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  • The Lost Children

  • DCI Matilda Darke, Book 9
  • By: Michael Wood
  • Narrated by: Stephanie Beattie
  • Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (188 ratings)

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The Lost Children

By: Michael Wood
Narrated by: Stephanie Beattie
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Summary

Matilda Darke is back…

APRIL 2020: LOCKDOWN

DI Brady has been tracing victims of systemic abuse at a local children’s home after a high-profile accusation pitched it into the spotlight – a case that couldn’t be more personal.

As Matilda and her team piece together the disturbing picture of the history of the home, it soon becomes clear that this is much bigger than they ever suspected.

But nothing prepares them for what they uncover next…

The Lost Children is an utterly gripping crime thriller weaving a breakneck tale of a vast network of secrets and lies, a relentless detective determined to sabotage it, and a murder that shatters two decades of silence.

©2022 Michael Wood (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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Critic reviews

Praise for Michael Wood:

‘A tense, nail-biting story with a truly twisted ending’ Katerina Diamond

“An established master of the serial killer novel takes us on another dangerous journey through the streets of Sheffield. Watch out for those twists – you won't see them coming!” Stephen Booth

‘A gritty and atmospheric thriller with more twists and turns than a hangman's knot. I loved it’ Matt Hilton

‘Solid storytelling and great unravelling of plot. Michael Wood ups the pace as the noose tightens’ Rachel Sargeant

‘Taut, twisting and sharp as a blade, The Hangman’s Hold wrong-footed me at every, devious turn’ Chris Whitaker

'Wood hit the ground running with For Reasons Unknown, first in the DCI Matilda Darke series. In the fourth instalment, The Hangman's Hold, he picks up the pace again with a twisting plot that races to a nail-biting finish’ Chris Simms

‘Bites into you like the rough twine of a hangman’s noose and refuses to let go. Tautly plotted, brilliantly realised, this is further proof that Michael Wood is only going to get better and better. The Hangman’s Hold is going to be big…’ Neil Broadfoot

Praise for Michael Wood:

‘You can count on Michael Wood to deliver a deliciously twisted and intriguing plot, leading to a surprise ending by a likeable and very real protagonist, Matilda Darke’ Yrsa Sigurdardottir

‘She is the perfect heroine’ Elly Griffiths

‘A pitch-black concept, tightly delivered and played at exhilarating pace’ Paul Finch

‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending. Recommended if you liked Happy Valley’ Mark Edwards

‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald

‘A compelling, addictive read, it’s hard to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke. She's strong character with real depth’ Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of THE GIRL IN THE ICE

‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward

What listeners say about The Lost Children

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Dark content softened by familiar characters

A curious mixture of really horrific and cosy which is brilliantly narrated.

I do smile at the mental health of Matilda's police crew as they come to terms with their inner traumas. They have born witness to much trauma, corruption and loss and all appear to be in counselling. How much more can one team take?

This book stands alone but does refer back to past plots in the series, so bear in mind there are spoilers if you intend reading earlier books in the series.

It is a well written crime novel and the author has created a safe pair of hands in DCI Matilda which allows him to explore this dark topic

The narrator really enhances this novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Obviously, it’s an unbearable story but it’s handled well and compassionately. It starts as we are about to go into the first lockdown in 2020 (was it 2020 time seems a different measurement now), I thought this would put me off as I’d had enough but it is dealt with so well and mainly as an aside but with care and understanding too.

I love these characters, they are human and the relationships between them, good or bad are well drawn and developed.

I hate injustice, lies, abuse power or position (oh! There we are back at covid as a perfect example of helping mates! I like what you did there Mr Woods!), I like resolution (in life), obviously you don’t always get that even in books but I’m a grown up.

I like that this author is not afraid to remove important, well loved characters. Well I mean I’m not happy about it, I miss them, but it’s brave and clever, it keeps you on your toes because no, everything might not be alright.

Narration, excellent as ever, for the most part because there are just so many characters, backgrounds and ages. I’m in awe of such good narrators.

However, Mr Woods, the ending was just mean! Next (hopefully)!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brutally honest and challenging, a brave story.

Matilda Darke returns with yet another challenging episode in a whirlwind series that easily puts to bed any debate about writing strong female lead characters. Fans of writers like Vl McDermid, or characters like Vera Stanhope will love this powerful, intellectual, storytelling. Although this book will stand alone perfectly well, with enough backstory given for context, it was a pleasure to get back to the family of officers and detectives I feel I know so well.
The story is a no-holds-barred tale of some of the most depraved of human behaviour. It is thoroughly researched and painfully honest. Having written on the same topic many times myself, the darkness is this book is in no way exaggerated or gratuitous for the sake of shock or drama. Nor is it crushingly lecturing or preachy. The drama and action is rich, the plot twists are well carved, with a few great dangling red-herrings. I won't post any spoilers, but I will say there is a challenging moral ambiguity to struggle with. What is justice? Who can deliver it, and how? What do the very worst people in our society truly deserve for their crimes?
But Michael Wood doesn't just sledgehammer us with darkness. There is plenty of the usual levity and dark humour to balance out the tension and pace, and the dark subject matter. This is an addictive book which drags you in from the start, gives you a jolly good shaking up, and is very hard to put down. The Audible narration is top class, once again.
Bravo to the author for the bravery to write this story and not shy away from the hardest truths. I look forward to the next in the series.
(Now, I am just going to have a little lie down...)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping Story Line

Loved the story line - kept me gripped until the end. Matilda Darke character continues to be much loved.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This needs to be a tv detective series !!

Bloody z hell Michael .. these story lines are incredible.. I have lived all this series and I cannot wait for the next .. And that ending gets you wanting more and more

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another page turner!

After discovering these books - I cannot stop listening to them. This one was sad because of the content - but equally it is a topic that needs to be aired. Not as shocking as some of the other titles - but a fab listen all the same - with a cliff hanger at the end of course! On to the next one …

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best read for a long while

Frightening to think this sort of thing actually happens. Amazing read. Look forward to the next one. Be prepared for a few tears.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A dark story, brilliantly told

The trigger warning at the beginning of this story was a necessity in my opinion. The subject matter definitely makes for uncomfortable and, at times, horrific listening. As usual, the writing and narration are first class and, despite the subject matter, this is a stand out story in the Matilda Darke series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book, difficult to listen too

Another great addition to the DCI Matilda Darke series. The most difficult book in the series for me to listen to. Great storyline.
And thank you, Stepahine Beattie for the amazing performance as per usual.

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  • Overall
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Awesome!

A story of child abuse sensitively handled. heartbreakingly realistic as we know these things continue to go on so keep the tissues handy. Kept me guessing right to the end. With red herrings aplenty. delving into the depths of corruption these evil doers go to to cover their tracks. worth every penny. highly recommend.

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