It’s been awhile since I’ve posted to booktube, so I got my butt in gear and filmed another review full of ‘ums’ for you all to cringe through*. The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld is everywhere right now, I believe it’s currently at the top of the Canadian bestseller list, and I recall seeing a fellow book blogger get her nails done in the same motif as the book cover (not my cup of tea, I usually go with pastels or sparkles, but that’s another blog post entirely). So here I am in all my glory, with my unwashed hair that I’m well-known for, chatting about this book.
I really enjoyed reading The Child Finder, but my god is it dark. It deals with some pretty heavy issues, which are only compounded if you are a parent, because child abuse and mistreatment is at the heart of this story. But, as I mentioned in my video, there is a ray of hope that shines through this narrative, and the possibility of rehabilitation for these innocent victims is suggested in various ways throughout the novel.
I’m lucky enough to be interviewing Denfeld, along with Gilly Macmillan and Mel McGrath as part of the Killer Crime Club event on October 26 at 7pm, at Chapters Macleod Trail here in Calgary. I’ve got some giveaways and interviews leading up to and after that event, so keep checking in if you’re interested in edge-of-your-seat thrillers like these!
*I’m going to get a good camera soon, promise.
You’re so right about the ‘plain’ writing style for this kind of book – there is an increasing tendency for some authors to try to be ‘literary’ in the crime/thriller genre but I do feel it detracts from a book which is essentially plot driven. I love great stylish prose, but not in this kind of book – as you say, not noticing the writing at all is the sign of success!
Smokey is sooo gorgeous! (Oh.. you too, of course… 😉 )
bahaha thanks! Smokey loves all the compliments
Do you find booktubing had made a difference in audience reach? Also, I don’t know if I could read a dark book about child abuse. Not abused myself, yet I’m related to many, many people who were. I still don’t know why so many readers flocked to A Child Called It.
Sadly, not a huge difference in traffic with booktube, but I remain optimistic anyway 🙂
Yes, it’s difficult to read about these subjects, I’m sort of forced to bc I’m interviewing the author later, but it was a good book. I’ve never heard of a Child Called It…
Oh, jeez. It was a huge success in the States. It’s a memoir by a man who was one of the most abused children you’ve ever heard of.
Oh gawd that sounds awful. Not sure I could read that one
ME NEITHER.
I still haven’t read The Enchanted, but now I want to read both!
yah, I’ve heard The Enchanted is really good as well, never read it myself!