A Child to Cry Over by Vanessa C. Hawkins
Reviewed by James M. Fisher
A Child to Cry Over by New Brunswick author Vanessa C. Hawkins was recently shortlisted for a New Brunswick book award, so it immediately popped up on my radar, especially as it was joined by fellow shortlisters Felt by Mark Blagrave and Nachzehrer by Nelson Keane. (Reference: https://wfnb.ca/NBBA) Both of which I had read and enjoyed. So it behooved me to read Ms. Hawkins’ book.
“Ms. Hawkins masterfully maintains the tension through the first half of the narrative, before skilfully easing it and propelling the reader forward as Mary Jane’s newly established life begins to unravel.”
The story, inspired by real UK crimes, is set in St. George, New Brunswick. “Nearly 9-year-old” Maddy Bell faces a challenging childhood. Her father left her and her mother Marie for Candace, a drag queen, while her mother is now with "Uncle John," her husband's brother, who treats them well. Despite the support, they are low-income and live on the outskirts of town, often lacking money for Maddy's desires, awakening her early awareness and frustration about life's inequalities.
Uncle John works away a lot, so Marie needs to leave Maddy on her own a fair amount (with strict instructions), so Maddy, being the child that she is, revels in the independence, yet seeks more.
Maddy’s jealousy for what the other children have finds a target in little Sonny Peterson, a two-year-old who has a father and a mother and is soon to be taken to Disneyland, a place Maddy can only ever dream of going to. One day, Maddy lures Sonny away from his mother at the playground to the woods behind, where she tells him that kitties are to be found. What happens next is shrouded in mystery; Sonny either falls down a ravine to his death or is pushed by Maddy. The exact circumstances remain unclear throughout the story (and unclear in older Maddy’s memory, too). Whatever the case, Sonny is dead, and Maddy was last seen with him, evidently poking at his insides with a stick.
“Ms. Hawkins masterfully maintains the tension through the first half of the narrative. She then skilfully releases it and propels the reader forward as Mary Jane’s newly established life begins to unravel.”
We next catch up with Maddy Bell — now Mary Jane Hill — ten years later as she is released from a correctional facility, given a new name and identity and relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick to start rebuilding her life. However, her past never escapes her, as coincidentally, a woman in St. George is murdered shortly after news of her release (but not her whereabouts) is made public. The public, being what they are, demand to know where “Mad” Maddy Bell is and did she commit this recent murder as well?
In the following excerpt, Mary Jane has been involved in an assault at a grocery store in which she viciously attacked a man who insulted her new friend Sara:
The officers made a face but shook their heads. She was going to be taken to the police station, but it was better to just admit her fault and let it happen. It wasn't like she was going to have any work tomorrow.
"Have you ever been arrested before, Miss?"
Mary Jane rubbed her lips together and counted all the people that were standing in the room.
"Miss?"
"Yes, I have." She wasn't sure what to say. No was a lie, but was it a lie she was allowed to tell? No one at the home had prepared her for something like this.
"What was the reason for your arrest?" Officer Hanley was looking at his partner when he asked the question. Even Sara, who was standing behind her, perked up when she'd admitted to a prior offense. Should she have said anything? Wasn't lying to police an offense in itself? Mary Jane had never been arrested, but Maddy...
"I..." Mary Jane stumbled. Sara was still in the room. Sara probably thought she'd say for drug possession or because she had been under the influence of an illegal narcotic. Sara would never expect her friend to say, "I killed someone."
Ms. Hawkins demonstrates great skill in crafting dialogue. Often, dialogue in writing suffers from unnaturally excessive verbosity, with characters delivering lengthy expositions that rarely occur in genuine verbal exchanges. A Child to Cry Over has been categorized as a “psychological thriller,” though the term “thriller” might be somewhat dramatic. It is undoubtedly psychological, as Maddy possesses a “voice” that communicates with her—whether one interprets it as her conscience or alter ego—which contributes to its suspenseful atmosphere. While it is expected that her past will eventually come to light, Ms. Hawkins masterfully maintains the tension through the first half of the narrative. She then skilfully releases it and propels the reader forward as Mary Jane’s newly established life begins to unravel.
Meet the Author
Tell us where the idea for this book came from.
I was working overseas in South Korea when I came up with the idea. Based on true-crime stories from the UK, the prospect of a child murderer intrigued me. The ideas of nature versus nurture, and how the environment can impact childhood development. There have been a few cases of juveniles who have committed crimes and been released with new identities, and the concept of leaving everything behind and starting anew after being held in a facility for most of one's adolescent life is incredibly fascinating to me. I wanted to explore that concept through my novel, and through Maddy Bell. I don't aim to villainize, but to tell a story. Furthermore, I love flawed, gray characters and I love hearing readers' reactions to them.
How did you go about choosing a place in NB to set the story?
Stephen King says to write what you know. When writing about a young, eight-year-old girl, I wanted people to really resonate with the fact that she is a child, so I used a lot of my own memories and experiences in childhood when writing her. Of course, like I've said, the environment is one key factor of the story's premise, and so what better place to use but the one I grew up in?
This book was published in 2020 (?) I believe. Why republish it with a new cover, etc? (BTW, I really liked the cover) Do you plan on giving any of your other books a makeover?
When A Child to Cry Over was first published, it was done so by an American publisher. Though I am extremely grateful to them for taking it on, I felt like it really needed a place that could complement its setting and roots. After a few attempts, it came to be as it is. I wanted a new cover because, well, frankly, covers are fun to do and make up. I'm happy you liked the cover. I have a few with red sprayed edges that are just heavenly, in my opinion. I'll probably redo a few others down the line. But right now I've a few other projects on the go. Books are like people, though; they change with the times, and sometimes that means old pants don't fit as well anymore.
How do you feel about being shortlisted next to the two books up for the Mrs. Dunster's award for fiction?
I am extremely thrilled to be among such wonderful company. The NB writer's community, by large, is absolutely amazing, and the chance to meet more esteemed writers is a blessing. I am looking forward to meeting and engaging with Mark Blagrave and Nelson Keane at the soirée, and wish them both the best of luck.
What's next for Vanessa C. Hawkins?
Oh, where to start. It seems like everything happens at once, does it not? In May (the weekend before the soirée), I will be releasing my new novel, Alice in Horrorland, at the Write Cup Café in Saint John. They want to do a spooky tea party, and I am super-duper-over-the-moon excited about it. I will also be attending a residency in St Andrew's this September, and as a busy-- and tired... so tired--Mom, can't wait for the opportunity to just write and create in the ambience of the KIRA Residence. I've about 70 pages of a new novel started, and since it has been my aim to publish one story every year, I have some work to do if I want to be prepared for 2026.
About the Author
A life-long lover of horror, Vanessa wrote her first story when she was in grade five. It was titled Mutilated and warranted a trip to the school guidance counsellor. With over a dozen publications under her belt, Vanessa is not only a proud mom, but a bestselling author. She was afforded second place in the David Adams Richards Prize last year, and honourable mentions in the WFNB writing competition for her novel A Child to Cry Over. She lives with her husband Brendon and daughter Bernie in Canada, and still hasn’t gotten the dog she was promised seven years ago…
Book Details
Publisher : CSG Publishing House (Nov. 30 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 1738853675
ISBN-13 : 978-1738853670