My Sister Milly

I was absolutely riveted by this book from beginning to end. It was so nice to finally hear from the Dowler family as to what happened from their perspective and I truly hope that no family have to ever suffer as they did through the wrongdoings of the police and the media. A lasting tribute to Millie x

This is a remarkable book for many reasons. It is a detailed account of the horrific ordeals (yes, there where more than one) that Milly Dowler and her family have endured. It is a shocking and coherent account of gross failings in the British legal system. This includes the endemic poor practice and frank incompetence of one Police Force, and even the criminal behaviour of some Police Officers involved in the investigation of the disappearance and murder of Milly. Shameful inadequacies in our Court's treatment of witnesses are also revealed. This is a remarkable book for many reasons. It is a detailed account of the horrific ordeals (yes, there where more than one) that Milly Dowler and her family have endured. It is a shocking and coherent account of gross failings in the British legal system. This includes endemic poor practice and frank incompetence of one Police Force, and even the criminal behaviour of some Police Officers involved in the investigation of the disappearance and murder of Milly. Shameful inadequacies are also revealed in our Court's treatment of witnesses. The book is also a brutally honest account of how Gemma and her parents coped with, and sometimes did not cope with, 14 years of repeated traumas.

I am shocked by very little these days. I have heard, and worked with a lot of horror in my own professional practice, and have been a keen reader of crime, both true and fiction, for many years. Nevertheless, this book left me with a knot in my stomach for virtually the entire 22 hours of it's length. Many times I felt real angry on behalf of this family, and many times, I cried for them. So much of it was truly heart-wrenching and the details of what happened to Milly were very tough to hear/read.

Ruby Thomas deserves a special mention here. Narrating this book must surely have been an experience that took her above and beyond the usual call of duty. Yet her narration is faultless. There are times when there is genuine emotion in her voice. She does not indulge in it, but the trace of it fits perfectly with the words she speaks and the experience of the listener.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those interested in the subject matter. However, anyone who may be triggered by accounts of abuse, would be best to avoid it.

I was compelled to read this as lived for many years in Walton on Thames and my mothers retirement party was in Walton on the day of Milly's abduction, so I felt I knew a bit about what happened, but did not know the truth and wanted to know more.

This is a warts and all tale heartbreaking and heart warming and is written so beautifully by Gemma. She has kept Milly's short life in the beautiful state it should be preserved in, untainted by the dreadful mess that Surrey police made of the investigations into her murder, the horrific hacking scandal and finally Bellfields confessions of what he did to Milly in her last hours.

How the Dowlers have come through this I do not know, their family strength and that of their friends support is magnanimous against the bitter sad individuals out there who did so much to undermine and destroy them.

RIP Milly and I wish the Dowler family all the best in life and thank you for sharing this story.

Love conquers all.

Just finished this audio book. I can safely say it is the most interesting, harrowing and love filled book I've ever read/listened to. What this family went through is beyond anything humanly survivable but they did it. And they did it with poise and dignity and they did it together. I am so proud of them even though I don't know them!

I bought the book first and read that almost without putting it down, the audiobook I've listened to while driving... Such a strong family, this book should never have been written or narrated, it's only through the loss of Milly that it has...

A hard story to tell. But very well written. Really explains the post traumatic shock disorder that happened and it's grip, and how hard it is to find treatment. Should be read by all police & barristers & Healthcare staff & press to understand how NOT to treat the family of a murder victim. The murder is bad enough especially since Millie could have saved if the police had searched for her that first night.

An unbelievably true and heart wrenching account of a tragic story. Gemma Dowler has done an amazing job off getting her family's story told. It's a difficult listen at times but there are really important issues and lessons to be learnt. What a brave inspirational and amazing family the Dowlers are!

Really interesting read tells you so much about the work of police in this situation and how important it is that they don't assume they know everything or that every case is the same what a lovely family.

Through the many hours that I have listened to this incredible book I have tried to think what I would write in a review nothing seems to do it justice. What an amazing family! Gemma what you have successfully done is to bring your beautiful incredible amazing sister to life for me. You have succeeded in replacing tragic Millie with a beautiful, loving and precious Millie in every way that you describe. I am heartbroken at what you and the family have had to go through with regards to Surrey police just completely disgusted. The way you were treated in court is just unbelievable. But Gemma I don't want to harp on about the way you've been treated I just want to say thank you for writing such a beautiful book and enabling everyone that reads it to see what an incredible family you are. With much love to you all

this shockingly sad account of Milly and her family and the trauma which befell them is so beautifully written. shame on the police. shame on the defence. and well done Bob Sally and Gemma and Lovely Granny for handing in there and seeing this all the way back to happiness.