Having read everything she has published, I already love Jenny Blackhurst's books so I knew what I was letting myself in for when I picked up The Foster Child. Jenny writes books that draw you in immediately and you simply can't put them down and The Foster Child is no different. I positively whizzed through this with a few late nights of reading and I'm surprised I managed to sleep without nightmares as this creepy book well and truly got under my skin.

I love the two main characters of Imogen and Ellie, who are both damaged by less than perfect childhoods. They have so much in common that it's no wonder that child psychologist, Imogen, is drawn to foster child, Ellie, when she is allocated her case. It often felt like the whole town (creepily named Gaunt) was against 11 year old, Ellie; with children, mothers and teachers whispering in corners and branding her a witch. Strange things do seem to happen when Ellie gets upset and, as much as I looked for a logical explanation, I did have the awful feeling that something supernatural was going on in Gaunt.

My mind was twisting itself into knots as I tried to explain how the bad things were happening. Everything points towards Ellie having some kind of psychokinesis power but that's something that would only appear in an X-Men movie...isn't it?

This dark, disturbing and intensely creepy thriller will have you up all night, one way or another; you will either be unable to put it down or you will have nightmares! The Foster Child is another cracking psychological thriller from the super-talented Jenny Blackhurst; you really don't want to miss this one or Ellie will really be mad...

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )

🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 STARS
The Foster Child By Jenny Blackhurst was one hell of a spooky book, having never read anything by this author before I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
I really didn't need to worry from the first page this story captured the reader building the atmosphere gradually and hooking its audience so subtly that before you knew it you were so emotionally invested in what was playing out before our rapt eyes.
So The Foster Child tells the story of Ellie Atkinson a foster child placed in the system after the death of her family in a house fire.
Along comes child psychologist Imogen Reid who upon returning to her childhood town after a big blip in her illustrious career inherits Ellie's case.
From day one on the job, it's apparent to Imogen that things in her old town are not right.
Everybody seems afraid of the quiet eerie eleven-year-old and Ellies only supporters are Her fifteen-year-old foster sister Mary and Imogen herself.
So, my god, this was creepy.
I actually found myself questioning everything I thought I believed.
You could feel the mass hysteria building as it was fueled by what people thought was real.
Taking on a life all of its own, like a snowball building its momentum.
Then BAM!!!!
everything came to a head and you were left feeling a trifle dim questioning yourself, did I really think that ?.
You as the reader have been swept along in the mass hysteria along with everyone else in this small community.
I loved this story, the characters were so real and interesting, this could be set in any small town around where I live.
The Foster Child was a fascinating insight into small-town dynamics and also a creepy atmospheric chiller.
Do you know what I liked best, it was how one young girl can start a rumour that actually takes on a life all of its own.
fuelling its own journey along the way.
Or did it!!! that twist at the end Man, didn't see that coming.
It left us the reader with a whole host of new questions to ask.
So I end this review in a bit of a quandary.
What do I actually take away from this as the truth, I think in this instance only Ellie is aware of the bigger picture she is the puppetmaster of this chilling tale.
That is the only reason I deducted 1/2 a star from this as I was left feeling slightly confused, wondering what to actually believe.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free ARC of The Foster Child this is my own free and honest opinion.

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com ( )

🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 STARS
The Foster Child By Jenny Blackhurst was one hell of a spooky book, having never read anything by this author before I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
I really didn't need to worry from the first page this story captured the reader building the atmosphere gradually and hooking its audience so subtly that before you knew it you were so emotionally invested in what was playing out before our rapt eyes.
So The Foster Child tells the story of Ellie Atkinson a foster child placed in the system after the death of her family in a house fire.
Along comes child psychologist Imogen Reid who upon returning to her childhood town after a big blip in her illustrious career inherits Ellie's case.
From day one on the job, it's apparent to Imogen that things in her old town are not right.
Everybody seems afraid of the quiet eerie eleven-year-old and Ellies only supporters are Her fifteen-year-old foster sister Mary and Imogen herself.
So, my god, this was creepy.
I actually found myself questioning everything I thought I believed.
You could feel the mass hysteria building as it was fueled by what people thought was real.
Taking on a life all of its own, like a snowball building its momentum.
Then BAM!!!!
everything came to a head and you were left feeling a trifle dim questioning yourself, did I really think that ?.
You as the reader have been swept along in the mass hysteria along with everyone else in this small community.
I loved this story, the characters were so real and interesting, this could be set in any small town around where I live.
The Foster Child was a fascinating insight into small-town dynamics and also a creepy atmospheric chiller.
Do you know what I liked best, it was how one young girl can start a rumour that actually takes on a life all of its own.
fuelling its own journey along the way.
Or did it!!! that twist at the end Man, didn't see that coming.
It left us the reader with a whole host of new questions to ask.
So I end this review in a bit of a quandary.
What do I actually take away from this as the truth, I think in this instance only Ellie is aware of the bigger picture she is the puppetmaster of this chilling tale.
That is the only reason I deducted 1/2 a star from this as I was left feeling slightly confused, wondering what to actually believe.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free ARC of The Foster Child this is my own free and honest opinion.

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com ( )

Not for me.
Saw the twists coming and just had to wait them out.
Enjoyed the concept though, and read all the way to the end. ( )