Don't Leave Me Here: Saskia’s true story of secrets, kidnap and abuse

by Maggie Hartley

A powerful, moving true story from Sunday Times bestseller, Maggie Hartley, Britain's most-loved foster carer

What possesses a mum to kidnap her own child? That's what Maggie asks herself when she's asked to foster 13-year-old Saskia.

Saskia has been the subject of a bitter custody battle between her parents, but when mum Rosa fears the courts are going to favour her ex-husband, James, she takes matters into her own hands. With Rosa facing criminal charges, and Saskia refusing to live with her dad, her future looks uncertain.

Will Maggie be able to step in and discover the bombshell that has torn this family apart?

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What possesses a mum to kidnap her own child? That's what Maggie asks herself when she's asked to foster 13-year-old Saskia, the subject of a bitter custody battle between her parents. When Saskia's mum Rosa fears the courts are going to favour her ex-husband, James, she takes matters into her own hands.

With Rosa facing criminal charges, and Saskia refusing to live with her dad, her future looks uncertain.

Will Maggie be able to step in and discover the bombshell that will tear this family apart?

[debbie day · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

Absolutely amazing book as usual such a sad but happy story I cried and smiled at the end. I read these books and can’t believe that someone can do that but this is reminder of some wrong people out there good luck saskia

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Maggie Hartley book. I’m so glad the truth came out!

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Leave Me Here: Saskia’s true story of secrets, kidnap and abuse. by Maggie Hartley.
Saskia is a 13 year old girl who was kidnapped by her mum and taken overseas … they are caught by the authorities and brought back .. the police want to take Saskia to her father who has 50% custody but why is she kicking up a fuss …
Maggie gets asked to take her .. Saskia is polite .. bright and no trouble really .. but Maggie can feel there is something that Saskia is not telling people.
Great story as things slowly get told of what has happened over the years.

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Maggie for sharing another well written story. Sad story, really felt for Sasika & her mother.

[ItzHayley Beanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in Asda after spotting it and after a read of the back it reminds me a bit of fostering but I'm not sure whether fostering is involved the back says from Britain’s best love foster carer a new and inspiring true story of secrets and hope, presumably A fostering experience.
Reading just the first chapter really gives you an insight into how foster carers must feel when children go missing and abscond from placements. Fostering Louisa when parents are killed in a car crash, then looking after PJ, before looking after Saskia
Saskia is kidnapped abused and taken overseas by her mum caught by authorities and brought back, Maggie looks after her until the truth unfolds surrounding her dad and she is reunited with her mum and returns to Spain.
I felt so sorry for what happened to Saskia and the abuse she suffered and not being able to get any answers for her questions. I'm so pleased everything worked out really well for Saskia and her mum Rosa.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

I read this story in one sitting between 9:30pm and 12:45am. I admire all foster carers for the roles they have to play in looked after children's lives. Yes sometimes, it's an "easy" case due to respite or care while a parent has hospital treatment but I'm sure each child must be stressed no matter the circumstances. The care and compassion along with their determination to help children through some of the most difficult times of their lives is remarkable. Maggie had always kept me captured to the story even when I've been in floods of tears. You are a remarkable woman.

[Marilyn Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has lots of twists to it and it keeps you gripped from the start until the end of the book. A great insight into control, coercion and betrayal. Also, that intuition can play a big part without having the knowledge beforehand. Maggie is, as always a true professional and it’s great to see the true understanding of fostering and that it isn’t always a smooth transition. Maggie is honest about the fostering experience.

[Joanne Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant 10 / 10

if you enjoy Foster carer books. This book is for you.

Two children are fostered in this book. PJ and Saskia.


Maggie books are so good, always read them within 2 days.

Maggie tells the true story's and doesn't drag them out.

don't what to write about the children as it would have spoliers.

[Desi Kleinczmit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds us that appearances can be deceiving and things aren’t always as they seem. Maggie highlights the importance of observing children's actions, not just words. This story shows that happiness doesn't always depend on wealth or possessions, sometimes it just depends on love and care. I cannot wait to read another book by Maggie.

[Rebecca Fowkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley. I couldn't put it down. I felt so sorry for what happened to Saskia and the abuse she suffered and not being able to get any answers for her questions. I'm so pleased everything worked out really well for Saskia and her mum Rosa.

[NICOLE · Rating 3 out of 5]

can read in an afternoon no problem.
was obvious a few pages in as always, sadly.
keep thinking I won't read her work but the quick satisfaction of reading a whole book so quickly and so soon after purchase is what makes me come back again and again.

[Elaine Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't leave me here

I loved this book, what an amazing job fostering a child means to the caretaker and the child. Maggie is great at what she does and how she can sympathize with the parent. It takes skills and commitment to do the job.

[Holly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks maggie for sharing this story!

As always your stories are such eye openers

Thanks!

[miss p r brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Wow what a page turned. I was so caught up in it that I couldn't put it down definitely a book worth reading. Maggie Hartley you are brilliant

[Mrs Judith Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

Another amazing book from Maggie Hartley. Gripping from the start. It's a must read, unable to put down. Thanks Maggie for another enjoyable read.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Don’t Leave Me Here – Maggie Hartley

Another powerful read from Maggie Hartley. She has such a way of pulling you straight into the child’s world, the fear, the longing, the hope without over-romanticising or sugar-coating.

This book reminded me why her memoirs resonate so much: raw stories of survival told with empathy and honesty. At times it’s heartbreaking, at times uplifting, but always authentic.

If you’re interested in books like this, we’ve been chatting about it in our Facebook group @ Fostering, Memoirs and Fiction Book Club — come join the discussion! 📚

[Lydia Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot!! I have to say not as good as Cathy Glass but still very engaging and a very easy quick read! Would definitely be interested to read more Maggie Hartley books!💗

3/5🌸

[John Bedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoyed reading this book as I always do with this author.it is always nice when things work out for children.well written as always.

[Eoin O’Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

was £2 in the works and i read it in like 3 hours but it was an emotionally fulfilling read x