A Dark Secret

by Casey Watson

Just when Casey thinks her foster care duties are done, she’s asked to look after Sam, a troubled nine-year-old with a violent streak who drove his previous guardians to release him of their care. It soon unfolds, however, that this is no simple case.

Determined to get to the root of Sam’s behaviour, Casey is committed to uncover his mysterious past only to find out something far darker than she ever imagined…

Having recently said goodbye to their last foster child, Miller, the Watson family are taking a bit of a break. But it’s while Casey is having fun catching up with her friends that she receives a call from her new link worker. Social services are desperately trying to find a settled home for nine-year-old Sam, who has Autism and some serious behavioural problems.

Removed from his mother less than a week ago, Sam has been staying with respite carers. But with two young children of their own, they now find themselves unable to hold on to the little boy as he is bullying them relentlessly. It’s not an isolated situation, either. Apparently Sam’s own siblings begged not to be placed with their older brother – they were both adamant that they were too afraid of him.

The Watsons agree to accommodate Sam, who, despite his tiny stature, turns out to be quite the whirlwind – destroying anything and everything in his path. In addition to the outward behaviours, it quickly becomes evident that there is a much darker past that has blighted the boy’s life. As Casey tries to get to the bottom of it, she discovers there are no files on Sam; only the testament of his previous neighbour. Thankfully, Mrs Gallagher is only too happy to help. And to talk. But it soon transpires that there is a great deal more to Sam’s secret history…

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Fostering, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Abuse

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2019

Reviews

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for A Dark Secret by Casey Watson

A very sad and harrowing true story of a boy who was taken into foster care and under the wing of foster carer Casey Watson. As with all Casey's books it was very well written and a page turner. This one brought some shock and twists that was unexpected and made it even more of a tragedy that it already was. Highly recommend to fans of true stories but will say as with all Casey's books it is also a tear jerker so beware.
Anyone else read this?

[meryl gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like me enjoy a true story on the odd occasion then this is definitely the book for you, Casey Watson is a foster cared who has wrote many a book aswell, this particular book is about a little boy who Casey cares for, I highly recommend this book to friends

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by this author. The stories are distressing because of what some of these children have to go threw and it is fantastic that there are people like casey who actually care and actually want to help these children. The ending for San was deserved after what he went threw.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star book..

[belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all Casey Watsons books it opens your eyes to the sad and turbulent lives that some children go through. Sad yet uplifting in equal measure

[LeKesha Rideout · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off very slow (for 25 chapters, the first 16-18 were kind of boring). The final chapters is when the book gets more intriguing. I also felt the ending was rushed. I’m not a writer, but could have deleted a few of the previous chapters and included us more during the end.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this interesting book by Casey Watson, an author living in the UK. This is the first I've heard of her and my goodness what an intriguing cover photo. It was in our local library. I just had to read it! That said, looking into the mystery of why a troubled child is acting out is just fascinating! In Sam's case it's no wonder he was acting so vicious and odd!
It wasn't actually stated anywhere in the book's forward that the author herself was a foster parent, but after reading, I assume she was the care giver in the story. She has written many books with various children and their problems identified. Reading more of these should only be even more fascinating.
One criticism I have to make is Casey tends to drag out the book to add more pages to it. I skipped a few parts here and there since she tends to go on and on about things not necessary to note. I still grasped the entire story. I was able to figure out who the bad guy was long before the case workers, which had me mad at the author for not seeing it sooner. Really?? Couldn't they figure out the bad guy before the little guy faced more torture? Hence only 4 stars. I still would read a few more of these books if I find them in our USA library system. That way they are free to read.

[Dan Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of Casey Watson's books and have enjoyed some more than others. this one i'm afraid was definately not the best. There didn't seem to be much of a story there. I bought this book to take on a trip with me and had fininshed it in 2 days and that was me trying to eek it out and make it last. A good chunk of the book at the back was adverts for her other boks so it was not as long as it first seemed and given that the print was large and spaced i felt it could hvae been a much smaller book.
Although the book hinted that there was going to be a "twist" it was very obvious to me what it was going to be so it came as no surprise at all. There where some aspects to the strory that i found hard to believe, mostly that Casey would be allowed to vistis the child's previous neighbour and even leave the child with her overnight as it was my belief that carers would be told little of a child's background and certainly not be able to turn up in their old neighbourhoods and start talking to neighbour

[Cristina M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story of a mysterious little boy. I enjoyed the build up of Casey getting to know Sam more and more and his dark secret. But to be honest I had two major flops for this story: a) It was predictable to know who the ‘bad guy’ was; and b) the style of writing with the reinforced questions on every monologue or conversation where too much (ex: Wouldn’t it? Won’t it? Isn’t it? ). I mean it got repetitive and I find that the last third of the book could’ve been written in a briefer manner, except to extend the handover to the new family.

Other than that, it was great to know that this was a non fictional story about the author and her experience fostering. Brave woman overall.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's foster child is a young boy (9, I think) named Sam, who may be autistic and who certainly has a ferocious hair trigger temper. He and his two younger siblings have been taken into care as their mother has mental health issues, probably abuses drugs and certainly hasn't shown that she is able to look after her children. Sam has been fostered separately from his siblings because of his temper. Will Casey manage to tame him? Will he see his brother and sister again? And why has Sam become so much more disturbed than his siblings in the first place?

[Theresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when I get a book to read & can not put it down.

I chose this rating as it was a book I did not want to put down. I love all of Casey's books but this one really got to me. Casey is so wonderful the way she takes care of the new children that come to her, & change their lives. It is almost 5:30 am, I finished my book.

[Linda Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story

I enjoy her books. She does a lot of good for these poor tramatized children. I wish I had her around when I was a child. I’ve read all her books now and am at a loss as to what to read next. Her next book not out till January.
Keep doing your excellent miracle work Casey. God bless you.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Casey Watson and everything she stands for.
Another brilliant read from the brilliant Casey.

Casey’s determination to get to the root of sam’s behaviour is phenomenal. She knows they’re is more to Sam and it’s not only linked to his autism!
Can Casey get justice for Sam?

Brilliant read.

[Christine Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

About halfway through I began to feel a bit nauseated by Casey and her perfect patience and when I finally realised that this was a work of non fiction based on her casework that was another star gone.
She harps on about the lack of funding in this social sector which I’m sure is true but I see no mention that any proceeds of from her prolific writings go to any charity. Exploitation?

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Dark Secret by Casey Watson, Casey is a foster mom who works with special needs kids. No one seems to be able to handle Sam, a 9-yr-old boy who has only known abuse and heartache. Casey is this boy's last hope. I thought this book was pretty good and has a good storyline that kept my interest. (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

[Mrs Elaine Woolacott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Caseys books

Just another truly amazing story. Another one that pulls the heRt strings.
I hope Sam and his siblings have the best outcome life can give.
Thank you for sharing Sam’s story xxx

[Edward S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely not real world

I've had several foster children and adopted two myself. This feel good nonsense is far from anything I've experienced or known anyone else to experience. If determined to make a difference tell the truth.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam

Sam came into Casey's life after him and his siblings were taken into care casey had a big job on her hands to get Sam to open up about his life but casey and Mike didn't give up .5 STARS

[Mrs Louise Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read

Very well written as all of Casey's books are. You just can't help but get gripped from the moment you start the first page. Can't wait for more books to follow. Xx

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, could resonate with so much. It is amazing how this woman can take such difficult children and find out what is missing in their lives and what makes them tick. If only all stories had such positive endings

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Lovely Story.

I Laughed,i cried and i feel such respect for all foster carers. Hero’s for sure 💞 Angels from above. I love Happy Endings

[Mandy Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

I love Casey's writing style & enjoy all her books.
I enjoy reading about each child's progress with Casey.
Great!!

[Jane Maddison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great as always . Theses books always make me think about how cruel life can be and also how love can make the difference that a child needs

[Pammi Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Well casey and Mike have did it again and never fail to amaze me, and doin a excellent job to xxxxx

[MRS Y M SOMERVILLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Wanted to know the outcome. Read this in a couple of days, loved the outcome, another great read - I recommend

[Michelle K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book but you need to be in the right mindset to read it.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story!

[Michelle Branly · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read but so predictable.

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a struggle to get into but once I was into it I loved it

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I Could not stop reading the book what a great outcome and a great happy ending can't wait 4 the next book