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The Child Across the Street
Wheeling my suitcase down the familiar, hedge-lined street, I smile at the sound of children playing in the park nearby. Suddenly, there’s a screech of car brakes. I rush over to see a bent bike wheel sticking out of the ditch, and underneath, a little boy…
As I turn the rusty key in the lock of the house I grew up in, memories flood back. None of them happy. I never told anyone why I left home twenty years ago, and all I want is to sort out Dad’s funeral as quickly as possible.
Now I’m trapped here, the only witness to a terrible incident that has left an eight-year-old boy fighting for his life. But after a lifetime trying to forget my past, I don’t know if I can trust my memory, or be totally sure of what I saw today.
Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.
Someone is watching me. Someone who knows I’m the only one who saw what happened to little Ethan… or could they know the real reason why I left? Either way, I’m certain that coming back was my biggest mistake. I can’t leave, but the longer I stay, the more danger I’m in…
As I turn the rusty key in the lock of the house I grew up in, memories flood back. None of them happy. I never told anyone why I left home twenty years ago, and all I want is to sort out Dad’s funeral as quickly as possible.
Now I’m trapped here, the only witness to a terrible incident that has left an eight-year-old boy fighting for his life. But after a lifetime trying to forget my past, I don’t know if I can trust my memory, or be totally sure of what I saw today.
Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.
Someone is watching me. Someone who knows I’m the only one who saw what happened to little Ethan… or could they know the real reason why I left? Either way, I’m certain that coming back was my biggest mistake. I can’t leave, but the longer I stay, the more danger I’m in…
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 23, 2020
529 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Wilkinson
70 books1,069 followersRecent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 17, 2020
EXCERPT: I see the wheel first.
It's almost swallowed by the crown of swaying grass, but light catches one of the bent spokes and, as I take a few steps closer, I realise the wheel is attached to an upturned bicycle. The rear wheel is crumpled in on itself, almost folded in half. The entire back half of the bike has creased in two and the front wheel is detached, embedded in the encompassing branches of a bush.
It's past the bike, at the bottom of the gully, where the horror lies. I want to look away but can't stop staring at the contorted shape of the boy.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Wheeling my suitcase down the familiar, hedge-lined street, I smile at the sound of children playing in the park nearby. Suddenly, there’s a screech of car brakes. I rush over to see a bent bike wheel sticking out of the ditch, and underneath, a little boy…
As I turn the rusty key in the lock of the house I grew up in, memories flood back. None of them happy. I never told anyone why I left home twenty years ago, and all I want is to sort out Dad’s funeral as quickly as possible.
Now I’m trapped here, the only witness to a terrible incident that has left an eight-year-old boy fighting for his life. But after a lifetime trying to forget my past, I don’t know if I can trust my memory, or be totally sure of what I saw today.
Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.
Someone is watching me. Someone who knows I’m the only one who saw what happened to little Ethan… or could they know the real reason why I left? Either way, I’m certain that coming back was my biggest mistake. I can’t leave, but the longer I stay, the more danger I’m in…
MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson. It's not a frantically paced book packed with action, but I was gripped by the hunt for a hit and run driver in a small town. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, or even the setting, but the compelling storyline overrode everything else.
Wilkinson has captured perfectly the atmosphere of the small down where the major employer is closing down, the desperation of people trying to find work, people who will consider anything in order to put food on the table for their children.
And as for the mystery, Wilkinson had me absolutely stumped! Every time I thought I had figured out who was driving the car that hit 8 year old Ethan, he poured cold water all over my theory! And did it cleverly. There's no shortage of suspects and they all live in a small area. The relationships of the characters is almost incestuous. Everyone has grown up with everyone else, married friends brothers or sisters....typical small town life. They resent anyone who has gotten away and are defensive, while also being curious. It's almost one big, but not very happy, family. While they are outwardly protective of one another, they are also quick to judge and ready to ostracize not only the person responsible, but that person's whole family. Someone, behaving normally on the surface, is frantically paddling under the surface to stay afloat and ahead of the investigation.
An intriguing read.
😲😲😲.9
'He has the same suppressed fart of a smile as his mother.'
THE AUTHOR: Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
It's almost swallowed by the crown of swaying grass, but light catches one of the bent spokes and, as I take a few steps closer, I realise the wheel is attached to an upturned bicycle. The rear wheel is crumpled in on itself, almost folded in half. The entire back half of the bike has creased in two and the front wheel is detached, embedded in the encompassing branches of a bush.
It's past the bike, at the bottom of the gully, where the horror lies. I want to look away but can't stop staring at the contorted shape of the boy.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Wheeling my suitcase down the familiar, hedge-lined street, I smile at the sound of children playing in the park nearby. Suddenly, there’s a screech of car brakes. I rush over to see a bent bike wheel sticking out of the ditch, and underneath, a little boy…
As I turn the rusty key in the lock of the house I grew up in, memories flood back. None of them happy. I never told anyone why I left home twenty years ago, and all I want is to sort out Dad’s funeral as quickly as possible.
Now I’m trapped here, the only witness to a terrible incident that has left an eight-year-old boy fighting for his life. But after a lifetime trying to forget my past, I don’t know if I can trust my memory, or be totally sure of what I saw today.
Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.
Someone is watching me. Someone who knows I’m the only one who saw what happened to little Ethan… or could they know the real reason why I left? Either way, I’m certain that coming back was my biggest mistake. I can’t leave, but the longer I stay, the more danger I’m in…
MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson. It's not a frantically paced book packed with action, but I was gripped by the hunt for a hit and run driver in a small town. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, or even the setting, but the compelling storyline overrode everything else.
Wilkinson has captured perfectly the atmosphere of the small down where the major employer is closing down, the desperation of people trying to find work, people who will consider anything in order to put food on the table for their children.
And as for the mystery, Wilkinson had me absolutely stumped! Every time I thought I had figured out who was driving the car that hit 8 year old Ethan, he poured cold water all over my theory! And did it cleverly. There's no shortage of suspects and they all live in a small area. The relationships of the characters is almost incestuous. Everyone has grown up with everyone else, married friends brothers or sisters....typical small town life. They resent anyone who has gotten away and are defensive, while also being curious. It's almost one big, but not very happy, family. While they are outwardly protective of one another, they are also quick to judge and ready to ostracize not only the person responsible, but that person's whole family. Someone, behaving normally on the surface, is frantically paddling under the surface to stay afloat and ahead of the investigation.
An intriguing read.
😲😲😲.9
'He has the same suppressed fart of a smile as his mother.'
THE AUTHOR: Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 27, 2020
I picked up this book after reading the synopsis. This is the first I have read of this author. Overall, the book is a let-down: average story, lack of strong characters & poor pace.
Abigail Coyle returns to Elwood after her dad (with whom she has not been in touch for years) passes away. She witnesses an accident where a car hits a young boy Ethan who is the son of her childhood friend Jo. Elwood is a small town and the chances seem to be that the driver could be someone local. While Abi has not seen the driver nor has an accurate recall of the car, she feels she can leave Elwood only after the case is solved.
There are a few decent twists at the end, and yet Abigail’s character is poorly developed, and the story did not hold my attention.
Thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture for a free electronic copy in order to provide a review.
Abigail Coyle returns to Elwood after her dad (with whom she has not been in touch for years) passes away. She witnesses an accident where a car hits a young boy Ethan who is the son of her childhood friend Jo. Elwood is a small town and the chances seem to be that the driver could be someone local. While Abi has not seen the driver nor has an accurate recall of the car, she feels she can leave Elwood only after the case is solved.
