Listen to a sample
The Replacement
- Author
- Melanie Golding
- Narrator
- Stephanie Racine
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 11 November 2021
- Run Time
- 12 hours 40 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
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What to expect
‘A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen … the twists are lovely; dark and deep’ The Times
‘Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book’ Magic Radio Book Club
‘The most original book you’ll read this year’ Crime Monthly
* * *
When a small child is found wandering alone, the local shopkeepers call the authorities immediately. Twenty minutes later, the girl’s mother turns up, panicked and distraught. It doesn't take long to clear things up, and mother and daughter are soon reunited and sent on their way.
Miles away, the body of a man is discovered, floating in a bathtub, but the most surprising discovery of all is that he isn't dead. Despite his injuries, he is very much alive.
Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing connections between the two incidents start to surface, and suddenly it’s not clear where the danger truly lies. Harper must find out, and quickly. Because someone, or something, is closing in and she needs to uncover the truth before it’s too late…
Weaving together the trademark folklore inspiration that readers loved in Little Darlings, with the procedural narrative force of a brilliant mystery, this is the excellent and unnerving new novel from Melanie Golding.
* * *
Readers are captivated by The Replacement!:
I don't think I breathed properly throughout this brilliantly crafted thriller . . . This is by far one of the best psychological thrillers I've read and I was totally engrossed throughout’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A book with so many twists and unexpected outcomes. So unusual but totally gripping. I wanted the book to last forever’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book is brilliant . . . I love psychological thrillers and stories with myths and folklore [and Melanie] blends the two together [to] create the perfect book in my eyes’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A deliciously dark and creepy tale which will have you addicted’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Critics Review
-
PRAISE FOR THE REPLACEMENT
‘A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen … deftly spun … the twists are lovely; dark and deep’
The Times‘Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book’ Magic Radio Book Club
‘The most original book you’ll read this year … equal parts detective novel, psychological thriller and family drama. Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don’t accidentally stay up all night devouring it’ Crime Monthly
‘A psychological thriller with a difference’ Heat
‘Creepy and atmospheric, the author weaves a magical thread of folklore into this outstanding thriller’ My Weekly
‘Chillingly brilliant’ Bella
PRAISE FOR MELANIE GOLDING
‘Chilling story, beautiful prose. Little Darlings is stunning’ Clare Mackintosh, number one Sunday Times bestseller
‘Rich and satisfying, this is part who-done-it, part fairy tale, part psychological thriller. It delivers on all fronts and will continue to rattle you, long after you have put it down’ Felicity Everett, author of The People at Number 9
‘Deep. Dark. Utterly addictive. I read this extraordinary book in one, breathless gulp…Be warned – you can't unread this story. It will haunt you' Teresa Driscoll, author of I Am Watching You
‘A story that is in turn enthralling, creepy and downright sinister, Melanie Golding turns fairy tales on their heads…A brilliant, heart-pounding read’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Melanie Golding
- Narrator
- Stephanie Racine
- Duration
- 12 hours 40 minutes
- Release Date
- 11 November 2021
- ISBN
- 9780008293758
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Crime & mystery fiction, Thriller / suspense fiction, Fiction: Traditional stories, myths and fairy tales
Synopsis
‘Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story’ Adele Parks, Platinum‘Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book’ Magic Radio Book Club‘The most original book you’ll read this year … Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don’t accidentally stay up all night devouring it’ Crime Monthly * * *When a small child is found wandering alone, the local shopkeepers call the authorities immediately. Twenty minutes later, the girl’s mother turns up, panicked and distraught. It doesn't take long to clear things up, and mother and daughter are soon reunited and sent on their way.Miles away, the body of a man is discovered, floating in a bathtub, but the most surprising discovery of all is that he isn't dead. Despite his injuries, he is very much alive.Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing truths start to come to light that connect the man to the mother and child, and suddenly it’s not clear where the danger truly lies. Harper must find out, and quickly. Because someone, or something, is closing in and she needs to uncover the truth before it’s too late… Weaving together the trademark folklore inspiration that readers loved in Little Darlings, with the procedural narrative force of a brilliant mystery, this is the excellent and unnerving new novel from Melanie Golding. * * *Praise for Melanie Golding:‘Chilling story, beautiful prose’ Clare Mackintosh, number one Sunday Times bestseller‘Atmospheric and very creepy’ Guardian‘Unforgettable . . . there is something of Sylvia Plath in Lauren . . . One suspects that the real sorceress here is Golding, whose writing has given a voice to every wronged mother New York Times
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