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sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read, thrilling and had me questioning who did this??
katiebp's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
willowcat's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written and enjoyable police procedural. Excellent introduction to the Tom Thorne series of books. I am looking forward to starting them all from the beginning.
squirrelsonbookshelves's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read a Tom Thorne book in years (I now need to read so many). I loved this. The first meeting with Hendricks. Seeing Thorne so young. Plus some out loud "WTF?" to make me happy
dogearedandfurry's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. This was the first I’d read in the Tom Thorne series, and it was OK, but just a bit overwhelming. As someone new to the series, it wasn’t clear this was a historical look at one of Tom’s cases, as opposed to a story which started and finished in 1996... at the end of this one, we jump back to present day and it was a bit jarring. I found most of the characters a little flat and bland to be honest - I can’t really say I’d be fussed about any of them bar maybe Hendricks, and possibly Thorne a bit. I worked out whodunnit, and the whole Angie bit at the end was a bit weird and rushed, like the author remembered there were some murders he had to explain. I might try another in the series if I found it in a library or charity shop, but I don’t think I’ll be making an effort to read everything in the series.
charf47's review against another edition
4.0
Cry Baby is an engrossing read. Mark Billingham has captured the trauma surrounding child abduction, brilliantly - the immediate responses as well as the feelings, over time, of everyone that the crime impacts. There are a number of unforeseen and surprising events, none more unexpected or horrifying than the final twist in the tale. Thanks to the author and Pigeonhole for the ARC.
thelibraryofimagination's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first time I have read a Mark Billingham novel. I read it with The Pigeonhole, so I must thank the author, the publisher and The Pigeonhole for the free copy of this book.
This story is about a boy who is taken from the woods and held hostage. Detective Tom Thorne must find the abductor before it’s too late. Will he be able to?
Unfortunately, I was not impressed by this book. Maybe it’s because I had high expectations or because I was reading it alongside David Jackson’s The Resident and it paled in comparison. Or maybe it was the digressions to football that delayed the story moving forward. It could have been a lack of likeable characters; the characterisation was lacking something. Fortunately, I was drawn to the two boys - the victims of this story - or else I may have DNF’d this one. I read to the end only to find out if Keiron was saved and nothing more. I don’t like to admit that I was not impressed with a book, but this one just didn’t move me. Sorry Mark.
The premise of this story is a great idea. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot did not progress in a timely manner; there were a lot of digressions that didn’t move the plot forward making the story lag. It’s not a terrible read by any means, but it just wasn’t the right book, and maybe not the right author for me.
This story is about a boy who is taken from the woods and held hostage. Detective Tom Thorne must find the abductor before it’s too late. Will he be able to?
Unfortunately, I was not impressed by this book. Maybe it’s because I had high expectations or because I was reading it alongside David Jackson’s The Resident and it paled in comparison. Or maybe it was the digressions to football that delayed the story moving forward. It could have been a lack of likeable characters; the characterisation was lacking something. Fortunately, I was drawn to the two boys - the victims of this story - or else I may have DNF’d this one. I read to the end only to find out if Keiron was saved and nothing more. I don’t like to admit that I was not impressed with a book, but this one just didn’t move me. Sorry Mark.
The premise of this story is a great idea. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot did not progress in a timely manner; there were a lot of digressions that didn’t move the plot forward making the story lag. It’s not a terrible read by any means, but it just wasn’t the right book, and maybe not the right author for me.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
A prequel to the first novel in the Tom Thorne series, Cry Baby by Mark Billingham is a suspense-laden mystery about a missing seven year old boy.
Catrin "Cat" Coyne and Maria Ashton are with their sons at a playground when, during a moment of distraction, Cat's son Kieron goes missing. He and Maria's son Josh are playing hide and seek in the wood when Josh realizes something has happened to his friend.
Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne and his boss Detective Inspector Gordon Boyle are part of the team assigned to investigate Kieron's disappearance. After a fruitless search, everyone fears the worst. But when eyewitness Felix Barratt provides important information, Thorne and the rest of the team now believe the young boy was abducted. But without any new leads, will they find Kieron before it is too late?
In 1996, Thorne is on his way to a divorce but he does not feel any urgency to start proceedings or put the house on the market. Kieron's case provide a true but handy excuse as his soon to be ex-wife Jan and her new boyfriend pressure him to follow through with his promises. Thorne instead works long hours trying to find any evidence that will assist in the search for Kieron.
After a chat with Cat, Tom crosses paths with her neighbor Grantleigh Figgis. With their discussion about his whereabouts the morning Kieron complete, Thorne cannot shake off the feeling Figgis needs a closer look. DI Boyle is quickly convinced Grantleigh is a viable suspect and the situation quickly escalates out of Tom's control. Will evidence prove DI Boyle's certainty that Figgis is their man?
Meanwhile Cat has information that she initially held back from the police. Despite Thorne's assertion what she tells him will remain confidential, everyone, including her partner Billy who is in prison, knows exactly what Cat divulged. Luckily, Billy's sister Angela is there to support her while the search for Kieron continues.
Maria still feels guilty about taking her eye off the boys that fateful day in the park. But she is soon distracted by Josh's increasingly troubling behavior both at home and school. Maria puts it down to her recent divorce and Kieron's disappearance. Will her ex-husband Ashton agree to get counseling for their son?
Cry Baby is a tension-filled mystery that is fast-paced and engaging. The plot is refreshingly unique since the story takes place in the summer of 1996. Due to the lack of modern day technology, Thorne and the rest of the investigators rely on old fashioned detective work as they search for Kieron. With a shocking plot twist, Mark Billingham brings this riveting mystery to an edge of the seat, dramatic conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to love this outstanding prequel (and seventeenth installment) to the Tom Thorne series.
A prequel to the first novel in the Tom Thorne series, Cry Baby by Mark Billingham is a suspense-laden mystery about a missing seven year old boy.
Catrin "Cat" Coyne and Maria Ashton are with their sons at a playground when, during a moment of distraction, Cat's son Kieron goes missing. He and Maria's son Josh are playing hide and seek in the wood when Josh realizes something has happened to his friend.
Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne and his boss Detective Inspector Gordon Boyle are part of the team assigned to investigate Kieron's disappearance. After a fruitless search, everyone fears the worst. But when eyewitness Felix Barratt provides important information, Thorne and the rest of the team now believe the young boy was abducted. But without any new leads, will they find Kieron before it is too late?
In 1996, Thorne is on his way to a divorce but he does not feel any urgency to start proceedings or put the house on the market. Kieron's case provide a true but handy excuse as his soon to be ex-wife Jan and her new boyfriend pressure him to follow through with his promises. Thorne instead works long hours trying to find any evidence that will assist in the search for Kieron.
After a chat with Cat, Tom crosses paths with her neighbor Grantleigh Figgis. With their discussion about his whereabouts the morning Kieron complete, Thorne cannot shake off the feeling Figgis needs a closer look. DI Boyle is quickly convinced Grantleigh is a viable suspect and the situation quickly escalates out of Tom's control. Will evidence prove DI Boyle's certainty that Figgis is their man?
Meanwhile Cat has information that she initially held back from the police. Despite Thorne's assertion what she tells him will remain confidential, everyone, including her partner Billy who is in prison, knows exactly what Cat divulged. Luckily, Billy's sister Angela is there to support her while the search for Kieron continues.
Maria still feels guilty about taking her eye off the boys that fateful day in the park. But she is soon distracted by Josh's increasingly troubling behavior both at home and school. Maria puts it down to her recent divorce and Kieron's disappearance. Will her ex-husband Ashton agree to get counseling for their son?
Cry Baby is a tension-filled mystery that is fast-paced and engaging. The plot is refreshingly unique since the story takes place in the summer of 1996. Due to the lack of modern day technology, Thorne and the rest of the investigators rely on old fashioned detective work as they search for Kieron. With a shocking plot twist, Mark Billingham brings this riveting mystery to an edge of the seat, dramatic conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to love this outstanding prequel (and seventeenth installment) to the Tom Thorne series.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
4.0
This book takes us back to the beginning of who we know as DI Tom Thorne. This is set in 1996 when he was a detective sergeant working the case of a missing seven year old boy taken from a suburban park while playing hide-n-seek with his best friend and their parents were nearby. It's a case that reveals the secrets of families and how what is seen on the outside is not necessarily what goes on behind closed doors.
It also show the character to Tom Thorne who has just separated from his wife, he meets Paul Hendricks the pathologist and it features characters in the other books. It's an enjoyable read and reveals more about the character.
It also shows that the case may have been 24 years earlier, but it's not forgotten.
It also show the character to Tom Thorne who has just separated from his wife, he meets Paul Hendricks the pathologist and it features characters in the other books. It's an enjoyable read and reveals more about the character.
It also shows that the case may have been 24 years earlier, but it's not forgotten.