Odd Child Out: A Novel by Gilly Macmillan

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

How well do you know the people you love…?

Best friends Noah Sadler and Abdi Mahad have always been inseparable.  But when Noah is found floating unconscious in Bristol’s Feeder Canal, Abdi can’t–or won’t–tell anyone what happened.

Just back from a mandatory leave following his last case, Detective Jim Clemo is now assigned to look into this unfortunate accident.  But tragedy strikes and what looked like the simple case of a prank gone wrong soon ignites into a public battle.  Noah is British.  Abdi is a Somali refugee.   And social tensions have been rising rapidly in Bristol.  Against this background of fear and fury two families fight for their sons and for the truth.  Neither of them know how far they will have to go, what demons they will have to face, what pain they will have to suffer.

Because the truth hurts.

my thoughts:

Wow! Talk about a riveting read.  I absolutely LOVED Odd Child Out by Gilly Macmillan. Its the second book in her DI Jim Clemo series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.  I've read the first book, What She Knew (and LOVED it as well), so I was definitely excited to pick up this next book in the series.  I just knew that it would be another unputdownable story chock full of drama, suspense and mystery - which happens to be my favorite kind of book to read during the holiday season.

Odd Child Out focuses on two best friends, Noah and Abdi.  Considered to be two peas in a pod, everyone is shocked when both boys are involved in an accident that leaves Noah comatose.  Abdi refuses to talk (at all) and tell anyone what happened.  Noah can't talk.  So, their parents are left to wonder what happened to both boys and how Noah wound up floating in the canal where he was found.  DI  Jim Clemo is called onto the scene to piece together the events leading up to Noah's accident.  Its his first case since being on mandatory leave, so he's definitely eager to be back on the job.  Clemo and his partner begin their investigation into the boys and their friendship - trying to figure out the truth as quickly as possible.  You see, Abdi and his family are refugees from Somalia, and the news media is using that fact to target Abdi as the villain. Of course, this creates even more drama and makes handling the case even more difficult for Clemo - especially as the main journalist happens to be his ex.  Talk about bitter exes! Now, I won't tell you what happened between Noah and Abdi, suffice it to say - Be prepared!   

Odd Child Out is a terrific story that explores the complexities of friendships; the hot button issues of race, immigration, and news media; and the realities of battling a terminal illness.  Macmillan's writing is top notch and her characters are unforgettable.  This is one book you won't want to miss!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Odd Child Out

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!