Bad Mother

5⭐️/ 1🌶️Anything Mia Sheridan writes, you already know I’m snatching it right up! This book seemed like a different change in pace in terms of the types of stories I had before by Mia, but still very much intrigued. This story had suspense, mystery, bit of darkness, murders, a dangerous game of cat and mouse, and at the center of it all was Sienna Walker.Going back home would seem nostalgic or even a homecoming that might be celebrated, but for Sienna it wasn’t that at all. Due to something that occurred in her line of work as a Homicide Detective in New York, Sienna was transferred to Reno, Nevada, a.k.a. being back home. Now back home, Sienna was trying to find her footing among the place that held good and bad memories of her past. Some of those memories including a once significant person, one she loved dearly, and had imagined being with forever, her first love, Gavin Decker. Sienna never imagined being back, but I guess things just happened that way. Being thrusted into work, she worked on her first case, one that seemingly resulted in a gruesome murder, but something about the way it was staged to finding a letter in the pocket of the victim already felt different to other cases Sienna had worked before.Compared to Mia’s other books that I’ve read, this was a new kind of story that was new to me, but also had me very interested. With the whole mystery, murder, sprinkles of suspense, danger, and even the part of how the murderer was communicating through his letters was creepy but added to the story. In a way, this book kind of reminded me a little bit of some of my favorite tv crime shows where in certain episodes the level of danger was at an all time high due to the main character facing off against a highly intelligent villain. Sienna was faced against this killer who somehow was able to find out she was working the case, and from the beginning it was a game of cat and mouse between Sienna and the killer. The way the clues started having connections to Sienna and even Gavin started to give me creepy vibes, but it also meant that the killer had made the case personal. I haven’t read a lot or I think any suspenseful stories such as this one, but again, anything Mia Sheridan writes, I’m all onboard that train!While I was so focused on the mystery and detective stuff going on with Sienna, I didn’t realize there was also a second chance romance as well?! Obviously being back home, Sienna was face to face with the one person who caused her immense pain, her first love, Gavin. Gavin and Sienna grew up together when they both lived in the trailer park, and as they got older it then progressed to a romantic relationship. Always together, it seemed like Sienna and Gavin would have lived happily ever after, until Gavin did something that utterly broke Sienna’s heart. Getting to see Gavin back in Sienna’s life was unexpected for her, but mighty intriguing and fun for me to read. Even though it had been many years since they last saw each other, there was still that lingering feeling of what Sienna and Gavin once had, as well as they couldn’t help but remember specific moments from their past together. Gavin was charming, funny, and observant that not only played well when he was a professional poker player, but also able to narrow down the exact details of how Sienna was feeling due to her facial expressions, and behavior. Gavin knew a lot about Sienna, as Sienna knew about Gavin too. With the plot being mainly focused on Sienna’s case, it was also about how in the midst of all that was happening, Sienna and Gavin were brought back together to not only work the case, but rediscover the love they once had.The more I read, the more invested I became in trying to solve the mystery of the crimes being committed as well. The way Sienna would come across unsuspecting clues which ended up being significant was so interesting. In addition, the way the tiniest of clues such as, the items left behind in the crime scenes tied each of the things that Danny Boy wrote about in his letters. Consequently, each seemingly random item ended up being part of a bigger story that Danny boy was trying to convey in connection to his crimes. Even as the story got more in depth with the investigation, I was at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, but also with the plot twists, and revelations being revealed had me simultaneously anxious, worried, and shocked. For sure the big reveal in the story was unexpected, but looking back at all the clues led up to the big plot twist, and oh my goodness it was a pretty good twist to the story! Definitely a great story Mia crafted from beginning to end, and the whole time I was just enjoying the ride, and of course the suspense created a much more thrilling experience for me.Mia Sheridan can literally do no wrong. Mia has a way of creating her stories to be both unique and interesting, and this story was yet another example of that. With the clues, puzzles, mystery and suspense surrounded Sienna and Gavin as they were not only brought back together, but also had to solve the crimes that were being committed. The story really started to get even more compelling when I got to the middle and especially towards the end! I wasn’t expecting the plot twist/ big reveal, but it was goood! I had fun formulating my own theories, and who would have guessed the outcome of the story being right now hidden in somewhat of plain sight? I enjoyed reading this story, I loved the little big of second chance romance between Sienna and Gavin, and the way everything culminated into a big, explosive ending. Sienna was such a strong character and I admired both her integrity and intelligence. Gavin was so equally great, and his love for Sienna never stopped. The ending was amazing and had me both in suspense and nervous at how it was all going to end! The epilogue was sentimental in that it showed Sienna and Gavin fully together like they were always meant to be, but also showing the bit of light and love they were able to bring despite all the losses they experienced in the end. Definitely need to read more of Mia Sheridan’s romantic thrillers because now I’m hooked to read more!

Ooh, my word! I love gritty crime thrillers, and the author hasn’t just penned an exceptional standalone suspense novel but overwhelmed me with a third-person point of view that’s not usually my preferred narrative. What I also look for in a page-turner is the grip factor, believable characters, and a story setting contributing to a plot that keeps me guessing. Sheridan delivered these elements hands down. A glimmer of renewing long-lost love got me rooting for the protagonists too.Circumstances dictate that Sienna Walker moves back to her hometown, joining a mean team of women detectives. As Bad Mother covers all the crime complexities of a serial killer investigation, paying attention to even the tiniest detail is essential. And although they’re all tuned into the pressing matter at hand, Sienna, for me anyway, is remarkable.She thought she’d overcome her childhood/young adult trauma, but you’ll see why meeting Gavin after so many years out of contact worries her. Now leading a prosperous life, Sheridan makes her readers wait to know why Gavin decided to leave Sienna as he did. Working together when his expertise is called upon to help connect the dots of an unfathomable clue, the author wasn’t about to let the reader off the hook with just one twist. I felt like I was there alongside the team while they tried to fathom who was behind a trail of letters prodding them on.Fast-paced, superb secondary character development—I liked Kat, Sienna’s partner, and their lady boss an awful lot; what I enjoyed most was how the pieces fell into place. That doesn’t mean I fathomed out who’d committed such morbid killings, and to say the disclosure shocked me would be putting it mildly. Yet, Sheridan pleased me no end by giving Sienna and Gavin a second chance, the moving romantic touch being a welcome distraction.     Not for the soft-hearted since there are some pretty gory and intense on-the-edge-of-your-seat scenes; if you like crime thrillers, I can’t recommend this full-length standalone novel enough. Bravo!

Wow. Wow. Wow.This story is …CrazyTwistedSo many loops and whirls …. And I really was lost and had no idea where it was going so when WE FINALLY get there, I did NOT see that coming.At all. Like not one bit.Mia is an amazing writer but I have no clue how she kept this all straight to make sense - but it did!!The ending was so sweet and I totally cried. After all that death, it was wonderful.

Great book! Everything that I love about Mia Sheridan’s previous books is part of this one and still it is its own unique story. A story that had me rapt to the end. I read it in one sitting. I can’t wait for her next book!

Wowza! This story kept me guessing from the beginning and in the end, it blew me away. This was an amazing, nail-biting suspenseful story with a little romance sprinkled in to satisfy my romance-loving heart. Twists and turns, murders with written clues…oh do dah day.Sometimes I usually have a good guess at what’s going on, or who the bad person is. But I seriously had no clue in this book until it was revealed. I was completely stumped! I highly recommend this if you love a well-told, whodunnit story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Well done, Ms. Sheridan!

Not my typical read, but it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Who done it, is doing it, and how do you solve it. This one isn’t for the faint of heart.

I have come to not expect great things in books from kindle unlimited, only something to pass the time, and I was ok with that. However, this book took me by surprise from the start. An amazing page-turner, filled with suspense and a nice love story. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

The story is great whith a lot of puzzle pieces and very smart, difficult to stop the reading. Super exited!!

Would highly recommend this book. So many twists and turns I just couldn't put it down. I haven't read one of Mia's books in a long while but boy am I glad I stumbled across this two days ago. What a brilliant job, Mia went all out with this one, it was fantastic 👏

Love Mia’s books and this plot had twists that kept you reading. Romance mixed with murder mystery. Highly recommend this book if you are after something more than just the regular romance.

Another great thriller/mystery/suspense by Mia Sheridan. And although I'm used to more romance in her stories usually, this one was still good. Her last serial killers books were really very well written and I although they were a bit ugly and disturbing at places, they managed to keep my interest and make me question different theories. This one was surely a well-thought puzzle with some very unexpected turns and twists along the way.The ending when all was revealed was spectacular. It was so dynamic, with so much action and revelations. Such a masterful cobweb of tangled events and destinies that fit perfectly together and created this complicated serial killer playground.As in all Mia Sheridan's stories there was a slight love story within the other dreadful events. I wish we saw more of it but the whole thriller/suspense part of the story was great on itself.The title fit perfectly at the end when all the pieces clicked together. I questioned myself the whole time, being a mother myself, what would I have done if put in such a situation. I still have no answersLove the cover as well.A great mind puzzle and a thrilling story.