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Save One Child
"Compelling and authentic and the author's step by step account of his undercover role and operations is fascinating. For any practising professional or student this should be essential reading." ~ Mary Robinson, Barnardo's Children's Charity In the late 1970s, Detective Ian James had quickly risen through the ranks of the London Metropolitan Police. After ten years, he relocated North to Cleveland where he continued in the role of a detective running informants on the Regional Crime Squad and National Crime Squad to infiltrate the underworld. Drugs and gun were on his watch. Then, a chance meeting with an old friend changed his life forever. Would he like to be part of a team of just four setting up a brand-new unit working in a dark and challenging world? It meant that for the next two decades he would assume a new identity. For the purpose of the role, Ian became a paedophile. The result is that he saved dozens of children from abuse and sent to prison many who were a danger to society. This is his incredible true story.
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Published July 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 17, 2022
Based in England, and much of the book is hard to follow if you aren’t acutely aware of the geography. The work that this gentleman did was amazing, groundbreaking, and honorable. My qualm, is that much of the book focused on the journey that led him to become an undercover, and not actual cases.
Also, my biggest pet peeve….there were so many typos. I double checked to make sure it wasn’t a British English to English typo. If you have an editor, this is inexcusable in my opinion.
Also, my biggest pet peeve….there were so many typos. I double checked to make sure it wasn’t a British English to English typo. If you have an editor, this is inexcusable in my opinion.
November 12, 2018
Powerful story
Save one child is the first book I've read from author Ian James, and I am so glad I was honored to be chosen to read it. It was a remarkable story that entered the dark life of the underworld where pedophilia is common place. This is definitely a powerful story that delves into a world that most of us would never enter. The characters had great depth and bring the audience into this devastatingly dark story. It may be hard to read, not because of hte writing, which is magnificent, but because of the subject matter, but it's worth the read. I was automatically drawn in by the author's words that bring the characters to life. A well-penned story, told by a remarkable author. I look forward to reading more work by this author.
Save one child is the first book I've read from author Ian James, and I am so glad I was honored to be chosen to read it. It was a remarkable story that entered the dark life of the underworld where pedophilia is common place. This is definitely a powerful story that delves into a world that most of us would never enter. The characters had great depth and bring the audience into this devastatingly dark story. It may be hard to read, not because of hte writing, which is magnificent, but because of the subject matter, but it's worth the read. I was automatically drawn in by the author's words that bring the characters to life. A well-penned story, told by a remarkable author. I look forward to reading more work by this author.
October 5, 2020
Ian James's details his long and distinguished career as an undercover detective, who's specialty lies in identifying and gathering evidence against active paedophiles in communities up and down the country. Mostly set in the times before the rise of the internet, James's work involved intensely close monitoring, often befriending some of these hideous people over periods of months.
Written with a grounded, humble pragmatism, this book brings his line of work to life with spine-chilling realism. It is an eye-opener for any parent of young children, and I found my blood boiling as the loop-holes of the pre-2003 legislation made the work of such officers difficult to say the least.
Written with a grounded, humble pragmatism, this book brings his line of work to life with spine-chilling realism. It is an eye-opener for any parent of young children, and I found my blood boiling as the loop-holes of the pre-2003 legislation made the work of such officers difficult to say the least.
June 18, 2022
Due to my line of work I found this book really interesting. It may be a tough subject matter for some but shows the excellent work that has been going on for years to bring these offenders to justice.
May 17, 2019
Fascinating insight into undercover police work. Unsettling but difficult to put down. Not my usual choice but I knew the writer years ago so I took a step out of my reading comfort zone
January 5, 2022
Gripping read!
Wish the book was longer, but understand certain aspects had to remain secret.. loved the book didn't want to put it down
Wish the book was longer, but understand certain aspects had to remain secret.. loved the book didn't want to put it down
June 6, 2023
Fantastic
Gripping, sad, reality check and the incredible sense and bravery of Ian James.
Read this book within two days, brilliant and knowledgeable.
Gripping, sad, reality check and the incredible sense and bravery of Ian James.
Read this book within two days, brilliant and knowledgeable.
August 8, 2021
I found this one rather difficult to become immersed in, I don’t know why as I really wanted to like it. I know plenty of people that couldn’t recommend this book enough, but I just personally found it difficult to stick with. Interesting topic area with someone that has really experienced this life first hand
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews