On 12th February 1993, Denise's life changed forever. As she was running errands at New Strand Shopping Centre, she let go of her two-year-old son's hand to take out her purse. Denise never saw her son again.

In this extraordinary and heart-wrenching audiobook comes the unflinching account of that terrible day from James Bulger's mother, Denise. What if she had never taken James shopping? What if she had turned right coming out of the butcher's instead of left? Would she have seen her son being led out of the centre by two children?

Denise's initial hope - of seeing her son on CCTV with other kids - quickly turned to devastation when, two days later, James' body was found. His murder shocked the world, as his killers became the youngest convicted murderers in the UK. Denise then took up a tortuous legal battle for James, and it was her astonishing strength and love for her son that ultimately helped to change the way the law treats victims of crime.

This is a mother's tale of finding a way through the despair to remember the happiness and wonderful memories that James brought his family. Above all, Denise doesn't want her son to be remembered as a murdered child, and with this beautifully written audiobook she does just that.

Listening Length

6 hours and 36 minutes
Author

Denise Fergus
Narrator

Siân Polhill-Thomas
Audible release date

1 February 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
ASIN

B0785XBGF4
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	6 hours and 36 minutes
Author	Denise Fergus
Narrator	Siân Polhill-Thomas
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com.au Release Date	01 February 2018
Publisher	Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0785XBGF4
Best Sellers Rank	20,608 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) 2,069 in Biographies & Memoirs (Audible Books & Originals) 2,333 in Memoirs (Books) 7,190 in Humour & Entertainment (Books)

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4 star		8%
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2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Scarlettheartt

Heartbreaking

Reviewed in Australia on 12 January 2020

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I think I’ve read every book published about James Bulger’s tragic death but this one, written by James own mother is a celebration of that little boy’s life rather than being about his tragic death. Denise does talk about James’ death obviously but she intersperses anecdotes and memories about James into her narrative that make him a real little boy and not just a grainy image of him being led away by his murderers. I was so glad to know something of Denise’s life after losing James. It’s doesn’t feel right to call it a happy ending but I’m thankful Denise has been able to find love (with her new husband) and also as a mother of two boys. One can only wish her the best for a happy future.

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Rosey

Beautiful

Reviewed in Australia on 21 March 2020

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So heartfelt...a testament to a mum that won’t give up on her son.
So open and real..rest in peace James

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Book Addict Shaun

and put everything else aside and attempted to have a happy life with her husband and children

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2018

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‪I Let Him Go was a difficult read in places, but I can only applaud and feel deep admiration and respect for Denise Fergus in sharing her story. Over the years so much has been written about her which is simply untrue and here she has been able to set the record straight. She has only ever fought for justice for her son, and put everything else aside and attempted to have a happy life with her husband and children. She is a remarkably brave and inspirational woman and this book has only proven that further. ‬

‪I am just a few months older than James Bulger would be now. My mum and me would go shopping each week to the Strand shopping centre where the abduction took place, even days before it happened and James’s resting place is just down the path from where my grandad’s is. Even as a young child I was told and was aware that this resting place was for a very special boy. Whilst there aren’t many people in the UK that don’t know about this case, there’s certainly nobody in Liverpool that doesn’t know about it and I think everybody (at least those of us with feelings and sanity) shares in the disgust and disbelief at the government cover-up still to this day to protect these two evil killers, one of whom continues to find himself back in prison. How is it justifiable to let this man read evidence from Denise and see her via video link and yet she must remain oblivious about his protected life? At times the book made me shake with anger at what I was reading, but ultimately the message to be taken is how much work is still to be done on changing the law and that is what Denise will continue to fight for and I find it extremely admirable. ‬

‪This is a highly emotional read throughout that brought me to tears multiple times. Denise talks with searing honesty and having watched her in multiple interviews, and only days ago on Loose Women, I found myself reading this book with her voice in my head. Denise talks about meeting Ralph, falling in love and having James and despite heartbreak with delivering their daughter who had sadly died, they went on to have James who just sounded the most delightful child (however Denise does point out how incredibly mischievous he could be!) At times I could have been reading stories from my own mum so similar were they to the mischief I used to cause at that age. It’s even more heartbreaking reading about her joy at being a mother to James when I knew what was coming up in subsequent chapters. Reading about those scenes, the disappearance and then the arrest of two children and then their trials just filled me with dread, made me feel sick and just made tears stream down my face.‬

‪It’s remarkable to read about how Denise coped and got through a time no person should ever have to face. The strength and determination shone through and it was wonderful to read about how her life was effectively saved when she found out she was pregnant with Michael. I loved the parts of the book where Michael spoke about the love and protectiveness he feels towards his mum, and about how they as a family talk about James everyday. How she met and fell in love with Stuart is wonderful too. Denise has said she doesn’t want James to be remembered as a murdered child but to be remembered for the happy and loving boy that he was, and that’s certainly what I have taken from this book. The love she has for James, her family, her children and her husband just shines through throughout the whole book and I feel incredibly happy that she has been able to achieve this within her life after such a tragedy. Despite not knowing Denise personally it’s hard not to be affected by something like this that happened so close to home. ‬

‪The story of James Bulger is one that people will never forget, but I think it’s important that people really support Denise and her family in raising awareness and in following her campaigning work and to sign petitions where they can. To sign a petition takes not even 5 minutes but it can have such a huge impact on what Denise is fighting for. Look her up on Twitter, follow the case and put your name to the fight. It can be achieved and with the determination of people like Denise and her family it will one day be achieved. She also has a charity set up in James’s name and I am already thinking of ways that I could perhaps fundraise for it and make some small impact. I love everything that it stands for. I know that a small portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards it and so I highly recommend that people go out and purchase this book. Yes it is an emotional read but it is so much more than that. Denise and her family are remarkable people and through the writing of this book she has ensured that the memory of her beautiful son will live on and that he will never be forgotten.

251 people found this helpful

jay grange

No words

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2018

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I cried from start to finish, i cant ever begin to imagine what denise went through or is going through. It sickens me to the core that one of these men could be a neighbour,work collegue or friend and we would never know! I think its disgusting they were given new identities, they should ROT!

74 people found this helpful

Corrie-dee W.

for this heart-wrenchingly honest account of any parents worst nightmare. A living hell that no-one can comprehend

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2018

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Totally heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, just make sure you have a big box of tissues on hand, for this heart-wrenchingly honest account of any parents worst nightmare. A living hell that no-one can comprehend. How a parent can get through this pain is unimaginable, but what makes this worse is the parents are fighting a soft touch justice system that makes a mockery of law-abiding citizens. It certainly appears these killers quite literally have got away with murder. Made worse by the fact the courts have protected these evil kids who have not been punished adequately for their crime and have placed the perpetrators needs and their guarantee of lifelong anonymity even though one of the culprits has re-offended not just once but twice who is out on license and despite this and have received a lifelong ban from returning to places ie Liverpool where they were both banned from visiting. It certainly is proof that the perpetrators' needs have been placed way above that of the victim and their families whose lives have been ruined forever. And justice has still not been served for the families of James Bulger. Shocking story that will raise your passions and ignite the anger once again.

25 people found this helpful

jkl

... do you say about a book written by a wonderful mother with a broken heart

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2018

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What do you say about a book written by a wonderful mother with a broken heart. ? What a beautiful child James seemed to be. Time does not heal EVER but Denise has found some peace she will never get over James. The biggest cruelty for her is the way the courts have dealt with the 2 murderers. It is disgraceful. The police worked so hard but some in the legal system are devoid of humanity. As a Christian ( like Denise) i know beautiful James is in Heaven with God. Sadly justice has not been done on earth for these 2 murderers but one day they will STAND BEFORE A HOLY GOD AND TRUE JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED. Am so glad Denise has a great extended family a great husband and her sons. Thankyou for having the courage to write this book Denise. I am just another mother of an autistic child. You will teach many about adversity through this book and your courage to confront those group of people who are devoid of empathy . They belong to the group of people who think they know it all ,mostly untouched by pain or suffering.. x mgt Belfast

16 people found this helpful

Dixie Nix

A privilege to read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2020

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Some events that don’t involve you personally happen; and they leave a mark on you forever. I was only 9 years old when James was murdered. And I still remember the news about it. I still remember the copies of the tabloid newspaper with the VHS “Child’s Play 3” saying burn all the copies of it because that’s the blame for this tragedy. Something small like that is etched in my mind forever, I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for James’ family. Firstly, I feel that the fact Denise wrote this book about her boy and allowed us to get to know him is a real privilege, he may have only been two when he was murdered...but what an amazing joyful boy he was. I can’t even imagine what it could have been like for Denise and her family. She amazes me with her strength, she’s never had any therapy or counselling she’s just worked with her family as a unit to pull through the most awful time of her life. I think her strength and bravery is inspiring. I love how she doesn’t talk too much about Thompson and Venables after their arrest or their interviews - she keeps the balance of power in her own way.
The nation grieved with her then, and we will always be behind her and wishing her well and all the best in her future. I heard the wonderful news she is about to have her first grandchild, I feel delighted for her and hope she has the happiness she deserves. This book was fantastic. It’s words from Denise as she would speak, I almost felt like I heard her speaking to me telling her story. Sending you all the love in the world Denise and thank you for sharing your memory of James with us.

6 people found this helpful

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