Author: Catriona McPherson Release Date: September 8, 2015 Series: None Genre: Mystery|Thriller|Suspense|Scottish-Fiction Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 336 Publisher: Midnight Ink Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
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, its grounds neglected and overgrown. Gloria Harkness is its only neighbor, staying close to her son who lives there 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 her at 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.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
The Child Garden has an amazing plot story full of well-timed twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it t and tremendously and felt compelled to read it in one go. I was sucked right into the book from starting to end. The main suspense of the book is also mindblowing and there is no way in hell one could have guessed that the things will turn out the way they did.
The pace of the story is great and the writing proceed smoothly without interfering the flow of the story. I really liked the deliberate slow progress of the investigation as it kept me intrigued throughout the book. One more thing that I’d like to add is that the small part of the book where the author used a little demon reference was the stroke of a genius. Why? Because it really made me put down the book at the night. it was a really small part (maybe a few pages,) but it really gave me a good scare.
Characters:
In spite of liking the story, I wasn’t able to feel entirely connected to the main character, Gloria. The story is written in first-person but still I felt a little detached from her. In fact, at one point I felt that she herself was the murderer. I’m not sure what went wrong, but it just felt that the narration was responsible for the detachment I felt.
The other main character is that of Stig and I really liked him, though I felt a little irritated at times to find out that in spite of whatever Gloria did for him, he continuously held back the truth from her. Still, I liked him a lot and enjoyed the amazing foods he dished out.
Romance/Killings:
There was no romance, but there were a number of killings. Though at times the murders were a little confusing (maybe because of Scottish names and surnames or the fact that a few names were similar,) I still enjoyed the book thoroughly. All the killings really intensified the pace of the story and left me wanting for more.
Writing:
As I mentioned earlier, the writing is good and flowed beautifully without interfering the reader’s imagination. Though I felt the characterization was a little (just teeny-weeny) weak. I would have enjoyed more if the MC would have been a tad more relatable but nonetheless I still enjoyed the story.
The attention to detail is remarkable!
Beginning:
This book hooked me right from the beginning. It started with a beautiful prologue and carried on with the same effect.
Ending:
The ending is mind blowing and I was completely spell-bound by suspense that was revealed at the end. Though I felt that the story was a little rushed right before the suspense was revealed.
Book Cover:
I love this book cover because it really gives me the willies! I picked up this book because of the cover and the blurb.
Blurb:
Okay now, this is where it gets a little ugly. The blurb is quite misleading. I thought that the book is a supernatural one (as the blurb says) but it is NOT. It’s a suspense-thriller book.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads, Amazon and NetGalley
Other Stuff
Opening Line: It was far from silent in the dark wood.
Highlights: Amazing storyline and suspense.
Lowlights: Characterization and misleading blurb.
Final Thoughts: A really good suspense read.
Great review – though I agree with you that the blurb is misleading, and I’d be more likely to pick this book up if it was a ghost story!
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Thanks, Annabelle. And ditto, I picked it up for the same reason. If only they had a clear blurb, I wouldn’t have been so disappointed and might have given it a higher rating.
Thanks for reading!
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An excellent review, Heena …very thorough. I agree that the cover is great and I love that opening line. It’s a very good ‘hook’.
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Thanks, Millie. I’m glad you love the cover too and I agree about the first line… If the blurb would have been a little clear, I might have given it a higher rating as it is a really nice read.
Hope everything is well at your end. 🙂
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Everything is OK but not brilliant, Heena. I think I need to take a step back from my blog for a while so I can get on with my book. Hope your own editing is going well.
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I hope you’ll sort everything soon, Millie. All the very best for your latest WIP 🙂
My editing is almost done, will be starting with the next book from next week 🙂
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Wonderful review Heen! I’m glad you liked this.
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Thanks a lot, Kim. I’ve had it for so long but never got around to reading it. But reading your review that day really piqued my curiosity/ I’m glad I read your review first because when i started with this one I already knew that this one wasn’t a supernatural book, but still I was a little disappointed by the blurb. I really wanted it to be a horror one. The theme also complimented it… hehe!
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Sounds interesting; loved your review and am mesmerized by that cover.
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Thanks a lot, Ana. I’m so glad that even you loved the cover 🙂
Thanks for reading!
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Yeah shame I could not get it on Netgalley, it was archived by the time I got there 😦
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Sorry to hear that, but if you do decide to buy it, I assure you it won’t be a waste of your money 🙂
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Thanks, will keep it in mind 🙂
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I always enjoy your reviews… they are thorough and very well structured… Interesting points with regard to the main character and the ending of the book… very intriguing…
Sending love and wishing you an amazing weekend ahead, dear Heena… Aquileana ✨☺️✨
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Thanks a lot, Aquileana! You are so kind to say so 🙂
Best wishes to you as well!
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This is the kind of book which I need to read 😀 You got me interested 🙂
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Loved the review hun and the cover looks so good 🙂
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