The Adoption

A Psychological Thriller

Fiction - Suspense
369 Pages
Reviewed on 07/12/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

After a few years of trying to conceive, my wife and I decided to adopt. And then, not long after that momentous decision, I was standing naked in the shower (I haven’t showered with my clothes on since my drinking days), when this thought came out of nowhere: What if the impending adoption isn’t anything remotely close to what we expect? What if everything we were told was a lie? From those thoughts, "The Adoption" was born. Of course, this is fiction and real life turned out much, much different. What a relief.

I have loved reading ever since, as a teenager, I read Stephen King's "The Stand." I have loved writing too, but had to put that on hold to raise a family. But in 2013, I began writing and my short story "The Attic," received 18th place out of 5,900 entries and was included in the Writer's Digest 2013 short, short story competition anthology. Mardibooks, the London-based publisher, also included my work in an anthology. My short story "Affliction" was an editors pick on Book Country, the online website run by Penguin Books.

The Adoption is my first full-length novel. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my lovely wife and three wonderful adopted children, ages 13, 11 and 9. I write in the early morning hours before work and I am currently working on - at reader's request - the sequel to The Adoption.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Corruption, greed, black operations, shadowy organisations and the lust for unadulterated power is the setting for Gregory Meritt’s The Adoption. Claire and Logan just wanted a child to complete their lives but, unable to have one of their own, they turned to the adoption route and were rewarded with a beautiful, five-year-old girl by the name of Samantha. Samantha, however, was much more than she appeared to be on the surface. Part of a dangerous experiment conducted by a secret organisation hidden beneath the desert, Samantha is just one of two children “created” by this shadowy organisation and imbued with special powers that the backer hopes will eventually allow him to rule the world. Caught up in an unstoppable chain of events, Claire, Logan and Samantha find themselves running for their very lives, unsure of who or what was after them and who to trust.

This story is incredibly fast-moving and, for me, was an absolute page-turner. I really had to find where the tale was ultimately going to lead. For a debut novel, The Adoption has certainly struck all the right chords with me, the reader. As what may well be the first in a series of stories about the crime-fighting organisation Omega, this book certainly piqued my interest. The author took us on a journey full of twists and turns, engaged in the ultimate of all battles: good vs evil. The characters were strong and believable. I especially liked the way Samantha and her seven-year-old compatriot in the experiment, Scott, were the perfect antitheses of each other in all ways. This story is well written and would be an absolute must-read for conspiracy theorists, but anyone that loves a good, rollicking, spy-style story will certainly enjoy this book. A great first effort from Meritt.

Jack Magnus

The Adoption: A Psychological Thriller is a novel of suspense written by Gregory Meritt. Claire and Logan Keller had been trying for a child for some time now, and the couple had finally begun seriously considering adoption as an alternative. Now that the appointment with the adoption agency was just one day away, Claire was beginning to feel both excited and not a little scared, as she admitted to her neighbor and close friend, Thelma. The older woman had been like a mother to both Claire and her husband, until recently. When Thelma’s husband, Harold, died, and she claimed to have seen him appear at the foot of her bed shortly thereafter, Logan began to distance himself from her, as he was not comfortable with the world of psychics, mediums and spiritualists. Thelma was, as Claire had predicted, quite happy for the couple and she looked forward to being a grandmother to the young girl. Claire even had the name of the child they would be interviewed about. Her name was Samantha Jennings, and she was five years old. The agency had been recommended by Logan’s college friend and now business partner. It all seemed surprisingly easy and straightforward, but why was Claire having second thoughts about it all?

Gregory Meritt’s novel of suspense, The Adoption: A Psychological Thriller, is a fast-paced and exciting story featuring elements of the supernatural, science fiction and high tech. The author’s plot builds beautifully from that initial visit between Claire and Thelma, and the mystery behind the ease with which the adoption process goes through and the somewhat strange adoption agency will have readers wondering just what will happen next. Merritt weaves a cautionary tale about the use of genetics and pharmaceuticals to create superhumans and the unethical forces that would treat those subjects as both more than human -- and less. The author’s characters are well-developed and authentic, from the wunderkinder, Samantha and Scott, to the agents in the organization that is sworn to protect Sam. This well-written debut novel is a difficult one to put down, and I enjoyed reading every bit of it. The Adoption: A Psychological Thriller is most highly recommended.

Arya Fomonyuy

The Adoption: A Psychological Thriller by Gregory Meritt is a thrilling read whose subtitle perfectly describes what the reader finds in these pages. Suspenseful and a page-turner that features a childless couple’s quest for adoption. In a story set in Seattle in early 2000, readers are introduced to wonderfully crafted characters. When Logan and Claire Keller adopt five-year-old Samantha Jennings, they are elated, believing that their family would be complete, but then strange things begin to happen and they find themselves in a hot mess, pursued by a mysterious power. How long can they survive before this force catches up with them, and can they uncover the truth before it is too late?

The first thing that struck me in this narrative was the compelling cast of characters. A childless couple dying to have a baby they can call theirs, a young boy with superhuman powers, a little girl who harbors a deadly secret, and a psychic who may know the hidden truth. Then there is the riveting plot with its unexpected twists and numerous surprises. Gregory Meritt knows so well how to engage his readers, creating chapter breaks that force readers to move swiftly to the next chapter. This is a real page-turner with well-written prose that sings to the ears of the reader. The conflict is masterfully developed and it permeates the different layers of the story. The Adoption: A Psychological Thriller is a thriller with unforgettable characters, a conflict-driven plot, and a satisfying denouement. It’s the work of great entertainment.

Pat Fox

Great book. Lots of action and imagination! Looking forward to the next one!

Valerie Byron

"The Adoption" is a stunner! I was hooked from the first page and could not put the book down. Greg Meritt is a master storyteller, up there with the best of them!
A psychological thriller of thoughtful and creative proportions. Not one boring page in the entire book. A definite A+ from me!
--Valerie Byron, author of No Ordinary Woman, The Man Who Lost His Genius, and The Man on the Train

2017 Book Viral

"A genuine gem of a page turner and a debut which marks Greg Meritt as an author to watch, The Adoption is sure to be enjoyed by genre junkies and would transition well to other mediums. Recommended without reservation."
--Book Viral, 2017

Richard Kennett

"The Adoption" is a great book. Well-written, very descriptive, A+ writing for sure. I hope they do it justice when they make the movie!
--Richard Kennett, author of Medium Dead

jellybeanmau

From the very beginning, this book is enthralling. I was pleasantly surprised at how this story grabbed me & didn't release it's hold on me until I was done with the last word. Wait, I lied, it STILL HSS a hold of me. I can't stop thinking about it! I know being adopted may have made this book seem a little more interesting to me but upon reading it I know that anyone, adopted or not, would find this book to be exciting, intriguing, & a must read! I just can't wait to see what other books Greg Merit has to offer. I look forward to seeing his name on best seller lists everywhere. Thank you Mr. Merit & keep up their great work, I'm a voracious reader...

Ray Holland

I'm a wimp. I avoid the truly scary stuff in fiction. Which isn't car chases and sword fights. Real Scary is a normal day where characters visit an office strangely empty. A cute kid holding a headless doll. A normal couple surrounded by the tentacles of conspiracy. The 'tentacles' of 'The Adoption' extend from every dimension of fear: there is a supernatural element, a psychic side, a military-industrial plot, spies and thugs and mad scientists deep beneath the earth. Tentacles extending into the reader's brain, tapping into their paranoia. Friends, enemies and child are not what they seem.

Though we see the story unfold from the villains' eyes as often as the main characters, even the dog's, the reader is drawn from one chapter to the next by the shear need to know more. The success of this plot tension keeps even us wimps reading. We want the villains defeated, the heroes to triumph. And to find the solution to the mystery of the previous chapter.

It takes good writing to get me to read a Psychological Thriller. Make no mistake: 'The Adoption' connects a car battery to thrill-nerves in the reader's psyche. But what's a little shock of fear, when following characters you care about like Logan, Claire and Sam?

Jaya God

This kept me interested until the very end. I'm looking forward to this author's next book!

Ina Davis

This story kept me up for several nights until I finally got serious and committed to finishing it. Although pushing the boundaries of belief I did need yo find out how it ended and if you want to know, you'll have to read it yourself!

Aly

This book was very exciting for me! It had me on the edge of my seat. This is a another new author for me and I am so excited and hoping to read more from this author. I am blessed to read such wonderful works in my off time. When I saw the cover of this book and read the description I had high expectations for this book, this book did not disappoint! Many people adopt and I think that is a great gift. This book had me thinking adoption too. Could this really happen to someone/a family or is this all just a great authors work? I guess that is why it is a great thriller! * I received this book from the author and this is my honest review*

Arturo Jara

Bought it by accident but what a great story. I enjoyed it a lot and couldn't stop reading it. There are a few details that I found weak but overall the plot and main development of the story and characters are great.

Kindle Customer

This was an amazing read!!! Wow!! Didn't put it down till the last page!! Made me wonder big time. Way to go Greg!