Such a Good Mom
- Judith D Collins
- May 23, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 9
By: Julia Spiro
Narrator: Abigail Reno
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 978-1250324177
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 04/29/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 4 Stars (ALC)
Bestselling author Julia Spiro's Such a Good Mom is a brilliant standalone mystery that's the perfect beach book. In the heat of summer, a murder on Martha's Vineyard rocks one new mom to the core, leaving her to search for answers.
With a healthy newborn baby, a devoted husband, a successful career, and a busy life on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn Nelson should be the happiest she’s ever been. But Brynn is struggling. Her husband, Ross, grows more distant by the day, and the challenges and exhaustion of postpartum make Brynn feel like she’s slowly losing pieces of herself to motherhood. Pieces that she might never get back.
But it’s summer on the Vineyard, a beacon for wealthy visitors, and a place so beautiful that it seems immune to tragedy and crime. Except for locals, like Brynn, who know all too well that tragedy can strike at any point. And this time, it hits close to home when a friend of the family is found washed ashore. Dead. And Brynn’s already hectic life is turned upside down when Ross is arrested for the crime.
Left reeling with more questions than answers, Brynn’s only path forward is to find out who really killed Cecelia Buckley, even if it means it was her husband. She’s not sure who she’s able to trust anymore. And with the dizzying, endless cycle of sleepless nights, diapers, and bottles, Brynn’s not even sure she can trust herself. She’s not sure of anything anymore, but she won’t stop until she finds the truth.
Bestselling author Julia Spiro is known for writing characters listeners instantly connect to. With Such a Good Mom, Spiro brings the real and layered Martha’s Vineyard to life through the eyes of a new mom trying to get her family out of the eye of the storm that is a murder investigation.
My Review
SUCH A GOOD MOM by Julia Spiro unfolds in the picturesque setting of Martha's Vineyard, where a new mother finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue when her husband is implicated as the prime suspect in a shocking murder.
The story intricately weaves a gripping domestic thriller with a profound exploration of the protagonist's inner turmoil as she grapples with postpartum depression and overwhelming exhaustion.
As she navigates the complexities of motherhood and the dark shadows of her husband's predicament, the narrative delves deep into her emotional landscape, revealing the stark contrast between the idyllic scenery around her and the turmoil brewing within.
About...
Brynn Nelson is a new mother to a son, Lucas, and is overwhelmed by the exhaustion and demands of caring for a newborn. She experiences "baby brain," a loss of self, and growing distance from her husband, Ross, and the wealthy in-laws on Martha's Vineyard.
Discovery of a Body: A local woman, Cecelia Buckley (a waitress at the family's country club), is found dead, washed ashore on the island.
Ross's Arrest: Brynn's husband, Ross Nelson, a prominent figure from a well-respected island family, is arrested for the murder of Cecelia. Evidence against him begins to mount, and he seems to be keeping secrets from Brynn.
Brynn's Investigation: Convinced of her husband's innocence, Brynn, a former writer, begins her own amateur investigation into who really killed Cecelia Buckley.
The investigation is complicated by Brynn's sleep deprivation and postpartum state, making her an unreliable narrator who constantly questions her own instincts and loyalties, even doubting her husband's innocence and her ability to trust herself.
As Brynn digs deeper, she discovers that her in-laws' seemingly perfect family is hiding dark secrets, and even the local police chief might be involved in a cover-up.
The Clue: Ross leaves Brynn with cryptic parting words that serve as a key piece of information she must decipher to find exonerating evidence. "The orange sun."
The Resolution: Brynn's determination, often aided by her close friends, eventually leads her to the truth about the murder.
My thoughts...
The central takeaway of Julia Spiro's atmospheric novel, SUCH A GOOD MOM is that perfection is a myth, both in motherhood and in life, even in seemingly flawless communities like Martha's Vineyard, as the layers are peeled back.
For much of the novel, Brynn must decipher this mysterious clue while navigating severe sleep deprivation and postpartum depression. The phrase eventually leads her to a specific location or item—implied to be related to Ross’s secret investigation into his own father’s "shady past"—that contains the evidence needed to exonerate him.
Following this clue is what forces Brynn to move beyond her domestic isolation and investigate the powerful Nelson family and the elite social circles of Martha’s Vineyard.
Deciphering the "orange sun" serves as the primary driver for the mystery's resolution, ultimately revealing the true circumstances of Cecelia's death and the corruption within the island's wealthy community.
The novel delivers several specific thematic messages:
~The Reality of Postpartum Depression
~The Danger of Performative Parenting
~Trust and Marital Strain
~The Importance of Support Systems
The author masterfully delves into the intricacies and buried truths that lie within a seemingly idyllic family, revealing that beneath the facade of a flawless exterior, everyone grapples with their own share of tragedy and deception.
A powerful takeaway from this narrative is the profound importance of community. The protagonist ultimately discovers that acknowledging her need for assistance and leaning on the strong bonds of friendship becomes essential for her survival and emotional well-being.
The title itself serves as a poignant commentary on the relentless expectations placed upon mothers, highlighting the silent struggles they endure in their quest to be deemed "good."
This was my first encounter with this talented author, and I eagerly anticipate diving into more of their work!
The audiobook...
I had the delightful experience of immersing myself in the audiobook narrated by the exceptionally talented Abigail Reno. Her captivating voice expertly elevates the narrative, bringing forth the rich atmospheric setting and the myriad challenges faced by a new mother as she navigates the tumultuous waters of her life and community. With each word, she breathes life into the story, creating a vivid and engaging listening experience that draws you in and makes you feel the complexities of her world.
Recs...
Readers who enjoyed SUCH A GOOD MOM and its blend of a murder mystery with themes of postpartum struggles and an unreliable narrator might like the following books.
The Push by Ashley Audrain:
Little Darlings by Melanie Golding
The New Mother by Nora Murphy
Mother of All Secrets by Kathleen M. Willett
Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Apr 29, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Praise
“[Such a Good Mom] excels in portraying the social dichotomy that is life in an expensive resort town. . . Absorbing and satisfying.”
–First Clue
“With a plot that moves as swiftly as the currents off Martha's Vineyard, Such a Good Mom is a rollicking fun mystery that makes one point abundantly clear: the only thing harder than motherhood is knowing who to trust. A twisty ride that's not to be missed.”
–Jamie Day
"Powerfully emotional and intensely revealing, this layered mystery peels back the façade of Martha’s Vineyard society. . . Clear your calendar and tell your friends–this cinematic and brilliantly relatable novel will not let you go."
—Hank Phillippi Ryan
“A juicy peek into one of America's most exclusive summer communities, and a hug for any new mom in over her head. Written with unsparing honesty, insight, and the yummy details only an insider would know, Such a Good Mom is a rich, suspenseful exploration of marital trust, the myth of the "perfect" mom, and the costs of having it all.”
–Emma Brodie
About the Author
JULIA SPIRO lives year-round on Martha’s Vineyard with her partner, their son, and their two rescue dogs. She previously worked in the film industry for nearly a decade before deciding to leave Hollywood to pursue her dream of writing books. Such a Good Mom is her third book. WEBSITE
