The Child Snatcher: A Novel

by Aria Johnson

With the same gripping tension of The Girl on the Train and The Good Girl , The Child Snatcher tells the suspenseful story of a mother trying to save her lazy son from himself and then from an enigmatic woman of dubious character who seems determined to systematically destroy her small family.

Claire Wilkins is at her wits’ end with her son, Brandon, a college dropout who spends his time lounging around the house. Claire, tired of seeing him waste his life playing video games and trolling the internet, gives him an get a job, get back to school…or get out.

Brandon decides to move in with a total stranger that he met in an online porn chat room. This mysterious young woman, Ava, abruptly leads him down a dark path into a dangerous world. Terrified for her now distant son, Claire tries to entice Brandon to return home and discovers the true nature of his toxic and abusive relationship with Ava.

But her world explodes when Brandon does the unthinkable. Her only glimmer of hope is discovering that Brandon and Ava are expecting a child. Claire believes she coddled Brandon too much and that she was a terrible mother. But maybe she can get a second chance and be a much better grandparent. Unfortunately, Ava’s plan for hers and Brandon’s child does not include Claire. In fact, Ava’s plan is so nefarious that Claire is willing to risk everything, including her life, to save her innocent grandson.

A spellbinding race against time, The Child Snatcher is a timely and terrifying thrill ride that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the final page.

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2016

About the author

Aria Johnson is from Atlanta, GA. She grew up reading Mary Higgins Clark and Danielle Steele, Sidney Sheldon and other masters of thrillers and love. She always dreamed of writing spellbinding stories in which nothing is what it seems. Aria is hard at work on her next novel in her home office overlooking a dense forest.

Reviews

[Alicia Thistle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the book I was expecting after reading the title. I was halfway through before the story started to become interesting. It was an okay read. I'm not sure if I was wholly satisfied with the ending either.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the very first page and wouldn't let go. I devoured it within just a couple of days and I really hope there is a sequel. It is fairly dark at times, and there are points where you may want to jump in and scream at the characters for what they are doing (or not doing), but this just made me want to keep reading to see what they would do next.

Parts of the book seem a little unbelievable, and I generally hate books that are too unrealistic, so I can't give it a full 5 stars for that reason, but the book was a page turner for me so I can't complain much.

This was a new author for me, and I hope there will be more books to come.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this book has no reviews I feel compelled to write one. This book starts slow and picks up a little after halfway. Overall I’d say it was mediocre. I was bored mostly but she does surprise you often-lots or little twists.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about a mother (Claire) and her relentless efforts at trying to be the best mother/grandmother. This book was great! I was definitely surprised by the twists and turns. It definitely kept me guessing the whole way through.