Changeling by Matt Wesolowski
Publication Date: January 24, 2019Orenda Books
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
A missing child. A family in denial.
Six witnesses. Six stories.
Which one is true?
On Christmas Eve in 1988, seven-year-old Alfie Marsden vanished in the dark Wentshire Forest Pass, when his father, Sorrel, stopped the car to investigate a mysterious knocking sound. No trace of the child, nor his remains, have ever been found. Alfie Marsden was declared officially dead in 1995.
Elusive online journalist, Scott King, whose ‘Six Stories’ podcasts have become an internet sensation, investigates the disappearance, interviewing six witnesses, including Sorrel and his ex-partner, to try to find out what really happened that fateful night. Journeying through the trees of the Wentshire Forest – a place synonymous with strange sightings, and tales of hidden folk who dwell there, he talks to a company that tried and failed to build a development in the forest, and a psychic who claims to know what happened to the little boy…
Intensely dark, deeply chilling and searingly thought-provoking, Changeling is the latest in the critically acclaimed, international bestselling Six Stories series, written as six Serial-style podcasts, and which are being adapted for TV by a major US studio.
‘Wonderfully horrifying … the suspense crackles’ -James Oswald
‘Wonderfully atmospheric. Matt Wesolowski is a skilled storyteller with a unique voice. Definitely one to watch’ -Mari Hannah
‘Original, inventive and brilliantly clever’ -Fiona Cummins
My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Okay, so this isn't historical BUT thrillers are my other favorite genre and I've been dying to read this series from Matt Wesolowski after seeing all of the rave reviews on social media, so I jumped at the chance to join his blog tour when Anne Cater from Random Things Through My Letterbox emailed me.
Changeling exceeded all of my expectations! Matt Wesolowski is a damn genius I tell you! A GENIUS!
Scott King is the host of the Six Stories podcast. He receives a letter from a listener one day asking him to cover a 30 year old case of a missing child. He's reluctant to do it, but he's intrigued and ultimately agrees. The Six Stories podcast looks at a case from 6 different points of view with King interviewing people associated with the case. Each installment of the podcast gives a new perspective and new angle of the case, slowly unfolding the story.
This is the third book in the series and despite not having read the first two books I didn't feel lost at all. But after reading this I immediately purchased the first two books in eBook. I think I might pick up the whole series in print too because the covers are so cool.
Changeling was brilliantly executed! Smart writing, intense suspense, and a fantastic mystery, I was hooked from the first page. Usually I can read wherever and no matter what noise is around but with Changeling all I wanted to do was lock myself in my closet, put noise-canceling headphones on, and just become immersed in the story. My husband got the evil eye every time he dared interrupt me :)
I've never read a book that spooked me so much. I swear, I was jumping at every little noise! At one point my kiddo tapped on the wall and I about hit the roof! And the ending! OMG, the ending! I won't say more than that, you're just going to have to read it and find out.
I know it's still super early in the year, but I already know that Changeling will be in my best reads of 2019 list. It was so incredible! Absolutely mind blowing, I highly highly recommend you check this book out!
I want to thank Anne and Matt for allowing me the chance to read Changeling. I am now an official fan girl :)