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Little Darlings

Melanie Golding (Goodreads Author)

3.71 · Rating details · 5,194 ratings · 1,735 reviews

“Mother knows best” takes on a sinister new meaning in this unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Grimms’ Fairy Tales.

Everyone says Lauren Tranter is exhausted, that she needs rest. And they’re right; with newborn twins, Morgan and Riley, she’s never been more tired in her life. But she knows what she saw: that night, in her hospital room, a woman tried ...more

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Hardcover, 312 pages

Published April 30th 2019 by Crooked Lane Books

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Lists with This Book

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Goodreads Choice Awards 2019 (eligible for write-in only)

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Mystery & Thriller 2019

243 books — 442 voters

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Average rating 3.71 ·

Rating details

· 5,194 ratings · 1,735 reviews

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Mar 22, 2019 Emily May rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, arc, mystery-thriller

How could her brain conjure something that seemed so real, something laden with so much horrifying detail, and yet there be nothing at all?

This book is seriously creepy, creative and sad. I think it's a bit misleading that it has found its way to the mystery/thriller section when it is mostly a contemporary with elements (or suggestions) of magical realism. But either way, it's a moving, frightening, psychological portrait of new motherhood, set in the Peak District.

Little Darlings is inspired ...more

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Apr 20, 2019 Teodora rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: horror-thriller, 2019-releases, on-app, mystery-thriller

3.45/5

Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review!

me:*gets the blankie and stuffed lion* let the horror begin

...25% reading later...

me: okay...what about a spook then?

...the final half of the book...

me: *hugs tight Leo, the stuffed lion* shh my baby! I won't let that scary unshowered woman take you away from me!

When I started this book I had very high hopes which is strange ...more

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Nov 22, 2018 Maureen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Oh boy, this was one scary scenario. With echoes of Grimms Fairy Tales, ‘Little Darlings’ will probably give you sleepless nights along with the protagonist!

It’s the wee small hours of the morning on the maternity ward, and even though she’s exhausted, Lauren Tranter lies awake, already worrying about the responsibility of looking after her newborn twins Riley and Morgan - like any new mum she has concerns about her new role in life, keeping these little ones safe and well. Little does she know Oh boy, this was one scary scenario. With echoes of Grimms Fairy Tales, ‘Little Darlings’ will probably give you sleepless nights along with the protagonist!

It’s the wee small hours of the morning on the maternity ward, and even though she’s exhausted, Lauren Tranter lies awake, already worrying about the responsibility of looking after her newborn twins Riley and Morgan - like any new mum she has concerns about her new role in life, keeping these little ones safe and well. Little does she know that her role as guardian will be challenged that very night, when she encounters a dirty, smelly disheveled woman who attempts to steal her babies. Lauren is convinced that she wasn’t dreaming, and slowly but surely she enters a nightmare world where she tries to impress on those around her that her children are in danger, but no-one believes her, not even her husband Patrick.

After a panicked phone call from Lauren to the police reporting the attempted abduction, hospital security guards are soon on the scene, but find Lauren locked in the bathroom with her babies and no sign of an intruder. She couldn’t have imagined it could she?

Eventually the case comes to the attention of Detective Jo Harper who starts to see some truth in what Lauren is saying, but this won’t be an easy case to crack, venturing off as it does into the realms of the supernatural!

This was a well written, though unsettling read, as it relies heavily on folklore and fairy tales of the darker kind. The author did an excellent job of portraying a post natal woman on the edge - very little sleep, a husband who shows no inclination to share responsibilities, and appears to care little about her well being. Add to that her fear that someone is out to steal her babies, and it’s not difficult to feel deep empathy with her. Though there was something of a slow start, it soon picks up pace and let me just say, it doesn’t get much creepier than this! Not something I’m likely to forget in a hurry!

* Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC, I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange * ...more

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Apr 25, 2019 Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* rated it it was amazing

Five Creepy Stars

Laura Tranter just had newborn twins. She named them Morgan and Riley. She is exhausted and needs a lot of rest. The night in the hospital room a woman tried to take her babies. and replace them with her own...creatures. Eek! When she tells everyone what happened, no one believes her. They think that she is just imagining things and needs lot of rest. Harper was a police officer on the case. Compulsively creepy and inspired by some of our darkest fairy tales. Each chapter starts Five Creepy Stars

Laura Tranter just had newborn twins. She named them Morgan and Riley. She is exhausted and needs a lot of rest. The night in the hospital room a woman tried to take her babies. and replace them with her own...creatures. Eek! When she tells everyone what happened, no one believes her. They think that she is just imagining things and needs lot of rest. Harper was a police officer on the case. Compulsively creepy and inspired by some of our darkest fairy tales. Each chapter starts with a passage from dark folklore. Is Lauren imagining all of this or is the supernatural real?

How to protect your child.

1. Placing a key next to an infant will prevent him from being exchanged.

2. Woman may never be left alone during the first six weeks following childbirth, for the devil then has more power over them.

3. During the first six weeks following childbirth, mothers may not go to sleep until someone has come to watch the child. If mothers are overcome by sleep, changelings are often laid in the cradle.
Jacob Grimm

EEK!! I loved this book and it was so creepy good! !I love dark fairytales. I couldn't believe this was a debut novel. I was immediately drawn into the story and my eyes were glued to the pages. This was a very fast paced read with lots of suspense and was so intriguing. The supernatural was so creepy. This one will definitely be a memorable story. This book is so different and I have not read a book like this before. Its a nightmare but not scary. Its such an addicting read. The ending was cleverly done and that's why I gave it 5 stars. This author has a great imagination and I hope she has another book coming out soon.

The characters were fully developed. I really loved Lauren's character. I felt so sorry for her and my heart went out to her. I didn't like Patrick. He didn't seem to be concerned at all. I thought he was a terrible husband.

This was a Traveling Sister Read and we all enjoyed it.

I want to thank Edelweiss, Crooked Lane Books and the author for the copy of this book in exchange for for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 23, 2019 Dorie - Cats&Books :) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-netgalley-challenge, mystery-thriller, edelweiss

FANTASTIC HALLOWEEN READ!!!

Well this one is going to be difficult to write. I would have to classify this as a psychological thriller with the addition of folklore or the supernatural. At any rate it was a truly creepy, turn the pages quickly read. While at first I thought it would be something that wouldn’t be believable, by the first third of the book I was truly scared at what the outcome of this story would be.

As a mom of four I remember the sleep deprived feelings, forgetting what day it FANTASTIC HALLOWEEN READ!!!

Well this one is going to be difficult to write. I would have to classify this as a psychological thriller with the addition of folklore or the supernatural. At any rate it was a truly creepy, turn the pages quickly read. While at first I thought it would be something that wouldn’t be believable, by the first third of the book I was truly scared at what the outcome of this story would be.

As a mom of four I remember the sleep deprived feelings, forgetting what day it even is, never having time for a shower or to read even a magazine or newspaper and the constant needs of a newborn. I can’t even imagine the exhaustion of this new mother of twins.

The story begins shortly after a very traumatic delivery of twin boys to Lauren Tranter. During her hospitalization Lauren is sure that she sees and hears a dirty, rag covered woman showing her a basket of what looked like baby rats and singing an unusual song. After a bit of talk the woman says, “Let’s deal, Let’s change one for another”. “Give me one of yours and I’ll take care of it, You have one of mine and treat it like your own” The woman grasps Lauren’s arm and she struggles to get away, Choose one, said the woman, “choose one of I’ll take them both. You’ll never know the difference, I can make sure they look just the same”. What could be more horrific, she grabs the twins trolley and locks herself in the bathroom and calls the police. The hospital security and police arrive only to find just a very scared woman locked in the bathroom with her babies.

Well that is the set up for the rest of the story which I found to be engrossing. No one believes Lauren, they just chalk it up to exhaustion and sleep deprivation, plus the difficult delivery and medications. After she returns home, she refuses to leave the babies alone for even a few minutes. Finally her husband urges her to go outside. She is finally out in the park with the babies and falls asleep on a bench only to have someone or something take the twins. When they are found and returned to her she is certain that they are not her babies but something other, more sinister, a changeling perhaps?

There is only one person, DS Jo Harper, who believes her and even goes so far as to look up the history of the small town and folklore attached to another incident which sounds a lot like what is happening to Lauren.

To quote the publisher of Crooked Lane Books “I bet you’ll delight in this sinister supernatural thriller that challenges our understanding of modern motherhood and the myths that shape our lives. Folktales do not spring from whimsy, they serve as a warning.”

I had so many ideas of what was truly happening, who was behind the kidnapping, etc. but in the end I was wrong. At least I think I was wrong, because the ending leaves one guessing!

It’s amazing that this is a debut novel. While thinking about this book again and realizing how much of the story has stuck with me over the last few days I’ve decided to change my rating to 4 ½ rounded up to a 5. This was a Traveling Sister read with Mary Beth and Heidi.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. ...more

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Nov 23, 2018 Chelsea Humphrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: from-publisher, netgalley

Have you ever found yourself writing a review for a book that you didn't particularly enjoy, but found important and/or necessary? Little Darlings was just that read for me, and if you'll bear with me, I'll do my best in unpacking these complicated feelings I have below.

"The child is not mine as the first was,
I cannot sing it to rest,
I cannot lift it up fatherly
And bliss it upon my breast:
Yet it lies in my little one's cradle
And it sits in my little one's chair,
And the light of the heaven she's Have you ever found yourself writing a review for a book that you didn't particularly enjoy, but found important and/or necessary? Little Darlings was just that read for me, and if you'll bear with me, I'll do my best in unpacking these complicated feelings I have below.

"The child is not mine as the first was,
I cannot sing it to rest,
I cannot lift it up fatherly
And bliss it upon my breast:
Yet it lies in my little one's cradle
And it sits in my little one's chair,
And the light of the heaven she's gone to
Transfigures its golden hair."
-From The Changeling, by James Russell Lowell

I feel the need to say up front that my review will be covering this book from two standpoints: 1) as a genre read and 2) as a fictional exposition and, dare I say allegory, of postpartum depression/anxiety and the overall grief some new mothers find themselves enduring as they enter this new stage of life. I'm going to tackle the less glowing of the two first and save what I found empowering for the grand finale.

As a mystery/thriller/horror/whatever genre you want to market this as, I found it ok. My intense love of all things involving Welsh folklore should have sealed this as a 5 star read, but I think my expectations were not on par for what this book is meant to offer. That's not a bad thing, just simply a form of miscommunication and overeagerness on this reader's part. Obviously, (and keeping this spoiler free) you are made aware that Little Darlings is considered a paranormal thriller, due to the plot engaging in a tango of "have Lauren's babies been swapped with changelings or is she suffering some form of postpartum psychosis?" I think the reason I was a little let down in this aspect is due to a number of influences. Could it be that, because I have read so many incredible mysteries lately indulging in Welsh folklore that I'm oversaturated at the moment? Could it be that I've just read so many mysteries that I've come to demand an unfair level of "confound me, dammit!" in my reads? It's quite possible. I'm clearly in the minority that I found the pacing to be slow and drawn out, and that could be because of point two.

"She was still waiting for the rush of love. That one you feel, all at once the second they're born, like nothing you've ever experienced before. The rush of love that people with children always go on about. She'd been looking forward to it. It worried her that she hadn't felt it yet."

Now to the part I've been itching to write about. This is a bloody well-done depiction, albeit fictional, of the terrifying and lonely spiral into PPD. As someone who has suffered twice with PPD/PPA, I found Golding's writing and comparisons to be so spot on, it was as if she had crawled into my brain and taken my greatest fears and weaknesses and put them on paper. I'm in awe of how accurately she portrayed this mental battle, and wondered as I read if she herself had suffered with this, or was close to someone who had in the past. That said, it was a difficult read that had me fighting to block out some of those horrible memories; I think it's worth noting that this may be a triggering read for others who have suffered with PPD and you may want to assure you're in the proper mental state before devouring this novel. I have a huge respect for the author in bringing attention to a disorder that, while common and affecting numerous women each year, is still considered very taboo and kept quiet. This is an important read and a story that needed to be written, and for that fact alone I hope this novel gets the worldwide attention and success that it deserves.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy. ...more

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May 03, 2019 Chaima ✨ شيماء rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2019, 2019-releases, mystery, fiction, adult, thriller

yes breakups hurt but have you ever been enjoying reading a book until the ending completely ruined it for you?

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Oct 16, 2018 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-arcs, favorites

Let me begin this review with saying that I have absolutely no business reviewing an ARC that doesn't even publish until April 2019 when I have so many ARC's pending soon or better yet the ones I'm behind on BUT the synopsis for this is beyond intriguing and it's October when it's time for all things creepy and spooky and this one seemed a perfect choice for the season.

And I was right! <--- it does happen once in awhile! ;)

Whoa! Little Darlings was an absolute delight to read.

"The child ...more

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Oct 26, 2018 Debra rated it really liked it

Shelves: traveling-sister-reads, netgalley

"Mother Knows Best"

Lauren Tranter has just given birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley. Naturally she is exhausted and in need of sleep. But she knows what she saw in her room in the maternity ward - a woman attempting to take her twins and replace them with her own, "it’s only fair". However, when hospital security and the police arrive, they find no evidence of the possible kidnapper. Furthermore, no one believes Lauren, but Detective Harper, a police officer feels that there might be something "Mother Knows Best"

Lauren Tranter has just given birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley. Naturally she is exhausted and in need of sleep. But she knows what she saw in her room in the maternity ward - a woman attempting to take her twins and replace them with her own, "it’s only fair". However, when hospital security and the police arrive, they find no evidence of the possible kidnapper. Furthermore, no one believes Lauren, but Detective Harper, a police officer feels that there might be something to Lauren's story.

Lauren continues to feel unease and doesn't want to leave her home. Her mission is to protect her babies. On a rare outing to the park, the twins disappear from her side, and once found, Lauren is convinced that something is not right, and Lauren declares "these are not my babies"

Little Darlings is inspired by dark fairy tales and folklore. This book is sprinkled with quotes and passages referring to "changelings". The folklore and fairy tales fit seamlessly into this tale and further add to the feeling of dread and provide for an eerie atmosphere. The entire book I was guessing just what was going on. Was Lauren correct, was there some sinister woman attempting to swap babies with her, was Lauren experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis. I love trying to figure things out in books, and this one had me guessing!

This is a well written psychological thriller which is atmospheric with a dark creepy feel. My only complaint is that I wanted this book to be darker, to be even creepier, and more suspenseful. I also thought there were "romances" and "possible romances" in this book which really did not add to the story and in fact detracted from the story to a small degree. I wanted more menacing and heart pounding moments.

