What Mother Won't Tell Me - by Ivar Leon Menger (Paperback)

About the Book

"Deep in the forests of Nordland, in a lake-side cabin on a small island, Juno has lived in almost complete isolation since early childhood. She has only her Mama and Papa and her little brother Boy for company. They live in constant fear. For danger could already be lurking on the other side of the lake, seeking them out. Strangers, as they call them, who want to take revenge on their father and destroy the family. But Mama and Papa are wise and careful, they have taken every possible precaution: digging out a secret shelter, preparing emergency pills in case they're attacked, and making the children live by seven strict commandments. All so Juno and Boy feel protected and safe. For now. Until everything changes. Juno is young and restless, and when she's spotted by a Stranger she sets in motion a chain of frightening events. In an increasingly threatening new reality, Juno starts to suspect that more than a few secrets have been kept from her. She doesn't know her parents at all, and she doesn't know herself. But whoever Mama and Papa are, they'll do anything to keep Juno to themselves"--

Book Synopsis

"An intoxicating [thriller], well worth the sleep you will lose as you read 'just one more chapter'." -- Clémence Michallon, internationally bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant

Perfect for fans of Abigail Dean's Girl A and Adrian McKinty's The Chain, What Mother Won't Tell Me is a taut, Nordic thriller with a folk tale twist about a young girl raised in strict isolation, protected from the cruel people in the outside world, who soon realizes the most dangerous strangers are the ones in the bedroom across the hall...

Once upon a time, a young woman named Juno lived in a cabin, deep in the woods on a remote island. She had only Mother; Father; her little brother Boy; and a book of fairytales for company. They lived in constant fear, because danger lurked on the other side of the lake, seeking them out - "strangers", as they called them, who wanted to destroy the family.

They lived safely, under seven strict commandments. Until Juno was spotted by a stranger.

In one moment, Juno's world comes crumbling down around her. It's clear the island she calls home is not the safe haven she believed it to be and that more than a few secrets have been kept from her. Juno doesn't know her parents. She doesn't know herself. But whoever Mother and Father are, they'll do anything to keep Juno to themselves.

Review Quotes

"Menger skillfully doles out disturbing reveals, maintaining expert tension without lingering in ambiguity for too long. This deliciously creepy puzzle box is bound to keep readers hooked." -- Publishers Weekly

"This debut novel should come with blood pressure pills...readers will be rapt as they race to the end to find out who survives this nightmare that's effectively mixed with a fairytale motif.? " -- First Clue

"What Mother Won't Tell Me is a perfect thriller--wholly original, haunting, riveting, and relentlessly suspenseful. Start reading this one early or I guarantee you'll be up all night." -- Jason Starr, internationally bestselling and award-winning author

"What Mother Won't Tell Me starts off as the eerie, captivating story of a girl raised in isolation from the outside world--then takes a hairpin turn into full-blown horror-thriller territory. Menger's story brings all the menace of classic fairy tales into the modern world. The tension ratchets up and never lets go. This is an intoxicating novel, well worth the sleep you will lose as you read 'just one more chapter'." -- Clémence Michallon, internationally bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant

"Tension leaps off the pages in this page-turning domestic thriller." -- Mary Burton, New York Times bestselling author

"This heart-pounding thriller draws on elements of Hansel & Gretel, Mommie Dearest, and ripped-from-the-headlines crime to render a wholly unique, gripping tale. The sympathetic narrator, beautiful prose, and page-turning pace is sure to make readers forget whatever else they're doing so they can keep reading. A heart-stopping, surprising, lyrical and thrilling read." -- Sharon Short, author of Trouble Island (also writes as Jess Montgomery, author of the bestselling Kinship Historical Mysteries)