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Sara Payne: A Mother's Story
'Thank God we have found her.' Sara Payne's words as she announced that the body of her daughter -- snatched and murdered by paedophile, Roy Whiting -- had finally been found. In this memoir, Sara tells her personal story. She describes the numbness as she waited for seventeen days, desperate to hear news of her missing daughter, and the terrible moment when her worst fears became reality. She explains how her family tried to cope with their grief and the stress placed upon them by the media campaign for Sarah's Law. As the family tried to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of tragedy, they found that each reminded the other of the child they had lost. Guilt and anger pushed Sarah's marriage into a spiral of alcohol abuse and violence. This is the ultimate story of a family's journey through hell, but Sara's strength is an inspiration as, despite everything, she and her family slowly found a way to go on.
231 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 7, 2021
Bir annenin gözünden kızının cinayetinin anlatıldığı bu kitabı içiniz kıyım kıyım olmadan okumak zor. Peki bilin bakalım kim deniz, kum, güneş tatilinde böyle travmatik bir kitap okudu?
December 5, 2024
The strength of this book in that it's written by Sarah Payne's Mother is also it's greatest weakest. It's a heartbreaking story obviously but other than a brief insight into how the events shook their lives this is a very basic retelling of the story, that feels little more than reading the Wikipedia entry. You felt like ultimately the story would of benefited greatly from a more detached journalistic view, the lack of self awareness at times is stunning. 'We all liked a drink', even at a brief read it's clear they had a real issue with alcohol. 'It was unfortunate that the News of the World naming and shaming caused issues' well actually it lead to innocent people being attacked in their homes. It's a complicated, tragic story and this book though full of love for Sarah doesn't really do the story itself justice, this is more the Mother's feelings only.
June 16, 2019
Such a heart breaking story 💔😔😢, i remember the time when Sarah went missing, My Brother was in hospital and was having an operation around the time Me only being 12 years old i wished in a wishing well everyday that My Brother would get better also that Sarah would be found safe and well, of course that was not the case for poor Sarah, though My Brother lived for years on after that but sadly past away in 2011 R.I.P to you both Gareth and Sarah where your both no longer in pain two 😇😇 gained there wings.
August 27, 2022
This unfortunate event unfolded around a town near my home town. Sarah being of a similar age to myself, made my parents extra cautious while I was growing up. Reading the story as an adult, having children myself m, I can now put myself in Sara’s shoes and empathise and realise just how horrific paedophiles really are. A sickening story, but written in enough depth that you get sucked into the story.
October 29, 2019
a really traumatic book but shows a normal woman coping with a set of nightmarish events i have cried and felt so much whilst reading about this ladies life it ends on a positive note and my heart just goes out to this very brave and strong woman
May 22, 2021
Heartbreaking, devastating and so so sad!! The work Sara has done to in the name of her daughter is amazing!! Like Denise Fergus, she has stopped at nothing to make important changes!! Rott Roy whiting!! RIP beautiful Sarah!
April 15, 2025
The night Sarah Payne was kidnapped brought the Payne family into turmoil..
This biography follows the events of that awful night through to the trial and of course to the creation of Sarah’s Law!
This biography follows the events of that awful night through to the trial and of course to the creation of Sarah’s Law!
October 9, 2018
A heartrendaring story tears falling down my face in parts of the read, such a brave family to be able to cope with the lose of their daughter/sister.
October 29, 2018
Oh my god! I remember this when it was happening but reading the heartbreaking of this mother was both heart rending and insperational at the same time!
Be warned... have a box of tissues close by!
Be warned... have a box of tissues close by!
January 15, 2020
Its a good easy read, basic at times and not too into details but gives a good account from the mothers persepctive. Awful thing to happen
May 23, 2021
Heartbreaking story of a little girl taken too soon.
September 7, 2022
Heartbreakingly honest
May 25, 2025
I was about ten years old when this tragic event happened and I still remember it vividly and how it changed things.
A touching read.
A touching read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2022
Such a sad story 💔👼xxx
August 17, 2012
The autobiography of Sara Payne, mother of eight year old Sarah Payne who was abducted and murdered by a paedophile in the UK in 2000.
The down-to-earth tone of the book does nothing to hide the sheer devastation of such an experience on all members of the family. At times, this pragmatism emphasised the depth of emotion that was being held in (I was reduced to tears by several of the sections of the book.)
Throughout her recounting of the family's journey, from normality to horror and finally back to a new reality without their daughter Sarah, Sara Payne is searingly honest in her assessment of the toll that this horrifying event took on herself, her family and her marriage.
Her calm, non-dramatic approach highlights the strength it must have taken to search for the positives in this traumatic life event, and turn it into an opportunity to make something good come out of something evil (the Paynes were instrumental in fighting for changes in the British laws relating to paedophiles; they fought for "Sarah's Law".)
By the end, one is left with admiration for both the Paynes and their whole family, who typify the quintessential British fortitude.
