The Perfect Child

By: Lucinda Berry

Narrated by: Christine Williams, Erin Bennett, Dan John Miller

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.

A page-turning debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own—and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.

Christopher and Hannah are a happily married surgeon and nurse with picture-perfect lives. All that’s missing is a child. When Janie, an abandoned six-year-old, turns up at their hospital, Christopher forms an instant connection with her, and he convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own.

But Janie is no ordinary child, and her damaged psyche proves to be more than her new parents were expecting. Janie is fiercely devoted to Christopher, but she acts out in increasingly disturbing ways, directing all her rage at Hannah. Unable to bond with Janie, Hannah is drowning under the pressure, and Christopher refuses to see Janie’s true nature.

Hannah knows that Janie is manipulating Christopher and isolating him from her, despite Hannah’s attempts to bring them all together. But as Janie’s behavior threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind Janie’s past may be enough to push them all over the edge.

©2019 Heather Berry. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A mesmerizing, unbearably tense thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open. This creepy, serpentine tale explores the darkest corners of parenthood and the profoundly unsettling lengths one will go to to keep a family together—no matter the consequences. Electrifying and atmospheric, this dark gem of a novel is one I couldn’t put down.”—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author

“A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!”—Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author

Horrible “ending”

Good storyline but horrible ending. Actually, the story just quit. It was like the writer just got tired of writing so she just quit!

Mixed feelings about this one

This was definitely an engaging listen. The con was the husband in the story. He was so clueless it is really hard to take. Plus, it wasn't the best writing of all time. I wouldn't waste a credit, but if it is on sale, it is worth it. The story is pretty different and leaves you feeling "all sorts of ways." The ending was a bit annoying and felt like the author gave up vs. giving a real cliff hanger. Overall, solid C+ or B-

Not Credible

Whole book was a propaganda advertisement for how broken our child protective service system is. Unfortunately, characters were overdrawn and motivations mixed. Story had great potential, but orthopedic surgeons, hospital nurses, social workers and police are NOT stupid enough for this plot line to play out. Well written, well acted, but BAD.

What happened?

I thought the book was really good... it kept my interest from the beginning. My only complaint is the ending. It just stopped. There was no resolution, in my opinion, and needed another couple of chapters to let me know what was going to happen to the family... and what about Janie? I’m bummed.

creepy

5 stars cause it creeped me the hell out. Great job LB! Creepy little girl!

Narration was tough at first, but I pushed through, the found myself screaming at the characters! Lol

This was a pretty good story! I almost gave up in the beginning, it took awhile for character and story development. Not crazy about the ending, but I guess all things must have ending. Worth a credit for sure!

Be prepared to be frustrated

I enjoyed this book a lot and listened to it in one sitting bc I needed to know what would happen. But boy oh boy, there is a character (or two) who need to be shaken! Frustration and anger are an understatement for how I felt throughout this book.

Too slow

I ended up jumping forward and didn’t miss a thing. I never do that but I was pretty sure how it ended and couldn’t be bothered to slog through all the building up which was slow and a little dull.

A modern domestic thriller

At last--a psychological thriller that truly thrills! The storyline involved me from the beginning to the very last page. No need to suspend your disbelief here--I felt like this could really happen. Although all the details weren't rapped up in a tidy way at the end, I think that it was pretty clear where things were headed. Highly recommended to fans of this genre.

Great book!

I loved the story, but was disappointed with the ending. it kept me entranced the entire time. I love this author, Lucinda Berry, and I plan on listening/reading all her books!!