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Bad Boy Jack
Can he find his children, and the woman he loves, before everything is lost?
Unable to cope with raising his children alone, Robert Sullivan abandons them to others, until he has a change of heart and decides to go back for them. But on the way there, he is involved in a horrific accident.
Jack and Nancy are placed in the brutal regime of the Galloway Children's Home, where Jack's devotion to his sister and fiery temper land him in more trouble. The children find themselves at the mercy of the corrupt Clive Ennington, who splits them up and sells Nancy off to the highest bidder.
Meanwhile Mary, Robert's only love, is forced to seek a new life for herself. She decides to marry Paul Marshall, the handsome owner of a seaside guesthouse but her chance of happiness is threatened by his embittered aunt. As Robert recovers in hospital he is determined to find and reunite his family. But when he realises the terrible consequences of his actions, he begins to wonder if he will ever see Mary and the children again.
Unable to cope with raising his children alone, Robert Sullivan abandons them to others, until he has a change of heart and decides to go back for them. But on the way there, he is involved in a horrific accident.
Jack and Nancy are placed in the brutal regime of the Galloway Children's Home, where Jack's devotion to his sister and fiery temper land him in more trouble. The children find themselves at the mercy of the corrupt Clive Ennington, who splits them up and sells Nancy off to the highest bidder.
Meanwhile Mary, Robert's only love, is forced to seek a new life for herself. She decides to marry Paul Marshall, the handsome owner of a seaside guesthouse but her chance of happiness is threatened by his embittered aunt. As Robert recovers in hospital he is determined to find and reunite his family. But when he realises the terrible consequences of his actions, he begins to wonder if he will ever see Mary and the children again.
471 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
63 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Cox
111 books330 followersJosephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 31, 2017
Absolutely loved this book. Very well written and a brilliant storyline.
January 21, 2016
I nearly only gave this book 3 stars because I found some parts of the story so frustrating but then realised that these are just a reflection of the times and the way it was. If I could would make it 3.5.
It gets to the point in the last quarter where you keep reading and reading to see what happens.
Overall a very good story which paints a most accurate picture of the lover endured and the differences in classes.
It gets to the point in the last quarter where you keep reading and reading to see what happens.
Overall a very good story which paints a most accurate picture of the lover endured and the differences in classes.
May 20, 2012
Brilliant book couldn't put it down. So inspiring to read such high class writing style. A man and his two children are separated and the book tells each of their stories until in the end they find each other. Fantastic historical fiction, family saga with a bit of romance thrown in, exactly my cup of tea!!
June 24, 2022
Certain moments really had me in there... The author certainly took the reader in me through the emotional levels. The novel had its elements weaved up on drama, family, crime and mystery.
February 6, 2017
After his wife left him for a "rentman", Robert Sullivan was left to take care of his two children, seven-year-old Jack and three-year-old Nancy. Shortly after, he found love in the arms of Mary Honeywell. Sadly, this would not last long as Jack used every trick in the book to drive these two apart. It wasn't long before he finally succeeded and next thing we see is Mary on a train halfway across the country.
Driven to despair, Robert decides to abandon his kids in the hopes that the system will find them suitable families as he commits the "unthinkable". However, he had a change of heart and decided to go back for them. This was when tragedy struck, and he was involved in a horrific accident. Unable to get back to his kids, they were shipped off to an orphanage where they were soon parted.
Several years have gone by, and Robert is fully recovered. He sets out, determined to find and reunite his family.
Josephine Cox weaves a beautiful tale of the importance of family. Every family has their issues, bit what is important is that they have to work things out and never give up on each other.
The book, I feel, captures the essence of that bygone era. From the manner of speaking, to the lifestyles that people led, and how women were treated. The story started out a bit confusing but then started painting a clearer picture as you read along.
This is not something I'd normally pick up and read, but as it was a present from my grandma (and she highly recommended it), I gave it a try... And surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all. The writing is clean and very descriptive without being boring and the characters are well described. Editing is pretty good. I only have two issues with the book: First is with the title... He's not really a "bad boy". He's innately good, but he's acting up because of his mother leaving them. There are characters in the story who are far worse than him. I feel that "Bad Boy Jack" was a weak title choice for the book. My second issue with the book is the rushed ending and how things were wrapped up.
This book is not suitable for very young readers as it contains themes involving sex, alcohol and violence.
Driven to despair, Robert decides to abandon his kids in the hopes that the system will find them suitable families as he commits the "unthinkable". However, he had a change of heart and decided to go back for them. This was when tragedy struck, and he was involved in a horrific accident. Unable to get back to his kids, they were shipped off to an orphanage where they were soon parted.
Several years have gone by, and Robert is fully recovered. He sets out, determined to find and reunite his family.
Josephine Cox weaves a beautiful tale of the importance of family. Every family has their issues, bit what is important is that they have to work things out and never give up on each other.
The book, I feel, captures the essence of that bygone era. From the manner of speaking, to the lifestyles that people led, and how women were treated. The story started out a bit confusing but then started painting a clearer picture as you read along.
This is not something I'd normally pick up and read, but as it was a present from my grandma (and she highly recommended it), I gave it a try... And surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all. The writing is clean and very descriptive without being boring and the characters are well described. Editing is pretty good. I only have two issues with the book: First is with the title... He's not really a "bad boy". He's innately good, but he's acting up because of his mother leaving them. There are characters in the story who are far worse than him. I feel that "Bad Boy Jack" was a weak title choice for the book. My second issue with the book is the rushed ending and how things were wrapped up.
This book is not suitable for very young readers as it contains themes involving sex, alcohol and violence.
September 2, 2014
This book has no limitations on its drama. There is too much of the obvious, and way too many convenient co-incidences. Yet, the book is enjoyable for its simplicity and feel-good texture. The book is not actually about Jack, and does not focus much on him. It is a family drama, and true to its genre, it does enough to keep the emotions high. I deduct the one star for the very rushed ending. The pace could have been more even. A good one-time read.
December 30, 2009
The many storylines involved in the book are very engaging in the beginning and even towards the middle of the book. I enjoyed reading it; couldn't turn it down.
My only problem came in the last few chapters: it felt rushed and with a poor closure.
But it's a fair good read, nonetheless.
My only problem came in the last few chapters: it felt rushed and with a poor closure.
But it's a fair good read, nonetheless.
January 10, 2010
I really enjoyed this book and i still remember the story line, even tho it was a couple of years ago i read it. its a awesome book
December 19, 2010
It was Interisting to read
November 15, 2011
Come read my full review at http://thebakingbookworm.blogspot.com...
April 4, 2013
quite a good read, I didn't really like the story line in the beginning as it was abusive towards children and I don't like reading stories like this but it turned out to be a nice story.
June 26, 2013
Another great book x
August 27, 2013
I like this story, it was a typical Josephine Cox book, to loose yourself in. Not amazing, but not bad.
June 4, 2014
Really enjoyed the story line of this book. Was always eager to pick it up and find out what was happening with each character. As expected all coming together in the end but enjoyed the journey.
September 29, 2018
Usual good read from this author, lots of detail but a good balance of information.
January 31, 2019
I love all the books that I have read by this author, however this one and the beach coma are by far my two favourites. Really enjoy this story.
May 14, 2025
Josehine Cox wrote over 60 books, and if she had left out the superflous adjectives, I reckon she could have managed at least a dozen more. This book, the only one of hers I've read, unapologetically deploys diagesis and every form of cliche, along with cardboard-thin characterisation, coincidence and a relentlessly benevolent goddess of happy endings. I put it aside after the first chapter, finding it almost unreadable, but in the end I had nothing else to read so I steeled myself and plunged back in. It did get better.
It might seem odd that I gave it 3 stars after what I have just written. I realised that it wasn't written for me. It wasn't the wrong book, it was the wrong reader. I don't like 'relationship novels' (leaving aside Jane Austen and the Brontes) and this was the first I'd read for decades. The style was old-fashioned and artless, reminding me of 50s writers like Georgette Heyer and Catherine Cookson, undemanding and easy to read. I would have said 'escapist', but Josephine Cox doesn't flinch from the darker side of life. Her characters are cariacatures and many of them are disturbingly grotesque. Sinister crimes abound, along with dark threats, abuse and shameless fornication. The good characters are good-looking, hard working and intelligent. The female ones are blue-eyed blondes. You can easily tell them apart from the villains, who are ugly, lumpish and more or less insane.
The plotting, though repetitive, was compelling. Mary leaves Robert and Robert goes spare and dumps his kids, Nancy and Jack, in the Town Hall. He realises his mistake and goes back for them, but the place is closed and the children have disappeared. Robert is then almost killed in an accident. From there on, the book tells the separate stories of the 4 members of the family and their encounters with various murderous women and men, sweet step-siblings, hideous aunts and controlling spouses. Ten years down the road, they find each other again and all is well. The good characters' worth has been recognised and the bad ones are eventually confounded. Everybody has lots of babies. This fairly breathless conclusion echoes the novel's structure, which is episodic, picking up the characters' histories at key points in their lives.
I'll probably never read another Josehine Cox novel, but I admire her grit. She triumphed over an appalling childhood, got a place at Cambridge which she couldn't take up and started writing during a long spell in hospital. She wrote the darkness in her novels from the heart and captivated millions of readers. Just not me.
It might seem odd that I gave it 3 stars after what I have just written. I realised that it wasn't written for me. It wasn't the wrong book, it was the wrong reader. I don't like 'relationship novels' (leaving aside Jane Austen and the Brontes) and this was the first I'd read for decades. The style was old-fashioned and artless, reminding me of 50s writers like Georgette Heyer and Catherine Cookson, undemanding and easy to read. I would have said 'escapist', but Josephine Cox doesn't flinch from the darker side of life. Her characters are cariacatures and many of them are disturbingly grotesque. Sinister crimes abound, along with dark threats, abuse and shameless fornication. The good characters are good-looking, hard working and intelligent. The female ones are blue-eyed blondes. You can easily tell them apart from the villains, who are ugly, lumpish and more or less insane.
The plotting, though repetitive, was compelling. Mary leaves Robert and Robert goes spare and dumps his kids, Nancy and Jack, in the Town Hall. He realises his mistake and goes back for them, but the place is closed and the children have disappeared. Robert is then almost killed in an accident. From there on, the book tells the separate stories of the 4 members of the family and their encounters with various murderous women and men, sweet step-siblings, hideous aunts and controlling spouses. Ten years down the road, they find each other again and all is well. The good characters' worth has been recognised and the bad ones are eventually confounded. Everybody has lots of babies. This fairly breathless conclusion echoes the novel's structure, which is episodic, picking up the characters' histories at key points in their lives.
I'll probably never read another Josehine Cox novel, but I admire her grit. She triumphed over an appalling childhood, got a place at Cambridge which she couldn't take up and started writing during a long spell in hospital. She wrote the darkness in her novels from the heart and captivated millions of readers. Just not me.
July 1, 2023
Another Josephine Cox that I finished! This is very good but not the best. There are parts I find unnecessary but then I think it made sense during the latter part of the story. I didn't like the ending that much. I was expecting for something more but nonetheless I still like the story overall. Cox's writing really is a top-tier one. I hope more people will be able to read her stories!
June 3, 2019
The book is hard to read though. There are so many characters in the drama for which the Robert Sullivan (main character) has suffered the most. The author has a writing which can make anyone emotional and Thank god, it didn't end tragically.
October 27, 2022
This was the first book I've read by Josephine Cox. I'm not saying it was awful but it was very slow to start, quite repetitive, there were bits that should have been shocking but they were just a bit flat then the end was so rushed. I was pretty disappointed with it.
May 17, 2022
Just like all of Josephine Cox's books this was really well written with a great story. I would recommend this. Throughly enjoyed it!
July 28, 2022
Compelling
Absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down.it's just a portray the ending was so abrupt. Looking forward to.my next book to read.
Absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down.it's just a portray the ending was so abrupt. Looking forward to.my next book to read.
July 13, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book good plot although a little bit long in places but a good ending
May 15, 2024
This was a lovely book and had some great characters. The only minus in the book was the fast ending. I enjoy Josephine Coxes books and the historical facts and the way she draws you into the story.
September 12, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I completely got swept up with it and couldn’t put it down.
September 26, 2024
A well written story with likeable characters. An easy autumnal read.
Read
May 2, 2024Something to pass the time, but a bit too rushed for my liking at the end.
July 15, 2021
josepphine cox knows how to get you right into the book and keep you there til the book is finished
January 2, 2022
Το βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά τιτλοφορείται Τα Παιχνίδια της Μοίρας σε μετάφραση της αξεχαστης Καίτης οικονόμου. Αν Και πέρασαν χρόνια από τότε που το διάβασα, το έχω συγκαταλεξει στα Αγαπημένα μου.
July 9, 2008
I read this book over 5 years ago. I don't remember much about it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews