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The Broken Man
Sometimes a damaged child becomes a broken man…
A desperate tragedy,
a life-long friend,
and the long and lonely journey to find a family.
Edward Carter is a bully of a man, who inspires fear in the hearts of all who meet him. Adam Carter is twelve years old, an only child with no friends nor any self confidence. His father’s reign of terror over his family has Adam’s mother Peggy too cowed to protect her son, so Adam’s only support comes in the shape of Jake Wallis, the school bus driver.
Then one afternoon, when Adam is his last drop of the day, Jake makes a life-changing decision – to accompany Adam along the darkening woodland lane to his house. But, in the house at the end of the track a terrible tragedy is unfolding, and it is one that will bind them together forever.
A desperate tragedy,
a life-long friend,
and the long and lonely journey to find a family.
Edward Carter is a bully of a man, who inspires fear in the hearts of all who meet him. Adam Carter is twelve years old, an only child with no friends nor any self confidence. His father’s reign of terror over his family has Adam’s mother Peggy too cowed to protect her son, so Adam’s only support comes in the shape of Jake Wallis, the school bus driver.
Then one afternoon, when Adam is his last drop of the day, Jake makes a life-changing decision – to accompany Adam along the darkening woodland lane to his house. But, in the house at the end of the track a terrible tragedy is unfolding, and it is one that will bind them together forever.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
184 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Cox
111 books330 followersJosephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
February 26, 2016
Man, what a dry, boring book. Are all of her books written this way? Is she 12 or something. Yikes. Awful.
March 10, 2018
I'm putting this under the "Books I Disliked" list. It's dryly written with sloppy plot development. This novel feels like it's written without much thought what with the lack of details and unattentiveness to the characters' attribution. Most time, the conversation between the characters are redundant and unnecesary. Towards the final few chapters I just skimmed through the pages because I find this book unbearably boring and cringeworthy.
January 4, 2018
The story of a controlling bully of a man that controls his family through fear.
Made me cry and I couldn't put this book down. Recommended.
Made me cry and I couldn't put this book down. Recommended.
June 8, 2019
Worst book I've read in a long time. Repetitive, boring. Full of cliché. Not remotely gripping. You don't even get to find out how things turned out with one of the main characters (Anne). I like a complex twisty plot that keeps you up all night and has you reeling from all the clever twists and turns. This was nothing like that. The characters and style of writing for me, were weak. It was my first and last by Josephine Cox
April 19, 2015
From page 1 I got into this book, no slow build up. Characters came to life and was easy to follow. A sad but endearing storyline about Adam, a young boy. I did, however, feel a little cheated at the end. I felt a couple of chapters had been missed and wanted to know more about different situations. See how you feel once you get to the end!!
All in all, a good book to be enjoyed.
All in all, a good book to be enjoyed.
December 28, 2018
I tried so hard to keep going with this book as the storyline was great but OMG what a terrible read, the conversations between people went on and on....and on, I had to give up half way through the book, I just couldn't stand any more.
April 16, 2013
What a shame I wasted my morning trying to read this book.
It had all the ideas and storyline in place, but it just did not work.
It had all the ideas and storyline in place, but it just did not work.
May 18, 2019
**Minor Spoilers**
Yeah I like how it starts. Because the blurb is ambiguous the reader is unaware of the 'terrible tragedy' that will forever change Adam's life. This life-changing event begins at the start so for the next 300-ish pages it could go anywhere. And frankly it did.
The writing is simple and you can skim it and realise you just read an entire page. But idk if this is the dialogue or writing but it just drags on especially when the characters are talking about their feelings (italics). Also, all the characters are sweet and likeable especially Sally who is the ultimate altruistic and loving friend. This strengthens the animosity towards Edward Carter who is a repulsive coward of a man.
Also, I like how the title refers to either the intimidating bully of Edward Carter or Adam Carter. I didn't kinda expect Edward Carter's demise but I understand cos this is one of those emotional and intimate stories, where the protagonist has to gain some solace but then again he doesn't. After his incessant stalking and harassment, he lands himself in jail where the hardened criminals just beat his ass. He is a narcissistic madman who dogmatically, succumbs to delusions of companionship and his own ego
Meanwhile, the 'Broken Man' also applies to his son, Adam Carter. A timid and apprehensive boy who is abandoned and forced to confide in himself. He also dogmatically holds onto a belief of correcting past wrongdoings and gaining vengeance. This aggressive facet betrays the lovable, kind and gentle soul that he also his, thus creating a fragmentation of his mental state. As he grows up and leaves his childhood, the scars of the tragedy still inflict him and he is unable to move on. Otherwise making him a broken man.
Also, the story is told from two perspectives, Adam Carter and Anne Carter (a past spouse of Edward Carter) who both have emotional and heartfelt stories to share of their abandonment and neglectful treatment. I just don't like how their paths cross, it seems unnatural and forced and a huge coincidence. and Anne isn't event part of it so she never meets her husband's son. Oh well
But its happy endings for everyone. so yay for happiness
June 18, 2022
Without intending to be overly critical, I can’t help but say this was a terribly written book that seemed more like a GCSE English Lit project than a novel you can buy in a store. It’s written in a childlike manner and the plot line is easy to spot from a mile off. There’s no complexities in the plot whatsoever even though I get the feeling the author did try to add layers to it. The majority of the dialogue is pointless and mind numbing to the point where I skim read most of the conversations characters had. I had hoped that the bad writing would be made up for by an unexpected “gold nugget” of a plot twist that would’ve made sticking with this book worthwhile, but I was left sorely disappointed. I wish when I first got the urge to put this book down (less than 20 pages in) that I’d listened to myself.
September 6, 2015
Acabado de ler há 10 minutos!
Uma autora que eu não conhecia, mas que me deixou emocionada em vários momentos do livro. Adam é um menino a quem nos é impossível ficar indiferente, uma criança boa que passa por momentos tão maus.
Uma estória dramática, onde podemos ver o pior e o melhor do ser humano e aprendemos que mesmo passando por coisas terríveis quando se tem bom intimo conseguimos seguir com a vida sendo boas pessoas.
Uma leitura carregada de emoções.
Uma autora que eu não conhecia, mas que me deixou emocionada em vários momentos do livro. Adam é um menino a quem nos é impossível ficar indiferente, uma criança boa que passa por momentos tão maus.
Uma estória dramática, onde podemos ver o pior e o melhor do ser humano e aprendemos que mesmo passando por coisas terríveis quando se tem bom intimo conseguimos seguir com a vida sendo boas pessoas.
Uma leitura carregada de emoções.
July 29, 2019
Painstakingly focused through this fictional story about a sad-sack, saint-of-a-boy who was dealt quite a rough deal. Somewhat far-fetched and over-dialogued, I was screaming inside my head the whole time, "Cut to the chase!!!"
January 11, 2016
A simple read. Very direct and predictable. Each character's motive and heart explained to the dot. An easy read when you don't feel like thinking a slightest bit.
July 14, 2017
The plot is interesting enough but the writing is choppy and awkward.
December 16, 2018
Cox’s style is amateur-ish. It’s mundane and boring.
November 18, 2025
Previsível. Demasiado previsível. Não passa de uma história de violência doméstica carregada de reviravoltas das quais já estamos à espera. Podia ser uma boa história (e só isso), mas a previsibilidade dos acontecimentos até isso retira a esta narrativa fraca e com diálogos não menos fracos. De positivo, apenas a honestidade e bondade do protagonista, Adam, que, não obstante todas as maldades com que a vida o "presenteia", mantém o coração puro. Na melhor das hipóteses esta é uma leitura de praia.
July 4, 2020
3.5 stars
Another novel of Josephine Cox’s I found to be very enjoyable, awfully sad but as we know there is always going to be a cheerful conclusion although a bit rushed but still good.
*Book #66/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020
Another novel of Josephine Cox’s I found to be very enjoyable, awfully sad but as we know there is always going to be a cheerful conclusion although a bit rushed but still good.
*Book #66/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020
December 27, 2020
Toda esta história é tão cruel. Tem partes que dói o coração. No entanto, achei que o final foi apressado...
Adorei a relação do Adam com o Phill.
Adorei a relação do Adam com o Phill.
April 29, 2017
Simple story told simply and poorly researched. It was a quick and easy read, but I don't think I'll bother to try any other Josephine Cox's books. So what was wrong:
Time: (I'll try not to include any spoilers) Adam was the last child on the school bus (were there school buses in 1952?), lots of things happened, lots of people got involved, and yet at the end of all the toing and froing Adam saw a lot of children (in an institution) at play; at best it would've been at least 2200hrs, but probably much later. Sally and Anne went for a meal at 1630hrs, there was a delay before they started to eat, after eating they had a drive of at least 2 hours and then held a long conversation. It was after all that, plus more, when Sally thought it strange that some sitting room curtains were closed 'at that time of day'; it must've been at least 2100hrs.
Then we come onto ambulances and police cars with sirens; no, not in 1952 and 1957, they used bells. Policemen with a walkie-talkie? No, they used whistles. Winning £6 at a seaside arcade would've been impossible without a mask and gun; the most you could win at a time was about tuppence, and there were 240 pennies in the pound. £6 was an unskilled worker's weekly wage. Sharks off Yarmouth? An angry man in an Austin-Morris; sure it wasn't a Chrysler-Chevrolet, or a Mercedes-Opel, or even a Renault-Simca? Phil drove the supposed school bus, that was his sole employment; what 2-hours work a day? And so it went on.
Overall, some rubbish research, writing and editing. However, if you don't mind these sort of errors and are after a quick and easy read, you should enjoy this book.
Time: (I'll try not to include any spoilers) Adam was the last child on the school bus (were there school buses in 1952?), lots of things happened, lots of people got involved, and yet at the end of all the toing and froing Adam saw a lot of children (in an institution) at play; at best it would've been at least 2200hrs, but probably much later. Sally and Anne went for a meal at 1630hrs, there was a delay before they started to eat, after eating they had a drive of at least 2 hours and then held a long conversation. It was after all that, plus more, when Sally thought it strange that some sitting room curtains were closed 'at that time of day'; it must've been at least 2100hrs.
Then we come onto ambulances and police cars with sirens; no, not in 1952 and 1957, they used bells. Policemen with a walkie-talkie? No, they used whistles. Winning £6 at a seaside arcade would've been impossible without a mask and gun; the most you could win at a time was about tuppence, and there were 240 pennies in the pound. £6 was an unskilled worker's weekly wage. Sharks off Yarmouth? An angry man in an Austin-Morris; sure it wasn't a Chrysler-Chevrolet, or a Mercedes-Opel, or even a Renault-Simca? Phil drove the supposed school bus, that was his sole employment; what 2-hours work a day? And so it went on.
Overall, some rubbish research, writing and editing. However, if you don't mind these sort of errors and are after a quick and easy read, you should enjoy this book.
January 2, 2017
“A longa e solitária viagem de uma criança à procura do sentido da vida.”
Este livro, foi uma completa surpresa para mim, quando o iniciei procurava um momento de descontração e pensei que esta seria a leitura indicada para isso… Mas enganei-me, este livro é deveras forte a nível emocional. Também nos apercebemos das diferenças em lidar com certos casos nessa altura e dos tempos de agora, principalmente a reticência da sociedade em aceitar o divórcio, a violência doméstica, os maus tratos de crianças…
Começamos a acompanhar Adam em 1952, um miúdo de 7 anos que não sabe o que é ser criança por ter um pai extremamente autoritário e violento, quando Phil o decide acompanhar até casa vai percebendo que esta criança vive num ambiente completamente hostil, acabando por ele próprio ficar ligado a esta criança para sempre…
Pelo decorrer da estória acompanhamos diversas personagens que de uma maneira, ou de outra vão se encaixar na vida de Adam…
É angustiante acompanhar o crescimento de Adam, a determinada altura só pensava “O que mais irá acontecer a este miúdo?”
Só não dei 5 estrelas a este livro, porque no final, achei que a autora apressou o final, ficando muitas dúvidas em relação a algumas personagens, nomeadamente a Anne, acho até que o próprio Adam, no meio de tanta infelicidade e incerteza merecia um desenvolvimento mais exaustivo.
Este livro, foi uma completa surpresa para mim, quando o iniciei procurava um momento de descontração e pensei que esta seria a leitura indicada para isso… Mas enganei-me, este livro é deveras forte a nível emocional. Também nos apercebemos das diferenças em lidar com certos casos nessa altura e dos tempos de agora, principalmente a reticência da sociedade em aceitar o divórcio, a violência doméstica, os maus tratos de crianças…
Começamos a acompanhar Adam em 1952, um miúdo de 7 anos que não sabe o que é ser criança por ter um pai extremamente autoritário e violento, quando Phil o decide acompanhar até casa vai percebendo que esta criança vive num ambiente completamente hostil, acabando por ele próprio ficar ligado a esta criança para sempre…
Pelo decorrer da estória acompanhamos diversas personagens que de uma maneira, ou de outra vão se encaixar na vida de Adam…
É angustiante acompanhar o crescimento de Adam, a determinada altura só pensava “O que mais irá acontecer a este miúdo?”
Só não dei 5 estrelas a este livro, porque no final, achei que a autora apressou o final, ficando muitas dúvidas em relação a algumas personagens, nomeadamente a Anne, acho até que o próprio Adam, no meio de tanta infelicidade e incerteza merecia um desenvolvimento mais exaustivo.
October 10, 2021
A very basic read, and extremely rushed at the end. No real story or bonding with his real father. The end was totally cringey with a young boy proposing marriage and both Adam and Amy declaring they have loved each other since the day they met. They are kids for goodness sakes. I was into the characters and story line up to midway did they author get bored toward the end? What happened to the wicked step grandma? She tries to have Adam killed yet Adam goes back to the fair??? And Granny sits back and does nothing?? And what about Ann? What a terrible storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2020
A simple read, drawn out. The storyline blurb was intriguing & sad. Some parts were but mostly not. I realise it was base from the 1950s but very fuddy duddy. The ending was like what?!! Silly ending.
Very disappointed as I've read previous novels by Josephine Cox & they were of much better quality storylines.
Very disappointed as I've read previous novels by Josephine Cox & they were of much better quality storylines.
January 31, 2017
Once again another brilliant read by Josephine Cox.
April 12, 2018
The book started out really good and got my full attention.
I found a lot of unnecessary writing and the ending was really boring!
I found a lot of unnecessary writing and the ending was really boring!
April 13, 2020
I was not able to give it a lower rating
May 4, 2019
Um romance escrito em 2013 mas que mais parecia ter sido escrito em 1980.
Muito clichê.
Com personagens femininas bem fraquinhas (do ponto de vista psicológico) perante um homem que amam.
Aliás, deixo aqui um pequeno excerto de um comentário de uma das personagens masculinas (página 222): “-Oh, sim, é ponto assente que as mulheres e as meninas não têm nada que ver com os homens e os meninos. Têm umas ideias tolas e imaturas. (...)”
É caso para dizer bem alto “E VIVA El MACHISMO”.
Esta autora da inglesa já tem 78 anos e por isso viveu os seus dias dourados em tempos em que a posição da mulher na sociedade seria outra.
Mas eu, na casa dos 30, não tenho que comer isto.
Nem sequer tenho sais de frutos em casa e por isso nem vou tentar fazer o esforço.
A história em si é interessante e eu teria gostado mais se talvez fosse escrita por outra pessoa.
O que me assusta é que tenho mais livros por ler desta autora. Espero que não tenham sido ata visão da mulher subserviente perante um homem.
Muito clichê.
Com personagens femininas bem fraquinhas (do ponto de vista psicológico) perante um homem que amam.
Aliás, deixo aqui um pequeno excerto de um comentário de uma das personagens masculinas (página 222): “-Oh, sim, é ponto assente que as mulheres e as meninas não têm nada que ver com os homens e os meninos. Têm umas ideias tolas e imaturas. (...)”
