Stranger Child

DCI Tom Douglas, Book 4

By: Rachel Abbott

Narrated by: Lisa Coleman

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

One dark secret. One act of revenge.

When Emma Joseph met her husband, David, he was a man shattered by grief. His first wife had been killed outright when her car veered off the road. Just as tragically, their six-year-old daughter mysteriously vanished from the scene of the accident.

Now, six years later, Emma believes the painful years are behind them. She and David have built a new life together and have a beautiful baby son, Ollie.

Then a stranger walks into their lives, and their world tilts on its axis. Emma's life no longer feels secure. Does she know what really happened all those years ago? And why does she feel so frightened for herself and for her baby?

When a desperate Emma reaches out to her old friend, DCI Tom Douglas, for help, she puts all their lives in jeopardy. Before long, a web of deceit is revealed that shocks both Emma and Tom to the core.

©2015 Rachel Abbott (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Thriller With a Human Side

Okay, cards on the table I'm normally a tough guys, guns and action thriller type. This book of course ticks none of those boxes but it is just as exciting a read even for the likes of me. This book deals with emotions, betrayal and revenge and makes just as powerful a statement as any Colt 45!

The plot is detailed, multi-layered, and pulls together its variety of strings with a couple of neat twists along the way. I would recommend this book to almost anyone. It's deceptively immersive and Lisa Coleman's narration fits it perfectly.

The characters are all very human and are carefully cultivated throughout the story, the ending is poignant and satisfying without being sugar coated.

Highly recommended!

Gripping and interesting

A gripping mystery, and a good story, hard to put down. I was happy to see Tom Douglas being back to his usual self - the white hat. I didn't like him being portrayed as the arrogant, sarcastic copper in Book 2, or perhaps that was down to the narrator. I enjoyed the story, the plot would make a good Hollywood style gangster movie. The lack of closure in the end worried me a little, but perhaps there will be a follow up in the next book. I would love to see another story from Rachel Abbot set in the countryside instead of the city.

Great Thriller

Loved it especially the shocking twist! Definitely deserves my 5 star rating highly recommend it

Excellent

Gripped from start to finish. What can I say I felt as if I was there. Looking forward to the next one.

Marvellous!!

Absolutely loved this book. The story has great pace and I was reluctant to stop listening and resume normal life!
Brilliantly narrated by Lisa Coleman. I will look for other books narrated by her.
Money well spent and very enjoyable 9 hours!

An excellent, unpredictable tale

What did you like most about Stranger Child?

This story is really original and twists and turns nicely throughout.
The depiction of the police is realistic and characters are well developed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Emma. She is brave and strong but also vulnerable and believable.

What does Lisa Coleman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

the book is very well read by Lisa Coleman and she defines the characters well throughout.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found myself listening at every spare minute to find out what happens next.

Any additional comments?

a really great little crime thriller with good characters. Thoroughly recommended and I will be checking out other titles by the author.

Gripped for the start.

Where does Stranger Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

There hasn't been many that I could put down, listened to this book over three days.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stranger Child?

Can't say that there was just one, a really enjoyable book

What does Lisa Coleman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A good narrator

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the note left by Tasha

Any additional comments?

a really good listen, not at all dark but it does make you wonder how much stuff like the things that happen in the book really happen. Scaryyyyy

Amazing

Where does Stranger Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best audio books I've listened to. Completely enthralling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack. A very enigmatic character.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The bank vault, my heart was in my mouth!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How well do you REALLY know your husband?

Any additional comments?

I loved listening to this book and use audible on my 1 hour commute to work and back, I found myself wanting to sit in the car and keep listening! Rachel Abbott has got just the right balance in this book, believable characters and great tension. After finishing this book though, you have to read Nowhere Child, a great novella that ties up any loose ends that you may find you need to get answered.

I WAS`NT BLOWN AWAY!.......IT WAS OKAY!!

What did you like best about Stranger Child? What did you like least?

I was gripped at the begining and some of the writing was pretty well done ....but it didnt fully hold my attention the whole way through... By the end it just wasn`t covincing not boring exactly just lost its spark ...Generally fairly entertaining but not great ..

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

As I said.................... begining good ...middle okay ....end a let down ..

Have you listened to any of Lisa Coleman’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven`t she was a good narrator which helped ...

Did Stranger Child inspire you to do anything?

not really!

Any additional comments?

Its was okay ...not too long so it didnt drag .... but I definately wouldn`t say wow that was amazing !......

Tedious & trite

I don't understand how so many listeners rate this book highly. I found the whole concept of the story unrealistic and incredible. There is a great deal of irrelevant detail which adds nothing to the story or context (e.g. the account of the missing pig doorstop). There were too frequent over emotional outpourings about Emma's 'poor baby' throughout (he's a child apart from anything else), all the detailed explanation of exactly how people touched each other (one sentence would be enough not two paragraphs) and exactly how characters were feeling at frequent points was deeply irritating.

I also found the narrator annoying - particularly the attempt at male voices. I won't be listening to another book by this author.