A very disturbing read. It’s incredibly tragic that it is
indeed a true story. Very gripping though, which meant that I listened to it
every chance I got and worked through it quite quickly.
It is rather shocking that child services were never called or
involved while Joanne was growing up. I do find it rather hard to believe that
at the age of ten that she was pretty much running the household; that teachers
/ neighbours / friends didn’t jump in and report her horrendous homelife and
social services didn’t do anything, I find this very very odd and troubling.
Personally, I felt that the book got a bit long once the
court case and judgement was discussed, I felt that it should have ended there, the
additional narrative would have made for a good second book. BUT, it does all
tie very well together at the end. So, if you are getting a bit bored, hang in
there.
3/5