I have to caveat this review by saying it’s not my normal type of thing. It’s not really a crime novel in the usual sense, yet it was an intriguing premise so I was pleased to be invited onto the blog tour.

Baby Teeth follows Claire who after years of trying to have a baby becomes pregnant. Having recently moved to a new city with her husband, she has left behind her family and friends, and is struggling to fit in a work so feels very lonely. Turning to the internet to find advice she becomes involved in an online group dedicated to ‘natural motherhood’ Initially the group becomes a lifeline to a scared and vulnerable Claire. But things soon start to take a darker turn, and she starts to question not only the group but her own sanity.

Baby Teeth was a really compelling read that deals with pregnancy, infertility, and the influence that online communities can have on the lonely and vulnerable. I felt that throughout the whole story there was a sense of dread and fear that was really unsettling which absolutely dragged me in and kept me hooked.

The character of Claire was interesting. Whilst there was lots she did that very much frustrated me, equally I had sympathy with her. Having moved away from her family and with a husband who seems to be more bothered about posting his evenings out on Instagram than checking his wife is ok you can see why she was easily influenced.

For me the most interesting part of the story was the examination of the influence that online groups can have. The echo chamber of the internet is something that is often discussed, but this story really showed how dangerous it can be, especially for those who don’t have people around them to rely on and who they can talk to.

I found this a really thought provoking novel that deals with some really sensitive topics but was written with care.

Baby Teeth is the debut novel by Cilia Silvani and it was a fantastic start to what I imagine is going to be a long career.