The twists and turns in this book seamlessly weave a chilling story of horror and loss. When 23-year-old Lena Beck goes missing her father moves heaven and earth to try and find answers. No answers are found until one night many years later a woman is involved in a hit and run. She looks so much like Lena, and the girl with her calls her Lena, and things start unraveling from there. This is one book the reader will not be able to stop thinking about, even as the last page is turned. Thank you to Netgalley for an opportunity to read this book in return for my honest review.

There is no need to summarize the book here; it has been done over and over. This is a page turner to a point, and it has many twists and turns. Sometimes I was fascinated; sometimes I just wanted it to end and began to skim. It was an interesting premise, but the story became bogged down the middle. The twists and turns became tiresome and did not add much to the story. The ending was quick but left the reader with an unfinished feeling. Some people would enjoy this book, but it is not something I would recommend to everyone.

I was fully prepared for this novel to be dark - one only has to read the blurb to know that. Just how dark and disturbing I was not quite ready for. Also, I thought that its darkness would be off-putting and hard to read, yet the author turned this story into one which I found myself devouring. I couldn't read the pages fast enough.

Why? Hannah. A young girl with such a distorted view that I just couldn't reconcile how she was going to move on with her life. And Jasmin... so damaged that at times she didn't even know who she was, or how to cope with living. Such characters are the type of characters that writers and readers dream of. Alive on the page.

The entire time I was reading I wondered just WHO these people really were. HOW they would continue on with their lives - all the time wondering... was their nightmare really over? What really happened to them? Whose story can you trust?

The book causes the reader to realize that 'normal' is subjective. What is normal for one person can be the very antitheses of normal for another. It also questions 'fate'. Are some people just terribly unlucky? or, can we influence our lives to control our fate?

Shocking, disturbing, mesmerizing, and compelling are all words I would use to describe this debut novel. Wow! Highly recommended! Definitely a contender for this year's "Top Ten List". Enthralling and unsettling in equal measure.

What the WHAAAAA!!!!!!???????

Shortest Summary Ever: Lena has been held hostage along with her 2 children. One night the unthinkable happens - she’s free, only to wind up in hospital, hit by a car. What happened, who is she, and is the nightmare truly over?

Thoughts: I’m never going anywhere again. Nope. Nope. Nope. Never. Agoraphobia is my jam. Yup. (Fetal position).

Good God what did I just read? Something that scared every bajeezer out of me! Every. Last, One. (Crossing myself ten times, clutching a rosary... and I’m not Catholic). Ok - this is going to make me a weirdo (and I’m ok with that) but this book is all about a whack-job kidnapper psycho and DANG it freaked me out. Like snuggling-my-dog freaked out. Like make-this-into-a-movie freaked out. AND I LOVED IT. Lol! ThankGod this is fiction (please please please stay fiction).

I’m one of those reviewers who likes the sick and twisted ever since I reveled in Montresor taking his good ol’ buddy Fortunato for a little walk to sample some wine (deliciously devious, insert mu-hu-wah- hahaha laugh.) But when there’s no revenge and it’s plain, pure evil? Scarier than anything.

All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.

Genre: Mystery/Horror

Recommend to: 9 out of 10 heebie jeebies so read it if you love to get those goosebumps!

Not recommended to: If you’re not into psychos and the women they stalk.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Flatiron Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review.

I am at a loss. This book was horrifying and disturbing. Honestly none of the characters, Hannah, Lena/Jasmine, or Mattias are what they seem. Each one of them has suffered and experienced trauma. Still I found myself unable to stop reading, even as it got more messed up and suspenseful. I am still processing, as this book lingers in the back of your mind and gives you a horrible pit in your stomach.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of Dear Child by Romy Hausmann.

An interesting psychological thriller. I went into this one a little blind and didn't quite know what I was getting into. It was a little disturbing for me in parts but overall it was twisty and the part I found most fascinating was the processing of the trauma of being help captive and the well written characters.

Dear Child is a compelling thriller about a woman who escapes from her kidnapper. Lena disappeared 14 years ago, and her father is still searching for her. When a woman and a young girl are found as victims of a hit and run accident, a new investigation begins. Is this woman Lena? Who is the girl? What happened to them?

The story is told from the point of view of 3 narrators: Lena, Leana's father Matthias and 13 year old Hannah. Each narrator feels slightly unreliable, and you have to pay attention to everything they say to start to piece together the puzzle of what happened to Lena. It feels confusing at times, and I believe the author did this on purpose. This style most definitely keeps you reading as there are just enough hints to keep you guessing all the way through. Hannah was my favorite narrator. Her sections were creepy and haunting and the most intriguing.

This book is being compared to Room, and while there is a similarity with the captivity plot, I would say that Dear Child is still a very different book. I flew through the pages wanting to find out how it was going to end. I didn't love the final reveal at the end, and I felt it was a little bit far-fetched perhaps?

It feels wrong to label a book about kidnapping and abuse as entertaining, and yet- this is an entertaining story, albeit a dark and disturbing one. It's the kind of thriller that you might want to stay up reading late into the night to find out what happens next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron books for sending me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book has been compared to Room by Emma Donoghue, and I would have to agree.

