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When I Was Ten
When I Was Ten is the stay-up-all-night thriller by acclaimed crime author Fiona Cummins.
‘Grips like a vice’ – Val McDermid
‘ Absorbing, tense and beautifully paced ’ - Daily Mail
Twenty-one years ago, Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were killed in what has become the most infamous double murder of the modern age.
Their ten year-old daughter – nicknamed the Angel of Death – spent eight years in a children’s secure unit and is living quietly under an assumed name with a family of her own.
Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down her older sister, compelling her to break two decades of silence.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and journalist Brinley Booth, a childhood friend of the Carter sisters, is tasked with covering the news story.
For the first time, the three women are forced to confront what really happened that night – with devastating consequences for them all.
‘I finished it with my heart in my mouth. Highly recommended’ – Louise Candlish
‘Dark, creepy and ultimately compassionate . . . a chilling look at the consequences of a childhood gone wrong’ – JP Delaney
‘Utterly compelling; a true just-one-more-chapter thriller’ – Clare Mackintosh
‘Pacy, dark and surprises to the bitter end. Loved it’ – Fiona Barton
‘Grips like a vice’ – Val McDermid
‘ Absorbing, tense and beautifully paced ’ - Daily Mail
Twenty-one years ago, Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were killed in what has become the most infamous double murder of the modern age.
Their ten year-old daughter – nicknamed the Angel of Death – spent eight years in a children’s secure unit and is living quietly under an assumed name with a family of her own.
Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down her older sister, compelling her to break two decades of silence.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and journalist Brinley Booth, a childhood friend of the Carter sisters, is tasked with covering the news story.
For the first time, the three women are forced to confront what really happened that night – with devastating consequences for them all.
‘I finished it with my heart in my mouth. Highly recommended’ – Louise Candlish
‘Dark, creepy and ultimately compassionate . . . a chilling look at the consequences of a childhood gone wrong’ – JP Delaney
‘Utterly compelling; a true just-one-more-chapter thriller’ – Clare Mackintosh
‘Pacy, dark and surprises to the bitter end. Loved it’ – Fiona Barton
356 pages, ebook
First published August 6, 2020
293 people are currently reading
11842 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Cummins
13 books556 followersFiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family. Rattle is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,100 reviews
January 30, 2020
If you've read Fiona Cummins before then you know what you’re in for and it’s a brace yourself read. It’s a chin dropper, eye popper, heart beater, hand shaker, mind blowing, breath taking, goose bump inducing rollercoaster of a book. Is Fiona Cummins middle name ‘Twisty’??!!! The book opens dramatically in April 1997 when a young girl runs away from an horrific murder scene. We later learn this is twelve year old Brinley Booth whose best friends are Shannon and Sara Carter, the murder victims are their parents. This is the infamous ‘Hill Top Murders’ for which ten year old Sara is convicted. Fast forward twenty one years to December 2018 to Catherine and Edward Allen and their daughter Honor who are living a comfortable and happy life in rural Essex. A news item catches Catherine’s eye and yanks at her heart and soul and their precious family life will never be the same. The story is told in two times lines 1997 and 2018 and principally from the perspectives of Brinley and Catherine but there’s also the inclusion of Justice Minister, the smugly arrogant Geoffrey Heathcote.
There are many themes in this multifaceted, well written and thought provoking book. It examines what drives children to kill and is an insightful depiction of one case. We learn of cruelty and evil and there are several sources of that. The inclusion of the Justice Minister in the storytelling highlights the role of justice and rehabilitation in cases like these, although I’m not certain we entirely needed all the details of his sordid life! Fiona Cummins also pulls no punches in the role of journalism and newspapers who drive a story and the ensuing public reaction. We are reminded that they take a stance and that will not necessarily take account of all the facts. She clearly shows too how in today’s world this is further fuelled by social media where allegations and assumptions are made on zero personal knowledge and how stories can grow exponentially and in this case social media also puts lives at risk. It’s unsavoury and it leaves a bad taste because that’s exactly what it is.
The most powerful parts of the story and what makes this book hard to put down is the story of the girls. Shannon, Sara and Brinley have so many damaging secrets, there are lies told but not for the reasons you might expect because this is about love, sacrifice and ultimately much needed shedding of burdens which will hopefully lead to healing.
Overall, a truly fantastic, clever book which exposes flaws in the justice system, in media especially how stories are represented. It’s a story of bonds and how the shackles of those bonds are finally broken and a tragic and heart breaking story emerges. As a fan of Fiona Cummins I can do no less than highly recommend this book.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for the privilege of the ARC.
There are many themes in this multifaceted, well written and thought provoking book. It examines what drives children to kill and is an insightful depiction of one case. We learn of cruelty and evil and there are several sources of that. The inclusion of the Justice Minister in the storytelling highlights the role of justice and rehabilitation in cases like these, although I’m not certain we entirely needed all the details of his sordid life! Fiona Cummins also pulls no punches in the role of journalism and newspapers who drive a story and the ensuing public reaction. We are reminded that they take a stance and that will not necessarily take account of all the facts. She clearly shows too how in today’s world this is further fuelled by social media where allegations and assumptions are made on zero personal knowledge and how stories can grow exponentially and in this case social media also puts lives at risk. It’s unsavoury and it leaves a bad taste because that’s exactly what it is.
The most powerful parts of the story and what makes this book hard to put down is the story of the girls. Shannon, Sara and Brinley have so many damaging secrets, there are lies told but not for the reasons you might expect because this is about love, sacrifice and ultimately much needed shedding of burdens which will hopefully lead to healing.
Overall, a truly fantastic, clever book which exposes flaws in the justice system, in media especially how stories are represented. It’s a story of bonds and how the shackles of those bonds are finally broken and a tragic and heart breaking story emerges. As a fan of Fiona Cummins I can do no less than highly recommend this book.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for the privilege of the ARC.
June 2, 2023
Tysm to my OG Goodreads/IRL friend Karly for the bday present! You're the best 💗
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
20 years ago, two sisters lost their parents in a brutal murder. Now, a documentary including one of the sisters threatens to expose what really happened that fateful night.
MY OPINION
This wasn't stanky, but there is a major flaw in the story. I'll explain in the spoilers, but for now, let's talk about the non-spoilie stuff. First, I really liked the writing. Definitely my prose of choice. Great variety of sentence structures. Next, I definitely did FEEL things while reading this. The flashback scenes with the parents were bleak af. And the spiders???? As if I wasn't scared enough. I would simply cease to exist.
The 'case' itself was juicy, but some of it was a bit confusing. Reading over the synopsis, I now see what I originally assumed to be a known fact throughout the book was actually supposed to be a twist. And the storyline with the MP was totally unnecessary and inconsequential to how the plot unravelled.
I did appreciate Cummins' insights into the toxicity of modern-day journalism. I related with Brinley's desire to write good stories instead of focusing on followers. Many moons ago, a hoe thought she was gonna be a journalist, but I quickly realized that a maskless social media presence would be necessary in the digital media driven world. I just don't have it in me to plaster my face and full government name everywhere to drive clicks and promotions. The 'byline' has become more important than the story. And while I'm definitely guilty of gobbling up true crime docs, I ignorantly tell myself that the victim/loved ones featured have consented, which is much better than 'news' journalists hounding some unsuspecting individual and putting their safety at risk just for a splashy story.
WOW this became a tangent. Anyways, here's my 'quick' spoiler about the major story flaw.
SPOILERS ALERT SCROLL TO BOTTOM
K. So. We find out that Shannon is the actual murderer (I assumed this from the beginning) and her younger sister Sara took the rap for her because she thought she was 'stronger' than Shannon and could survive her time in the children's clink. Considering Sara has kept mum for 20 years, why tf did Shannon come out of hiding and jeopardize her whole life? There was no catalyst that forced Shannon to try to flush Sara out so she could silence her once and for all. Cummins does say that Shannon was afraid Sara was gonna open her trap, but again, what evidence was this based upon? Shannon had no clue what Sara was doing with her life (just tryna be a wholesome Suburban mom is turns out)?
The only way this would've made sense is if the documentary makers had lied to Shannon and said 'hey, we got your sister for our doc too, and she says she has TEA to spill!' Unless I missed something — this wasn't part of the story. So if Shannon hadn't randomly decided to put her foot in it, then it's just another day in the neighbourhood for ole Sara and this story doesn't exist.
END OF SPOILERS
Tbh after my struggle month of May, I was just happy to end it on something decently written LOL.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, interesting look at modern day journalism, juicy story
Cons: would've liked more pages on the actual night of the murder and how that really all unfolded, MP storyline was unnecessary, major flaw in the catalyst for Shannon's behaviour
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
20 years ago, two sisters lost their parents in a brutal murder. Now, a documentary including one of the sisters threatens to expose what really happened that fateful night.
MY OPINION
This wasn't stanky, but there is a major flaw in the story. I'll explain in the spoilers, but for now, let's talk about the non-spoilie stuff. First, I really liked the writing. Definitely my prose of choice. Great variety of sentence structures. Next, I definitely did FEEL things while reading this. The flashback scenes with the parents were bleak af. And the spiders???? As if I wasn't scared enough. I would simply cease to exist.
The 'case' itself was juicy, but some of it was a bit confusing. Reading over the synopsis, I now see what I originally assumed to be a known fact throughout the book was actually supposed to be a twist. And the storyline with the MP was totally unnecessary and inconsequential to how the plot unravelled.
I did appreciate Cummins' insights into the toxicity of modern-day journalism. I related with Brinley's desire to write good stories instead of focusing on followers. Many moons ago, a hoe thought she was gonna be a journalist, but I quickly realized that a maskless social media presence would be necessary in the digital media driven world. I just don't have it in me to plaster my face and full government name everywhere to drive clicks and promotions. The 'byline' has become more important than the story. And while I'm definitely guilty of gobbling up true crime docs, I ignorantly tell myself that the victim/loved ones featured have consented, which is much better than 'news' journalists hounding some unsuspecting individual and putting their safety at risk just for a splashy story.
WOW this became a tangent. Anyways, here's my 'quick' spoiler about the major story flaw.
SPOILERS ALERT SCROLL TO BOTTOM
K. So. We find out that Shannon is the actual murderer (I assumed this from the beginning) and her younger sister Sara took the rap for her because she thought she was 'stronger' than Shannon and could survive her time in the children's clink. Considering Sara has kept mum for 20 years, why tf did Shannon come out of hiding and jeopardize her whole life? There was no catalyst that forced Shannon to try to flush Sara out so she could silence her once and for all. Cummins does say that Shannon was afraid Sara was gonna open her trap, but again, what evidence was this based upon? Shannon had no clue what Sara was doing with her life (just tryna be a wholesome Suburban mom is turns out)?
The only way this would've made sense is if the documentary makers had lied to Shannon and said 'hey, we got your sister for our doc too, and she says she has TEA to spill!' Unless I missed something — this wasn't part of the story. So if Shannon hadn't randomly decided to put her foot in it, then it's just another day in the neighbourhood for ole Sara and this story doesn't exist.
END OF SPOILERS
Tbh after my struggle month of May, I was just happy to end it on something decently written LOL.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, interesting look at modern day journalism, juicy story
Cons: would've liked more pages on the actual night of the murder and how that really all unfolded, MP storyline was unnecessary, major flaw in the catalyst for Shannon's behaviour
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
August 12, 2020
OMG - where do I start talking about When I Was Ten. This book is dark, it is twisted and it is awesome! I started and finished reading it on the same day - it really had me hook, line and sinker. Readers of Fiona Cummins will know that she is an author that doesn't hold back and her books are not for those with a weak stomach. I just loved it!
In 1997 the infamous Hilltop Murders occurred. Well respected and liked in the community, Mr and Mrs Carter were murdered in their own home, stabbed 14 times with a pair of scissors. Their youngest daughter, 10 year old Sara confesses, that is the last that her sister Shannon sees of her. Fast forward to 20198 and one of the sisters wants the story to be told to the world. The other sister is terrified what this will mean for her new life and family. Reporter Brinlay happens to know exactly what happened that night, she was the sisters next door neighbour - a fact that she doesn't talk about either. Will the truth come out and what will happen if it does?
I was completely absorbed in this story from the very beginning- what would make a 10 year old girl kill her own parents so brutally? Can a child that kills turn her life around? And how will the world react when they hear the truth. All of this going through my mind and more.
Thanks so much to MacMillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
In 1997 the infamous Hilltop Murders occurred. Well respected and liked in the community, Mr and Mrs Carter were murdered in their own home, stabbed 14 times with a pair of scissors. Their youngest daughter, 10 year old Sara confesses, that is the last that her sister Shannon sees of her. Fast forward to 20198 and one of the sisters wants the story to be told to the world. The other sister is terrified what this will mean for her new life and family. Reporter Brinlay happens to know exactly what happened that night, she was the sisters next door neighbour - a fact that she doesn't talk about either. Will the truth come out and what will happen if it does?
I was completely absorbed in this story from the very beginning- what would make a 10 year old girl kill her own parents so brutally? Can a child that kills turn her life around? And how will the world react when they hear the truth. All of this going through my mind and more.
Thanks so much to MacMillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
April 26, 2021
EXCERPT: On her bedside table, the clock clicks forward another minute. Each tiny hair on her arm rises until her skin is stippled with goosebumps.
4.07 am
Even now, that combination of digits has the power to root her in place.
Twenty-one years ago, in another bedroom and another life, a different clock stopped forever at precisely the same time, a web of hairline cracks across its face.
(She) never speaks about that night. The past is put away now. It will not define her. She tries her best not to think about it, but every now and then it shoves its way in, ugly and unwelcome. The devil's clock, her mother called it, those hollow hours before dawn when the darkness is full of horrors and sleep will not come.
ABOUT 'WHEN I WAS TEN': Everyone remembered Sara and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their Dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend, Brinley Booth, lived next door. They would do anything for each other but everything shifted on that fateful day when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors in what has become the most talked about double murder of the modern age.
The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children’s secure unit accused of the brutal killings. The other lived in foster care out of the limelight and prying questions. Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down one of the sisters, persuading her to speak about the events of that night for the first time.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and Brinley Booth, now a journalist, is tasked with covering the news story which brings to light fresh evidence and triggers a chain of events which will have devastating consequences.
MY THOUGHTS: Fiona Cummins does this to me every time. No matter how prepared I think I am, I end up breath held, heart in my mouth, my whole body tensed and poised to take flight.
When I Was Ten is not a comfortable, nor a comforting read. But it was one that I couldn't put down, or stop thinking about. Nature vs Nurture, and what goes on behind closed doors .... this book is like Pandora's box. You open the cover and there are things contained within that will forever be on your mind. The subject matter is very dark - parricide, and child abuse to start with. As well as the more mundane and ordinary topics of loss, grief, infidelity, grooming, secrets, lies, betrayals, manipulation and . . . . well, you name it, and Cummins has it covered. But it works - brilliantly.
The characters are well crafted and believable, not to mention interesting. Very interesting.
When I Was Ten also examines the powerful influence of social media and the press, and the ways in which the users of social media can and do flout the law.
There is a lot of food for thought in this novel. But it's not going to demand that you acknowledge it. If you are simply looking for a read that will leave your heart pounding - this is it. The rest is window dressing. Chilling and thrilling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#WhenIWasTen #NetGalley
I: @fionacumminsauthor @panmacmillan
T:
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
4.07 am
Even now, that combination of digits has the power to root her in place.
Twenty-one years ago, in another bedroom and another life, a different clock stopped forever at precisely the same time, a web of hairline cracks across its face.
(She) never speaks about that night. The past is put away now. It will not define her. She tries her best not to think about it, but every now and then it shoves its way in, ugly and unwelcome. The devil's clock, her mother called it, those hollow hours before dawn when the darkness is full of horrors and sleep will not come.
ABOUT 'WHEN I WAS TEN': Everyone remembered Sara and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their Dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend, Brinley Booth, lived next door. They would do anything for each other but everything shifted on that fateful day when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors in what has become the most talked about double murder of the modern age.
The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children’s secure unit accused of the brutal killings. The other lived in foster care out of the limelight and prying questions. Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down one of the sisters, persuading her to speak about the events of that night for the first time.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and Brinley Booth, now a journalist, is tasked with covering the news story which brings to light fresh evidence and triggers a chain of events which will have devastating consequences.
MY THOUGHTS: Fiona Cummins does this to me every time. No matter how prepared I think I am, I end up breath held, heart in my mouth, my whole body tensed and poised to take flight.
When I Was Ten is not a comfortable, nor a comforting read. But it was one that I couldn't put down, or stop thinking about. Nature vs Nurture, and what goes on behind closed doors .... this book is like Pandora's box. You open the cover and there are things contained within that will forever be on your mind. The subject matter is very dark - parricide, and child abuse to start with. As well as the more mundane and ordinary topics of loss, grief, infidelity, grooming, secrets, lies, betrayals, manipulation and . . . . well, you name it, and Cummins has it covered. But it works - brilliantly.
The characters are well crafted and believable, not to mention interesting. Very interesting.
When I Was Ten also examines the powerful influence of social media and the press, and the ways in which the users of social media can and do flout the law.
There is a lot of food for thought in this novel. But it's not going to demand that you acknowledge it. If you are simply looking for a read that will leave your heart pounding - this is it. The rest is window dressing. Chilling and thrilling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#WhenIWasTen #NetGalley
I: @fionacumminsauthor @panmacmillan
T:
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 2, 2020
Where do I begin ......? Take a deep breathe!! Firstly I was 100% hooked by this book and was taken on a dark and twisty journey that has left me breathless and feeling like I’ve been in a tumble drier on a high setting!!
We start this amazing story in April 1997, a young girl running away from a murder scene is struck by lightning leaving her with scars on her back. The young girl is Brinley whose best friends are sisters Shannon and Sara. The murder scene she was fleeing from was the girls parents Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela, stabbed to death by a pair of scissors. Sara is found guilty.
It’s now 2018, Catherine and her husband Edward live in Essex with their 12 year old daughter Honor but their lives are about to be turned upside down by a newspaper article that will reveal Catherine’s secrets and will change their lives forever.
Told from two timelines from Brinley and Catherine’s perspectives. We discover that Sara and Shannon’s childhoods are not as idyllic as what they appear to be on the outside, their father a respected Dr living in the beautiful house on the hill. The murders are named “The Hilltop Murders” with press saying that Sara was “An angel touched by death”
It’s the anniversary of the murders and one of the sisters is ready to talk about what happened that fatal night. Brinley a journalist travels back to her childhood home to cover this story. But she has her own secrets that she does not want revealed.
This highly addictive book drags you in from the first page keeping you captive long after finishing the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
We start this amazing story in April 1997, a young girl running away from a murder scene is struck by lightning leaving her with scars on her back. The young girl is Brinley whose best friends are sisters Shannon and Sara. The murder scene she was fleeing from was the girls parents Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela, stabbed to death by a pair of scissors. Sara is found guilty.
It’s now 2018, Catherine and her husband Edward live in Essex with their 12 year old daughter Honor but their lives are about to be turned upside down by a newspaper article that will reveal Catherine’s secrets and will change their lives forever.
Told from two timelines from Brinley and Catherine’s perspectives. We discover that Sara and Shannon’s childhoods are not as idyllic as what they appear to be on the outside, their father a respected Dr living in the beautiful house on the hill. The murders are named “The Hilltop Murders” with press saying that Sara was “An angel touched by death”
It’s the anniversary of the murders and one of the sisters is ready to talk about what happened that fatal night. Brinley a journalist travels back to her childhood home to cover this story. But she has her own secrets that she does not want revealed.
This highly addictive book drags you in from the first page keeping you captive long after finishing the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
May 13, 2022
This was my first book by Fiona Cummins and what a twisty little treat it was! We are thrust into a dark story of cruel parents, horrifically abused children, public personas and the ultimate revenge. The shifts in time were brilliantly done. I loved the pacing of the story with the motives behind everyone's actions unfolding in a way that really built up tension. It is so well crafted with shocking truth bombs that force you to rethink your understanding of what has happened again and again. Not an easy read but definitely worth it. I'm off to read another book by this amazing author!
CW:
CW:
March 31, 2021
While it seemed that not a lot happened early in the book, there was a palpable sense of encroaching doom or, as I like to call it - creeping menace. I couldn’t put my finger on the source of my unease but it was there. That is the author’s super power!
21 years ago the story of the Angel of Death who killed her parents swept the nation. She was 10 years old. Sara Carter was escorted from the house drenched in the blood of her parents. Her 12 year old sister, Shannon quietly disappeared into foster care while Sara was institutionalised until she was 18. Sara is now Catherine Allen and she did not kill her parents. She took the blame for her beloved sister. How many 10 year olds would understand the repercussions of such an act? This is all explained early on so not a spoiler. But with the 20 year anniversary of the conviction coming up the story is in the news again and Shannon takes the opportunity to finally agree to an interview which she uses to reach out to her sister.
Only three people know the truth of what happened that night - Sara/Catherine, Shannon and Brinley Booth, the girl’s childhood friend and former neighbour. And while Shannon’s heartfelt plea for her sister to contact her seems so generous and loving, Catherine is scared that her carefully constructed second life is going to blow up around her. She is married to Edward but has not told him about her past. She also has a 12 year old daughter, Honor, who she is desperate to protect from the fallout that would inevitably ensue if she were outed as the killer.
And inevitably, as is often the case with thrillers, things go south pretty quickly from there. That dread, that menace are now breathing down your neck as you wonder how this going to be resolved. Brinley is now a journalist for the New Daily (I think) and is sent to cover the story. She is terrified of getting involved but her guilt has been gnawing away at her for 20 years. You see Brinley didn’t tell the truth about that night. Meanwhile Edward has been acting strange and Honor has been keeping secrets. You can sense a collision coming but you just don’t know who, if anyone, will be left standing. This was a riveting book and I’m happy to recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Fiona Cummins for providing a review copy. My opinions are my own.
21 years ago the story of the Angel of Death who killed her parents swept the nation. She was 10 years old. Sara Carter was escorted from the house drenched in the blood of her parents. Her 12 year old sister, Shannon quietly disappeared into foster care while Sara was institutionalised until she was 18. Sara is now Catherine Allen and she did not kill her parents. She took the blame for her beloved sister. How many 10 year olds would understand the repercussions of such an act? This is all explained early on so not a spoiler. But with the 20 year anniversary of the conviction coming up the story is in the news again and Shannon takes the opportunity to finally agree to an interview which she uses to reach out to her sister.
Only three people know the truth of what happened that night - Sara/Catherine, Shannon and Brinley Booth, the girl’s childhood friend and former neighbour. And while Shannon’s heartfelt plea for her sister to contact her seems so generous and loving, Catherine is scared that her carefully constructed second life is going to blow up around her. She is married to Edward but has not told him about her past. She also has a 12 year old daughter, Honor, who she is desperate to protect from the fallout that would inevitably ensue if she were outed as the killer.
And inevitably, as is often the case with thrillers, things go south pretty quickly from there. That dread, that menace are now breathing down your neck as you wonder how this going to be resolved. Brinley is now a journalist for the New Daily (I think) and is sent to cover the story. She is terrified of getting involved but her guilt has been gnawing away at her for 20 years. You see Brinley didn’t tell the truth about that night. Meanwhile Edward has been acting strange and Honor has been keeping secrets. You can sense a collision coming but you just don’t know who, if anyone, will be left standing. This was a riveting book and I’m happy to recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Fiona Cummins for providing a review copy. My opinions are my own.
November 18, 2021
Ten comments about "When I was Ten".
1) Brilliant cover!
2) Very compelling premise:
Twenty-one years ago, a prominent doctor and his wife are stabbed to death with a pair of scissors by their 10-year old daughter.
After spending eight years in a children's secure unit after pleading guilty to "the most infamous double murder of the modern age" the convicted daughter is living quietly under an assumed name with a family of her own until her new identity is revealed to the press on the anniversary of the trial and the release of a new documentary about the murder.
3) WARNING: This is a very, very, very troubling and disturbing book about child abuse and mental illness.
Many times I had to push the "stop" button and almost completely abandoned (DNFed) the book.
4) "You Never Know What Goes on Behind Closed Doors" could have also been a terrific title for this book.
5) If you are a fan of author Lucinda Berry, this book is for you. This book was very similar in plot/structure/character development/theme/premise to the ultra-traumatizing books written by author Lucinda Berry.
6) The bond between sisters, friendships, "mean girls", dysfunctional families, and betrayal are just a few of the many topics portrayed in this book.
7) At times, the book dragged. Also, it included an unnecessary thread about a slimy politician that had little relevance to the storyline.
8) I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was good, but not great.
9) The book unfolded from three different POVs and would have benefited from at least one additional narrator. Many times it was difficult to discern who was saying what.
10) This book earned 5-stars from many of my trusted GR reviewers.
Once again, I am an outlier. Perhaps it was the solo narrator or the huge similarity to Lucinda Berry that turned me off (I like fresh content!), but this book earned 3 stars from me and that was just because I was feeling 10X more generous than usual.
1) Brilliant cover!
2) Very compelling premise:
Twenty-one years ago, a prominent doctor and his wife are stabbed to death with a pair of scissors by their 10-year old daughter.
After spending eight years in a children's secure unit after pleading guilty to "the most infamous double murder of the modern age" the convicted daughter is living quietly under an assumed name with a family of her own until her new identity is revealed to the press on the anniversary of the trial and the release of a new documentary about the murder.
3) WARNING: This is a very, very, very troubling and disturbing book about child abuse and mental illness.
Many times I had to push the "stop" button and almost completely abandoned (DNFed) the book.
4) "You Never Know What Goes on Behind Closed Doors" could have also been a terrific title for this book.
5) If you are a fan of author Lucinda Berry, this book is for you. This book was very similar in plot/structure/character development/theme/premise to the ultra-traumatizing books written by author Lucinda Berry.
6) The bond between sisters, friendships, "mean girls", dysfunctional families, and betrayal are just a few of the many topics portrayed in this book.
7) At times, the book dragged. Also, it included an unnecessary thread about a slimy politician that had little relevance to the storyline.
8) I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was good, but not great.
9) The book unfolded from three different POVs and would have benefited from at least one additional narrator. Many times it was difficult to discern who was saying what.
10) This book earned 5-stars from many of my trusted GR reviewers.
Once again, I am an outlier. Perhaps it was the solo narrator or the huge similarity to Lucinda Berry that turned me off (I like fresh content!), but this book earned 3 stars from me and that was just because I was feeling 10X more generous than usual.
January 30, 2023
A superb psychological thriller. There were so many layers and the writing style was appealing. I read the book in one sitting, feeling like I knew the Cater sisters really well. The characters were well-portrayed, and their actions matched their inner lives in a convincing way. This was my first Cummins book, and hopefully some of her others will give me as much joy as this one did.
February 3, 2021
I’m fast becoming a fan of Fiona Cummins as I know that I’m going to be in for a good time. A read that will have me so engrossed I won’t mind what’s happening around me.
