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Tom Rob Smith
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Child 44 Paperback – 26 Mar. 2015

by Tom Rob Smith (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,982 ratings
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Now a major movie, directed by Daniel Espinosa and starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman.
For fans of Robert Harris, John Le Carre and Martin Cruz Smith comes a gripping thriller set in Moscow, 1953. Under Stalin's terrifying regime families live in fear. When the all-powerful State claims there is no such thing as crime, who dares disagree?
   An ambitious secret police officer, Leo Demidov has spent his career arresting anyone who steps out of line. Suddenly his world is turned upside down when he uncovers evidence of a killer at large. Now, with only his wife at his side, Leo must risk both their lives to save the lives of others.
   Inspired by a real-life investigation, Child 44 is a relentless story of love, hope and bravery in a totalitarian world. It is a thriller unlike any you have ever read.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Child 44 Trilogy
  2. Print length
    512 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster UK
  5. Publication date
    26 Mar. 2015
  6. Dimensions
    12.8 x 3.8 x 19.8 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    1471133478
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1471133473
  9. See all details
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  1. The duty of an investigator was to scratch away at innocence until guilt was uncovered. If no guilt was uncovered then they hadn’t scratched deep enough.
    Highlighted by 42 Kindle readers
  2. For decades no one had taken action according to what they believed was right or wrong but by what they thought would please their leader.
    Highlighted by 29 Kindle readers
  3. Was the difference merely that Vasili was senselessly cruel while he’d been idealistically cruel? One was an empty, indifferent cruelty while the other was a principled, pretentious cruelty which thought of itself as reasonable and necessary.
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Product description

Review

"An amazing debut - rich, different, fully-formed, mature ... and thrilling." -- Lee Child

"CHILD 44 is a remarkable debut novel - inventive, edgy and relentlessly gripping from the first page to the last." -- Scott Turow

"CHILD 44 telegraphs the talent and class of its writer from its opening pages, transporting you back to the darkest days of post-war Soviet Russia with assured efficiency and ruthlessly drawing you into its richly atmospheric and engrossing tale." --Raymond Khoury, bestselling author of THE LAST TEMPLAR and SANCTUARY

"Child 44 contrasts the bleakness of Stalinist Russia with a love story that unexpectedly and ironically blooms only because the lovers are nearly crushed by a relentless totalitarian regime hell bent on their destruction. As the two attempt to solve a series of brutal child murders the government is determined not to acknowledge, they must avoid being killed themselves in a simultaneous flight and pursuit across the wintry Russian landscape. Achingly suspenseful, full of feeling and of the twists and turns that one expects from Le Carre at his best, it's a tale that grabs you by the throat and simply never lets you go." --Robert Towne

"This is a truly remarkable debut novel. CHILD 44 is a rare blend of great insight, excellent writing, and a refreshingly original story. Favorable comparisons to GORKY PARK are inevitable, but CHILD 44 is in a class of its own." --Nelson DeMille

About the Author

Born in 1979 to a Swedish mother and an English father, Tom Rob Smith's bestselling novels in the Child 44 trilogy were international publishing sensations. Among its many honours, Child 44 won the International Thriller Writer Award for Best First Novel, the Galaxy Book Award for Best New Writer, the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the inaugural Desmond Elliot Prize. Child 44 is now a major motion picture starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster UK; Film Tie-In edition (26 Mar. 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1471133478
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1471133473
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.8 x 3.8 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,982 ratings

About the author

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Tom Rob Smith

Tom Rob Smith

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Born in 1979 to a Swedish mother and an English father, Tom Rob Smith's bestselling novels in the Child 44 trilogy were international publishing sensations. Among its many honours, Child 44 won the International Thriller Writer Award for Best First Novel, the Galaxy Book Award for Best New Writer, the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the inaugural Desmond Elliot Prize. Child 44 is now a major motion picture starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
12,982 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read with clear writing. They find the plot engaging and interesting, taking them on an exciting journey. The book is described as gripping and a real page-turner that holds their attention until the end. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and emotional range.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityEnthralling readGrippingPage turnerCharacter developmentTwists and turnsPace
664 customers mention ‘Readability’642 positive22 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They describe the plot as original and gripping, set in 1950s Stalin's Russia. Many readers praise the book as a brilliant first effort and say it will make a great film.

