This is an amazing book. There is a lot of irony and dilemmas in this book. I love how it feels like you traveling all over Russia. This is a very good book. It's an eye-opener. It’s full of surprises. It's almost like a big guy jumping out of nowhere to surprise you.

I like this book because of the unthink-ability the unpredictability. The end is a true eye opener.
Worth the read.
The karakters in the book are easy to remember, for me they act like russians and even feel like it.

This novel is a gripping, page turner. You may figure a few things out before the end, but I guarantee there will still be surprises.

Some members of our group found it too intense/powerful to finish. Those who did found it compelling and insightful. It led to a lively discussion

Prompted LOTS of discussion although some of our members could not read the selection due to its graphic and powerful nature. Given a strong 'thumbs up' by those of us who did read it. Smith has obviously done much research. Some wondered why he chose such a subject and why did he make it so gory.

I liked it enough, but there was a lot of descriptions of what the russians did under Stalin as torture. I have a feeling a lot of it is true since I hear stories from older relatives that lived through the war (because they escaped--other relatives were sent to siberia simply because they were land-owners) and hate what the Russians did to this day. The story was a little disapointing in the end--it has a bit of a sick twist at the end which I found unsatisfying.

Child 44” by Tom Rob Smith

“Child 44” is a debut novel by British Author, Tom Rob Smith. It is historical fiction based on the 1950’s Russian serial killer, Andrei Chikatilo, also know as “The Rostov Ripper”. This book is gripping, intense, and down right bone chilling! It is a completely original piece of work and is masterfully penned by Mr. Smith. The reader is immediately absorbed in this action-packed thriller. The story takes place in the 1950’s Stalinistic Russia at a time when people were controlled by fear. The reader is witness to the best and worst of humanity, and is exposed to a “terrifying look at a paranoid world where no one can be trusted.” I read this book at a breathless pace, though I did not want to miss one written word. From cover to cover, “Child 44” is one flawlessly executed novel
from my book bagg briefs @ www.keepitsimplesweetee.com/books.htm

as always, Hollywood may massacre this book so I recommend reading it now. Don't come looking for happy warm fuzzies, this book is set in the ramp up to the Cold War in the still forming Soviet Union.

Fast-paced and suspenseful, Child 44 is a book that is hard to put down. It is not great literature, but it is a good read.

Everyone loved this book! We had a lively discussion of Russia under Stalin, and came away with a deep appreciation of life in America. Although the book begins rather bleakly, it soon becomes hard to put down. There are a few twists that none of us saw coming! Several of our members plan to read the remaining two books in the trilogy.