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Saffie: The youngest victim of the Manchester terror attack and her family's fight for justice
A TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2025
‘A highly personal journey of an exceptional family as they navigate devastating loss. Saffie is absolutely compelling’ Janice Hallett
‘One family's unimaginable journey of pain yet full of love and hope. An inspirational read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A powerful tale’ The Times
‘An extraordinary book’ Daily Mail
________
On 22 May 2017, a bomb exploded in the middle of a crowd of young fans leaving an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people were killed and hundreds more were injured.
Saffie-Rose Roussos, aged eight, was the youngest victim to die in the attack. She had been at the concert with her mother, Lisa, and her elder sister, Ashlee.
While Ashlee’s injuries were not life-threatening, Lisa was so badly hurt doctors gave her a fifteen per cent chance of survival and a ninety per cent chance of being paralysed from the neck down if she did survive. Lisa would spend eight days in a coma and only learned Saffie was gone when she regained consciousness.
As the bomb went off, Saffie’s father Andrew was outside waiting to pick up Lisa, Ashlee and Saffie, with his son Xander. He heard the explosion and embarked on a desperate, terrifying search for his wife and daughters through a city that was now more like a war zone.
Saffie is Andrew and Lisa’s story, one of unimaginable suffering and heartbreak as the family faced down a nightmare but also a story of inspiration, courage and optimism, as they search for happiness and meaning in their lives, whilst fighting MI5 to reveal what they knew about the bomber.
Most of all, though, this is a story of love, for each other and for Saffie, and how she was their guiding light in the very worst of times.
________
‘Incredibly powerful’ Andy Burnham
‘Really brilliant’ Coleen Nolan
‘A heartbreaking journey of love, loss, and resilience against unimaginable tragedy’ Scooter Braun
Read what readers are saying about Saffie…
‘Truly amazing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Lovely book. Very moving’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A deeply personal and courageous book—one that will stay with me for a long time’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A heartbreaking story that is beautifully written’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I couldn’t put this book down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A story full of hope. A MUST READ!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A story that deserves to be told & needs to be heard’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A highly personal journey of an exceptional family as they navigate devastating loss. Saffie is absolutely compelling’ Janice Hallett
‘One family's unimaginable journey of pain yet full of love and hope. An inspirational read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A powerful tale’ The Times
‘An extraordinary book’ Daily Mail
________
On 22 May 2017, a bomb exploded in the middle of a crowd of young fans leaving an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people were killed and hundreds more were injured.
Saffie-Rose Roussos, aged eight, was the youngest victim to die in the attack. She had been at the concert with her mother, Lisa, and her elder sister, Ashlee.
While Ashlee’s injuries were not life-threatening, Lisa was so badly hurt doctors gave her a fifteen per cent chance of survival and a ninety per cent chance of being paralysed from the neck down if she did survive. Lisa would spend eight days in a coma and only learned Saffie was gone when she regained consciousness.
As the bomb went off, Saffie’s father Andrew was outside waiting to pick up Lisa, Ashlee and Saffie, with his son Xander. He heard the explosion and embarked on a desperate, terrifying search for his wife and daughters through a city that was now more like a war zone.
Saffie is Andrew and Lisa’s story, one of unimaginable suffering and heartbreak as the family faced down a nightmare but also a story of inspiration, courage and optimism, as they search for happiness and meaning in their lives, whilst fighting MI5 to reveal what they knew about the bomber.
Most of all, though, this is a story of love, for each other and for Saffie, and how she was their guiding light in the very worst of times.
________
‘Incredibly powerful’ Andy Burnham
‘Really brilliant’ Coleen Nolan
‘A heartbreaking journey of love, loss, and resilience against unimaginable tragedy’ Scooter Braun
Read what readers are saying about Saffie…
‘Truly amazing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Lovely book. Very moving’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A deeply personal and courageous book—one that will stay with me for a long time’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A heartbreaking story that is beautifully written’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I couldn’t put this book down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A story full of hope. A MUST READ!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A story that deserves to be told & needs to be heard’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
4 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
David Collins
240 books40 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This page has collected the miscellaneous items unattributed to specific David Collinses.
