Dial M for Mother: 7 Ominous Thrillers with Not-So-Comforting Parents

Motherhood is an experience like no other. It can bring out the best in some…and the worst in others. In honor of readers who would gladly take a twisty tale instead of (or in addition to!) a bouquet of flowers this Mother’s Day, we’ve gone a different route with our gift recommendations. We’ve pulled together a list of thrilling reads filled with exceptionally terrifying fictional parents who will make you feel better about that time you gave up on restricting screen time or wished the kiddos would disappear for just, like, a sec. Perhaps you can use these reads to remind yourself (or a mom in your life) of exactly how good your family’s got it?

Oh, and be sure to check out some additional—and potentially more wholesome—ideas in Simon & Schuster’s Books to Give Mom gift guide!