A Child Is Torn

Not what I thought it was.

This book was pitched as more of a book about the little boy, did he really kill his parents in cold blood... and if so why.
It sounded like it would of been one hell of a great book.
but sadly as the book goes on, its less about the kids, and why and IF he did it... But of of a tale about the romance and personal drama of the Drs, and cops involved in the case.
I think this book would of been a blockbuster if it would of just stayed with the story line.
Beth did a fine job on her performance.

Note: I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Interesting psychological mystery

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found this book to be engrossing. I wanted to find out if he did it and if so, how and why. This was one of the few books I really wanted to listen to all at once. I stayed up late to finish it.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I liked this book and I feel Beth did a fine job narrating. She has a beautiful voice that was perfect for this type of book, especially calm and soothing while talking to a frightened child. Her additional character voices were also fantastic. One of the top female narrators I've listened to. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great!

This was a really intense story unlike anything I've ever listened to before. It broke my heart a little but I was hooked from the beginning. Great narration!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Heartbreaking storyline

It was a little anticlimactic , but I enjoyed the storyline. It is a heartbreaking story of such a sweet little boy and some very caring people there for him during the worst time in his life. The narrator read too slowly for me, so I had to adjust the speed. But, other than that, she did a good job.
I was provided this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Might be More Romance Than Mystery

Any additional comments?

I opted to listen to this book because the premise of a 10 year old boy brutally killing his father was very intriguing to me. And while the beginning of the book did live up to expectations, the second half ended up being an unwanted romance story. It felt to me like the writer got board with writing a mystery and decided to switch gears. At the last moment, the mystery was solved, but I wouldn't say it was satisfying. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy mystery and romance stories equally. Myself? I definitely do not prefer romance so it was an unpleasant surprise!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An absorbing book. Kept me interested to the end.

This author is new to me so I listened with no preconceptions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking for other books written by this author.

I was engaged while listening, always trying to pick up clues as to the who and then why of the horrendous crime. The discovery of clues and information by the police and psychiatrist felt natural with no convenient (and annoying) coincidences used to push the story along.

As the first book in a series featuring recurring characters, you expect to gain an understanding of what drives them. There was enough information given and I didn't feel like focus was taken from the crime to achieve this.

I finished this book wishing I knew more about Brad. It's a fine line to walk given Brad is only a child, and rightly we hear his story in his own limited vocabulary. But yes, I am intrigued by him and wish I knew more.

The narration was good. Each character had their own voice and emotion was conveyed as described in the story.

A free copy of this audio book was given to me in exchange for an unbiased review

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Story was good, narrator was ok

I’m not sure if I should precede my review by saying that I have my bachelors in psychology and my associates in human services. So I’ve always been fascinated by the inner workings of the mind. “A Child is Torn” by Dawn Kopman Whidden was a fascinating listen and it puts a perfect example to the age old debate of Nature VS Nurture. I’ve always been in the mindset that the “VS” is not necessary. It should be Nature AND Nurture, both are so incredibly important in making a person, a person… ok, I’ll stop there, any psychology-fascinated person could start a huge spiel about their beliefs and really, in matters of the mind, no one will ever always be right.

“A Child is Born” introduces us to a cast of characters, I might misspell some names since I listened to an audiobook I don’t see the spelling of the crew so I apologize in advance for any incorrections. I really liked the partnership between Jean and Joe, her original partner before life threw him some curve balls and pulled him away from work duties. What I really liked about this book was that there was a building of relationships whether it’s partners, friendships, mom/daughter, husband/wife, and even a new-found relationship. This book is told from multiple POVs and it incredibly easy to follow.

Generally I read more thrillerish-type books. “A Child is Torn” isn’t exactly a thriller. It’s like a mix of several genres. So if you’re looking for a book that is a thriller with the police procedural with forensic information, this isn’t it. It does have all those elements though as well as almost a romance side to it. I personally wouldn’t have minded a bit more of information on the case and Brad. I was happy with the ending and that a story was finally told.

Now, the narrator, Beth A. McIntosh was ok. It made me feel like everyone in the story was older in age. McIntosh has a nice voice and all but she sounds a bit grandmotherly to me. She’s not what I could have chosen. However, she didn’t take away from the story but she didn’t exactly add anything either. I would have liked a bit more of a voice difference with the various characters but she pretty much stayed consistent in her voice.

proves that somethings can be unexpected

peel back the layers of a child reason for murder. like reality sometimes...not all things can be fixed.

A Child is Torn

This was a very good book.I did not want to put it down.The story follows a 10 year old boy accused of the horrid murder of his parents,but did he do it? Beth A. Mitchel gives a great narration.“I was given this free review copy audiobook and have voluntarily left this review.

Be Ready to Cry

This book hit on so many emotions in me often times I found myself in tears unable to explain to those around what was wrong.

I rooted for the child as I just could not fathom a child being able to do such a thing.

But the whole story that unfolded around the child and the skeletons it exposed. The hidden abuse, both mental and sexual. The mental illness the child suffered the help he could of possible of gotten if the truth was not hidden.

This book has many trigger points but it was beautifully written and I believe what we need more of in the book world