The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 137 ratings

Price: 13.12

Last update: 04-27-2025


About this item

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.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Sharon M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and important!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this chilling true crime book by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber, with the audiobook narrated by the authors. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

    Munchausen by proxy has fascinated and horrified both professionals and the general public since this disturbing form of child abuse was first identified. But widespread misinformation still swirls around these cases, because who could believe that a parent (especially a mother) would intentionally harm their child?

    This is such a disturbing subject, but this book tackled it as sensitively as possible, from the viewpoints of a novelist whose own family experienced MBP and a detective who has worked on more medical child abuse cases than anyone in the country. With most cases where mental illness and crime intersect, it's difficult for the public, medical professionals, and the justice system to understand and treat these perpetrators, but this book should open eyes to the fact that these cases aren't a rarity and something must be done to protect the innocent children. It was an in-depth look into 3 cases as well as the author's own family connection, and it was heartbreaking. I liked the fact that the authors narrated the book, making it feel even more personal. Hopefully this book shines more light on this very dark issue.
  • Rachel S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Truly an Eye Opening Read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    I have so many thoughts and so many questions!! I've typed out my review and deleted it many times since finishing.

    I requested this book on Netgalley, truly wanting to keep an open mind towards Andrea and knowing I could form my own opinion about MBP (Munchausen by Proxy) and the perpetrators. I don't feel every single case is going to automatically mean a child is being abused, or that a mother needs to be put through the ringer over trying to care for her child, BUT I do know women are fully capable of hurting/killing their children. It's a very sad reality that we live in. I do not know what needs to happen in regards to MBP, nor do I know where to even begin to get tougher laws passed for both mothers and providers, but something needs to give before another child suffers at the hands of the one person who should love and cherish them.

    I have 20 years of experience working in the medical field. It absolutely baffles me that a provider would 1) not do their own testing to confirm a diagnosis and 2) review other providers' records before making a plan to do any invasive procedures or surgeries. I realize that insurance isn't going to cover testing every single time a child goes to a new doctor, but there must be a way to prevent MBP from going on so long without being caught. I'm heartbroken that mothers and providers are getting away with it. Yes, I absolutely believe providers should be held accountable for not taking the time to properly treat a patient or, in the three cases mentioned in this book, not treat a patient for unnecessary reasons.

    I don't have the answers, but my gosh, does my heart hurt for these innocent children being mistreated by anyone who is supposed to love and care for them.

    Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
  • Mark Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars A shocking and vital look at a problem we don’t think about enough
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Mike and Andrea have done a masterful job of describing this horrific type of abuse, telling amazing stories of how it can be investigated, and showing how important it is for both the law enforcement and medical communities to commit to fact-based pursuit of justice so that kids can be protected from these monsters.

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