Trapped: The Terrifying True Story of a Secret World of Abuse

by Rosie Lewis

The first in a series of highly anticipated new titles from foster carer Rosie Lewis.

Phoebe, an autistic nine-year-old girl, is taken into police protection after a chance comment to one of her teachers alerts the authorities that all might not be what it seems in her comfortable, middle-class home. Experienced foster carer Rosie accepts the youngster as an emergency placement knowing that her autism will represent a challenge – not only for her but also for the rest of the family.

But after several shocking incidents of self-harming, Pica and threats to kill, it soon becomes apparent that Phoebe’s autism may be the least of her problems.

Locked for nine years in a secret world of severe abuse, as Phoebe opens up about her horrific past, her foster carer begins to suspect that Phoebe may not be suffering from autism at all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Abuse, Fostering, Biography, Biography Memoir, True Story

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

Rosie Lewis has been a short-term foster carer for over seven years and in that time has shared her home with over twenty children. Since childhood, Rosie has had an obsession with books and is now delighted to combine fostering with her other passion, writing, by recording some of her experiences in a series of memoirs. Based in northern England, Rosie writes under a pseudonym to protect the identities of the children she looks after.

She lives in the North of England with her own two children.

Reviews

[Allisha Derbyshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, but I feel like she could of talked about the processes more, with authorities. A very sad story and a very nice ending. I am curious to know about the autism if the diagnosis was kept after all her progress and resuming mainstream schooling etc and doing so well. There seems to be abit missing but the story was well written and told. My heart goes out to this little girl, as a fellow abused woman.

[Naomi Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading the "UK single mum foster carer" genre, and while this isn't quite as good as a Cathy Glass novel, I have to admit I was riveted the entire time I was reading. The book was interesting and important to read in its being an eye-opening type of horrific story that needs to be told, especially if you're not overly familiar with foster care or the hellish situations so many children find themselves being pulled from before being placed in foster care.

What I felt the book lacked was the realism that I enjoy so much in Cathy Glass books. Cathy Glass is a stickler for details, making the whole experience feel like it just clicks together and makes sense, as she works with social services and deals with red tape and all kinds of people within the system. THIS book tended to gloss over a lot of those details like meetings and the social services hierarchy, and the people within that hierarchy that I would have grown accustomed to 'getting to know' in a Cathy Glass book. I appreciate being privy to those details... it makes me feel more a part of things, and gives me a much clearer picture of the child in question.

Since this is pretty early on in Rosie Lewis' career I'd say she's made an AMAZING start and can go nowhere but up! Looking forward to see what else she has in store.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll confess, several times I was in tears reading this book. What a tough job the author has. What a difference she makes in these children's lives. Excellent story.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story, yet the book reads like a mystery novel, because the foster child comes to Rosie with no background notes. Through Rosie, the reader (and Rosie herself) has to slowly piece together what’s going on, and the mystery is part of the books appeal - encouraging you turn every page in order to find out more.

Having read stories of childhood abuse written by the children themselves, it was a refreshing change to read from a carers perspective. One thing which the latter type of book points out, is how hard these abused kids are to like. Sadly the abuse they face makes them act out, behave and interact in a way that doesn’t make them easy to love. (Some of the foster child’s behaviour was simply horrifying)

Full kudos to foster carers who do the job I wouldn’t have the fortitude to do, and for such little pay. The government is really taking the p*** - it gives me even more respect for foster parents knowing they are doing it more out of a sense of duty than anything else.

If anything this book shows that the way somebody is treated, the experiences they have, can greatly affect behaviour, and we all need to be not only aware of it, but a little bit kinder in our interactions with others.

A sad book, but worth the read.

[Alysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book allowed the insight to fostering from an experienced foster carer and her journey with 8 year old Phoebe, who was placed in emergency care. Initially described as warm and friendly, it soon became apparent that there was something amiss.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was how Phoebe's behaviours were described to us rather than explained in advance, this allowed me to feel as though I was going through the journey with Rosie rather than being told about it. A lot of Phoebe's backstory was not divulged though it adds to the limited knowledge Rosie was also given and you could empathise with her frustration of not knowing what happened and why Phoebe was acting such a way.

The book also offered the behind the scenes of how such placements work and the meetings, budgets and training courses the foster carers are required to go through, contradicting the stereotypical view that majority of foster carers are in it solely for the financial means. As well as how effective love and devotion can truly impact any child's life no matter what they have been through.

[Rahafhelmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the “foster carer” and “single female foster carer” works.
And although this book is not as good as any of Cathy Glass’s books, I still liked it.

This is the true story about Phoebe. Phoebe’s an 8-year-old Autistic child that’s been taken abruptly from school and into foster care after her mother grabbed her hand and hurt her.
As Phoebe comes to live with Rosie, she starts by acting in a weird way and repeating every word Rosie and her children say, which at first, is found irritating but they grow to cope with it.

I can tell you this; I cried or fell close to tears several times while reading this book and I can tell you that no child should ever be going through what Phoebe went through.

My only pointer is: I wish there were more details about how they dealt with her and her condition, and how they handled the legal aspects of her case.
I also wish she kept us up to date with what happened to the abuser and whether Maxine and Phoebe kept in touch or not.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a total page turner for me. I could not put it down and I desperately want to know who had f*^@-ed (literally!!) up this little girls life. What a sad sad story about the sickness that lives in some people and then used to exploit others. Truly sickening.

So well written and kudos to the author for the exceptional work she does to make the world a better place regardless of her own personal needs! Well done!

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very explicit wrt abuse description, so consider this a trigger warning for the book. I’m having read a short story of hers previously, there are a few pages of overlap and some of the book seems like she is just patting herself on the back for doing good. But overall, I’d say it’s pretty good (if simply written), and a good guide for how to interpret and deal with “problem” children who might be hiding a dark past or other turmoil.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book written very well

You can feel what the people felt. She brings you inside the life of being a carer of young children and the heartache and pain that these children have to go thru breaks your heart. You really find yourself immersed in the story and hoping for a good ending to such a sad young life.

[Harley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading how she spoke about Phoebe's autistic qualities made me feel sick. And then praising ABA therapy when so many autistic people have spoken about how harmful it is. The entire book left a bad taste in my mouth and not just because of the abuse Phoebe went through. I won't be reading another book by this author again.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and twisted but enlightening.

It shows the damage that can be done so clearly that it can hurt physically to read. You will be clenching your fists in frustration and wanting to hurt the people that did it. I found it hard to read at times and harder to put down. It was the sad understanding of the social care system that made it harder to see. Well done to Rosie Lewis for all her amazing work and care wanting to help where others see only easy road and money.

[Tracy Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard read

I found this a hard read in places, however it’s a beautiful book, I could feel how hard it was to hear those awful disclosures but the fact the young lass got a happy ending was absolutely heartwarming. How hard I feel foster caters work and under heartbreaking circumstances

[Pammi Walker]

Brilliant read

I wanna say well done to Rosie lewis ,like all other foster carers yr work is epic , and thank God that phobee came to you when she did .
This book I couldn't put down as I wanted to know if she would b ok , but I won't spoil it for other readers
So if u like reading foster carers true stories then this is another one u can add to your list
Amazin work Rosie

[Home School Mum 3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared with tissues

Such a powerful story about a little girl and such terrible things happening to her. It was nice by the ending of the book to see she had a happy ending, not all children do who go through abuse like this.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful yet tragic story

Read this in 2 days as I was genuinely hooked with wanting to know Phoebe’s story and ending to the story. What a truly inspirational foster career Rosie is. She should hold her head high with pride.

[Chloe Porsche Utley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most heartbreaking, but brilliant books I've ever read. Phoebe's story is a tough one to read, but the honest way in which the book is written makes you keep reading to find out how her story ends!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about mental illness and abuse. My grandmother and grandfather on my fathers side were my father's foster parents whom he kept in touch with. It was interesting to read about foster care from their perspective

[Mrs Karen Hopley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing but beautifully written

A beautifully written insight into the life of a foster cared and a terribly troubled abused child. Thank goodness for the Rosie’s of this world!
Wishing Phoebe a life of love and happiness x

[Kimberley Templeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a riveting story! I was captivated the whole time, if it wasn’t for work I would have finished it much sooner! Beautifully capturing the raw emotional energy of such a situation but also the beacons of light and character/relationship developments throughout!

[Cheri Smallwood-ellerker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, This book tells the sad story of Phoebe who is taken in by Rosie, Phoebe has been classed as autistic. But When Rosie starts to get Phoebe to trust her and help break the barriers down, She soon learns there is more to her behaviour.

[Fiona Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lady, foster carer, mum , human and writer as well as excellent family unit. The best that can be. Hope you are still fostering. Be nice to have more of your foster stories down on paper. Rereading all of your books at the moment.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely incredible. It really touched my heart. If you know someone who has been in foster care or is a care giver this is an amazing read. It really shows everyone’s side and feelings and gave me such a different outlook

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. A real page-turner

[Taryn Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely almost as well-written as Cathy Glass novels, and just as heartbreaking.

[Bobbie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. I couldn’t put it down. Sad tho

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Rosie is the most-like-me foster carer I have read about.

[lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, so well written on hard subjects.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad tale of horrific child abuse, with a lovely ending. Hit me right in the feels. 😩

[Elaine Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped from the start! Incredible story and couldn't put it down.

[Julie Cosnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I couldn’t put it down it was a brilliant read. The journey made me giggle, cry and has given a new insight into care and what it’s all about 🥰🥰🥰