Dearest By Jacquie Walters

Flora is a new mother, overwhelmed and isolated as she adjusts to life with her premature baby, Iris. Her husband is deployed, leaving her alone in their half-empty home, where the sleepless nights begin to erode her grip on reality. As Flora struggles with the demands of a newborn and her creeping sense of isolation, she becomes convinced she’s losing her mind.

Just when she’s on the brink of despair, her estranged mother unexpectedly arrives, offering help. Flora hasn’t spoken to her mother in years, their relationship strained by unresolved issues. This surprising visit could be a chance to mend old wounds, but Flora can’t shake the feeling that something more sinister is at play.

As her mother settles in, strange and unsettling occurrences begin to unfold. Flora’s attempts to reconnect with her mother are overshadowed by an increasing sense of dread. She starts to suspect that her mother’s return is linked to the dark, malevolent presence she feels creeping into their home. Flora’s fears intensify as she grapples with the possibility that her mother’s secrets might have invited something truly evil into their lives.

Caught between her deteriorating sense of reality and the potential danger looming over her family, Flora faces a chilling choice: Is she losing her grip on sanity, or is she the only barrier standing between her baby and a terrifying threat? In this fast-paced and frightening debut, Flora must confront the shadows of her past to protect her child and uncover the truth behind her mother’s return.