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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Violence committed by a child; the horror escalates as the child's behavior becomes genuinely dangerous
Language
Some
Some strong language in the thriller register
Sexual Content
None
No sexual content
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
Extreme psychological content: a child with a trauma history who is capable of violence toward the family that loves her; deeply disturbing for parents especially
What this book is about
Lucinda Berry's psychological thriller follows a couple who adopt a young girl who seemed like the perfect addition to their family. As her behavior escalates, they discover the child has a history she — and her social worker — concealed. Berry, who is a former clinical psychologist, writes with insight about childhood trauma and its effects on behavior. The horror is psychological — a disturbed child in a family that can't escape — and the content involving child violence is genuinely disturbing.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Child violence
Extreme psychological horror around family safety
Reader Verification
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