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Diana Rivers #5
Childhunt
Two weeks before Christmas. The villagers of Agios Mamas, in Cyprus, are preparing for the season's festivities. Without warning terror strikes the heart of the village. Two small children disappear...without trace... the frantic search is on. Who has been stalking the family for the last six years and knows their every move? Why has this family been targeted? What is the kidnappers' ultimate goal? Will local author and amateur sleuth, Diana Rivers and CID Police Chief Inspector, Adam Lovell find the children in time? Join Diana and her friends as they try to unravel the horrific nightmare which has hit the sleepy little village.
- GenresMystery
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2013
2 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Faith Mortimer
35 books325 followersFaith Mortimer was born in Manchester and educated in Singapore, Malaya and Hampshire, England. A Registered nurse,then changed careers to oversee a number of travel and sport related companies. Faith is happily married and has two children. She lives in the south of England and so far, has written three series of books which are also, all standalone novels.
ALL BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK & EBOOK FORM:
NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G
A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR #5 book in the Very Affair series (all standalone). Set in England and Australia. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Distant...
THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Mind Psychological Thriller Series. Is NOW published!! Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO
THE ASSASSINS' VILLAGE,#1 Diana Rivers Series Murder mystery set in Cyprus. This novel was chosen by Harper Collins/Authonomy to be the Number 1 book. ttp://amzn.to/1DJ0s8r
CHILDREN OF THE PLANTATION,#2 Diana Rivers Series, murder mystery, set in Malaysia during the 1950s & the present. http://amzn.to/1AX0NVA
THE SURGEON'S BLADE,#3 Diana Rivers Series A tense psychological thriller set in England. http://amzn.to/1IAgrX8
THE BAMBOO MIRROR. An eclectic collection of short stories, covering ghosts, murder, mystery, romance and greed. http://amzn.to/1xOEeB1
THE SEEDS OF TIME BOOK 1 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action. http://amzn.to/1AFLC43
HARVEST BOOK 2 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action http://amzn.to/1shmqhs
CAMERA ACTION...MURDER! #4 Diana Rivers Series Mystery/suspense. Set in England. http://amzn.to/1tVdq2y
A VERY FRENCH AFFAIR,Edgy romantic drama.Set on the south coast of France. http://amzn.to/17taQH1
CHILDHUNT #5 Diana Rivers Series. Psychological Suspense Thriller, set in Cyprus. http://amzn.to/1AX02Mg
ON DEVIL'S BRAE #1 in the Dark Minds Series, set in Scotland: Psychological Suspense Thriller http://amzn.to/14FJqMY
ON CHRISTMAS HILL A Seasonal Romance in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2LJn0
A DEADLY LEARNING,The 6th #Diana Rivers Mystery suspense, set in Portugal. http://amzn.to/1y0q6GU
A VERY ENGLISH AFFAIR - Edgy romantic drama, set in England. http://amzn.to/14FJfRQ
BEHIND A TWISTED SMILE - #2 Dark Minds Psychological Thriller, set in England. http://amzn.to/1AWYEcy
NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS - Edgy romantic drama in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2Lpog
THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series. Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO
A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR Taut romantic drama, set in England and Australia. http://amzn.to/2hqySYN
NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G
I'm always glad to talk to readers & answer questions...contact me:
Please follow on Facebook on page, www.facebook.com/FaithMortimer.Author
Twitter @FaithMortimer
Website,
http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com
Happy reading and thanks for dropping by!x
ALL BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK & EBOOK FORM:
NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G
A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR #5 book in the Very Affair series (all standalone). Set in England and Australia. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Distant...
THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Mind Psychological Thriller Series. Is NOW published!! Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO
THE ASSASSINS' VILLAGE,#1 Diana Rivers Series Murder mystery set in Cyprus. This novel was chosen by Harper Collins/Authonomy to be the Number 1 book. ttp://amzn.to/1DJ0s8r
CHILDREN OF THE PLANTATION,#2 Diana Rivers Series, murder mystery, set in Malaysia during the 1950s & the present. http://amzn.to/1AX0NVA
THE SURGEON'S BLADE,#3 Diana Rivers Series A tense psychological thriller set in England. http://amzn.to/1IAgrX8
THE BAMBOO MIRROR. An eclectic collection of short stories, covering ghosts, murder, mystery, romance and greed. http://amzn.to/1xOEeB1
THE SEEDS OF TIME BOOK 1 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action. http://amzn.to/1AFLC43
HARVEST BOOK 2 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action http://amzn.to/1shmqhs
CAMERA ACTION...MURDER! #4 Diana Rivers Series Mystery/suspense. Set in England. http://amzn.to/1tVdq2y
A VERY FRENCH AFFAIR,Edgy romantic drama.Set on the south coast of France. http://amzn.to/17taQH1
CHILDHUNT #5 Diana Rivers Series. Psychological Suspense Thriller, set in Cyprus. http://amzn.to/1AX02Mg
ON DEVIL'S BRAE #1 in the Dark Minds Series, set in Scotland: Psychological Suspense Thriller http://amzn.to/14FJqMY
ON CHRISTMAS HILL A Seasonal Romance in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2LJn0
A DEADLY LEARNING,The 6th #Diana Rivers Mystery suspense, set in Portugal. http://amzn.to/1y0q6GU
A VERY ENGLISH AFFAIR - Edgy romantic drama, set in England. http://amzn.to/14FJfRQ
BEHIND A TWISTED SMILE - #2 Dark Minds Psychological Thriller, set in England. http://amzn.to/1AWYEcy
NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS - Edgy romantic drama in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2Lpog
THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series. Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO
A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR Taut romantic drama, set in England and Australia. http://amzn.to/2hqySYN
NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G
I'm always glad to talk to readers & answer questions...contact me:
Please follow on Facebook on page, www.facebook.com/FaithMortimer.Author
Twitter @FaithMortimer
Website,
http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com
Happy reading and thanks for dropping by!x
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 31, 2013
Faith Mortimer's Childhunt is the fifth installment in the Diana Rivers Psychological Thriller series. Written from third person point of view with an omniscient narrator, Childhunt tackles one of a parent's worst nightmares: the kidnapping of a woman's two young children by a pedophile. The nightmare for the mother is compounded because her first two children were kidnapped and murdered several years before this story begins, and the mother was charged and later acquitted on murder charges.
Childhunt is fast-paced; indeed, I read it in two days. The author deftly drops a nuanced run of clues in the tradition of the standard crime/mystery story. Amateur writer-sleuth Diana Rivers and her gang of supporting characters unravels the clues at a reasonable clip. Joining Rivers in her efforts to find the missing children before they suffer a tragic demise is a psychic, a Superintendent from the big city, a gang of runner-walkers, and the typically unpleasant local police force.
Like most psychological thrillers, Childhunt kept me on the edge of my seat. This was one of those books that I skipped ahead to the ending about halfway into reading, because I couldn't stand the suspense of not knowing if the children were going to survive their ordeal. I think I should note that I found the plot itself quite distressing, which is undoubtedly as intended by Mortimer.
The characters are for the most part well drawn and distinct. The dialogue, however, lacked differentiation. Each character sounds pretty much alike in tone and word choice, except for the children. When they speak, the children sound childlike without the effort by the author to give them a distinct dialect seeming overbearing.
The shifting point of view from one character to the next usually occurs at the properly delineated chapter or scenes breaks. Several times, unfortunately, point of view shifts mid scene and this sometimes breaks the story's flow. The perpetrator's voice is creepy, discomfiting and icky, which is exactly as a pedophile should sound.
After careful reflection, I give Childhunt a solid four stars. It's a well-managed, fast-paced psychological thriller with likable main characters, a horrid but believable antagonist, and good pacing throughout.
Review by E.L. Farris, AIA-approved reviewer. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews, please see http://elfarris.com.
Childhunt is fast-paced; indeed, I read it in two days. The author deftly drops a nuanced run of clues in the tradition of the standard crime/mystery story. Amateur writer-sleuth Diana Rivers and her gang of supporting characters unravels the clues at a reasonable clip. Joining Rivers in her efforts to find the missing children before they suffer a tragic demise is a psychic, a Superintendent from the big city, a gang of runner-walkers, and the typically unpleasant local police force.
Like most psychological thrillers, Childhunt kept me on the edge of my seat. This was one of those books that I skipped ahead to the ending about halfway into reading, because I couldn't stand the suspense of not knowing if the children were going to survive their ordeal. I think I should note that I found the plot itself quite distressing, which is undoubtedly as intended by Mortimer.
The characters are for the most part well drawn and distinct. The dialogue, however, lacked differentiation. Each character sounds pretty much alike in tone and word choice, except for the children. When they speak, the children sound childlike without the effort by the author to give them a distinct dialect seeming overbearing.
The shifting point of view from one character to the next usually occurs at the properly delineated chapter or scenes breaks. Several times, unfortunately, point of view shifts mid scene and this sometimes breaks the story's flow. The perpetrator's voice is creepy, discomfiting and icky, which is exactly as a pedophile should sound.
After careful reflection, I give Childhunt a solid four stars. It's a well-managed, fast-paced psychological thriller with likable main characters, a horrid but believable antagonist, and good pacing throughout.
Review by E.L. Farris, AIA-approved reviewer. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews, please see http://elfarris.com.
June 24, 2013
Review of Childhunt
Written by Faith Mortimer
Reviewed by R. Murry
The crime is perpetrated by a man from the past at the beginning of this suspenseful novel. Yes, the novel is about an abduction of two children. However, it is much more thrilling than one might expect when knowing who and where the deranged perpetrator is.
Historical background of the children’s mother is suspect; the frustration of dealing with the local police is disturbing; a clairvoyant unravels some truths; and Diana Rivers puts her skill as an investigator to work. These actions are chilling to the point that one does not suspect what might be around the next corner.
No detail is left out of Ms. Mortimer’s novel. The characters and the local in Cyprus we know from reading other books in the series, but this novel stands on its own. New characters are developed well to support and enhance this finely tuned additional adventure of writer, part time sleuth, Diana Rivers.
Tensions rise and fall throughout, psychologically speaking. Mother’s grief and her being suspect involves the reader to feel deep emotions for what she is going through. The children’s plight at the hands of a hideous man keeps the reader involved. The fact that the weather and the limited intelligent police force are hindering the search for the children leads to concern.
All the above and more is a good reason to read Faith Helen Mortimer’s novel Childhunt. I hope she does not let Diana Rivers fade away. If Ms. Mortimer does, we are grateful for her short reign as the sleuth on Cyprus.
Written by Faith Mortimer
Reviewed by R. Murry
The crime is perpetrated by a man from the past at the beginning of this suspenseful novel. Yes, the novel is about an abduction of two children. However, it is much more thrilling than one might expect when knowing who and where the deranged perpetrator is.
Historical background of the children’s mother is suspect; the frustration of dealing with the local police is disturbing; a clairvoyant unravels some truths; and Diana Rivers puts her skill as an investigator to work. These actions are chilling to the point that one does not suspect what might be around the next corner.
No detail is left out of Ms. Mortimer’s novel. The characters and the local in Cyprus we know from reading other books in the series, but this novel stands on its own. New characters are developed well to support and enhance this finely tuned additional adventure of writer, part time sleuth, Diana Rivers.
Tensions rise and fall throughout, psychologically speaking. Mother’s grief and her being suspect involves the reader to feel deep emotions for what she is going through. The children’s plight at the hands of a hideous man keeps the reader involved. The fact that the weather and the limited intelligent police force are hindering the search for the children leads to concern.
All the above and more is a good reason to read Faith Helen Mortimer’s novel Childhunt. I hope she does not let Diana Rivers fade away. If Ms. Mortimer does, we are grateful for her short reign as the sleuth on Cyprus.
April 19, 2013
Poor Diana Rivers, our amateur sleuth extraordinaire; Faith doesn’t allow her to lead an uneventful life for very long!
In this story, she finds herself in danger once again, in pursuit of a heinous criminal. And I think this is Faith’s finest Diana Rivers’ mystery yet. It’s compelling, fast-paced and gritty.
Christmas is approaching, and Agios Mamas, in Cyprus, is having some unusually cold and snowy weather. Diana, her husband, Steve, and their toddler daughter are looking forward to bringing an English flavour to the village festivities. When her quiet and reserved neighbours’ young children go missing, secrets, fears and tragedies are revealed, and the hunt is on for two small children lost in cold, inclement weather. They have to be found before the elements overcome them, or worse, their abductor carries out his plans for them.
Faith paints a perfect, suspenseful and chilling scene: her in-depth knowledge of Cyprus, its weather, its customs and its people authenticates the setting of her latest novel. With her usual flair, she uses what she knows best to dramatic effect; the tension and suspense will have you reading this book in one sitting and certainly hoping that Faith doesn’t give Diana too long a rest before she’s solving yet another murder!
In this story, she finds herself in danger once again, in pursuit of a heinous criminal. And I think this is Faith’s finest Diana Rivers’ mystery yet. It’s compelling, fast-paced and gritty.
Christmas is approaching, and Agios Mamas, in Cyprus, is having some unusually cold and snowy weather. Diana, her husband, Steve, and their toddler daughter are looking forward to bringing an English flavour to the village festivities. When her quiet and reserved neighbours’ young children go missing, secrets, fears and tragedies are revealed, and the hunt is on for two small children lost in cold, inclement weather. They have to be found before the elements overcome them, or worse, their abductor carries out his plans for them.
Faith paints a perfect, suspenseful and chilling scene: her in-depth knowledge of Cyprus, its weather, its customs and its people authenticates the setting of her latest novel. With her usual flair, she uses what she knows best to dramatic effect; the tension and suspense will have you reading this book in one sitting and certainly hoping that Faith doesn’t give Diana too long a rest before she’s solving yet another murder!
May 23, 2015
4.4. stars
This book does not take Diana and her husband Steve away from their home in Agios Mamas, Cyprus. Instead, her friend Clare and former lover Adam come to Cyprus as promised when the last met in Cheltenham. Two small children vanish from the neighbourhood, triggering Diana's inner sleuth. As a reader, I automatically tried to solve this strange case and enjoyed it - despite the shocking topic!
With Childhunt, Faith Mortimer has once again created a thrilling suspense story with local flair. The story comprises a broad variety of believable characters with sufficient depth, nicely woven situations and interesting interactions to solve the vanishing of two children and a previous hideous crime. I had a great time reading Childhunt - it is a very intriguing read with a story you don't easily forget. I was drawn into the story right away, thrilled to solve the mystery alongside Diana. This is for you if you like female sleuths, crime writers, suspense with twists and local flair.
A suspenseful book and/or series to read again. I'm eagerly waiting for the opportunity to read the instalments I haven't read, yet.
Highly recommended.
This book does not take Diana and her husband Steve away from their home in Agios Mamas, Cyprus. Instead, her friend Clare and former lover Adam come to Cyprus as promised when the last met in Cheltenham. Two small children vanish from the neighbourhood, triggering Diana's inner sleuth. As a reader, I automatically tried to solve this strange case and enjoyed it - despite the shocking topic!
With Childhunt, Faith Mortimer has once again created a thrilling suspense story with local flair. The story comprises a broad variety of believable characters with sufficient depth, nicely woven situations and interesting interactions to solve the vanishing of two children and a previous hideous crime. I had a great time reading Childhunt - it is a very intriguing read with a story you don't easily forget. I was drawn into the story right away, thrilled to solve the mystery alongside Diana. This is for you if you like female sleuths, crime writers, suspense with twists and local flair.
A suspenseful book and/or series to read again. I'm eagerly waiting for the opportunity to read the instalments I haven't read, yet.
Highly recommended.
May 26, 2015
First, I would love to thank Faith Mortimer and Rosie Amber for providing me this book to review.
Faith Mortimer’s Childhunt put me in a trance where I could not stop reading this book until I knew what happened to little Charlie and Hannah. This book was filled with all sorts of twists and turns, mystery, suspense, accidents, stalkers, killers, pedophiles, abductions, gypsies, and hypnotism.
Childhunt was extremely well written. Faith’s attention to details made the story more vivid to the readers.
Philip was a sick, twisted, evil, selfless, creepy, pedophile of a man. I absolutely hated his character with every fiber of my being.
Charlie and Hannah pulled on my heart strings when they were around Mummy. They were so excited that Christmas was coming. I loved how cute Hannah was when she lisped.
Debbie’s story of her past really kept me on my toes. The same time it saddened me to learn of all her heartbreak. Claire was the one that helped guide her through her discovery.
This book would make such an amazing movie-that I would totally go see.
Faith Mortimer’s Childhunt put me in a trance where I could not stop reading this book until I knew what happened to little Charlie and Hannah. This book was filled with all sorts of twists and turns, mystery, suspense, accidents, stalkers, killers, pedophiles, abductions, gypsies, and hypnotism.
Childhunt was extremely well written. Faith’s attention to details made the story more vivid to the readers.
Philip was a sick, twisted, evil, selfless, creepy, pedophile of a man. I absolutely hated his character with every fiber of my being.
Charlie and Hannah pulled on my heart strings when they were around Mummy. They were so excited that Christmas was coming. I loved how cute Hannah was when she lisped.
Debbie’s story of her past really kept me on my toes. The same time it saddened me to learn of all her heartbreak. Claire was the one that helped guide her through her discovery.
This book would make such an amazing movie-that I would totally go see.
June 6, 2015
I love all of the Diana River series but have got to say that Childhunt which is the fifth book is definitely my personal favourite so far.
In this book ex pat Diana is back in Cyprus and getting ready for a lovely Christmas at home. Obviously in Diana's world things are never peaceful for long.
Neighbours William and Debbie are a couple who like to keep themselves to themselves due to Debbie's awful past, but when their two children, Charlie and Hannah go missing, Debbie's past is very much in the limelight and the couple need to rely on the help of their good neighbours and their friends to help them get their children back before it's to late.
I don't know if it's due to the story line but Childhunt was a very chilling read and was quite fast paced. I love Diana and her ever loving husband Steve and was great to see a couple of characters from the previous book. The friendship between Clare and Diana was great to read and it made Diana more easier to relate to in her thoughts and feelings.
Another great book in the series and looking forward to the next one.
In this book ex pat Diana is back in Cyprus and getting ready for a lovely Christmas at home. Obviously in Diana's world things are never peaceful for long.
Neighbours William and Debbie are a couple who like to keep themselves to themselves due to Debbie's awful past, but when their two children, Charlie and Hannah go missing, Debbie's past is very much in the limelight and the couple need to rely on the help of their good neighbours and their friends to help them get their children back before it's to late.
I don't know if it's due to the story line but Childhunt was a very chilling read and was quite fast paced. I love Diana and her ever loving husband Steve and was great to see a couple of characters from the previous book. The friendship between Clare and Diana was great to read and it made Diana more easier to relate to in her thoughts and feelings.
Another great book in the series and looking forward to the next one.
June 23, 2014
CHILDHUNT is the fifth in the Diana Rivers series and a chilling tale of a woman once accused of killing her own children. She now is remarried, has two more children and history seems set to repeat itself as those two go missing. Diana is at the centre of the race against time to find the children before they died from cold frigid temperatures of the Cyprus winter. Can Diana put the clues together and work out whether or not the mother is responsible for the deaths of her first two children? It's a haunting tale, well written and crafted and will leave you desperate to find the children alive as if you were there yourself! Another excellent book from Faith Mortimer!
May 19, 2013
This is the first book in the Diana Rivers series that I've read. However, it stood alone and was an enjoyable read. The twists and wonderful character development kept me reading well past my bedtime. Actually, this was the first Faith Mortimer book that I've read, but it won't be the last.
December 27, 2014
Terrible writing and editing. I found multiple spelling and grammar errors. Very predictable ending. The characters were all awful. Especially whiny, weak Debby. How this got such good ratings I will never understand. Just plain bad.
August 20, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include CHILDHUNT (THE DIANA RIVERS MYSTERIES #5) by FAITH MORTIMER in the library of Awesome Indies'
Badge of Approval
recipients.
AIBA Book of the Day: 29 July, 2021: 355/41530
AIBA Book of the Day: 29 July, 2021: 355/41530
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews