Two boys run into the woods—but only one returns—in this new mystery from the award-winning “first-rate British crime writer” (The Washington Post). In the summer of 1996, two boys run from a playground into the adjoining woods, but only one comes out. DS Tom Thorne takes on the case—which quickly spirals out of control when two people connected to the missing boy are murdered. As London … murdered.
As London prepares to host the European Soccer Championships, Thorne fights to keep on top of a baffling investigation while also dealing with the ugly fallout of his broken marriage . . .
A prequel to Mark Billingham’s acclaimed debut Sleepyhead―which the Sunday Times voted one of the 100 books that shaped the decade―this chilling, compelling novel is the latest in “a series to savor” (Booklist).
“With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” ―Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch series
“Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” ―George Pelecanos, bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer
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Cry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thorne’s twenty years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is.
Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene-making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever.
Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.
If you haven’t read this author’s books before, this prequel to Billingham’s acclaimed debut novel Sleepyhead would be a great introduction!! It is a Wow read!!! I read it in two days. Be warned, though, you won’t get much else done once you start it!!
After this read, then buy the book Sleepyhead and after that you will be so hooked you will want to read the rest of the series! Full of suspense and as soon as you think you have it figured out, you are wrong!!
Thank you NeyGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #CryBaby #GroveAtlantic #MarkBillingham
It’s 1996 and two young boys playing at the park run into the woods, Only one boy returns. At first, it’s assumed the one boy is just lost … but later it is was determined to be abduction when a witness comes forward and reports seeing a man holding the hand of a young boy and then getting into a car.
Thorne has his hands full … investigating an abduction without any clues, dealing with an almost ex-wife and her new boyfriend.
When two people die who knew the two boys and their mothers, it becomes more than baffling.
This is a real nail-biting page turner with suspense starting from the first and not stopping until the very last page. Suspects are many … varied .. some who are keeping secrets. The ending was unexpected and I enjoyed Thorne’s memory of that time in his life.
This is a prequel to Mark Billingham’s acclaimed debut Sleepyhead (Tom Thorne, Bk 1) .. a time when crimes were solved without smart phones, and phone triangulation, social media and street cameras on every corner.
Many thanks to the author / Grove Atlantic / Netgalley / Edelweiss for the digital copy of this historical crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Thank you, Edelweiss, for my complimentary e-ARC.
This seventeenth book in Billingham’s Tom Thorne series serves as a prequel. Set in 1996, before the advent and conveniences of modern technology such as cell phones, Internet, GPS, CCTV… Thorne and his colleagues solved crimes old-school. A feat unimaginable to law enforcement today and, therefore, all the more impressive.
For unlikely friends, Maria and Cat, this visit to the playground with their sons was different. For one thing, Cat was moving — not far, but not close enough to see each other as often. And, second, Cat’s son, Kieran…vanished. When it comes to our children, even the slightest negligence on the part of even close friends and relatives, damages the relationship, often beyond repair. Maria was supposed to be watching him. She claims she just took her eyes off the boys for a second. But, that’s all it takes.
Such cases take on a even higher degree of urgency for Thorne. Sensationalist media exposure. Pressure from both the public and higher-ups. Criticism of perceived incompetence.
And, then there’s Jan. His broken marriage comes with its own set of complications.
Divided into titled parts, each consisting of short chapters. Alternating perspectives greatly enhance character development, allowing the reader to get an in-depth look into their personal and professional lives. To get into their heads and see what makes them tick. Graphic descriptions paint a vivid picture.
This was the second book I’ve read in the series and I thought it was good, but not great. I liked that I couldn’t predict the end. But, not being familiar with the sport, the excessive focus on football interrupted the flow of the plot. Still, because I enjoy the genre and Billingham’s writing style, I look forward to re-visiting Thorne.
Cry Baby the newest Tom Thorne novel is a resounding 5 stars for me !
It is a prequel to the series and though I am not a fan of prequels, I loved this one !! You get to meet and know the younger Tom Thorne how he becomes what he does and how he meets his good friend Phil the pathologist.
Tom and crew try to solve the disappearance of a young school boy and suffice to say Mark Billingham throws a few curve balls at you to keep you guessing.
I hope Tom Thorne would be on my side if I ever needed him ( he is real to me )
Having a new Tom Thorne novel is a like a birthday present !!
Thanks to Net Galley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for allowing me to go on this journey with Tom .
432 pages
4 and 1 / 2 stars
We travel back in time to 1996 in this novel to when Tom Thorne was a sergeant. It was right after his wife Jan left him for another man. Tom is very bitter about it. This book is a prequel to Sleepyhead, Mr. Billingham’s first book.
Two young boys are playing in the wooded park with their mothers nearby. One runs out of the woods, but the other doesn’t. The mothers are unllikely friends . When one of the boys disappears, it tests their friendship to the limit.
Sergeant Tom Thorne is one of the team who responds to the call. He plays an integral part in the search for the boy and the interviews of relatives, friends and other associates. A suspect comes into view and is taken in for an interview.
Then two murders occur. The cases must be related for they were people who either had contact with the missing boy or knew of him. The tension increases. Assumptions are made. Errors occur.
Thorne’s inexperience shows in this early novel. He is not as decisive as he is in later books, but one might expect that. After all, he has been a police officer for less time and is younger than in the later books.
This was the era when non-landline phones were clunky, rare and a novelty that Thorne didn’t think would catch on. I was surprised when Thorne stepped into a phone booth to call the station, and then I remembered, “Oh, yeah.”
This flash back to early in Thorne’s career was refreshing and filled in many blanks, especially about his ex-wife Jan and his friendship with pathologist Phil Kendrick. The book was very well written and plotted and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was interesting to see how Thorne had grown and changed – in some ways. There are some surprises in store for the reader as the do-ers of the crimes are revealed. All in all, very well done, Mr. Billingham.
I want to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.