Taking Baby for a Walk: terrifying thriller – a review

taking-baby-for-a-walk

Taking Baby for a Walk is a terrifying new novel

by Australian writer Kathryn Gossow. Kathryn writes across genres (yay! a fellow genre-hopper!) and I’ve previously reviewed her mythical fiction book Cassandra.

Her new entry into the realm of Australian rural noir is pitch-perfect.

The Story:

Neglected five-year-old Bree-Anna decides to walk into town to her friend’s party, wheeling her precious doll Baby in a toy stroller. That’s easier than getting her older brother to take notice, or waking her mum up after a big night.

It’s hot and humid as small town Queensland builds up to Christmas, and Bree-Anna is easy pickings for a sociopathic misfit. Kidnapped, terrified, locked in and beaten, with her beloved Baby imprisoned in a suitcase on top a wardrobe and so, so far out of reach, Bree-Anna has nobody to rely on but herself.

In so many ways, that’s always been the case.

My Thoughts:

The pacing in this thriller is awesome. You won’t be able to put it down.

We meet Bree-Anna’s family and the rest of the townspeople of Stinky Gully, named for the small Queensland town of Fernvale, formerly called Stinking Gully, in the Brisbane River valley, about 60km west of Brisbane.

Stand-out characters Eloise and Jake get dragged into the mystery, while Bree’s mother Amber struggles under her loss.

This is a dark story, especially because Bree is only 5 years old, but the story – unfortunately – well within the realms of reality. I was reminded of true life cases that have haunted me for years.

Scared
Don’t read it alone at night

 

 

This book would make a fantastic TV series – real Australian noir with loads of atmosphere and a few well-defined, strong roles. Bring it on! I can even assign roles … although lovely Aaron Pederson is possibly a bit old now to play Jake. But put Aaron in any terrifying thriller and I’ll watch it.

What is most refreshing about this story is Bree herself.

What a character! Bree’s five year old voice rings very true, and so does her growing reliance on herself, her inbuilt resilience and instinctive resistance to every horrible aspect of her life. Bree is a fighter, courageous without being rash, and readers can’t help but be drawn into her battle for survival.

No spoilers.

Take a deep breath. Be courageous. Be inspired by Bree-Anna and Baby.

Read this now.

And if you know anyone who likes mystery, thrillers, and suspense, this is the perfect Christmas present you need for them!

Taking Baby for a Walk by Kathryn Gossow

Booktopia

Odyssey Books

Cassandra by Kathryn Gossow

This book is an addictive read – once you start, you really have to keep going.

Cassie and her future-seeing make for fascinating reading. I found the child and then teenage perspective totally credible, and in fact it reminded me of my own early years when adults were very annoying and unpredictable, and the last person you would turn to.

Cassie is fortunate in having her grandfather and great aunt living with her and her family on the farm, because the generation gap allows for more real communication.
Her new and unusual neighbour Athena is a wonderful character, and I would like to know more about her – where she came from, where she went to – and am still wondering at the end of the book. Cassie, her brother Alex, and Athena steal the show for me. Characters I love. Yes, tears were shed … but you need to read it to find out why!

A page-turning, moving exploration of potential, imagination, and how to deal with everything real life throws at you.

*spoiler-ish*
I was disappointed in Cassie’s mum and her eventual decisions, but I won’t go right into that. See what you think. Cassie’s perspective on that is completely convincing and made my heart ache for her – but that happened quite a bit in this book.