There are a few decent twists at the end, and yet Abigail’s character is poorly developed, and the story did not hold my attention.
Thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture for a free electronic copy in order to provide a review.
June 26, 2020
I’m a huge fan of Wilkerson’s Jessica Daniels series, but have more hit or miss luck with his stand alones. This one was more of a miss for me.
Abi Coyne suddenly left her hometown years ago and never returned. Now, her father has died and she’s come back. She’s no sooner back in town when she witnesses the hit and run accident that leaves an 8 year old boy in critical care. She’s not only dealing with the police, but also seeing high school friends she hasn’t seen for decades.
Abi is an unknown. The reader quickly learns she has a drinking problem. But we don’t know why she left.
I couldn’t buy her friend, Jo, the mother of the boy, deciding to carry on her own investigation. I kept waiting for the book to grab me, but it never did. It dragged. There was never any sense of real tension. I didn’t figure out who hit the boy, but I also just didn’t care. There were some twists, but they felt totally forced. And on top of that, the characters just felt flat to me. So, better luck next time Kerry.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
Abi Coyne suddenly left her hometown years ago and never returned. Now, her father has died and she’s come back. She’s no sooner back in town when she witnesses the hit and run accident that leaves an 8 year old boy in critical care. She’s not only dealing with the police, but also seeing high school friends she hasn’t seen for decades.
Abi is an unknown. The reader quickly learns she has a drinking problem. But we don’t know why she left.
I couldn’t buy her friend, Jo, the mother of the boy, deciding to carry on her own investigation. I kept waiting for the book to grab me, but it never did. It dragged. There was never any sense of real tension. I didn’t figure out who hit the boy, but I also just didn’t care. There were some twists, but they felt totally forced. And on top of that, the characters just felt flat to me. So, better luck next time Kerry.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
July 22, 2020
Kerry Wilkinson is another author that I have already picked up several books from and had always really enjoyed them so I was quite looking forward to this latest. The Child Across the Street is his latest standalone thriller.
Abigail Coyne has returned to her hometown of Elwood for the first time in the last two decades after being contacted that her father had passed away. Abi really never wanted to look back but having inherited her father’s estate and needing to deal with the funeral arrangements she packed up to return.
After arriving in the small town Abi is walking along when she hears the screech of tires and then comes across a young boy off the side of the road apparently the victim of a hit and run. As the ambulance arrives so does the boys mother and it’s Abi’s old friend leading her to want answers as to who in town could leave a child to die.
Now as I mentioned I normally find myself completely caught up by this author and love his intense thrillers. However, with this read I found myself constantly wondering where the thrills were hiding. The pacing seemed really slow to me and there just felt to me as if something was missing from the story. I did notice that we never really got to know Abi’s past and as much as it’s hinted to that lack of depth felt off too. In the end this one was just so-so but I won’t hesitate to read the next from this author.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Abigail Coyne has returned to her hometown of Elwood for the first time in the last two decades after being contacted that her father had passed away. Abi really never wanted to look back but having inherited her father’s estate and needing to deal with the funeral arrangements she packed up to return.
After arriving in the small town Abi is walking along when she hears the screech of tires and then comes across a young boy off the side of the road apparently the victim of a hit and run. As the ambulance arrives so does the boys mother and it’s Abi’s old friend leading her to want answers as to who in town could leave a child to die.
Now as I mentioned I normally find myself completely caught up by this author and love his intense thrillers. However, with this read I found myself constantly wondering where the thrills were hiding. The pacing seemed really slow to me and there just felt to me as if something was missing from the story. I did notice that we never really got to know Abi’s past and as much as it’s hinted to that lack of depth felt off too. In the end this one was just so-so but I won’t hesitate to read the next from this author.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 28, 2022
Abby is returning home after the death of her father to settle his affairs and perhaps move into his house as she has nowhere else to go. She hasn’t been back to her hometown of Elwood in nearly 20 years and hasn’t talked to her former friends during that time either. Upon returning home, she witnesses a hit and run accident where Ethan, the young son of her former friend Jo, is struck by a driver and critically injured. The book focuses mainly on the relationships of people in town—past and present. There is a very large cast of characters. I am a huge fan of Kerry Wilkinson and buy all of his titles. I have yet to see him write a book that I didn’t enjoy.
July 27, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
Damien speaks in constant hushed tones, as if there’s a militant librarian on our tail.
He’s utterly unremarkable, neither short nor tall; fat or thin; attractive or not. If I wasn’t looking at him, I’m not sure I’d be able to describe him.
it’s hard to say no to anything she asks. There’s also the not small matter that, when Diane says something, it very much feels like that thing should be done immediately… If Diane was after world domination instead of daytime television ratings, she’d be dangerous.
Kirsty is silently fuming, like she accidentally shredded a winning lottery ticket.
There’s a somewhat childish instinct of it not being my mess to begin with –but there’s also the fact that I simply don’t want to do it. It’s one of the great underrated benefits of being an adult that, if you don’t want to do something, you can simply say no.
It makes me ache for those friendships of youth. The ones that feel like they’ll last forever before things like marriage, kids, houses and everything else gets in the way. As an adult, there’s nothing quite like it.
My Review:
This was a slowly developing, gradually unfolding, and curiously tantalizing tale laced together with heartbreaking revelations and dangerously damaged characters who were oddly compelling while largely unlikable. My inquisitive nature was prodded and poked with this new to me wily author’s maddeningly paced disclosures, and insightful yet terse observations and profound insights. While I was often impatient with the main character of Abi while assuming she was just a self-indulgent alcoholic, I later realized Mr.Wilkinson’s character development was rather elegant and clever as only after her history was revealed did I piece together and understood the cause and nature of her memory loss and mental dysfunction. I thought I had the culprit sussed early – silly me, I was so very wrong and never saw this ending coming. I could do with more of Mr. Wilkinson’s clever scheming and interesting turns of phrase in my future.
Damien speaks in constant hushed tones, as if there’s a militant librarian on our tail.
He’s utterly unremarkable, neither short nor tall; fat or thin; attractive or not. If I wasn’t looking at him, I’m not sure I’d be able to describe him.
it’s hard to say no to anything she asks. There’s also the not small matter that, when Diane says something, it very much feels like that thing should be done immediately… If Diane was after world domination instead of daytime television ratings, she’d be dangerous.
Kirsty is silently fuming, like she accidentally shredded a winning lottery ticket.
There’s a somewhat childish instinct of it not being my mess to begin with –but there’s also the fact that I simply don’t want to do it. It’s one of the great underrated benefits of being an adult that, if you don’t want to do something, you can simply say no.
It makes me ache for those friendships of youth. The ones that feel like they’ll last forever before things like marriage, kids, houses and everything else gets in the way. As an adult, there’s nothing quite like it.
My Review:
This was a slowly developing, gradually unfolding, and curiously tantalizing tale laced together with heartbreaking revelations and dangerously damaged characters who were oddly compelling while largely unlikable. My inquisitive nature was prodded and poked with this new to me wily author’s maddeningly paced disclosures, and insightful yet terse observations and profound insights. While I was often impatient with the main character of Abi while assuming she was just a self-indulgent alcoholic, I later realized Mr.Wilkinson’s character development was rather elegant and clever as only after her history was revealed did I piece together and understood the cause and nature of her memory loss and mental dysfunction. I thought I had the culprit sussed early – silly me, I was so very wrong and never saw this ending coming. I could do with more of Mr. Wilkinson’s clever scheming and interesting turns of phrase in my future.
June 20, 2020
I enjoy reading Kerry Wilkinson novels, especially the excellent Jessica Daniel series so was really looking forward to this stand alone thriller.
Following the death of her father, Abigail Coyne returns to her hometown of Elwood after leaving 20 years ago. Abi has inherited her fathers house following his death and returns to Elwood to deal with the sale but also she feels there are other things that need to be addressed.
On her arrival she witnesses an accident, an 8 year old boy is thrown off his bike when an out of control car hits him. Abi is first at the scene and discovers the badly injured boy and calls emergency services. The eight year old boy is identified and Abi discovers that he is the son of her childhood friend. Following the accident Abi feels that she is being watched and makes her feel uneasy. Is her past coming back to haunt her, is she under threat.
I love the easy writing style of Kerry Wilkinson but unfortunately this book didn't grab me like many of his other books. I can see going by other reviews that there are plenty of people who disagree with my opinion and sure the book will be successful. It certainly doesn't put me off the author and to prove it instantly started another one of Kerry Wilkinson's books which I have to admit I am enjoying far more.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Following the death of her father, Abigail Coyne returns to her hometown of Elwood after leaving 20 years ago. Abi has inherited her fathers house following his death and returns to Elwood to deal with the sale but also she feels there are other things that need to be addressed.
On her arrival she witnesses an accident, an 8 year old boy is thrown off his bike when an out of control car hits him. Abi is first at the scene and discovers the badly injured boy and calls emergency services. The eight year old boy is identified and Abi discovers that he is the son of her childhood friend. Following the accident Abi feels that she is being watched and makes her feel uneasy. Is her past coming back to haunt her, is she under threat.
I love the easy writing style of Kerry Wilkinson but unfortunately this book didn't grab me like many of his other books. I can see going by other reviews that there are plenty of people who disagree with my opinion and sure the book will be successful. It certainly doesn't put me off the author and to prove it instantly started another one of Kerry Wilkinson's books which I have to admit I am enjoying far more.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
Abi Coyle has returned to Elwood, the small town where she grew up in. She's never been back in twenty years but she's had to return to bury her father. She is walking towards her family home when she hears the screeching of tyres, a bicycle that's been overturned and a child in a ditch. The victim of a hit-and-run accident. It turns out that the child's mother, Jo, and Abi used to be best friends. From here on in the book mostly revolves around the investigation into the accident.
I have read and enjoyed a few of Kerry's books but this one did not grab my attention the same way that the others did. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. There were parts I questioned that didn't seem real. The story is told from Abi's perspective. There's some good red herrings. There are parts that seemed to drag out a bit. This was more a whodunit than a thriller.
Merged review:
Abi Coyle has returned to Elwood, the small town where she grew up in. She's never been back in twenty years but she's had to return to bury her father. She is walking towards her family home when she hears the screeching of tyres, a bicycle that's been overturned and a child in a ditch. The victim of a hit-and-run accident. It turns out that the child's mother, Jo, and Abi used to be best friends. From here on in the book mostly revolves around the investigation into the accident.
I have read and enjoyed a few of Kerry's books but this one did not grab my attention in the same way that the others did. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. There were parts I questioned that didn't seem real. The story is told from Abi's perspective. There is some good red herrings. There are parts that seemed to drag out a bit. This was more a whodunit than a thriller.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have read and enjoyed a few of Kerry's books but this one did not grab my attention the same way that the others did. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. There were parts I questioned that didn't seem real. The story is told from Abi's perspective. There's some good red herrings. There are parts that seemed to drag out a bit. This was more a whodunit than a thriller.
Merged review:
Abi Coyle has returned to Elwood, the small town where she grew up in. She's never been back in twenty years but she's had to return to bury her father. She is walking towards her family home when she hears the screeching of tyres, a bicycle that's been overturned and a child in a ditch. The victim of a hit-and-run accident. It turns out that the child's mother, Jo, and Abi used to be best friends. From here on in the book mostly revolves around the investigation into the accident.
I have read and enjoyed a few of Kerry's books but this one did not grab my attention in the same way that the others did. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. There were parts I questioned that didn't seem real. The story is told from Abi's perspective. There is some good red herrings. There are parts that seemed to drag out a bit. This was more a whodunit than a thriller.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
The Child Across the Street is Kerry Wilkinson's latest twisty and addictive standalone thriller. Abigail "Abi" Coyle returns to Elwood, the town in which she spent her formative years, to put her father's affairs in order after his passing. She has not visited her hometown for two decades and would not be going back but for the situation, as it's certainly no pleasure trip for her and it brings back memories she has managed to repress relatively successfully over the years. On her way to the house she is wheeling her suitcase down the street when she hears the dreaded sound of screeching brakes. Naturally, she is shocked and startled. The car rapidly leaves the scene and she only just catches a slight glimpse of it as it disappears from view. She realises that a young boy has been hit and knocked off his bicycle; he's still breathing but bleeding quite badly. Abi telephones the police and ambulance and the young lad is taken to hospital where she discovers that he is the son of one of her friends from childhood, Ethan. So she decides to try and find out more about the disappearing driver even though it could put her life in danger.
Mr Wilkinson sure knows how to write an intriguing mystery and this, for me, is up there with his best. He throws you in at the deep end right from the start and has you captivated by the end of the first chapter. The short, snappy chapters are great for allowing you to read "just one more" before bed and the writing style is straight to the point, no-nonsense and no unnecessary padding. The cast of characters is well developed, the pacing is pretty much spot on and the plot well executed and gripping. I particularly appreciated the author's social commentary and witty observations which lighten the mood when it's a dark case. As someone who has, and still does, suffer abuse I felt for Abi as she seems lost and I understand what that feels like. I can appreciate that sorting out the personal effects of an abusive parent after death would be a nightmare and that's without the accident happening to top it all off. You have to do quite a bit of reading between the lines regarding Abi’s past as many times what she is trying to say is not overt. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
Mr Wilkinson sure knows how to write an intriguing mystery and this, for me, is up there with his best. He throws you in at the deep end right from the start and has you captivated by the end of the first chapter. The short, snappy chapters are great for allowing you to read "just one more" before bed and the writing style is straight to the point, no-nonsense and no unnecessary padding. The cast of characters is well developed, the pacing is pretty much spot on and the plot well executed and gripping. I particularly appreciated the author's social commentary and witty observations which lighten the mood when it's a dark case. As someone who has, and still does, suffer abuse I felt for Abi as she seems lost and I understand what that feels like. I can appreciate that sorting out the personal effects of an abusive parent after death would be a nightmare and that's without the accident happening to top it all off. You have to do quite a bit of reading between the lines regarding Abi’s past as many times what she is trying to say is not overt. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
July 27, 2020
Headed for her father's home, Abi hears the squeal of car brakes, then she sees the young boy in the ditch. She's the only witness to a terrible incident that has left the young boy fighting for his life.
This is the first time she's been here in 20 years ... and she's only here to bury her father and settle his estate, whatever that may be. Memories flood her mind .. none of them good ones. She never told anyone why she left all those years ago.
Abi has spent a lot of time trying to forget her past .... and she keeps bumping into people she knew from her childhood. There's the boy .. now a man ... that was her boyfriend, and now has a wife and children. Her neighbor lady who's lived there forever and her son ... rumored to be a drug dealer .... the girl ..woman.. who used to be her best friend.
BOOK BLURB: Sorting through Dad’s things one night – shopping lists in his curly handwriting, piles of old newspapers, dusty sports trophies – I think I hear the back door handle rattle. I tiptoe downstairs, past an open window I’m sure I locked. And a figure darts across the overgrown garden.
