Maternal Instinct - by Becky Masterman

About the Book

"Grace Deming didn't want to uproot her family to care for her mother-in-law, but she's determined to make the best of it. Everyone says Althea is a sweetheart. What's wrong with Grace that she can't trust her? But all her instincts are screaming that Althea is dangerous and if she doesn't fight to protect her family, she'll live to regret it..."--

Book Synopsis

Think moving in with your mother-in-law is your worst nightmare? You have no idea . . . A jaw-dropping novel of domestic suspense from the author of the critically acclaimed Brigid Quinn series

"Chilling, smart . . . and what a voice" Gillian Flynn on Rage Against the Dying
"A thriller that must be read" Lisa Gardner on Rage Against the Dying

Don't let them know what you're thinking, Althea Deming tells herself. It's your best defense. Althea didn't want her good natured but thoughtless step-son Hal and manipulative daughter-in-law Grace to move in with her, relegating her to a corner of the house that was once just hers, but she doesn't have much choice. She's been powerless since her beloved husband Robert's death. According to the will, everything that was hers now belongs to Hal - and to Grace.

Grace Deming didn't want to uproot her family to care for her difficult mother-in-law, but she's determined to make the best of it for the sake of her daughter Shyla's future. Their new home is enormous, the neighborhood prestigious. If the worst of it is that Althea dislikes her, she can cope.

After all, Althea Deming is a sweetheart. Everyone says so. Her husband. The neighbors. And soon, so does Shyla, the once vibrant and happy child now a shadow of her former self. What's wrong with Grace that she can't trust her? But all her instincts are screaming at her that Althea is dangerous, and if she doesn't fight to protect her family from her malign influence, she'll live to regret it . . .

Review Quotes

A must-read for fans of domestic thrillers-- "Booklist"

[An] original addition to the neo-Gothic canon . . . A fever dream of family gone disastrously wrong-- "Kirkus Reviews"

[Readers] are in for a ride as thrilling as they can find outside the pages of Jeffery Deaver . . . A scorching, humane first novel-- "Kirkus Reviews on Rage Against the Dying"

Chilling, twist-filled-- "Publishers Weekly on A Twist of the Knife"

Gripping . . . Will also draw in fans of Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane-- "Booklist on Fear the Darkness"

Masterman keeps the tension high throughout this page-turner-- "Publishers Weekly on We Were Killers Once"

Masterman lives up to her name in this masterly combination of compelling character and plot to keep the pages turning-- "Library Journal Starred Review of Rage Against the Dying"

Nerve-wracking . . . The plot never loses its drive and the characters are truly intriguing-- "Booklist on We Were Killers Once"

One of the most memorable FBI agents since Clarice Starling-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Rage Against the Dying"

Pulse-quickening . . . scorching . . . invigorating-- "The New York Times on Rage Against the Dying"

About the Author

Becky Masterman has worked as an actor, playwright, and an editor for a forensic science and law enforcement press. Her debut thriller was a finalist for the Edgar and the Anthony Awards for Best First Novel and for the CWA Gold Dagger, and her books have been translated into twenty languages. As well as four books featuring retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn, she is the author of standalone thriller Maternal Instinct. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband.