Mummy Knew: A terrifying step-father. A mother who refused to listen. A little girl desperate to escape.

Lisa James

Sep 2009 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Four-year-old Lisa's world turned upside down when her step-father moved in. Most of the time he was just violent but then he started making her do things to him she knew were wrong. Soon he was visiting her at night. Lisa begged her mother for help but she just shrugged, telling Lisa he would have his way. It was the greatest betrayal of all.

At first Lisa's step-father would just make her stroke and massage his feet, hitting her if she stopped, but he soon wanted more. Much more. By the time she was 12 he was regularly abusing her. One day, when Lisa turned 16, she came home to discover that her mother had swapped bedrooms with her. 'You're my girlfriend now', her step-father told her. Lisa turned to her mother for help, but was met with a shrug. She wouldn't hear a word against her husband. 'Don't blame me,' she said. Her step-father's abuse was horrific but what completely tore her apart was knowing her mother knew and encouraged it.

Trapped and increasingly desperate, Lisa tried to find a way out. But her isolation was complete. A few months later her mother told her she'd arranged for Lisa and her step-father to move into a flat together down the road. It was too much for Lisa to bear. 'Please don't make me, please,' she sobbed. But her mother just ignored her. Lisa was marched around to the flat with her possessions and her nightmare was complete.

Alone with her step-father, Lisa's life became even more unbearable. Then one day, finally, she got the chance she'd been looking for to escape. Lisa bravely struck out on her own, petrified her mother would find her and hand her back into the waiting arms of her step-father. But Lisa's mother had no idea how determined she was to break away...

Ratings and reviews

I read this book and just after a few pages was drawn into Jam'es' tragic road down her childhood. James' story is heartbreaking as my own daughter has such an attachment to her grandmother. As a mother myself I can't imagine tearing granddaughter and grandmother apart or the taking away of a baby's innocence. Children are precious. I was equally horrified by the negligence (that's an understatement) that Lisa James' mother portrayed and flaunted! James' recounting of her life's story and triumphant survival of an abusive childhood is well written and inspiring. Only those who are strong can truly survive reading this without shedding sobbing tears for this amazing individual. Once you survive going with her down that road you realize that you must celebrate with her finding true family and love. May she always be surrounded by those who love and support her. May those who are like her find the support and love they need as she did.

I really only read the few pages it let me read.. I don't know if I could READ the whole book though,because my MOM knew too. But I don't remember, except for what she wrote IN a letter to my councillor when I was in prison. She didn't realize that THEY would pack IT up in some things that I had to ship home. When I got out is when I found the letter and AFTER I read it, all the counseling that I received there ALL MADE sense then..because I had to see psychiatrists and psychologist too! But I was lucky my DAD died when I was 5 years old .And that was when it stopped for me. . Like I said I don't know IF I can READ THE book .it might open a page MY mind has refused to remember..

This story was by far one of the most heartbreaking stories that I've ever read! This poor girl was let down and abandoned by damn near EVERY PERSON that she knew. Her mother's actions are completely repulsive and unimaginable for any mother to do. Thank you for having the strength to tell your story!

About the author

Lisa James is married and lives with her husband and six children in the south-west of England. In 2005 she reported her step-father to the police and three years later, when the case came to court, he was convicted.