شاهد خاموش

by Casey Watson, زهرا حاج‌محمدابراهیم‌‌طهرانی (Translator)

«واقعا متاسفم کیسی.» صدای خسته جان، رابط ما و خدمات اجتماعی بود.
«می دانم خیلی بد موقع تماس گرفتم اما چاره ای نبود؛ کسی را نداریم که یک بچه را همین امشب بپذیرد.»
شب قبل از کریسمس بود که به مایک و کیسی تلفن شد. یک دختر دوازده ساله به نام بلا در شرایط بدی قرار گرفته بود. از یک طرف ناپدری اش در بخش مراقبت های ویژه زیر دستگاه تنفس مصنوعی با مرگ مبارزه می کرد و از طرف دیگر مادرش در بازداشت به سر می برد.
هرچند مادرِ بلا ادعا کرده بود برای دفاع خودش به همسرش حمله کرده، به اقدام به قتل عمد متهم شده بود.
بلا اما در سکوت است و درباره آن شب هیچ حرفی نمی زند. و مشکل اینجاست که او تنها شاهد ماجراست…

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, True Crime, Biography Memoir, Memoir, True Story

334 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story. Bella's mother, Laura Daniels and her stepfather Adam Cummings had always had a volatile relationship together since Bella was three. Her parents had apparently already been known to social services. Christmas Eve Casey a foster parent receives an emergency telephone call from the fostering link worker. John Fulshaw wants Casey to have twelve year old Bella who had already been in the care system for a week. Bella was in care because her stepfather was in a coma on a ventilator in an intensive therapy unit having been put there with life threatening head injuries that had been inflicted by Bella's mother who is now in jail with attempted murder on all accounts. Unfortunately it seems that Bella had apparently witnessed her parents fighting which is very sad for a young girl to see parents fighting. Bella has to give her recorded statement, it's her side of the story. Alcohol is generally a factor in the breakdown of family life. All of the books by foster mother Casey Watson are insight in to her life. I admire Casey Watson as she is a woman who is determined to make a difference to fostering children.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I blubbered again. I love these tales and hate them, both at the same time. I always feel so bad for the kids and always find something to hate about the parents. At least on this one, the adults redeemed themselves somewhat. I still don’t know how anyone can become a foster parent and not lose their mind every time a child departs for other pastures. I think my heart would break every single time. I admire these foster workers - their job must be one of the toughest on the planet.

[Carol Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casey Watson is a foster carer and has had many interesting and fraught placings. Its Christmas Eve when the telephone rings and John (Caseys link worker) once again asks her and her husband Mike to take in an a child. Bella arrives in the early hours of Christmas day and Casey Mike and their other foster child Tyler welcome welcome her with open arms.Bella is a distressed 12 year old who witnessed her mum and stepfather fighting which left one in hospital and the other in prison so Casey knows she will have to tread carefully especially as Bella is the only one who knows what really happened but she is not speaking at all.
Casey is a great writer and an exceptional foster mother and her characters are real people, I find it a fascinating insight into the fostering system and the dedication of the foster carers. I read this in two sittings as I felt so caught up in their lives I had to know how it all ended.
I won the book with the Goodreads First Reads competitions and I am so glad I was introduced to this author as I know I will read more of her books.

[belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual another great book

What a brave young lady glad it was a good outcome in the end .well written always enjoy books by this author

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by Casey Watson. Great story about fostering. I discovered this author after getting recommendations on other authors like Cathy Glass an author I enjoy reading.

Synopsis:

It’s the night before Christmas when Casey and Mike get the call. A twelve year old girl, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her father is on a ventilator, fighting for his life, while her mother is currently on remand in prison. Despite claiming she attacked him in self-defence, she’s been charged with his attempted murder.

The girl is called Bella, and she’s refusing to say anything. The trouble is that she is also the only witness…

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a birthday gift to me from a friend. First time reading this author. The author is a foster parent and writes stories of the children who she has cared for. I like the inside knowledge that she provides. The story was very very good. Touching. I could feel her caring and concern for the child. The story itself was quite interesting, although I did figure out what had actually happened before the child finally talked. Very enjoyable read.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This child's situation was different from the usual, which made for a really gripping story.. Well written as usual.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story part of this book was 5 stars, because, what rating can you give someone’s actually real life? The story was sweet and well told and I was glad about how everything worked out in the end.

The only reason I won’t give this book 5 stars was because there were multiple instances of grammatical and word choice errors throughout, and I thought it was quite unprofessional for an actually published book. I felt it took away somewhat from the story.

Overall though, this is someone’s real life and real story. What an arse I would be to think my enjoyment of it as a book mattered. 4 stars.

[Eddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done account of a traumatized child placed in a loving foster home! Having been a child therapist for many years, I could totally understand what she was going through, and I loved the support of the foster mom. I did not, however, guess the ultimate story of what had happened that fateful night, which is a positive comment about Watson's writing. A good read. I will read more of her books.

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Silent Witness is a recount of Bella a 12 year old girl who has witness a traumatic event at her home. She has been taken to Casey Watson's on Christmas Eve .... What has gone on ...... What has she seen ..... It is up to Casey to help this girl to speak about what she has witnessed! Will she ever be able to speak about the secret she has been asked to keep!
A terrific story written by Casey Watson who can make anything seem possible ......

[Jenny Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read lots of these books but none for a while and I like to come back to them as a reminder of the importance of good foster care and I guess a feeling of some solidarity with others walking a similar path to me. Never easy to read about the experiences of children in care or their foster carers. In parts I was irritated by the explanations of various acronyms and some passages which felt a little jarring but overall a good book and mostly felt realistic to me.

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!
Read this in 2 days flat!
Bella comes to Casey terrified into silence after witnessing a awful situation between those she loves the most an is completely mute!
Can Casey help Bella to find herself again an talk about what is terrifying her so much?
Casey I love every single one of your books,cant wait for your next one out already!

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic book by this author. Bella was clearly a lovely child and what her and her mother were put threw was horrid. It was a wonderful story and it just shows how much the children in her care come to trust Casey. She advocates for them and does whatever she can to make sure there given the care they deserve. Looking forward to future books by this author.

[Adeline Kam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the story was very interesting and keeps me in suspense. I couldn't put the book down and kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. But as I read on, the storyline became very predictable and after that it was a little downhill for me. But overall this is an interesting book to read - also a true story I believed.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Steele is a great detective. She is like a dog with a bone. A very touching story with a little girl Zoe, who lost her parents when they were murdered.
If you know Amanda's history, you know she trys to keep her distance from the little girl.
Trying to catch a killer.
A lot comes to surface in this story. If you have read the first two books, you will learn a lot.

[Kelly Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book as i have found all of Casey Watson books to be

this deals with something you don't find often and is enthralling the whole time

I had to force myself to go to sleep and not continue reading it

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE

I want a dobey

[GINA REGISTER]

The horrific mental and emotional abuse imposed on this child breaks my heart. However, people like Casey who foster with true compassion.....as their are some cruel foster parents out there.....are "Angels on earth" in my eyes.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book... I do enjoy the author’s writing...
In my option the book wasn’t fast moving, didn’t get keep on the edge of my seat for my liking. I did solve the mystery half way through the story, wished there was a bit more secret keeping. But all in all I liked the book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another tale of fostering from Casey Watson. This one had a more likeable foster child than usual and a happier ending than usual.

[Catherine robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great read. A good in sight to what amazing work people like Casey do. Can't wait to read another one

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story seems unbelievable, yet it’s true! Very well-written.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Book.

[Pammi Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

I must say Casey and her family has done it once again and the team well done to all and Bella the little girl involved xxxx

[Aura Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Casey Watson story of her foster child who lived in a violent home. A heartbreaking story of the reality faced by many children today.

[Christina Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truthfully Told

Casey manages to break through the wall of fear and misguided loyalty of a young girl trying to protect her mom.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

This memoir demonstrates the amazing heart and strength of the author. The stories of her foster children are emotional and inspirational

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Sandy Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. I had never read anything by Casey Watson, but will definitely be getting her books in the future. I highly recommend this book

[Ashley]

Such an amazing book

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cant say I enjoyed this one as much as her other books, found the first half of the book very repetitive. Pretty well guessed the outcome before the end of the book