A desperate phone call. A decade of questions. A deadly race to the truth.

A new heartstopping thriller to keep you reading all night, from critically acclaimed Rae Cairns

Twelve years ago budding journalist Geneva Leighton received a phone call that stopped her life in its tracks. Her terrified sister, Amber, was locked in the boot of a moving car and begging Geneva for help. Amber was never heard from again.

Since that night, Geneva's days have revolved around caring for her traumatised niece and nephew, despite the unpredictable behaviour of their father ... and keeping the search for her sister alive. But the knowledge it should have been her in the boot of that car haunts her waking hours.

When Sergeant Jesse Johns turns up with shocking new evidence about Amber, Geneva's world is thrown into chaos again.

The police leads hit a dead end and desperate for answers, Geneva becomes Amber's lone warrior for justice.

As she edges closer and closer to the truth, she uncovers dangerous secrets that have the power to destroy everyone she loves.

Trust no one. Your life depends on it.

PRAISE FOR RAE CAIRNS' THE GOOD MOTHER

'Past and present collide on and off the page in this explosive debut' Sunday Telegraph

'This story wouldn't let me go' Michael Robotham

'Fierce, action-packed ... A wild, original ride from start to finish' Sarah Bailey

'This taut, propulsive debut celebrates female strength and speaks to the extraordinary courage and resilience of mothers everywhere ... Brilliant' Anna Downes

'Riveting and revealing about "The Troubles" impacting an ordinary Aussie woman and her family, this was the perfect escapist thriller to hook into and could easily see this being turned into a film.' Bolinda Audio

'This page-turning thriller packs a powerful punch. A rock-solid five-star read' Sara Foster

'Fans of Dervla McTiernan will love this rollercoaster ride of a crime novel where a violent past returns to threaten an uneasy peace. I inhaled it.' Aoife Clifford

'Surprising, moving and utterly heart-stopping. A stunning, thought-provoking debut' Kathryn Heyman

'A gripping page-turner. I was hooked from the first page until the final twist' Tim Ayliffe

'Cleverly wrought and beautifully written, the characters will get under your skin, the plot will drive you deep into the night, and the fear will follow you home.' Loraine Peck