Review of The Boy in the Basement

[Stephanie Runyon]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Boy in the Basement" by Angela Lacy McClintock.]

---

4 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Hurt people hurt people. In a majority of cases involving abuse, the parents pass the behavior on to their children. Abuse can continue until someone intervenes and says "stop". Child Protective Services is one entity responsible for stopping abuse and neglect. In Angela Lacy McClintock’s The Boy In the Basement, a fictional story offers insight into the social worker’s role.

Jennifer Riley is a supervisor of the Severe Abuse Unit. Her unit handled serious injuries and the deaths of children. On Halloween night, she sent Daniel Bradshaw to investigate an emergency case. A six-month-old baby was on a ventilator at the hospital. Little Carrie Ossie had a traumatic brain injury resulting from Shaken Baby Syndrome. The doctor gave Daniel a grim outcome for Carrie. Her mother, BJ, exhibited signs of drug use, and her story didn’t line up. When Daniel told her he would test her for drugs, she admitted to relapsing. She had also left her son with Brian McArthur. Someone had seen her over a year ago for domestic violence and drug abuse. She wasn’t supposed to be with Brian.

Meanwhile, Christopher Barry was being admitted to the hospital after being found in a locked freezer. They admitted his mother to the psychiatric ward in a catatonic state. Jennifer assigned Michael to the case. When Christopher was awake, they introduced Michael. He told Christopher that he was there to make sure he was safe. The nine-year-old bonded with Michael and relayed what his life had been like after his mother had made him live in the basement. Jennifer interviewed Christopher’s mother and found Mrs. Barry is mentally ill.

I liked how detailed the investigations were. It showed the steps that each of the investigators took to determine what caused the injuries to the children. They addressed secondary trauma. Each social worker had to cope with the pain of finding an abused child. There is a forty percent turnover of child welfare workers every year.

I think including an office romance involving Jennifer and Daniel wasn’t necessary to include in the book. It took the focus off of the dramatic tone of the book. The end disappointed me because it focused on the romance aspect. I also found the transitions from one person to another had no clear break to follow. This could make it difficult for some readers to follow the storyline.

I rate The Boy in the Basement 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted a star for the transition issue. The book was professionally edited. This novel has disturbing content about child abuse, molestation, and drug use. It's for adult readers who are not sensitive to such topics. I think it gives an excellent picture of what Child Protective Services has to deal with daily.

******
The Boy in the Basement
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Rica Concepcion]

I will consider this book a try. It so heartbreaking book, even if it is just fictional. We all know that abuse, molestation, and drug use are present in our time, and there are people who are living testimony to all of that violence. Readers should prepare themselves for the emotion-provoking concept of this book. Well done, review.

[Neha Sachdeva]

"The Boy in the Basement" offers detailed insight into child abuse investigations. While the intricate plots and social worker roles are commendable, the unnecessary romance detracts from its impactful message. Transitions can be confusing. Overall, a professionally edited, thought-provoking depiction of Child Protective Services' challenges. 4/5 stars.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I get your point. The romance subplot could be a nice breather from all the tragedy, but it can also deflect the attention from the really important issues. It breaks my heart that some children have to go through this. Is the Severe Abuse Unit a real thing?

[NetMassimo]

This is a tough story considering that abuse, especially against children, is at the center of its plot. I need to be in the right mood to read it. Thank you for your great review!

[Cheryl Erickson]

It fills my eyes with tears to read stories about children facing such horrible tragedies in their everyday lives. I am thankful for people that work for Child Protective Services because I don't believe I would be able to that difficult job. Thank you for the detailed and insightful review.

[Karan+cr07]

I will consider this book a try. It so heartbreaking book, even if it is just fictional. We all know that abuse, molestation, and drug use are present in our time, and there are people who are living testimony to all of that violence. Readers should prepare themselves for the emotion-provoking concept of this book.

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

I have a heavy heart when I read books with themes of child abuse, molestation, and other related dark topics. This book is surely an emotional read. Thank you for your compelling review, Stephanie!

[Anaïs Quesson]

This seems like a really heavy book. I think I will give it a try, but I'll definitely wait until I'm in the right 'mood' (if you can ever be in the mood for reading about molested children..)
Thank you for your review Stephanie, it is really clear and complete!