Not a Good Mother

‘A knockout debut thriller that’ll make your heart sit in your throat. Tense, twisted, and deeply emotional, this book will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end, and will continue linger with you a long time thereafter’ Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of A Killer Motive

‘Karabi George depicts the universally understood terror of a mother’s child being taken from her in a way that is incredibly unsettling and will not let you stop turning the pages. On an even deeper level, she gives us insight into what it’s like to experience marriage, motherhood, and loss as a new immigrant, the feeling of loneliness, bias and hopelessness. This book is an edge-of-your-seat thriller while at the same time highlighting how quick society is to judge mothers on their merit, how isolating new motherhood can be and the need to do better by all women in every stage of their mothering journey’ Jessica Hamilton, author of The Woods

‘A pulse-pounding thriller that explores the isolation and expectations of motherhood through the unique lens of a new Canadian. Twists, cliffhangers, and shocking betrayals make Not a Good Mother a welcome and original addition to the genre’ Robyn Harding, international bestselling author of Strangers in the Villa

‘Karabi George explores what happens when one fateful decision sets into motion every mother’s worst fear. The twists and ticking-clock tension make it a read-in-a-day thriller, but it’s George’s sharp insights and unique perspective as a new Canadian that elevate this debut’ Karma Brown, #1 international bestselling author of Mother is Watching

‘Not a Good Mother deftly handles the emotional intensity, isolation, and raw vulnerability of being a new mother, while keeping you on the edge of your seat in a race to find a kidnapped baby. Complete with twists and turns and pulse-pounding moments, but also with a heart-wrenching core of how overwhelming and lonely early motherhood can be, this was an intricate and truly stunning debut’ Ashley Tate, bestselling author of Twenty-Seven Minutes

‘In her thrilling debut, Not a Good Mother, Karabi George distills so precisely the sometimes-suffocating loneliness of postpartum and the mental tricks it can play on us — as a new mother, are you right to worry, or are you just being paranoid? Who can you really trust? This is a novel about a mother’s worst nightmare — a marriage falling apart, her baby kidnapped, the blame on her — but a story of resilience and survival too. From the tense first chapters, to the explosive twist and the perfect ending, I loved every page of this book’ Amy Stuart, #1 bestselling author of A Death at the Party

‘In Karabi George’s heart-stopping debut, a split-second decision shatters a mother’s life. Already isolated as a newcomer to Canada, Reema is desperate for connection. But when her baby daughter is abducted by a supposed mom friend, Reema frantically races against the clock to find her child. Captivating and propulsive, Not a Good Mother is both a nail-biting suspense and a chilling plea to support women when they are at their most vulnerable. A stunningly authentic portrayal of motherhood, marriage, and identity with astonishing twists, it will make you think twice about who to trust.” Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of Hello, Juliet

‘A compelling thriller about every parent’s worst nightmare, Not a Good Mother exposes the realities of motherhood alongside a stunning narrative that will keep you up past your bedtime. Karabi George kept me guessing right up to that final, deliciously unexpected twist!’ Jessica Payne, author of Somebody Worth Killing and Never Trust the Husband

‘Not a Good Mother is everything thriller readers crave: a bingeable ride of twist and turns, a strong protagonist to root for, and one wild punch of an ending. But what sets Karabi George’s debut apart is her thoughtful, nuanced portrait of immigrant motherhood: Reema’s loneliness and isolation as she searches for community, and the suspicion and mistrust she faces while living through every mother’s worst nightmare. George expertly balances taut, compelling storytelling with emotional depth — a brilliant new voice in domestic suspense’ Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push

‘Karabi George’s assured debut explores every parent’s deepest fear—and delivers a warning: How deeply can you trust the closest people in your life? Haunted by the belief that she has failed her baby and struggling to bear the judgement of everyone around her, Reema’s determination to uncover the truth could upend her entire life. Perfect for book clubs seeking thoughtful, character-driven thrillers’ Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Women in White and The Locked Ward