The down-to-earth tone of the book does nothing to hide the sheer devastation of such an experience on all members of the family. At times, this pragmatism emphasised the depth of emotion that was being held in (I was reduced to tears by several of the sections of the book.)
Throughout her recounting of the family's journey, from normality to horror and finally back to a new reality without their daughter Sarah, Sara Payne is searingly honest in her assessment of the toll that this horrifying event took on herself, her family and her marriage.
Her calm, non-dramatic approach highlights the strength it must have taken to search for the positives in this traumatic life event, and turn it into an opportunity to make something good come out of something evil (the Paynes were instrumental in fighting for changes in the British laws relating to paedophiles; they fought for "Sarah's Law".)
By the end, one is left with admiration for both the Paynes and their whole family, who typify the quintessential British fortitude.
February 5, 2014
If you are a parent (and even if not to be honest) this is a very difficult read. It is a very factual account, telling us firstly very honestly about the Payne family - ordinary and by no means perfect, often chaotic, house not tip top tidy, but so much love for their children above everything else. Then the tragic events - Sarah's disappearene and murder, the aftermath including the hunt to the killer and eventually the realisation that it was somone living close by and a well known offender. Trying to continue with life, the breakdown of their marriage...Sara Payne come across as a woman who managed to find extraordinary inner strengh after her daughters murder, which she channels to fight for Sarah's Law
More on the blog:
http://thepegsterreads.blogspot.co.uk...
More on the blog:
http://thepegsterreads.blogspot.co.uk...
March 5, 2009
Not an easy book to read, it relates the true story of the murder of 8 year old Sarah Payne in July 2000, as told by her mother Sara.
No family is perfect and Sara does nothing to sugarcoat the harrowing journey of her family from Sarah's abduction, right the way through to the aftermath of the trial. She is incredibly honest in her description of the effect on her marriage and children.
It is very moving - I don't have children, so I can't imagine what it must be like to loose one, especially in circumstances such as those. But I certainly admire Sara for her strength and honesty, I admire her family as a whole.
No family is perfect and Sara does nothing to sugarcoat the harrowing journey of her family from Sarah's abduction, right the way through to the aftermath of the trial. She is incredibly honest in her description of the effect on her marriage and children.
It is very moving - I don't have children, so I can't imagine what it must be like to loose one, especially in circumstances such as those. But I certainly admire Sara for her strength and honesty, I admire her family as a whole.
September 9, 2012
A difficult book to read as it told the whole story from the parents point of view, in particular the mothers, of the disappearance of their daughter Sarah Payne aged 8 in October 1991.
My daughter was the same age at the time of Sarahs murder so it had more heartfelt thoughts for me.
Sarah Paynes mother Sara does not hold back in any detail, telling the life as their family was and what it became. There is no glossing over and you really feel for the family, then and now.
There is also a lot of detail on 'Sarah's Law', alot of which I didnt know and was very informative to read.
My daughter was the same age at the time of Sarahs murder so it had more heartfelt thoughts for me.
Sarah Paynes mother Sara does not hold back in any detail, telling the life as their family was and what it became. There is no glossing over and you really feel for the family, then and now.
There is also a lot of detail on 'Sarah's Law', alot of which I didnt know and was very informative to read.
March 14, 2010
Just read this book after watching a documentary on Sarah Payne. Very moving, Sara Payne is a very eloquent speaker and it has translated well into text.
It tells the story of the 8 year olds disappearance from her mothers point of view, dealing with how the family coped and what they all went through.
This is not a comprehensive account of the crimes of Roy Whiting (Sarah Paynes killer), rather a very moving explanation of how a crime like this affects a family. Excellent book, well written and very touching.
It tells the story of the 8 year olds disappearance from her mothers point of view, dealing with how the family coped and what they all went through.
This is not a comprehensive account of the crimes of Roy Whiting (Sarah Paynes killer), rather a very moving explanation of how a crime like this affects a family. Excellent book, well written and very touching.
May 13, 2008
A really heartbreaking story By the mother of Sarah Payne a girl who was abducted and murdered I remember it being on the news she went missing on my birthday.
I can't begin to imagine how horrible this was for there family I don't think I could survive if this happened to one of my children it would kill me.
I really admire the strength of the Payne family how they have dealt with there grief I wish them all happiness in the future.
I can't begin to imagine how horrible this was for there family I don't think I could survive if this happened to one of my children it would kill me.
I really admire the strength of the Payne family how they have dealt with there grief I wish them all happiness in the future.
April 1, 2008
Very very upsetting but beautifully written and makes you realise how easily things can go wrong and to trust anyone
July 29, 2012
I can only imagine the devastation that a parent must feel when they lose a child. What an awful tragedy, my heart goes out to the family. X
September 16, 2012
Book written from the heart by Sarah's mother
February 17, 2016
Sad story but glad I read it now
November 15, 2022
A heartbreaking read
January 16, 2025
A hard read. I cried alot. I felt so much for this family and the mother and father. No parent. No one should have to go through what they went through. Heartbreaking.
August 29, 2017
One of my "Read 50 books in my 50th year" .
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews