Tears at Bedtime

by Tom Wilson, Andrew Crofts (Contributor)

At just six years old Tom Wilson fell prey to a predator of the worst sort. David Murphy was supposed to be his carer, instead he lifted his victims from their beds in the dead of night, and Tom was powerless to stop it.

Tom endured years of horrific abuse which led to years of silence and self-torture. He grew up to be a troubled man, stumbling through care homes, schools, borstal and eventually prison. The damage that was done to him in those early years had destroyed his life.

Then, one day, Tom read a newspaper article which unlocked the terrible memories he'd kept hidden for over forty tormented years. And a painful battle for justice began...

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Abuse

344 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2007

Reviews

[Maha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it and I would never be able to.

I am terribly sorry that anyone had or has to endure such pain and I salute Tom Wilson for his courage to tell us a story that not many people would have been able to tell and I wouldn’t blame them

I skimmed through the last chapters, hoping he earned justice. He did, but no justice is ever enough because he could never get back what was stolen from him. He was a warrior and I respect him for ever existing.

I am sorry, Tom Wilson because I will never be able to finish your story, I am not as brave as you, I never will be.
No one can ever be as brave as any child who had or still has to endure any form of pain.

[Eshel Quezada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at a local bookstore selling old or second-hand books. I got interested with this book when I read the short summary at the back of it. And what really interest me most is that it is a true story of a boy that fell prey to a predator of the worst sort.
My tears rolled down at some part of the story especially at the part that he is deprieved by love and attention or physically and emotionally needs at his very young and tender age by his irresponsible parents, in short he was a deprieved child.

I am furious and want to cut Murphy's throat to what he did to Tommy. Murphy's supposed to fill what Tommy's parents shortcomings. Tommy was like a ball passing throw to institution to another institution and he was like a bouncing ball with all those things he have been through.
And his mother is such a ruthless, he ain't suppose to experience or suffer all those things if only his parents are responsible, although how poor or hard their life is.

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a brave thing for the author to do, to come out with this not knowing whether or not he would be believed. I think that he did well addressing things that he knew he had to and being as honest as he could and I hope that he would live on to have a long and fruitful life and God be with him for he needs it. I hope others would not be afraid o read this book, for people should not shield their eyes from things that they don't like but not be afraid to see and know that there are monsters out there like the man that tormented this man as a child placed into his care. After all this book made me feel grateful for what I had and the fact that I was taken away form what I had before it could have left an impression on me and placed in a good family and household. After all I know that not all were like that and this book was able to open my eyes in so many arias.

[Morag Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting but ok

1st I would say the part of Kirkcaldy wasn't as rough as Tam made it out to be. Second I thought the book was more about Jocky. A was disapointed. Good book once you get passed all that

[Kelly Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very hard hitting and emotive, Made me feel a number of emotions during the book

Would recommend this to anyone who reads these sort of books but be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions

[Anosha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real sad read. How traumatic experiences and the lack of love shape a child's perspective and actions leading to adulthood.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but sad, kept me turning the pages. I however can't help but wonder what happened to the other characters, like Darren the son, especially him! Happy though that he got his justice. In my heart though I feel that wasn't good enough justice served. I mean it wasn't Murphy alone who was responsible. What about the social workers?

[Theweebarrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story about a boy who fell prey to a predator of the worst kind his carer. This is about a boy from my hometown and gave you an insight into the care system then and what it is like now. A very good book which i enjoyed although was disturbing

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read that kept me turning the pages. Made me cry at the thought of what happened to tommy and can make you angry at times that things like that actually happened to people. But i was happy that he got some sort of justice at the end and that he had a feeling of peace in his life.

[Jason Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult in places, moving

[Kristy Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad and disturbing book.

[David Beards · Rating 4 out of 5]

One man's powerful account of his journey through poverty, boy's homes, prisons, crime, broken relationships, and finally peace. Emotive, honest and written so as to be accessible to everyone.

[Trish Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

very sad life but he finally found love and peace

[Luis Aguirre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impactante historia del abuso infantil.

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad story and im glad he got some justice if you could call what he got justice. Such an awful thing to have to endure while being so young

[Zoë]

Sad story

Such a sad story and such a horrific thing to happen to someone so young. Glad he got some sort of justice

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrendous account of what people who should be trusted can do. Such courage to share his life x