Sutherland, Doris V. (2019-11-26). "Changeling Times: Melanie Golding's Little Darlings". WWAC. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04 . Retrieved 2023-07-04. The book explores two sides of the spectrum; working class and the rich and famous upper class but in an interesting way pushes the two together. Wilson allows for the reader to not only see how ‘the other half lives’ so to speak but also watching the development of the characters and how they feel about their lives. As I mentioned earlier, this book isn't really a thriller as much as it is horror with magical realism. Lauren is seeing things that are slightly paranormal. Old, creepy ladies watching through windows. Strange items showing up in places for unknown reasons. I think the best and worst part of the aspect was that we never know if it's real or if it's just Lauren's imagination. This combined with the cold, chilling horror that I experienced throughout the whole novel was that like I have never experienced. You don't need blood and gore to make a great horror story. Atmosphere, if masterfully done, will keep you creeped out and chill you to the bone.This eerie story will do that.This is done that masterfully. It will engage your mind on a wild ride and leave you so haunted, you may begin to question your own state of sanity, your own definition of sanity. I could not put this one down! If you want a creepy read then this is a MUST READ! On a side note, this has been optioned to film and I hope with all my heart that this happens. This would be perfect on the big screen. An easy 5 Stars!

LITTLE DARLINGS by Melanie Golding doesn’t come out until April 30, 2019, but you need to put this on your list of books to read now. I’m serious! This book is not your average thriller. No, no, no! In fact, the fact that this is grouped into the thriller genre is a bit misleading. This book leans more into the magical realism with a buttload of horror. Think Stephen King's It. In fact, I would confidently say that this book was scarier than It. Aside from the phenomenal scares, the superb characters and the spooky story made for one of the best novels I've read this year. The child is not mine as the first was, I cannot sing it to rest, I cannot lift it up fatherly and bliss it upon my breast; Yet it lies in my little one's cradle, And sits in my little one's chair, And the light of the heaven she's gone to transfigures its golden hair." ~ From The Changeling by James Russell Lowell Despite a slow start, I enjoyed this novel very much. I especially liked the police procedural part of the story. I was always questioning how many of the events had actually happened or were just imagined by Lauren. Detective Sergeant Harper brought a welcome dose of earthy realism.I can't quite believe how selfish Sunset's mother was as she put what she wanted before her children's needs. She also complained the father couldn't look after the children when she clearly couldn't either. Later in the night an incident occurs where the police are called and has Lauren shaken to her core. Unfortunately, this would only be the beginning of a series of frightening events that will have Laura fighting for her babies lives and struggling to hold onto her sanity. Destiny's mother was so irresponsible and didn't seem to think about her daughter when she made decisions, especially when she got into a random car late at night. Kate Williams – Destiny's mum, who believes Danny, Sunset and Destiny should have met a long time ago. Kate is ever so imaginative, and tries to stay positive when her and poor Destiny are forced to move into a dull, unsafe apartment in a rough and unsuitable estate. She has a very gentle and empathetic temperament, and wants her little Destiny to grow up with he best possible childhood. She can't give Destiny much, but she gives her unconditional love, and that is enough the get them both through when poor Kate falls ill with thyroid issues. Lauren is understandably exhausted after giving birth to twins, but enough to imagine she saw a woman enter her hospital room and attempt to swap out her babies? Lauren insists someone is out to steal her twins, but the only person who is giving her the benefit of the doubt is Joanna Harper, the officer who responded to Lauren’s initial emergency call.

I will most likely read it again someday as I enjoyed it that much. Until then I will be loaning out my copy to all friends and family who will take it.

Featured Reviews

Little Darlings is a 2019 thriller novel by British writer Melanie Golding about a new mother who suspects that a supernatural entity is attempting to abduct her children. It received a 2019 Dragon Award for Best Horror Novel. Qwill. "Interview with Melanie Golding, author of Little Darlings". Archived from the original on 2023-07-04 . Retrieved 2023-07-04. I recommend this book for readers who love dark fairy-tales, mothers who aren't weirded out by horror books about babies and anyone who likes a good shiver. I understand this book may be made into a movie. I will be interested to watch it! Little Darlings is inspired by those dark and creepy fairytales that I love to be scared by! The idea of changelings, a child secretly substituted by fairies in infancy, has always fascinated me. I knew I had to read this book as soon as I heard what it was about and it definitely did not disappoint! The horror continues at home. Another scare believed by no one but Lauren. As she gets more sleep-deprived and depressed, her husband suggests she take the twins for a walk. The walk seems to work when Lauren sits on a bench and dozes, only to wake up and find the twins missing. They are found shortly after, but Lauren insists the babies are shells with their inner selves gone, replaced with demon-like creatures.

I had so many ideas of what was truly happening, who was behind the kidnapping, etc. but in the end I was wrong. At least I think I was wrong, because the ending leaves one guessing! This is a well written psychological thriller which is atmospheric with a dark creepy feel. My only complaint is that I wanted this book to be darker, to be even creepier, and more suspenseful. I also thought there were "romances" and "possible romances" in this book which really did not add to the story and in fact detracted from the story to a small degree. I wanted more menacing and heart pounding moments. A story that is in turn enthralling, creepy and downright sinister, Melanie Golding turns fairy tales on their heads in Little Darlings, making this one to watch out for in 2019. A brilliant, heart-pounding read.” The mom of newborn twins, Lauren's intense love for her boys shines throughout the book. She took me through many emotions and while she was surrounded by a cloud of mystery. I wanted to believe her. Real or imagined ? This is what I kept asking myself. I also enjoyed the police-procedural side of the story. The clues, the investigation and a determined officer added to the tension and intrigue. An intoxicating and atmospheric journey.a b "a book review by C. C. Harrison: Little Darlings: A Novel". www.nyjournalofbooks.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04 . Retrieved 2023-07-04. Cover: I got a chance to vote on this cover and mine wasn’t chosen. To be honest I didn’t really care for any of the covers.

As part of Destiny's eleventh birthday, Kate has arranged they go to the London premiere of the film "Milky Star", in which Danny has a cameo as himself, where hopefully they'll be able to meet him and tell him Destiny is his daughter. The plan fails, as only Sunset seems to notice the two. Kate realises she hasn't planned how to get home, and they're stranded in London till morning. She decides they might as well use the time to seek out Danny at his home in Robin Hill. Destiny climbs over the fence and comes across Sunset in the garden. The two become fast friends and Sunset believes her story about them being sisters, but Destiny and Kate get thrown off the premises when Sunset's mother Suzy discovers them. This novel has supernatural aspects that were handled skillfully and believably. Supernatural elements are usually a turn-off for me, but they were presented in such an intriguing and fascinating way, that I was completely drawn into the plot and invested in the characters. me: *hugs tight Leo, the stuffed lion* shh my baby! I won't let that scary unshowered woman take you away from me! Golding had first begun working on a short story about changelings set in the modern day because the folklore frightened her, which became much longer than she originally planned. While researching for the story, she found that similar folktales were common across cultures. [5] She wrote the novel as part of her master's degree in creative writing at Bath Spa University. [6] It’s an interesting mashup, and it works spectacularly. If all horror novels were like this one, I’d read this genre more often.

Advance Praise

She was still waiting for the rush of love. That one you feel, all at once the second they're born, like nothing you've ever experienced before. The rush of love that people with children always go on about. She'd been looking forward to it. It worried her that she hadn't felt it yet." a b Little Darlings | Bookreporter.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04 . Retrieved 2023-07-04.