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

By Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber

Book Overview

"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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250867924
• ISBN13: 9781250867926
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great Book!

I just finished The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop & Mike Weber, and it is a must-read! This gripping and heartbreaking book dives deep into the devastating reality of Munchausen by Proxy, a form of medical child abuse where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a child for attention and control. The story is both shocking and eye-opening, shedding light on the victims, the warning signs, and the systemic failures that allow this abuse to continue far too often. It’s a tough but essential read for anyone who wants to better understand how these cases happen—and how we can protect children from this form of manipulation and harm. Real change starts with awareness AND action. That’s why I encourage everyone to contact their state representatives in support of HB1984! This bill is a crucial step toward better protecting children and ensuring accountability in cases of medical child abuse. Your voice can help make a difference!