What do you think?
Rate this book
Empty Cradle
2013 Hamilton Arts Council Literary Award — Winner, Non-Fiction
The miracle of a new baby turned into a nightmare …
There is something about the loss of a child that everyone takes to heart. A lot of suffering happens in this world, but when it involves a child, it touches everyone all the more and it is tolerated all the less. Empty Cradle is the writer’s personal recollection of the time leading up to and surrounding the abduction of her newborn infant, just days before Christmas.
This story is based on a true crime - dates, times, and details were researched from media sources, court documents, and police records. A timeline of the mother and the kidnapper are shown separately, from childhood to adulthood, until the two paths crossed, resulting in a cataclysmic event that will leave the reader anxiously awaiting the final outcome.
The miracle of a new baby turned into a nightmare …
There is something about the loss of a child that everyone takes to heart. A lot of suffering happens in this world, but when it involves a child, it touches everyone all the more and it is tolerated all the less. Empty Cradle is the writer’s personal recollection of the time leading up to and surrounding the abduction of her newborn infant, just days before Christmas.
This story is based on a true crime - dates, times, and details were researched from media sources, court documents, and police records. A timeline of the mother and the kidnapper are shown separately, from childhood to adulthood, until the two paths crossed, resulting in a cataclysmic event that will leave the reader anxiously awaiting the final outcome.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Diana Walsh
6 books8 followersDiana Walsh was born and raised in Stoney Creek, a small town in Southern Ontario. She has been a bibliophile and writer for many years. She is a member of an established writers group and has begun to share her work with others. She likes to write about real life experiences.Her narratives touch the reader with their thought provoking subject matter and inspirational messages. Although her accounts often explore the challenges faced by families, they also convey her own belief in the beauty of life and the joy that can be found in every day experiences.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 12, 2015
As a mother who had her child abducted at the age of 3 (25 yrs ago) and thank God also with a "happy ending", as he was returned to my arms 5 long, agonizing months later, I felt compelled to read this book. I must admit that the first thing I did was read the end to be sure Shelby came home to her family. Otherwise I am not sure I would have been able to read the book. It was a heart wrenching read, as I felt Diana's pain with every single word. But I also felt a tremendous admiration and respect for Diana's courage and willingness to bring us into her world with such raw emotion and honesty. A very important message you learn from this story that most people may not realize is that once the most horrifying event that a mother will ever experience (the loss of her child) is over and the child is back in her arms; the story does not end there. Diana openly and honestly shares with us how she was not able to "feel like my old self again" even years after the event. "Happy endings" are wonderful, the life changing after effects for the mother are not wonderful. Thank you Diana for sharing your story from a perspective that only a mother could do. Also, thank you Shelby for your thoughts at the end. Your beautiful words warmed my heart.
October 7, 2012
Who could imagine having their child stolen right from their arms? What sort of person could do something so horrible? Diana Walsh courageously tells the story of the abduction of her newborn infant and how this traumatic incident has affected her for years after. Interwoven with her story is a compassionate view of the woman who caused so much pain to herself and to her family. EMPTY CRADLE is a riveting true-life story told with honesty and skill. Thank you Diana for writing this book - it's a story that needed to be told and one that I recommend to everyone as a must-read!
September 16, 2012
This was an international story that anyone living in the area at the time of Baby Shelby's abduction is sure to remember. Because I know the story, I also remember the ending. That didn't prevent my derriere from getting stuck to the chair as my eyes glued themselves to page after page after page until, before I looked up, I'd read the first eleven chapters of Diana Walsh's 'Empty Cradle'. At that point, I was compelled to read all afternoon until it was done, and I turned the last page weeping with gratitude, a pile of used tissues crumpled on the patio table in front of me.
The part of the story that few know, is how Walsh and her family have been effected, in the nearly twenty years since the abduction. This, is where further insight arises, and the healing occurs.
Walsh treats sensitive subject matter with compassion, humour, and courageous honesty. She reveals her inner moments of coping. She divulges what she said in some of those moments of coping, versus what she thought about saying: it is both heartbreaking and humourous. She shares the bonds of her close family of origin, their early life together, and their continued steadfast support of each other. She weaves images of her children, and her fears around letting them out of her sight ever again like the afghan she wishes to crawl under the night Shelby is abducted. You wish you could wrap them all in that afghan, as this eloquent author takes you through the story of what happened that day, their lives leading up to that day, and their lives after the abduction.
The afterword by Shelby herself is a beautiful touch, without with, this stunning first book would not have been complete.
You will love this read. You will be touched, moved and inspired. You will perhaps even be moved to check your babies as they drift off to sleep. You will be grateful that Diana has had the courage to break the wall of privacy she has been building since childhood, and shared her story with you. Not a parent yet myself, I suspect all the same that you will be grateful that this story is hers to share, and not yours. You might even be inspired to share yours...
The part of the story that few know, is how Walsh and her family have been effected, in the nearly twenty years since the abduction. This, is where further insight arises, and the healing occurs.
Walsh treats sensitive subject matter with compassion, humour, and courageous honesty. She reveals her inner moments of coping. She divulges what she said in some of those moments of coping, versus what she thought about saying: it is both heartbreaking and humourous. She shares the bonds of her close family of origin, their early life together, and their continued steadfast support of each other. She weaves images of her children, and her fears around letting them out of her sight ever again like the afghan she wishes to crawl under the night Shelby is abducted. You wish you could wrap them all in that afghan, as this eloquent author takes you through the story of what happened that day, their lives leading up to that day, and their lives after the abduction.
The afterword by Shelby herself is a beautiful touch, without with, this stunning first book would not have been complete.
You will love this read. You will be touched, moved and inspired. You will perhaps even be moved to check your babies as they drift off to sleep. You will be grateful that Diana has had the courage to break the wall of privacy she has been building since childhood, and shared her story with you. Not a parent yet myself, I suspect all the same that you will be grateful that this story is hers to share, and not yours. You might even be inspired to share yours...
September 21, 2012
I have just finished reading Empty Cradle. It was such an emotional and heart-rending read, that I could not put it down. I experienced every emotion to man as I was reading this book. My heart goes out to Diana for having the courage to tackle and endure again the anguish she must feel to relive this event over and over again. Her love for her family pores out onto the pages of this book and has really touched my heart. Her family is so lucky to have such a wonderful, compassionate and loving person in their lives.
This book also brought so many powerful emotions back to the forefront of mind. How important family is! How everyone has their own life issues to deal with even if it is not out there for everyone to see and last but not least, to tell the people in your life how important they are because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
This book also brought so many powerful emotions back to the forefront of mind. How important family is! How everyone has their own life issues to deal with even if it is not out there for everyone to see and last but not least, to tell the people in your life how important they are because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
January 25, 2013
Diana and her family have gone through something that to most people, is their worst nightmare. Out of what was a horrific experience, came an inspiring, emotionally engaging and courageous account of their experience.
Really well done...thank you for sharing your story!
Really well done...thank you for sharing your story!
March 24, 2019
Beautifully written and full of suspense. This book has truly universal appeal--it is a story that cannot be missed. Couldn't stop turning pages!
November 21, 2012
As a mother of two almost grown up daughters I sat down with "Empty Cradle" and a full box of Kleenex ready for the onslaught of emotions. My instinct was correct and by the end of the book I had felt a roller coaster of ups and downs. Thank you for letting us into your family and private life by telling this story, I suspect it was very therapeutic as well as traumatic to re-live everything as you were writing. A well written true crime novel I highly recommend! Received through Goodreads as a giveaway.
January 4, 2013
Anybody who was living in Canada over Christmas 1993 will remember the newspaper headlines and television broadcasts about Baby Shelby. However, it is only now that we are able to go beyond the headlines and learn about the very human story surrounding a terrible, terrible act. The author shows how there is more to her life than a single event, but also how everything is connected in the end. Much like watching My Girl, if you can get through this book without shedding more than a few tears, you might have the emotional capacity of a teaspoon.
August 30, 2013
They say that truth is stranger than fiction. Certainly the case with this piece of non-fiction.
You will experience every emotion....laughter, disbelief, sorrow, horror and happiness. The author takes you on a personal intimate walk sharing her life story and how the human spirit triumphs through the most difficult of circumstances.
August 24, 2013
This is an extremely well-written and moving account of what was a most traumatic time in the author's life. In reading it I am reminded of those around me who have suffered trauma that is so difficult - if not impossible to recover from and I am moved to reach out to them. Thanks you Diana for sharing with us so openly and honestly.
September 10, 2012
An insightful book that teases with all of your emotions. I was happy, angry, I laughed, cried and blew my nose a lot! Definitely read with a box of kleenex. You won't be able to put it down until the last page is read!
June 22, 2013
Diana writes clearly and from the heart about a traumatizing experience. She builds from her early family life, exploring the bonds that formed her and later held her in place when her baby was kidnapped. This is a fact-based, personal account of a harrowing real-life event, and well worth reading.
May 22, 2014
Diana's story gives an outsider, the inside perspective of how a mother, a family, a community and legal system deal with a terrible event. Also, it is a testament to the personal healing that is possible through writing and sharing and forgiving.
October 12, 2012
Diana is a gifted writer and this book is directly from her heart. You will feel her pain as you turn the pages...a must read for all.
January 31, 2013
Reality check in life. Take nothing for granted
March 6, 2013
finished this book in 2 days...couldn't put it down
March 8, 2013
I remember this story and so glad it ended well. It was interesting reading a book and knowing all the places mentioned. Scary knowing this can happen anywhere.
March 12, 2013
Riveting. I was reliving this event right along with the author. She quickly and easily connects and engages her audience, while relating this life-altering experience.
January 7, 2013
could not put it down. read it in one sitting, a truly beautiful story.
February 5, 2021
It's hard not to give this book a 5 star. The writing was great. It's a true story here in my home town that I didnt even know existed, although I was only 10 years old when it occurred. The book is the author's personal true story.
January 16, 2018
What a horrifying situation this family found themselves in. Based on a true story that took place in Ontario. Diana Walsh shares what her family went through and how they coped in the following years.
February 19, 2017
This book was so interesting to read from the mothers point of view. Reading it you almost felt as she did. Amazing read
September 12, 2016
This should have been ghost-written. The story captivated the entire country at the time, and the story (as a novel) could have been captivating in the hands of a talented storyteller. This was a Book Club selection, and we all knew the story (it happened in our own community) so were interested in it as that, we all agreed that as a novel it left much to be desired.
July 1, 2015
I am honestly surprised this book currently has a 4.25 rating. It reads like an old Redbook article from the early nineties, but they added multiple chapters of extensive background information and prologues to make it big enough for a book.
It's every mothers nightmare, it is, myself included, to have a child taken. When I selected this book, however, I wasn't aware that it was such a brief separation. A slow reader would take longer to read this novella than the baby was missing.
One paragraph completely threw me off. The writer talks about how in 1993 she had her ringtone set to be a song. I'm old enough to remember cell phones that long ago, and that wasn't part of technology back then.
It's every mothers nightmare, it is, myself included, to have a child taken. When I selected this book, however, I wasn't aware that it was such a brief separation. A slow reader would take longer to read this novella than the baby was missing.
One paragraph completely threw me off. The writer talks about how in 1993 she had her ringtone set to be a song. I'm old enough to remember cell phones that long ago, and that wasn't part of technology back then.
April 30, 2014
A well written book about a such heart wrenching experience. I well remember this happening in December 1993. Diana's account of this horrible experience and the anguish and suffering she and her family endured was an emotional read. I read it twice because the first time, the tears blocked out the words on the page!
The victory over the suffering and the message of forgiveness is amazing.
I am thankful that Diana had the courage to write this book. What an excellent reminder of the power of forgiveness!
The victory over the suffering and the message of forgiveness is amazing.
I am thankful that Diana had the courage to write this book. What an excellent reminder of the power of forgiveness!
December 14, 2016
For a decade my all-time Christmas movie was/is Stolen Miracle and I watch it about a dozen times. I also always wondered about the real family and baby, and this book brought all my wonders to an end. Something about reading about the real family made this story more real. The book defiantly tells the story from the Mother's point of view and the family grieving during the hours of the case. And it was interesting to see the whole picture rather then what is interrupted.
September 12, 2012
Even though I know this story, I still found it to be a page turner.I could not put it down. Diana's style of interweaving backgrounds draws you in and gives you a new and surprising perspective. A MUST read!
May 10, 2015
I liked the happy ending to this true story but there were so many chapters of extraneous unrelated background information before the actual story that I was bored and skimming before I even got to it. A good story but genuinely needed some heavy editing.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews