There is a beautiful simplicity to this novel that sits alongside an intricately layered plot, ensuring a hugely provocative and stimulating read. When Zhang pushes his in-laws to their death, he wasn’t expecting witnesses, or to be blackmailed by three children. Hats off to the hugely effective storytelling by Zijin Chen. Short sharp shocks of chapters hurtle along, focusing on different characters. The sense of place is extraordinarily vivid, I felt as though I was in China and a part of the story. So beautifully is Bad Kids translated by Michelle Deeter I felt entirely at home while looking around eyes-wide at the scenes I was viewing. The plot builds, layers shifting, altering, settling and overlapping as the next lands. At points I almost read through my fingers, flinching in expectation of what was to come. I felt a whole range of emotions, I flitted from amusement through to pity, and horror. The three youngsters are absolutely fascinating, their friendship had me hooked. The ending felt absolutely perfect and I sat back satisfied by this entertaining novel. Bad Kids is a humdinger of a read, dark, surprising, and completely addictive, it’s been chosen as a Liz Pick of the Month.
One beautiful morning, Zhang Dongsheng pushes his wealthy in-laws off a remote mountain.
It’s the perfect crime. Or so he thinks.
For Zhang did not expect that teenager Chaoyang and his friends would catch him in the act. An opportunity for blackmail presents itself and the kids start down a dark path that will lead to the unravelling of all their lives.
Dark, heart-stopping and violent, Bad Kids is the suspense thriller that has taken China by storm, proving that anyone has what it takes to become a killer.
I really loved [this] book... every twist and turn had me well and truly hooked... genius... one of those books where I was desperate to know how it might end, yet didn't want to reach the end! -- Jackie McLean, author of the DI Donna Davenport series