Years ago Lena goes missing on the way home from a party.  Her parents never gave up hope of finding her alive.  You can imagine how estatic they are when they receive the call that they may have fond Lena.  Is it really her or someone pretending to be her?

Unpopular opinion here.  While this story had its moments with a few good twists it was not for me.  We find out early on that it's not Lena so I liked the mystery of finding out what happened to her.  The story did pick up for me in the end, but overall this just wasn't for me.

Whew, this was an extremely intense novel to read and I absolutely loved it. Been touted as a cross between Gone Girl and Room, this is one of the few times that I feel the publisher got this right.

This story translated from German is a roller coaster of emotions. Told from three points of view, Hannah, Matthias and “Lena”, you get an insane tale that will keep you surprised to the very last page.

The book begins when Lena is being taken to the hospital after being hit by a car, her daughter Hannah along for the ride. As the doctors are working on Lena, the hospital starts to piece together what appears to be a horrific story, of this family being held captive. This quickly turns into a twisty tale.

I find mysteries and thrillers are hard to review, so I will leave you with just the setup and let you enjoy this one for yourself. This book kept me wanting more, it was so good. The writing was exquisite and I was reeling in a good way when this book ended. I usually have mixed feeling about these types of books, but this one holds up 100%.

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book drew me in from the very first sentence and had me racing through the pages. I was taken on a rollercoaster ride all the way to the amazing ending.

The story, told in three different points of view, had me confused as to what was really going on. Who was the 'bad guy' and what was the truth? As the author weaves and then unravels the story of Lena, I found the answers to my questions. Honestly, they were not at all what I expected them to be. I love that in a story—when the author takes the story to a place that I had not seen coming.

Dear Child is the debut novel for this author and she hit it out of the park. This is one that you just have to read! I can't wait to see what Romy writes next!

Dear Child is getting a LOT of buzz and I am grateful to @flatironbooks and @netgalley for granting my request for an advance reader copy. I was intrigued by this book because it’s written by a German author and I love reading books written by my European neighbors (I am Dutch).

When I started this book a couple of days ago, I had just watched American Murder on Netflix (gruesome) and adding this read served as an unpleasant and disturbing reminder of the human monsters that lurk in our midst.

Dear Child for me was a dark read and unlike most thrillers, I didn’t feel it added gruesome details just for the sake of it. I dread to know how many women and children are currently being imprisoned against their will. The book is fast-paced and definitely kept me turning the pages; each chapter reveals new information and raises more questions. It is being compared to Room by Emma Donoghue and I think that’s an accurate description. Also, I am glad it isn’t watermelon season, because this book’s put me off eating one for a while.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a captivating psychological thriller that explores the trauma associated with abduction and captivity. Told between three points of view, each chapter reveals more creepy details of what went on behind the walls of the cabin, and how Lena’s family tries to figure out what happened to her all those years ago.

This book keeps you guessing throughout, always a few steps behind from piecing the story together. Thriller fans should pick this one up when it publishes Tuesday, 10/6!

I imagine lion voice is pretty much speaking like Aslan.

For 13 years, Matthias and Karin have been desperate to find their daughter Lena. Then one evening, their estranged friend and local detective phones with news. A woman matching their missing daughter's description has just been hit by a car and is in hospital. But the woman isn't Lena. The young girl with her, however, is definitely their granddaughter. How can that be? Where has this woman and their grandchildren been all these years? And where is Lena?

When I read the blurb for this novel I was immediately interested. Normally these sorts of mystery stories (they call it a thriller, but it is a crime-mystery) are all about finding the missing girl. This novel starts after she has been found. Interesting take.

As you can imagine, a large part of the story deals with trying to piece together what happened as the victims try to process their trauma. The police are trying to figure out identities and piece together the evidence. The grand/parents (primarily Matthias) are still trying to push the investigation. The children are trying to process being out of their regimented cabin life. And the rescued Jasmin (not Lena), having escaped her tormentor, is still haunted by her experience.

After finishing Dear Child I wasn't quite sure what I thought of it. The initial premise and first few chapters really grabbed me. The story is very well written and feels like the recounting of actual events. And similarly, the ending is great and offers catharsis to the story and characters. But I think the middle only really served to keep those two sections apart. So much of the mystery and events of the story are driven by characters doing stupid things. Sure, that also makes it feel human and real, but at some point it stops being how that character would behave and more of a contrivance. I wanted things to progress, not get bogged down.

Or to put it another way: I felt the story needed less Matthias and more Hannah (the daughter of Lena). Having her perspective for the story would have kept the mystery interesting and buried. It would have also kept Matthias from being the annoying speed-hump in the story.*

I can see this novel appealing to the psychological thriller audience. But for me, I can't give Dear Child more than 3 stars. It's a good book, but probably not exactly my cup of tea.

I received a review copy of Dear Child in exchange for an honest review.

* In fairness, Matthias' actions are completely understandable and well-drawn. He isn't a bad character but he is annoying, deliberately so.

A woman and child escape their captor, but then what happens? That’s the basis of this story, and it is sad, horrific, and psychologically suspenseful.

At first, I thought I was going to get hung up on the names of the people (they use German titles), but it soon became normal to me. I did get a few characters confused because there were so many of them.

But the story, told in several points of view, is really pretty incredible. You have the daughter (Hannah) who has a picture perfect memory and always tells it like it is. You have the father whose daughter went missing 13 years before, and he feels all of the guilt. And you have the woman who was kidnapped, tortured, and forced to be a mom.

Honestly, it seemed very realistic to me - like it could be based on a true story. Especially what the victim goes through after she escapes. Her nightmares just won’t end, and her psychological state is extremely fragile (at best).

I thought this was a solid read. Very interesting. Possibly a little too drawn out in some parts, but it kept my attention!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Romy Hausmann and FlatIron books for this advanced copy! You can grab this on October 6 and I have to say, it’s an absolute must read!

One woman missing for over 13 years and another disappears until 4 months later, she gains her freedom. Yet, does she really gain freedom or is her captor simply letting her think she has? Two children involved and a twisty chain of events. This story is one that will leave you speechless, a story that all make you scared of the woods..

This novel, just wow, I couldn’t put it down. The suspense and the way the story makes you believe it’s one person but, maybe it could be another, absolutely creative! It was sooo good!! I couldn’t put it down! It’s a true psychological thriller and it’s one you all should read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow this is definitely one of the best thriller I've read this year. I was reading like crazy and finished in 24 hours. It's so hard to review thrillers because I never want to give anything away at all. The plot was tense and despite being a translation from Europe everything still related to me in the US. If you loved Room, If you love Wendy Walker this is the book for you.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann was a book I knew I was going to pick up as soon as I read the synopsis. A woman who escapes her captor and tries to lead police back to him? Does that sound like a Criminal Minds episode, or what? I was in.

First off, while I often find Mystery/Thrillers to be edge of the seat on suspense, I don’t often truly feel them to be truly Thrilling, but Dear Child was. This book was so creepy and disturbing. The way everything happened, from the beginning of the abduction to the end of her captivity, it was pure craziness. It hit me while reading this that I don’t think I’ve ever thought about the introduction to being captive. I’ve thought about how scared the victim must be, but I’ve never really thought about what happens from there. And here, there was no presentation for the victim, no list of expectations, no run down. Just pure discipline if she made a mistake. I don’t know what I expected from a psychopath, but it was pretty eye opening.

I think that what added another layer of creepiness in this book was the addition of children. There’s just something about throwing a child into the mix, who knows nothing about life and nothing aside from captivity, that makes a situation you don’t think can get any worse...worse. It was pretty shocking.

This book is told from a few points of view, from our victim, from Lena’s father, and from Hannah. I thought they were all essential and added to the story. Hannah’s point of view was the most interesting to me. The psychology of her situation and her response was fascinating.

I won’t say more for fear of spoiling anything, but I will say that this book goes by really fast, and right up until the very end, you do wonder if our victim has escaped her captor. If you’re looking for a book that’s really going to thrill you, Dear Child fits the bill.

The cover sets the tone and yanks the reader into a story filled with trauma, grief, emotional scars, mystery, and hope. There is a woman in a hospital bed. A little girl accompanied her in the ambulance. Is the little girl hers? Is this woman the one who has been missing for thirteen years? Where has she been? Was she kidnapped or did she run away? The mystery of the missing Lena Beck is just a small piece in this masterful tale. I was transfixed. I had to know the answers to all the questions. . . Those questions multiply and you may think you have the answers, but I don't think you will. This is 'Room' with an upgrade making the story even more atmospheric and compelling. I will be watching for more novels from Romy Hausmann.

4.5 Stars: It has been a looooong time since I was scared to read a book at nighttime, but this book did just that. A story ripped from the headlines, a young woman is 'found' after having gone missing twelve years ago, allegedly kept in captivity along with her two children. But this dark psychological thriller has much more in store for its readers, with a grief-twisted father, a deeply disturbed child, and the victim herself telling the story. Don't even try guessing where this story leads as the rabbit hole is long and twisted, and made me want to lock all my doors as I read the final fifty pages. This debut novel has changed my negative perspective on thrillers; Hausmann does far more than look for a quick twist - she uses brilliant mind games with her readers to keep us obsessively turning pages. I will be on the lookout for her next translated novel. Thanks to Net Galley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very good abduction thriller, if that is possibly something to be good at. The synopsis of the book accurately sums up the premise so I won't bother to repeat it here, but I will recommend going into this book blind for the best experience. Being held hostage is one of my ultimate fears (plus intruders into my apartment... which this book also delivers), so this book really disturbed me. It's hard not to imagine the ways you would try to escape... or assimilate. There were a few little plot details that bothered me or felt unfinished, but it does wrap itself up with a satisfying ending. Not sure how memorable of a read this will be in a couple years, but it was fun for the time being!