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One Child
A 16 chapter sample of the interactive thriller "One Child" by Jeff Buick. Purchase the full eBook available now.
Halima, a small girl in Kandahar, Afghanistan, dreams she changes the world.
U2, the most popular rock band in the world, prepares to take the stage in Moscow.
There is no apparent connection between the two, yet the threads of destiny are pulling them together. And when they collide, people across the globe watch in fascination.
One Child is a reflection of how our world is now, and how it could be. It digs beneath the surface of war-torn Afghanistan through Halima’s eyes. It exposes the cost of greed. It shares the anguish of a young American soldier and the tenacity of a Wall Street MBA who learns that the business world can be an ugly monster.
From the day you meet Halima, to the moment U2 walks onstage, One Child will rock your world.
Halima, a small girl in Kandahar, Afghanistan, dreams she changes the world.
U2, the most popular rock band in the world, prepares to take the stage in Moscow.
There is no apparent connection between the two, yet the threads of destiny are pulling them together. And when they collide, people across the globe watch in fascination.
One Child is a reflection of how our world is now, and how it could be. It digs beneath the surface of war-torn Afghanistan through Halima’s eyes. It exposes the cost of greed. It shares the anguish of a young American soldier and the tenacity of a Wall Street MBA who learns that the business world can be an ugly monster.
From the day you meet Halima, to the moment U2 walks onstage, One Child will rock your world.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2010
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Buick
15 books269 followersWant some authentic crime fiction novels – look no further.
Jeff Buick writes fast paced fiction filled with twists you won’t see coming. Lethal people (the bad guys of course) lurk in Jeff’s Boston crime series, but Curtis Westcott and his team of detectives are ready for any murder mystery that comes at them. The Westcott series is action packed suspense, perfect for readers who love Michael Connelly books, especially the Bosch series. 'A Killing Game', the first in the series, won the 2021 International Thriller Writers “Best original ebook”, and is a can’t-put-it-down suspense thriller. 'The Vulture Fund', the 3rd book in the Westcott series, was an ITW finalist.
The Bobby Greco series features a disgraced Orlando Homicide cop who tackles a very twisted bad guy in the series opener, 'One is Evil'. More to come on this series soon, with Bobby matching wits with some devious criminal minds.
Jeff's stand-alone novel, 'The Krubera Conspiracy', was released in 2023 and is a globe-trotting mix of thriller and suspense.
Keep an eye out for 'The Reluctant Truth', a multi-generational novel that touches on the close ties between fathers and sons. Set in current day with flashbacks to WWII, this one might make you laugh on one page and cry on the next.
Jeff Buick writes fast paced fiction filled with twists you won’t see coming. Lethal people (the bad guys of course) lurk in Jeff’s Boston crime series, but Curtis Westcott and his team of detectives are ready for any murder mystery that comes at them. The Westcott series is action packed suspense, perfect for readers who love Michael Connelly books, especially the Bosch series. 'A Killing Game', the first in the series, won the 2021 International Thriller Writers “Best original ebook”, and is a can’t-put-it-down suspense thriller. 'The Vulture Fund', the 3rd book in the Westcott series, was an ITW finalist.
The Bobby Greco series features a disgraced Orlando Homicide cop who tackles a very twisted bad guy in the series opener, 'One is Evil'. More to come on this series soon, with Bobby matching wits with some devious criminal minds.
Jeff's stand-alone novel, 'The Krubera Conspiracy', was released in 2023 and is a globe-trotting mix of thriller and suspense.
Keep an eye out for 'The Reluctant Truth', a multi-generational novel that touches on the close ties between fathers and sons. Set in current day with flashbacks to WWII, this one might make you laugh on one page and cry on the next.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 9, 2011
I was incredibly impressed with this book and will definitely be picking up more of Buick's work in the future.
Check out my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing for my full review. It was quite the experience!! (There is a lot more information on the blog)
To briefly summarize, Enthrill is a new publisher, trying new marketing techniques. They took this book and created a month long reading event. One Child is a thriller that you read in real time. Each day new chapters were released the same time the events took place within the story. The online reader also included links to facebook pages, business websites, news reports and more that made the real time reading experience realistic.
This book felt like a true story. It read like real life. I almost feel like these characters are real people. Jeff Buick is a very talented writer. So, now let me get to my review of this book, as well as the experience of reading it in real time. (And be warned... This is a long one, because there is a lot of ground to cover here!)
I just reading this early this morning, and I'm still reeling. The story includes everything that makes a good thriller. It contains realistic and sympathetic characters. People who are very clearly bad guys, people who are very clearly good guys, and several people who inhabit that shady in-between area where you aren't quite sure just where they fall. It has a conflict, a climax and a slightly unbelievable resolution that you totally eat up anyway, because seriously?! That's just what had to happen!
For all that this book had everything that makes for a great thriller, there was so much more to it that just another thriller/conspiracy story. This book makes a political statement, asking us to become more aware of our situation and the problems facing others. It takes a very real issue in America, the war in Afghanistan, and it asks Americans to take a closer look at why we are there, what we are accomplishing, and what more needs to be done there. And the best part about it? It does all of this while keeping us totally entertained, completely absorbed in the story and never makes you feel like you are being pushed or beaten over the head with the information. The book, quite simply, tells it like it is.
That is what I think was the best part about this book. It's honest. The sections of the book that take place among the American soldiers in Afghanistan is painfully real. While reading, you can feel the fear and adrenaline from the soldiers, and understand the fear, anger and pain of the Afghani people. It would be interesting to talk to someone who has been over there fighting how accurately Buick portrays the conditions, because they felt horribly real to me. It makes my heart hurt that this is what some people face every day. There's the danger of unexploded land mines being stepped on by children or animals, the angry Taliban soldiers storming through your town, not caring who they hurt in an effort to kill the soldiers fighting them, people afraid of who will next burst through the door of their homes with guns held at the ready. It's tragic and painful to read. I can only imagine how much harder it must be to live it.
There are four main story lines within this book. Initially, we don't see a connection between any of the stories, but eventually, they all pull together and we are able to find the connections, and determine how each player and each movement sets the stage for what is to come as each story line finally becomes one.
So, our first story is Kadir and his three daughters. Halima is the eldest, and she dreams that she changes the world.
Next, we have Carson Grant and William Flemming. Flemming is an incredibly wealthy big-shot on Wall Street, and Carson is his newly promoted Division Head of the High Frequency Trading Unit of his Wall Street Corporation.
Third is Russel Matthews, a reporter going to Afghanistan to bring the truth about the situation over there to the people in America. We also meet several soldiers in Afghanistan who help us understand what life is really like.
And finally, we have U2, preparing for a rock concert in Moscow, and the team lead by an ex-CIA agent trying to bring it down.
The story is crafted perfectly. The pacing is wonderful, the story flows beautifully and the characters are believable. I really enjoyed reading this book and felt like I truly got to know the characters. The only real complaint that I have with the story is the ending. It was just a little bit too pat, and a few events were a little bit too unbelievable for me. Carson Grant is a naive idiot, and I never really felt like I was able to like him. His character felt a little bit flat to me. Part of his limited character depth, I think, comes from the fact that the woman he is engaged to, Nicki, is an almost superfluous character. She is dying of Cystic Fibrosis, and I felt that she was never anything more than a device. She provides "depth" to Carson's character, a little bit of drama, and is there for consequences. She was never really developed as a person. Instead, I felt like she was developed as a disease.
Other than my problems with the Carson/Nicki dynamic, I loved the characters in this book. Not all of them are people I'd like to meet on the street, but most of them (even Carson) felt like people that I might. It's possible I could run across someone just like almost any of these characters. It's not too likely that I'd run into a psychotic Russian who gets his thrills from killing people slowly, but I'll probably run into someone who has served a tour or more in a foreign war fighting for liberty and the right to life.This is definitely a book that I will read again in the future, and one I would recommend for others. I'm going to be looking to read more by Buick in the future. I'd like to see how I feel about a book of his reading it in one straight shot. But for now, Buick is definitely someone to watch for. One Child is so much more than I expected it to be, and I strongly recommend that you go out and read it now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, about the experience because you have to say something about that-
This book was the most unique book I've ever read because of the way it was released. As I mentioned, it was released in real time, with different chapters becoming available every day so that the events in the story unfold as you are reading about them. You are able to view the social networking pages of many characters, and are able to watch the reports that Russel Matthews sends from Afghanistan. (MORE about the experience is visible on the blog)
Check out my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing for my full review. It was quite the experience!! (There is a lot more information on the blog)
To briefly summarize, Enthrill is a new publisher, trying new marketing techniques. They took this book and created a month long reading event. One Child is a thriller that you read in real time. Each day new chapters were released the same time the events took place within the story. The online reader also included links to facebook pages, business websites, news reports and more that made the real time reading experience realistic.
This book felt like a true story. It read like real life. I almost feel like these characters are real people. Jeff Buick is a very talented writer. So, now let me get to my review of this book, as well as the experience of reading it in real time. (And be warned... This is a long one, because there is a lot of ground to cover here!)
I just reading this early this morning, and I'm still reeling. The story includes everything that makes a good thriller. It contains realistic and sympathetic characters. People who are very clearly bad guys, people who are very clearly good guys, and several people who inhabit that shady in-between area where you aren't quite sure just where they fall. It has a conflict, a climax and a slightly unbelievable resolution that you totally eat up anyway, because seriously?! That's just what had to happen!
For all that this book had everything that makes for a great thriller, there was so much more to it that just another thriller/conspiracy story. This book makes a political statement, asking us to become more aware of our situation and the problems facing others. It takes a very real issue in America, the war in Afghanistan, and it asks Americans to take a closer look at why we are there, what we are accomplishing, and what more needs to be done there. And the best part about it? It does all of this while keeping us totally entertained, completely absorbed in the story and never makes you feel like you are being pushed or beaten over the head with the information. The book, quite simply, tells it like it is.
That is what I think was the best part about this book. It's honest. The sections of the book that take place among the American soldiers in Afghanistan is painfully real. While reading, you can feel the fear and adrenaline from the soldiers, and understand the fear, anger and pain of the Afghani people. It would be interesting to talk to someone who has been over there fighting how accurately Buick portrays the conditions, because they felt horribly real to me. It makes my heart hurt that this is what some people face every day. There's the danger of unexploded land mines being stepped on by children or animals, the angry Taliban soldiers storming through your town, not caring who they hurt in an effort to kill the soldiers fighting them, people afraid of who will next burst through the door of their homes with guns held at the ready. It's tragic and painful to read. I can only imagine how much harder it must be to live it.
There are four main story lines within this book. Initially, we don't see a connection between any of the stories, but eventually, they all pull together and we are able to find the connections, and determine how each player and each movement sets the stage for what is to come as each story line finally becomes one.
So, our first story is Kadir and his three daughters. Halima is the eldest, and she dreams that she changes the world.
Next, we have Carson Grant and William Flemming. Flemming is an incredibly wealthy big-shot on Wall Street, and Carson is his newly promoted Division Head of the High Frequency Trading Unit of his Wall Street Corporation.
Third is Russel Matthews, a reporter going to Afghanistan to bring the truth about the situation over there to the people in America. We also meet several soldiers in Afghanistan who help us understand what life is really like.
And finally, we have U2, preparing for a rock concert in Moscow, and the team lead by an ex-CIA agent trying to bring it down.
The story is crafted perfectly. The pacing is wonderful, the story flows beautifully and the characters are believable. I really enjoyed reading this book and felt like I truly got to know the characters. The only real complaint that I have with the story is the ending. It was just a little bit too pat, and a few events were a little bit too unbelievable for me. Carson Grant is a naive idiot, and I never really felt like I was able to like him. His character felt a little bit flat to me. Part of his limited character depth, I think, comes from the fact that the woman he is engaged to, Nicki, is an almost superfluous character. She is dying of Cystic Fibrosis, and I felt that she was never anything more than a device. She provides "depth" to Carson's character, a little bit of drama, and is there for consequences. She was never really developed as a person. Instead, I felt like she was developed as a disease.
Other than my problems with the Carson/Nicki dynamic, I loved the characters in this book. Not all of them are people I'd like to meet on the street, but most of them (even Carson) felt like people that I might. It's possible I could run across someone just like almost any of these characters. It's not too likely that I'd run into a psychotic Russian who gets his thrills from killing people slowly, but I'll probably run into someone who has served a tour or more in a foreign war fighting for liberty and the right to life.This is definitely a book that I will read again in the future, and one I would recommend for others. I'm going to be looking to read more by Buick in the future. I'd like to see how I feel about a book of his reading it in one straight shot. But for now, Buick is definitely someone to watch for. One Child is so much more than I expected it to be, and I strongly recommend that you go out and read it now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, about the experience because you have to say something about that-
This book was the most unique book I've ever read because of the way it was released. As I mentioned, it was released in real time, with different chapters becoming available every day so that the events in the story unfold as you are reading about them. You are able to view the social networking pages of many characters, and are able to watch the reports that Russel Matthews sends from Afghanistan. (MORE about the experience is visible on the blog)
November 3, 2010
One Child – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
“I had a dream last night,” Halima said, her eyes locked on her youngest sister. “Dreams are good,” her father said. “Do you remember what you dreamt?” “Yes, I do.” She licked her cracked lips with a dry tongue. “I was someone important, I’m not sure why, but people were talking about me. Many, many people. They had pictures of me.” “You are important, Halima.” “No, father. Not just to you. To hundreds of people. Maybe even thousands.” “How are such things possible?” Kadir asked. She shrugged, her shoulders pressed into his chest. “I don’t know. But they were talking about me. Saying that I changed the world.” Kadir tilted his head so he could see her eyes. They were shining with excitement. “You changed my world, Halima. You made it so much better.” Her eyes dimmed and the smile slowly fated. “Do dreams come true?” Kadir considered the words. They were thoughtful words, and an important question to an eleven-year-old girl. His answer was equally important. He was her world and what he said and how he said it would help form the woman she would become. “Yes, they do come true.”
Russell Matthews, a journalist on assignment for a major US television network, will soon step into one of the hottest spots in the world. He will be joining American soldiers as they put their lives in jeopardy every day while trying to bring some sort of peace to war-torn Afghanistan. The scenes that will unfold before his eyes, and that he captures with his camera, are sights that most of us only see in the movies. But this isn’t Hollywood. This is real life, and real life has which has no preference as to who will die – or how. Russell learns the hard way that while decisions can save lives, they can also cost the lives of innocents.
Carson Grant is a Wall Street genius. His dreams are about to come true when he finds himself being promoted to the inner-circle of Platinus Investments by William Fleming, the firm’s billionaire owner. The duties and responsibility that go with the job are substantial – he will be making over a million a year. But what he didn’t see coming with the promotion was finding out that Fleming doesn’t always deal legally. And not just on the stock market. He taps into Fleming’s email and discovers that something is planned for August 25th, and he starts regretting his decision to accept the job. As he dabbles even further into the forbidden emails, he discovers something that really turns his stomach. Something that is of grave concern to the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
Julie Lindstrom, owner of Details Matter, has been employed by Dimitri Volstov to handle security for the U2 concert in Moscow show of U2. What Julie doesn’t know is that there is a team headed by an ex-CIA agent preparing to sabotage the show. William Fleming is behind the sabotage, looking to ruin Volstov’s image.
Halima Hussein is the oldest of 3 daughters living with their father in a bombed out building in Afghanistan. Halima’s mother was killed by the Taliban, leaving her to care for her father and younger sisters. When her father finds a way to save the family, he makes the decision to sell Halima. The promise of money to provide for his other daughters as well as giving Halima an opportunity to go to school are too good to pass up. To save her family, Halima agrees.
Through One Child, Jeff Buick brings all of these individuals together to create one of the most heart tugging books I’ve EVER read. He spares nothing and no-one as he tells a story of war-torn Afghanistan. Parts of the book upset me tremendously – but only because I knew that what he had described was true. Other parts gave me a joyous feeling as the world came together in a way I wish would be true. One Child showed how one child’s dream really can come true, even with disaster lurking so close by.
2010
391 Pages
Enthrill Entertainment, Inc.
ISBN# 978-0-9866199-0-8
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
“I had a dream last night,” Halima said, her eyes locked on her youngest sister. “Dreams are good,” her father said. “Do you remember what you dreamt?” “Yes, I do.” She licked her cracked lips with a dry tongue. “I was someone important, I’m not sure why, but people were talking about me. Many, many people. They had pictures of me.” “You are important, Halima.” “No, father. Not just to you. To hundreds of people. Maybe even thousands.” “How are such things possible?” Kadir asked. She shrugged, her shoulders pressed into his chest. “I don’t know. But they were talking about me. Saying that I changed the world.” Kadir tilted his head so he could see her eyes. They were shining with excitement. “You changed my world, Halima. You made it so much better.” Her eyes dimmed and the smile slowly fated. “Do dreams come true?” Kadir considered the words. They were thoughtful words, and an important question to an eleven-year-old girl. His answer was equally important. He was her world and what he said and how he said it would help form the woman she would become. “Yes, they do come true.”
Russell Matthews, a journalist on assignment for a major US television network, will soon step into one of the hottest spots in the world. He will be joining American soldiers as they put their lives in jeopardy every day while trying to bring some sort of peace to war-torn Afghanistan. The scenes that will unfold before his eyes, and that he captures with his camera, are sights that most of us only see in the movies. But this isn’t Hollywood. This is real life, and real life has which has no preference as to who will die – or how. Russell learns the hard way that while decisions can save lives, they can also cost the lives of innocents.
Carson Grant is a Wall Street genius. His dreams are about to come true when he finds himself being promoted to the inner-circle of Platinus Investments by William Fleming, the firm’s billionaire owner. The duties and responsibility that go with the job are substantial – he will be making over a million a year. But what he didn’t see coming with the promotion was finding out that Fleming doesn’t always deal legally. And not just on the stock market. He taps into Fleming’s email and discovers that something is planned for August 25th, and he starts regretting his decision to accept the job. As he dabbles even further into the forbidden emails, he discovers something that really turns his stomach. Something that is of grave concern to the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
Julie Lindstrom, owner of Details Matter, has been employed by Dimitri Volstov to handle security for the U2 concert in Moscow show of U2. What Julie doesn’t know is that there is a team headed by an ex-CIA agent preparing to sabotage the show. William Fleming is behind the sabotage, looking to ruin Volstov’s image.
Halima Hussein is the oldest of 3 daughters living with their father in a bombed out building in Afghanistan. Halima’s mother was killed by the Taliban, leaving her to care for her father and younger sisters. When her father finds a way to save the family, he makes the decision to sell Halima. The promise of money to provide for his other daughters as well as giving Halima an opportunity to go to school are too good to pass up. To save her family, Halima agrees.
Through One Child, Jeff Buick brings all of these individuals together to create one of the most heart tugging books I’ve EVER read. He spares nothing and no-one as he tells a story of war-torn Afghanistan. Parts of the book upset me tremendously – but only because I knew that what he had described was true. Other parts gave me a joyous feeling as the world came together in a way I wish would be true. One Child showed how one child’s dream really can come true, even with disaster lurking so close by.
2010
391 Pages
Enthrill Entertainment, Inc.
ISBN# 978-0-9866199-0-8
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
August 25, 2010
After finishing the last page, I closed "One Child" and sat in reflective silence for quite a period of time. This powerful, fast paced and emotional story held me captive until the very end. There were times when I had to put it aside to do some necessary tasks, but as soon as I had a chance, I was right back to reading to find out what was going to happen next. With the twists and turns and the ending that totally caught me off guard, I found myself finishing the book in no time - wishing it didn't have to end.
Jeff Buick is an amazing writer. He developed a very gripping storyline that hits very close to home. When he follows 4 different and seemingly totally unrelated characters, he pulled me into the story and never once did it seem awkward or make me wonder where things were going. Buick hauled me in hook, line and sinker.
The characters were fascinating and well developed with my favorite being Halima. She captured my heart from the very beginning. I enjoyed all the characters, but Halima is a character that will be carried with me for a long time.
Parental note - I won't have any problems giving this book to my older teens. It does contain some offensive language and violence. The overall message is a good one, and brings to light the realities of both war and corruption.
August 11, 2010
One Child is a thrilling tale that ties into many worlds and creates a picture of life through the eyes of soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as the people who live there. Beyond that, it's a well-written story, full of suspense, leaving you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Couple this with the online experience you can have (http://mystories.enthrill.com/) through the daily release, it's an amazing integration of digital publishing and social media.
Anyone with an internet connection (especially if you're lucky enough to have an iPad) will want to check this out.
Enjoy, I know I did!
Couple this with the online experience you can have (http://mystories.enthrill.com/) through the daily release, it's an amazing integration of digital publishing and social media.
Anyone with an internet connection (especially if you're lucky enough to have an iPad) will want to check this out.
Enjoy, I know I did!
February 22, 2014
Great book! I would like to give this one 4.5 stars! I experienced the full gamut of emotion while reading the story of One Child, Halima Hussein, and how she affected the lives of so many around the world. I received an advance reader copy from Jeff Buick and it's been sitting on my shelf since that day. My son chose this book for me to read and while I was hesitant I decided to give it a go and am I ever glad I did.
March 8, 2011
I was given this book by a friend of the author. I really did not think I was going to like it, especially after seeing the name U2 in the content ( I find Bono such a wanker), but I ended up being really impressed by this novel. I will definately be picking up another one of his titles. I hear African Ice is really good.
August 23, 2010
An extremely thought=provoking book. Well written and an excellent choice for book discussion groups.
Currently reading
October 9, 2012So far I find it a little boring and not very engaging. I'm about a third in.
October 11, 2013
Love this book! More people should be reading this Calgary author. As I've said before marketing is everything!
June 13, 2021
Maiku:
Intertwined stories,
Wall Street to Kabul - intrigue,
hope and redemption.
Intertwined stories,
Wall Street to Kabul - intrigue,
hope and redemption.
Read
October 30, 2016I really enjoy this author. Easy to read and yet moves right along. He is Canadian but has not written for a while now. I would read the next book he writes no matter what it is.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews