A cabin in the woods, without windows. Lena's life and that of her two children follows strict rules: meals, toilet, study, all devoutly follow a predetermined schedule. The father provides for food, protects them from the dangers of the outside world, and ensures that his children always have a mother – no matter the cost. But one day, the mother manages to escape. And then the real nightmare begins. Because many things indicate that the father wants at all costs to take back what belongs to him. The police, along with Lena's family, desperately try to piece together a puzzle that doesn't seem to fit together. What is really happening and what is a product of paranoia? THEY WROTE ABOUT THE BOOK If you are going to read only one thriller this year, choose this one. Room meets Gone Girl in this gripping novel that will continue to haunt you long after you turn its last page. Delightfully dark, original, and beautifully written, I loved this book. Alice Feeney, author Creepy, original, and compelling. A new force in the thriller genre. David Baldacci, author An unparalleled study in suspense. Financial Times Claustrophobic, terrifying, and utterly compelling. Daily Mail This novel is as much a mystery story, thriller, and family drama... A reading experience that will captivate you and make you think. Hausmann creates a dark universe dotted with flickering stars... At the heart of the book lies the unquenchable hope that the protagonists will return to their loved ones no matter how far they have strayed. This glimmer of optimism is the light that guides readers through the dark labyrinths of the stunning thriller Dear Child. New York Times The tension escalates so masterfully that the reader is left stunned without the author resorting to shocking scenes of violence. Suddeutsche Zeitung It captivates you from the very first page. Madame