Book review: Revealing dark family secrets

Carmel Harrington is known for writing twisty page-turners that feature relatable and strikingly realistic characters.

The Stolen Child marks a milestone as her 13th novel and seamlessly joins the ranks of her previous bestsellers — an essential addition for any avid reader.

Stretching out across 50 years and a variety of locations, Harrington’s newest book relies heavily on her ability to write convincing characters. 

The plot revolves around deep moral dilemmas and emotions such as guilt and betrayal, making well-defined narrators essential to its success.

Thankfully, the three main characters are anything but clichéd, taking turns to narrate their stories across different time periods.

Kimberly Murphy begins the story in 1983 as she, alongside her husband Jason and two young children, are onboard a Mediterranean cruise. 

One groggy morning, the couple awake to find Robert, their eldest child, missing from their cabin.

After a thorough ship search that reveals the two-year-old is no longer on board, panic ensues.

Everyone has their own theory surrounding Robert’s disappearance, but his parents are convinced an abduction has taken place right beneath their noses.

“Kimberly moved slowly, her legs immobilised with terror. The cabin was only one hundred and forty square feet, so the search was over as quickly as it began. ‘He’s not here. He’s gone..?’ Jason said, his face white, sweat glistening on his forehead.”

After a few chapters, the narration flashes forward to 2023, where Lily, the Murphy’s younger child, takes over. 

Now a busy therapist, she begins working with a new client, Zach, who shares a startling theory about her brother’s disappearance, one he believes is true: He is Robert.

This revelation sends their lives into a whirlwind, and the two form a connection as they wait for DNA test results that could change everything.

The final narrator is a mysterious girl with big dreams called Sally, who finds herself abandoned in Sunshine House Orphanage back in 1973. 

She bonds closely with her roommate Elsie, and the two grow up together before they both leave the orphanage for good.

Sally’s life is a spiral of ups and downs that will have a reader’s mind racing as they try to connect the dots between her and the Murphy family.

Harrington’s newest release questions the relationship between friends and family while dark secrets begin to reveal themselves. 

One might think the overall concept is perhaps a bit far-fetched, but the further you get into the story the more realistic it becomes. 

Tiny coincidences planted along the way find themselves sprouting into butterfly effect scenarios, which in turn will leave you thinking, “this could really happen”.

She also skilfully guides the reader along on a journey of her choosing, gradually revealing pieces of the puzzle at the most unexpected moments. 

You will have theories aplenty as you race through the pages, desperate to know if you have solved the mystery at the heart of this engaging novel.

The world of thrillers can be a daunting one, especially for an outsider, with complex twists and intricate details that can be missed by even the most experienced reader.

However, The Stolen Child is the perfect read for everyone, including those who are new to the genre, as well as more avid readers — who may want slightly lower stakes but equally thrilling emotional adventures.