Super Short Summary

The Need by Helen Phillips follows mother-of-two Molly, who becomes convinced that an intruder has invaded her home while she grapples with sleep deprivation, isolation, and strange occurrences at her work as a paleobiologist. The story weaves elements of psychological thriller and allegory for motherhood, exploring Molly's fears and the surreal appearance of a doppelganger named Moll, who represents an alternate version of her life. The book contains themes related to violence and parental distress.