The Third Son

By: S. E. Green

Narrated by: Susan Marlowe

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

All he wants is a loving family to belong to, to manipulate, to control.

Architect Carter Grady is constructing his most prized design - a family. Two years after marrying his deceased best friend’s wife, Tori, he’s ready to officially adopt her two sons, independent Daniel, 12, and the sweet five-year-old Nathan. All he needs to do is sign the legal paperwork. But a phone call changes everything.

A one-night stand from over a decade ago died in a freak accident and Carter now learns two things: the random stranger’s name...and that they share a 10-year-old son, Frances. With adult-like affectations and a fondness for wearing bow ties, the exceedingly charming and fiercely intelligent boy is unlike other children. And he’s biologically Carter’s - a seemingly impossible dream.

Yet behind the ready smile, perfectly parted hair, and need to please, something’s off with Frances. There’s a cunning calculation behind his moves, an effortless talent for lying, and a dark curiosity in others’ pain. But as Carter and Tori learn about the shocking conditions of Frances’ isolated childhood, Carter is even more determined to do right by his son.

When “accidents” soon escalate, with Daniel and Nathan caught in the middle, Tori’s budding suspicions and maternal paranoia grow. Could evil reside in the form of a little boy? And who - or what - have they invited into their home, their trust, their sense of safety?

©2021 S. E. Green (P)2022 S. E. Green

Completely Enthralled!

This was a fabulous book. I was completely captivated. I finished the book in 2 days and will be following this author. Thank you so much :)

Sub par narration

On the eve of adopting his stepsons, Carter learns he has a biological son from a one night stand ten years ago. Francis seems sweet on the surface, overly familiar, controlling, downright frightening.

Francis is one of the creepiest kids I’ve come across in recent literature. Sinister. Manipulative. Perhaps even dangerous.

THE THIRD SON is a quick, highly satisfying read.

Unfortunately the audiobook narration is subpar. Most of the points of view are men and boys and the female narrator wasn’t up to the job.

Great!

This story was unputdownable. I finished it in about a day. I recommend it. I’ll definitely buy more from this author.

Suspenseful!

I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end of this book! Gonna have to look at more of her books!

Fast-paced but forgettable

The storyline engaged me from the beginning, and I enjoyed the author's uncluttered writing style. By the conclusion, I was considerably less enthusiastic. I finished the book yesterday and started something new, but a day later I can't remember exactly how things turned out--and that says a lot.

Very Good!

OMG! You won't want to stop listening! Starts out a little slow, but soon picks up speed. I wish they would make this a movie. My first book from this author, this will not be the last.

Disturbing, but good story

Good story, a couple of cringe moments due to sensitive subject matter, otherwise very entertaining.

Shocking

This book definitely had twists and turns! Listened to it in a day. No a boring parts! Kept my attention and the ending was shocking. Recommend!

Disturbing but good

The Third Son is a pretty engrossing story of a disturbed child and reopens the question of “nature versus nurture“ in human development.

I liked the story but the narrator’s voice was a grating. I felt like it distracted from the story. Otherwise good, but scary book!

Man what a psycho kid

This story ended up much better and weirder than I expected. Tori, Carter, Daniel and Nathan are so normal compared to Frances. With the history of Frances' mom, I guess it tough to be a normal kid. Frances is certainly a psychopathic/sociopathic child. The lies, manipulation, obsession with death and having people all to himself. This story does have some violence towards animals and people, but truly shows the depth of the troubled Frances. Maybe if his mom hadn't gone through what she did, he may have turned out ok. Good book.