The Child

As an old house is demolished in a gentrifying section of London, a workman discovers a tiny skeleton, buried for years. For journalist Kate Waters, it’s a story that deserves attention. She cobbles together a piece for her newspaper, but at a loss for answers, she can only pose a question: Who is the Building Site Baby?

As Kate investigates, she unearths connections to a crime that rocked the city decades earlier: A newborn baby was stolen from the maternity ward in a local hospital and was never found. Her heartbroken parents were left devastated by the loss.

But there is more to the story, and Kate is drawn—house by house—into the pasts of the people who once lived in this neighborhood that has given up its greatest mystery. And she soon finds herself the keeper of unexpected secrets that erupt in the lives of three women—and torn between what she can and cannot tell.

My Review

Now that I have had a taste of what author, Fiona Barton is all about with this book, I plan to go back and check out The Widow. Instantly, I connected with the story and the characters. Although, I was surprised that this was a very character driven story. What I mean by this is that sometimes in thriller books I find myself gravitating more towards the main lead character and killer. Yet, in this story, there was not a killer or was there? There was just three women. Two whose stories intersect with one another. The person responsible for helping to put all of the pieces together is journalist, Kate Waters.

Kate is a strong character. Although, I do wish that she would have taken more credit for herself a little more. Yet, she is right on point with her journalist skills. Back to the story. After reading this story a while, some readers may pick up on where the story is going like me. However, I can guarantee you that you will still enjoy how the story ends. The Child will have you lost for hours (in a good way) with engaging characters.

This summer FIONA BARTON is back with a second novel that proves lightning can strike twice.

 

Barton’s 2016 debut, The Widow, was an instant global bestseller, captivating readers around the world and setting the publishing industry abuzz.

 

The highly-anticipated release of THE CHILD (Berkley Hardcover; June 27, 2017) reaffirms Barton’s growing reputation as a writer of rich, character-driven suspense novels. Like Tana French, Louise Penny, and Megan Abbott, Barton’s stories do more than thrill: they explore the complexities of a changing world.

 

The Widow delved into the secrets that exist within a marriage and the reporter’s role as voyeur.  Here Barton continues to mine those themes. THE CHILD tackles the 24/7 news cycle, and lays bare the intricacies of a different but equally fascinating relationship—mother and child.

 

Says Barton: “The emotions, responsibilities—and the pain—of motherhood are unique to each of us with children. Ask any woman and she will have her own story to tell.”