Like This, For Ever

Like This, For Ever follows Detective Lacey Flint as she investigates a series of child murders in London. Young boys are being found by the Thames River, and the killer seems to be leaving deliberate clues about their next target. The investigation becomes personal when Lacey forms a connection with Barney Roberts, an eleven-year-old boy who lives in her building. Barney is convinced he knows something about the murders and begins conducting his own dangerous amateur investigation alongside a group of schoolmates. As pressure mounts to catch the killer before another child dies, Lacey must navigate complex relationships with her colleagues, the media, and the local community. The story builds through multiple perspectives, including those of the children who find themselves drawn into the case. The novel explores themes of childhood innocence versus knowledge, the impact of fear on communities, and the ways trauma can echo across generations. Through its dual adult and child viewpoints, it raises questions about who can be trusted and how well anyone truly knows their neighbors.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced thriller with strong character development and intricate plotting. The inclusion of a child's perspective adds a unique element many found compelling. Numerous reviews note the atmospheric London setting and the building tension throughout. Readers appreciated: - Complex relationships between characters - Twists that felt earned rather than forced - Detective Lacey Flint's character development - The authentic portrayal of young Barney - Integration of the Thames River into the story Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers thought the ending was rushed - Several mentioned it was too dark for their taste Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (8,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) "The child narrator perspective works brilliantly," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another on Goodreads states: "The Thames becomes almost another character - dark and menacing."

The Treatment by Michael Robotham A detective hunts a child predator in London while grappling with his own son's disappearance three years prior.

Into the Dark by Robert Bryndza A female detective investigates the murders of young boys found in London's canals during winter.

The Butterfly House by Katrine Engberg Children connected to a hospital die in staged scenes across Copenhagen as two detectives race to stop a methodical killer.

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor A murder investigation connects present-day crimes to mysterious chalk drawings and the disappearance of children thirty years ago.

Little Face by Sophie Hannah A mother claims her infant has been replaced with another baby, leading police to uncover connections to past child abductions.

🔍 Sharon Bolton was actually known as S.J. Bolton until 2013, the year this book was published, when she began using her full name professionally. 🏆 Like This, For Ever (published as Lost in the US) is the third book in the Lacey Flint series, which has received multiple crime fiction award nominations. 🌉 The book's London setting features the Thames River prominently, with several key scenes taking place near famous bridges where young boys' bodies are discovered. 🧠 The story explores themes of childhood trauma and online grooming, reflecting real-world concerns about internet safety that were emerging strongly in the early 2010s. 👥 The novel uniquely alternates between Detective Lacey Flint's perspective and that of 11-year-old Barney Roberts, marking one of the few times in crime fiction where a child's viewpoint plays such a central role in a serial killer investigation.