Reviews

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

rebeccajc's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jackie_fitzgetald's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

sinimini's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

jgraydee's review against another edition

5.0

Set in Russia in 1953, the story focuses on main character Leo Demidov who discovers and subsequently searches for a violent serial killer. Leo's investigation is aggravated by high ranking State officials who oppose him for their own self-preservation and by the State's insistence that crime cannot -- would not -- exist in its utopian midst. This is Stalin's Russia, and every decision is calculated. Every action is suspect. The book is well paced throughout, but it finds its own when Leo and his wife Raisa are exiled from Moscow. At this point, they agree they have nothing to lose, and they turn all their efforts toward finding and killing the serial killer.

Note: Child 44 is the first book of a trilogy by Tom Rob Smith; Child 44 is based on the crimes of a Ukrainian serial killer, known as the Rostov Ripper, who was convicted of and executed for 52 murders in the Soviet Union.

katykelly's review against another edition

5.0

Really liked this. Clever, shocking, good twist I didn't see coming. Full of information about Communist Russia. Thought all the way through how good a film it would make - one is in production! Glad Bale isn't it in anymore though, too similar a character to Equilibrium. Very much enjoyed the book and writing. Refreshing take on the serial killer genre.

lurker_stalker's review against another edition

4.0

This has been on my TBR for probably a decade. I liked it a lot and am happy there are more in this series. I had no idea!

ally2024's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

rseykora's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

megsy13's review against another edition

4.0

This took me a little bit to get into - but once I did, I was hooked.

Great action sequences and twists.

lienserreyn's review against another edition

5.0

By far one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend!