My Search for Madeleine
One Reporter's 14-Year Hunt to Solve Europe's Most Harrowing Crime
My Search for Madeleine One Reporter's 14-Year Hunt to Solve Europe's Most Harrowing Crime
Jon Clarke was the first journalist on the scene when Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007... and 14 years later he's still searching for the truth. This book charts his often-frightening journey from the Ocean Club holiday resort in Praia da Luz through many isolated parts of Portugal and Spain and finally into Germany. He meets numerous dark and unusual characters, some who live under the radar, and others who he believes hold the key to what happened to Maddie all those years ago. He points his finger firmly at the new prime suspect Christian Brueckner and explains, in detail and with the help of the people who knew Brueckner best, why he thinks he did it. He traces his grim upbringing, his ease of movement around Europe and also questions the integrity of the Portuguese police and asks if someone, somewhere is covering something up. With unrivalled access to official documents, exclusive interviews and confessions, no stone is left unturned as Jon searches for the truth, often putting himself in considerable danger in the process. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the case, or just someone planning a family holiday in Europe this year. WHAT THE CRITICS SAY SO FAR... "Tirelessly researched. Told me a lot of things I didn't know about the case" MARTIN BRUNT, SKY NEWS CRIME CORRESPONDENT "Jon is clearly about as steeped in the story as it's possible to be, and it's a fascinating account of the inner workings of what sounds like an extremely seedy place." SUSIE DOWDALL, DAILY MAIL "Jon Clarke is a remarkably experienced journalist who has dug deeply into the movements and life of German new-age traveler and fixated preferential sex offender Christian Brueckner, who should have been a prime suspect in 2007. "This book breaks a lot of new ground on the case and is a real investigative trawl and deep dive into the world of organized child traffickers... and he has interviews with all the key players from all over Europe. "It is an investigative man-hunt and Jon's book is compelling. He has a long heritage in the story and his crusade is journalistically sound and his journalistic instincts are sharp." DONAL MACINTYRE, TV PRODUCER AND INVESTIGATOR