After giving birth to twin boys, Lauren is confronted by a creepy woman in the maternity ward asking to swap babies. The babies seem to go missing in the park one day and when they are found, they've been replaced by creatures called changelings who resemble her twins but are not the same. Policewoman Harper believes Lauren's claims and investigates whether it is a sinister fairy tale or postpartum psychosis. The book weaves elements of folklore, horror, and psychological suspense, keeping the reader uncertain about the magical element or Lauren's imagination.

Characters:

The characters are varied and complex, including a relatable protagonist in Lauren, a supportive detective, and an unsympathetic husband, each adding depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is haunting and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that enhance the emotional weight of the story, though it shows some debut signs in phrasing.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Lauren, a new mother who suspects her twins have been swapped with changelings after an abduction attempt. It explores themes of motherhood, paranoia, and the intersection of folklore with reality.

Setting:

The setting is primarily contemporary, rooted in a suburban context that juxtaposes modern life with eerie folklore.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the book, starting slowly to develop character and atmosphere, but intensifying as the plot develops and the mystery unfolds.

All she cared about was that the pain had been taken away. With it, the fear, and the certainty that she would die, all gone in the space of a few miraculous seconds. She wanted to drift off but then ...

Notes:

The story revolves around Lauren, a new mother of twin boys who believes they have been replaced by changelings after a brief abduction.

The author blends psychological suspense with elements of folklore and fairy tales, particularly changeling myths.

Detective Joanna Harper is the only character who believes Lauren's story, providing a critical perspective in the narrative.

The book explores themes of postpartum psychosis, drawing from the real challenges many new mothers face regarding mental health.

Quotes from changeling and fairy legends appear at the beginning of each chapter, enhancing the mythological atmosphere of the story.

The setting contrasts modern suburban life with ancient folklore, making the changeling legends feel relevant today.

The book has a dual narrative structure, alternating between Lauren's viewpoint and Detective Harper's perspective, which adds complexity to the story.

Little Darlings has been described as a horror story that captures the fears and anxieties of motherhood.

The prose has been praised for being haunting and vividly descriptive, especially in emotional scenes such as childbirth and Lauren's struggles.

This debut novel has gained attention for its gripping, eerie storytelling, and it is already being adapted for film.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include postpartum depression, child abduction, psychological distress, and themes of mental illness.

From The Publisher:

"Unforgettable."-The New York Times

"Lyrical and atmospheric." -Bustle

"A satiating psychological horror tale." -Cultured Vultures

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

An April 2019 Library Reads Pick!

"Mother knows best" takes on a sinister new meaning in this unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Grimms' Fairy Tales, and Aimee Molloy's The Perfect Mother.

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.

Ratings (7)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (4)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (44):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (27)
Not Interested (10)

1 comment(s)

eljpal578

Liked It

3 months

I had some trouble with this book – it was slow-paced, and at times, a chore to read. The author did a great job capturing the sheer exhaustion and fear that new moms experience. I felt for Lauren – at home with twins and an idiot husband. He was the worst!

Is the new mom struggling with mental illness and post-partum depression or were her babies switched? I found myself going back and forth on what I believed.

There was a lot of inconsistency in the book. The scenes with the police detective were the weakest. They didn’t add anything. The flirtation with the newspaper reporter seemed thrown in for no reason. It felt like the author was trying to make this the first book in a series, but I'm not sure where else it would go. I didn't find the detective a compelling character.

Pick this up if you like dark creepy fairy tales and ambiguity.

Thanks to BookishFirst for the preview copy!

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Little Darlings

Melanie Golding

Book 1 in the series:DS Harper