A Book A Week

To say Kat and Cleo's relationship is complicated would be an understatement. After all, what mother-daughter relationship isn't? Kat has always strived to provide Cleo the best life possible, going above and beyond to fulfill her dreams. However, Cleo sees her mother's efforts as overbearing and suffocating. As a college student, Cleo has often found herself in trouble, most recently with a trust fund brat turned drug dealer who involved her in his illicit activities and became physically abusive. Their relationship ended in an explosive confrontation, and Cleo suspects that Kat might have had something to do with it. Now, though, Kat is determined to rebuild their broken relationship.

When Cleo arrives late for dinner at her parents' home, she is met with a disturbing scene. The meal Kat was preparing is left forgotten in the oven, overcooking—something her perfectionist mother would never allow. Cleo finds no trace of her mother while searching her childhood home. The closet upstairs holds only her mother's clothes, with no sign of her father's belongings. Cleo's unease turns to alarm when she discovers Kat's bloody shoe under the sofa. Something terrible has happened. Kat, the embodiment of perfection—a happily married corporate lawyer with an idyllic life—has disappeared, and Cleo realizes that things are far from what they seem.

"A problem that starts with people usually has to end that way, too. And your mom is good with people. Very good. Just like you."

In Like Mother, Like Daughter, Kimberly McCreight crafts a mystery novel that delves into the intricacies of a parent-child relationship. Parents often aim to provide the best for their children but sometimes overlook that their child has their own unique desires and dreams. There's a fine line between wanting the best for a child and imposing one's own idea of what's best. McCreight explores this gray area, balancing the desire for a better future with the need to atone for a parent's past mistakes, adding a depth that elevates the story beyond a typical summer thriller.

As the novel progresses, McCreight expertly reveals small pieces of information, gradually uncovering the truth behind Kat's disappearance. I was impressed with how she unraveled the story, alternating between Cleo and Kat's perspectives. Kat's sections unfold in the days leading up to her disappearance, while Cleo's occur in the aftermath. These dual timelines converge in a conclusion that, while not the most shocking, brings both the mystery and the mother-daughter relationship to a satisfying resolution.  Like Mother, Like Daughter is a gripping summer read that captivates with its intriguing mystery while offering a poignant exploration of a mother-daughter bond.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 58)