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The Child cover art

The Child

Written by: Fiona Barton
Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan, Jean Gilpin, Mandy Williams, Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's Summary

The author of the stunning New York Times best-seller The Widow returns with a brand-new novel of twisting psychological suspense.

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. 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....

©2017 Fiona Barton (P)2019 Penguin Random House Canada

What the critics say

“Tense, tantalizing, and ultimately very satisfying...definitely one of the year’s must-reads.” (Lee Child, number one New York Times best-selling author)

“Barton’s second well-plotted outing, with its sustained tension and believable characters, is an excellent addition to the popular psychological thriller genre. Readers who liked Barton’s first novel, Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on a Train, and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl will love this.” (Library Journal, starred review)

“Fiona Barton knows showing is better than telling because it allows for the reader's perspective. When the stories from Angela and Emma converge, whether the conclusion occasions a shock or an 'aha!' doesn't matter; it's satisfying due to all the work that's gone into its discovery.” (NPR)  

“Barton once again reveals her undeniable gift for getting inside the minds of sexual predators and the passive-aggressive women who enable their crimes.... Barton knows what we’re afraid of - our inability to protect society’s most vulnerable members from harm - and she’s not afraid to plunge us headfirst into the abyss, for all the right reasons.” (Toronto Star)

What listeners say about The Child

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I want my credit back! Boring, annoying, frustrating.

Ugh this book! I read that there was a big emotional twist at the end. I figured out the “epic twist” half way through the story and proceeded to think “am I the only one that realizes this? Are these characters actually that daft?” I listened to the end hoping for an additional “twist” and there wasn’t one. Boring from the beginning to the end. Also the reader for Emma has a voice that’s PAINFUL to listen to. The other readers were great but Emma’s voice got under my skin SO MUCH. Overall, boring, annoying, frustrating. I want my credit and my hours back.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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HO-LY SH*T.

I’m speechless. I don’t think a book has ever thrown me off like this one. The twist at the end...... Incredible. Excuse me while I go sob into my mattress for 5 hours.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, good performance

The characters are relatable and the narrators did a good job representing them. Story was interesting, great ending!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good

great story loved the twists and turns ... couldn't put it down it was so exciting

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Genius

This is an incredible, tangled and exciting journey with several real and impactful character portraits. Can hardly wait to read another book by Fiona!!

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Great story ...!

Should have read this one first before The Suspect. Really enjoy this author . Will definitely read her other books

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Very engaging performances, strong plot, really enjoyed all aspect. Well crafted and well written. Highly recommend!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant.

Loved the storey and the characters. I love how it kept me guessing until the end. Great story telling

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Buyer beware

Read the Washington Post review before buying. I agree with the reviewer—too many words for this very predictable story.

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