É caso para dizer bem alto “E VIVA El MACHISMO”.
Esta autora da inglesa já tem 78 anos e por isso viveu os seus dias dourados em tempos em que a posição da mulher na sociedade seria outra.
Mas eu, na casa dos 30, não tenho que comer isto.
Nem sequer tenho sais de frutos em casa e por isso nem vou tentar fazer o esforço.
A história em si é interessante e eu teria gostado mais se talvez fosse escrita por outra pessoa.
O que me assusta é que tenho mais livros por ler desta autora. Espero que não tenham sido ata visão da mulher subserviente perante um homem.
August 22, 2022
I liked this book which drew me in from the beginning and was thought provoking. It illustrates the good and the bad, the tragedies and the triumphs and the innermost recesses of the mind.
I was left sad for the suffering of young Adam Carter, knowing that for some children the same tragedies, the same abuses and the same crushing defeats are happening to them today. If it wasn't for the love and care of a school bus driver Jake Wallis, Adam would have been completely destroyed.
Josephine Cox did not write a depressing book however because in the end good triumphed over evil. Adam found the love of a sweet and devoted young woman. Anne, another main character who was also abused and tormented by Edward Carter, finally found safety after he was sentenced to life-long incarceration in a mental institution. The sun finally came out on a bright and promising future for two brave and deserving people.
The end of the book was a bit of a letdown however, leaving loose ends and too much to the imagination.
I was left sad for the suffering of young Adam Carter, knowing that for some children the same tragedies, the same abuses and the same crushing defeats are happening to them today. If it wasn't for the love and care of a school bus driver Jake Wallis, Adam would have been completely destroyed.
Josephine Cox did not write a depressing book however because in the end good triumphed over evil. Adam found the love of a sweet and devoted young woman. Anne, another main character who was also abused and tormented by Edward Carter, finally found safety after he was sentenced to life-long incarceration in a mental institution. The sun finally came out on a bright and promising future for two brave and deserving people.
The end of the book was a bit of a letdown however, leaving loose ends and too much to the imagination.
March 26, 2024
I had enough interest to read to the end, hence the two stars.
But the one star reviews sum it all up - very simple writing, character dialogue goes on and on and is superfluous (do people really talk like that?), plot has massive holes in it. The "evil abuser" has a relationship with two women characters in the book; one of them Anne is the best friend of Sally who is the wife of Mick. The other is Adam's mother. Adam is the central character. Adam believes the "evil abuser" to be his father but eventually learns that his father is Mick. However the relationship between Anne and Sally is completely superfluous to him learning this, and Anne's story, after much investment in the novel just ends, and the novel never reveals to Mick, Sally and Anne that the "evil abuser" is both Anne's feared ex-husband, and the man who "parented" Adam and killed his mother.
The whole thing felt quickly dashed off, basic. I'm not the audience for this novel.
But the one star reviews sum it all up - very simple writing, character dialogue goes on and on and is superfluous (do people really talk like that?), plot has massive holes in it. The "evil abuser" has a relationship with two women characters in the book; one of them Anne is the best friend of Sally who is the wife of Mick. The other is Adam's mother. Adam is the central character. Adam believes the "evil abuser" to be his father but eventually learns that his father is Mick. However the relationship between Anne and Sally is completely superfluous to him learning this, and Anne's story, after much investment in the novel just ends, and the novel never reveals to Mick, Sally and Anne that the "evil abuser" is both Anne's feared ex-husband, and the man who "parented" Adam and killed his mother.
The whole thing felt quickly dashed off, basic. I'm not the audience for this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
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November 6, 2019
i was torn between rating this as three or four stars, partly because although i liked it, and it was a good story line etc, i felt it was also a sort of lightweight book, and an easy read. But four stars still won the day as i felt it was very good overall, and I felt that the author set the story well,
October 5, 2019
Another good story from Josephine Cox, however it was slightly disappointing by the language she used. There was a lot of meaningless dialogue written in a very simplistic childish way. Hence only 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews