Widow Kate’s young daughter, Rosie, is not vaccinated due to allergies while her classmate, Clara, isn’t because her parents, Madeleine and Tom, were concerned there may be a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. When both girls come down with measles, one bounces back, while the other faces serious complications. Facing financial hardship and emotional distress, Kate sues Clara’s parents for negligence because she believes Madeleine, a high-profile parenting blogger, sent her daughter to school knowing she was ill because she didn’t want to cancel her TV appearance.
With the rights of parents to not vaccinate a contentious issue, this makes a good book club selection. It keeps you guessing how the courtroom battle will resolve and the author ensures you can feel sympathies for both sides. As always, Hill proves to be a safe bet for an engrossing read.
Melissa Hill weighs into the immunisation debate with her latest novel, Keep You Safe. The summary says: "A mother always knows best. Doesn't she? What if your choice for your child could harm someone else's?
Every mother faces impossible choices. Vaccination is one of the hardest. For single mum Kate O'Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a small percentage of Irish children who can't be vaccinated against measles. All Kate can do is hope that her little girl is safe.
For mummy blogger Madeleine Cooper, it was a leap of faith she wasn't prepared to take when she and her husband declined controversial measles jabs for their daughter Clara. All she can do is pray that it's the right decision.
But when classmates Clara and Rosie both become sick, will Kate pay for Madeleine's choice?" Keep You Safe is out in September 2017.