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Not Your Child
When Ottawa psychologist and single mother Susan Koss discovers that a strange man has been following her twelve-year-old daughter Maddy, she fears he's a predator. But it's worse than that. The man, Daniel Kazan, believes Maddy is his granddaughter, abducted as a baby--and he's obsessed with getting her back. Susan insists on a DNA test to disprove Daniel's claim, but the result is one she can't understand or explain: it says she's not Maddy's mother. Then Maddy vanishes. Susan's convinced Daniel has taken her, but he has an alibi, and two searches of his house turn up nothing. The hunt is on--police are on full mobilization, and Susan fears the worst.
322 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2022
30 people are currently reading
1561 people want to read
About the author
Lis Angus
4 books72 followersLis Angus is a Canadian suspense writer. She has always loved reading and writing; by the time she was six, she often sat at the kitchen table writing stories while her mom cooked supper. At age nine, she spent a summer writing a novel in her cousin’s hayloft.
Originally from Alberta, she has also lived in Germany and Toronto. Before turning to fiction, she worked with children and families in crisis, and later as a business writer, conference organizer, and policy advisor.
Her debut novel, Not Your Child, was a finalist for the 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award and was published in 2022. That Other Family is her second novel.
She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, Capital Crime Writers, and the North Grenville Writers Circle. She now lives south of Ottawa with her husband.
Originally from Alberta, she has also lived in Germany and Toronto. Before turning to fiction, she worked with children and families in crisis, and later as a business writer, conference organizer, and policy advisor.
Her debut novel, Not Your Child, was a finalist for the 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award and was published in 2022. That Other Family is her second novel.
She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, Capital Crime Writers, and the North Grenville Writers Circle. She now lives south of Ottawa with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
April 7, 2022
What a crazy ride this was!
Ottawa psychologist and single mother Susan Koss discovers that a strange man has been following her twelve-year-old daughter Maddy. She fears he's a predator, but it's worse than that. The man, Daniel Kazan, believes Maddy is his granddaughter, abducted as a baby—and he's obsessed with getting her back.
The book immediately had the reader hooked. Angus wasted no time in getting the reader involved in the story, picking up the pace as Daniel’s obsession grew. Everything becomes more complicated when a DNA test is done, teasing the reader, making us wonder what will happen next. Maddy comes across as a very strong-minded little girl, and you really feel for her and her mother as well, when you realize how complicated their relationship is. The mothers fear becomes your fear, and I simply had to continue reading to see how it all would end.
Thanks to netgalley and backlit PR for this arc.
Ottawa psychologist and single mother Susan Koss discovers that a strange man has been following her twelve-year-old daughter Maddy. She fears he's a predator, but it's worse than that. The man, Daniel Kazan, believes Maddy is his granddaughter, abducted as a baby—and he's obsessed with getting her back.
The book immediately had the reader hooked. Angus wasted no time in getting the reader involved in the story, picking up the pace as Daniel’s obsession grew. Everything becomes more complicated when a DNA test is done, teasing the reader, making us wonder what will happen next. Maddy comes across as a very strong-minded little girl, and you really feel for her and her mother as well, when you realize how complicated their relationship is. The mothers fear becomes your fear, and I simply had to continue reading to see how it all would end.
Thanks to netgalley and backlit PR for this arc.
April 3, 2022
Holy Ravioli With A Side Of Cannoli! 😳😯🤯😳😯
What the mother fluffin' floof!! 😳😳 First, I have to say I absolutely adored that this author is a fellow Canadian and the book's location took place in Canada. The endless twists and turns are mind-rattling! You will NOT see the ending coming. I'm still reeling as I write this review, absolutely gobsmacked!
Susan is a single mother and child psychologist, with a twelve year old daughter, Maddy. Daniel is a ten year grieving father and grandfather after his daughter & son-in-law died in a car accident and their daughter, Hannah, was abducted. Daniel is tying up ends at his Aunt's home in Ottawa, when one afternoon on his dog walk, he comes across Maddy and her friend, beyond sure of a shadow of a doubt it's his long lost granddaughter Hannah which he then becomes obsessed with getting her back. After Susan does all she can legally, they agree to do DNA testing. But the results are what no one could've imagined for either of them. To add an extra complication, one evening Maddy vanishes. Susan is dead set on Daniel playing a part. But nothing is as it seems.
I cannot rave enough about all the reveals that you can't imagine. They're endless and incredible and leaving you wanting more. I gasped endlessly & my jaw is still recovering from the ending. Absolute crazy, twisted psychological genius of a book! Run, don't walk to get this when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley & The Wild Rose Press Inc. for this DARC.
Release Date: April 18, 2022
I give this 5 / 5 Bouquets! 💐
What the mother fluffin' floof!! 😳😳 First, I have to say I absolutely adored that this author is a fellow Canadian and the book's location took place in Canada. The endless twists and turns are mind-rattling! You will NOT see the ending coming. I'm still reeling as I write this review, absolutely gobsmacked!
Susan is a single mother and child psychologist, with a twelve year old daughter, Maddy. Daniel is a ten year grieving father and grandfather after his daughter & son-in-law died in a car accident and their daughter, Hannah, was abducted. Daniel is tying up ends at his Aunt's home in Ottawa, when one afternoon on his dog walk, he comes across Maddy and her friend, beyond sure of a shadow of a doubt it's his long lost granddaughter Hannah which he then becomes obsessed with getting her back. After Susan does all she can legally, they agree to do DNA testing. But the results are what no one could've imagined for either of them. To add an extra complication, one evening Maddy vanishes. Susan is dead set on Daniel playing a part. But nothing is as it seems.
