2026 ARC Reviews

Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.

Cover for What Mother Knows
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What Mother Knows

Chad Zunker

Domestic Thriller • Nov 3, 2026

When twenty-six-year-old Denver lawyer Josh King returns to Austin, it isn't for a family reunion. His estranged mother—the city's powerful mayor, Lauren Snow—stands accused of murdering his wealthy stepfather. Though Josh only returns to support his fragile younger sister, Kinsey, he is quickly pressured into taking on his mother's legal defense.
Lauren swears she is innocent. She may be a ruthless politician, but she isn't reckless enough to kill the man bankrolling her ambitions. However, Josh knows his mother built her empire on smoke and mirrors. Watching her perform the role of the tragic widow with camera-ready perfection, he realizes he has no idea what she is truly capable of.
As Josh digs deeper, he unravels a dark web of conspiracies and buried family secrets. With the truth finally in his grasp, Josh must decide where his ultimate loyalty lies: with the blind scales of justice, or with the family he's trying to save.

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5 / 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this book.
What Mother Knows opens with a sharp focus on character development, laying out the complicated family dynamics that drive the narrative. I found myself quickly rooting for the main character, Josh, as he navigates the constant struggle between fiercely looking out for his sister, Kinsey, and his deep reluctance to have anything to do with their mother.
The short chapters give the medium pacing a steady momentum. Despite the large cast of characters and deep web of connections, the author's clear writing makes it easy to keep track of who is who. A story with this many threads can quickly get tangled, but the execution here is beautiful, making the story flow seamlessly. I loved how every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly by the final page. If you love a good mystery with lots of moving pieces and wonderful writing, you must pick up this book.
#NetGalley #WhatMotherKnows

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What is an ARC?

An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!

Advance copies reviewed on SpoilThePlot are securely sourced through industry partners, including NetGalley and Inside Story.