July 2nd, 2025
Home | Log in!

On Top Shelf
Sandra BrownSandra Brown
Fresh Pick
THE LOVE HATERS
THE LOVE HATERS

New Books This Week

Reader Games

Reviewer Application


Fall headfirst into July’s hottest stories—danger, desire, and happily-ever-afters await.

Slideshow image


Since your web browser does not support JavaScript, here is a non-JavaScript version of the image slideshow:

slideshow image
When duty to his kingdom meets desire for his enemy!


slideshow image
��a must-read thriller.��Booklist


slideshow image
Always remember when playing for keeps to look before you leap!


slideshow image
?? Lost Memories. A Mystery Baby. A Mountain Ready to Explode. ??


slideshow image
One Rodeo. Two Rivals. A Storm That Changes Everything.


slideshow image
?? A Fake Marriage. A Real Spark. A Love Worth the Scandal. ??


My Darling Boy

My Darling Boy, December 2024
by Helen Cooper

G.P. Putnam's Sons
336 pages
ISBN: 059371993X
EAN: 9780593719930
Kindle: B0CWYB2C3B
Trade Paperback / e-Book
Add to Wish List


Purchase



"Some secrets actually take on a life of their own"

Fresh Fiction Review

My Darling Boy
Helen Cooper

Reviewed by Evie Harris
Posted January 6, 2025

Women's Fiction Psychological | Thriller Psychological

They were once the closest of friends, but that ended two years ago when tragedy struck.  Chrissy and Alice and their two sons shared a strong bond.  The boys were raised together.  One night Leo punched Robbie and he died as a result of that punch. Now Leo is being released from prison early and the only one happy about this is his mother.  But when she went to pick Leo up, he was nowhere to be seen.  She is told he was released an hour before she arrived.  She is devastated and very afraid.  She has already lost her livelihood and friends.  She has endured two years of threats and cold shoulders.  Now, her son is missing and she doesn't know why.

MY DARLING BOY, by Helen Cooper, is the story about what led up to Leo's disappearance.  Told in multiple timelines by a varied group of characters voices, the intertwined histories of the characters are skillfully revealed.

Chrissy and Alice's histories are packed with secrets and as they are revealed it becomes clear just how deep the friendship went.  But there were cracks and ruptures.  Was one more invested than the other? Chrissy had reason to worry about Alice keeping her secrets, but as the story progresses Chrissy's focus is on finding her son-alive.

Brilliantly plotted and filled with tension, MY DARLING BOY is a gripping tale in which readers are kept guessing from the start to its dramatic and startling conclusion.  Even the secrets have secrets. A true page-turner, this book is a great psychological thriller.  Highly recommended.

Learn more about My Darling Boy

SUMMARY

What if mother doesn’t know best…?

In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice were once best friends. So were their sons, Leo and Robbie. Until the night Leo killed Robbie with a single, devastating punch. Now Leo has gone to prison, Chrissy has lost her pub, and Alice has been pouring her anger into a twisted project . . .

As Leo’s parole date approaches, the villagers are incensed and fearful about the prospect of his return. But when Chrissy arrives to collect Leo from prison, he isn’t there. The staff tell her he has already been released, but nobody knows where he’s gone.

As the village closes ranks, Chrissy realizes her former friends are suspects in her son’s disappearance, not the least of which is still-bitter Alice. Is Leo being punished for what happened that terrible night? Or do the answers lie further back, in a dark past none of them wants to revisit?


What do you think about this review?

Comments

No comments posted.

Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!

 

 

 

© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net  all rights reserved Privacy Policy