Dear Mother
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18
By: Rea Frey
Narrator: Jennifer Jill Araya
ISBN: 9781662532283
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Publication Date: 04/28/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
In a tense thriller set deep amid the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a determined mother works to uncover the secrets of her family’s dark past, fearful of what their history may reveal.
After a childhood riddled with trauma and unanswered questions, Isabelle Archer vows to chase down the truth. So when her estranged mother dies, the investigative journalist returns to the one story that still haunts her.
Isabelle was thirteen when her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire. The blaze was ruled an accident, and despite the neglect, Isabelle never wanted to believe her mother was a killer. But twenty-five years later, the accusations linger.
Back in Cedarloch to settle the estate, Isabelle revisits her childhood home. A familiar dread permeates the surrounding woods. And when autopsy reports cast new suspicions, Isabelle unearths much more than just terrifying memories.
With help from her ex, Isabelle frantically digs for answers. What really happened the night of the fire? How did her mother die? And are the two somehow connected? What they find could poison long-held memories—and incinerate everything she thought to be true.
My Review
Rea Frey's DEAR MOTHER is a mesmerizing psychological thriller that weaves together two timelines against the haunting backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. The story follows investigative journalist Isabelle Archer as she journeys back to her childhood home in the quaint yet shadowy town of Cedarloch following the death of her estranged mother.
Upon her return, Isabelle is compelled to unravel the haunting memories of a tragic event from her past—a 25-year-old cold case involving a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of three of her foster siblings. As she delves deeper into the mystery, the lines between her childhood and the present blur, revealing dark secrets and long-buried truths that threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew.
"Propulsive, atmospheric, and entirely unputdownable, Dear Mother is a masterclass in the unsettling bonds of family."
Themes
~Fractured Maternal Bonds
~The Weight of Memory
~Foster Care & Found Family
~Cold Case Reckoning
My thoughts...
Dark, emotional, and gripping. A long-time fan of the author, having read all her books, she skillfully explores the fractured maternal bonds in DEAR MOTHER, focusing on secrets and sacrifices made to maintain a veneer of perfection. The novel examines mothers who keep "unspeakable secrets" and daughters whose love is mixed with profound suspicion.
"The Ashes of Memory: Unearthing the Truth in Cedarloch."
"Rea Frey is at her atmospheric best with Dear Mother, a dual-timeline thriller that is as emotionally tense as it is eerie. When investigative journalist Isabelle Archer returns to her childhood home in Cedarloch, she isn't just settling her estranged mother’s estate—she’s reopening a twenty-five-year-old cold case. Haunted by the tragic fire that claimed the lives of her three foster siblings, Isabelle must navigate a small town full of unreliable truths and new evidence that suggests her mother’s secrets were darker than anyone realized.
Moving between the present and the past with multiple POVs, Frey explores the unbreakable yet fractured bonds between mothers and daughters. With short, punchy chapters and a setting that feels like someone is always watching from the shadows, this is a twisty, unputdownable journey into a daughter’s worst nightmare. Seasoned sleuths might guess a twist or two, but the unsettling final payoff will stay with you long after the final page is turned."
The Verdict 5/5 🌟Stars
A solid, bingeable thriller that excels in atmosphere and pacing. A top-tier "one-sitting" read with deeply developed characters and an ending that "packs a punch."
The novel serves as a reminder that family secrets don’t fade—they ferment until they finally demand to be faced.
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Praise
“Having Gail as a mother was never easy, but when three of Isabelle Archer’s foster siblings died in a fire, her life took an even darker turn. As the anniversary of the deaths approaches, Gail is found dead, and Isabelle must revisit her childhood home with a daughter of her own―and more questions than ever. Did Gail kill the children, and herself? Or is there more to this complicated mother’s story? A haunting thriller that peels back layers of the past to expose secrets and sins, Dear Mother had me spellbound.”
―Tessa Wegert, author of In The Bones
“When her mother’s death forces her to return home, investigative journalist Isabelle Archer uncovers new evidence about the shocking tragedy that destroyed her family years ago. Dear Mother is a compelling and thought provoking thriller about secrets that refuse to stay buried, and the chains that forever link us to the past. This is Rea Frey at her very best.”
―Wendy Walker, USA Today bestselling author of Blade
“This is Rea Frey at her absolute best, delivering a propulsive and emotional thriller in which every twist lands harder than the last. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery, another revelation sends the truth spiraling in another direction. Dark, emotional, and intensely gripping, Dear Mother will haunt you long after the final page.”
―Lauren Nossett, award-winning author of The Professor
“Deeply unsettling and masterfully paced, Dear Mother explores the blurred lines between devotion and obsession. Frey expertly captures the suffocating weight of family history and the grisly things hidden in the name of love. This is a dark, twisty journey into a daughter’s worst nightmare. Truly addictive.”
―Vanessa Lillie, USA Today bestselling author of The Bone Thief
About the Author
Rea Frey is the #1 bestselling author of several suspense, women’s fiction, and nonfiction books. Known as a “book doula,” she also helps other authors birth their books into the world. To learn more, visit her website at www.reafrey.com.
