Cutting Teeth

With devourable writing and pitch-perfect humor, Cutting Teeth is a sharp, original, wickedly astute look at the sting of modern motherhood. -- Ashley Audrain, author of THE PUSH
Deliciously dark, Baker's novel exposes all the little horrors of motherhood. Cutting Teeth will make you question what's expected of the "perfect" mom-and have you wondering just how much you're willing to give. -- Kirsten Miller, author of Good Morning America Book Club pick THE CHANGE
Bestseller Baker takes readers on a stomach-dropping emotional roller coaster in this suspenseful and darkly comic tale of motherhood and murder... Baker's descriptions of the joys and trials of raising children bolster the mystery at the book's core. With winning cynicism, she delivers a wicked thriller that doubles as a glimpse at motherhood's dark underbelly. * Publishers Weekly *
Complex and gripping, featuring a brutal murder and an eye-opening look at suburban motherhood and the competition among the moms to be 'the best' ... Dark secrets, retribution, and the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child all feature in this twisted, disturbing story that will keep readers off balance from beginning to end. * Booklist *

What could be a more perfect and hilariously dark metaphor for privileged modern motherhood than Baker's invention of "pediatric Renfield's syndrome"? Any parent who has imagined that their young children are draining the life out of them will both get the joke and feel the (piercing) pain....In keeping with the ruthless satirical tone, though, what they want to protect their kids from most isn't bodily harm-it's a bad reputation.
Red herrings abound and clues are dispensed tantalizingly. The building social tension is so good that the murder mystery can feel almost unnecessary. Will it come back to bite readers in the end? In the meantime, Baker limns the fascinating ways parents in a community can be simultaneously at odds with
and bonded to each other and how the pressure of parenthood makes crisis hard to define. Gruesome, funny, jam-packed, sharp as baby teeth.

* Kirkus *
Cutting Teeth may be Chandler Baker's boldest book yet. A razor-sharp, biting social commentary on motherhood that is equal parts scary and satirical, thrilling and thought-provoking, that begs the question: how far is too far when it comes to taking care of your kids? You'll sink your teeth into it * Stacy Willingham, New York Times bestselling author of A Flicker in the Dark *
As brutal in its honesty as it is in its deceptions, Cutting Teeth is a viciously sinuous whodunnit . . . an incisive and fearless exploration of motherhood and the self-inflicted wounds we hide up our sleeves as we each struggle to survive it * Elle Cosimano, USA Today bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It *
First comes love, then comes marriage... but in this baby carriage comes gnashing social commentary swaddled in Chandler Baker's delicious wit. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. * Steven Rowley, bestselling author of The Guncle and The Celebrants *
Like its predecessors, Cutting Teeth will leave a, ahem, mark. Vampiric children, the struggles of motherhood and a murder all in one entertaining and engaging novel? Leave it to Chandler Baker...The ending provides complete satisfaction, and Baker ties up all loose ends, leaving no stone unturned or question unanswered. Baker examines the complexity of female friendships and the expectations of mothers in particular, making "Cutting Teeth" relevant and thought-provoking. Baker leaves room for ample twists and turns, and each chapter left me wanting more. The plot is well-developed and carefully executed, providing a hugely suspenseful and delicious enjoyable story. "Cutting Teeth" is going to bring Baker into the spotlight once again, and the praise is warranted * Mystery & Suspense *
Part BIG LITTLE LIES, part JAWS...It is not only my favorite book by the author, but one of the best books of 2023. Full of razor-sharp writing and social commentary on motherhood, parenting and marriage, the book is a whodunnit about a group of parents whose kids are potential witnesses (and possible perpetrators) of the unsolved murder of their preschool teacher...I loved it so much. There's a PTA meeting near the end of the book where all of the adults commiserate about how bad they are at parenting that had me howling * Jordy’s Book Club, Instagram *