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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
The Lost Children, by Helen Phifer, is the first novel in a brand new crime thriller series that will follow Detective Lucy Harwin.
Although I’ve been struggling with police procedural type novels lately, this one was exciting to me for several reasons. To start, when Bookouture publishes a book, I fall in line. They really are a stellar publisher and I have enjoyed everything I have read by their company. Helen Phifer had also been on my radar for quite some time after I saw a glowing review for her book, The Good Sisters. I was glad to read a novel published by an author I had heard so many things about. Finally, I was filled with relief when I found out that this novel was the first in the Detective Lucy Harwin series. I can never fully connect with a protagonist until I have read the entire series, and unfortunately, I don’t always have the time to do that. So this one was high up on my priority list. It did not disappoint.
The Lost Children had me entertained and on edge. Following a similar formula to the police procedural genre, the novel opens and introduces Detective Lucy Harwin. Coming back from a leave, she is quick to jump in and prove herself. Her “sidekick”, Mattie harbours some serious feelings for her (and I’m thinking this will prove to be some sort story arc eventually). A body has been found in an abandoned children’s asylum and it’s up to Lucy to find the perpetrator.
The narrative style of this one was unique, instead of a back and forth type of narration between the present and the past, Phifer would reveal a tidbit during the investigation in the present and then the novel would flash back to the time of the asylum and tell the story. This was so clever and really held my interest, especially since this didn’t happen every chapter. Phifer is clearly a phenomenal author and I will absolutely go and read more of her work.
However, there were a few moments that I didn’t love about this novel. For one, there were a couple instances where the POV would abruptly shift to another character without much warning or a page break; mind you, this could be an issue with my Kindle edition but I felt it to be very distracting. I also felt as if the ending was rather abrupt. I was right in the middle of the action and then all of a sudden it was over and all wrapped up neatly.
Regardless, of my small critiques, this one was absolutely entertaining and I will be anxiously awaiting the next in the series. I gave it a 3.5/5 stars.
Although I’ve been struggling with police procedural type novels lately, this one was exciting to me for several reasons. To start, when Bookouture publishes a book, I fall in line. They really are a stellar publisher and I have enjoyed everything I have read by their company. Helen Phifer had also been on my radar for quite some time after I saw a glowing review for her book, The Good Sisters. I was glad to read a novel published by an author I had heard so many things about. Finally, I was filled with relief when I found out that this novel was the first in the Detective Lucy Harwin series. I can never fully connect with a protagonist until I have read the entire series, and unfortunately, I don’t always have the time to do that. So this one was high up on my priority list. It did not disappoint.
The Lost Children had me entertained and on edge. Following a similar formula to the police procedural genre, the novel opens and introduces Detective Lucy Harwin. Coming back from a leave, she is quick to jump in and prove herself. Her “sidekick”, Mattie harbours some serious feelings for her (and I’m thinking this will prove to be some sort story arc eventually). A body has been found in an abandoned children’s asylum and it’s up to Lucy to find the perpetrator.
The narrative style of this one was unique, instead of a back and forth type of narration between the present and the past, Phifer would reveal a tidbit during the investigation in the present and then the novel would flash back to the time of the asylum and tell the story. This was so clever and really held my interest, especially since this didn’t happen every chapter. Phifer is clearly a phenomenal author and I will absolutely go and read more of her work.
However, there were a few moments that I didn’t love about this novel. For one, there were a couple instances where the POV would abruptly shift to another character without much warning or a page break; mind you, this could be an issue with my Kindle edition but I felt it to be very distracting. I also felt as if the ending was rather abrupt. I was right in the middle of the action and then all of a sudden it was over and all wrapped up neatly.
Regardless, of my small critiques, this one was absolutely entertaining and I will be anxiously awaiting the next in the series. I gave it a 3.5/5 stars.
It was average for me. I feel like I’ve read it before.
From the moment I picked up this story, I was invested.
There was no pussyfooting around with this it was BAM!!! straight into the fire & then the sparks were seriously burning & fizzling & popping The Lost Children was none stop action from start to finish and I adored it.
We start our story with the Estate Agent showing a prospective buyer around the Asylum, an old abandoned hospital that was home to many forgotten children that had basically been left there by their parents to rot, so awful and sad.
Upon stumbling across a body the shocked pair call in the local police.
Detective Lucy Harwin, just back from a suspension over a previous case is called into investigate this case. Lucy & her partner Mattie are now on the job and to solve this murder they must dig into the past, but as the bodies start piling up the sand in the hourglass is running out.
This is the first book of what I assume will be a series and it has me hooked.
What I especially loved was the human nature of our main character's, I adored looking through the window at their everyday trials and tribulations, In my opinion, it made them more relatable more solid.
I liked how everything was interwoven so nicely and how the language used was so easy to follow and not overdone.
Lucy and Mattie were adorable and I can definitely see the seeds of mutual friendship blossoming into something more with these two besties.
The flashbacks to the asylum where incredibly poignant, but were integral to the story, in short, This was such a page turner and a brilliant beginning to what I am confident will be a compelling new series. A job well done in my opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free E-Copy of The Lost Children By Helen Phifer this is my own honest opinion after reading.
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
There was no pussyfooting around with this it was BAM!!! straight into the fire & then the sparks were seriously burning & fizzling & popping The Lost Children was none stop action from start to finish and I adored it.
We start our story with the Estate Agent showing a prospective buyer around the Asylum, an old abandoned hospital that was home to many forgotten children that had basically been left there by their parents to rot, so awful and sad.
Upon stumbling across a body the shocked pair call in the local police.
Detective Lucy Harwin, just back from a suspension over a previous case is called into investigate this case. Lucy & her partner Mattie are now on the job and to solve this murder they must dig into the past, but as the bodies start piling up the sand in the hourglass is running out.
This is the first book of what I assume will be a series and it has me hooked.
What I especially loved was the human nature of our main character's, I adored looking through the window at their everyday trials and tribulations, In my opinion, it made them more relatable more solid.
I liked how everything was interwoven so nicely and how the language used was so easy to follow and not overdone.
Lucy and Mattie were adorable and I can definitely see the seeds of mutual friendship blossoming into something more with these two besties.
The flashbacks to the asylum where incredibly poignant, but were integral to the story, in short, This was such a page turner and a brilliant beginning to what I am confident will be a compelling new series. A job well done in my opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free E-Copy of The Lost Children By Helen Phifer this is my own honest opinion after reading.
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
The Lost Children is the first in the 'Detective Lucy Harwin' series written by Helen Phifer.
When we first meet Lucy she is visiting a police psychologist following an enforced break from the force due to a grisly murder she was unable to prevent - something that haunts her daily. Recovering from the loss of her husband, George, leaving her for a younger woman and taking their troubled teenage daughter with him, Lucy is not particularly impressed with having her head shrunk and when she's asked to attend a crime scene a few hours before her planned return to work, she can't move fast enough.
The murder she is called to attend has taken place in the local 'haunted house', the old Moore asylum, a rundown abandoned building which seems to have cast a shadow on all who came into contact with it. Once a home for troubled children, self-important doctors and vindictive nurses, the investigation into the Moore Asylum reveals a much more sinister operation that was running in 1975 than the outside world would believe. Alongside her partner, and future potential love interest Mattie Jackson, the force try and close in on a murderer who seems to be targeting people associated with the old asylum. As the shocking story unfolds, we see the danger our protagonists are in, but will they realise who the murderer is in time?
I really enjoyed this book, the writing is engaging, honest and believable, and although there are obviously reveals when it comes to who the murderer is - and smaller plot indicators along the way, this author does not fall into the trap of throwing red herrings down at every available opportunity in the desire to force a 'twist' when there doesn't need to be one. This is hugely refreshing in a time when every book is heralded as having a 'killer' or 'gripping' twist and you are never surprised when something happens because you have been expecting it all along! That's not to say this book isn't exciting - indeed it is, I devoured it over 2 evenings (I was working both days or I'd have read it quicker - and I stayed up until WAY past my bedtime on the first night because I didn't want to put it down!).
Up until reading this book I had not heard of Helen's work but now I will be looking out for her debut novel - The Ghost House - and the rest of the Annie Graham series - I can only hope that they are as entertaining and engaging as her newest offering!
Thanks to Bookouture, Helen Phifer and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
When we first meet Lucy she is visiting a police psychologist following an enforced break from the force due to a grisly murder she was unable to prevent - something that haunts her daily. Recovering from the loss of her husband, George, leaving her for a younger woman and taking their troubled teenage daughter with him, Lucy is not particularly impressed with having her head shrunk and when she's asked to attend a crime scene a few hours before her planned return to work, she can't move fast enough.
The murder she is called to attend has taken place in the local 'haunted house', the old Moore asylum, a rundown abandoned building which seems to have cast a shadow on all who came into contact with it. Once a home for troubled children, self-important doctors and vindictive nurses, the investigation into the Moore Asylum reveals a much more sinister operation that was running in 1975 than the outside world would believe. Alongside her partner, and future potential love interest Mattie Jackson, the force try and close in on a murderer who seems to be targeting people associated with the old asylum. As the shocking story unfolds, we see the danger our protagonists are in, but will they realise who the murderer is in time?
I really enjoyed this book, the writing is engaging, honest and believable, and although there are obviously reveals when it comes to who the murderer is - and smaller plot indicators along the way, this author does not fall into the trap of throwing red herrings down at every available opportunity in the desire to force a 'twist' when there doesn't need to be one. This is hugely refreshing in a time when every book is heralded as having a 'killer' or 'gripping' twist and you are never surprised when something happens because you have been expecting it all along! That's not to say this book isn't exciting - indeed it is, I devoured it over 2 evenings (I was working both days or I'd have read it quicker - and I stayed up until WAY past my bedtime on the first night because I didn't want to put it down!).
Up until reading this book I had not heard of Helen's work but now I will be looking out for her debut novel - The Ghost House - and the rest of the Annie Graham series - I can only hope that they are as entertaining and engaging as her newest offering!
Thanks to Bookouture, Helen Phifer and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
First time reading a book by Helen Phifer and this did not disappoint. Very likeable main character and the writing really sucks you in. Even though you kind of know who the killer is it doesn’t take away from the story. It was a great read and I’m looking forward to the next by this author.
This is my third or fourth Bookouture book and I can't wait to read more.
The present time of this book follows DI Lucy Harwin and her partner Mattie, while they investigate the murder of a 70-something year old man inside an old, shut down asylum.
The flashbacks take place in 1975, on Ward 13 of "the hospital", which is the children's ward of the asylum. In particular, you learn about Alice, Lizzy and Tommy.
I always enjoy books that bring past and present together, and this book does it well. It's not as twisty, turny as I'd like, but it still moves along at a fast pace and I was interested the whole time.
As I neared the end, I was sort of bummed at first that the author revealed "whodunit" so soon, however, it worked out well, as I was still on the edge of my seat (er, bed) dying to see what was going to happen.
Thank you netgalley, bookouture and Helen Phifer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The present time of this book follows DI Lucy Harwin and her partner Mattie, while they investigate the murder of a 70-something year old man inside an old, shut down asylum.
The flashbacks take place in 1975, on Ward 13 of "the hospital", which is the children's ward of the asylum. In particular, you learn about Alice, Lizzy and Tommy.
I always enjoy books that bring past and present together, and this book does it well. It's not as twisty, turny as I'd like, but it still moves along at a fast pace and I was interested the whole time.
As I neared the end, I was sort of bummed at first that the author revealed "whodunit" so soon, however, it worked out well, as I was still on the edge of my seat (er, bed) dying to see what was going to happen.
Thank you netgalley, bookouture and Helen Phifer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
5 Stars
The Lost Children is the first book in the Detective Lucy Harwin by Helen Phifer. This is the first book that I have read by Helen Phifer- and another book that has been on my TBR for too long. It was quite and addictive read, and I was happy to find that I had the next book in this series, sitting and waiting to be read, too. I may be developing a Helen Phifer addiction.
Well worth the read!
The Lost Children is the first book in the Detective Lucy Harwin by Helen Phifer. This is the first book that I have read by Helen Phifer- and another book that has been on my TBR for too long. It was quite and addictive read, and I was happy to find that I had the next book in this series, sitting and waiting to be read, too. I may be developing a Helen Phifer addiction.
Well worth the read!
Dark House is the first in the DI Lucy Harwin series of books by Helen Phifer. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I thought the plot was good and the pacing excellent. Told through dual timelines of 1975 and the present day, it was a dark and at times unsettling read.
When a body is discovered strapped to a gurney inside a derelict asylum with an eight centimetre steel spike protruding from an eye socket, Lucy is the officer in charge. As she delves deeper into the asylum's history, she unearths a shocking catalogue of abuse. As the bodies begin to pile up, it becomes a race against time to catch the killer.
Lucy Harwin is a likeable character but not without her own issues. She's currently undergoing therapy and has barely returned to work after extended leave when the asylum case falls into her lap. Under scrutiny from her boss and keen to prove herself fit for duty, she and partner Mattie pull out all the stops.
With a multitude of twits and turns, Dark House is a suspenseful read. I found myself gripped and eagerly turning pages. The dialogue is a little 'clunky' at times and would have benefited from a more natural flow, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. I thought it was a promising start to the series and a great read.
Book Source: Purchased copy
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2LCq8zp
When a body is discovered strapped to a gurney inside a derelict asylum with an eight centimetre steel spike protruding from an eye socket, Lucy is the officer in charge. As she delves deeper into the asylum's history, she unearths a shocking catalogue of abuse. As the bodies begin to pile up, it becomes a race against time to catch the killer.
Lucy Harwin is a likeable character but not without her own issues. She's currently undergoing therapy and has barely returned to work after extended leave when the asylum case falls into her lap. Under scrutiny from her boss and keen to prove herself fit for duty, she and partner Mattie pull out all the stops.
With a multitude of twits and turns, Dark House is a suspenseful read. I found myself gripped and eagerly turning pages. The dialogue is a little 'clunky' at times and would have benefited from a more natural flow, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. I thought it was a promising start to the series and a great read.
Book Source: Purchased copy
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2LCq8zp
“ ‘Alice? Alice?’ Lizzy Hissed.”
Ward thirteen was unusually quiet. In fact it was too quiet, and this was what had disturbed Lizzy… Alice who had been there much longer than Lizzy…was asleep.”
“Lizzy noticed that Tommy’s bed was empty. This afternoon he had gone berserk and he’d been taken away for treatment…Treatment-the very word struck fear into Lizzy’s heart. She was only nine years old, but she knew well enough that if you didn’t behave they would inject all sorts of poison into your veins and call it medicine.”
With such mind numbing fearful words we open the book Lost Children by Helen Phifer.
Summary:- Lizzy pulled the covers over her head. Then she realised what was being dragged behind the person with the torch. She rammed her fist into her mouth to stop herself from screaming…
For decades, The Moore Asylum was home to the forgotten children of Brooklyn Bay. But ever since a scandal forced its closure, the abandoned building has cast an imposing shadow. Until now – when an elderly man is found dead, his body strapped to an ancient gurney...
Detective Lucy Harwin, still reeling from a previous case that ended in the devastating murder of a mother and her child, finds herself on the trail of a killer ruthlessly fixated on avenging the asylum’s wrongs.
What disturbing secrets lie within the asylum’s walls? Together with her partner Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy begins to unearth its terrible history, and the horrors endured by the vulnerable children.
As the attacks escalate and a woman is murdered on her own doorstep, Lucy is forced into a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a twisted individual. But can Lucy stop a murderer with nothing left to lose?
My thoughts:- In a nutshell this is a story of a child thrown into a mental institution(known as The Moore) for unknowingly killing her baby brother where she had seen and experienced enough trauma to become bitter in her adult life and avenging those who had harmed her. Our fearless Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin takes up the job of solving the murder mysteries and catching the criminal red handed.
• The story showed me a part of surgeries of mental illnesses called Lobotomy. I didn’t know anything about it. But as I Googled about it, I realized I had jumped into a hellhole. How such a brutal procedure can be a cure for an illness?
Also it seems that mostly women were the patients to undergo lobotomy. According to the Wikipedia, “The majority of lobotomies were performed on women; a 1951 study of American hospitals found nearly 60% of lobotomy patients were women.” Seriously??
Although it says that in the 1950s lobotomies were almost eradicated this book’s timeline shoes 1975 and that means the institution were performing it illegally.
• Anyway coming back to the book again, it is a well constructed plot. The authoress has run the past and present events very skillfully, without making her readers confused which actually happens to many books with such plots.
• Another amazing thriller with strong back-boned lady detective. Lucy Harwin is the oxygen of this novel. A woman of blood and flesh, trying to balance the work and family together and failing, Lucy can be interpreted as any working woman. She intakes alcohol too much to keep the nightmares of her job at bay.
The story is same in India now as more and more women are now educated and trying to be financially independent yet have to suffer.
Her husband should have been more supportive not leaving and having an affair. That was disappointing of him. Her daughter was better than him. Well this is entirely my opinion.
Also I am not at all distressed about the doctor and abusive nurse’s death. They deserved it.
