The Hidden Child: A completely unputdownable mystery thriller inspired by a true crime

Rebecca Griffiths

Feb 2022 · Bookouture

About this ebook

Connie splashed through puddles, the rain slapping her face. Everywhere was tarmac and concrete, fog and drizzle, but no sign of her child.  ‘Have you seen my daughter? Please, you must’ve seen her?’ Connie’s face crumpled, preparing to cry. But there wasn’t time for tears, she told herself, she had to find her child.

 

Manchester, England, 1965: In an instant Connie’s life has changed. She only left her daughter Kathy alone for a moment but that was enough for her to vanish without a trace. As Connie desperately searches for her, she has to put the news reports of other missing children to the back of her mind. She is determined to find her safe. She will bring her daughter home.

 

As local farmer Ronald listens to the news, he is shocked by what he hears. He has spent his life away from the spotlight, quietly tending to his farm. But when a young couple begin acting suspiciously on his land, he knows that trouble is about to reach his door.

 

And then he sees her. A girl in a bright red coat who looks completely lost. Ronald knows he needs to help keep her safe and find her family. But on the wild and desolate farmland, Ronald has buried his own dark secret. Can he risk it coming to light to save her life?

 

Inspired by a real-life true crime story, this is an unforgettable and totally gripping mystery thriller perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen, Elly Griffiths and Found.

 

What readers are saying about The Hidden Child:

 

‘OMG WHAT A READ!!!! I literally devoured this book in one sitting. Emotional, heart-breaking… This book had me reading late into the night… I loved everything about this book.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I loved this book; I was completely gripped right from the start and I couldn’t put it down until I had finished. The storyline is so electric and unpredictable that I was completely blown away by the plot twists and I sat on the edge of the seat.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Wow. This novel blows any thriller I’ve read in recent times right out of the water…

I genuinely can’t express enough how much I enjoyed this book.’  Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I loved this twist on the true crime thriller with a fictional storyline woven around real-life criminals… unputdownable… will stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommended!’ Mychestnutreadingtree, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘This author has gained a forever reader with me! Because she is damn good at what she does and that's making me glued to my Kindle and forgetting about life! The story grips you from the start and keeps you hanging on till the end.’ Netgalley reviewer

 

‘There were several times I found myself heartbroken, near tears, and anxious and then with only a turn of the page I’d find myself ranting and raving. To say this pulled me into the story and kept me engaged doesn’t give the full effect this story had on me… Loved this book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

BLOG TOUR REVIEW Review for 'The Hidden Child' by Rebecca Griffiths. Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rebecca Griffiths, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous Publication date 24th February 2022. This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl At My Door' which I highly recommend. This book was previously titled 'The Body On The Moor'. I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Inspired by a real-life true crime story, this is an unforgettable and totally gripping mystery thriller perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen, Elly Griffiths and Found. ' I am a huge fan of Gregg Olsen so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Rebecca and if this is half as good as 'The Girl At My Door' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read

A thrilling mystery based on a true crime story. This story will draw you in and keep you reading from the first page to the last page. The time is 1965, the place is Manchester, England. The settings are in a village and on a farm outside the village. It is a story of friendship and betrayal by friends. A family saga and secrets long held. Murder, mayhem and missing children. Two brothers with secrets between them. One secret known and kept and one secret not spoken. Connie and Fred go out to the pub for an hour to have a drink with friends. Cathy, Connie's 7 year old daughter is told to stay in the car and wait for them. She sits in the car with her doll and waits. When Connie and Fred go back to the car Cathy is missing. Ronnie and Thomas live on a secluded farm at the edge of the moors. The brother's have lived there after Thomas returned from the war, the death of their mother and the disappearance of their father over 24 years ago. Ronnie has a run in with two young people that shoot two of his sheep and hold a gun to his head. These young people continue to taunt Ronnie. He does not tell his brother because he does not want to worry him and he cannot go to the police for reasons of his own. Then one day a little girl shows up at the farm. Wet, dirty cold and exhausted they take her in and call her Gracie after their mother. I loved the descriptions of the town, the moors and the lovely countryside. How the people lived, dressed and acted during this period. I love the character of Cathy, such an adorable and inquisitive child. The narration was perfect. I really enjoyed how the book was narrated, they did a wonderful job of telling the story. How all these events are interlinked, intertwined and the twist in it all makes for a wonderful mystery thriller. I think you will enjoy this story as much as I did. Thanks to Rebecca Griffiths for writing a great story, to Sarah Durham and Richard Bunip for a wonderful job narrating it , to Bookouture audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

“A child is missing…A secret is waiting to be found” Fact and fiction seamlessly blend together in this tale based on the true story of the infamous Moors Murders. These heinous crimes, its perpetrators, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley and its location, just chill me to the bone, but I couldn’t wait to dive in for Griffiths interpretation having throughly enjoyed her last book The Girl at My Door based on the crimes of John Reginald Christie. The Hidden Child is a well researched, executed and compelling tale that had me flicking the pages long into the night. Griffiths engaging writing paints such a vivid picture, I found myself transported into the story experiencing it from the sidelines. The characters are well developed and brought to life and its sensitive themes are handled well. A gripping read from beginning to end, The Hidden Child is a much read for fans of tales based on true crimes.