What do you think?
Rate this book
My Darling Boy
The perfect night. I had been so excited for our big New Year's Eve party. Hosting with my best friend Alice and our two beautiful boys - my Leo and her Robbie, who had grown up together like brothers. A shocking death. But then I heard the terrible crash. I remember the flashing lights of the ambulance and how everyone then turned on Leo. Saying that Robbie was dead because of my son. Who is to blame?The boys had argued, but Leo still won't tell me why. I know he's keeping a secret from me. I need to find out the truth, need to clear the name of my darling boy before something terrible happens to him, too. But I also need to make sure no one finds out the truth about me...
Praise for Helen 'An absolute must-read for all thriller I LOVED it!' Sarah Bonner'Will have you salivating for more' Mira V Shah'Unrelenting tension' KL Slater'Smart writing . . . so clever, so engaging' L.V. Matthews'Gripping, teasing, intricately plotted' Cath Weeks
Praise for Helen 'An absolute must-read for all thriller I LOVED it!' Sarah Bonner'Will have you salivating for more' Mira V Shah'Unrelenting tension' KL Slater'Smart writing . . . so clever, so engaging' L.V. Matthews'Gripping, teasing, intricately plotted' Cath Weeks
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2024
191 people are currently reading
1083 people want to read
About the author
Helen Cooper
63 books29 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
Helen Cooper - Children's Books
Helen Cooper - Thriller
Helen Cooper - Contemporary Romance
Helen Cooper -
Medieval and Renaissance English
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
Helen Cooper - Children's Books
Helen Cooper - Thriller
Helen Cooper - Contemporary Romance
Helen Cooper -
Medieval and Renaissance English
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
January 30, 2025
I swear that every book Helen Cooper writes just gets better and better. This time around, My Darling Boy was a delicious combination of fractured friendships and long-buried secrets. From the well-crafted multiple POVs to the handful of timelines that filled in this group’s sometimes dark past, the storyline was more than just well-plotted, it was darn close to perfection in this reader’s eyes. After all, the foreboding and tension seemed to ratchet higher and higher right along with the page count until the palpably explosive showdown of a climax came onto the scene.
While the plot was utterly sublime, the characters rounded it out to make it all that it was. With two devastated moms and a mysterious stranger taking center stage, I could feel in my bones that there were lies upon lies as my suspicions were raised about nearly all that were involved. Despite putting on my armchair-sleuthing hat, however, I only sniffed out a few before each one was deftly revealed. And let me tell you, I have quite the background in guessing jaw-dropping twists, so the fact that I didn’t get the biggest one of them all? Well, that was beyond huge—it was a hairpin twist all on its own.
All said and done, with a fast-paced plot, true-to-life characters, and gossipy small town feel, there wasn’t much missing from this unputdownable psychological thriller. And while I’m not a mother myself, I can easily understand the feelings at play within this neatly interwoven storyline, which all led to a wholly realistic set of dynamics between friends, families, and neighbors. So if you’re looking for your next smartly plotted thriller that’s sure to keep you enthralled, grab this cunning, compelling, well-developed novel as it’s undeniably a masterclass in suspense. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice were once best friends. So were their sons, Leo and Robbie. Until the night Leo killed Robbie with a single, devastating punch—or was it a push? Now Leo has gone to prison, Chrissy has lost her pub, and Alice has been pouring her anger into a twisted project…
As Leo’s parole date approaches, the villagers are incensed and fearful about the prospect of his return. But when Chrissy arrives to collect Leo from prison, he isn’t there. The staff tell her he has already been released, but nobody knows where he’s gone.
As the village closes ranks, Chrissy realizes her former friends are suspects in her son’s disappearance, not the least of which is still-bitter Alice. Is Leo being punished for what happened that terrible night? Or do the answers lie further back, in a dark past none of them wants to revisit?
Thank you to Helen Cooper and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024 (out now)
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: loss of a child, missing person, gaslighting, suicide, mention of: infidelity, domestic violence
While the plot was utterly sublime, the characters rounded it out to make it all that it was. With two devastated moms and a mysterious stranger taking center stage, I could feel in my bones that there were lies upon lies as my suspicions were raised about nearly all that were involved. Despite putting on my armchair-sleuthing hat, however, I only sniffed out a few before each one was deftly revealed. And let me tell you, I have quite the background in guessing jaw-dropping twists, so the fact that I didn’t get the biggest one of them all? Well, that was beyond huge—it was a hairpin twist all on its own.
All said and done, with a fast-paced plot, true-to-life characters, and gossipy small town feel, there wasn’t much missing from this unputdownable psychological thriller. And while I’m not a mother myself, I can easily understand the feelings at play within this neatly interwoven storyline, which all led to a wholly realistic set of dynamics between friends, families, and neighbors. So if you’re looking for your next smartly plotted thriller that’s sure to keep you enthralled, grab this cunning, compelling, well-developed novel as it’s undeniably a masterclass in suspense. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice were once best friends. So were their sons, Leo and Robbie. Until the night Leo killed Robbie with a single, devastating punch—or was it a push? Now Leo has gone to prison, Chrissy has lost her pub, and Alice has been pouring her anger into a twisted project…
As Leo’s parole date approaches, the villagers are incensed and fearful about the prospect of his return. But when Chrissy arrives to collect Leo from prison, he isn’t there. The staff tell her he has already been released, but nobody knows where he’s gone.
As the village closes ranks, Chrissy realizes her former friends are suspects in her son’s disappearance, not the least of which is still-bitter Alice. Is Leo being punished for what happened that terrible night? Or do the answers lie further back, in a dark past none of them wants to revisit?
Thank you to Helen Cooper and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024 (out now)
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: loss of a child, missing person, gaslighting, suicide, mention of: infidelity, domestic violence
October 5, 2024
DNF.
For someone who has insomnia, "like me!"
This story just kept putting me to sleep.
Hell, I may just keep it on my Kindle, throw away my sleep meds and use this book as my new sleeping medicine!
For someone who has insomnia, "like me!"
This story just kept putting me to sleep.
Hell, I may just keep it on my Kindle, throw away my sleep meds and use this book as my new sleeping medicine!
October 16, 2024
After reading "The Couple in the Photo," I was eager to dive into "My Darling Boy." Helen Cooper captivated me from the start and held my attention to the very unsettling end. Alice and Chrissy, best friends, share a bond through their sons Robbie and Leo. However, during their New Year's Eve party, tragedy strikes when Alice's son Robbie is killed by Leo. As Chrissy grapples with Robbie's death, she resolves to defend Leo in a community that has ostracized them both. When Leo disappears after his release from prison, Chrissy is compelled to uncover the reason behind the fatal incident and rescue her son before time runs out. Yet, with each uncovered layer, more secrets are revealed, casting doubt on Chrissy's own history. As a parent, this narrative deeply affected me, keeping me riveted as I attempted to piece together the mystery. This is a book that's hard to put down.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 4, 2024
My Darling Boy is Helen Cooper’s latest thriller and her best to date in my opinion. Best friends Robbie and Leo have a fight and we follow what happens till the very end of the book. Lots of secrets and lies come out and it kept me guessing from page 1. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my own opinions. I can’t wait to read her next book.
August 8, 2024
Some expected twists some unexpected. Wanted an explosive ending but was not given.
Spoiler Alert
Was not keen to read the flimsy reason of a taunt being the motive for murder. Neither did I like what the locket of the necklace symbolized. The ending was weirdly rushed. The friendship between the boys or their mothers didn't get the depth it should have received to show me nuances of relationships
The book could have been so much better. Potential of a great psychological thriller lost.
Let me get to next book
Spoiler Alert
Was not keen to read the flimsy reason of a taunt being the motive for murder. Neither did I like what the locket of the necklace symbolized. The ending was weirdly rushed. The friendship between the boys or their mothers didn't get the depth it should have received to show me nuances of relationships
The book could have been so much better. Potential of a great psychological thriller lost.
Let me get to next book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2024
I just could not get into this book. I tried so hard, but it was just so boring. I kept finding other things that I had to do instead of read this because I just didn't want to (I literally convinced myself to organize my bathroom closet last night).
It kind of felt like nothing was happening throughout the entire book, even though quite a few things were going on. I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words; all I can really say is that I was bored from beginning to end.
I thought maybe it would pick up after a while, but it never really did. Even after the ending it feels like "...that's it?". Nothing ever really shocked me and I figured out what had happened very early on.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC.
It kind of felt like nothing was happening throughout the entire book, even though quite a few things were going on. I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words; all I can really say is that I was bored from beginning to end.
I thought maybe it would pick up after a while, but it never really did. Even after the ending it feels like "...that's it?". Nothing ever really shocked me and I figured out what had happened very early on.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC.
October 23, 2024
Genre: Psychological Suspense
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Pub. Date: Dec 03, 2024
In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice are two blue-collar best friends working at the bar that Chrissy owns. Their teenage sons, Leo and Robbie, are also best friends. One night, a single punch from Leo kills Robbie. Leo is sent to prison for manslaughter. Now, the women are bitter enemies. As the novel progresses, secrets surface, and the book transforms into a soap opera. There is one twist that surprised me. Still, I felt like I was reading a scene from “The Young and the Restless.” It was an okay read that got me through a night of insomnia. You may enjoy “My Darling Boy” more than I did.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list…
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/review…
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr…
https://www.amazon.com/
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Pub. Date: Dec 03, 2024
In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice are two blue-collar best friends working at the bar that Chrissy owns. Their teenage sons, Leo and Robbie, are also best friends. One night, a single punch from Leo kills Robbie. Leo is sent to prison for manslaughter. Now, the women are bitter enemies. As the novel progresses, secrets surface, and the book transforms into a soap opera. There is one twist that surprised me. Still, I felt like I was reading a scene from “The Young and the Restless.” It was an okay read that got me through a night of insomnia. You may enjoy “My Darling Boy” more than I did.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list…
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/review…
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr…
https://www.amazon.com/
Read
November 29, 2024Giving up on this one. I just couldn't find myself getting into it. I don't think British domestic thrillers are for me for the most part and this was no exception. People who do like them though may enjoy it far more. DNF at 30%. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a chance to listen to a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 13, 2024
Firstly thankyou for this ARC NetGalley! 😍
This was a quick paced, exciting dark thriller. I didn’t expect any of the twists and turns and trust me there’s lots throughout. I didn’t want to put this book down and I was actually sad I had to last night so I could sleep to be able to parent 😂 I think there maybe could have been more story telling of the past and Chrissy + Alice’s relationship. I would have loved to know them and their friendship a bit more. But a very good read and highly recommend!
This was a quick paced, exciting dark thriller. I didn’t expect any of the twists and turns and trust me there’s lots throughout. I didn’t want to put this book down and I was actually sad I had to last night so I could sleep to be able to parent 😂 I think there maybe could have been more story telling of the past and Chrissy + Alice’s relationship. I would have loved to know them and their friendship a bit more. But a very good read and highly recommend!
June 15, 2024
Chrissy and Alice have been best friends for decades. Naturally, their sons Robbie and Leo became best friends as well. When twenty-something-year-old Leo accidentally kills Robbie in a bar fight, he is sent to prison for manslaughter. This is where the book began... It's been 2 years since the murder and Leo is released early for good behavior. Chrissy, Leo's mother, anxiously waits for him outside the prison gates but it seems he left without her. He never makes it home. Where did Leo go? Did he take off willingly or was he forced? Why did Leo kill Robbie in the first place? Who is the newest addition to the village and why is she inserting herself in the middle of everyone's business? What secrets are the villagers hiding?
This was a perfectly fine thriller. It was an easy read and had decent pacing, but overall... it just wasn't memorable. At some point, I caught myself thinking, "for a book that has so much going on, I'm awfully bored." The ending was predictable and I guessed every twist before they happened. I enjoyed the plot, however, and (despite the predictability) I liked how cleanly things wrapped up in the end. I also appreciated the development that went into the main characters; Chrissy and Alice's friendship, especially, was very well written.
Overall, this was an "okay" 3-star-read.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a perfectly fine thriller. It was an easy read and had decent pacing, but overall... it just wasn't memorable. At some point, I caught myself thinking, "for a book that has so much going on, I'm awfully bored." The ending was predictable and I guessed every twist before they happened. I enjoyed the plot, however, and (despite the predictability) I liked how cleanly things wrapped up in the end. I also appreciated the development that went into the main characters; Chrissy and Alice's friendship, especially, was very well written.
Overall, this was an "okay" 3-star-read.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2024
This was an okay thriller, nothing memorable though. It kept my attention enough, but it felt like it took a long time to read. I wasn’t reaching for my kindle constantly to finish it.
Chrissy and Alice are BFF’s, so naturally their sons, Robbie and Leo also became besties. One night, Leo pushed Robbie and Robbie ended up dying. Leo was incarcerated. On his release date, his mom goes to pick him up, only to find out he was released early. No one can find him, he hasn’t reported to his PO. Where did he go? Why did he kill Robbie? Who is the newest woman in the village who seems to insert herself into Chrissy and Alice’s life? What is the connection?
Chrissy and Alice are BFF’s, so naturally their sons, Robbie and Leo also became besties. One night, Leo pushed Robbie and Robbie ended up dying. Leo was incarcerated. On his release date, his mom goes to pick him up, only to find out he was released early. No one can find him, he hasn’t reported to his PO. Where did he go? Why did he kill Robbie? Who is the newest woman in the village who seems to insert herself into Chrissy and Alice’s life? What is the connection?
April 27, 2025
Masterully plotted! My Darling Boy was a well written, fast paced story that gradually unearthed long held secrets and lies. This was my first read by Helen Cooper and it was an enjoyable one.
Cooper wrote about two former best friends, Chrissy and Alice whose sons were also friends. One night Leo killed Robbie and Leo went to prison. Once he was released, Leo went missing and Chrissy realized her former friends were suspects in her son’s disappearance.
My Darling Boy was told from contrasting viewpoints which offered enticing misdirection. Cooper wove an extremely tangled web, but all was resolved in a precarious confrontation. This thriller was a novel of deceptions, secrecy, hurt, betrayal, loss, and forgiveness.
My only complaint was the abundance of dialogue. Luckily, the ending made up for the tedious narration and was very satisfying. It gave me a sense of hope. I would recommend this to those that like stories driven by family drama, an abundance of dialogue, unpredictable twists, and complex female protagonists.
Cooper wrote about two former best friends, Chrissy and Alice whose sons were also friends. One night Leo killed Robbie and Leo went to prison. Once he was released, Leo went missing and Chrissy realized her former friends were suspects in her son’s disappearance.
My Darling Boy was told from contrasting viewpoints which offered enticing misdirection. Cooper wove an extremely tangled web, but all was resolved in a precarious confrontation. This thriller was a novel of deceptions, secrecy, hurt, betrayal, loss, and forgiveness.
My only complaint was the abundance of dialogue. Luckily, the ending made up for the tedious narration and was very satisfying. It gave me a sense of hope. I would recommend this to those that like stories driven by family drama, an abundance of dialogue, unpredictable twists, and complex female protagonists.
November 18, 2024
This is my fourth Helen Cooper thriller. By now, I have very high expectations of her work, and so far she hasn't disappointed me.
Best friends Alice and Chrissy live in a tiny Derbyshire village. Chrissy owns the village pub. They both have sons who are very close in age, who have grown up together and are also the best of friends. Until they aren't...
Leo, Chrissy's son, is in prison for murdering Robbie, Alice's son. The two women haven't had any contact for the two years since the tragic killing. Chrissy has since moved out of the pub. Her life has been miserable since Leo's been in prison. She has lost her son, her pub, and her best friend. Also, she has been receiving nasty notes suggesting she leave the village where she and her son are no longer welcome.
Finally, the day has arrived that Leo will be released from prison. When Chrissy goes to pick him up she learns that Leo was released before she got there. Leo is missing! The hunt is on, and the police are once again in the village...
Running throughout the novel is the mystery of why Leo and Robbie were fighting that fateful New Year's Eve in the pub. What led Leo to kill his best friend?
Georgie, who has recently moved to the village, embeds herself in Chrissy and Alice's family drama. She has led a consortium to purchase the Raven pub. What is her story? She seems heavily invested in Chrissy' s family history. Why?
This novel of family secrets shows clearly that the truth always will come to light eventually. In this case, the secrets span two generations.
Family, friends, neighbours. Who can be depended on, who will betray you? How far would you go to protect those whom you love?
This thriller is a novel of deceptions, secrecy, hurt, betrayal, loss, and forgiveness. The ending was very satisfying, giving the reader a sense of hope. A gripping read.
The only part of the novel that I feel let it down was the cover. Though very eye-catching, it led the reader to believe that the book was about a young child, rather than a young man.
Highly recommended to those readers who enjoy intelligently plotted thrillers.
Best friends Alice and Chrissy live in a tiny Derbyshire village. Chrissy owns the village pub. They both have sons who are very close in age, who have grown up together and are also the best of friends. Until they aren't...
Leo, Chrissy's son, is in prison for murdering Robbie, Alice's son. The two women haven't had any contact for the two years since the tragic killing. Chrissy has since moved out of the pub. Her life has been miserable since Leo's been in prison. She has lost her son, her pub, and her best friend. Also, she has been receiving nasty notes suggesting she leave the village where she and her son are no longer welcome.
Finally, the day has arrived that Leo will be released from prison. When Chrissy goes to pick him up she learns that Leo was released before she got there. Leo is missing! The hunt is on, and the police are once again in the village...
Running throughout the novel is the mystery of why Leo and Robbie were fighting that fateful New Year's Eve in the pub. What led Leo to kill his best friend?
Georgie, who has recently moved to the village, embeds herself in Chrissy and Alice's family drama. She has led a consortium to purchase the Raven pub. What is her story? She seems heavily invested in Chrissy' s family history. Why?
This novel of family secrets shows clearly that the truth always will come to light eventually. In this case, the secrets span two generations.
Family, friends, neighbours. Who can be depended on, who will betray you? How far would you go to protect those whom you love?
This thriller is a novel of deceptions, secrecy, hurt, betrayal, loss, and forgiveness. The ending was very satisfying, giving the reader a sense of hope. A gripping read.
The only part of the novel that I feel let it down was the cover. Though very eye-catching, it led the reader to believe that the book was about a young child, rather than a young man.
Highly recommended to those readers who enjoy intelligently plotted thrillers.
February 23, 2025
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. This book had a whole lot of moving parts and pieces at all times that made my head spin! I never quite knew where it would end up but could follow along easily enough. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and how it jumped back and forth from the past to present. I would recommend if you like psychological thrillers with endings you’ll have trouble being able to figure out!
I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. This book had a whole lot of moving parts and pieces at all times that made my head spin! I never quite knew where it would end up but could follow along easily enough. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and how it jumped back and forth from the past to present. I would recommend if you like psychological thrillers with endings you’ll have trouble being able to figure out!
October 7, 2024
This book kept me on my toes and made me so curious about these characters and their pasts!
Alice and Chrissy were the best of friends, just like their sons Robbie and Leo. During a party, Chrissy and Alice take a moment away for some quiet. Little do they know, this is the last moment before everything changes. Before Leo is accused of murdering Robbie. But what really happened?
This thriller will keep your interest through every page. I enjoyed the multiple POV as well as the time jumps and pacing. I would definitely recommend the read!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Alice and Chrissy were the best of friends, just like their sons Robbie and Leo. During a party, Chrissy and Alice take a moment away for some quiet. Little do they know, this is the last moment before everything changes. Before Leo is accused of murdering Robbie. But what really happened?
This thriller will keep your interest through every page. I enjoyed the multiple POV as well as the time jumps and pacing. I would definitely recommend the read!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
March 12, 2025
Two best friends (Chrissie and Alice) have sons who are also best friends (Leo and Robbie). In an unfortunate fight, Leo accidentally kills Robbie, pitting Robbie’s mom, Alice, against her bestie, Chrissie. After 2 years in prison, Chrissie goes to pick up Leo on his release, but Leo is no where to be found. As the search for Leo ensues, the secrets of the village of Comeley are coming home to roost! A fast-paced (and quick) read, told from 4 points of view, from varying times, it’s also a story of friendship and loyalty and tests of their limits.
May 16, 2025
this book had so many reveals that i was not expecting at all and made it so much more fun to read. i love when im taken back by the book im reading! it was heartbreaking the whole way through and really kept me wondering what the truth really was. i almost wish the book kept going for another chapter or 2 just to really wrap it up
February 20, 2025
Couldn’t put it down! Reviewing it on my channel https://youtube.com/@bookreviewswithb...
September 30, 2025
My first read by Helen Cooper but not my last. Oh the secrets that we share and keep until they explode. Did not see the end coming in this thriller which I really like to be surprised.
March 27, 2025
Fast paced and well written. I appreciated how everything wrapped up so tightly.
July 9, 2024
Alice, Chrissy and their two sons used to be the best of friends in their small English village. They'd spend long nights together passing the time at Chrissy's pub, The Raven, watching Robbie and Leo play while shooting the breeze with the locals. But their friendship is ruined one dark New Year's Eve when Robbie kills Leo. When Chrissy goes to pick up Leo on his prison release date, he never shows, sparking panic across the village. Leo's disappearance leads to a number of secrets being revealed, and Chrissy and Alice being forced to face their own troubling past.
I didn't love this book. In the beginning I had a hard time keeping all of the characters and timelines straight. The secrets and lies seemed obvious from the start, and didn't really hold my interest.
Many thank to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.
I didn't love this book. In the beginning I had a hard time keeping all of the characters and timelines straight. The secrets and lies seemed obvious from the start, and didn't really hold my interest.
Many thank to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.
May 26, 2024
A big thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the invitation to read My darling boy by Helen Cooper. This is the third book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed them all. This was no exception.
The premise was very interesting with lots of twists and turns in this psychological thriller which kept the pace up with character development and suspense along the way. A good read and a real page turner.
The premise was very interesting with lots of twists and turns in this psychological thriller which kept the pace up with character development and suspense along the way. A good read and a real page turner.
August 26, 2024
Hmm. I finished this book as I was interested to know how it all tied together even though I had guessed a lot of the twists. But it felt too drawn out and like it could have been finished earlier. I took longer than I normally would as I wasn’t gripped. I think ‘okay’ is a fair word for my personal outtake of this book.
August 20, 2024
On New Year’s Eve, best buds Leo and Robbie get into a fight resulting in Robbie’s death. Leo is convicted of manslaughter, and is about to be paroled after serving only 2 years, and the residents of his small town mount a campaign of harassment to convince his mother to move away. But when Leo is released from prison, he promptly disappears, and the small town secrets come to light. My Darling Boy focuses on the mothers of the two boys involved in the fight, once the closest of friends and now bitter enemies. As the plot evolves however, more and more layers of secrets emerge, and the book takes a turn into soap-opera territory, and it feels like overkill as the reader is teased with so many subplots that it gets frustrating. Eventually all the loose ends come together, and it’s a quick moving, though convoluted book, but definitely worth a read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2024
ARC Book Review
My Darling Boy
A Novel Written By Helen Cooper
Fiction - Psychological Thriller
Published December 2024
352 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have enjoyed both books.
My Darling Boy is a thriller about two women, Alice and Chrissy, who are best friends. Their sons are best friends too. Their friendships are shattered when one son causes the death of the other son. After serving 22 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, Chrissy’s son, Leo, is released. He immediately goes missing.
Did Leo disappear voluntarily? Are the townspeople who have turned against Chrissy and Leo responsible for his disappearance? There are characters in this story who are keeping secrets. Slowly these secrets are revealed. These secrets have consequences which turn deadly.
The plot and the author’s writing kept me interested as the story progressed.
“Whatever happens, they will all be bound, by a tangle of secrets.”
My Darling Boy
A Novel Written By Helen Cooper
Fiction - Psychological Thriller
Published December 2024
352 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have enjoyed both books.
My Darling Boy is a thriller about two women, Alice and Chrissy, who are best friends. Their sons are best friends too. Their friendships are shattered when one son causes the death of the other son. After serving 22 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, Chrissy’s son, Leo, is released. He immediately goes missing.
Did Leo disappear voluntarily? Are the townspeople who have turned against Chrissy and Leo responsible for his disappearance? There are characters in this story who are keeping secrets. Slowly these secrets are revealed. These secrets have consequences which turn deadly.
The plot and the author’s writing kept me interested as the story progressed.
“Whatever happens, they will all be bound, by a tangle of secrets.”
January 12, 2025
My Darling Boy is an emotionally heartbreaking psychological thriller with elements of crime and domestic drama. The story follows former best friends Alice and Chrissy in a tiny Derbyshire village. Chrissy's son, Leo, murdered Alice’s son, Robbie, in a bar fight two years ago and is now being released from prison. Meanwhile, Chrissy has been receiving threatening notes saying she and her son are no longer welcome in the village and must leave. When Chrissy arrives to pick Leo up on his release date, she learns he was released hours earlier and is missing. Soon the police and all the townspeople are aware of Leo’s disappearance, and an unraveling of secrets and lies begins.
The book has a slow-burn start, and the first half of the book introduces the key characters and their backstories and gives hints of a web of complex interconnected relationships. Unfortunately, the direction of the story is quite vague until the halfway point, which may cause some frustration or impatience. Fortunately, the story does come together in the second half with a quicker pace and a number of twists, making for a much more worthwhile read.
The story is told from several different perspectives, including Chrissy, Alice, and some side characters whose relevance to the story becomes pronounced later on. The narrative also toggles back and forth between the present and past timelines, which may be difficult to follow if you’re not paying close attention. The author also includes several cliffhanger chapters followed by timeline shifts that help keep readers engaged. Because of the constant shifting of perspectives and timelines, there isn’t enough room for much character development, save for Chrissy and Alice, who readers spend most time with. Many of the flashback scenes between Chrissy and Alice depict a very different relationship from their current estrangement, reminiscent of a trusting sisterly bond. In the second half, there's some confrontational dialogue between the women that is authentic and heartbreaking and allows readers to empathize with both women. As for their sons, Leo and Robbie, very few details of their fatal fight are provided until the very end, so readers will have to be patient to understand the real dynamics behind the women's grief, blame, and anger.
The story has several jaw-dropping twists in the second half that help connect the dots between seemingly unrelated characters—so be patient. If readers are able to suspend their disbelief at the “convenient” timing of events and the "six degrees of separation" between the characters, the story becomes much more enjoyable. The final twist is quite predictable but also makes way for a thought-provoking conclusion that readers can analyze from both an ethical and family dynamics perspective.
Overall, this is a tension-filled thriller with elements of secrets, betrayals, and family drama. The book also explores meaningful themes of grief, loss, motherhood, tested friendships, and forgiveness, making for a multilayered and emotionally compelling story. Narrator Imogen Church delivers a spectacularly dramatic performance featuring an impressive range of emotion and distinct character voices that brings the story so vividly to life. For this reason, the audiobook is the highly recommended format for enjoying this book. If you enjoy stories with family dynamics, small-town secrets, and multiple perspectives/timelines, then you should give this book high consideration!
The book has a slow-burn start, and the first half of the book introduces the key characters and their backstories and gives hints of a web of complex interconnected relationships. Unfortunately, the direction of the story is quite vague until the halfway point, which may cause some frustration or impatience. Fortunately, the story does come together in the second half with a quicker pace and a number of twists, making for a much more worthwhile read.
The story is told from several different perspectives, including Chrissy, Alice, and some side characters whose relevance to the story becomes pronounced later on. The narrative also toggles back and forth between the present and past timelines, which may be difficult to follow if you’re not paying close attention. The author also includes several cliffhanger chapters followed by timeline shifts that help keep readers engaged. Because of the constant shifting of perspectives and timelines, there isn’t enough room for much character development, save for Chrissy and Alice, who readers spend most time with. Many of the flashback scenes between Chrissy and Alice depict a very different relationship from their current estrangement, reminiscent of a trusting sisterly bond. In the second half, there's some confrontational dialogue between the women that is authentic and heartbreaking and allows readers to empathize with both women. As for their sons, Leo and Robbie, very few details of their fatal fight are provided until the very end, so readers will have to be patient to understand the real dynamics behind the women's grief, blame, and anger.
The story has several jaw-dropping twists in the second half that help connect the dots between seemingly unrelated characters—so be patient. If readers are able to suspend their disbelief at the “convenient” timing of events and the "six degrees of separation" between the characters, the story becomes much more enjoyable. The final twist is quite predictable but also makes way for a thought-provoking conclusion that readers can analyze from both an ethical and family dynamics perspective.
Overall, this is a tension-filled thriller with elements of secrets, betrayals, and family drama. The book also explores meaningful themes of grief, loss, motherhood, tested friendships, and forgiveness, making for a multilayered and emotionally compelling story. Narrator Imogen Church delivers a spectacularly dramatic performance featuring an impressive range of emotion and distinct character voices that brings the story so vividly to life. For this reason, the audiobook is the highly recommended format for enjoying this book. If you enjoy stories with family dynamics, small-town secrets, and multiple perspectives/timelines, then you should give this book high consideration!
September 19, 2024
I was so excited when I saw this new book coming out, after reading The Couple In The Photo, I couldn’t wait to start this one.
I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, the friendship, the secrets, but especially the love between friends and family.
Very interesting and well developed characters in this twisty and fast paced psychological thriller, very entertaining and heart pacing.
I really recommend.
Thank you so much NetGalley, Helen Cooper and Putnam for the ARC.
Coming out 12/03/24
I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, the friendship, the secrets, but especially the love between friends and family.
Very interesting and well developed characters in this twisty and fast paced psychological thriller, very entertaining and heart pacing.
I really recommend.
Thank you so much NetGalley, Helen Cooper and Putnam for the ARC.
Coming out 12/03/24
November 10, 2024
My thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Group, and GP Putnam Sons for allowing me this arc.
Alice and Chrissy are best friends as their sons Robbie and Leo are. Well after a fight Leo kills Robbie. When Leo gets released from prison, his mother goes to pick him up, but he's not there! Where is he?
The premise of where's Leo really appealed to me but then in turned into a soap opera . Wasn't bad, but I wasn't wowed . This was just ok.
Alice and Chrissy are best friends as their sons Robbie and Leo are. Well after a fight Leo kills Robbie. When Leo gets released from prison, his mother goes to pick him up, but he's not there! Where is he?
The premise of where's Leo really appealed to me but then in turned into a soap opera . Wasn't bad, but I wasn't wowed . This was just ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2024
Second book I’ve read by Cooper and it didn’t disappoint. Chrissy and Alice were best friends until a new year’s Eve party blows their world apart leaving one of their sons dead.
But what really happened?. What is really true?. Who is the bad guy?
Twists and turns a plenty.
A gripping read for your sunlounger this summer
But what really happened?. What is really true?. Who is the bad guy?
Twists and turns a plenty.
A gripping read for your sunlounger this summer
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews