Melanie Allen and her husband Rob had a dream - to adopt a special needs child, after being unable to conceive a second child, and provide a loving family environment for her. But her dream turned into a nightmare that would tear her family apart. To all appearances the adopted girl, Alex, was obedient, happy and charming but, over the course of five years, Melanie was left desperate by the undiagnosed behavioural condition of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) - a problem not uncommon in children who are neglected. Alex festered with the rage and hatred born out of her previous neglect. The symptoms were so bad that even Melanie's relatives didn't believe her when she told them about Alex.

She sought help from social services, but was herself accused of abuse and neglect, which went to court. Only a near fatal incident finally proved her innocence. Initially they put her problems down to learning difficulties as she couldn't distinguish colours or even dress herself, but Melanie discovered that they were being tricked, and that Alex was trying to control her own environment and not let loose any emotion.

This book takes us through the incredible story of how Alex destroyed their caring enviornment and eventually the marriage and even a subsequent foster family had problems. We hear of attachment disorders and the concept of negative attention. It also shows how the best minds in the country could not give asssitance and how the future for Alex now in a special unit looks bleak.