Review of THE STEALING OF EMILY - Closed Material Procedures ('secret courts')

[Bethel Saint Bright]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "THE STEALING OF EMILY - Closed Material Procedures ('secret courts')" by Martin Newbold.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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"THE STEALING OF EMILY - Closed Material Procedures ('secret courts')" is a book that chronicles Martin Newbold's efforts to get his daughter, Emily, back from Northern Ireland to her real home in England. In this book, the author documents a series of letters and communications to relevant authorities to help him bring back his daughter. This battle between the author and the authorities has lasted for more than twelve years. Will Emily be returned to her father, Martin Newbold? Read this book to find out.

From the book's description and the author's comments, I discovered that this was the third in a series of books that the author used to share the challenges of gaining legal custody of his daughter. While this book focused on Emily, I also learned that there was another daughter the author mentioned he lost communication with (more details when you read the book). The author seemed to have been a victim of a system eroded by corrupt practices and seeming cover-up of irregularities. I could not help but empathize with the author's ordeal. How would a man be requesting information regarding his daughter for more than twelve years and not getting any reasonable response?

I liked that the author followed a systematic procedure to make his case. In this book, he showed readers every step he had taken in the harrowing journey of regaining custody of his daughter, Emily. There were verbatim presentations of letters he wrote to the authorities with dates (and times in some cases). In addition to that, the author did extensive research into the laws governing child custody. For instance, I got to learn about how the court in a child's original country decides the fate of a child who may have been kept away from their biological family for a long time.

As much as I empathize with the author, I did not agree with his accusatory and name-calling approach. For instance, accusing an agency of having a hand in the death of a social worker without evidence was going too far. Other instances of name-calling came off as unnecessary. This approach might throw off readers who stick to facts and not sentiments.

In addition to the approach I don't agree with, there are editing issues with the book. I can forgive the author's approach, as it is his prerogative. However, considering the editing, I rate the book a 4 out of 5. This book is for readers interested in understanding childcare services in the United Kingdom from someone who has long dealt with agencies responsible for them.

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THE STEALING OF EMILY - Closed Material Procedures ('secret courts')
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[Nyiko Nkuna]

Conservationist and champion for children's rights and justice reform, I am deeply passionate about both environmental preservation and social equity.

Thanks for the good story

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

Oh my! This seems like such a harrowing experience. I wonder what mountains the author had to club to be with his daughter and why he wasn't with her to begin with. I think the corrupt should be arrested as what they did was traumatising, setting aside that it was inhumane. Thank you for the review. I would like to see you write more. Kudos!

[Wen Casey]

Oh my God! The author must have been through a lot to get her daughter back. I'm sure there are many people who share the author's experience, if not worse.

[Princevic Ekeoma]

I think the author of this book exercised patience beyond what I can personnaly muster before I lose it with the authorities. 12 years is a long time to demand for documents from the government. It makes the government suspects and gives the air that they are hiding something. This must be an interesting book.

[Isaac Ozo-okafor]

I personally like to read book in series.. well in series. I like to start from the first and build up to the last. I see an interesting story here about a missing girl. I hope I don't release all my emotions reading this book.

[Ifeanyi Nwokike]

Reading your review, I also felt empathy for the author. That's a harrowing experience for any father to go through. Who knows how many more people are going through what the author went through?

[Bernard Ndubuisi]

I've always know that government is always involved in some corrupt practices and they cover-up some irregularities, especially when it doesn't affect the people in power. It's a shame the author had to be a victim of a corrupt system.

[Amarachi Stephanie Ejike]

Towards the end of your review, you said something about how the author was accusatory in his approach. Well, as a woman, I'm sure I must have done worse if I went through half of what the author went through to bring his daughter home. I understand the emotions the author poured out in the book.

[Gerry Steen]

How terrible to be separated from one's daughter. It is unacceptable that a country as advanced as England be dragging their feet on this issue. I'll have to read this story. Great review!