This is the first book I've read by Fiona Barton. And, yes, I read #2 in the series before reading #1.

I like the way the story was told - alternating between 4 different women and how their stories aligned. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, especially the wrapping up of the Will and Al storyline(s).

This story focuses around the bones of a baby found during demolition of a home. Kate Waters is a journalist and is instantly intrigued and wants to follow the story of who was found at the site? As Kate starts investigating, she is drawn into a story that goes back almost 30 years and involves the residents that were living on that road at the time of the burial.

Suspense

I read "The Widow" when it came out and enjoyed it very much. This story was another great story. I
do not want to give anything away but just like "The Widow" there is surprise that you do not expect. Kate, Emma and Angela tell the story from different points. Kate is the reporter following a story that turns in much more than was thought. The author does a really good job weaving the story together. While part of the story does not seem possible, it has happened. Abduction of a newborn has happened. But the author puts an interesting story around it. I read this in 1 day. I hope the author writes another book with Kate as the reporter. ( )

An infant's skeleton is found buried in the back garden of a house being demolished. The story follows several women who have an interest in the mystery of the baby's identity and the circumstances that led to its burial: A still-grieving mother whose baby was snatched from the hospital's maternity ward; a troubled woman with a history of psychiatric problems who once lived in the house where the infant was buried; her mother with whom she still has a rocky relationship; an investigative reporter who is determined to solve the mystery and break the story.

The mystery is not entirely predictable, but I was really more interested in the characters as they were revealed. The only real clunker in this story is really unlikely plot twist where a rookie reporter finds out a key piece of information about forensics on Wikipedia that neither the forensic lab nor the police had even considered. Even I had that figured out well in advance.

Still, the story was compelling, and the characters well drawn, and the writing is good enough that I didn't really notice that one character's POV was written in the dreaded First-Person-Present-Tense until I was most of the way through the book.

Audiobook, borrowed from my public library, with an excellent performance by a cast of several.

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I thoroughly enjoyed The Child by Fiona Barton. This is a book told from the perspectives of the 4 main female characters with flashbacks to a period 20 to 30 years earlier. This style can sometimes confuse a reader until they become familiar enough with the character to easily identify them. What saves The Child from falling into this fate is the short, sharp chapters and good character definition and development.

The momentum builds nicely throughout the book and it is a captivating “who dunnit” with a twist. Was there a murder or not? And who is the victim?

Definitely a must read for those who enjoy a good crime mystery that relies upon investigation and not forensics to solve the crime.
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