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A J Wills
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The Phantom Child Kindle Edition

by A J Wills (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 4,566 ratings

Is her child really missing? Or did he never really exist?

"I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read a book that made me gasp out loud as much..." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After a difficult few months, Karina's looking forward to a short break in Turkey with her husband and four-year-old son, Jacob.

The marriage has been showing signs of strain lately, so it’ll be a chance to relax, enjoy some good food, and more importantly, reconnect with the people she loves the most.

But on their first morning, Karina is startled to discover she’s slept in late.

Where’s Jacob?

He’s usually an early riser who likes to tumble into their bed first thing, pestering them to make him breakfast.

A needle of fear spikes through Karina’s veins.

She rushes to his room, but his bed is empty and he’s nowhere to be found in the villa. Frantic with worry, she raises the alarm with her husband – but he stares at her blankly, like she’s out of her mind.

He says he has no idea what she’s talking about. They don’t have any children, and he’s never heard of a boy called Jacob…

--
What readers are saying about The Phantom Child:

“What??! Are you for real??? This book is gripping and the twists are WILD!!!!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I didn't see the main twist coming and it absolutely blew me away... it had me jumping up and gasping out loud – I was on a train at the time, and the woman in front of me actually clutched her pearls!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A fantastic read that literally had me on the edge of my seat with my head spinning like I was on the exorcist.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I finished it in a day because I couldn’t stop turning the pages!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The ending completely shook me” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to see what happens next.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“...a thoroughly compelling and engrossing story.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great read and great plot twists. They just kept coming!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“...takes you on a wild roller coaster of a ride right from the start, with twists and turns every few pages.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“...a masterful exploration of paranoia, anxiety, and the ability of the mind to shape reality.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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  1. Print length
    361 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2024
  5. File size
    1.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

the phantom child
the phantom child
The House Guest
The Lottery Winners
The Warning
The Secrets We Keep
Nothing Left To Lose
Buying Options
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Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,185
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,800
3.9 out of 5 stars 5,340
4.0 out of 5 stars 2,275
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,178
Price $3.99 $3.99 $3.99 $2.99 $3.99
Pages 333 308 403 393 340
Kindle Unlimited ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Psychological thriller ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Domestic thriller ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Shocking twists ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPFKXX1D
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cherry Tree Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 361 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 4,566 ratings

About the author

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A J Wills

A J Wills

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AJ Wills is a bestselling author of psychological thrillers, captivating readers with his deep exploration of the dark side of human nature.

A former journalist, he’s swapped headlines for head-spinning plotlines and now enjoys nothing more than crafting devilish stories about everyday people in unimaginable situations.

He published his first book in 2012 and now considers himself something of an aficionado in keeping readers too busy reading to turn out the lights at night.

When not writing, he's likely to be comparing plot twists with his thriller-writer wife, AJ McDine. Just imagine how terrifying their date nights must be!

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4,566 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to keep reading and appreciate its quick pacing and well-developed characters. The concept receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it kept them guessing throughout. The plot twists receive mixed reactions, with some finding them interesting while others describe them as unlikely.

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ReadabilityPacingConceptCharacter developmentPlot twists
23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to keep reading.

"...Who'd of thought? Highly recommend this book!" Read more

"...the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book greatly. It sure had me guessing. Wasn't until almost yo the end did I figure out what had occurred...." Read more

"...And by the way, it was a damn good read!!" Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, describing it as a quick read.

"Very interesting concept and I read it quickly to the end...." Read more

"...The suspense is great and the story moves so quickly you don’t want to stop until you see it through. 4 stars...." Read more

"...It was frustrating what the main character went through. Pretty quick read. I read it in just a couple days...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It's a quick, easy read - I was anxious to see what happened, so easy to keep reading and read it in one sitting...." Read more

6 customers mention "Concept"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the concept of the book very interesting, with one mentioning it kept them guessing throughout.

"This one hooked me with the description and did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more

"...A very interesting concept for the book. I couldn’t put it down. There were a couple of surprises as well." Read more

"...It was very creative and something I would never have imagined. The ending wasn’t my favorite, and that’s because it was kind of open...." Read more

"Very interesting concept and I read it quickly to the end...." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...This book was filled with unlikeable characters!..." Read more

"The book started out fast and hooked me in! The characters were well fleshed out...." Read more

"...Great character development. Highly recommend if you want a fast paced, quick book." Read more

"...The characters are well developed." Read more

34 customers mention "Plot twists"22 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot twists in the book, with some finding it a great thriller and quite suspenseful, while others describe it as an unlikely plot.

"...Both books I read were full of twists and turns that I did not see coming not in a million years...." Read more

"...This is a thriller as well as a mystery. It could have a sequel written. I think it is worth your time reading. That's why I gave it a five." Read more

"...Only reason that it wasn't a 5 star for me is because it was a tiny bit incredulous." Read more

"...I was shocked at the twist, the way that it played out and the reasoning why...." Read more

Lots of mind trickery!
4 out of 5 stars
Lots of mind trickery!
This book gave me whiplash. Major whiplash. Is that a bad thing? Not at all, but I've had to sit on this for a little bit since I finished it to decide exactly how I feel. Lol It started out so strong and the storyline is very unique. I was baffled by the situation that the FMC was going through. So much so to the point where it's almost unbelievable. I think mainly because of being a mom myself I had a hard time wrapping my head around how I would respond to the situation. I instantly want to be like - there is no way, I would have done this, and she can't really be that gullible. So instead I shoved all that aside and just processed what happened to her in the book as a whole. Again the storyline is super unique and not something that I have read before. Seeing how people can toy with someone else's head is a bit scary. The plot twists were SO good I didn't call any of them. I was super shocked. That alone had me flipping pages and wanting to see what happens next. I didn't care for a lot of the characters, but again that makes the book - you've got to have the villains. The ending kind of flipped a switch on me. I liked how it was wrapping up and then all of a sudden I'm like wait, it can't be over yet, I want more. Are you seeing the whiplash here? Lol Here's why I like this book..I like that it made me analyze how I would have treated the situation versus just reading a fictional story for fun. I'm typically a quick reader but I found myself spending time reading sections and then thinking about it. After wrapping the story up it elicited emotions to where I wasn't 100% sure where I stood. To me all that makes for a good book if it can get me in my feels and make me really think. If you like stories about mind trickery, deceit, and secrets I think you should pick this one up and give it a go. Maybe grab a friend and read together to have someone to bounce thoughts off of. I wish I had done the same lol
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jules_D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable! Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a story! My head is still spinning from all the twists and turns!! Who'd of thought? Highly recommend this book!
    Helpful
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  • mnmloveli
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great twists got this read 4 Stars !
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    24 - 4 STARS

    DESCRIPTION : After a difficult few months, Karina's looking forward to a short break in Turkey with her husband and four-year-old son, Jacob. The marriage has been showing signs of strain lately, so it’ll be a chance to relax, enjoy some good food, and more importantly, reconnect with the people she loves the most.
But on their first morning, Karina is startled to discover she’s slept in late. Where’s Jacob? He’s usually an early riser who likes to tumble into their bed first thing, pestering them to make him breakfast. She rushes to his room, but his bed is empty and he’s nowhere to be found in the villa. Frantic with worry, she raises the alarm with her husband …… I’ve stopped the published description here because I didn’t want to spoil where this book is going.

    REVIEW :

    First book by this author for me; description grabbed me. His wife is A.J. McDine who also writes thrillers but I have never read.

    Earned Double Kindle Rewards Points with this purchase.

    Enjoyed the writing and felt this was a real psychological thriller. I thought the mom’s role, Karina, wasn’t believable at all, but who am I to say. I did enjoy the twists that kept coming to the very end, which lead to this 4-star rating. Would definitely read another book by this author.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Tiffany Perkinz
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Woman Wouldn’t Have Written This
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A consistent thought I had while reading is that it’s obvious it was written by a man.

    I’ll back up and say that I was captivated by the book. I wanted to answers and was excited to get back to my Kindle to find out what happened. I love it when books do that to me, which is why this is three stars as opposed to 2.

    That being said, I think that this author should avoid writing from the POV of a female main character. The thoughts and actions of the character were written the way a man would think a woman would react rather than how a woman would actually react.

    No mother would forget she had a child even with all the gaslighting and fabricated evidence. She would wind up locked in an asylum against her will, continuing to claim she had a child and be deemed insane. That route is more believable than the ten year jump in which she has all of these memories that she chalks up to insanity because pictures were deleted from her phone.

    Her internalization when contemplating an abortion is, again, written how a man probably thinks a woman would wrestle with that choice but was not believable.

    There were many examples throughout the novel, but I’ll just say this—while many male authors do an exceptional job writing from a female POV, other male authors should stick to a male POV.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Melissa Bartz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    My Review:
    Mind blown!!!!! Another great book by this wonderful author. This is only my second book by this author and he’s impressed me so much. I can’t stop reading him for the life of me. Both books I read were full of twists and turns that I did not see coming not in a million years. They were also a roller coaster ride of every emotion available. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad or both at the same time. Mainly though I was shocked and speechless by the end of both the books. This one in particular struck a cord with me. I’m not sure whether it was the awesome characters or the intense plot or it could have been that rocking ending that did it for me but this one had it all. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

    In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    Helpful
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  • Heidi Pilling
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This one hooked me with the description and did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Only reason that it wasn't a 5 star for me is because it was a tiny bit incredulous.
    Helpful
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  • Marjorie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book greatly. It sure had me guessing. Wasn't until almost yo the end did I figure out what had occurred. This is a thriller as well as a mystery. It could have a sequel written. I think it is worth your time reading. That's why I gave it a five.
    Helpful
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  • TB
    4.0 out of 5 stars interesting concept
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What if the child you thought you had didn’t really exist? A very interesting concept for the book. I couldn’t put it down. There were a couple of surprises as well.
    Helpful
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  • F. Weakley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Tangled Web of Deceit!!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I guess it was too hard to end this book with a happily ever after??
    I do hope the answer to the 2 main questions will soon be revealed in the next book, right???
    I, along with a lot of other people who have read this book feel the same way.
    And by the way, it was a damn good read!!
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Shirley
    5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding book
    Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found the story very compelling. Kept my interest through. I couldn’t imagine going through what Karina went through but could totally understand how a mind can be manipulated into believing your crazy. Was happy Karina was reunited with her son and was able to co-parent with India
    Report
  • Satisfied Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Phantom Child
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    AJ Wills is a master storyteller! His books are relatable and full of twists and turns. This one has an incredible plot twist and ending. If you enjoy books by Claire McGowan, AJ Campbell and KL Slater, you’ll enjoy this easy read which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
    Report
  • Tracy Evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous.
    Reviewed in Australia on July 9, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved this book. It was my first time reading and AJ Wills novel and won't be the last.
    Fantastic storytelling, great plot twist and edge of your seat pace.
    Report
  • PiercedPrincess
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth sticking with
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found the first half of this book a little repetitive, but stuck with it and I am so glad I did. The pay off was worth it. Intricate twists, skillfully lead in one direction to enable a blindside just a few more chapters in. Worth a read
    Report
  • Wendy Gebbing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in Australia on March 15, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I absolutely loved the read, best book I’ve read. AJ Wills is a brilliant author. Highly recommend.
    Report

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