The Loyalty of Children

Suffer the Little Children #3

by Chris Lewando

To protect her family, Dee has to kill the bad dude, or die trying...Deirdre and her father rescue two children who are living rough. But are they what they seem? As she tries to find out why the boys ran from their foster home, the action escalates once again...

Dee has saved her vigilante-father from the clutches of the FBI, and a long term of imprisonment, but in her moment of triumph, she learns that the man she calls 'the pedo baron' has infiltrated her sister's home in the guise of a friend. This silent threat to her sister's family means she has to take action, but what?

A feisty character with a crusty sense of humor, this unintentional heroine brings an original voice to a character-led story, and finds an inner strength even she hadn't known about.

*It is possible to read this as a standalone novel, but there are brief references to previous action, so the author recommends that the series be read in order.

Deirdre is no Jessica Jones; she's a normal girl thrust into an abnormal situation, and relies on her wits to survive, not forgetting a little help from the biker, Greg. Only, where is he when he's needed? And if she can't rely on him, she need to update her own survival skills. And maybe get a gun. When her world is turned upside down, she finds herself pitted against people with no morals, and taking action means working outside of the law. Crossing this bridge means there's no going back.

Genres: Thriller

275 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2022

About the author

The author writes thrillers and contemporary novels as Chris Lewando, romance as Sue Lewando, and Irish dual timeline fiction as Daisy O'Shea. Published by Bookouture, this series is being sold in Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Norway, and is being translated into German for 2026.

She is a full-time author and lives in the south of Ireland. Some of her adventures of the move to buy and renovate an 'Irish wreck' are detailed on her website.
ChrisLewando.com and DaisyOShea.com
You can collect a free e-copy of her literary compilation from her website.

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris…you will always be a must read author for me! I love vigilante stories and Chris Lewando has outdone herself in The Loyalty of Children, Book III of the Suffer The Little Children series. I love walking on the dark side of life through words, wallowing in the filth of humanity, the dregs of society. I, also, like seeing them get their comeuppance.

Chris Lewando’s writing style speaks to me. Below is just one example of how in sync we are. She is talking about watching the news, which Dee and I don’t do.

“…What good does it really do to ‘know’ what horrible things are happening if we don’t act? And most of us don’t have that freedom, we’re too busy just hanging in there with our family and financial dramas to get out and make a difference. And I guess that’s just what the politicians need us to do.”

The Suffer The Little Children series may be fiction, but it has the ring of truth when describing the villains and the depths they will go to to scratch their itch. There are a lot of triggers in the series, so if you don’t have a strong stomach and a need for vengeance…BEWARE.

I love Dee, a character that I could never be. Feisty doesn’t begin to describe her. To face what she faces, a sense of humor does come in handy. Living on the run, constantly picking up her bag and moving to the next place. She knows how dangerous her life is, but that doesn’t stop her from doing what she feels needs to be done. She does not run from danger, but takes a methodical approach to meeting it head on. How will her story end?

…the criminal mindset is new to me; it’s a leaning curve. I wonder if I’ll live long enough to get the certificate.

Mikey…WTF…I don’t even know what to say. The author’s end note tells how Mikey came to be and I had to research it and find out more for myself. I love when an author has me doing research, arousing my curiosity, making me have to know more.

The ending….oh man, I did not see that coming. I couldn’t figure out how Chris Lewando would wrap it up and I love that she caught me so off guard. I would love to crawl around in her head. BUT, I hate that the story was over. I have to know what comes next for Dee, her father, Amy, Greg, and all the other characters that work together to save the children. I feel there must be more coming….

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Loyalty Of Children by Chris Lewando.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting book in the lives of Dee, her father, family, and others! I am just sitting here in shock at the intensity each book produces by itself. You cannot read these as stand-a-lones; it is a series. Each book continues where the last one left off intertwining characters, situations, and bringing fresh characters to the horizon. In this part, Dee wants the king! Something has happened to some of those that are the good/bad guys, but no one can seem to see or talk with them. Things are getting more dangerous than before.

Is Dee in over her head? Who will help her in her new developing skillset? Can she still expose others without giving herself away? Can she still hope to protect those in need? This, by far, is the most dangerous exercise yet for freedom! Others are getting too close…but how? Who is behind the scenes? Who is far up the food chain? Just as they seem to find answers, more questions pop up in this dark underworld of inhumane twisted seedy underground full of monsters. Are they the only ones though? Where will her journey take her to find new sorts of monsters no laws exist for? Without their circle, who will protect the innocents? I am angry at the injustice! I cry for the victims! What about those who take the risks? Should we feel bad for them, or should they be branded with names that would send them to where they do or do not belong? In this world, these books will have you questioning who truly the bad guys are! It will make you question your own morals and codes of ethics! For these accounts, while fictitious does bring about the truths in society today! Read on to find out what happens next!

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. While this one wasn’t as good as books 1 and 2, it still kept me captivated. The plot is about real issues. Sick issues that no one wants to hear about. I loved the characters. While this one answers some questions, it leaves us with new ones. Aaron-what is his part in this? Will he continue to be pulled in by Dee? Greg-where is he? Who is he? Will Aaron or Greg end up as a romantic partner for Dee? Will she prove Leo is apart of this group? Will Ellis get what’s coming to him? Will May’s secret get out? I can’t wait to find out if my questions get answered!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book via Kindle Unlimited as well as received an advanced copy.

[Sandy Gudaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dee and her father make great heroes! This continues from book 2 . I feel it could be stand alone as there are enough explanations as you read.
I enjoyed how Dee speaks in the book in first person real time. Very little delving back into a past story yet enough that you will feel caught up. Dee is a fun character that is a bit gritty and honest in the right places. The bad guys need to pay but there are twists and turns on the way that will keep you very interested.
Thank you Book Sirens and the author for the chance to read this book and give my honest opening. Looking forward to the next !

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dee is finally, albeit with reserve, getting into the real. Of saving children from pedophiles and the rings they run. For all that Dee and her father do to stop children from being abused there are always more. I know this is a work of fiction but there is a lot of truth to this story. Children have become a commodity. It is a disgusting thought but very real. This author writes in a way that does not promote vigilantism but if the perpetrator dies in the fight, then that’s one less person hurting children. I have really enjoyed this series. I feel like Dee, her father and Amy are friends. Friends that would inspire loyalty.

[Candace Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyteller. Needs to learn American verbage

The storytelling is amazing. I couldn't put it down. My only issue is that the author is British, writing from an American's point of view. So, to me, the language should be American. Such as: toilet instead of loo, cookies not biscuits, parking lot not carpark, nuts or crazy not daft, tennis shoes not trainers.
Those are just a few. I've read this author's books under her other name, that take place in the UK and they are wonderful as well.

[Colin Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Loyalty of Children to be far more interesting than I expected. The author has done a great job of showing the shocking situation of pedophile activities. The story also reveals the longer-term effect on young children pushed by their mothers into becoming beauty queens. As such, I highly recommend you read this book that could save you and your family a lot of grief.

[Jean Roehrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a storyteller! The author's writing just grabs me and won't let go. She makes me feel like I am a part of the story, feeling each fear, each doubt, and the anguish. Each book is more gripping than the last. What a great series. Full of honest action and reactions. Don't miss it!!! Jean, ARC Team

[Carol Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loyalty of the Children is the 3rd book in the Suffer the Little Children series. I would recommend reading the first 2 books so you have a better background for this book.

