It's the call every mother dreads.
You knew it was coming...
You are at work, on a hot summer afternoon, when the phone vibrates in your handbag. Your heart beats faster as you scrabble to find it because somehow, even before you answer it, you know. It's the call every mother fears. It's the call you've been waiting for.
Your daughter is in hospital. She was found this morning, confused and alone. She doesn't remember anything. You wish you had never let her go away for the weekend. You can't understand why her brother wasn't watching over her like he promised, why he didn't protect her.
You race to be with them, before it's too late. But then the police find a body, deep in the woods, right next to where your children were staying.
You'll do anything to keep them safe. But knowing what you know... do you need to protect your son, your daughter, or yourself?
Every Mother's Nightmare by S E Lynes was published on 9 July 2025 by Bookouture. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Books On Tour.
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S E Lynes writes thrillers with depth. Always right on trend, dealing with issues that surround us. Always with character that are familiar, created skilfully and who the reader will back throughout and always with a real empathy and understanding of the human psyche.
There are some thrillers that have plots that a great and immersive, but the reader really knows they are a little over the top and then there are the thrillers that Lynes produces. They could be based on your street, within your friendship groups, in your local schools.
I am not a mother, and sometimes it can be difficult for me to relate to characters when their whole remit is being a parent. However, Lynes has created, in Melissa, a woman who is so easily believable. Her thoughts, her fears, her anxieties are excellently portrayed. I felt every emotion.
Melissa's children are teenagers. Daughter Casey and her older brother Dan. They've both gone off to summer camp. Casey is working there whilst Dan and his friends have gone along for the craic. When Melissa's phone rings, she knows instantly. This is not good news. She is right. Casey has been found in a confused state, in a tent that is not hers. With no hesitation, Melissa sets off to be with her girl, wondering as she travels, where Dan was and why he hasn't protected his sister.
And then, a body is found. Not far from the campsite and things really become quite tense. Melissa is determined that she will protect her kids and keep them safe, no matter what that takes.
That's as much as you get on the blurb of the book and I'm not going to give anything else away about the plot. I will tell you that the author doesn't shy away from issues that are so current. Toxic masculinity and the dreadful behaviours and beliefs that can poison young men's minds. She deals with it all, it can be emotionally challenging but it is done so very well.
Gripping and utterly absorbing. Highly recommended
bestselling psychological suspense novels such as VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE WOMEN, HER SISTER's SECRET, THE BABY SHOWER ,THE EX, THE SUMMER HOLIDAY and many more!
A former BBC Producer, she has lived in France, Spain, Scotland and Italy and is now settled with her family in Greater London. After completing her MA, S E Lynes taught creative writing at Richmond Adult Community College for ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing in Richmond Borough.
Lynes has also published thrillers in Italy, Germany, Poland and Croatia, and has also published three children's books in Italy: IL LEOPARDO LAMPO, LA COCCODRILLA INGAMBA, and the bilingual LA SCIMMIA SPIRITOSA/THE FUNNY MONKEY.
Website: susielynes.wixsite.com/website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susie.lynes
Blueskey: @selynes.bsky.social
Instagram @selynesauthor
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/se-lynes
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