Overall, an enjoyable read. It is easy to feel for Lauren as she struggles with caring for two newborns, sleep deprivation, recovering from childbirth and having very little assistance at home. She is struggling with so many things while also being hyper-vigilant attempting to keep her children safe. A creepy tale to read late at night with the lights out! Plus, it just might inspire you to pick up some fairy tales and folklore as the passages used were quite brilliant!

Thank you to Melanie Golding, Crooked Lane books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com ...more

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Oct 25, 2018 Norma * Traveling Sister and proud Grandma!!! rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: review-requests, traveling-sister-reads

Creepy, gripping, & atmospheric!

The story is inspired by some deliciously creepy dark fairy tales that adds an extra layer to the sinister, menacing and eerie feel of the book. I absolutely love these types of tales and found myself devouring this one!

LITTLE DARLINGS by MELANIE GOLDING is an unsettling, compulsive and mysterious tale that had me constantly wavering between believing Lauren’s story and thinking maybe she really is just imagining it all. The feelings that I had for Lauren ...more

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Dec 11, 2018 megs_bookrack rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs-read

Absolutely frightful from start to finish!

Lauren Tranter has just become a first-time mother of twin boys, Riley and Morgan. While still in hospital she begins to struggle with this position.

A terrible hemorrhage post-birth provided an additional trauma and now she finds herself in pain, alone and questioning her ability to be able to handle any of this.

Making matters worse, one night an intruder breaks into her room, a very scary, ragged-looking woman, tries to take her babies, to exchange ...more

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May 31, 2019 Sumit RK rated it really liked it

“She had to play the game, even before she knew what the rules were.”

The best way to describe Little Darlings is as a ‘Dark & Sinister Fairytale’. Melanie Golding has combined elements of a psychological thriller and folklore to perfection to craft a modern dark fairytale. Almost everyone has read a dark folk story in their childhood and this will bring back memories of that.

The writer was able to create a psychological thriller which is atmospheric with a dark and creepy feel to it ...more

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Mar 22, 2019 j e w e l s rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-bejeweled

FOUR STARS

Little Darlings has caused quite a buzz in the literary world. I read where the UK publisher snatched up the manuscript within 48 hours of submission! A six-figure sum for the book and now news of the movie rights being sold—wowzah, great news for a debut author.

So, what’s the big deal, you say?

As in most psyche suspense novels, we have the requisite unreliable female narrator, her highly sketch husband and an instinctual police detective as the main characters. Lauren wakes up in the FOUR STARS

Little Darlings has caused quite a buzz in the literary world. I read where the UK publisher snatched up the manuscript within 48 hours of submission! A six-figure sum for the book and now news of the movie rights being sold—wowzah, great news for a debut author.

So, what’s the big deal, you say?

As in most psyche suspense novels, we have the requisite unreliable female narrator, her highly sketch husband and an instinctual police detective as the main characters. Lauren wakes up in the hospital after a traumatic childbirth and finds an old woman trying to snatch her newborn twins. While most everyone in Lauren’s life writes off this attempted abduction as some sort of postpartum psychosis, our intrepid detective has a gut feeling this may be a real-life crime.

Where Little Darlings breaks away from the same old/same old is in the gorgeously stylized horror factor. At one point in the story, Lauren believes the babies have been switched and are not hers. I promise-- you will never look at anyone’s baby the same again after reading the passages about these changelings! Golding’s vivid descriptions of the babies singing eerie songs at night or talking to each other is SOOOOO SCARY!!! Movie? Yes, please. (Insert creepy CG faces onto little baby bundles here).

Heavily borrowed from fables and fairy tales, Little Darlings skillfully walks the line between psychological and supernatural horror. Ingeniously, the reader is left to decide how much to believe when it comes to the ghost stuff. I’m not a big supernatural fan, but little bits injected into a familiar story is perfect and adds a great deal to the already tense atmosphere.

Despite a slow start, I enjoyed this novel very much. I especially liked the police procedural part of the story. I was always questioning how many of the events had actually happened or were just imagined by Lauren. Detective Sergeant Harper brought a welcome dose of earthy realism.

A true modern nightmare—creepy and compelling. WARNING: New mothers should NOT read it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own. The novel is due to be released on April 30, 2019 . ...more

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Apr 27, 2019 BernLuvsBooks (Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas) rated it really liked it

Shelves: traveling-sister-read, netgalley, 2019

4 Creepy, Grimm-esque Stars for Melanie Golding's Little Darlings

Little Darlings is inspired by those dark and creepy fairytales that I love to be scared by! The idea of changelings, a child secretly substituted by fairies in infancy, has always fascinated me. I knew I had to read this book as soon as I heard what it was about and it definitely did not disappoint!

Golding did an amazing job setting the scene in this thriller. It was creepy, dark and suspenseful and kept me furiously turning the ...more

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Nov 05, 2018 Lindsay - Traveling Sister rated it really liked it

Shelves: traveling-sister-read

4 stars!

Creepy, haunting, addictive and atmospheric!

Lauren Tranter is a new mother to twin boys. As many new moms do, Lauren struggles upon her return home from the hospital after giving birth. She is exhausted, she is constantly feeding her babies, she can’t find time for a shower, she can’t possibly think of finding a way to venture out of the house with the boys to get groceries. Her husband works a lot and pushes Lauren to get out of the house with the twins to refresh and reacquaint ...more

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Mar 27, 2019 Holly B rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: couldn-t-put-down, net-galley, 2019-favorites-shelf, read-in-2019, had-to-finish

An ominous and beautifully written fairy tale filled with touches of mythology and folklore.

Two little darling twin boys and mother who loves them immensely.

Everything else I was reading took a backseat to this scrumptious tale. I just couldn't stop reading it. It has an addictive quality and the author's skillful writing and magical descriptions pulled me right into the heart of the story. And it does have heart! The mother has so much love for her babies.

The mom of newborn twins, Lauren's ...more

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Sep 14, 2018 Felicia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If Grimms' Fairy Tales and The Changeling had a twin babies, Little Darlings would be those babies.

An unsettling tale of a new mother, Lauren, of twin boys, who finds herself terrorized by a macabre woman attempting to abduct Lauren's babies and replace them with her own. Her account is dismissed by hospital staff, the police, and even her husband as a hallucination attributed to exhaustion, even Lauren herself begins to question her own sanity. The only person that is unconvinced that Lauren ...more

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Dec 28, 2019 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it

Okay, I need lots of cold water, not to drink of course! I need to splash it on my face to clean the stupid shocked expression my face!

First of all: this book is not a thriller. Is it dark? Hell yes!
Is it disturbing? Yeap!
Is it creepy? Hell yeah!

But it should be considered as a dark fiction, an adaption of Welsh fairy tale with its magical, folklore elements. A fairytale about a mother gave birth to her newborn twins who were swapped with changelings. I know this story line is already makes you Okay, I need lots of cold water, not to drink of course! I need to splash it on my face to clean the stupid shocked expression my face!

First of all: this book is not a thriller. Is it dark? Hell yes!
Is it disturbing? Yeap!
Is it creepy? Hell yeah!

But it should be considered as a dark fiction, an adaption of Welsh fairy tale with its magical, folklore elements. A fairytale about a mother gave birth to her newborn twins who were swapped with changelings. I know this story line is already makes you say WTH!

So let’s get back to the adaptation and characters. Our heroine (as you may imagine mother of the twins) Lauren Tranter gets exhausted after her labor. But before she dozes off at her maternity ward, she sees something spooky, weird: a woman tries to get her twins and replace them with other babies. WHAT?

Maybe Lauren was too tired and she confused her nightmares with reality. Who knows? But she insists she’s telling the truth. So the hospital security and police officers search the hospital. They cannot find anything. Nobody believes in Lauren even her own husband. Thankfully Detective Harper pays attention to her story for her own reasons.

Lauren returns back to her home, obsessed with the security of the babies. She does her best to keep an eye on them. But you know what sleep deprivation, taking care of two babies alone and dealing with post-partum depression may be so challenging when you become a new mother. So you may empathize easily with the physical and emotional pain she endures.
One day, at the park, Lauren’s babies disappear from her side and she faces with her biggest fear: because when they’re found, she realizes the babies she deliver not her babies! :Somebody kidnapped and replaced them.

So is Lauren telling the truth? Is there a sinister woman who stole babies or is she delusional and suffering from mental illness? Or is this more complicated and sinister than we may imagine?
Well, come on! Grab the book and start turning pages! It’s getting messier at each moment.

Personally I love something juicier, more surprising, twisty and extreme stories when it comes to read something mysterious but this book is mystical, psychological fiction playing with our minds. It didn’t fit with my expectations but the writing is quiet good and the parts about Lauren’s fight with inner demons, her struggles to be a good and protective mother, trying to gather her strength mentally and psychically without anyone’s support were written quiet impeccably. It’s impossible not to feel for her character and live inside her mind and heart.

As a result: I went back and forth between 3 and 4 and my waltz moves ended at 3.5 rounded up 4 stars because the writing style, story-telling were really captivating and of course it was great adaptation of an eerie, bleak fairy-tale. One of the creepiest experiences of my year so let’s move on to the other books before the year ends ASAP! ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Kaceey rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, buddy-read, arc-from-publisher

Oh my goodness! This book rolled out as a truly creepy read that had me keeping several lights in the house shining bright as I huddled in the corner of my sofa, shaking while I read on.

Lauren Tranter has just given birth to twins, exhausted from a prolonged labor and delivery. Curiously, she keeps over-hearing another woman behind the curtain in the next bed singing to her twins.
Lauren can’t believe it! Two sets of twins in one night? What are the odds? Things take a strange turn however, when ...more

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Feb 14, 2019 Beata rated it liked it

I rarely request and read horror novels but I decided that I might try Little Darlings even though the Author was unknown to me. And it was a good choice! The city of Sheffield with its rivers makes a perfect setting for the plot. The story revolves around an alleged kidnapping of infant twin brothers.Their mother, Lorraine Trantner, is convinced some evil power threatens the lives of her newly-born sons but it seems she is unable to prove ther fears. Some personal problems from the past also ...more

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Oct 28, 2018 Carol (Bookaria) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, mistery-thriller, 2018

A truly haunting story. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it.

Lauren gives birth to twins and taking care of them without any help has been exhausting. Taking her husband's advice she decides to get out of the house and take them for a stroll in the park. She dozes off for a moment and when she wakes up they're gone!

The police is called and luckily they are found nearby, however, even though these babies look exactly like hers she knows they're not her children. From ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Susanne Strong rated it really liked it

Shelves: direct-from-publisher, buddy-read, netgalley

3.75 Stars.* (rounded up)

Fairy Tales and Folklore, what a combination!

Imagine being Lauren Tranter, mother to newborn twins, Morgan and Riley. She is excited and nervous to take her babies home and then she get visited by a disheveled, dirty and smelly woman who threatens to steal her babies and replace them with her own “changelings.” Then it happens and Lauren Tranter is beside herself. Detective Jo Harper investigates and is the only one who believes her. The babies don’t just coo and smile ...more

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Feb 21, 2019 Fran rated it really liked it

Lauren Tranter had just given birth to identical twin boys, Riley and Morgan. She was worried. She was "still waiting for the rush of love. That one you feel, at once the second they're born..." She felt that she might be "...trapped in her little family unit...". After all, husband Patrick was unwilling to help. He felt Lauren alone must sacrifice and embrace "parenthood". Caring for the twins wasn't actual work, he said.

Lauren is panic stricken upon seeing a grimy faced, dark haired, seemingly Lauren Tranter had just given birth to identical twin boys, Riley and Morgan. She was worried. She was "still waiting for the rush of love. That one you feel, at once the second they're born..." She felt that she might be "...trapped in her little family unit...". After all, husband Patrick was unwilling to help. He felt Lauren alone must sacrifice and embrace "parenthood". Caring for the twins wasn't actual work, he said.

Lauren is panic stricken upon seeing a grimy faced, dark haired, seemingly toothless woman enter her room in the maternity ward. The ghastly woman told Lauren that she had twins as well, but her twins were cursed. She wanted to make a deal with Lauren because she felt that Lauren had been given "everything" while she had "everything taken". She wanted to change babies, one for another. Lauren grabbed Riley and Morgan, ran into the bathroom, locked the door, and dialed the police to report an attempted child abduction.

Detective Sergeant Joanne Harper routinely checked overnight incident reports and happened upon an attempted child abduction at the Royal Infirmary Hospital. The incident was considered a false alarm. It was noted that MHS ( Mental Health Services) was involved. Jo had a "gut feeling of dread". Lauren must be terrified. Jo requested a copy of the CCTV hospital disc despite her superior DI Thrupp's insistence that the case was closed.

Lauren and Patrick Tranter are home from the hospital with the twins. Convincing his wife to leave the safety of their home, Lauren's first outing will have a devastating outcome. Sleep deprived Lauren falls asleep while resting in the park, awakening to a missing double stroller. Where are the babies? When they are found, Lauren screams that they are not her babies! Are they changelings?

DS Harper vacillates between belief and disbelief in Lauren's insistence that these "creatures" are not hers. Is the "kidnapping" a hallucination? How will Jo separate shadowy, inconclusive data from reality? Both Lauren Tranter and DS Jo Harper are truly unsettled by the disturbing events surrounding Morgan and Riley. Has Lauren experienced postpartum psychosis, a "temporary impairment of her mental health"? In true fairy tale style, each reader's interpretation will be his (her) own.

"Little Darlings" by Melanie Golding was a unsettling, eerie fantasy wrought with much uncertainty. It is a dark fairy tale-like read that will have the reader intent on separating fantasy from reality. An excellent debut novel I highly recommend.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Little Darlings". ...more

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Jan 15, 2019 marilyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, netgalley-2019

The book is told from the point of view of Lauren Tranter, an exhausted new mother of twins and Jo Harper a detective who investigates the events that take place concerning Lauren and her twins. The story starts towards the end of Lauren's long labor and the baby boys are named Morgan and Riley. Lauren spends several days in the hospital with them, wondering when her "love" for her babies will appear. Lauren is exhausted, inexperienced, and gets no real support from her husband Ben, at any time The book is told from the point of view of Lauren Tranter, an exhausted new mother of twins and Jo Harper a detective who investigates the events that take place concerning Lauren and her twins. The story starts towards the end of Lauren's long labor and the baby boys are named Morgan and Riley. Lauren spends several days in the hospital with them, wondering when her "love" for her babies will appear. Lauren is exhausted, inexperienced, and gets no real support from her husband Ben, at any time in the story. The first night of her babies' birth, she hears and sees a dirty woman in the area next to hers, singing a horrid song, while a basket with the woman's "twins" surrounded by rags, sits at the woman's feet. As the woman tries to trade babies with Lauren, she is able to call 999 to get help and Det. Jo Harper's intuition drives her to want to know more about what is happening to Lauren.

Once home, Lauren grows to love her baby boys and will do anything for them. The doctors, nurses, and Lauren's husband think that Lauren was hallucinating in the hospital and when she sees the woman in front of her home, Ben is upset that Jo Harper would even consider what Lauren saw as real. Lauren continues to see the dirty woman over the next month as she learns from fairy tales about changelings, and knows she must do everything she can to keep this woman from swapping twins with her. Lauren doesn't even leave the house until the twins are 5 weeks old.

This is Grimms Fairy Tales come to life for Lauren and Jo Harper is the only person who believes something is really happening to Lauren...that Lauren isn't just hallucinating everything she sees. The book had me hooked from the beginning and I felt so much compassion for Lauren and a lot of disgust for her husband, who knew his wife was exhausted but insisted the twins, the house, the chores, were all her responsibility. Ben wasn't willing to help Lauren in any way and wanted life to go back to how it was before they were born, with his only responsibility being his job during the day and going to the bar to "network" in the evenings.

What is real and what is a figment of Lauren's imagination? Many things point either direction and even Lauren doubts herself at times. Jo Harper works to find out what exactly is going on, with the help of Amy, a journalist that Jo fancies. The 'maybe' romance between Jo and Amy detracted from the book for me. It just didn't fit into the story and was unnecessary, in my opinion. Otherwise this book entranced me, even with an ending that may leave some readers questioning just what was real.

Thank to Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for this ARC. ...more

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Feb 07, 2019 James rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1-fiction, 9-read-2019-02-february, 7-arc-giveaway-won

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a story about pain, hope, psychosis, fairy tales, motherhood, lies, and drama. It is the type of book where you do not get all the answers and must interpret for yourself what actually happened in the final pages. For some, this will be a great opportunity to decide what is fantasy and what is real. For others, it's a foray into an unknown world of uncertainty. Whether you lean in either direction, one thing's for sure, it's good writing.

Lauren Tranter just Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a story about pain, hope, psychosis, fairy tales, motherhood, lies, and drama. It is the type of book where you do not get all the answers and must interpret for yourself what actually happened in the final pages. For some, this will be a great opportunity to decide what is fantasy and what is real. For others, it's a foray into an unknown world of uncertainty. Whether you lean in either direction, one thing's for sure, it's good writing.

Lauren Tranter just gave birth to twin boys. Her husband, Patrick, is committed and loving, but there's something slightly off about him. There are no grandparents or siblings involved (okay, a minor scene with Patrick's sibling later on, but it doesn't impact the plot). Lauren doesn't work outside the home. They seem to have little to no friends except a soon-to-be mother's group who drops off peculiar gifts. When this happens, who do you turn to?

For Lauren, she's happy in her cocoon until the birth is way more difficult than she expected. The doctors almost lose her to excessive blood loss at one point, but she bounces back and begins to care for the little tykes perfectly. Except during the first overnight in the hospital, a weird witch-like woman threatens to swap the babies because hers are bad and Lauren's are good. Maybe they each keep one good and one bad, she suggests?

How would you handle the situation? Lock yourself in a bathroom to avoid anyone trying to steal them? Good plan, except on video tape, there's no one attacking you. Was it real? Was it supernatural fantasy thing? The fairy tales tell a very different story... one about a woman who demands you drown your children in order to save them. Lauren is trapped. If she does nothing, the woman comes nightly to haunt her. If she does something, the cops and/or hospital threaten to commit her. What a paradox! To love, you must hurt. How would you handle the situation?

Golding tells a wicked story with heart. Readers will be uncertain where to lend their loyalties as a few twists and turns convince you Lauren is crazy, but then easily show you she's not seeing things. For me, it drove me nuts! I like clarity, but I appreciate the variables at play here enough to indicate this book is a challenging read in a good a way. As a side story, one of the cops struggles to believe Lauren. Through research, she finds something that might confirm who kidnaps the kids, but in the end, all is not what it seems.

A psychological thriller, readers have a chance to determine how to interpret a story that can be told in many ways. Golding's talent sits in the ability to walk a fine line of confusion and power. We will all feel differently, yet it's the same words and story. Which part will you connect to? Definitely worth a read, you'll find hidden gems in the life lessons and fairy tale history we learn along the path. I recommend it for those looking for something a little different than the normal family drama.

Many thanks to the author and Crooked Lane for the chance to read this book. I voluntarily participated on the blog tour and am excited to spread the word about this novel. ...more

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May 30, 2019 Barbie rated it liked it · review of another edition

My thoughts in a nutshell
I slept on it. When I was finishing, I instantly gave it 2 stars. I was really disappointed because of the ending. It could have been my new favorite book. I have mixed feelings about it.

The story is about…
Skip over this point if you don't like the sneak peek.
Lauren has newborn twin boys. One night, in the hospital, she sees an ugly woman who also has twin boys. The creepy woman wants to switch her babies with Lauren's. Lauren called the police, but no one believes ...more

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May 27, 2019 Tucker rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Tucker by: Melanie Golding

Shelves: all-time-favs, 2019-favorites, mystery, magical-realism, reviewed, horror, thriller, owned-physical, arc-physical, plot-twist

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review

Come away, O human child. To the waters and the wild.
-W.B. Yeats, "The Stolen Child"

This book is not your average thriller. No, no, no! In fact, the fact that this is grouped into the thriller genre is a bit misleading. This book leans more into the magical realism with a buttload of horror. Think Stephen King's It. In fact, I would confidently say that this book was scarier than It. Aside from the ...more

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Aug 07, 2019 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was ok

Shelves: own, first-reads-giveaways, paperback

I won this off Goodreads and read with the Ladies Of Horror Fiction Group.

It seems most of my friends loved it to death but I liked the idea and a few parts, not the greatest to me unfortunately.

Mel ...more

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May 02, 2019 Elyse Walters rated it really liked it · review of another edition

DS Joe Harper is what made this psychological thriller interesting for me.
Like a Thanksgiving meal, it’s often the side dishes... I enjoy more than the Turkey itself.

Joanne Harper - side dish to the main plot and suspense — was more thought provoking than the main dish, for me.
A kidnapping of twins mixed with creepiness, fairytales and folklore -is the main dish. The main dish kept me reading too...
I was definitely curious to see where things were going.
I wasn’t seriously trying to guess the ...more

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Mar 05, 2019 Carolyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, 2019, myths-and-legends

Lauren Tranter, exhausted after the difficult birth of twin boys is lying in her hospital bed when she thinks she sees and hears a dirty, dishevelled woman try to swap one of her babies for one of Lauren's boys. However, the the police and the hospital can't find any evidence of an intruder, so she is forced to believe that she has imagined the woman but is nevertheless relieved to take her boys home where she can keep them safe.

Once at home, with little help from her selfish husband, Lauren Lauren Tranter, exhausted after the difficult birth of twin boys is lying in her hospital bed when she thinks she sees and hears a dirty, dishevelled woman try to swap one of her babies for one of Lauren's boys. However, the the police and the hospital can't find any evidence of an intruder, so she is forced to believe that she has imagined the woman but is nevertheless relieved to take her boys home where she can keep them safe.

Once at home, with little help from her selfish husband, Lauren becomes even more exhausted, so that when she does finally get out of the house to meet some friends when the babies are four weeks old, she falls asleep sitting on a park bench and the babies are snatched from her side. Although safely found, Lauren becomes convinced that they are not her babies but changelings and so begins a nightmare for Lauren trying to convince those around her that she needs to get her boys back.

Melanie Golding's debut thriller is sinister and creepy and demands to be read quickly to find out whether Lauren is a psychotic new mother or the victim of an evil faery plot. The writing and pacing of the plot were excellent, although I think the creep factor could have been ramped up a bit more, especially during Lauren's sightings and interactions with the faery woman for a bit more tension. Lauren and police sergeant Jo Harper are well developed characters. Ms Golding really painted an excellent picture of what sleep deprivation can do to a new mother (especially one with twins and an unengaged husband) and Jo with her intuition is the just the sort of policewoman you'd want on your side when facing the rest of the world. I didn't care much for Amy, the journalist and thought she was a bit too flaky for someone like Jo to like and trust (and I really would have liked to see Lauren's husband suffer more for his neglect of his wife and twins!). Overall, an enjoyable thriller with a sprinkling of fairy tales and the supernatural to give it an unusual twist.

With thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC to read. ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Bookish First Rea...: Little Darlings by Melanie Golding	1	4	Oct 22, 2019 12:16PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Little Darlings by Melanie Golding - Restarting September 5th 2019	60	119	Sep 29, 2019 06:17PM
Ladies of Horror ...: LITTLE DARLINGS by Melanie Golding: Chapters 1 - 11	21	30	Aug 30, 2019 07:01PM
Ladies of Horror ...: LITTLE DARLINGS by Melanie Golding: Chapters 33 - End	18	30	Aug 20, 2019 11:12AM
Ladies of Horror ...: LITTLE DARLINGS by Melanie Golding: Chapters 12 - 22	13	16	Aug 13, 2019 07:45AM
Ladies of Horror ...: August 2019 Group Read Pre-Chat Talk: Little Darlings by Melanie Golding	38	58	Aug 08, 2019 11:10AM
Ladies of Horror ...: LITTLE DARLINGS by Melanie Golding: Chapters 23 - 32	6	16	Aug 08, 2019 10:58AM

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About Melanie Golding

Melanie Golding

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Melanie Golding is a graduate of the MA in creative writing program at Bath Spa University, with distinction. She has been employed in many occupations including farm hand, factory worker, childminder and music teacher. Throughout all this, because and in spite of it, there was always the writing. In recent years she has won and been shortlisted in several local and national short story ...more

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