By Sophie Hannah
Perfect Little Children is the thriller-lover's beach read. It's not long, not dense or complex, and the end isn't hugely surprising once you get about half way through. Still, the premise is spooky and original enough to warrant following through.
Beth, a mother of two living in the UK, finds herself sitting in her car outside the home of a friend she hasn't spoken to in at least a decade. While there (in a kind of creepy, kind of understandable moment of curiosity and nostalgia), the former friend arrives home with her two children. Much to Beth's surprise, however, the children look exactly the same as they did when she last saw them so many years ago.
The novel follows Beth as she hunts for an explanation for the children's agelessness, growing increasingly obsessed as her (mostly) supportive husband looks on. Beth's character is well-developed, but many of the others are a little lacking. Minor subplots with her children seemed slightly unnecessary, and the antagonists never felt entirely believable. Even so, Beth is complex enough to keep your attention throughout.
While reading, I found myself unsure of how I felt about Beth's actions. Would a person in real life go to so much trouble to explain a weird thing they saw? I think this might be the best part of the novel – raising questions about instincts, compassion, and "staying in your lane." The book certainly has plot issues, but it's thought-provoking and engaging enough that I found myself repeatedly returning to it over the couple of days it took to get through. If you're looking for a light read, I'd recommend it.
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