Reviewed by Cesca Martin
This chilling read from Liz Jensen centres around a strange phenomenon that is happening in different countries around the world – children appear to be inexplicably killing adults in novel and horrendous ways. Hesketh Lock, a man hired to investigate corporate sabotage and search for patterns when others have failed to find any, is on the case. When his own step-son Freddy pushes his mother down the stairs Hesketh is forced to face up to the truth and find out just what is happening…
This book was breathtakingly exciting and so simply told. Hesketh has Asperger’s Syndrome and therefore a keen ability to look at things objectively. This made him an awkward, but fascinating character. His inability to make small talk, tell a white lie or respond in an emotional way added so much to the book. The dialogue between him and other characters (women he had had sex with the night before, his ex-girlfriend, etc) was often both excruciating, and amusing.
The plot was gripping and I was chilled to the core by the savage portrayal of killer children who were often predicting the demise of members of their own family through pictures, Lego, words... They were made out to be aliens, animals, freaks and, as an adult reader, you can't help being disgusted by them. It’s not a feel-good read, but I would urge anyone who loves a little alternative fiction in their lives to grab their copy now. *runs off to hide salted foods*
9/10
