The Child Garden

A Novel

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Pub Date Sep 08 2015 | Archive Date Aug 15 2015

Description

Eden was its name. "An alternative school for happy children." But it closed in disgrace after a student's suicide. Now it's a care home, the grounds neglected and overgrown. Gloria Harkness is its only neighbor, staying close to her son who lives in the home, lighting up her life and breaking her heart each day.

When a childhood friend turns up at her door, Gloria doesn't hesitate before asking him in. He claims a girl from Eden is stalking him and has goaded him into meeting near the site of the suicide. Only then, the dead begin to speak—it was murder, they say.

Gloria is in over her head before she can help it. Her loneliness, her loyalty, and her all-consuming love for her son lead her into the heart of a dark secret that threatens everything she lives for.

Praise:

"A tale that shivers with suspense."—The New York Times

"A terrific stand-alone that is complex, haunting, and magical."—Library Journal (Starred Review)

"A stunning combination of creepy thriller and classic mystery."—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"One surprising plot twist after another leads to a shocking ending."—Publishers Weekly

"Catriona McPherson spins webs of intrigue so beautiful and intricate she puts spiders to shame. With The Child Garden, she once again proves why she has rapidly become a star in the thriller genre...This is a book you will absolutely devour."—William Kent Krueger, New York Timesbestselling and Edgar Award-Winning Author of Ordinary Grace

"An enchanting brew of mystery, poetry, legends, and dreams, Catriona McPherson's The Child Garden is also an elaborate shell game that will keep readers guessing up until the very end."—Hallie Ephron, New York Times Bestselling Author of Night Night, Sleep Tight

Eden was its name. "An alternative school for happy children." But it closed in disgrace after a student's suicide. Now it's a care home, the grounds neglected and overgrown. Gloria Harkness is its...


Advance Praise

“I loved this book so much I can barely speak. From page one, it’s seamlessly told, beautifully original, and the voice, well, the voice is proof that Catriona McPherson is a powerful force and major talent in crime fiction. And the last page? I cried.”—HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, AGATHA, ANTHONY, MACAVITY, AND MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

"McPherson takes the reader on a suspenseful journey with Gloria Harkness, a devoted mother torn by doubt, love, and loyalty. A riveting, page-turning read; I did not want it to come to an end.”—G.M. MALLIET, AGATHA AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE ST. JUST AND MAX TUDOR MYSTERIES

“I loved this book so much I can barely speak. From page one, it’s seamlessly told, beautifully original, and the voice, well, the voice is proof that Catriona McPherson is a powerful force and major...


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Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780738745497
PRICE $24.99 (USD)

Average rating from 95 members


Featured Reviews

Excellent creepy thriller.

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This is not your average who-done-it! McPherson has managed to create a truly original mystery with an incredibly likable main character. Highly recommended!

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Catriona McPherson has given us an engrossing, don't-want-to-put-it-down mystery/thriller in The Child Garden.

The setting was perfect from the old country manor house to a small huttie in the woods to an ancient rocking stone. The atmosphere was creepy and a bit frightening and I was kept guessing until the end.

Highly recommend!

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This turned out to be an excellent book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure what to think. The story took off with some potentially dangerous elements right away, but then seemed to settle a bit and I was afraid it would become dull, but then it got going again quickly and I found myself intrigued by the unusual plot and events.

The main character shows many different sides of herself during this book, as a mother, as a friend, and as someone who has to make difficult choices to protect the ones she loves. I liked her and found her to be an easy character to follow.

This story has quite a few interesting twists and the writing flowed well so it didn't take me too long to read.

This would be a good book for a lazy afternoon when you are looking for something to get lost in. Great descriptions and atmosphere.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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