The Child Across the Street: An unputdownable and absolutely gripping psychological thriller

· Bookouture
4.1
17 reviews
Ebook
350
Pages

About this ebook

Wheeling my suitcase down the familiar, hedge-lined street, I smile at the sound of children playing in the park nearby. Suddenly, there’s a screech of car brakes. I rush over to see a bent bike wheel sticking out of the ditch, and underneath, a little boy…


As I turn the rusty key in the lock of the house I grew up in, memories flood back. None of them happy. I never told anyone why I left home twenty years ago, and all I want is to sort out Dad’s funeral as quickly as possible.


Now I’m trapped here, the only witness to a terrible incident that has left an eight-year-old boy fighting for his life. But after a lifetime trying to forget my past, I don’t know if I can trust my memory, or be totally sure of what I saw today.


Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.


Someone is watching me. Someone who knows I’m the only one who saw what happened to little Ethan… or could they know the real reason why I left? Either way, I’m certain that coming back was my biggest mistake. I can’t leave, but the longer I stay, the more danger I’m in…


An utterly addictive psychological thriller that will have you glued to the pages until the early hours. Fans of The Girl on the Train and I Am Watching You won’t be able to put down the next mind-blowing read from bestselling author Kerry Wilkinson.


Read what everyone’s saying about The Child Across the Street:


‘I absolutely loved it!... excellent… Full of breath-holding and tense moments… and omg that ending! Love love loved it, a big fat 5 stars. Highly recommend this book.’ Bonnies Book Talk, 5 stars


‘Gripping and suspenseful… incredibly difficult to put this one down… I'd highly recommend this book… Definitely worth more than 5 stars in my opinion.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars


‘Love Kerry Wilkinson books but this one was outstanding by far. Twists and turns and very addictive… a real page-turner. Definitely recommend.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars


‘This is a very well written book… sucked me straight in… filled with lies, friendship, mystery, secrets, deceit, twists and turns and I wasn't expecting the ending… will leave you guessing right up until the very end.’ BookWorm


‘Twisty and addictive… throws you in at the deep end right from the start and has you captivated by the end of the first chapter… "just one more" before bed… gripping… Highly recommended.’ Readers Retreat


‘This is a fast-paced and gripping thriller… intense… gripping and left the reader on edge of their seat.’ Goodreads Reviewer


‘Yet another gripping and addictive thriller from an author who never fails to deliver… keeps me devouring each and every word.’ Goodreads Reviewer


‘Kerry is a brilliant author. This is an utterly addictive psychological thriller that has you glued to the pages. Had me reading into the early hours.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


‘I am a BIG fan of this author. I pounce on every new publication that comes from him and devour it pretty much straight away… another winner from one of my top five authors.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

Ratings and reviews

4.1
17 reviews
Nickey Hawryszczuk
July 24, 2020
Bookouture has now become my favourite publisher and once again I wasn't disappointed with this book even though I hadn't read anything from this author previously. The story is based around Abi, who witnesses a hit and run in her old town where she grew up. She left years ago but returned for her father's funeral. We follow her story and find out why she left. She meets up with friends from her past but nothing ever stays the same does it? The plot had twists and turns and I didn't guess who was driving the car until it was revealed. Brilliantly written. Flowed really well and a few surprises along the way. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
1 person found this review helpful
Linda Strong
July 27, 2020
Headed for her father's home, Abi hears the squeal of car brakes, then she sees the young boy in the ditch. She's the only witness to a terrible incident that has left the young boy fighting for his life. This is the first time she's been here in 20 years ... and she's only here to bury her father and settle his estate, whatever that may be. Memories flood her mind .. none of them good ones. She never told anyone why she left all those years ago. Abi has spent a lot of time trying to forget her past .... and she keeps bumping into people she knew from her childhood. There's the boy .. now a man ... that was her boyfriend, and now has a wife and children. Her neighbor lady who's lived there forever and her son ... rumored to be a drug dealer .... the girl ..woman.. who used to be her best friend. BOOK BLURB: Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden. Someone is watching her .... do they know the real reason she left and never looked back? is it someone who knows more about the hit and run than they've told? She's certain that coming back was not in her best interests... yet she can't leave. But the longer she stays, the more danger she's in. This is a riveting tale with many twists and turns, much like a roller coaster. The characters are deftly drawn and lead the reader to a most unexpected conclusion. Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
7 people found this review helpful
DJ Sakata
July 27, 2020
This was a slowly developing, gradually unfolding, and curiously tantalizing tale laced together with heartbreaking revelations and dangerously damaged characters who were oddly compelling while largely unlikable. My inquisitive nature was prodded and poked with this new to me wily author’s maddeningly paced disclosures, and insightful yet terse observations and profound insights. While I was often impatient with the main character of Abi while assuming she was just a self-indulgent alcoholic, I later realized Mr.Wilkinson’s character development was rather elegant and clever as only after her history was revealed did I piece together and understood the cause and nature of her memory loss and mental dysfunction. I thought I had the culprit sussed early – silly me, I was so very wrong and never saw this ending coming. I could do with more of Mr. Wilkinson’s clever scheming and interesting turns of phrase in my future.
6 people found this review helpful

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