Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Child 44

By Tom Rob Smith  

The opening chapter was so distressing, I felt I couldn't carry on, however I persevered and it turned out to be an exciting and sometimes scary read with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. A great first book. Hope he writes more *****

Whatever the truth or propaganda of life in the Soviet Union during the Stalin era, the author portrays the thrilling and exciting story of one man's investigation into a series of child murders. A gripping story with fear and excitement on every page with a final twist worthy of an Agatha Christie thriller. Highly recommended  *****

A fast moving novel depicting life in Russia during the fifties showing the brutal operating methods of the ruling regime. The writer rounds the story with an unexpected twist. An excellent read and a well researched piece of work  *****

At first I felt I couldn't cope with the graphic details of life in such a regime, it was so vividly described, however I found it so gripping, eventually, I just had to know the ending. Very well written *****

A bit gruesome in parts, not bedtime reading. The characters became very real, the deeper into the book you went. Unbelievable that it was the author's first book. I wasn't too keen at first but then I couldn't put it down ****

Well written with many twists and inter connections, I found it unpleasant at times but it was fast moving and clearly shows the brutality of a rotten dictatorship and the fear that grips the whole society in Stalin's Russia. I recommend it to readers who enjoy a good thriller  ****