The Doctor's Child - Daniel Hurst

 The Doctor's Child - Daniel Hurst

Pub. Date: May 1, 2024

She read

This is the fourth in the continuing “soap opera” series introduced by The Doctor’s Wife; I have read all four.

There is a lot of history between Fern and Alice who lived in a small English village.  Alice had an affair with Fern’s husband, the doctor.  Fern arranged for Alice’s husband, Rory, to kill the doctor and set Alice up to be blamed and imprisoned for it.  Fern killed Rory, escaped to build a new life, met a new man, Greg.   When she found out that Greg was the doctor’s best friend out to catch Fern, she killed him as well.  BUT, Alice was carrying the doctor’s child and Fern was impregnated by Greg.  Skip ahead almost two decades and Alice’s daughter, Evelyn, wants revenge. Fern is now living happily in France with a new husband and her daughter, Cecilia.  When paths cross, revenge and retribution are on the menu. Got it? Whew!

As with the prior three stories, this was an engrossing, fast read that I couldn’t put down. I liked the continued author’s style of alternating chapter POVs from the various main characters, learning their inner thoughts. You may dislike some (or all!) of the characters and think some things a bit over the top,  but you will enjoy this psychological thriller.  It is an entertaining, escapist read. 

While this could work as a stand alone, for those interested, it might be better to go back and read the prior three novels for the history. They are quick, “popcorn thrillers”.  If you read this (perhaps) final in the series, what did you think of the ending?

Thanks to #NetGalley and @bookouture for the DRC.

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