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A Dark Secret Paperback – July 9, 2019

by Casey Watson (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,070 ratings
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Just when Casey thinks her foster care duties are done, she’s asked to look after Sam, a troubled nine-year-old with a violent streak who drove his previous guardians to release him of their care. It soon unfolds, however, that this is no simple case.

Determined to get to the root of Sam’s behaviour, Casey is committed to uncover his mysterious past only to find out something far darker than she ever imagined…

Having recently said goodbye to their last foster child, Miller, the Watson family are taking a bit of a break. But it’s while Casey is having fun catching up with her friends that she receives a call from her new link worker. Social services are desperately trying to find a settled home for nine-year-old Sam, who has Autism and some serious behavioural problems.

Removed from his mother less than a week ago, Sam has been staying with respite carers. But with two young children of their own, they now find themselves unable to hold on to the little boy as he is bullying them relentlessly. It’s not an isolated situation, either. Apparently Sam’s own siblings begged not to be placed with their older brother – they were both adamant that they were too afraid of him.

The Watsons agree to accommodate Sam, who, despite his tiny stature, turns out to be quite the whirlwind – destroying anything and everything in his path. In addition to the outward behaviours, it quickly becomes evident that there is a much darker past that has blighted the boy’s life. As Casey tries to get to the bottom of it, she discovers there are no files on Sam; only the testament of his previous neighbour. Thankfully, Mrs Gallagher is only too happy to help. And to talk. But it soon transpires that there is a great deal more to Sam’s secret history…

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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperElement
  4. Publication date
    July 9, 2019
  5. ISBN-10
    0008298610
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0008298616
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Book Description

A compelling fostering memoir from the Sunday Times bestselling author

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperElement (July 9, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008298610
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008298616
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 1,070 ratings

About the author

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Casey Watson

Casey Watson

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Casey Watson, who writes under a pseudonym, is a specialist foster carer. She and her husband, Mike, look after children who are particularly troubled or damaged by their past. Before becoming a foster carer Casey was a behaviour manager for her local comprehensive school. It was through working with these ‘difficult’ children – removed from mainstream classes for various reasons – that the idea for her future career was born. Casey is married with two children and three grandchildren.

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4.7 out of 5 stars
1,070 global ratings

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Psychological damage inflicted on a troubled soul
5 out of 5 stars
Psychological damage inflicted on a troubled soul
This book - A Dark 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 arrived in today’s {16Sept 2019} mail and it’s in perfect physical condition. The long awaited for review will be placed when the book has been read May we all be 🥺touched by reading this sensitive story.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Tracey L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars worth the money
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    good book
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  • Cynthia W. Deel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Understand
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    You have to have a good heart to be a great caregiver
    Helpful
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  • Terry Collins
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love it when I get a book to read & can not put it down.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I chose this rating as it was a book I did not want to put down. I love all of Casey's books but this one really got to me. Casey is so wonderful the way she takes care of the new children that come to her, & change their lives. It is almost 5:30 am, I finished my book.
    Helpful
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  • Linda
    4.0 out of 5 stars good story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoy her books. She does a lot of good for these poor tramatized children. I wish I had her around when I was a child. I’ve read all her books now and am at a loss as to what to read next. Her next book not out till January.
    Keep doing your excellent miracle work Casey. God bless you.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sadness
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There is so much sadness and despair in Casey Watson's book. The English foster system has so many problems. Is this because of the NHS. Casey always gives her best but it is hard to deal with a broken system. Her books are always good and I recommend all of them to other carers and teachers.
    Helpful
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  • DS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Casey Watson
    Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love her books. She and her family are amazing people who have changed and saved so many children’s lives with their love, remarkable patience and understanding. This book was one of my favorites—sad and shocking, but with a great ending. I hope she writes many more.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sarge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Psychological damage inflicted on a troubled soul
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book - A Dark 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 arrived in today’s {16Sept 2019} mail and it’s in perfect physical condition.
    The long awaited for review will be placed when the book has been read
    May we all be 🥺touched by reading this sensitive story.
    Customer image
    Sarge
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Psychological damage inflicted on a troubled soul

    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
    This book - A Dark 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 arrived in today’s {16Sept 2019} mail and it’s in perfect physical condition.
    The long awaited for review will be placed when the book has been read
    May we all be 🥺touched by reading this sensitive story.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
    Helpful
     Report
  • Monica
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking but a page turner
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I always enjoy all the foster carers experiences, always heartbreaking what these children go through but she is an amazing woman and inspiration.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oh what a wonderful ????
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Casey Watson, if you haven't read her books is a truly wonderful writer. Her books are sometimes a difficult read, in that the children she has worked with, or fostered, have had the worst possible experiences you can imagine. Love goes a long way but it takes a special foster care family to try and help a child in these circumstances.

    A book again I couldn' t put down.
    Report
  • Adrain Household
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    VERY impressive. I ordered these two books yesterday and just got them today. Awesome.
    Customer image
    Adrain Household
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Excellent

    Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2021
    VERY impressive. I ordered these two books yesterday and just got them today. Awesome.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report
  • Angele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoy hearing the children's stories and the victories Casey helps them achieve. Kudos to you Mrs Watson....and God bless you!
    Report
  • Paperback
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written as all of Casey's books are. You just can't help but get gripped from the moment you start the first page. Can't wait for more books to follow. Xx
    Report
  • Char
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow what a book..I am all over the place.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love Casey Watson as an author having been a child who fell through the system and was abused. Casey Watsons books and the children she fosters I can relate to on many levels I too am Autistic and Little Sam had my heart. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in 2 days something that I don't normally do. I wish I could do what Casey and Mike and Tyler do but I know if I fostered a child. I wouldn't be able to give them back..

    This case was a complicated one for all involved and there is a part of me that Idolise's Casey through every book she has written but I think this one kind of brought me back down to earth and reminded me that we are human we make mistakes and whilst our hearts may be in the best place our intuition should be followed. I find now when I read these cases that I know who caused harm to the child before Casey realises it in the book I too am a bit of a detective sleuth and my Autism allows me to see patterns incredibly quickly and that is especially true when it comes to children.

    This is a case that will stay with me for sure and is an example of how the unexpected can happen when you least expect it.

    (Slight Spoiler)

    I know that the guy who did what he did to Sam had learning difficulties and I know he didn't know or atleast it seems he didn't but I am glad he is locked away for Sam's sake and Mrs Gallagher I know was protecting her son but with the knowledge he had been looking at such material I feel she should have done more to ensure that her son at the very least knew good touch bad touch especially if he had the initiative to hide those magazines from her. I just wanted to give Sam the biggest hug when I read he was crying his nightmares, I know them well I hope Sam is still thriving and with his siblings making the most of life, and if Casey should ever read this you are a superhero a human one and for what it's worth you haven't just helped the kids you helped by writing your books you have helped others too Thank You
    Report