For the 18th-19th century Australian legislator, see David^^^^^^^Collins
For the 18th-19th century Australian legislator, see David^^^^^^^Collins
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 2, 2025
this was heart breaking but Saffie’s story was told so well. rest in peace angel 🤍
December 27, 2025
Eight-year-old Saffie-Rose always wanted to be famous and since her life was stolen on that horrific night at Manchester Arena, her unbelievably brave parents and family have dedicated themselves to keeping her memory alive and tirelessly fighting for justice for their daughter and the 21 other beautiful souls who lost their lives on 22 May 2017.
Manchester is my home and I saw Take That at the Arena just four days before the attack (I’d later learn that the perpetrator did a practice run that night). I can still remember driving in to Manchester on that Tuesday morning, seeing the signs on the motorway warning of a serious incident at the Arena and being in absolute shock at finding out what had happened.
Saffie’s bright light shines off every page. There are examples of true selflessness like the two medical students who did their best to help Saffie’s older sister, Ashlee and Paul, the merchandise seller who stayed by Saffie’s side until she was eventually placed in an ambulance but the feeling I was left with after reading the final page was anger.
When I went to the Arena on 18 May 2017, I never even thought about the people and agencies which had been tasked with keeping me safe that night; from Showsec, British Transport Police, Greater Manchester Police, the North West Ambulance Service and the Great Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to MI5. I naively trusted them to do their jobs.
It made me furious to learn about the litany of failures both on the night and in the weeks and months leading up to it.
The officers who were supposed to be patrolling the area but neglected their duties and took a two-hour kebab break. When a member of the public voiced their concerns about the perpetrator who was loitering in the area and shouldering a bulky backpack, it was left to the Arena’s insufficiently trained security staff to decide how to proceed. The police commanders who were completely overwhelmed and unprepared for a situation of this magnitude. An unforgivable lack of communication which led to paramedics and fire personnel being stopped from helping people even though the area had been secured. This caused delays in treatment which could have improved the chances of survival for two of the victims (including Saffie) and meant the injured had to be evacuated using makeshift stretchers made from advertising hoardings. The mishandling of intelligence which would have put the perpetrator under surveillance on his return to the UK from Libya before the attack.
Manchester is my home and I saw Take That at the Arena just four days before the attack (I’d later learn that the perpetrator did a practice run that night). I can still remember driving in to Manchester on that Tuesday morning, seeing the signs on the motorway warning of a serious incident at the Arena and being in absolute shock at finding out what had happened.
Saffie’s bright light shines off every page. There are examples of true selflessness like the two medical students who did their best to help Saffie’s older sister, Ashlee and Paul, the merchandise seller who stayed by Saffie’s side until she was eventually placed in an ambulance but the feeling I was left with after reading the final page was anger.
When I went to the Arena on 18 May 2017, I never even thought about the people and agencies which had been tasked with keeping me safe that night; from Showsec, British Transport Police, Greater Manchester Police, the North West Ambulance Service and the Great Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to MI5. I naively trusted them to do their jobs.
It made me furious to learn about the litany of failures both on the night and in the weeks and months leading up to it.
The officers who were supposed to be patrolling the area but neglected their duties and took a two-hour kebab break. When a member of the public voiced their concerns about the perpetrator who was loitering in the area and shouldering a bulky backpack, it was left to the Arena’s insufficiently trained security staff to decide how to proceed. The police commanders who were completely overwhelmed and unprepared for a situation of this magnitude. An unforgivable lack of communication which led to paramedics and fire personnel being stopped from helping people even though the area had been secured. This caused delays in treatment which could have improved the chances of survival for two of the victims (including Saffie) and meant the injured had to be evacuated using makeshift stretchers made from advertising hoardings. The mishandling of intelligence which would have put the perpetrator under surveillance on his return to the UK from Libya before the attack.
July 7, 2025
I have very clear memories of watching the horrific events of 22nd May 2017 unfolding live on the news, & the faces of many of the victims are imprinted on my memory to this day — Saffie was the youngest of those victims & her death, like that of the 21 others, should never have happened.
The Manchester arena bombing could have been stopped, & even though it wasn’t, Saffie also may still have lived, if only she had she received the right treatment quickly enough — this book is an emotional but factual explanation of the painful journey Saffie’s parents were forced to go on in order to get only some answers about why, & how, their precious little girl died on what should have been the best night of her life. There were multiple failings connected to this event & the only thing we can hope is that lessons were learnt so that an attack on this scale is never able to happen again.
During the few days it took me to read this, what should have been Saffie’s 17th birthday passed by; something that occurred completely by chance but filled me with great sadness. I have also finished the book on the twentieth anniversary of the 07/07 London bombings — again, something that happened by chance but made the read even more devastating.
In a world where hate seems to be spreading more & more quickly every week, reading a book like this is daunting, but I also feel it’s important that the public is able to access the experiences of those directly impacted so that we never forget the damage hatred can cause.
Happy birthday Saffie — I truly hope you’re somewhere dancing & singing, but most importantly, somewhere safe.
The Manchester arena bombing could have been stopped, & even though it wasn’t, Saffie also may still have lived, if only she had she received the right treatment quickly enough — this book is an emotional but factual explanation of the painful journey Saffie’s parents were forced to go on in order to get only some answers about why, & how, their precious little girl died on what should have been the best night of her life. There were multiple failings connected to this event & the only thing we can hope is that lessons were learnt so that an attack on this scale is never able to happen again.
During the few days it took me to read this, what should have been Saffie’s 17th birthday passed by; something that occurred completely by chance but filled me with great sadness. I have also finished the book on the twentieth anniversary of the 07/07 London bombings — again, something that happened by chance but made the read even more devastating.
In a world where hate seems to be spreading more & more quickly every week, reading a book like this is daunting, but I also feel it’s important that the public is able to access the experiences of those directly impacted so that we never forget the damage hatred can cause.
Happy birthday Saffie — I truly hope you’re somewhere dancing & singing, but most importantly, somewhere safe.
May 4, 2025
Beautiful Tribute to little Safffie
Deeply sorry for the loss of your innocent little girl at the hands of a Terrorist. Excellent coverage in this book about how this terror attack was investigated afterwards ….. All the Failings of M15, Police & Medical Services.
Deeply sorry for the loss of your innocent little girl at the hands of a Terrorist. Excellent coverage in this book about how this terror attack was investigated afterwards ….. All the Failings of M15, Police & Medical Services.
June 19, 2025
Beautiful heartbreaking read.
I remember the Manchester bombing like it was yesterday. To think about what they all endured and how scared they must have been is un imaginable.
Saffies parents have done her proud and to this day they will make sure their little girl is never forgotten.
I remember the Manchester bombing like it was yesterday. To think about what they all endured and how scared they must have been is un imaginable.
Saffies parents have done her proud and to this day they will make sure their little girl is never forgotten.
August 9, 2025
Absolutely heartbreaking, a tragedy that never should have happened, and Saffie would still be here.
My thoughts went out to the young lad who found Saffie and stayed with her. I hope he is doing well
My thoughts went out to the young lad who found Saffie and stayed with her. I hope he is doing well
May 5, 2025
Such a powerful read about a devastating tragedy
July 6, 2025
an incredibly emotional read but also very eye opening. what an atrocity to have happened, God bless all those affected. should NEVER happen again.
July 18, 2025
such a beautiful story and to find out what really happened well written
August 4, 2025
saffiee should still be alive today fingers crossed lessons have been learnt MI5 are a waste if space. This book made me cry well written
September 30, 2025
VVVVVVVV sad :'(((((
May 4, 2025
First of all this book, I feel, doesn’t needs a full review but I will introduce it a little.
This book is about the events of May 2017 when the Manchester Arena was involved in a terrorist attack following a concert with Arianna Grande.
The book goes through the events of that night and the aftermath, the inquiry that follows years after and more importantly the life of the youngest victim, Saffie-Rose Roussos.
Never in a world of my thoughts could anyone explain what Andrew and Lisa and all the other 21 families have gone through, but this will open your eyes!
This book is about the events of May 2017 when the Manchester Arena was involved in a terrorist attack following a concert with Arianna Grande.
The book goes through the events of that night and the aftermath, the inquiry that follows years after and more importantly the life of the youngest victim, Saffie-Rose Roussos.
Never in a world of my thoughts could anyone explain what Andrew and Lisa and all the other 21 families have gone through, but this will open your eyes!
June 2, 2025
A harrowing read, but one I felt I wanted to read since this story is very close to my heart, as it happened in my home town. Something nobody could ever expect when it's pretty much on your doorstep. An unimaginable event that brought disaster to many many lives across the country.
This was Saffie's story, written by an Author with no family connection but with input from Saffie's parents. A really well written and heartbreaking read, but very interesting.
This was Saffie's story, written by an Author with no family connection but with input from Saffie's parents. A really well written and heartbreaking read, but very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews