Don’t Tell Mummy: A True Story of the Ultimate Betrayal

Toni Maguire

Sep 2008 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

This heart-wrenching memoir from Toni Maguire tells the deeply moving story of an idyllic childhood that masked a terrible truth. Underneath her mother's gentility and her father's roguish charm lay horrifying secrets, which eventually led to their only child's near destruction.

The first time her father made an improper advance on Toni, she was six years old. Her father warned her not to tell her mother, or anyone else, because they would blame her and wouldn't love her any more. It had to remain ‘our secret.’

When she finally built up the courage to tell her mother what had happened, she was told never to speak of the matter again. With no one to turn to, isolated and alone in rural Ireland, the abuse continued unhindered.

At fourteen Toni fell pregnant by her father, and when her state was discovered she was made to have a late abortion which almost killed her. The truth of her childhood could no longer be kept hidden but, just as her father predicted, Toni found herself judged and rejected by her family, teachers and friends. The blame and anger she was treated with only worsened when her father was sent to prison as a result of his actions. This is the compelling story of her struggle to put the ghost of her childhood to rest, and emerge ultimately triumphant.

Ratings and reviews

Its okay but needs more improvements such as for example, to make it into a slightly more fictional book by changing some parts.

Thank you, Toni, for sharing your truth. i am 60 yrs old and just starting EMT. you have nothing to be ashamed of my friend. You, like myself, were the child caught in the crossfire of family disfunction.

I really enjoyed this book. She had a terrible childhood, not a great young adulthood, but she kept moving forward. I love how she maintained respect for her mom right up to the end, but put her father in his place finally. Awesome read.

About the author

Toni Maguire lives in the UK and has lived in Ireland. She spends 3 months of every year in South Africa.

Andrew Crofts (ghostwriter) has ghost-written three hardback number one bestselling memoirs including ‘Just a Boy’ and ‘The Little Prisoner.’