What do you think?
Rate this book
Only Son
Every parent’s worst fear has become her reality…SOME LIESIt only takes a minute for Amy McMurray to run from her car to the cash machine. That brief, unforgivable minute is enough time for her infant son to be snatched from the back seat and for Amy’s family, her marriage, and her peace of mind to be shattered beyond repair.ARE TOO CLOSETo everyone who meets him, Carl Jorgenson seems an exemplary single father. His son, Sam, is bright, considerate, and devoted to his dad. Only Carl knows about Sam’s real identity and about his own unthinkable crime.TO BE SEENOne careless slip, one chance meeting is all it will take for the devastating truth to be revealed. Sam is growing up, asking questions, increasingly suspicious that the life he believes in is a lie. But with that knowledge comes dread. Because when someone has risked everything to create a family, how far will they go to protect it? “A fast-paced, powerful novel.” --Seattle Post Intelligencer
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1998
71 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 6, 2018
This novel is about a father and son relationship that is endearing, beautiful, and filled with treasures. Moments that could only be ascribed to a parent who is determined to do his very best by his boy and to raise him in a way that will allow him to grow to his full potential within the security of deep caring and great love.
From babyhood, through his toddler years, his young boyhood and early puberty, Sam has had his Dad’s complete devotion and care. However, a few things start to slide sideways – a chance meeting with a woman that makes everyone uncomfortable, a mishap that leads to a gap in his knowledge about his early life, and questions he’d asked that have slightly different answers – some things just weren’t adding up.
Secrets – no matter how long they are kept and protected – have a way of rotating the world of all people involved, directly or peripherally. No matter how many walls are built to secure them, secrets have a way of breaking through. When this happens, life changes radically for Sam and his Dad and they, along with everyone else involved, must deal with the consequences.
In a sense, this book is “nature vs nurture” at its most primal level and my heart didn’t know which way to turn in this book. When things are not what they seem, are they any less real and powerful? When things appear to be just fine, do we really know if everyone involved would see this same fineness?
What a powerful book. I have never read anything quite like it in my long reading life. I recommend this novel to everyone who has ever wondered what would happen if our favourite notions were turned upside down and inside out, including our definitions of good and evil.
From babyhood, through his toddler years, his young boyhood and early puberty, Sam has had his Dad’s complete devotion and care. However, a few things start to slide sideways – a chance meeting with a woman that makes everyone uncomfortable, a mishap that leads to a gap in his knowledge about his early life, and questions he’d asked that have slightly different answers – some things just weren’t adding up.
Secrets – no matter how long they are kept and protected – have a way of rotating the world of all people involved, directly or peripherally. No matter how many walls are built to secure them, secrets have a way of breaking through. When this happens, life changes radically for Sam and his Dad and they, along with everyone else involved, must deal with the consequences.
In a sense, this book is “nature vs nurture” at its most primal level and my heart didn’t know which way to turn in this book. When things are not what they seem, are they any less real and powerful? When things appear to be just fine, do we really know if everyone involved would see this same fineness?
What a powerful book. I have never read anything quite like it in my long reading life. I recommend this novel to everyone who has ever wondered what would happen if our favourite notions were turned upside down and inside out, including our definitions of good and evil.
June 17, 2018
There’s a gripping crime (a baby abduction), steamy sex scenes, women with “ripe breasts,” a tearful ending, and serviceable writing. For me this was what my GR friend Mary Lins calls a “palate cleanser” after reading an esoteric literary novel and in between the heavy lifting of cleaning my apartment and the general agony of life in the age of Trump—although a kid being torn from his mother was a little too close to reality just now. I found this to be a good stock-commercial page-turner because even though the voice was generic, the plot was compelling and the longings of all the characters felt true and relatable.
July 10, 2016
Another parental nightmare, but the reality of many. This was a good book, even though it scared me out of my wits. I was super-hyper-vigilant for quite a while with my own children after reading this. I guess that is a sign of good writing, huh?
May 26, 2013
This book was eerily good because it was well written. I almost felt like the author wanted us to have sympathy for the kidnaper because he gave Sam such a "good life" and didn't abuse him. However, he stole him from his parents! It doesn't matter how good of a life he had, he had no right to the boy in the first place! This book is very controversial and stirs up a lot of emotions. It is not the usual "kidnaper" type story. It will keep you in suspense.
March 10, 2017
I randomly bought this yesterday after being drawn in by the cover & then the description. I'm so glad I didn't miss it! Tho it was written in 1997, before the computer & cell phone age took over, it still was a gripping story. Great characters & a very unique take on a kidnapping story.
September 18, 2018
3 1/2 Stars
Well, this one was different. It's about a man who becomes so frustrated after his wife aborts their baby (without telling him) that he divorces her and kidnaps 5 month old baby he has been watching since it was born. He justifies it by telling himself the parents are white trash. The book not only describes them as white trash, but also as a "bimbo" and a "greaser". Maybe it was more acceptable 30 years ago, but there were descriptions like that in the book that really bugged me.
However, it was intriguing how the author pulled things together and turned them around, making this ultimately a book about forgiveness and love. I very much liked how the book ended.
Well, this one was different. It's about a man who becomes so frustrated after his wife aborts their baby (without telling him) that he divorces her and kidnaps 5 month old baby he has been watching since it was born. He justifies it by telling himself the parents are white trash. The book not only describes them as white trash, but also as a "bimbo" and a "greaser". Maybe it was more acceptable 30 years ago, but there were descriptions like that in the book that really bugged me.
However, it was intriguing how the author pulled things together and turned them around, making this ultimately a book about forgiveness and love. I very much liked how the book ended.
December 9, 2008
Carl did not have the best childhood growing up. In fact, his father used to beat him and give him gifts that were not his to keep. Carl can remember the one time when his dad gave him a bike, only to have it have it taken away from him and Sam accused of being a thief. Carl is all grown up now but he has learned his lesson. When he gets something he hides it from the rest of the world, so no one can ever take it away from him again.
Young, married couple Paul and Amy McMurray just did the great thing they could ever do as a couple, give born to a baby boy, Eddie. One day something so terrible happened to the McMurrary’s; it can be considered every parents worse nightmare…Eddie gets abducted. It has been about twelve years since Eddie’s disappearance. Paul may have given up hope but Amy will never give up looking for her son. Amy senses in her heart and soul that her son is still alive and out there waiting for her to come take him home. Call it a mother’s intuition.
Only Son may not be like all of Mr. O’Brien’s that I have enjoyed reading so much that include a killer, who you don’t know the identity of till the very end; where as in this story there is no killer and you know who is causing the harm. There is an element in Only Son that is scarier then any of the other books. It involves an innocent boy, who did not get a choice in who would love him. Mr. O’Brien draws on raw emotions of fear, trust, friendship, and most of all love. I already have made Mr. O’Brien, one of my favorite authors and now with this book, it has only cemented my amazement of this great author’s. Kevin O’Brien will always have a fan in me.
Young, married couple Paul and Amy McMurray just did the great thing they could ever do as a couple, give born to a baby boy, Eddie. One day something so terrible happened to the McMurrary’s; it can be considered every parents worse nightmare…Eddie gets abducted. It has been about twelve years since Eddie’s disappearance. Paul may have given up hope but Amy will never give up looking for her son. Amy senses in her heart and soul that her son is still alive and out there waiting for her to come take him home. Call it a mother’s intuition.
Only Son may not be like all of Mr. O’Brien’s that I have enjoyed reading so much that include a killer, who you don’t know the identity of till the very end; where as in this story there is no killer and you know who is causing the harm. There is an element in Only Son that is scarier then any of the other books. It involves an innocent boy, who did not get a choice in who would love him. Mr. O’Brien draws on raw emotions of fear, trust, friendship, and most of all love. I already have made Mr. O’Brien, one of my favorite authors and now with this book, it has only cemented my amazement of this great author’s. Kevin O’Brien will always have a fan in me.
October 17, 2010
Deeply moving! Finished in one sitting.
February 2, 2012
This is such a sweet and wonderful story that you'll find yourself crying by the end of it.
June 3, 2017
I read this book out of order by when it was written, only because I didn't have the book. This was written in 1997 and was one of his first books and still takes place in the Northwest... Not only that, it was before he got into writing thrillers, so no murders!!! Enjoyed this book a lot. Kevin O'Brien is such a good Author...
January 15, 2021
Man, I love how this author writes, and especially how our protagonist pleading to have a child was a man. I just find that so unusual in our fiction offerings these days. While this is his early work and didn’t involve murder, lots of ethical questions in this one. And I loved being taken back to the ‘70s/‘80s without social media and our way of communication was the newspaper and pay phones.
March 10, 2018
Such an amazing gripping book!! I haven’t read something this addicting in ages! I couldn’t put it down. This book is every mother’s worst nightmare!
August 29, 2015
I was thrilled when I discovered a Kevin O'Brien thriller I hadn't read yet. This one is a little different from his others -- it is more a how-it-will-unfold rather than a whodunnit or mystery. But it's still filled with suspense. We follow Carl, who due to trauma in his own life makes a terrible choice and kidnaps a baby. We follow the baby's parents and how the kidnapping affects their lives. And we follow the child who is kidnapped. The narrative shifts between characters, locales and time periods easily. The changes added to the story and helped me understand the characters more. I felt strongly about each person, and while I couldn't wait to see what happened, I also didn't want the book to end.
For writers, this book is particularly worth reading to see how O'Brien creates a character who does something that would universally be condemned, yet at times the reader is rooting for him. I felt that way even as I also felt for the parents who lost their child and hoped for mother and son to be reunited. It's easy to create a downright evil character, or one who is much more bad than good. But creating someone who is in many ways what our culture would agree is a bad person and making him someone we empathize with and even like at times -- often more than we like the characters who are more morally in the right -- takes a master storyteller. O'Brien does this without slowing the story's momentum, effortlessly weaving in backstory and the character's inner thoughts. He is one of the best suspense writers I've ever read.
For writers, this book is particularly worth reading to see how O'Brien creates a character who does something that would universally be condemned, yet at times the reader is rooting for him. I felt that way even as I also felt for the parents who lost their child and hoped for mother and son to be reunited. It's easy to create a downright evil character, or one who is much more bad than good. But creating someone who is in many ways what our culture would agree is a bad person and making him someone we empathize with and even like at times -- often more than we like the characters who are more morally in the right -- takes a master storyteller. O'Brien does this without slowing the story's momentum, effortlessly weaving in backstory and the character's inner thoughts. He is one of the best suspense writers I've ever read.
September 12, 2019
I liked this book, but I was a bit bewildered in how good the kidnapper looked at the end of the story. What he did was despicable and unconscionable. I thought the bad guy looked too good and that bothered me.
September 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It is a bit different than O'Brien's usual murder mysteries, but it was a good story. I would recommend this.
June 5, 2017
I'm rarely willing to pay for ebooks, but when this one came through my discounted ebook list, after reading the sample chapter I just had to buy it and read the rest. It's a page-turner. I read it in one day & night, completely riveted to every step of this story's unfolding. It was fast-paced from the very beginning and never slowed down. The author doesn't bore you with lengthy descriptions of settings, but rather stays in the action of things as they progress and unfold. For the first 2/3 of the book, the story jumps back and forth between Carl's (the kidnapper's) point of view and Amy's (the mother's) point of view. The last 1/3 of the book adds Sam's (the kidnapped boy's) point of view to the other two characters'.
*Spoiler Alert*
I was surprised to find myself sympathizing and even pulling for the kidnapper (Carl). I found myself wanting him to get away with it, but at the same time, I wanted his son (Sam) to find out the truth once he got older. But I didn't want him to be ripped away from the only dad he'd ever known, and that's exactly what ended up happening, which made me sad for both him and his dad. I guess the way Carl and Amy worked it all out made for a decent ending, but I wish they would've handled it differently and kept Sam and his dad together, for Sam's sake.
I disliked some things, particularly what felt like an over-focus on the thoughts and practices of the male characters when it came to their sexual thoughts/practices regarding women. As far as sex scenes go, there were a couple of them, but they weren't overly-explicit and they were at least somewhat related to the progression of the story and the development of the characters.
There were a couple of plot holes and some date inconsistencies, but nothing too major. Overall, it was a fairly plausible story, and despite the things I disliked, it was an enjoyable read.
*Spoiler Alert*
I was surprised to find myself sympathizing and even pulling for the kidnapper (Carl). I found myself wanting him to get away with it, but at the same time, I wanted his son (Sam) to find out the truth once he got older. But I didn't want him to be ripped away from the only dad he'd ever known, and that's exactly what ended up happening, which made me sad for both him and his dad. I guess the way Carl and Amy worked it all out made for a decent ending, but I wish they would've handled it differently and kept Sam and his dad together, for Sam's sake.
I disliked some things, particularly what felt like an over-focus on the thoughts and practices of the male characters when it came to their sexual thoughts/practices regarding women. As far as sex scenes go, there were a couple of them, but they weren't overly-explicit and they were at least somewhat related to the progression of the story and the development of the characters.
There were a couple of plot holes and some date inconsistencies, but nothing too major. Overall, it was a fairly plausible story, and despite the things I disliked, it was an enjoyable read.
August 8, 2017
he wanted a family but his wife did not want a baby and had a abortion without talking to him first. they got divorced but he still wanted a child. he stalked a couple and when they had the boy he waited till she left the baby alone in the car for a minute at the bank and took him. he moved out of town and raised the boy, sending post cards in the beginning so she would know of her sons progress
she ended up getting divorced from her husband who never really wanted a baby. he later got married and had 2 daughters. she barely dated and moved out of town, hoping to be closer to where she thought her son might be living from clues from the postcards.
as the boy got older he got epilepsy which his dad had. he also had to do a family tree that the man raising him had to make up.
the dad that stole him kept a journal and the news articles on his kidnapping. the boy found them and went to the lady in the dept store and told her he might be the baby that was stolen from her. she called the police who arrested the man he knew as his dad. he was sent to live with his real mom and his real dad came to visit him. he has 2 half sisters and 1 half brother. he misses the man that raised him.
he was able to visit his 'dad' once in jail for xmas
he tracked down his ''dad' years later and found he only did 6 months, his mom didnt want to put him thru the trial. his 'dad' married and had a baby girl.
she ended up getting divorced from her husband who never really wanted a baby. he later got married and had 2 daughters. she barely dated and moved out of town, hoping to be closer to where she thought her son might be living from clues from the postcards.
as the boy got older he got epilepsy which his dad had. he also had to do a family tree that the man raising him had to make up.
the dad that stole him kept a journal and the news articles on his kidnapping. the boy found them and went to the lady in the dept store and told her he might be the baby that was stolen from her. she called the police who arrested the man he knew as his dad. he was sent to live with his real mom and his real dad came to visit him. he has 2 half sisters and 1 half brother. he misses the man that raised him.
he was able to visit his 'dad' once in jail for xmas
he tracked down his ''dad' years later and found he only did 6 months, his mom didnt want to put him thru the trial. his 'dad' married and had a baby girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
Have been a big fan of Kevin's since a mutual friend took me to see him at Elliott Bay Books years ago.
For my birthday Dan graciously got Kevin to sign one of his older books (ONLY SON), and I just finished it last night.
I had previously read only his more current novels, and this book was an outstanding change of pace.
The descriptive nature of how the characters are filled in (common theme in all of his novels) was excellent, and the storyline was straightforward, with me "rooting" for both of the protagonists (Mom/Dad) in the book.
Living in Seattle, I got a great sense for where the characters were at geographically, and my mind created an impression of what each character looked like (which is a sign for me of a great, not good read)
Excellent book, would highly recommend to anyone!
For my birthday Dan graciously got Kevin to sign one of his older books (ONLY SON), and I just finished it last night.
I had previously read only his more current novels, and this book was an outstanding change of pace.
The descriptive nature of how the characters are filled in (common theme in all of his novels) was excellent, and the storyline was straightforward, with me "rooting" for both of the protagonists (Mom/Dad) in the book.
Living in Seattle, I got a great sense for where the characters were at geographically, and my mind created an impression of what each character looked like (which is a sign for me of a great, not good read)
Excellent book, would highly recommend to anyone!
July 13, 2017
This was the first book I read by Kevin O'Brien. It was actually a pretty good story. It deals with every parents worst thoughts and nightmares- their child being kidnapped. Carl is an average guy, not someone that stands out in a crowd. After going through a heartbreaking experience with his soon to be ex wife, he does the unthinkable and kidnaps a baby. He has watched the family and learned their patterns. Carl takes baby "Eddie" and raises him as his own. Twelve years pass, Eddie- now Sam- loves his "dad" fiercely but has come to the conclusion that secrets are being kept from him. Sam begins to figure out things are not as they seem and Carl is not his father. The story was not mysterious/suspenseful but it did keep you wanting to know the outcome for all those concerned.
January 3, 2024
After reading Only Son I can understand why it is one of the author's favorite books. Emotionally engaging.
Carl Jorgenson ended his marriage when wife Eve aborted their unborn child without discussing it with him. Watching new borns n the hospital nursery Carl focuses on a young couple who Carl decides he could offer the child a better life so he snatches him to raise Eddie as his own.
Carl gives up everything to raise Sam and a chance encounter sets wheels in motion that change everyone's lives.
The emotional roller coaster from those involved in the life of Eddie/Sam was intense at times. The outcome inevitable.
Definitely glad I read this one which is not the normal genre Kevin O'Brien writes.
Carl Jorgenson ended his marriage when wife Eve aborted their unborn child without discussing it with him. Watching new borns n the hospital nursery Carl focuses on a young couple who Carl decides he could offer the child a better life so he snatches him to raise Eddie as his own.
Carl gives up everything to raise Sam and a chance encounter sets wheels in motion that change everyone's lives.
The emotional roller coaster from those involved in the life of Eddie/Sam was intense at times. The outcome inevitable.
Definitely glad I read this one which is not the normal genre Kevin O'Brien writes.
August 20, 2017
This book hooked me from the first page and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I absolutely loved it. It isn't some literary genius with big words that people are going to talk about, but like I said, I was hooked from page one and that is so much more important to me than big words. I love a great story with great characters and this has both.
It was a little weird how the kidnapping didn't seem to be that big of a deal to the police and the rest of the world. In today's times, if an infant is kidnapped it will be in the paper for months and even years. Everyone thought the mom should just get over it which again, was weird. But that was a small point.
It was a little weird how the kidnapping didn't seem to be that big of a deal to the police and the rest of the world. In today's times, if an infant is kidnapped it will be in the paper for months and even years. Everyone thought the mom should just get over it which again, was weird. But that was a small point.
July 3, 2017
A baby is kidnapped. You want to hate the kidnapper. His reasons are sad and how he sees it becomes disturbingly understanding because he becomes a good father. Meanwhile the baby's mother never gives up hope of finding her baby. 12 years later, everything comes to a head and how this entire situation ends will be surprising and touching . One thing is for sure, you still won't be able to hate the kidnapper.
August 16, 2020
Gripping novel. The primary character is absolutely reprehensible, but his desires are well-written so the book is compelling to keep reading. He's ALMOST sympathetic. I didn’t feel great about the ending, but it was hard to see how else it could’ve gone. Overall a good, suspenseful read.
This book has some really strong undertones of misogyny, especially in the primary character's POV (but even in the POV of the mother), and it’s hard to tell how much is the characters’ bias vs the author’s.
This book has some really strong undertones of misogyny, especially in the primary character's POV (but even in the POV of the mother), and it’s hard to tell how much is the characters’ bias vs the author’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2017
This is a story of a little boy that was stolen from his mother by a man desperately wanting a family of his own. It was pretty heartbreaking, and I kind of felt sorry for the guy in some ways. Definitely a readable book, and I will seek out this author in the future.
This reminds me of a grown up version of "The Face on the Milk Carton" by Caroline B. Cooney.
This reminds me of a grown up version of "The Face on the Milk Carton" by Caroline B. Cooney.
November 8, 2017
3.5 stars
I did enjoy it, but there were parts that really didn't ring true.
Still in all, it was a good read.
I did enjoy it, but there were parts that really didn't ring true.
Still in all, it was a good read.
February 6, 2019
I quite enjoyed this book. It presented real people just like real people - with real responses, reactions, jobs, struggles and feelings.
Most books where there is a tragedy of this level, the event becomes all encompassing and while it's certainly not forgotten in this book, you have the opportunity to follow the characters' lives carrying on beyond the event. Refreshingly normal.
Most books where there is a tragedy of this level, the event becomes all encompassing and while it's certainly not forgotten in this book, you have the opportunity to follow the characters' lives carrying on beyond the event. Refreshingly normal.
May 13, 2023
This the second book by the amazing author I've read. From start to finish this book had me biting my nails. I had such a hard time putting it down.
To see through the eyes of a kidnappers is something I've never experienced. It was an amazing read. I didn't know who I should feel sorry for while reading. Knowing full well I should feel for the parents. But the kidnapper wanted to be a parent.
To see through the eyes of a kidnappers is something I've never experienced. It was an amazing read. I didn't know who I should feel sorry for while reading. Knowing full well I should feel for the parents. But the kidnapper wanted to be a parent.
May 25, 2025
“Eve used to say he lived his life like that, in rituals and routines. . . She claimed these routines were the result of living alone so long in adulthood. She said he made his ‘rituals’ a companion to him.”
I’m happy I plucked this off the book shelf of While Away Books. At times a bit dated and far fetched, but I think I’ll carry this plot and these characters with me for quite a while.
I’m happy I plucked this off the book shelf of While Away Books. At times a bit dated and far fetched, but I think I’ll carry this plot and these characters with me for quite a while.
March 23, 2017
Very good book. At the beginning I didn't quite know what I would think of this book but by the ending, I felt for Carl, Sam and Amy (except Paul. Didn't connect with his character). I understand all of their mixed feelings and emotions. Definitely a lot of twists, emotions and moments that make you stop and think.
November 28, 2017
I thought this was a really good book. But a little far-fetched. I doubt that if a parent had a child stolen they would drop the charges. It is kind of like that story The Face On The Milk Carton.
It’s interesting to think what would I do if that were me as the stolen kid.
It’s interesting to think what would I do if that were me as the stolen kid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews