The Lost Children

DCI Matilda Darke, Book 9

By: Michael Wood

Narrated by: Stephanie Beattie

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Matilda Darke is back….

April 2020: Lockdown

With street crime at an all-time low, Matilda and her team finally find the time to dig into their backlog of cold cases.

DI Brady has been tracing victims of systemic abuse at a local children’s home after a high-profile accusation pitched it into the spotlight—a case that couldn’t be more personal.

Nothing could have prepared them for what they uncover next….

As they piece together the disturbing picture of the history of the home, it soon becomes clear that this is much bigger than either of them ever suspected.

When they find the body of a former staff member in a supermarket car park, Matilda realises her days on the force could be numbered.

The Lost Children is an utterly gripping crime thriller weaving a breakneck tale of a vast network of secrets and lies, a relentless detective determined to sabotage it, and a murder that shatters two decades of silence.

©2022 Michael Wood (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"A tense, nail-biting story with a truly twisted ending." (Katerina Diamond)

“An established master of the serial killer novel takes us on another dangerous journey through the streets of Sheffield. Watch out for those twists—you won't see them coming!” (Stephen Booth)

"A gritty and atmospheric thriller with more twists and turns than a hangman's knot. I loved it." (Matt Hilton)

amazing as always!

Matilda never disappoints me! Im ready for the next one. The Author isn't afraid of hard topics, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Michel Woods doesn't disappoint

Filled with twists and turns, this was one I could not stop listening to. It ends on a cliffhanger, so now I have to wait 3 months for the next book. I've already pre-ordered it. This whole series is awesome. Every book is great!

DCI Matilda Darke always audictive

I do so love my British audiobooks. I’ll be honest; this subject matter is darkly disturbing and sadly heartbreaking. “The Lost Children” by Michael Wood took a couple starts for me. But after listening to his previous and always suspenseful DCI Matilda Darke thrillers, I gave it another chance. Wood weaves an intensely investigative hunt for a serial killer. It’s quite disturbing and graphic. Stephanie Beattie’s narrative skills are, as always, outstanding. I can’t imagine any other narrator in the Matilda Darke series. Soon after I started this time, I was hooked and wanted to see it to the end for much deserved justice in more ways than one. I’ve already bought “Silent Victim,” Book #10 in this favorite series of mine and am hoping Wood and Beattie bring us #11. They’re perfectly matched and should continue on together. I am a true fan of this series and recommend it. May we have more please?

Really enjoyed it

I love this character, and will be sad when her story ends. Michael Woods does an excellent job of engulfing the reader. The narrator is perfect.

Great book by author

Absolutely love this author and every book is so well written. can't wait until the next one comes out.

Too dark

There’s a definite shift with this author after book 6. I’ll be glad when the series is over, only because he’s using pretty graphic stuff now and it’s just not necessary. He used to have good mysteries now he just feels as though he’s got to stun us.