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Nobody Will Believe You: A Story of Unbreakable Courage
'Over and over again he warned me he would kill me if I told anyone. I was completely isolated. He made sure of that.'
Mary was ten years old when she first met her stepfather, Sean McDarby. From the very beginning he seemed to pay her special attention; his praise and compliments quickly won her trust. Then he started touching her in ways she didn't like. When she was twelve, he raped her.
The next twenty years were filled with harrowing abuse as McDarby continued to rape Mary, leading to the birth of five of her children. Finally, after years of abuse – years when justice was denied at every turn – Mary found the strength and courage to break free. Against the odds she created a safe place for her children and reclaimed her life.
This is Mary's inspirational story of courage and survival.
Mary was ten years old when she first met her stepfather, Sean McDarby. From the very beginning he seemed to pay her special attention; his praise and compliments quickly won her trust. Then he started touching her in ways she didn't like. When she was twelve, he raped her.
The next twenty years were filled with harrowing abuse as McDarby continued to rape Mary, leading to the birth of five of her children. Finally, after years of abuse – years when justice was denied at every turn – Mary found the strength and courage to break free. Against the odds she created a safe place for her children and reclaimed her life.
This is Mary's inspirational story of courage and survival.
- GenresBiographyTrue Crime
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2015
28 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2016
I an not sure why there is no cover picture or blurb for this book. I
I have added the blurb from the amazon paqge so that you will have an idea of the books content.
'Over and over again he warned me he’d kill me if I told anyone. I was completely isolated.
He made sure of that.’
Mary was a shy ten-year-old when her new dad, Sean, came into her life. From the very beginning he seemed to pay her special attention - praise for good behaviour, compliments about her clothes, help with school work. Mary trusted him. Then he started touching her. When she was twelve, he raped her.
Sean continued to abuse Mary for twenty years and fathered five of her children. But then, finally, after years of abuse, Mary found the courage to escape him for good – and reclaim her life.
Nobody Will Believe You is Mary’s personal and very brave story.
My Review
Its 3.30 am and I’ve just finished reading Mary’s story. I’ve wiped the tears from my eyes so many times I’ve lost count because its such a moving book. On finishing I went back to the beginning and read the opening statements she makes. Then I see her picture and she is smiling and that makes me smile too. It seems that she has grown into her shoes and now fills them to overflowing. When she reads that I know she will smile again.
This is a story that you must read, its not just about her trial throughout out the years that most of us recall with happiness, those that she must forever remember for what was done to her, it’s about her fortitude, her spirit that saw her through those times and beyond when all seemed darkness and yet somehow her guiding light took her through it. Mary is a survivor, she never gave up even when her life was at its lowest. Yes she suffered depression but somehow, she found the strength to fight back and at times found that strength through various spiritual means to surmount the terrible moments that she suffered.
I do not believe in a god, nor can I be sure of a spirit world, but some of the most moving parts of her story are related to the times that she feels closest to the spirit world that she feels is all about her. What I believe doesn’t matter. Mary feels and believes it and this is her story. She had the strength to tell it and I hope that you will feel, as I have that she is a very brave woman for not only doing so, but for enduring and winning her own personal battle.
I have added the blurb from the amazon paqge so that you will have an idea of the books content.
'Over and over again he warned me he’d kill me if I told anyone. I was completely isolated.
He made sure of that.’
Mary was a shy ten-year-old when her new dad, Sean, came into her life. From the very beginning he seemed to pay her special attention - praise for good behaviour, compliments about her clothes, help with school work. Mary trusted him. Then he started touching her. When she was twelve, he raped her.
Sean continued to abuse Mary for twenty years and fathered five of her children. But then, finally, after years of abuse, Mary found the courage to escape him for good – and reclaim her life.
Nobody Will Believe You is Mary’s personal and very brave story.
My Review
Its 3.30 am and I’ve just finished reading Mary’s story. I’ve wiped the tears from my eyes so many times I’ve lost count because its such a moving book. On finishing I went back to the beginning and read the opening statements she makes. Then I see her picture and she is smiling and that makes me smile too. It seems that she has grown into her shoes and now fills them to overflowing. When she reads that I know she will smile again.
This is a story that you must read, its not just about her trial throughout out the years that most of us recall with happiness, those that she must forever remember for what was done to her, it’s about her fortitude, her spirit that saw her through those times and beyond when all seemed darkness and yet somehow her guiding light took her through it. Mary is a survivor, she never gave up even when her life was at its lowest. Yes she suffered depression but somehow, she found the strength to fight back and at times found that strength through various spiritual means to surmount the terrible moments that she suffered.
I do not believe in a god, nor can I be sure of a spirit world, but some of the most moving parts of her story are related to the times that she feels closest to the spirit world that she feels is all about her. What I believe doesn’t matter. Mary feels and believes it and this is her story. She had the strength to tell it and I hope that you will feel, as I have that she is a very brave woman for not only doing so, but for enduring and winning her own personal battle.
May 9, 2020
This book was ok. It’s hard to rate books like this but it just seemed to drag on and I started getting less and less interested in the book so I skimmed through a lot of pages towards the end as it didn’t hold my attention. What Mary went through is horrendous and no one should suffer like she did. She’s a strong woman and I’m glad that she fought for justice.
August 20, 2016
Heartbreaking
Excellent writing of a heart breaking story. I count not put it down. I am reading it a 2nd time as I shed a lot of tears first time and it deserves a 2nd read.
Excellent writing of a heart breaking story. I count not put it down. I am reading it a 2nd time as I shed a lot of tears first time and it deserves a 2nd read.
April 25, 2017
A very sad account of Mary Manning's abuse at the hand of her stepfather - I commend her for her bravery and strength in coming out of the darkness. It was horrifying to see that the majority of 'Adults in Authority' throughout Mary's life didn't believe her and instead thought she had a consensual relationship with her step father. How on earth can a 13 year old consent? Shocking.
Parts of this story confused me - I couldn't wrap my head around Mary's ongoing involvement with her disgusting mother and with her step father himself. I understand she had known no different from such a young age but I couldn't fathom her allowing her children to be around these terrible people. This is not a judgement - I think she is incredibly brave - I have not been in her situation so I can't comprehend how she felt and what she went through so how can I possibly say how one should behave? I just can't imagine allowing my children around such blatant evil.
Regardless, I am glad they are safe and at peace now.
Parts of this story confused me - I couldn't wrap my head around Mary's ongoing involvement with her disgusting mother and with her step father himself. I understand she had known no different from such a young age but I couldn't fathom her allowing her children to be around these terrible people. This is not a judgement - I think she is incredibly brave - I have not been in her situation so I can't comprehend how she felt and what she went through so how can I possibly say how one should behave? I just can't imagine allowing my children around such blatant evil.
Regardless, I am glad they are safe and at peace now.
January 8, 2020
Great book, inspirational. A must read
March 26, 2018
Overall, very good story - Read it much quicker than I usually read books so it held my attention
There was a scene in it that made me feel ill and needed to take a break from the book to get a drink, so if you have a very weak stomach this might not be the book for you
It is a bit repetitive at times with her thoughts and feelings
Very inconsistent sometimes - At one point she says her child was 4 and then a few lines later, says he was 5 at the same time - The book could flow a lot better and there are some grammar mistakes, however all this can be forgiven since Mary Manning is not actually an author but a person sharing her story.
There was a scene in it that made me feel ill and needed to take a break from the book to get a drink, so if you have a very weak stomach this might not be the book for you
It is a bit repetitive at times with her thoughts and feelings
Very inconsistent sometimes - At one point she says her child was 4 and then a few lines later, says he was 5 at the same time - The book could flow a lot better and there are some grammar mistakes, however all this can be forgiven since Mary Manning is not actually an author but a person sharing her story.
August 17, 2020
I could not put this book down and was appalled at the abuse this poor girl endured for years and the lack if help she recieved.
What a strong and beautiful person. I am sad that you had to go through so much trauma and wish you all the luck for the future.
What a strong and beautiful person. I am sad that you had to go through so much trauma and wish you all the luck for the future.
October 6, 2018
Very touching
I love the book it’s sad what happened to her every page made me cry. Such a touching story to read.
I love the book it’s sad what happened to her every page made me cry. Such a touching story to read.
November 4, 2019
A wonderful brave woman
Heartbreaking account of abuse and abandonment by the institutions that were meant to protect Mary. A tough read at times.
Heartbreaking account of abuse and abandonment by the institutions that were meant to protect Mary. A tough read at times.
July 12, 2020
What a shocking story
Well written. I couldn't put this book down every time I finished a chapter I had to carry on to see what happened next.
Well written. I couldn't put this book down every time I finished a chapter I had to carry on to see what happened next.
July 31, 2020
I believe you,
I feel sorry for you, I think that you are very brave to share your story with us readers.I think you are very brave, I
I feel sorry for you, I think that you are very brave to share your story with us readers.I think you are very brave, I
October 26, 2023
This book made me feel so angry for the author. How she was let down by so many for years.
July 20, 2025
wow, I can't believe how true this title of the book meant every word of this, but wow.. she really was not believed.
5 outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#IBelieveYou
5 outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#IBelieveYou
January 2, 2022
Mary Manning was a guest on The Late Late Show a few months back along with 2 of daughters. On hearing part of her story I had to read her book. All I can say is what undeniable courage, bravery and pure survival Mary Manning has shown. You could feel every ounce of every stage of what she went through and then on the other hand having no idea. To be failed as she was by the services that are there to protect her never mind the fact her own mother failed her in every way a mother can. It makes me so angry to think what this lady went through and for social services to think it was to ‘unbelievable’ to be true. It takes a seriously strong person to come something as horrific as that but she did and really had to fight with all that she had. Definitely worth a read but prepare to be disgusted by the actions of others...
December 31, 2024
My coworker lent me this book, she actually went to school with Mary.
I dropped everything to read this book and devoured it in about 24 hours. It was an incredible book. Absolutely heartbreaking, but definitely worth the read!
Please check any trigger warnings before reading this book, as it does deal with a lot of really difficult topics!💜
I dropped everything to read this book and devoured it in about 24 hours. It was an incredible book. Absolutely heartbreaking, but definitely worth the read!
Please check any trigger warnings before reading this book, as it does deal with a lot of really difficult topics!💜
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews