Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Dearest

By: Jacquie Walters
Narrated by: Jacquie Walters
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A new mom in need of help opens her door to her long-estranged mother—only to invite something much darker inside—in this "fast-paced and frightening debut" (Rachel Harrison) about the long shadows cast by family secrets, perfect for listeners of Grady Hendrix or Ashley Audrain.

Flora is a new mom enamored of her baby girl, Iris, who has arrived a few weeks early. But with her husband still deployed, Flora must navigate the newborn stage alone. As the sleepless nights pass in the loneliness of their half-empty home, the edges of her reality begin to blur.

Just as Flora becomes convinced she is losing her mind, a surprising guest shows up to help: Flora’s own mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken in years. Can they mend their fraught relationship? Or is there more that Flora’s mother isn’t telling her about the events that led to their estrangement?

As stranger and scarier events unfold, Flora begins to fear that her mother’s secrets have allowed something truly evil to enter her home. She must decide: is her hold on reality slipping dangerously away? Or is she, in fact, the only thing standing between a terrifying visitor and her baby?

©2024 Jacquie Walters (P)2024 Mulholland Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"A fast-paced and frightening debut that explores the nightmares of new motherhood, with plenty of twists and scares."—Rachel Harrison, bestselling author of Black Sheep

"A raw and challenging rumination on motherhood and inherited trauma. Compassionate and compelling, Walters is a talent to watch."—Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbors and A Better World

"A truly terrifying exploration of maternal instinct, mental health, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Jacquie Walters is a horror writer to watch.”—Robyn Harding, author of The Drowning Woman

Dear Listener,

Why did I choose to narrate my debut horror novel?
"I have been an actor much longer than I have been a writer! Even though I have pivoted in the creative sphere, I originally moved to LA to pursue a career in acting, and I still love performing whenever I can. Plus, I feel it's extra special when an author is able to narrate her own work. No one knows the words better. They have lived in our bones for ages. And yes: I did have to audition to narrate my book! "– Jacquie Walters, writer of Dearest

What listeners say about Dearest

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    20
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Chilling— and touching

First of all, the narration by the author was flawless. I was blown away when I found out she was performing. The book grabbed me and didn’t let go until the final page. The twists were shocking and satisfying and it was a genuinely terrifying read. I didn’t expect to be so touched by the ending, either, but it really was gut wrenching. I absolutely loved this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story and the narration fit perfectly. At the end I was already wanting another book by this author but none are available yet. I am definitely a fan though!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dearest -Excellent Book/ Wonderful Narration

This audible book is amazing.
Exciting, creative, suspenseful,
Descriptive. The narrative is the best of any audible book I have ever listen to. Needs to be a movie!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!!

Great story. I didn’t want to stop listening! Plan a time to listen to it when you can listen to it all. You won’t want to pause this one!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

I didn’t like this book

Save your credit! This book is hard to finish and it rambles. It was a. Ok of the month

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

WTF Did I Just Read

One of the stupidest books I’ve ever suffered through. What an important story to tell - with an absolutely insufferable and fictional twist.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!