03 October 2024

Since reading Local Woman Missing earlier this year I have jumped at the chance to read more of Mary Kubica’s books. I have added her backlist to my TBR and I am reading them as I get the chance.

Pretty Baby, published in 2015 and her second novel of nine published and just maybe my favourite of the five books I have read so far.

In Pretty Baby, Mary Kubica delivers a riveting thriller that kept me hooked long into the night. The story revolves around Heidi, a compassionate woman whose good intentions lead her to make a life-altering decision: she brings home a homeless girl named Willow and her infant. While Heidi’s act of kindness seems noble, Kubica expertly weaves a suspenseful, haunting narrative that makes you question the true cost of charity.

What I found most intriguing about this novel was how it slowly peels back the layers of each character. Heidi’s husband and daughter are immediately suspicious of Willow, and as the tension grows within the household, so does the unease in the story. Kubica does a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere of distrust, where you can’t help but question everyone’s motives. Heidi, a seemingly selfless figure, begins to reveal her own darker complexities, adding to the novel’s rich emotional depth.

Kubica keeps readers on edge, with flashbacks providing Willow’s disturbing backstory, slowly unravelling the mystery of who she is and why she’s in such dire circumstances. This dual timeline adds suspense and complexity, making you feel empathy for both Heidi and Willow, while simultaneously questioning what secrets each may be hiding.

As the story unfolds, the psychological tension ramps up. Kubica excels at creating that simmering sense of dread, where every action and every word feels like it’s building toward a devastating conclusion. When the pieces finally come together, it’s as unsettling as it is satisfying.

While the plot is compelling, it’s the characters that make Pretty Baby stand out. They feel authentic, flawed, and painfully real, which makes their emotional journeys all the more gripping. I especially appreciated the exploration of motherhood, grief, and mental health, which Kubica tackles with care.

This is a suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster that will have you questioning the thin line between charity and danger. Kubica’s ability to create morally complex characters and deliver unexpected twists cements her place as one of my favourite thriller authors. If you’re a fan of slow-burn suspense with a psychological edge, this book is for you.