Cover Image: Little Darlings

Little Darlings

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Member Reviews

Wow this book gave me the creeps and made me very glad i don't have children or are expecting. It's every mother worse nightmare to lose their children or nearly lose them. So many times when i was reading this i was convinced it was all in Laura's head only to change my mind a few pages later. This is definitely the kind of story which is going to stay with you for days and days after you finish the last page.

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Wow. This book was so good. I can understand the suggestion this could become one of the most talked about books of 2019. It’s certainly up there in my best books read list.

Apparently screen rights have been acquired for the story too. It would make a brilliant TV drama or film, which ever it’s to become. I could possibly be tempted to watch, but for me nothing ever quite matches up to reading the book.

There is an excellent foreword from the author Melanie Golding to introduce the reader to some of the folklore behind her idea for the book and as you come to the beginning of each chapter there is a poem or small piece taken from related old fairy stories and folklore relating to Changelings.

I read the book description and anticipated a good psychological thriller. What I didn’t expect was for it to also be a police detective story. I’m not keen on them and never read them so at first I was a bit disappointed. However the female police detective Harper, who was central throughout the book was acting mostly in an unofficial capacity and was more emotionally involved. I grew to quite like her and a further book perhaps covering her back story would be really good.

I don’t want to say much more about the story as the book description says all a potential reader needs to know. The premise is that Lauren suffered a psychotic form of post natal distress and that would be the rational explanation. However I loved the ambiguity, there was always that doubt even at the end, was there something supernatural at play? It makes you wonder? I’d describe it in part as a psychological thriller as it really does play with your mind.

On the other hand looking at it as a story of a new mother of twins suffering what must be a frightening condition – Puerperal Psychosis, then my heart goes out to mothers who suffer this form of post natal illness and their families too, it must be incredibly distressing for all concerned.

All in all a tense, emotional read that kept me interested right from the first page to the last, with a set of really interesting characters and a fascinating subject.

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This is a stunner of a book! I’d heard so much about this and I couldn’t wait to read it! Creepy as hell I loved it! Thank you for the chance to review it.

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This creepy story takes inspiration from dark folklore stories, snippets of which are scattered throughout the text helping to set the sinister atmosphere of the book. The story itself reads like a thriller, with the hallmarks of an attempted crime when new mother Lauren sees a visions of a woman who wants to take away her newborn baby twins. As the sightings of the woman continue, and the police investigating draw blanks, it soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary abduction attempt, I’m not going to give anymore away, but if you like dark and creepy paranormal fantasy with a strong 'realistic' feel, this is a well-written, easy, yet gripping read.

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The premise of this book hooked me in before I even read the first page. A new mother of twins becomes convinced that someone is trying to steal her babies, but no one else believes her. Playing with sinister fairy tales and folklore, sleep deprivation and mental health, this book is creepy and a little too close for comfort. The mother, Lauren, is a character I rooted for. I think the experience of that newborn fog, where sleep is snatched and life becomes disjointed is well portrayed, as well as the isolation and feelings of failure. Her fear and confusion are palpable. I also liked Harper, the detective who is drawn to the case for her own personal reasons and who, like all good fictional detectives, isn't afraid to bend some rules to get to the truth. This is a well-paced story, which kept me turning the pages until the end...and has not helped the sense of unease I always feel around reservoirs!

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Although this book was well written, mainly from Lauren, the mother of the twins, point of view, I just didn't seem to be able to get into it. The background of the policewoman, Jo, seemed superfluous to the storyline - although I understand that some of her past had a bearing on her present of course. I am not a mother myself, but I don't think this had any bearing on my enjoyment of the book.

I certainly questioned whether Lauren was experiencing Post Partum Delirium or whether she was, in actual fact a victim of 'changlings' - and I kept on guessing. I would have liked another chapter at the end to wrap the book up as it felt a bit unfinished to me.

All in all, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it, which was a shame as the premise of the story was excellent.

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I inhaled this book. Its nothing like I ever read before and I totally loved it.
The story and the style of writing is breathtaking, you can simply not put it down. There is no boring passages in the book, no character that I didn't believe and liked and no twist and turn that is unnecessary and is simply there to fill the pages.
This is my favourite book that I read this year and I can't wait for it to get published so I can buy it fo my collection.
I can only applaud the author on this masterpiece and I'm looking forward to many more books of this caliber.

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Firstly, thank you to @NetGalley and @HQStories for the ARC of this book. This is Melanie Golding's debut, and what a debut! Little Darlings is a psychological thriller and a half, the opening chapter chilled me to the core! The imagery of a mum walking into a reservoir clutching her twins while police watched on helplessly, sucked me in straight away. After that opening chapter I knew I wouldn't put the book down until I found out what had happened to this woman.

The book is a take on the folkloric tales of changelings, now I had heard of changelings however I haven't read any other books or stories about them, so this was new to me. Each chapter was headed up with a folk tale, myth or fairytale around changelings - some a lot more creepy than others. To be perfectly honest, I find the concept absolutely terrifying. Melanie Golding pitched this story perfectly though, for me it was just the right level of unnerving, sinister and creepy.

Little Darlings follows Lauren, a first time mum to twin boys. Straight off the bat, the way in which Melanie Golding captures the early days of motherhood was honest, raw and truthful. I praise her for such a true reflection of motherhood, it's not one that I have seen very often, particularly in books. I really felt for Lauren, the isolation, how tired she was and how she struggled to adjust to life with two new-born babies to look after. Cue to husband Patrick, now it's been a while since I have detested a character to such an extent that I wanted to throw the book across the room! I couldn't stand him, he was selfish, conceited and lacked any empathy for his wife. But that's the point of him, Golding wants us to feel empathy and sympathy for Lauren and her situation, to make it more believable when the story kicks in.

While in hospital Lauren reports that someone has tried to abduct her babies, the doctors put this down to hallucinations caused by tiredness. However, from here on in Lauren is convinced that she is being followed by a woman dressed in black rags who wants to swap twins with her. As the story progresses, the emotion continues to build and build. The eventual climax is a heartbreaking ordeal which no mother wishes to experience and just when we think it's over, Golding hits us with another twist and the story goes in a different direction.

The police become involved and here we meet Detective Sergeant Jo Harper. Jo Harper is a law unto herself, she is difficult to manage and doesn't respond well to authority. Her own back story (which I wont spoil) is why, despite advice and direct orders from her seniors, she doesn't let this case go and contiues to pursue it.

As the story unfolds, Lauren becomes more manic and I felt myself shift from believing her, to feeling that she was in the midst of a breakdown, back to believing that what she was going through was real. Golding throws in moments of pure clarity and calculated decision-making in respect of Lauren which I felt cast further doubt on the true nature of what was happening. The story continued in this vain throughout the book, an element which I really enjoyed.

If you like a psychological thriller to keep you guessing until the very end, then this is the one for you.

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Wow what a book, i started it last night and almost had to carry on reading rather than sleep. It is a book which you don't want to read because it's too chilling and you also don't want to read it as you don't want it to end! This book captured me in the first two chapters. This morning I immediately picked it back up to keep reading. I'm thinking surely it can't be true, there is a simple explanation but no I'm drawn in again. Loving the characters and really love the determination of the police detective. The plot is brilliant and the twists leave you surprised and even chilled. You definitely won't want to stop reading, such a good book.
Totally a 5 star book. Highly recommended

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A mother’s love and a fairytale of sickening proportions.
Excellent!


4/5

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Wow! What a darkly twisted fusion of old folklore and the trials and tribulations of a new mother of twins in modern times. Is she suffering from post natal depression or there really an can evil old woman from long ago waiting to steal her newborn twins? You are carried along on a tide of frustration as no one believes the new mum. After all no one else has seen what she has seen and she has a history of depression. This book has all the ingredients of an unputdownable read- into-the-early hours marathon. Interspersed with creepy snippets of folklore along the way and you will not forget the evil babies in a hurry! I thoroughly enjoyed this unique tale. More from this author please!

