This cleverly plotted, suspense-filled tale kept me riveted to the pages.

The Lost Child is a gem of thrilling crime fiction from veteran author Thomas Grant Bruso, and from page one, the growing suspense had me riveted to its pages. The opening is sinister and creepy, and I was filled with apprehension, knowing that something awful was about to happen.

The story unfolds through two points of view, that of eight-year-old Daniel Thompson Hadley and the adult protagonist of the work, Luke Sorenson. From the start, there is a feeling that Luke may not be the most reliable of narrators. He’s struggling mentally and, consequently, in every aspect of his life. Although he’s in therapy to help him deal with the aftermath of his young daughter’s death the previous year, he’s teetering on the brink of losing it. He sees his daughter in his dreams and, now, in daytime hallucinations. This character is complex and fascinating. I came for the ‘lost child’ but I was absorbed by Luke.

Young Daniel Hadley is chafing at the restrictions imposed by his cautious, wary, but loving parents as he watches his neighborhood friends play outside later and unsupervised. There’s just something about being eight or so that children start to feel they are grown, and the author captures this feeling and Daniel’s thinking exactly, while maintaining the vulnerability when his circumstances change later.

Bruso has created a mesmerizing story. His writing was easy to fall into and forget about what was going on around me. The premise of a missing child establishes a frantic mindset for me as a parent and the pace of author’s build up to this was superb but agonizing just same. With every page turn, I was waiting for that shoe to drop while becoming more and more invested in the trainwreck that was Luke. The story has some twists that definitely surprised.

Set out a good block of uninterruptible time for this one! I recommend THE LOST CHILD to mystery, crime fiction, and thriller lovers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. ( )