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The Golden Child

When online bullying spirals out of control who is to blame?

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

2017 Ned Kelly Award Best Crime Fiction shortlist

'A chilling novel of our time, with a truly shocking twist' Australian Women's Weekly


When teenage bullying spirals out of control who is to blame?

Blogger Lizzy's life is shiny, happy, normal. Two gorgeous children, a handsome husband, destiny under control. For her real-life alter-ego Beth, things are unravelling. Tensions simmer with her husband, mother-in-law, her own mother. Her daughters, once the objects of her existence, have moved into teenage-hood, their lives -­ at school, home and online - increasingly mysterious to her.

Then a fellow student is callously bullied and the finger of blame pointed at one of Beth's girls. As an innocent child lies suspended between life and death, two families are forced to question everything they believe about their children, and the answers are terrifying.

As unsettling as it is compelling, The Golden Child asks: how well can you know anyone in the digital age?

A potent story with shades of The Party and Mary Kubica.

Two families grapple with the tragic fallout of cyberbullying.

PRAISE

'On par with the thought-provoking nature of Jodi Picoult's works, combined with the rapt

storytelling style of Liane Moriarty, readers will finish the last page wanting more' Erin Holt, Booklist US

'The novel is cleverly constructed, the characters are extremely well-drawn, the use of social media as a plot device is very sophisticated, and the resolution is a genuine surprise' Judges' report, Ned Kelly Crime Awards, 2017

'This is domestic noir at its most intelligent and sharp' Sydney Morning Herald
'It takes 48 hours to pulse through Wendy James' rollercoaster 21st century story about parenting'
Australian Women's Weekly

'an engaging and intimate read that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult, with nods to Lionel Shriver and Christos Tsiolkas' The Slap . . . 4 Stars' Books & Publishing

'This book is utterly brilliant' Nicola Moriarty'

'Brilliant. Such a clever plot, and such real characters, and so very, very well written' Danielle Hawkins

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    • Books+Publishing

      September 27, 2016
      Beth’s blogging alter-ego Lizzy may seem to have the perfect life, but Beth’s reality is far messier. Following the family’s relocation to Newcastle from the US, conflict seems to be arising on multiple fronts: with her husband, her mother-in-law and her mother. But it’s her two teenage daughters Charlie and Lucy—once the centre of her world and now increasingly distant—who spark a series of disturbing incidents, as they become involved in a case of cyber-bullying at school. ‘Domestic noir’ is an apt description of Wendy James’ latest novel, which plays out in a suburban arena where conflict is anchored in domestic detail and enhanced by the rise of social media. James addresses some big issues around cyber-bullying and parenting, and their seriousness and topicality lends a chilling sense of foreboding to the unfolding drama, while her depiction of Charlie and Lucy’s different behaviours explores conflicting opinions of what makes children ‘good’ or ‘bad’. This is an engaging and intimate read that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult, with nods to Lionel Shriver and Christos Tsiolkas’ The Slap. It’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the insidious side of social media and cyber-bullying. Cecilia Hedley is a freelance copywriter and bookseller at Benns Books

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  • English

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