Now a New York Times bestsellerAn unfathomable loss or an unthinkable crime? #1 New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag keeps you guessing in her most harrowing thriller yet. When Detective Nick Fourcade enters the home of Genevieve Gauthier outside the sleepy town of Bayou Breaux, Louisiana, the bloody crime scene that awaits him is both the most brutal and the most confusing he’s ever … awaits him is both the most brutal and the most confusing he’s ever seen. Genevieve’s seven-year-old son, KJ, has been murdered by an alleged intruder, yet Genevieve is alive and well. Meanwhile, Nick’s wife, Detective Annie Broussard, sits with the grieving Genevieve. A mother herself, Annie understands the devastation this woman is going through, but as a detective she’s troubled: Who would murder a child and leave the only witness behind?
When KJ’s sometimes babysitter, twelve-year-old Nora Florette, is reported missing the very next day, the town fears a maniac is preying on their children. With pressure mounting from a tough, no-nonsense new sheriff, the media, and the parents of Bayou Breaux, Nick and Annie dig deep into the dual mysteries. Is someone from Genevieve’s past or present responsible for the death of her son? Is Nora a victim, or something worse? Then everything changes when Genevieve’s past as a convicted criminal comes to light. Could she have killed her own child to free herself from the burden of motherhood, or is the loss of her beloved boy pushing her to the edge of insanity? Could she have something to do with the disappearance of Nora, or is the troubled teen the key to the murder? How far will Nick and Annie have to go to uncover the dark truth of the boy?
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Awesome read!!! Back to the bayou with Nick fourcade and toniette! I love when authors revisit great characters from past books,we first met Nick and toniette in A Thin Dark Line. In this new book husband and wife are called in the middle of the night to a murder of a little boy and his mother who was seriously hurt and fighting for her life in the hospital. This was a tale full of many secrets and as many suspects too! Hoag is a excellent storyteller and knows how to keep you guessing til the very end. So many twist’s and turns keeping you hooked and on the edge of your seat action. Her characters are flawed and all too human . Nick and Toniette make a great team. I have always loved stories that take place in the Louisiana bayou country from the unique wording to the setting and it’s people.So much history!!!
Definitely another Hoag winner! Cuddle up for the weekend with this great suspense read. Detailed characters, lots of twists and turns, hard-to-predict ending. Loved it!
I enjoyed Hoag’s plot, I certainly found it to be a page turner and was enthralled from beginning to end. What I always enjoy about Hoag is her writing, which seems effortless, I love the journey of getting to that uh-huh moment. I strongly recommend this book.
Tami Hoag is one of my favorite authors. This was not my favorite of her books. As always, it was well written, a tragic tale that was a bit too realistic. At 478 pages, The Boy was about 100 pages too long. I found Nick Fourcade, the supervising detective, obnoxious, unpleasant, and not at all sympathetic. It’s hard to believe that if he spoke the way he does to his boss–especially this boss (even though he deserves it)–he would last five minutes in any department, even in a small town on the bayou.
His wife and fellow detective is Annie Broussard, who is a decent, dedicated cop. Yet, her constant blowing up at Nick was less than appealing because it didn’t seem to have any basis that the reader is aware of. But…their dedication to solving the murder, and knowing their hearts are in the right place, redeemed them.
Hoag has a talent for delving into the psyche of her characters. Unfortunately, in this book, virtually every character has a heart-rending back story that left me sad and depressed because their lives are not going to get any better. Still, you’ll note I gave the book 4 stars. After all, she is one of my favorite authors.
I have been a long time fan of Tami Hoag and her latest novel The Boy does not disappoint
There is a lot to this novel. the murdered the child, the mother who lived but is she guilty.
The Boy is surrounded by great characters, some you love and some you love to hate.
So many twists and turns to this novel. Couldn’t put it down.
Clear your calendar and grab your copy of The Boy.
What a great books very sad very intriguing what a page Turner very tragic very realistic a woman who has had a very hard life ended up losing her 7 year old son the sheriff finance son who tries to be perfect goes on a killing spree
No one can deny that Hoag is a master storyteller. I took away a star because this twisted tale of murder and horror in a small town was just too dark for me. I know, that is purely personal. If you are in the mood for falling down the rabbit hole of a gruesome murder of a little boy and all that goes with it, enjoy. I found that Detective Fourcade, who spouts philosophy, was a complex character seemingly on the verge of either being fired or having a nervous breakdown. His wife, Detective Broussard, gets the lovely job of interrogating the grieving mother of the dead boy and all the other families involved in this twisted tale. It is a loooong book and I kept putting it down. But it’s a testament to Hoag’s storytelling that I finally finished it. Try it if you dare
This was one of those books that I didn’t want to put down. It is well written and has a plot with many twists. The characters are flawed making them much more relatable and able to evoke strong emotions. The setting in the Louisiana Bayou also adds a layer to the story.
This is a murder mystery involving the death of a young child. As Detectives Nick and Annie work to find the truth, the harshness and dysfunction of the people involved just grows and grows. You never are quite sure who to trust or believe – you begin to wonder if anyone is who or what they say they are.
The ending is tragic but satisfying. Definitely a good thrilling mystery. I’ll be looking for more by this author to read.
WOW!! Didn’t see that coming! I couldn’t put this story down. Really liked the characters and the plot was just overwhelming. There isn’t a book by Hoag that I don’t like and can’t wait to read the next. Hope she brings these cops back again.
dove in and stayed under til the end!!
Fourcade and Broussard are good detectives and a good husband and wife team!
Good read. I liked the main characters; husband and wife detectives that have a passion for Truth and Justice. Some of the children characters seemed to cruel and emotional to be kids. I bought this book as a thriller, but after reading through it seemed to be more of a murder mystery. The plot was good and believable. It was a long read with about 480 pages but I didn’t find myself getting board. I would recommend this book and I will be reading more titles by this author.
I loved the husband wife detective couple. The flavor of the Cajun setting was great and the intricate plot kept me engaged. The ending was a real surprise.
The murder of little KJ is just the beginning for a story holding so much pain and heartbreak, that it was not an easy read. There was a lot of things going wrong in this small town, with someone questionable in charge. Emotions running high, there are a few people looking good for the murder. When the killer is revealed and all questions are answered, it’s hard not to feel some sympathy.
I love the characters of Nick and Annie – and the dialogue is on point.
This book won’t be for everyone (the story is just darn sad) but wow — it keeps your interest. The protagonists, Annie Broussad and Luke Fourcade (a Cajun with an attitude) make a reappearance, this time to investigate the murder of a 7-year-old boy. As suspects mount, so does the body count, and children disappear left and right. While I admit I figured out whodunnit well before the epilogue, it still kept me reading. Characters are well-developed, as is the glimpse into French Cajun culture. The twists and turns, as well as the stories beneath the stories: Annie and Luke’s relationship squabbles, the very unlikeable Sheriff Duttrow, his fiancé and son, culminate in a grand finish. Definitely a sad tale of humans very flawed, and in some cases downright evil. A must read for Hoag fans.
Love all her books. Excellent
This kept me guessing almost to the end, great book. I loved it!
I loved this book. One of Tami Hoag’s best.
The latest book by Tami Hoag is one of her best ever. A seven-year-old boy is murdered at his home in Bayou Breaux, Louisiana. His mother escapes and is one of several suspects. Lead investigators are Detectives Annie Broussard and Nick Fourcade, who are both married and coworkers. (This is Hoag’s second book about the two.) Annie reports to Nick, complicating their relationship. Both are dedicated to their jobs and seeing justice done. The new Sheriff not so much. He crafts his public image with care, but his skills are limited. He despises Nick, who challenges him constantly, and more often hinders the investigation than aids it. The characters, including those on the police force, the suspects, and the school children who knew the murdered boy, are well-developed and complex. I found myself as fascinated by their lives as by the mystery. Its twists and turns, along with a subplot about the Sheriff and his family, were compelling and surprising. I’m hoping Tami Hoag revisits Fourcade and Broussard soon.