A Child's Wound

Okay, I have to start by being very clear. I read this book and reviewed it after being given an ebook copy by the author. I don't personally know the author other than through this website. I agreed to read and review the book because of the recent kerfluffle about other reviews on this site. What you are about to read is my honest opinion of this book (with hopefully a minimal amount of spoilers).....

A Child's Wound is a decent freshman effort by a new Canadian author. I guess it would best be classified as a thriller, but the thrills are lukewarm. It's not edge of your seat, but it's a solid read.

Tim, is a serial killer/rapist. He's the anti-hero of the story that almost makes you want to like him - if only he didn't rape women as a way to feel powerful and mask his feelings of inadequacy and helplessness. He likes to stalk his victims and get to 'know' them first. He has a gameplan he likes to follow. But while he is currently molding his latest victim, he's stalking the next, only there is something different about Christine.

Christine, is a homocide detective working on the Picasso serial killer case. The so-called Picasso killer, has earned his name by horrifically mutilating his victims and staging them like works of art. Christine and her partner, Jefferies, have been on the case for months but things are beginning to look like they might finally be getting a break. When a washed up FBI agent muscles his way on to the case, Christine is less than happy, but since she has no say in the matter, she makes the best of it. At least her social life is looking up, having literally bumped into Tim, who seems like a terrific guy, at her local coffeeshop.

While this book was interesting enough to keep me turning pages, it didn't give me that rollercoaster thrillride. There were definitely some parts where I just had to go huh? Why would he/she/they do that? The main thing I had problems with is that Tim's appeal, and his ability to get Simone to do the things she does, is not adequately explained. I was left to assume that Simone is damaged herself and twisted enough that Tim's 'attentions' appeal to her and the reason she is willing to go along with Tim is that she is a psychopath herself.

Kavanagh's writing style is easy to read, although some of the transitions from one POV to another or from scene to scene felt a little choppy. There were also some timeframe and procedural inconsistencies that while not a big deal, did sort of jump out at me. Neither 'complaint' is unexpected for a first time author, especially one that has not been published by a big name publisher and so probably didn't have the assistance of a detail-oriented editor.

Where I found this story the most lacking is that while there were two interesting sub-plots, neither was really developed to it's fullest potential. There was no real thrill of the hunt for the killer because you already know one, and the other is evident pretty quickly. This is not a police procedural, the focus is not Christine the cop, but rather Tim the psychopath. The actual investigation into either killer is really secondary. And, when the two sub-plots converge at the end, I have to say I found the ending and the decision made by Christine very disappointing and totally out of character for her. Towards the end, when a standoff between the two killers became apparent I was envisioning a much different ending.

Finally, some reviews have played up the sexual nature of the crimes in the book, but I feel that they are doing the book a disservice. Yes, the crimes are horrific, no rape is not sexy, and I don't believe that this is the author's goal. The scenes are not sensationalized and I have read more graphic descriptions of murder and rape reading JD Robb or JA Konrath.

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This book was full of twisted characters doing some pretty twisted things. It definitely held my interest!

Kavanagh does a great job of getting inside the killer's head and sharing that perspective with his readers. There is violence, sex, mystery, and suspense. Some good twists will keep you wondering and you might even find yourself rooting for the bad guy along the way. An entertaining and disturbing read!

I actually won this book in a Goodreads.com giveaway and was very excited to read it. The story was told from many perspectives including that of Tim, a serial killer, as well as Christine, the Police Officer on the case. It's interesting to see how they interact with each other and watch the growth of their relationship. Each of the characters were so intriguing and you even find yourself kind of liking Tim, despite his actions. The situations and characters were so likeable and I found myself flying through this book. Dwayne's writing style was wonderful and I definitely plan to read his next book: "Through a Child's Eyes" (according to his website). This book kept me wondering what would happen next and the ending was perfect. Not too "happy ending" or "from out of nowhere". Such a great read!

....Kavanagh has a knack for making you like the bad guy. "A Child's Wound" was raw, honest and engaging. I fell in love with Tim from the get go. Two serial killers revolve around the same detectives in a who can best who first battle. At times, however, I felt that the Picasso Killer story line was bland and could be spiced up more or more intertwined with Christine.....

I enjoyed this book and with the way it ended.....look forward to a sequel?????

very good book! creepy, dark and yet somehow you find yourself being sucked in. I would strongly recommend this book,as a matter of fact I already have and am lending my copy to my brother.

Checked out this book after seeing the author at a book signing. He was promising the next Hannibal with his book. Didn't deliver.

This book is bad in every way it can be bad. I actually started wondering if it was some kind of parody. It isn't. There are spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, everything mistakes everywhere. If my son handed this in as an English project I would be angry if he passed. The author doesn't understand people, or psychology. Women fall to the main character's knees, literally, at the drop of a hat, and rape isn't a traumatic ordeal for women in this book either. It's a magical, mind-altering drug that turns them into obedient slavegirls.

It makes the Hustler 'I never thought it would happen to me' letters sound run of the mill. Not a good thing.

This book is supposed to be a hard-edged thriller. It isn't. This is an author-insertion story about a unexplainably perfect superman who runs around tricking bumbling police and having his way with any woman he wants. The 'gruesome' scenes are added in and make the mistake splatterflick directors make. Adding blood and a bodycount doesn't make a story more edgy, it just makes it campy. The sex scenes are the same. Adding sex-starved, skimpy-dressed women doesn't make something more mature, it makes it juvenile.

I didn't finish this book. I guess there is a showdown between two serial killers at the end. The author made sure we knew what he wanted to happen. Wasn't the first time, and every other time something big happened it was because the author said it should happen whether it made sense or not.

I don't know how this book got past an editor. Or a publisher. Or how it got so many people are drooling over this book in the reviews. It shouldn't have.

I'd rather read my son's Bleach fanfiction. That's the review right there.

Feeling a twist of emotions-sexual excitement, sadness and anger! Had to finish it to find out what happens with Tim and Christine. It definately kept me reading, and I had it finished it in two sittings. Can't wait for the next one!!

A twistedly sexy, dark, crime drama with a hint of romance... a flamboyant serial killer, and a controlling serial rapist are responsible for the central conflicts within this world, and a beautiful female detective Christine is their antagonist. Dwayne manages to make rape sexy and justify the behavior of these beautifully damaged characters. Although I wouldn't neccessarily classify Tim as a narcissist I would classify him as being incredibly disturbed, and perhaps prior to meeting Christine he was a narcissist, bordering on antisocial, through his relationship with Christine he becomes too emotionally connected to qualify for either diagnosis. A man in the middle of an identity crisis who is rediscovering parts of himself as he attempts to let go of the past and who he knows himself to be inorder to follow his heart and open himself up to this woman who challenges all of his impulses. Is it love or obsession that drives people? Are we willing to let go of our fear in pursuit of joy?

I have read a lot of James Patterson and Michael Connonelly novels and I have to say this is right up there with the best of them. A Childs Wound kept me guessing all the way until the end. Gruesome, Horrifying, and Sexual all rolled into one. It doesn't get any better than this. I look forward to and will definitely enjoy reading another novel by Mr. Kavanagh.

Fascinating story, kept me reading well past bed time!
Thrills and Chills, waiting for the next one, hurryup!!

I have to say that I was a little skeptical about reading a book by a new author, but as soon as I started this book I couldn't put it down, I was mad, sad , horrified at some parts, but it always kept you guessing. I read the book on a weekend vacation and was told to put the book down several times, but couldn't do it!!
All in all, I loved this book, I can't wait to see what happens to Tim, I read this book a few months ago and I still think about him, like he is a real person. Very freaky!
I have and I will continue to recommend this book to everyone who loves a good story!
Can't wait till the next book from this author comes out!

Dwayne Kavanagh's got a knack for spinning a story that makes you want to read on and on. As terrible as Tim's tendencies are, you can't help but sympathize. This is a creepy page turner that has it all: sex, murder, suspense, and human emotion. You won't want to put it down.
Watch out for a surprise ending! I for one am hoping there will be a sequel.

Why do silk scarves, a crossbow, and the number 12 have such significance in Dwayne Kavanagh's 'A Child's Wound'?
Its not fun times for Detective Christine of the NYPD--there are two serial killers on the loose in the Big Apple. One of the killers becomes Christine's friend and lover--will he turn aside from the urge, the need to keep on killing, or is Christine next on his list? A Child's Wound peels off, layer by layer, the complexities of how and when and why a killer becomes who he is--and whether or not he wants to be what he has become. A fast-paced thriller that will keep you turning the pages until the surprize ending, A Child's Wound leaves the reader shaking his head at the daring and the ingenuity of Canada's young authour, Dwayne Kavanagh . A Child's Wound has what it takes to be on every mystery lover''s 'must read' list.

A fabulous great read that will keep you up at night listening for strange noises.
A definite page turner by a Great Canadian Author that screams sequel!!

As a new author, I was surprised at how well written this book is. It's a gripping thriller that will keep you reading chapter after chapter. Dwayne's descriptive writing leads the reader into the story as though they were right there, which I love. It is easy to "see" both the characters and the events unfolding in the book. I enjoyed the suspense and look forward to Dwayne's next books. I believe Dwayne is off to a great career in writing!

A Child's Wound is the first book by a new author, Dwayne Kavanagh, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Dwayne has shown that he knows how to put together a complicated plot that holds together and rings true right from the outset.
Not wanting to give too much away, I'll just say this: it starts with the story of Tim Hadler, a creepy but not necessarily so unusual character in our world today. At the same time we learn that a serial killer with a bizarre signature is killing seemingly random women. Is Tim the killer? Is it someone else? Who is going to die next? Is it someone we know or a stranger?
It's hard for me to say any more without telling you too much, and you are going to want to find it out for yourself as you turn these pages. One tip though: don't read it before you go to bed.
I'm looking forward to a long career for Dwayne. He'll have a place on my bookshelf anytime.

Wow! Great read!! This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat page by page. I couldn't put it down! I felt like I had a front row seat to the action, as the author is very skilled at description. If you like thriller novels, then you'll love this book. I felt both disdain and sympathy for the main character, Tim.....I can tell you that the twists and turns will keep you guessing and inject you with so many feelings, you'll be unsure what's next...It left me wanting more from the author!! Can't wait for his next book!! Go and get it..I know you'll thank me!!

A serial killer on the loose, Picasso they call him, a man struggling to control his demons. Add some intriguing subplots, really disturbing characters and terrifying ways to die...I won't say more or I'll give it all away.

I enjoyed this read, and I admit that surprised me. It's rare that I find a new author, this is Dwayne's first book, who hooks me so well within the first pages of the book and kept me interested until the last page.

A Child's Wound is fast paced, I didn't want to stop reading, it held my attention that well, and although it is dark, there are some humorous parts to keep the reader from feeling dragged down. My favorite line is when he describes a woman to have the grace of a 'drunken monkey'. Can I steal that?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller. There's even a bit of romance, twisted as it is. It's worth the read. I'll definitely pick up this author again.

Ok, so I'm usually a bit of a skeptic about first novels by a new author and I will admit that I was about this one. If I'm not hooked by the first 3 pages then that's it for me. What a delightful surprise this book was! The characters were well written and believable and I never got a sense that the author didn't know his stuff.

I really liked the character Christine and I hope Dwayne writes more about her. A series perhaps??? What a treat that would be. Tim's backstory was appalling and interesting all at the same time.

A little too descriptive at some points but that in no way took away from the story for me, if it had I wouldn't have finished reading the book.

So, all in all I give this novel 2 thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller.(less)
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