Trapped

by Freda Lightfoot

I was engaged with the story from page one. She piles horror on horror – rape, torture, sexual humiliation, incest, suicide - but she keeps you reading! Historical Novels Review Nov 2009 on House of Angels a fascinating, richly detailed setting with a dramatic plot brimming with enough scandal, passion, and danger for a Jackie Collins’ novel. Booklist on Hostage Queen This is a book I couldn’t put down . . . a great read! South Wales Evening Post on The Girl From Poorhouse Lane ‘I’m lying sobbing on the floor, head reeling, unable to believe that my husband of just four weeks has knocked me flying.’ Carly Stanton is a lucky girl. Newly married to the man of her dreams, a beautiful home with her family close by and with a job she adores. But all is not quite as it seems. Oliver Stanton may be charming and utterly gorgeous with dark good looks and captivating blue-grey eyes, as well as being successful and financially secure, but once the ring is on her finger, Carly discovers there’s a darker side to his nature. He is possessive and controlling, sapping her confidence so that she feels as if she is living on a knife edge, her nerves in shreds. Carly knows that she desperately needs help before he destroys her. But who can she turn to? Not her family who think he is Mr Wonderful. As Oliver’s cruelty escalates, can Carly find a way out of the marriage trap?

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Born in Lancashire, I've been a teacher, bookseller and in a mad moment, a smallholder on the freezing fells of the Lake District where I tried my hand at the ‘good life’, kept sheep and hens, various orphaned cats and dogs, built drystone walls, planted a small wood and even learned how to make jam. I now spend the winter in Spain and summer in the UK. I have now published 48 books including many bestselling family sagas and historical novels.
For more information, visit my website www.fredalightfoot.co.uk.

Reviews

[Leona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about a newly married young woman who finds herself in an increasingly abusive relationship. It was a little difficult to read because of the subject matter. I had a hard time putting this book down. I appreciated the author's limiting of bad language in this book, though there is some.

[Kaija · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a well written book, but not the type of novel I enjoy reading. It centers around a women who four weeks after her marriage starts being physically and mentally abused for 2 years.

My problem with this is how archaic the notions of the people in the book are. It never says when it's set, but the characters have cell phones and text and use computers, and the have horrid notions that women deserve to be abused, or asked for it. It's set in England, but if this is remotely the way they still act it's horrid.
In Canada and the States, police can arrest a person on suspect of abuse. The women doesn't even need to press chargers, the police can. So many people in the book just turned a blind eye, or didn't do anything.
Essentially in the end he gets away with all the abuse because everyone just wants to move on. How does that stop the behavior or bring any changes?

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some aspects book did convey horror of domestic abuse, but I think it's very hard to put into words just how horrendous it is. I guess for people in happy relationships, reading this book would be an insight and it might raise awareness.

A wee bit twee in that "miraculously" another man appears on the scene - how many times does that happen in books; newly single or about to be single again woman then, lo and behold, knight in shining armour arrives out of the mists? It's not like that in real life.

Talking from personal experience here. I think most people who have lived through abuse would be extremely wary of letting another person get close to them for quite a long time - if, indeed, ever again.

[Helen Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and found it a compelling read.

I found it an informative insight into domestic violence, as I have often wondered myself why indeed these women don't "just leave". I know obv it’s not that simple but what I think the author does is she helps to answer such questions and assumptions which are often made by people in general, giving them an understanding of the victims of domestic abuse.

I felt real loathing for the main character Oliver, and felt myself desperately turning the pages hoping that Carly finally gets the ending she deserves.

It is very well written, and I really enjoyed it.

[Jeanne M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

As a formerly abused wife, I identified strongly with the character I the book, particularly when she searches desperately for help and a place for her to live. After years of abuse you become as ill as your abuser. Well written with great insight into the cruel world of domestic abuse.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping story, very informative as to what it's like being the victim in an abusive marriage.

[Jessica Ignacz · Rating 3 out of 5]

was difficult to read because of how upsetting it was. Good realistic ending.

[Andrea Linthorne Mugford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! From start to finish.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could've been anybody story of abuse. Thought it would be a good guide for an abused woman. Good.