I cannot rave enough about all the reveals that you can't imagine. They're endless and incredible and leaving you wanting more. I gasped endlessly & my jaw is still recovering from the ending. Absolute crazy, twisted psychological genius of a book! Run, don't walk to get this when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley & The Wild Rose Press Inc. for this DARC.
Release Date: April 18, 2022
I give this 5 / 5 Bouquets! 💐
May 12, 2022
Let me just start by saying - I did not enjoy this book. I wanted to abandon it so many times, but I kept up the hope for some reason that it might become better. It did not.
The storyline was not interesting, it was not believable. At all.
The characters were not deep, well fleshed out and I could not believe any of their motivations.
The writing was so repetitive. Very repetitive. A lot of repetition. It repeats itself all the time.
I really did not like anything about this book and was happy to rush through it to get to my next read. I feel like this is a harsh review, but I want to keep it honest.
Also, which 12 year old packs a toothbrush when running away from home?
I do not know such child.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC!
The storyline was not interesting, it was not believable. At all.
The characters were not deep, well fleshed out and I could not believe any of their motivations.
The writing was so repetitive. Very repetitive. A lot of repetition. It repeats itself all the time.
I really did not like anything about this book and was happy to rush through it to get to my next read. I feel like this is a harsh review, but I want to keep it honest.
Also, which 12 year old packs a toothbrush when running away from home?
I do not know such child.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC!
October 16, 2022
Not Your Child is not your usual stalker thriller. In it, we have an old man believing he’s found his long-lost granddaughter. While the single mother of Maddy is bent on proving him wrong. However, things take a sudden turn when a DNA test reveals that she might not be Maddy’s mother in the first place. I loved the twists that come up when you least expect them to. The writing was gripping and kept me interested throughout. The ending seals the deal!
April 9, 2022
Single mother Susan Koss discovers a strange old man has been following her daughter Maddy home from school. At first she thinks its nothing to be concerned about (unsure why) but after other encounters she begins to think this man is a predator. The man, Daniel Kazan believes Maddy to be his kidnapped granddaughter (abducted as a baby from a roadside accident) and is determined and obsessed with getting her back to live with him.
After a number of encounters and altercations a decision is reached through lawyers and the police that Susan and Daniel will take DNA tests to prove/disprove Daniel’s theory. However, shockingly the DNA results come back that Susan is not Maddy’s biological mother - how can this be - Susan gave birth to Maddy, didn’t she?? Maddy then disappears and Susan is desperate to find her and is convinced that Daniel has taken her.
At 8% I was ready to throw in the towel, this was one of the most repetitive books I have ever read with the most amount of unnecessary details. In the first 8% the author goes into extreme detail about who is coming over and where exactly on the couch these people will be sitting and why… no one cares. It added zero value to the story whatsoever and the book goes on like this with long winded descriptions and repetition.
Susan is constantly telling anyone who will listen that Daniel is casing the joint looking for his lost granddaughter who he thinks is her daughter Maddy. We get it… every single character in the book doesn’t need to be told in detail meaning the reader doesn’t need to read almost the same sentence word for word over and over - it was so tedious. Once it was decided that a DNA test would be taken it was then the readers job to once again find out that a DNA test would taken over and over and over again by Susan and Daniel and the police explaining it to everyone. I feel like I read the term DNA 600 times.
Maddy then decides to go missing and just in case you decide to read this book I wont add any spoilers about where she was but this girl is 12 yes, she’s young but she should know better. She is a spoilt brat who takes off and gets herself into a ridiculous situation because she thinks her mum should treat her with more respect, because she wants to go trick or treating and a weirdo old guy stalker ain’t gonna get in my way!!! Umm you’re a kid, you don’t get to decide what is best for yourself at 12 and stalkers definitely always stop trick or treating OK!!!
Daniel…. Omg this guy is nutso - he is taking guidance from his wife (who by the way is dead) so her voice is constant in his head telling him what to do… the police needed to do better when it came to this guy. He’s some old guy out there stalking young girls who he thinks are his missing 12 year old granddaughter who went missing 12 years ago - YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE NOW - you are crazy, police get this man off the streets. Oh no its ok - he is known to us… WHAT sort this the hell out.
The writing annoyed me in places and I found it super cringy, such as these quotes:
Daniel thinking to himself: “He needed the girls last name. The family name. Hopefully he could get this from one of the neighbours”.
Ok first of all the last name and the family name - same thing hey… and STALKER ALERT - BTW minor spoiler the neighbour totally gave out the last name/family name.
Susan when a police officer arrived, thinking to herself: “Now that he’d taken off his hat, I noted his hair was almost fully grey. I guessed he was in his late forties, with a face that showed some wear, along with intelligence”.
WTF - face that shows intelligence thank goodness for that.
Susan assessing Daniel Kazan in the lawyers office: “But I’d been watching the guy. Daniel, I told myself again, happy to mentally reduce him to a first name”.
SORRY WHAT!!!! Mentally reduce him to a first name….that makes no sense.
This was absolutely not for me, I hoped it would get better after the 8% mark but it definitely did not. I hope others enjoy it and I see others already have but its a big no from me.
Thank you to The Wild Rose Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
After a number of encounters and altercations a decision is reached through lawyers and the police that Susan and Daniel will take DNA tests to prove/disprove Daniel’s theory. However, shockingly the DNA results come back that Susan is not Maddy’s biological mother - how can this be - Susan gave birth to Maddy, didn’t she?? Maddy then disappears and Susan is desperate to find her and is convinced that Daniel has taken her.
At 8% I was ready to throw in the towel, this was one of the most repetitive books I have ever read with the most amount of unnecessary details. In the first 8% the author goes into extreme detail about who is coming over and where exactly on the couch these people will be sitting and why… no one cares. It added zero value to the story whatsoever and the book goes on like this with long winded descriptions and repetition.
Susan is constantly telling anyone who will listen that Daniel is casing the joint looking for his lost granddaughter who he thinks is her daughter Maddy. We get it… every single character in the book doesn’t need to be told in detail meaning the reader doesn’t need to read almost the same sentence word for word over and over - it was so tedious. Once it was decided that a DNA test would be taken it was then the readers job to once again find out that a DNA test would taken over and over and over again by Susan and Daniel and the police explaining it to everyone. I feel like I read the term DNA 600 times.
Maddy then decides to go missing and just in case you decide to read this book I wont add any spoilers about where she was but this girl is 12 yes, she’s young but she should know better. She is a spoilt brat who takes off and gets herself into a ridiculous situation because she thinks her mum should treat her with more respect, because she wants to go trick or treating and a weirdo old guy stalker ain’t gonna get in my way!!! Umm you’re a kid, you don’t get to decide what is best for yourself at 12 and stalkers definitely always stop trick or treating OK!!!
Daniel…. Omg this guy is nutso - he is taking guidance from his wife (who by the way is dead) so her voice is constant in his head telling him what to do… the police needed to do better when it came to this guy. He’s some old guy out there stalking young girls who he thinks are his missing 12 year old granddaughter who went missing 12 years ago - YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE NOW - you are crazy, police get this man off the streets. Oh no its ok - he is known to us… WHAT sort this the hell out.
The writing annoyed me in places and I found it super cringy, such as these quotes:
Daniel thinking to himself: “He needed the girls last name. The family name. Hopefully he could get this from one of the neighbours”.
Ok first of all the last name and the family name - same thing hey… and STALKER ALERT - BTW minor spoiler the neighbour totally gave out the last name/family name.
Susan when a police officer arrived, thinking to herself: “Now that he’d taken off his hat, I noted his hair was almost fully grey. I guessed he was in his late forties, with a face that showed some wear, along with intelligence”.
WTF - face that shows intelligence thank goodness for that.
Susan assessing Daniel Kazan in the lawyers office: “But I’d been watching the guy. Daniel, I told myself again, happy to mentally reduce him to a first name”.
SORRY WHAT!!!! Mentally reduce him to a first name….that makes no sense.
This was absolutely not for me, I hoped it would get better after the 8% mark but it definitely did not. I hope others enjoy it and I see others already have but its a big no from me.
Thank you to The Wild Rose Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
March 2, 2024
This was interesting story about one girl and two people fighting over who is related to her. I liked it overall, though it kind of dragged in the middle.
March 28, 2022
What a great read! The story of an older man who thinks he has spotted his granddaughter who disappeared 11 years earlier. The single mom who is worried for her daughter's safety. The 12 year old who feels her mother is too controlling. We are offered this suspenseful story in all 3 voices -- and they're all presented so uniquely; I could hear them.
The story is set in Ottawa -- my home town. It was fun to be able to picture exactly where the action was taking me. And the twists and turns! I wasn't able to predict where the story was headed. Don't get me started on the ending :-)
My preferred genre is Romance, but I've discovered in the last few years that I also get drawn into suspense/thrillers as well. And this fabulous thriller threw in a little hint of romance for my romance-loving heart. It was a perfect weekend read. Highly recommended.
The story is set in Ottawa -- my home town. It was fun to be able to picture exactly where the action was taking me. And the twists and turns! I wasn't able to predict where the story was headed. Don't get me started on the ending :-)
My preferred genre is Romance, but I've discovered in the last few years that I also get drawn into suspense/thrillers as well. And this fabulous thriller threw in a little hint of romance for my romance-loving heart. It was a perfect weekend read. Highly recommended.
October 9, 2022
When Maddy starts pulling away from her mom, it's in typical pre-teen fashion - she wants to be able to make her own choices, walk to school by herself, and walk over to her friends for dinner. But when she runs away from home in an act of teen rebellion, it's more complicated than simple teenage angst.
Daniel Kazan has spotted her, and he thinks she's his long-lost granddaughter. He challenges her mom, and the results of a DNA test are a surprise to everyone.
Despite repeated visits from the police, Maddy is not found with Daniel and her mom is in a panic. She believes Daniel is so obsessed that he won't let it go.
The characters were well developed, and captured the horror of having a lost child, losing a child, and being the child who wants to be grown up.
Thanks to Voracious Readers for a digital copy.
Daniel Kazan has spotted her, and he thinks she's his long-lost granddaughter. He challenges her mom, and the results of a DNA test are a surprise to everyone.
Despite repeated visits from the police, Maddy is not found with Daniel and her mom is in a panic. She believes Daniel is so obsessed that he won't let it go.
The characters were well developed, and captured the horror of having a lost child, losing a child, and being the child who wants to be grown up.
Thanks to Voracious Readers for a digital copy.
June 16, 2022
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeinB...
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not Your Child by Lis Angus is a suspense novel.
Daniel Kazan was a farmer from Alberta. For eleven years he was looking for his missing granddaughter, Hannah. When he went to Ottawa to sell his aunt's house he saw a girl who looked a lot to his daughter, Maddy. He was so sure that this girl was Hannah that he started
following her and asking about her. Soon Susan Koss, Maddy's mother, found out about Daniel and his crazy claiming. She needed him to stay away from their lives and for that to happen she had to convince him he was wrong. A test DNA would prove that Maddy wasn't his
granddaughter and that she was her daughter. But what would happen if the results weren't what she was expecting?
