The Godsend is a horror novel by author Bernard Taylor. It is his debut novel

Debut novel

A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...

 and was first published in 1976 by Souvenir Press.

Plot summary

The story concerns the Marlowe family and an abandoned child named Bonnie, who they take into their home after being left with them by a mysterious woman they meet on a day out to a nearby lake. The story is told in first person by Alan Marlowe, the father of the family, who gradually starts to suspect that the subsequent tragic deaths of his children were caused by Bonnie.

Adaptions

The story was adapted into a film released in 1980 starring Malcolm Stoddard

Malcolm Stoddard

Malcolm Stoddard is a British actor who has appeared on television.His credits include: The Voyage of Charles Darwin, Colditz, The Brothers, The New Avengers, Blake's 7, Squadron, By the Sword Divided, Juliet Bravo, Boon, The Bill, Families, Emmerdale, The Campbells, Heartbeat and The...

 and Cyd Hayman

Cyd Hayman

Cyd Hayman is an English actress.She appeared in the following films: Percy, The Godsend and Rogue Male....

.