I read this in a day as I was totally engrossed in it and didn't want to put it down. What appears to be a missing woman Lena appearing in hospital with her daughter takes a twist when it is revealed she's not who she says she is. Lena's dad Matthias has fought tirelessly for years to find her and he thinks he's now close to the truth, he takes Hannah his granddaughter under his wing, she's a very complex character very intelligent and totally conditioned by her father. Both Lena and Jasmine were victims of an abductor and kept locked in a cabin in the wood. But who is he and what has happened to Lena, will Jasmine recover and will Matthias find the truth. I was shocked by who the kidnapper was an unexpected twist.

This book is hands down the best book I have read in a very long time. I finished it within 24 hours as I just had to know the ending.. I have read a lot of thrillers, but none have kept me guessing as much as this one. I truly was surprised by the ending. I advise anyone, who loves thrillers, to make this the next book on their tbr pile. Hopefully there will be a number two thriller by this author very soon.!

I'm not sure "enjoyed" is the right term to use about this thriller as it is quite grim but it certainly held my attention. The narrative zips along and it becomes clear things are not as they seem. There is a twist in the tale, which you may see coming but is still shocking in its revelation. I thought this might be a Room, by Emma Donoghue clone but it certainly isn't. It has it's own style and story. Very well tod. A real page turner.

Absolutely loved this book - I was drawn in immediately and could not put it down. Initially it seemed very similar to Room but it quickly took on its own distinct storyline with its own distinct characters. A number of twists along the way (most of them believable although on occasion I definitely had to suspend belief to fully buy into it). My only real criticism is that a few of the twists or stories around the characters seemed to be taking them too far just for the sake of adding more ‘drama’ which I didn’t feel it actually needed. But overall I thought it was a great page-turner and would recommend it to any lovers of books such as Room or Gone Girl.

Two days it took me to finish this book; it is that I had to go and get some sleep otherwise I would hae finished the book in one sitting.

Since I read German books for review purposes too I was curious as what to expect from a translation in English. I tend to find German thrillers a bit bleak, serious and full of people who are constantly shaking their head.
I want to pay a big compliment to the translator of this book. Of course, Romy Hausmann wrote it, and it is incredibly good and the story and character are all her own, but the translator succeeded in keeping the original 'feeling' of the book. And yes, this book is a bit bleak too, and there is a lot of head-shaking, but you know what? It didn't matter.

I love books where the story is being told from various POV's and this one is no exception. What makes this book exceptional is that there are surprises on almost every page. What can I say? I hope Romy Hausmann is working on her next book ;-)

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for this digital review copy.

Firstly I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for allowing me to read an eARC of Dear Child. I am very grateful for the opportunity. 

Thrillers used to be my go to book, I used to read nothing book this until approximately a year ago when I discovered fantasy. I know predominantly read the fantasy genre and rarely dive into anything else. I read that many thrillers during my time of reading them that they all became predictable and boring which really put me off. However, I must say I am very glad I asked to read this book because I did not regret it. 

Dear Child sent shivers to my spine throughout the duration of my time reading it. It was a really bumpy ride, a book that I could not put down. I read it within a few sittings as it was really difficult to stop reading once I started. 

I love the way that this story was told. You almost have the end scenario presented to you at the start with numerous characters then recalling what happened on the run up to these events. What particularly disturbed me was Hannah's point of view. Hannah was such a strong thought-provoking character. I just wanted to jump in and give the poor girl a hug. I think what struck me most about Hannah's character was how innocent she came across; for a young girl that had been through and witnessed so much she is so calm and collective. Such a chilling sequence of events. 

I really enjoyed the perspectives of different characters throughout the book. It really did add to the chilling experience. It helped me to build up different theories surrounding the story ... all of which I must add were wrong. I had characters that I really liked, some I didn't and some that I did not trust. There are literally so many twists and turns in this book, you sometimes don't know if you are coming and going. But this definitely adds to the excitement. I was definitely absorbed into this story and the plot and I just really wanted to know what happened. 

This is a really fast paced book, that you will not be able to put down. There is excitement just around the corner and it will take you off guard. I enjoyed (probably not the right word), but I liked seeing the trauma that Jasmin is clearly going through and how this affects her behaviour. I work with victims of crime and this is so reflective of my experiences of trauma with them. The author has definitely done her research which is very favourable for me in books like this. 

I recommend that you picked this book up. I haven't read a book that has chilled me to the bone quite as much as this has since reading Room. This is the only way I can compare it. This book isn't getting the hype that it deserves but I intend to recommend Dear Child to as many people as I can.

I nearly gave up on this book. I found it hard to get into the storyline because of the switching from past to present and the characters. On saying that I persevered and read through to the end. Don’t be put off by my remarks because it is a brilliant read with many twists and turns with an unexpected ending as to the villain. Would thoroughly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reading of this book.

Chilling from the outset!
Lena, kidnapped some 14 years previous and trapped in a grotty, windowless cabin in the woods with her two children. Never allowed out and bound to follow her husbands exacting instructions on every aspect of their existence.

Then there is Lena, the woman in the hospital bed, hit by a car on a road not too far from the cabin whilst seemingly fleeing some horror.

What is unclear is whether they are in fact the same person, searched for for 14 long years.
The story rapidly picks up pace with a full investigation into the woman, the cabin, a body and the children but things are not as they seem and the twists keep on and on, leaving you almost breathless with anticipation of the final unmasking of "Daddy".

Many Thanks to Net Galley and Quercus Books for a chance to review this book,

Gone Girl meets Room is the description given for this book and suffice to say, I was a little apprehensive going into it. I haven’t read Room; the subject matter is a bit difficult for me and probably am one among the few people who is not a huge fan of Gone Girl, I just liked it OK. And starting to read, it felt like all my fears were confirmed, a particular scene making me cringe and shudder that I had to stop reading and take a break. But then the story moves at just breakneck speed that the reader is left gaping and thunderstruck. I mean, what the??

Lena Beck has been missing for 4825 days, over 13 yrs. but Mathias Beck has counted and cursed each day and grieved for his daughter. Even when persuading themselves that there is no hope left, Karin and Mathias have hope. So, when informed about a woman named Lena admitted to the hospital following an accident, they both rush down to bring their lost daughter home. Lena has had an accident, a hit and run, the only witness her daughter Hannah, who sounds odd but intelligent and even though her appearance is of an 8-year-old girl, she’s 13. Nothing seems to be as it is, as the cops and Mathias finds out to their horror, Lena is not the missing Lena? Consequently, what is the truth and who is lying and even when the truth is out, can it be believed? The monster who abducted Lena is dead then who is sending threatening letters to Lena?

Romy Hausmann has done an extraordinary job in this thriller, keeping the readers biting their nails as Lena, Hannah and Mathias all try to muddle thru the maze and make sense of the bewildering puzzle. The opening chapter itself about likening the abductor to God, sends chills down the reader’s spine. And except for some scenes in the shack that had me keeping the book down and walking around (well, not the book’s fault obviously) I loved every part of this riveting and chilling thriller. Lena’s escape and her trauma affected me badly and then when it came to the kids Hannah and Jonathan, I really have no words. Hannah’s thought process and her practical reasoning of things are very painful to read but it was the epilogue chapter that had me cheering to the hilt and helped me close the book with a smile. Freaking Awesome!

Wow,What a book! Guessing til the very end. Heartbreaking to read at times. But I loved it. Thank you netgalley for the ARC. I will be reading more by this author. This book stayed with me long after I had finished it!

A dark psychopath thriller that keeps you guessing...
What starts as quite an ordinary abduction thriller soon has twists, that leave you questioning what you have read. When you think you have understood what has happened, another twist throws everything on it head again
Yes, there were times when it was a bit confusing as to whose voice was telling this part of story but overall a great suspense

Thanks to Romy Hausmann, Quercus Publisher and Netgalley for letting me read and review this in advance. This book is released on 14th May 2020 and available to pre order on Amazon now.

When I read that this story was somewhere between ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘Room’ I knew I had to read it as I really enjoyed both. ‘Dear Child’ definitely has the same kind of feeling as those 2 stories – if you enjoyed either of those this book is for you.

It took me literally zero time to get into this story, from the first page I was fully committed! The story switches between the different characters writing from their perspectives, beginning with a young woman called Lena who has been missing for 13 years. I know some readers don’t like this switching between characters, I personally do and the author does this perfectly in my opinion.

Full of suspense and twists, it had me second guessing certain characters. Just when I thought I knew what had happened, another twist came along and I had to pause and try and work it out again. Towards the end (on my Kindle around 90%, no page numbers,) I was confident that I had it worked out but then realised I didn’t! This isn’t just another ‘girl gets abducted’ plot it has a different edge to it.

This is the authors debut book, it is brilliant and I will definitely be watching out for the next one!

Wowser what a fantastic thriller this one it, really good plot and characters and a fair amount of twists too! Loved Lena and was really rooting for her throughout, the twist at the end is a shocker (well I thought so) and I cannot wait to get another book from this author, absolutely loved it, seriously good read make sure you buy this book!!!

An abduction tale that is just a little different form the pack .
Lena has been missing for 13 years .
When a woman is admitted to hospital following a car crash -she is badly injured -but manages to tell them her name -Lena.. Could this be the missing Lena ?
Happy Endings ? Think again !

A gripping tale that keeps you guessing to the end -highly recommended

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

Took me a little while to get into this story but it got a grip and I was hooked. I was a little bit confused throughout as to who was saying what, where, when but I think that was probably deliberate to keep the whole thing scarily dark and threatening. I could pull holes in many parts and characters but for the purpose of a tale well told, I won't. This is a page-turning psychological thriller that keeps you guessing.

Wow, what a dark, twisted read, which had me completely absorbed and hooked to the pages I was reading! Kept me up way past bedtime, with all the fantastic thrills, chills, and shocks! Highly recommend to those who like darker thrillers that are sure to knock you about in the mind a bit! Highly, highly recommend!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms!

A fantastic thriller - a dark and compulsive read with twists and turns aplenty. Fleshed out, well drawn characters, a chilling read

#DearChild #NetGalley
A good read. Highly recommended.
A windowless shack in the woods. Lena's life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father: Meals, bathroom visits, study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them. One day Lena manages to flee - but the nightmare continues
Narration of the story was excellent. Characters were awesome and are able to thrill you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving me an advance copy of this book.

“You haven’t got us, not really. It’s your prison, not ours.”

After finishing this book earlier today and sitting with it for a while to gather my thoughts, I still feel a bit conflicted about it. Initially, as it was off to a very rocky start with me, I berated myself for choosing a story that centred around characters kidnapped and held in captivity, a theme that has never really been my cup of tea. I’m one of the few people who weren’t totally enamoured by ROOM, or SILENT CHILD, or LOOK BEHIND YOU. So what initially attracted me to this one?

The premise is intriguing: a young woman is critically injured in a hit-and-run accident. She has a young child with her who calls her “Mummy” and claims that they are living in a cabin in the woods. Initially it appears that she is Lena, a woman who disappeared without a trace 14 years ago. Soon, however, facts don’t add up. Lena’s father is adamant that the unconscious woman in hospital is not his daughter. So who is she, and what happened to Lena?

All my doubts dispersed around the 50% mark, when I suddenly found myself totally invested in the story. I think that the game changer was the tightening web of intrigue and secrets that kept me turning the pages. As well as the character study of our three main protagonists, who have all been victims of the crime in their own way. I felt especially fascinated by the child character Hannah, whose view of the world is so crazily distorted by her early childhood experiences. I am trying really hard not to give any spoilers here! As the psychological aspect came more into play, I was well and truly hooked.

Hausmann writes well, and the omissions in the separate POVs that give each character a slightly unreliable edge (I was suspicious of everyone!), really ratcheted up the tension in the second half of the book, as it marched towards its unexpected finale. I wouldn’t say I loved the cliff-hangers at the end of every chapter, because they kept me turning the pages way too long into the night, but they were cleverly done and obviously achieved their desired effect!

With her debut DEAR CHILD, Hausmann has served up an intelligent, multi-layered and intricately plotted novel that only gave up its secrets after peeling back all the layers. I dare you to guess the outcome – I certainly didn’t. It contains some truly chilling themes and scenes, some of which were concealed in the implied and unsaid, and in Hannah’s perception of reality. It was frightening to me to think that this horrible situation has happened to real people, in real life!

All in all, if you loved Emma Donoghue’s famous novel ROOM and are fascinated by the psychological aspects of captivity, then this book should be on your radar. For me, it was the final chapter that really wormed its way into my heart and made sure that I will remember this book for some time to come. Once you read it you will see what I mean.

Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity forme to read an eARC of Dear Child.

I really enjoyed Dear Child and found it hard to put down. I kept doing the usual "just one more chapter" and was up till 3am !
The story centers on Lena who is abducted and held captive.
Lena has two children whilst captive and they are controlled by the abductor, and they have never left the cabin.
Lena does manage to escape, but there is confusion over her identity and if this really is Lena
The story is told from a couple of different perspectives and I dont want to give the storyline away, but this is a fantastic physcological thriller and I would definitely recommend reading it.