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

It was definitely a very good autobiography, and I couldn't imagine having to go through those situations. Just a horrible experience after another. I would have Gaven 5 stars, but the editor missed a good amount of literally mistakes, like put spaces in between words. Making it challenging to read at times, cause you try to decifer what is being said. Other than that was a very very good read and my heart goes out to the author...congrats on surving what most could never!!!

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..

I had to return this because of the amount of typos. I was 3 pages in and couldnt handle it. I counted 9 on one page. Maybe this wouldn't bother everyone but I found it unbearable. I'm disappointed because I really wanted to read the 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.