After being fired from the force in New York, Sienna Walker returns to Reno, Nevada, taking a job as police detective. She is immediately thrown into a case where the killer is leaving notes with his victims that seem to be chronicling the life that has led to him becoming a serial killer. At the same time, Sienna is faced with Gavin, the man who left her at the alter and became a championship poker player. Even though she is engaged to a man that she met in New York, Sienna has never forgotten Gavin, and it seems as though he has not forgotten her either.

Bad Mother balances romance and suspense as both are brought full circle by the end of the story. Although the narrative brings forth quite a bit of emotion, there is still a disconnect between the characters and the plot. The killer's perspective is highlighted in the notes he leaves behind at the crime scenes and the rest is told in third person POV from the perspective of the two main characters, but the supporting characters are left pretty much undeveloped. Although the clues are spread out throughout the book, the pacing feels slow at times, leaving the ending a bit unsatisfying. Overall, however, Bad Mother, weaves an enjoyable tale about lost love and murder. ( )