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Wow I was blown away by this book. It’s gripping from the first page and full of twists and turns and some frankly horrible and scary old folklore and stories that will have you questioning what is going on at every step.

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I really enjoyed reading this debut novel. I am so thankful to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read tin exchange for an honest review. Melanie Golding has done a really good job creating this debut novel. It was fantastically written, mainly from Lauren, the mother of the twins, point of view. As a mother myself, I identified with some of the post- pregnancy thoughts and feelings of exhaustion that Lauren experienced. You just can’t help but sympathise for her.

Little Darlings was inspired by dark fairy tales and atwin folk tales, frequently referring to tales of changelings; children that have been secretly substituted by fairies and elves during infancy. The storyline made me question whether Lauren was in fact having a psychotic break due to postnatal depression or if there was in fact a figure after her twin boys. I even thought I had guessed it, with Lauren having a split personality! This is a reason why I thoroughly enjoyed the book, that it kept me guessing right until the final chapter and didn’t give away too much too soon. I would have liked a ‘one year later’ type of chapter just to wrap up the novel entirely.

The storyline included Jo Harper as the reliable policewoman; it dipped into her past slightly, as well as looking at a blossoming romance. Although these were nice personal touches I am not completely sure the purpose.

If you’re looking for a twisty, creepy read, this is definitely a book for you. It is not too dark or disturbing but still provides an airy atmosphere. It is an enjoyable read, especially if you enjoy myths and folklore. I’ve included a link to twin folk tales at the end of this post if anyone is interested in further (creepy) reading materials,.

Little Darlings is available for pre-order now on amazon, released 2nd of May 2019.

This is one of my 2019 recommended reads. I have awarded Little Darlings 4 / 5 stars!

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Little Darlings, Melanie Golding.

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult)

A fabulous read, but if like me you're easily spooked please don't read at night! Its not scary per se, but scary for the possibilities. Chillingly unsettling in its supernatural potential rather than chillingly terrifying.

When we first start, I wasn't enamored of Patrick, he says the right things but I didn't feel he really believed them. I felt he was selfish, and the further into the novel we got the more I disliked him. That's just a personal view, I'm not saying he was bad, irresponsible, or had anything to do at what had happened, but I just did not like him. Hearing events via Lauren made me feel sympathetic to her, and of course fully believe in what she is saying. Is she really seeing that though, it it really happening as she describes or is it some form of post natal depression or something similar?

All the way through the novel we get events through Lauren's eyes and then via other folk, showing maybe what she is seeing is the truth, or maybe she is imagining seeing things, and I veered from one thought to another, wondering just which one is right. Were the twins singing at just five weeks or was it her imagination? Its so cleverly done that as a reader I just didn't know.
Then there's Jess, the police officer, the history of events in the area, Natalie, so many possible explanations and the easiest one for Patrick, the hospital and the police is that she's imagining it brought on by stress, tiredness and possible health/child birth complications.

I tend to want definite answers and in this novel there isn't one. How could there be though when no-one really knows what did happen? Its a very ambiguous ending, just as I was believing one thing once more the temptation of another version being correct raises its head. Its not the ending I like, but it is the perfect ending to this story.

 Stars: Five, an amazing, brilliant debut novel, perfectly written, full of suspense and suggestions, leading reader one way then pulling them back the other. I really had no idea by the end which version of events was true. Chillingly suspenseful, and a thoroughly absorbing read.

ARC via Netgalley and Publishers

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A real page turner hard to put down as you just want to know what happens!
A twisted tale based on an ancient fairytale. Quite disturbing to read at times but easily relatable.
A new mum of twin boys gets sucked into a world she doesn’t want to be in and the only way out is to do the unthinkable.
Not quite the happy ending I was hoping for and lots of unanswered questions remain.
Well written, full of suspense and drama.

