Mary McConnell grew up longing for information about the mother she never knew, who died suddenly when Mary was only a baby. Her brother, Sean, was barely old enough to remember and their father numbed his pain with drink.

Now aged 35, Mary has lived in the same house her whole life. She’s never left Belfast. She has a son TJ who is about to turn 18 and is itching to see more of the world. One Saturday morning, TJ wakes up to find his mother gone. He doesn’t know where – or why – but he’s the only one who can help find her.

I love the old cliché “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and as an avid reader I try not to, but when I received my copy of Mother Mother I said to me other half “Wow look how pretty the cover is!”  He had the typical male response: “Mmm lovely…” argh men, but that’s a story for another time. Needless to say I couldn’t wait to see if the contents lived up to the ‘wrapping’.  Once I started reading however, I could not out it down.

Mary’s upbringing was full of strife with added loneliness as she selflessly took on the caring for  for her alcoholic father and her brother. With the POV jumping from Mary’s past, her present and the present of her son TJ, we are taken on a emotional journey of Mary’s life.

Mother Mother is very well written and is a powerful coming of age debut novel for this gifted author. It is an inspiring read  just when we all need to find light in dark places.

I look forward to seeing what other delights Annie Macmanus has in store.

Available in paperback, hardback, audio & ebook