July 2017

There is always some mild --- okay, maybe not so mild --- trepidation when I pick up a book from an author whose debut novel nailed it. So when Fiona Barton’s THE CHILD crossed my desk, those feelings ran through my mind. I thought THE WIDOW had a strong voice and solid plotting. In reading the opening pages of THE CHILD, I exhaled a bit as I quickly saw that Fiona was in a great groove. The story begins as Kate Waters, a news reporter, is intrigued by an article in her paper about a skeleton of a baby being found in the debris of a home that is being demolished. She wants to know more, so she heads to the scene.

What, if anything, is the connection between this body and that of a newborn baby who was plucked from the maternity ward in a local hospital and was never found? Kate’s investigation takes her to the old neighborhood as she sleuths out who lived where --- and what they knew. Soon Kate knows more than she wants, and the closure she will bring to the families will take on a very different tone.

The story is told from four perspectives --- Emma, Angela, Kate and Jude --- each of whom brings her own angle to the story. Book groups, there is a lot to discover here about mothers and motherhood.

Fiona shows her great writing chops as the storyline here did have a surprise for me; I had guessed it was going another way. I love being surprised. I am not sharing any more, as it’s a thriller and I want to keep all clues and red herrings safely locked down. If you liked the writing and pacing in THE WIDOW, you will note the same here. I am looking forward to what’s next for Fiona!