The Perfect Child

By: Lucinda Berry

Narrated by: Christine Williams, Erin Bennett, Dan John Miller

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.

A page-turning debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own—and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.

Christopher and Hannah are a happily married surgeon and nurse with picture-perfect lives. All that’s missing is a child. When Janie, an abandoned six-year-old, turns up at their hospital, Christopher forms an instant connection with her, and he convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own.

But Janie is no ordinary child, and her damaged psyche proves to be more than her new parents were expecting. Janie is fiercely devoted to Christopher, but she acts out in increasingly disturbing ways, directing all her rage at Hannah. Unable to bond with Janie, Hannah is drowning under the pressure, and Christopher refuses to see Janie’s true nature.

Hannah knows that Janie is manipulating Christopher and isolating him from her, despite Hannah’s attempts to bring them all together. But as Janie’s behavior threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind Janie’s past may be enough to push them all over the edge.

©2019 Heather Berry. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A mesmerizing, unbearably tense thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open. This creepy, serpentine tale explores the darkest corners of parenthood and the profoundly unsettling lengths one will go to to keep a family together—no matter the consequences. Electrifying and atmospheric, this dark gem of a novel is one I couldn’t put down.”—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author

“A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!”—Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author

Chilling story with excellent pacing

Not the world’s most original concept (if you haven’t already, read “We Need to Talk about Kevin” and “Baby Teeth”), but still a worthwhile book. I don’t have children, and books like this definitely help me feel better about that fact! Also worth noting that the narration was outstanding. The narrators are extremely talented and this is one where listening gave it an extra depth that I appreciated.

It was great. The story was very captivating.

The story was really good. I hate how the reader is left hanging at the end. But it was an excellent read.

Well.... Had me hooked

This book had me hooked from early on. My only complaint is it just kind of ends and you're like "what?" Did they forget to record the end????

Also - what a sh!tty husband. Ended up hating him.

Overall Great Story

Love the story, loved the voices except when trying to do the child's voice. Great twists and turns, hated the end... needed just a bit more.

Enjoyed the book except for one big thing!

I enjoyed the book and how it kept my interest. Having at one time being a foster parent, I could totally understand the problems of troubled children and the frustrations that can go along with that. ...plus the problems with social services.
I say I enjoyed the book, BUT, the last thing I thought would happen would be the end of the book. It felt like the story had just been dropped in the middle of a page, like the author couldn't figure out how to end it! It made me mad that I had taken the time to listen to it because you never heard the end of the story or how or if it was ever resolved.
Some people may think that is a creative way to end. However, for me, it felt like I had been cheated.

Kept me guessing!!

Thoroughly enjoyed this listen! After the first hour or two I figured SOMETHING was going to happen, but what that was and who was involved kept me guessing until the last bit. Awesome use of twists and chapter ending to keep me going.

Good read

Started a little slow but got really good about half way through ; good narration by three different performers

A tragic story

This book held my attention, it was nearly impossible to set aside. The characters sucked me in so I feel like I am mourning with them. But great story, characters, writing and very good narration. I recommend this book.

I Kept Listening But...

As a mother, there were parts in this book that were just so off base. I enjoyed following the characters but their reactions and actions just did not seem like real life to me. I found them frustrating! If you don’t mind far fetched details then it was still a good book.

Ending? (No spoiler)

This book kept me very interested and had some interesting turns or unexpected events. However, I was lost at the actual ending. I thought I missed something, so I actually backed it up and listened again. Most things came together / wrapped up for a book ending until the very end. It was more like a chapter ended, not the book. ???