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Jennifer Hanning

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What Happened To Polly (The Hamilton Sisters Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jennifer Hanning (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 250 ratings

Book 1 of 3: The Hamilton Sisters

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Carmel Hamilton makes a selfish decision, resulting in the kidnapping of her little sister, Polly. The situation is further exacerbated when the girls' mother sustains dreadful injuries, following the reappearance of a man from her past. The blame for the disintegration of the Hamilton family weighs heavily on Carmel's young shoulders. Shunned by her father and older sister, she plunges into the depths of guilt and misery, growing up believing she will never again be deserving of love. Instead, she pours her energy into building wealth, while using men for her own means.
Ellis Towers makes it his mission to break the chains that bind her heart. He finds the key to unlock the Hamiltons' deeply buried secrets – but what he discovers could further destroy Carmel's entire family. Polly is closer than anyone imagines. What Happened to Polly is a powerful story of love and despair, and of hope and redemption.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Just as Carmel does to Polly, I once tied my little sister to a fence so that I could go on a fairground ride. My sister was shocked when I told her years later and said, "What if someone had have taken me?"

I spent many sleepless night after that, pondering the question and trying to fathom how many lives would have been changed forever--some ruined. So I decided to write what could have happened, which was quite therapeutic.

Thank goodness my sister was still tied to the fence when I returned from my ride and I was able to write this story as fiction.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006OU2NNM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jennifer Hanning (January 15, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1142 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 312 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,563,238 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #5,903 in Theater (Kindle Store)
- #7,317 in Drama & Plays (Kindle Store)
- #29,736 in Dramas & Plays

Customer Reviews:
4.2 250 ratings

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Jennifer Hanning

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In one way or another I have been a writer ever since I could hold a crayon. After many years as a technical writer in the software development industry, I now enjoy a perfect balance between teaching yoga/meditation classes and creating my stories.

Some of my novels were inspired by real life events, others are pure fiction from my imagination.

Moongolly has a supernatural theme but is also firmly grounded to Earth. The spirit world of Harmonia is one step from Earth, a world with many Earthly attributes. The characters are diverse and colourful and storyline is unique. On my website there are many reviews from when Moongolly was first published in paperback. One of my favourites... "Some will find answers in this book, others will simply enjoy an enchanting story."

What Happened to Polly is a mystery drama revolving around a once-normal family. This story evolved after I suffered nightmares as an adult about what could have happened to my little sister following a selfish act of mine many years ago. Thankfully, I got to write What Happened to Polly as fiction. After many requests, I wrote a sequel... and then another.

I am in my element when writing, researching, and creating hours of entertainment and relaxation for people. If you like my stories, I'd love to hear from you -- jen@jenniferhanning.com

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4.2 out of 5

250 global ratings

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LOCKSIE

Engaging!

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2012

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When youngster Camel, walked in on a strange man having an altercation with her mother inside her home, she is quickly ushered out and told to take her younger sister Polly to the neighborhood fair and stay until she is called back home.
But at the fair, all Polly can talk about is ice cream and Carmel wants to go on a ride which Polly is too young for.

Carmel makes a quick selfish decision that unbeknownst to her will end up being the biggest mistake of her life!! Meanwhile back at home, events are reaching distressing levels, and upon Carmel's return her family's life will never be the same as she is faced with a question she cannot answer, "What happened to Polly?"

Suspenseful, intriguing, and emotional, as Carmel is put through a deep emotional ringer that author Jennifer Hanning did a great job of portraying! The story spans a number of years and we see the changes in the sisters' personalities as the time moved on, and how guilt played a big part of their adult lives. I wondered about the father, as very little was revealed of what he truly thought of the situation with his wife and daughters.
Carmel's boyfriend's invention was a little over the top, but it fit in with the story and worked.

This is one of those books you'll get emotionally involved in and will want to cut to the end to see if all turns out OK but yet; you won't want the story to end.

Bravo Jennifer Hanning, I totally enjoyed this story!
A recommended read!!

4 people found this helpful

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Jess

Easy to keep reading...

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2013

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Sometimes you come across a book that's written in a way that you just keep reading it. Though it wasn't to the point of not being able to put it down, it definitely kept you interested. It was a nice, light read while I was travelling.

Without giving too much away, I will try to give an idea of the plot. The majority of the book is as a first person narrative of a girl (later a woman) who's family suffers two terrible tragedies in one day. Carmel, the main character, lost her toddler sister at the local carnival. She returns home runs her mother suffered a brain trauma while she was out with the younger sister Polly (whom she had lost). Her mother was moved to a nursing home due to her vegetative state. The story goes on to follow Carmel into her adult life and her struggles. Though the story itself sounds depressing, it was lighthearted enough to not be overbearing.
I did very much enjoy the book, but only gave 4 stars because it is a lighter novel without much intellect necessary on the reader's part

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A really good read!

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2012

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I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were fleshed out and the story was very good. You really felt bad for Carmel (and Daisy/Polly). There was little swearing (that I recall) & not much in the sexual content so if you aren't crazy about that you don't have to worry. Doesn't bother me but I know it bothers some.

The characters and the story were very believable (and you can definitely imagine that the family dynamics could be just like this) except for mother/boyfriend story. I know that the story had to come together but what Carmel's boyfriend came up with was a little bit over the top and highly improbable; however, it was really sweet that he did what he did so I tried to overlook this;)

I look forward to reading any other books by this author.

5 people found this helpful

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Victoria

I really liked this!

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2012

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This is a great book. It kept me engaged and unhappy when my commute on public transportation was ending each day! I cared about the characters and felt like I knew each of them. The relatively surprise ending added a lot to an already great read. Nice going to the author. This is the first "free" book that I've downloaded, read, and kept on my Fire. Usually I read and delete or else start to read and delete. I can actually see myself reading this again some time. Thank you!

26 people found this helpful

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Dreamed of

had some good insights into people

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2015

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This is the first fictional book I have read in many years. It held my interest, had some good insights into people, relationships and the author's ability to have the narrator present facts regarding others without tainting the readers judgement, just using nudging and influencing incidents to help the reader arrive at a conclusion about the situation or the persons involved. Regardless of the conclusions derived, there were some interesting twists that kept my interest level engaged, but there was nothing earth-shattering that held me on the edge of my seat either. It was a good vacation, while-away-the-time on planes and in airports kind of book.

One person found this helpful

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Muffinhut

Complex Yet Simple

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2013

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I purchased this book for $0 on Kindle and found it to be clearly written with a pleasant lack of unnecessary rambling. I have a short attention span, yet I finished the book in a short amount of time (for me).

I won't write about the plot because I'm sure many other reviewers will do that. But be assured that as the story progresses, it becomes surprisingly complex without becoming confusing.

For me, there was no particular character that stood out; no one I liked more than the others. Quite simply, each character was a small part of a big puzzle. Everything tied together nicely in the end.

Oh, and if you are worried that this may be a gruesome story--it's not.

4 people found this helpful

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Linda

Great story!

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2013

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A story about a kidnapped 3 year old girl and the affect that it had on her family. The story revolves around the middle sister, who was watching the three year old at the time of the kidnapping and the guilt that she feels throughout her life. A wonderfully written story that is heartbreaking but hopeful all at the same time. The story spans a time of about 13 or 14 years, so you get a feel of how each family member is influenced by the event. Loved this book! Would read more from this author.

One person found this helpful

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La Luna

The mind, love and hope - a mystery

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2012

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This is a well paced book for 'eating'. Some stories tickle and tantalise and then draw you in deep - What Happened to Polly, is one of these. The Melbourne street-scape, the characters raw honesty and the dual tragedy which shapes the disparate lives of individual family members, all formed into a whole....beautifully. A story that haunts within and without. A second novel that is not in the shadow of the first but stands strongly in a genre of its own. That being said Moongolly should not be overlooked.

2 people found this helpful

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Patricia Pelosse

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2015

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Keeps you turning the pages, it keeps you hanging on each page

ElaineG

Read it and find out what happened to Polly!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2012

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This is a book you have to clear the decks for. It is going to be hard to describe without giving any of the story away but here goes .. At the start of the book Carmel is 10 years old and has been entrusted with looking after her 3 year old sister Polly. For just a few short minutes Carmel leaves her unattended and that is all the time it took for Polly to be snatched. The first part of the story deals with the aftermath - it seems to Carmel that the rest of her family is all blaming her, and indeed it does seem as if she is shunned by them and ostracised at school. As she grows up she is torn with guilt and pain for what happened and misses her sister terribly, and all the while never knowing what happened to her.

Eventually, she leaves home to start a new life, without her family (which by now is pretty dysfunctional) and through her own hard work and determination seems to make a success of her life. However, she never forgets the past and never totally comes to terms with what happened, and at the same time builds a huge wall around herself to try and protect herself from further hurt, only letting in her very special friends, including Ellis who really turns out to be the star of the show, so to speak!

And what did happen to Polly? Yes, you do find it, but you really have to read it yourself to find out. The second part of the book deals with what happened to her and it is a very moving story indeed. At times, there seems to be very sinister, chilling undertones to the story - you are literally kept on the edge of your seat wondering just what is going to happen.

The ending was a complete shock to me - and very ironic in a way, I was just left feeling a tiny bit disappointed that I had come to the end of the tale.

The book is very well written with great characters, a wonderful plot and dialogue - highly recommended to anyone.

8 people found this helpful

Trudie Haymer

A very interesting story

Reviewed in Australia on April 15, 2016

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I really enjoyed this book. It follows Carmel Hamilton who becomes a messed up adult after losing her little sister when she was only 10 years old. Her sister Polly was 3. The story has everything to keep the interest up and make you wonder what will happen next. It has mystery, drama and a bit of romance. Some parts had me laughing and I also shed a few tears while reading this book. I've just bought the other 2 in the series, Designs on Daisy and Almost a Widow.

Suze

A Summer Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2012

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I read this book whilst on holiday and it was very enjoyable. The reader is immediately drawn to the main character and roots for her in her relationships with her odd family, and also in her career. You really want her to succeed after everything she goes through.
Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy the book, I was thrown a bit by some of the events and their credibility in the real world. Nevertheless, it is a well-spun story, well-written enough to hold your interest and get involved with the main characters, so definitely worth reading - just suspend your cynicism and common sense for full enjoyment!

3 people found this helpful

Jonnyboy’s Reviews

Highly readable family drama / thriller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2012

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Polly is a small child who one day goes to the fair with her elder sister (also a child). She gets tied to a railing while the sister goes on a fairground ride. When she gets off the ride, Polly is gone. It's a frightening premise, and sadly a topical one too.

The author creates a very believable cast, especially the three sisters involved. They each have their own distinctive character and this is important as the reader jumps from character to character.

As we find out what happened to Polly, we watch the sister who tied her to the railing struggle with guilt and family secrets are unearthed. Relationships are pushed to breaking point. The fall out from the kidnapping is immense and fascinating to watch.

My only reservation is that one of the character's actions (I won't say which - no spoilers here!) slightly jar with their age at the time. I didn't quite believe that someone that young would behave in such a way. However, it's not too big an issue and certainly not major enough to reduce the star rating.

The book is a highly readable family drama / thriller and features characters I really cared for. By the time I finished the book (I read from 4 till 7 am this morning to help me get back to sleep but I ended up unable to stop reading!), I felt emotionally drained and it was something of a relief to leave the characters behind! But, it was all worth it and I highly recommend the book!

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What Happened To Polly (The Hamilton Sisters Book 1) Kindle Edition

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Jennifer Hanning

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