Review: Judas Child

Judas Child Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Carol O'Connell
Class/Genre: Mystery Psychological Suspense Thriller
Hutchinson, 1998, £10
Classification: Adult fiction (serial killer thriller)

Sadie Green and her friend Gwen disappear in mysterious circumstances. It is suggested that they have run away, but Rouge Kendall, State Police Investigator, is not convinced. His sister disappeared in similar circumstances, although she turned up dead.

A priest was imprisoned for that murder, but has always denied the crime. Now, it seems that he may well have been innocent and that the real killer is still walking free. This was the first time I had read a novel by Carol O' Connell and if I could be as pleasantly surprised as this every time I tried a new author, life would be superb. With this novel, O' Connell has constructed an intricately plotted novel that ties together incredibly well.

She builds on the tension all the time, making the reader increasingly impatient to know what dirty little secret the characters are hiding. She introduces clues and echoes throughout the book, giving little hints and trying to tease you into guessing the identity of the killer. I have to admit that I could not work it out.

I thought the novel was excellent, its characters interesting, the writing powerful and just generally very enjoyable, right until the end. There, without going into too much detail, O' Connell introduced an element of the supernatural, which for me, took away the scientific fact and basis of the rest of the book. Why she chose to do this I am not sure, but I do not think it strengthens the book at all, merely detracts from it.

Nevertheless, if you allow this ending to pass you by, the novel is powerful and compelling. The subject matter (child abduction and perversion) will mean that it is not to everyone's tastes, but if you like this style of novel, you are certainly going to enjoy this. I look forward to reading more novels by this accomplished author.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Book Review: Judas Child