What’s the truth, what’s a lie
Go on, I dare you to try
Come closer, don’t be shy
Are they real, look in their eye
Twins to the mother were born
She tried so hard, not to be torn
Came a woman with a basket
Sang a tune to the casket
You had everything, she had none
To be fair, she wanted one son
One of hers to one of yours
If she dares, then both will be hers!!
This book is one of the creepiest ones I have read in recent times and I loved it. Lauren, after the birth of twins and going through post partum hemorrhage, was both exhausted and overwhelmed. Her husband Patrick pretended to support her, at least in the hospital. A woman in rags at night, singing a song, wanting one/both of her sons, put Lauren into a panic and a call to 911.
Days later, sleep deprived and going for a walk in the park with the babies, Lauren dozed off on a bench, and babies were gone. They were found, but Lauren was convinced her little darlings were swapped by changelings. Was that true, had the twins been interchanged or was Lauren hallucinating?
Melanie Golding’s debut had me questioning the lines at every point. My views kept changing about what was happening with Lauren. There was so much conviction in her prose that I had goosebumps while reading the parts of the story. The changed twins staring creepily caused a shiver to go down my spine. Brrr… The only thing I was sure of was that the husband was a nasty piece of work!!
I loved that this story was a cross between a thriller and Grimm’s fairy tale. The Dark Wicked Faerie wanting both her sons, really came alive with Melanie’s writing. The cop investigating all this Jo Harper soon found a place in my heart. I loved her gut feelings and her vulnerability in her personal life.
A few parts niggled me, they went slow, the story dragged at some points. The rest of the prose compensated for those slow bits.
I enjoyed the book thoroughly, I was scared and I loved that!! An absolutely atmospheric read filled with creeping eerieness.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Crooked Lane Books, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Melanie Golding is a graduate of the MA in creative writing program at Bath Spa University, with distinction. She has been employed in many occupations including farm hand, factory worker, childminder and music teacher. Throughout all this, because and in spite of it, there was always the writing. In recent years she has won and been shortlisted in several local and national short story competitions. Little Darlings is her first novel, and has been optioned for screen by Free Range Films, the team behind the adaptation of My Cousin Rachel.
Everyone says Lauren Tranter is exhausted, that she needs rest. And they’re right; with newborn twins, Morgan and Riley, she’s never been more tired in her life. But she knows what she saw: that night, in her hospital room, a woman tried to take her babies and replace them with her own creatures. Yet when the police arrived, they saw no one. Everyone, from her doctor to her husband, thinks she’s imagining things.
A month passes. And one bright summer morning, the babies disappear from Lauren’s side in a park. But when they’re found, something is different about them. The infants look like Morgan and Riley—to everyone else. But to Lauren, something is off. As everyone around her celebrates their return, Lauren begins to scream, These are not my babies.
Determined to bring her true infant sons home, Lauren will risk the unthinkable. But if she’s wrong about what she saw…she’ll be making the biggest mistake of her life.
Compulsive, creepy, and inspired by some of our darkest fairy tales, Little Darlings will have you checking—and rechecking—your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe.
Publication Date: 30th April 2019
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
62 Responses
Great review 🙂 I really enjoyed this one too! Creepy little read, Yikes!
I agree but so much fun. I was never sure of what I was reading
Wonderful review, Shalini💜 I’m very interested in this one.
It is fabulous. I am sure you will love it too
Great review! I enjoyed this one as well. It was so creepy, but I couldn’t look away.
Exactly… I was hooked though I took me two tries. The first few chapters were a bit slow then it gripped me totally ❤️
I am currently reading this and I don’t enjoy it that much, but I am still at the beginning I guess
Your review just gave me hope! Very nice review!
Thank you so much. It takes a bit to get into. But the latter half is great. But it is not like a normal thriller. I hope you like it ❤️
I hope so too because the idea is soo good and the synopsis sounded killer!
I remember doing it in two tries
Oh my, that can be nightmare for mother! I can imagine character’s situation and emotions. Great review! ♥️
Thank you Yesha. This affected me and I loved it 😍
Fantastic review, Shalini! Everything about it pulled me in–the poem, the cover, your entertaining description! Loved it! This sounds like one I will have to check out. Enjoy your week! 🙂
This was quite different. Leslie. It was fun and a bit scary with the twins staring at the mother. Shudder
This sounds like a fascinating read!
This was so different. I didn’t know what was happening at every point. I kept changing my view
That makes for a great thriller/mystery. I’ll have to check it out.
Hope you like it too❤️
Wow, just reading your review I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Woohoo…. I had the sane feeling while reading the book.. I didn’t know what was the truth and what was a lie 🤥
Oh I’m reading this in May! I’m really looking forward to it!
It’s really really good. Initial part was a bit slow but it picks up
Sounds like the perfect creepy read to curl up with. Nice review!
Oooohhh I like that… Creepy and to curl up with it. But it describes the book perfectly ❤️
Oh boy, I keep questioning if I should read this and I’m thinking I really should! Fabulous review!
You really really should…. You know it… It is our kind of thriller ❤️ read it with your besties
Fantastic review Shalini and one that I completely agree with. Despite it’s slow parts I just had to keep going because I had to know what was going on!😱
Oooh I agree it just pulled me in. Fab debut
Great review!! This is on my tbr for this month.
Oooh Mani you are in for a treat
Great review, Shalini! I thought this sone was so creepy too!
I can sometimes write a poem if the book triggers it 🙈🤷♀️❤️ it was that kinda book
Great review. If I ever read it I’m going to be up the whole night, sitting bolt upright!
Hahaha I will sit with you reading another horror 🙈😂
I salute you! 😀
I took a nap after replying to you, and I saw the most horrifying dream, a child becoming the demon…. Omg omg… I scared myself woke up with my heart pounding 🙈🙈😂😂
Hehe. With a name like yours, shouldn’t you be reading all sweetness- and- light wala books?!😉😉
I know who thought I would love kill bill and creepy stuff… 😂 😂 😂 😂
But the dream was so vivid. I kept wondering why was Jaya not saving me 😂😂😂😂
Haha, didn’t you see me hiding behind you?! 😂
Huhh 🙄 😂😂😂 le, hum dono darpok 😂😂😂
That’s some creep sh**. Lol. Glad it gave you a thrilling ride!
I know… So scary… Thank you ❤️
Awesome poem, by the way 🙂
will be reading this one soon!
I am sure you would love it♥️ the initial part is a bit slow but stick with it
Great review! I’ve added this to my TBR list because I love dark creepy thrillers! I’m glad you loved it! I hope I’ll get to it soon!
You would love it Raven. ❤️😘
I hope so too! 🙂
I bought this book a couple of days ago.I can’t resist creepy :p Fab review! xx
Thank you Meggy… It took me 2 tries to get into it. The initial part is a bit slow, later it just grips you
I’ll keep it in mind when I read it to keep going!
EEK! Sounds a little creepy and twins can be scary sometimes anyway.
Hahaha yp these were, staring at mom with unblinking eyes
This sounds great!! This is the next book I’m planning to start, I’m so excited to get into it! 😻
Yayyy keep to it… I found beginning a bit slow then it becomes creepy and remember this poem. That’s the whole story
This book made me have nightmares for days! Such a great book and review!
This was one creepy read. I agree
I didn’t realize this book can scare the readers hehe I will have to delay it for a bit.. I’m glad you enjoyed though and great review!
Hahaha it was a haunting creepy read.. I want more such books 😂🤷♀️❤️
Ooh sounds so creepy!!! I’ll have to get this one!
Do read it… It is simply haunting and eerie