“This is something I know: no matter how far you have run, no matter how long you have been lost, it is never too late to be found.”
— Rene Denfeld, The Child Finder
Every once in a while you’ll come across a novel that’ll succeed in doing the impossible. For me, Rene Denfeld’s latest novel The Child Finder does exactly that. After her successful and mesmerizing debut novel The Enchanted, she now continues to tackle similar themes through a mystery thriller like none other. There are subjects in life that will always remain grim and unbearable, but then there are authors out there with a never-before-seen skill with words who will find ways to charm and maintain a relentless grip on you while tackling some of the darkest and most painful incidents that could occur in the lives of some. The Child Finder is my first sighting of a book that harmoniously brings together the beautiful and the horrible this year. Through raw and magical writing, Rene Denfeld offers us a hypnotizing look into what entrapment, survival and redemption is all about. There’s nothing pretty in the world that she disentangles for us, yet she still somehow manages to tinge this story with warmth, light and hope. This is a story that strives in showcasing the very foundation of human survival.
The Child Finder is the story of Naomi and Madison. Three years ago, Madison Culver, an innocent little girl of the age of five with a love for the open world and for the written word, goes missing. Desperate to find their daughter, her parents decide to call upon Naomi, a private inspector specialized in cases regarding lost and missing children. Nicknamed “the child finder”, Naomi is their last resort to find their child who should have turned eight years old by now, if of course she’s still alive after all these years. The story brings you to the icy cold regions in the Pacific Northwest and uses this white, wide and mysterious environment to amplify the lyrical prose that Rene Denfeld offers her readers. Told through two different point of views, Naomi and Madison, she succeeds in conveying amazing development in both of her main characters and dives deep into their minds as they fight to survive their own troubles and seek answers wherever they can find them. If there’s one thing you’ll see through this mystery it is the power of belief and what we are capable of doing during dark times in order to survive and move forward. On one hand, while Naomi finds solace in locating missing children and being a beacon of hope for countless parents, this particular cases also serves her as a quest to her purpose in life. On the other hand, Madison seeks comfort in the fairy tales that she once read and loved to keep her head up.
There are a couple of themes that are thoroughly explored in The Child Finder, but entrapment and survival are some that will strike you first. Rene Denfeld’s prose will easily sweep you off your feet and transport you through dark places while embellishing your whole being with bright white hope. Although both Naomi and Madison will seem like completely unrelated and different people, this story will effortlessly draw parallels and disclose similarities far bigger than themselves. What I loved most is that the story scrutinizes the idea of entrapment in both its physical and emotional forms. The depth that Rene Denfeld brings to the table in this thriller elevates this book to a whole new level. She also flourishes in sleekly highlighting the good in the bad throughout her story, especially regarding certain key characters. The Child Finder is far from being your typical story of an investigator looking for a lost child. This is a story that looks beyond the obvious and offers us a story where reality and fiction collides and enlightens us of the existence of light even in the darkest holes of the universe.
The Child Finder is one of the most captivating page-turner mystery thriller out there. It is not structured like any other novel and it doesn’t deliver its story like any other novel. Rene Denfeld’s unique and breath-taking writing will keep you hooked from cover to cover, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. The Child Finder is a story that should be experienced by every one. While it does have some elements that could merit some trigger warning, I personally found that the author did an exceptional job in integrating and tackling them without ever making it feel too naked and traumatizing. In fact, Rene Denfeld hides the impact by making it more poetic and lyrical, yet still keeping its emotional impact at its maximum. That is why I enjoyed this book so much. Her writing style permits her to tell a tantalizing story by making it melodic and mysterious all at the same time. It’s how she makes this story feel like fiction yet at the same time close to reality that simply blows my mind. Her integration of fairy tales and their crucial role for escapism also enhances the whole mystery and simply makes The Child Finder an inevitable, beautiful and chilling snowflake that everyone should acquaint themselves with.
THANK YOU TO HARPER COLLINS CANADA FOR SENDING ME AN ADVANCE COPY FOR REVIEW!
Are you interested in The Child Finder?
How about you read this book for yourself!
You can purchase your copy @Amazon Canada or @Chapters Indigo now!
The Child Finder comes out on September 5th, 2017!
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MY OVERALL RATING: ★★★★★/
Roars and Echoes 
I love how the physical ARC was designed – it’s really eye-catching! That is an excellent review and I am glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been seeing it on IG! If I ever get a chance to I’ll make sure to pick it up!
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It is, right? It’s the first time that I’ve seen such a design for an ARC too. One thing’s for sure, they nailed it. I’m glad to hear to hear it’s been circulating your IG feed. It’s definitely an EXCELLENT book; as if my review didn’t already indicate that. 🙂 Hope you get the chance to try it out yourself someday.
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Fantastic review, Lashaan! This isn’t ordinarily my genre but you review has me intrigued.
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Thank you! It’s always great to hear that I could grab your attention and make you intrigued for a book you’d normally not pick up. Thank you so much for reading, Aaron!
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Am I interested in The Child Finder ? Of course I am! While it’s probably nothing like I’ve read before I’m sure it contains aspects of novels I absolutely loved like Frailty (also an abduction and POV from both sides) and The Marsh King’s Daughter (with the incorporation of the fairy tale/message). I am very curious how she manages to infuse some warmth and lightness into such a dark story. I’ve never heard of this one before but I’d love to read it. Amazing review!
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Yay!! I still remember your review of The Marsh King’s Daughter too. Honestly, I think you should definitely try The Child Finder out, especially if you’re intrigued now! I do hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did when you get the chance to pick it up and read it! Thank you so much, Inge!! 🙂
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Great review for this book Lashaan, and wow from your pictures I can tell that ARC is stunning. It’s been so nicely packaged and it kind of makes the book itself that little bit better at the same time right? I’m really glad to see you enjoyed this one, especially after enjoying Rene Denfeld’s first novel. It’s always great when an author can continue living up to their amazing debuts.
Again great review, I’m very intrigued by how the author uses fairytales in her writing. Fairytales are a major weakness of mine. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Beth! I know, right? I’ve never seen an ARC designed like this before. I was stunned when I received it, and.. well.. it sort of raised my expectations too! I’m pretty happy that it didn’t disappoint me at all too!! 😀 Well, actually.. I didn’t read her first novel hahah I do plan on picking it up, now that I thoroughly loved her latest novel. By the way, would you believe me if I told you there’s a quote of Erin Morgenstern on the back of the ARC? 😉 I was surprised at first to see that, since she hasn’t been active in the writing world for a while, but after reading this and seeing how well-written it was, I’m not surprised they’d actually know each other in real life hahah Rene Denfeld’s first novel, The Enchanted, is actually magical realism too. *hint hint* Maybe it’s something you’d want to try out some day since I know you do love that genre a lot! 😀 Thanks for reading, Beth. I appreciate the time you took to do so. 😉
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That’s all right, and yeah neither have I. It’s definitely eye-catching and really makes you want to know more about the story as well. 🙂 Oh I’m especially glad you enjoyed it if the ARC raised your expectations. 🙂
Oh wow really. Now I need to know more about this book, especially if you’re comparing the writing to The Night Circus! 😀 I will definitely be checking out some of this authors work. Basically everything you’ve said in this comment and your review has sold me.
That’s all right! 😀
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Brilliant review for a book that from simply looking at it seems to deserve it! 🙂 Mysteries can be tricky for me to enjoy sometimes but this one sounds like it’s one of those not to miss ones and with such a glowing recommendation from you? One to look out for! 🙂
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Thank you so much! I know, right? I mean, even without it’s unique design, the cover alone is eye candy! Oh, if you’re ever craving for something different for your next mystery book, this one should probably do the trick. The way it tackles its themes is amazing. Thank you again for reading and for your kind words, Liz! 🙂
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Great review! This sounds like a wonderful read. I have been highly recommended to read to the author’s debut, Enchanted. I must pick it up sooner and if I like her style of writing I need to get this one too. And the ARC is brilliantly designed!!
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Thank you so much, Resh! I initially planned on reading The Enchanted before her latest novel, but now I’m convinced to give her debut novel a go after such a wonderful mystery novel. You should totally give this one a shot if you’re interested! I knoooooow, right? Stunning ARC!!
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Sounds intriguing. I will check out this new writer.
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I’ll definitely be looking into her debut novel now as well. She has quite the talent, based on her writing style in The Child Finder. Hope you enjoy her books if you ever decide to pick them up, Karina.
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Gosh this sounds so deep and well worth a read! This sounds so intriguing… which is exactly what you want from a mystery thriller. And I love what you said about it exploring both physical and emotional entrapment. Fantastic review!!
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Ohhh, it’s definitely deep, at least for everything in regards to the theme of entrapment. I really did love how she explored it and in so many different ways, through all these characters! Totally worth picking up if ever interested. Thank you so much for reading!! 😉
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Ahh fantastic!! Brilliant!! You’re welcome 😊
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Speaking of gushing reviews! I feel like I need to have read this yesterday!! I have been in search of my next good thriller read and think you have handed it to me 🙂 This is going high up on the TBR.
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Hihi! What can I say! When we love them, we just gotta gush away! 😀 I’d 10000% recommend it to you. I’ll definitely check out her debut novel, The Enchanted, someday as well. I feel like this author should get more fame for what she was able to write. She has quite the writing skill! 😀 So glad to hear your interest in this, Danielle!!
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I am contemplating picking this up on audio if available. I am eager to explore it, but my reading is so behind with symptoms and work.
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No worries! Hope you do enjoy it when the time is right! 😉
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Okay I seriously thought you were writing this review to convince me personally! (There goes my swelled head!!) But “There’s nothing pretty in the world that she disentangles for us, yet she still somehow manages to tinge this story with warmth, light and hope. This is a story that strives in showcasing the very foundation of human survival.” yeah that totally sold me!! I have SOO many books to read but wow! I think i may pick this for my book club read, really!! Plus dual POV (love!) Seriously one of your most passionate reviews yet Lashaan!!
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Hahahah Honestly. When I write review, I sometimes do write them as if I wanted to convince myself to read it. I’m really happy to hear how sold you are about this one. I also think it would be absolutely fun and amazing for book clubs. It’s just so well-written and the theme alone was explored so well too. Thank you so much for your kind words, Dani!! I really, really appreciate that!! #motivated
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This definitely sounds like my cup of tea! I can definitely relate to the use of fairytales as an escape, and Rene Denfield’s writing style sounds amazing. This is a wonderful review Lashaan! I’m going right over to Overdrive to see if they have it.😊
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You have to give this one a shot! I’d even tell you try her debut novel as well, but I haven’t yet read it myself. But after The Child Finder, I wouldn’t be surprised if The Enchanted was just as magical and beautiful! Hope you do get the chance to read it and enjoy it! I’m definitely curious to hear your thoughts on it! 😀
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Love the cover! Sounds good. I’ll recommend it to my parents. The love mysteries n I’m trying to wean them off Patterson and Baladducci (can’t spell it).
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Hahahahah Baldacci! Yeh, this one is quite special, and it’s definitely not one of those mystery police procedural novels. Hopefully they’ll love it if they ever pick it up! 😀
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👍😘
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I’m glad you approve! 🙂
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