The Dead Kids Club, by Rich Hosek – A Book Review

I was recently at Galaxy Con Richmond, when a book on a table caught my eye: The Dead Kids Club. My first thought was it’s about ghost kids. So I inquired. I quickly learned, from the author himself, it’s a book about parents who lost a child to someone else’s criminal negligence. However, the cherry on top of what is already the literal worst thing that could happen to anyone ever, is their children’s killers are free. 

Check out another book review from Lauren: In Any Lifetime.

The Overall Story of the Book, ‘The Dead Kids Club’

This book immediately kicks off with the death of the main couple’s child, Nick. Details are spared as this book is less about trauma, and more so about revenge. It’s also about how horribly odd grief can be.

The parents are divorced, but suddenly find themselves grieving together because no one else understands what they’re going through. That is until they join a club for parents who have also lost their children. The more they go, the more they learn many other parents are in the same situation they are, and feel the same way they do. How can you grieve a loss and move on, when the person who caused that loss continues to live their life?

When the decision is made that Nick’s killer must go for his parents to find peace, there’s just a bit of a hiccup. Nick’s killer is the son of a mob boss, and has been a made guy his entire adult life. Mobsters don’t often let things like murder, go.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

In my conversation with the author, Rich Hosek, he mentioned Dexter at the same moment it popped in my head. He had me hooked right there. My favorite serial killer, mixed in with a mob story. I’m a sucker for both. However, the really intriguing thought is what is a normal person actually capable of? Things I would never do for myself, I would 100% do for my kids. I don’t think I’m capable of murder, but you never know. This couple didn’t think they were either. Until they were.

I love the dynamic between the parents. Sadly many people drift apart after a tragedy as we tend to judge others for not grieving in the same way we feel grief should be felt. You either move on too quick, or can’t seem to get away from the pain. There is no right way to move on from a tragedy. However, one of the ways Rebecca has come to find bits of peace had me smiling, and thinking, good for her.

Overall, this was a fantastic story that deals with trauma, grief, and has so many twists and turns along the way. Whether you’re a parent or not, you’ll immediately get sucked in. There isn’t a dull moment in the entire book. Every time you think you know where the story is headed, it takes a turn. The Dead Kids Club flows beautifully throughout while constantly throwing new information your way.

Where to find ‘The Dead Kids Club’

For more books from Rich Hosek, or for links to purchase his books, head to his website by clicking HERE. If you read along, let us know what you thought in the comments below. Got a book you’d like reviewed before you read it? Let us know that too! 

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