The Mother Next Door Audiobook By Andrea Dunlop, Mike Weber cover art

The Mother Next Door

Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy

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The Mother Next Door

By: Andrea Dunlop, Mike Weber
Narrated by: Andrea Dunlop
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About this listen

This program is read by the author.

A groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that investigates Munchausen by Proxy from the host and creator of the award-winning true crime podcast Nobody Should Believe Me.

"I devoured this chilling yet critically important book in 48 hours, unable to believe what I was reading. Dunlop and Weber have written a powerful, unflinching deep dive into our country’s systemic failure to protect children from medical abuse."—Stephanie Wrobel, bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold

No bond is more sacred than that between a mother and child. And no one is more sympathetic than a mother whose child faces a life-threatening illness. But what if the mother is the cause of the illness? What if the sympathy is the point?

Munchausen by proxy (MBP) has fascinated and horrified both professionals and the general public since this disturbing form of child abuse was first identified. But even as the public has been captivated by these tales of abuse and deception, there remains widespread misinformation and confusion about MBP. Are these mothers unfeeling psychopaths, or sick women who need help? And more important, how can we protect the children whose lives are at stake?

The Mother Next Door offers a groundbreaking look at MBP from an unlikely duo: a Seattle novelist whose own family was torn apart by it, and the Texas detective who has worked on more medical child abuse cases than anyone in the nation. Listeners ride along on three high-stakes MPB investigations; through riveting reporting and shocking stories from the family members, friends, and doctors caught in the blast zone of these unthinkable acts, a twisted portrait of motherhood and deceit is revealed.

With help from some of the top MBP experts in the world, Dunlop and Weber uncover the complex maze of psychological, systemic, and cultural issues that compound MBP and offer solutions for how we might find our way out.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2025 Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber (P)2025 Macmillan Audio
Abuse Child Abuse Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions Dysfunctional Families Parenting & Families Relationships True Crime Exciting Disturbing

Critic reviews

"I have been an admirer of Andrea Dunlop’s fiercely original work for years. Rarely is someone able to strike such a perfect balance of rigorous research, courageous fact-finding, and compelling narrative storytelling. I have no doubt that this book will be known as the canonical Munchausen by Proxy text."—Amanda Montell, New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Magical Overthinking and host of "Sounds Like a Cult"

"I was hooked from page one until the very end. A page-turning, jaw-dropping examination of MBP, our healthcare system, and the ways that perpetrators hide in plain sight."—Nora McInerny, bestselling author of Bad Vibes Only, and host of "Terrible, Thanks for Asking"

"A truly vital, groundbreaking, and riveting contribution to the literature on child abuse. This immensely readable book is the most important literary work since the MBP term was coined fifty years ago. The Mother Next Door shines like a beacon."—Marc D. Feldman, M.D., coauthor of Dying to be Ill: True Stories of Medical Deception

What listeners say about The Mother Next Door

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Great listen!

I've been listening to the podcast from the first season, so I had this audiobook on pre-order. It was a great read with the same tone as the pod (and the audiobook is read by the author.) Some parts are a bit repetitive if you've already listened to those seasons of the podcast, but there was still plenty of new material. The parts about the internal politics of the police department were a bit boring to me (felt a bit like the detective was using the book to settle some personal scores.) But overall a really interesting topic presented in a more responsible way than a lot of true crime.

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Love Andrea

Great book more people need to learn about MBP to protect our children and doctors

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Important Topic, and Ethically Produced True Crime

Mike Weber is pioneering how these cases are being investigated and Andrea Dunlap is such a great advocate doing important work on this misunderstood topic. This book walks the reader through these MBP cases respectfully and in a survivor centered way. I appreciate how well researched and responsibly written this was.

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Transformative Awareness

My jaw is on the floor. My heart in my throat! Hard to swallow, impossible to forget. I fell in admiration for this duo through listening to Andrea’s podcast and hearing Mike’s interview on the show. They spoke of how their lives had crossed paths on this unnerving intuitive fight to protect children from the unimaginable. They’ve come together masterfully to tell these stories in the purest forms of advocacy for the lives of children. I’ve learned so much from this book, and the facts of this parental illness are wrenching. As a special education teacher, I will insist this book onto my colleagues. I’m so impressed by the work of Mike Weber and Andrea Dunbar. Their combined experience and investigations are intertwined and retold in extraordinary narrative fashion. The compelling evidence shares the reality that we all need to face, and hold ourselves accountable to. Right now.

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Spectacular Victim Advocacy

Intelligently and thoughtfully constructed. I have worked as a nurse for 26 years in behavioral health, and have seen the effects of emotional bias on the ability to formulate logical conclusions based on evidence. I really hope the information in this book is broadly distributed. Please share! I believe the concepts are pertinent, not only in cases of childhood medical abuse, but in many other aspects of life. Thank you, Andrea for this amazing book.

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Heartbreak

A very difficult and heartbreaking subject but extremely important message to bring forward. Well done.

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Important

This was an exceptionally well done book covering munchausen by proxy/medical child abuse in a clear and easy to understand presentation. This type of violence is so insidious; it’s really great to know that this conversation is being had and made accessible to a wider audience.

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Interesting

Andrea Dunlop, whose sister was twice investigated for Facetious Disorder (FD) more commonly known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy abuse, is the perfect writer. Along with cowriter and child abuse investigator Mike Weber, take us deep inside three cases of mother’s causing harm to their children. Though certainly not the most horrific cases in the news, each of these mothers hurt their children in different, yet similar ways.
If you’re interested in FD, THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR is a good foray into the topic. If you work in mental health or are educated on FD like me, this book still offers insights into the law enforcement segment of stopping the abuse.

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Great Book

Glad there are people out there who are dedicated to protecting children! Great work on this book!

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Exposing how children are the least protected in our society

It is wonderful that this book was written to expose parents who abuse their children medically.
The reader will be well educated and frustrated by the system that is not pro helping children. Unfortunately, Alyssa‘s law will probably never pass, as the author stated “ the well-being of kids medical needs shouldn’t be turned into political footballs”. The passing of Alyssa’s law would take on the system of gender affirming care. Which is a huge political football that nobody wants to deal with. Unfortunately, it can be another avenue for medically dangerous parents to thrive as the doctors welcome this type of medical procedures.

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