The Child Who Never Was; Looking for Tegan Lane

by Allison Langdon

Not since the Lindy Chamberlain mystery has a case gripped the nation like the Tegan Lane Affair. The disappearance of baby Tegan in the days after her birth in September 1996 is mystifying. From the moment the story broke it defied belief...unknown pregnancies, affairs, secrets and lies...and a newborn that simply disappeared. And despite an intensive public inquiry, the one person who could answer the big question where is baby Tegan? simply wouldn't say...

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Anna Hepworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really conflicted about this book. Well written and engaging, but ultimately just a weird read. Some of this is because it is quite dated, having been published in 2007, well before Keli Lane's trial for the murder of Tegan Lane. Despite the topic, the writing does manage to not be salacious.

What I got was a picture of someone desperate to cover their tracks, not the obligate liar that the media spent some time trying to describe. Someone who cared for their babies, even while giving them up. And if infants #1 and #3 had not been adopted out in the way they were, the rest of Lane's story would feel less plausible.

And ultimately, the similarities and resonance with the Azaria Chamberlain case, and the way that the media treated Lindy Chamberlain, predisposes me to believe in Lane's innocence. If this was the goal of the author, then they have succeeded.

[Kelly]

Read of this case mentioned in comparison to Casey Anthony...

[Keybo Taheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but found it a bit insensitive toward muslims in first few pages but what do you expect from a channel 9 reporter. I went on to see if this reporter turned author wrote anything but ironically this is her only book and hard to find and spoiler?this book was written before keli lane went to jail. My opinion on the case is Keli lane is either not guilty or was not given a fair trial. This book is no true crime masterpiece but was worth a read for Australian true crime genre. Kind of felt sorry for keli in the end of the book. I hope they find baby teagan one day. It should be noted the book seems written in between the coronial inquest and the actual murder trial.

[Courtney Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a chilling & compelling read. I highly recommend it to all!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, unbiased and compelling account of this actual mystery currently before court as I type. I couldn't put it down!

[Tash Keogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rather enjoyed it. Was a good read!