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A Terrible Secret: Scared for her safety, Tilly places herself into foster care. A shocking true story.
Tilly hates her stepfather, Dave. He abuses her mother, but she refuses to leave him.
Frightened for her own safety, Tilly asks to go into foster care and is placed with Cathy. Tilly arrives with a graze on her cheek and Cathy becomes increasingly concerned by Dave’s behaviour, especially when she learns he has been showering Tilly with gifts. While she’s busy looking after Tilly and trying to keep her safe, Cathy is also worried about her own daughter, Lucy. She has a very difficult decision to make that will affect the rest of her life, and Cathy hopes she makes the right choice.
Perfect for fans of Maggie Hartley, Lisa Stone and Ann Cusack!
Frightened for her own safety, Tilly asks to go into foster care and is placed with Cathy. Tilly arrives with a graze on her cheek and Cathy becomes increasingly concerned by Dave’s behaviour, especially when she learns he has been showering Tilly with gifts. While she’s busy looking after Tilly and trying to keep her safe, Cathy is also worried about her own daughter, Lucy. She has a very difficult decision to make that will affect the rest of her life, and Cathy hopes she makes the right choice.
Perfect for fans of Maggie Hartley, Lisa Stone and Ann Cusack!
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
501 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Glass
179 books2,235 followersCathy Glass is a bestselling British author, freelance writer and foster carer.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
October 19, 2021
I’ve been reading Cathy Glass books for years. Although I had this one in paperback format I noticed that my local library app had it to download on audio, I’m glad I listened to it as it was read and presented so well.
Cathy has been a foster parent for many years, and a very patient understanding one. Her usual foster children have some very upsetting things to deal with and this was the case of this 14 year old teenager Tilly. She loves her mum and worries about her.
Her stepfather isn’t good to her mother yet he’s given nice things to Tilly.
Cathy finds this odd and questions Tilly.
At the same time, Cathys daughter is expecting her first baby, so Cathy has a lot going on…..
I liked how this ends as there seems to be another part to this coming and I’m ready for it!
Cathy has been a foster parent for many years, and a very patient understanding one. Her usual foster children have some very upsetting things to deal with and this was the case of this 14 year old teenager Tilly. She loves her mum and worries about her.
Her stepfather isn’t good to her mother yet he’s given nice things to Tilly.
Cathy finds this odd and questions Tilly.
At the same time, Cathys daughter is expecting her first baby, so Cathy has a lot going on…..
I liked how this ends as there seems to be another part to this coming and I’m ready for it!
January 17, 2024
Man patinka tikros istorijos. Tikri pasakojimasi apie geus žmones, darančius gerą kenčiantiems. Cathy Glass viena tokių. Užauginusi savus vaikus ji ėmėsi kilnaus darbo - tapo globėja. Pas ją kuriam laikui apgyvendinami iš savo šeimų paimti vaikai. Prieš kai kuriuos buvo smurtauta, kiti buvo išnaudojami, kiti gyveno toksiškoje aplinkoje ir panašiai. Cathy visa siela darbui atsidavė - kiekvieną vaiką mylėjo kaip savą ir užn kiekvieną kovojo lygiai taip. Ši knyga - viena iš daugybės jos parašytų. Viena iš daugybės tų vaikų istorijų, kuriomis knygų pavidalu ji dalinasi su visu pasauliu.
Knyga pasakoja ir gan vaizdingai nupiešia kontrolės maniako portretą. Toks yra Tilės patėvis, manipuliuojantis ir psichologiškai smurtaujantis prieš paauglės mamą. Kai kalba eina apie tokį brudą, mes dažniausiai įsivaizduojame alkoholiką, piktą, bedarbį ar tiesiog nerespektabilų žmogų. O šis - išsilavinęs, svarbias pareigas užimantis gražuolis vyras po padu laiko silpnavalę moterį ir jos dukrą. Cathy apsiima globoti Tilę ir knygoje pasakoja visą jos istoriją.
Knyga būt susiskaičius įdomiau, jei prieš tai būčiau skaičiusi ankstesnes Glass knygas. Pasirodo, jos susijusios. Žinoma, galima skaityt kai atskiras istorijas, bet viską jungianti gija - pačios Cathy ir jos vaikų (viena iš dukrų - įvaikinta buvusi globotinė, kurios istoriją būt tikrai įdomu perskaityt) asmeninės istorijos. Knygoje jaučiasi, kad Cathy LABAI empatiškas žmogus, puikiai perprantantis tiek vaikų, tiek paauglių psichologiją. Duodanti jiems erdvės, bet visada įtempusi nematomas ausis, jei jos prireiktų. Tokia jauki moteris, apie kurios darbą gerą skaityti. Šiek tiek kliuvo tai, jog tikrai daaaaug dėmesio skiriama Jungtinės Karalystės socialinių tarnybų darbo metodikoms, popieriams, sistemoms, tvarkai etc. Esmę žinot svarbu, visas menkiausias detales - tikrai nebūtina. Viską susumavus - greit susiskaitė, bet tarp įsimintiniausių tikrų vaikų gelbėjimo istorijų nepatenka.
P.S a, o dar apie tą jaukiąją Cathy Glass! Pasirodo, visas tas istorijas apie pačios išgelbėtus nuskriaustus vaikus parašiusi moteris rašo po slapyvardžiu! Cathy Glass nėra tikrasis jos vardas. Kažkada tapatybę ji slėpė norėdama apsaugoti aprašytųjų privatumą, tačiau šiais laikais - ji jau seniai išaiškinta :D Taigi taigi taigi - mieloji Glass yra trilerių ir detektyvų autorė Lisa Stone (lietuviškai knygų neturime).
Knyga pasakoja ir gan vaizdingai nupiešia kontrolės maniako portretą. Toks yra Tilės patėvis, manipuliuojantis ir psichologiškai smurtaujantis prieš paauglės mamą. Kai kalba eina apie tokį brudą, mes dažniausiai įsivaizduojame alkoholiką, piktą, bedarbį ar tiesiog nerespektabilų žmogų. O šis - išsilavinęs, svarbias pareigas užimantis gražuolis vyras po padu laiko silpnavalę moterį ir jos dukrą. Cathy apsiima globoti Tilę ir knygoje pasakoja visą jos istoriją.
Knyga būt susiskaičius įdomiau, jei prieš tai būčiau skaičiusi ankstesnes Glass knygas. Pasirodo, jos susijusios. Žinoma, galima skaityt kai atskiras istorijas, bet viską jungianti gija - pačios Cathy ir jos vaikų (viena iš dukrų - įvaikinta buvusi globotinė, kurios istoriją būt tikrai įdomu perskaityt) asmeninės istorijos. Knygoje jaučiasi, kad Cathy LABAI empatiškas žmogus, puikiai perprantantis tiek vaikų, tiek paauglių psichologiją. Duodanti jiems erdvės, bet visada įtempusi nematomas ausis, jei jos prireiktų. Tokia jauki moteris, apie kurios darbą gerą skaityti. Šiek tiek kliuvo tai, jog tikrai daaaaug dėmesio skiriama Jungtinės Karalystės socialinių tarnybų darbo metodikoms, popieriams, sistemoms, tvarkai etc. Esmę žinot svarbu, visas menkiausias detales - tikrai nebūtina. Viską susumavus - greit susiskaitė, bet tarp įsimintiniausių tikrų vaikų gelbėjimo istorijų nepatenka.
P.S a, o dar apie tą jaukiąją Cathy Glass! Pasirodo, visas tas istorijas apie pačios išgelbėtus nuskriaustus vaikus parašiusi moteris rašo po slapyvardžiu! Cathy Glass nėra tikrasis jos vardas. Kažkada tapatybę ji slėpė norėdama apsaugoti aprašytųjų privatumą, tačiau šiais laikais - ji jau seniai išaiškinta :D Taigi taigi taigi - mieloji Glass yra trilerių ir detektyvų autorė Lisa Stone (lietuviškai knygų neturime).
October 2, 2020
This book was interesting as it told of a young teenager Tilly who was subjected to her stepfather's emotional abuse and his pedophile activities of taking private intimate photos and videos of her . He also abused her mother and kept her locked up at home afraid of his retribution. The family managed to escape his reach when he was charged for these crimes. Tilly was a smart and determined girl who helped her mum, sick grandma and herself and hopefully all will lead a better life. Cathy did a great job supporting her. It also told the story of Cathy's daughter Lucy and her pregancy.
September 17, 2020
Amazing as per usual
I have read all of Cathy Glass's books, the stories are always touching. I did feel the last few seemed a little heavy on the policy side of things which I understand people need to know but was repeated numerous times throughout the books. However this one is back to her earlier style so more narrative whilst informative. I always say I will read a chapter a day as I'm sad when I have finished them. I had pre ordered the book 5 months ago and yet again failed and read it all in one go on the day it was published sat on a beach in Sardinia!! Excellent, amazing, heart breaking and warming what more can you want from a book. Go and read it!
I have read all of Cathy Glass's books, the stories are always touching. I did feel the last few seemed a little heavy on the policy side of things which I understand people need to know but was repeated numerous times throughout the books. However this one is back to her earlier style so more narrative whilst informative. I always say I will read a chapter a day as I'm sad when I have finished them. I had pre ordered the book 5 months ago and yet again failed and read it all in one go on the day it was published sat on a beach in Sardinia!! Excellent, amazing, heart breaking and warming what more can you want from a book. Go and read it!
June 2, 2024
Sunku skaityti tokias istorijas, bet tuo pačiu supranti kiek daug gerų žmonių gali mus supti. Kai randi parama ir paguoda šalia tų, kuriuos matai pirmą kartą gyvenime, o jie padaro viską, kad tu pradėtum sveikti. Smurtas, nesvarbu koks psichologinis ar fizinis, palieka žaizdas žmoguje, kurios niekada iki galo negali užsitraukti. Jos pulsuoja ir kartais atsiveria pačiu netinkamiausiu metu.
August 16, 2020
I'm sure fans of Cathy Glass's work will love this book, which is based on her experiences of many years as a carer for "looked after children". I was obliged to read it for my work.
It's a family drama, and some people would probably describe it as "gritty". It's not the kind of thing I would ever choose to read for pleasure, but many people do, and for them this would probably be a treat.
However, even though it wasn't my cup of tea, Ms Glass clearly knows how to write a page-turner, and I'm sure there will be the usual big audience for this book. The audio book is very well read with terrific characterisation from an accomplished voice actor.
It's a family drama, and some people would probably describe it as "gritty". It's not the kind of thing I would ever choose to read for pleasure, but many people do, and for them this would probably be a treat.
However, even though it wasn't my cup of tea, Ms Glass clearly knows how to write a page-turner, and I'm sure there will be the usual big audience for this book. The audio book is very well read with terrific characterisation from an accomplished voice actor.
December 29, 2020
Seems to me like this author has built her entire writing career profiting off the trauma of her foster children.
January 20, 2025
A well written story about Tilly and her family troubles but unlike all the others I have read this one isn’t fully finished. At the end of the story Cathy is asked to foster another child called Jackson and Tilly’s story is continued in that one.
September 20, 2020
Brilliantly written get again
What can I say at my keeps you glued to the book until you reach the end as always. Her writing is second to none.
What can I say at my keeps you glued to the book until you reach the end as always. Her writing is second to none.
September 1, 2023
is the writing good? eh. is it potentially exploitative? maybe. will I read the next? probably.
March 6, 2024
4.5⭐
Knyga sukrečianti, atvira ir įtraukianti.
Protu nesuvokiama, kaip patėvis, smurtaujantis,kerštingas ir kontroliuojantis kiekvieną Tilės motinos žingsnį taip galėjo elgtis su įdukra, kad ji baimindamasi dėl savo pačios saugumo, pasirinko gyventi pas globėją. Nesupratau ir nesuprasiu tų moterų, kurios į pirmą vietą "stato" vyrus, draugus, ir nesirūpina savimi ir savo vaikais. Tilės mama tikrai daug kentėjo, bet bent gerai, kad vieną dieną pasiryžo ir paliko tokį smurtautoją. Mergaitei tikrai mama rūpėjo ir ji dėl jos tikrai pergyveno. Tam tikra informacija pakeitė mergaitės santykius su mama, ir noriu tikėti, kad mama buvo tikrai nekalta, ir kažkada dukra su ja vėl galės bendrauti normaliai.
Dar reikėtų paminėti ir globėją - labai patyrusią, nuostabią, įgūdusią suvaldyti iššūkių keliantį elgesį, ir rūpestingą Ketę.Ji smulkiai nupasakojo koks sunkus ir varginantis yra globėjų darbas.Džiugu, kad dar yra tokių gerų žmonių kaip ji, nes neaišku kaip būtų pasisukusi istorija, jei Tilė būtų patekusi pas prastesnius globėjus.
P. S. Man visada yra sunku ir skaudu skaityti panašias istorijas, ir niekaip negaliu suprasti tokių moterų, kurios kenčia smurtą šeimoje, yra ant tiek įbaugintos, kad bijo imtis drastiškų veiksmų,bijo žengti lemtingą žingsnį ir kreiptis pagalbos.
Knyga sukrečianti, atvira ir įtraukianti.
Protu nesuvokiama, kaip patėvis, smurtaujantis,kerštingas ir kontroliuojantis kiekvieną Tilės motinos žingsnį taip galėjo elgtis su įdukra, kad ji baimindamasi dėl savo pačios saugumo, pasirinko gyventi pas globėją. Nesupratau ir nesuprasiu tų moterų, kurios į pirmą vietą "stato" vyrus, draugus, ir nesirūpina savimi ir savo vaikais. Tilės mama tikrai daug kentėjo, bet bent gerai, kad vieną dieną pasiryžo ir paliko tokį smurtautoją. Mergaitei tikrai mama rūpėjo ir ji dėl jos tikrai pergyveno. Tam tikra informacija pakeitė mergaitės santykius su mama, ir noriu tikėti, kad mama buvo tikrai nekalta, ir kažkada dukra su ja vėl galės bendrauti normaliai.
Dar reikėtų paminėti ir globėją - labai patyrusią, nuostabią, įgūdusią suvaldyti iššūkių keliantį elgesį, ir rūpestingą Ketę.Ji smulkiai nupasakojo koks sunkus ir varginantis yra globėjų darbas.Džiugu, kad dar yra tokių gerų žmonių kaip ji, nes neaišku kaip būtų pasisukusi istorija, jei Tilė būtų patekusi pas prastesnius globėjus.
P. S. Man visada yra sunku ir skaudu skaityti panašias istorijas, ir niekaip negaliu suprasti tokių moterų, kurios kenčia smurtą šeimoje, yra ant tiek įbaugintos, kad bijo imtis drastiškų veiksmų,bijo žengti lemtingą žingsnį ir kreiptis pagalbos.
March 5, 2024
How many times does Cathy glass need to mention her divorce from John in her books? She claims to be over it but keeps going on about it. Takes away from the story.
To add, if you know someone is a victim of dv, and they’re not answering calls when you know full well they don’t go out and you believe the perpetrator is violent why would you go to their place and not call the police to do a welfare check instead?
To add, if you know someone is a victim of dv, and they’re not answering calls when you know full well they don’t go out and you believe the perpetrator is violent why would you go to their place and not call the police to do a welfare check instead?
September 21, 2020
Arrived yesterday afternoon - finished this afternoon! As always I wanted to keep reading to see what happened - also as always an emotional rollercoaster that kept me gripped! Looking forward to the next installment of life in the world of Cathy Glass.
February 7, 2025
Jag älskar Cathy Glass böcker, den här boken var inget undantag!!
Hennes sätt att skildra både sin egen och barnens berättelser är djupt gripande och oerhört viktigt. Det känns som att mycket av innehållet är ofiltrerat, ärligt på nått vis…
Hennes sätt att skildra både sin egen och barnens berättelser är djupt gripande och oerhört viktigt. Det känns som att mycket av innehållet är ofiltrerat, ärligt på nått vis…
May 8, 2025
Story - great!
Writing quality - OK.
Narration on the audiobook - absolutely terrible!! Why did the 14 year old speak like a baby?!?! It was so annoying.
Anyway, loving Cathy’s stories. Bit frustrating at the end when we didn’t get to hear what happened to Tilly.
Writing quality - OK.
Narration on the audiobook - absolutely terrible!! Why did the 14 year old speak like a baby?!?! It was so annoying.
Anyway, loving Cathy’s stories. Bit frustrating at the end when we didn’t get to hear what happened to Tilly.
September 19, 2020
I have always enjoyed reading Cathy Glass’s books! This is still a great publication helping to understand children, their issues and how to deal with them. Can’t wait for the next book!
I have started reading Cathy Glass books since like 8 years ago as a high schooler. Truly soothing and it helps me to learn more about child abuse and how to deal with it.
I have started reading Cathy Glass books since like 8 years ago as a high schooler. Truly soothing and it helps me to learn more about child abuse and how to deal with it.
September 25, 2021
I loved this book what a beautiful outcome!
November 23, 2022
Very emotional but great
January 4, 2025
Memoirs are an automatic 5 star review because it is someone being vulnerable and sharing their personal story.
September 16, 2020
I am such a huge fan of Cathys books!
September 19, 2020
Cathy’s memoirs are always enlightening and A Terrible Secret was no different. How traumatic it must have been for a 14 year old to put herself into care and for her mother who had been subject to coercive abuse. I’m looking forward to the next book to find out how Tilly’s story concludes and learn about Jackson’s story.
September 20, 2020
Loved it !!!
I read this in couple of sittings really hard to put down, fantastic read ,well done Cathy , and congratulations to Lucy 😁
I read this in couple of sittings really hard to put down, fantastic read ,well done Cathy , and congratulations to Lucy 😁
January 15, 2022
An easy 5 star for me along with the vast majority of Cathy’s other books. I love her writing style, usually I don’t like descriptive writing but I feel with this being non-fiction it kind of works better?
I get a huge book hangover after reading these books and my next books never live up to hers. I would actually love to move in with her myself she just seems an amazing woman
I get a huge book hangover after reading these books and my next books never live up to hers. I would actually love to move in with her myself she just seems an amazing woman
September 17, 2020
Great book, really looking forward to there stories continuing.
November 11, 2024
Cathy Glass has an amazing way with the children she fosters. Her stories are inspirational. She is an inspiration to me and I'm sure to all the children she's fostered.
January 11, 2021
Of all the Cathy Glass books I’ve read this seems to be the most hastily written and shoddily edited. I found several editing mistakes and grammatical errors. Beyond that it appeared that the story was written in a rushed manner. Unless Tilly was the least traumatized and most easy-going 14-year-old on the planet i fail to see how Cathy built rapport and trust with this teen. In most of her books she details the often lengthy process of getting a child or adolescent to open up about their abuse. Even though she went into care voluntarily and was angry I doubt she would be so open to a close, trusting relationship with a foster carer pretty immediately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Until the very ending of this book, I was planning to give it a full 4 stars, As Tilly's story was one that kept me reading, mainly through anger at what her stepfather had been up to. But I couldn't give slipped down a bit because at the end it revealed it was essentially a two parter, with the'sequel' being A Life Lost, which meant I had to go and buy that one, and though i read a lot of fantasy novels, and so used to sequels, I didn't like how this I've creeped up on me unaware. So sadly I had to mark it down. Saying that, I look forward to reading the end of Tilly's take, and intrigued how the new kid is going to fit in.
February 6, 2022
Al met al is Een verschrikkelijk geheim een intrigerend en informatief verhaal. Je leert namelijk hoe de pleegzorg in elkaar zit, maar ook wat de impact van pleegzorg is op iedereen die ermee te maken krijgt. Tegelijkertijd wordt Een verschrikkelijk geheim een intrigerend verhaal door het verhaal van zowel pleegkind Tilly als pleegmoeder Cathy. Beiden hebben namelijk zo hun eigen meningen en gedachtes over diverse situaties, maar juist hoe ze samen met de hele situatie omgaan heeft bij mij veel indruk achtergelaten. --> Vanaf 8 februari is de hele recensie te lezen op mijn blog: www.elinebooks.com
September 21, 2020
I was anticipating this coming out and I'm so glad I was. This is the story of tilly who comes into Cathy Glass's care vountary there are lots of twists and turns. I really liked the fact that Lucy Cathy's daughter had a baby as this is a family who's books I have followed for many years and grown to love their family and the foster carer Cathy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews