The Third Son

De: S. E. Green

Narrado por: Susan Marlowe

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)2025 S. E. Green

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.

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!

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 :)

Wow

Hints of the orphan and baby teeth. Very thrilling and suspenseful. Trigger for sexual violence.

page turner couldn't put it down

this book was so well written & had a great flow! only complaint was i wanted it to last longer!

Great book!

The Third Son sucked me in almost immediately. And kept me there throughout the book! Was it the best book EVER? Probably not, but I listened to it straight through until the end and now I want to find another one that will keep me that interested!

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!