This was very true with this book.
It didn’t take long to weave myself within the confines of this story.
A child kills her parents.
What?! I hear you ask.
I know. I was exactly like you are now. Gasping and in disbelief.
She owns up to it too.
This is, for sure, a dark and twisted read that I could only give 5* to.
Totally hooked, totally jaw dropping.
I “read” along with this on audio.
The narrator did a good job or throwing her voice to make me stand and take notice lots of times.
Right down to the singing.
This was very true with this book.
It didn’t take long to weave myself within the confines of this story.
A child kills her parents.
What?! I hear you ask.
I know. I was exactly like you are now. Gasping and in disbelief.
She owns up to it too.
This is, for sure, a dark and twisted read that I could only give 5* to.
Totally hooked, totally jaw dropping.
I “read” along with this on audio.
The narrator did a good job or throwing her voice to make me stand and take notice lots of times.
Right down to the singing.
February 5, 2022
Many glowing reviews for this one, but I'm afraid I'm a bit of an outlier, it just didn't do it for me. I felt detached from the characters and found them unbelievable, especially the parents, who I thought were bordering on ridiculous, like cardboard cut out villains, no backstory to explain their behaviour, they just happened to be "evil". The story was predictable and had more holes than a tramp's vest, not to mention an unnecessary subplot about a sleazy politician. The portrayal of the media seemed somewhat accurate though, the way it swarms to trouble and tragedy like flies to a dung heap, manipulates the public, hounds people, cares little, and takes no responsibility for the fallout from it's actions. This is my second read by Fiona Cummins and I felt similarly about the first one, sadly, I think perhaps she is not for me 😕.
December 29, 2019
Hugely insightful, horrifyingly compelling and emotionally charged tale of a child killer and the endless aftermath. Brilliant writing, cleverly impacting plot this was superb.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
April 20, 2021
Wow! Thriller’s are my absolute favourite genre of novel, and this is one that is certain to haunt me and remain in my memory.
When I was ten follows two sisters, and their old next-door neighbour/closest friend. Years of humiliation and abuse from their parents culminates in the murder of both parents during the night. All of the girls tell lies about what happened that night, but secrets have a habit of getting out.
For most thrillers I read, I tend to guess the ending relatively quickly. But this book kept me on my toes. Just as I thought I’d figured things out, Fiona Cummins would blindside me with another plot twist. I was left gob-smacked and blown away more times than I can remember.
Fiona Cummins’ writing is extraordinary. Some of the narrative actually made me feel sick to my stomach, from the pure thrill and disbelief of what I was reading. The novel touches on some really dark topics, but it does it in a sensitive yet haunting manner. I genuinely did not want to put this book down. It lived with me whilst I wasn’t reading it. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it! I felt so invested in the lives of the characters. I haven’t read any of her previous works, but I will definitely be hunting them down now.
I want to thank Netgalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read this book and give my personal opinion. This is an absolute must read for any thriller fans!
When I was ten follows two sisters, and their old next-door neighbour/closest friend. Years of humiliation and abuse from their parents culminates in the murder of both parents during the night. All of the girls tell lies about what happened that night, but secrets have a habit of getting out.
For most thrillers I read, I tend to guess the ending relatively quickly. But this book kept me on my toes. Just as I thought I’d figured things out, Fiona Cummins would blindside me with another plot twist. I was left gob-smacked and blown away more times than I can remember.
Fiona Cummins’ writing is extraordinary. Some of the narrative actually made me feel sick to my stomach, from the pure thrill and disbelief of what I was reading. The novel touches on some really dark topics, but it does it in a sensitive yet haunting manner. I genuinely did not want to put this book down. It lived with me whilst I wasn’t reading it. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it! I felt so invested in the lives of the characters. I haven’t read any of her previous works, but I will definitely be hunting them down now.
I want to thank Netgalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read this book and give my personal opinion. This is an absolute must read for any thriller fans!
June 20, 2020
Fiona Cummins has fast become one of my favourite authors, I have read all of her books and ‘hand on heart’ I’ve loved everyone of them. I’m not sure about you but when I have been looking forward to an anticipated read for so long I tend to drag my heels on starting it, there’s always a niggle that I won’t enjoy it as much as I expected. Was a disappointed, it’s a ‘hell no’ with bells on! The author has written a intricately woven, on a difficult subject. What drives a child to kill their parents? And what are the lifelong repercussions for a child murderer’s family and friends?
When I was Ten tells the story of two sisters, Shannon and Sarah, and their best friend and next neighbour Brindley. Three women who will be forced to confront their horrifying past on what really happened one blood-soaked night. Told flawlessly across two timelines the reader is taking on a roller coaster of a journey. A journey that’s emotive, horrifying and yet compelling In equal measures. Sarah now named renamed Catherine has started a new life for herself, once known as the ‘The Angel Of Death’ she is better known for the infamous and gruesome double murder of her parents, GP Dr Carter and his wife. Catherine’s life is turned upside down when to mark the 21st anniversary of her parents, her sister Shannon decides its time to make a ‘warts and all’ documentary. Brinley is one of the journalists reporting on the case, it’s evident she knows more about the events leading up to the murders than she’s letting on.
The story alternates between Catherine and Brinley, two perspectives which give an insight into their childhood, one that’s marred by humiliation and fear, they slowly but surely reveal the shocking truth of what happened all those years ago. As the story unfolds the book becomes much darker, and I felt an overwhelming sense of dread building at each turn of the page. When I Was Ten is a story of sacrifice, loyalty, murder and sibling love, it’s a chilling page-turner that I devoured in a matter of hours. This has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve had the pleasure to read this year, and will more than likely appear in my ‘top reads of the year’. Absolutely brilliant.
When I was Ten tells the story of two sisters, Shannon and Sarah, and their best friend and next neighbour Brindley. Three women who will be forced to confront their horrifying past on what really happened one blood-soaked night. Told flawlessly across two timelines the reader is taking on a roller coaster of a journey. A journey that’s emotive, horrifying and yet compelling In equal measures. Sarah now named renamed Catherine has started a new life for herself, once known as the ‘The Angel Of Death’ she is better known for the infamous and gruesome double murder of her parents, GP Dr Carter and his wife. Catherine’s life is turned upside down when to mark the 21st anniversary of her parents, her sister Shannon decides its time to make a ‘warts and all’ documentary. Brinley is one of the journalists reporting on the case, it’s evident she knows more about the events leading up to the murders than she’s letting on.
The story alternates between Catherine and Brinley, two perspectives which give an insight into their childhood, one that’s marred by humiliation and fear, they slowly but surely reveal the shocking truth of what happened all those years ago. As the story unfolds the book becomes much darker, and I felt an overwhelming sense of dread building at each turn of the page. When I Was Ten is a story of sacrifice, loyalty, murder and sibling love, it’s a chilling page-turner that I devoured in a matter of hours. This has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve had the pleasure to read this year, and will more than likely appear in my ‘top reads of the year’. Absolutely brilliant.
February 15, 2021
A gruesome double murder made national headlines at the time, sensationalised by the fact that the killer of the respectable GP and his wife was one of their daughters. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death spent years in a children's secure unit after confessing to the killing, while her sister made her way through the foster system. Years later, a documentary team tracks down one of the sisters and as she speaks about the events of that night, they come back to haunt everyone involved.
Let's start off by saying that I'm writing this at gone 4am, having stayed up to finish this book after it turned into a monster of a page turner about a third of the way in. The start may have been a little difficult to get into, due to the vagueness of the writing, however the reward when the twists and the drama truly start hitting were worth it.
I won't go into much detail in terms of plot for fearing of spoiling anything, but will say that I had a more than one real double take moment, almost exclaiming "wait... what?!" out loud. The mysteries unfold at a perfect pace, drawing the reader in further while keeping some tantalisingly out of reach.
I wouldn't normally mention the cover in a review unless it was a really great one, but in this case I don't like it. It didn't draw me to the book, and it didn't really suit the mood either, I felt.
Definitely recommend this for thriller fans, although it's not for the faint of heart.
Content warning for child abuse, which made for some difficult reading. However, it's not gratuitous and is important for the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up
Let's start off by saying that I'm writing this at gone 4am, having stayed up to finish this book after it turned into a monster of a page turner about a third of the way in. The start may have been a little difficult to get into, due to the vagueness of the writing, however the reward when the twists and the drama truly start hitting were worth it.
I won't go into much detail in terms of plot for fearing of spoiling anything, but will say that I had a more than one real double take moment, almost exclaiming "wait... what?!" out loud. The mysteries unfold at a perfect pace, drawing the reader in further while keeping some tantalisingly out of reach.
I wouldn't normally mention the cover in a review unless it was a really great one, but in this case I don't like it. It didn't draw me to the book, and it didn't really suit the mood either, I felt.
Definitely recommend this for thriller fans, although it's not for the faint of heart.
Content warning for child abuse, which made for some difficult reading. However, it's not gratuitous and is important for the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up
February 13, 2021
I enjoy the writing of Fiona Cummins but unlike a lot of other positive reviewers the book failed to grab my attention the way many of her other books have. It was well written and difficult to say what didn’t work for me but I felt it was good not great. The story seemed to drag a fair bit and lacked the excitement I was hoping for.
She had lived a lie for thirteen years, and the perfect life as she had known it was about to change forever. Everyone remembered Sara and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their Dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend, Brinley Booth, lived next door. They would do anything for each other but everything shifted on that fateful day when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors in what has become the most talked about double murder of the modern age.
The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children’s secure unit accused of the brutal killings. The other lived in foster care out of the limelight and prying questions. Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down one of the sisters, persuading her to speak about the events of that night for the first time.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and Brinley Booth, now a journalist, is tasked with covering the news story which brings to light fresh evidence and triggers a chain of events which will have devastating consequences.
I would like to thank both Netgalley an Pan Macmillan for supplying this novel in exchange for an honest review.
She had lived a lie for thirteen years, and the perfect life as she had known it was about to change forever. Everyone remembered Sara and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their Dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend, Brinley Booth, lived next door. They would do anything for each other but everything shifted on that fateful day when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors in what has become the most talked about double murder of the modern age.
The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children’s secure unit accused of the brutal killings. The other lived in foster care out of the limelight and prying questions. Now, on the anniversary of the trial, a documentary team has tracked down one of the sisters, persuading her to speak about the events of that night for the first time.
Her explosive interview sparks national headlines and Brinley Booth, now a journalist, is tasked with covering the news story which brings to light fresh evidence and triggers a chain of events which will have devastating consequences.
I would like to thank both Netgalley an Pan Macmillan for supplying this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a copy of When I was Ten by Fiona Cummins. This is the first book from the author I have read, and I will make sure that I will seek out the other books she has written.
It’s 1997 Sara and Shannon are sisters and live at Hilltop house. Their friend Brinley Booth lives next door. There are best friends and there is nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Their father Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela are a pillar of the community. In the eyes of the local community they can do know wrong. But behind closed doors it is a different matter. They are cruel, evil parents to the two young girls. One fateful night they were both stabbed fourteen times. Sara was convicted for their murder and set to a secure unit for thirteen years and Shannon went into care.
Years later it’s 2018 Sara now called Catherine lives with her husband Edward in Essex and they have a daughter Honor who’s 12. When a news article digs up what happened all them years ago and Catherine’s real identity her life turns upside down.
Brinley now a journalist for the newspaper, remembers that day very well. She goes back to her childhood town to cover the story hoping that her part of what happened that day still stays hidden.
This story is written in two perspectives, Catherine and Brinley’s and it draws your attention in from the very first page. This is a gripping unique thriller, with a great storyline, and characters. I just felt that after the build up to what happened at the day and what led up to it, the ending didn’t deliver. Four stars from me.
It’s 1997 Sara and Shannon are sisters and live at Hilltop house. Their friend Brinley Booth lives next door. There are best friends and there is nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Their father Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela are a pillar of the community. In the eyes of the local community they can do know wrong. But behind closed doors it is a different matter. They are cruel, evil parents to the two young girls. One fateful night they were both stabbed fourteen times. Sara was convicted for their murder and set to a secure unit for thirteen years and Shannon went into care.
Years later it’s 2018 Sara now called Catherine lives with her husband Edward in Essex and they have a daughter Honor who’s 12. When a news article digs up what happened all them years ago and Catherine’s real identity her life turns upside down.
Brinley now a journalist for the newspaper, remembers that day very well. She goes back to her childhood town to cover the story hoping that her part of what happened that day still stays hidden.
This story is written in two perspectives, Catherine and Brinley’s and it draws your attention in from the very first page. This is a gripping unique thriller, with a great storyline, and characters. I just felt that after the build up to what happened at the day and what led up to it, the ending didn’t deliver. Four stars from me.
August 22, 2021
A shocking double murder that leads to a little girl being arrested for murder. Sara Carter, nicknamed Angel Of Death now has a new identity and a family of her own, but on the 21st Anniversary of the shocking deaths Sara's sister Shannon goes to the press with an interview. She wants to know her sister again. With secrets threatening to rip her family apart, Sara - now Catherine - has to fight to keep her secrets away from her family. How far will the Carter sisters go when they both have to relive that awful night?
Incredible. I am speechless. I can't say too much, just that this is a thrill ride that will have you hooked from the first page, not wanting to put it down for anything.
Incredible. I am speechless. I can't say too much, just that this is a thrill ride that will have you hooked from the first page, not wanting to put it down for anything.
October 27, 2022
I guessed every last reveal of this book within the first 50 pages. And I'm not a massive thriller reader, so I think that statement alone speaks for itself. Also, a lot of the story just didn't make any sense - especially the plot line with the MP. Trigger warnings for heavy emotional abuse and child abuse too, which I found gratuitous rather than sensitively done.
A quick read, but not a very memorable or unique one. It gets three stars because of the writing style and fast pace.
A quick read, but not a very memorable or unique one. It gets three stars because of the writing style and fast pace.
August 28, 2021
Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.
Sara and Shannon were the blonde-haired daughters belonging to the picture perfect Carter family. Their house was the prettiest on the block and their parents respected by all in the community. But when mum and dad were stabbed fourteen times with a kitchen scissors and the one daughter, named by the media as the Angel of Death, was reported as the culprit, it revealed that you can never know what occurs behind closed doors. Sara and Shannon had their secrets but maybe their parents did as well.
This was one of the darkest and saddest thrillers I have ever read! Events unfolded across three perspectives and each told their tale in both the present and through flashbacks to their childhoods. There was so much trauma within these pages and every scene of suffering had me more invested and appalled, in equal measures.
The reader was, very early on, led to understand that all that occurred was not as was reported and I did go some way to guessing what the concluding twist would be, but I did not see all that this contained coming. I remained absorbed by this sinister and thrilling story all the way throughout and am eager to see what else this author has published, if they are anything as brilliantly paced and penned as this.
Sara and Shannon were the blonde-haired daughters belonging to the picture perfect Carter family. Their house was the prettiest on the block and their parents respected by all in the community. But when mum and dad were stabbed fourteen times with a kitchen scissors and the one daughter, named by the media as the Angel of Death, was reported as the culprit, it revealed that you can never know what occurs behind closed doors. Sara and Shannon had their secrets but maybe their parents did as well.
This was one of the darkest and saddest thrillers I have ever read! Events unfolded across three perspectives and each told their tale in both the present and through flashbacks to their childhoods. There was so much trauma within these pages and every scene of suffering had me more invested and appalled, in equal measures.
The reader was, very early on, led to understand that all that occurred was not as was reported and I did go some way to guessing what the concluding twist would be, but I did not see all that this contained coming. I remained absorbed by this sinister and thrilling story all the way throughout and am eager to see what else this author has published, if they are anything as brilliantly paced and penned as this.
September 6, 2020
Crime thrillers aren’t just crime thrillers anymore: it’s impossible for fiction writers to ignore our collective obsession with true crime journalism. When I Was Ten will not satisfy the die-hard fans of the old-fashioned whodunnit, because the answer is abundantly obvious from the start (and the red-herrings half-hearted at best). However, the political ramifications of the crime – and the resurgence of media interest upon its anniversary – are resonant and timely.
My extended review has been posted on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My extended review has been posted on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
September 4, 2021
This could've been so much more than it was, but instead the author resorted to "Shannon trying to murder everyone years later for no reason". I feel like it's unrealistic for her to leave her sister with no contact and just chalk her not saying she's guilty up to "she always let her sister take the fall for her" when Shannon always tried to protect her by staying silent and not stirring things up. We could've had such a complex character and I though we did for a while but then she turned completely 100% evil for no reason? From someone who murdered their parengs to escape abuse and protect herself and her sister, to someone who kills an old lady just because she felt like it. Also that Brinley related plot twist in the end was so unnecessary, it felt like just grasping at straws for a final shock that really wasn't needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
*Explosive Lies*
Three young girls make a catastrophic decision to keep a secret. This secret is life changing. Years later one wants to reveal this secret, one wants to write about it and one will stop at nothing to keep this secret right to the very end.
There is fall out from this secret as someone becomes collateral damage which causes one severe pain and in time all three come face to face for the ultimate showdown. There is one more secret to be revealed at the end of the book, but if you pay close attention at the beginning there is a hint.
Started a little bit slowly as we learned who the players were and boy this story grew and grew.
Three young girls make a catastrophic decision to keep a secret. This secret is life changing. Years later one wants to reveal this secret, one wants to write about it and one will stop at nothing to keep this secret right to the very end.
There is fall out from this secret as someone becomes collateral damage which causes one severe pain and in time all three come face to face for the ultimate showdown. There is one more secret to be revealed at the end of the book, but if you pay close attention at the beginning there is a hint.
Started a little bit slowly as we learned who the players were and boy this story grew and grew.
April 4, 2021
I have only read one novel by Fiona Cummins before, “The Bone Collector,” and loved it, so was keen to give her another try.
In 1997 the country was riveted by the Hilltop Murders, when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed to death with a pair of sisters. The doctor was a pillar of the community and the couple had two, beautiful young daughters – Shannon and Sara. However, one of the daughters, labelled, ‘The Angel of Death,’ by the press, confessed to the murders.
Fast forward to the present and the killer has decided to tell her story to the newspapers; aiming her words specifically to her sister; now married, and a mother herself, but living under an assumed name. Meanwhile the Carter sisters neighbour, and friend, Brinley Booth, is now a journalist. When the interview happens, it shocks her, as well as the other Carter sister. Both women know secrets about that night and about what happened within the family home…
This is a creepy and interesting story about the aftermath of a crime which shocked a country – as crimes involving children always do – and the reasons behind it. Cummins really keeps up the pace and there are lots of twists and turns. This is sure to be huge hit with fans of psychological thrillers. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
In 1997 the country was riveted by the Hilltop Murders, when Dr Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed to death with a pair of sisters. The doctor was a pillar of the community and the couple had two, beautiful young daughters – Shannon and Sara. However, one of the daughters, labelled, ‘The Angel of Death,’ by the press, confessed to the murders.
Fast forward to the present and the killer has decided to tell her story to the newspapers; aiming her words specifically to her sister; now married, and a mother herself, but living under an assumed name. Meanwhile the Carter sisters neighbour, and friend, Brinley Booth, is now a journalist. When the interview happens, it shocks her, as well as the other Carter sister. Both women know secrets about that night and about what happened within the family home…
This is a creepy and interesting story about the aftermath of a crime which shocked a country – as crimes involving children always do – and the reasons behind it. Cummins really keeps up the pace and there are lots of twists and turns. This is sure to be huge hit with fans of psychological thrillers. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
May 17, 2021
A book that kept throwing secrets at me even till the last page. 2 sisters bound by a secret and murder of their parents by one. What made a 10 year old child kill her parents? Stabbing them in the neck 14 times.
A grown woman with a family leading a happy life until the secret broke and life became a chaos. This was the story of Sara and Shannon Carter but also of their best friend and neighbor.
This was author Fiona Cummins at her best where the story ramped up its suspense with each page. This was one book where abuse was written, but it didn’t put me off but fired me up completely. I was supposed to read a few chapters then get to work. I forgot work and read the entire book.
Completely immersed in its story was I that I didn’t know the passage of time. The author was brilliant in the way she showed me the truth while hiding so many others in the shadows. There was lies and manipulation, threat and abuse, grief and injustice. Finally the truth… Rather the many truths.
The characters were varied and interesting and pulled me to them inspite of me not liking anyone much. It was amazing how the writing influenced my train of thoughts until I was soaring high on adrenaline.
Read the book whenever and however you can get your hands on it!! It is dark, it is suspenseful, but oh so thrilling.
A grown woman with a family leading a happy life until the secret broke and life became a chaos. This was the story of Sara and Shannon Carter but also of their best friend and neighbor.
This was author Fiona Cummins at her best where the story ramped up its suspense with each page. This was one book where abuse was written, but it didn’t put me off but fired me up completely. I was supposed to read a few chapters then get to work. I forgot work and read the entire book.
Completely immersed in its story was I that I didn’t know the passage of time. The author was brilliant in the way she showed me the truth while hiding so many others in the shadows. There was lies and manipulation, threat and abuse, grief and injustice. Finally the truth… Rather the many truths.
The characters were varied and interesting and pulled me to them inspite of me not liking anyone much. It was amazing how the writing influenced my train of thoughts until I was soaring high on adrenaline.
Read the book whenever and however you can get your hands on it!! It is dark, it is suspenseful, but oh so thrilling.
July 12, 2022
A hidden gem.
This book has been sitting on my shelves for a while now, and I finally picked it up to devour it. It was dark. It was heartbreaking. It pissed me off. It got me a couple times with some jaw drops.
Bravo. Five stars.
This book has been sitting on my shelves for a while now, and I finally picked it up to devour it. It was dark. It was heartbreaking. It pissed me off. It got me a couple times with some jaw drops.
Bravo. Five stars.
September 12, 2020
A lot of inconsistencies,not enough tension,doesn´t quite come together,irrelevant storylines.Not a good read.
April 21, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Everyone remembered Sarah and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend Brindley Booth, lived next door. But everything shifted on that fateful day when Doctor Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors. The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children's secure unit accused of the brutal killings, Now, a documentary team have tracked down one of the sisters, persuading to speak of the events of that night.
This book is slow to start with. It wasn't until the second part that it fully held my attention. There were some parts that were predictable, others were horrifying. The story has a duel timeline that jumps back and forth from the past to the present day. Nearly everyone has secrets and the story is told from Catherine and Brinley's points of view. I did feel some parts were drawn out. Overall, it's quite an enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #PanMacmillan and the author #FionaCummings for my ARC of #WhenIWasTen in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone remembered Sarah and Shannon Carter, the little blonde haired sisters. Their dad was the local GP and they lived in the beautiful house on the hill. Their best friend Brindley Booth, lived next door. But everything shifted on that fateful day when Doctor Richard Carter and his wife Pamela were stabbed fourteen times with a pair of scissors. The girls were aged ten and twelve at the time. One, nicknamed the Angel of Death, spent eight years in a children's secure unit accused of the brutal killings, Now, a documentary team have tracked down one of the sisters, persuading to speak of the events of that night.
This book is slow to start with. It wasn't until the second part that it fully held my attention. There were some parts that were predictable, others were horrifying. The story has a duel timeline that jumps back and forth from the past to the present day. Nearly everyone has secrets and the story is told from Catherine and Brinley's points of view. I did feel some parts were drawn out. Overall, it's quite an enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #PanMacmillan and the author #FionaCummings for my ARC of #WhenIWasTen in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2021
An excellent dark psychological thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to lovers of this genre!
October 19, 2020
- thanks to @macmillanaus for the #gifted copy!
This is the first time I read anything by Cummins, so I went into When I Was Ten without great expectations. However, I did hope to enjoy it as the plot develops around two sisters, and generally enjoy anything sibling-related, no matter how twisted. However, the problem I had with this thriller was the problem I usually have with the genre: it was awfully predictable. Moreover, I simply did not believe anything so far-fetched could have really happened.
The novel relies heavily on the fact that Sarah and Shannon's parents were abusive and horrible. Apparently, when your parents are horrible to you, you grab a pair of scissors, and you stab them 14 times. I am not saying that children do not kill their parents for real, but the parent's murder, which is, the main event of the whole novel, was quite anti-climactic. The dialogue between parents and sisters was forced and unrealistic, mainly because Mr and Mrs Carter were evil just because. There wasn't any depth around why both parents were such awful parents: they just were. And I do not enjoy one-dimensional characters, or even worse: evil one-dimensional characters.
And I don't want to sound condescending, but the whole 'whodunnit' trope was excruciatingly evident. At any point, I doubted who was who (secret identities included), and who had actually perpetrated the crime. There was one little detail about Mrs Carter's death that I did not see coming, but it wasn't remotely impactful. The plot development and the twists made me believe that the author was trying hard to reveal something that should have been shocking somehow, but that for me, had been noticeable from the get-go.
I must also remark that the number of inconsistencies and overall incoherence was hard to ignore. I had to go back and re-read several passages because certain information was contradicting itself, to the point of exhaustion.
Overall, When I Was Ten was not my cup of tea. It was unavoidable not to enjoy this thriller, mainly because I had a hard time believing that any of the events that take place in the novel were remotely possible. I would recommend it to readers that are not very picky about the genre.
This is the first time I read anything by Cummins, so I went into When I Was Ten without great expectations. However, I did hope to enjoy it as the plot develops around two sisters, and generally enjoy anything sibling-related, no matter how twisted. However, the problem I had with this thriller was the problem I usually have with the genre: it was awfully predictable. Moreover, I simply did not believe anything so far-fetched could have really happened.
The novel relies heavily on the fact that Sarah and Shannon's parents were abusive and horrible. Apparently, when your parents are horrible to you, you grab a pair of scissors, and you stab them 14 times. I am not saying that children do not kill their parents for real, but the parent's murder, which is, the main event of the whole novel, was quite anti-climactic. The dialogue between parents and sisters was forced and unrealistic, mainly because Mr and Mrs Carter were evil just because. There wasn't any depth around why both parents were such awful parents: they just were. And I do not enjoy one-dimensional characters, or even worse: evil one-dimensional characters.
And I don't want to sound condescending, but the whole 'whodunnit' trope was excruciatingly evident. At any point, I doubted who was who (secret identities included), and who had actually perpetrated the crime. There was one little detail about Mrs Carter's death that I did not see coming, but it wasn't remotely impactful. The plot development and the twists made me believe that the author was trying hard to reveal something that should have been shocking somehow, but that for me, had been noticeable from the get-go.
I must also remark that the number of inconsistencies and overall incoherence was hard to ignore. I had to go back and re-read several passages because certain information was contradicting itself, to the point of exhaustion.
Overall, When I Was Ten was not my cup of tea. It was unavoidable not to enjoy this thriller, mainly because I had a hard time believing that any of the events that take place in the novel were remotely possible. I would recommend it to readers that are not very picky about the genre.
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