The Other Mothers: An absolutely gripping thriller with a shocking twist (Detective Jo Fournier Book 4)

What an unputdownable story! I am late to this terrific series, and jumped right in with this fourth one, The Other Mothers. It reads fabulously as a standalone, but I so enjoyed it that I’m going to go back to the first to catch up.A small New England town is shocked when a little girl is found lifeless in her schoolyard. Detective Jo Fournier, already grieving, has just returned to work after suffering a miscarriage, and must solve this horror. She is vulnerable but relentless. With her partner Bob Arnett, the hardest part is discovering how such a tragedy could possibly occur under the watchful eyes of schoolteachers, a good friend of the mother, and a tightly knit community. Also confusing is the reaction of the child’s mother, who was either too calm or possibly just in shock. Then comes the death under mysterious circumstances of a fourth-grade teacher, and the case becomes even harder for Jo. Too many pieces in the puzzle, too many people to suspect, and the other mothers seem definitely to be hiding something.Jo Fournier is a brave and deep feeling character with problems from her past, but she’s still driven to find out who is lying and why. I never guessed. The ending was a shock. This is a gripping, fast paced thriller that pulls hard at your heartstrings and will be hard to forget. Now I’m going to read more in this fabulous series. I’m so glad to have found it!

Great characters VERY interesting storyline. Won't say more! Recommend you read series snd in sequence for character development....

There's only one downside when discussing M. M. Chouinard, THERE AREN'T ENOUGH NOVELS TO KEEP ME READING! It's been years since I've found an author that really keeps me hanging on, and Chouinard does it well! The Jo Fournier series have realistic investigative details that bring you into the mindset of the detectives. Her villains are believable and intriguing. She gets you into the minds of all characters without extra confusing dialogue to just fill space. I was unable to get ahead of her and "figure it out" so there are nice surprises along the way. I've finished the Fournier series and am saving "The Vacation for our upcoming beach vacation. It's really hard to not cheat and start it early. I am hoping there are more Fournier novels in the future. I really dont think you can go wrong with any of her novels.

I was hooked by book 1 immediately. Book 2 was good. Book 3 was a ride...but this book...the way my jaw dropped and would've fallen off if not attached...As a mom, I'm horrified by what happens..As someone who works in a school, I'm petrified of something like this happening while I'm on duty.As a reader, however, I was transfixed..hypnotized...and SHOOK. THE GASP, I GASPED!You don't necessarily need to read these in order...it helps sure..I'd read this one if it's your first dabble by M.M. you'll be hooked.

Reviewed on book 8.

It was good. I read a lot and usually have the ending figured out half way through the books, not this one! Better than most I've read in the past 6 months. Just ordered several more of the authors books. I like her writing style.

This was a fantastic read. Loved it!!! I did figure out the ending about 3/4 of the way through the book but it was masterfully written and VERY engaging and entertaining. The relationships between the women was very well depicted, and clearly illustrated the "hierarchical standing" of each woman based on her circumstances, status, marriage, clothes, etc. For me, it was a but triggering as I was brought immediately back to 9th grade and "trying to fit in." It's a fantastic read and I highly recommend.

I thought from the blurb that this little girl was simply missing - possibly kidnapped. If I had known this book dealt with a very young child being murdered, I probably would not have purchased it.Anthony disappearing is nothing more than a red herring--also in the blurb. He does not disappear.The killer is, of course, eventually revealed but no true motive is ever given for the murder of the little girl beyond the killer being a psychopath, and mentally ill. I think even a psychopath has a motive--even if it only makes sense to the psychopath.There is a kidnapping much later on in the book, which is never adequately explained. Why the kidnapper thought that would lead to anything other than what it led to was never really clear, in my opinion.

Mind-bending plot with great character development. Thoroughly enjoyed The Other Mothers as well as M.M. Chouinard's three other books in the series. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I could not put it down, and it took ages to get my mind around the people and the story. It made one think about what would happen, and who was telling the truth.

I chose this rating as its great read. Keeps you guessing until the end. If you love a physchological thriller you will enjoy this book.

I’ve been reading this entire series and this instalment is quite good. I’m not certain how I feel about the ending/person whodunnit. It sort of came out of left-field.

When Detective Jo Fournier is called into work a day before her enforced medical leave is due to finish she is right in thinking it must be for something serious. The body of five-year-old Nicola has been found at the same elementary school attended by Jo's own nieces leaving everyone there devastated.Keeping her own secrets she's only told her partner Detective Bob Arnett about  they begin working on the traumatic case only to discover a wall of silence and lies stopping them from making headway. When another suspicious death is linked to the school the need for answers becomes desperate but where will they discover the truth when all those involved are determined to reveal nothing?This is a brilliant, page turning thriller until the big reveal when for me it became a huge disappointment. Jo Fournier's part of the story is excellent throughout and her relationships with her team and family were compulsive reading as was the main theme until suddenly it wasn't.  I won't give any spoilers as I know many people will love this book but I felt cheated by what I felt was the author taking the easy way out of the complex and compelling case she had envisioned. I will still continue to read this series because for the most part the author gets it spot on and I want to see what happens with Jo next.I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I would give this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.