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Puppet Child
When the justice systerm fails her daughter, a courageous mother takes matters into her own hands. In a wrenching race against time, the safety of one child is entangled in bottled-up family dynamics, court theatrics, media frenzy, and the political machine.
- GenresFiction
330 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
24 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Talia Carner
19 books505 followersFormerly the publisher of Savvy Woman magazine and a lecturer at international women economic forums, novelist Talia Carner’s heart-wrenching suspense novels, PUPPET CHILD, CHINA DOLL and JERUSALEM MAIDEN and HOTEL MOSCOW have garnered rave reviews and awards. As each touches a social issue never explored before, they are often the choice of reading groups in the USA and abroad.
THE THIRD DAUGHTER, a novel about sex trafficking in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s, (HarperCollins 2019) was named Finalist by The Jewish Book Council (in the Book Club category.)
Talia Carner's 6th novel, THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO, was released in February 2024 by HarperCollins. It is an epic historical novel weaving two yet-untold events set in France, the first set in 1946 in the aftermath of the Holocaust, when agents from Eretz Israel roamed the European countryside to rescue hidden Jewish orphans (Youth Aliyah). The second is set in 1969, about the daring escape of the boats of Cherbourg, in Normandy, which were commissioned and paid for by Israel but whose delivery was blocked by a French arms embargo.
Sharon, the assistant to an Israeli naval officer stationed Cherbourg, is set to unravel the mystery of his journey from a French village to Israel. She is unprepared for the moral dilemma she will face upon solving the mystery.
Talia Carner's addictions include chocolate and social justice.
The author keynoted over 650 in-person events, in addition to 350 Zoom presentations during the two years of the pandemic. Please check www.TaliaCarner.com.
THE THIRD DAUGHTER, a novel about sex trafficking in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s, (HarperCollins 2019) was named Finalist by The Jewish Book Council (in the Book Club category.)
Talia Carner's 6th novel, THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO, was released in February 2024 by HarperCollins. It is an epic historical novel weaving two yet-untold events set in France, the first set in 1946 in the aftermath of the Holocaust, when agents from Eretz Israel roamed the European countryside to rescue hidden Jewish orphans (Youth Aliyah). The second is set in 1969, about the daring escape of the boats of Cherbourg, in Normandy, which were commissioned and paid for by Israel but whose delivery was blocked by a French arms embargo.
Sharon, the assistant to an Israeli naval officer stationed Cherbourg, is set to unravel the mystery of his journey from a French village to Israel. She is unprepared for the moral dilemma she will face upon solving the mystery.
Talia Carner's addictions include chocolate and social justice.
The author keynoted over 650 in-person events, in addition to 350 Zoom presentations during the two years of the pandemic. Please check www.TaliaCarner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 14, 2018
What would you do if you knew your ex-spouse was molesting your five year-old? That’s the question that Talia Carner poses to readers in the early stages of this explosive book. Rachel Belmore knew there was a problem with her husband, Dr. Wes Belmore, from the time their daughter was a baby. After an alarming event that Rachel witnessed at the crib-side of young Ellie, the couple split, but Dr. Belmore’s actions did not stop. Rachel began proceedings to limit her ex-husband’s access, trying to have him labelled a paedophile, but the courts would only take incremental steps. Distraught, Rachel turned to the only power she had, to refuse Wes access to Ellie, in violation of the court order. Even when Ellie did have to go, she would scream, returning after the access with mysterious injuries and bruises, sometimes to her vagina. When Ellie admitted that her father enjoyed playing ‘The Zoo Game’, Rachel could take it no longer and turned to her attorney for help. However, the Family Court judge refused to accept the pleas being made, sure that Rachel had overdramatised them. With little else to do, Rachel took matters into her own hands, seeking to protect Ellie, even if it would endanger her own freedom in the eyes of the court. Working to save her daughter at any cost, Rachel turned to family and friends, as well as an unusual source to help protect Ellie. However, Dr. Wes Belmore was not without resources of his own and would do whatever it took to ensure Ellie comes back to him. Part legal battle, part family struggle, Talia Carner pushes the reader to the limits of what they can stomach when it comes to child abuse and molestation, while Lady Justice seems to have been shelved during an election year. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a legal and courtroom battle, but not for the faint of heart when it comes to the protection of the most vulnerable.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who could not speak highly enough about its story. Working for Child Protection, it is all too common that cases such as those described in this novel cross my path, but I have tried not to become too involved as to skew my outlook on all custodial arrangements or cases of abuse. Being a parent as well, this story kicks you in the gut (and teeth), forcing you to read and try not to believe that anyone could do this to their own child. Carner’s descriptive power is strong and pushes the story off the written page and into the realm of reality. I found myself flipping back regularly to see if this were a piece of fiction or based on real events. Her detailed narrative about the strain of the abuse (thankfully for many, there is not too much overt description) as well as the courtroom battles left me feeling as though I were in the middle of events unfolding before me. The characters brought much to the story, particularly those at the forefront of the plot. I found myself pitying Rachel and hating Wes repeatedly, all while I begged that something could be done to save Ellie, even when the justice system would not. The twists and turns in the story left me surprised, as this is by no means a cookie cutter narrative, though there were some times that foreshadowing and foreboding left me able to see what might lurk around the corner. The impact of Carner’s writing left me wanting more, but also full-up with all the horrors bestowed on young Ellie, if that makes sense. I found the ongoing legal battles to my liking, as that is a genre that I always enjoy, but also some of the great backstory that shows the world still spinning and life not taking a hiatus even when tragedy strikes. Carner’s style left me wanting to see what else she has penned and hoping that many will find this book and be able to see through some of the disturbing content to find the underlying theme, that the law is not always in sync with what is just. After reading this book, if I needed any reminder of that, it’s become readily apparent.
Kudos, Madam Carner, for this sensational piece. I cannot thank you enough for putting these ideas to paper and I will tell anyone who might listen that this is a must-read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
This book was recommended to me by a friend who could not speak highly enough about its story. Working for Child Protection, it is all too common that cases such as those described in this novel cross my path, but I have tried not to become too involved as to skew my outlook on all custodial arrangements or cases of abuse. Being a parent as well, this story kicks you in the gut (and teeth), forcing you to read and try not to believe that anyone could do this to their own child. Carner’s descriptive power is strong and pushes the story off the written page and into the realm of reality. I found myself flipping back regularly to see if this were a piece of fiction or based on real events. Her detailed narrative about the strain of the abuse (thankfully for many, there is not too much overt description) as well as the courtroom battles left me feeling as though I were in the middle of events unfolding before me. The characters brought much to the story, particularly those at the forefront of the plot. I found myself pitying Rachel and hating Wes repeatedly, all while I begged that something could be done to save Ellie, even when the justice system would not. The twists and turns in the story left me surprised, as this is by no means a cookie cutter narrative, though there were some times that foreshadowing and foreboding left me able to see what might lurk around the corner. The impact of Carner’s writing left me wanting more, but also full-up with all the horrors bestowed on young Ellie, if that makes sense. I found the ongoing legal battles to my liking, as that is a genre that I always enjoy, but also some of the great backstory that shows the world still spinning and life not taking a hiatus even when tragedy strikes. Carner’s style left me wanting to see what else she has penned and hoping that many will find this book and be able to see through some of the disturbing content to find the underlying theme, that the law is not always in sync with what is just. After reading this book, if I needed any reminder of that, it’s become readily apparent.
Kudos, Madam Carner, for this sensational piece. I cannot thank you enough for putting these ideas to paper and I will tell anyone who might listen that this is a must-read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
February 19, 2018
First, I want to thank Taila Carner for providing me with this book so I may bring this review.
Puppet Child by Talia Cerner was one of those books that will stay inside your memory even after you have finished the book. If you are a parent, grandparent or even an aunt (like I am) this story will bring up many emotions in you. It might even be a trigger for many whom have gone through something like this. Warning this book has somewhat graphic scenes that are somewhat shocking. I will admit I was not expecting the first incident. That all being said Talia did an amazing job keeping my interest from start to finish. Puppet Child was unlike anything I had ever read before.
Sweet 5-year-old Ellie is the one my heart ached for the most! She was the innocent victim in all of this! She had no idea what was really going on with her father’s “Games”. Oh how I hated that man Wes! I didn’t care if he was a famous surgeon! Nobody should be doing that to his daughter!! He is a sick twisted man!! I wanted to jump into the story and make him stop and hug Ellie and say it would be ok!
Throughout reading this book I couldn’t help but think this would be a perfect movie for the big screen. It has so many twists and turns to make a good show.
The whole judicial system in this book made me so upset!! Ellie’s Mom wanted full custody but nobody was believing her that Ellie was being molested. They thought that she was blocking his rights to see the girl. Rachel had proof it was all over Ellie’s body!! There were times in the book I would yell and scream at the judge!
I really liked the relationship that was forming between Rachel and Phil. However, I didn’t like how Gerald bailed on her when she needed him the most. I felt as if he was a coward.
Puppet Child by Talia Cerner was one of those books that will stay inside your memory even after you have finished the book. If you are a parent, grandparent or even an aunt (like I am) this story will bring up many emotions in you. It might even be a trigger for many whom have gone through something like this. Warning this book has somewhat graphic scenes that are somewhat shocking. I will admit I was not expecting the first incident. That all being said Talia did an amazing job keeping my interest from start to finish. Puppet Child was unlike anything I had ever read before.
Sweet 5-year-old Ellie is the one my heart ached for the most! She was the innocent victim in all of this! She had no idea what was really going on with her father’s “Games”. Oh how I hated that man Wes! I didn’t care if he was a famous surgeon! Nobody should be doing that to his daughter!! He is a sick twisted man!! I wanted to jump into the story and make him stop and hug Ellie and say it would be ok!
Throughout reading this book I couldn’t help but think this would be a perfect movie for the big screen. It has so many twists and turns to make a good show.
The whole judicial system in this book made me so upset!! Ellie’s Mom wanted full custody but nobody was believing her that Ellie was being molested. They thought that she was blocking his rights to see the girl. Rachel had proof it was all over Ellie’s body!! There were times in the book I would yell and scream at the judge!
I really liked the relationship that was forming between Rachel and Phil. However, I didn’t like how Gerald bailed on her when she needed him the most. I felt as if he was a coward.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Puppet Child - Nevisande : Talia Carner - ISBN : 1930252986 - ISBN13 : 9781930252981 - Dar 260 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2002
February 11, 2021
A very emotional book on many levels. It is a story about paedophilia, breaking of trust, family values, courage, and corruption.
Rachel is trying to protect her daughter, Ellie, from her father, Wes, who has been sexually assaulting Ellie from the time she was a baby. Now, five years later, the story is at its climax: Rachel has tried to get the judicial system to protect her child. Yet Wes is still having his visitation rights upheld and continues to abuse Ellie. The "games" he forces Eliie to play are horrific to read about.
Finally, in a bid to protect her daughter, Rachel has to make the ultimate sacrifice: send her daughter away where she will be safe from Wes and, potentially, never see her again.
It is very distressing to read about the failure of the system to protect the innocence of a child and to plunge a parent into so much debt to fight for her child.
Rachel is trying to protect her daughter, Ellie, from her father, Wes, who has been sexually assaulting Ellie from the time she was a baby. Now, five years later, the story is at its climax: Rachel has tried to get the judicial system to protect her child. Yet Wes is still having his visitation rights upheld and continues to abuse Ellie. The "games" he forces Eliie to play are horrific to read about.
Finally, in a bid to protect her daughter, Rachel has to make the ultimate sacrifice: send her daughter away where she will be safe from Wes and, potentially, never see her again.
It is very distressing to read about the failure of the system to protect the innocence of a child and to plunge a parent into so much debt to fight for her child.
July 14, 2020
It made me cry :-(. So far, every book by her that I have read has done so. Topic is touching and frustrating, and she introduces it in such a way with such tenderness and concern that the reader cannot help but be moved and become emotionally involved with the situation.
The characters are complex and many sided. Ms. Carner makes a point of treating each one as a real person with real concerns of his or her own. Most of the characters that one would love to hate are revealed to be multidimensional and difficult to write off so easily. Yes, there ARE true villains, but they alone do not define the situation.
On the other hand, there are true heroes: Rachel's parents, Jacqueline, Seth (dam*, I doubt that's the right name! I'm HORRIBLE remembering names, even the important ones…) the legal clerk with whom she falls in love, Erica, etc. The original judge, and even the lawyer, are simply doing their jobs. I don't AGREE with the judge, and I don't like his interpretations… I'm happy to think that he is eventually leaving the bench!
A terrible picture of the legal system in the US is drawn. That a judge and lawyer can take the health (physical and mental) of a child no more seriously than the mostly unsupported arguments of a probable abuser is despicable!
My problem with this book is that, although it seems like everything will go one way, it's really not completed. But overall, it's a wonderful book and evokes thought and consideration about the whole general situation.
The characters are complex and many sided. Ms. Carner makes a point of treating each one as a real person with real concerns of his or her own. Most of the characters that one would love to hate are revealed to be multidimensional and difficult to write off so easily. Yes, there ARE true villains, but they alone do not define the situation.
On the other hand, there are true heroes: Rachel's parents, Jacqueline, Seth (dam*, I doubt that's the right name! I'm HORRIBLE remembering names, even the important ones…) the legal clerk with whom she falls in love, Erica, etc. The original judge, and even the lawyer, are simply doing their jobs. I don't AGREE with the judge, and I don't like his interpretations… I'm happy to think that he is eventually leaving the bench!
A terrible picture of the legal system in the US is drawn. That a judge and lawyer can take the health (physical and mental) of a child no more seriously than the mostly unsupported arguments of a probable abuser is despicable!
My problem with this book is that, although it seems like everything will go one way, it's really not completed. But overall, it's a wonderful book and evokes thought and consideration about the whole general situation.
February 3, 2021
I know of the frustration of the New York Family Court system. Unlike Rachel, I never had a male judge - just a couple of uncaring female ones. A lot of this book was relatable to what I've gone through many times trying to get the judges to listen only to have my case fall on deaf ears time and time again in the 13 (soon-to-be 14) years since my divorce. I was always seen as the crazy, vindictive ex-wife and not like a lioness protecting her cub. I use that analogy because my astrological sign is Leo. My narcissistic ex-husband is always believed. He's a lot like Josie in this story. My situation is very different from Rachel's in that my 15-year-old daughter didn't suffer any type of physical or sexual abuse that made me have to hide her in a foreign country, however, she did suffer from mental abuse and still does when he feels like putting her or me down. Because my daughter and I were both positive for COVID-19 and I asked for an extended leave absence, like Rachel, I was met with an insensitive jerk of a boss at the middle/high school I work at that my daughter attends. I'm not comfortable being there with our cases rising. I was glad that Jacqueline was able to get to Israel to get Ellie before Wes and Josie could get there, but I still can't believe Josie stabbed her sister in the back like that especially with thinking she would be able to marry that pedophile but was glad to see that he had a girlfriend on the side. I was sorry to see Lorena die.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book.
Read
March 31, 2020This was not something I usually read but it was really good. A few twists that I didn't expect.
April 2, 2020
A stunning family legal drama in which lives collide when a mother fights the justice system in order to save her daughter from its clutches.
VERY GRAPHIC SEXUAL ABUSE....
VERY GRAPHIC SEXUAL ABUSE....
June 14, 2020
Interesting premise-----not very well executed.
(Side note: Note how many typos can be found)
(Side note: Note how many typos can be found)
January 9, 2022
Insanely amazingly written, but I don’t know how anyone with children can read this book. I definitely recommend reading it though LOL.
September 2, 2015
Such a difficult book to rate and review. On the one hand, it's a fast read. In this sense, Carner is a good story-teller as I was eager to see how it would conclude. On the other hand, there are many aspects of the book that seem unrealistic, (and I am not referring to the subject matter). The revelation of the sister's affair with the pedophile, brother-n-law struck me as especially absurd. For it to have been believable, I think more time needed to be devoted to Josie's character development and her struggles with mental illness. It seemed equally unlikely that all this occurred in s six week time span. Lastly, I would have preferred that the book be concluded with a verdict and not have the conclusion left for inference. All that said, I couldn't put it down. It was a second Carner book for me, and I will read others.
June 7, 2014
This author deals with tough subjects with great writing and purpose. A couple is in a nasty custody battle over their 3-5 yr old daughter. The mother discovered her husband in a sexual act with their 3 yr old, the dad is a high ranking and rich attorney. Our legal system is put to shame in this honest appraisal of the fight and legal procedures that keep the child in danger. Even after the grandparents hide with the child, there are many questions and opinions involved. Definitely a good read but frustratingly true in spirit.
September 25, 2015
Crappy book with a crappy ending. Unbelievably clumsy writing.
November 4, 2012
An outstanding read could not put it down
March 13, 2013
most difficult book I have ever read. deeply disturbing. forced myself to finish.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews