My Darling Daughter: the addictive, twisty thriller from the author of THE GIRL BEFORE Paperback – 19 Jan. 2023

J P Delaney is a superb writer and this book is probably his finest achievement. Twisty and dark, the plot develops at a breathtaking pace as the charmed lives of a fortunate couple are shredded by a scheming and remorseless young female. Delaney is so skillful that the reader - like the hapless main characters in the novel, simply does not see it coming. I won't spoil it for you, but I consumed this book feeling breathless with every turn of the page, when I finally put it down, I felt like I had been hit by a goods train.Buy this book now! I dare you.....

With echoes of Playing Nice, this novel is about a child - this time not one who's been swapped at birth but instead adopted by the wife - who is showing signs of manipulation and psychopathy. It's about how trauma is passed down through generations from mother to daughter but also how influential our upbringing is. But it's more than a psychological study on nature Vs nurture. It's also about the couple themselves and how their secrets, lies and behaviour towards others in their part and their current deception towards one another contribute to the girls wellbeing. Stoking a fire set by her mother. It's good. I enjoyed it, but it did feel a bit samey as I've read all Delaney's previous novels, and it definitely felt like he had a lot more to say after writing Playing Nice.

I really enjoyed The Girl Before and couldn’t wait to dive into another J P Delaney.Susie and Gabe are happily married and living the dream in their six-bedroomed thatched farmhouse in the middle of nowhere where Gabe, a former member of a globally successful boy band, writes songs for other artistes in his studio and Susie, a former backing singer, is caught up in promoting her new band. Then out of the blue Susie receives a social media message from Anna, her daughter who had been taken away from her as a baby15 years ago, and her whole world is turned upside down.The “sex and drugs and rock and roll” lifestyle, Social Services protocols and the consequences of both take centre stage. Devastating secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and Anna’s experiences with her initial foster parents and subsequent adopted family slowly come to light as the story unfolds.My Darling Daughter is a compulsive page-turner but I didn’t really engage with any of the characters so rather than empathising with them, feeling their pain, admiring their determination, recoiling in shock, I felt a detachment as if events were playing out from a great distance and I was just a casual observer.The author’s note details extensive research of the Adoption Society, child safe-guarding, therapies and placement orders to add credibility to Anna’s journey. My problem was that I didn’t find Susie, Gabe or their actions and reactions believable.Good but not as good as The Girl Before.

Good storyline got a bit clogged in the middle but sorted it’s self out eventually.

I’ve read all of J.P Delaney’s books, he’s by far my favourite author. I thought this book was good, but not his best. It was still an enjoyable read though but I just felt it didn’t have as many twists and turns as his other books. However, I’m already looking forward to (and patiently waiting!) for the next book.

J.P Delaney is one of my favourite authors. Every book I have read from him is full of suspense, character development, plot twists and humour. I loved this book. The pacing was great I never felt it dragged. The characters were all relatable and likeable. I recommend this to all my friends as a go to read.

As a foster parent, this scared me!

I enjoy the authors other books so looked forward to this release.The story/ concept is a very harrowing one and is frightening if encountered.I felt the story laboured and was drawn out with the end pretty obvious from 2/3 through.

I liked it - but it does seem a little too scripted/overcoreographed.

This book uses each characters “chapter pov” very cleverly and episodically in a way which makes you feel for all of them, and more importantly fear for all of them.

Un peu déçu par l'histoire moins captivante que les autres romans de cet auteur... Dommage, la qualité du produit est nickel.

I have read a lot of J.P Delaney books and always enjoy their gritty and well through out stories. This one has a thought provoking unlying issue of what happens when a child is adopted.The story moves quite fast at the begining with Susie receiving a message from the daughter Sky (Anna) she gave up as a baby. However it becomes quite tedious when Susie doesn't see reason from her husband Gabe who gets advice from a friend who adopts children with issues and the obvious messages received by Sky's adopted parents.She falls into the trap of solely focusing on her mistakes and cannot separate the fact that how Sky grew up and choose her own path has no bearing of her giving her up for adoption. Sky on the other hand plays on this, the fact Susie is living a dream life, plenty of money, big house and a rock star husband makes her envious and jealous she was given up.J.P Delaney plays with issues that are long buried but I found myself bored with reading about Susie's constant struggle with guilt. It is all wrapped up rather neatly at the end which is a bit of an anti climate

I didn’t like this book very much . The characters were not well ‘described’ . I managed to finish it but just .