It's such an amazing story. A very well-written book, with good word building, that's told by multiple povs. The plot is very captivating and unpredictable, a slow burn that intensifies until the surprising ending. The beginning of the book was pretty straightforward by describing the main event but then the twists kept popping up. After that it was a crazy ride of figuring out what was wrong and if the story would have a happy ending. The characters were incredible, they were quite realistic with unique issues. The ending was my favorite part of the book.
Not Your Child is a book that shouldn't be missing from any library. If you love a good suspense novel then this one is perfect for you. I will rate it with 5 stars.
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not Your Child by Lis Angus is a suspense novel.
Daniel Kazan was a farmer from Alberta. For eleven years he was looking for his missing granddaughter, Hannah. When he went to Ottawa to sell his aunt's house he saw a girl who looked a lot to his daughter, Maddy. He was so sure that this girl was Hannah that he started
following her and asking about her. Soon Susan Koss, Maddy's mother, found out about Daniel and his crazy claiming. She needed him to stay away from their lives and for that to happen she had to convince him he was wrong. A test DNA would prove that Maddy wasn't his
granddaughter and that she was her daughter. But what would happen if the results weren't what she was expecting?
It's such an amazing story. A very well-written book, with good word building, that's told by multiple povs. The plot is very captivating and unpredictable, a slow burn that intensifies until the surprising ending. The beginning of the book was pretty straightforward by describing the main event but then the twists kept popping up. After that it was a crazy ride of figuring out what was wrong and if the story would have a happy ending. The characters were incredible, they were quite realistic with unique issues. The ending was my favorite part of the book.
Not Your Child is a book that shouldn't be missing from any library. If you love a good suspense novel then this one is perfect for you. I will rate it with 5 stars.
April 8, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5.0
A very delicate topic is tackled in this novel. The disappearance of a child is difficult to read about, and Lis Angus has done an excellent job of handling the subject.
Read full review in the 2022 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
A very delicate topic is tackled in this novel. The disappearance of a child is difficult to read about, and Lis Angus has done an excellent job of handling the subject.
Read full review in the 2022 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 7, 2022
This premise tugs at the high stakes questions about protecting one's children vs. losing them either legally or to danger, and the author does an fantastic job of turning the prism so that we see the same questions and the same scenario through multiple POVs.
We meet Daniel, a grieving parent who thinks he has spotted a child who may be the granddaughter who went missing following a devastating accident. We also meet Susan, who says she is certain her daughter is her own, and who therefore cooperates with DNA testing. But the test results muddy the waters, throwing the sanctity of her life with her daughter into chaos. By showing each of their POVs we are always kept guessing, finding each character compelling, and finding each of their fears empathetic. Each party would and should stop at nothing to prove their case and in their mind protect their offspring, and Angus excels by showing inside both of their heads. Maddie, the child in the center of the drama, is having a legal identity crisis in the midst of normal coming of age angst plus mother/daughter tensions, and the story soars when we are inside her mind, knowing all the while danger is escalating around her.
All of this taut storytelling creates a propulsive, page-turning, suspenseful thriller that is full of surprising reveals. All and all, a super rewarding read.
We meet Daniel, a grieving parent who thinks he has spotted a child who may be the granddaughter who went missing following a devastating accident. We also meet Susan, who says she is certain her daughter is her own, and who therefore cooperates with DNA testing. But the test results muddy the waters, throwing the sanctity of her life with her daughter into chaos. By showing each of their POVs we are always kept guessing, finding each character compelling, and finding each of their fears empathetic. Each party would and should stop at nothing to prove their case and in their mind protect their offspring, and Angus excels by showing inside both of their heads. Maddie, the child in the center of the drama, is having a legal identity crisis in the midst of normal coming of age angst plus mother/daughter tensions, and the story soars when we are inside her mind, knowing all the while danger is escalating around her.
All of this taut storytelling creates a propulsive, page-turning, suspenseful thriller that is full of surprising reveals. All and all, a super rewarding read.
April 22, 2022
Losing your child is every parent's nightmare. Add to that the fact that a mother discovers that the child is not hers? Sign me up--I want to know what's going on!
This is one twisty story where the predator is not really a predator at first sight, where the mother and daughter have a complex, but utterly believable relationship, and the ending is one I never saw coming. I felt myself engaged in the concerns and desires of each of the characters, and rooted for Susan and Maddy, and even Daniel.
By using different POVs, each more compelling than the other, and masterful use of subtext, Angus has created a tense thriller based upon our most primal fears.
I'm keen to read more from this author. Pick it up if you like a suspenseful read that would absolutely pay off in the end.
This is one twisty story where the predator is not really a predator at first sight, where the mother and daughter have a complex, but utterly believable relationship, and the ending is one I never saw coming. I felt myself engaged in the concerns and desires of each of the characters, and rooted for Susan and Maddy, and even Daniel.
By using different POVs, each more compelling than the other, and masterful use of subtext, Angus has created a tense thriller based upon our most primal fears.
I'm keen to read more from this author. Pick it up if you like a suspenseful read that would absolutely pay off in the end.
January 31, 2022
Lis Angus has written an engaging and gripping novel as her first entry into the fiction world. Not Your Child is worth the wait. Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat all the way through as the plot twists and turns. Then twists again. This is a powerful suspense novel with well-developed and very interesting characters. After reading Not Your Child, you will agree that Liz Angus is an author to watch.
Mike Martin
Author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series
Mike Martin
Author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series
April 25, 2022
In Not Your Child, author Lis Angus weaves a riveting suspense thriller that easily draws the reader in following single mother Susan Koss as she deals with a mother's worst fear: a man claiming that her twelve year old daughter Maddy is his long-lost granddaughter, and her determination to prove him wrong.
