By: Maria Frankland
Narrators: Joan Walker, Nathaniel Priestley
Bookouture | Hachette UK
ISBN: 9781835250068
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 06/25/2024
Format: e-book
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
As I race towards the lake, Toby's life unfolds before me, from the day he entered this world to his first day at school. Please let me find him. I’ll do anything. But my sweet little boy is nowhere to be seen.
It kills me that the only way I can spend proper time with my son Toby is by helping out at his school camp. I sit under the emerald green pine trees and Toby’s little face lights up as he runs past me, joining the other chattering, happy children around us. Then I see my ex, David, glaring at me and my heart sinks. He may have full custody, but he’d love nothing more than for me to disappear. Forever.
As the excitement of the first day at this isolated camp dies down, I cherish the long goodnight hug I get to give to my beautiful little boy. I’d do anything to get Toby back.
But my dreams for us are shattered when the next morning ends in shock and chaos. A body has been found. There’s a killer in the camp. We can’t trust anyone. And then my worst nightmares come true: Toby disappears.
Does the killer have my child? I’ve already come so far to protect Toby. How much further will I have to go, to get him back safe and sound?
Perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, T.M. Logan and Freida McFadden, this is a totally gripping and page-turning psychological thriller packed with incredible twists.
My Review
Maria Frankland's THE TAKEN CHILD is a chilling, twisty tale with many adults misbehaving with their own agenda on a three day children's school trip outing that turns into a nightmare. A desperate search for a missing little boy and a murderer.
As the truth unravels behind all the obsession, betrayal, secrets, and lies, a mother's nightmare and a frantic race against time to find her child before it's too late add a gripping element to the story.
About...
The setting revolves around a school residential (kind of like a summer camp). If you are in the US and unfamiliar with the term:
Residential trips are school trips that last a few days, and pupils must stay away from home. They are usually activity-based and are one of a child's first experiences of being away from home.
From the prologue, we get a glimpse into the danger that lies ahead. There is a lot of drama, jealousy, manipulation, pettiness, deception, and backbiting involving a divorced woman, a man, and a little boy caught in the middle.
There are a lot of characters to keep up with. These women are blind to David, and it sounds like he gets around. This is like a Peyton Place, Desperate Housewives episode with children.
In addition to the thirty-something children, we have the following characters:
~David:
A teacher. Narcissistic. Father of Toby. Ex-husband to wife Kristy. (divorced) Unfortunately, he has custody.
~Kristy:
Mother of Toby. Ex-husband David. She lost custody due to drinking. She has been sober for a year and is ready to reunite with her son. She is a parent helper on the trip.
~Toby:
Son of David and Kristy. A scared little boy on the trip.
~Harry:
A volunteer at the camp. He invited the children for this adventure. An old friend of David.
~Catherine:
Headteacher and friend to Kristy.
~Jeanette:
Parent helper. Formerly had an affair with David, and still crushing.
~Leonie:
Teacher. Currently dating David. Jealous of Jeanette and not sure how she feels about Kristy.
~Mia:
Teaching assistant (Leonie's class). Has a crush on her. Jealous of David.
David and Kristy are constantly bickering and fighting over Toby. Kristy is trying very hard to follow all the rules to get the opportunity to bond with her son, win back custody, and develop a relationship.
David does everything he can to keep her away. He is quite manipulative, and all the others around him mentioned above try to get his attention. There is also tension between David and Leonie, who are going for the same promotion. They are dating, and they try to keep a secret.
The children's activities are planned; however, things do not go smoothly (this is fiction). But what did you expect from this group?
Someone is murdered. Toby goes missing.
What was supposed to be a weekend of campers, fun, teambuilding, adventure, and outdoor activities for the children is cut short when there is a death at the camp. The police are called in to investigate.
Who among them is capable of murder? With a killer on the loose, one dead, and a boy missing is not a good combination. Why and whodunit? Racing against the clock, their desperate search for answers begins—one where the greatest danger could lie behind the one they trust the most.
My thoughts...
THE TAKEN CHILD is a gripping twisty domestic suspense thriller told from multiple POVs. The author cleverly lines up all her players who will ultimately end up in a dangerous, terrorizing showdown and deadly game of obsession and revenge.
Mostly, all the characters are unlikable except for Toby and Kristy. David is despicable and narcissistic, and everyone seems to be the chess pieces he is manipulating—from lies, betrayal, and secrets. I liked the little reflections at the end of each chapter.
Centered around outdoor activities and nature, the atmospheric isolated setting reinforces the sense of vulnerability, danger, and fear. There is also an ongoing theme of responsibility throughout the novel. These adults are to be held responsible for innocent 5-6-year-olds as leaders and parents, and responsible for their actions. However, not all took this responsibility seriously and used the opportunity for their own wicked evil agenda.
While I enjoy watching this imaginative author on social media and reading her books, this one was just a little too dramatic for me with all the crazy adults. You feel for Kristy trying desperately to get her son back, and the adults have their own selfish plans.
With twists and turns, the author builds tension and suspense to the explosive ending, where all is unraveled. There are many potential suspects and victims, and you are not sure whom to trust. THE TAKEN CHILD has topics and themes of betrayal, crossing ethical lines, family, mental health, trauma, moral dilemmas, alcoholism, divorce, and more.
Recs...
For fans of the author and authors, Daniel Hurst, K.L. Slater, and Kimberly Belle's Three Days Missing. Looking forward to reading Frankland's upcoming title, The Married Couple, coming Aug 6, 2024.
Thanks to Bookouture for providing a digital advanced reading copy for an honest opinion.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
About the Author
Maria Frankland was born in York, home of Yorkshire puddings, Yorkie Bars and Yorkshire tea – incidentally three of her favourite things.
When not eating or drinking these items, she can be found dreaming up and executing the darkest of books for you to read, containing characters you could know – or characters you could be…
Yes, she has a dark imagination, but because she unleashes this into her writing, she is one of the friendliest authors you could hope to meet, and replies to every email, message and comment from her readers – her favourite part of the job, after writing, of course! Drop her a line by following this link.
Due to the nature of her work, Maria has a dubious internet search history and a worried mother-in-law, however she promises to keep writing gripping, edge-of-your-seat psychological thrillers for as long as you wish to read them!
Join her Facebook group Maria's Frankfans here.
