Child of Shadows [Mass Market Paperback]

John Coyne (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author of Fury opens his new novel with a bizarre and grisly murder set in the dank catacombs beneath New York City's Grand Central Station. The victim is a young boy whose heart has been torn from his chest--and the police discover another boy lurking in the shadows. He is Adam, an odd-looking, bald-headed mute who lives in the network of tunnels which links the subway system; he scrounges for food among rats and garbage. Melissa, a social worker discouraged by the ineffectiveness of the system, goes so far as to quit her job and whisk Adam away to the supposed safety of a small rural community. A herd of sheep is slaughtered; soon bodies start dropping all over town. The boy proves to be the bearer of many unusual and disturbing talents. The real interest of this compelling story lies not only in the twists and turns of the plot but in the exploration of Melissa's psychological history. Her motives and fears are realistically depicted, giving the action conviction and immediacy.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Warner Books (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446361240
• ISBN-13: 978-0446361248
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,712,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was 12 when I started to caddie at Midlothian Country Club, south of Chicago, Illinois. At 16 I was promoted to caddie master. Today I still consider that job the most demanding one I ever had. After graduating from Saint Louis University, I served with the first Peace Corps Volunteers in Ethiopia before becoming a novelist and college administrator. I've written over twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, and edited three books on golf instruction. However, this is my first novel about golf, my lifelong passion. If you want to know more about the book or myself, you can check out: www.TheCaddieWhoKnewBenHogan.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, July 4, 2000

By 

Ashley (Charlotte) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child of Shadows (Mass Market Paperback)

John Coyne penned a thriller in this one, it's so pleasantly horrid that it just makes you shiver. When the child comes from New York underground you feel sick thinking what might happen if this were your town, don't read this one at night.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A super suspence which i have read again and again, September 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Child of Shadows (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is incredible i have read it many times this book has a sick but enlightening twist to it I don't put it down until I finish it and to anyone i would say read it

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Read Hobgoblin Instead, February 12, 2004

By 

Samuel L. Smith II "Mentally Tough" (Evansville, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Child of Shadows (Mass Market Paperback)

I first read Coyne in the mid-80's. He knocked me out with Hobgoblin, which to this day is one of my all-time favorites. I've read Hobgoblin three times. I purchased Child of Shadows a few years back and finally got around to reading it a couple of weeks ago. Boy, was I disappointed. The story line is interesting, but the book dies out before it gets to the end. I had to force myself to finish it. Somewhere in the middle, I started and finished three other books before I finished Child of Shadows. If you want to read Coyne at his best, read Hobgoblin.