The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
"Harrowing." —Wall Street Journal • "Riveting." —Seattle Times
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.
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. Readers 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.
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Community Reviews
5-Stars
The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy by Andrea Dunlop and Detective Mike Weber is a meticulously researched, eye-opening exploration of one of the most disturbing forms of child abuseâMunchausen by Proxy (MBP). This book offers a sobering look at the psychological manipulation behind MBP, where caregivers, typically mothers, intentionally harm or fabricate illness in their children for attention and sympathy. Dunlop and Weber highlight not only the personal tragedies that unfold but also the serious failures within our social care and justice systems that allow these crimes to continue unchecked.
The authors have done an exceptional job in carefully presenting real-life cases without sensationalizing the subject matter. Through their own personal experiences with real cases and in-depth research, they paint a thorough and empathetic picture of what itâs like for children who fall victim to MBP, as well as the professionals who must navigate these complex cases.
What stands out most in The Mother Next Door is its unflinching focus on the systemic issues that fail to protect children. Dunlop and Weber shed light on the gaps in social care systems and the often insufficient legal action taken against perpetrators. The book does an excellent job of illustrating how even when abuse is suspected, it can be difficult for authorities to intervene in a meaningful way, leaving many children vulnerable.
The Mother Next Door reads with the accessibility and flow of a compelling narrative, making it approachable for the everyday reader. Despite its heavy subject matter, the book avoids the dryness of a textbook, offering a balanced and engaging storytelling approach that keeps you hooked while also informing and educating. Itâs compelling, deeply human, and hard-hitting, but always respectful of the gravity of the issue. A must-read piece of non-fiction that raises awareness of a growing issue and calls for meaningful change in how we protect children from this form of abuse.
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