The Suspect, Fiona Barton, author; Susan Duerden, Fiona Hardingham, Nicholas Guy Smith, Katherine McEwan, narrators. Fiona Barton is a master storyteller. Her mysteries hold the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. This is the third installment in the Kate Waters series and it continues to be intriguing. The narrators of this audio book did a wonderful job of defining each character as a separate individual. There was little confusion in identifying each character as they spoke. The author exposes the flaws of her characters as the novel plays out. Each takes little responsibility for their own choices and reactions, but rather, each blames those around them. Each grieves in their own unique way, as they face their personal traumas. Many of the characters are not that likeable, but they are all interesting. Some, however, are not as well developed as they could be, and often, when they are introduced or pop up, it is hard to place them back into the story. The chapters are divided into sections on detectives investigating the case, the journalists covering it, the mothers and the missing young adults. Each character has a unique pattern of behavior, and as each character’s place in the story is defined, the reader learns the details. The mystery evolves slowly, often through secret emails and phone messages. In a country, Thailand, that is third world, technology plays an important role. Kate Waters, a journalist, is following a story about two teens. Recently graduated from high school, they went on a trip to Thailand before facing their futures. Both are now missing. At first, it is assumed that they are simply so involved in travel and partying that they have not communicated as expected, but soon, other facts are discovered. At the same time that Kate investigates the missing girls, she also wants to find her own son, also missing. He had gone to Thailand two years before, and now she has no idea where he is living, although she believes he is in Phuket doing good work for those in need. He rarely gets in touch. When she travels to Thailand to locate the missing girls, she also hopes to locate her son. Jake Waters makes excuses for his foolish choices and is often irresponsible. Alex feels a sense of responsibility for her traveling partner, Rosie, and compassion for a young boy who wants to befriend her, Jamie, although she has no romantic interest in him. Her choices, while compassionate, are also irresponsible. Rosie is exploiting her new found freedom in decadent ways and is totally out of control. Both girls are naïve and unprepared for what faces them. The boys involved are either immature and/or troubled or free spirits. The parents are, perhaps, too laid back in their approach to their children’s desires. All of the characters, the detectives, reporters, mothers and teens made excuses for their behavior which were not well thought out at times, and were often selfish. They found it easier to blame others for their transgressions rather than face their own lack of judgment. Often, they were afraid to deal with the truth. Secrets were a major component of each character’s life. I did not find the ending as satisfying as I had hoped. It was flat and abrupt and didn’t examine the final actions of the characters thoroughly, leaving many questions in my mind. Perhaps it was done deliberately in preparation for the next book in the series. One is left wondering, however, just how far a mother will go to protect a child, just how far a parent will go to become a friend and give the child enough rope to hang themselves, just how foolish it is to send a child off without preparing them appropriately, just how old does someone have to be before they can go off and travel on their own safely, just when does a child truly mature enough to make realistic and wise decisions? When does judgment develop? Is there an appropriate way to grieve? Why were such foolish decisions made? Who has the greatest influence on the decisions of each character? Should the parents have been more involved in the travel plans of their children? Are the traveling teens properly prepared for the dangers of drugs and alcohol before they set out on their trips? Are they mature enough to deal with the challenges they will face when they have new found freedom? These questions rise to a level of greater importance in the current political climate. Some of our political leaders are actually suggesting that teens are mature enough to make wise choices, and they are suggesting that 16 year olds should participate in our elections. The book also truly touches on the behavior of the reporters, on their invasion of privacy, although that is actually often the job of reporters. It also touches on how detectives treat suspects and the information and facts they compile. Is any of this behavior appropriate? Is it admirable? Is it necessary? Is it even ethical? These are questions that should be explored, also in our current climate with “talking heads” influencing so many of our lives. How far will a young adult go to have fun and freedom? How far will a parent go to protect a child? How far will a reporter go to get a scoop? How far will a detective go to solve a case? What will each give up in their quest for success? Are we trying too many people in the court of public opinion rather than through our legal system, before we know the facts? Are we rushing to judgment too often when we only have the innuendo and opinions of reporters who no longer adequately vet their information as they race to publish first and get the scoop? There are so many thoughtful questions that arise in the novel that I suggest this book for book club discussions?

A thoroughly engaging mystery/thriller concerning a missing little girl, the prime suspect who suddenly dies in an accident, and the one person who may hold the key to what truly happened...the suspect's widow.
Expertly weaving between the past and the present, through the viewpoints of the grieving mother of the missing child, the man suspected of the kidnapping, his widow, the detective who has dedicated his career to the case, and an investigative reporter willing to do anything to capture the headlines, the story grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the final page.
And it kept me guessing the entire way.
A truly remarkable debut novel. I'll be back for more.
Highly recommended.

The main characters of The Child are all intriguing.    There is Kate the reporter following up on a story of a baby’s remains found buried during a construction dig.    Angela is the mother of a baby that was kidnapped from the hospital just hours after her birth and has never had closure.   Emma is a surprise POV; she lived at the location that the baby remains were found.     I found it interesting how different their lives were yet together the stories all came together perfectly.

There were secrets, intrigue, and surprises that I never saw coming.   The mystery was not hard to solve but with each different twist and turn I learned more about the various characters.    I was invested in Kate getting her story, Angela getting her closure, and Emma coming to terms with her teenage years.   There is so much more to this story than meets the eyes.  

The ending was the surprise.    The Child is certainly a psychological thriller that kept me on my toes.    I could not put the book down.  

***Possible spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned***

For just one split second I almost thought Bella was alive somewhere because a part of me was hoping she was. Nope. What it was, instead was Jeanie’s poor tormented mind and the result of being emotionally manipulated by Glen all this time.

You couldn’t help but feel for Jeanie throughout this book. You could already tell from the beginning that she was being mentally and emotionally abused by Glen. That takes its’ toll and added with the fact that she wanted children and Glen’s got some pretty sick and twisted tastes, well that’s not going to work out now is it. So I do sympathize with Jeanie. It wasn’t until the last third of the book where she finally starts becoming her own person away from Glen, but by that point the damage is already done to her mentally. It’s sad to see. I can see why people were hating on her since she’s could have spoken out and told the police everything. Thing is, since Glen had this emotional power over her, it’s hard to overcome. You can’t help but feel frustrated but helpless at the same time when it comes to Jeanie.

I enjoyed reading the different points of view throughout the book although Jeanie takes up the bulk of the novel. The other point of view from the Police was also well done and you can see how much it takes it’s toll on everyone emotionally and mentally.

The only character I don’t have much of a like for is Kate. I understand she’s doing her job but it just seems heartless at the same time since it feels like she’s doing it at the expense of Jeanie. So I’m glad Jeanie finally grew a backbone - albeit a bit too late.

The plot was good and well done. I can’t imagine how it would feel for those that have gone through this similar ordeal. It’s tiring on all sides and by the end of the book you’re also feeling the emotional and mental drain. It was an enjoyable read though. It definitely had me turning the pages and I do recommend this to those who like a good mystery/drama.