Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

A young woman has escaped her captor's shack in the woods. The child with her insists that her name is Lena, and a young woman by that name did go missing - fourteen years before. Is this really her? Where has she been and who is the child?

First, as always with translated books; the quality of the translation. This is definitely one of the best ones. The language is smooth and even, if rather formal. I'm surprised that they still use Fraulein and Herr, but otherwise it's all fine.

This story is told by three unreliable narrators; the woman who may or may not be Lena, the young girl claiming to be her daughter, and Lena's father. None of them is entirely honest at any point, but I liked the daughter the best.

There are a couple of plot holes I can't see the answer to at the end, (how did the daughter recognise the grandfather is the major one) but overall this is an interesting, exciting thriller that I'm happy to recommend to other readers.

Gone Girl meets Room in this page-turning thriller from one of Germany's hottest new talents

A windowless shack in the woods. Lena's life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father: Meals, bathroom visits, study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them.

One day Lena manages to flee - but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called 'Lena', who disappeared without a trace 14 years ago. The police and Lena's family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle which doesn't quite seem to fit.