The Child at My Door by Sam Vickery is a captivating novel that explores the power and the pain of maternal love. It tells the story of Clarissa, who is stunned when a little boy shows up at her door, saying he is her grandson. But how is that possible, when her daughter Chloe supposedly died fifteen years ago? Or did she? As Clarissa takes the boy in, she learns that Chloe is not dead, but she is in deep trouble. She has entrusted her son to Clarissa, the only person she can rely on, to keep him safe from a perilous situation. As the story progresses, many questions emerge. What made Chloe flee? What really happened fifteen years ago? Is the disappearance of Clarissa’s daughter and husband related to Jeff, her stalker and sneaky neighbor? Is the boy safe here, or is this a big mistake?

The book starts off slow, with a lot of backstory and exposition, but it picks up the pace after the first 20 chapters. The story takes many unexpected twists and turns, and reveals shocking secrets along the way. I was pleasantly surprised by how unpredictable and intriguing the book was. The book also tackles some serious issues, such as domestic violence, child abuse, and guilt, and shows how they affect the characters and their relationships. Chloe, in particular, is a complex and flawed protagonist, who has to deal with her own demons and regrets. The mystery aspect of the novel is well-crafted and suspenseful, with clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout. The author keeps the reader guessing until the end, with a surprising and satisfying reveal.

However, the book also has some flaws, such as the unrealistic and convenient resolution of some problems, depending on coincidences to advance the plot, such as finding the key to the mystery that was burried for 15 years just by walking on the street and spotting it “on the side of the road”. Just like that.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, family dramas, and mysteries, you will like this book. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, family dramas, and mysteries, you will love this book. It is a fast-paced and addictive read, that will keep you guessing until the last page. The Child at My Door is a book that you will not want to stop reading, and that you will not forget easily.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent characters that were so well written and complex. Lots and lots of shocking twists. This was captivating. I couldn't put it down. I was dying yo figure out the mystery.

Wow! This was fantastic in EVERY way!

I love a thriller where there is literally NO WAY of working out what’s actually happened until the end, when the twists just pile up - this is that book!

A loving mother, whose children sadly died, a creepy and controlling neighbour, a load of secrets and a sweet little grandson, who surely can’t be who he says he is?

The characters were so well written and believable, this book literally had me holding my breath and I just couldn’t stop reading until the end - I had to know!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sam Vickery and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I finished this so fast! Fast paced and couldn't put down! Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this, I'm glad I did!

I love a book that has me thinking about it even when I am not reading it. Even when I was walking my dog I was coming up with theories and running through the story. This book was a great thriller that definitely kept me guessing and pondering what was going to happen. The book shifts between two perspectives which added another element. It was neat seeing the story from both sides and I feel like it added a great layer of complexity.

There are quite a few twists and turns, and the book tied up almost all the loose ends (which is a huge plus for me, I hate it when I feel like the author just skipped over parts). I will say that the book did not go where I thought it would go in the beginning, but as I was reading I started getting hints of where it was headed. The author gave subtle hints throughout and I loved playing a kind of detective trying to piece together what was going on.

I got very attached to Chloe and found myself rooting for her so hard. I sped through this book and enjoyed the ride! This is my first book I have read by Sam Vickery, but he has quite a few books out and I look forward to reading some more!

"The Child At My Door" is a book about a little boy, Tommy, that arrives on Clarissa's doorstep one day, only her daughter dies years ago, right? Reading this book I initially thought that the author gave too much away in the first half of the book and thinking nothing can really happen after that. Boy was I wrong!!! This book was phenomenal with so many twists that it had me hooked long into the night! If you love books about parenting, mystery, suspense and all round emotions then you have to read this book!

Such a good read - I could not put it down! The twists and turns in the book are so unexpected and make it such a page turner!

I got a new favorite author!

The past comes back to haunt Clarissa when 4 year old Tommy shows up at her door claiming to be her grandson but her daughter Chloe died 15 years ago. So now, Clarissa tries to figure things out all while trying to keep her nosey neighbors who have no boundaries in the dark. Things she swept under the rug years ago begin to surface and her quiet world gets turned upside down.

This dark and suspenseful thriller deals with family dynamics. It’s full of emotions, lies and decent and I was immediately sucked in.

Some trigger warnings to be aware of - child abuse and domestic violence.

I give the book 5 starts because I loved the author’s writing style. It’s a fast-paced novel with lots of things constantly happening. I was engaged the whole time and continuously turning the page.

This was the first book I've read by Sam Vickery, and while it was a quick read and the writing was well done, it was just so unbelievable that it fell flat for me- the plot twists kept getting more and more out there. I appreciate the opportunity for the ARC. to quote another review who summed it up for me
"Spoilers...... I felt kind of lost as to why Clarissa hated all men so much. Yes the author explained how Clarissa married too young and was pregnant. I just felt like that was a plot hole. Also, Chloe began to get on my nerves with her reluctance to get her son. If she was willing to do anything for her son and was stated over and over, why not take him?"

Clarissa is shocked when a 4 year old boy arrives at her house by taxi and calls her grandma. Her son Rhodri died when he was 12 and her daughter Chloe, then aged 15, disappeared at the same time and is now presumed to be dead. So who are Tommy's parents? This is definitely a book that will keep you on your toes. I thought I knew what was happening but was completely wrong. So many twists and turns made for an enjoyable read and, though I did have to suspend my disbelief in parts, this in no way detracted from my enjoyment.

Definitely a page turner!! Loved every page of this book! Loved the writing!

Kept you wanting to read and find out what happens.

I will Def read more by this author!
Thanks NetGalley fir letting me read and review

First read by Sam but definitely not my last! Loved the writing style and kept me on edge of my seat the whole time! Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

This book amped up the speed from the beginning! There was a strong sense of female power and overall dominance in the book. A dominance that was felt both in the "good" and "evil" sides of characters. I read this quickly and definitely found myself silent cheering at the end when all of the loose ends tied together like a nice bow. I am pleasantly surprised about the book twists and am THRILLED that I got to read it.

-GhostMom_Thrills

"The Child at My Door" is an entertaining page-turner. Although some situations require a suspension of belief, it is enjoyable as escapist fiction. Recommended for readers who enjoy easy, plot-driven reads. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was even better than I was expecting! It kept unraveling into so many different twists and turns, and it was hard to put down. I couldn't wait to see how the ending played out, and it was fantastic! I definitely recommend this book to fellow thriller lovers.

** spoiler alert ** 4.3 stars rounded down. I have never read anything by this author, but I plan to read more. The Child at My Door is a twisty domestic thriller that is excellent. The writing is smooth and draws you right into the story. The character portrayal is vivid and immersive.

The book goes back and forth between Clarissa and Chloe. You get both of their viewpoints. Clarissa is home when a taxi arrives carrying a 4 year old boy, Tommy, who calls her grandma. But how can this be? Clarissa's daughter died 15 years ago, along with her husband and son. She takes the boy in and makes up a story for the very nosy neighbors.

The plot goes from there, introducing more characters and lots of twists. Everyone has a secret and is hiding a lie. The final twist is fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of domestic thrillers but I loved this one.

Spoilers...... I felt kind of lost as to why Clarissa hated all men so much. Yes the author explained how Clarissa married too young and was pregnant. I just felt like that was a plot hole. Also, Chloe began to get on my nerves with her reluctance to get her son. If she was willing to do anything for her son and was stated over and over, why not take him?

Overall this was a fantastic book. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it and highly recommend this book.

From the prologue to the epilogue, this book had me flying through the pages! Family secrets, trying to read between the lines of every conversation, and the way the book comes full-circle at the end! The suspicion towards each character keeps you guessing and needing to read the next chapter!! A great thriller that I devoured in a day!

A quick entertaining, easy to read book, perfect for sitting on the beach or on a plane, although very far fetched and unbelievable in places. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance review copy.

Another gripping heartbreaking read from this author who I always enjoy and recommend.

It was a great page turner, storyline and interesting characters, not all likeable though.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Read this on the plane to Spain. Literally couldnt put it down! Gripped me from the start! Highly recommend!