The Only Child A Novel
The Only Child, a novel by Mi-ae Seo, published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2020, spans 292 pages and is presented in English. This eerie and absorbing narrative follows criminal psychologist Seonkyeong as she navigates unsettling connections between a notorious serial killer and her newly arrived stepdaughter, Hayeong. When Seonkyeong receives an unexpected request for an interview from Yi Byeongdo, a serial killer known for his gruesome crimes, her curiosity leads her into a web of psychological intrigue that intertwines her professional and personal life.
Readers will find a gripping exploration of suspense and psychological tension as Seonkyeong delves into the pasts of both Yi Byeongdo and Hayeong. The young girl’s peculiar behavior and the troubling circumstances surrounding her arrival raise alarming questions that echo the killer’s own childhood trauma. As Seonkyeong uncovers startling similarities between the two, the narrative unfolds with a persistent creepiness that keeps the reader engaged. The Only Child is a compelling blend of horror, mystery, and psychological drama, making it a notable addition to the genres of thrillers and coming-of-age stories.
Official synopsis Publisher
An eerie and absorbing novel following a criminal psychologist who has discovered shocking and possibly dangerous connections between a serial killer and her stepdaughter. The book to read for fans of the movie Parasite.
Criminal psychologist Seonkyeong receives an unexpected call one day. Yi Byeongdo, a serial killer whose gruesome murders shook the world, wants to be interviewed. Yi Byeongdo, who has refused to speak to anyone until now, asks specifically for her. Seonkyeong agrees out of curiosity.
That same day Hayeong, her husband’s eleven-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, shows up at their door after her grandparents, with whom she lived after her mother passed away, die in a sudden fire. Seonkyeong wants her to feel at home, but is gradually unnerved as the young girl says very little and acts strangely.
At work and at home, Seonkyeong starts to unravel the pasts of the two new arrivals in her life and begins to see startling similarities. Hayeong looks at her the same way Yi Byeongdo does when he recounts the abuse he experienced as a child; Hayeong’s serene expression masks a temper that she can’t control. Plus, the story she tells about her grandparents’ death, and her mother’s before that, deeply troubles Seonkyeong. So much so that Yi Byeongdo picks up on it and starts giving her advice.
Written with exquisite precision and persistent creepiness, The Only Child is psychological suspense at its very best.
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