11 October 2023

I cannot remember where I first came across this author, but every time I reach for one of her books, I am rewarded with a brilliant read. Her books are not easy to find locally, but I came across a copy of The Child Next Door on a local website and added it to my TBR. It has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I finally found the time to read it.

This book had a slightly different feel to the other books by Shalini Boland I have read, maybe that was just me. If you are looking for a gripping read that delivers a great twist, then this is the book you have been waiting for. The ending of this story is fantastic, I did not see that twist coming.

This author writes a gripping, easy-to-read story that keeps you intrigued right to the end. The Child Next Door floored me with its ending – I never saw that coming. This is an easy read that you will fly through.

When Kirstie hears a man’s voice on her baby monitor, saying: “Let’s take the child and go.” She races upstairs to her baby girl’s room only to find Daisy fast asleep. There is no one else in the house. When the police convince her that she may have picked up a single from a neighbour’s baby monitor Kirstie is left confused. No one else on the street has a baby. Convinced that someone is planning to snatch Daisy, Kirstie becomes a nervous wreck. She refuses to leave Daisy’s side and she becomes completely paranoid. Soon everyone is doubting Kirstie, but she is determined to protect her child, no matter what.

This book kept me glued to the pages. I did not see this ending coming. Kirstie was paranoid and I believed that she was losing her mind most of the time. The lack of sleep would drive anyone a little loopy, but Kirstie took it to a new level. The author did a fantastic job with this character. I was convinced this woman was a bit of a nutter.

Kirstie steals your heart. She is extremely protective of her child. At the start of the story, you share this woman’s concerns. However, I found myself doubting her. There were so many things that did not add up. I could not help thinking that this poor woman was losing her mind. Some of the things she did was simply crazy. Guess I should not have underestimated a mother’s love for her child.

This was a wonderfully engrossing read. I battled to put this one down. The Child Next Door has found a place on my Loved list for 2023. This book will surprise you.

If you are looking for a thriller/mystery read with a brilliant twist, then this is a book you will not want to miss. I highly recommend you add this title to your TBR. While it’s not a new book, published in 2018, it is well worth checking out.