Book Review: The Divided Child

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Divided Child     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Ekaterine Nikas
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Avid, Jun 2001, $6.99

On Corfu visiting the place where she was conceived when her parents enjoyed their honeymoon, a sad Christine Stewart mulls over her father's break with her. While she cries, young Michael Stewart offers his handkerchief. To cheer up the visitor the youngster takes Christine on a tour of a nearby fort, but while sitting on a bench, she notices a stone falling. Christine manages to push Michael and herself off the bench, which immediately splinters.

Michael's Uncle Geoffrey Redfield accuses Christine of being in league with the lad's step-mother, Demetra. Christine insists she does know her and just met Michael today. Geoffrey flees the room just before Demetra enters. The newcomer accuses Christine of trying to abduct Michael. Christine wonders if lunatics surround the child. She soon learns that the wealthy Michael is at the center of an ugly custody suit between the lad's uncle and his step-mother. When more accidents aimed at Michael occur, Christine trusts no one, including her heart, but she intends to protect the lad even if it means her life.

THE DIVIDED CHILD is an exciting modern day dark romance in spite of the exotic Greek locale. The characters are cleverly designed so the audience understands Christine's mistrust of everyone except Michael. Though the custody version of the "War of the Roses" seems a stretch, fans of strong heroines starring in contemporary brooding story lines will be undivided on how entertaining Ekaterine Nikas' novel truly is.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner