You know how people often say that they couldn’t put a book down? And you probably think, “yeah, right.” Well I couldn’t put this book down. And knowing it was based on a true story made it even more riveting. Do be aware that this is a difficult subject, so while it was riveting it wasn’t fun, easy reading.
Author Liz Tolsma does a fantastic job of bringing her characters, both good and bad, to life. It’s incredible to think about people doing the awful things that Georgia Tann did. But in reality those things happened and this story brings the horror of 1932 Memphis to light.
I found myself emotionally pulled into this story and I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction based on truth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Author
rosie
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is not at all what I had expected. This was a difficult book for me as so many emotions came to the surface as I read.
I had never heard of Georgia Tann or her corrupt agency known as the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. What a horrible tale of deception, greed, terror and loss. Although this is a novel, it is based on factual events that took place between 1924-1950.
I had to put this book down and walk away a number of times because of the intenseness of the storyline, but then I had to know what happened next. The characters haunted me. I wanted to do something to help them. I wanted a happy ending for everyone but knew in reality that wouldn’t be, nor was it so in this novel.
Liz Tolsma has done a very good job making her characters real, believable and memorable.
I hope R.D. and Darcy get a story of their own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
tumcsec
3 years ago
1933 Memphis and children and babies are being snatched from their parents by a cruel, money grubbing woman. Pure evil exists and continues with the help of a politician, judge and lawyer, all crooked. This is true history involving Georgia Tann and Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. She has fooled many people into thinking she’s doing a great job of saving children from abuse and poverty at the hands of their parents. When actually she’s kidnapping or stealing children right from under the parent’s noses.
Although a fictional character in the story, Cecile Dowd represents many real parents who did have their children stolen. Cecile finds her three year old daughter missing at the hands of Tann and begins a long search with many dead ends. Aiding her search is Percy, a lawyer that originally was working for Tann, but had a change of heart.
Cecile and her plight had me in heart pounding mode most of the time. Deathly danger followed anyone that was thought to be in the way of the adoption schemes. I found myself staying up late reading and nail biting to find out the outcome. Will Cecile succeed in finding her daughter or will death come her way?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Author
melandres
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is a fictional telling of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home. Set in 1932, young, widowed Cecile is doing her best to provide for her three-year-old daughter Millie. While trying to find a job, her neighbor calls the children’s home, thinking that they can provide better for the little girl and give Cecile some time to get on her feet. Georgia Tann takes Millie, forges Cecile’s signature to turn over custody, and she disappears.
The fact that this is a true-crime story is simply unbelievable. This was a dark time in our history and The Pink Bonnet tells the account well! The characters are quite enjoyable. I appreciated Cecile’s I’ll-never-give-up attitude. She worked tirelessly to find her daughter, continuing on even when it seemed a lost cause. Percy Vance, previously Tann’s lawyer, helps Cecile using connections that he has formed. His character turns pretty quickly from believing the best about Tann to helping find Millie. All in all I enjoyed this story and learning a bit more about this horrible event in history.
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook through NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author
pamelamorrisson
3 years ago
I grew up just outside of Memphis shortly after Boss Crump and Georgia Tann’s reign. I remember hearing my parents and grandparents talking about Georgia Tann and even speculation about an adopted uncle who may have come from the Tennessee Children’s Home. We never found out for certain and everyone who may have known are long gone. After reading The Pink Bonnet as well as Lisa Wingate’s novel about Tann, I am thankful that her infamous days of power were over by the time my sisters and I were born.
The Pink Bonnet is a page-turner that I did not want to put down until I reached its end. Although I probably had a bit more interest in it than some due to knowing the city intimately, the story was both poignant and encouraging. I particularly liked how determined Cecile was to get her daughter back, even to the point of placing her own life in danger. Percy was even more inspiration as he put his own life and job on the line when he realized just how corrupt his employer was. It was heart-breaking to learn how these children were taken from their parents and literally sold to anyone who could pay the price with no concern at all how they would be treated. Although a happy ending was doubtful for Cecile, I was pleased with how her story ended.
Those were truly dark days for Memphis but I couldn’t help but think about all the missing children and child trafficking in our current society and wonder if there are powerful individuals controlling that industry today.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Author
cathycermele
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is the second book in the True Colors a series of Historical Crimes written by different authors so they each standalone. I plan on reading each of the books as they release because so far they have both been so good.
In this novel, author Liz Tolsma tells the true story of Georgia Tann who ran an adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee from 1924 to 1950. Unfortunately the children she took were taken without their parents permission or knowledge. I have to admit that I was unaware of this corrupt practice she and others were engaged in and it really made me so angry and sad that this happened.
Young widowed Cecile Dowd and her three year old daughter, Millie stole my heart as they fall prey to this horrible practice and are suddenly separated from each other. The author wrote the emotions of both mother and daughter so realistically that I teared up several times while reading this well crafted story. We meet several really horrible characters in this book but there are a few good ones who I liked so much and who helped Cecile as she searched for her child.
I quickly got caught up in the storyline as the search continued to find Millie and the pure love Cecile had for her as she searched tirelessly for her.
I loved the action and suspense that had me sitting on the edge of my seat as the search continued and had me turning pages as fast as I could. If there are any readers out there looking for historical stories of true crimes or a great book in general, I highly recommend this one because it truly well worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
lucym
3 years ago
In true Tolsma style you will find yourself swept into the past and facing the horrendous crimes committed by Georgia Tann and her cohorts. Ms. Tolsma weaves a fictional story of hope amid the true crimes that took place between 1924-1950 in Memphis, TN. The character of Cecile will have you shedding tears, as your heart breaks with hers over the loss of her daughter and the quest to find her. Full of suspense with romance and a subtle faith thread woven together into a picturesque tapestry of words. This book will transport you into the past and give you insight into the historical aspect of American Crime. It is a bitter pill to swallow that someone could be this cruel and never suffer the consequences. I throughly enjoyed reading this well written account and the author’s notes are an added bonus.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Author
tsl9snodgrass
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is a fictionalized account of the infamous Georgia Tann, who ran the Tennessee Children’s Home and destroyed an incredible number of lives. From the late 1920s to 1950, Tann stole, kidnapped and took by any means necessary thousands and thousands of children from poor families and sold them to those who wanted children, mostly wealthy parents, some she sold cheaply to farmers for slave labor. It was an incredible time in our history. I am pretty sure that no parent ever found and got back their child from Tann. She had many politicians and those in power in her pocket and when she was on the brink of being prosecuted, she died and avoided a prison sentence. This book carries a story line of one woman who fights to get her daughter back and does. That is not the reality of this situation, but it’s a good novel, nonetheless. I highly recommend Lisa Wingate’s ‘Before We Were Yours’, a fictionalized novel based on this event as well, but extremely well done. Both these novels are worth the read.
*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Author
cassiesbooksjanew
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is Christian Historical Suspense Fiction. Liz Tolsma has written an important book about the painful subject of black market adoption. Her compelling story involves the illegal kidnapping and adoptions by Georgia Tann and others during the 1930’s. This story is tragic, full of action, mystery, crimes, thrills, but most of all faith, hope and love. The main characters grow in faith as their dependence on God grows.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Author
kaitlynspet
3 years ago
Liz Tolsma’s The Pink Bonnet: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime was a very shocking book. It is a fictional depiction of The Memphis Children’s Home Society and the director Georgia Tann. A young widow’s child is abducted under the guise of placing the child in a better home. The mother begins a search for her daughter only to find that her daughter is one of many children abducted illegally and sold to others. Hard to believe in Twentieth-Century America that these types of kidnappings took place. Unbelievable, eye-opening book. Would definitely recommend to those who like historical fiction and books based on true crimes.
Author
pattistep53
3 years ago
I’ve read several books about Georgia Tann In both fiction and non-fiction categories. They were written either from the viewpoint of the adopted child or as a news account of how Mrs. Tann got away with her adoption scandal. This novel, although fiction, gives voice to the heartbreak of the mothers who lost their children through the evil manipulations of Mrs. Tann. Liz Tolsma has written a thriller of a story as Cecile Dowd fights to recover her three year old daughter, Millie, who was kidnapped and taken to Mrs. Tann’s orphanage.
There are so many emotions encountered when reading this book: despair, sorrow, and outrage over the injustice shown to the parents trying to recover their children. The legal system was a complete disaster when it came to these children. But there’s also courage, faith and hope and this is what lifts this story to another level. This book has plenty of action. The tension builds as the story progresses and it’s not until the final pages that we find out what happened to little Millie.
This is a great entry into the “Historical Stories of American Crime” series. I liked the author’s notes at the end of the book and felt that those notes added to the authenticity of the story. It’s very realistic-feeling fiction and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you join in the search for this child.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Author
margueritemartingray
3 years ago
As the terrifying, tragic story unfolds, my heart breaks for the mothers who lost children during this kidnapping adoption scheme. How could that have happened in the United States? How does evil happen anywhere? That element lurking in man’s capable soul is real if not defeated.
Liz Tolsma masters the role of storyteller while guarding the truth. Even when the truth is horrifying. Well done.
Author
carolynbryant
3 years ago
As a Liz Tolsma and a True Colors series fan, I knew I would not be disappointed in this read. I was right! This emotional page-turner held me captive from the first line to the last! Even though the book was short, I felt that I got to know the characters and could feel their frustration, anxiety, ambivalence, and fear caused by the actions of one evil woman Georgia Tann and her corrupt cronies.
Child abuse is never easy to read about. Ms. Tolsma vividly depicts the real life atrocities of Tann’s kidnapping and selling children; however, her descriptions are heart-wrenching but not graphic. The focus is more on a mother’s love, concern, and desperate search for her stolen child. This fictional story, based on real-life people and events, shows extensive research; and the judicial corruption of 1930s America is realistically portrayed. A fast-moving plot, diverse characters, and an encouraging faith element make this a suspenseful, entertaining read. I highly recommend this book, series, and author.
Note about the True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime series: The books do not have to be read in order.
Author
deborawilder
3 years ago
This is an incredible fictional story based on true crime!
I love both Cecile Dowd and Percy Vance. They are so well developed that I felt like I truly came to know them. Their relationship was forged in the midst of a intense trial that changed their whole lives.
The plot captured my attention from the very beginning. My heart broke for all of the women whose children were taken by Georgia Tann. She was truly evil personified.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Author
erikal
3 years ago
This is an excellent book by Liz Tolsma. I am new to her books and was very satisfied with this book.
“The Pink Bonnet” deals with a very sad and difficult topic. The kidnapping and selling of children to the highest payer. The fact this book is based on true events is both interesting and disturbing.
Miss Georgia Tann poses as a loving, caring, and compassionate person. In reality she is cruel and deceptive. She runs the “Tennessee Children’s Home Society”. She has corrupt judges in her pocket to aid in illegal adoptions to unsuspecting families. She is a woman who is a truly evil.
The book mainly Focuses on Cecile Dowd who is struggling to care for three year old Millie. One day Cecile comes home to find Millie gone. She was left with a neighbor who allowed Miss Tann’s team to take her.
The book focuses on Cecile’s struggle to find Millie and bring her home. You will not be disappointed in this book.
Author
deana3452
3 years ago
Love books that make me look into more about the topic.
Author
martaaldrighetti
3 years ago
Memphis 1932,
“So what happens with Millie now?” “She’ll be placed with a much more suitable family”
A charity organization kidnapped children to sell to wealthy families,a lawyer and a mother search and try to discover
Secrets, favors, break the law, help and save children, liars, pain.
