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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
M J Arlidge is one of my favourite authors and I’m enjoying these collaborations with other authors. Your Child Next with Andy Maslen is my favourite yet, its a fast paced thriller that will have you hooked from the beginning till the end making it a must read.
Thank you NetGallely for the ARC of Your Child Next in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGallely for the ARC of Your Child Next in return for my honest review.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
They faked your child’s death and if you don’t give them what they’ve asked for, they’ll make it a reality.
I feel like it took me a while to get fully invested in the book because at the start, it felt like a lot of characters were being introduced, which felt a little overwhelming and I was struggling to remember who was who. However, the more that I read, the less of an issue I had with the amount of characters and remembering who was who as I found them to be quite distinct and memorable.
I did like the characters and I was rooting for them to be successful in their pain. I liked how we got to see glimpses into their lives and their back stories, because it made me care about them and what they were going through.
I did like the atmosphere and could picture the settings and characters, although I will say that I feel like it lacked suspense. I didn’t feel the danger that the characters were in throughout the book, even though there was multiple dangerous situations and plenty of opportunities for suspense.
To me, some aspects felt like they lacked logic and it didn’t flow as well as it could have done because of that. I don’t really want to go more into that because I feel like it’s a spoiler.
For the most part, I did really enjoy the writing style but there was some repetition in parts that I felt didn’t add much to the overall story and there was a lot of derogatory language that I didn’t think was necessary, which was aimed towards people who are homeless and/or substance and/or alcohol use disorder(s).
Thank you Orion and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for an honest review.
⚠️ CWs: grief, panic attack, mental health illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD), alcohol and drug use, stalking, derogatory language, cheating, cursing, domestic abuse, person with substance and alcohol use disorder, homelessness, physical assault, blood, attempted murder, adult/minor relationship, animal cruelty/death; mentions death, terminal illness, statutory rape, microaggressions, self harm, child sexual abuse, body injury, body horror/gore, war ⚠️
I feel like it took me a while to get fully invested in the book because at the start, it felt like a lot of characters were being introduced, which felt a little overwhelming and I was struggling to remember who was who. However, the more that I read, the less of an issue I had with the amount of characters and remembering who was who as I found them to be quite distinct and memorable.
I did like the characters and I was rooting for them to be successful in their pain. I liked how we got to see glimpses into their lives and their back stories, because it made me care about them and what they were going through.
I did like the atmosphere and could picture the settings and characters, although I will say that I feel like it lacked suspense. I didn’t feel the danger that the characters were in throughout the book, even though there was multiple dangerous situations and plenty of opportunities for suspense.
To me, some aspects felt like they lacked logic and it didn’t flow as well as it could have done because of that. I don’t really want to go more into that because I feel like it’s a spoiler.
For the most part, I did really enjoy the writing style but there was some repetition in parts that I felt didn’t add much to the overall story and there was a lot of derogatory language that I didn’t think was necessary, which was aimed towards people who are homeless and/or substance and/or alcohol use disorder(s).
Thank you Orion and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for an honest review.
⚠️ CWs: grief, panic attack, mental health illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD), alcohol and drug use, stalking, derogatory language, cheating, cursing, domestic abuse, person with substance and alcohol use disorder, homelessness, physical assault, blood, attempted murder, adult/minor relationship, animal cruelty/death; mentions death, terminal illness, statutory rape, microaggressions, self harm, child sexual abuse, body injury, body horror/gore, war ⚠️
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book, as much as I love all his other books! It was a nice introduction to Andy Maslen aswell who I'll definitely be checking out,
The story is fast paced and tense I couldn't put it down at all. All the characters were written very well and I just love the short chapters and multiple POV's it really keeps you on your toes!
And what a great ending that was!
Can't wait to see what Matt has in store next!
The story is fast paced and tense I couldn't put it down at all. All the characters were written very well and I just love the short chapters and multiple POV's it really keeps you on your toes!
And what a great ending that was!
Can't wait to see what Matt has in store next!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When Annie receives a video showing her at the funeral of her daughter she is shocked, her daughter is still alive. However then comes a demand for a payment to keep her daughter safe. Annie will do anything to save Isla but the divorce has hit her hard. Michael has recently lost his wife but when he discovers an unknown standing order he cancels it, not knowing that his adopted son is now to be killed. Behind it all is a pair of con artists and blackmailers who have successfully bled paople dry for years but maybe they have met their match in Annie and Michael.
I am a longstanding fan of Arlidge's writing but had not read anything by Maslen before and was interested to see how this collaboration would work. The answer is - very well! This is a fairly seamless story which whizzes along at a furious pace. It's completely unbelievable, totally unrealistic but is a breathless ride which is really addictive. I devoured the book in a long afternoon!
I am a longstanding fan of Arlidge's writing but had not read anything by Maslen before and was interested to see how this collaboration would work. The answer is - very well! This is a fairly seamless story which whizzes along at a furious pace. It's completely unbelievable, totally unrealistic but is a breathless ride which is really addictive. I devoured the book in a long afternoon!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fast-paced, intense, twisty and compelling, Your Child Next is a nerve-shredding thriller gleaming with malice that is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.
When Annie receives a disturbing email that has deep-faked her daughter’s death, she thinks it’s some kind of sick joke. But who would do such a thing? The answer soon becomes clear when she receives a call from someone claiming they are behind the video. They demand she pays them £1000 every month and if she doesn’t, or if she contacts the police, they will make the video a reality. Terrified and with no idea how she will meet their demands, Annie realises she has two choices: find a way to comply or unmask them.
M. J. Arlidge has been an auto-buy author for me for many years. His Helen Grace series is one of my favourites and he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend. But this was my first time reading one of his co-authored books and I will admit I wondered if it would affect how much I enjoyed reading it. Especially as I’d never read anything by his co-author, Andy Maslen. But I needn't have worried; this book was every bit as intricately woven, cleverly choreographed and skillfully layered as I’ve come to expect from Arlidge. Dripping with suspense, it kept me guessing and I was hooked from the first page to its heart-stopping finale and devoured it in just two sittings.
Told from multiple points of view, the book is filled with characters who are richly drawn, fascinating and flawed. Themes of mental health problems, grief, trauma and fear are examined through the characters. It also explores the pitfalls of social media, the dark underbelly of technology, and poses moral dilemmas, asking just how far you’d go to protect the ones you love.
Sinister, chilling and utterly addictive, Your Child Next is a first-class thriller not to be missed.
When Annie receives a disturbing email that has deep-faked her daughter’s death, she thinks it’s some kind of sick joke. But who would do such a thing? The answer soon becomes clear when she receives a call from someone claiming they are behind the video. They demand she pays them £1000 every month and if she doesn’t, or if she contacts the police, they will make the video a reality. Terrified and with no idea how she will meet their demands, Annie realises she has two choices: find a way to comply or unmask them.
M. J. Arlidge has been an auto-buy author for me for many years. His Helen Grace series is one of my favourites and he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend. But this was my first time reading one of his co-authored books and I will admit I wondered if it would affect how much I enjoyed reading it. Especially as I’d never read anything by his co-author, Andy Maslen. But I needn't have worried; this book was every bit as intricately woven, cleverly choreographed and skillfully layered as I’ve come to expect from Arlidge. Dripping with suspense, it kept me guessing and I was hooked from the first page to its heart-stopping finale and devoured it in just two sittings.
Told from multiple points of view, the book is filled with characters who are richly drawn, fascinating and flawed. Themes of mental health problems, grief, trauma and fear are examined through the characters. It also explores the pitfalls of social media, the dark underbelly of technology, and poses moral dilemmas, asking just how far you’d go to protect the ones you love.
Sinister, chilling and utterly addictive, Your Child Next is a first-class thriller not to be missed.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely gripping from the start. How far would you go to save your child?
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a gripping read, it had me hooked from the very start. I absolutely loved it! Annie receives a video of her crying at her daughter’s funeral but her daughter is alive and well. The video was a fake and is followed up with a message demanding a payment each month or this would be real.
Annie doesn’t take the blackmail lightly and she comes across another parent facing the same situation. They both decide that they will join forces and try to stop the blackmailers.
This is a dark psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what is going to happen.
Thank you to Compulsive Readers for having me on the tour and to the publisher for my gifted copy of the book.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Your turn to pay or the turn to die? Perfectly encapsulates this brilliantly plotted anx excellently written action-packed yet heart-wrenching psychological thriller. Co-written by Matt Arlidge and Andy Maslen.
With a plot featuring every parents worst nightmare and exploring how far a parent is willing to go when the life of their child is at risk. Both authors have skillfully created a gripping, tense, suspense-filled, unique rollercoaster ride game of cat and mouse. Which keeps you on the wdge of your seat from beginning to end.
The chapters are short and punchy. Containing just enough in order to keep you fully invested in the characters, their lives, and the potential outcomes to their story's. Fuelling your need to keep turning the pages. I read it in one sitting.
I love the multiple pov of the different characters involved. It really adds so much depth and dimension to the story. Making them both realistic and relatable.
I haven't read any of Andy's work until now. But I'll definitely be looking out for more from him. Whilst Matt has easily retained his place on my auto-buy authors list, and I have no problem comparing him to Harlan Coben.
This is definitely one for your tbr!!
With a plot featuring every parents worst nightmare and exploring how far a parent is willing to go when the life of their child is at risk. Both authors have skillfully created a gripping, tense, suspense-filled, unique rollercoaster ride game of cat and mouse. Which keeps you on the wdge of your seat from beginning to end.
The chapters are short and punchy. Containing just enough in order to keep you fully invested in the characters, their lives, and the potential outcomes to their story's. Fuelling your need to keep turning the pages. I read it in one sitting.
I love the multiple pov of the different characters involved. It really adds so much depth and dimension to the story. Making them both realistic and relatable.
I haven't read any of Andy's work until now. But I'll definitely be looking out for more from him. Whilst Matt has easily retained his place on my auto-buy authors list, and I have no problem comparing him to Harlan Coben.
This is definitely one for your tbr!!
What can be better than a top name crime writer penning his next thriller? Two top name crime writers, collaborating on the same novel! And with those authors being M.J. Arlidge and Andy Maslen you’re guaranteed an exciting read to keep you busy.
“Your Child Next” is an addictive, inventive and tense thriller that had me turning the pages as quickly as I could read them. We all know social media can be a wonderful thing if used correctly but sadly when one displays everything to do with their lives, family and hobbies, you will always be at risk from sharing your private information with criminals. In this book, this fact is highlighted to its highest level, with the main characters children being used as leverage for blackmail.
I enjoyed reading how the parents were determined to solve the serious dilemma they found themselves in and I was genuinely rooting for them all the way. Their strength and resilience potentially ensured their families survival but with two really cruel criminals at the helm of the activities, nothing is guaranteed.
The denouement was exhilarating and I found the ending quite satisfying. I can happily recommend this book to all crime/thriller readers, you won’t be disappointed and I hope there will be more from this excellent pairing of top notch authors again.
#YourChildNext - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️