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Hurting Too Much: Shocking Stories from the Frontline of Child Protection
Detective Sergeant Harry Keeble's bestselling books, Baby X and Little Victim described his early years in Hackney's Child Protection Unit, as he battled to get to grips with cases of unimaginably horrific child abuse. In Broken Angels, a more experienced Harry relates a series of extraordinary cases he encountered with Ella, a young and newly qualified social worker.Together, Harry and Ella faced the violence of forced marriage, the horror of maternal incest and the cruelty of child slavery. Their investigations took them into a mosque, a drug den and a recording studio. Just as the unrelenting caseload threatened to push the inexperienced Ella over the edge, Harry uncovered one of the most shocking cases of child abuse he'd ever encountered, forcing the duo to tread new ground in the search for justice.Broken Angels reveals why working in Child Protection has never been so tough. It also shows why, despite the fact that so many courageous people are ready and willing to meet impossible challenges, we are still unable to reach all of the broken angels that so desperately need our help.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 16, 2012
Time taken to read - 1.5 days
Blurb From Goodreads
Detective Sergeant Harry Keeble's best selling books, Baby X and Little Victim described his early years in Hackney's Child Protection Unit, as he battled to get to grips with cases of unimaginably horrific child abuse. In Broken Angels, a more experienced Harry relates a series of extraordinary cases he encountered with Ella, a young and newly qualified social worker.
Together, Harry and Ella faced the violence of forced marriage, the horror of maternal incest and the cruelty of child slavery. Their investigations took them into a mosque, a drug den and a recording studio. Just as the unrelenting caseload threatened to push the inexperienced Ella over the edge, Harry uncovered one of the most shocking cases of child abuse he'd ever encountered, forcing the duo to tread new ground in the search for justice.
Broken Angels reveals why working in Child Protection has never been so tough. It also shows why, despite the fact that so many courageous people are ready and willing to meet impossible challenges, we are still unable to reach all of the broken angels that so desperately need our help.
My Review
This is my first encounter with this author although there have been previous books on a similar subject. Detective Sergeant Harry Keeble works in the Child Protection Unit investigating cases of neglect and abuse. Ella is a new social worker and finding her feet in the job and some help from Harry.
This is a great book for educating people and giving a small insight into what exactly goes on in these kind of cases. It is a milder version of the true stories that are selling a lot just now but this one doesn't give lots of horrific details (although there is enough so you are in no doubt as to what has happened). It jumps around to different cases and follows Ella's progress whilst settling into the job and how Harry feels she is doing. The cases we do hear about in the book are brief so you are pulled down with too much details but enough to keep you reading.
I liked the way the book is written and how it doesn't just focus on the horrific details but still gets across how dire some of these situations are and how the police and social worker are dealing with (and as budget allows). It was certainly an eye opener and I also found myself being educated on some cultures and religions and the politics that these workers get caught up in trying to keep the children safe. It also has some contact links at the back and the authors email address for anyone who has experienced the issues mentioned in this book and would like to reach out. 3/5 for me and I would read this author again.
Blurb From Goodreads
Detective Sergeant Harry Keeble's best selling books, Baby X and Little Victim described his early years in Hackney's Child Protection Unit, as he battled to get to grips with cases of unimaginably horrific child abuse. In Broken Angels, a more experienced Harry relates a series of extraordinary cases he encountered with Ella, a young and newly qualified social worker.
Together, Harry and Ella faced the violence of forced marriage, the horror of maternal incest and the cruelty of child slavery. Their investigations took them into a mosque, a drug den and a recording studio. Just as the unrelenting caseload threatened to push the inexperienced Ella over the edge, Harry uncovered one of the most shocking cases of child abuse he'd ever encountered, forcing the duo to tread new ground in the search for justice.
Broken Angels reveals why working in Child Protection has never been so tough. It also shows why, despite the fact that so many courageous people are ready and willing to meet impossible challenges, we are still unable to reach all of the broken angels that so desperately need our help.
My Review
This is my first encounter with this author although there have been previous books on a similar subject. Detective Sergeant Harry Keeble works in the Child Protection Unit investigating cases of neglect and abuse. Ella is a new social worker and finding her feet in the job and some help from Harry.
This is a great book for educating people and giving a small insight into what exactly goes on in these kind of cases. It is a milder version of the true stories that are selling a lot just now but this one doesn't give lots of horrific details (although there is enough so you are in no doubt as to what has happened). It jumps around to different cases and follows Ella's progress whilst settling into the job and how Harry feels she is doing. The cases we do hear about in the book are brief so you are pulled down with too much details but enough to keep you reading.
I liked the way the book is written and how it doesn't just focus on the horrific details but still gets across how dire some of these situations are and how the police and social worker are dealing with (and as budget allows). It was certainly an eye opener and I also found myself being educated on some cultures and religions and the politics that these workers get caught up in trying to keep the children safe. It also has some contact links at the back and the authors email address for anyone who has experienced the issues mentioned in this book and would like to reach out. 3/5 for me and I would read this author again.
September 13, 2012
If I have a reading vice at all, it's a sneaky fondness for books about children rescued from miserable circumstances. I feel a little bit ashamed of this, because children have to have been in trouble in the first place for me to enjoy reading about them getting rescued from it, and of course I would never wish that on any child. But still, it's fascinating and moving to see how dedicated and caring professionals can transform the lives of children who have been abused or neglected.
The story is told by Harry Keeble, an appealing and dynamic tough-guy cop who has turned down the chance to advance in the macho world of drug-busting because he was determined instead to protect the children of his London borough. He joins the much-derided 'Cardigan Squad' (Child Protection) and soon finds himself working in close collaboration with social services - given a much more positive portrayal here than it often is - and investigating a huge range of child protection cases, across the whole social and class spectrum. It's fascinating, there is usually a positive outcome for the children and families involved, and Keeble himself is a very likeable character.
I've read this book - and its couple of sequels - before, and it definitely stood up well to a re-read. If you don't find the subject matter too upsetting, then I certainly recommend it as educational, highly readable and (though maybe it shouldn't be...) entertaining.
The story is told by Harry Keeble, an appealing and dynamic tough-guy cop who has turned down the chance to advance in the macho world of drug-busting because he was determined instead to protect the children of his London borough. He joins the much-derided 'Cardigan Squad' (Child Protection) and soon finds himself working in close collaboration with social services - given a much more positive portrayal here than it often is - and investigating a huge range of child protection cases, across the whole social and class spectrum. It's fascinating, there is usually a positive outcome for the children and families involved, and Keeble himself is a very likeable character.
I've read this book - and its couple of sequels - before, and it definitely stood up well to a re-read. If you don't find the subject matter too upsetting, then I certainly recommend it as educational, highly readable and (though maybe it shouldn't be...) entertaining.
September 4, 2013
I have read other books by Harry Keeble (e.g. Terror Cops), and they are hugely entertaining, as you get an insiders view on areas you don't usually get to see. I can't say I enjoyed this book, as the subject matter was extremely depressing, which I should have expected really. Well written and engaging, but rather short, and leaves you rather sad.
January 2, 2017
I own several other books by "Harry Keeble" and also happen to work in exactly the same field as him, covering the same region in East London. Although I agree with much of the general sentiment of the book and can relate to a lot of it, I can't help but feel that this is an overly-dramatised account with unrealistic dialogue which is truly cringeworthy at times. Something of an insight into child protection, but the narrative holding it together lets it down.
May 21, 2017
Keeble comes across as an honest, down-to-earth detective who really cares about the child victims he deals with. He's a tough guy with a gentle heart. A good pacy read. Shocking but not uncommon types of child abuse cases. Just wish 'the system' was as functional in real life as depicted here... especially the role of social services and the courts.
May 20, 2018
Wow what an amazing book. Feel bad giving it a 5 stars due to the stories being sad and hard to believe, but was really interesting to find out more about what goes on in child protection cases. It certainly gives the readers the opportunity to find out in more detail the day to day jobs of social workers and those that work in Child protection. Harry and Ella both do an absolutely amazing job protecting all those kids and young individuals that need protection.
I found the book really interesting as social work is a career that takes my interest and may pursue in the future, so reading what Ella had to do in her job and the kind of things she had to do was really intriguing. I found Ella brilliant when interviewing the children that were being abused as I can imagine this being hugely difficult for anyone, particularly when newly qualified. I think Harry did an amazing job at supporting her through all of it too!
Although it is quite a difficult read at times, I would really recommend giving it a read if social work/child protecting is an area you are interested in and want to know more about. Of course, from the book you cant find out the whole picture but its certainly a good starting point.
My goal is to read the other books wrote by Keeble, as I really enjoyed the read. Thanks for publishing! Does anyone recommend any other similar stories? If so would love to know some suggestions,thanks! x
I found the book really interesting as social work is a career that takes my interest and may pursue in the future, so reading what Ella had to do in her job and the kind of things she had to do was really intriguing. I found Ella brilliant when interviewing the children that were being abused as I can imagine this being hugely difficult for anyone, particularly when newly qualified. I think Harry did an amazing job at supporting her through all of it too!
Although it is quite a difficult read at times, I would really recommend giving it a read if social work/child protecting is an area you are interested in and want to know more about. Of course, from the book you cant find out the whole picture but its certainly a good starting point.
My goal is to read the other books wrote by Keeble, as I really enjoyed the read. Thanks for publishing! Does anyone recommend any other similar stories? If so would love to know some suggestions,thanks! x
December 17, 2017
Shocking Testimony
This book is unbelievably sad, and yet has a strain of hope. I was shocked at how rife sexual predators are. There were stories of justice and others where the guilty were difficult to punish. The writer appeared to be a man of compassion and ethics. Some cases were incredibly sad and others where the outcome was a more satisfactory result. This book should open the public's eyes to the dangers confronting the children of this country.
This book is unbelievably sad, and yet has a strain of hope. I was shocked at how rife sexual predators are. There were stories of justice and others where the guilty were difficult to punish. The writer appeared to be a man of compassion and ethics. Some cases were incredibly sad and others where the outcome was a more satisfactory result. This book should open the public's eyes to the dangers confronting the children of this country.
January 2, 2019
Oh my word this book is fantastic, harrowing and insightful all at the same time it shows you all the different sides to the social services and child protection.. a really good read and makes you think
July 13, 2018
true stories from a policeman working on child protection found it a bit patchy confused and not easy to follow could be good ok to dip into but could be much better written
December 16, 2018
Not very well written
The content itself was interesting, but I found the writing hard to follow and boring at points. An ok book but I won’t be reading anymore of Harry’s work
The content itself was interesting, but I found the writing hard to follow and boring at points. An ok book but I won’t be reading anymore of Harry’s work
August 15, 2019
A great insight into the work done by the child protection unit and social services. Though the individual cases are heart breaking. I will be looking out for more of his books in the future.
February 15, 2020
Hurting too much
Really found this informative and interesting. Learning about the work of a police child protection officer. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
Really found this informative and interesting. Learning about the work of a police child protection officer. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
March 7, 2021
Very emotional read with an overview of the work of Child Protection.
Both Harry and Ella do an amazing job.
A very interesting and sad account of life today for children 😢 😞
Both Harry and Ella do an amazing job.
A very interesting and sad account of life today for children 😢 😞
November 11, 2023
Well written and hard to put down
March 2, 2024
Keeble does write as if he is single handedly dealing with stuff alone, against the advice of superiors. Lots of me, me, me with a dash of " poor kids"
March 5, 2012
this book was a an eye opener bout how every case is individual ut they r pro social services which isnt suprizing but lets face it there is another side to this child prostution and abused kids that in some case dye by the hands of police and social services its ok to talk about the system its another to admitte they got it worng on many occasions and they fact the social worker was a new really said it all i do fully understand they everytime a child goes in 2 care theres at least a 1000 waiting and buget ect but hang on why are some kids taken and others because of culture is dissmissed in the book it talks about a jewish baby whose got circumised n the man who did it wasnt train n sucked the boys blood off his willy Y ON EARTH IS THIS NOT CLASSED AS ABUSE and why did the mum who went on HOLIDAY LEAVING HER 10 YR OLD TO FEND FOR HERSELF AND SIBLING GET ANOTHER CHANCE im disgusted
March 4, 2019
‘Hurting Too Much’ is a deeply sad and moving account of little Harry and Ella who endure a horrible childhood, with as the author describes as ‘one of the most alarming cases of child abuse he’d ever witnessed’. This tale is certainly that. Harry puts the account across very well, making this easy to read despite the awful subject matter. It gives a good insight into what it’s really like to work in the frontline of child protection, and how harrowing it is to be involved in such cases. This is a fascinating read, and I hope Harry and Ella have gone on to achieve great things despite the great adversities they have endured.
October 5, 2014
I've read a number of books similar to this over the years, hence why this one received such a low mark on the scale. It's not that it's not a good book because it is, giving a more in depth look at the pressure on the likes of social services as they try their best to do what's right for children, it's just that there are many out there that are even better, or even more powerful and hard hitting.
May 30, 2012
It was interesting to hear about the frontline of children's services. But I really am starting to hold an irrational loathing for ghost written books. They always so tabloid in their style, and oddly impersonal. :0(
April 10, 2012
really rather interesting to see 'inside'. makes for a shocking read rather than an upsetting one because I can easily read these books very objectively.
August 6, 2013
love the book hurting too much
February 6, 2014
Loved it
April 23, 2016
Heartbreaking
May 30, 2016
highly recommended and much better than Baby X.
November 23, 2016
Hmm I really shouldn't read books like this, I don't like them but always forget that when I start one. I can't think of anything really to say.
January 16, 2017
brilliant read.
March 23, 2017
Despite the fact that everything that happened in this book was unimaginably horrific, this was a very eyeopening and compelling book. This book follows a child protection worker (Harry Keeble) through his cases that he has pursued and the struggles that these situations have had on him, his family and his fellow co-workers. Throughout this journey with Keeble, a lot of taboo topics are discussed. The fact that this book was only published in 2012 surprised me so much due to the fact that the situations in this book aren't ones you would expect to still be happening. In all, this was a book that will stick with me for a long time and has made me truly appreciate that I had such a great childhood.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews