Nick Fourcade, a detective in Bayou Breaux, Louisiana, is a loose cannon whose tendency to speak before he thinks often gets him into trouble. He is devoted to his wife, Annie Broussard, his colleague on the force. Nick, who has Cajun roots, often lapses into French—with words of affection for Annie and vulgar put-downs of his enemies. Tami Hoag’s latest thriller, “The Boy,” involves the savage slaying of seven-year-old KJ Gauthier. KJ’s mother, Genevieve, escaped from her son’s killer and has been hospitalized with severe bruises and stab wounds. Nick and Annie interview Genevieve, a drug user who has struggled for years to make a living and care for her hyperactive son.

Nick faces numerous obstacles in his search for justice. Genevieve refuses to reveal details about her past; Nick’s obnoxious and overbearing boss, Sheriff Kelvin Dutrow, is an arrogant blowhard who makes no secret that he would relish firing Fourcade; and local reporters are increasingly critical of the police for failing to solve this and other open cases. Later, another youngster disappears, and the pressure builds to find out why this small town has suddenly become a hotbed of crime. Yet another complication is Dutrow’s strained relationship with his fiancée, Sharon Spicer, a widower who worries more about her image than she does about her fourteen-year-old, Cameron.

“The Boy” is a dreary and violent tale about dysfunctional families, poverty, adultery, guilt, betrayal, and retribution. There are few likable characters with whom we can identify. Annie is the kindest and sanest of the lot, but she is perpetually worried about whether Nick’s hair-trigger temper will cost him his job. Adding to the chaos are the Florettes, a large clan who barely get by on a shoestring budget. Their mother, JoJean, allows her kids to run wild, with predictably disastrous consequences. The plot is too convoluted, the dialogue is harsh and profane, and the violent and melodramatic conclusion could not be more over-the-top. Still, the author maintains a high level of suspense, and she inserts compelling and timely psychological elements. Furthermore, Hoag skillfully evokes the colorful atmosphere and culture of Louisiana’s Cajun country. Most readers will be curious to learn who did what to whom and why, but there is so much savagery, rage, and viciousness in this work of fiction that “The Boy” turns out to be more disturbing than entertaining.
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Mystery

The Boy
4 Stars

Homicide detectives Nick Fourcade and Annie Broussard investigate the horrific attack on a young single mother and her small son, which left him dead and her struggling with severe injuries. As Nick and Annie question who would kill a child and leave a living witness, they must also contend with the disappearance of the boy's 12-year-old babysitter. Are the events connected and is someone targeting the children of Bayou Breaux?

Series note: As the events take place 6 years following the previous installment, it is possible to read this as a standalone. Nevertheless, readers interested in Nick and Annie's past should definitely read book #1.

Although the narrative is slow to start with the build-up of the details surrounding the crime and the introduction of the various characters and their motivations, the tension soon ratchets up and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting.

Once again, the setting is immersive and Hoag is skilled at drawing out the nuances of a small community with a diverse population as well as providing detailed descriptions for each and every character whether major or minor.

The updates on Nick and Annie's life are one of the highlights of the book. While it is clear that they love each other deeply, their conflicting personalities and the issues they must contend with in their daily lives provide a realistic portrayal of marriage being hard work.

The case itself is gripping with numerous twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. That said, there comes a time when the identity of the killer becomes glaringly obvious and all that remains is to follow along as the detectives reach the same conclusion.

In sum, an enjoyable sequel and I look forward to reading the next book, which comes out in June. ( )

This is really a 3 1/2 star book.
The story premise was great but my god how this book dragged on. One problem with female authors I’ve noticed is there is the tendency to add way to much detail around relationships and feelings of the characters in the story. That was true with this book and it added about 100 unneeded pages.
This is only the second book by this author I have read but I definitely like the twists the stories take and her use of misdirection. ( )

OMG What a heart wrenching story this was. I so love Tami Hoag and she sure didn't disappoint me with this one. To know Some police think they are above the law is an everyday occurance. They say abuse is learned at home and how sad Cameron was the biggest victim in the abuse. What the mother of those two children went through first with their daughter missing and then the brutal killing of her son.. All at the hands of a 14 year old. I was glad Cameron's mother finally stood up to Kelvin but I was so hoping to see his ass end up behind bars for what he put them all through. And for little KJ what a sad story for such a young little boy. To lose his life the way he did just made me sick. I can't remember when the ending of a book brought tears to me eyes. ( )