Sara Payne : A Mother's Story

by Sara Payne

"I would challenge anyone to read it and not cry, many times." THE SUNDAY TIMESLittle Sarah Payne's iconic school photograph has become embedded in the public consciousness and it is the first time the victim has become more memorable than the killer. When Sarah's body was finally found after seventeen days, the area was soon covered in a sea of flowers, toys and cards from all over the world. The extraordinary coverage that the case received, and the public sympathy and outrage it inspired, is down to one Sara Payne. This is a mother's story, told here for the first time in Sara's own words and from her unique perspective. How does an ordinary woman and her family cope with the murder of a daughter, a sister? How does a mother live with the loss?

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography Memoir, Psychology, Biography

231 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2004

Reviews

[Betül Bozkurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bir annenin gözünden kızının cinayetinin anlatıldığı bu kitabı içiniz kıyım kıyım olmadan okumak zor. Peki bilin bakalım kim deniz, kum, güneş tatilinde böyle travmatik bir kitap okudu?

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The strength of this book in that it's written by Sarah Payne's Mother is also it's greatest weakest. It's a heartbreaking story obviously but other than a brief insight into how the events shook their lives this is a very basic retelling of the story, that feels little more than reading the Wikipedia entry. You felt like ultimately the story would of benefited greatly from a more detached journalistic view, the lack of self awareness at times is stunning. 'We all liked a drink', even at a brief read it's clear they had a real issue with alcohol. 'It was unfortunate that the News of the World naming and shaming caused issues' well actually it lead to innocent people being attacked in their homes. It's a complicated, tragic story and this book though full of love for Sarah doesn't really do the story itself justice, this is more the Mother's feelings only.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart breaking story 💔😔😢, i remember the time when Sarah went missing, My Brother was in hospital and was having an operation around the time Me only being 12 years old i wished in a wishing well everyday that My Brother would get better also that Sarah would be found safe and well, of course that was not the case for poor Sarah, though My Brother lived for years on after that but sadly past away in 2011 R.I.P to you both Gareth and Sarah where your both no longer in pain two 😇😇 gained there wings.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unfortunate event unfolded around a town near my home town. Sarah being of a similar age to myself, made my parents extra cautious while I was growing up. Reading the story as an adult, having children myself m, I can now put myself in Sara’s shoes and empathise and realise just how horrific paedophiles really are. A sickening story, but written in enough depth that you get sucked into the story.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really traumatic book but shows a normal woman coping with a set of nightmarish events i have cried and felt so much whilst reading about this ladies life it ends on a positive note and my heart just goes out to this very brave and strong woman

[Rachel Hayhoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, devastating and so so sad!! The work Sara has done to in the name of her daughter is amazing!! Like Denise Fergus, she has stopped at nothing to make important changes!! Rott Roy whiting!! RIP beautiful Sarah!

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The night Sarah Payne was kidnapped brought the Payne family into turmoil..

This biography follows the events of that awful night through to the trial and of course to the creation of Sarah’s Law!

[Jodie Portugal · Rating 5 out of 5]

my honest review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpL-5...

[Mrs Dorothy F Crome · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartrendaring story tears falling down my face in parts of the read, such a brave family to be able to cope with the lose of their daughter/sister.

[Tina Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! I remember this when it was happening but reading the heartbreaking of this mother was both heart rending and insperational at the same time!
Be warned... have a box of tissues close by!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a good easy read, basic at times and not too into details but gives a good account from the mothers persepctive. Awful thing to happen

[Rebecca Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story of a little girl taken too soon.

[Justwriteforme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly honest

[Malak Rfd · Rating 4 out of 5]

💔💔💔

[Accio Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was about ten years old when this tragic event happened and I still remember it vividly and how it changed things.

A touching read.

[Chelsea May xxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad story 💔👼xxx

[Judy Croome · Rating 4 out of 5]

The autobiography of Sara Payne, mother of eight year old Sarah Payne who was abducted and murdered by a paedophile in the UK in 2000.

The down-to-earth tone of the book does nothing to hide the sheer devastation of such an experience on all members of the family. At times, this pragmatism emphasised the depth of emotion that was being held in (I was reduced to tears by several of the sections of the book.)

Throughout her recounting of the family's journey, from normality to horror and finally back to a new reality without their daughter Sarah, Sara Payne is searingly honest in her assessment of the toll that this horrifying event took on herself, her family and her marriage.

Her calm, non-dramatic approach highlights the strength it must have taken to search for the positives in this traumatic life event, and turn it into an opportunity to make something good come out of something evil (the Paynes were instrumental in fighting for changes in the British laws relating to paedophiles; they fought for "Sarah's Law".)

By the end, one is left with admiration for both the Paynes and their whole family, who typify the quintessential British fortitude.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a parent (and even if not to be honest) this is a very difficult read. It is a very factual account, telling us firstly very honestly about the Payne family - ordinary and by no means perfect, often chaotic, house not tip top tidy, but so much love for their children above everything else. Then the tragic events - Sarah's disappearene and murder, the aftermath including the hunt to the killer and eventually the realisation that it was somone living close by and a well known offender. Trying to continue with life, the breakdown of their marriage...Sara Payne come across as a woman who managed to find extraordinary inner strengh after her daughters murder, which she channels to fight for Sarah's Law

More on the blog:
http://thepegsterreads.blogspot.co.uk...

[Charlotte (Buried in Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy book to read, it relates the true story of the murder of 8 year old Sarah Payne in July 2000, as told by her mother Sara.

No family is perfect and Sara does nothing to sugarcoat the harrowing journey of her family from Sarah's abduction, right the way through to the aftermath of the trial. She is incredibly honest in her description of the effect on her marriage and children.

It is very moving - I don't have children, so I can't imagine what it must be like to loose one, especially in circumstances such as those. But I certainly admire Sara for her strength and honesty, I admire her family as a whole.

[Helen O'Mahony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A difficult book to read as it told the whole story from the parents point of view, in particular the mothers, of the disappearance of their daughter Sarah Payne aged 8 in October 1991.

My daughter was the same age at the time of Sarahs murder so it had more heartfelt thoughts for me.

Sarah Paynes mother Sara does not hold back in any detail, telling the life as their family was and what it became. There is no glossing over and you really feel for the family, then and now.

There is also a lot of detail on 'Sarah's Law', alot of which I didnt know and was very informative to read.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this book after watching a documentary on Sarah Payne. Very moving, Sara Payne is a very eloquent speaker and it has translated well into text.

It tells the story of the 8 year olds disappearance from her mothers point of view, dealing with how the family coped and what they all went through.

This is not a comprehensive account of the crimes of Roy Whiting (Sarah Paynes killer), rather a very moving explanation of how a crime like this affects a family. Excellent book, well written and very touching.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really heartbreaking story By the mother of Sarah Payne a girl who was abducted and murdered I remember it being on the news she went missing on my birthday.
I can't begin to imagine how horrible this was for there family I don't think I could survive if this happened to one of my children it would kill me.
I really admire the strength of the Payne family how they have dealt with there grief I wish them all happiness in the future.

[Karen Cozens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very upsetting but beautifully written and makes you realise how easily things can go wrong and to trust anyone

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can only imagine the devastation that a parent must feel when they lose a child. What an awful tragedy, my heart goes out to the family. X

[Robi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book written from the heart by Sarah's mother

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad story but glad I read it now

[Coyney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartbreaking read

[Sarah Harvoutt-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard read. I cried alot. I felt so much for this family and the mother and father. No parent. No one should have to go through what they went through. Heartbreaking.

[Kate Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my "Read 50 books in my 50th year" .