This book was a decent read. It was very tragic in the fact that the consequences of a little girl not feeling the love she’s supposed to feel from her mother ended up as they were.
The main character of the book goes through a lot, which is often forgotten in light of consequences of actions of people like herself who suffer greatly as children, therefore losing or never gaining a grasp on how to love and how to act correctly. I thought the book was a great exploration of that.
I’d definitely recommend this book but would advise taking it careful as some subjects in it could be quite traumatising.
I ended up listening to the audiobook of this one and the performance was really good. I was always left wanting to know more and keep going in the story to find out what was going to happen.

Ooooft, where do I start with this eery thriller? I didn't think this book would scare me or having me on the edge of my seat with sheer fear but it did. The opening to the book, an 8-year-old girl killed a 2-year-old boy and she enjoyed it, it made her feel good. What a child. It makes you question a lot about her life, was she neglected, did she have parents who cared; has she been physically abused and this is why she done it?

I had so many questions from the beginning and right through to the end. I kept thinking, part of me felt sad for her and sorry because of how her life has turned out. What she had to go through so young and what she done, not knowing how serious it was and the effect it would have on her in later life.

A very poignant, thrilling and gripping read. Thank you to Nancy for allowing me this ARC and to Netgalley for supplying it.

The first line of this book really hooks the reader in . An 8 year old girl has killed a little boy and it made her feel good.

This book is so compelling, and while the idea of what an 8 year old is capable of is utterly terrifying and sickening, somehow Nancy Tucker made it easy to read, made you want to read it and stay involved in the story.

Must read book of 2021

This is a brilliant book. Sad, funny and extremely thought provoking, Chrissie is a character that will live long in your mind. Amazing book that will stay with you

fully neglected 8 year old Chrissie kills another child and is sent to juvenile detention. After her release she is given a new identity as Julia and becomes a mother to Molly. When Molly is hurt accidentally, Julia is so convinced Molly will be taken away by social services that she jeopardizes the stability of their lives.

The narrative moves back and forth between Julia and Chrissie, slowly revealing the misconceptions and hardships that lead to Chrissie's crime. Chrissie is a startling character - clever, endearingly blunt and resourceful. I found the depiction of Chrissie's hunger so evocative I could sometimes almost feel it gnawing away at me too as I read. Despite knowing from the outset what Chrissie has done it's impossible not to root for her.

While I loved the writing and characterisation in this book, Chrissie/Julia is so obviously inspired by Mary Bell that I found it hard to get past. I felt uneasy with that as there are so many similarities and it also meant that the story was predictable to me in places. That said, I did really enjoy this and was always compelled to read on. A small little detail I loved about the characterisation was that Molly embodies some of Chrissie's bluntness and cunning. There's so much sadness and harm in this book but a chink of hope too.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

CW: child murder, harm to children, neglect/abuse of a child

This wasn't what I was expecting from this book but it was a gripping read full of so many emotions. I expected to hate Chrissie but I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It's a dark story but it's written well. We get to see the plot unfold from the POV of 8 year old Chrissies and adult Julia as she tries to move on and be a good mother. The chapters from the child's POV were written so well it really felt like I was listening to a child. It's a tough and heartbreaking read but I couldn't stop thinking about it.

A crime committed by a child, murder. One would think that you would hate this child, but I actually felt very sorry and sad reading about the life this child had. Both parents totally self absorbed and unworthy of the term "parent". A well written book expressing the feelings of this child and later adult. It makes you realise how lucky one is to have been cared for and loved by your parents. Despite everything that happened as an 8 year old, Chrissie still had a very good friend in Linda (her childhood "best friend") when they eventually met again as young mothers. This book explored how a child sees life and death, friends, and parents. She will live with what she did as a child for the rest of her life, but it would appear she is trying to make sure she is not her mother and therefore her own daughter will grow up with a full stomach, cared for and loved.

The First Day Of Spring Nancy Tucker
Oh my, what a read!! I think I went through every emotion reading this book.
I started off reading this book, then bought the audio version, and the narrator was incredible.
It feels so wrong to love Chrissie, yet you just can't help it. I loved the alternating chapters and the way the story played out. This book will mess with my head for a long long time.
8 year old Chrissie has just killed a little boy, then we hear the story from her at 8 and then as an adult, the chapters as an 8 year old broke my heart, I just wanted life to be kinder to this child.

Exceptionally written, and I loved every minute.

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've read it. I read this as a buddy read and found myself messaging about it days after we'd finished reading.
I can't honestly say though that it's a book I enjoyed. It's a traumatic subject matter, looking at the effects of neglect on a child and how it affects them not only while they're a child but also in later life as an adult with a child of their own.
This was a hard read and I would like to think that a life, such as it is, lived by Chrissie could not happen in modern day UK. I'd like to think that social services, teachers, doctors and the police would intervene. They all had a chance to make a difference, none of them did.

This is not a book that will appeal to some people it was quite a difficult read.
Narrated through the eyes of Chrissie an eight year old child killer & adult Julia whom Chrissie is now known by.
It is quite upsetting at times & although you sympathised with what Chrissie went through as a child it’s hard to get by what she did.
She now has a child of her own & is trying really hard to be a good mother.
Chrissie was very abused & neglected herself & feels out of her depth at times.
After what she did you may ask yourself does she deserve this second chance.
You will no doubt go through mixed emotions reading this as I know I did.
Despite it being a very dark read it also had it’s lighter moments too.
An extraordinary multi layered read not for the feint hearted.

I have never read anything quite like this book and whilst I thought it was brilliantly written and a fantastic story I also found the content very disturbing and hard to read.

8 year old Chrissie has just killed a little boy and she liked how it made her feel. She knows what she did was wrong but she loves the power it gave her. Twenty years later Chrissie is Julia with a child of her own trying to be the best mother she can. The narrative flicks from Chrissie to Julia and is as constantly compelling as it is horrifying. I can't say I loved it but that's just down to finding it such a disturbing story. It was however very well written and a quick and gripping read.

The First Day of Spring is an incredibly moving novel that tackles a sensitive issue with deep understanding and honesty. Chrissie is eight years old, unloved, neglected and emotionally abused. She commits an unforgivable act and afterwards feels an immense sense of power and control.
Julia remembers Chrissie’s actions all too well and the repercussions are causing her insurmountable anxiety. She is convinced she is a bad mother and her daughter Molly will be taken away from her by social services.
The story moves between these two characters and despite the shocking events within the book, the narrative is incredibly humorous at times. The day to day experiences and thoughts of Chrissie are heartbreaking and show how deeply damaged children can be led into terrible situations. I have experience of working within youth custody and feel the representation of Chrissie in this book is both accurate and compassionate.

I've just finished this book, and I'm not really sure what to make of it. The First Day of Spring follows the story of Chrissie, an 8 year old girl who has just committed the murder of a small boy. The book is split between Chrissie's story and the story of her as an adult, and mother, with a new identity.

It is very well written and I feel that the author captured Chrissie and her battles perfectly. It was a raw and honest account of her troubled upbringing and friendships. The characters were likable and I found myself really wanting it to work out for Chrissie/Julia. The subject matter was difficult as it covered topics such as child abuse, murder and neglect.

Despite liking both the writing style and the characters, there was just something about this book that didn't click for me and I can't put my finger on what that is. Instead of wanting to keep reading 'just one more chapter', I found myself thinking 'this is a long chapter'.

Overall, I did enjoy it and I think it's a really good book, it just wasn't quite right for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

It sounds mad to say I really enjoyed this book as it does cover a dark subject matter but I found it refreshingly honest and both the character of the young Chrissie, the child killer and the older woman and mother she becomes were authentic and believable. There is humour in amongst the bleakness of Chrissie’s terribly neglected young life and I warmed to her even though we are told practically on page 1 that she has killed a two year old child. Even after she has served her punishment and is given a chance of a new life, she still punishes herself. The book is very well written and impeccably researched. I’ll be looking out for more from this great writer.

It's great to be in a position to recommend much more diverse books to our young people at school. Building the senior school library as a place where students actually come and find books that they want to read as opposed to books that teachers think they ought to read is an important responsibility and one we take really seriously.
Books like this are such a positive move as they will appeal to a broader set of readers than we are usually attracting. Dealing with modern issues in a clear and captivating way with a strong narrative voice and characters that the students can relate to is critical as we move forwards. This book is both an intelligent and compelling read that will hold even the most reluctant reader's attention and keep them turning the pages long into the night. It keeps the reader on their toes and ensures that you give it your full attention too. I found myself thinking about its characters and events even when I wasn't reading it and looking forward to snatching kore time with it and I hope that my students feel the same. An accessible, gripping and engrossing read that I can't recommend highly enough. Will absolutely be buying a copy for the library and heartily recommending it to both staff and students.

3.5 stars. This is a dark uncomfortable read following the story of 8 year old Chrissie who begins the book by declaring to the reader that she has just murdered a 2 year old boy. The timeline then splits following Chrissie in the aftermath revealing a dysfunctional young girl who is clearly a product of her upbringing which is one of abject neglect and devoid of parental love. This alternates with following the same character in her mid 20s after her release and now a mother herself. It explores the theme of nature vs nurture and offers an interesting perspective into how a child-killer might try to rebuild their life after serving their sentence, how they might live with horrors they inflicted and how someone can still be serving a life sentence despite having their freedom. The book is well written and Nancy Tucker’s superb turn of phrase ensures Chrissie’s 8 year old voice is authentic and despite the subject matter and the neglect that she endures there are moments of humour but I found large parts of this book very repetitive (same thing different day) and I admit I got a little bored during the last third of the book. It’s a slow burning page-turner and overall I enjoyed it.. well as much as one can enjoy reading a book about a child-killer!! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. What a dark and intense read. It took a while to get used to Nancy Tucker’s writing style but boy did she blow me away. Ultimately, you feel intense sympathy for Chrissy. Failed by her parents and society.
Anyone who has taken part of safeguarding training will have come across ACE’s (adverse childhood experiences) This book documents this so well in my opinion. Although fiction it would be a great learning tool.
I had to sit and process this book after the final pages. It’s a powerful read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an arc

Not for me at all I’m sorry to say. I couldn’t finish it, maybe just the way I am feeling but it was too dark and depressing for me and I didn’t like the writing style. Thank you to Netgalley for this proof.

The First Day of Spring blew me away – what an intense, dark but gripping read! This book takes the reader on a real rollercoaster and made me really think about how we judge people without knowing what elements in their past might make them behave a certain way, all whilst remaining very readable and unique. The story starts with Chrissie, an eight-year-old girl who has some real problems. She is mean, twisted and violent – and as we start the book, Chrissie has just killed a young toddler. We then find out more about her background and family life, meaning I felt a bit of sympathy for her – but not a lot, I have to admit, because she just seems like such a horrible, unlikeable child! But, as we soon discover, her upbringing has been pretty horrible too, so she hasn’t had the luxury of a solid and loving family.

Fast forward twenty years and we reconnect with Chrissie, now living as Julia with a new identity. She’s got a child of her own, which immediately rang alarm bells for me – a) should she be allowed to be looking after a child with her history? and b) will her daughter end up just like her? This no doubt reflects the judgemental thoughts the general public would have about her if they knew she was actually Chrissie. Julia feels those worries too, and we see inside her head as an adult and realise her childhood has truly messed her up (no surprises there) but she’s trying to be better.

This book is such a skillfully written book as it really makes you confront your assumptions and possible prejudices about people. Obviously, what Chrissie did as a child was horrendous – she ruined another family’s life forever in the worst possible way – but as this novel continues we see more and more that she was a product of her horrible upbringing. It’s a difficult and emotional read at times – and very, very dark.

I wouldn’t recommend reading this if you’re wanting an uplifting book, as it definitely doesn’t fit into that category, but if you’re in the market for something bold, thought-provoking and intense then this is a really intriguing novel. I found it hard to put down and will certainly be reading future novels from Nancy Tucker.

A hard topic to read about but executed amazingly. I was hooked within reading the first page. Some parts were harder to read than normal. But I will be recommending this book to friends and family!