The book shows the reader how much a mother loves her children, how much pain she has when something happen to them, how a mother
seems in need of help but she is strong, full of love, restless, determined to do the right thing for the youngers.
If everyone shows other people a bit of love, help, right, the world could be better.
Thank you to Liz Tolsma author, Barbour Publishing, Netgalley.
Author
abigailkayharris
3 years ago
My Review:
My Rating: 4 stars.
My Thoughts: WOW!!! I am heart broken by this story!
While I enjoy historical fiction this one is based on true stories, and this is one scary story. Kids just disappearing from their homes? Yeah, I had no idea that it had been so bad during the Great Depression. The blurb doesn’t even begin to show the true horror in this book, yes, it’s about a mother searching for her kidnapped daughter but it’s so much more. It’s about standing up even when it doesn’t feel like you can, it’s about trusting God to bring you peace, in all this was a dark story that ended with hope.
Since it is dark I suggest that 17 up read it with caution, and 16 can possibly read it if someone that you trust screens it first. It is a very insightful story of a dark time in the not too distant past and things like this do happen still.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
swissgranny
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is based on real-life injustices committed by Georgia Tann and other corrupt individuals from 1924 to 1950 in Tennessee. She ran an adoption/children’s home business supposedly providing “orphans” for people looking to adopt, but many of the children were stolen off the streets or otherwise obtained illegally.
This story is fiction told from the point of view of a mother whose child was stolen. I had a hard time getting fully invested in the book, as it felt a little choppy and disjointed to me. At times I felt the action was forced and didn’t flow well, and some of the scenes seemed unrealistic. That said, Tolsma did a good job of describing some of the horrors that occurred under Tann’s reign of terror.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
iolagoulton
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is part of Barbour Publishing’s new true crime series, which makes this statement from the front matter a little laughable:
“This book is a work of fiction … Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.”
Um, no. The Pink Bonnet is a fictional story based on the real-life Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, and her kidnapping and sale of babies and children in adoption between 1924 and 1950. Tann was aided in as many as 5,000 illegal adoptions by a lawyer, a judge, and a mayor.
Anyway …
I’ve previously read Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, a dual timeline story which dealt with one fictional family broken by Georgia Tann’s misdeeds, so I knew The Pink Bonnet was going to touch on the tough subject of adoption. Liz Tolsma was an excellent choice to write this story, as she’s an adoptive parent herself, so understands some of the issues firsthand.
The Pink Bonnet is the story of widow Cecile Dowd, whose three-year-old daughter is handed over to Georgia Tann by her neighbour, who was babysitting Millie Mae while Cecile ran an errand. Cecile will do anything to get her daughter back, but soon finds that logic and law aren’t on her side.
She needs help—which comes in the form of Percy Vance, one of Georgia Tann’s lawyers. Vance has his own reasons for supporting Tann’s adoption crusade. He begins to doubt Tann’s motives when he realises Mrs Dowd isn’t the uncaring and ignorant mother Tann portrayed.
This turns The Pink Bonnet into what could have been a run-of-the-mill romantic suspense chase to find Millie May. Instead, the author adds a layer of complexity by introducing two families who have recently adopted girls from Tann—girls they soon come to love. Is Millie one of these girls? Which one? And what will happen if and when Cecile Dowd finds her daughter?
There are no easy answers. I’ve read one previous novel in Barbour’s true crime series, The White City by Grace Hitchcock, the story of America’s first serial killer. In some ways I found that easier to read, because the author had injected touches of humour which kept the book from becoming too dark.
The Pink Bonnet had no such light-hearted moments, which increased the tension almost to the point of being unbearable (especially as I knew Georgia Tann was an evildoer who really did ruin thousands of lives). But it’s also an excellent novel that wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions about adoption.
The story is timely, given the news stories of ICE officials taking suspected illegal immigrants into custody—including reports of children being taken on their way to or from school … something Georgia Tann was known to do.
Overall, The Pink Bonnet is a well-written and thought-provoking story, but one that might hit too close to home for some readers given the subject matter. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
You know how people often say that they couldn’t put a book down? And you probably think, “yeah, right.” Well I couldn’t put this book down. And knowing it was based on a true story made it even more riveting. Do be aware that this is a difficult subject, so while it was riveting it wasn’t fun, easy reading.
Author Liz Tolsma does a fantastic job of bringing her characters, both good and bad, to life. It’s incredible to think about people doing the awful things that Georgia Tann did. But in reality those things happened and this story brings the horror of 1932 Memphis to light.
I found myself emotionally pulled into this story and I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction based on truth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
The Pink Bonnet is not at all what I had expected. This was a difficult book for me as so many emotions came to the surface as I read.
I had never heard of Georgia Tann or her corrupt agency known as the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. What a horrible tale of deception, greed, terror and loss. Although this is a novel, it is based on factual events that took place between 1924-1950.
I had to put this book down and walk away a number of times because of the intenseness of the storyline, but then I had to know what happened next. The characters haunted me. I wanted to do something to help them. I wanted a happy ending for everyone but knew in reality that wouldn’t be, nor was it so in this novel.
Liz Tolsma has done a very good job making her characters real, believable and memorable.
I hope R.D. and Darcy get a story of their own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
1933 Memphis and children and babies are being snatched from their parents by a cruel, money grubbing woman. Pure evil exists and continues with the help of a politician, judge and lawyer, all crooked. This is true history involving Georgia Tann and Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. She has fooled many people into thinking she’s doing a great job of saving children from abuse and poverty at the hands of their parents. When actually she’s kidnapping or stealing children right from under the parent’s noses.
Although a fictional character in the story, Cecile Dowd represents many real parents who did have their children stolen. Cecile finds her three year old daughter missing at the hands of Tann and begins a long search with many dead ends. Aiding her search is Percy, a lawyer that originally was working for Tann, but had a change of heart.
Cecile and her plight had me in heart pounding mode most of the time. Deathly danger followed anyone that was thought to be in the way of the adoption schemes. I found myself staying up late reading and nail biting to find out the outcome. Will Cecile succeed in finding her daughter or will death come her way?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
The Pink Bonnet is a fictional telling of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home. Set in 1932, young, widowed Cecile is doing her best to provide for her three-year-old daughter Millie. While trying to find a job, her neighbor calls the children’s home, thinking that they can provide better for the little girl and give Cecile some time to get on her feet. Georgia Tann takes Millie, forges Cecile’s signature to turn over custody, and she disappears.
The fact that this is a true-crime story is simply unbelievable. This was a dark time in our history and The Pink Bonnet tells the account well! The characters are quite enjoyable. I appreciated Cecile’s I’ll-never-give-up attitude. She worked tirelessly to find her daughter, continuing on even when it seemed a lost cause. Percy Vance, previously Tann’s lawyer, helps Cecile using connections that he has formed. His character turns pretty quickly from believing the best about Tann to helping find Millie. All in all I enjoyed this story and learning a bit more about this horrible event in history.
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook through NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
I grew up just outside of Memphis shortly after Boss Crump and Georgia Tann’s reign. I remember hearing my parents and grandparents talking about Georgia Tann and even speculation about an adopted uncle who may have come from the Tennessee Children’s Home. We never found out for certain and everyone who may have known are long gone. After reading The Pink Bonnet as well as Lisa Wingate’s novel about Tann, I am thankful that her infamous days of power were over by the time my sisters and I were born.
The Pink Bonnet is a page-turner that I did not want to put down until I reached its end. Although I probably had a bit more interest in it than some due to knowing the city intimately, the story was both poignant and encouraging. I particularly liked how determined Cecile was to get her daughter back, even to the point of placing her own life in danger. Percy was even more inspiration as he put his own life and job on the line when he realized just how corrupt his employer was. It was heart-breaking to learn how these children were taken from their parents and literally sold to anyone who could pay the price with no concern at all how they would be treated. Although a happy ending was doubtful for Cecile, I was pleased with how her story ended.
Those were truly dark days for Memphis but I couldn’t help but think about all the missing children and child trafficking in our current society and wonder if there are powerful individuals controlling that industry today.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
The Pink Bonnet is the second book in the True Colors a series of Historical Crimes written by different authors so they each standalone. I plan on reading each of the books as they release because so far they have both been so good.
In this novel, author Liz Tolsma tells the true story of Georgia Tann who ran an adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee from 1924 to 1950. Unfortunately the children she took were taken without their parents permission or knowledge. I have to admit that I was unaware of this corrupt practice she and others were engaged in and it really made me so angry and sad that this happened.
Young widowed Cecile Dowd and her three year old daughter, Millie stole my heart as they fall prey to this horrible practice and are suddenly separated from each other. The author wrote the emotions of both mother and daughter so realistically that I teared up several times while reading this well crafted story. We meet several really horrible characters in this book but there are a few good ones who I liked so much and who helped Cecile as she searched for her child.
I quickly got caught up in the storyline as the search continued to find Millie and the pure love Cecile had for her as she searched tirelessly for her.
I loved the action and suspense that had me sitting on the edge of my seat as the search continued and had me turning pages as fast as I could. If there are any readers out there looking for historical stories of true crimes or a great book in general, I highly recommend this one because it truly well worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
In true Tolsma style you will find yourself swept into the past and facing the horrendous crimes committed by Georgia Tann and her cohorts. Ms. Tolsma weaves a fictional story of hope amid the true crimes that took place between 1924-1950 in Memphis, TN. The character of Cecile will have you shedding tears, as your heart breaks with hers over the loss of her daughter and the quest to find her. Full of suspense with romance and a subtle faith thread woven together into a picturesque tapestry of words. This book will transport you into the past and give you insight into the historical aspect of American Crime. It is a bitter pill to swallow that someone could be this cruel and never suffer the consequences. I throughly enjoyed reading this well written account and the author’s notes are an added bonus.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
The Pink Bonnet is a fictionalized account of the infamous Georgia Tann, who ran the Tennessee Children’s Home and destroyed an incredible number of lives. From the late 1920s to 1950, Tann stole, kidnapped and took by any means necessary thousands and thousands of children from poor families and sold them to those who wanted children, mostly wealthy parents, some she sold cheaply to farmers for slave labor. It was an incredible time in our history. I am pretty sure that no parent ever found and got back their child from Tann. She had many politicians and those in power in her pocket and when she was on the brink of being prosecuted, she died and avoided a prison sentence. This book carries a story line of one woman who fights to get her daughter back and does. That is not the reality of this situation, but it’s a good novel, nonetheless. I highly recommend Lisa Wingate’s ‘Before We Were Yours’, a fictionalized novel based on this event as well, but extremely well done. Both these novels are worth the read.
*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is Christian Historical Suspense Fiction. Liz Tolsma has written an important book about the painful subject of black market adoption. Her compelling story involves the illegal kidnapping and adoptions by Georgia Tann and others during the 1930’s. This story is tragic, full of action, mystery, crimes, thrills, but most of all faith, hope and love. The main characters grow in faith as their dependence on God grows.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Liz Tolsma’s The Pink Bonnet: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime was a very shocking book. It is a fictional depiction of The Memphis Children’s Home Society and the director Georgia Tann. A young widow’s child is abducted under the guise of placing the child in a better home. The mother begins a search for her daughter only to find that her daughter is one of many children abducted illegally and sold to others. Hard to believe in Twentieth-Century America that these types of kidnappings took place. Unbelievable, eye-opening book. Would definitely recommend to those who like historical fiction and books based on true crimes.
