Sweetie

From the author of Silent Sisters and Behind Closed Doors comes a fiction debut based on a true story

Jenny Tomlin is happily married and living in France. With continuing support from her two children Martine and LJ, she still loves to write and enjoys family life to the full. She champions the causes of those charities that fight to wipe out abuse in all its forms, these include Barnardo's, Refuge, Red Cross and Domestic Violence Units, amongst others. Her other works have been in non-fiction: Behind Closed Doors, Silent Sisters and Not Alone.

It is the summer of 1976, the hottest summer on record. 
 
In the heart of London's bustling East End lies a tight-knit community of families. They lead a very traditional way of life, the men are down the pub, the women are gossiping at the toddler group in the working men's club and the children stay out late in the long summer evenings, playing in the park and roaming the streets carefree. 
 
In the sweltering heat, Grace Ballantyne leaves her son Adam playing in his toy car in the garden. When she returns, she finds the door to the car open and her four-year-old son is nowhere in sight. As Grace frantically searches, panic creeps in and so the nightmare begins. 
 
A series of horrific assaults on young children spreads through the neighbourhood, each one more brutal; there is only so much this close community can take. As they cling to one another for hope and survival, the men beat up the school caretaker who they believe to be the perpetrator of this twisted abuse. But have they got the right man? 
 
Finally, it is the women who take control. In a battle to protect their families - and seek revenge - they make sure the attacker gets his just desserts.

Jenny Tomlin

A brutally disturbing story. Truely shocking.

Her story is horrifying and terrifyingly explicit in parts, but Tomlin's words are always believable.  Donna's spiral downwards is the stuff of nightmares and a warning to anyone who thinks they can handle a cocktail of drugs and love.  In parts I was almost too sickened to carry on - but I could not put it down. (5 stars)

Send Me No Flowers is the story of a young woman's fight for survival. 
 
Donna Stewart's family is poor but respectable and hard working. Donna is beautiful and clever - about to go up to university. Celebrating her exam results with her friends at a club, she meets Danny Lester, ten years older, much richer, a businessman - he sweeps her off her feet. Despite warnings from friends and family, Donna enjoys Danny's wild streak. She believes this is the man she will marry and live with happy ever after. But it gradually emerges that 'Danny the knife' is a dangerous criminal - and a sadist. She is introduced to a world of drugs and prostitutes, where Danny gets his kicks by terrifying her. The longer she leaves it, the harder it will be to escape. But eventually, helped by a loyal circle of female friends, she works out a plan.

Jenny Tomlin

Praise for Send Me No Flowers

A brutally disturbing story. Truely shocking.

Her story is horrifying and terrifyingly explicit in parts, but Tomlin's words are always believable. Donna's spiral downwards is the stuff of nightmares and a warning to anyone who thinks they can handle a cocktai ...

Books by Jenny Tomlin

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter