Having a background in psychology and suffering through my own blackout related episodes post trauma I felt really connected to this book. It very much felt like Merry Jones accurately captured that kind of trauma in her main character including the frustration with people around you not understanding to the point of judging you or believing you about what you're experiencing. The way she developed not only the main character but her friends showed a real understanding and compassion for this type of experience.

The only thing I had trouble with was how much wine the author had Elle constantly drinking because it had been mentioned she had seen a professional and been formally diagnosed for the blackouts. This means she would’ve been told to limit if not avoid alcohol which would exacerbate these episodes but that was never touched upon. Despite her friends knowing about these problems instead of them helping her to avoid alcohol they encouraged it but then would berate her later for drinking herself into oblivion.

This was such a fantastically twisted story I had to know how it would end especially because I had emphasized so much with Elle. By the time the truth was revealed I did NOT see that ending coming.

It was such a great thriller with bodies dropping left and right, it reminded me of those slasher films I become addicted to during every Halloween season. When I went to look up more information about the author I discovered this is actually the 3rd book in a series but it was so good I didn’t feel like I had missed out on anything by not reading the first two, it works as a stand-alone. I’m definitely going to look up those first two now to see if they’re as good as this one.

The author had me hooked from the very beginning of this book!
It's a rather dark psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns to the story. Every time I thought that I knew who the killer was, something else would happen to change my mind.

The main character, Elle, has been through enough stress and sadness to last a lifetime! I liked her personality. The author really gave us a well developed character to worry about. Some of the tension filled scenes made me glad that I was not reading this home alone! I would have turned every light on in the house if that were the case.

This an excellent thriller that I would definitely recommend!

* I was provided an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it on my own.

Child's play was my first literary interaction with author Merry Jones and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was unaware that this was book 3 of a series, as it is definitely strong enough to be the stand alone.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley & the author Merry Jones in exchange for a fair honest review of its content.

This book was a fantastic terrifying twisted, horrific mystery with a hint of fun that dives into the how unlucky can you be the life of Ellie Harrison. A Widowed school teacher, with a full plate of preparing for the upcoming school year, selling her home did I mention all after seeing her murdered husband's ghost. When tragedy strikes again involving a former student. Although the story was predictable at times it kept my attention and I wanted to know what happened next.

I would definitely recommend this book to others and I will most definitely be checking out Ms. Jones other books.

I read this book in a day which was surprising as to start with I didn't think it was my kind of book and although I felt both the story lines and characters were a bit underdeveloped I did actually quite enjoy it. For me a thriller is usually written from the perspective of the police but o enjoyed not having the police as the main characters, a breath of fresh air in a lot of respects. It was the first time to read a book by this author and I will definitely be reading more.
I have left reviews on Amazon, Litsy and Goodreads

I really enjoyed this book. I had to keep changing my mind about "who dunnit" through out. I found the whole "pulling an Elle" a little over used but otherwise I really liked the storyline and how it all came together.
I will certainly be reading more form this author.

It’s been two years since Elle Harrison’s husband was murdered and now the second grade teacher is ready to move forward. She learns a former student, Ty Evans has been released from juvenile detention after killing his abusive father. Not long after Ty is released, Elle’s principle is murdered as a matter fact almost everyone who had some contact with tie in the past ends up dead. When the boys little brother Seth shows up in class bruised, Elle reports his condition to the authorities and Seth and his sister Katie are taken away from home. Ty seeks out his former teacher, the only adult he ever trusted looking for help, but when Elle herself is later assaulted under cover of darkness, she begins to wonder if the boy that she knew all those years ago has really become a killer.

An elementary school teacher dealing with her husband's death finds a fellow coworker murdered in the workplace and she begins to suspect a serial killer is after her when more of her friends are murdered and a woman is pushed in front of a car mistaken for her. There are a list of suspects including a former student who has just been released from Juvenile detention for killing his father, a custodian at her school and a realtor that's helping her sell her house but has other agendas. I thought this was a well written serial killer thriller and although some parts were not realistic I would recommend it and the ending was well done and totally unexpected.