The Mother by T. M. Logan

 

Ten years ago Heather Vernon was found guilty of the brutal murder of her husband, Liam, an up and coming MP. Newly released on licence Heather is determined to discover who actually murdered her husband so that she can clear her name and be reunited with her sons.

Right from the start you are gripped as we join Heather Vernon watching her own funeral and mentioning her husbands funeral. Your interest is immediately piqued wondering what could have happened. The fact that Heather is hiding and in disguise adds to the mystery.

The story then moves back ten years and we learn about Heather and her husband. They are a fairly typical family, both have busy working lives which they are trying to balance with raising a young family. There are obvious tensions, particularly with Liam being a rising star in parliament. When Liam is murdered everyone immediately jumps to the conclusion that Heather has murdered him because of the obvious tensions within the marriage.

The elements of the story set in 2013 builds the case against Heather as evidence is collected, hinting at a possible affair that she has just discovered. In the present day we follow Heather as she digs for evidence to prove her innocence, evidence that points towards conspiracy within government.

Heather is a formidable character. Given her background and situation she could easily have left prison broken, however she is spurred on by the determination to see her sons again. The details of her licence mean that if she tries to contact anyone connected to the case she will return to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence. In her quest Heather is befriended by another ex-con, someone far more streetwise than Heather. Jodie is a really likeable character, she's open and honest despite her past. Also helping Heather are a journalist who has been looking into the story for years and her sister-in-law, the only person from her past who will have anything to do with her.

As the group search for information which points towards a conspiracy worth millions shadowy figures threaten then. But how have these people been able to find them? You begin to question who can be trusted. Is everyone who they claim to be? The threats become physical, these scenes are difficult to read. As well as running from those threatening her Heather is also trying to stay clear of the police, all of this adds to the suspense. Just as we reach the conclusion and wait with bated breath there's a twist in the tale that I did not expect.

The Mother by T. M. Logan will be published on 2nd March 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Zaffre Books for a review copy.