
The Lost Children
DCI Matilda Darke, Book 9
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Narrated by:
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Stephanie Beattie
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By:
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Michael Wood
About this listen
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 LimitedCritic 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
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)!
Brilliant
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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.
Dark content softened by familiar characters
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Not his best but …..
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This needs to be a tv detective series !!
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Another page turner!
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Best read for a long while
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A dark story, brilliantly told
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And thank you, Stepahine Beattie for the amazing performance as per usual.
Great book, difficult to listen too
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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...)
Brutally honest and challenging, a brave story.
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Gripping Story Line
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