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The Golden Child

When online bullying spirals out of control who is to blame?
By Wendy James
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,659 ratings, 335 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Golden Child by Wendy James delves into the intricacies of a seemingly perfect family unravelled by an unsettling social media scandal. It explores themes of parental responsibility, trust, and the facades we maintain, as a mother's idealised view of her children is challenged in the face of disturbing revelations. This gripping narrative raises questions about the true nature of the people closest to us.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate gripping psychological dramas that delve into the complexities of family dynamics and social media's influence. This compelling story weaves suspense as it examines the secrets and betrayals that threaten to unravel the lives of those involved, making it an engaging read for fans of thought-provoking general fiction.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

2017 Ned Kelly Award Best Crime Fiction shortlist

'A chilling novel of our time, with a truly shocking twist' Australian Women's Weekly

When teenage bullying spirals out of control, who is to blame?

Blogger Lizzy's life is shiny, happy, normal. Two gorgeous children, a handsome husband, destiny under control. For her real-life alter-ego Beth, things are unravelling. Tensions simmer with her husband, mother-in-law, and her own mother. Her daughters, once the objects of her existence, have moved into teenage-hood, their lives—at school, home, and online—are increasingly mysterious to her.

Then a fellow student is callously bullied and the finger of blame is pointed at one of Beth's girls. As an innocent child lies suspended between life and death, two families are forced to question everything they believe about their children, and the answers are terrifying.

As unsettling as it is compelling, The Golden Child asks: how well can you know anyone in the digital age?

A potent story with shades of The Party and Mary Kubica.

Two families grapple with the tragic fallout of cyberbullying.

PRAISE

'On par with the thought-provoking nature of Jodi Picoult's works, combined with the rapt storytelling style of Liane Moriarty, readers will finish the last page wanting more' Erin Holt, Booklist US

'The novel is cleverly constructed, the characters are extremely well-drawn, the use of social media as a plot device is very sophisticated, and the resolution is a genuine surprise' Judges' report, Ned Kelly Crime Awards, 2017

'This is domestic noir at its most intelligent and sharp' Sydney Morning Herald
'It takes 48 hours to pulse through Wendy James' rollercoaster 21st century story about parenting' Australian Women's Weekly

'An engaging and intimate read that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult, with nods to Lionel Shriver and Christos Tsiolkas' The Slap . . . 4 Stars' Books & Publishing

'This book is utterly brilliant' Nicola Moriarty

'Brilliant. Such a clever plot, and such real characters, and so very, very well written' Danielle Hawkins

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Golden Child by Wendy James is praised for its intense exploration of motherhood and bullying, with reviewers highlighting its thrilling narrative and complex characters. Featuring a suspenseful plot and exceptional character development, it unravels dark secrets while maintaining gripping tension throughout the novel. Acclaimed by authors and critics alike, it is described as a chilling, must-read domestic noir that compels reflection on parenting in the digital age.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781460754566

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 November 2017

Country: Australia

Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 397g

Pages: 354

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller Wendy James

About the Author

Wendy James is the celebrated author of eight novels, including the bestselling The Mistake and the compelling The Golden Child, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Ned Kelly Award for crime. Her debut novel, Out of the Silence, won the 2006 Ned Kelly Award for first crime novel, and was shortlisted for the Nita May Dobbie award for women's writing. Wendy works as an editor at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation and writes some of the sharpest and most topical domestic noir novels in the country.

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