My Review: Through The Cracks By Honey Brown

A brilliantly written book that takes aim at some extremely difficult and disturbing subject matter. Australian author, Honey Brown does not shirk the issues of child abduction, child sexual abuse, imprisonment, homelessness and hopelessness in this novel. 

Adam is a teenage boy who has spent his formative years imprisoned in a suburban house. Eventually Adam stands-up to his aging captor and rejoins the world. Free at last, Adam has a chance meeting with Billy, a streetwise teenager, who takes Adam under his wing and introduces him to an outside world that he has never knowingly experienced. As Adam flourishes and grows as a person under the guidance of Billy they both begin to realise they are part of a much bigger issue. 

As the layers are unravelled and the level of abuse, depravity and hopelessness is uncovered, the reader is taken on a dark journey of despair followed by uplifting hope for a better outcome. 

The background to this novel is every parent's nightmare, but it is the relationships between the characters that is the true and rewarding focus. Congratulations to Honey Brown for having the courage to tackle such divisive issues and kudos for the compassionate and skilful way she takes the reader with her on the journey. Take my advice and get on board!

Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Australia for my Advanced Reader Copy.