There Came a Day: A Child’s Murder, A Mother’s Survival

by Patricia L. Cardy

In 1981, just nine years old, Jennifer Cardy was abducted and murdered, her bicycle found standing where she had left it. There followed dark days for the Cardy family, days of searching for their missing daughter, grieving her death, wrestling with the questions. It would be thirty years before they would find any answers; thirty years before her killer, Robert Black, would face any kind of justice. Yet, incredibly, through it all the Cardy family found comfort in God. They discovered that God's love is greater than even the worst tragedy that can befall us and can be our strength through even the darkest of days.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Susan Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when the absolute worst happens?

This.

Patricia Cardy's shattering account of the abduction and murder of her daughter Jennifer, the eventual trial of her killer and the effects of these events on her family has left me deeply moved and impressed by the dignity, integrity and Christian faith of Mr and Mrs Cardy and their children.

[Eliza Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah. Pat Cardys daughter was abducted and murdered in the 80s by Robert Black and he was convicted and sentenced 30 years later. This book details Pat’s horrific journey of dealing with her daughters murder but she points us to God continually. How God kept her and comforted her and prevented her family from turning to bitterness. It does not shy away from the darkness and trauma and but Jesus’ light shines through.

[Alison Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often needed my tissues as I read this gruelling account of Jennifer's abduction and murder and the way the Lord upheld upheld Pat and her family in the decades afterwards.
Pat's honesty and the way she shares the way the Lord strengthened her, the Scriptures He used to meet her deepest needs and the salvation of her husband Andy were so encouraging and a testimony to the faithfulness of our Lord.
I read today of Pat's death this February and of the very real health problems she faced throughout her life - there is no self-pity in her book which is remarkable. What a wonderful ending to her story as she is now reunited with Jennifer in the presence of their Lord Jesus. I will pray for her family as they grieve for her.

[Rebecca Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a book about abduction and murder can be brilliant, this is it! Patricia Cardy is a skilled writer who draws the reader in. The book will bring you to tears, as it should do, but hopefully it will bring you to worshipping Jesus as Patricia points to the faithfulness and love of her Saviour throughout the book. Few of us will suffer like her and her family, but their story and trust in Jesus should teach us all as we experience the trials in our own lives. I highly recommend this book.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read but harder yet to know people have to live through such evil. I’m grateful for the tasteful and beautiful way this mom shares the story of her daughter’s kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder, and the subsequent trial of Robert Black. It magnifies the Lord who alone can give strength to live through such darkness.

[Naomi Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad and difficult read at times, but a great testimony of God's comfort and faithfulness.