The Found Child

The Secrets of Suburbia #2

by Jo Crow

One mother’s life will change in the blink of an eye—and there’s no going back.Elaine’s worst fears become reality when her beloved son Jakob is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. She needs to find a bone marrow donor, and time is running out. But while awaiting test results to see if she’s a possible match, Elaine learns a shocking truth about her son; a truth that threatens to send her back to the pills that almost destroyed her life once before; a truth that pushes her already fragile mental state to the breaking point.Jakob is not her biological son. For years, she has been raising someone else’s child.Even as the family faces this new crisis, a ghost from Elaine’s past emerges to jeopardize everything she’s built. But is the threat real, or is it all in her mind?Elaine needs to stay strong for her son, but as her whole reality continues to unravel, she can’t trust anyone—not even Books in the 'Secrets of Suburbia' Series can be read as standalones, but are linked by common themes of motherhood, suburbia not being as safe as you think, and how the perfect, sanitized version of life that people often show is far from the truth. Gripping stories with shocking twists just a click away.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2018

About the author

Jo Crow crafts chilling psychological thrillers that delve into the shadows of everyday life, where dark secrets and twisted motives lurk just beneath the surface. Her stories capture the eerie tension of family life, where the familiar can suddenly become dangerous.

When she’s not writing, Jo is a mom of two, often drawing inspiration from the unpredictability of parenthood. She enjoys curling up with a good thriller, taking her golden retriever on misty evening walks, and imagining the hidden fears that keep us awake at night.

Connect with Jo on Facebook, visit her website, or sign up for her mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks and updates.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Just finished this book and I need a second to get my breath back and think about what just happened. This book was like a runaway train once started it is unstoppable and just as thrilling!!

The book starts with Detective Aaronson having the horrible task of telling some parents that their child has not been found and that the lead has gone cold.

Elaine and Nathan find out their son Jake has leukaemia and he may need a bone marrow transplant and that’s when the secrets start coming out. Eight years before Jake had been abducted for a few months and returned apparently. But the bone marrow results show neither of them are his birth parents!!!

I have never read a Jo Crow book before, but I am seriously blown away by her ability to keep the reader in the palm of her hand and only release you when the book is finished. You are left with a lasting memory.

A must read book which should come with a warning to clear you’re diary, as you won’t be able to put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Found Child by Jo Crow is a psychological thriller about Elaine's son Jakob who went missing as a small child but was found and returned to them. Now Jakob has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow transplant but the doctors tell them that blood tests show that neither Elaine or her husband are a match as they are not related to the child. This book has a few twists and turns.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Relay Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Adele Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the torture of her son being kidnapped, when he was a baby, Elaine finally gets her life on track. That is until Jake's kidnapper is released from prison and at the same time, the school nurse finds a mysterious bruise on his body. Elaine then has to endure her boy going through test and finding out he has leukemia and also the worry that his kidnapper might come back to finish what he started.

When looking for bone marrow matches for poor Jake, it comes to light that Jake is not Elaine and Nathan's biological son. Where is Jake? And who is this boy they have bought up for almost eight years?

"Hurting someone because you got hurt is how the world falls apart."

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heartwrenching read. Jo Crow really knows how to tug on a mother's heartstrings. I know it was necessary for the plot to move forward, but I was really annoyed when Elaine would leave the hospital. I don't think anything would induce me to leave my child. But then the reader would never have answers. Crow does a good job of keeping things moving and making everything plausible. I recommend to anyone who loves a good suspense.

[Jeannie Huie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book!! I received the ARC from the author, and I loved it!! There are so many surprises all throughout the story! Just as I thought I knew what was going on, there was something new to assimilate!! There's no way I could even begin to tell you anything of the story without giving a spoiler! This author has an amazing mind for mystery!! Wonderfully written!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Found Child, author Jo Crow weaves a riveting psychological thriller that easily draws the reader in with its dark storyline that follows Elaine Jennson as she has to deal with a mother's worst fear: she has been raising a son for the past eight years that is not her own and he has been recently diagnosed with leukemia, and the question of what happened to her biological son.

This captivating and gritty tale is rich in detail and vivid descriptions and has intriguing and suspenseful twists and turns that leaves the reader with no other option than to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. As a diehard fan of psychological thrillers, I must admit that this story exceeded my expectations. The dark intensity of the storyline and the complexity of the intertwining connection between the dark past and the heartbreaking present in the Jennson family kept me thoroughly riveted and so engrossed, that I literally had to finish the story in one sitting.

With a complex and realistic cast of characters, the author does a phenomenal job of delving into the tangled web of secrets, lies, and betrayals; and Elaine's emotional quest for the truth about what happened to her biological son. The author transports the reader into this fast-paced white-knuckle storyline with her creative interweaving of a psychological cat-n-mouse game between the characters that leaves the reader's heart palpitating while holding their breath until the surprise ending. It just doesn't get any better than this!

The Found Child is one heck of an adrenaline rush that is a must-read for the true diehard psychological thriller junkie!

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[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Jo Crow, Relay Publishing Edition, and NetGalley for providing me with this book.

The Found Child by Jo Crow was the most heart wrenching story that no parent should have to go through. Not to mention all the emotional twists and turns that this book took you on. Jo had you one minute feeling empathy for the parents and then the next questioning them. However, the whole book you wanted to hold Jake tight and tell him everything was going to be ok.

Jo Crow is in my eyes an incredible Psychological Thriller writer and I would definitely read and review from her again. This story from the very beginning kept my interest and intrigued me til the end. This story was like any other story you will read. It involves a past abduction of Jake, they did their time and now they are out of jail, School Nurse notices bruises on Jake, Jake finds out he has Leukemia, Neither parent is the right blood type. Why could that be??

[Pamela Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC copy of this book for an honest review. I finished the book in three hours and wished it lasted three more. The story line is believable and yet all the circumstances that lead up to the last page could fill two books. So many twists and turns like being on a roller coaster. At many points you begin to doubt the sanity of the main character because of all the conspiracy actions that occur. By the last page all you want is the next book in the series so you can see what happens to this family. Recommend reading when you have a long afternoon or weekend it’s hard to put down! Kudos Jo Crow!

[Katrece Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Found Child by Jo Crow

Release Date : Sept 4, 2018

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 out of 5)



Jo Crow is a master and doesn't disappoint in her second release. Years ago Elaine's son was abducted and after a few devastating months he was found and returned to his loving family. That's the version of the story Elaine believes but once her son Jakob is diagnosed with a form of Leukemia her world is completely upended. Not only is she trying to deal with having a very sick child but once the blood tests come back to see if either parents are a match for bone marrow it's revealed that Jakob isn't even their son. Was it all just a mix up or was there way more to this situation than meets the eye. Elaine will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this and find out the truth for both of her sons even if it kills her.

I was so blown away by Jo Crow's first novel A Mother's Lie that I just wasn't sure how she would top that with her second book. She definitely did not disappoint though. Once again she puts her main female character through hell and back and just when you think there's no hope she surprises us. Jo captures the true essence of a mother and how far she will go to get answers and the truth to protect her child. If you enjoy heart racing, anxiety inducing, edge of your seat stories then Jo Crow is your answer. She will continue to be one of my go to authors.

[Brenda Treddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not for the faint of heart I received this book as a Arc and finished it in one night had to stop in the middle . It's a heartbreaking story so true the life today this is not for the faint of heart involving children abduction. I highly recommend this book this is a great writer and she does fantastic work.

[Julie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing wonderful read

Wow I couldn't put this book down. Absolutely riveting plot, with vivid well developed characters. What a great new author to read. Can't wait to read more from her

[MeWriter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! A non-stop thrill ride of a tale. Set on an interesting and intense premise I did not see coming. Very well done!

[Raya · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley for the purpose of honestly reviewing the book*

The Found Child is a psychological thriller/suspense through and through. You don’t know what’s happening and who to trust for majority of the book. This book is nothing short of a roller-coaster ride for your mind.

The prologue starts off with a bang and I knew I was in for a ride. Then, the story at present begins normally enough, with us getting vibes of a regular family, but the underlying tension and secrets are strong enough for us not to get fooled. The protagonist is established as an anxious, paranoid mother. You slowly start to realize that she is not reliable narrator. The author does well to make us doubt her along with most of other characters.

There are many things happening in the book – multitude of secrets and mysteries begging to be unfolded. And as the story progresses, even more questions crop up. Just when you think you’ve got the answer to one mystery, another question comes up to complicate that same mystery.

I had some problems with the flow of the book. So much is happening at such a fast pace, that one might easily get overwhelmed and confused. I also had problems with some of the plot lines.

For example, a school nurse informs Child Protective Services about bruises in Jake’s body which later turn out to be a symptom of his Leukemia. Later on, a woman from Child Protective Services comes to check up on him, and while she fails to get any proof of abuse on Jake, she does get him to open up about the tension between his parents he noticed since he became ill. So, that woman uses that as an excuse to announce about further visit in the coming week. I was very surprised at that. From what I’ve read and seen about Child Protective Services, they have a lot on their plates to check back and counsel parents struggling because of their son’s illness, a son who has evidently not been abused by rhem. That, to me seemed too unbelievable. Or maybe my knowledge about the Child Protective Services has been flawed all along.

Despite its flaws, the pace of the book actually ensures that you don’t get a breather to stop and think about any possible inconsistencies. But, there is still not complete closure at the end. The ending leaves you with the feeling that there could be more in store for us readers. I think I’d like that.

Anyways, overall, The Found Child was true to its genre. The twists and turns were excellent. And it was unpredictable enough to keep me at the edge of my seat.

[Joyce Stewart Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Found Child
By Jo Crow

Wow This book was definitely a page-turner !!!!!!I just wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next so i read it in just one day. There is plenty of Twists and turns,deep dark secrets, lies, deception, mystery, suspense , family problems , true friendship, and a lot more that is in this book. My biggest issue with this story is that the main character(the mom Elaine ) often made decisions I felt were unrealistic and not something a mother would do with her child in the hospital fighting for his life. Which her actions did work for this book. ( Not all books have to be realistic)
It was Fast-paced, had unbelievable twists, and turns. Just when you think you've got it all figured out bam - something happens and you find out your wrong! Truly, unputdownable! Found Child is a perfect example of a psychological thriller !!The novel is told from Elaine's point of view and she is out of control for most of the book so there is plenty of crazy action. Her son has cancer and she is fighting , slapping ,
Throwing things and running off while he lays there getting treatments. My heart went out to him and I just wanted to comfort him. All of These people are constantly lying too so who are you to believe. The Found Child," (is book two of The Secrets Of Suburbia series, by Crow). They can be read seperate or together . I have read both now and I loved them both ! I loved seeing the author grow from book 1 to book 2. I am now a huge fan and can not wait to read her next book. The way it ends makes you think there may be another book .I loved ,loved this book sooo much and I highley recommend it! What are you waiting for go read it ! Can not wait to hear your reviews of it. Hope you loved it as much as I did.#JoCrow #Thefoundchild #thriller

[Mommy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! I just finished this book and I can't believe what I just read! This book was full of twists and turns from the start and I simply didn't want to put it down! The author knows how to grab the reader's attention and keep it until the very last page.

The book starts with Detective Aaronson who has the difficult task to tell parents that their child has not been found and the trail has gone cold.

Elaine and Nathan find out their son, Jakob, has leukaemia and might need a bone marrow transplant. The secrets then starts to come out from there. Eight years ago, Jake was supposedly abducted and returned a few months later. The bone marrow results show that neither of his parents are his biological parents.

I loved the author's writing style and loved that the chapters where short and to the point. It was my first book from Jo Crow but I will definitely be reading her other books!

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie is scared. Her son was abducted years ago and returned months later. Even though they have moved on, she is still frightened. Now her son is sick and her life as she knows it comes crashing down on all sides. What is a mother to do when the truth can hurt everyone around?

This story was very well written. I feel like I missed a bit because I did not read the first book in this series, but overall it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This story was a mix of thriller and drama. In the center of the tale is a sick little boy. It broke my heart for this family. Secrets start coming to light all around Ellie and powerless to stop her whole world from changing. What is a mother to do? The other characters were real and easy to like. This story was crazy, but it was real at the same time. How many times do these types of things happen in real life? It makes a person think.

Overall, this is a great story if you want a good read that's hard to put down. And the ending was awesome.

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[Eileen Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick as Our Secrets

In Alcoholic's Anonymous, they have this saying: "you're only as sick as your secrets." I thought about that a lot while reading this book, because the characters struggle with a lot of secrets, lies, addiction, and impossible choices. It's a page turner for sure, and it was hard to put the book down once I started reading. The story is about a mother who is mostly recovered from a horrifying past full of struggles when she gets some news about her young son, and suddenly she doesn't know what to believe anymore. I wanted to punch some of the characters in the face, because I got very invested in the outcome of the story. It's definitely worth a read for mystery/thriller fans.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of The Found Child By Jo Crow that I read and reviewed.
I really did not find this book what I was hoping it would be. The suspect was what should have been heartbreaking but these people where so evil and selfish and broken I really could not feel any pain for them. Yes, there were some twist and surprises but when you look at how self centered these people seemed was what was done really that shocking?
I can only give this book three out of five stars because the only person I liked the the book was Jake because he was the true victim and did not even know it.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The surprises and shocks just kept coming in this psychological thriller. Elaine Jennson hears that her son Jake's kidnapper was released from prison just before getting a terrifying diagnosis- Jake has leukemia. She and husband Nathan get tested to see if they're a match for bone marrow and the results threaten to destroy their family. And to top it off, someone is following her..
It's really hard to write a description for this book without ruining any of the plot twists. It's such a great story that kept me wondering what could possibly happen next! Thank you to Jo Crow and NetGalley for the chance to review this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if they life you thought was yours suddenly changed? When everything you thought you knew about those around you turned out to be very wrong. That is what happened to Elaine in this story. Although some parts of the story I found a little tough to believe, it made for a good read. There were twists and turns throughout the book. The ending of the book contained even more twists to the story. I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend it. It was a story you didn't want to put down. This is the 2nd book I've read by Jo Crow and I look forward to reading more. I received the ARC for this novel for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you to Netgalley and Relay Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! The whole way through it had my attention right up to the very end! I love when you come across such a good story as this was. The whole not knowing what was going to come next made it such a fun and enjoyable read. Plus the ending did not disappoint. I liked the way the author had written it and it completed the book nicely. I would definitely recommend this for lovers of mystery, Thriller and just great stories. Happy reading everyone.

[Nan Christine Borton-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in Secrets ....Suburbia Series but story 2nd to None.

Jo Crow delivers!
I just finished reading Found Child what an amazing read.
Elaine was "broken" just enough that I had to question her reliability as the narrator at certain points in the novel, keeping the story arc filled with tension. I knew early on that her husband had lied about her killing Jacib but had no ok idea what HAD happened to him. The twists keep coming holding you to the last page. A new author to follow

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller

Good psychological thriller! I wanted to be able to give this book 5 stars, but I just cannot do that. It's full of intrigue, thrills, mystery, and family, friendship and marriage drama. My only negative comment is with the actions of the mother while her child was in the hospital. I don't add spoilers to reviews, so I am being somewhat cryptic, but I simply couldn't understand her actions. That being said, I still recommend this book. Definitely worth reading.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The author does a good job casting just enough shadow on the narrator to make you question her recollection of events. The concept is intriguing and thought provoking. I felt like the conclusion wrapped up a bit too neatly, but not so much to the point that it detracts from the overall appeal of the book. Most fans of psychological suspense and thrillers will enjoy the story.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book after reading the synopsis. A few things hit too close to home but I decided to push forward and see where it went and I am so glad that I did so. What a riveting read this became. The way that this author wrote the book, the suspense, the deceit, the heartbreak was so captivating. I thought it was so good that at certain parts, it gave me anxiety which is a good sign to a good book.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Found Child

And another top notch story from Jo Crow! Definitely a talented writer, pulls you in, tears your heart up. Well rounded characters, A humming storyline, and twists to keep you intrigued. I loved Elaine, Jake, not so much Nathan, and Roger, watch out for him. A mothers love, never gives up, even in the worst of times. A most read, now I've got to get my hands on another Jo Crow novel!

[Modern · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I’ve read from a singular POV and enjoyed the book. Found Child is both of these and more. This book tempted my emotions and just when I thought I figured it out.. i didn’t. Definitely an impressive book. This is my first read by Crow and I look forward to more. I received this book for a voluntary, completely honest and non incentivized review.

[J&B Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller.

This book was a textbook example of a psychological thriller. It takes the reader on a wild ride and every time I thought I had it all figured out something else would happen. As soon as I hit Submit, I'm going to download Jo Crow's first book. Very highly recommended.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco. Every time I thought I had things figured out, there was another twist. I loved this book. I could not put it down. The characters were well-developed and interesting. The storyline was realistic and engaging. I’m sure I’ll read this book again.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, once I started reading I could not put it down, it's 2:30 am and I just finished. I was hooked once I started chapter 1. There are a few major twists and turns that can get you lost if you aren't paying attention. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fast paced read. Am now going back to read Ms. Crow's other books.