Oh what a delicious find this was! I really don't know how to categorise this book because I haven't read anything like it before. It's mostly a thriller but it reads very differently to the majority of thrillers I've read and it has a loose sci-fi element to it too. Mother Knows Best is the story of several different characters and it focuses on a simple scientific concept-what if you could genetically engineer a child with three parents? The plot itself is very much rooted in the real-world and it explores the legal and ethical ramifications of such research and what might happen to those involved in it. At its core though, this is a story about a very unusual family, a desperate mother and a driven scientist who won't stop until she gets what she wants.
I am genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I requested it after reading a sample and this is one of the most unique and interesting thrillers I've ever read. The characters were all brilliant and nuanced (Abby perhaps was a little flat but she read as a realistic child at least) and they provide the different facets and dimensions to the plot. Every character is valid to some extent in their point of view and that creates interesting dilemmas. You can also tell that the author has certainly done her research with regards to the scientific stuff. She has a degree in bioethics and she's put it to good use here, making the story all the stronger for it.
On the whole, this is definitely worth checking out if you are a thriller fan. It has a more unique premise than most thrillers and it is written and executed fantastically. It isn't the darkest or most suspenseful of stories, but it makes up for it with strong characters and a plot that keeps you guessing where it will go next. I look forward to seeing more books from this author.
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