A review by onemorepagecrew
The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon

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

3.5

The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon was firmly in the liked, not loved category for me, BUT I will say the twist absolutely got me.  I binge thrillers so it’s tough to be really surprised by a plausible twist and this one truly threw me. 
 
In this novel, the reader switches between 1978 at a mental health treatment center and 2019 following a podcaster who tracks monsters (Loch Ness, bigfoot, etc.).  In both timelines we get to know siblings, Vi and Eric, and a girl who grew up with them at the treatment center, Iris.  
In 2019, girls are being abducted from their families and the podcaster, Lizzy, is following her hunch that the kids from the treatment center have something to do with it.  From there, it’s a dual mystery of solving what happened at the treatment center long ago and what is happening to the girls in present day.  
 
If you enjoy thrillers, this is worth reading.  The suspense is consistent throughout and, as I mentioned, the twist was good.  For me, what kept this from being a book I loved was the very end (DM me if you read this!) and eugenics – it’s just not for me. 
 
Content warnings: Eugenics, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Ableism 
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