• My Sister Milly

  • By: Gemma Dowler
  • Narrated by: Ruby Thomas
  • Length: 22 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (288 ratings)

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My Sister Milly  By  cover art

My Sister Milly

By: Gemma Dowler
Narrated by: Ruby Thomas
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Publisher's summary

Penguin presents the audiobook of My Sister Milly by Gemma Dowler, read by Ruby Thomas.

This is Gemma Dowler's powerful account, as seen on The One Show and This Morning....

'My name is Gemma Dowler. On 21 March 2002, a serial killer named Levi Bellfield stole my sister and sent our family to hell....'

Everyone thinks they know the story of Milly Dowler.

Haunting headlines about the missing schoolgirl splashed across front pages. The family's worst fears realised when her body was found months later. The years of waiting for the truth, only to learn that the killer, known to the police, lived just yards from where Milly had vanished. The parents subjected to horrific psychological torture at a trial orchestrated by the murderer. And the shocking revelation of what journalists would do for a story - criminal acts that brought down a national newspaper.

But these bare facts hide the true story.

In My Sister Milly, Gemma Dowler shares the heartbreaking account of Milly's disappearance, the suspicions that fell on the family, the fatal errors made by the police, and the media's obsession that focused relentlessly on every personal, intimate and emotional aspect of the Dowlers' lives. It is the story of two stolen childhoods - Milly's and Gemma's - and about the love that kept the family together as they struggled with terrible darkness and injustice.

However, this book is a story of hope and recovery.

It's taken 15 years of pain for the family to find their voice. The family has worked hard and has received intensive therapy to recover from the trauma of Milly's murder. Their story shows that whatever suffering you endure in life, there is always hope, and there is always love.

Now, for the first time, Gemma tells their story and that of the real Milly. Above all, in this book the family want to bring back to life their incredible daughter and sister. Now, finally, the truth about Milly Dowler can never be denied.

©2017 Gemma Dowler (P)2017 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about My Sister Milly

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Shameful Investigation Added to This Family's Pain

This book shook me to the core. I was interested in the British justice system and it let this family down in a huge way.
I believe the Dowler family experienced the most horrific tragedy imaginable but that was only the beginning of their ordeal.
Without giving too much away I was floored at their treatment in the aftermath of losing their precious daughter and sister.
I feel that sweet Milly found peace the moment her life ended. Not even close for the people who loved her.
It angers me how the person who did this, a non-human in my mind was afforded so many rights while the family had NONE.
The person who is upmost in my admiration is Michelle, the therapist who literally brought Sally and Gemma back to life.
Gemma Fowler managed to write an incredibly beautiful tribute to her cherished sister and I loved hearing about her short but wonderful life.
They are such a strong family! I was continually amazed at how they kept it together for Milly.
This is a book I will never forget and Gemma, Milly,, their parents and Lovely Granny have made a lasting impact on my heart.
Gemma, I am so sorry for all you went through. Thank you for writing this. The power of love, as you said is greater than anything else. I wish you all the very best.
Narrator was great.

5 stars - should be more

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This account left me breathless - I hope it results in many positive ripples

I will be thinking about this hugely inspiring story of one family's long road back from their man made hell. And with such grace and courage. Well done, Gemma.

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9 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Sad Story

This is the harrowing account of the abduction and murder of a young girl who was snatched from the street in broad daylight. The appallingly incompetent police investigation was hampered from the outset by a preposterous tunnel vision that focused solely on the Dowler family, while unethical news hounds went to unthinkable lengths in pursuit of a scoop. It was this unsavoury press activity that propelled the story onto the international stage.

This book could have used some serious editing. The endless repetition of key events actually becomes tiresome, as does the constant examination of personal thoughts and family dynamics.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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VERY BEST TRUE CRIME AUDIOBOOK (in my opinion)

“I Know You By Heart” was the farewell song (by Eva Cassidy) played to Milly Dowler at the beautiful final service which took place in the Crematory following her abduction and untimely murder. When I heard about this private event while at my own home, I cried long and hard as if I had known her … ? … and yet I really did (though I live one wide ocean away)! So how did I fathom her essence enough to weep deeply? Via the extraordinary care with which her sister Gemma described her in this extraordinary memorial tribute called “My Sister Milly.” After just a few chapters written in raw emotion straight from Gemma’s heart, I was well acquainted with this phenomenal 13-year-old schoolgirl named Amanda (Milly) Dowler of Surrey, England: Such a happy, quirky, intelligent, loving, giggly, teasing, forgiving, caring, funny, vibrant, musical, creative, enchanting person she was! And we are reminded of her many positive attributes throughout uplifting recollections of her in this exquisite verbal portrait of Milly unveiled herein. This marvellous though also heartbreaking true story spans the legal trial of Milly’s abductor and the many other human trials which her long-suffering family endured (including local police, UK press, News Corporations) along the way in order to ultimately survive with triumph.

// PS. Re Milly’s father, Mr. Robert Dowler: Many people have a private sexual secret (so what! — there is NO shame in that) but most people do not wish to murder an innocent dear child!

PPS. Please do not be put off that this thorough book is long because it IS a very interesting story and does not drag at all for the most part (though I’ll admit that I chose to skim rather quickly through the handful of chapters about the hacking scandal). And at the finish, there’s a long list of persons the author thanks — I thought it smacked of prolonging saying goodbye but ended up welcome there, after all, as this built up to a remarkable final sentence befitting Milly.

(I cannot figure out where best to mention this so I’ll just tack it on here….Ruby Thomas’ perfect narration is/was A++).

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A worthwhile, yet excruciating listen

Well written. Perfectly narrated. Excruciating to listen to. There was one part that really upset me and I made myself keep listening. The author gives every single detail of the horrible experience she and her family dealt with following her sister's murder. If you are interested in the subject matter, this book will not disappoint you (I hesitate to use the term "enjoy"). A worthwhile, important book. Hard to listen to, but well done.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brought Me To Tears, and Rage, Many Times.

Exceedingly well-written book. For once, the whole impact of the survivors, family, friends is laid bare by a sister who truly loved/loves her murdered little sister, her mother, father, grandmother, extended family.

Truly, the Surrey police should be deeply ashamed of their very poor police work, their bullying, their lies,selling out to Rupert Murdoch with little or no regard for the family. In fact, they should be flayed in public, as should Murdoch and the murderer. I'd be happy to participate. It wasn't until the Surrey police were commanded by a new female commander that anything at all was done. The fact that the PM was cozy with the CEO of the offending Murdoch publications, neighbors, in fact made the hacking of phones including the murdered Milly's phone...as well as many other innocent victims..a whole lot easier as they had inside info from the police.

If I ruled the world (happily for them I do not), each of them would have a very slow, painful, public death. But before that I'd have QUALIFIED CSI go through their homes, phones, computers, the phones of their children parents, girl and boyfriends, everyone they were in contact with...and plaster everything in the newspapers, on YouTube, Vimeo, in fact I'd put up websites showing their dirty laundry. THAT is the impact the book had on me. Oh, and the murderer? I'd hire Stephen King to come up with a unique, horrible death for that turd.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very moving, touching story

One of most moving narratives I have ever read. Gemma puts us right inside her home with her and her family. A family that has endured and survived the very worst.

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Thank you to the author

I can’t imagine how difficult it is to lose a daughter, sister, grandchild, and niece. I can tell you that through this book I felt so emotional. This family is so loving and true. Thank you for giving of yourself to honor your family. I pray you are all well.

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The best memoir I have ever read.

Gemma did a beautiful job on telling her family’s story. I feel I know Milly and the Dowler family. What this family went through is unthinkable. If you like memoirs you won’t be disappointed.

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Breathtaking

A glimpse into the lives when the cameras are off. Loved EVERY word. Great great read

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