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Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery #4
The Vanished Child
Every childhood lasts a lifetime.
On her deathbed, Freda Duckworth confesses to giving birth to an illegitimate child in 1944 and placing him in a children’s home. Seven years later she went back but he had vanished. What happened to the child? Why did he disappear? Where did he go? Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, is faced with lies, secrets and one of the most shameful episodes in recent British history. Can she find the vanished child?
On her deathbed, Freda Duckworth confesses to giving birth to an illegitimate child in 1944 and placing him in a children’s home. Seven years later she went back but he had vanished. What happened to the child? Why did he disappear? Where did he go? Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, is faced with lies, secrets and one of the most shameful episodes in recent British history. Can she find the vanished child?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2018
441 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books444 followersMartin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
August 30, 2018
4☆ Tugged at my Emotions
The Vanished Child is the forth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
The Vanished Child is a compelling, emotive and thought provoking read that at times really tugged at my emotions.
M J Lee clearly has put alot of research into the plot as it pulled me straight in.
Although this is a mystery it touches on very sensitive subjects such as child abuse, children's homes, child migration and losing a child.
Which at times made it hard to read, but had to written to truly understand the trauma and heartache children who migrated went through and their families.
M J Lee has written a powerful read with much sensitivity and made it knowledgeable at the same time.
I just can't imagine what it must of been like to have an illegitimate child, then having the heart breaking decision to put the child in a children's home until you could be with them. Only to find them vanished without a trace.
I found The Vanished Child to be thoroughly intriguing, powerful, heart breaking yet a compelling and addictive read.
Definitely recommend this compelling story.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
The Vanished Child is the forth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
The Vanished Child is a compelling, emotive and thought provoking read that at times really tugged at my emotions.
M J Lee clearly has put alot of research into the plot as it pulled me straight in.
Although this is a mystery it touches on very sensitive subjects such as child abuse, children's homes, child migration and losing a child.
Which at times made it hard to read, but had to written to truly understand the trauma and heartache children who migrated went through and their families.
M J Lee has written a powerful read with much sensitivity and made it knowledgeable at the same time.
I just can't imagine what it must of been like to have an illegitimate child, then having the heart breaking decision to put the child in a children's home until you could be with them. Only to find them vanished without a trace.
I found The Vanished Child to be thoroughly intriguing, powerful, heart breaking yet a compelling and addictive read.
Definitely recommend this compelling story.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
July 23, 2018
Although this is the fourth book in the Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteryseries, it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. However, I certainly intend to read the other books in the series I’ve not yet read – The Irish Inheritance and The American Candidate.
The book is split between Jayne’s investigations in the present day and the experiences of Harry, the ‘vanished child’ of the title, as a young boy in the 1950s. Let’s deal with the modern day element first. As someone who has done a little bit of research into their own family tree, I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of Jayne’s research. It’s a mixture of patient searching through online records, keeping an open mind, experience gained in previous cases, the tenacity that propelled her through a successful police career and that all-important occasional piece of luck. Initially, Jayne comes up against a series of dead ends that cast doubt on whether the truth will ever be known. However, when the trail leads abroad, Jayne is able to call on contacts she’s made in the genealogical investigation community to help. This case is personal for her because it involves someone who has become very important in her father’s life.
Now let’s turn to Harry’s story. Wow, this was an emotional read and one which left me by turns shocked and I’ll admit angry at the events depicted. Harry’s story is a fictional version of what the book’s blurb describes as ‘one of the most shameful episodes in recent British history’. Harry’s experiences reveal the cruelty and rigid discipline of children’s homes, many of which were run by church organisations of all religious persuasions. I have to say it sickened me to think that those in charge seek to justify their treatment of the children in the name of religious principles. What deity would condone the separation of children from families and a life of such mistreatment? Amongst the many shocking facts revealed is that not all the children are orphans. Many are merely illegitimate, a legacy of snatched moments of happiness during time of war.
