Deceived: A True Story

by Sarah Smith, Kate Snell

This powerful memoir introduces student Sarah Smith, whose peaceful existence was shattered one day in 1993 when an IRA bomb exploded near her college. In the aftermath of this terrorist attack, Robert Freegard, a barman she had recently befriended, revealed his true identity to Sarah and two of her friends—he was an MI5 spy investigating IRA cells in the area. Because of their knowledge of his true identity, Freegard convinced the three of them that they must go into hiding or risk being killed. Thus began a nightmare for Sarah, becoming a half-starved fugitive living in slums. During this time she lived under multiple pseudonyms and worked menial jobs. Freegard became the only person she trusted. But a decade later, police confronted her with the knowledge that Freegard was not an MI5 agent. He was a conman, and she was one of his many victims. By brainwashing Sarah with such sophisticated techniques that psychologists are still baffled, he had stolen 10 precious years and more than $600,000 from her. This is Sarah Stephens' shocking true story, and a profile of a modern-day criminal genius and master manipulator.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2007

Reviews

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Deceived is a true crime book with such an amazing hook that I’m surprised it hasn’t been turned into a Hollywood movie:

In the early 90s, at the height of the IRA bombings in Britain, student Sarah Smith is approached by an undercover police officer, Robert, who tells her that her life is in danger from the IRA. He convinces her that she must flee (with him and two others of her student friends) and live anonymously, on the lam, in order to save her own life and the lives of her family.

EXCEPT.

The supposed undercover officer is just a psychopath with a God complex who wants to see how completely he can control her life. (Answer: a whole hell of a lot, apparently, because for ten years Sarah and her friends do exactly what he says.)

The true story behind Deceived is so incredible that I was surprised at how much of a wet fish the actual book turned out to be.

A big problem is that the narrative is organised in a bizarre way: partly written in Sarah’s first person narrative; partly written in 3rd person, describing the actions of the story’s other players; and partly written in an outside authorial voice that explains the psychology behind Robert’s actions. The constant shifts in POV, plus the utterly rote style of the description, makes a genuinely exciting story quite boring to read.

The book also fails in one crucial aspect: it doesn’t convince. I see no reason for Sarah Smith to lie about what happened, but the narrative presented in this book is completely unconvincing. That can only be the result of poor interviewing and poor writing on the part of her co-author, Kate Snell.

[Lorraine Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book, but on the other hand I had to read it, albeit speed read it. It made uncomfortable reading and left me feeling so angry it was untrue. All I know is numerous people had their lives ruined by this monster, none more so than Sarah and he more or less went free after having two life sentences quashed. It does not give you any confidence in the British Penal system to read accounts such as this.

Hopefully Kate Snell will understand that this is not anything derogatory in respect of her as an author but this is one of the most frustrating books I have ever read and my heart goes out especially to Sarah.

[Gail murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written i can't belive one woman fell for a guys BS for so long

[Sally Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really looked forward to sitting down and reading this story, shocking that this happened in todays society,

[Susieville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this awhile ago but couldn't remember the name. This is a true story that had my interest from the beginning. From Amazon: This powerful memoir introduces student Sarah Smith, whose peaceful existence was shattered one day in 1993 when an IRA bomb exploded near her college. In the aftermath of this terrorist attack, Robert Freegard, a barman she had recently befriended, revealed his true identity to Sarah and two of her friends—he was an MI5 spy investigating IRA cells in the area. Because of their knowledge of his true identity, Freegard convinced the three of them that they must go into hiding or risk being killed. Thus began a nightmare for Sarah, becoming a half-starved fugitive living in slums. During this time she lived under multiple pseudonyms and worked menial jobs. Freegard became the only person she trusted. But a decade later, police confronted her with the knowledge that Freegard was not an MI5 agent. He was a conman, and she was one of his many victims. By brainwashing Sarah with such sophisticated techniques that psychologists are still baffled, he had stolen 10 precious years and more than $600,000 from her. This is Sarah Stephens' shocking true story, and a profile of a modern-day criminal genius and master manipulator.

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a weird story. I read a Dutch translation of this book and am too lazy to add it on goodreads. maybe another day. (done)

Anyways, lend this from the library and did not know what it was about so when I started reading it and realized what was happening, I am sorry but it was so unbelievable to me. Not that she is lying but how can you be so dumb? I don't understand. And her parents and others giving all that money. How stupid.Normally I can see 2 sides but in this case it is hard.
So I did not enjoy this book at all. Maybe it was because of the way it was translated or because from the start I just could not feel any affinity with anyone.

Nu in Het Nederlands. Heb net de NL versie gecombineerd met de Engelstalige. Deze versie was er al maar iemand zet de NL boeken op Goodreads met de druk in de titel en dan vind je het boek alleen op isbn.

Anyways. Ik weet niet of het aan de vertaling lag of aan het verhaal zelf. Waarschijnlijk aan beide maar ik vond het helemaal niets.

[Adrian]

Story of Sarah Smith and two college friends who were brought under the control of a man claiming to be an MI5 agent tracking IRA bombers. He wasn't. Students are co-opted and brainwashed. Smith lived under this man's control for ten years. Phenomenal, horrible nightmare. Must be read to be believed.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? Wow, this is so bizzare and quite frankly very frightening how someone can
so completely brain wash intelligent people. An interesting reading, if a little confusing in places, but just as equally disturbing and I feel so sad for all the people duped by this mongrel. He should never see daylight again.

[Ben Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A horrifying tale, particularly because it sounds too awful to be true, yet I know some of the protagonists, and know it to be true. The scariest thing is that with Freegard around, it could indeed happen to anyone - truly a case of 'there but for the grace of God...'. The writing is a tad melodramatic (Daily Mail style), but it's engrossing.

[Louise Cashman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, compelling but very unpleasant true life story about a conman who duped Sarah Smith, among others, in to believing and living out an existence based on a web of lies. Sarah’s repeated requests for money from her parents together with her brainwashed acceptance of Freegard’s fantastical explanations make for quite a difficult read.

[Lauren Jackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this a hard book to read at times as I was amazed that the deception could span a whole decade of someones life

Also shocked at the short length of sentence Freegard receive.

I hope the victims have managed to get back to a more normal life

[Janlou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written, hard to believe, true story.

[Rita Chapman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read the first half of this book - it is beyond my comprehension that anyone could be this naive.

[Holly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Freegard made people believe he was a British spy… getting these people to think the IRA are after them.

Poor poor Sarah and all the other people he conned in this book, not just their mental health and wellbeing the thousands and thousands of pounds he took not just from them but their families too

This is mostly the story about Sarah’s journey through being brainwashed

It is so sad that one human being can do it to so many people

I wish all the people in this book well and hope you are living your best life xxxx

[Derek Beaugarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this been a work of fiction it would have been an enjoyable crime novel. But once you accept that Sarah Smith's story is true, then it becomes a tough, emotional but utterly gripping read. What Sarah endured at the bidding of one cruel sociopathic man provides lessons for all of us.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story. Worth a read.