"...I thoroughly enjoyed this novel in which it is clear that the author has done his research and well written...." Read more

"...This is an amazing effort for a first book - Sophisticated for a who-done-it, psychological and thorough, the pages turn themselves as we are taken..." Read more

"...Brilliant read! I couldn't put it down." Read more

"...has written screenplays, and this thriller has a cinematic edge and suspense, wrapped up in very fine writing - it's one of the best I've read, and..." Read more

224 customers mention ‘Writing quality’191 positive33 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the prose clear and believable. The storyline is easy to follow, and the content is thrilling and action-packed. The scenes are vividly described, with snow crunching under feet and smells. Overall, readers appreciate the author's skill in creating an engaging narrative.

"...I would recommend it to anybody who likes an easy to read thriller particularly if you are interested in stories set in communist Russia in the era..." Read more

"...We have suspense, realism, romance, psychology, a handsome hero, and a breathless chase all neatly together in one very good book which I am willing..." Read more

"...that the author has written screenplays, and this thriller has a cinematic edge and suspense, wrapped up in very fine writing - it's one of the best..." Read more

"...Though the author's prose is uncomplicated I felt it was strong. Stark and spare, it suited the mood of the story perfectly...." Read more

150 customers mention ‘Enthralling read’150 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's engaging plot and engrossing story. They find it fascinating, chilling, and rewarding. The book provides a sharp insight into the struggles of different citizens. It keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...any of this author's books when I picked up Child 44 but it sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a go...." Read more

"...We have suspense, realism, romance, psychology, a handsome hero, and a breathless chase all neatly together in one very good book which I am willing..." Read more

"...The plot is pacey and highly engaging. The author does an excellent job of upping the ante continually throughout the book...." Read more

"...was a mistake because this book reeled me in quickly and kept me hooked until the last page...." Read more

110 customers mention ‘Gripping’104 positive6 negative

Customers find the book gripping and compelling. They say it holds them transfixed until the end, with its evocative writing style and action-packed plot. The opening pages immediately draw readers in, and the story keeps them hooked from start to finish. Readers describe it as an exciting ride full of action, mystery, and suspense.

"...done - as is the characterisation, the plotting, the sheer grip of the story. Secret policeman and war hero Leo Demidov is Soviet Man..." Read more

"...The storyline is great, shocking, full of action, mystery, suspense and I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"...of the plot to come together, but when they did it became a gripping read...." Read more

"...That was a mistake because this book reeled me in quickly and kept me hooked until the last page...." Read more

88 customers mention ‘Page turner’88 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling and engaging. They describe it as a gripping, powerful thriller that holds their attention until the end. The setting is described as unusual and riveting.

"...for a who-done-it, psychological and thorough, the pages turn themselves as we are taken not only through the sick mind of a child-killer, but also..." Read more

"...keen reader but never read much about the Stalin era and it was a real eye opener. I just had no appreciation of the Secret Policy, MGB, KGB etc...." Read more

"...I found this a real page turner from start to the very end, despite, extremely uncomfortable reading about the way in which the Soviet State treated..." Read more

"...However here is a real page turner that doesn't take long to finish since you cannot stop reading and is utterly convincing in its depiction of the..." Read more

76 customers mention ‘Character development’65 positive11 negative

Customers find the characters interesting and well-developed. They appreciate the emotional range and complexity of the characters. The plot is described as well-crafted, with a great emotional depth.

