What do you think?
Rate this book
I Let Him Go: A Mother's Heartbreaking True Story of the Murder that Shocked the World
I was crying so much I couldn't breathe. The thought of leaving the shopping centre without him was crushing. I knew that walking away from the place where he had gone missing, without any idea where he was now, meant that things were really bad.
On 12th February 1993, Denise Fergus’ life changed forever. As she was running errands at New Strand Shopping Centre, she let go of her two-year-old son's hand for a few seconds to take out her purse.
Denise never saw her son again.
For the first time since that moment 25 years ago, Denise tells her extraordinary story in this heart-wrenching book, an unflinching account of that terrible day. What if she had never taken James shopping? What if she had turned right coming out of the butcher's, instead of left? Denise's initial hope after seeing her son on CCTV with other children quickly turned to devastation when, two days later, James’ body was found.
His death reverberated around the world and his killers became the youngest ever convicted murderers in UK legal history. Four minutes is all it took for them to lead James away from his mother to his death. Denise took up a tortuous legal battle for James, and it was her astonishing strength and love for her son that ultimately helped to change the way the law treats victims of crime.
This is a mother’s tale of finding a way through the despair to remember the happiness and wonderful memories that James brought his family. Above all, Denise doesn’t want her son to be remembered as a murdered child, and with this beautifully written book, she does just that.
On 12th February 1993, Denise Fergus’ life changed forever. As she was running errands at New Strand Shopping Centre, she let go of her two-year-old son's hand for a few seconds to take out her purse.
Denise never saw her son again.
For the first time since that moment 25 years ago, Denise tells her extraordinary story in this heart-wrenching book, an unflinching account of that terrible day. What if she had never taken James shopping? What if she had turned right coming out of the butcher's, instead of left? Denise's initial hope after seeing her son on CCTV with other children quickly turned to devastation when, two days later, James’ body was found.
His death reverberated around the world and his killers became the youngest ever convicted murderers in UK legal history. Four minutes is all it took for them to lead James away from his mother to his death. Denise took up a tortuous legal battle for James, and it was her astonishing strength and love for her son that ultimately helped to change the way the law treats victims of crime.
This is a mother’s tale of finding a way through the despair to remember the happiness and wonderful memories that James brought his family. Above all, Denise doesn’t want her son to be remembered as a murdered child, and with this beautifully written book, she does just that.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
252 people are currently reading
2953 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
July 15, 2018
5 Stars
In her memoir, Denise Fergus recounts in vivid detail the events surrounding the shocking abduction and murder of her precious two year old son James, back in 1993.
For those unaware of this case like I was, two year old James was lured away from his mother one day while the pair was out shopping. In the seconds it took Denise to pay for her food shopping, James was gone, taken from her side by two ten year old boys who led him away from the shopping centre, to a secluded section of railway tracks, where they proceeded to viciously torture and kill little James.
James’ brutal murder by two other children sparked a public outcry and served to prove that the UK justice system (at the time) was ill equipped to adequately handle a murder trial prosecuting criminal children. Although found guilty – as there was absolutely no doubt – the sentencing of the two boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, was absolutely nowhere near sufficient enough in response to their crime.
Denise openly shares her harrowing experiences, discussing the personal impacts James’ loss has had on her life and the lives of her family. She talks about her struggles in moving on with her life, all while continuing her 25 year fight to seek adequate justice for James.
Beyond a story of horrific child murder, I Let Him Go shares precious memories of a cheeky little boy who filled his family’s hearts with abounding joy. James’ loss was great, but in the short time he was on this Earth his life left an imprint on the hearts of all who loved him.
I Let Him Go is a highly emotional read and if you're anything like me you'll need lots and lots of tissues handy.
In her memoir, Denise Fergus recounts in vivid detail the events surrounding the shocking abduction and murder of her precious two year old son James, back in 1993.
For those unaware of this case like I was, two year old James was lured away from his mother one day while the pair was out shopping. In the seconds it took Denise to pay for her food shopping, James was gone, taken from her side by two ten year old boys who led him away from the shopping centre, to a secluded section of railway tracks, where they proceeded to viciously torture and kill little James.
James’ brutal murder by two other children sparked a public outcry and served to prove that the UK justice system (at the time) was ill equipped to adequately handle a murder trial prosecuting criminal children. Although found guilty – as there was absolutely no doubt – the sentencing of the two boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, was absolutely nowhere near sufficient enough in response to their crime.
Denise openly shares her harrowing experiences, discussing the personal impacts James’ loss has had on her life and the lives of her family. She talks about her struggles in moving on with her life, all while continuing her 25 year fight to seek adequate justice for James.
Beyond a story of horrific child murder, I Let Him Go shares precious memories of a cheeky little boy who filled his family’s hearts with abounding joy. James’ loss was great, but in the short time he was on this Earth his life left an imprint on the hearts of all who loved him.
I Let Him Go is a highly emotional read and if you're anything like me you'll need lots and lots of tissues handy.
January 26, 2018
I Let Him Go was a difficult read in places, but I can only applaud and feel deep admiration and respect for Denise Fergus in sharing her story. Over the years so much has been written about her which is simply untrue and here she has been able to set the record straight. She has only ever fought for justice for her son, and put everything else aside and attempted to have a happy life with her husband and children. She is a remarkably brave and inspirational woman and this book has only proven that further.
I am just a few months older than James Bulger would be now. My mum and me would go shopping each week to the Strand shopping centre where the abduction took place, even days before it happened and James’s resting place is just down the path from where my grandad’s is. Even as a young child I was told and was aware that this resting place was for a very special boy. Whilst there aren’t many people in the UK that don’t know about this case, there’s certainly nobody in Liverpool that doesn’t know about it and I think everybody (at least those of us with feelings and sanity) shares in the disgust and disbelief at the government cover-up still to this day to protect these two evil killers, one of whom continues to find himself back in prison. How is it justifiable to let this man read evidence from Denise and see her via video link and yet she must remain oblivious about his protected life? At times the book made me shake with anger at what I was reading, but ultimately the message to be taken is how much work is still to be done on changing the law and that is what Denise will continue to fight for and I find it extremely admirable.
This is a highly emotional read throughout that brought me to tears multiple times. Denise talks with searing honesty and having watched her in multiple interviews, and only days ago on Loose Women, I found myself reading this book with her voice in my head. Denise talks about meeting Ralph, falling in love and having James and despite heartbreak with delivering their daughter who had sadly died, they went on to have James who just sounded the most delightful child (however Denise does point out how incredibly mischievous he could be!) At times I could have been reading stories from my own mum so similar were they to the mischief I used to cause at that age. It’s even more heartbreaking reading about her joy at being a mother to James when I knew what was coming up in subsequent chapters. Reading about those scenes, the disappearance and then the arrest of two children and then their trials just filled me with dread, made me feel sick and just made tears stream down my face.
It’s remarkable to read about how Denise coped and got through a time no person should ever have to face. The strength and determination shone through and it was wonderful to read about how her life was effectively saved when she found out she was pregnant with Michael. I loved the parts of the book where Michael spoke about the love and protectiveness he feels towards his mum, and about how they as a family talk about James everyday. How she met and fell in love with Stuart is wonderful too. Denise has said she doesn’t want James to be remembered as a murdered child but to be remembered for the happy and loving boy that he was, and that’s certainly what I have taken from this book. The love she has for James, her family, her children and her husband just shines through throughout the whole book and I feel incredibly happy that she has been able to achieve this within her life after such a tragedy. Despite not knowing Denise personally it’s hard not to be affected by something like this that happened so close to home.
The story of James Bulger is one that people will never forget, but I think it’s important that people really support Denise and her family in raising awareness and in following her campaigning work and to sign petitions where they can. To sign a petition takes not even 5 minutes but it can have such a huge impact on what Denise is fighting for. Look her up on Twitter, follow the case and put your name to the fight. It can be achieved and with the determination of people like Denise and her family it will one day be achieved. She also has a charity set up in James’s name and I am already thinking of ways that I could perhaps fundraise for it and make some small impact. I love everything that it stands for. I know that a small portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards it and so I highly recommend that people go out and purchase this book. Yes it is an emotional read but it is so much more than that. Denise and her family are remarkable people and through the writing of this book she has ensured that the memory of her beautiful son will live on and that he will never be forgotten.
I am just a few months older than James Bulger would be now. My mum and me would go shopping each week to the Strand shopping centre where the abduction took place, even days before it happened and James’s resting place is just down the path from where my grandad’s is. Even as a young child I was told and was aware that this resting place was for a very special boy. Whilst there aren’t many people in the UK that don’t know about this case, there’s certainly nobody in Liverpool that doesn’t know about it and I think everybody (at least those of us with feelings and sanity) shares in the disgust and disbelief at the government cover-up still to this day to protect these two evil killers, one of whom continues to find himself back in prison. How is it justifiable to let this man read evidence from Denise and see her via video link and yet she must remain oblivious about his protected life? At times the book made me shake with anger at what I was reading, but ultimately the message to be taken is how much work is still to be done on changing the law and that is what Denise will continue to fight for and I find it extremely admirable.
This is a highly emotional read throughout that brought me to tears multiple times. Denise talks with searing honesty and having watched her in multiple interviews, and only days ago on Loose Women, I found myself reading this book with her voice in my head. Denise talks about meeting Ralph, falling in love and having James and despite heartbreak with delivering their daughter who had sadly died, they went on to have James who just sounded the most delightful child (however Denise does point out how incredibly mischievous he could be!) At times I could have been reading stories from my own mum so similar were they to the mischief I used to cause at that age. It’s even more heartbreaking reading about her joy at being a mother to James when I knew what was coming up in subsequent chapters. Reading about those scenes, the disappearance and then the arrest of two children and then their trials just filled me with dread, made me feel sick and just made tears stream down my face.
It’s remarkable to read about how Denise coped and got through a time no person should ever have to face. The strength and determination shone through and it was wonderful to read about how her life was effectively saved when she found out she was pregnant with Michael. I loved the parts of the book where Michael spoke about the love and protectiveness he feels towards his mum, and about how they as a family talk about James everyday. How she met and fell in love with Stuart is wonderful too. Denise has said she doesn’t want James to be remembered as a murdered child but to be remembered for the happy and loving boy that he was, and that’s certainly what I have taken from this book. The love she has for James, her family, her children and her husband just shines through throughout the whole book and I feel incredibly happy that she has been able to achieve this within her life after such a tragedy. Despite not knowing Denise personally it’s hard not to be affected by something like this that happened so close to home.
The story of James Bulger is one that people will never forget, but I think it’s important that people really support Denise and her family in raising awareness and in following her campaigning work and to sign petitions where they can. To sign a petition takes not even 5 minutes but it can have such a huge impact on what Denise is fighting for. Look her up on Twitter, follow the case and put your name to the fight. It can be achieved and with the determination of people like Denise and her family it will one day be achieved. She also has a charity set up in James’s name and I am already thinking of ways that I could perhaps fundraise for it and make some small impact. I love everything that it stands for. I know that a small portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards it and so I highly recommend that people go out and purchase this book. Yes it is an emotional read but it is so much more than that. Denise and her family are remarkable people and through the writing of this book she has ensured that the memory of her beautiful son will live on and that he will never be forgotten.
January 25, 2018
Absolutely heartbreaking, Denise has remained dignified over the past 25 years, how she dosnt wish harm to those 2 men is beyond me, shes a better woman than me!
I held my babies extra tight tonight and shed a tear for James. It sickens me that they got new identities, they could be a neighbour, work collegue or even a friend and you would never know! Absolute disgrace! Our justice system is something of a joke!!!
I held my babies extra tight tonight and shed a tear for James. It sickens me that they got new identities, they could be a neighbour, work collegue or even a friend and you would never know! Absolute disgrace! Our justice system is something of a joke!!!
May 27, 2018
Although this was an overwhelmingly heartbreaking book to read, hearing from the mother of James Bulger is both inspirational and touching. The death of little James in the earlier nineties prompted a huge legal case in the U.K. and shaped how youth justice is addressed since.
Having watched documentaries about this case, it was an entirely different scenario hearing from Denise Fergus herself and how she has fought for justice for her son since his death. Denise is a truly remarkable woman, and her strength for her family is admirable. So much has been written about her family over the years and she has not always been treated with the respect both her and James deserve by the media and social media trolls.
With such a sensitive and moving read, it was important that this book treaded carefully and paid tribute to James, which it did just that. Denise chooses not to focus on what ifs, nor is she interested in deciphering the reasons why two young boys killed her child. Instead she focuses on the beautiful child her son was, his cheeky personality and more.
Having watched documentaries about this case, it was an entirely different scenario hearing from Denise Fergus herself and how she has fought for justice for her son since his death. Denise is a truly remarkable woman, and her strength for her family is admirable. So much has been written about her family over the years and she has not always been treated with the respect both her and James deserve by the media and social media trolls.
With such a sensitive and moving read, it was important that this book treaded carefully and paid tribute to James, which it did just that. Denise chooses not to focus on what ifs, nor is she interested in deciphering the reasons why two young boys killed her child. Instead she focuses on the beautiful child her son was, his cheeky personality and more.
February 26, 2024
A parents worst nightmare! A few seconds was all it took. Little James lost his life and Denise had her life stolen from her by two young boys who committed one of the worst crimes the UK and the World has ever seen. A mother's powerful and heartbreaking account of her journey through grief and her fight for justice in unflinching detail.
January 20, 2024
I gave this book only three stars because it is not the type of book that can stand alone. What I mean is that if you are looking for details of the criminal case, backgrounds of the two perpetrators, etc, you won't find them here, and you will be left with huge holes in your understanding on the what and how.
Having said that, the rest of the book is compelling. It is not particularly well written, but it doesn't need to be a masterpiece to get the raw emotion across. The author is telling her story, 20+ years on, of how the murder of her child affected her, her husband at the time, her family, and the public at large. The deep grief is there, as is the many tribulations of her life (still birth, miscarriage, divorce, single parenthood, etc). It is a wonder she got through it all. I suspect the support of her large family helped in that, to some extent. She was offered no physiological counselling which is criminal, in itself. She was just in her twenties when her child was murdered. And the incarceration of the killers is not where this story ends. Infact, she continues her fight for James, against the killers, and some of the things she was up against will appall many people - I know it did me.
It must have been very difficult for her to write this book - to delve into the past in such detail, but I understand why she did, and am grateful that she told her story, because it is ongoing.
Having said that, the rest of the book is compelling. It is not particularly well written, but it doesn't need to be a masterpiece to get the raw emotion across. The author is telling her story, 20+ years on, of how the murder of her child affected her, her husband at the time, her family, and the public at large. The deep grief is there, as is the many tribulations of her life (still birth, miscarriage, divorce, single parenthood, etc). It is a wonder she got through it all. I suspect the support of her large family helped in that, to some extent. She was offered no physiological counselling which is criminal, in itself. She was just in her twenties when her child was murdered. And the incarceration of the killers is not where this story ends. Infact, she continues her fight for James, against the killers, and some of the things she was up against will appall many people - I know it did me.
It must have been very difficult for her to write this book - to delve into the past in such detail, but I understand why she did, and am grateful that she told her story, because it is ongoing.
January 25, 2018
Heartbreaking read
In the past 25 years since James was murdered, Denise has shown nothing but dignity and determination in getting justice for James. This book tells of her dark times and her fight for justice. I couldn't put it down, even before reading this book I have supported Denise and her family in getting justice for James and I will continue to do so now.
In the past 25 years since James was murdered, Denise has shown nothing but dignity and determination in getting justice for James. This book tells of her dark times and her fight for justice. I couldn't put it down, even before reading this book I have supported Denise and her family in getting justice for James and I will continue to do so now.
April 17, 2023
Couldn’t put it down. I literally cried. Brings up lots of emotions, question and reflection around law and juvenile offenders. Incredibly heart breaking and sad, but her strength resonates throughout the book. A reflection about where the legal system fails. Not for everyone, but Denise has incredible strength to survive and rebuild a life that was taken from her.
Read
February 18, 2023Audiobook Empik Go
Lektor Ewa Jakubowicz
Nie, nie,nie .....nie można dać oceny tej książce...
Nie można oceniać tragedii któa sie wydarzyła, która wryłą się w pamięć ludzi już na zawsze.
Wieli szacun dla Pani Ewy za przeczytanie tej ksiażki, gdyż gdybym ja ją miała przeczytać, to niejednokrotnie głos uwiązłby mi w gardle, albo zaczął drżeć, a łzy wzruszenia, smutku i wściekłości niejednokrotnie płynęłyby po policzkach.
„Płakałam tak mocno, że nie mogłam złapać oddechu. Myśl, że mam wyjść z centrum bez niego, dobijała mnie. Dotarło do mnie, że opuszczam teren, na którym się zgubił, bez żadnej koncepcji co do miejsca jego pobytu, i że to wszystko oznacza nieszczęście”.
Czy można było zapobiec tej tragedii?
Deniese niejednokrotnie zadawała sobie to pytanie....
Czy mogła przypuszczać że zwyczajne wyjście na zakupy, zakończy się ........zniknięciem jej synka?
Przecież to normalny tryb życia, wychodzimy z dziećmi na zakupy, na spacer,dzieci chodzą do szkoły, biegają w okolicach domu.
Niestety 12 lutego 1993 roku to był ostatni raz gdy Denise widziała swoje dziecko, to był ostatni raz gdy tzrymała je za rękę.....
Szok i niedowierzanie, że sprawcami byli tak mali chłopcy.....
Że dopuścili się takiego czynu, że nie czuli skruchy...
Przecież dziesięcioletnie dziecko odróżnia już dobro od zła.
A tu było zło w czystej postaci.
Lata walki Denise z wymiarem sprawiedliwości.
Dużo spraw które wyszły na jaw dopiero po latach...wiele niedociągnięć....
Ale to wszystko już nie wróci życia małemu Jamesowi.
Jest tylko grób na cmentarzu.......
Zdecydowanie nie polecam tej książki osobom wrażliwym, bo ta książka jest bardzo dołująca.
Jest tym bardziej dołująca że też jestem matką, i tylko mogę sobie wyobrazić co w tamtym momencie czuła Denise.
Śpij w spokoju James {*}
Lektor Ewa Jakubowicz
Nie, nie,nie .....nie można dać oceny tej książce...
Nie można oceniać tragedii któa sie wydarzyła, która wryłą się w pamięć ludzi już na zawsze.
Wieli szacun dla Pani Ewy za przeczytanie tej ksiażki, gdyż gdybym ja ją miała przeczytać, to niejednokrotnie głos uwiązłby mi w gardle, albo zaczął drżeć, a łzy wzruszenia, smutku i wściekłości niejednokrotnie płynęłyby po policzkach.
„Płakałam tak mocno, że nie mogłam złapać oddechu. Myśl, że mam wyjść z centrum bez niego, dobijała mnie. Dotarło do mnie, że opuszczam teren, na którym się zgubił, bez żadnej koncepcji co do miejsca jego pobytu, i że to wszystko oznacza nieszczęście”.
Czy można było zapobiec tej tragedii?
Deniese niejednokrotnie zadawała sobie to pytanie....
Czy mogła przypuszczać że zwyczajne wyjście na zakupy, zakończy się ........zniknięciem jej synka?
Przecież to normalny tryb życia, wychodzimy z dziećmi na zakupy, na spacer,dzieci chodzą do szkoły, biegają w okolicach domu.
Niestety 12 lutego 1993 roku to był ostatni raz gdy Denise widziała swoje dziecko, to był ostatni raz gdy tzrymała je za rękę.....
Szok i niedowierzanie, że sprawcami byli tak mali chłopcy.....
Że dopuścili się takiego czynu, że nie czuli skruchy...
Przecież dziesięcioletnie dziecko odróżnia już dobro od zła.
A tu było zło w czystej postaci.
Lata walki Denise z wymiarem sprawiedliwości.
Dużo spraw które wyszły na jaw dopiero po latach...wiele niedociągnięć....
Ale to wszystko już nie wróci życia małemu Jamesowi.
Jest tylko grób na cmentarzu.......
Zdecydowanie nie polecam tej książki osobom wrażliwym, bo ta książka jest bardzo dołująca.
Jest tym bardziej dołująca że też jestem matką, i tylko mogę sobie wyobrazić co w tamtym momencie czuła Denise.
Śpij w spokoju James {*}
June 27, 2018
Very emotional read. I feel sorri for poor James mother she has done her best for her son and this book just proves that. Would recommend people read it.xxx
July 4, 2018
This was an incredibly hard book to read, not because it was badly written but because of the subject matter. I'm not a mother but I didn't need to be in order to be touched by this book
I had read the story of James from his fathers point of view and several news stories but it was different to get the point of view of his mother, since she was the one who was there when he was abducted, and has carried the guilt of that for all these years
Denise didn't bother to try and analyse the killers of her son, or why they did what they did. Instead she brought James to life, and what it was liker for her and her family in the aftermath of his murder. Her strength is unbelievable in the face of what she went through with the legal system seeming to let her and her family down at every turn especially with the recent news of Venables having been arrested for child pornography
So many lies and falsehoods have been written about Denise over the years and here she was finally able to set the record straight
I had read the story of James from his fathers point of view and several news stories but it was different to get the point of view of his mother, since she was the one who was there when he was abducted, and has carried the guilt of that for all these years
Denise didn't bother to try and analyse the killers of her son, or why they did what they did. Instead she brought James to life, and what it was liker for her and her family in the aftermath of his murder. Her strength is unbelievable in the face of what she went through with the legal system seeming to let her and her family down at every turn especially with the recent news of Venables having been arrested for child pornography
So many lies and falsehoods have been written about Denise over the years and here she was finally able to set the record straight
February 6, 2018
When I saw a morning show speak about this book around a month ago, I knew I would read it, and I knew it would make me cry. Everything about the James Bulger case is completely horrible, but the murder wasn't all there was to James; there was a boy who lived, and loved his family. There was a mother and a father, a complete family around him who suffered his loss. Of course all this just adds to the heartbreak and frustration this case brings. Like Denise, I can never see justice in a world that offers more protection to the murderers than to James' own family. The fact is Venables has gone on to commit more crimes, and yet he could be living down the street right now and the public is not allowed to know or act on that knowledge.
I read My James a few years ago and got the perspective from Ralph, his father. This is Denise's chance to tell her story, and it is no less powerful. Personal, and desperately sad, but a story that needs to be told. Five stars.
I read My James a few years ago and got the perspective from Ralph, his father. This is Denise's chance to tell her story, and it is no less powerful. Personal, and desperately sad, but a story that needs to be told. Five stars.
November 23, 2018
Has it really been that long - 25 years?
I remember it (no doubt, we all do) as though it happened yesterday.
It'll never get easier to read or hear about what happened to James, it just won't.
The fact that one of the disgusting scum is free today and still allowed to be protected under reporting restrictions with anonymity is appalling. I hope that the other never gets out.
I remember it (no doubt, we all do) as though it happened yesterday.
It'll never get easier to read or hear about what happened to James, it just won't.
The fact that one of the disgusting scum is free today and still allowed to be protected under reporting restrictions with anonymity is appalling. I hope that the other never gets out.
February 20, 2023
Thirty years ago this month the world was shocked, saddened and appalled at the abduction and subsequent murder of two year old James Bulger by two 10 year old boys!
Part memoir and loads of anguish, this is Denise 's (James's mothers) story in her own words.
Gripping, horrific, unbelievable, haunting and shocking, this volume had me, as a parent, in tears.
Part memoir and loads of anguish, this is Denise 's (James's mothers) story in her own words.
Gripping, horrific, unbelievable, haunting and shocking, this volume had me, as a parent, in tears.
Read
April 8, 2018the story is every mothers worst nightmare.
July 10, 2023
I wanted to read this book because this case still makes me angry. I wasn’t born when this murder happened, but I knew about it from a young age. I was born in Warrington which is about 30 minutes away from Liverpool and everyone was affected by this case. I was born on James’s birthday and every anniversary; someone will mention or post something. This case has caused multiple debates about young offenders and when I saw that Denise had written a book, I wanted to read it. Denise has such a way with words that it felt like it happened this year rather than thirty years ago.
This book is based on the case of James Bulger. He was a two-year-old boy who was abducted, tortured and murdered by two ten-year-old boys (whose names I'm not going to mention during this review). The two boys led James away from the Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle after his mother had taken her eyes off him for a second. His body was found on a railway line two and a half miles away in Walton two days after his abduction. This case was worldwide because of the ages of the two killers and the sentences they received. They are the youngest convicted murderers and spend zero times in prison or a juvenile prison. Instead, they were held at a Secure Care Centre, one was held in Manchester and one was held in St. Helens until they were eighteen. Once they turned eighteen, they were released with terms which included: they were not allowed to contact each other or James’s family, they were not allowed to visit the Merseyside region, curfews may be imposed on them and they were on probation for the rest of their lives and if they breached these rules and deemed a risk to the public: they would be recalled to prison. They were given new identities and the British media wasn’t allowed to report on them. This caused many protests as predicted one of them was recalled to prison in 2010 for crimes against children.
All the way through this book I wanted to give Denise a hug, to lose two children in a short time must have been horrendous and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Denise has such a way of talking about James and making him more than just a murder victim. She made him a person, a cheeky two-year-old who had a favourite toy and a favourite chair and favourite foods and shows. The way she had the strength I don’t think I'll ever had to go through all these emotions and events to tell people her point of view. I’ve seen over the years that Denise has been slated and it genuinely boils my blood like the British media piss me off so much for their lack of compassion for some people. Denise is fighting for her son and telling her side and she’s getting slated for getting pregnant when the trial of James was on. Denise doesn’t leave anything out of this book expect what happened to her son before he was found, which she doesn’t know the full details because she didn’t want to know. I would also like to hug her brother Ray for being the one that had to go and identify James and go to court every day and listen to the horrific details.
I will always be on the same fight she is because the British legal system fucked this case royally. If this was an adult that this is to another adult there would be no secure care facility it would be prison so why is it any different for those two just because they were ten when they did it. They have new identities and can hurt someone else. Everyone can have their opinion whether it’s cruel or not, but in my opinion, those murderers should be locked up for LIFE. They showed no remorse, they didn’t feel bad or guilty, they were laughing before the verdict came out as if they were thinking they got off. This case will always drive me mental. This book is so powerful and emotional and you can understand why Denise still fights for James and I hope she wins her fight soon.
This book is based on the case of James Bulger. He was a two-year-old boy who was abducted, tortured and murdered by two ten-year-old boys (whose names I'm not going to mention during this review). The two boys led James away from the Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle after his mother had taken her eyes off him for a second. His body was found on a railway line two and a half miles away in Walton two days after his abduction. This case was worldwide because of the ages of the two killers and the sentences they received. They are the youngest convicted murderers and spend zero times in prison or a juvenile prison. Instead, they were held at a Secure Care Centre, one was held in Manchester and one was held in St. Helens until they were eighteen. Once they turned eighteen, they were released with terms which included: they were not allowed to contact each other or James’s family, they were not allowed to visit the Merseyside region, curfews may be imposed on them and they were on probation for the rest of their lives and if they breached these rules and deemed a risk to the public: they would be recalled to prison. They were given new identities and the British media wasn’t allowed to report on them. This caused many protests as predicted one of them was recalled to prison in 2010 for crimes against children.
All the way through this book I wanted to give Denise a hug, to lose two children in a short time must have been horrendous and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Denise has such a way of talking about James and making him more than just a murder victim. She made him a person, a cheeky two-year-old who had a favourite toy and a favourite chair and favourite foods and shows. The way she had the strength I don’t think I'll ever had to go through all these emotions and events to tell people her point of view. I’ve seen over the years that Denise has been slated and it genuinely boils my blood like the British media piss me off so much for their lack of compassion for some people. Denise is fighting for her son and telling her side and she’s getting slated for getting pregnant when the trial of James was on. Denise doesn’t leave anything out of this book expect what happened to her son before he was found, which she doesn’t know the full details because she didn’t want to know. I would also like to hug her brother Ray for being the one that had to go and identify James and go to court every day and listen to the horrific details.
I will always be on the same fight she is because the British legal system fucked this case royally. If this was an adult that this is to another adult there would be no secure care facility it would be prison so why is it any different for those two just because they were ten when they did it. They have new identities and can hurt someone else. Everyone can have their opinion whether it’s cruel or not, but in my opinion, those murderers should be locked up for LIFE. They showed no remorse, they didn’t feel bad or guilty, they were laughing before the verdict came out as if they were thinking they got off. This case will always drive me mental. This book is so powerful and emotional and you can understand why Denise still fights for James and I hope she wins her fight soon.
June 16, 2018
Heartbreaking, but also very readable.
We all know about the horrific vile murder of little James Burger, but what we don't know, is the story of how Denise coped with the loss of James,, how utterly broken she was, she holds nothing back, let's us into her and James s lives before and after the disgusting murder of James. A hard book to read? yes, but it's not just filled with sadness, there is plenty to smile about, as Denise shares funny moments she had with her beautiful son. Once read, never forgotten.
We all know about the horrific vile murder of little James Burger, but what we don't know, is the story of how Denise coped with the loss of James,, how utterly broken she was, she holds nothing back, let's us into her and James s lives before and after the disgusting murder of James. A hard book to read? yes, but it's not just filled with sadness, there is plenty to smile about, as Denise shares funny moments she had with her beautiful son. Once read, never forgotten.
May 23, 2018
I simultaneously did and did not want to read this book. I wasn’t even alive when James Bulger was taken from his mother, but I have a child around the same age as he was. I felt like I owed - every mother - owes it to her to read her words.
What an amazing, strong, wonderful woman Denise is. The fact she managed to keep going and always strive to fight for her son is inspiring. Especially as she has faced no end of obstacles.
This book does not include gory details and I was truly glad of that. I do not feel the horrible creatures deserve their crimes discussed anymore. They barely even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as James.
There was moments in this book I smiled - especially when Denise describes her sons personalities, but there were parts I had to put it down and pause. I imagine she did writing it too. Particularly the parts where I feel her pain, physically, and the guilt she feels. It has made me cuddle my toddler tighter. Laugh at his silly dancing harder. It has made me ensure his toddler reigns are never out of my hand.
What an amazing, strong, wonderful woman Denise is. The fact she managed to keep going and always strive to fight for her son is inspiring. Especially as she has faced no end of obstacles.
This book does not include gory details and I was truly glad of that. I do not feel the horrible creatures deserve their crimes discussed anymore. They barely even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as James.
There was moments in this book I smiled - especially when Denise describes her sons personalities, but there were parts I had to put it down and pause. I imagine she did writing it too. Particularly the parts where I feel her pain, physically, and the guilt she feels. It has made me cuddle my toddler tighter. Laugh at his silly dancing harder. It has made me ensure his toddler reigns are never out of my hand.
November 14, 2024
I didn't initially think I would want to listen to the story of a mother whose son was abducted and murdered because it sounds so gut-wrenchingly awful to take, but the reviews of this book were overwhelmingly 5 stars so I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed! There are no gory details, thankfully, but the anguish and heartbreak of this mother come through in her story. Her son is remembered fondly throughout, and she describes how she is fighting for justice (still, decades later!) in his name. I found myself cheering her on, while also shaking my head in anger at the decisions of the legal system. The narrator is fantastic and displays appropriate emotion, as if this is being read directly by the author. I highly recommend this read.
May 18, 2023
A truly heart wrenching story of the lost innocent baby, stolen by monsters. But also in a weird way uplifting, it brings the cheeky little chappy to life. Makes you see beyond captured cctv photos and horrific headlines. I truly hope that in Denise's lifetime, she wins the courageous fight that she will not quit and finally has justice for James
May 11, 2023
Si habéis crecido en los 90 seguro que recordais el caso de James Bulger, uno de los asesinatos más tremendos que hubo en Europa por esa época: no solo por su corta edad y por las torturas que sufrió, si no porque sus dos asesinos fueron dos niños de 10 años.
Este libro no desvela detalles policiales sobre el caso. Es un viaje inimaginable al dolor de una madre que perdió de vista a su hijo de dos años durante apenas un minuto y con ello, lo perdió todo. La culpa y el dolor y el duelo y la lucha de Denise por hacer justicia a James es lo que hay en este libro, pero también como poco a poco va rehaciendo su vida sin poder olvidar jamás la muerte de su hijo.
Fue un caso terrible que yo viví, como casi todos, desde la prensa. Jamás pude olvidarlo. Y ahora, tras leer a Denise, lo veo mucho más íntimo y cercano.
El libro está solo en inglés, pero se puede leer perfectamente sin apuros con un nivel medio del idioma.
Este libro no desvela detalles policiales sobre el caso. Es un viaje inimaginable al dolor de una madre que perdió de vista a su hijo de dos años durante apenas un minuto y con ello, lo perdió todo. La culpa y el dolor y el duelo y la lucha de Denise por hacer justicia a James es lo que hay en este libro, pero también como poco a poco va rehaciendo su vida sin poder olvidar jamás la muerte de su hijo.
Fue un caso terrible que yo viví, como casi todos, desde la prensa. Jamás pude olvidarlo. Y ahora, tras leer a Denise, lo veo mucho más íntimo y cercano.
El libro está solo en inglés, pero se puede leer perfectamente sin apuros con un nivel medio del idioma.
July 29, 2025
This little boy went missing on my 23rd birthday exactly one month after I'd given birth to my second child. I remember avidly waiting for updates and being mortified at the results. it was good to hear it from denises point of view. A very sad but good read
October 17, 2024
“The phrase: “they were only ten” should be said with emphasis on the depravity of their actions rather than sympathy for their punishment.”
Ever since I read the landmark Thompson and Venables case in criminal law, I was haunted by the depraved nature of these two boys’ acts and struggled to understand how could anyone, least of all children, commit such a heinous and barbaric act. But this is not a psychology book – it is the voice of a grieving mother who is fighting tirelessly for justice for her son and is seeking to breathe life to her baby son who became a worldwide symbol of a horrific event. Denise’s account is an empowering one, more so because in a series of unfortunate events, the loss of her son was not the only tragedy in her life, yet she persevered and survived everything, managing to live her life in spite of all the struggles endured. The book induced feelings of devastation, fury, and irritation aimed at Thompson and Venables, as well as the legal system which seemed to fail James and his family at every step. It made me consider the purpose of punishment and anonymity, whether the notion of anonymity in perpetuity is legally sound, whether perpetrators ought to lose their right to anonymity after reoffending (with reference to Venables’ perverse and repeated child pornography offences). I cannot fathom the level of devastation and grief this resulted in and I have nothing but the deepest admiration towards Denise for finding the words to share hers and James’ story with the world.
Ever since I read the landmark Thompson and Venables case in criminal law, I was haunted by the depraved nature of these two boys’ acts and struggled to understand how could anyone, least of all children, commit such a heinous and barbaric act. But this is not a psychology book – it is the voice of a grieving mother who is fighting tirelessly for justice for her son and is seeking to breathe life to her baby son who became a worldwide symbol of a horrific event. Denise’s account is an empowering one, more so because in a series of unfortunate events, the loss of her son was not the only tragedy in her life, yet she persevered and survived everything, managing to live her life in spite of all the struggles endured. The book induced feelings of devastation, fury, and irritation aimed at Thompson and Venables, as well as the legal system which seemed to fail James and his family at every step. It made me consider the purpose of punishment and anonymity, whether the notion of anonymity in perpetuity is legally sound, whether perpetrators ought to lose their right to anonymity after reoffending (with reference to Venables’ perverse and repeated child pornography offences). I cannot fathom the level of devastation and grief this resulted in and I have nothing but the deepest admiration towards Denise for finding the words to share hers and James’ story with the world.
August 8, 2021
Still really remember this case of James going Missing. His Mother was in a Butchers shop buying chops for the evening meal. This is a life regret as her son James was in the shop as well and one minute he was there the next he had vanished. 2 boys lured him to his death, They just walked out the shopping center (mall) with him holding his hands. took him to a disused railway tracks. James Lost his life to 2 other Children. If you haven never read this book before or remember the case. READ IT. it is something everyone who know who has Children. even the later cases Of madeleine McCanne Ben Needham.
It makes me mad that these mothers never got the help that Maddy has been given in the search, I have my own thoughts on that case*
But I think it should be stepped up for BEN Needham & AS Denise Fergus never really got the help either.
a must read!
EDIT........... I have just finished this. as the book progresses, Denise stayed strong through going to the court at the hearing.
The Courts are SOMETHING ELSE....... The police did they job and got V and T arrested and the courts had then found GUILTY,,,,,,,,, THEN some woman decided to not let there NAMES BE USED AND BE GIVING NEW ID'S
THIS PIECE OF SHIT WHO DID THAT NEEDS LOCKING UP TOO
How the F************* can they be allowed to let these 2 tossers not be named and given new IDS
Id give the w*******s a new ID ITS CALLED A COFFIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It makes me mad that these mothers never got the help that Maddy has been given in the search, I have my own thoughts on that case*
But I think it should be stepped up for BEN Needham & AS Denise Fergus never really got the help either.
a must read!
EDIT........... I have just finished this. as the book progresses, Denise stayed strong through going to the court at the hearing.
The Courts are SOMETHING ELSE....... The police did they job and got V and T arrested and the courts had then found GUILTY,,,,,,,,, THEN some woman decided to not let there NAMES BE USED AND BE GIVING NEW ID'S
THIS PIECE OF SHIT WHO DID THAT NEEDS LOCKING UP TOO
How the F************* can they be allowed to let these 2 tossers not be named and given new IDS
Id give the w*******s a new ID ITS CALLED A COFFIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 30, 2024
I wasn’t sure if I could listen to this, but then I thought if Denise can go through what she went through,I can listen to her story. First things first, if you know the story of James, most of us do, you’ll know this is a hard read. But I still wasn’t prepared for how much I would cry. It absolutely broke my heart. Denise had already been through so much before James was even born, but to then go through the unimaginable, James being taken and murdered, my heart broke for her.
The book in its way is actually lovely. Yes it’s hard, and I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like, but there is so much happiness in the book too. Denise tells lovely stories, how muchJames was loved, what a little character he was. I loved hearing these parts, and how much Denise fought for justice for him after his murder.
James is probably always going to be remembered by the public as that little boy on cctv, being led away by 2 children, but I hope anyone who reads this gets to know that little boy as something else, as a kid with a big heart, and a big smile.
The book in its way is actually lovely. Yes it’s hard, and I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like, but there is so much happiness in the book too. Denise tells lovely stories, how muchJames was loved, what a little character he was. I loved hearing these parts, and how much Denise fought for justice for him after his murder.
James is probably always going to be remembered by the public as that little boy on cctv, being led away by 2 children, but I hope anyone who reads this gets to know that little boy as something else, as a kid with a big heart, and a big smile.
May 25, 2018
Makes your heart ache with sadness for Denise and her family.
We all remember the murder of James Bulger, and the shock and revulsion when his murderers were revealed to be boys aged just 10 years old.
This book tells us so much more about James. The deep love that only a mother feels for her child absolutely pours from every page. A fun loving,cheeky toddler who trustingly walked to his death that day holding hands with his muderers ...looking for all the world like a baby brother walking with two older siblings.
Denise pours every emotion into this book and it is truly heartbreak to read. But it is also deeply moving and inspirational and shows the strength of character and resolve that Denise possesses in her determination to finally get true justice for her baby son.
May you rest in peace James..flying high with the angels for all eternity.
We all remember the murder of James Bulger, and the shock and revulsion when his murderers were revealed to be boys aged just 10 years old.
This book tells us so much more about James. The deep love that only a mother feels for her child absolutely pours from every page. A fun loving,cheeky toddler who trustingly walked to his death that day holding hands with his muderers ...looking for all the world like a baby brother walking with two older siblings.
Denise pours every emotion into this book and it is truly heartbreak to read. But it is also deeply moving and inspirational and shows the strength of character and resolve that Denise possesses in her determination to finally get true justice for her baby son.
May you rest in peace James..flying high with the angels for all eternity.
February 14, 2018
Although I've always known about this murder, I've never read any books about it. This doesn't delve into the crime itself, but tells it from a mother's point of view. It must have been heartbreaking for her and it does make you feel that justice has not been served to the killers. However, being a true crime fan/reader, I think I probably should have read an account about the crime itself prior to reading this, just to get some background information.
May 24, 2018
No pobrečela jsem si, co Vám budu povídat. Memoáry maminky Jamese Bulgera, který byl v necelých třech letech zavražděn dvěma desetiletými kluky “pro zábavu”. Demise tu popisuje vše, od svého prvního manželství a narození Jamese, přes samotnou událost, jakou to na ni a její rodinu mělo vliv až po druhou svatbu, další děti a obavy spojené s popuštěním vrahů jejího syna. Velmi silná žena, má můj neskonalý obdiv. Doporučuji všem černým kronikám.
Read
June 2, 2020TW: murder of a child
This book was the hardest read of my life so far. A translated version of this was sent to me by a publisher for redaction. I've never heard of this case before, so I decided to read the wiki article about it first and was shocked to my core when I found out the murderers were both just 10 years old. From that day on, what happened to this little boy haunted my thoughts and I think it will always make me shiver whenever I remember.
The book was very fast paced yet emotionally very deep. I had to stop reading more than once because I was choking up on tears. The way she felt the need to repeat "I only let his hand go for a second" broke my heart, as if anyone could have predicted it would end up like this. It was also harrowing to read that she felt relieved when she saw her child was with two young boys in the cctv footage because she thought children wouldn't hurt him. This point I believe makes this case a mindfuck for a lot of people: the fact that both the victim and the murderers were children. Later I unfortunately came to realise that this is not as rare an occurance as I would think. It makes us question the innonce most of us assign to children a priori and also our estimation of what they are capable of, physically and mentally. Definitely made me think a lot about the human nature, development, psychology, behavior and so on. While doing my research, I also learned other very unsettling facts such as, according to wiki, the youngest killer on earth is just 4 (FOUR!) years old and that the youngest age of criminal responsibility in the world is 6 (SIX!). Reading about this case made me think about criminal law regarding children in a different light. As you can imagine, the way most people (me included) assign innocence to children and the law being as it is made this trial quite a challenge for the english justice system. The defendants happened to be months older than the age of criminal responsibility in England (10) but as they were minors, the lawyer representing the victim had to prove the defendants knew right from wrong before he could go on with the actual case at all. Later, I learned, an American lawyer took their case to the international court claiming they didn't receive a fair trial, blaming the public outcry demanding punishment for them. Well, I'm not a lawyer and I don't know the law that well but I agree it wasn't a fair trial. I think the court cut these two WAY TOO MUCH SLACK for what they did.
Honestly I'm furious that they got away with such short sentences. I was raised to believe everyone has a right to defense and that justice systems let down innocent defendants just as frequently as they do victims. I still believe that. But in this specific case, I think the defense rests solely on one random detail: that these two happened to be ten year olds. I don't care they were 10 however, after reading what they've done and said about it. First of all, James wasn't the first toddler they tried to kidnap that day. They only moved on to him after their first attempt on another failed. James' murder, also, was not an accident or even them causing his death through childish negligence. They took away that little boy deliberately, made him walk for miles, tortured him with unprovoked, senseless violence and brutally killed him. I don't believe they actually felt any remorse at all. They left the body on the railway so that, in their own words, the death "would be mistaken for an accident" and they didn't even mention what happened to their parents. They knew what they've done and they knew they would be in trouble. That, to me, is enough to prove they were aware of the severity of their actions and that there was malicious intent. You don't try to cover something up if you don't think it's bad. And after all that, they got slaps on the wrist because they happened to be children. I couldn't stop researching this case and with each new piece of information I discovered, my conviction regarding these people deserving to be put away for life solidified more and more. There are actual voice recordings of them saying, in their eerily young kid voices, that yes, they did kill James and yes, he did cry. How can anyone claim they deserve anything other than a life in prison after hearing that is incomprehensible to me. (I guess their lawyers would call me "overly emotional" like they did everyone else. Having a conscience does that to you. Not that they would understand.) But according to their lawyers they were very young and deserved a life, so at the end of their joke of a sentence, the court gave them new identities. You know who was very young and deserved a life? That little baby. No one made them go out that day and try to kidnap random toddlers. No one made them attack James. No one made them kill him, when they could've easily ditched him on the road or left him in front of the police station that was just a couple minutes away. According to his mother, James wasn't even able to speak properly, so he couldn't have exposed their identities even if he survived and happened to remember their faces. They made all that on their own and if you decide to randomly kidnap and brutally murder another human being, you have no one but yourself to blame when that ends up ruining your life, no matter your age. Another shitty note was learning one of them went back to jail TWICE as an adult for possessing child pornography (one of those times he also had a "manual describing how to have sex with children safely") yet somehow his anonymity is still protected because "people may hurt him". The same anonymity that was granted to him in the hope that he could be rehabilitated. If this person proving himself a paedophile, doing jail time for it and then coming back again to court with even more child porn is not enough for them to realise maybe he won't be rehabilitated, then I can't imagine what would. Also, the other not reoffending only makes me suspect he hid his dirt better, since he was also calmer during their murder trial. Not that I had a lot of trust in justice systems to begin with, but this case killed whatever little bits of that was left in me, because it was a little child who died and there are no ideological or political reasons for people to support these murderers, not even a bullshit excuse that can be used to justify what they did, yet some people still did just because "they were very young".
I can't imagine what it was like to live through all this as someone who loved that little baby. They have all my sympathy. They seem like very nice people also, because even after all this his mother still found it in herself to issue a statement saying she didn't want vigilante justice because it might end up hurting innocents as well. Instead, she is continuing her fight in a legal way. I, on the other hand, do not possess such grace, so I would like to end this review by saying I hope these two don't die before experiencing the kind of fear and pain they inflicted on that little boy.
I think I will be thinking about this book and other things I discovered while reading about it for a long time. Raw, heartbreaking and haunting.
This book was the hardest read of my life so far. A translated version of this was sent to me by a publisher for redaction. I've never heard of this case before, so I decided to read the wiki article about it first and was shocked to my core when I found out the murderers were both just 10 years old. From that day on, what happened to this little boy haunted my thoughts and I think it will always make me shiver whenever I remember.
The book was very fast paced yet emotionally very deep. I had to stop reading more than once because I was choking up on tears. The way she felt the need to repeat "I only let his hand go for a second" broke my heart, as if anyone could have predicted it would end up like this. It was also harrowing to read that she felt relieved when she saw her child was with two young boys in the cctv footage because she thought children wouldn't hurt him. This point I believe makes this case a mindfuck for a lot of people: the fact that both the victim and the murderers were children. Later I unfortunately came to realise that this is not as rare an occurance as I would think. It makes us question the innonce most of us assign to children a priori and also our estimation of what they are capable of, physically and mentally. Definitely made me think a lot about the human nature, development, psychology, behavior and so on. While doing my research, I also learned other very unsettling facts such as, according to wiki, the youngest killer on earth is just 4 (FOUR!) years old and that the youngest age of criminal responsibility in the world is 6 (SIX!). Reading about this case made me think about criminal law regarding children in a different light. As you can imagine, the way most people (me included) assign innocence to children and the law being as it is made this trial quite a challenge for the english justice system. The defendants happened to be months older than the age of criminal responsibility in England (10) but as they were minors, the lawyer representing the victim had to prove the defendants knew right from wrong before he could go on with the actual case at all. Later, I learned, an American lawyer took their case to the international court claiming they didn't receive a fair trial, blaming the public outcry demanding punishment for them. Well, I'm not a lawyer and I don't know the law that well but I agree it wasn't a fair trial. I think the court cut these two WAY TOO MUCH SLACK for what they did.
Honestly I'm furious that they got away with such short sentences. I was raised to believe everyone has a right to defense and that justice systems let down innocent defendants just as frequently as they do victims. I still believe that. But in this specific case, I think the defense rests solely on one random detail: that these two happened to be ten year olds. I don't care they were 10 however, after reading what they've done and said about it. First of all, James wasn't the first toddler they tried to kidnap that day. They only moved on to him after their first attempt on another failed. James' murder, also, was not an accident or even them causing his death through childish negligence. They took away that little boy deliberately, made him walk for miles, tortured him with unprovoked, senseless violence and brutally killed him. I don't believe they actually felt any remorse at all. They left the body on the railway so that, in their own words, the death "would be mistaken for an accident" and they didn't even mention what happened to their parents. They knew what they've done and they knew they would be in trouble. That, to me, is enough to prove they were aware of the severity of their actions and that there was malicious intent. You don't try to cover something up if you don't think it's bad. And after all that, they got slaps on the wrist because they happened to be children. I couldn't stop researching this case and with each new piece of information I discovered, my conviction regarding these people deserving to be put away for life solidified more and more. There are actual voice recordings of them saying, in their eerily young kid voices, that yes, they did kill James and yes, he did cry. How can anyone claim they deserve anything other than a life in prison after hearing that is incomprehensible to me. (I guess their lawyers would call me "overly emotional" like they did everyone else. Having a conscience does that to you. Not that they would understand.) But according to their lawyers they were very young and deserved a life, so at the end of their joke of a sentence, the court gave them new identities. You know who was very young and deserved a life? That little baby. No one made them go out that day and try to kidnap random toddlers. No one made them attack James. No one made them kill him, when they could've easily ditched him on the road or left him in front of the police station that was just a couple minutes away. According to his mother, James wasn't even able to speak properly, so he couldn't have exposed their identities even if he survived and happened to remember their faces. They made all that on their own and if you decide to randomly kidnap and brutally murder another human being, you have no one but yourself to blame when that ends up ruining your life, no matter your age. Another shitty note was learning one of them went back to jail TWICE as an adult for possessing child pornography (one of those times he also had a "manual describing how to have sex with children safely") yet somehow his anonymity is still protected because "people may hurt him". The same anonymity that was granted to him in the hope that he could be rehabilitated. If this person proving himself a paedophile, doing jail time for it and then coming back again to court with even more child porn is not enough for them to realise maybe he won't be rehabilitated, then I can't imagine what would. Also, the other not reoffending only makes me suspect he hid his dirt better, since he was also calmer during their murder trial. Not that I had a lot of trust in justice systems to begin with, but this case killed whatever little bits of that was left in me, because it was a little child who died and there are no ideological or political reasons for people to support these murderers, not even a bullshit excuse that can be used to justify what they did, yet some people still did just because "they were very young".
I can't imagine what it was like to live through all this as someone who loved that little baby. They have all my sympathy. They seem like very nice people also, because even after all this his mother still found it in herself to issue a statement saying she didn't want vigilante justice because it might end up hurting innocents as well. Instead, she is continuing her fight in a legal way. I, on the other hand, do not possess such grace, so I would like to end this review by saying I hope these two don't die before experiencing the kind of fear and pain they inflicted on that little boy.
I think I will be thinking about this book and other things I discovered while reading about it for a long time. Raw, heartbreaking and haunting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
Amazing, heart breaking, tears and smiles
Ive read all books written about james murder. They are the only books that have ever made me cry. My heart breaks thinking of this little boy and his mum but reading this book makes you see what a strong lady she is. Im sure james would be extremely proud of his mummy. #justicefoejames.
Ive read all books written about james murder. They are the only books that have ever made me cry. My heart breaks thinking of this little boy and his mum but reading this book makes you see what a strong lady she is. Im sure james would be extremely proud of his mummy. #justicefoejames.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews