Child Taken is the debut novel from Darren Young, and I’m pleased to report it’s a hell of a debut, it’s twisted and definitely makes for an intriguing read.
As the book suggests two year old Jessica Preston disappears on a day out with her family. Twenty years later another missing child gets the attention of trainee journalist Laura Grainger, which leads to questions about what really happened to Jessica Preston? What follows is an intricate tale shrouded in mystery and deception.
There are have been numerous books that deal with this theme, but what sets this book apart was the authors decision not to concentrate on one particular character, he deftly explores the long term impact on everyone involved, after all each character involved lost something when Jessica was taken. At first I found the style of narrative confusing to follow as the story is told from four POV, but once I got into the swing things I realised just how cleverly woven the narrative is as it follows the journey past and present of the abductors and the family whose child was taken.
The author presents the reader with a tangled and intriguing tale which draws the reader in from the very first chapter. As a parent myself I found my sympathies lay very much with Jessica’s mother, as the author describes her thoughts and feelings at loosing a child with conviction and empathy. As for the abductors I couldn’t raise an iota of sympathy for their predicament, but to see why I felt like this you will just have to read the book for yourself, as in explaining my reasons I may give away major spoilers which is never my attention. I had one small niggle with Child Taken I did feel this book could have been shorter, as at times it felt the author was padding out the story and wasn’t really relevant to the plot.
I really thought I had Child Taken figured out around the halfway mark, but OMG Darren Young deviously leads the reader a merry dance, and I can honestly say I never thought for one minute the novel would end the way it did. This is a dark, twisting thriller that shows all too well how you can never escape the sins of your past. Child Taken is a terrific, gripping, page-turning debut by a talented new voice in suspense.
A great read that I would highly recommend.
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