Book Review: Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

Book Review: Pretty Baby by Mary KubicaPretty Baby by Mary Kubica
Published by MIRA on July 28th 2015
Genres: Fiction, Thrillers, General, Suspense, Psychological, Crime
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
four-stars
Also by this author: The Good Girl

A chance encounter sparks an unrelenting web of lies in this stunning new psychological thriller from the national bestselling author of The Good Girl, Mary Kubica 
She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can't get the girl out of her head… 
Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family's objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home. 
Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow's past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she's willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.
Don't miss this thrilling follow-up to The Good Girl by master of suspense, Mary Kubica.

In Pretty Baby, Mary Kubica’s (The Good Girl) sophomore novel, a Chicago humanitarian is moved to bring home a homeless teen and her baby, much to her husband and daughter’s chagrin. Who is this girl and what is she running from?

I really enjoyed last summer’s The Good Girl and so have been eagerly anticipating Kubica’s newest thriller. In Pretty Baby, we get pieces of the story from three characters. Heidi works for a nonprofit and has a heart of gold. Heidi’s husband Chris is a workaholic with an attractive, flirty coworker. And Willow is the mysterious homeless mother of baby Ruby.

Heidi is consumed with Willow and the baby and wants to help them get back on their feet. Chris is used to his wife wanting to save the world but bringing in a family is different than rescuing a kitten. He meanwhile fears for his family’s safety and keeps them all locked safely in their bedroom. Tween daughter Zoe is annoyed by this new girl and that her mother is slacking off on family responsibilities.

Like in The Good Girl, Kubica plays with a nonlinear narrative structure, heightening the level of suspense. Willow’s troubled backstory comes in small doses, interspersed with the present day goings on. We know that this story does not end well and part of the mystery is finding out how we get there.

Kubica deftly manages a few different story threads- casting doubt on every character’s intentions. Everyone has moments of acting a bit off and we have some unreliable narrators to boot. Even still, I have to say I would never have guessed where this story ended up! This psychological thriller has strong characterization and takes you to unexpected places.

With The Good Girl, Kubica was one to watch, but now I’m totally on board with whatever she comes up with next. Kubica weaves a great page-turner here. I was going to pick up the full-cast audiobook for this one but I couldn’t wait for the release date to read it. I may give it an audio re-listen though for comparison.

Pretty Baby is on sale today. Check out the book trailer:

Ornament

4 thoughts on “Book Review: Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

  1. I just got this – it sounds like I need to move it up my reading stack.

    bermudaonion (Kathy) recently posted: Wondrous Words Wednesday
    1. Lucy says:

      I hope you enjoy it too, Kathy!

  2. Estelle says:

    I can’t wait for this one. Glad to hear it solidified your love for this author. BTW, I love the new layout. It’s great.

    1. Lucy says:

      Thanks, Estelle! 🙂 I hope you give this book a try sometime- I’d love to know what you think.

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