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A review by michelles_book_nook
Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
⚠️ CW: kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, violence, murder, physical abuse, emotional abuse, child abuse, mental health, suicide and child death ⚠️ If you're looking for a fast paced thriller that will leave your mind reeling at the end because of all the twists and turns then this one is for you! A windowless shack in the woods. Lena's life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father, meals, bathroom visits and study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them. One day Lena manages to flee, but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called 'Lena', who disappeared without a trace over thirteen years ago. The police and Lena's family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn't quite seem to fit. This book had me gripped from start to finish and I just could not put it down and even when I did, it was still living in my head rent free. The twists and turns were so incredible and the multiple pov's made it feel almost claustrophobic and so chilling. The only reason I dropped it down a star is because I kept losing track slightly due to some translation issues. Overall, I highly recommend this book but please read over the CW's beforehand because it is a hard hitting read.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder