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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Playing Nice is a taut and thrilling tale of domestic suspense by J.P. Delaney, a pseudonym of Ugandan born British author, Tony Strong who has also written popular novels under the name Anthony Capella.
“It was just an ordinary day.”
When Pete Riley answers a knock at his door one ordinary day, the last thing he expects to be told is that his two year old son, Theo, is in fact, not his. Brandishing a DNA test, Miles Lambert announces that biologically, Theo is his son, and presumably the boy in his care, David, is therefore Pete’s, a result of a hospital mix-up.
Miles is quick to assure Pete, and his partner Maddie, that he and his wife, Lucy, want only what is best for the boys, and agree that each child should remain with their presumed parents, but for the families to spend time together. Pete and Maddie are relieved that the Lambert’s seem to be an amicable and generous couple, and then the veneer of civility begins to slip...
Unfolding from the alternating perspectives of Pete and Maddie, Playing Nice explores a rare and complicated situation, with the addition of a devious twist. To discover the child you have loved and cared for since birth is not your own, and then to be faced with losing not only him, but also any connection with your biological child, is a parent’s worst nightmare.
Pete and Maddie are quite naive to begin with, trusting that Miles and Lucy are who they seem to be, yet there are hints that Miles in particular is telling them only what they want to hear. This becomes blatantly obvious when the Riley’s are abruptly served with papers demanding full custody of both boys. I was literally gritting my teeth with the tension, my level of frustration with everyone, including the Riley’s, growing exponentially as Miles effortlessly manipulated every situation to his advantage, leaving Pete and Maddie in danger of losing everything, including their lives.
Within the story Delaney explores the question of nature vs nurture, Theo, for example, has behavioural issues which could stem from a hereditary trait. The author also challenges parenting stereotypes with Pete as the stay at home dad and the more nurturing partner of the relationship. While typically men are considered to prize the biological link to their offspring, it’s Maddie who feels the instinctive connection to David. It’s also Maddie, who exhibits behaviours more commonly ascribed to male partners.
The characters in Playing Nice are well realised, flawed to a lesser and greater extent though all essentially familiar, except for Miles. Manipulative, vindictive, and merciless, Miles is a psychopath, who is incapable of ‘playing nice’.
Gripping, fascinating and disturbing, I found Playing Nice to be a well-paced and cleverly crafted novel.
“It was just an ordinary day.”
When Pete Riley answers a knock at his door one ordinary day, the last thing he expects to be told is that his two year old son, Theo, is in fact, not his. Brandishing a DNA test, Miles Lambert announces that biologically, Theo is his son, and presumably the boy in his care, David, is therefore Pete’s, a result of a hospital mix-up.
Miles is quick to assure Pete, and his partner Maddie, that he and his wife, Lucy, want only what is best for the boys, and agree that each child should remain with their presumed parents, but for the families to spend time together. Pete and Maddie are relieved that the Lambert’s seem to be an amicable and generous couple, and then the veneer of civility begins to slip...
Unfolding from the alternating perspectives of Pete and Maddie, Playing Nice explores a rare and complicated situation, with the addition of a devious twist. To discover the child you have loved and cared for since birth is not your own, and then to be faced with losing not only him, but also any connection with your biological child, is a parent’s worst nightmare.
Pete and Maddie are quite naive to begin with, trusting that Miles and Lucy are who they seem to be, yet there are hints that Miles in particular is telling them only what they want to hear. This becomes blatantly obvious when the Riley’s are abruptly served with papers demanding full custody of both boys. I was literally gritting my teeth with the tension, my level of frustration with everyone, including the Riley’s, growing exponentially as Miles effortlessly manipulated every situation to his advantage, leaving Pete and Maddie in danger of losing everything, including their lives.
Within the story Delaney explores the question of nature vs nurture, Theo, for example, has behavioural issues which could stem from a hereditary trait. The author also challenges parenting stereotypes with Pete as the stay at home dad and the more nurturing partner of the relationship. While typically men are considered to prize the biological link to their offspring, it’s Maddie who feels the instinctive connection to David. It’s also Maddie, who exhibits behaviours more commonly ascribed to male partners.
The characters in Playing Nice are well realised, flawed to a lesser and greater extent though all essentially familiar, except for Miles. Manipulative, vindictive, and merciless, Miles is a psychopath, who is incapable of ‘playing nice’.
Gripping, fascinating and disturbing, I found Playing Nice to be a well-paced and cleverly crafted novel.
This book was simply impossible to put down. I kept guessing, anticipating what would come next. Another plus is the throughout research driving the plot, finally a psychological thriller where mental health issues were described accurately.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was well written and such an interesting topic a psychologist thriller regarding two premature babies switched at birth. It’s told from the POV of Maddie and Pete as they traverse the many hurdles resulting from the bombshell that two-year-old Theo is not their biological son but instead David who has severe special needs is.
At first, Maddie and Pete are thrilled that Miles and Lucy seem to be so agreeable and accommodating but it’s not long before Miles is crossing boundaries and it becomes apparent that Miles is not quite the charming nice guy he at first appears. Peter and Maddie now find themselves in the fight of their lives. Trying to retaining custody of Theo as Miles throws every dirty trick in the book their way.
So I did enjoy this but it did seem to move quite slowly I also thought that David their biological son very much took a back seat in this story and I would have thought he’d be more central to the narrative. I also thought the wrap up was rushed and I definitely found this anticlimactic especially considering all the build-up things just then fizzled out and that disappointed me slightly.
Still, this was such an intriguing subject and It did manage to keep my interest. I found the second half of this much more gripping than the first which did take a while to build momentum. Overall this was a decent read but it contained few surprises and was fairly predictable. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Playing Nice.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s not the most attentive to detail, but it was still a story that i didn’t want to put down. I finished in just a few sittings.
mysterious
medium-paced