Coatbridge: The Disappearance of Moira Anderson

by Chalk and Blade, Sandra Brown (Narrator)

For decades, Sandra Brown’s life has been intertwined with someone she has never met: an eleven year-old girl named Moira Anderson – who disappeared from their hometown of Coatbridge, Scotland, in 1957. It became one of the oldest cold cases in Scottish history.

Sandra lived just around the corner from Moira. She grew up hearing about the missing girl, whose memory haunted the town. But she never imagined that, one day, she would be the one trying to uncover what happened. Or that her search for answers would reveal secrets and lies so close to home.

In her own words, Sandra tells the full story, of a lifetime spent confronting doubt and resistance. Can she break the silence and find the truth? And how much pain will it cause?

Content Warning: There are references to child sexual abuse and to violence in this series. Listener discretion is advised.

Genres: Audiobook, True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

200 pages, Audiobook

Published June 24, 2024

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story & audio 4 stars**
Narrator Sandra Brown

[Alice Golding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this really quickly and kept listening even when I probably should have been going to sleep! It was a real page turner… or whatever the audiobook version of that would be! Unfortunately I was a little disappointed by there not being a nice neat conclusion, but that’s what happened in the real investigation so I can’t complain too much! 4.5 ⭐️

[Loui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook's delivery is excellent, and it really makes you empathize with everyone involved. Sandra's relentless pursuit of the truth is inspiring. We need more people like her to champion the vulnerable and shine a light on uncomfortable issues.

The story is insightful and told with genuine feeling and determination. I enjoyed the narration, and the structure was easy to follow.

[Léah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. Kind of sad, actually. But with an Unsolved Mystery” vibe.

[Avid Reader and Geek Girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listen if you're in the mood for dark, informative, reflective, & sad
Pacing? Medium

Overall Rating: 2.5 stars
I just felt meh towards this, it was a bit slow-moving for my taste. I also feel like they went over too many things repeatedly. They could have saved at least an hour by being less repetitive.

However, this was an interesting and very sad story. I hope for the family they eventually get her remains back, and some more closure.

Main Narrator Rating: 3.25 stars
The main narrator was decent and easy to understand even if you're not used to her accent. But with some of the interviews, the speed to listen at was hard to choose, as one person she interviewed spoke very fast and was hard to understand at 1.5x speed, but if you listened at 1x speed others sounded slow.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Kidnapping, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Child death, Incest, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death

Minor: Confinement and Death of a parent

Notes on CWs:
Only one sexual assault was briefly described, and more of the injury/aftermath was described than the actual assault. There was a ton of talk of child sexual abuse and incest. Pedophilia wasn't explicitly described, it was just the main topic of the book.

[Bobby Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is a heartbreaking yet essential account of one of Scotland's oldest cold cases; the disappearance of eleven-year-old Moira Anderson. Told through the voice of Sandra Brown, who was just eight years old when Moira vanished, the story unfolds with a depth of emotion and authenticity that is impossible to ignore. From the very start, it’s clear this isn’t just a retelling of tragic events; it's the lived experience of a woman whose life became intertwined with a girl she never met.

Sandra's determination is astonishing. Her decades long fight to uncover the truth, despite resistance, doubt, and unimaginable obstacles, is a powerful testament to her need for justice. She takes listeners through a painful journey filled with secrecy, fear, and heart-wrenching revelations; many far closer to home than she ever expected. The inclusion of dramatization and commentary from others adds a raw, documentary like realism that makes the experience even more gripping.

I was completely absorbed, so much so that I was unable to stop listening. This is a profoundly sad story, yet Sandra's persistence shines as a beacon of hope and humanity. Moira's case may be cold, but Sandra refuses to let her memory fade. This audiobook is devastating, compelling, and absolutely worth your time. Listener discretion is advised due to sensitive content, but the impact of Sandra’s courage will stay with you long after the final chapter.

[Tamsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened on Audible.
A case that happened in the 1950's in Scotland. An 11 year-old girl Moira went missing from her town under suspicious circumstances, though for many, many years nobody learned the truth of what happened to her.

Another girl named Sandra didn't really know Moira, but soon became linked to her in a very upsetting and tragic way. It turns out that Sandra's father was the one who had murdered the little girl and had hidden her body, which sadly still hasn't been found to this day.

There's a lot of discussion revolving around sexual abuse within this book, it's tough to listen to but very vital to this story. Sandra's father was a bus driver back in the 50's and would sexually assault the "clippies" that worked on the buses with him. It often happened at the end of the day when the shift was over and nobody was around. It was too easy to trap the victim on the bus and many victims were afraid to speak out after the assault, especially the younger girls.

There was also a lot of cover up and denial about the whole thing from friends/family which made the investigation into the case difficult, and Sandra's father passed away before any real justice could be served.

It's an incredible, upsetting and frustrating case to listen to and I almost binged the entire book in one sitting because I desperately wanted to know the outcome. I truly hope that one day Moira can get the true justice she deserves and that she can rest in peace.

[Lexi Sølvhammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of a sad case about the disappearance of 11 year old Moira Anderson.

The book is told by a woman who was only 8 years old when Moira disappeared. But this woman is unstoppable in her quest to g’et justice for the little girl who’s case turned into a cold case.

The author goes over and beyond trying to get her suspension of who the perpetrators was to get trough. It became an almost impossible journey.

This book is told with dramatization and comments from other people and this gives the whole experience of the Audible a touch of authenticity.

I was awake almost an entire night due to listening to this book as it was very difficult stop listening.

Definitely a book worth your time.

Instagram: @booksherlocked

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy true crime, and the fact that this is written by someone with a deep personal connection to this story is quite compelling.

If you're looking for a clear, straightforward narrative of an unbiased investigation with a clear sense of closure, you might be disappointed.

That being said, hearing the story from the perspective of someone whose life is deeply intertwined with Moira's death is fascinating, and the Scots accents were an added bonus.

TW: SA, child violence, child abuse

[Jazmin Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad I decided to listen to this audiobook, especially since it was my first time listening to one. The story delves into family secrets, betrayals, and the relentless search for the truth. Sandra Brown's unwavering dedication to uncovering the long-buried family secrets and trying to solve the murder of Moira Anderson is genuinely commendable. Her efforts have brought a sense of closure to everyone involved, and I sincerely appreciate her work. However, I wish they were able to recover Moira's remains, though.

[Sara Good · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book repeatedly revisits similar details, leads, and speculative elements, making the narrative feel somewhat repetitive. It explores different theories and potential suspects, but the lack of new or engaging revelations causes the story to circle back to the same information multiple times. The investigative journey doesn’t offer much new insight or compelling development as the case remains unsolved, leading to a repetitive cycle of potential clues, false leads, and dead ends. I found this really hard work!

[Chris Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was really not much information about the crime itself except towards the end with a “suspicious” confession. This was more of a women’s story trying to understand her trauma and coming to terms with it. In that aspect it did a good job. As a true crime story it was slightly lacking, probably due to the time period of this crime and the lack of publicity it received at the time. Overall a good read.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to give Sandra Brown extra kudos because she has done her best to solve her friend’s murder. By leaving no stone unturned, she has even looked hard into her own family history and questioned those around her. In the end, pieces are found but no real conclusion is reached. Sandra has honored her friend,Moira Anderson, by getting her name and memory out in the universe.

[Amy Lepore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the oldest cold case in Coatbridge, Scotland. The disappearance of Moira Anderson during a snowstorm in 1957. Sandra and Moira lived a street away from one another, and she grew up hearing of the missing Moira her entire life. Then she became the one to dig deeper into the case and tell it in her own words. Uncovers tales of child abuse and family/town secrets.

[Kelly Maskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binged this in just a couple of days. I had to know the outcome. This story was so well told through interviews, experiences and reports. I was shocked at the outcome as I didn’t know anything about this story before this book. Such a sad tale and so eye opening to realise how cases go unsolved for so many years.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely heartbreaking true story. Sandra Brown is an amazing woman. She dedicated her life to Moira Anderson. Having to stand up against her Father and other family members that did not support her must have been so difficult for her but the work she does in Moira's name is incredible.

[Jo Lee]

It doesn’t feel right to me to rate this title. It’s a compelling read/listen and Sandra Brown deserves so much credit, I hope along with her and Moria’s family that she can be properly laid to rest.

Currently included with audible 🎧

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book shows the strength and bravery of this woman who spent her life bringing justice to a family victimized by her own father all while growing up and living her own life. Sorry, that was a horrible run-on sentence. But this is a sad and incredible book.

[Diana Vasilut]

Such a heartbreaking story while also being one of the most powerful ones I've heard. It really shows how one person can make a difference and how there's so much that we don't know about the people around us and their secrets.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking, mesmerizing. Almost stopped listening several times but wanted to know what happened to Sandra & Moira. An incredible journey that Sandra lived through.

[Lizlovesfantasyromancebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read!! My heart goes out to the woman who spent around 60 years trying to get Justice for her!! She never gave up!!!

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an often heartbreaking listen. So many times they came close to the truth but were hampered by one person or another. Sad that they have not been able to find Moura's body to allow her to be at rest but at least it is known who was responsible. Very sensitively down.

[Hannah Donoghue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read sad story

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible - knowing nothing about it except it was a true crime story. I started it and couldn’t stop! I spent 5 straight hours with no regrets!
This story is unbelievable!

[Darchelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic. The story is horrific, but I couldn’t stop listening. Perfect if you’re a fan of true crime!

[Hayleyfigueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this was more of a slog than I had hoped.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad story. Amazingly told. I was intrigued on this case I had not heard of before.

[Kim Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very engrossing—she sort of lost me when she started getting psychics involved

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional moving book.