The remarkable story of one of the most famous murder mysteries of the last decade
The Boy in the River
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'The Boy in the River is Hoskin s account of his involvement with not only the Adam case, but a decade of abuse and murder cases involving African children in Britain. Intermingled with details of these sinister cases are vignettes from Hoskin s own life. His connection to the unsettling world of traditional African religions is, we discover, intense and personal.' --Sunday Times Culture
'As well as being an important book for all sorts of reasons, The Boy in the River is a remarkable one. The horror it evokes will be matched by a sense of disbelief that such appalling things are happening, now, in London. What makes it all the more powerful is the deliberately measured manner in which it is written. Throughout, there s a sense that Hoskins is struggling to maintain his own equilibrium, his own sanity even, as he explores what he calls, with ample justification, the darkest underbelly of human nature ' --Evening Standard
'An eye-opening book that makes a strong case for cultural understanding'
--The Economist
'As well as being an important book for all sorts of reasons, The Boy in the River is a remarkable one. The horror it evokes will be matched by a sense of disbelief that such appalling things are happening, now, in London. What makes it all the more powerful is the deliberately measured manner in which it is written. Throughout, there s a sense that Hoskins is struggling to maintain his own equilibrium, his own sanity even, as he explores what he calls, with ample justification, the darkest underbelly of human nature ' --Evening Standard
'An eye-opening book that makes a strong case for cultural understanding'
--The Economist
Book Description
On 21st September 2001 the mutilated torso of a small child was found floating beside London’s Tower Bridge, one tide away from being swept into the North Sea. Unable to identify the victim, the Murder Squad turned to Richard Hoskins, a young professor of theology with a profound understanding of African tribal religion, whose own past was scarred by a heartbreaking tragedy. Thus began a journey into the tangled undergrowth of one of the most notorious murder cases of recent years; a journey which would reveal not only the identity of the boy they called Adam but the horrific truth that a succession of innocent children have been ritually sacrificed in our capital city. Insightful and grippingly written, The Boy in the River is an inside account of a series of extraordinary criminal investigations and a compelling personal quest into the dark heart of humanity.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dr Hoskins time spent in Africa was both heart warming but also tragic. How he continued to live his life afterwards is unimaginable but he did. He was drawn into Adam's case and others after that are so harrowing it's hard to believe people can be so evil. Dr Hoskins never loses his humanity and tells of the impact these cases had on him and his family. I am glad there are still people in this world like Dr Hoskins and the police officers who took such time and care to discover Adam's story. Read this book and remember it is not a reflection of the people of Africa but of those who hide their own psychopathy behind kindoki. May Adam Ikpomwosa rest in peace
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Liz B
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Richard Hoskins has managed to draw the reader into the world of ritual killings in a compelling read...I loved it and couldn't bear to put it down ..as westerners the thought process of child sacrifice is an anathema, but Richard manages to portray that horrific as it is, this in confined to a small 'fringe religious sect' and there is real sympathy for the majority of the Congolese people who certainly do not condone this...
His evocative description of living in Kinshala drew me in, and I could almost smell and feel the heat and living conditions..
An extraordinary story that deserved to be told..RIP Adam
Highly recommended
His evocative description of living in Kinshala drew me in, and I could almost smell and feel the heat and living conditions..
An extraordinary story that deserved to be told..RIP Adam
Highly recommended
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Becky
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm always slightly dubious about crime-fiction, or even novels that are 'based on true accounts', The Boy in The River however has led me to seriously reconsider my choice in reading. I saw Dr Hoskins on various news channels and was intrigued by his commitment. The story consists of two seemingly distinct strands- The Congo in the late 80s, and London in 2000. Yet it soon becomes clear that Richard's personal story and work with the police are intricately bound together. His life in Africa gave him the cultural experience that enabled him to assist the police on one of the most harrowing cases of the decade. The story itself is beautifully written; think Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Kingsolver's The Posionwood Bible and you are there. Hoskins' character depictions are so true to life, humorous even. If ever literature could be deemed vicarious, it is found in The Boy in the River. What becomes clear in the narrative is that ritualistic killings are happening and are not as distanced from our Western lifestyle as we may like to imagine. Hoskins has since worked on other cases; namely the Kristi Bamu trial in which a conviction was drawn. The fact that Adam's killer remains unfound does not hinder this account in any way, rather it makes it all the more poignant, gripping and personal. A fantastic read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling - a must read for everyone
This isn't the type of book I would normally go for to be honest, but my partner read it and insisted that I should follow suit - and how glad I am that I did! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lee S
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic story and could read it again.
Loved the book and the author was so explicit in telling his story, it is difficult to believe this could happen today.
Published 1 month ago by hello1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trafficking, murder, and wrenching personal drama
From the moment a little boy's mutilated torso was found floating in the Thames over a decade ago now, anyone who followed the news knew this was going to be no ordinary crime. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tom Macaulay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Must read!
This is book is most definitely a must read. I don't normally read books because i can't get in to them, but I tried reading this book as it was written by a former teacher and i... Read more
Published 1 month ago by abcd123
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a page turner!!!
I read this book a few months ago and was amazed how quickly I finished it! You can't put it down! This book tells a tragic story but offers a wonderful insight into 'Adam's Case'... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rebecca R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic! Couldn't put the book down
I read this book with an open mind to what I might discover...absolutely amazing, every page was a revelation. Congratulations Richard Hoskins and thank you.
Published 1 month ago by Firsttine
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting yet disturbing read
I like reading non-fiction and this was no exception.
It was a sad yet compelling read and also showed the fragility of the author as well. Read more
It was a sad yet compelling read and also showed the fragility of the author as well. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ian Havis
4.0 out of 5 stars
engrossing
Really enjoyed this book. I remember the case. Well written i liked the way the author alternated the chapters between his past and present. Read more
Published 3 months ago by deborah allen
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
this story was amazing - even though sad, well written and had me gripped. Opened my eyes to what goes on in the world!
Published 3 months ago by Donna_Marie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
A great insight into current events in Africa and Europe. The discovery of a young child's body in the Thames is set against people using religion to seek power and influence... Read more
Published 3 months ago by jesa
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