Spotlight: Her Daughter by Fran Hawthorne

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A FATHER DELIBERATELY POISONS A CHILD AGAINST HER MOTHER?

In this haunting and unforgettable novel, Alice Wilson yearns for children; her husband, Dan, doesn’t. Still, Alice lets herself get pregnant, trusting that Dan will eventually go along—and he seems to, at first. But slowly, as their marriage falls apart, Alice realizes that, even from the beginning, Dan has cruelly used small criticisms and belittling comments to undermine her relationship with their only child, Esme. Then, as Esme approaches adulthood, she cuts Alice off completely.

Six years later, Dan informs Alice that Esme has been arrested. Desperate to reconnect, still wanting to protect her daughter, Alice begins to search for Esme, alienating others in her life and risking her job as an environmental consultant in the hope that Esme will accept help and let her mother back into her life—in the hope that healing is possible.

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About the Author

During her award-winning journalism career, FRAN HAWTHORNE wrote eight nonfiction books, mainly about consumer activism, the drug industry, and the financial world. She’s also been an editor or regular contributor for Business Week, The New York Times, and many other publications. Her first two novels, The Heirs and I Meant to Tell You, were published in 2018 and 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press and together won or were named a finalist for seven awards, including the Eric Hoffer Book Awards and the Sarton Award. HER DAUGHTER, Fran’s third novel, will be published in January 2026 by Black Rose Writing. She’s at work on Number 4 from her home in Brooklyn, NY. Learn more at hawthornewriter.com