I confess...I'm a sucker for the kids. Although the story doesn't go into every gruesome detail, enough information is given to about break your heart. At least for 2 of the children mentioned in the book. The other 5, not so much. And it's that lack that 'bothered' me about this book. The remaining 5 were introduced and then more or less shoved into the background. It put me in mind of parents who play favourites with their children and it just didn't sit well with me.