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A Prayer For The Broken
They promised the boy he’d be safe – they lied!
When eleven-year-old John McCormack’s mother is murdered, he is placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family. Clearwater House is a far cry from the squalid flats he’s been used to, but John soon learns that Pastor Stone’s perverted form of religion is anything but compassionate. As Stone attempts to purify John’s soul of “dangerous levels of toxicity”, it becomes increasingly clear he’s at the mercy of a madman.
Who can John talk to when no one wants to listen?
Who can he trust when all he knows is betrayal?
A Prayer for the Broken is the story of one child’s desperate fight to escape a sadistic killer who has complete control over him
When eleven-year-old John McCormack’s mother is murdered, he is placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family. Clearwater House is a far cry from the squalid flats he’s been used to, but John soon learns that Pastor Stone’s perverted form of religion is anything but compassionate. As Stone attempts to purify John’s soul of “dangerous levels of toxicity”, it becomes increasingly clear he’s at the mercy of a madman.
Who can John talk to when no one wants to listen?
Who can he trust when all he knows is betrayal?
A Prayer for the Broken is the story of one child’s desperate fight to escape a sadistic killer who has complete control over him
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2020
14 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Mark Tilbury
27 books279 followersMark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 1, 2020
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Yes, I’ve done it. Not done this for a while.......my reserved 5* just had to be dealt out on this one.
Reading this authors books either leaves my stomach churning or I’m in a state of anxious moments for some of his characters or, wanting at least one of his characters to meet an untimely end.
This story had my rollercoaster of emotions all over the place.
Pastor Stone is someone in sheep’s clothing for sure. In British slang “he is what he ain’t”.
And these kids are right at the forefront of his manic, maniac religious nutcase ways!
I was told by a friend how to enable speaking on my Kindle app on IPad or IPhone. I just had to take this book with me today so I was listening to it being read to me.
I couldn’t put the story out of my head.
It’s twisted
It’s ugly
But this author can write to lighten the load now and again in his writing which is a good talent to have.
Reading this was like unravelling a play/drama in my head. The characters were so visual to me I swear I could draw a picture of them as they played out in my head.
I can’t wait to see what he does next time!
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Blog |
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Yes, I’ve done it. Not done this for a while.......my reserved 5* just had to be dealt out on this one.
Reading this authors books either leaves my stomach churning or I’m in a state of anxious moments for some of his characters or, wanting at least one of his characters to meet an untimely end.
This story had my rollercoaster of emotions all over the place.
Pastor Stone is someone in sheep’s clothing for sure. In British slang “he is what he ain’t”.
And these kids are right at the forefront of his manic, maniac religious nutcase ways!
I was told by a friend how to enable speaking on my Kindle app on IPad or IPhone. I just had to take this book with me today so I was listening to it being read to me.
I couldn’t put the story out of my head.
It’s twisted
It’s ugly
But this author can write to lighten the load now and again in his writing which is a good talent to have.
Reading this was like unravelling a play/drama in my head. The characters were so visual to me I swear I could draw a picture of them as they played out in my head.
I can’t wait to see what he does next time!
October 10, 2020
Man this book was rough, and by that I mean the subject matter. A Prayer For The Broken by Mark Tilbury is grisly, gritty, incredibly disturbing, and completely unputdownable. It's about eleven-year-old John McCormack after his mother is murdered and he gets put into a foster home with a Pastor's family. But Pastor Stone is not like any normal Pastor, instead he's incredibly evil and a killer to boot. The terror and abuse that John experiences in his clutches is what this book is all about, and at times it was very hard to read. The part that really breaks my heart is the fact that this isn't just fiction, but something that can, and does, happen in the real world.
I found A Prayer For The Broken graphic at times, and I think it is best suited for an older audience. I wasn't sure if I should call it young adult, or adult but as I got towards the end I decided on adult just due to how disturbing it is. That being said, it's clearly not going to be for the faint of heart and if child abuse (in any form) is a big trigger for you, this might not be the book you want to pick up. However, I think it is an important topic and I love that Tilbury tackled it head on. A Prayer For The Broken is suspenseful right from the get-go, and that continued until the very last page. There was a slight supernatural element at one point, but even if you don't like elements like that you shouldn't have any issue with this book since it’s such a small part.
I love the way Tilbury crafts his stories, and if you're up for it, A Prayer For The Broken is going to be a book you don't want to miss. It was super readable despite the subject matter, and I read it in only two sittings because once I started I had a hard time putting it down. This is the type of book that makes your skin crawl and at times, want to throw your book across the room, but it was worth the read and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I found A Prayer For The Broken graphic at times, and I think it is best suited for an older audience. I wasn't sure if I should call it young adult, or adult but as I got towards the end I decided on adult just due to how disturbing it is. That being said, it's clearly not going to be for the faint of heart and if child abuse (in any form) is a big trigger for you, this might not be the book you want to pick up. However, I think it is an important topic and I love that Tilbury tackled it head on. A Prayer For The Broken is suspenseful right from the get-go, and that continued until the very last page. There was a slight supernatural element at one point, but even if you don't like elements like that you shouldn't have any issue with this book since it’s such a small part.
I love the way Tilbury crafts his stories, and if you're up for it, A Prayer For The Broken is going to be a book you don't want to miss. It was super readable despite the subject matter, and I read it in only two sittings because once I started I had a hard time putting it down. This is the type of book that makes your skin crawl and at times, want to throw your book across the room, but it was worth the read and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
October 3, 2020
John McCormack is 10 years old when his mother is murdered and he is placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family ... a wife and two other boys. How much safer can you get living in a pastor's home?
John is finding out that the pastor is not the benevolent man he appears to be in public. John is terrified at the warped form of religion he is expected to accept in his life. It doesn't take long for John to realize how much danger he is in ... and he has no one to turn to.... and one no will listen. There are consequences for those that disobey ... or tell what happens in the privacy of the home.
This was a hard read for me ... but once I started, I couldn't put it down. The suspense starts on the very first page and doesn't let up until the totally unexpected conclusion. For those who may have triggers ... there is violence, torture, physical abuse. It's well written with deftly drawn characters. Needless to say some of those characters made my skin crawl. Having read this author's other books, I can say he never disappoints.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 9, 2020
A Prayer For the Broken is a deceptively dark and emotional thriller and creeps up on you when you least expect. It's memorable and I know I'll remember it for a long time after the final page had been turned as it successfully got under my skin and into my psyche and the conclusion shocked me to my core. John McCormack is only ten years old when his mother is brutally murdered without a care or concern for him, but ultimately it is he who it will affect the most going forward. Most people, including John, feel he may have "hit the jackpot" when Pastor Ian Stone, his wife and two young boys decide they want to take him in and give him all the care he needs after the purgatory he has been through; unfortunately, though, purgatory is just beginning. It becomes apparent that Pastor Stone has a bad case of religious fanaticism, hijacking religious ideas and twisting them to fit his own warped notions and John becomes the subject of his insanity. Did Stone choose this career path as he knew people would be less likely to label a man of the cloth as a psychopath?
Tilbury has done a sterling job of portraying the despair and loneliness John feels being subjected to this cruel and astonishing behaviour; he doesn't have anywhere he can turn and this unusually got to me quite a bit. I can very much relate to that feeling too. It's harrowing, not for the faint of heart and will produce emotions most thrillers don't even attempt to bring out in a reader. Well written and compulsive, I found myself racing through it in a single sitting in which I was gripped and hopeful that John would gain some sort of redemption or find someone to save him. It can often be said that the urge to rule over someone can be disguised as the desire to help or save someone and that feels like exactly the case here. From the very beginning, there is suspense built on suspense, but this is no easy read and there is a hefty amount of abuse throughout. A moving story which highlights the power one human can have over another. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Mark Tilbury for an ARC.
Tilbury has done a sterling job of portraying the despair and loneliness John feels being subjected to this cruel and astonishing behaviour; he doesn't have anywhere he can turn and this unusually got to me quite a bit. I can very much relate to that feeling too. It's harrowing, not for the faint of heart and will produce emotions most thrillers don't even attempt to bring out in a reader. Well written and compulsive, I found myself racing through it in a single sitting in which I was gripped and hopeful that John would gain some sort of redemption or find someone to save him. It can often be said that the urge to rule over someone can be disguised as the desire to help or save someone and that feels like exactly the case here. From the very beginning, there is suspense built on suspense, but this is no easy read and there is a hefty amount of abuse throughout. A moving story which highlights the power one human can have over another. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Mark Tilbury for an ARC.
September 30, 2020
With every book that Mark Tilbury writes he always leaves me with his stories imprinted in my mind where they stay just as vivid as the day that I first read them. This feels like it has just jumped to poll position in the lineup. I will never forget eleven-year-old John McCormack or Brendan.
I would think that the few years of life that John had endured so far, especially after being the one that found his mother murdered, dampened any thoughts of thanking God for the life he already had but ‘for what he was about to receive’ would definitely not make him ‘truly thankful’ to anyone, let alone Pastor Ian Stone!
Mark Tilbury knows how to break your heart as John has two voices in this story. The one that he feels is the best choice for him to survive the terrible ordeals he finds himself trapped in and his true feelings and thoughts in his mind. I know this sounds terribly selfish of me but I was glad that he wasn’t alone. For that, I feel so very guilty.
Oh boy, this story really shakes you awake and makes you swear to stop putting people into pigeon holes like the police are good, robbers are bad sort of thing. This is a haunting story where my mind tried to put up barriers of ‘this couldn’t happen’. Unfortunately, it sometimes does.
This is another stunning book to be added to the now well-known name for this author #TwistedTilbury.
I wish to thank the author for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
I would think that the few years of life that John had endured so far, especially after being the one that found his mother murdered, dampened any thoughts of thanking God for the life he already had but ‘for what he was about to receive’ would definitely not make him ‘truly thankful’ to anyone, let alone Pastor Ian Stone!
Mark Tilbury knows how to break your heart as John has two voices in this story. The one that he feels is the best choice for him to survive the terrible ordeals he finds himself trapped in and his true feelings and thoughts in his mind. I know this sounds terribly selfish of me but I was glad that he wasn’t alone. For that, I feel so very guilty.
Oh boy, this story really shakes you awake and makes you swear to stop putting people into pigeon holes like the police are good, robbers are bad sort of thing. This is a haunting story where my mind tried to put up barriers of ‘this couldn’t happen’. Unfortunately, it sometimes does.
This is another stunning book to be added to the now well-known name for this author #TwistedTilbury.
I wish to thank the author for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
September 7, 2020
When 11 year old John McCormack's mother is murdered ,he is temporarily fostered by the Johnston family before being placed in the care of Pastor Stone and his family at Clearwater House..A safe place in a house of God ...what could be a better place for a small boy ..? .There is Darkness and then there is Pitch Black Evil..Readers be warned...this is a story that will rip your heart to pieces ...Its breathtaking darkness will leave claw marks on your soul ...It will take you to a place where Evil lies hidden from the world outside ...Where a child cries out in the dark..I cried for the plight of two small boys whose lives were already broken ..A Prayer For The Broken is a Cold ..Cruel Utterly Heartbreaker of a read..If you never believed in monsters..you will..- They are here .I wanted it to stop ,for it all to go away for them ..The Cruelty..The Evil of it all..Yet though so young ,so fragile in their Innocence the bond that ties these two young souls is beautifully connected..Once again Mark Tilbury has written a story that will pull every emotion out of your being ..For A Prayer For The Broken will haunt your dreams ..and stay with you ..Hauntingly Dark ..Yet Incredibly Moving ..If I could give more than 5 stars I would ...♥️
October 2, 2020
A Prayer for The Broken is an accurate testament that we shouldn’t fear creepy crawlies or heights – it is human’s that hold the key to breaking us open. They have all the tools to completely alter our psyches. I’m not ashamed to admit that this book held me in rapturous anticipation. I hated characters with every fibre of my being and wanted a serious accident to befall them. This psychological thriller chilled me to the very core but boiled my blood in the same sentence. It has only solidified my viewpoint that people do such evil things in the name of religion.
Eleven-year-old John McCormack has lost everything. His mum has been murdered, he’s lost his home and his safety and has now been placed into the care of the evil, Pastor Stone. He may have not had much whilst living with his mum, but it was peaceful and right. Now he is in the eye of a storm. He’s trapped, everything is passing by him and he can’t grasp them. He must watch and wait and hope that eventually the storm will lessen, and he will be free. The author is twisted and gives you hope that John and his fellow brother in arms will escape only to set fire to that hope and laugh as it burns away in front of you.
A Prayer for The Broken is a heart-breaking song for any parent to digest. John is around my eldest son’s age and it made me blind numbingly angry that anyone could do these things to another human, let alone a child. Just like the shackles that the boys have been made to wear, their pain anchors them down – no-one has the key to break them free of it.
A Prayer for The Broken had me behaving like a woman possessed (boy, I wonder what kind of punishment Pastor Stone would deem necessary for me?) I wanted to know just how this would all play out, but the pages just merged into one and I finished this creepy tale in one sitting – so I didn’t have long to wait! Mark Tilsbury knows how to lead you into the dark with one paragraph and suddenly I was lost, gone was the safe and happy world I had come to rely on. I thought I had all the answers – hell was I wrong!
A Prayer for The Broken is a sentence that resonates with every character in the story – good and bad. Whether we like it or not, everyone is a product of our upbringing. However, not everyone ends up being as evil as the Pastor Stone. The narrative is sharp enough to tear the bonds we have created with good wholesome people and make us question everything.
A Prayer for The Broken is craftily executed and it’s a harrowing portrait of friendship and suffering. Absolutely heartfelt but utterly remorseless. Make time to read this!
Eleven-year-old John McCormack has lost everything. His mum has been murdered, he’s lost his home and his safety and has now been placed into the care of the evil, Pastor Stone. He may have not had much whilst living with his mum, but it was peaceful and right. Now he is in the eye of a storm. He’s trapped, everything is passing by him and he can’t grasp them. He must watch and wait and hope that eventually the storm will lessen, and he will be free. The author is twisted and gives you hope that John and his fellow brother in arms will escape only to set fire to that hope and laugh as it burns away in front of you.
A Prayer for The Broken is a heart-breaking song for any parent to digest. John is around my eldest son’s age and it made me blind numbingly angry that anyone could do these things to another human, let alone a child. Just like the shackles that the boys have been made to wear, their pain anchors them down – no-one has the key to break them free of it.
A Prayer for The Broken had me behaving like a woman possessed (boy, I wonder what kind of punishment Pastor Stone would deem necessary for me?) I wanted to know just how this would all play out, but the pages just merged into one and I finished this creepy tale in one sitting – so I didn’t have long to wait! Mark Tilsbury knows how to lead you into the dark with one paragraph and suddenly I was lost, gone was the safe and happy world I had come to rely on. I thought I had all the answers – hell was I wrong!
A Prayer for The Broken is a sentence that resonates with every character in the story – good and bad. Whether we like it or not, everyone is a product of our upbringing. However, not everyone ends up being as evil as the Pastor Stone. The narrative is sharp enough to tear the bonds we have created with good wholesome people and make us question everything.
A Prayer for The Broken is craftily executed and it’s a harrowing portrait of friendship and suffering. Absolutely heartfelt but utterly remorseless. Make time to read this!
October 3, 2020
My heart went out to John who has not only lost his mother but is also removed from the foster home which he liked and placed into the care of Pastor Stone and his wife. As soon as his social worker leaves, you can tell that this isn’t going to be a happy placement for John. Pastor Stone takes the meaning of religion to a whole other level!
John is not the only boy who is staying there. There are two others of which he befriends one but the other, Timothy, has been wholly brainwashed by the pastor and is himself quite a nasty character. Even the Pastor’s wife, I had hoped may show the boys more compassion but she seems oblivious to it all and believes how her husband handles things is the correct way.
My hatred for Pastor Stone and Timothy especially, grew throughout the story. The more John sees and hears about his new home and the people within it, the more he wants to be miles away from it. I think this showcases how little sometimes young voices can go unheard. Sadly to often people in authority will believe adults over children so there is no wonder that many children do not speak out about the levels of abuse they are having to endure. Of which the mental abuse that John has to endure is horrendous.
A Prayer For The Broken was quite a tense read, my heart was in my mouth as I was reading it. Whilst not always a comfortable read, the author’s writing style makes sure it is a highly compelling one and it kept me turning those pages. The injustice of what John is going through especially, had my emotions raging. I felt sad, angry, just a whole array of emotions and I wish I could have reached in and protected the boys from what they were having to go through. A tense, sometimes disturbing story that will send your emotions off the scale!
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
John is not the only boy who is staying there. There are two others of which he befriends one but the other, Timothy, has been wholly brainwashed by the pastor and is himself quite a nasty character. Even the Pastor’s wife, I had hoped may show the boys more compassion but she seems oblivious to it all and believes how her husband handles things is the correct way.
My hatred for Pastor Stone and Timothy especially, grew throughout the story. The more John sees and hears about his new home and the people within it, the more he wants to be miles away from it. I think this showcases how little sometimes young voices can go unheard. Sadly to often people in authority will believe adults over children so there is no wonder that many children do not speak out about the levels of abuse they are having to endure. Of which the mental abuse that John has to endure is horrendous.
A Prayer For The Broken was quite a tense read, my heart was in my mouth as I was reading it. Whilst not always a comfortable read, the author’s writing style makes sure it is a highly compelling one and it kept me turning those pages. The injustice of what John is going through especially, had my emotions raging. I felt sad, angry, just a whole array of emotions and I wish I could have reached in and protected the boys from what they were having to go through. A tense, sometimes disturbing story that will send your emotions off the scale!
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 30, 2020
This book is absolutely incredible, my anxiety levels were through the roof. When I was reading of the vile creatures who were supposed to be caring for the two young boys, I wanted to do unspeakable things to them. The boys lives were already broken, they had no one to look out for them, no one to care. They forged an unbreakable bond with each other but they were only kids, what could they do to protect themselves? they knew that no one would listen. Everyone thought that pastor and his family were wonderful, kind caring people. How wrong they were.
September 27, 2020
You don't pick up a Mark Tilbury book because you are looking for a warm and fuzzy read and I think that this is especially true of his latest offering, A Prayer for the Broken. This time around we are seeing the world through the eyes of John McCormack although the tale is, in part, told with the voice of an adult John, looking back at the very dark and troubled times he lived through as a child when, following the murder of his mother, he is sent to live at Clearwater House with Pastor Ian Stone, his wife and son, and their other adopted child, Brendan. But this is no safe haven for poor young John, and Stone is a man who takes religious devotion to a whole new , truly sadistic, level.
If you have read any of the author's other books, you will know that he is not one to spare the pain of his characters. Now the very worst of the violence in this book stays off the page, but the inference is clear and the scenes are graphic enough to ensure that you will be left grimacing and with an intense hatred for the perpetrators. It is not always about graphic violence against the children though, sometimes the very act of denying food or proper bedding can be as cruel and spirit breaking as actual physical abuse. The whole atmosphere that surrounds the house is oppressive, as though a benevolent spirit has taken hold, and the more we learn of the character's past, the more you realise this may not be far from the truth. Violence begets violence - nurture, or lack thereof in this instance, over nature - but it certainly doesn't excuse what is happening. It is important to note that the book is set a few years back though, so that lack of care or attention by social services does, all too sadly, ring true.
It's not all doom and gloom though and there are some lighter moments when, if only for the briefest time, the boys John and Brendan, make a bid for freedom. Their plan to escape is ultimately flawed, it really doesn't get them very far, but their time alone allows them, and us as readers, to reflect on their past, on how they came to live at Clearwater House and to get a real glimpse of their spirit and in Brandan's case, defiance, that will make you root for them even more. There are also a few nods in the book to some of the author's other stories so if you are a fan they are bound to make you smile.
The final chapters of the book are shocking, although, somewhat inevitable. The ending does hold some hope though, the sense that something good has managed to survive the evil inherent in the walls of that house. This is a story infused with absolute cruelty and violence, but not without a faint glimmer of positivity for you, and John, to hold on to. I really did like John as a character. He is just a lost young boy, fighting for survival who will not allow anyone to break his spirit or his absolute love for his mother. How can you not admire that. The same can be said of Brendan, a fighter, right until the very end, even when he knew what would happen to him. And as for Stone, the worst aspect of every religious nut you could imagine all wrapped into one, a character you absolutely despise and want to see get his comeuppance. Mark Tilbury never disappoints on that score either, although it may not be as fitting an end as some readers may have wanted.
Dark, devious, and full of real threat, intensity and tension, it's another classic Mark Tilbury book. Fans are going to love it.
If you have read any of the author's other books, you will know that he is not one to spare the pain of his characters. Now the very worst of the violence in this book stays off the page, but the inference is clear and the scenes are graphic enough to ensure that you will be left grimacing and with an intense hatred for the perpetrators. It is not always about graphic violence against the children though, sometimes the very act of denying food or proper bedding can be as cruel and spirit breaking as actual physical abuse. The whole atmosphere that surrounds the house is oppressive, as though a benevolent spirit has taken hold, and the more we learn of the character's past, the more you realise this may not be far from the truth. Violence begets violence - nurture, or lack thereof in this instance, over nature - but it certainly doesn't excuse what is happening. It is important to note that the book is set a few years back though, so that lack of care or attention by social services does, all too sadly, ring true.
It's not all doom and gloom though and there are some lighter moments when, if only for the briefest time, the boys John and Brendan, make a bid for freedom. Their plan to escape is ultimately flawed, it really doesn't get them very far, but their time alone allows them, and us as readers, to reflect on their past, on how they came to live at Clearwater House and to get a real glimpse of their spirit and in Brandan's case, defiance, that will make you root for them even more. There are also a few nods in the book to some of the author's other stories so if you are a fan they are bound to make you smile.
The final chapters of the book are shocking, although, somewhat inevitable. The ending does hold some hope though, the sense that something good has managed to survive the evil inherent in the walls of that house. This is a story infused with absolute cruelty and violence, but not without a faint glimmer of positivity for you, and John, to hold on to. I really did like John as a character. He is just a lost young boy, fighting for survival who will not allow anyone to break his spirit or his absolute love for his mother. How can you not admire that. The same can be said of Brendan, a fighter, right until the very end, even when he knew what would happen to him. And as for Stone, the worst aspect of every religious nut you could imagine all wrapped into one, a character you absolutely despise and want to see get his comeuppance. Mark Tilbury never disappoints on that score either, although it may not be as fitting an end as some readers may have wanted.
Dark, devious, and full of real threat, intensity and tension, it's another classic Mark Tilbury book. Fans are going to love it.
October 6, 2020
A Dark, But Spellbinding Tale Of A Young Boy, Who Was Promised Safety....
After reading this gritty, emotional story I needed to just sit...Alone...And let the horror lived by young boys finally leave me...But it Never does....
An eleven year old boy finds his Mom dead after she does a massage for a client...Horrified and alone, he is sent to a temporary foster home, which works out well for a short time..Then a real foster is found in Pastor Ian Stone, a man well liked in his community for helping elderly and children alike...But things definitely are Not as they seem...Cruelty in the form of religion...As the Pastor needs to remove Satan from the boy's life....
The descriptions and characters pull you directly into the story...I feel as if my heart honestly bled for all the young boys were going through...Yet I could Not put the book down...A story that will make you think...Always wondering about children left alone after a tragedy...
This book is dark...Terrifying at times...But a story that needed to be told, and this author has mastered the art of delivering an outstanding tale!!
After reading this gritty, emotional story I needed to just sit...Alone...And let the horror lived by young boys finally leave me...But it Never does....
An eleven year old boy finds his Mom dead after she does a massage for a client...Horrified and alone, he is sent to a temporary foster home, which works out well for a short time..Then a real foster is found in Pastor Ian Stone, a man well liked in his community for helping elderly and children alike...But things definitely are Not as they seem...Cruelty in the form of religion...As the Pastor needs to remove Satan from the boy's life....
The descriptions and characters pull you directly into the story...I feel as if my heart honestly bled for all the young boys were going through...Yet I could Not put the book down...A story that will make you think...Always wondering about children left alone after a tragedy...
This book is dark...Terrifying at times...But a story that needed to be told, and this author has mastered the art of delivering an outstanding tale!!
October 5, 2020
When 11 year old John McCormack finds his mother murdered, he is placed with a loving family in temporary foster care until a permanent home is found. He is then placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family but it doesn’t take long for John to find out that all is not as it seems.
I found this to be a difficult but compelling read and the author had me completely sucked into the story. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a work of fiction as it felt as if I was reading somebody’s horrific memoir. This is not a light read, it is also a very emotional book to read.
I found this to be a difficult but compelling read and the author had me completely sucked into the story. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a work of fiction as it felt as if I was reading somebody’s horrific memoir. This is not a light read, it is also a very emotional book to read.
August 30, 2020
Mark Tilbury Has Delivered once again .. A Fantastic Gripping Story .. I Cannot wait for His Next Book
August 25, 2020
Another Tilbury masterpiece ! I became so involved with one character that my emotions were all over the place . This book is a must read and will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it . Mark Tilbury where will your mind take us next time ?
August 21, 2020
Mark Tilbury has done it yet again! He has a band of author stalkers and by the time you finish his latest offering, you will understand why.
You never know what goes on behind closed doors, but could you imagine this horror? Feelham must have something in the water and there is no way I'm moving within a hundred miles of it.
Mr Tilbury brings his characters to life with an eye for detail that turns two dimensional into three dimensional; from the scene setting to the characters, you are there like a fly on the wall.
Superb.
You never know what goes on behind closed doors, but could you imagine this horror? Feelham must have something in the water and there is no way I'm moving within a hundred miles of it.
Mr Tilbury brings his characters to life with an eye for detail that turns two dimensional into three dimensional; from the scene setting to the characters, you are there like a fly on the wall.
Superb.
October 12, 2020
Sinister, twisted, yet an utterly compelling read, “A Prayer for the Broken” by Mark Tilbury is a darker-than-dark psychological fiction masterpiece. So vividly written, you’ll love and hate it at the same time. Child abuse and hints of sexual abuse dominate parts of the book, so be warned before you start.
Eleven year old John is placed in foster care after his mother’s murder. Up until that point, his short life is a tale of hard luck, but also full of love. His mother lived in a questionable lifestyle that left them in poverty, but she was always good to her son. Immediately after her death, the Johnson family took him in as their foster child. They showered with him the affection he needed, but the placement was only temporary. It’s the memories from his past life that he’ll cling to as much as he does his own survival when social services permanently places him at Clearwater House with Pastor Ian Stone and his family.
Pastor Ian Stone is loved and respected by social services and the community. He, his wife, and young adult son are pillars of the church — and of society. John joins another boy, Brendan, as their foster son. Appearances are deceiving, however. Religious extremism and the failure of social services kicks into high gear as soon as the story begins. Upon his arrival, John is starved, frozen, and physically assaulted. But the abuse and torture he’ll receive at the hands of the pastor and his son are just starting. It’s soon clear the only way out of Clearwater House is death, and his foster family is more than happy to indulge both he and Brendan in the cruelest, least merciful ways possible… in the name of religion and their god.
Most of the violence committed against John and Brendan is off-page, but that doesn’t make it any less hard to read or heartbreaking. The descriptions leading up to the most horrific acts are horrific enough in themselves to make you want to look the other way. Yet, you can’t. John’s an innocent child, full of the ‘smarts’ he’ll need for survival — and full of hope too, even when he comes to believe there’s none. You have to see it through. For John. You have to finish the book. For John. Author Mark Tilbury is brilliant at creating dark stories that make you cringe, but also innocent, lovable characters that compel you to deliver them safely to the end.
“A Prayer for the Broken” by Mark Tilbury is as tense as it is intense. It’s hard to read simply because the abuse in the book is being inflicted on children. But that doesn’t mean the book isn’t engrossing. Or good. It’s definitely both. It’ll fill you with anguish and dread. It’ll become more twisted the further you read. Yet, by the conclusion, good overcomes evil, at least to a degree. I prefer most of the psychological fiction I read to end as twisted as it began, but I don’t know if I’d ever have recovered if it had been the case this time.
Thank you to Mark Tilbury for a complimentary digital copy of “A Prayer for the Broken” in exchange for an honest review.
Eleven year old John is placed in foster care after his mother’s murder. Up until that point, his short life is a tale of hard luck, but also full of love. His mother lived in a questionable lifestyle that left them in poverty, but she was always good to her son. Immediately after her death, the Johnson family took him in as their foster child. They showered with him the affection he needed, but the placement was only temporary. It’s the memories from his past life that he’ll cling to as much as he does his own survival when social services permanently places him at Clearwater House with Pastor Ian Stone and his family.
Pastor Ian Stone is loved and respected by social services and the community. He, his wife, and young adult son are pillars of the church — and of society. John joins another boy, Brendan, as their foster son. Appearances are deceiving, however. Religious extremism and the failure of social services kicks into high gear as soon as the story begins. Upon his arrival, John is starved, frozen, and physically assaulted. But the abuse and torture he’ll receive at the hands of the pastor and his son are just starting. It’s soon clear the only way out of Clearwater House is death, and his foster family is more than happy to indulge both he and Brendan in the cruelest, least merciful ways possible… in the name of religion and their god.
Most of the violence committed against John and Brendan is off-page, but that doesn’t make it any less hard to read or heartbreaking. The descriptions leading up to the most horrific acts are horrific enough in themselves to make you want to look the other way. Yet, you can’t. John’s an innocent child, full of the ‘smarts’ he’ll need for survival — and full of hope too, even when he comes to believe there’s none. You have to see it through. For John. You have to finish the book. For John. Author Mark Tilbury is brilliant at creating dark stories that make you cringe, but also innocent, lovable characters that compel you to deliver them safely to the end.
“A Prayer for the Broken” by Mark Tilbury is as tense as it is intense. It’s hard to read simply because the abuse in the book is being inflicted on children. But that doesn’t mean the book isn’t engrossing. Or good. It’s definitely both. It’ll fill you with anguish and dread. It’ll become more twisted the further you read. Yet, by the conclusion, good overcomes evil, at least to a degree. I prefer most of the psychological fiction I read to end as twisted as it began, but I don’t know if I’d ever have recovered if it had been the case this time.
Thank you to Mark Tilbury for a complimentary digital copy of “A Prayer for the Broken” in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2020
Well if someone can find my voice let me know. How to review something like this! I spent most of my time on edge with this book. I couldn’t relax, I was always waiting for the next dark and terrifying thing to happen. It was shocking and completely twisted. Even after I had finished the book I feel like I need a cleansing shower. Something to scrub the dirt off.
One of the scariest things about this book is that it could happen. There really are religious fanatics in this world who probably do think and act in this way. This is what petrifies me.
I feel tired now! This book has drained me and I am not sure how I feel right now. It’s a book that will play on your mind even after you close your book. You are going to feel all the emotions! Sad, terrified and a LOT of Anger!! I think anger fuelled me through the book and maybe that’s why I am tired now.
I can’t say anything about the plot because you really should go in this blind. I skimmed the blurb so I got the gist but that was it. It’s a journey I didn’t want to be ruined for me.
I read this before bed and in the dark and I think it added to the intensity of the words in front of me. John and Brendan’s fears are my fears. The darkness was like a thick blanket enveloping everyone and never releasing any pressure. Because this book never does. There is so much you don’t see in the books, but it’s always what you don’t see which is the worst in my mind. Imagination is a dangerous play here.
I can do easily see why Mark is dubbed #TwistedTilbury because man this book is twisted -dun dun dun, had to be said. He knows how to go dark and he knows how to make you fall down the rabbit hole without realising it. I’m not sure if it’s right to say I “enjoyed” this book but it is most definitely riveting. I was glued to the pages as I was following the boys’ plight, I was “praying” everything would be ok. I can’t tell you the outcome but its one you need to discover on your own.
It’s hard to find the right words for a book you enjoyed but you really shouldn’t enjoy. One to take you to the deepest part of your soul and somehow enjoy that thrill. But really shouldn’t. I shouldn’t enjoy this book but I enjoyed the thrill but it feels wrong. I mean is the devil in me? Do I need to repent? Does my soul need saving? Or do I need to just read another #twistedtilbury? I know what I will be doing!
One of the scariest things about this book is that it could happen. There really are religious fanatics in this world who probably do think and act in this way. This is what petrifies me.
I feel tired now! This book has drained me and I am not sure how I feel right now. It’s a book that will play on your mind even after you close your book. You are going to feel all the emotions! Sad, terrified and a LOT of Anger!! I think anger fuelled me through the book and maybe that’s why I am tired now.
I can’t say anything about the plot because you really should go in this blind. I skimmed the blurb so I got the gist but that was it. It’s a journey I didn’t want to be ruined for me.
I read this before bed and in the dark and I think it added to the intensity of the words in front of me. John and Brendan’s fears are my fears. The darkness was like a thick blanket enveloping everyone and never releasing any pressure. Because this book never does. There is so much you don’t see in the books, but it’s always what you don’t see which is the worst in my mind. Imagination is a dangerous play here.
I can do easily see why Mark is dubbed #TwistedTilbury because man this book is twisted -dun dun dun, had to be said. He knows how to go dark and he knows how to make you fall down the rabbit hole without realising it. I’m not sure if it’s right to say I “enjoyed” this book but it is most definitely riveting. I was glued to the pages as I was following the boys’ plight, I was “praying” everything would be ok. I can’t tell you the outcome but its one you need to discover on your own.
It’s hard to find the right words for a book you enjoyed but you really shouldn’t enjoy. One to take you to the deepest part of your soul and somehow enjoy that thrill. But really shouldn’t. I shouldn’t enjoy this book but I enjoyed the thrill but it feels wrong. I mean is the devil in me? Do I need to repent? Does my soul need saving? Or do I need to just read another #twistedtilbury? I know what I will be doing!
October 11, 2020
Mark Tilbury’s collection of despicable, vile and evil characters seemingly knows no end as he once again comes up with one of the most twisted maniacs I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. Worse still, this one uses religion as the driving force behind his madness.
John McCormack is eleven years old when his mother is found murdered. With no other family to take care of him, John is placed into foster care and soon finds himself adopted by Pastor Stone. However, this pillar of the community is not what he seems and what should be a safe haven for John quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares.
Dark and disturbing is turning into a bit of an understatement when describing Mark Tilbury’s books. This is an author who doesn’t shy away from tackling the tough topics. A Prayer for the Broken has quite high levels of cruelty, neglect and abuse that often made for uncomfortable reading. In case you wondered, warm and fuzzy this is not and if you’re of the faint-hearted variety, you should probably give this one a miss. But you’d be missing out, I tell you.
There’s a sense of desperation and loneliness throughout the story. I constantly felt myself wishing for things to get better for John but couldn’t see how they ever could be. Can he find anyone to talk to? Anyone who’s willing to listen? Anyone who will believe him? Anyone he can trust? As the days at Clearwater House go by, I honestly feared for John’s future. But in the midst of all that doom and gloom comes a little ray of light in the darkness when John strikes up a friendship with Brendan.
Despicable things have happened, and still happen, in the name of religion. A Prayer for the Broken is a horrible reminder of that. This story is upsetting, it’s ugly and brutal, it’ll turn your stomach. But just like so many other stories Mark Tilbury has offered us over the years, the characters will stay with you. Under your skin and in your mind, they are that unforgettable.
So yes, Twisted Tilbury has struck again. A Prayer for the Broken is dark, twisted, extremely (in)tense and exactly what I would expect from this author. I’m off to find something light-hearted and fluffy now though!
John McCormack is eleven years old when his mother is found murdered. With no other family to take care of him, John is placed into foster care and soon finds himself adopted by Pastor Stone. However, this pillar of the community is not what he seems and what should be a safe haven for John quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares.
Dark and disturbing is turning into a bit of an understatement when describing Mark Tilbury’s books. This is an author who doesn’t shy away from tackling the tough topics. A Prayer for the Broken has quite high levels of cruelty, neglect and abuse that often made for uncomfortable reading. In case you wondered, warm and fuzzy this is not and if you’re of the faint-hearted variety, you should probably give this one a miss. But you’d be missing out, I tell you.
There’s a sense of desperation and loneliness throughout the story. I constantly felt myself wishing for things to get better for John but couldn’t see how they ever could be. Can he find anyone to talk to? Anyone who’s willing to listen? Anyone who will believe him? Anyone he can trust? As the days at Clearwater House go by, I honestly feared for John’s future. But in the midst of all that doom and gloom comes a little ray of light in the darkness when John strikes up a friendship with Brendan.
Despicable things have happened, and still happen, in the name of religion. A Prayer for the Broken is a horrible reminder of that. This story is upsetting, it’s ugly and brutal, it’ll turn your stomach. But just like so many other stories Mark Tilbury has offered us over the years, the characters will stay with you. Under your skin and in your mind, they are that unforgettable.
So yes, Twisted Tilbury has struck again. A Prayer for the Broken is dark, twisted, extremely (in)tense and exactly what I would expect from this author. I’m off to find something light-hearted and fluffy now though!
September 9, 2020
The blurb:
They promised the boy he’d be safe – they lied!
When eleven-year-old John McCormack’s mother is murdered, he is placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family. Clearwater House is a far cry from the squalid flats he’s been used to, but John soon learns that Pastor Stone’s perverted form of religion is anything but compassionate. As Stone attempts to purify John’s soul of “dangerous levels of toxicity”, it becomes increasingly clear he’s at the mercy of a madman.
Who can John talk to when no one wants to listen?
Who can he trust when all he knows is betrayal?
A Prayer for the Broken is the story of one child’s desperate fight to escape a sadistic killer who has complete control over him
Oh my word! Pastor Stone is as evil as can be. This book is a chilling read and could activate triggers, but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book that Mark Tilbury brings out.
They promised the boy he’d be safe – they lied!
When eleven-year-old John McCormack’s mother is murdered, he is placed in the care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family. Clearwater House is a far cry from the squalid flats he’s been used to, but John soon learns that Pastor Stone’s perverted form of religion is anything but compassionate. As Stone attempts to purify John’s soul of “dangerous levels of toxicity”, it becomes increasingly clear he’s at the mercy of a madman.
Who can John talk to when no one wants to listen?
Who can he trust when all he knows is betrayal?
A Prayer for the Broken is the story of one child’s desperate fight to escape a sadistic killer who has complete control over him
Oh my word! Pastor Stone is as evil as can be. This book is a chilling read and could activate triggers, but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book that Mark Tilbury brings out.
August 31, 2020
I found this a very disturbing read, it’s very dark and depraved. His darkest by far. This book needs to come with a warning. It has bought out very mixed emotions in me. I feel emotionally shell shocked. It’s a harrowing read and It’s a book that stays with you
The boys characters are beautifully written and totally engaging.
my maternal instincts were in overdrive with Johns plight. It was heart wrenching stuff 😢 parts quite distressing to read, and had me in tears at one point.
There were a few laugh out loud moments too, but they are few.
Only a sniff of the supernatural in this one.
I feel there’s potential for a sequel to this.
This book is not going to be for everyone, I don’t have enough daggers for this one on the gore score It’s 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡+
The boys characters are beautifully written and totally engaging.
my maternal instincts were in overdrive with Johns plight. It was heart wrenching stuff 😢 parts quite distressing to read, and had me in tears at one point.
There were a few laugh out loud moments too, but they are few.
Only a sniff of the supernatural in this one.
I feel there’s potential for a sequel to this.
This book is not going to be for everyone, I don’t have enough daggers for this one on the gore score It’s 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡+
August 20, 2020
I became aware of Mark when I saw people raving about a book called Abbatoir of Dreams. From there I read all books available and saw why Mark gained his reputation as a twisted author #twistedtilbury
Well a Prayer for The Broken is as good, or dare I say even better.
John finds his mother dead, making him an orphan. He is placed in temporary Foster care until a more permanent place can be found.
Unfortunately for John his "saviour" turns out to be Pastor Stone. A well respected member of his community with a wife who can bear no more children and a son, it must be the perfect placement for a young boy.
John realises that this isn't the happy home its made out to be.
The rules are strict and enforced strongly, punishments swift and harsh.
The story follows John and his fellow housemate Brendan as they try and find a way around their imprisonment and to try and find out and possibly expose the secrets of Pastor Stone and his house of hell.
It touches on religious fanaticism and how so called respected people seem to get away with murder. Put me in mind of Jimmy Saville and Epstein. Will anyone believe young boys over the word of someone like Stone?
This isn't for the faint hearted. There are elements of child abuse, so be warned if you find that subject sensitive.
If you are open to anything this book is incredible. I literally don't have enough words to try and explain how much I enjoyed it. I read it in one go, and a few days later, I havent been able to pick up another book. Nothing is coming up to that standard.
If you read it and enjoy it then look for Abbatoir of Dreams and the rest by this tremendous author.
Well a Prayer for The Broken is as good, or dare I say even better.
John finds his mother dead, making him an orphan. He is placed in temporary Foster care until a more permanent place can be found.
Unfortunately for John his "saviour" turns out to be Pastor Stone. A well respected member of his community with a wife who can bear no more children and a son, it must be the perfect placement for a young boy.
John realises that this isn't the happy home its made out to be.
The rules are strict and enforced strongly, punishments swift and harsh.
The story follows John and his fellow housemate Brendan as they try and find a way around their imprisonment and to try and find out and possibly expose the secrets of Pastor Stone and his house of hell.
It touches on religious fanaticism and how so called respected people seem to get away with murder. Put me in mind of Jimmy Saville and Epstein. Will anyone believe young boys over the word of someone like Stone?
This isn't for the faint hearted. There are elements of child abuse, so be warned if you find that subject sensitive.
If you are open to anything this book is incredible. I literally don't have enough words to try and explain how much I enjoyed it. I read it in one go, and a few days later, I havent been able to pick up another book. Nothing is coming up to that standard.
If you read it and enjoy it then look for Abbatoir of Dreams and the rest by this tremendous author.
October 9, 2020
There are authors whose books I read I consider to have a vivid imagination, and then there’s Mark Tilbury! An author whose twisted imagination is dark and very twisted, and I mean that as a compliment. The author has a knack of creating characters and plots that highlight the worse traits of human nature, that push the boundaries, but hell they make for a spine chilling read. Because of the subject matter of this book it’s not one for readers looking for a “cosy crime read”, but it’s definitely one I would recommend to those who like their crime reads on the dark side.
I say it every time but A Prayer For The Broken is the authors darkest yet, it’s brutal, it’s chilling and very disturbing, and yet you can’t help reading on hoping John the young boy placed in foster care will find a “happy ending” I will not go into plot details all you need to know is in the book description. I will just say that as I read A Prayer For The Broken, I felt many a chill run down my spine, as the tale grew more alarming and far more ominous.
The author has once again created monsters that walk beside us. On the outside they are pillars of the community, but under the veneer there’s evil lurking in within them. They are both disturbing and despicable, their the sort that leave a nasty taste in your mouth and send shivers down your spine. I really enjoyed this book despite the violence and the subject matter, the author has a way of pulling you in, even though you know it’s going to be a tough read, you just can’t put it the book down! Mark Tilbury has once again has written an intense, haunting read that pulls no punches. Highly recommended to those who enjoy an addictive, violent, and intense as hell read.
I say it every time but A Prayer For The Broken is the authors darkest yet, it’s brutal, it’s chilling and very disturbing, and yet you can’t help reading on hoping John the young boy placed in foster care will find a “happy ending” I will not go into plot details all you need to know is in the book description. I will just say that as I read A Prayer For The Broken, I felt many a chill run down my spine, as the tale grew more alarming and far more ominous.
The author has once again created monsters that walk beside us. On the outside they are pillars of the community, but under the veneer there’s evil lurking in within them. They are both disturbing and despicable, their the sort that leave a nasty taste in your mouth and send shivers down your spine. I really enjoyed this book despite the violence and the subject matter, the author has a way of pulling you in, even though you know it’s going to be a tough read, you just can’t put it the book down! Mark Tilbury has once again has written an intense, haunting read that pulls no punches. Highly recommended to those who enjoy an addictive, violent, and intense as hell read.
October 2, 2020
I do love Mark Tilburys books and this one did not disappoint. Not an easy read I have to admit but one that kept the pages turning.
Children always amaze me with their resilience and ability to cope with things that would see an adult hiding away forever.
This is the story of 2 boys who didn't know each other both were traumatised by the death of the mother they loved. John found his mother dead and Brendan was witness to his mother's murder. Alone in the world they are put in long term foster care with Pastor Stone. He is a religious man so the boys will be well cared for - or will they?
Brendan has been in the 'care' of the Stone's for a while when John arrives and knows far too much about the goings on at Clearwater House.
I love the characters. Brendan and John are typical boys who although loved by their Mother were also used to a hard life where money was scarce but the violence not so much. They are resourceful and determined not to be beaten. Although different personalities they form a bond - blood brothers - and determine to stick together to the end.
A pastor with a very warped idea of doing God's will and Timothy who is evilness personified is there anyone able to help the boys?
A hard read but a very gripping one and I did really enjoy reading this story. I especially loved the way Key to Death's Door made a little appearance (that is another absolutely brilliant book if you haven't read it I highly recommend it).
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adrenaline pumping thriller. 5 stars from me.
Many thanks to the author for the advance digital copy. This is my unbiased review.
Children always amaze me with their resilience and ability to cope with things that would see an adult hiding away forever.
This is the story of 2 boys who didn't know each other both were traumatised by the death of the mother they loved. John found his mother dead and Brendan was witness to his mother's murder. Alone in the world they are put in long term foster care with Pastor Stone. He is a religious man so the boys will be well cared for - or will they?
Brendan has been in the 'care' of the Stone's for a while when John arrives and knows far too much about the goings on at Clearwater House.
I love the characters. Brendan and John are typical boys who although loved by their Mother were also used to a hard life where money was scarce but the violence not so much. They are resourceful and determined not to be beaten. Although different personalities they form a bond - blood brothers - and determine to stick together to the end.
A pastor with a very warped idea of doing God's will and Timothy who is evilness personified is there anyone able to help the boys?
A hard read but a very gripping one and I did really enjoy reading this story. I especially loved the way Key to Death's Door made a little appearance (that is another absolutely brilliant book if you haven't read it I highly recommend it).
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adrenaline pumping thriller. 5 stars from me.
Many thanks to the author for the advance digital copy. This is my unbiased review.
October 13, 2020
To be mistreated by someone who is supposed to be caring for you is the ultimate betrayal of trust. A Prayer for the Broken sees young John McCormack taking you through heartbreaking experiences that a child should never have to go through. The palpable fear and sheer terror is fought with gut and determination. He takes your heart to the edge of a heartbeat, stops it, and drops it off a cliff edge along with the air in your lungs. There are some parts that made me laugh, as I hear some of his mother’s sayings in my own head. Then there are others that made me so angry, so sick to the stomach that I hurt. I can’t stop thinking about this book and the characters within, as I know there are truly evil people out there and innocent ones suffering at their hands. Their stories are real, unheard and no one can write their ending. A difficult read but I couldn't stop, I just wanted it to be over.
October 5, 2020
Yet again this author has written a brilliant story that had me gripped from start to finish. The storyline isn’t for everyone. It’s one of them stories that you try thinking it’s only a story but you know stuff like this happens too much.
My heart broke for John. He is ten years old and alone. He was content in foster care but it was only temporary. Now he is left in the care of Pastor Stone and his wife. First impressions aren’t good and he realises quickly he’s right. A place where he should feel safe turns out to be his worst nightmare.
I’m not saying much more about the storyline. If you’ve read anything by this author you will know his stories are not easy reads but must reads. I highly recommend you read this.
My heart broke for John. He is ten years old and alone. He was content in foster care but it was only temporary. Now he is left in the care of Pastor Stone and his wife. First impressions aren’t good and he realises quickly he’s right. A place where he should feel safe turns out to be his worst nightmare.
I’m not saying much more about the storyline. If you’ve read anything by this author you will know his stories are not easy reads but must reads. I highly recommend you read this.
August 31, 2020
Just when I thought Mark Tilbury's books couldn't get anymore dark and depraved along comes A Prayer For The Broken.
When John finds his mother dead he is taken in by Pastor Stone and his family and his life will never be the same again! As I read of John's struggle to believe that he has been taken in by a very evil, sinister religious nutter I think I went through every emotion going. There is an undercurrent of malevolence throughout this book but there is also hope. I read this in one sitting as the suspense of what was going to become of John was killing me. I would highly recommend this book but it's certainly not for the faint hearted
When John finds his mother dead he is taken in by Pastor Stone and his family and his life will never be the same again! As I read of John's struggle to believe that he has been taken in by a very evil, sinister religious nutter I think I went through every emotion going. There is an undercurrent of malevolence throughout this book but there is also hope. I read this in one sitting as the suspense of what was going to become of John was killing me. I would highly recommend this book but it's certainly not for the faint hearted
September 3, 2020
I've said this before, and I dare say I'll say it again, Tilbury just gets better and better. A Prayer For the Unbroken is undoubtably even betterer. I've had to invent a new word, betterer, to illustrate the originality of this dark psychological thriller that sets it apart from most of the others.
Eleven-year-old John McCormack having recently been orphaned after his mother had been murdered was finally placed with Pastor Ian Stone, after a short time in foster care. However, it became immediately apparent that his new forever home, does not support the spirit of christian kindness, indeed it's the exact polar opposite, and it was only going to get worse.
If you believe reading is just a sedentary pastime, try reading this one without getting out of breath.
Eleven-year-old John McCormack having recently been orphaned after his mother had been murdered was finally placed with Pastor Ian Stone, after a short time in foster care. However, it became immediately apparent that his new forever home, does not support the spirit of christian kindness, indeed it's the exact polar opposite, and it was only going to get worse.
If you believe reading is just a sedentary pastime, try reading this one without getting out of breath.
October 2, 2020
It’s only very recently that I discovered just how flipping fantastic Mark’s work is. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that he has written but I am getting there. Mark’s most recent release is ‘A Prayer For The Broken’ and it is due for release on 5th October 2020 in e-book although the paperback is available now. It’s another corker of a read, which I really did enjoy but more about that in a bit.
I really, really felt for the main character of John. He finds himself in foster care, after his mother passed away and his father’s whereabouts are unknown. John had been happy in his previous foster placement but he is moved to another placement, which just sounds like hell on earth. I won’t go too far into what happens to him as that might give away too many details, but needless to say that my heart broke for the little mite and I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to give him a hug as well as deal with those who were unkind to him. Put it this way, I would probably be end up in prison for what I wanted to do!
I have to be honest and say that ‘A Prayer For The Broken’ has to be the creepiest and most disturbing book I have read in a long, long time. In fact there were times when I almost felt as though I wouldn’t be able to read any more. I used to work in children’s social services and I am used to case files, strategy meetings and reports of horrific abuse, which have never affected me in the past, but this book was something else. The very realistic descriptions of the nastiness of certain characters really did make my stomach churn and I felt myself become emotionally involved in the story to the extent that I felt tears well up on several occasions. I think that my imagination is far too vivid for my own good.
I felt as though I had been hypnotised by this book and I felt compelled to keep reading. I mean that in the nicest possible way. I had to keep reading to see if John managed to escape and justice caught up with those who mistreated him. The pages turned quickly and at one point the page numbers became a blur. I read this book in one long reading binge. Whilst I was reading this book I lost all track of time and I managed to shut out all other distractions, which is pretty rare for me. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I couldn’t put the book down- not because it was glued to my hand (it wasn’t) but I had a desperation to know how the story concluded and what happened to John.
‘A Prayer For The Broken’ is just superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Mark’s books that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. Mark’s writing style grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the story. I felt as though I was part of the story, which is all down to Mark’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. There were times that I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. There were more twists and turns to this story than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I thought that I had fathomed out what was going to happen but I had the wrong end of the stick entirely and the story took me in a different direction.
In short, I did enjoy reading ‘A Prayer For The Broken’ and I would definitely recommend that you read it. I will certainly be reading more of Mark’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I really, really felt for the main character of John. He finds himself in foster care, after his mother passed away and his father’s whereabouts are unknown. John had been happy in his previous foster placement but he is moved to another placement, which just sounds like hell on earth. I won’t go too far into what happens to him as that might give away too many details, but needless to say that my heart broke for the little mite and I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to give him a hug as well as deal with those who were unkind to him. Put it this way, I would probably be end up in prison for what I wanted to do!
I have to be honest and say that ‘A Prayer For The Broken’ has to be the creepiest and most disturbing book I have read in a long, long time. In fact there were times when I almost felt as though I wouldn’t be able to read any more. I used to work in children’s social services and I am used to case files, strategy meetings and reports of horrific abuse, which have never affected me in the past, but this book was something else. The very realistic descriptions of the nastiness of certain characters really did make my stomach churn and I felt myself become emotionally involved in the story to the extent that I felt tears well up on several occasions. I think that my imagination is far too vivid for my own good.
I felt as though I had been hypnotised by this book and I felt compelled to keep reading. I mean that in the nicest possible way. I had to keep reading to see if John managed to escape and justice caught up with those who mistreated him. The pages turned quickly and at one point the page numbers became a blur. I read this book in one long reading binge. Whilst I was reading this book I lost all track of time and I managed to shut out all other distractions, which is pretty rare for me. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I couldn’t put the book down- not because it was glued to my hand (it wasn’t) but I had a desperation to know how the story concluded and what happened to John.
‘A Prayer For The Broken’ is just superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Mark’s books that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. Mark’s writing style grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the story. I felt as though I was part of the story, which is all down to Mark’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. There were times that I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. There were more twists and turns to this story than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I thought that I had fathomed out what was going to happen but I had the wrong end of the stick entirely and the story took me in a different direction.
In short, I did enjoy reading ‘A Prayer For The Broken’ and I would definitely recommend that you read it. I will certainly be reading more of Mark’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
October 2, 2020
Young John McCormack didn't have the best start in life but he did have a mother who loved him fiercely. Until one morning when he wakes to find her dead. At the age of 11 finds himself in the foster care of Pastor Ian Stone and his family. Pastor Stone is known for his good works and is well respected in the community and the social worker impresses upon John how lucky he is. And if anyone deserves a little bit of good fortune it's John. Unfortunately, it turns out that he hasn't struck gold with his new foster family. Nothing could be further from the truth...
John is a poor wee soul and my heart just broke for him. He arrives at the Stone house traumatised and grieving, needing love and support. He gets neither from Pastor and Mrs Stone, nor from their son Timothy. He does find a friend, though, in Brendan, another boy fostered by the Stones. Some of their exchanges provided some lighter moments and made me smile. Others were so poignant, so sad, that they had me tearing up. Their scenes together were my favourite parts of the book.
This is not an easy read. It's not a comfortable read. It's dark, brutal and uncomfortable to read in places. But it is beautifully written and powerful. Stone is a horribly good (goodly horrible?) creation from Tilbury. It's always great to find characters I love to hate, and Ian Stone has gone on my list. He is evil and dangerous. I picture him perfectly calm, which makes him even more sinister.
John is pushed to the limit, punished and abused. There are violent moments, but not too graphic. But it is dark, with a constant sense of foreboding. And the Stones' twisted religious beliefs, and resulting actions, took my breath away in places. The writing is hugely atmospheric and descriptive, and we feel John's pain, confusion, despair, fear, happiness (occasionally!) and hope.
The frightening thing is that this could happen in real life, or something similar anyway. Last year I read a true account of abuse and neglect within the UK care system (Oi by Snowball) which routinely featured food deprivation, amongst other things, and A Prayer for the Broken brought that book, and its author's real life experiences to mind.
I can't say too much more about the plot without giving spoilers, which I absolutely don't want to do! As the story progressed I had to remind myself that John was just a wee boy. A child. Because with some of the things that happen to him it's easy to forget that. The tension really rises as the story progresses, with some real surprises and the denouement is shocking, tense and exciting.
Due to the subject matter, this will not be a book for everyone. But if you're looking for something suitably dark and twisted then this is for you. It's a powerful read with richly written characters that will touch you and stay with you long after you've finished it. There is evil lurking in these pages but it's also a tale of friendship, resilience and determination. I would have liked to have seen the very end expanded a little but, otherwise, I loved this book.
John is a poor wee soul and my heart just broke for him. He arrives at the Stone house traumatised and grieving, needing love and support. He gets neither from Pastor and Mrs Stone, nor from their son Timothy. He does find a friend, though, in Brendan, another boy fostered by the Stones. Some of their exchanges provided some lighter moments and made me smile. Others were so poignant, so sad, that they had me tearing up. Their scenes together were my favourite parts of the book.
This is not an easy read. It's not a comfortable read. It's dark, brutal and uncomfortable to read in places. But it is beautifully written and powerful. Stone is a horribly good (goodly horrible?) creation from Tilbury. It's always great to find characters I love to hate, and Ian Stone has gone on my list. He is evil and dangerous. I picture him perfectly calm, which makes him even more sinister.
John is pushed to the limit, punished and abused. There are violent moments, but not too graphic. But it is dark, with a constant sense of foreboding. And the Stones' twisted religious beliefs, and resulting actions, took my breath away in places. The writing is hugely atmospheric and descriptive, and we feel John's pain, confusion, despair, fear, happiness (occasionally!) and hope.
The frightening thing is that this could happen in real life, or something similar anyway. Last year I read a true account of abuse and neglect within the UK care system (Oi by Snowball) which routinely featured food deprivation, amongst other things, and A Prayer for the Broken brought that book, and its author's real life experiences to mind.
I can't say too much more about the plot without giving spoilers, which I absolutely don't want to do! As the story progressed I had to remind myself that John was just a wee boy. A child. Because with some of the things that happen to him it's easy to forget that. The tension really rises as the story progresses, with some real surprises and the denouement is shocking, tense and exciting.
Due to the subject matter, this will not be a book for everyone. But if you're looking for something suitably dark and twisted then this is for you. It's a powerful read with richly written characters that will touch you and stay with you long after you've finished it. There is evil lurking in these pages but it's also a tale of friendship, resilience and determination. I would have liked to have seen the very end expanded a little but, otherwise, I loved this book.
October 3, 2020
I finished reading A Prayer For The Broken several weeks ago now, I'm still thinking about the characters all these weeks later and I think that they will stay with me for a long time to come.
Eleven-year-old John McCormack hasn't had the best of starts in life and when we first meet him things are about to get a whole lot worse! He's been living in a temporary foster home with the Johnston's but a permanent home has been found for him at Clearwater House with Pastor Stone and his family. Right from the start things aren't right. These were the people who has been entrusted to look after John but their idea of care was a far cry from any definition of the word that I've ever seen - quite the opposite in fact.
Pastor Stone is a highly respected member of the local community but behind closed doors to say that he's evil would be an understatement, a bit like calling Adolf Hitler a saint. Thank goodness that John has a boy called Brendan for company. Brendan is able to give John a head's up on certain things in the Stone household to try and keep his new friend out of trouble but nothing could prepare these two innocent boys for the horrors that were to come.
Being one of my 'go-to' authors I never read the blurb of Mark Tilbury's books anymore so I went into A Prayer For The Broken completely blind and by the end of the first chapter I couldn't believe what I'd just read. I was so angry I had to put my kindle down and vent out loud at how much I already hated Pastor Stone - if only I knew how much more there was to come!
I found this to be a very difficult book to read in places and I could feel my heart breaking for John and Brendan as I followed their struggle against Stone, it even brought tears to my eyes at one point. I honestly couldn't put it down as I desperately needed to know how the story ended. There have been a couple of characters in Mark's previous books ( Detective Carter in The Abattoir of Dreams and Daryl Finch in The Key To Death's Door) who have made my skin crawl but Pastor Stone is by far the most odious character EVER! I'll be the first to admit that I quite enjoy having having a character to dislike - but this guy was off the scale! Just thinking about him again while I'm writing this is making my skin itch and I'm shuddering!!! 😨
When I read the last page I took a deep breath to gather my thoughts and think about the journey I'd been taken on - it felt like going to hell in a handcart but I enjoyed every page of the ride in a perverse kind of way. That said I'll still be at the front of the queue when Mark's next book comes out, assuming I'm out of therapy by then!
Mark Tilbury never ceases to amaze me with his books, which always seem to get better and better the more he writes and each one is always darker, more twisted and depraved than the one before. A Prayer For The Broken is an absolutely phemonenal book and all I can say is - Watch out Stephen King as Mark "Twisted" Tilbury is coming for your crown!
Eleven-year-old John McCormack hasn't had the best of starts in life and when we first meet him things are about to get a whole lot worse! He's been living in a temporary foster home with the Johnston's but a permanent home has been found for him at Clearwater House with Pastor Stone and his family. Right from the start things aren't right. These were the people who has been entrusted to look after John but their idea of care was a far cry from any definition of the word that I've ever seen - quite the opposite in fact.
Pastor Stone is a highly respected member of the local community but behind closed doors to say that he's evil would be an understatement, a bit like calling Adolf Hitler a saint. Thank goodness that John has a boy called Brendan for company. Brendan is able to give John a head's up on certain things in the Stone household to try and keep his new friend out of trouble but nothing could prepare these two innocent boys for the horrors that were to come.
Being one of my 'go-to' authors I never read the blurb of Mark Tilbury's books anymore so I went into A Prayer For The Broken completely blind and by the end of the first chapter I couldn't believe what I'd just read. I was so angry I had to put my kindle down and vent out loud at how much I already hated Pastor Stone - if only I knew how much more there was to come!
I found this to be a very difficult book to read in places and I could feel my heart breaking for John and Brendan as I followed their struggle against Stone, it even brought tears to my eyes at one point. I honestly couldn't put it down as I desperately needed to know how the story ended. There have been a couple of characters in Mark's previous books ( Detective Carter in The Abattoir of Dreams and Daryl Finch in The Key To Death's Door) who have made my skin crawl but Pastor Stone is by far the most odious character EVER! I'll be the first to admit that I quite enjoy having having a character to dislike - but this guy was off the scale! Just thinking about him again while I'm writing this is making my skin itch and I'm shuddering!!! 😨
When I read the last page I took a deep breath to gather my thoughts and think about the journey I'd been taken on - it felt like going to hell in a handcart but I enjoyed every page of the ride in a perverse kind of way. That said I'll still be at the front of the queue when Mark's next book comes out, assuming I'm out of therapy by then!
Mark Tilbury never ceases to amaze me with his books, which always seem to get better and better the more he writes and each one is always darker, more twisted and depraved than the one before. A Prayer For The Broken is an absolutely phemonenal book and all I can say is - Watch out Stephen King as Mark "Twisted" Tilbury is coming for your crown!
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