Title: Das Kind
Author: Sebastian Fitzek
First published January 1, 2007
389 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9783426197820 (ISBN10: 3426197820)
Rating: 3.76
Overview
When Robert Stern agreed to meet his unusual client, he had no idea he was making a date with death. He never imagined that death would come in the form of a 4’8″ boy wearing sneakers, smiling on a deserted industrial site.
Defense lawyer Robert Stern is stunned when he sees who his mysterious client is, with whom he is supposed to meet in a remote and rundown industrial area: Simon, a ten-year-old boy, fragile, terminally ill – and firmly convinced that in a previous life he was a murderer. But Robert Stern’s amazement turns into horror and confusion when he finds human remains in that cellar Simon described: a skeleton, the skull split with an ax.
And this is just the beginning. Not only does Simon report on other victims executed years ago, but soon the present becomes murderous…
About the Author
Sebastian Fitzek was born in Berlin back in 1971. Instead of pursuing a career in law after completing his degree and earning his LL.D., he decided to chase after a creative profession in the media industry.
He got his start as a trainee at a private radio station, then moved up the ranks to become head of entertainment and eventually chief editor. From there, he became an independent executive consultant and format developer for various media companies throughout Europe.
Nowadays, he resides in Berlin and holds a position in programme management at a major capital radio station.
Editoral Review
Das Kind, by German thriller author Sebastian Fitzek, is a gripping psychological thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The novel was first published in 2007, and it has since become a bestseller in Germany and other European countries.
Fitzek is renowned for his ability to twist and turn a plot, and in Das Kind, he doesn’t disappoint. The novel is written in the first person and narrated by Simon, a successful psychiatrist who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife and unborn child.
When a patient of his, a young boy named Max, claims to have information about Simon’s wife’s death, Simon is forced to confront his past and unravel a conspiracy that threatens to destroy his sanity. At the heart of the book is the relationship between Simon and Max.
Max is haunted by his past and has a disturbing ability to see people’s memories. Simon becomes increasingly obsessed with Max, trying to unlock the secrets he holds.
But as Simon delves deeper into Max’s psyche, he realizes that Max is not what he seems. Fitzek’s writing is sharp and evocative, creating a palpable sense of tension and unease throughout the book.
The pacing is superb, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The interplay between Simon and Max is brilliantly done, with both characters having their own hidden agendas and motivations.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of memory and trauma. Simon is dealing with his own trauma while trying to help Max confront his.
The book raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of memory and the way it shapes our perception of the world. However, the book does have some weaknesses.
Some readers may find the plot confusing at times, with too many red herrings and plot twists. The psychological depth of the characters is also somewhat limited, with Simon and Max being the only fully fleshed out characters.
Despite these limitations, Das Kind is an excellent thriller that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. It is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone looking for a book that will keep them up all night.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because of the weaknesses mentioned above.
But despite its flaws, Das Kind is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.