Book Review : The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

The Mother-in-Law
Author:Sally Hepworth


Synopsis


A twisty, compelling novel about one woman's complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in murder...

From the moment Lucy met her husband's mother, Diana, she was kept at arm's length. Diana was exquisitely polite, and properly friendly, but Lucy knew that she was not what Diana envisioned. But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country. Diana was happily married to Tom, and lived in wedded bliss for decades. Lucy wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law.

That was five years ago.

Now, Diana has been found dead, a suicide note near her body. Diana claims that she no longer wanted to live because of a battle with cancer.

But the autopsy finds no cancer.
The autopsy does find traces of poison and suffocation.
Who could possibly want Diana dead?
Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her adult children and their spouses?

With Lucy's secrets getting deeper and her relationship with her mother-in-law growing more complex as the pages turn, this new novel from Sally Hepworth is sure to add to her growing legion of fans. 


Excerpt from the book:

Someone once told me that you have two families in your life – the one you are born into, and the one you choose. But that’s not entirely true, is it? Yes, you may get to choose your partner, but you don’t, for instance, choose your children. You don’t choose your brothers- or sisters-in-law, you don’t choose your partner’s spinster aunt with the drinking problem…. More importantly, you don’t choose your mother-in-law.”


My Thoughts :


A family drama/ mystery novel  about a complicated relationship with Mother in Law. The book opens with the death of Lucy's Mother in law, Diana. It was said she committed suicide leaving a note  in the drawer.  But police feels their is more to it and its not a suicide.
Every women getting married and joining a  new family  wants to feel accepted by the mother in law. Lucy too wanted to get the motherly love from her mother in law Diana as she lost her own mother in her childhood days. But unfortunately Diana was always reserved and tried to keep distance.

As the story unveils slowly, we see how complicated people gets in terms of relation. Each chapter has been written in terms of characters perspective. How they feel and why they feel.
The story opens up with Diana's past her  and how she met her husband Tom.
Though with the past story of Diana ,the author tried to create sympathy, I think her attitude towards everyone at times were mean. Diana was sympathetic towards strangers but towards her grandchildren or children she was extremely mean and stingy. Some time being too much practical is  not good for relationship.
I am not surprise she is dead ! What surprised me was the ending, how she died.
Overall it was a light read.

3/5


"of course  there are plenty of ways to give your life meaning  beyond having children . Every one says this. Some people believe it. But in the end it doesn't matter  because I dont believe it. And this is after all my life."