If the experiences of the children in the children’s home is shocking then worse is to come in the next stage of Harry’s story and those like him caught up in the appalling policy referred to above, the precise nature of which I’m not going to reveal here. Heartbreakingly, most of the children are unaware of just how their lives will be affected and that what awaits them is treatment that is unfeeling, sadistic and, in some cases, abusive in nature.
I’ll confess that, at times, I wondered if the story of Harry and the real life children he represents was suitable material for a mystery intended to be entertainment. However, I concluded that I might not have been drawn to read a non-fiction book on the subject and that, through the story of one small boy, The Vanished Child skilfully shines a light on an issue that deserves to be known about, much as the film Spotlight shone a light on abuse in the Catholic Church.
In case you are thinking this book sounds simply too depressing for you, let me reassure you there are uplifting moments that will restore your faith in human nature. For example, the children are pathetically grateful for the small acts of kindness from ordinary people they encounter. Certainly more mercy is shown by these people than the so-called Sisters of Mercy who run the children’s home. Harry and the other children are amazingly resilient and form a close bond that sees them look out for one another as best they can. Is there a happy ending? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
The Vanished Child is a journey into the depths of human cruelty but also a thought-provoking and inspirational story about the importance of identity, family and belonging.
The book is split between Jayne’s investigations in the present day and the experiences of Harry, the ‘vanished child’ of the title, as a young boy in the 1950s. Let’s deal with the modern day element first. As someone who has done a little bit of research into their own family tree, I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of Jayne’s research. It’s a mixture of patient searching through online records, keeping an open mind, experience gained in previous cases, the tenacity that propelled her through a successful police career and that all-important occasional piece of luck. Initially, Jayne comes up against a series of dead ends that cast doubt on whether the truth will ever be known. However, when the trail leads abroad, Jayne is able to call on contacts she’s made in the genealogical investigation community to help. This case is personal for her because it involves someone who has become very important in her father’s life.
Now let’s turn to Harry’s story. Wow, this was an emotional read and one which left me by turns shocked and I’ll admit angry at the events depicted. Harry’s story is a fictional version of what the book’s blurb describes as ‘one of the most shameful episodes in recent British history’. Harry’s experiences reveal the cruelty and rigid discipline of children’s homes, many of which were run by church organisations of all religious persuasions. I have to say it sickened me to think that those in charge seek to justify their treatment of the children in the name of religious principles. What deity would condone the separation of children from families and a life of such mistreatment? Amongst the many shocking facts revealed is that not all the children are orphans. Many are merely illegitimate, a legacy of snatched moments of happiness during time of war.
If the experiences of the children in the children’s home is shocking then worse is to come in the next stage of Harry’s story and those like him caught up in the appalling policy referred to above, the precise nature of which I’m not going to reveal here. Heartbreakingly, most of the children are unaware of just how their lives will be affected and that what awaits them is treatment that is unfeeling, sadistic and, in some cases, abusive in nature.
I’ll confess that, at times, I wondered if the story of Harry and the real life children he represents was suitable material for a mystery intended to be entertainment. However, I concluded that I might not have been drawn to read a non-fiction book on the subject and that, through the story of one small boy, The Vanished Child skilfully shines a light on an issue that deserves to be known about, much as the film Spotlight shone a light on abuse in the Catholic Church.
In case you are thinking this book sounds simply too depressing for you, let me reassure you there are uplifting moments that will restore your faith in human nature. For example, the children are pathetically grateful for the small acts of kindness from ordinary people they encounter. Certainly more mercy is shown by these people than the so-called Sisters of Mercy who run the children’s home. Harry and the other children are amazingly resilient and form a close bond that sees them look out for one another as best they can. Is there a happy ending? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
The Vanished Child is a journey into the depths of human cruelty but also a thought-provoking and inspirational story about the importance of identity, family and belonging.
February 13, 2018
I loved this book from the first page. I liked how it kept flipping back to Harry’s life while jayne was researching him. In places this book was hard to read. Even more so as it does touch on the truth. This did really happen and the children where treated like this. I enjoyed the history and I’m now reading book one.
July 19, 2018
I have been interested in genealogy for quite a few years now so the blurb from this book attracted me. Knowing to a certain degree some of this story actually occurred pulls even more emotion into it.
What was considered a programme to give illegitimate or ‘stolen’ children a better, safer place to grow up and thrive, boosting the colonies abroad, was in actual fact a journey to misery. By reading The Vanished Child I truly felt as though I was on that trip to a land overseas. This marks a flaw in the system that nobody had ever considered.
Set in the 40’s/50’/60’s era, the author has researched the history and portrayed it in such a way that draws on the emotions of the reader, while getting to know the characters it becomes difficult reading at times. M.J Lee manages to write this serious subject in a way that makes it easy to read and understandable. At times I wanted to put the book down to give myself a breather but it didn’t take long for my curiosity to reform so I could begin again.
This is the fourth in a series I believe but I didn’t feel at a disadvantage not having read the others, if anything it has simply piqued my interest enough to search out the former books to see what genealogist Jayne Sinclair has to deal with in those.
A marvellous account of a broken family, trying to find the missing pieces and in all honesty it makes you think that by the grace of god it could have been any child in that period. Talk about in the wrong place at the wrong time.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel from Random Resources for my copy. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
What was considered a programme to give illegitimate or ‘stolen’ children a better, safer place to grow up and thrive, boosting the colonies abroad, was in actual fact a journey to misery. By reading The Vanished Child I truly felt as though I was on that trip to a land overseas. This marks a flaw in the system that nobody had ever considered.
Set in the 40’s/50’/60’s era, the author has researched the history and portrayed it in such a way that draws on the emotions of the reader, while getting to know the characters it becomes difficult reading at times. M.J Lee manages to write this serious subject in a way that makes it easy to read and understandable. At times I wanted to put the book down to give myself a breather but it didn’t take long for my curiosity to reform so I could begin again.
This is the fourth in a series I believe but I didn’t feel at a disadvantage not having read the others, if anything it has simply piqued my interest enough to search out the former books to see what genealogist Jayne Sinclair has to deal with in those.
A marvellous account of a broken family, trying to find the missing pieces and in all honesty it makes you think that by the grace of god it could have been any child in that period. Talk about in the wrong place at the wrong time.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel from Random Resources for my copy. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
February 19, 2018
This was my first read of this series. The book flitted between the present day and the1950s when thousands of children were transported from the UK, often without their parents knowledge or permission, to increase the white population in the colonies of Canada and Australia in particular. The story of the young children forced into orphanages and sent across the world was written extremely well, including the hardships and hypocrisy they faced. There was no false sentimentality, but a sense of the multiple losses and traumas they endured and the ongoing effect this had, both on them and their wider families. In contrast, the writing of the modern day story felt slow and clunky at times. I found it more difficult to engage or empathise with the adult characters in the UK and the dialogue at times felt stilted or lecturing. However, the ending had me intrigued enough that when the fifth book comes out, I will have a little look, to see what happens next to Jayne.
February 12, 2018
"The Vanished Child" is the fourth book in the Jayne Sinclair Genealogy mystery series. In this book Jayne tries to find a long-lost brother of her stepmother Vera.
The search for Harry takes Jayne on an epic journey which stretches across the world and uncovers betrayal, abuse and tragedy.
This is the fourth book by M J Lee that I have read and I always know that I am going to enjoy them. The story keeps you gripped from beginning to end and the authors style of writing is easy to read. I love each new instalment of this series to catch up with Jayne and her family.
Although this is the fourth book in the series, it could easily be read without having read the earlier books in the series.
The search for Harry takes Jayne on an epic journey which stretches across the world and uncovers betrayal, abuse and tragedy.
This is the fourth book by M J Lee that I have read and I always know that I am going to enjoy them. The story keeps you gripped from beginning to end and the authors style of writing is easy to read. I love each new instalment of this series to catch up with Jayne and her family.
Although this is the fourth book in the series, it could easily be read without having read the earlier books in the series.
January 23, 2019
Quite an enjoyable read which involves Jayne Sinclair, the main character, investigating her step-mother's long-lost brother who disappeared into a Catholic Home as a child. This in effect reports the true story of thousands of children being sent to Australia in the 1950's onwards and often suffering appalling treatment in the establishments they ended up in. The issue has been reported on, probably more so in Australia, but it is a story which is very disturbing considering the relatively recent time.
This story unfolds quite easily and spells out the sources of information in researching ancestry etc. for those, such as myself, who have never done this. Good tale with great historical interest.
This story unfolds quite easily and spells out the sources of information in researching ancestry etc. for those, such as myself, who have never done this. Good tale with great historical interest.
February 19, 2018
This is the third Jayne Sinclair novel I have read and it is a very clear favourite!
I love genealogy anyway but this story about child migration to the colonies has touched me deeply. I think, because I was born in 1955 myself, it made me realise that, but for an accident of birth, it could have been me.
The treatment of these children is shocking and for it to have gone on until the 1960’s is a disgrace.
My thanks to TBConFB for this copy and to the author for such a thought provoking and heart breaking account of a very dark period in our history.
I love genealogy anyway but this story about child migration to the colonies has touched me deeply. I think, because I was born in 1955 myself, it made me realise that, but for an accident of birth, it could have been me.
The treatment of these children is shocking and for it to have gone on until the 1960’s is a disgrace.
My thanks to TBConFB for this copy and to the author for such a thought provoking and heart breaking account of a very dark period in our history.
January 15, 2020
M.J. Lee's Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery series gets better with each book. Each is written so that you can read it as a standalone, but I've enjoyed working my way through the series in order. Jayne is a former police officer in Manchester, England, and her experience in law enforcement helps her repeatedly in the series, although I was certainly glad to see that she got to take a break from any derring-do in The Vanished Child (which is realistic, eh?).
I know that the covers of books should have nothing to do with a review, but I just have to say that the photograph of the little boy on the cover of this book is perfect. He looks bright and funny and mischievous-- and I just want to wrap him up in a big hug. The further into The Vanished Child I got, I found myself looking at that photo and asking, "How could they do this to you?"
There are those who read only non-fiction books in the belief that fiction has no knowledge to offer. I've lost track of the knowledge I've gained by reading fiction. In Lee's book, I learned about the child migrants, the 130,000 children who, between 1869 and the end of the 1960s, were sent by the UK to its former colonies. Some of the children were as young as four, and that 130,000 is an educated guess; no one really knows how many children were labeled as coming from problem families or single-parent families, or as illegitimate or abandoned and then loaded on ships and taken to far-flung places like Canada and Australia.
As all of the Jayne Sinclair books do, readers are treated to a dual timeline story. One timeline is the present day as we see what Jayne has to do to find information on a little boy named Harry. The second timeline begins in the 1950s, and it's all about Harry. Together, these timelines form a story that engages the mind and the heart. Don't be surprised if you are amazed at what you learn, and it might be a good idea to have a handkerchief on hand as well.
The Vanished Child is a wonderful piece of storytelling, and if you haven't read any of the books, I hope that you'll at least pick up this one and give it a try. You might just find yourself looking up all the others.
I know that the covers of books should have nothing to do with a review, but I just have to say that the photograph of the little boy on the cover of this book is perfect. He looks bright and funny and mischievous-- and I just want to wrap him up in a big hug. The further into The Vanished Child I got, I found myself looking at that photo and asking, "How could they do this to you?"
There are those who read only non-fiction books in the belief that fiction has no knowledge to offer. I've lost track of the knowledge I've gained by reading fiction. In Lee's book, I learned about the child migrants, the 130,000 children who, between 1869 and the end of the 1960s, were sent by the UK to its former colonies. Some of the children were as young as four, and that 130,000 is an educated guess; no one really knows how many children were labeled as coming from problem families or single-parent families, or as illegitimate or abandoned and then loaded on ships and taken to far-flung places like Canada and Australia.
As all of the Jayne Sinclair books do, readers are treated to a dual timeline story. One timeline is the present day as we see what Jayne has to do to find information on a little boy named Harry. The second timeline begins in the 1950s, and it's all about Harry. Together, these timelines form a story that engages the mind and the heart. Don't be surprised if you are amazed at what you learn, and it might be a good idea to have a handkerchief on hand as well.
The Vanished Child is a wonderful piece of storytelling, and if you haven't read any of the books, I hope that you'll at least pick up this one and give it a try. You might just find yourself looking up all the others.
September 4, 2019
I choose The Vanished Child because of my own interest in genealogy but when I started to read I was hooked by the subject of the child migrants. Years ago, when this subject first surfaced I was appalled by the whole thing, children between 4 yrs old to 12 yrs old, (on average), sent to the colonies from Children's Homes in this country supposedly to a better life, but in reality to a life of servitude, misery and abuse of all sorts. Many were illegitimate children placed in Homes until their mothers could reclaim them when better times came, others were orphans, some were placed there by local authorities for various reasons. Anyone who enquired as to their whereabouts was lied to. What shocked me most of all was how long it continued, it was still happening as late as the 1960s. M. J. Lee has done thorough research for this book and dealt with the subject sensitively through the story of Harry Duckworth, sent to Australia, his elderly sister Vera, who discovers his existence through the death bed confession of their mother. Parts of this book are heart rending as the experiences of the boy migrants are based on first hand accounts from former child migrants. But the relationships between the boys, the kindnesses shown by virtual strangers stop this story being a misery fest, there is even humour in parts. I highly recommend this book.
May 20, 2021
Hurrah. At last, no ridiculous "thriller' subplot with assassins running amok! This need for 'action' detracted from the first two, otherwise gripping, books and I gave up in despair after the killing in the third book - ridiculous. So I had held back from getting this next book.
I am so glad I read it. Once again it is well crafted, poignant and a great story. I had heard of the forced emigration of children from the UK, but had never read the detail of the kind of lives they had in Australia. Thought provoking.
I love the history and the genealogy in this series. Already on to the next book!
I am so glad I read it. Once again it is well crafted, poignant and a great story. I had heard of the forced emigration of children from the UK, but had never read the detail of the kind of lives they had in Australia. Thought provoking.
I love the history and the genealogy in this series. Already on to the next book!
June 27, 2021
Loved this book
I love the Jayne Sinclair books. They are great clean mystery and suspense books with lots of twists and turns and usually no one is murdered! They really hold my interest. The Vanished Child made me cry. I know we had the orphan trains here in the US. The story is heart breaking. Five stars!
I love the Jayne Sinclair books. They are great clean mystery and suspense books with lots of twists and turns and usually no one is murdered! They really hold my interest. The Vanished Child made me cry. I know we had the orphan trains here in the US. The story is heart breaking. Five stars!
November 19, 2021
Wonderfully written novel with historical basis!
I have enjoyed the Jayne Sinclair novels but this is one of the best. I knew nothing about the orphans of England being shipped off to Australia and other countries. So sad and horrifying...I’m relieved their story has finally been told .
I have enjoyed the Jayne Sinclair novels but this is one of the best. I knew nothing about the orphans of England being shipped off to Australia and other countries. So sad and horrifying...I’m relieved their story has finally been told .
October 25, 2021
As always, very interesting, well researched plot.
January 7, 2022
Enjoyable Quick Read
I enjoyed this more than the third book. I never knew anything about the child migrants of Great Britain. This tragic story was told in a approachable way.
I enjoyed this more than the third book. I never knew anything about the child migrants of Great Britain. This tragic story was told in a approachable way.
June 29, 2019
The latest book in the Jayne Sinclair series from MJ Lee covers the Child Migrants to Australia in the 1950s, and the harsh treatment they received there. The plot is split into 2 timelines: Harry's dreadful time in the Bindoon Boys Town near Perth, an institution where physical and sexual abuse by the Catholic priests was rife, and the present day research carried out by Jayne Sinclair on behalf of her step-mother who wants to find her half-brother before it's too late.
I enjoyed the present day thread much more than the story of Harry's stolen childhood. If I've only given 3 stars, it is because I found the process of finding Harry rather slow and drawn out, but also because of the subject matter. I suppose I didn't like the part about the child migrants because it made me angry and disgusted at the Catholic Church and all the hurt they have caused to so many children, but that isn't the author's fault at all. It just left me with a nasty taste in my mouth.
I enjoyed the present day thread much more than the story of Harry's stolen childhood. If I've only given 3 stars, it is because I found the process of finding Harry rather slow and drawn out, but also because of the subject matter. I suppose I didn't like the part about the child migrants because it made me angry and disgusted at the Catholic Church and all the hurt they have caused to so many children, but that isn't the author's fault at all. It just left me with a nasty taste in my mouth.
February 24, 2018
Genealogical mystery is something I haven't read before and I enjoyed my first one in this genre.
It was interesting to read how Jayne went about the task of finding her stepmother's brother whose existence was unknown till her mother was on her death bed.
Since the story moves between the past and present day, the boy Harry's fate is revealed to the reader in parallel.
It throws light on one of the dark happenings in history that is unforgivable.. especially as children were involved.
I would definitely like to read the rest of the series now.
It was interesting to read how Jayne went about the task of finding her stepmother's brother whose existence was unknown till her mother was on her death bed.
Since the story moves between the past and present day, the boy Harry's fate is revealed to the reader in parallel.
It throws light on one of the dark happenings in history that is unforgivable.. especially as children were involved.
I would definitely like to read the rest of the series now.
March 2, 2018
I enjoy this author and this series. I like the fact that the same characters appear to solve the mystery and find out what happened. This book was great because it moved on from a very dramatic prequel which is often difficult but it showed the characters have moved on.
I loved the mystery which is central to all this series, the fact that the author writes in the past and present is a real pleasure for me.
This story rang true and in fact there was an item on the news about the issues covered which was very relevant.
I loved the mystery which is central to all this series, the fact that the author writes in the past and present is a real pleasure for me.
This story rang true and in fact there was an item on the news about the issues covered which was very relevant.
July 22, 2020
This genealogy detective story is based on an historical event in the British Commonwealth. It reminded me of the poor Orphan Train children in the U.S. who were taken from their neighborhoods in crowded cities by do-gooders who saw them looking mal-nourished or untended and sent them out to the less populated states to be adopted( or maybe enslaved) by farmers and others who wanted a child or an unpaid worker.
This story is concerned with a different time and problem from the earlier-and later- Jayne Sinclair novels. The author includes a history of the child migrant experiment and how it was finally revealed to the British public.
This story is concerned with a different time and problem from the earlier-and later- Jayne Sinclair novels. The author includes a history of the child migrant experiment and how it was finally revealed to the British public.
April 28, 2024
Well done! The comments and reviews above say it all. Although a novel it is certainly based in historical accuracy.
If you want to read the story of how this appalling injustice was uncovered- read the book by the social worker Margaret Humphrey who brought it to the attention of the world!
Oranges and Sunshine: Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphrey or another publication just entitled “ Empty Cradles”
The Roman Catholic Church and Governments once again shown in their coverups. Too late for these children.
If you want to read the story of how this appalling injustice was uncovered- read the book by the social worker Margaret Humphrey who brought it to the attention of the world!
Oranges and Sunshine: Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphrey or another publication just entitled “ Empty Cradles”
The Roman Catholic Church and Governments once again shown in their coverups. Too late for these children.
February 26, 2021
Great book, sad historical events
Very good. Thank you for the ending, as the book was hard to stomach at times. I had not heard about this aspect of history. It was a page turned as I had to find out what happened. On to book 5!
Very good. Thank you for the ending, as the book was hard to stomach at times. I had not heard about this aspect of history. It was a page turned as I had to find out what happened. On to book 5!
August 6, 2018
Why do we study history? To learn from the past. Why do we read fiction? To build empathy and understanding of the human condition. This book brilliantly (albeit painfully) brings to life a tragic chapter in our country's history. No longer just a story in the newspaper, fiction paints the truth in a vivid and visceral way. That people could (and still do) treat children like this is horrible.
September 2, 2018
Good read
The description of this book caught my eye and the book lived up to or exceeded the description. Based on true facts of many children who were taken out of orphanages and shipped to Australia where many of them experienced cruel and horrible treatment at the hands of various religious organizations, this story is about an older lady who learns she has an older brother. As her mother is dying the mother confessed to having had an out of wedlock child and the lady finds proof in documents she left behind. Her step-daughter is a genealogist who plays an integral road in tracking him down. The book is a very good read with a well-paced, well-written story with believable, likeable characters. It is a little sad at times when the experiences of the brother are described. I would recommend this book to others.
The description of this book caught my eye and the book lived up to or exceeded the description. Based on true facts of many children who were taken out of orphanages and shipped to Australia where many of them experienced cruel and horrible treatment at the hands of various religious organizations, this story is about an older lady who learns she has an older brother. As her mother is dying the mother confessed to having had an out of wedlock child and the lady finds proof in documents she left behind. Her step-daughter is a genealogist who plays an integral road in tracking him down. The book is a very good read with a well-paced, well-written story with believable, likeable characters. It is a little sad at times when the experiences of the brother are described. I would recommend this book to others.
February 12, 2019
Interesting subject
Interesting subject. I learned a lot about this terrible chapter in history. A good read. Enjoyable . I look forward to more like it.
Interesting subject. I learned a lot about this terrible chapter in history. A good read. Enjoyable . I look forward to more like it.
July 19, 2020
This whole series is wonderful. I read them all in a week I could not put them down. Waiting anxiously for book eight.
February 17, 2018
This is the 3rd of Martin Lee's books that I have read and my love of his books continues. His style of writing transports you to the area and moment in time. You feel the hope, anguish, fear, despair. A heart wrenching story which is frightening and unbelievably based on the truth. One can't even begin to imagine the travesty of injustice metered to these children. Thank you Martin for another incredible book... Harry will remain in my heart.
February 11, 2019
Excellent read
The second of this series read in a day. The exciting story makes you want to keep on reading. Fantastic
The second of this series read in a day. The exciting story makes you want to keep on reading. Fantastic
August 13, 2020
I enjoyed this story about what happened to so-called orphans who were sent to Australia etc as migrants. It's a sad and shameful period of history. I must, however, question the age at which one of the characters, Vera, decided to enter a residential care home! As her fictional birthday is very close to my own I really do wonder why someone in her 60's would choose to go into residential care and indeed how she could fund it! Just a minor irritation. The main character of Jayne continues with her love of expensive chocolate, wine and her cat (get him neutered!!) I like the switches from present to past stories and the way they link.
February 16, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It wasn't an easy read given the horrific storyline & knowing that similar situations are still carried out today. Trying to delve into someone's past to piece together a broken family is not an easy thing to do but genealogist Jayne Sinclair manages to track down a forgotten brother of her stepmother Vera. He was given up to a foster home at an early age
then to an orphanage run by nuns & thereafter became a child migrant sent to Australia.
A gripping read & one that will remain in my thoughts for a long time.
then to an orphanage run by nuns & thereafter became a child migrant sent to Australia.
A gripping read & one that will remain in my thoughts for a long time.
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