The Boy That Never Was

Reviews / Votes

Genuinely surprising * Guardian * Stunning -- Simon Mayo Radio 2 Book Club I shot through this in one sitting. Like Gone Girl, it's told alternately by a husband and his wife. At the very beginning, something very shocking happens . . . It's the most gripping thing I've read for ages * Evening Standard * A twist-filled page-turner * Closer * A truly remarkable novel. The Boy That Never Was is a pitch-perfect balance of driving plot and honest, complex human emotion. Written in a captivating, lyrical style and brilliantly structured, the story grips your heart from the first pages and simply never lets go -- Jeffrey Deaver Beautifully written, tense and twisty tale * Sunday Mirror * Gripping from its dramatic opening chapter, this tense, unpredictable novel blends a thriller with an intimate family story to produce a most compelling read -- John Boyne The Boy That Never Was is that powerful thing, a beautifully written mystery driven by its exploration of the characters' innermost hearts - of the inexorable ripples that loss sends out, and the terrible damage people can do to those they love most. Both as a crime novel and as an emotional journey, it's gripping stuff -- Tana French This assured debut is equal parts thriller, mystery and fascinating psychological study * Irish Times * Taut, smartly written, empathetic and at times unbearably tense . . . The Boy That Never Was hits the bullseye * Irish Independent *