July 2020 Group Read - The Child by Fiona Barton

[Chris]

I'll 'fess up now - I read this one back in January and whilst it is an interesting story, it didn't seem particularly well told to me.
Then again, we're all different and other people have raved about it so maybe I'm just weird....?

[Bill]

Started it on audio as a travelling book. Reviews are extreme; like marmite, readers either loved it or detested the book. I like having a reporter as a main character instead of the usual cop.

[Shell]

I have enjoyed all of Fiona Barton's books so far. I think there are 3 in this series. I thought that the stories were a little different and kept me guessing. It is a while since I read this one, so I will comment more when I've re-read it.

[Bill]

Though multiple narrators are confusing, I’m enjoying this book,especially learning from Kate the tricks reporters use to the trust of their sources.

[Pat]

Bill wrote: "Started it on audio as a travelling book. Reviews are extreme; like marmite, readers either loved it or detested the book. I like having a reporter as a main character instead of the usual cop."

Bill, enjoyed your comparison of the book to marmite. Can't wait to see if my opinion of the book is my opinion of that spread.

[Bill]

A great disappointment but not for the reasons some reviewers have stated. Characters are interesting and plotting is excellent. The depiction of the tricks reporters use to gain their informants’ confidence was revealing. Unfortunately, any reader who knows a little about DNA evidence - and most of us in this group do - will figure out the mystery by 2/3 the way through.

[Shell]

I just saw on Amazon that the next ook in the series, "The Suspect" is on sale for 99p.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suspect-best...

[Shell]

I'm sorry you were disappointed in the read Bill. I found I couldn't put it down and although I had worked out some of the ending I still enjoyed watching it unfold.

[Maria]

I enjoyed the book. The reporters tactics in drawing info were enlightening. I did figure out how it was going to end.

[Pat]

As I'm accustomed to books that tell you part of the ending early, I enjoyed The Child. A story isn't over until all the questions it's raised are answered; and knowing the identity of The Child was only one of those. I looked forward to reading how the various characters reacted to discovery of this fact and to hints at what the future would hold for them. I enjoy books that reveal the psychology of the characters, and we got to see the thinking of each of them extensively. I have a prejudice against the start of the book, though it's an accepted style of writing. For me, meeting characters one by one feels like it takes too long to get into the story questions, to learn what the objective of the story is, to feel involved with the characters in relation to the story. Once past the lengthy intro of characters, I read with interest that kept me turning pages to the end, to learn how their lives would evolve. I give the book three and a half of five stars, nearly gave it four, before reading the second book for July.