The Mother cover art

The Mother

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Mother

By: Jane Caro
Narrated by: Jessica Douglas-Henry
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

About this listen

She would die for her daughter. But could she kill for her?

Just like the garden, the fuse box, the bills, bin night and blown light bulbs, this was just something else she'd now have to take care of herself.

Recently widowed, Miriam Duffy is a respectable North Shore real estate agent and devoted mother and grandmother. She was thrilled when her younger daughter Ally married her true love, but as time goes by Miriam wonders whether all is well with Ally, as she moves to the country and gradually withdraws, finding excuses every time Miriam offers to visit. Their relationship has always had its ups and downs, and Miriam tries to give her daughter the distance she so clearly wants. But is all as it seems?

When the truth of her daughter's situation is revealed, Miriam watches in disbelief as Ally and her children find themselves increasingly vulnerable and cut off from the world. As the situation escalates and the law proves incapable of protecting them, Miriam is faced with an unthinkable decision. But she will do anything for the people she loves most in the world. Wouldn't you?

‘The vivid and gripping tale of a young family in danger and the mother who will do anything to save them. Passionate, vivid and unsettling, this heart-stopping tale had me transfixed.' SUZANNE LEAL, author of The Teacher's Secret

‘Chillingly authentic, dark and exhilarating.' JUANITA PHILLIPS

‘Devastating…heartbreaking…compassionate and empowering.' KAREN VIGGERS

©2022 Jane Caro (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd
Domestic Thrillers Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Voices Fiction

Critic Reviews

"The vivid and gripping tale of a young family in danger and the mother who will do anything to save them. Passionate, vivid and unsettling, this heart-stopping tale had me transfixed." (Suzanne Leal, author of The Teacher’s Secret)

"Chillingly authentic, dark and exhilarating." (Juanita Phillips)

"Devastating...heartbreaking...compassionate and empowering." (Karen Viggers)

All stars
Most relevant  
I’ve always liked Jane Caro as a media commentator and all-round wise woman, but this novel makes me like her even more. The story starts off almost banal, as the characters go about their domestic lives, but their situations deteriorate as coercive control rears its ugly head. The reader could understand the utter frustration and loss of control of the female characters until the story comes to its devastating conclusion. A very worthwhile read, Thanks Jane.
PS I tried to rate this book with 5 in every category, but the computer program wouldn’t let me.

Searing tale of coercive control

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The characters brought me into the story and as I grew to know her I liked Miriam and her perspective on life. As the story developed and took a turn I was invested. A good summer read.

Compelling story ripped from the headlines

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I found part one frustratingly slow; it was clear where the story was heading and I just wanted to get there. And why the crowd around the not and baby at the hospital? Maybe I skipped through the explanation! Part 2 was much more the suspense and drama I was hoping for so I'm glad I plugged on. The narrator was also easy to listen to.

Saved by a few surprises

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

From start to end i could not put this down! Absolutely loved it. Fabulous story!

I loved this!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Excellent story about family dynamics and a mother’s love for her family and what lengths she will go to protect them. Raised issues of domestic violence issues and its complexities. Thoroughly enjoyed this well written and narrated book.

Raised important Domestic Violence Issues

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Good story. Up to date subject seen in the media often. Held my breath a few times wondering whether there was going to be a sad outcome.

Suspenseful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This story was relevant to me on many different levels and of the love for a women's children.

The Mother by Jane Caro

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Narrator very good.
Story is not unheard before but I really liked the mothers view. How complex it was from her perspective. Too horribly close to reality sadly but a really worthwhile story.

Hard to hear but worth it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I chose this book as my daughter is a Police Officer assigned to the DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEPARTMENT in the state where she & her family live. She has often given me first hand accounts of the horrors of DV that she has been called to quell & investigate. This book really brings home the unfairness & torture that people sometimes go through by their supposed loved ones. Definitely a must read for anyone with interest in what may be happening to people they care for. We all know of examples of Wives & Children murdered by ex husbands. Definitely a book for our time
JARED SUTHERTON

A GREAT LOOK INTO THE DEPTHS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

A complex portrayal of the ways in which our societal conventions are formed and the damage that they can do.

Great contemporary story.

Breaking apart conventions

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.