Hush Little Baby Review

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of the book in return for an honest review. 3.5 stars!!! So I managed to finish this book rather quickly. The premise is as the blurb says what it is. Baby Oliver sustains a fractured arm and the story revolves around the social services system and the mystery as to who actually did it. I know this book has been labeled a thriller but it was more of a mystery and the mechanics of family issues than a psychological thriller. Nevertheless, I did find the story rather engaging. I wouldn't say I was completely riveted. The story is told from 3 POVs: Sally (the mother), Richard (the father) and Martha (the sister). The novel delves into the dysfunction of the family and throws light on major issues such as post natal depression, eating disorders, infidelity and so on. Considering I mostly read fantasy and romance, this book was quite the departure from that. I liked how the author shifted between POVs to create a full picture of how each of the family members deal with the addition of a new baby. It was interesting to see how each character was trying to cope with their issues, the situation and emotions. I liked that the author didn't strip down on the harsh realities of parenting and kept it raw. It really made me think and look at things in a new light. The novel also reveals how even in a family, we don't really know each other and as individuals we keep secrets. I also found that the pacing of the book was brisk and it followed well. I found the plot twist at the end to be especially shocking. However, I felt there could have been more things written about the actual proceedings regarding the social services and I felt that the situation was resolved fairly quickly and easily. Other than that, I think the book was an enjoyable read and would recommend it if you are looking for something quick to read.

#mystery #womensfiction #JoannaBarnard