"The Stolen Child" Emily Shiner's "The Stolen Child" is not merely a title; it's a whisper of profound loss, a resonating echo of innocence snatched away too soon. The title itself conjures images of vulnerability, of a cherubic figure abducted from the warmth of familiarity and thrust into an alien landscape of fear and uncertainty. It speaks to a primal anxiety, the universal dread of a violation so profound it scars the very soul. The power of "The Stolen Child" lies not in the physical act of theft, but in the multifaceted interpretations it evokes. It could represent the loss of childhood through premature trauma, forcing a young person to confront realities they are ill-equipped to handle. Perhaps it alludes to the erosion of innocence by the harsh realities of the world, the gradual dismantling of naive optimism as one encounters betrayal, injustice, and suffering. Furthermore, "The Stolen Child" can be viewed as a metaphor for the suppression of individuality and self-expression. A child's unique spirit, their uninhibited joy, and boundless curiosity, can be stolen by societal pressures, expectations, and the fear of non-conformity. They are molded into something acceptable, something palatable, losing their authentic selves in the process. Shiner's title leaves us contemplating the price of progress, the subtle ways in which modernity can steal the simple joys and connections of childhood. The constant bombardment of information, the pressure to succeed, and the isolation fostered by technology can all contribute to a sense of detachment and alienation, effectively stealing a child's connection to the present moment and their innate sense of wonder. Ultimately, "The Stolen Child" is a haunting reminder of the fragility of innocence and the importance of protecting the vulnerable. It compels us to consider the multifaceted ways in which childhood can be lost, not just through physical abduction, but through the insidious forces of trauma, societal pressure, and the relentless march of time. It is a title that lingers in the mind, a poignant testament to the enduring power of lost innocence and the urgent need to safeguard the future generation from its potential theft.

The premise is intriguing. You do have to suspend your disbelief at some of the decisions that some of the characters make. The main characters are very self obsessed. Both of them are so flawed. There is lots of tension.

This story is so heartbreaking but also so uplifting . A child is something we should all love and protect and this story shows how easily that is to do. Recommending this to all my friends and family.

This was a decent book. I loved the twists and it was fast paced and easy to read. Thank you netgalley for making this book available to read.

Eliza's life is perfect - she has a loving husband, two beautiful children, and a super successful blog/Instagram account. Bethany does not have much going for her. She becomes obsessed with Eliza after reading her blog. She obsesses over her Instagram posts and stories. Bethany wants to be Eliza's best friend.

Eliza does not want to be Bethany's friend. Bethany is completely different from her and does not fit in with her blog. More importantly, Eliza is harbouring a deep secret that would ruin her family and life. Bethany discovers Eliza's secret and uses it to force Eliza into a friendship.

Eliza desperately wants out of her weird friendship with Bethany. But, she is trapped. Bethany knows her secret and will not let her out of the friendship. Eliza is will to do whatever it takes to get rid of Bethany and keep her secret safe.

Overall, the concept of this story is interesting. I was invested in what both Bethany and Eliza were going to do. However, this book ended up being very average. It was not that exciting or suspenseful. It is a quick read, but I just found neither of the main characters likeable or all that interesting. A lot more could have been done with this plot line. It was not bad, but it was not great. I have read a couple of other novels by Emily Shiner, and this was one of her weaker ones.



Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Woooow! What a ride! This was my first novel by Shiner and I am happy to find a new author. The Stolen Child starts with influencer Eliza and her husband kidnapping her nephew from her dug addict sister jumping to a year later. Her social media presence is taking off when she gets an obsessive fan… I disliked most
Of the characters, Eliza was vain and her husband James seemed nonchalant and uncaring of their plight. Bethany was a pyshopath. But wow what a ride! Can’t wait to read more by this author

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I thought the idea of the blogger and the stalker sounded interesting, but the more I read the more unrealistic it seemed. Eliza was obsessed with being a successful blogger showing off her perfect family despite the negative effect on her daughter. Bethany couldn't seem to decide if she wanted to be Eliza's best friend or to control her by threats. The plotline about taking Knox without alerting child services and the police (as Camilla's sister Eliza would have been in a strong position to adopt Knox) and Penelope keeping such an enormous secret at the age of 6 is completely unrealistic. I read just over 50% of this book before abandoning it due to it's lack of realism.

Really good story but I thought it ended kind of abruptly. About a mommy blogger whose biggest fan knows her deepest secret, and attempts to be best friends with her in order for this secret to be kept quiet.

Eliza is a blogger and has a big secret. Bethany thinks Eliza is amazing and wants to be her friend. What will happen when all the secrets are revealed? I'm a big fan of Emily Shiner books and this one is a showstopper! An original plot with unbelievable twists until the big twist at the end.

Eliza has the perfect life and she runs a successful blog. Bethany’s life is the exact opposite life. When Bethany discovers Eliza, she is become bound and determined to be a part of her life. She seeks her friendship. While, Eliza has crafted her perfect life and doesn't want to add another friend. A book about wanting more in your life and the determination to get that life at any cost. An exciting domestic thriller. The plot will grab a hold of you and won’t let go until the surprising end. This author is one of my go to authors for thrillers.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love her writing style. I find it a page turner from the beginning to end. There were parts that was intense and I enjoyed it. Definitely would recommend.

Eliza has the perfect life and Bethany wants it for herself. Eliza has the perfect life, with a beautiful home, loving husband, and two adorable kids. All Bethany has is a dead end job she barely makes ends meet with. Bethany reads Eliza's blog and becomes obsessed with her and her seemingly perfect life. She believes her and Eliza would be best friends, but Eliza doesn't want to be her friend. Eliza is hiding a dark secret that would ruin her whole world if revealed. Bethany stalks Eliza after being rejected, and discovers the secret which she threatens to reveal. Eliza will do anything to hide the secret, even committ murder.
The book was a little slow at first but pretty soon it picks up and then you're hooked. I couldn't put it down once it picked up and the ending was definitely a shock. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed this read! The characters and plot were interesting and I loved the twist! It was definitely an interesting concept and original plot idea. I enjoyed reading it!

Emily Shiner is one of my favorite authors in the psychological thriller genre. I knew even before reading The Stolen Child that I was going to devour it. The Stolen Child was enjoyable to read (although intense at moments, which I love!), the characters were relatable yet complex, and the ending was brilliant! I will be telling everyone to read this book!

My many thanks to NetGalley, the author, Emily Shiner, and the publisher, Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of The Stolen Child.

THE STOLEN CHILD is a dark twisting, psychological thriller that will have you turning the pages long into the night.

Eliza has a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and a blog that has gone viral and earned money. Life is good, except she’s estranged from her little sister who is a junkie. When she makes a trip to check on her estranged sister, what she discovers is horrifying. Camilla’s living quarters are filthy and unfit for any person to live like this. Camilla is passed out on a bare dirty mattress, barely breathing.

Then a toddler walks in. He’s in desperate need of a bath and a diaper change. On an impulse, and against her husband’s wishes, Eliza takes the little boy and leaves her sister behind.
Eliza chooses to keep Knox hidden in their house and doesn’t tell anyone about him. They tell their daughter Penelope he is her brother but she can’t tell anyone about him, either.
And this train wreck only gets worse. When one of Eliza’s followers becomes obsessed with her and stops at nothing to become friends with her. Bethany believes they are destined to be best friends. And she decides that she is going to befriend Eliza. Whether she likes it or not.
But what Bethany doesn't realize is that Eliza doesn't really have any friends. And for good reason. Then one day...something in one of Eliza's latest Instagram posts catches Bethany's eye. And suddenly, she knows Eliza's secret.

I really enjoyed this book. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. I am looking forward to reading other books by Emily Shiner.

Eliza is a blogger on the brink of a huge career. But she has a secret, and super fan Bethany threatens to reveal it to the world...
The Stolen Child is a psychological thriller set in America in the present day.
We are shown alternative viewpoints in the first person of both Eliza and Bethany. Eliza has tried to do the right thing so we immediately ally with her. Bethany seems to have mental health problems which lead to an obsession. Her reasoning makes sense but she goes beyond the norm.
I was fascinated by the premise of the book. So much of our lives is on social media so we seem to know others through what they post. We know from the prologue what Eliza's secret is and due to the honourability of it we side with her. However, the fact that she keeps it hidden shows that she knows how it would be viewed. Bethany has a skewed viewpoint and her desperation is very sad and deluded, yet becomes increasingly dangerous.
I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints for giving us such specific insight into the main characters. Eliza's moral dilemma and Bethany's behaviour are interesting as they unfold and the tension grows as the plot develops. The danger and power balance between the pair continually shifts over the course of the book.
The Stolen Child is an entertaining psychological thriller.

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

Love this author!!!The story revolves around two main characters. Eliza, a social media influencer with a seemingly perfect family life, and Bethany, a struggling cocktail waitress who follows Eliza on Instagram.
Absolutely amazing read! Such a captivating read! Amazing cover art that was super eye catching would definitely recommend to all!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Stolen Child by Emily Shiner from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This book is one heck of a thriller and will keep you turning the pages until late into the night. I'm absolutely excited to read more by this author as I loved her writing style.

A great thriller to read in the autumn/winter time as it definitely has those vibes. I loved the characters in this book and the way they were written by the author in an interesting way. A very good read.