)]

[Amy]

Brooke wrote: "I got through chapter 4 last night also.

(view spoiler)[I agree about Nell. I can't tell if she just drank way too much because it seems like she might have a problem with drinking or if something more sinister happened and someone put something in her drink? Token really rubs me the wrong way. I'm not sure what to think of him yet, but I agree there has to be a lot to learn from him yet (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Amy and Brooke, you sound like me at the beginning. The author really does a great job at keeping you guessing about what the characters might be hiding and what really happened!

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "Amy and Brooke, you sound like me at the beginning. The author really does a great job at keeping you guessing about what the characters might be hiding and what really happened!"

I read so many mystery/thrillers that now I feel like I overanalyze them while reading. I question everything and everyone and look for the minor clues since the bad guy is never the obvious one. :)

[Brooke]

chapters 5-12

(view spoiler)[Wow. A few revelations later I still feel like I have no idea what happened. I'm enjoying the ride, though!

Francie is a bit obsessed with this. It was sad learning about her abortion and miscarriages. What is up with Lowell, though? There is something about him that is suspicious to me.

Nell might have a hidden identity?

There is a part of me that is questioning that Winnie is the narrator of the first person chapters. Or maybe it is just that the person in those chapters is a little crazy so I'm doubting everything she is trying to rationalize. Either way I want to know more! (hide spoiler)]

I'm still intrigued by the mystery in this one. I'm going to speed through my cleaning, laundry and errands today so I can get back to reading!

[Brooke]

I made the mistake of reading during a break in my housework. There is a lot going on in chapter 13! Now I have to keep reading to find out what happens next.

chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ Ok, it is confirmed that Nell isn't her actual name. What did she do in the past? It sounds like a hacking incident, but we'll see.

Interesting that Colette told Francie something different than Nell. Is it because Lowell also called Colette because he is worried about Francie's obsession?

I had a sight suspicion about Scarlett earlier, but now I am on full alert. She conveniently was planning a move to the suburbs after giving birth and missed the night out. Was she really pregnant? Did she take the baby? The stroller was covered in IKEA... (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I finished and read your spoilers Brooke. This book really kept me guessing to the end too. So many secrets to be revealed! I liked that the most about this book. All the moms were interesting characters.

Finished

(view spoiler)[ This was a fun read. I never suspected Scarlet.

The title of the book was ironic. None of the mothers were perfect. But they sure were entertaining to read about.
(hide spoiler)]

[Kaley]

Finally started! Chapters 1-3

(view spoiler)[I was surprised that we already know what’s happening a year later so early on! So Winnie is in jail?! I’m so curious as to wht happens!

I definitely think it’s interesting Alma fell asleep and that she had some of Winnie’s tea... did Winnie crush some sleeping pills? She blamed the May Mothers in Ch. 1,.. but maybe we are dealing with an unreliable narrator here? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finally started too!
Chapters 1 through 5
(view spoiler)[ Wow, this one is interesting from the get go. The mom's from the mommy group all have secrets.
Winnie is a famous actress, Nell is an alcoholic to help her forget about whatever bad thing happened in her past. Ahh, poor Francie to be violated by a teacher as a teenager. Colette has balls to be doing all that snooping! These women are all messed up.

Winnie's tv show reminds me a bit of a show called Degrassi High that aired years ago.

Anyone else participate in a Mother's group?
(hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I finished too. I really liked it! It didn't feel like a debut novel.

(view spoiler)[The only thing that didn't really get addressed in the "one year later" chapter was how Francie and Lonnie were able to pay for their new house and have another baby. Did his firm profit from this tragedy due to name recognition?

I did guess Scarlet, but I didn't realize how messed up she really was. Wow is all I can say. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I finished too. I really liked it! It didn't feel like a debut novel.
."

(view spoiler)[ I know the ending didn’t really explain things. I could tell from your spoilers that you were sharper than I, figuring out that it was Scarlet early on! (hide spoiler)]

I actually liked this book better than The Good Liar.

[Geri]

Kaley wrote: "Finally started! Chapters 1-3

."

This book will make you question everything!

[Kaley]

Geri wrote: "Kaley wrote: "Finally started! Chapters 1-3

."

This book will make you question everything!"

Looking forward to it!!

[Brooke]

Geri: (view spoiler)[ I don't know about being sharper. Sometimes things just stand out as odd based on the writing and story, and when it was pointed out that Scarlet's stroller was covered when Francie ran into her at IKEA I just got a feeling that was important. (hide spoiler)]

I liked it better than The Good Liar also. Now I need to get back to Circe and Ready Player One, both books sadly abandoned because I had to know what happened next in this one. :-)

[Laura]

Through chapter 10
(view spoiler)[

At this point I think Winnie set everything up herself and hired someone to abduct her own baby so she could be with Joshua.
Who is Nell? The police are questioning everyone in the mommy's group. (hide spoiler)]

[Amy]

Brooke wrote: "chapters 5-12


(view spoiler)[ I've just finished chapter 12 so am reading your comments on it now. Holy cow, I never even thought that it possibly isn't even Winnie, but now I just need to know what the heck is going on! I don't think I was suspicious of Lowell, but now I'll be on high alert I'm sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Through chapter 16(view spoiler)[
wow, this just keeps getting more and more complicated. I don't think Token is involved but he is connected to Winnie some how.

I saw some of the other guesses; Scarlett and Lowell as the kidnappers or being involved so I 'm really interested to see how this ends.

Lowell actually seems to be a bit of a jerk.

I think that Francie is a hot mess and is using the investigation or needs to investigate to somehow cope with all these new feelings/experiences as a new mother.

Francie's charade with the guy from the bar was messed up.

The bits and pieces we are learning about each character definitely shows us how little each of the women in the mother 's group actually know each other.

(hide spoiler)]

[Kaley]

It just occurred to me that maybe the prologue (view spoiler)[wasn’t Winnie! It never explicitly said, though I feel like it was implied to make us think so. Hmmmm. (hide spoiler)]

[Kaley]

Through Ch 7

(view spoiler)[I have a feeling the suspect was not actually involved. Or, something weird, like he was hired by someone to kidnap Midas?Otherwise, why?? I mean I guess people have picked people at random to kidnap before, but it seems so targeted. (hide spoiler)]

[Chava]

Sorry for the delay, my husband and 6 year old son both got admitted to hospital these last 10 days. Both are back home so hopefully nothing else happens and I can get some serious reading done.

I am at chapter 8, page 102. I hope to finish it over the weekend. I am loving this book. I got so annoyed that I had to look after hubby and couldn't read lol.

[Laura]

I fell asleep last night trying to finish; I 'll finish tonight after work. I have less than 50 pages and I'm not sure if (view spoiler)[ Winnie abducted her own baby or someone else did (hide spoiler)]

Molloy has definitely created an interesting story here; its fast paced and keeps you intrigued! Looking forward to the ending.

[Laura]

Chava wrote: "Sorry for the delay, my husband and 6 year old son both got admitted to hospital these last 10 days. Both are back home so hopefully nothing else happens and I can get some serious reading done.

I..."

Oh no, Chava; hope your husband and son are both doing better! Speedy recovery to them both.

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
The ending almost felt rushed. I'm actually happy to learn that Winnie wasn't the abductor. I didn't think it was Scarlet: Good call Brooke!

I'm still surprised that Colette didn't get caught for the all evidence she stole and tampered with. I enjoyed each couples struggles with life/ a new baby and how they coped.

3 stars for me. I also liked it more than The Good Liar (hide spoiler)]