• Diction is not very catchy or compelling yet has enough aura to suck you in. Well suited for such a plot.
• Cover is stunning. Blue and black with the silhouettes of two girl children shows something ominous will happen to the innocence.
Drawbacks and ratings:- Only drawback I felt that the authoress has left many loose ends for us in the earlier chapters to grasp on who is the real killer. Although Lucy is one amazing woman and she has intuition of a detective still it felt as if all the things she guessed about the murders (which were actually right) were too good to be true. How can you grasp all things right at once?
However, those are not enough for me to not enjoy book. It was truly one great experience. 4 stars truly deserved. I will be waiting for more Lucy Harwin books in future.
Thanksgiving:- Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the authoress Helen Phifer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Lost Children is the first in the 'Detective Lucy Harwin' series written by Helen Phifer.
When we first meet Lucy she is visiting a police psychologist following an enforced break from the force due to a grisly murder she was unable to prevent - something that haunts her daily. Recovering from the loss of her husband, George, leaving her for a younger woman and taking their troubled teenage daughter with him, Lucy is not particularly impressed with having her head shrunk and when she's asked to attend a crime scene a few hours before her planned return to work, she can't move fast enough.
The murder she is called to attend has taken place in the local 'haunted house', the old Moore asylum, a rundown abandoned building which seems to have cast a shadow on all who came into contact with it. Once a home for troubled children, self-important doctors and vindictive nurses, the investigation into the Moore Asylum reveals a much more sinister operation that was running in 1975 than the outside world would believe. Alongside her partner, and future potential love interest Mattie Jackson, the force try and close in on a murderer who seems to be targeting people associated with the old asylum. As the shocking story unfolds, we see the danger our protagonists are in, but will they realise who the murderer is in time?
I really enjoyed this book, the writing is engaging, honest and believable, and although there are obviously reveals when it comes to who the murderer is - and smaller plot indicators along the way, this author does not fall into the trap of throwing red herrings down at every available opportunity in the desire to force a 'twist' when there doesn't need to be one. This is hugely refreshing in a time when every book is heralded as having a 'killer' or 'gripping' twist and you are never surprised when something happens because you have been expecting it all along! That's not to say this book isn't exciting - indeed it is, I devoured it over 2 evenings (I was working both days or I'd have read it quicker - and I stayed up until WAY past my bedtime on the first night because I didn't want to put it down!).
Up until reading this book I had not heard of Helen's work but now I will be looking out for her debut novel - The Ghost House - and the rest of the Annie Graham series - I can only hope that they are as entertaining and engaging as her newest offering!
Thanks to Bookouture, Helen Phifer and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
When we first meet Lucy she is visiting a police psychologist following an enforced break from the force due to a grisly murder she was unable to prevent - something that haunts her daily. Recovering from the loss of her husband, George, leaving her for a younger woman and taking their troubled teenage daughter with him, Lucy is not particularly impressed with having her head shrunk and when she's asked to attend a crime scene a few hours before her planned return to work, she can't move fast enough.
The murder she is called to attend has taken place in the local 'haunted house', the old Moore asylum, a rundown abandoned building which seems to have cast a shadow on all who came into contact with it. Once a home for troubled children, self-important doctors and vindictive nurses, the investigation into the Moore Asylum reveals a much more sinister operation that was running in 1975 than the outside world would believe. Alongside her partner, and future potential love interest Mattie Jackson, the force try and close in on a murderer who seems to be targeting people associated with the old asylum. As the shocking story unfolds, we see the danger our protagonists are in, but will they realise who the murderer is in time?
I really enjoyed this book, the writing is engaging, honest and believable, and although there are obviously reveals when it comes to who the murderer is - and smaller plot indicators along the way, this author does not fall into the trap of throwing red herrings down at every available opportunity in the desire to force a 'twist' when there doesn't need to be one. This is hugely refreshing in a time when every book is heralded as having a 'killer' or 'gripping' twist and you are never surprised when something happens because you have been expecting it all along! That's not to say this book isn't exciting - indeed it is, I devoured it over 2 evenings (I was working both days or I'd have read it quicker - and I stayed up until WAY past my bedtime on the first night because I didn't want to put it down!).
Up until reading this book I had not heard of Helen's work but now I will be looking out for her debut novel - The Ghost House - and the rest of the Annie Graham series - I can only hope that they are as entertaining and engaging as her newest offering!
Thanks to Bookouture, Helen Phifer and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.