Just enough details are provided that the reader understands what a horrific situation the child had been in, but it’s not drawn out. The story hinges on what had happened to her. There are a number of references to child abuse, with some details about how badly neglected the young girl in the story had been, as well as abused. Violence includes two murders and an attempted killing. A married couple have sex, but there are no details. Profanity includes fewer than 10 instances of mild language and a dozen uses of the name of Deity in vain. But if you don’t mind reading about a child doing and experiencing horrible things, you’ll likely appreciate this psychological thriller book.

It’s still very much a thriller about serious cracks in someone’s psyche, but it’s not nearly as disturbing (for me, at least). I much preferred Berry’s more recent book The Secrets of Us.

So much just goes from horrific to even worse along all kinds of lines. It was still quite disturbing to see it all play out. The Perfect Child focuses on one very psychologically damaged girl, and while some of what happens toward the end is probably supposed to be a big surprise or twist, I knew from early on just what would happen. As time goes on, the intense pressure creates cracks in Christopher and Hannah’s relationship and leads to danger they never expected. Janie acts out in horrific ways and is particularly cold to and manipulative with Hannah. While the couple know that they will have to be prepared for a lot of issues with the girl who has gone through so much, they have no idea just how damaged she is. Christopher persuades Hannah to become foster parents to her, because they’ve already connected. Christopher performs surgery on her and, as he visits her, forms an attachment with the cute 6-year-old. She had been found wandering alone, and she is malnourished and had clearly been abused for a long time. Then a little girl is brought in to their hospital.

But they have been unable to have a child, and it’s become a painful subject for them. They are, by all accounts, caring, good people living enviable lives. Married couple Christopher and Hannah are a surgeon and nurse at the same hospital. IN SHORT: This psychological thriller book is well-written but disturbing.

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry