The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy ****

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy has enough twists and turns, and suspects to satisfy any mystery reader. One caveat: this is not a murder, but an infant abduction. If that wasn’t upsetting enough, the backstories of abuse by men in power (boss, teacher, doctor) and others -- along with the misogynist attitude of the press certainly should be. As much a book stating the case for women’s rights (especially in the U.S.) as a mystery. Both objectives are met.

Maternity leave in the U.S.

“I have a friend who lives in Copenhagen,” Gemma says. “She got eighteen months of leave after she had her son. Paid.” “In Canada,” Colette says, “they have to hold a woman’s job for a year. In fact, the US is the only country besides Papua New Guinea that doesn’t mandate paid leave. The United States. The country of family values.”

Nell refuses to be forced to resign.

She opens her eyes and looks at Ian. “Nope.” “Nope?” “Nope. I’m not leaving. You can’t fire me.” “Nobody’s firing anybody—” “I’m not leaving, Ian. I’ll hire an attorney if I have to. But I’m not leaving.” “But, Nell. I’m . . . it’s—” “Excuse me for being rude, Ian, but I have to ask you to leave. Consider it a short-term leave of absence from my office.” She turns back to her computer. “I have a training to finish preparing for tomorrow.”

I can’t imagine a new mother reading this, but new mothers might be tougher than I imagine.

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