Baby Teeth

A Novel

By: Zoje Stage

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A battle of wills between mother and daughter reveals the frailty and falsehood of familial bonds in award-winning playwright and filmmaker Zoje Stage’s tense audiobook of psychological suspense, Baby Teeth.

Afflicted with a chronic debilitating condition, Suzette Jensen knew having children would wreak havoc on her already fragile body. Nevertheless, she brought Hanna into the world, pleased and proud to start a family with her husband Alex. Estranged from her own mother, Suzette is determined to raise her beautiful daughter with the love, care, and support she was denied.

But Hanna proves to be a difficult child. Now seven years old, she has yet to utter a word, despite being able to read and write. Defiant and anti-social, she refuses to behave in kindergarten classes, forcing Suzette to homeschool her. Resentful of her mother’s rules and attentions, Hanna lashes out in anger, becoming more aggressive every day. The only time Hanna is truly happy is when she’s with her father. To Alex, she’s willful and precocious but otherwise the perfect little girl, doing what she’s told.

Suzette knows her clever and manipulative daughter doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten to tear her and Alex apart, Suzette fears her very life may be in grave danger....

“We Need to Talk About Kevin meets Gone Girl meets The Omen...a twisty, delirious read that will constantly question your sympathies for the two characters as their bond continues to crumble.” (Entertainment Weekly)

©2018 Zoje Stage (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Unnerving and unputdownable, Baby Teeth will get under your skin and keep you trapped in its chilling grip until the shocking conclusion." (New York Times best-selling author Lisa Scottoline)

"Imagine We Need to Talk About Kevin only with insight into what Kevin was thinking and if Eva had fought back. This dark, terrifying novel unfolds as a battle of wits between a struggling mother and her psychotic young daughter and its genius is that the reader’s allegiance isn’t allowed to linger too long on either side. You’ll be desperate to discuss the ending once you’ve recovered from the shock of it. A must-read." (Catherine Ryan Howard, USA Today best-selling author of Distress Signals)

Bad seed?

This book reminded me very much of the novel ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ except with a girl child vs boy. That brings a new perspective because girls are sugar and spice so to speak. The book was pretty suspenseful and caused you to question. I wished they had brought even more of a new perspective but they kept the same story different gender. I have often wondered about the nature vs nurture debate and if some are just born bad.

One minor annoyance was the narrator. When she spoke the father character she sounded Jamaican. It wasn’t until later on in the book I realized he was supposed to be Swedish! It was difficult to reimagine his character after that. Truthfully I didn’t like her rendition of the daughter, which sounded like an evil old hag versus sinister spawn of Satan. But it is worth a listen anyway!

Breathtaking insight to a 7 year old sociopath.

Two parents derailing with their confusion and pain trying to cope with their dangerous psychotic child.

A contemporary bad seed

Despite a cast of dislikable characters, this book kept me engaged from the beginning to the last page. Telling the story from the perspective of both the mother and daughter was an original twist.

Wow

I struggled at first to get "captured" by the reader. But by the 2nd chapter I was hooked! Finished in about 2 minutes days!

So creepy and I loved it

When I listen to a book on Audible I always wonder how I would react if I read it in book form. There are times when I either end up reading the book after listening or wishing that I had. This book was an absolute blast to listen to because it had the quality of a spooky story being told by someone who truly enjoys creeping you out. I would actually cringe as the narrator changed view points. So much fun!

I had to see how it would end...

The storyline kept me interested and wanted to see how it would end...and was left disappointed. It just stopped.

it’s an interesting concept for sure

the child’s perspective was the most interesting part of the book. i felt the mother’s perspective but there wasn’t a ron of depth. i couldn’t stand the father character at all. one dimensional. a prop that could have been so much more

i finished the book, i had a lot of interest in how it ended. i didn’t care for the ending. i applaud it not ending in a neat little bow but it just didn’t resonate with me

Compelling story

I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but in light of some of the less-than-stellar reviews for this audiobook, I felt I should add my two cents. I can see how some people might not like this type of story, but in my opinion, it was very well done. I thought the psychological aspects of the story were well-portrayed, and although this is a fictional story, it played out in a way that was believable. I dislike stories that portray psychologists or counselors in unbelievable ways (e.g., meeting with a child one time and deeming her "perfectly normal"), but this author did her homework and Beatrix - albeit, larger than life- was an ideal developmental psychologist.

I could not tell which direction the story was headed, and I won't get into detail and spoil the story. However, this heart-wrenching story was interesting and compelling. I struggled to turn it off! My only criticism is that I was not happy with the ending, it seemed unresolved... I think it is up to the listener to imaging what eventually happens.

Very talented reader! She seamlessly switched between characters and was believable in each role..

awful ending

the story was awesome,, could not stop listening! Total page turning excitement! then the last 2 chapters.....total sucky ending in the last 2 chapters... .. don't bother but wasting your time for a sucky ending...move on to better author!

Really good

I want a sequel. Good story, kept my interest all the way through. Left me wanting a lot more.