Set in Ottowa, Canada, and told in alternating first person narrative by Susan and the third person narratives by Maddy and Daniel Kazan, the reader follows this harrowing tale as Susan is determined to prove that she is Maddy's mother, while Maddy deals with the confusion that surrounds Daniel's claim that she is his long-lost grandaughter.
This captivating tale is rich in detail and vivid descriptions, has intriguing and suspenseful twists and turns, that will have the reader experiencing the full gamut of emotions, with no other option than to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
As a diehard fan of suspense thrillers, I must admit that this story exceeded my expectations. The dark intensity of the storyline and the complexity of Susan, Maddy and Daniel's story kept me thoroughly riveted, engrossed, and guessing as the pieces to the puzzle come together.
With a complex and realistic cast of characters, the author does a phenomenal job of delving into the tangled web of Susan's undying mother's love and Daniel's obsessive quest to find the grandaughter he lost eleven years ago. The author transports the reader into this fast-paced white-knuckle storyline with her creative interweaving of a psychological cat-n-mouse game between the characters that leaves the reader's heart palpitating until the surprise ending leaves them emotionally spent. It just doesn't get any better than this!
Not Your Child is one heck of an adrenaline rush that is a must-read for the true diehard suspense thriller junkie!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Set in Ottowa, Canada, and told in alternating first person narrative by Susan and the third person narratives by Maddy and Daniel Kazan, the reader follows this harrowing tale as Susan is determined to prove that she is Maddy's mother, while Maddy deals with the confusion that surrounds Daniel's claim that she is his long-lost grandaughter.
This captivating tale is rich in detail and vivid descriptions, has intriguing and suspenseful twists and turns, that will have the reader experiencing the full gamut of emotions, with no other option than to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
As a diehard fan of suspense thrillers, I must admit that this story exceeded my expectations. The dark intensity of the storyline and the complexity of Susan, Maddy and Daniel's story kept me thoroughly riveted, engrossed, and guessing as the pieces to the puzzle come together.
With a complex and realistic cast of characters, the author does a phenomenal job of delving into the tangled web of Susan's undying mother's love and Daniel's obsessive quest to find the grandaughter he lost eleven years ago. The author transports the reader into this fast-paced white-knuckle storyline with her creative interweaving of a psychological cat-n-mouse game between the characters that leaves the reader's heart palpitating until the surprise ending leaves them emotionally spent. It just doesn't get any better than this!
Not Your Child is one heck of an adrenaline rush that is a must-read for the true diehard suspense thriller junkie!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
April 15, 2022
Single mother, psychologist Susan Koss is having a difficult time with her 12 year old daughter, Maddy. Maddy wants to be independent and not have her mother make every decision for her. When Susan learns that a strange, older man has been following her daughter, she becomes even more protective of Maddy. Her daughter believes she’s overreacting.
The man following Maddy turns out to be Daniel Kazan. He is sure Maddy is his long-lost granddaughter who had been abducted when she was a baby. Danaiel wants his granddaughter back and he’s not going anywhere without her.
DNA tests are done. Susan can’t believe the results and she’s not going to accept them. Meanwhile, Maddy vanishes. Susan is sure Daniel took her, even though he has an alibi.
The police, as well as Susan and her friends, search all over for Maddy with no luck. Susan is scared to death that she will never see her daughter again.
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a book! I wasn’t just sitting at the edge of my seat reading this, I couldn’t sleep until I got to the end. I absolutely had to know what was happening.
The author threw so many twists and turns throughout the entire book. I couldn’t figure out what was happening or how it would all play out. It’s a captivating book that kept me hooked from page one until the end. I even contemplated jumping ahead to see how it ended but I didn’t. I read straight through from beginning to end.
The ending totally took me by surprise. It is quite powerful and stunning.
Lis Angus has a bright future in suspense writing. I’ll be on the look out for more books by this author. This one is already on my Best of 2022 list!
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The man following Maddy turns out to be Daniel Kazan. He is sure Maddy is his long-lost granddaughter who had been abducted when she was a baby. Danaiel wants his granddaughter back and he’s not going anywhere without her.
DNA tests are done. Susan can’t believe the results and she’s not going to accept them. Meanwhile, Maddy vanishes. Susan is sure Daniel took her, even though he has an alibi.
The police, as well as Susan and her friends, search all over for Maddy with no luck. Susan is scared to death that she will never see her daughter again.
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a book! I wasn’t just sitting at the edge of my seat reading this, I couldn’t sleep until I got to the end. I absolutely had to know what was happening.
The author threw so many twists and turns throughout the entire book. I couldn’t figure out what was happening or how it would all play out. It’s a captivating book that kept me hooked from page one until the end. I even contemplated jumping ahead to see how it ended but I didn’t. I read straight through from beginning to end.
The ending totally took me by surprise. It is quite powerful and stunning.
Lis Angus has a bright future in suspense writing. I’ll be on the look out for more books by this author. This one is already on my Best of 2022 list!
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 21, 2022
What if a DNA test said your daughter was not your daughter?
Single mom and Ottawa psychologist Susan Ross discovers her daughter is being followed and fears the person is out to nab Maddy. Maddy is twelve years old and entering her teen rebellious years. But Susan has bigger problems. Someone is following Maddi, and Susan has no idea who or why. Worried about her safety, Susan restricts Maddi’s movements causing more tension between the two.
The man, however, is not a predator. Daniel Kazan, a grief-stricken grandfather, lost his daughter and granddaughter in a horrific car crash. While cleaning out his daughter’s house, he sees Maddy one day and is certain it is his granddaughter who was in the back seat of the car when it crashed and missing when the police arrived. He’s always believed his granddaughter was taken from her car seat. Now he’s certain.
When Daniel comes forward and insists Maddy is his, Susan demands a DNA test to prove she gave birth to Maddy. But when the results come back saying she’s not Maddy’s mom, she’s so upset that she might lose Maddy that she tells Maddy about the test.
The suspense after that in Not Your Child ratchets up to fingernail biting levels, especially after Maddy disappears.
Lis Angus has written a universally frightening story that any parent can relate to. Angus juggled multiple points of view that had me empathize with all her characters and brought me to a point where I had no idea how she’d end this thriller. If you love suspense told in short chapters and well-developed characters, make sure you read Not Your Child. It will stay with you long after reading the last page.
Thanks to the author and Wild Rose Press for an advanced copy of this book.
Single mom and Ottawa psychologist Susan Ross discovers her daughter is being followed and fears the person is out to nab Maddy. Maddy is twelve years old and entering her teen rebellious years. But Susan has bigger problems. Someone is following Maddi, and Susan has no idea who or why. Worried about her safety, Susan restricts Maddi’s movements causing more tension between the two.
The man, however, is not a predator. Daniel Kazan, a grief-stricken grandfather, lost his daughter and granddaughter in a horrific car crash. While cleaning out his daughter’s house, he sees Maddy one day and is certain it is his granddaughter who was in the back seat of the car when it crashed and missing when the police arrived. He’s always believed his granddaughter was taken from her car seat. Now he’s certain.
When Daniel comes forward and insists Maddy is his, Susan demands a DNA test to prove she gave birth to Maddy. But when the results come back saying she’s not Maddy’s mom, she’s so upset that she might lose Maddy that she tells Maddy about the test.
The suspense after that in Not Your Child ratchets up to fingernail biting levels, especially after Maddy disappears.
Lis Angus has written a universally frightening story that any parent can relate to. Angus juggled multiple points of view that had me empathize with all her characters and brought me to a point where I had no idea how she’d end this thriller. If you love suspense told in short chapters and well-developed characters, make sure you read Not Your Child. It will stay with you long after reading the last page.
Thanks to the author and Wild Rose Press for an advanced copy of this book.
April 10, 2022
This is my first book read by this author and I would definitely recommend to others. The author’s details can be creepy, heartbreaking and mind blowing all at the same time. As I read the intro, I knew this was going to a book about a parent’s worst nightmare. The book tells three different points of view of the 3 main characters, Mandy the teenager, Susan her mother and Daniel who wants claim Mandy as his granddaughter.
First, we read about a psycho that claims Maddie is his granddaughter who disappeared 11 years ago. If that was not enough, the author twists it and Mandy actually does disappear. I was hooked from the prologue to the end. I thought it was a good read but I it was also very heartbreaking at different times. The suspense and fear I felt by the author’s writing was tormenting at times when you wait for the ending . The twists and turns keep you guessing and the ending will definitely blow your mind. Is Susan really Maddy’s mom? If so, then how can Daniel Kazan be her grandfather when him and Susan have never met? Will a DNA test settle it all? Does Daniel know things he is not telling? Does he have a crazy obsession or a cruel misconception? The only way to get answers is to read this fantastic book! Thank you to #partnersincrimevbt and #lisangusauthor for an ARC of this book. All opinions here are my own.
First, we read about a psycho that claims Maddie is his granddaughter who disappeared 11 years ago. If that was not enough, the author twists it and Mandy actually does disappear. I was hooked from the prologue to the end. I thought it was a good read but I it was also very heartbreaking at different times. The suspense and fear I felt by the author’s writing was tormenting at times when you wait for the ending . The twists and turns keep you guessing and the ending will definitely blow your mind. Is Susan really Maddy’s mom? If so, then how can Daniel Kazan be her grandfather when him and Susan have never met? Will a DNA test settle it all? Does Daniel know things he is not telling? Does he have a crazy obsession or a cruel misconception? The only way to get answers is to read this fantastic book! Thank you to #partnersincrimevbt and #lisangusauthor for an ARC of this book. All opinions here are my own.
January 2, 2022
This book sucked me in on the first page! Here are my thoughts:
What happens when your only child disappears, and a DNA test says you are not her mother? That is the premise of Lis Angus’ debut thriller, Not Your Child.
Daniel Kazan, an elderly farmer from Alberta, has been searching for his missing granddaughter for eleven years.
Maddie fits the description and Daniel’s insistence that she is his granddaughter threatens Susan and sets in motion a series of events that involves the police, a lawyer, and DNA testing.
Susan and Daniel dance the precarious dance of who’s right and who’s wrong. And stuck in the middle is Maddie.
Daniel gains her trust after a blowout argument with her mom sends her packing, But he learns that a DNA test proves Maddie is not his granddaughter, Hannah. The level of danger ratchets when Daniel loses interest in Maddie, and he makes one poor decision after another. Susan’s determination and intuition are the only thing that can save Maddie.
In this story of family and mother/daughter relationships, Angus delivers a story filled with plot twist after twist as the agonizing search for Susan’s daughter unfolds. Angus writes a nail-biting, page-turner that satisfies from first page to last.
I highly recommend this delicious re
What happens when your only child disappears, and a DNA test says you are not her mother? That is the premise of Lis Angus’ debut thriller, Not Your Child.
Daniel Kazan, an elderly farmer from Alberta, has been searching for his missing granddaughter for eleven years.
Maddie fits the description and Daniel’s insistence that she is his granddaughter threatens Susan and sets in motion a series of events that involves the police, a lawyer, and DNA testing.
Susan and Daniel dance the precarious dance of who’s right and who’s wrong. And stuck in the middle is Maddie.
Daniel gains her trust after a blowout argument with her mom sends her packing, But he learns that a DNA test proves Maddie is not his granddaughter, Hannah. The level of danger ratchets when Daniel loses interest in Maddie, and he makes one poor decision after another. Susan’s determination and intuition are the only thing that can save Maddie.
In this story of family and mother/daughter relationships, Angus delivers a story filled with plot twist after twist as the agonizing search for Susan’s daughter unfolds. Angus writes a nail-biting, page-turner that satisfies from first page to last.
I highly recommend this delicious re
March 21, 2022
Whether you like your mysteries to be thrilling or your thrillers to have a mystery subplot, Not Your Child, the award-winning debut from Canadian author Lis Angus, won’t disappoint.
When DNA evidence sets off a chain reaction that upends three lives, Angus asks:
How much faith can we, should we put in modern science?
How well can we trust our own instincts?
How does a single mother combat the determination of a grieving grandfather whose grandchild went missing a decade earlier? Or is he just obsessed?
Her answers take the reader on a rollercoaster ride of plot twists as the three characters navigate the shifting landscape of their realities—to potentially tragic results.
Will the science stand or prove to be faulty?
Will it matter in the end?
This debut is worth the read and this author is one to watch.
When DNA evidence sets off a chain reaction that upends three lives, Angus asks:
How much faith can we, should we put in modern science?
How well can we trust our own instincts?
How does a single mother combat the determination of a grieving grandfather whose grandchild went missing a decade earlier? Or is he just obsessed?
Her answers take the reader on a rollercoaster ride of plot twists as the three characters navigate the shifting landscape of their realities—to potentially tragic results.
Will the science stand or prove to be faulty?
Will it matter in the end?
This debut is worth the read and this author is one to watch.
June 17, 2022
Emotionally wrenching, spine-tingling and, at times, chilling, "Not Your Child" focuses on every parent’s worst nightmare, a missing child.
Along with expert plotting that kept me guessing, I was further invested in the story because of how deftly Angus handles character development and complicated mother-daughter relationships.
The main characters are three-dimensional, complex and real, and as the narrative unfolds, they grow and change in relatable ways.
As the clever plot twists and turns, investigating surprising DNA evidence and unravelling family ties, I had to read just one more chapter to find out what happened—until I reached the end where there is one last jaw-dropping surprise.
An extra bonus for me? "Not Your Child" is set in Ottawa, Canada, a city I know well, so I enjoyed spotting real places as I read.
Along with expert plotting that kept me guessing, I was further invested in the story because of how deftly Angus handles character development and complicated mother-daughter relationships.
The main characters are three-dimensional, complex and real, and as the narrative unfolds, they grow and change in relatable ways.
As the clever plot twists and turns, investigating surprising DNA evidence and unravelling family ties, I had to read just one more chapter to find out what happened—until I reached the end where there is one last jaw-dropping surprise.
An extra bonus for me? "Not Your Child" is set in Ottawa, Canada, a city I know well, so I enjoyed spotting real places as I read.
March 29, 2022
Not Your Child has many twists but maintains a strong plot and characters throughout. The story revolves around the developing relationship between a single mother, Susan, and her preteen daughter, Maddy, with very realistic dialogue and tension. When a stranger becomes convinced that the girl is his missing granddaughter, the mother–daughter relationship becomes even more strained as Maddy enjoys the thrill of attention and danger and Susan is desperate to protect her only child. Every chapter was captivating; truly, there was never a dull moment. There's a bit of romance and some emotional moments thrown in for good measure—yes, I cried twice. An impressive debut novel!
March 10, 2022
Congratulations, Lis Angus, on the publication of your wonderful book "Not Your Child!" I loved the way you told the story through three different viewpoints, with short action-packed chapters - Mary Higgins Clark used this method and, as you know, she was a very successful author!
Using this method leaves the reader at times actually knowing things that the protagonist and others in the book are not aware of - it makes the reader often fearful for those "not in the know," and wishing that they knew what was going to happen to the victim - oh, the suspense!
Fantastic debut novel!
March 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this twisty, fast-paced thriller. Daniel Kazan’s granddaughter disappeared when she was a baby, eleven years ago. He now believes that he’s found her again, after stumbling across twelve-year-old Maddie Koss walking home from school. Maddie’s mother learns about his obsession and tries to do everything she can to protect her daughter. This includes taking a DNA test—and she is shocked when the results say that Maddie is not, in fact, hers. Lis Angus does a great job getting into the heads of Susan, Maddie, and Daniel, and the tension ramps up as Daniel’s fixation grows.
March 19, 2022
Not Your Child is a suspenseful debut thriller wrapped around DNA and fraying family ties. Told in POVs from the mother, her 12-year-old daughter, and the man who swears the girl is his abducted granddaughter, the book builds to a chilling crescendo. The last few chapters especially reeled me in; I was reading fast to discover the outcome. And that ending… oh my!
March 21, 2022
Lis Angus skillfully weaves a thriller about every parent's nightmare: a missing child. But in this curious case, there's more than one parent claiming the missing child. I was delighted to get an advance review copy of this book, and I stayed up to 3 AM to finish it. Once you start, you can't put it down!
March 22, 2022
Absolutely mind boggling. This book meets the 'who done it', 'how is this possible', thinking. A great read and captivating. Truly had twists and turns. Great read....enjoy.
April 21, 2022
Parents have many fears about raising their children. What if they get hurt? What if they can't figure out life? What if I mess this all up? The greatest fears for parents, IMHO, are that their children will be abducted, that they will just disappear, that they will never see them again.
Susan Koss, a single mother, faces these worst fears in Not Your Child. First, Daniel Kazan claims that Maddie is really his missing granddaughter Hannah. Second, in trying to disprove Daniel's claims, a DNA test determines that Susan is NOT Maddie's mother. Finally, Maddie disappears.
