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The Winter’s Child
Five years ago, Susannah Harper's son Joel went missing without trace. Bereft of her son and then of her husband, Susannah tries to accept that she may never know for certain what has happened to her lost loved ones. She has rebuilt her life around a simple selfless mission: to help others who, like her, must learn to live without hope.
But then, on the last night of Hull Fair, a fortune-teller makes an eerie prediction. She tells her that this Christmas Eve, Joel will finally come back to her.
As her carefully-constructed life begins to unravel, Susannah is drawn into a world of psychics and charlatans, half-truths and hauntings, friendships and betrayals, forcing her to confront the buried truths of her family's past, where nothing and no one are quite as they seem.
A ghostly winter read with a modern gothic flavour. A tale of twisted love, family secrets and hauntings.
But then, on the last night of Hull Fair, a fortune-teller makes an eerie prediction. She tells her that this Christmas Eve, Joel will finally come back to her.
As her carefully-constructed life begins to unravel, Susannah is drawn into a world of psychics and charlatans, half-truths and hauntings, friendships and betrayals, forcing her to confront the buried truths of her family's past, where nothing and no one are quite as they seem.
A ghostly winter read with a modern gothic flavour. A tale of twisted love, family secrets and hauntings.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2017
509 people are currently reading
1200 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Parkin
14 books132 followersCassandra Parkin grew up in Hull, and now lives in East Yorkshire. Her short story collection, New World Fairy Tales (Salt Publishing, 2011), won the 2011 Scott Prize for Short Stories and her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies.
The Summer We All Ran Away (Legend Press, 2013) was Cassandra's debut novel.
Her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. The Beach Hut (Legend Press, 2015) is her second novel.
Visit Cassandra at cassandraparkin.wordpress.com or on Twitter @cassandrajaneuk
The Summer We All Ran Away (Legend Press, 2013) was Cassandra's debut novel.
Her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. The Beach Hut (Legend Press, 2015) is her second novel.
Visit Cassandra at cassandraparkin.wordpress.com or on Twitter @cassandrajaneuk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
October 18, 2017
5☆ A Chilling Thriller,that left me wanting more!
The Winters Child by Cassandra Parkin was an absolute delight to read.
It was eerie, played with my mind, chilling, exciting and Perfectly Atmospheric.
I absolutely adored Cassandra's writing style. The clever mix between past and present had me eagerly turning the pages.
Desperate to uncover the truth!
When Susannah Harper and John Harpers, teenage Son Joel goes missing it's every parents worst fear!
Susannah and John divorce due to the heartbreak and strain of not knowing what happened to Joel.
So when she visits a Fortune Teller, she is told things that makes her question everything she has spent her time protecting others from.
It's hardly surprising that Susannah starts to unravel mentally and physically!
Its from this point things chillingly eerily start to happen.
Be prepared to question your thoughts and have your mind played with!
I loved the craziness of this book at times the hairs on my arms stood on end!
But are they real or just a fiction of imagination??
Or is someone out to get them??
I guess you will have to read it to find out!!
I really don't want to give anything away as it's really too good not to enjoy for yourself.
I loved Susannah, I felt sorry for her, I wanted to shake and yell at her, I wanted to grab her and hug her. She really is a tortured soul.
Even though at times I really despised John most of the time, as the story unravels you get to see lots of different sides to John.
Cassandra done an excellent job making you feel so many emotions towards her characters. Each one very relatable.
I really don't think I have read a book like this before, that has left me completely bewildered and not a clue as to how it will end!
I think the book synopsis is good but it really doesn't express just how fantastic this book really is!!
So I urge you to Read The Winters Child you won't be disappointed!!!!
A perfect read for those wanting a Physiological Thriller, with lots of secrets and lies, Mystery, Chilling and Eerie, unnerving and spine tingling good!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2017/1...
The Winters Child by Cassandra Parkin was an absolute delight to read.
It was eerie, played with my mind, chilling, exciting and Perfectly Atmospheric.
I absolutely adored Cassandra's writing style. The clever mix between past and present had me eagerly turning the pages.
Desperate to uncover the truth!
When Susannah Harper and John Harpers, teenage Son Joel goes missing it's every parents worst fear!
Susannah and John divorce due to the heartbreak and strain of not knowing what happened to Joel.
So when she visits a Fortune Teller, she is told things that makes her question everything she has spent her time protecting others from.
It's hardly surprising that Susannah starts to unravel mentally and physically!
Its from this point things chillingly eerily start to happen.
Be prepared to question your thoughts and have your mind played with!
I loved the craziness of this book at times the hairs on my arms stood on end!
But are they real or just a fiction of imagination??
Or is someone out to get them??
I guess you will have to read it to find out!!
I really don't want to give anything away as it's really too good not to enjoy for yourself.
I loved Susannah, I felt sorry for her, I wanted to shake and yell at her, I wanted to grab her and hug her. She really is a tortured soul.
Even though at times I really despised John most of the time, as the story unravels you get to see lots of different sides to John.
Cassandra done an excellent job making you feel so many emotions towards her characters. Each one very relatable.
I really don't think I have read a book like this before, that has left me completely bewildered and not a clue as to how it will end!
I think the book synopsis is good but it really doesn't express just how fantastic this book really is!!
So I urge you to Read The Winters Child you won't be disappointed!!!!
A perfect read for those wanting a Physiological Thriller, with lots of secrets and lies, Mystery, Chilling and Eerie, unnerving and spine tingling good!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2017/1...
September 10, 2018
3.5 stars
Susannah Harper's son, Joel, has been missing for five years. Susannah refuses to believe her son is dead and clings to her desperate hope that he is alive and will return to her one day. Unable to cope with their son's disappearance, Susannah and her husband, John divorce. This leaves Susannah alone to blog and follow whatever leads which may come up however misleading and cruel they may be. As she is obsessed with finding answers about her son's disappearance, she turns to psychics. One night she visits a fair with her sister and visits a fortune teller, who tells her three vague things such as her son will come back to her but not the how, why or where. Susannah is left wanting more answers and things get a little wonky. From Susannah's point of view, she is doing fine but her sister points out how Susannah scared her children at the fair.
Soon Susannah is hallucinating, and scenes occurred, and while reading them, I questioned whether the scenes were real, figments of her imagination, results of stress or if they were really happening. Something isn't quite right with her hallucinations and she questions if her missing son is trying to send her messages. One might question if the stress of not knowing is playing tricks on her mind? Is her constant turmoil and search for the truth affecting her perception? Or is she just a sleep deprived Mother coping with the disappearance of her child?
This is a slower paced book which tells the story through Susannah in the present with glimpses back into the past. Susannah and John tried hard for a child and felt blessed when their "winters child" entered their lives. Happy to be parents, the couple often had differing viewpoints on how to parent Joel.
This book also shows through the responses to her blog, the sick and cruel way, people try to prey on the loss of others. To use their hope against them for their own means.
This book has some twists but none that really wowed me. The ending was more alike an "aha" moment. I wasn't shocked and I'm not sure if most readers will be, but it will still evoke emotion. The word "haunting" comes up a lot in the description of this book. That feels about right. Something isn't quite right, and I dare you to put your finger on it. This psychological thriller is chilling, thought provoking and has the reader feeling various emotions while reading. If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat-page-turner you wont quite get it here. I found this to be a slower paced book but one that is still enjoyable.
Thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Susannah Harper's son, Joel, has been missing for five years. Susannah refuses to believe her son is dead and clings to her desperate hope that he is alive and will return to her one day. Unable to cope with their son's disappearance, Susannah and her husband, John divorce. This leaves Susannah alone to blog and follow whatever leads which may come up however misleading and cruel they may be. As she is obsessed with finding answers about her son's disappearance, she turns to psychics. One night she visits a fair with her sister and visits a fortune teller, who tells her three vague things such as her son will come back to her but not the how, why or where. Susannah is left wanting more answers and things get a little wonky. From Susannah's point of view, she is doing fine but her sister points out how Susannah scared her children at the fair.
Soon Susannah is hallucinating, and scenes occurred, and while reading them, I questioned whether the scenes were real, figments of her imagination, results of stress or if they were really happening. Something isn't quite right with her hallucinations and she questions if her missing son is trying to send her messages. One might question if the stress of not knowing is playing tricks on her mind? Is her constant turmoil and search for the truth affecting her perception? Or is she just a sleep deprived Mother coping with the disappearance of her child?
This is a slower paced book which tells the story through Susannah in the present with glimpses back into the past. Susannah and John tried hard for a child and felt blessed when their "winters child" entered their lives. Happy to be parents, the couple often had differing viewpoints on how to parent Joel.
This book also shows through the responses to her blog, the sick and cruel way, people try to prey on the loss of others. To use their hope against them for their own means.
This book has some twists but none that really wowed me. The ending was more alike an "aha" moment. I wasn't shocked and I'm not sure if most readers will be, but it will still evoke emotion. The word "haunting" comes up a lot in the description of this book. That feels about right. Something isn't quite right, and I dare you to put your finger on it. This psychological thriller is chilling, thought provoking and has the reader feeling various emotions while reading. If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat-page-turner you wont quite get it here. I found this to be a slower paced book but one that is still enjoyable.
Thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 6, 2018
3.5 Susannah and John tried to have a child of their own for many years, before making the decision to adopt. Finally, they are notified s young boy, three months old named, Joel was available for adoption. At last they had their son. As we know life is not all roses, and Joel is not an easy child to raise. When John finds marijuana in his now, teenaged sons room, there is an argument. Joel runs out of the house, never to return.
In the aftermath of his disappearance Susannah and in the beginning John visit different mediums, pyschics, hoping to find one that will help them find their son. Susannah starts a blog, warning others of the lack of credibility of most of these shysters. She becomes friends with another woman whose son is also missing. I became quite caught up in Susannshs struggles, trying to retain hope amidst much skepticism. The author does a great job with the tense, melancholy atmosphere, and the myriad of small, meaningful details provided. The public attention brought to a person once a horrible event becomes public, from public condemnation, accusations and from those who sympathize.
Where I felt this story excelled was in the handling of the disintengration of Susanne's thought processes, emotional being. Trying to hold on to what is real, against illusions that are not. Made for some very tense, suspenseful scenes. The book travels to the past, scenes where Joel has just gone missing, contrasted with the limbo, and life changes, Susannah lives in now. Quite well done.
ARC from Netgalley.
In the aftermath of his disappearance Susannah and in the beginning John visit different mediums, pyschics, hoping to find one that will help them find their son. Susannah starts a blog, warning others of the lack of credibility of most of these shysters. She becomes friends with another woman whose son is also missing. I became quite caught up in Susannshs struggles, trying to retain hope amidst much skepticism. The author does a great job with the tense, melancholy atmosphere, and the myriad of small, meaningful details provided. The public attention brought to a person once a horrible event becomes public, from public condemnation, accusations and from those who sympathize.
Where I felt this story excelled was in the handling of the disintengration of Susanne's thought processes, emotional being. Trying to hold on to what is real, against illusions that are not. Made for some very tense, suspenseful scenes. The book travels to the past, scenes where Joel has just gone missing, contrasted with the limbo, and life changes, Susannah lives in now. Quite well done.
ARC from Netgalley.
October 16, 2017
Deeply moving, intense, emotional and beautifully written 'Winter's Child' is a gem of a book.
Susannah Harper used to have it all, or so it seemed, perfect marriage, a much wanted son, Joel, beautiful house, a charmed life. It all falls apart when her son goes missing. Five years on, Joel has still not been found, her husband's gone, the relationship with her sister strained, and Susannah's life's unraveling. Her obsessive need to find out what happened to Joel, the raw emotions, almost madness she experiences, it's all so intense that I could not put that book down.
Cassandra Parkin wrote a chilling, dark thriller with strong characters and well-crafted plot. Highly recommended!
Susannah Harper used to have it all, or so it seemed, perfect marriage, a much wanted son, Joel, beautiful house, a charmed life. It all falls apart when her son goes missing. Five years on, Joel has still not been found, her husband's gone, the relationship with her sister strained, and Susannah's life's unraveling. Her obsessive need to find out what happened to Joel, the raw emotions, almost madness she experiences, it's all so intense that I could not put that book down.
Cassandra Parkin wrote a chilling, dark thriller with strong characters and well-crafted plot. Highly recommended!
August 7, 2018
Susannah and John were a happily married couple that had trouble bearing a child. After many rounds of IVF they finally settled on adoption. Into their lives came Joel. While he brought endless joy to Susannah, even with all of his difficulties, the relationship between John and Joel was always more of a struggle. As time ticks by and Joel enters his teenage years their relationship only becomes more troublesome. Susannah enables her son in his problems which only exacerbates what is already a stressful situation. Then one morning, after John and Joel have a terrible fight, Joel storms out of the house and he is never to be seen again.
Susannah, lost in her own misery, soon loses her husband too.
It has been five years since Joel has disappeared and they are still no closer to finding him.
After a chance encounter with a psychic at a fair she is told that Joel will be returning to her on Christmas and from here her world begins spinning out of control. She becomes overcome with hallucinations of scenes she can't quite figure out. An item, dearly loved by her son, long gone missing returns. Is she going mad or is Joel trying to send her signals from beyond?
This was a lovely story about heartbreaking loss. A mothers love for her son. A lost marriage. Cassandra Parkin wrote an emotionally compelling book that was hard to put down. The ending (even though I saw it coming) really broke my heart.
Thank you to IPG Publishing and Legends Time Group for generously sending me a physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Susannah, lost in her own misery, soon loses her husband too.
It has been five years since Joel has disappeared and they are still no closer to finding him.
After a chance encounter with a psychic at a fair she is told that Joel will be returning to her on Christmas and from here her world begins spinning out of control. She becomes overcome with hallucinations of scenes she can't quite figure out. An item, dearly loved by her son, long gone missing returns. Is she going mad or is Joel trying to send her signals from beyond?
This was a lovely story about heartbreaking loss. A mothers love for her son. A lost marriage. Cassandra Parkin wrote an emotionally compelling book that was hard to put down. The ending (even though I saw it coming) really broke my heart.
Thank you to IPG Publishing and Legends Time Group for generously sending me a physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2017
Having enjoyed Lily’s House, which was actually the very first book I read this year, I was eager to get my hands on The Winter’s Child. I’m pleased to say that this is another book I really enjoyed by this author.
The Winter’s Child is a dark mystery thriller. Yet again, this is a character led story. Something I’m discovering this author does very well. If you’re after a quick thrill, this probably isn’t the book for you, but if you enjoy character led stories with a dark foreboding atmosphere as the mystery unravels, then I would definitely recommend this book.
I really felt for Susannah, and could feel the personal torture in her need to know what had happened to her missing son. The feeling of her obsession and what felt like a gradual fall into insanity at times was very intense.
For many years I’ve been intrigued by fortune-tellers, but I’ve always been too afraid to approach one in case they tell me something that freaks me out and I spend the rest of my life obsessing about it. I have to say that this story in no way changed my opinion, other than to confirm that for me I think life is best left as a mystery.
Although I had my suspicions about the ending, I didn't fully guess what was going to happen.
Well-developed and believable characters and a wonderfully dark atmosphere that still hangs over me a couple of days after reading this.
My review is also available on my blog here:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...
The Winter’s Child is a dark mystery thriller. Yet again, this is a character led story. Something I’m discovering this author does very well. If you’re after a quick thrill, this probably isn’t the book for you, but if you enjoy character led stories with a dark foreboding atmosphere as the mystery unravels, then I would definitely recommend this book.
I really felt for Susannah, and could feel the personal torture in her need to know what had happened to her missing son. The feeling of her obsession and what felt like a gradual fall into insanity at times was very intense.
For many years I’ve been intrigued by fortune-tellers, but I’ve always been too afraid to approach one in case they tell me something that freaks me out and I spend the rest of my life obsessing about it. I have to say that this story in no way changed my opinion, other than to confirm that for me I think life is best left as a mystery.
Although I had my suspicions about the ending, I didn't fully guess what was going to happen.
Well-developed and believable characters and a wonderfully dark atmosphere that still hangs over me a couple of days after reading this.
My review is also available on my blog here:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...
October 18, 2017
I really loved this atmospheric chilling read.
Susannah Harper and John Harper have a teenage son named Joel. Joel goes missing.
Many of us have read story items in the Newspapers or watched appeals for missing children on the TV haven't we or even read a book about it or shared a post of a missing child on Social Media.
Heartbreaking events that I could never imagine the destroying effects of this on a marriage.
Some pull together some pull apart.
When I got to the part where Susannah is at a fair and creeps into the fortune tellers tent I was thinking a straight forward telling and revelations maybe, but no, not the case.
We learn that Susannah has a blog, she blogs all the time about how deceiving people like this are, so why has she gone in?
Susannah is a mess both mentally and physically.
John made me feel quite cold, he was an odd character that had many different sides to him, just couldn't fathom him at times and his responses to things.
Susannah of course is obsessed with finding Joel, finding out what happened, she can't settle, well.....would you?
The facets of this story ravels some tangles and knots that you just will take ages unpicking.
This is dark, chilling, compelling, emotional.
The plot is so tight its amazing finish left me applauding.
My thanks to Legend Press for sending me a paper copy
October 20, 2017
Well this is one dark and twisted tale. Whether or not you believe in physics or fortune tellers, the atmospheric narrative of The Winter’s Child will hold you spellbound.
Susannah Harper is an extremely complex character and if I’m honest, not one that I particularly liked. Her son Joel was 15 when he went missing five years previously. Joel was the focus of Susannah’s world; he was not an easy child and had his own inner demons but she obsessively smothered and protected him, always taking his side, even at the expense of her marriage.
She has an obsession with consulting physics despite knowing that so many are frauds – she can’t stop herself even whilst denouncing them on her blog called ‘Life Without Hope’ in which she lays bare her innermost thoughts and fears. We see her dealing with the internet trolls whom she labels “The Monsters Among Us” – those who comment on her blog with false sightings and demands for money in return for information as to Joel’s whereabouts.
Her blog leads her to befriend Jackie, the mother of another missing boy. Both Susannah and Jackie are needy people and although they come from completely different backgrounds, their missing children are the one thing they have in common. Susannah thought she had found a friend but I thought their friendship was destructive and didn’t think it helpful for Susannah to be around her.
Susannah’s pain is laid bare, she thinks she sees Joel at random locations and goes rushing off after him, much to the distress of her sister Melanie who pleads with her to seek help. As Susannah spirals dangerously out of control, we can only watch and hope that somehow she is able to pull herself back to reality.
Susannah has never stopped searching for Joel over the previous five years. However it is an impulse visit to a fortune teller at a local fair that sets in motion her renewed mission to find the truth. She is told that Joel will return to her by Christmas. As the story progresses revelations come to light about Susannah’s marriage and the problems with Joel.
This is a book that requires concentration and needs to be read slowly so that each perfectly constructed sentence can be savoured. The characters are wonderfully drawn – there were some that I disliked, others that I felt sorry for and those that I mistrusted. The story goes back and forth in time to before and after Joel’s disappearance and is interrupted with extracts from the blog.
The Winter’s Child is a beautifully written story of love and obsession with a mystery at its heart. I haven’t read anything by Cassandra Parkin before (I’m asking myself why on earth not!) but I certainly won’t make that mistake again.
Susannah Harper is an extremely complex character and if I’m honest, not one that I particularly liked. Her son Joel was 15 when he went missing five years previously. Joel was the focus of Susannah’s world; he was not an easy child and had his own inner demons but she obsessively smothered and protected him, always taking his side, even at the expense of her marriage.
She has an obsession with consulting physics despite knowing that so many are frauds – she can’t stop herself even whilst denouncing them on her blog called ‘Life Without Hope’ in which she lays bare her innermost thoughts and fears. We see her dealing with the internet trolls whom she labels “The Monsters Among Us” – those who comment on her blog with false sightings and demands for money in return for information as to Joel’s whereabouts.
Her blog leads her to befriend Jackie, the mother of another missing boy. Both Susannah and Jackie are needy people and although they come from completely different backgrounds, their missing children are the one thing they have in common. Susannah thought she had found a friend but I thought their friendship was destructive and didn’t think it helpful for Susannah to be around her.
Susannah’s pain is laid bare, she thinks she sees Joel at random locations and goes rushing off after him, much to the distress of her sister Melanie who pleads with her to seek help. As Susannah spirals dangerously out of control, we can only watch and hope that somehow she is able to pull herself back to reality.
Susannah has never stopped searching for Joel over the previous five years. However it is an impulse visit to a fortune teller at a local fair that sets in motion her renewed mission to find the truth. She is told that Joel will return to her by Christmas. As the story progresses revelations come to light about Susannah’s marriage and the problems with Joel.
This is a book that requires concentration and needs to be read slowly so that each perfectly constructed sentence can be savoured. The characters are wonderfully drawn – there were some that I disliked, others that I felt sorry for and those that I mistrusted. The story goes back and forth in time to before and after Joel’s disappearance and is interrupted with extracts from the blog.
The Winter’s Child is a beautifully written story of love and obsession with a mystery at its heart. I haven’t read anything by Cassandra Parkin before (I’m asking myself why on earth not!) but I certainly won’t make that mistake again.
August 10, 2018
Well, this book, despite its title and setting, doesn’t counteract the obscenely hot summer weather we’re having. But it does take your mind off of it. In fact, it’s unbelievably (literally) compelling for being such a flawed book. Where does one even start here? Ok, how about…this book featured the most irredeemably loathsome narrator I’ve encountered in a while. Yes, this is another one of those female authored female centered suspense thrillers and the main character is a mother. No, actually, she’s a Mother. This book is about motherhood at its ugliest and most disturbing. She’s dedicated her entire life to one goal and in backfired explosively. She’s obsessive, obsessed, grief stricken and slowly driven mad by her idle mind. She’s also manipulative, overbearing and cunning. She controls her adoring spouse and later her worshipping lover with sex to make sure they do her bidding. She’s the sort of woman who is well away of what women like her do and say, she’s a type and is well aware of it. She’s a slender attractive blue eyed blonde who uses her looks and put upon helpless act to get her away, the sort of woman who’d use baby doll voice to ask for things. In a word, tedious. Susannah (don’t abbreviate her name, she won’t stand for it, John and Joel were meant to be a happy family. She had it all planned out. It didn’t work out. Joel disappeared, the marriage ended and now she’s all alone with nothing to do for years, living off of alimony presumably, with nothing to do her mind starts feeding on itself spinning her into spiraling madness, complete with paranoid delusions of a somewhat supernatural quality. Not only a classic unreliable narrator, she’s a genuinely unlikeable one. She has smothered and cosseted her son into becoming a pathetically weak young man, repeatedly sabotaging any attempt of John’s to get him straightened out. She’s effectively solely responsible for the demise of her marriage, from suspecting John of terrible things to wasting thousands on psychics. She’s as odious and as unsympathetic of a character as you can find. You won’t love to hate her, you’ll just hate her. The fact that the book works with her at the center of it is…well, astonishing, really. Essentially as a reader you spend the entire book wrapped up in her lunacy. I’d be ok with that if the payoff was worth it, but alas, the ending can be predicted from a mile’s equivalent of digital words away. And in a suspense thriller that’s just a no no. Spending 288 pages with that horrid protagonist would have been tolerable had the prerequisite twist ending was sufficiently twisted…maybe. But don’t leave me with this psychotic mess and not properly surprise me at the end. That’s just…disappointing. Good thing the book had that weirdly mesmerizing quality of watching a train wreck in slow motion. The author can write, the characters she comes up with, though…that’s another matter altogether. Thanks Netgalley.
March 9, 2018
Winter reading for winter weather. Loved the setting (Hull) and the opening chapter: Susannah, whose teenage son Joel has been missing for five years, visits a fortune-teller. She's given three predictions, including the promise that Joel will come back to her on Christmas Eve. What follows doesn't deliver on the blurb's promise ('a ghostly winter read with a modern gothic flavour') quite as I'd have liked: it combines Susannah's renewed digging into Joel's disappearance with what seem to be apparitions – of the living as well as the dead – and the crumbling of her conviction that all who claim knowledge of 'the other side' are charlatans. Meanwhile, in flashbacks, we learn how Susannah's perfect little family came together and fell apart.
The domestic details of Susannah, John and Joel's life together feel accurate without being mawkish; where there is sweetness, it's tempered by an inevitable fraying at the edges. Parkin is really good at writing children, and this book made me realise how rare that is. The extracts from Susannah's blog, which she writes to warn other grieving parents and relatives about those that may try to con them, are also strong.
But, sigh, there's a bloody romance subplot. Nick is awful: he abruptly turns into an obsessed, lovesick schoolboy over Susannah the minute she shows some interest, despite having known her for years; it's implied he is attracted to both his wife – whose own mental health problems are frequently referenced but never explained – and Susannah because he likes to 'fix' broken people, yet he actively discourages Susannah from seeking psychiatric help when she needs it most. In fact, you could argue that he's the true villain of the story. (And not a very good policeman, either. Would a note from a neighbour who wouldn't even come out of his house to be questioned really be considered strong enough evidence to discount someone as a murder suspect?!)
I'm never quite sure what I should make of stories that equate mental health problems with horror and hauntings, that make someone who is suffering from an illness into a monstrous figure. I thought this was going to be, and would have preferred it to be, a more supernatural story – which is why my favourite parts were the scenes in which Susannah visits a medium who does seem to have some real insight into the unknown. Still, it's a well-written, atmospheric tale that made a great accompaniment to the snow and ice outside.
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The domestic details of Susannah, John and Joel's life together feel accurate without being mawkish; where there is sweetness, it's tempered by an inevitable fraying at the edges. Parkin is really good at writing children, and this book made me realise how rare that is. The extracts from Susannah's blog, which she writes to warn other grieving parents and relatives about those that may try to con them, are also strong.
But, sigh, there's a bloody romance subplot. Nick is awful: he abruptly turns into an obsessed, lovesick schoolboy over Susannah the minute she shows some interest, despite having known her for years; it's implied he is attracted to both his wife – whose own mental health problems are frequently referenced but never explained – and Susannah because he likes to 'fix' broken people, yet he actively discourages Susannah from seeking psychiatric help when she needs it most. In fact, you could argue that he's the true villain of the story. (And not a very good policeman, either. Would a note from a neighbour who wouldn't even come out of his house to be questioned really be considered strong enough evidence to discount someone as a murder suspect?!)
I'm never quite sure what I should make of stories that equate mental health problems with horror and hauntings, that make someone who is suffering from an illness into a monstrous figure. I thought this was going to be, and would have preferred it to be, a more supernatural story – which is why my favourite parts were the scenes in which Susannah visits a medium who does seem to have some real insight into the unknown. Still, it's a well-written, atmospheric tale that made a great accompaniment to the snow and ice outside.
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October 4, 2017
Susannah and John go through every parents worse nightmare, loosing a teenage son, Joel.
The book starts with Susannah out with her sister, niece and nephew at the Hull fair and decide to go and seek the help of a fortune teller.
She advises Susannah that her son will return by Christmas.
The story unfolds and we get a good insight into the lives of Susannah and her husband and how their lives are turned upside down, the emotions they go through and the stress on their relationship.
I enjoyed the story and how we go on the journey with them both, although a harrowing subject.
It's a dark thriller.
I've given this book 3 stars and received a free copy for an honest review.
The book starts with Susannah out with her sister, niece and nephew at the Hull fair and decide to go and seek the help of a fortune teller.
She advises Susannah that her son will return by Christmas.
The story unfolds and we get a good insight into the lives of Susannah and her husband and how their lives are turned upside down, the emotions they go through and the stress on their relationship.
I enjoyed the story and how we go on the journey with them both, although a harrowing subject.
It's a dark thriller.
I've given this book 3 stars and received a free copy for an honest review.
July 19, 2019
I adore reading books about fortune tellers. Five years ago Susannah Harper’s son Joel went missing. Susannah Harper visits a fortune-teller, where she is told three things that are true from her past and three things from her present plus three things about her future that will come true before the year turns, so the fortune-teller says. Was everything true that the fortune-teller told Susannah? And what about the prediction that Susannah’s lost son Joel whose face will appear Christmas eve. Can you honestly believe everything a fortune-teller says? I can’t possible tell you much more as I don’t want to spoil exciting mystery. I would love to hear about if any readers have made a visit to a fortune-teller and if what you was told was true.
August 3, 2018
Cassandra Parkin has a Masters degree in English Literature from York University, and has been writing fiction all her life - mostly as Christmas and birthday presents for friends and family. She is married with two children, has so far resisted her clear destiny to become a mad old cat lady, and lives in a small but perfectly-formed village in East Yorkshire. Her first book "New World Fairy Tales" was published back in 2011 (complete with a very creepy cover featuring a porcelain doll) and won the 2011 Scott Prize for Short Stories. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. "The Summer We All Ran Away" was Cassandra's debut novel published by Legend Press and nominated for the Amazon Rising Stars 2014. Her next three novels were also published by Legend Press, including "The Winter's Child" and her fifth novel "Underwater Breathing" was published in May 2018.
"The Winter's Child" is a heartbreakingly poignant book that follows Susannah Harper as she comes to terms with the loss of her son, Joel and then later, her husband, John, but the book mainly focuses on Joel. Having disappeared without trace, nobody knows whether he is still alive or if he has met his end and this lack of certainty means closure is not possible. Despite the lack of information, Susannah still holds on to the hope that Joel may still be alive and well somewhere but has come to realise that after five years of him being missing she may never know what became of him, so she resolves to try to help those who like her must learn to live without hope. Somewhat understandably she turns to clairvoyants and psychics to see if they can shed any light on the matter, it is a last resort before she tries to work through her thoughts and feelings and attempts to move on but what she is told changes that forever.
The story pulled me in from the beginning and I found it captivating and tender but that unfortunately didn't last. I felt Susannah's blog posts added little to the story and were quite tedious and long-winded and there was a lot of drama which I felt was unnecessary. I also felt the ending was rushed and didn't answer the questions most readers would've had. It was also a rather predictable read and the twists and turns didn't surprise me at all. However, it was well written and I loved the distinctive gothic flavour and the winter aspect added to the tension. It doesn't take long to work out that the story we are being told does not add up and as a reader who enjoys an unrealiable narrator, I liked this element too.
All in all, a decent read that I appreciated to a point. I would try another book by Parkin and may go and have a look at the synopsis for her new book and see if it sounds like something I would enjoy.
Many thanks to Legend Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
"The Winter's Child" is a heartbreakingly poignant book that follows Susannah Harper as she comes to terms with the loss of her son, Joel and then later, her husband, John, but the book mainly focuses on Joel. Having disappeared without trace, nobody knows whether he is still alive or if he has met his end and this lack of certainty means closure is not possible. Despite the lack of information, Susannah still holds on to the hope that Joel may still be alive and well somewhere but has come to realise that after five years of him being missing she may never know what became of him, so she resolves to try to help those who like her must learn to live without hope. Somewhat understandably she turns to clairvoyants and psychics to see if they can shed any light on the matter, it is a last resort before she tries to work through her thoughts and feelings and attempts to move on but what she is told changes that forever.
The story pulled me in from the beginning and I found it captivating and tender but that unfortunately didn't last. I felt Susannah's blog posts added little to the story and were quite tedious and long-winded and there was a lot of drama which I felt was unnecessary. I also felt the ending was rushed and didn't answer the questions most readers would've had. It was also a rather predictable read and the twists and turns didn't surprise me at all. However, it was well written and I loved the distinctive gothic flavour and the winter aspect added to the tension. It doesn't take long to work out that the story we are being told does not add up and as a reader who enjoys an unrealiable narrator, I liked this element too.
All in all, a decent read that I appreciated to a point. I would try another book by Parkin and may go and have a look at the synopsis for her new book and see if it sounds like something I would enjoy.
Many thanks to Legend Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
August 7, 2018
I really enjoyed Cassandra Parkin’s novel Lily’s House, so I was very eager to read her latest, especially when I heard it was a “ghostly winter mystery with a modern gothic flavour”. It sounded irresistible!
With an eye for detail and a very unique voice that captured my attention straight away, Parkin has a real knack in bringing her characters and settings to life. As in Lily’s House, I loved the mixture of the unreliable narrator with just the slightest touch of the magical, this time in the form of mystics and fortune tellers. Truth or lie? Reality or fantasy? This question was ever foremost in my mind whilst reading this book, as Susannah’s mind slowly unravels under the strain of looking for her missing child. I loved the way Parkin explored the demons of a mother whose child has vanished without a trace – surely every parent’s worst nightmare – and the ways in which she is trying to make her life whole again.
Family secrets again feature strongly in this novel, adding the irresistible spice that will make you sit up late into the night to get answers. Which is the very reason I will not delve into the story line too deeply here. I recommend going into this one blindly and letting yourself get swept up in the rapids of the narrative, twisting and turning and bumping over rocks, head under water gasping for breath.
Yes, there is also that atmospheric, bleak and chilly setting that helps your blood run cold as all the truths are finally revealed in a kaleidoscope of nightmarish images that so masterfully convey the very essence of the story. Readers who enjoy the “book within a book” concept as much as I do will appreciate excerpts from Susannah’s blog giving her account of what it is like to be the parent of a missing child. Whilst I can’t say I particularly “liked” Susannah, she is a masterful creation, a flawed character with an emotional depth that drove the story for me. Her blog was an imaginative way to get glimpses into her mind that added that extra something as the mystery unravelled.
As the boundaries between reality and fantasy become blurred, the story takes on a more sinister tone, which chilled me to the core – so very clever! Only to end with a final reveal that had me totally gobsmacked.
Okay, before I give anything away, let’s sum it up: if you are a fan of a chilling mystery with an atmospheric, gothic setting, an unreliable narrator and a little sprinkling of a magical element, then I strongly recommend this book. Parkin has rapidly made her way onto my list of authors to look out for, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and Legend Press for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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With an eye for detail and a very unique voice that captured my attention straight away, Parkin has a real knack in bringing her characters and settings to life. As in Lily’s House, I loved the mixture of the unreliable narrator with just the slightest touch of the magical, this time in the form of mystics and fortune tellers. Truth or lie? Reality or fantasy? This question was ever foremost in my mind whilst reading this book, as Susannah’s mind slowly unravels under the strain of looking for her missing child. I loved the way Parkin explored the demons of a mother whose child has vanished without a trace – surely every parent’s worst nightmare – and the ways in which she is trying to make her life whole again.
Family secrets again feature strongly in this novel, adding the irresistible spice that will make you sit up late into the night to get answers. Which is the very reason I will not delve into the story line too deeply here. I recommend going into this one blindly and letting yourself get swept up in the rapids of the narrative, twisting and turning and bumping over rocks, head under water gasping for breath.
Yes, there is also that atmospheric, bleak and chilly setting that helps your blood run cold as all the truths are finally revealed in a kaleidoscope of nightmarish images that so masterfully convey the very essence of the story. Readers who enjoy the “book within a book” concept as much as I do will appreciate excerpts from Susannah’s blog giving her account of what it is like to be the parent of a missing child. Whilst I can’t say I particularly “liked” Susannah, she is a masterful creation, a flawed character with an emotional depth that drove the story for me. Her blog was an imaginative way to get glimpses into her mind that added that extra something as the mystery unravelled.
As the boundaries between reality and fantasy become blurred, the story takes on a more sinister tone, which chilled me to the core – so very clever! Only to end with a final reveal that had me totally gobsmacked.
Okay, before I give anything away, let’s sum it up: if you are a fan of a chilling mystery with an atmospheric, gothic setting, an unreliable narrator and a little sprinkling of a magical element, then I strongly recommend this book. Parkin has rapidly made her way onto my list of authors to look out for, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and Legend Press for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
January 25, 2019
Update 3: This book was such a mindfuck. Right from the beginning because, I confess, I had it written off from the first sentence. I was all, “Pfft, first person present, this won’t last long with me.” I was wrong. WRONG. WRONG BEYOND ALL MEASURABLE LEVELS OF HUMAN ERROR. I read it in one go with sweaty palms and elevated pulse. It’s heartbreaking and twisted and manipulative with unreliable narrators and I need someone else to read it. Anyone. It’s in KU. Hurry!
Update 2: I’ll write something coherent later, when I take my kindle out of the freezer. Get that book AWAY from me, it’s evil!! (You should totally read it.)
Update 1: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!
Update 2: I’ll write something coherent later, when I take my kindle out of the freezer. Get that book AWAY from me, it’s evil!! (You should totally read it.)
Update 1: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!
March 9, 2021
Welp, they can't all be winners...
The Winter's Child has been in my Netgalley queue since 2018, so it felt like time to get to it. Based on the blurb, I was expecting a fast-paced mystery about a mother seeking her missing son. What I got instead was a slow, awkward mess of a book that never really delivered on what the blurb promises.
I saw the twist ending coming a mile away, which doesn't always bother me, but in the book, there was really nothing else for me to invest in. Susannah is just plain bad as our main character - she's a complete doormat of a human being, yet she's also sneaky and manipulative towards her husband/ex-husband. All of the segments of this book set in the past drove me up a wall; her relationship with her son was super unhealthy and she's completely incapable of communicating with her husband. She's just an awful character, and I felt nothing but annoyance towards her.
And then there's the fact that the plot makes no sense. The author is clearly going for an unreliable narrator thing, but we go from 0 to batshit in no time flat with very little trigger or explanation. It's abrupt and awkward and just made the story feel messy to me. Plus it plays off probably one of my least favourite tropes of "traumatized woman as unreliable narrator because omg aren't women just SO crazy and emotional?!"
So uh...yeah, suffice to say this was not a winner for me. I'm giving it a generous ⭐⭐ simply because it wasn't *quite* as awful as my last 1 star read.
The Winter's Child has been in my Netgalley queue since 2018, so it felt like time to get to it. Based on the blurb, I was expecting a fast-paced mystery about a mother seeking her missing son. What I got instead was a slow, awkward mess of a book that never really delivered on what the blurb promises.
I saw the twist ending coming a mile away, which doesn't always bother me, but in the book, there was really nothing else for me to invest in. Susannah is just plain bad as our main character - she's a complete doormat of a human being, yet she's also sneaky and manipulative towards her husband/ex-husband. All of the segments of this book set in the past drove me up a wall; her relationship with her son was super unhealthy and she's completely incapable of communicating with her husband. She's just an awful character, and I felt nothing but annoyance towards her.
And then there's the fact that the plot makes no sense. The author is clearly going for an unreliable narrator thing, but we go from 0 to batshit in no time flat with very little trigger or explanation. It's abrupt and awkward and just made the story feel messy to me. Plus it plays off probably one of my least favourite tropes of "traumatized woman as unreliable narrator because omg aren't women just SO crazy and emotional?!"
So uh...yeah, suffice to say this was not a winner for me. I'm giving it a generous ⭐⭐ simply because it wasn't *quite* as awful as my last 1 star read.
November 3, 2017
The Winter's Child is a crime story but not necessarily one told as you would expect. It is told mainly from the point of view of the victims, the parent's of two missing children with the police being largely background characters. I thought this was a fascinating approach to take as it was very interesting to see the investigation from the otherside and realise how such an event and a crime investigation can affect the victims. It made the story much more emotional then it otherwise would have been as you can see how each twist, turn or revelation effects the victims and how they can go on a huge rollercoaster ride of different emotions throughout the investigation.
I had mixed feelings about the main character Susannah. On one hand i really felt for her as her emotions about her lost son were still very evident in her daily life and actions. It was heartbreaking to see how much she tried to fight against them and lead a normal life but was set back by little things. The description of the daily rituals that she follows in her son's memory were very poignant to read about as were the ways that she tried to rationalise every hopeful thought she has about her son to try and protect herself from further hurt. I loved the relationship she had developed with her neighbour and the description of how they were able to support each other without talking was beautiful and brought a tear to my eye.
However I did find her a little selfish and unfeeling at times, especially towards others who had also suffered the loss of the child. She seemed to believe that her opinion or way of thinking was the only correct way to be and didn't seem to care a lot about the way others in her situation might feel. As someone who has lost a child, albeit it a slightly different way, I actually agreed with Jackie's observation that it doesn't matter what people believe in as long as is it giving them comfort that is all that matters. When I lost Christopher the hope that I would get to see him again in heaven and hopefully get to spend time with him was very comforting to me, as was the hope that he was watching over us all and keeping us safe. I know others wouldn't agree with this opinion but if it provides comfort to a grieving mother I don't see what the harm in it is. I felt Susannah was wrong to be so outspoken against things and it did make me dislike her a bit.
My favourite character was Jackie, I loved her attitude and the fact that she tried to help Susannah despite suffering herself. She seemed a very strong lady, determined to find her son but not to let his disappearance affect her daughter. She seemed to also be the only one to stand up to Susannah and the only person willing to tell her she was wrong. I found I quite admired her and hoped that in a similar situation I might be like her.
The information about how psychics work was very interesting as its a subject I've never really given much thought to before. Their ability to work out a suitable fortune for someone based on the similar things everyone at an event might have experience is obvious when you think about it but not something that I had ever realised before. I do hope that not all of them prey on vulnerable people though and that there is some sort of legal action that can be taken if they are found to have done.
The style and flow of the book drew me in from the first page and I soon found myself really immersed in the story. The author has a brilliant ability to help the reader understand a character quite quickly and I soon felt that I understood Susannah well and knew what made her tick. I think this is because the author describes what the character is thinking so the reader gets a much more holistic view of them. She also doesn't hold back from telling the reader everything, whether good or bad, about the character leaving the reader to make up their mind about them.
This the first book by Cassandra Parkin that I have read but it definitely won't be my last and I look forward to reading more by her in the future.
Thank you to Legend Press for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.
I had mixed feelings about the main character Susannah. On one hand i really felt for her as her emotions about her lost son were still very evident in her daily life and actions. It was heartbreaking to see how much she tried to fight against them and lead a normal life but was set back by little things. The description of the daily rituals that she follows in her son's memory were very poignant to read about as were the ways that she tried to rationalise every hopeful thought she has about her son to try and protect herself from further hurt. I loved the relationship she had developed with her neighbour and the description of how they were able to support each other without talking was beautiful and brought a tear to my eye.
However I did find her a little selfish and unfeeling at times, especially towards others who had also suffered the loss of the child. She seemed to believe that her opinion or way of thinking was the only correct way to be and didn't seem to care a lot about the way others in her situation might feel. As someone who has lost a child, albeit it a slightly different way, I actually agreed with Jackie's observation that it doesn't matter what people believe in as long as is it giving them comfort that is all that matters. When I lost Christopher the hope that I would get to see him again in heaven and hopefully get to spend time with him was very comforting to me, as was the hope that he was watching over us all and keeping us safe. I know others wouldn't agree with this opinion but if it provides comfort to a grieving mother I don't see what the harm in it is. I felt Susannah was wrong to be so outspoken against things and it did make me dislike her a bit.
My favourite character was Jackie, I loved her attitude and the fact that she tried to help Susannah despite suffering herself. She seemed a very strong lady, determined to find her son but not to let his disappearance affect her daughter. She seemed to also be the only one to stand up to Susannah and the only person willing to tell her she was wrong. I found I quite admired her and hoped that in a similar situation I might be like her.
The information about how psychics work was very interesting as its a subject I've never really given much thought to before. Their ability to work out a suitable fortune for someone based on the similar things everyone at an event might have experience is obvious when you think about it but not something that I had ever realised before. I do hope that not all of them prey on vulnerable people though and that there is some sort of legal action that can be taken if they are found to have done.
The style and flow of the book drew me in from the first page and I soon found myself really immersed in the story. The author has a brilliant ability to help the reader understand a character quite quickly and I soon felt that I understood Susannah well and knew what made her tick. I think this is because the author describes what the character is thinking so the reader gets a much more holistic view of them. She also doesn't hold back from telling the reader everything, whether good or bad, about the character leaving the reader to make up their mind about them.
This the first book by Cassandra Parkin that I have read but it definitely won't be my last and I look forward to reading more by her in the future.
Thank you to Legend Press for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.
December 16, 2017
Horrible, horrible incredibly lazy gimmick ending. Pretty much the most cliche ending you can get. I guessed it halfway through and was hoping to gawd I was wrong. But, nope... This is the first and last book by this author I'm going to read.
October 10, 2017
Oh wow I LOVED this book!! Susannah Harper's son Joel disappeared 5 years ago and she is now divorced from her husband John and alone and friendless. Her inability to accept that Joel may never come back causes her to become isolated from her family and alienates any friends that she had.
Susannah writes a blog and exposes psychics who prey on people like her. Despite this she visits a fortune teller at Hull Fair who tells her that Joel will come back to her on Christmas Eve.
This a story where things are not what they seem and mysteries deepen just when you think you know what's happening. No spoilers but this is a really well-written and cleverly crafted book and I enjoyed it - it swept me along in a plausible tale that encompasses psychics, madness and mystery. Thoroughly recommend it!!!
Susannah writes a blog and exposes psychics who prey on people like her. Despite this she visits a fortune teller at Hull Fair who tells her that Joel will come back to her on Christmas Eve.
This a story where things are not what they seem and mysteries deepen just when you think you know what's happening. No spoilers but this is a really well-written and cleverly crafted book and I enjoyed it - it swept me along in a plausible tale that encompasses psychics, madness and mystery. Thoroughly recommend it!!!
September 10, 2017
Devoured this book in one long, glorious reading session. Beautifully dark, twisty and unexpected. I really enjoyed it.
October 22, 2017
The Winter's Child is one of the most atmospheric books that I have read this year. Cassandra Parkin's writing is excellent and I was quickly drawn into the mystery of why Susannah's son Joel disappeared and where he is now. I thought the use of mystics/psychics was a unique and unusual way of investigation and it was really interesting to see Susannah's reliance on them even though she knows most of them are charlatans.
As a blogger myself, it was good to see the main character use blogging too and I enjoyed the blog pieces throughout the book. I really enjoyed mixed media books, especially when they are done well as in The Winter's Child.
The characters are all complex and you end up having an opinion on everyone whether it be good or bad. What Susannah is going through is every parents worst nightmare and it was quite distressing seeing her trying to deal with the disappearance and everything that happens after. She isn't the most likeable character though and that makes it to me even more realistic as you end up judging her even when you're telling yourself not to.
I was fully immersed in this story and when things start to get eerie I really felt creeped out even when I had put the book down. The Winter's Child is a dark and emotional book and is a perfect autumn/Halloween read, one to pick up on these dark nights and curl up with a blanket and a hot brew.
I won't be giving away any of the story, but I will say it is extremely well executed and kept me questioning my own thoughts.
Oh I also couldn't finish my review without mentioning just how gorgeous the cover is for The Winter's Child. Excellent and eye catching art work.
As a blogger myself, it was good to see the main character use blogging too and I enjoyed the blog pieces throughout the book. I really enjoyed mixed media books, especially when they are done well as in The Winter's Child.
The characters are all complex and you end up having an opinion on everyone whether it be good or bad. What Susannah is going through is every parents worst nightmare and it was quite distressing seeing her trying to deal with the disappearance and everything that happens after. She isn't the most likeable character though and that makes it to me even more realistic as you end up judging her even when you're telling yourself not to.
I was fully immersed in this story and when things start to get eerie I really felt creeped out even when I had put the book down. The Winter's Child is a dark and emotional book and is a perfect autumn/Halloween read, one to pick up on these dark nights and curl up with a blanket and a hot brew.
I won't be giving away any of the story, but I will say it is extremely well executed and kept me questioning my own thoughts.
Oh I also couldn't finish my review without mentioning just how gorgeous the cover is for The Winter's Child. Excellent and eye catching art work.
January 3, 2022
Strange, weird, and never ending. I regret taking the advice of a local library worker.
I do no recommend
I do no recommend
December 19, 2018
Susannah and John Harper were very much in love and they longed for a child. When they couldn’t conceive, they decided to adopt. Joel, the infant they adopted, was born addicted to drugs. They brought him home on Midwinter’s Day, just before Christmas. They called him their “Winter’s Child”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Susannah Harper’s fifteen year-old son Joel went to school one morning, left at lunch-time, and was never seen again. Now, five long years have passed. Susannah’s husband, a doctor, has left her. They were never able to be united in their methods of parenting, and now they are unable to cope with the loss of their son. She finds solace in her household routines, and in her blog. As she has been, and continues to be, plagued by scammers trying to profit from her hope of being reunited with her missing son, she has created a blog called “Life Without Hope” making it her calling to protect others from the spiritualists and frauds who prey upon the traumatized.
While visiting Hull Fair with her sister and her sister’s children, Susannah, against her better judgement, visits a fortune-teller. Skeptical, Susannah does feel that this time it is different. The fortune-teller says that “When the snow falls on Christmas Eve you’ll see his face again, and you’ll know where he’s been, and why he’s been there.”
Shortly after this event, Susannah’s life begins to unravel. She receives a blog comment which she quickly deletes – only to realize after she has done so that it was signed by Joel Moel, her secret affectionate name for her son. She takes her concerns to the police officer in charge of Joel’s case. Then, one day while cleaning Joel’s room, she discovers Joel’s stuffed toy, Scrap-Dog. As she has scrupulously cleaned and tidied his room countless times in the past five years, why is it now that the toy is sitting on Joel’s bed? Susannah begins to doubt herself. Is she hallucinating? The depiction of Susannah’s increasingly manic behaviour is brilliant, though it also causes the reader to believe that something about Joel’s disappearance isn’t quite right…
Susannah’s attraction to the policeman, Nick, a married man, is suspect – yet she seems so solitary – so very alone in her world that it is understandable.
Susannah befriends another woman whose son has also gone missing – but much more recently. She realizes that Jackie is someone she would never have otherwise been friends with yet their shared experience unites them.
As time passes it becomes abundantly clear that Susannah’s grief and loss of Joel has addled her mind. She is mentally unstable. But… the reader wonders… was she also unstable BEFORE Joel disappeared from their lives?
MY THOUGHTS
My first acquaintance with the writing of Cassandra Parkin came about earlier this year when I read her novel “Underwater Breathing“. I was so impressed with that one that I was more than eager to try another by her. After reading this novel I’ve come to realize that I enjoy her writing so much that I will endeavor to read everything she has written – as time permits.
Although ‘missing children’ seems to be an oft used trope in fiction, this author’s spin on the subject was unique enough to make her novel hold my interest. It showed the nasty side of humanity. How social media has enabled malicious and taunting internet trolls. How these trolls prey upon those who are enduring a personal trauma and try to profit from the pain and suffering of others. On the other hand it exploring the awesome power of hope that gets people through times that would devastate them otherwise. Also, it brilliantly described a family dynamic that might be more prevalent that we think. The whole ‘parent being jealous of the child’s place in their spouse’s life” scenario. Parenting when one parent undermines the other parent’s wishes and endeavors.
In spite of the empathy I felt for the protagonist Susannah, I found I just could NOT like her. I found her husband John, and her sister, Melanie, much easier to like and understand.
The ending, which took place on Christmas Eve, was what I expected, though I believe it might surprise some readers. Anyone expecting a nice ‘Christmasy’ read will be disappointed. This is a slow-paced, character-rich, domestic thriller.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Legend Press via NetGalley. This unbiased review is my way of saying thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Susannah Harper’s fifteen year-old son Joel went to school one morning, left at lunch-time, and was never seen again. Now, five long years have passed. Susannah’s husband, a doctor, has left her. They were never able to be united in their methods of parenting, and now they are unable to cope with the loss of their son. She finds solace in her household routines, and in her blog. As she has been, and continues to be, plagued by scammers trying to profit from her hope of being reunited with her missing son, she has created a blog called “Life Without Hope” making it her calling to protect others from the spiritualists and frauds who prey upon the traumatized.
While visiting Hull Fair with her sister and her sister’s children, Susannah, against her better judgement, visits a fortune-teller. Skeptical, Susannah does feel that this time it is different. The fortune-teller says that “When the snow falls on Christmas Eve you’ll see his face again, and you’ll know where he’s been, and why he’s been there.”
Shortly after this event, Susannah’s life begins to unravel. She receives a blog comment which she quickly deletes – only to realize after she has done so that it was signed by Joel Moel, her secret affectionate name for her son. She takes her concerns to the police officer in charge of Joel’s case. Then, one day while cleaning Joel’s room, she discovers Joel’s stuffed toy, Scrap-Dog. As she has scrupulously cleaned and tidied his room countless times in the past five years, why is it now that the toy is sitting on Joel’s bed? Susannah begins to doubt herself. Is she hallucinating? The depiction of Susannah’s increasingly manic behaviour is brilliant, though it also causes the reader to believe that something about Joel’s disappearance isn’t quite right…
Susannah’s attraction to the policeman, Nick, a married man, is suspect – yet she seems so solitary – so very alone in her world that it is understandable.
Susannah befriends another woman whose son has also gone missing – but much more recently. She realizes that Jackie is someone she would never have otherwise been friends with yet their shared experience unites them.
As time passes it becomes abundantly clear that Susannah’s grief and loss of Joel has addled her mind. She is mentally unstable. But… the reader wonders… was she also unstable BEFORE Joel disappeared from their lives?
MY THOUGHTS
My first acquaintance with the writing of Cassandra Parkin came about earlier this year when I read her novel “Underwater Breathing“. I was so impressed with that one that I was more than eager to try another by her. After reading this novel I’ve come to realize that I enjoy her writing so much that I will endeavor to read everything she has written – as time permits.
Although ‘missing children’ seems to be an oft used trope in fiction, this author’s spin on the subject was unique enough to make her novel hold my interest. It showed the nasty side of humanity. How social media has enabled malicious and taunting internet trolls. How these trolls prey upon those who are enduring a personal trauma and try to profit from the pain and suffering of others. On the other hand it exploring the awesome power of hope that gets people through times that would devastate them otherwise. Also, it brilliantly described a family dynamic that might be more prevalent that we think. The whole ‘parent being jealous of the child’s place in their spouse’s life” scenario. Parenting when one parent undermines the other parent’s wishes and endeavors.
In spite of the empathy I felt for the protagonist Susannah, I found I just could NOT like her. I found her husband John, and her sister, Melanie, much easier to like and understand.
The ending, which took place on Christmas Eve, was what I expected, though I believe it might surprise some readers. Anyone expecting a nice ‘Christmasy’ read will be disappointed. This is a slow-paced, character-rich, domestic thriller.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Legend Press via NetGalley. This unbiased review is my way of saying thanks.
September 27, 2017
Susannah and John’s son Joel disappeared five years ago, at the age of fifteen. The case has never been solved and Susannah is still occasionally in touch with one of the police team who searched for her son. She becomes obsessive about finding him, going out at all hours to search, and finally, she and her husband part. Though professing to despise mediums and clairvoyants, She still occasionally contacts one, and is told, on the night of Hull Fair (October) that she’ll see her son again by Christmas.
Although, as the story progressed and past scenes unfolded, I felt the inevitability of the ending, I couldn’t work out why. One of the strengths of the author’s writing is that she can tell of deep and turbulent emotions in clear and logical language – you follow it from the character’s point of view, and totally believe it. It’s very well done indeed. A stand-out book, for me.
Although, as the story progressed and past scenes unfolded, I felt the inevitability of the ending, I couldn’t work out why. One of the strengths of the author’s writing is that she can tell of deep and turbulent emotions in clear and logical language – you follow it from the character’s point of view, and totally believe it. It’s very well done indeed. A stand-out book, for me.
August 7, 2021
Most books leave me wanting to know what happens next, where the characters are heading now the story is over. This book left me feeling drained, annoyed, and just...happy to put it down. I'm just not sure if that's because of the protagonist, the nonlinear storytelling, muddled perspective, or a combination of all three and more.
One of those books where I think you may be meant to dislike the protagonist. Which is frustrating because she's a mother who has lost her child and her life is falling apart around her. Her sister won't talk to her, her son's missing, and her now ex husband is married with new children. And yet, despite all that, I can't stand her. It really makes it hard to keep reading, which is unfortunate. The story was good, just an awful protagonist.
Seriously, having finally finished this, I'm kind of annoyed at the amount of time I spent reading it. From the moment she met her baby she thought she knew better, protected him from every little danger, and provided him excuse after excuse, and he started repeating it. " I don't want to do it mum, because I'm scared of dad, scared of disappointing him." No, kid, you aren't. You don't want to, because you were never taught to grow up and deal with things you may not like cause your mother handicapped you, and made you dependent on her. I feel bad for him, honestly.
And the cop! Ugh, I actually liked his character until he started sleeping with her. Truthfully, it might have made her character flaws more...tangible. she's kind of a narcissist, and if he never gave into her, it could have been read as her narcissism convincing her the cop liked her. But the he went and HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HER. And while we have very little insight to him as a fleshed out character, it still feels out of place...
One of those books where I think you may be meant to dislike the protagonist. Which is frustrating because she's a mother who has lost her child and her life is falling apart around her. Her sister won't talk to her, her son's missing, and her now ex husband is married with new children. And yet, despite all that, I can't stand her. It really makes it hard to keep reading, which is unfortunate. The story was good, just an awful protagonist.
Seriously, having finally finished this, I'm kind of annoyed at the amount of time I spent reading it. From the moment she met her baby she thought she knew better, protected him from every little danger, and provided him excuse after excuse, and he started repeating it. " I don't want to do it mum, because I'm scared of dad, scared of disappointing him." No, kid, you aren't. You don't want to, because you were never taught to grow up and deal with things you may not like cause your mother handicapped you, and made you dependent on her. I feel bad for him, honestly.
And the cop! Ugh, I actually liked his character until he started sleeping with her. Truthfully, it might have made her character flaws more...tangible. she's kind of a narcissist, and if he never gave into her, it could have been read as her narcissism convincing her the cop liked her. But the he went and HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HER. And while we have very little insight to him as a fleshed out character, it still feels out of place...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
Wow. I have always loved Parkin's books - have read every single one - but oh, this is a treat. I didn't think it possible that she up her game, but she has. All her usual talents are present and accounted for; beautiful prose, thoughtful and real characters, gorgeous story. But this one is darker, twistier, and utterly addictive. Watch out world, this one should be huge!
February 16, 2018
'Winter's Child' is another example of Cassandra Parkin's superb writing. A deeply haunting tale of loss, I was completely mesmerised by the story and characters.
When her teenage son went missing, Susannah was bereft. Joel was her life and in her desperation to find him she began to visit clairvoyants; seeking answers to his disappearance. Her inability to focus on anything but Joel bought her marriage to an end, and, five years on, she finds herself alone, still searching for him. She no longer believes in clairvoyants and blogs about their deceptions, but an encounter with a mystic at a local fair starts up a chain of events that sees Susannah and those around her question her ability to function. As she becomes increasingly traumatised, details of the weeks surrounding Joel's disappearance begin to surface, and Susannah finally gets the answers she craves.
Truly compelling and heartbreaking, my Kindle didn't leave my hands throughout. The characters are amazing and the conclusion left my heart in knots. Highly recommended!
When her teenage son went missing, Susannah was bereft. Joel was her life and in her desperation to find him she began to visit clairvoyants; seeking answers to his disappearance. Her inability to focus on anything but Joel bought her marriage to an end, and, five years on, she finds herself alone, still searching for him. She no longer believes in clairvoyants and blogs about their deceptions, but an encounter with a mystic at a local fair starts up a chain of events that sees Susannah and those around her question her ability to function. As she becomes increasingly traumatised, details of the weeks surrounding Joel's disappearance begin to surface, and Susannah finally gets the answers she craves.
Truly compelling and heartbreaking, my Kindle didn't leave my hands throughout. The characters are amazing and the conclusion left my heart in knots. Highly recommended!
November 1, 2017
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
It would be safe to assume that The Winter’s Child is just another missing child/ unreliable narrator/ psychological thriller. But even though the novel does cover some of those things it is completely different to what I expected it to be. It does concern a missing child but the child isn’t a young boy like I imagined him to be, he is a teenager who disappeared after a family row. There is an unreliable narrator but again it is different. Susannah is a difficult character to understand. I wanted to feel sympathy for her. She is vulnerable and suffering without Joel but she appeared to be cold to others, selfish, unapproachable and snobbish. Her attitude to John, Melanie and Jackie was appalling. Especially Jackie, who was one of the characters I really warmed to. The police are minor characters, the focus is mostly on Susannah and how she is coping, or not, without her son.
It’s beautifully written, and quite refreshing to read. It’s a crime novel but it’s approached from a parent’s view rather than an investigation into a disappearance of a messed up teenager. A remarkable novel that will stay in my thought for quite a while.
It would be safe to assume that The Winter’s Child is just another missing child/ unreliable narrator/ psychological thriller. But even though the novel does cover some of those things it is completely different to what I expected it to be. It does concern a missing child but the child isn’t a young boy like I imagined him to be, he is a teenager who disappeared after a family row. There is an unreliable narrator but again it is different. Susannah is a difficult character to understand. I wanted to feel sympathy for her. She is vulnerable and suffering without Joel but she appeared to be cold to others, selfish, unapproachable and snobbish. Her attitude to John, Melanie and Jackie was appalling. Especially Jackie, who was one of the characters I really warmed to. The police are minor characters, the focus is mostly on Susannah and how she is coping, or not, without her son.
It’s beautifully written, and quite refreshing to read. It’s a crime novel but it’s approached from a parent’s view rather than an investigation into a disappearance of a messed up teenager. A remarkable novel that will stay in my thought for quite a while.
October 20, 2017
I am a fan of both Legend Press and of Cassandra Parkin's writing, so this is double joy for me. As always, Legend have produced an exquisite cover for this one, it totally and wonderfully represents the fabulous story within the pages.
The Winter's Child of the title is Joel Harper who has been missing for five years, the story is told by Susannah; his mother. This is not a traditional 'missing child' story at all, this is a novel that doesn't just concentrate on trying to establish where Joel is. No, The Winter's Child is so much more than that. Cassandra Parkin has written a story that is both haunting and very unusual, she's created characters that consume the reader with their complexities.
Susannah Harper is a character that disturbed me, in many ways. She is grieving the loss of not only her young son, but also her marriage. She's insecure, yet confrontational; she's one of the most interesting and infuriating characters that I've come across for a long time. Yet, there is something about her that urges the reader to back her, despite her constant forays into the world of psychics and fortune tellers. Susannah writes a blog in which she pours scorn on these people, yet something pulls her back to them, time and again.
Set in the city of Hull, which is brilliantly described, adding depth and atmosphere to what is already an excellent tale, Cassandra Parkin's talent for plot and pace is incredible. I was in Hull, I was in Susannah's head.
With surprises and twists along the way, The Winter's Child is a book that will stay with me for a long time. This is the author's best book to date, I adored it.
https://randomthingsthroughmyletterbo...
The Winter's Child of the title is Joel Harper who has been missing for five years, the story is told by Susannah; his mother. This is not a traditional 'missing child' story at all, this is a novel that doesn't just concentrate on trying to establish where Joel is. No, The Winter's Child is so much more than that. Cassandra Parkin has written a story that is both haunting and very unusual, she's created characters that consume the reader with their complexities.
Susannah Harper is a character that disturbed me, in many ways. She is grieving the loss of not only her young son, but also her marriage. She's insecure, yet confrontational; she's one of the most interesting and infuriating characters that I've come across for a long time. Yet, there is something about her that urges the reader to back her, despite her constant forays into the world of psychics and fortune tellers. Susannah writes a blog in which she pours scorn on these people, yet something pulls her back to them, time and again.
Set in the city of Hull, which is brilliantly described, adding depth and atmosphere to what is already an excellent tale, Cassandra Parkin's talent for plot and pace is incredible. I was in Hull, I was in Susannah's head.
With surprises and twists along the way, The Winter's Child is a book that will stay with me for a long time. This is the author's best book to date, I adored it.
https://randomthingsthroughmyletterbo...
October 30, 2017
**RATING 4.5**
THE WINTER'S CHILD by Cassandra Parkin is a haunting, troubling, spine-tingling story that is simply stunning in its conveyance of the despair and longing that leaps from every sentence.
It has been five long years for Susannah Harper whose life stopped when her fifteen-year-old son walked out the door one morning and never came back home. Followed by the breakdown of her marriage, Susannah now finds herself completely alone, with the exception of her sister Melanie and her family. Writing her blog unmasking psychics for the frauds that she believes them to be, Susannah still hopes that someday her little boy will come back to her. But when she sees a psychic at the local fair, it will begin a chain reaction that will have Susannah, and those around her, questioning her sanity. Because she keeps seeing Joel, and having visions of drowning, and she knows that Joel is trying to send her some sort of message. But will Susannah ever be able to unlock the truth that has been hidden for so long?
As a mother, the premise of this story terrified me from the very beginning, and as we get to know Susannah, we see a broken woman who is on the edge of despair with longing for her missing son. Questioning everyone and everything around her, we see her struggle to figure out what these visions could mean, but as the pace increases it soon becomes clear that there is something dark and disturbing at work. At times I did not want to know the truth yet I couldn't put this book down as I needed to know what happened to Joel and hoped that I was wrong in my assumptions. The story is told from Susannah's point of view moving from past to present, with snippets from her blog highlighting how she has fought to cope with never knowing exactly what happened to her beloved little boy. While my heart went out to her at times throughout this book, None of the characters are completely likeable as we can see they have made mistakes but I don't think characters have to be likeable, just realistic.
THE WINTER'S CHILD by Cassandra Parkin will put you through the emotional wringer and that ending will blow your freaking mind! Definitely a book that deserves to be read far and wide.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
THE WINTER'S CHILD by Cassandra Parkin is a haunting, troubling, spine-tingling story that is simply stunning in its conveyance of the despair and longing that leaps from every sentence.
It has been five long years for Susannah Harper whose life stopped when her fifteen-year-old son walked out the door one morning and never came back home. Followed by the breakdown of her marriage, Susannah now finds herself completely alone, with the exception of her sister Melanie and her family. Writing her blog unmasking psychics for the frauds that she believes them to be, Susannah still hopes that someday her little boy will come back to her. But when she sees a psychic at the local fair, it will begin a chain reaction that will have Susannah, and those around her, questioning her sanity. Because she keeps seeing Joel, and having visions of drowning, and she knows that Joel is trying to send her some sort of message. But will Susannah ever be able to unlock the truth that has been hidden for so long?
As a mother, the premise of this story terrified me from the very beginning, and as we get to know Susannah, we see a broken woman who is on the edge of despair with longing for her missing son. Questioning everyone and everything around her, we see her struggle to figure out what these visions could mean, but as the pace increases it soon becomes clear that there is something dark and disturbing at work. At times I did not want to know the truth yet I couldn't put this book down as I needed to know what happened to Joel and hoped that I was wrong in my assumptions. The story is told from Susannah's point of view moving from past to present, with snippets from her blog highlighting how she has fought to cope with never knowing exactly what happened to her beloved little boy. While my heart went out to her at times throughout this book, None of the characters are completely likeable as we can see they have made mistakes but I don't think characters have to be likeable, just realistic.
THE WINTER'S CHILD by Cassandra Parkin will put you through the emotional wringer and that ending will blow your freaking mind! Definitely a book that deserves to be read far and wide.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
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