I have watched a documentary about the conman, Mark Acklom and was interested to read about the point of view of one of his victims, Carolyn Woods.
Acklom met Carolyn seemingly by chance in the shop she worked in. Carolyn was swept off her feet and Acklom tells her “My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up.” What follows is a whirlwind romance, but Carolyn ignores her family and friends misgivings and is totally convinced by Acklom and his increasingly outlandish claims.
“…there is a very strong desire in all of us to believe what we want to believe, and when hope is all we have left we cling on to it for dear life.”
Carolyn writes candidly about her time with Acklom and the absolutely devastating impact he had on her. Not only does he con her out of all her money, leaving her with nothing, he isolates her from family and friends and damages her mental health. A once confident, independent and happy woman, she’s left a shell of her former self.
I was shocked to read about how long it took to bring Acklom to trial and the awful treatment Carolyn received from the police.
The book is a very absorbing read and I read most of it in a day. The lengths Acklom goes to to lie and deceive are staggering and he definitely seems like a psychopath, as he has no genuine consideration for Carolyn or her feelings.
Carolyn has proved herself to be a determined and strong woman and she’s since managed to start a new life, focusing on the joy in every day. Photography is helpful to her and I can relate to this.
The only downside for me about the book is the cover and tag lines on the cover. At first glance it looks like a Fifty Shades of Grey/modern Mills and Boon type fiction. I wouldn’t pick up the book based on the cover and I think it does a bravely written book a disservice.
On the other hand, it may attract readers who think it’s a steamy fiction and reach a wider audience.
I raced through the book and would definitely recommend it. Carolyn writes well and it doesn’t feel like she’s looking for sympathy at all.
I hope she continues to find happiness in every day and think she’s very brave for writing the book.
Acklom met Carolyn seemingly by chance in the shop she worked in. Carolyn was swept off her feet and Acklom tells her “My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up.” What follows is a whirlwind romance, but Carolyn ignores her family and friends misgivings and is totally convinced by Acklom and his increasingly outlandish claims.
“…there is a very strong desire in all of us to believe what we want to believe, and when hope is all we have left we cling on to it for dear life.”
Carolyn writes candidly about her time with Acklom and the absolutely devastating impact he had on her. Not only does he con her out of all her money, leaving her with nothing, he isolates her from family and friends and damages her mental health. A once confident, independent and happy woman, she’s left a shell of her former self.
I was shocked to read about how long it took to bring Acklom to trial and the awful treatment Carolyn received from the police.
The book is a very absorbing read and I read most of it in a day. The lengths Acklom goes to to lie and deceive are staggering and he definitely seems like a psychopath, as he has no genuine consideration for Carolyn or her feelings.
Carolyn has proved herself to be a determined and strong woman and she’s since managed to start a new life, focusing on the joy in every day. Photography is helpful to her and I can relate to this.
The only downside for me about the book is the cover and tag lines on the cover. At first glance it looks like a Fifty Shades of Grey/modern Mills and Boon type fiction. I wouldn’t pick up the book based on the cover and I think it does a bravely written book a disservice.
On the other hand, it may attract readers who think it’s a steamy fiction and reach a wider audience.
I raced through the book and would definitely recommend it. Carolyn writes well and it doesn’t feel like she’s looking for sympathy at all.
I hope she continues to find happiness in every day and think she’s very brave for writing the book.