The series deals with pedophiles and the abduction of children to be used as such. It is a great book full of mystery and suspense and I would highly recommend it.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loyalty of Children

I'm impressed with the different scenarios the author is creating and I'm finding intriguing the approach to the magazine articles. The end was totally surprising and I missed Greg in this story.
I'll gladly read more from this author.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deirdre and her dad are still moving house the house trying to avoid the leader of the pedo ring Alex. When she gets a message from her sister with a pic of Tim and Alex together on the golf course she knows things are getting more serious and there once again involving her sister and her family. Not that her life and her dad being in danger isn’t distracting but she has other things on her list of things to do in the first thing is to try and rescue two young boys who been living rough in a local park before she knew it the boys were staying with her and her dad but once Deirdre starts investigating Mickey and joshes story and she goes to meet the foster parents it seems everything Nikki told her about them brings nothing but genuine shock to their face, But there’s no way a 10-year-old boy would lie it’s so Deirdre doesn’t know what to believe. She will soon get all her questions answered though but par for the course she really hates most of the answers. OK let me just say I really like this Siri‘s I love Deirdre, her dad, Amy, Greg may everyone but what I don’t like is that a lot of the dialogue in this book is said as if these people are from England I get that Deirdre and her sister grew up in England until she was 10 but other people in the book use vernacular as a day to or from England I notice a lot of Nerdist riders do that and that irritates me now heading said that it also irritates me that the dad takes every opportunity to give what I’m starting to believe is the authors opinion about many topics that shouldn’t be in a book made for the entertainment of all. In the last book he talked about how he didn’t like the military and in this book he talked about it again and I did it some people don’t like the military but these are the same people that use the freedom the military has given to voice their opinions. Nothing said that this was a great book that’s why I still gave it four stars. This could be read as a standalone but you should really read the first book as the main story is a progressing one and they have a lot of reoccurring characters that you don’t know who they are unless you have read the first book. In my opinion it would be so worth reading both books because this is a great theories despite my personal opinions it still deserves for solid stars because it is that good. I cannot wait for the next book and think Chris Lewando has a real winner with these characters. I received this book from book Sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Bette Reith]

The Loyalty of Children is the 3rd book in the series Suffer the Little Children by Chris Lewando. Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC of this book. Although there is enough background info in this book for it to be a stand-alone, there are so many details and backstories that you should start the book from book 1.

Holy Moly!! Talk about suspense. I love this third installment. Talking about abuse, abduction, and pedophiles, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. Not an easy subject to tackle, but Chris does an excellent job with the details and in fact uses a person as a basis for one of the characters to bring real life to the pages.

Deidra and her dad bring home two boys that are living in the local park, but something seems off. Josh is the younger and is very lethargic and does not talk. Mikey has taken on the role of caregiver, but why is he not talking and trying to get Josh to open up? The danger is heating up for her sister, her dad and her new charges, and it is up to Deidra to come up with a way out.

I could not put this book down. Full of twists and turns – nail-biting to the end! Looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book. It was incredibly unique and interesting. Unfortunately, the story’s execution did not meet my expectations. The writing was awkward, and while there were some exciting parts, there were many random asides.

Furthermore, while Dee was admirably strong and caring, she came across as oddly judgmental at times. The character development was generally lackluster. It was challenging to feel invested in any of the characters. Sometimes I found myself skimming the pages because I felt so disconnected from the storyline. The action at the climax was decent though.

Overall, this book had a unique concept, but the synopsis was more interesting than the actual story. I do not recommend it.

*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loyalty of Children is Book 3 in the Suffer the Little Children Series by Chris Lewando. I believe that Chris Lewando has tackled a very difficult subject, paedophilia. Children are innocent and Deidre and her Dad work outside the law to save them. Book 3 has so much emotion… fear, child abuse, foster home accusations, I could not put the book. My heart broke for Mikey and little Josh. This fast action thriller is a fantastic book and I think it would make an outstanding movie. The Loyalty of Children should be on everyone's reading list. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deirdre is now pretty well committed to her father's cause. No longer is she just marking time. Amy appears to love the research side of it all and, despite her lack of formal education, is quite proficient at getting results.

Laurie too has proven herself more resilient than first thought. Never underestimate a mother's capabilities when her family is threatened.

As this series is based on a very sensitive topic, it is not an easy read. However, it is compelling. Although this is a work of fiction, these "monsters" are very real.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Loyalty of Children through BookSirens and have chosen to leave a review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Michael Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great read. The characters continue to evolve which enhances the storyline. The plot highlights the depths of depravity the human mind can sink too, and how one person can inflict pain and suffering with total disregard for the victims. I highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.