"...We have suspense, realism, romance, psychology, a handsome hero, and a breathless chase all neatly together in one very good book which I am willing..." Read more

"...and still shadowed by the war, is beautifully done - as is the characterisation, the plotting, the sheer grip of the story. Secret policeman..." Read more

"...Characters are well developed and almost believable, although our hero is a bit of a "Jack Bauer", seemingly undefeatable, despite numerous attempts..." Read more

"Well written with a good plot and interesting characters...." Read more

331 customers mention ‘Twists and turns’222 positive109 negative

Customers have different views on the book's twists and turns. Some find it an excellent thriller set in Stalinist Russia in 1953 that provides a scary insight into life under a world where appearance matters above all else. Others find it upsetting, shocking, and horrendous in its themes. The ending is anticlimactic for some readers, while others feel the story is too long and ponderous.

"This book has historical and political accuracy. It allows you to delve into so many themes including communism and life under a totalitarian system...." Read more

"...The storyline is great, shocking, full of action, mystery, suspense and I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"...boring and overstated what was already clear, and the ending was a little too rushed and a little incongruous compared to the rest of the book - But..." Read more

"It's a really thrilling story with an interesting plot...." Read more

81 customers mention ‘Pace’43 positive38 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some find the story fast-paced and engaging, while others feel the beginning is slow. The plot is described as predictable and clunky.

"...suspense, realism, romance, psychology, a handsome hero, and a breathless chase all neatly together in one very good book which I am willing to bet..." Read more

"...The book has a slow start and i considered giving up on it but I'm very glad that i stuck with it...." Read more

"...It is a bleak picture but the pace and twists keep you engaged...." Read more

"...Expecting a heavy read, I was surprised it started out so slowly and continued to move at a snails pace - it never really fully held my attention at..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Traffic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome thriller set in Communist Russia
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I had never read any of this author's books when I picked up Child 44 but it sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a go. It's about a disgraced Russian MGB agent (sort of equivalent to MI5 in the UK - domestic security) who is shipped off to a menial militia job in a small town in the wilderness of Russia after he refuses to denounce his wife as a spy. Once there he starts investigating a series of murders of children in which the MO is always the same; piece of string tied around the child's ankle, completely naked with clothes folded up a little distance away. Mouth full of ground up bark and stomach completely cut out and removed. The Russian government refuse to believe it is the work of one man but simply accuses any person it can get hold of for each murder. The agent becomes the hunted of the government as he hunts the child killer. There is a little twist at the end which becomes obvious as the story draws to its conclusion (deliberately.)

    I thoroughly enjoyed this novel in which it is clear that the author has done his research and well written. I would recommend it to anybody who likes an easy to read thriller particularly if you are interested in stories set in communist Russia in the era of Stalin and Khrushchev.

    I just found out that this is the first in a trilogy involving Leo Demidov, the main character, the second being The Secret Speechand the third being Agent 6.

    On the strength of how much I liked the first book, Child 44, I have just purchased the final two in the trilogy.

    Note on the Kindle version: Great! No proplems whatsoever.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Book 1981
    4.0 out of 5 stars Child 44
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book once before when it was first released, and I was balled over - An experience that was only slightly muted on the second visit. This is an amazing effort for a first book - Sophisticated for a who-done-it, psychological and thorough, the pages turn themselves as we are taken not only through the sick mind of a child-killer, but also through the society of tyrannical post-war Communist Russia. The details of this life are perfect and bear testament to the research Rob Smith must have done, resulting in an authentic, vibrant and convincing tale.

    So convincing and vibrant, in fact, that I found myself skimming over some of the more grotesque descriptions of torture and murder - If you have a delicate stomach this might not be the book for you. But these descriptions add to the drama of this gritty story, and further authenticates it by the knowledge that it might not be very far from what actually happened at the time.

    The characters are easy to like and easy to recognise, easy on the eye and human enough to allow for some hero-identification. The dashing hero Leo is the perfect bad-guy turned good and his beautiful wife Raisa does a very convincing ice-queen thaw-out.

    And in the midst of this desperate scramble for justice and flight from prosecution, is a very sweet, if perhaps a tiny bit rushed, love story.

    A few things bothered me; Quite often the narration loses it's flow and becomes a little clumsy and trite. Leo's introspection was sometimes a little boring and overstated what was already clear, and the ending was a little too rushed and a little incongruous compared to the rest of the book - But all minor details which did not stop me from devouring this book in a matter of days.

    We have suspense, realism, romance, psychology, a handsome hero, and a breathless chase all neatly together in one very good book which I am willing to bet will be turned into a film in the not too distant future!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • bookworm23
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book has historical and political accuracy. It allows you to delve into so many themes including communism and life under a totalitarian system. Every word or action is a matter of life or death.
    "Leo" often finds himself at a professional, personal and moral crossroad that puts him in most dangerous situations which draws his own identity into question.
    Brilliant read! I couldn't put it down.
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  • George Rodger
    5.0 out of 5 stars superb thriller debut
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I was amazed to see that this is the author's debut novel - the writing is very assured, and you know you're in the hands of a craftsman from the start.
    The paranoid, shabby setting of the Soviet Union in the 1950s, still under Stalin's rule and still shadowed by the war, is beautifully done - as is the characterisation, the plotting, the sheer grip of the story.
    Secret policeman and war hero Leo Demidov is Soviet Man incarnate - unswervingly loyal and unquestioning in his pursuit of the State's enemies - until a powerplay by a jealous subordinate threatens his life, and that of Raisa, his wife.
    Thrown out of the MGB in disgrace and exiled to a bleak factory city in the Urals, Leo's world and beliefs are turned upside down. Then he discovers that in the Communist paradise that denies that crime is possible, there exists the worst criminal of all - a serial killer of children. He and Raisa must risk everything to pursue a terrifying killer, even if doing so makes them enemies of the State...

    I understand that the author has written screenplays, and this thriller has a cinematic edge and suspense, wrapped up in very fine writing - it's one of the best I've read, and I can't recommend it highly enough. If you love thrillers, you won't be disappointed.
    111 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Alberta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Romanzo storico molto ben scritto
    Reviewed in Italy on 31 August 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Del libro ho apprezzato tutto: la scrittura asciutta e evocativa, la trama, lo spessore psicologico dei personaggi, la capacità di calare il lettore in una precisa realtà storica come l’unione sovietica di Stalin. Assolutamente un capolavoro.
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  • Mayya Zakharia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait
    Reviewed in France on 2 September 2020
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    Livre en bon état, rapidement parvenu.
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  • Afelsky
    3.0 out of 5 stars Começo ruim mas depois melhora
    Reviewed in Brazil on 14 February 2018
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    O começo do livro é muito chato, demora a ficar bom de verdade. Se vc passar por esta fase, Depois o mistério fica interessante
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  • Just Another Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
    Reviewed in India on 2 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this mystery set in Russia during the 1950's. What a bleak and dark place filled with hopelessness and deception. The characters are complicated and the plot is full of suspense in a world where the main characters have to make hard choices and battle more than one nemesis.I don't want to tell too much about the plot, because there are lots of surprises. I'll just say that all is not as it seems at first, and the twists are not predictable. Mystery lovers and those who like historical fiction should find this book a great read and very thought provoking. I highly recommend Child 44.
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  • sharon van rysewyk
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real wakeup for us living in democratic countries
    Reviewed in Australia on 18 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    After having read "the farm" for a bookclub, I was intrigued to find out what all the cudos for the author was about, I was seriously underwhelmed by "the farm".
    I purchased "Child 44" in the anticipation of discovering what all the fuss was about. WOW...what a book! Page turner, and drama abounded. The description of living conditions in USSR were frightening and eyeopening. The fear generated by the powers that be were horrifying.
    Perhaps a little way to make us realise how lucky we are. (But, then again, are we being duped?)
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