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I do love a story based around old myths, tales or legends so was very intrigued when I discovered Little Darlings is just that. I didn’t know much about the myth that this book explores: Changelings. It turns out there is much folklore about the idea of babies being stolen or switched just after birth. So your baby might physically look the same but actually have the soul of another baby, or be switched for a completely different baby – a fairy or some other creature. Pretty sinister, right? Quite a few of the chapters open with a selection of these tales to really help this theme cement in your mind and show just how creepy they are. An example: ‘The Nickert is a small gray person that lives in the water and has a great desire for human children. If they have not yet been baptised, he will steal them, leaving his own children in their place.’

These were the stories that inspired Melanie Golding to write this book and I have to say, she takes the mythology and weaves a brilliant contemporary tale. Lauren Tranter gives birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley, but while recovering from the birth in hospital she is convinced that a woman has sneaked onto the maternity ward and is trying to swap her babies with Lauren’s. Once she leaves hospital, her fears don’t dissipate and things really ramp up when her babies are abducted.

Alongside Lauren, we have another lead female character, DS Joanna Harper; the detective working on Lauren’s baby abduction case. She is strong, likeable character who is the perfect reliable narrator contrast to Lauren’s unreliable one. This dual point-of-view while the plot reveals itself really keeps things exciting.

I often read Little Darlings (digitally on my phone) while rocking my baby to sleep in the evenings, which made the whole topic of babies being switched or stolen even more visceral, as it really is an indescribable fear. I was very impressed by how this novel captures the struggles of early motherhood – from the simple things of trying to pack a nappy bag and get babies ready to go for a walk to the massive, massive psychological change you go through when you become a mother. You need so much help and support in those early weeks, so it didn’t help matters that Lauren’s husband was basically a dick. His self-involved, churlish behaviour actually made me very angry and I felt for Lauren so much, ‘He didn’t care about her. He only cared about himself. Her heart sank, a dinghy with a bullet hole, and the boys felt it.’ Lauren is under a lot of pressure and what Little Darlings does so superbly is continuously ask the question: Is Lauren suffering from very real and scary postpartum psychosis or is something / someone really intent on stealing her babies?

Little Darlings is Melanie Golding’s debut novel and is a sharp, unsettling, creepy tale that had me questioning what was real or not the whole way through thanks to its clever structure and execution. It’s published in May 2019 and I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!

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Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a thriller based in folklore. It was creepy and unsettling and kept me up late to finish it.
Lauren has just given birth to twin boys. She is woken up in hospital by a strange woman who tells her that she wants to swap her twin babies for hers. Lauren is able to get the woman out of the room and calls the police. Nobody believes Lauren and think that she was hallucinating because of the drugs the hospital had given her.
When she is discharged from hospital Lauren thinks she sees the woman outside her house and calls the police again but the only person to take her seriously is Detective Harper who decides she will look into this case. Then one day when Lauren is at the park she falls asleep and when she wakes the twins have gone. They are later found safely but Lauren is convinced they are not her boys.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of this book.

Read it one day. To be brutally honest I found it a little boring, the whole changeling thing has been done before but much better and far more creepier. Maybe my tolerance levels of being "creeped-out" is far more higher than others who have reviewed and felt it was creepy................

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The perfect read for Halloween. This book had plenty of creepy moments but the characters brought a level of normality to the story too, I found it was well balanced between reality and the prickling of the supernatural.

The story starts with the birth of twins but unravels into a story of betrayal, hallucinations and fear. Who is this devious river woman? Is she real or a manifestation caused by puerperal psychosis? I loved the folk lore that was presented at the start of the chapters, this provided a fascinating insight into changelings and faeries and the stories shared by our ancestors. It added an extra layer of atmospheric tension to the story.

I am not usually a fan of supernatural stories but I’m still not entirely sure if this was one or not, very cleverly thought out!

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I felt this book was a little slow to start but then the more I read the more I couldn't put it down. .
It's dark and chilling, so many questions!! Fantastic though, left me unsettled but I loved it! Recommended

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