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The Third Son
All he wants is a loving family to belong to, to manipulate, to control. . . .
Architect Carter Grady is constructing his most prized design—a family. Two years after marrying his deceased best friend’s wife, Tori, he’s ready to officially adopt her two sons, independent Daniel, twelve, and sweet five-year-old Nathan. All he needs to do is sign the legal paperwork. But a phone call changes everything.
A one-night stand from over a decade ago died in a freak accident and Carter now learns two things: the random stranger’s name . . . and that they share a ten-year-old son, Frances. With adultlike affectations and a fondness for wearing bow ties, the exceedingly charming and fiercely intelligent boy is unlike other children. And he’s biologically Carter’s—a seemingly impossible dream.
Yet behind the ready smile, perfectly parted hair, and need to please, something’s off with Frances. There’s a cunning calculation behind his moves, an effortless talent for lying, and a dark curiosity in others’ pain. But as Carter and Tori learn about the shocking conditions of Frances’ isolated childhood, Carter is even more determined to do right by his son.
When “accidents” soon escalate, with Daniel and Nathan caught in the middle, Tori’s budding suspicions and maternal paranoia grow. Could evil reside in the form of a little boy? And who—or what—have they invited into their home, their trust, their sense of safety?
Architect Carter Grady is constructing his most prized design—a family. Two years after marrying his deceased best friend’s wife, Tori, he’s ready to officially adopt her two sons, independent Daniel, twelve, and sweet five-year-old Nathan. All he needs to do is sign the legal paperwork. But a phone call changes everything.
A one-night stand from over a decade ago died in a freak accident and Carter now learns two things: the random stranger’s name . . . and that they share a ten-year-old son, Frances. With adultlike affectations and a fondness for wearing bow ties, the exceedingly charming and fiercely intelligent boy is unlike other children. And he’s biologically Carter’s—a seemingly impossible dream.
Yet behind the ready smile, perfectly parted hair, and need to please, something’s off with Frances. There’s a cunning calculation behind his moves, an effortless talent for lying, and a dark curiosity in others’ pain. But as Carter and Tori learn about the shocking conditions of Frances’ isolated childhood, Carter is even more determined to do right by his son.
When “accidents” soon escalate, with Daniel and Nathan caught in the middle, Tori’s budding suspicions and maternal paranoia grow. Could evil reside in the form of a little boy? And who—or what—have they invited into their home, their trust, their sense of safety?
260 pages, ebook
Published December 15, 2021
1562 people are currently reading
2882 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Green
26 books577 followersS. E. Green is the award-winning and best-selling author of young adult and adult books. She grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that, she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she's usually traveling or hanging out with a rogue armadillo that frequents her backyard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
December 22, 2021
I started the morning intending to read something else, but I decided to try the first chapter of this one instead, and I didn't put it down until I was done.
Carter and Tori are the perfect family on the surface. Carter is poised to adopt Tori's two young sons after their father (and Carter's good friend) dies in an accident. But those plans are derailed when Carter gets a phone call alerting him to the death of a woman who barely remembers from a one-night stand 10 years ago.
This phone call changes everything.
Carter finds out he has a biological son, Frances, who will go to foster care if Carter doesn't intervene. Overjoyed to have a biological child, Carter welcomes Frances into his home with dire consequences.
If you liked THE PERFECT CHILD, THE PUSH, or BABY TEETH, this book is for you! While there are some deeply disturbing moments, this book was pretty tame compared to others with the theme of a psychopathic/sociopath child. Some animal violence, death of a child, and sexual/physical abuse, but nothing gratuitous. Highly recommended and available for free to KU subscribers.
Carter and Tori are the perfect family on the surface. Carter is poised to adopt Tori's two young sons after their father (and Carter's good friend) dies in an accident. But those plans are derailed when Carter gets a phone call alerting him to the death of a woman who barely remembers from a one-night stand 10 years ago.
This phone call changes everything.
Carter finds out he has a biological son, Frances, who will go to foster care if Carter doesn't intervene. Overjoyed to have a biological child, Carter welcomes Frances into his home with dire consequences.
If you liked THE PERFECT CHILD, THE PUSH, or BABY TEETH, this book is for you! While there are some deeply disturbing moments, this book was pretty tame compared to others with the theme of a psychopathic/sociopath child. Some animal violence, death of a child, and sexual/physical abuse, but nothing gratuitous. Highly recommended and available for free to KU subscribers.
June 20, 2022
After reading 33 chapters not much has happened in the story Very boring
November 9, 2022
Carter is married to Tori who has two sons - 12 year old Daniel and 5 year old Nathan from her previous marriage. Life is good until a phone call changes things. There is a claim Carter has a 10 year old son Francis he didnt know existed from a one night stand, with Francis’ mum dead due to a tragic accident Carter has been tracked down!
Well let me tell you that Is one phone call I would wish I didn’t take. Francis is the creepiest ten year old ever and he single handedly manages to upturn and disrupt this whole family within days!
Unique story with short snappy chapters.
Well let me tell you that Is one phone call I would wish I didn’t take. Francis is the creepiest ten year old ever and he single handedly manages to upturn and disrupt this whole family within days!
Unique story with short snappy chapters.
April 19, 2022
Extremely creepy story.
July 9, 2023
Audio - 1 Star
Story - 1.5 Star
Story - 1.5 Star
February 27, 2022
Wow this kid was messed up! Non-stop action! When Carter found out he had a 10 year old son from a one-night stand he was more than willing to take him in after Francis’ mother died. Carter was blind to his son’s lies, schemes and manipulations but the rest of the family saw through him! Francis didn’t have a chance to live a “normal” life, nor did his deceased mother. Something has to be done with Francis before he really hurts someone!
January 28, 2025
Exactly what I expected but enjoyable.
August 22, 2023
WOW!! Right to the end-I don’t know how the author can possibly write another over the top suspense thriller. Thank you Amazon for the suggested read!
October 6, 2024
For a tautly drawn menacing portrait of a blended family brought together by long-time friendships, tragedy, and random outcomes, S.E. Green’s “The Third Son” is a suspenseful psychological thriller of the first order.
After two years of marriage to his best friend’s widow, Tori, architect Carter is happily reviewing documents to legally adopt her two young sons, Daniel and Nathan, who adore him, when he receives an out-of-the blue telephone call that ultimately spins their lives into chaos.
Carter shockingly learns that a decades past random inebriated evening with a pretty redhead resulted in the birth of a child—his son, Francis, a homeschooled wunderkind who is now orphaned from his deceased mother.
Tori and Carter bring Francis home to integrate as part of their family; however, his peculiarities concern them. It's not long before they learn that behind those blue eyes and mischievous smiles, Francis is a lying, conniving 10-year-old genius—one with no conscience. He is cold-blooded, unfeeling, and has deceit in his heart. Even worse, Francis happily strategizes dark, perverse revenge methods for those he perceives as threats.
JoyReaderGirl1 submits this objective review, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Author S.E. Green, SEG Publishing Kindle Edition, and Amazon Kindle Unlimited for making this intense psychological thriller novel available to the general public.
After two years of marriage to his best friend’s widow, Tori, architect Carter is happily reviewing documents to legally adopt her two young sons, Daniel and Nathan, who adore him, when he receives an out-of-the blue telephone call that ultimately spins their lives into chaos.
Carter shockingly learns that a decades past random inebriated evening with a pretty redhead resulted in the birth of a child—his son, Francis, a homeschooled wunderkind who is now orphaned from his deceased mother.
Tori and Carter bring Francis home to integrate as part of their family; however, his peculiarities concern them. It's not long before they learn that behind those blue eyes and mischievous smiles, Francis is a lying, conniving 10-year-old genius—one with no conscience. He is cold-blooded, unfeeling, and has deceit in his heart. Even worse, Francis happily strategizes dark, perverse revenge methods for those he perceives as threats.
JoyReaderGirl1 submits this objective review, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Author S.E. Green, SEG Publishing Kindle Edition, and Amazon Kindle Unlimited for making this intense psychological thriller novel available to the general public.
January 17, 2025
Oommmgggg, un des meilleurs livres que j’ai lu de ma vie! Il y a toujours de l’action et ça se lit vraiment rapidement! Tu veux toujours en savoir plus et tu te poses mille et une question! Wow!
November 24, 2022
Glad I found this book.
I read this book from Kindle Unlimited. Generally, I find that I have to sample many bad books before I find one that's actually good. I am very glad this book caught my eye. I love "bad kid" stories but (like KU) few are actually written well. The Third Son flowed well and kept me entertained. Loved the ending. I'll be looking for more from the author. 3.5 stars rounded up because it played like a mini movie in my head as I read it.
I read this book from Kindle Unlimited. Generally, I find that I have to sample many bad books before I find one that's actually good. I am very glad this book caught my eye. I love "bad kid" stories but (like KU) few are actually written well. The Third Son flowed well and kept me entertained. Loved the ending. I'll be looking for more from the author. 3.5 stars rounded up because it played like a mini movie in my head as I read it.
September 11, 2024
Good! Good! Good! But a seriously f**ked up son. Although a fictional read, the overpopulated prisons tell us in reality we seriously live in a very deranged society.
May 4, 2025
This is my first read by this author and it won't be my last. Creepy, intense, disturbing, I couldn't put it down!
There really is something wrong with Francis!
There really is something wrong with Francis!
December 8, 2024
Omg. Omg! I was instantly glued to this book right from the jump. It did not disappoint. So good! S.E. Green has some talent. 👏🏻
June 22, 2025
Maybe 3.5? I read it super fast but was excited for a plot twist that didn’t really come …
July 15, 2025
A good fast paced little thriller with one freaky messed up kid and some annoying parents
October 8, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! 3rd book in a row I have read from this author.. and just downloaded my 4th.. not gonna lie the last line gave me goosebumps! I won't spoil it..
December 15, 2024
4.5 stars. Great book, very fast paced read. I devoured it in less than 2 days.
February 21, 2025
I’m starting to think I may not be a fan of thrillers 🤔
July 15, 2025
First book I've read by this author, certainly won't be the last. An engrossing story. Francis is The Third Son, he was so scary, I had no idea what he would do next.
May 29, 2022
*TRIGGER WARNING - animal cruelty*
I loved this book!!
A happy family, recovering from their own traumas, making their way in the world get the shocking news that Carter has a ten year old son from a one night stand. He didn't even know the ladies name and now he has ten year old Francis in his life.
Francis has come from an abusive home, his mother is dead, he is odd, eccentric but polite and inquisitive. Carter and Tori take him into their home with Tori's sons Daniel and Nathan.
Firstly, Nathan's guinea pig goes missing, a neighbors cat is injured and then Nathan suffers a mishap. Are these things coincidence or has Francis had something to do with these things?
A brilliantly written book, absolutely rampant, perfection for me. The plot was deep, full of trepidation about what Francis had been through, what was he going to do? Tori tried to accept him, Carter wanted to love him, the boys also tried to make him feel welcome.
A full solid five stars, a pleasure to read, a true horror - life is precious, this book manages to make that crystal clear.
I loved this book!!
A happy family, recovering from their own traumas, making their way in the world get the shocking news that Carter has a ten year old son from a one night stand. He didn't even know the ladies name and now he has ten year old Francis in his life.
Francis has come from an abusive home, his mother is dead, he is odd, eccentric but polite and inquisitive. Carter and Tori take him into their home with Tori's sons Daniel and Nathan.
Firstly, Nathan's guinea pig goes missing, a neighbors cat is injured and then Nathan suffers a mishap. Are these things coincidence or has Francis had something to do with these things?
A brilliantly written book, absolutely rampant, perfection for me. The plot was deep, full of trepidation about what Francis had been through, what was he going to do? Tori tried to accept him, Carter wanted to love him, the boys also tried to make him feel welcome.
A full solid five stars, a pleasure to read, a true horror - life is precious, this book manages to make that crystal clear.
September 7, 2024
Nice easy read- I like that it was told from 3 different perspectives in real time. I wish they would have done the perspective of both Daniel and Nathan, even if those chapters may have been shorter in length.This book captures the reader straight away and the story flows very well. I bit predictable, though and I wasn’t completely happy with the ending.
April 20, 2023
6/10 - fast paced, enjoyable read that had some really disturbing aspects.
April 11, 2024
A book that shouldn’t be missed off your TBR list if you enjoy thrillers. A very creepy, twisty book. Throughly enjoyed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 17, 2024
It’s Young Sheldon meets the Bad Seed.
May 13, 2025
From the very beginning of The Third Son, there’s a quiet sense of unease woven into the page, a feeling that something isn’t quite right. As the story unfolds, that unease sharpens into full blown tension. Green builds suspense masterfully, not with jump scares, but through subtle, creeping moments that made me second-guess every interaction and wonder what was really lurking beneath the surface.
At the heart of the story is Carter Grady, who thinks he’s finally building the life he’s always wanted: a loving wife, two stepsons he’s ready to adopt, and the promise of stability. But when he discovers he has a ten-year-old biological son, Francis, the product of a one-night stand, everything changes. Francis is polite, brilliant, and just a little too perfect. There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right. Something Carter can’t quite name… but Tori, his wife, starts to fear.
Francis is one of the most chilling child characters I’ve read. On the surface, he’s charming and intelligent, but beneath that lies a slowly creeping darkness. I felt torn between empathy and dread. My heart ached for this family trying to protect what they’ve built while something dangerous quietly slipped into their lives. I should point out that while there are a few disturbing scenes, they serve the plot and tone rather than feeling gratuitous.
The Third Son is a dark, tense, and disturbing domestic thriller that lingers long after the final page.
You can follow my reviews at
Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
At the heart of the story is Carter Grady, who thinks he’s finally building the life he’s always wanted: a loving wife, two stepsons he’s ready to adopt, and the promise of stability. But when he discovers he has a ten-year-old biological son, Francis, the product of a one-night stand, everything changes. Francis is polite, brilliant, and just a little too perfect. There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right. Something Carter can’t quite name… but Tori, his wife, starts to fear.
Francis is one of the most chilling child characters I’ve read. On the surface, he’s charming and intelligent, but beneath that lies a slowly creeping darkness. I felt torn between empathy and dread. My heart ached for this family trying to protect what they’ve built while something dangerous quietly slipped into their lives. I should point out that while there are a few disturbing scenes, they serve the plot and tone rather than feeling gratuitous.
The Third Son is a dark, tense, and disturbing domestic thriller that lingers long after the final page.
You can follow my reviews at
Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
April 12, 2023
This was my first book by this author, so I went into this fairly blind.
The Pros;
The writing style is easy to read and understand.
The character development was pretty good. I enjoyed some characters more than others. I felt like we could have had more details / information about some to make it more interesting and understand them better.
The storyline was great. It did remind me of another book I read called Baby Teeth.
The Cons;
Some of the chapters were incredibly slow / drawn out / boring.
That's about it for cons. So that's a good sign. haha. If you're into psychological thrillers, creepy kids and some interesting twists in a book, this is for you.
The Pros;
The writing style is easy to read and understand.
The character development was pretty good. I enjoyed some characters more than others. I felt like we could have had more details / information about some to make it more interesting and understand them better.
The storyline was great. It did remind me of another book I read called Baby Teeth.
The Cons;
Some of the chapters were incredibly slow / drawn out / boring.
That's about it for cons. So that's a good sign. haha. If you're into psychological thrillers, creepy kids and some interesting twists in a book, this is for you.
January 1, 2025
Creepiness overload! What do you do when confronted with a child that is clearly mentally ill, but also incredibly clever at manipulating people around him? Gaslighting has nothing on this kid. The ending leaves me thinking there will be a sequel to this book… if so, I am all over it!
January 31, 2025
oooooh more creepy kids! super straightforward and exactly what you expect from reading the synopsis but i really really liked this story. i was sooo frustrated when the wife's concerns kept getting thrown under the rug and i also quite enjoyed the two brothers in the story as well. there's a ton of action in this which had me devouring page after page to find out what crazy things were going to happen next. this kind of reminded me of the perfect child which i read earlier this month and also a little of the orphan horror movie that i was obsessed with when i was younger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews