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Ren Bryce #6
The Drowning Child
The heart-stopping new thriller in the Ren Bryce series by Alex Barclay, bestselling author of DARKHOUSE and KILLING WAYS. When Special Agent Ren Bryce is called to Tate, Oregon to investigate the disappearance of twelve-year-old Caleb Veir, she finds a town already in mourning. Two other young boys have died recently, although in very different circumstances. As Ren digs deeper, she discovers that all is not as it seems in the Veir household – and that while Tate is a small town, it guards some very big secrets… Can Ren uncover the truth before more children are harmed?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
24 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Alex Barclay
39 books156 followersBarclay studied journalism at university and worked for a period in fashion and beauty journalism as a copywriter in the RTÉ Guide. In 2003, she left the fashion industry to write Darkhouse, the first of two novels featuring NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi. Her second novel, The Caller, was released in 2007, and Last Call in 2008. She won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her fourth novel, Blood Runs Cold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 4, 2020
Book 6 of this series entitled Ren Bryce.
REN is the Investigator.
Don’t let it put you off from jumping into this one as the plot theme itself is good although it’s been a theme written over and over and I must say I have read better.
REN is flawed. You won’t get into her reasoning though because you would need to read the back story on what made her that way, but, you can read the book in its own right (if that makes sense)
If you don’t read many books with this same theme/subject matter, then you may want to give this one a go.
REN is the Investigator.
Don’t let it put you off from jumping into this one as the plot theme itself is good although it’s been a theme written over and over and I must say I have read better.
REN is flawed. You won’t get into her reasoning though because you would need to read the back story on what made her that way, but, you can read the book in its own right (if that makes sense)
If you don’t read many books with this same theme/subject matter, then you may want to give this one a go.
November 5, 2016
**3.5 stars**
Late to the party with Alex Barclay novels and Ive started here with book 6 in the series but don't let that stop you if you are in the same boat, easy enough to get into. Too easy if anything, I found it to be a bit of a page turner that often made me late for things.
Loved the vibe here. I like a good small town story, and in this instalment that is exactly where Ren has ended up - investigating a disappearance and discovering that in this town secrets lie buried deep.
Ren as a character is all kinds of messed up, events from previous books (which I will absolutely have to go back and read now dammit, like I need to add to the teetering pile) are defining her thinking a lot of the time but still she has a job to do and do it she will. I like a controversial character especially when embroiled in a twisty plot that is eminently unpredictable so for me The Drowning Child was an excellent excellent read.
It is not perfect, Rens inner monologue sometimes distracted me, but it is part and parcel of her I assume (we'll find out when I go back) but for the most part the plot fairly rocks along. Some interesting and divisive characters, a strong mystery element and an endlessly fascinating story unfolding the writing is sharp and engaging and so here is yet another series Im adding to my must read list.
Recommended for Crime fiction fans.
Late to the party with Alex Barclay novels and Ive started here with book 6 in the series but don't let that stop you if you are in the same boat, easy enough to get into. Too easy if anything, I found it to be a bit of a page turner that often made me late for things.
Loved the vibe here. I like a good small town story, and in this instalment that is exactly where Ren has ended up - investigating a disappearance and discovering that in this town secrets lie buried deep.
Ren as a character is all kinds of messed up, events from previous books (which I will absolutely have to go back and read now dammit, like I need to add to the teetering pile) are defining her thinking a lot of the time but still she has a job to do and do it she will. I like a controversial character especially when embroiled in a twisty plot that is eminently unpredictable so for me The Drowning Child was an excellent excellent read.
It is not perfect, Rens inner monologue sometimes distracted me, but it is part and parcel of her I assume (we'll find out when I go back) but for the most part the plot fairly rocks along. Some interesting and divisive characters, a strong mystery element and an endlessly fascinating story unfolding the writing is sharp and engaging and so here is yet another series Im adding to my must read list.
Recommended for Crime fiction fans.
December 16, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for a review copy of The Drowning Child, the sixth novel to feature FBI agent Ren Bryce.
Ren is working for CARD, the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team when she gets a call to go to Tate, Oregon where 12 year old Caleb Veir has disappeared. When she gets to Tate she finds the town in uproar because not only has Caleb disappeared there are black ribbons up for 2 separate accidental deaths of young boys in the past few months and a convict has escaped from a local prison. It is up to Ren and the team to sort through the lies and misdirection, not least from Caleb's parents, to arrive at the truth.
The Drowning Child is a cleverly plotted, absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns and I, for one, did not not guess where Ms Barclay was taking it. The narrative, in the third person, is told from 2 points of view, that of the investigation and that of Jimmy Lyle, a paedophile with no immediately discernible links to the case. How it all comes together makes for a fascinating read. I would say, however, that there are a couple of coincidences which move the plot forward considerably but only by stretching the reader's credulity.
Ren Bryce is an inspired creation. She is bi-polar and has some terrible tragedies in her past for which she blames herself. The last time I read a book in the series I found her self destructive tendencies incredibly annoying and it put me off the series but coming back to it after a few years I find her very human and realistic. She is a smart investigator with an intuitive nose for the right path to take. Unfortunately this does not extend to her private life where she is still grieving for her boyfriend who died the year before but seems to be attracted to any eligible male around then feels guilty about it. We've all known this reluctance to allow ourselves to be happy at some point in our lives and in Ren it is an endearing part of her character. The novel also has an unusual angle in the narrative where Ren's first person thoughts are interjected in italics into it. It takes a bit of getting used to but some of it is funny, some annoying, some extremely to the point and all of it involves the f word.
The Drowning Child is a good, absorbing read with a clever plot and a likeable protagonist so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Ren is working for CARD, the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team when she gets a call to go to Tate, Oregon where 12 year old Caleb Veir has disappeared. When she gets to Tate she finds the town in uproar because not only has Caleb disappeared there are black ribbons up for 2 separate accidental deaths of young boys in the past few months and a convict has escaped from a local prison. It is up to Ren and the team to sort through the lies and misdirection, not least from Caleb's parents, to arrive at the truth.
The Drowning Child is a cleverly plotted, absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns and I, for one, did not not guess where Ms Barclay was taking it. The narrative, in the third person, is told from 2 points of view, that of the investigation and that of Jimmy Lyle, a paedophile with no immediately discernible links to the case. How it all comes together makes for a fascinating read. I would say, however, that there are a couple of coincidences which move the plot forward considerably but only by stretching the reader's credulity.
Ren Bryce is an inspired creation. She is bi-polar and has some terrible tragedies in her past for which she blames herself. The last time I read a book in the series I found her self destructive tendencies incredibly annoying and it put me off the series but coming back to it after a few years I find her very human and realistic. She is a smart investigator with an intuitive nose for the right path to take. Unfortunately this does not extend to her private life where she is still grieving for her boyfriend who died the year before but seems to be attracted to any eligible male around then feels guilty about it. We've all known this reluctance to allow ourselves to be happy at some point in our lives and in Ren it is an endearing part of her character. The novel also has an unusual angle in the narrative where Ren's first person thoughts are interjected in italics into it. It takes a bit of getting used to but some of it is funny, some annoying, some extremely to the point and all of it involves the f word.
The Drowning Child is a good, absorbing read with a clever plot and a likeable protagonist so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
September 28, 2016
Wasn't a fan of the style of writing at all. Didn't like the main characters, the storyline jumped irrationally, whole sections of the plot just skipped over and you're expected to fill in the blanks.
The main character, Ren Bryce, had the potential to be a proper female lead, but seems to have been relegated to a man hungry, emotional mess.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going out there and taking what you want, but literally every male character in the book she had either slept with or was thinking about sleeping with. Again, go for it sister, more power to ya, but maybe not with every guy you have to work with?
I read the whole thing, I'm not one to leave things unfinished, but the whole story just didn't seem cohesive to me. It's like the investigators solved something in their heads and then went with it, leaving the reader guessing how they got to that point.
I'd love to support a fellow Irish girl, but sorry to say I won't be reading any more of this authors books. Not for me.
The main character, Ren Bryce, had the potential to be a proper female lead, but seems to have been relegated to a man hungry, emotional mess.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going out there and taking what you want, but literally every male character in the book she had either slept with or was thinking about sleeping with. Again, go for it sister, more power to ya, but maybe not with every guy you have to work with?
I read the whole thing, I'm not one to leave things unfinished, but the whole story just didn't seem cohesive to me. It's like the investigators solved something in their heads and then went with it, leaving the reader guessing how they got to that point.
I'd love to support a fellow Irish girl, but sorry to say I won't be reading any more of this authors books. Not for me.
January 9, 2025
This was an interesting read. I had originally got it from a charity shop on a whim. I didn’t realise it was a part of a series. Understanding Ren was a bit difficult but I think prior books would’ve given me background as to why she is how she is - however you could follow it without having read previous books. There were some good twists but some of the subject was quite delicate to read at times. I was gripped but didn’t particular enjoy the internal monologue that occurs throughout - hence 4*’s
August 21, 2024
Solid book! After getting into the story it was very easy to read. I definitely want to get into the other books of this series!
October 6, 2016
always been a big fan of Alex Barclay, but this one let me down. I just could't get into it like I did with Harm's Reach.
February 22, 2017
Det. Ren Bryce joins a team investigating the disappearance of Caleb Veir in the small town of Tate.
It is one year on from the tragic events which brought her last major investigation to an end, and even back on hers meds, she is still running on emotional empty.
This is the sixth in the excellent Ren Bryce series, and they work better if read in order.
What makes these books stand out is the combination of a highly developed, complicated plot line and interesting back stories, but the special ingredient is the magnificent and unpredictable Ren Bryce character. She takes risks, tries her boss to the limit, uses men as required and always comes up with the goods. And all within the bounds of credibility.
If you haven’t got hooked yet, make a start.
I am grateful to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for this copy
It is one year on from the tragic events which brought her last major investigation to an end, and even back on hers meds, she is still running on emotional empty.
This is the sixth in the excellent Ren Bryce series, and they work better if read in order.
What makes these books stand out is the combination of a highly developed, complicated plot line and interesting back stories, but the special ingredient is the magnificent and unpredictable Ren Bryce character. She takes risks, tries her boss to the limit, uses men as required and always comes up with the goods. And all within the bounds of credibility.
If you haven’t got hooked yet, make a start.
I am grateful to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for this copy
August 19, 2021
A heart-stopping thriller. Interesting characters in a great mystery component; an endless charming story revealing the sharp writing. Each and everything I guessed was turned downside due to the plot twist! A couple of coincidences exist and move the plot forward noticeably but only by expanding the reader's belief.
December 8, 2016
Special Agent Ren Bryce is back and she brings her sassy-style to the small town of Tate, Oregon. A child has disappeared and the lakeside town is weighed down by strange circumstances. Secrets are hidden and rumours are rife. Ren has to discover what is fact and what is merely fiction. But is it too late for twelve-year-old Caleb Veir?
This is Alex Barclay's eight novel and the sixth featuring the memorable Ren Bryce. She is sharp, witty and holds no prisoners. She struggles to control her bipolar disorder and takes a different approach to life than most. However, she is wired in such a way that makes her stand out from the regular fictional FBI agents. Each book brings more depth to her character, yet they can be read as stand-alone novels too. The story line in The Drowning Child is strong. A missing child, an unstable family, a town full of secrets and lies. Two more children have been lost and although their deaths were deemed accidental, there is something not quite right. A drunken and disgraced former medical assistant has some information that he feeds to Ren in his sober moments. Other residents of Tate are less forthcoming and the investigation feels a bit like pulling teeth. Time is ticking away as Caleb remains missing.
Barclay never holds back. She examines the darkness and depravity in all situations and throws some of the best left hooks in crime fiction. Ren Bryce is full of insecurities, doubts and fears yet manages to remain one of the brightest and insightful fictional characters in a difficult genre. Readers are guaranteed a racy, chilling ride with some of the best one-liners and throw backs in the pages of any crime book. Although Ren is a troubled soul, working in a male-dominated environment, she can rise to her expectations, and beyond, in her own unique way. If you have yet to meet Ren Bryce, what are you waiting for? Dive in. You are about to experience the queen of sassy. and a bloody good crime thriller too...
This is Alex Barclay's eight novel and the sixth featuring the memorable Ren Bryce. She is sharp, witty and holds no prisoners. She struggles to control her bipolar disorder and takes a different approach to life than most. However, she is wired in such a way that makes her stand out from the regular fictional FBI agents. Each book brings more depth to her character, yet they can be read as stand-alone novels too. The story line in The Drowning Child is strong. A missing child, an unstable family, a town full of secrets and lies. Two more children have been lost and although their deaths were deemed accidental, there is something not quite right. A drunken and disgraced former medical assistant has some information that he feeds to Ren in his sober moments. Other residents of Tate are less forthcoming and the investigation feels a bit like pulling teeth. Time is ticking away as Caleb remains missing.
Barclay never holds back. She examines the darkness and depravity in all situations and throws some of the best left hooks in crime fiction. Ren Bryce is full of insecurities, doubts and fears yet manages to remain one of the brightest and insightful fictional characters in a difficult genre. Readers are guaranteed a racy, chilling ride with some of the best one-liners and throw backs in the pages of any crime book. Although Ren is a troubled soul, working in a male-dominated environment, she can rise to her expectations, and beyond, in her own unique way. If you have yet to meet Ren Bryce, what are you waiting for? Dive in. You are about to experience the queen of sassy. and a bloody good crime thriller too...
September 1, 2016
THE DROWNING CHILD by Alex Barclay is the sequel to Killing Ways and the sixth novel featuring Ren Bryce. It is the first book that I have read from this author but it certainly will not be the last. Disturbing, gripping, and frightening in equal measure, the author weaves an expert tale set in Tate, Oregon - a place which seems on the surface to be your average small town in America. But knowing that you can never really judge a book by its cover, the ever-flawed Special Agent Ren Bryce is determined to uncover the murky depths of the town where the children are in serious danger while having to deal with her own issues. This is a story that will give you chills. A compelling read for all crime fiction fans.
*Book received from Harper Collins Ireland in exchange for an honest review
*Book received from Harper Collins Ireland in exchange for an honest review
July 3, 2021
Why so many F words? The writing style is strange.
October 7, 2017
It has every cliche in the detective/thriller toolbox but is none the worse for that!
A good plot line with plenty of twists and turns but not too many to stretch credibility.
This is evidently part of a series with Special Agent Ren Bryce. I havent read any others but would certainly look them out. I didnt feel that I needed to have read the series in sequence to keep up with the background storyline.
A good plot line with plenty of twists and turns but not too many to stretch credibility.
This is evidently part of a series with Special Agent Ren Bryce. I havent read any others but would certainly look them out. I didnt feel that I needed to have read the series in sequence to keep up with the background storyline.
November 20, 2020
I just finished this book, and I have to say that I'm quite disappointed.The writing style was messy, the plot was predictable (some twists were kind of weird and unnecessary for the story?) and honestly, I didn't care for any of the characters. Also, I was really annoyed by all the cursing in this book. Almost a third of the book consists of f*cks, sh*t and Jesus (Christ), which is SO ANNOYING. So yeah, unfortunately this book was not my cup of tea.
October 12, 2018
I thought that this was a decently written book with a good plot and story which I really enjoyed. However, I found the non stop inner monologue of Ren (the main character) extremely irritating and annoying as I may well have made this a 4 star book for the plot otherwise. Would read more in the series though.
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January 19, 2020My First DNF for the year and I'm surprised it's the last book in a series I've quite enjoyed, but I guess enough is enough finally.
Just not finding this particular mystery very interesting, had a bit of a skim and nothing is showing me it improves, so time to move on. For me book 5 was the best and the one I started on.
Just not finding this particular mystery very interesting, had a bit of a skim and nothing is showing me it improves, so time to move on. For me book 5 was the best and the one I started on.
January 19, 2022
Ren Bryce, brilliant
This is another fast paced fabulous Ren Bryce thriller. I just love the wit and clarity of her thoughts in the most awful situations. The story sweeps the reader up and the pace leaves the reader almost breathless. It's plausible and has an edge of the seat quality. The only bad thing is, it is then solved and over till the next time.
This is another fast paced fabulous Ren Bryce thriller. I just love the wit and clarity of her thoughts in the most awful situations. The story sweeps the reader up and the pace leaves the reader almost breathless. It's plausible and has an edge of the seat quality. The only bad thing is, it is then solved and over till the next time.
July 5, 2017
Started off well, but I couldn't keep track of all the characters. No-one seemed real. Too much detail about things that must have happened in previous books. Didn't like the running commentary of thoughts in italics. Persevered to the end, but not for me.
December 29, 2021
This was an intriguing story, but I did not like the main detective. I wish detective stories were more about detecting than about the detective's personal issues. But then again, the book would not be nearly as long...
April 4, 2022
This is the 6th book in the Ren Bryce series and like all books by Alex Barclay it is a great read. The protagonist Ren Bryce is a female FBI agent with bipolar affective disorder and is a great character. Well written, fast paced and very enjoyable.
March 7, 2025
It was tiring and irritating to follow all those internal monologues after almost all sentences and so many different stories of so many different characters. The protagonist bursts into tears one moment after her dead partner and next she starts to think about how sexy the guy she is working with.
June 19, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
July 14, 2017
Horrible subject matter and an irritating internal dialogue in italics, but certainly page turning.
August 3, 2017
I needed to get used to the writing style at first and sometimes it was still a little over the top, but it was a great mystery and made me wanna check out the other books in the series.
August 20, 2018
You can not write a review without spoiling this book, only the interesting thing is every time you suspected someone to be bad turns to be good. I enjoyed reading a lot.
February 4, 2019
A really good listen, plot twists and turn everywhere that keep you guessing, Highly recommend
January 17, 2020
A decent read but there was far too much ‘back story’ referencing for this reader. Must admit I didn’t realise I was reading number 5 or 6 of a series tho.
February 21, 2020
Brilliant book. Takes a while to get into it but whenever you get going it's so good! Worth a read.
June 4, 2020
I liked the book, I like the author. This follows on from the last book, and the pace was good.
November 4, 2020
Have lost patience with this writer. There are all the sub-thoughts behind every sentence which drive me crazy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews