Stranger Child

By: Rachel Abbott

Narrated by: Lisa Coleman

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of number one best seller Sleep Tight.

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. They say you should never trust a stranger. Maybe they're right.

©2015 Rachel Abbott (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Fourth in a series

Any additional comments?

Stranger Child is the fourth book in Rachel Abbott's DCI Tom Douglas series.

I only discovered this series and author recently when I listened to the third book, Sleep Tight. I enjoyed Abbott's lead character and plotting and wanted to see what was next for Tom.

In Stranger Child, David Joseph lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident six years ago. His wife was killed - but his six year old daughter Natasha simply disappeared. Seven years on, David is married again to Emma and has a new baby boy.

And then one day, when Emma is in the kitchen, a teenager appears behind her - and doesn't say a word. Could it be......Tasha? It is. But she won't speak, won't say where she's been and why she was able to simply reappear. While her father is overjoyed to see her, she makes Emma very, very nervous. David seems satisfied with not knowing, but Emma decides to contact her old friend DCI Tom Douglas.

I really liked Emma as a character. David - not so much. My thoughts on Natasha changed and evolved as the book progressed. Abbott manipulates the listener well, adding another piece, another revelation as the book progresses.

Abbot has penned an ambitious plot, with many twists and turns and lots of action. I was completely caught up in wondering about the last seven years of Tasha's life. There were a few plot points that stretched credulity for me - David not immediately calling the police when his daughter returned, no one taking her to the doctor and a few more. But.....the story is absolutely a page turner. I had my suspicions on the outcome, but was only proved partially right. Some previous loose threads from a secondary plot in Sleep Tight are tied up in Stranger Child. Well, not quite 100% - the door is open for the next entry in this series. I'll be listening.

The reader was Lisa Coleman, a different narrator from book three. I quite liked Coleman's voice. She has a strong, matter of fact kind of tone to her speaking voice. She easily conveyed male and female characters with her voice - I thought her characterization of each was distinct, suited and was easily identifiable. Coleman has a nice little gravelly undertone to her voice that is pleasant to listen to. My one suggestion would be to stick with one reader going forward to build continuity in future books.

Not one of Rachel Abbott's best

The relationships among the family members are completely unrelatable. No sane person would put up with the odd behavior of the "stranger child." The ending is awkward and leaves the reader unsatisfied.

Excellent as always, with Abbott and Coleman

What made the experience of listening to Stranger Child the most enjoyable?
I have just started it and am totally addicted to the story. This is my second Rachel Abbott book and I look forward to many more. I have have made several mistakes in choosing books and having to return them immediately. Some other narrators ramble on and I cannot follow the storyline, unlike Rachel's books.

Who was your favorite character and why?
All her characters. They are all excellent in their own way. I also will only choose books with British narrators. I do not know why, but their voices grab my attention more than some American narrators…

What does Lisa Coleman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Oh, I do not read books anymore. It is more enjoyable to lean back and listen, close your eyes, relax and listen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Twists, turns and more than expected...

Any additional comments?
I will be getting more audio books. I just started using this with my Amazon Echo. I want to thank you for your reasonable pricing and return policy, should I just not be able to get into the story.
Highly recommended!

Love this lady's voice

It was an interesting story. I loved the narrator's voice and she does an excellent job reading the story. Story was a little predictable, but still good.

Intriguing from the get-go

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

I really enjoyed this book. It was the first thriller I got on audible. I listen to audible books when I go to bed ... just to quiet my mind. With this book however ..... It made the hairs in my back stand up from the get-go.

What other book might you compare Stranger Child to and why?

Well, this was my first thriller and I have been catching up on Rachel Abbotts books.

Which scene was your favorite?

The prologue hooked me. But there were many more.

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

I loved the whole book. Usually I would only listen for half an hour before going to sleep. But with this book I kept changing my sleeptimer.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed Lisa Coleman's voice

Very good listen.

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

One of my top 10 listens

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tasha! Her character showed the vulnerability that a child under such circumstances would have.

Which character – as performed by Lisa Coleman – was your favorite?

Tasha

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

When I thought that Tasha had been taken back. This weighted very heavily on my heart.

Not terrible, but not one I would recommend.

My second in this series, out of order though. Lots of great reviews on this one, but I didn't enjoy it all that much and was happy when it ended and I can start a new book. I guess I liked the other one better, but really I think it's just not my favorite style of book and maybe that is a big part of the problem, so I am not reading anymore of the series or maybe even of the author. Detective series aren't my favorite anyway and so there's that, but some I do like. Just so so in my opinion.

Really Good Mystery

Rachel Abbott does such a seamless job of developing her characters. The plot and story is so interesting and complex. I really liked seeing how all the tangled threads unraveled and then led to a wild twist at the end. Love this series.

Lisa Coleman is excellent with the narration.

Incredible writing!

Rachel Abbott is an incredible writer. Narration was great. Definitely did not want to stop listening. The story keeps you guessing until the very end!

Totally worth it!

My mind was in full throttle the entire story!
Just enough hints were dropped to pull it together without giving anything away!
An abduction of a child 6 years prior had set a rippling effect of events that turned into a tsunami nightmare for Emma who was an innocent mother.
The possibilities of this ever ending threw Emma into unimaginable situations. It could happen!
Hoping for book 2 with Emma!