I’ve read several books about Georgia Tann In both fiction and non-fiction categories. They were written either from the viewpoint of the adopted child or as a news account of how Mrs. Tann got away with her adoption scandal. This novel, although fiction, gives voice to the heartbreak of the mothers who lost their children through the evil manipulations of Mrs. Tann. Liz Tolsma has written a thriller of a story as Cecile Dowd fights to recover her three year old daughter, Millie, who was kidnapped and taken to Mrs. Tann’s orphanage.
There are so many emotions encountered when reading this book: despair, sorrow, and outrage over the injustice shown to the parents trying to recover their children. The legal system was a complete disaster when it came to these children. But there’s also courage, faith and hope and this is what lifts this story to another level. This book has plenty of action. The tension builds as the story progresses and it’s not until the final pages that we find out what happened to little Millie.
This is a great entry into the “Historical Stories of American Crime” series. I liked the author’s notes at the end of the book and felt that those notes added to the authenticity of the story. It’s very realistic-feeling fiction and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you join in the search for this child.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
As the terrifying, tragic story unfolds, my heart breaks for the mothers who lost children during this kidnapping adoption scheme. How could that have happened in the United States? How does evil happen anywhere? That element lurking in man’s capable soul is real if not defeated.
Liz Tolsma masters the role of storyteller while guarding the truth. Even when the truth is horrifying. Well done.
As a Liz Tolsma and a True Colors series fan, I knew I would not be disappointed in this read. I was right! This emotional page-turner held me captive from the first line to the last! Even though the book was short, I felt that I got to know the characters and could feel their frustration, anxiety, ambivalence, and fear caused by the actions of one evil woman Georgia Tann and her corrupt cronies.
Child abuse is never easy to read about. Ms. Tolsma vividly depicts the real life atrocities of Tann’s kidnapping and selling children; however, her descriptions are heart-wrenching but not graphic. The focus is more on a mother’s love, concern, and desperate search for her stolen child. This fictional story, based on real-life people and events, shows extensive research; and the judicial corruption of 1930s America is realistically portrayed. A fast-moving plot, diverse characters, and an encouraging faith element make this a suspenseful, entertaining read. I highly recommend this book, series, and author.
Note about the True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime series: The books do not have to be read in order.
This is an incredible fictional story based on true crime!
I love both Cecile Dowd and Percy Vance. They are so well developed that I felt like I truly came to know them. Their relationship was forged in the midst of a intense trial that changed their whole lives.
The plot captured my attention from the very beginning. My heart broke for all of the women whose children were taken by Georgia Tann. She was truly evil personified.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
This is an excellent book by Liz Tolsma. I am new to her books and was very satisfied with this book.
“The Pink Bonnet” deals with a very sad and difficult topic. The kidnapping and selling of children to the highest payer. The fact this book is based on true events is both interesting and disturbing.
Miss Georgia Tann poses as a loving, caring, and compassionate person. In reality she is cruel and deceptive. She runs the “Tennessee Children’s Home Society”. She has corrupt judges in her pocket to aid in illegal adoptions to unsuspecting families. She is a woman who is a truly evil.
The book mainly Focuses on Cecile Dowd who is struggling to care for three year old Millie. One day Cecile comes home to find Millie gone. She was left with a neighbor who allowed Miss Tann’s team to take her.
The book focuses on Cecile’s struggle to find Millie and bring her home. You will not be disappointed in this book.
Love books that make me look into more about the topic.
Memphis 1932,
“So what happens with Millie now?” “She’ll be placed with a much more suitable family”
A charity organization kidnapped children to sell to wealthy families,a lawyer and a mother search and try to discover
Secrets, favors, break the law, help and save children, liars, pain.
The book shows the reader how much a mother loves her children, how much pain she has when something happen to them, how a mother
seems in need of help but she is strong, full of love, restless, determined to do the right thing for the youngers.
If everyone shows other people a bit of love, help, right, the world could be better.
Thank you to Liz Tolsma author, Barbour Publishing, Netgalley.
My Review:
My Rating: 4 stars.
My Thoughts: WOW!!! I am heart broken by this story!
While I enjoy historical fiction this one is based on true stories, and this is one scary story. Kids just disappearing from their homes? Yeah, I had no idea that it had been so bad during the Great Depression. The blurb doesn’t even begin to show the true horror in this book, yes, it’s about a mother searching for her kidnapped daughter but it’s so much more. It’s about standing up even when it doesn’t feel like you can, it’s about trusting God to bring you peace, in all this was a dark story that ended with hope.
Since it is dark I suggest that 17 up read it with caution, and 16 can possibly read it if someone that you trust screens it first. It is a very insightful story of a dark time in the not too distant past and things like this do happen still.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is based on real-life injustices committed by Georgia Tann and other corrupt individuals from 1924 to 1950 in Tennessee. She ran an adoption/children’s home business supposedly providing “orphans” for people looking to adopt, but many of the children were stolen off the streets or otherwise obtained illegally.
This story is fiction told from the point of view of a mother whose child was stolen. I had a hard time getting fully invested in the book, as it felt a little choppy and disjointed to me. At times I felt the action was forced and didn’t flow well, and some of the scenes seemed unrealistic. That said, Tolsma did a good job of describing some of the horrors that occurred under Tann’s reign of terror.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Pink Bonnet is part of Barbour Publishing’s new true crime series, which makes this statement from the front matter a little laughable:
“This book is a work of fiction … Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.”
Um, no. The Pink Bonnet is a fictional story based on the real-life Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, and her kidnapping and sale of babies and children in adoption between 1924 and 1950. Tann was aided in as many as 5,000 illegal adoptions by a lawyer, a judge, and a mayor.
Anyway …
I’ve previously read Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, a dual timeline story which dealt with one fictional family broken by Georgia Tann’s misdeeds, so I knew The Pink Bonnet was going to touch on the tough subject of adoption. Liz Tolsma was an excellent choice to write this story, as she’s an adoptive parent herself, so understands some of the issues firsthand.
The Pink Bonnet is the story of widow Cecile Dowd, whose three-year-old daughter is handed over to Georgia Tann by her neighbour, who was babysitting Millie Mae while Cecile ran an errand. Cecile will do anything to get her daughter back, but soon finds that logic and law aren’t on her side.
She needs help—which comes in the form of Percy Vance, one of Georgia Tann’s lawyers. Vance has his own reasons for supporting Tann’s adoption crusade. He begins to doubt Tann’s motives when he realises Mrs Dowd isn’t the uncaring and ignorant mother Tann portrayed.
This turns The Pink Bonnet into what could have been a run-of-the-mill romantic suspense chase to find Millie May. Instead, the author adds a layer of complexity by introducing two families who have recently adopted girls from Tann—girls they soon come to love. Is Millie one of these girls? Which one? And what will happen if and when Cecile Dowd finds her daughter?
There are no easy answers. I’ve read one previous novel in Barbour’s true crime series, The White City by Grace Hitchcock, the story of America’s first serial killer. In some ways I found that easier to read, because the author had injected touches of humour which kept the book from becoming too dark.
The Pink Bonnet had no such light-hearted moments, which increased the tension almost to the point of being unbearable (especially as I knew Georgia Tann was an evildoer who really did ruin thousands of lives). But it’s also an excellent novel that wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions about adoption.
The story is timely, given the news stories of ICE officials taking suspected illegal immigrants into custody—including reports of children being taken on their way to or from school … something Georgia Tann was known to do.
Overall, The Pink Bonnet is a well-written and thought-provoking story, but one that might hit too close to home for some readers given the subject matter. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.