Not Your Child is told through the alternating voices of Susan, Daniel, and Maddie. There are two stories revealed to us, that of Susan and Maddie and the one about Hannah's disappearance. The pacing of the novel is very good. The characters are developed but not always likable. Maddie is just not a sympathetic character. The book is a fast read and I couldn't put it down once the action really took off. Really enjoyed this one.
Susan Koss, a single mother, faces these worst fears in Not Your Child. First, Daniel Kazan claims that Maddie is really his missing granddaughter Hannah. Second, in trying to disprove Daniel's claims, a DNA test determines that Susan is NOT Maddie's mother. Finally, Maddie disappears.
Not Your Child is told through the alternating voices of Susan, Daniel, and Maddie. There are two stories revealed to us, that of Susan and Maddie and the one about Hannah's disappearance. The pacing of the novel is very good. The characters are developed but not always likable. Maddie is just not a sympathetic character. The book is a fast read and I couldn't put it down once the action really took off. Really enjoyed this one.
April 16, 2022
This was a wild ride from the start! Read it all in one sitting COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!! Single mom Susan learns a man is following her 12 year old daughter Maddy, she fears the worst for her daughter. The man following her, Daniel actually believes Maddy is his long lost granddaughter that went missing as a baby. Susan believes A quick DNA test can put all this to rest but all it proves is….Susan is not Maddy’s Mother. The twist and turns had me hooked and I could not read fast enough to discover the ending and THE ENDING?!!!! was not expecting that!!!!
Thank you netgalley and Backlit PR for the Advance reader copy in exchange for a review.
Thank you netgalley and Backlit PR for the Advance reader copy in exchange for a review.
April 18, 2022
Susan Koss is enjoying a rewarding life as a consulting family psychologist and single parent raising her twelve-year old daughter Maddy in the trendy Glebe district of Ottawa. But her comfortable world is suddenly turned upside down when an elderly man named Daniel Kazan spots Maddy on the street. He is absolutely certain that she is his long-lost granddaughter, who disappeared when her parents were killed in a vehicle accident more than a decade earlier. Daniel follows Maddy home and tries to get closer to the family. The man is clearly obsessive, and Susan fears for her daughter’s safety.
Susan is shocked and apprehensive. After all, she is Maddy’s birth mother, and they have been together for her daughter’s entire life. But when Susan suggests DNA tests to resolve the issue, she gets not one shock, but two: the results indicate that Susan is not Maddy’s mother, and even more ominously, they don’t rule out the possibility that Daniel might be Maddy’s grandfather after all. Bad enough to be sure, but things get a whole lot worse when Maddy suddenly disappears from the family home, and despite a through police search there is no sign of her. It seems Susan’s world has come crushing down on her.
Although she has published short stories previously, Not Your Child is the author’s debut novel, and it is among the strongest such works I’ve seen. It is original and polished, with believable dialogue and a strong sense of atmosphere. The characters are engaging and nuanced; the author is particularly effective in portraying the obsessed grandfather in a partly sympathetic light. Add to that a crisp pace that keeps readers engaged until the very end and you have a sure winner. Highly recommended!
________
Jim Napier îs a reviewer with over six hundred reviews to his credit.
Susan is shocked and apprehensive. After all, she is Maddy’s birth mother, and they have been together for her daughter’s entire life. But when Susan suggests DNA tests to resolve the issue, she gets not one shock, but two: the results indicate that Susan is not Maddy’s mother, and even more ominously, they don’t rule out the possibility that Daniel might be Maddy’s grandfather after all. Bad enough to be sure, but things get a whole lot worse when Maddy suddenly disappears from the family home, and despite a through police search there is no sign of her. It seems Susan’s world has come crushing down on her.
Although she has published short stories previously, Not Your Child is the author’s debut novel, and it is among the strongest such works I’ve seen. It is original and polished, with believable dialogue and a strong sense of atmosphere. The characters are engaging and nuanced; the author is particularly effective in portraying the obsessed grandfather in a partly sympathetic light. Add to that a crisp pace that keeps readers engaged until the very end and you have a sure winner. Highly recommended!
________
Jim Napier îs a reviewer with over six hundred reviews to his credit.
March 31, 2022
Not Your Child by Lis Angus is a captivating story of a mother's love and another man's heartache. Susan and her twelve year old daughter Maddy haven't been getting along recently but the single mom is doing what she thinks is right. Daniel is a grieving grandfather trying to find the granddaughter who went missing eleven years ago. Hundreds of miles away from home, he spots who he believes is Hannah, his long lost grandbaby. Unable to risk losing her again, Daniel follows the girl home, setting things in motion. Susan needs to convince Maddy that the situation is serious even though it drives the wedge between them even deeper.
DNA testing should clear up any questions, but only muddies the waters more. A confused Maddy disappears and it is unclear if Daniel has taken her. The police are called in and the search is on. Despite their efforts, no one can find the missing girl and Susan begins to fear the worst has happened.
Angus has created realistic characters who ring true in their frustrations, limitations and fears. The story twists and turns, pulling me to read ‘just one more chapter’ until the book was done. I was guessing up until the very end where a gut punch of a reveal made my jaw drop. Let Angus take you on a ride with Not Your Child.
DNA testing should clear up any questions, but only muddies the waters more. A confused Maddy disappears and it is unclear if Daniel has taken her. The police are called in and the search is on. Despite their efforts, no one can find the missing girl and Susan begins to fear the worst has happened.
Angus has created realistic characters who ring true in their frustrations, limitations and fears. The story twists and turns, pulling me to read ‘just one more chapter’ until the book was done. I was guessing up until the very end where a gut punch of a reveal made my jaw drop. Let Angus take you on a ride with Not Your Child.
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