Someone is watching her .... do they know the real reason she left and never looked back? is it someone who knows more about the hit and run than they've told? She's certain that coming back was not in her best interests... yet she can't leave. But the longer she stays, the more danger she's in.
This is a riveting tale with many twists and turns, much like a roller coaster. The characters are deftly drawn and lead the reader to a most unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 23, 2020
The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson is a mystery/family drama.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Abigail (Abi) Coyle returns to her hometown of Elwood to bury her father. She left 20 years ago, and had no desire to ever return. She is barely off the bus when the town sucks her back in. A young boy is hit by a car, almost in front of her. The driver speeds off. It turns out the victim is the child of an old friend.
Abi is determined to stay long enough to find out who hit Ethan, but she can barely stand being there. Her "friends" have changed, but the town has stayed the same, except now there are major signs that it is dying. With every move Abi makes, it seems like she is being drawn back into Elwood and all of its drama.
My Opinions:
I have enjoyed many of Kerry Wilkinson's books. This one was just "okay".
I guess I was expecting a thriller, and got family drama. I didn't really like any of the characters. I didn't dislike them either (well, a couple). They bored me. Nothing was really exciting, and for some reason, the suspense just wasn't there.
The premise was good and so was the writing. There was really nothing wrong with the book. It just didn't grab me. I just sort of plodded along.
However, it was a fairly fast, easy read, probably owing to the short chapters. Although this book wasn't as captivating as others, I will continue to read books by this author.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
July 25, 2020
Sometimes it's not just people that need to be cleansed from a person's life; it's places.
That described Elwood, the street where Abi lived before she left for London years ago. This was a different book written by author Kerry Wilkinson. Though not a suspense. It read more like a literary fiction with Abi's observations of life which she had left long ago.
Abi returned home for her father's funeral. She witnessed a car skidding, then a bike and a barely breathing kid in the gully. Emergency services were called, and she had stay until the cops were done with her. Slowly life and people started unfurling their secrets.
Having read many book by this author and reviews on Goodreads, I moved into the pages with no expectations. The Street of Elwood surprised me. It breathed and sighed and despaired, and Abi was right there to witness it. I didn't like her, per se, but liked how her presence had a triggering factor. It felt as if the street and its residents didn't know what to do with her.
The story moved slowly giving me glimpses of past and present. It made me aware of the changes and the permanence of a place. Lines on the face of the people who lived there were deep, and none seemed rightfully happy.
There was an element of suspense with Abi wanting to know the person responsible for the hit-and-run. For me, the focus was more on the people who stayed in the street and for whom, life had already gone by.
I read the book over breakfast, the street bade me adieu after it's final reveal, and I moved on to my next book.
That described Elwood, the street where Abi lived before she left for London years ago. This was a different book written by author Kerry Wilkinson. Though not a suspense. It read more like a literary fiction with Abi's observations of life which she had left long ago.
Abi returned home for her father's funeral. She witnessed a car skidding, then a bike and a barely breathing kid in the gully. Emergency services were called, and she had stay until the cops were done with her. Slowly life and people started unfurling their secrets.
Having read many book by this author and reviews on Goodreads, I moved into the pages with no expectations. The Street of Elwood surprised me. It breathed and sighed and despaired, and Abi was right there to witness it. I didn't like her, per se, but liked how her presence had a triggering factor. It felt as if the street and its residents didn't know what to do with her.
The story moved slowly giving me glimpses of past and present. It made me aware of the changes and the permanence of a place. Lines on the face of the people who lived there were deep, and none seemed rightfully happy.
There was an element of suspense with Abi wanting to know the person responsible for the hit-and-run. For me, the focus was more on the people who stayed in the street and for whom, life had already gone by.
I read the book over breakfast, the street bade me adieu after it's final reveal, and I moved on to my next book.
June 19, 2020
The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson is yet another gripping and addictive thriller from an author who never fails to deliver. There is just something about Mr Wilkinson's writing that keeps me devouring each and every word. Perhaps it is the lack of superfluous detail that propels me so quickly through the narratives. Or maybe it is the sharp observations and dry wit that keep me coming back time and again.. Whatever the reason, I am always beyond thrilled when one of my favourite authors provides the gift of a new release,
Abi Coyle is returning to her hometown of Elwood to bury her father, and her prevailing sentiment is only to get him into the ground as quickly as possible. Immediately upon arrival, Abi witnesses a hit and run accident. The victim is an eight year old boy who happens to be the son of her childhood friend. As the only witness to the event, Abi is certain that she is being watched, and wonders if the details of her past are coming back to haunt her and, indeed, if returning to Elwood was perhaps one of the worst decisions she has ever made.
Fans of Kerry Wilkinson will not be disappointed in any way by this latest offering. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Abi Coyle is returning to her hometown of Elwood to bury her father, and her prevailing sentiment is only to get him into the ground as quickly as possible. Immediately upon arrival, Abi witnesses a hit and run accident. The victim is an eight year old boy who happens to be the son of her childhood friend. As the only witness to the event, Abi is certain that she is being watched, and wonders if the details of her past are coming back to haunt her and, indeed, if returning to Elwood was perhaps one of the worst decisions she has ever made.
Fans of Kerry Wilkinson will not be disappointed in any way by this latest offering. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
July 23, 2020
★★★ 2.5 stars (rounded up)
I have been a Kerry Wilkinson fan since "The Girl Who Came Back" (which I inevitably loved), so naturally I was excited to take part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for his latest thriller THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET. Kerry is fantastic writer with a great sense of humour peppering the odd witty quip throughout his books. He never fails to engage me with his ability to draw me (the reader) into each story that I often don't want to leave.
Following the death of her father, Abi Coyle has returned to her childhood home of Elwood where she left some 20 years before. She has inherited the house she grew up in but unable to disassociate it from a time she would rather forget, she decides to put it on the market.
On her arrival she witnesses an accident where 8 year old Ethan Ashworth (though there was a misprint in the book early on when he was referred to as Ethan Coyle) is hit by a car and thrown into a ditch by the road. I don't know if it is Abi's memories of the place or the fact she may have had too much vodka on her journey, but she appears incredibly vague to all she had witnessed. She didn't even notice anything had happened until she saw the bike wheel protruding from the ground.
Then there is the distressed cries of a woman who turns out to be Ethan's mother from across the road who turns out to be one of Abi's best friends, Jo Ashworth, from school. The two reconnect through the tragedy though I'm not sure why. Abi just seemed to drift along on Jo's various and demanding whims. The woman didn't seem to think of others and despite her son being in hospital she appeared to be enjoying the spotlight just a little too much.
Following the accident, Abi gets the sense that she is being watched and begins to feel uneasy. She hears noises in the night and upon investigating, she sees a figure run off in the dark. She starts to wonder if her past has come back to haunt her, though I am not really sure what was so awful about her past that she would feel under threat. The only real threat she seemed to have had is now dead and awaiting burial but even that was a little ambiguous. Whatever the case, Abi solved it all by sipping vodka from the water bottle she carried around...or she just got blotto.
As much as I love Kerry's thrillers, THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET just didn't do it for me. I don't know what it is but I failed to connect with any of the characters and found most of them unlikable. I disliked Abi almost instantly and, despite her being well-written in relation to the story, I just couldn't connect to her or feel her pain. She had no drive, no real purpose even. Jo was just demanding and annoying. Holly was somewhat uppity which was reflected in her move to an seemingly more upper scale part of the same town in which they all grew up. Even the teenage children were difficult to connect with. They all just seemed to be names on paper, not real characters.
I did like how the town itself became its own character with bits of messy relationships woven throughout and within each character you meet. But that's as far as it went. All the other bits and pieces seemed a bit pointless. I kept waiting for something big to take place...but it never did.
I'm not sure what THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET was supposed to be about. Is it a domestic thriller? Is it a mystery? Is it a tale of suspense? Is it a story of grief? It seems like it was supposed to be a little of all these things woven together but instead it just unravelled like a ball of string. The premise seemed to promise something different to what was actually delivered.
This wasn't an easy review to write...simply because I love Kerry Wilkinson's thrillers and I appreciate the many hours that must go into each and every book. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. And to write a review on a book I didn't really enjoy by one of my favourite authors is no easy feat. I can see from others that there are mixed feelings about this book. Some of Kerry's most loyal fans are either united or divided in opinion. And it's quite possible that THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET will go on to be another raging success.
However in my opinion, I felt it wasn't his best BUT it certainly doesn't put me off the author. He is one of my favourites and I eagerly await each new release.
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheChildAcrossTheStreet in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I have been a Kerry Wilkinson fan since "The Girl Who Came Back" (which I inevitably loved), so naturally I was excited to take part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for his latest thriller THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET. Kerry is fantastic writer with a great sense of humour peppering the odd witty quip throughout his books. He never fails to engage me with his ability to draw me (the reader) into each story that I often don't want to leave.
Following the death of her father, Abi Coyle has returned to her childhood home of Elwood where she left some 20 years before. She has inherited the house she grew up in but unable to disassociate it from a time she would rather forget, she decides to put it on the market.
On her arrival she witnesses an accident where 8 year old Ethan Ashworth (though there was a misprint in the book early on when he was referred to as Ethan Coyle) is hit by a car and thrown into a ditch by the road. I don't know if it is Abi's memories of the place or the fact she may have had too much vodka on her journey, but she appears incredibly vague to all she had witnessed. She didn't even notice anything had happened until she saw the bike wheel protruding from the ground.
Then there is the distressed cries of a woman who turns out to be Ethan's mother from across the road who turns out to be one of Abi's best friends, Jo Ashworth, from school. The two reconnect through the tragedy though I'm not sure why. Abi just seemed to drift along on Jo's various and demanding whims. The woman didn't seem to think of others and despite her son being in hospital she appeared to be enjoying the spotlight just a little too much.
Following the accident, Abi gets the sense that she is being watched and begins to feel uneasy. She hears noises in the night and upon investigating, she sees a figure run off in the dark. She starts to wonder if her past has come back to haunt her, though I am not really sure what was so awful about her past that she would feel under threat. The only real threat she seemed to have had is now dead and awaiting burial but even that was a little ambiguous. Whatever the case, Abi solved it all by sipping vodka from the water bottle she carried around...or she just got blotto.
As much as I love Kerry's thrillers, THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET just didn't do it for me. I don't know what it is but I failed to connect with any of the characters and found most of them unlikable. I disliked Abi almost instantly and, despite her being well-written in relation to the story, I just couldn't connect to her or feel her pain. She had no drive, no real purpose even. Jo was just demanding and annoying. Holly was somewhat uppity which was reflected in her move to an seemingly more upper scale part of the same town in which they all grew up. Even the teenage children were difficult to connect with. They all just seemed to be names on paper, not real characters.
I did like how the town itself became its own character with bits of messy relationships woven throughout and within each character you meet. But that's as far as it went. All the other bits and pieces seemed a bit pointless. I kept waiting for something big to take place...but it never did.
I'm not sure what THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET was supposed to be about. Is it a domestic thriller? Is it a mystery? Is it a tale of suspense? Is it a story of grief? It seems like it was supposed to be a little of all these things woven together but instead it just unravelled like a ball of string. The premise seemed to promise something different to what was actually delivered.
This wasn't an easy review to write...simply because I love Kerry Wilkinson's thrillers and I appreciate the many hours that must go into each and every book. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. And to write a review on a book I didn't really enjoy by one of my favourite authors is no easy feat. I can see from others that there are mixed feelings about this book. Some of Kerry's most loyal fans are either united or divided in opinion. And it's quite possible that THE CHILD ACROSS THE STREET will go on to be another raging success.
However in my opinion, I felt it wasn't his best BUT it certainly doesn't put me off the author. He is one of my favourites and I eagerly await each new release.
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheChildAcrossTheStreet in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I went into this knowing nothing and came out knowing I want to read more of Wilkinson's works.
I loved the simplicity of the story. It didn't deal with some grand plan but rather a small town and the folk that live in that town. The book instantly captures you with the characters and their relationships. Like any small these relationship are messy. I also loved how the town became its own character and the development with it and Abi. Abi's process of grief was also well developed without spoon feeding it to the reader, which I appreciated.
I especially loved the ending. Not all need books need an intricate solution to the problem. As simple as it was, it was effective and great.
My only complaint is I wish the book delved into Abi's alcohol problem more. I like the how it was introduced and never in the fore front of the book, but its conclusion was kind of lack lustre. I personally thought her memory issue would contribute to the story but it really didn't. Would have been interesting aspect to explore as well.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.
I loved the simplicity of the story. It didn't deal with some grand plan but rather a small town and the folk that live in that town. The book instantly captures you with the characters and their relationships. Like any small these relationship are messy. I also loved how the town became its own character and the development with it and Abi. Abi's process of grief was also well developed without spoon feeding it to the reader, which I appreciated.
I especially loved the ending. Not all need books need an intricate solution to the problem. As simple as it was, it was effective and great.
My only complaint is I wish the book delved into Abi's alcohol problem more. I like the how it was introduced and never in the fore front of the book, but its conclusion was kind of lack lustre. I personally thought her memory issue would contribute to the story but it really didn't. Would have been interesting aspect to explore as well.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 9, 2020
Kerry Wilkinson is a great writer. I really like his straightforward prose and interesting characterizations. A cop, for example, is described as “the kind of policeman a child might draw.” He also has a good sense of humor and a sometimes wry observational style.
But somehow I failed to connect with the book. I think it was the narrator, Abi. Though she was well-written in terms of the plot and her observations, I did not really connect with the character emotionally. Same thing with the other main character, Jo. The plot also did not move particularly fast — I felt like I spent a lot of time waiting for something to happen.
Strange for me to like the author’s writing style so much but still not really connect with the book. I could see where this author’s humorous, slightly removed observational style would work much better in something like a police procedural series. But for me it was not quite emotionally right for the intimacy of a domestic thriller like this one, where you really want to be right inside the character’s head. I am interested to try another book by him, though! The humor and observations in this book did make me smile.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for the advance copy!
But somehow I failed to connect with the book. I think it was the narrator, Abi. Though she was well-written in terms of the plot and her observations, I did not really connect with the character emotionally. Same thing with the other main character, Jo. The plot also did not move particularly fast — I felt like I spent a lot of time waiting for something to happen.
Strange for me to like the author’s writing style so much but still not really connect with the book. I could see where this author’s humorous, slightly removed observational style would work much better in something like a police procedural series. But for me it was not quite emotionally right for the intimacy of a domestic thriller like this one, where you really want to be right inside the character’s head. I am interested to try another book by him, though! The humor and observations in this book did make me smile.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for the advance copy!
June 23, 2020
So far, I've read eight books by this author - on purpose. So when I got the chance to snag an advance copy of this one, I didn't even think once about requesting it. And even though it comes as no surprise, once again I'm a very happy reader.
Abigail (Abi) Coyle has returned to the childhood home she left some 20 years ago, but not because she misses the place so much. Her father has died and, as the only child, bequeathed her his house (her mother left them years ago, and her father got a divorce on the grounds of abandonment). Abi doesn't want to be here, but she needs to finalize funeral arrangements and check the contents of the house.
On the way there, wheeling her suitcase down the street next to a park, she's startled to hear car brakes squeal. The car quickly moves on - seen only as a brief glimpse - and Abi turns her attention to the side of the road. First, she sees a damaged bicycle wheel; then, something more horrifying appears: the body of a young boy. It appears he's still breathing, and Abi wastes no time calling the proper authorities. The boy is rushed to the hospital, and it turns out to be Ethan, the son of one of Abi's childhood friends.
Dad's home is nothing short of a mess, and Abi vows to avoid being in it as much as possible. But there's nowhere much better to stay, and Abi has left her job in London to come here and can't afford to waste money on overnight lodging. So, she stays in her old bedroom - now musty and dusty - while she begins to sort through all the "stuff" her father has hoarded over the years. At one time, she's certain someone was trying to get in the house, but nothing comes of it. Maybe, she surmises, someone wants to find out how much she knows about the hit-and-run driver who hit the boy (which realistically is practically nothing).
Over a period of a couple of days, Abi meets up with several other childhood friends, including an ex-boyfriend who's now married with kids (much to the chagrin of his wife). Memories start flowing back - most of them more than enough to convince Abi that she wants no part of living in this backwoods community ever again - even when she meets an intriguing new-to-her character who brings a surprise of a lifetime. Still, she's concerned about the accident victim, his family and the identity of that errant driver - clues lead to several possibilities - so she pokes around while the house is being cleaned out and readied for sale.
My only disappointment, and it's a very minor one, is that I wanted to know more specifics about what happened in Abi's childhood. It's easy to see why she's estranged from her runaway mother, but she has zero use for her father, either - and what he did to deserve her wrath isn't fully explained. Still and all, this is another of the author's don't-want-to-put-down books, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the chance to read and review it. Good job once again!
Abigail (Abi) Coyle has returned to the childhood home she left some 20 years ago, but not because she misses the place so much. Her father has died and, as the only child, bequeathed her his house (her mother left them years ago, and her father got a divorce on the grounds of abandonment). Abi doesn't want to be here, but she needs to finalize funeral arrangements and check the contents of the house.
On the way there, wheeling her suitcase down the street next to a park, she's startled to hear car brakes squeal. The car quickly moves on - seen only as a brief glimpse - and Abi turns her attention to the side of the road. First, she sees a damaged bicycle wheel; then, something more horrifying appears: the body of a young boy. It appears he's still breathing, and Abi wastes no time calling the proper authorities. The boy is rushed to the hospital, and it turns out to be Ethan, the son of one of Abi's childhood friends.
Dad's home is nothing short of a mess, and Abi vows to avoid being in it as much as possible. But there's nowhere much better to stay, and Abi has left her job in London to come here and can't afford to waste money on overnight lodging. So, she stays in her old bedroom - now musty and dusty - while she begins to sort through all the "stuff" her father has hoarded over the years. At one time, she's certain someone was trying to get in the house, but nothing comes of it. Maybe, she surmises, someone wants to find out how much she knows about the hit-and-run driver who hit the boy (which realistically is practically nothing).
Over a period of a couple of days, Abi meets up with several other childhood friends, including an ex-boyfriend who's now married with kids (much to the chagrin of his wife). Memories start flowing back - most of them more than enough to convince Abi that she wants no part of living in this backwoods community ever again - even when she meets an intriguing new-to-her character who brings a surprise of a lifetime. Still, she's concerned about the accident victim, his family and the identity of that errant driver - clues lead to several possibilities - so she pokes around while the house is being cleaned out and readied for sale.
My only disappointment, and it's a very minor one, is that I wanted to know more specifics about what happened in Abi's childhood. It's easy to see why she's estranged from her runaway mother, but she has zero use for her father, either - and what he did to deserve her wrath isn't fully explained. Still and all, this is another of the author's don't-want-to-put-down books, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the chance to read and review it. Good job once again!
June 22, 2020
Twenty years after she left, Abigail Coyne returns to her hometown of Elwood to sort out her Dad’s funeral. As unhappy memories flood back all she wants is to leave quickly as possible.
As she nears her house, Abi witnesses an horrific accident - a small boy being thrown off of his bike due to a car out of control. She goes to him and finds he has broken bones and bleeding but is alive. She calls 999 for help. She shocked to discover that the boy is the son of one of her best friends, Jo, from her childhood.
She reluctantly reconnects with her old friends but constantly feels that someone is watching her. Someone who knows that she is the only one who saw the accident.
The plot was nice but at times in between it was slightly dragged, so my attention wavered sometimes. But apart from that it was a good mystery with interesting twists and turns at the end!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
As she nears her house, Abi witnesses an horrific accident - a small boy being thrown off of his bike due to a car out of control. She goes to him and finds he has broken bones and bleeding but is alive. She calls 999 for help. She shocked to discover that the boy is the son of one of her best friends, Jo, from her childhood.
She reluctantly reconnects with her old friends but constantly feels that someone is watching her. Someone who knows that she is the only one who saw the accident.
The plot was nice but at times in between it was slightly dragged, so my attention wavered sometimes. But apart from that it was a good mystery with interesting twists and turns at the end!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
July 10, 2020
After reading the synopsis for The Child Across the Street I was expecting a gripping, thriller of a book. Sadly I just found it dull and lacking in pace. Sorry but this book wasn’t for me. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
July 10, 2020
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Child Across The Street ' by Kerry Willkinson
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 48 chapters which are a nice length so that you can read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
The story is written in first person perspective with the protagonist being Abi and it is set in the UK. I always enjoy reading books written in first person more as it feels like I'm sitting across the table from them while they are telling their story or in the book next to them.
This is a very well written book which captured my imagination immediately and sucked me straight in. The storyline flowed well and the descriptions were excellent. I loved some of the descriptions Abi uses for characters such as "the type of police officer a child might draw", it leaves me to use my imagination more when thinking about the characters.
I will say that it wasn't quite what I expected from reading the blog and I found it more of a slow burner than what I imagined it would be. However, I actually enjoyed the speed of it as it led us deeper into Abi's life, background and builds up a bigger picture than a faster storyline may have.
The characters were all well developed and believable as well as fitting for the neighbourhood described. Abi remained a bit of a mystery even at the end when it came to her constant bottle that she carried around with her.
The storyline itself is filled with lies, friendship, mystery, secrets, deceit, twists and turns and I wasn't expecting the ending which is always a bonus, nothing worse than a crime novel that you work out who did what before your half way through. Plenty of red herrings thrown into this one.
Overall a strong small town mystery that will leave you guessing right up until the very end.
Genres covered include fiction, drama, mystery, crime
I would recommend this book to fans of the above and fans of Kerry Wilkinson's books.
321 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is a very good price for this book.
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Review for 'The Child Across The Street ' by Kerry Willkinson
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 48 chapters which are a nice length so that you can read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
The story is written in first person perspective with the protagonist being Abi and it is set in the UK. I always enjoy reading books written in first person more as it feels like I'm sitting across the table from them while they are telling their story or in the book next to them.
This is a very well written book which captured my imagination immediately and sucked me straight in. The storyline flowed well and the descriptions were excellent. I loved some of the descriptions Abi uses for characters such as "the type of police officer a child might draw", it leaves me to use my imagination more when thinking about the characters.
I will say that it wasn't quite what I expected from reading the blog and I found it more of a slow burner than what I imagined it would be. However, I actually enjoyed the speed of it as it led us deeper into Abi's life, background and builds up a bigger picture than a faster storyline may have.
The characters were all well developed and believable as well as fitting for the neighbourhood described. Abi remained a bit of a mystery even at the end when it came to her constant bottle that she carried around with her.
The storyline itself is filled with lies, friendship, mystery, secrets, deceit, twists and turns and I wasn't expecting the ending which is always a bonus, nothing worse than a crime novel that you work out who did what before your half way through. Plenty of red herrings thrown into this one.
Overall a strong small town mystery that will leave you guessing right up until the very end.
Genres covered include fiction, drama, mystery, crime
I would recommend this book to fans of the above and fans of Kerry Wilkinson's books.
321 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is a very good price for this book.
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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July 26, 2020
Abigail (Abi) our main character and narrator of this story certainly has some demons and issues as demonstrated by the presence of her constant companion, the water bottle which 98 times out of 100 contained a liquid that was a hell of a lot stronger than water. But then it appeared that most of the characters that she interacted with had some sort of issue and hidden secrets. Some of the characters behaviour came across as strange and bizarre considering the seriousness of the situation. Why did the mother of the young child seem more concerned about turning the accident into a media circus than she did about his well being? Why was Abi the only person trying to uncover who had been driving the car that was involved in the hit and run or was that only how it appeared and in reality Abi was being manipulated by her old friends for reasons known only to them? Twenty years is a long time, people change or maybe Abi never really knew these people as much as she thought she did? Many of the characters were quick to judge others but not so quick when it came to admitting their own truths. If they were prepared to cover up a shocking incident involving a young child then how far would they be prepared to go to silence a adult who is determined to uncover the truth?
This is a slow burning study of friendships, relationships and the sometimes irreparable damage that can be inflicted on a person's psyche due to the actions of others. The secrets, lies and deceptions were gradually revealed as the story unfolded the trials and tribulations of the realistic characters lives laid bare on the pages. I love Kerry Wilkinson's thrillers,he is a very talented author and his books are always well written, enthralling reads. Very very enjoyable read and highly recommended.
This is a slow burning study of friendships, relationships and the sometimes irreparable damage that can be inflicted on a person's psyche due to the actions of others. The secrets, lies and deceptions were gradually revealed as the story unfolded the trials and tribulations of the realistic characters lives laid bare on the pages. I love Kerry Wilkinson's thrillers,he is a very talented author and his books are always well written, enthralling reads. Very very enjoyable read and highly recommended.
July 3, 2020
This story had potential but fell a bit flat for me. It centers around Abi, who returns to the small town she grew up in upon the death of her father. Literally right when she gets there, she witnesses a hit and run accident that leaves an 8 year old boy fighting for his life. The boy happens to be the son of one of her closest friends from childhood and she gets pulled back in to the social circle she had left all of those years ago.
I felt like the character development in this book was weak- the author didn't give enough background on why Abi hadn't talked to her parents for so long, and I wish I had understood more about what she was really like. She also didn't seem to get riled up about anything- she just kind of did what anyone asked her to do and didn't even seem to show much emotion upon the appearance of a long-lost sister.
The mystery itself was pretty good- I didn't figure out who did it until the author wanted me to, and there were some good red herrings throughout.
Overall, I don't think I'll remember much about this book later- decent story but the characters just didn't do it for me. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest reivew.
I felt like the character development in this book was weak- the author didn't give enough background on why Abi hadn't talked to her parents for so long, and I wish I had understood more about what she was really like. She also didn't seem to get riled up about anything- she just kind of did what anyone asked her to do and didn't even seem to show much emotion upon the appearance of a long-lost sister.
The mystery itself was pretty good- I didn't figure out who did it until the author wanted me to, and there were some good red herrings throughout.
Overall, I don't think I'll remember much about this book later- decent story but the characters just didn't do it for me. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest reivew.
July 17, 2020
3.5 stars
I love Kerry Wilkinson’s books but this one was not as gripping as previous books.
This was more a mystery drama than a thriller as Abi tries to remember who had knocked Ethan off his bike.
It was her first day back in her home town and she gets a glimpse of a car and then sees the bike and Ethan lying on the road.
She meets up with friends from school and feels disconnected from them as it’s been twenty years since she left.
She has to go back for her father’s funeral and to sell the house but really doesn’t want to be there.
Questions are asked about who the driver of the car was but Abi can’t remember too much about the it.
That is until new information is discovered and things take a dangerous turn.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I love Kerry Wilkinson’s books but this one was not as gripping as previous books.
This was more a mystery drama than a thriller as Abi tries to remember who had knocked Ethan off his bike.
It was her first day back in her home town and she gets a glimpse of a car and then sees the bike and Ethan lying on the road.
She meets up with friends from school and feels disconnected from them as it’s been twenty years since she left.
She has to go back for her father’s funeral and to sell the house but really doesn’t want to be there.
Questions are asked about who the driver of the car was but Abi can’t remember too much about the it.
That is until new information is discovered and things take a dangerous turn.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 23, 2020
Abi Coyle has just arrived at her old home town of Elwood. She has come because her father has died and left their home to her. Her mother left both of them years ago and she has not heard from her since. Abi is surprised to see how rundown and seedy the neighborhood is with very few shops open. As she walks to her street, she sees a car race by and a child’s bicycle in the road that is crumpled. That’s when she spots a young boy lying in a ditch covered in blood. She is shocked but has her wits about her to call 999.
The paramedics say the boy is still alive and take him to the hospital. When the police arrive, they question Abi, but she is still so shocked that she is having a difficult time trying to remember the color of the car.
A woman comes out and sees Abi. It’s Jo, an old school friend. She is surprised to see Abi, but when she realizes that the child that was hit is her son, Ethan. She is overwhelmed.
Abi is disgusted at how dirty the house is but for now, it gives her a place to stay. With Ethan in ICU, Abi meets other people she went to school with and sees how their lives are not the best. The town’s major employer is about to close which means many people will be left without a job. They’re furious.
Abi’s father had pre-paid his funeral which leaves Abi to just choose a date. She has no love for the man and just wants to see him buried.
As Abi talks with more people in town, she realizes that one of them is guilty of hitting Ethan and then taking off. But who and why?
I simply did not care for this story. It was depressing and dark. A number of characters, all flawed, just made for a pathetic mess. Sometimes, you never should go home again. I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but this one left me cold.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The paramedics say the boy is still alive and take him to the hospital. When the police arrive, they question Abi, but she is still so shocked that she is having a difficult time trying to remember the color of the car.
A woman comes out and sees Abi. It’s Jo, an old school friend. She is surprised to see Abi, but when she realizes that the child that was hit is her son, Ethan. She is overwhelmed.
Abi is disgusted at how dirty the house is but for now, it gives her a place to stay. With Ethan in ICU, Abi meets other people she went to school with and sees how their lives are not the best. The town’s major employer is about to close which means many people will be left without a job. They’re furious.
Abi’s father had pre-paid his funeral which leaves Abi to just choose a date. She has no love for the man and just wants to see him buried.
As Abi talks with more people in town, she realizes that one of them is guilty of hitting Ethan and then taking off. But who and why?
I simply did not care for this story. It was depressing and dark. A number of characters, all flawed, just made for a pathetic mess. Sometimes, you never should go home again. I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but this one left me cold.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 25, 2020
Abi returned to her childhood home after 20 years leaving the town. She inherited the house after her father passed away. When she arrived, she witnessed an accident that involved 8 years old kid, Ethan who got hit by a car. But she can't seem to remembered anything about the car.
I can't connect to any of the characters including the main character, Abi because of the lack of personality. Jo, Ethan's mom aka Abi best friend from school is pretty demanding lol asking Abi to do this and that. I don't know why but I feel like she doesn't care bout Ethan that much lol I mean.. I can't feel the love at all. Ohhh I keep guessing who hit Ethan but damn I'm wrong lol My opinions keep changing 😂
Btw I would like to know more of Abi childhood. I don't understand why her mom left her dad and her pheww
Thank you Netgalley for The Child Across The Street ARC!
I can't connect to any of the characters including the main character, Abi because of the lack of personality. Jo, Ethan's mom aka Abi best friend from school is pretty demanding lol asking Abi to do this and that. I don't know why but I feel like she doesn't care bout Ethan that much lol I mean.. I can't feel the love at all. Ohhh I keep guessing who hit Ethan but damn I'm wrong lol My opinions keep changing 😂
Btw I would like to know more of Abi childhood. I don't understand why her mom left her dad and her pheww
Thank you Netgalley for The Child Across The Street ARC!
July 15, 2020
Just wonderful as always. Five glorious stars. Kerry Wilkinson never disappoints. This is suspenseful and gothic, a haunting story. One that will stay with me.
June 25, 2020
This book was okay. It was a quick read and easy to follow. However, my biggest problem is that the narrator seemed to lack any sort of personality. We simply learn about her past and she observes and reports things going on around her. Having a past is not the same as having a personality. Because of this, I didn’t feel much of a connection to her or the sorry. Also, the stakes in the narrative just didn’t seem that high. A boy is the victim of a hit-and-run and winds up in a coma, which is certainly serious, but I never got the sense that anyone else was in danger, so finding the culprit just didn’t seem urgent. Finally, there were some unbelievable plot points, like a character easily breaking a long-held addictive habit and a character meeting someone new and immediately trusting and loving her. It was interesting enough that I don’t regret reading this, but I wouldn’t recommend it to others.
ARC from NetGalley
ARC from NetGalley
July 22, 2020
This isn't my first read of a Kerry Wilkinson book but I had no idea just how many books she has written!
Based on this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I have now added loads more of her books to my Goodreads shelves to read in the future. I have a lot to get through and enjoy!
This book, The Child Across the Street, is all about Abi, returning home to Elwood to sort out her father's estate, and unfortunately witnessing a hit and run accident just moments away from arriving at her childhood home.
I liked the way in which this book looks at our past, where we grew up and how location can really affect us. Elwood is struggling. There is poverty and unemployment, not made any better by the impending closure of a big local employer Hendo.
Abi clearly left Elwood to escape some very unhappy memories but upon her return she is thrust back into examining just what did happen to make her leave, and in doing so encounters old friends Holly and Jo, as well as ex boyfriend Chris.
It turns out that Ethan is Jo's youngest child and with that knowledge and some unsettling flashbacks to the hit and run, Abi seems set on a course to understand more about her home town and more about the inhabitants, people she knew from schooldays, who grew up like her, but never left the place.
It is interesting to see how perspectives change as well as the physical changes to a town and Abi catches up with who married who, who is doing what now and also what murky low level goings on are keeping the residents busy.
There are some things that are said that just don't add up, and maybe, caught up in trying to come to terms with what happened to her own family, Abi delves a little deeper into the events that take place following Ethan's accident.
I loved the small town feel of the book, the plot was well crafted and as a reader I wanted to learn more about the characters, their secrets and their motives. I was engaged and kept on turning those pages. Suspicion is cast upon more than one person...
Will the driver be caught, will Ethan recover and what is Ethan's friend Petey doing lurking at people's back doors?
Sad and funny, (I particularly liked the dialogue with the funeral director!) this is a book I can definitely recommend reading.
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this latest book in advance of publication.
It won't be my last!
Based on this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I have now added loads more of her books to my Goodreads shelves to read in the future. I have a lot to get through and enjoy!
This book, The Child Across the Street, is all about Abi, returning home to Elwood to sort out her father's estate, and unfortunately witnessing a hit and run accident just moments away from arriving at her childhood home.
I liked the way in which this book looks at our past, where we grew up and how location can really affect us. Elwood is struggling. There is poverty and unemployment, not made any better by the impending closure of a big local employer Hendo.
Abi clearly left Elwood to escape some very unhappy memories but upon her return she is thrust back into examining just what did happen to make her leave, and in doing so encounters old friends Holly and Jo, as well as ex boyfriend Chris.
It turns out that Ethan is Jo's youngest child and with that knowledge and some unsettling flashbacks to the hit and run, Abi seems set on a course to understand more about her home town and more about the inhabitants, people she knew from schooldays, who grew up like her, but never left the place.
It is interesting to see how perspectives change as well as the physical changes to a town and Abi catches up with who married who, who is doing what now and also what murky low level goings on are keeping the residents busy.
There are some things that are said that just don't add up, and maybe, caught up in trying to come to terms with what happened to her own family, Abi delves a little deeper into the events that take place following Ethan's accident.
I loved the small town feel of the book, the plot was well crafted and as a reader I wanted to learn more about the characters, their secrets and their motives. I was engaged and kept on turning those pages. Suspicion is cast upon more than one person...
Will the driver be caught, will Ethan recover and what is Ethan's friend Petey doing lurking at people's back doors?
Sad and funny, (I particularly liked the dialogue with the funeral director!) this is a book I can definitely recommend reading.
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this latest book in advance of publication.
It won't be my last!
June 20, 2020
I really enjoy Kerry Wilkinson's writing. He isn't one for unnecessary waffle and I often find myself smiling at his witty observations. I think I've read all of his stand-alone novels and I did enjoy this one but it was a bit middle of the road.
The positives were that as ever, Kerry was on fine form with his descriptions of the town of Elwood and its inhabitants. Some of the descriptions of Jo had me laughing out loud, especially her mistrust of the police.
I just didn't find the main character or the plot very interesting. We didn't get to know Abi very well and solving the hit and run of a child (who we don't find out much about either) is just a little bit dull. I also couldn't get past the fact that one character had been sent to prison for 15 years for selling stolen televisions. What?!?! I checked with my probation officer husband who clarified that that would never happen and is way outside of any sentencing guidelines!
I'd rate this 3.5 stars rounded up. The writing was fantastic as always but I did find the story lacking. For any new Kerry Wilkinson readers I would recommend The Girl Who Came Back or Two Sisters over this one.
The positives were that as ever, Kerry was on fine form with his descriptions of the town of Elwood and its inhabitants. Some of the descriptions of Jo had me laughing out loud, especially her mistrust of the police.
I just didn't find the main character or the plot very interesting. We didn't get to know Abi very well and solving the hit and run of a child (who we don't find out much about either) is just a little bit dull. I also couldn't get past the fact that one character had been sent to prison for 15 years for selling stolen televisions. What?!?! I checked with my probation officer husband who clarified that that would never happen and is way outside of any sentencing guidelines!
I'd rate this 3.5 stars rounded up. The writing was fantastic as always but I did find the story lacking. For any new Kerry Wilkinson readers I would recommend The Girl Who Came Back or Two Sisters over this one.
July 31, 2020
I thought this author’s last book, After the Accident, was one of the most unique books I have read. So, I was looking forward to seeing how he followed it up. It didn't quite reach the bar. The situation within Abi’s hometown plays a direct bearing on the characters. In some ways it as influential as any person is on others in the story (and frankly, more likable than some of the characters). The story can easily be translated to any small town where factories or industry have dried up. Once jobs are gone, people lose hope and behavior becomes well...sketchy. That’s absolutely the case in point here. I’m not saying anything else about the plot, because of the many secrets. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.
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