April 2008: First talk of a book

Kate and Gerry McCann to write a book, 27 April 2008

Kate and Gerry McCann to write a book Sunday Mirror By Lori Campbell 27/04/2008 Anguished Kate and Gerry McCann are to write a book about their year of hell since little Madeleine disappeared. The couple are desperate to tell the truth of their ordeal and plan to publish a tell-all book with the help of a ghost-writer - with all proceeds going to the Find Madeleine Fund. They have had "countless" approaches by publishers and writers who want to help put their story into words and answer all the unfounded allegations they have faced. Next Saturday is the first anniversary of the day four-year-old Madeleine was snatched from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. As they prepare to mark the agonising milestone their official spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "It will be the family's story, the only official book. Kate and Gerry are both keen to put the truth of everything that has happened to them on record. "It will be a detailed account of their experience, from the pain of the night Madeleine was kidnapped, to being named as official suspects in the investigation." Kate and Gerry have been gagged by Portuguese secrecy laws which ban them from speaking out while they are still "arguidos" (official suspects). They have been forced to stay silent while detectives leak malicious stories about them to the Portuguese Press. Disgraced police chief Goncalo Amaral, who led the investigation, has angered the McCanns with plans to publish his own story. They have vowed to hit back once suspect status is lifted. Mr Mitchell added: "A number of books are being published in Portugal and the UK. Kate and Gerry want the public to know the real truth." The couple have been boosted by an "inspirational" meeting" with US dad Ed Smart, reunited with his kidnapped daughter after nine months. The encounter is shown on Wednesday's ITV1 documentary Madeleine One Year On: Campaign for Change.

McCanns to write tell-all book about 'year of hell' since Madeleine vanished, 27 April 2008

McCanns to write tell-all book about 'year of hell' since Madeleine vanished Daily Mail By VANESSA ALLEN Last updated at 18:08pm on 27th April 2008 Kate and Gerry McCann are to write a book about their 'year of hell' without missing daughter Madeleine, it was revealed yesterday. The couple could make up to £1million in a deal for a tell-all memoir about Madeleine's disappearance and their eight months as police suspects. Several publishers have approached them amid intense interest in the year-long case, sparking the possibility of a bidding frenzy for the book. The couple's spokesman Clarence Mitchell said they wanted to raise money for the dwindling Find Madeleine appeal fund, and to counter a campaign of smears from inside the police investigation. Last week it emerged that the former head of the Madeleine investigation, Goncalo Amaral, has written a book about the case, with the working title 'The Truth of the Lie'. Insiders said it would contain explosive details about the police inquiry and the decision to name the McCanns as suspects, or arguidos. Mr Mitchell confirmed that Mr McCann, 39, had met with one publishing house and had been approached by several others. He insisted any money raised by a book would go to the Find Madeleine fund, and not to the McCanns themselves. Mr Mitchell said: 'A number of publishers have approached us, as have some authors, but no deal has been done. 'The idea of writing an official book at some point is appealing. It's a legitimate way of raising money for the fund but would also give them a chance to put across their side of the story, and to talk about some of the wider issues.' The McCanns have considered a series of lucrative deals to fund their continuing search for their missing daughter, who disappeared from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, almost a year ago. Madeleine, then three, was left alone with her two-year-old twin brother and sister while their parents went out for dinner nearby with friends. They suffered a public backlash after it emerged that their representatives had begun negotiations with the world's largest entertainment agency, IMG, over selling the film rights to their story, and discussed bids from Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters in the U.S. for their first major chatshow appearance. Mr and Mrs McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, remain desperate to raise money for the Find Madeleine fund amid fears that the £1.2million raised from public donations will run out within months. The independent television production company Mentorn Media made a £10,000 donation to the fund in return for the couple's cooperation with a two-hour documentary, due to be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday night. In the film Mrs McCann, 40, spoke of her renewed hope that her oldest daughter was still alive but admitted that on some days she was 'desperate' and considered giving up. She said: 'You have days when you're so down and desperate and tired, you think you've got to switch off and I think, okay, we've tried really hard and we've come up with nothing and now we need to make the best of what we've got. '(But) we're never going to hit that day. It doesn't matter how small the possibility is (of Madeleine being found alive), the possibility is still there.' She added: 'There were many moments where we hit rock bottom and sobbed, wondering how we could survive without knowing where our little girl was. 'It is pure torture to deal with and it has been a long year of hell. But what keeps us going is our overwhelming faith that Madeleine is alive and will come home.' Mrs McCann, a former GP, told how her twins Sean and Amelie, now three, used their toy phones to try to 'call' Madeleine and play games where they try to find her. Mr Mitchell said the couple were 'daunted' by the approaching anniversary on Saturday and the publicity surrounding it, but wanted to use it as a chance to 're-energise' the search for their missing daughter. He said their detective agency Metodo 3 continued to receive leads from all over the world and the McCanns were still inundated with letters of support. Mr Mitchell refused to comment on reports they had received death threats to their home but said they had contacted police over two letters. He said: 'The vast majority is supportive, or at least polite, but very occasionally there is something nasty. On two occasions we have had to refer it to the police, but I don't want to go into any detail about that.' A book about the couple's ordeal could raise £1million for the Find Madeleine fund, according to the former head of buying for Waterstone's, Scott Pack. He said: 'It could go for a million. There is a feeling that we know everything there is to know about this story but the public are still fascinated. 'It has the potential to be of enormous interest with buyers across the market, from the literary middle class audience who think "This could have been us" to the mass market who buy books in supermarkets and have been devouring this story for a year.' But publisher Patrick Jenson-Smith said it could be difficult to sell 'a story without a conclusion'. Books by Sara Payne, the mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, and Kevin Wells, the father of Soham murder victim Holly Wells, both dominated the bestsellers lists in Britain for months. A series of books about the year-long hunt for Madeleine, written by journalists, criminologist and policemen, have already proved popular in Portugal.

November 2010: Book deal announced

Darren McCaffrey Tweets about McCanns' book deal (now deleted), 14 November 2010

Darren McCaffrey Tweets about McCanns' book deal (now deleted) Darren McCaffrey (Sky News) Twitter Sunday 14 November 2010, Approx 3:00PM - 4:00PM Kate and Gerry McCann have signed a deal to write a book about the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine about 1 hour ago via web Announced by publishers Transworld - All proceeds from will go to the McCanns' official fund to look for Madeleine about 1 hour ago via web Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the book - which is being written by the McCanns themselves and is currently part-complete about 1 hour ago via web Gerry McCann: Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information...to come forward and share it with our team. about 1 hour ago via web Kate McCann: With the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. about 1 hour ago via web Kate McCann: My reason for writing is simple - to give an account of the truth....Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision about 1 hour ago via web

"Maddie" Parents to write a book about her search, 14 November 2010

"Maddie" Parents to write a book about her search Europe Online From APD correspodents Sunday 14 November 2010 With thanks to Joana Morais for translation London (APD) - The parents of Madeleine McCann, who has been missing for more than 3 years, want to write a book about the search for their daughter. The book will carry the simple title of "Madeleine" and will be published on 28 April 2011, about four years after the disappearance of the child, said the publisher Transworld this Sunday in London. The proceedings from the sale will go to the fund to search for "Maddie", who has been specially set up by the family. The British media reported a few days ago that the money in the fund - mostly donations from around the world - would be depleted next year. Several publishers fought for the rights to publish the book. "The reason why I am writing this book is simple - to give an account of the truth," said Kate McCann, Madeleine's mother. "For us there is nothing more important than to find our little girl." Her husband Gerry said he hoped that the book could help solving of the case. "Our hope is that people who have useful information - knowingly or unknowingly - will report and share it with our team." The then nearly four-year-old child, Madeleine, disappeared from a hotel room when the British family were on holiday in Portugal in 2007. The parents went to have dinner that night in the vicinity. A highly media-covered search investigation ensued. The case has not yet been solved. The couple were accused several times, of the possibility of having simulated the kidnapping of Madeleine themselves, after they had found the child dead in the apartment. The family denies it.

McCanns sign deal for Madeleine book, 14 November 2010

McCanns sign deal for Madeleine book Yorkshire Post Source: The Press Association Published Date: 14 November 2010, 9:27 PM Kate and Gerry McCann have signed a deal to write a book about the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine, their publishers announced yesterday. After a major bidding war, Transworld won the rights to the couple's account of how the little girl vanished on a family holiday to Portugal in 2007 and their efforts to find her. All proceeds from the book will go to the McCanns' official fund to look for Madeleine, which had been in danger of running out next year. Precise details of the publishing deal have not been released, but a source said it included a "substantial" advance and "enhanced royalties" giving the couple a bigger share of profits from sales. The book, simply entitled Madeleine, will be published on April 28 next year to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the child's disappearance. Mrs McCann, 42, said: "My reason for writing is simple – to give an account of the truth. Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. However, in the last few months, with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl." Her husband, also 42, added: "We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too. "Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information – knowingly or not – to come forward and share it with our team. Somebody holds that key piece of the jigsaw." Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the book –which is being written by the McCanns themselves – in the UK, the Commonwealth and Europe. The west London-based publisher is home to best-selling authors including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown, fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. A source said the McCanns' book, which will have a recommended retail price of £20, was expected to be a big seller. Transworld publisher Bill Scott-Kerr said: "It is an enormous privilege to be publishing this book. "We are so pleased to be joining Kate and Gerry McCann in the Find Madeleine campaign." Deals for newspaper serialisations and translations of the book are now expected to be negotiated. The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are fighting a legal battle against former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral over his book alleging that Madeleine died in the apartment and that her parents faked her abduction - something they strongly deny. The appeal court in Lisbon last month overturned an injunction obtained by the couple banning publication of Mr Amaral's work, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie. But a source close to the McCanns said their decision to write their own book had nothing to do with rebutting Mr Amaral's allegations. "It certainly hasn't been prompted by him," the source said. Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined with friends nearby. Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, she has not been found. The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance was formally shelved in July 2008, although private detectives employed by the McCanns have continued the search.

McCanns to bring out Maddie book, 15 November 2010

McCanns to bring out Maddie book The Sun By ANTONELLA LAZZERI Published: Today (15 November 2010) A BOOK about Madeleine McCann is to be published by her parents who are desperate to keep the hunt for her going. Called simply Madeleine it will be published around next May — the fourth anniversary of her abduction. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the Find Madeleine fund which pays for the search for missing Maddie to continue. Maddie was three years old when she was snatched while on holiday with her parents in Portugal in May 2007. Literary agent Christopher Little is acting for her parents Kate and Gerry McCann. The McCanns were introduced to Mr Little by Harry Potter author JK Rowling who is represented by him. She has been a huge supporter of the couple and has donated thousands to the Find Madeleine fund. The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, asked JK Rowling for help after realising that the fund, which currently stands at £300,000 would run out by next spring. A source close to the McCanns revealed yesterday: "Writing the book is proving to be a very painful experience for them, reliving all the awful memories and writing about their darling daughter when she is still not home. "It is really the book they never wanted to write. "But they are desperate to keep the search for her going and see it as one of the best ways of raising money for the Find Madeleine fund." Yesterday Kate, 42, said: "There are several different reasons as to why I finally came to the decision with my husband Gerry to write and publish this book. "This decision has not been an easy one. Many factors needed to be given thorough and careful consideration, not least the impact of such a book on the lives of our three children. "My reason for writing is simple, to give an account of the truth. "Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. "However, in the last few months with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl." Husband Gerry, also 42, added: "We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too. "Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information (knowingly or not) to come forward and share it with our team. "Somebody holds that key piece of the jigsaw." The book will be published by Transworld who also publish works by Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown. Bill Scott-Kerr from Transworld said it was "an enormous privilege" to be publishing the book. He added: "We are so pleased to be joining Kate and Gerry McCann in the Find Madeleine campaign." The McCanns' Literary Agents, Christopher Little and Neil Blair, said they were "honoured" to be part of "this emotive project".

McCanns sign book dead, 15 November 2010

McCanns sign book dead ITN News Video dated: 14 November 2010, appeared online approx 07:00am 15 November 2010 Kate and Gerry McCann have signed a deal to publish their account of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance. ---------------------------- McCanns sign book dead? Video was later retitled, at around 7:50am, to 'McCanns sign book deal' and then, rather bizarrely, returned to 'McCanns sign book dead' later in the day. ITN News: Click image to enlarge Google News: Click image to enlarge

Madeleine McCann's parents sign book deal to raise cash to continue the search, 15 November 2010

Madeleine McCann's parents  sign book deal to raise cash to continue the search Daily Mail By Ryan Kisiel Last updated at 9:09 AM on 15th November 2010 Madeleine McCann's parents have signed a multi-million pound book deal to write about their daughter's disappearance. Kate and Gerry McCann's emotional account about their four-year-old vanishing from a holiday apartment is an attempt to raise money to continue the search for her. Profits from the book – which is expected to be one of next year's best-sellers – will be donated to the family's official fund to find Madeleine. The book, simply entitled Madeleine, will be published on April 28 next year to coincide with the fourth anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance. It comes as earlier this month they revealed that the dwindling fund would run out of money by early 2012. Within weeks of Maddie being snatched from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007 money from the public poured in to boost the Find Madeleine Fund. At its height it stood at £2 million. But now there is just £300,000 left. Precise details of the publishing deal have not been released, but a source said it included a 'substantial' advance and included 'enhanced royalties' - giving the couple a bigger share of profits from sales. Mrs McCann, 42, said: 'My reason for writing is simple - to give an account of the truth. 'Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. 'However, in the last few months, with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. 'Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl.' Mr McCann, also 42, added: 'We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too. 'Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information - knowingly or not - to come forward and share it with our team. Somebody holds that key piece of the jigsaw.' Transworld won the rights to publish the book - which is being written by the McCanns themselves and is currently part-complete - in the UK, the Commonwealth and Europe. It is expected to sell thousands of copies due to the overwhelming interest since her disappearance in April 2007 and be priced at £20. The publisher is home to best-selling authors including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown, fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Transworld publisher Bill Scott-Kerr said: 'It is an enormous privilege to be publishing this book. 'We are so pleased to be joining Kate and Gerry McCann in the Find Madeleine campaign.' Deals for newspaper serialisations and translations of the book are now expected to be negotiated. The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are fighting a legal battle against former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral over his book alleging that Madeleine died in the apartment and that her parents faked her abduction - something they strongly deny. The appeal court in Lisbon last month overturned an injunction obtained by the couple banning publication of Mr Amaral's work, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie. But a source close to the McCanns said their decision to write their own book had nothing to do with rebutting Mr Amaral's allegations. 'It certainly hasn't been prompted by him,' the source said. Earlier this month, Mrs McCann admitted she 'had to face up to the fact' that her missing daughter may never be found. Mrs McCann also accused the Government of giving up the hunt for the child, who went missing shortly before her fourth birthday. She said a series of ministers had shrugged off her pleas for help. 'I don't want to be appeased, and that's what I feel we're getting. We need action, I don't need fluffy worthless words,' she said. The couple have written an open letter begging for political and financial help and launched an online petition to lobby the British and Portuguese governments for a formal review of the case. Portuguese police shelved an 18-month investigation into the disappearance after clearing her parents as formal suspects, and the case has remained closed. Madeleine was four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined with friends nearby.

Madeleine McCann's parents sign book deal, Kate McCann cites 'the truth' as important, will she now answer the 48 questions or do we wait for sequel?, 15 November 2010

Madeleine McCann's parents sign book deal, Kate McCann cites 'the truth' as important, will she now answer the 48 questions or do we wait for sequel? The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow Uni By George Laird Monday, November 15, 2010 - 8:37 AM Dear All One of the things about Gerry McCann, formerly of Glasgow University which always impressed me is the length he will go to acquire money. If only he had shown the same zeal the night his daughter disappeared. He never went out and searched for her. Maybe he had a training injury or it was turning a bit chilly and he didn't have a woolly hat. The latest money making scheme by Gerry and Kate McCann, a multi-million pound book deal. And if there is a book, then we can expect Maddie the Movie is somewhere in the pipeline and serialisation in the papers. Synopsis, two qualified doctors go on holiday repeatedly abandon their kids in an unlocked apartment, don't use in house babysitting service and then refuse to answer Police questions before fleeing the country. So, what exactly are they going to tell us? How much they loved their daughter and it wasn't their fault? There is no evidence to support the McCann's version that Madeleine Beth McCann was abducted. Kate McCann said: "My reason for writing is simple - to give an account of the truth". Will she reveal why she refused to co-operate with the Portuguese Police? Will she publish the answers to the 48 questions she refused to answer? Kate McCann added: "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl." Well something must have been more important for Kate McCann for her to refuse to help the Police find her daughter. Gerry McCann said: "We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too. Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information - knowingly or not - to come forward and share it with our team. Somebody holds that key piece of the jigsaw." I wonder why he didn't say that any information should be passed on to the Portuguese Police. Why only Team McCann rent a mob? Transworld won the rights to publish the book; they are the publisher for best-selling authors including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown and fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett. In order to maximise sales Kate and Gerry McCann have confirmed the book will be published to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance next April. And some customers will be lining up to read it, the Portuguese Police for example and those people who have read Goncalo Amaral's book, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie. Kate McCann is also quoted as saying this after the UK Government decided to take a backseat to the McCann's requests for help: "I don't want to be appeased, and that's what I feel we're getting. We need action, I don't need fluffy worthless words". I would say to Kate McCann: 'Attitude reflects leadership'. And Team McCann has failed that test! Yours sincerely George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Updates, 16 November 2010 (date update appeared online)

Updates: findmadeleine.com Monday, 15th November, 2010 There are several different reasons as to why I finally came to the decision with my husband Gerry to write and publish a book. This decision has not been an easy one. Many factors needed to be given thorough and careful consideration, not least the impact of such a book on the lives of our three children.  My reason for writing is simple; to give an account of the truth. Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. However, in the last few months with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl. We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too.  Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information (knowingly or not) to come forward and share it with our team.  Somebody holds that 'key piece of the jigsaw'. Bill Scott-Kerr, Publisher at Transworld, bought the book from the Christopher Little Literary Agency for publication in Spring 2011.  All royalties will be donated directly to Madeleine's Fund – Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited. Bill said: 'It is an enormous privilege to be publishing this book. We are so pleased to be joining Kate and Gerry McCann in the Find Madeleine campaign." The McCanns' Literary Agents, Christopher Little and Neil Blair, said: "We are honoured to be part of this emotive project and to support the McCanns in their search for Madeleine." Thank you for your continued support. Kate

How Yahoo and Google Can Identify the Man Who Abducted Madeleine McCann, 16 November 2010

How Yahoo and Google Can Identify the Man Who Abducted Madeleine McCann Associated Content Catherine Dagger Nov 16, 2010 I read an article yesterday about missing Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry, signing a book deal. As much of the world knows, the toddler went missing some years ago from a holiday apartment on the south coast of Portugal while her parents were nearby having dinner with friends. After I read the short report, that old saying that criminals return to the scene of their crime came into my head. These days criminals may also very often go to, and return to, online reports about their crime. Whereas some criminals wouldn't have the IT skills to search for reports of their crime online, paedophiles are often hugely IT literate if the arrests for their internet pornography activities are anything to go by. In all probability, Madeleine was kidnapped by an individual who may have had accomplices or who may have passed her to other paedophiles. It's a reasonable assumption that the person, or some of the people, involved in the kidnap sometimes look at internet sites about the kidnapping, about Madeleine, the McCanns and the failed police investigation. Googling Madeleine McCann at present (November 2010) turns up 1,180, 000 hits. In cyberspace terms, that's a fairly small number of websites reporting on or discussing Madeleine's disappearance. For search analysts at the search engine giants like Yahoo and Google it would be a simple task to run a check on the IP addresses of everyone visiting those sites since the kidnap and pick out any patterns. If a particular IP address, or range of IP addresses, or unrelated IP addresses crop up again and again, then the police could trace those internet users and ask them questions. As well as checking IP addresses Yahoo and Google could play a role in trapping Madeleine's kidnapper by turning up the search terms used by people at those addresses. They may have used search terms that reveal their knowledge of the crime. Say the kidnapper stayed at a certain address during the days around the kidnap, or say he took Madeleine to a certain town or village. He may have searched online to see if the police or any reports had made a connection between "Madeleine McCann + that-search-term." That would be more specific and more revealing than searches such as "finding Madeleine McCann" or "trapping Madeleine McCanns kidnapper." If certain IP addresses turn up over and over again, Yahoo and Google can give the police details of users' geographic location. There shouldn't be any danger to people innocently visiting those sites. Journalists and investigators for example, and members of the McCann family or staff at their website could easily explain their interest. And concerned members of the public would be able to establish that they weren't near the Portuguese holiday complex that night. Checking IP addresses for patterns would simply point the police in certain directions and give them leads to follow in an investigation which seems to have gone completely cold. I realise that the police may thought of this long ago and may have asked Yahoo and Google to monitor sites about Madeleine. I don't know if the search engine companies would co-operate or not. One thing I do know is that if the kidnapper who abducted the little girl has visited lots of websites about Madeleine, to admire his own warped behaviour, then it's too late for him to cover his tracks. His IP address footprint is out there in cyberspace - and there's nothing he can do to erase it. *** Kate and Gerry McCann run a website dedicated to finding Madeleine and identifying her kidnapper at: www.findmadeleine.com/ ***

A brave decision?, 16 November 2010

A brave decision?    http://blacksmithbureau.blogspot.com/2010/11/brave-decision.html Posted by John Blacksmith at 14:45 Tuesday, 16 November 2010 It is good news that the McCanns are going to write a book. If the parents wish to earn money to search for the child, what harm can it do? No, it won't assist the search, we all know that: three and a half years have shown that any private investigators with a bit of nous familiarise themselves with the evidence, note where it's pointing and either turn the job down or ruthlessly exploit the parent's vulnerabilities. The others, the lowly ex-cops who are willing to accept the way the wind blows from Camp McCann, have found nothing. So it will continue. They are going to find it very tough indeed to write, but that's their problem, not ours. At the end of it, after the serializations which, like their version of the archiving report, will be the spin, not the reality, we, and the reviewers, will have their book before us, the words fixed for ever. The blog specifically avoided the whole question of truthfulness, for "operational reasons" and the needs of judicial secrecy; the introduction of spokespeople guaranteed that they could not be held to account for their words because spokespeople are always "deniable"; the interviews they have given, all rigidly structured beforehand, tell us literally nothing except about their demeanour. Now they will be heard in their own words and it is Mission Impossible. Every sentence will be picked over within weeks to compare it with the police evidence, from both Portugal and Leicester, and with the court record from Lisbon. For the first time any untruths they tell will be on record - not "misunderstood" or "out of context" - and admissible in court. And what they leave out will be as significant as what they put in. The McCanns still mean money. The decline in their personal value results from them having nothing new or interesting to say, only tired repetition, giving the media nothing to spin a new story round. But the readership for descriptions of the case from beyond the parents' ambit remains potentially huge. Thus it won't just be internet critics doing the picking over. The book finally offers a killer  opportunity for agents, writers and publishers, for there is all the difference in the (libel) world between introducing a controversial theory about living people, such as Goncalo Amaral's interpretation of the facts, and responding to  untrue written claims. Without claims, and plenty of them, the book can't sell. And the number of true claims made by the parents in the past is pretty limited, isn't it? So it's a brave decision. Or is it? For there is something about their decision-taking over recent months that makes one pause. They are acting, well, weirdly. The shrill and excessively unwise criticisms of the government and particularly the extremely level-headed Theresa May; the curious muffled goings-on at the fund, prefigured by a Kate McCann blog entry; their chest-puffing support for the child-sex obsessed misfit Gamble and his thwarted empire-building; and then the strange folie de grandeur note of hurt surprise that their pronouncements haven't been acted upon, as though they have lost touch with what is actually possible. Their supporters, in the media and elsewhere, greet their initiatives with applause but also mild bewilderment, as if the parents' aims, once so apparently straightforward, have become private and unpredictable. The pursuit of Amaral looks increasingly obsessive, as well as doomed, and the fund raising – brazen, now, in a way it hasn't been since August 2007 – of which the book forms a part, appears more and more to be an end in itself. The words "unstable" and "reckless" spring to mind. Three and a half years in the sinister and murky limbo which they have chosen to inhabit is a long time, enough to weaken anyone''s grasp on reality. Others – their critics, the lawyers, the conmen, the whole mad gallery which surrounds them - can turn away from the case at any time but for the parents there is no escape. And more and more they want to get at "what else is in the police files". "Support" - synthesised by the media monster – remains; privately they are frighteningly alone.

The Laz Word....on Kate and Gerry McCann...., 18 November 2010

The Laz Word....on Kate and Gerry McCann.... Liverpool Confidential ...and the book of the nightmare By Larry Neild Date Published: 18/11/2010 16:42:17 WILL I be queuing up in WH Smith's to buy a personally autographed copy of the book about to be written by the parents of Madeleine McCann? Of course not. I have only once in my life got in line to buy a book hot off the presses and that was the final volume of the Harry Potter series. The reaction, judging by some of the comments on the internet to this week's decision by Gerry and Liverpool-born Kate McCann has been mixed, with a huge helping of outrage, disgust even. Perhaps the fact that there was a so-called bidding war to win the prize of the McCann signatures on a contract prompted some animosity. Perhaps it's because details of the financial arrangements have been kept under wraps arouses ill feeling. All we know is the couple will be receiving a substantial advance and enhanced royalties once the £20 tome is on the bookshelves. The proceeds from the sale of the book, according to statements, will all be going to the McCann's official fund set up to look for Madeleine. Kate McCann says the book will give the family the chance to give a truthful account of the disappearance of Madeleine during a family holiday to Portugal on May 3, 2007. Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from the family holiday apartment in the Algarve as her parents dined with friends near by. The McCanns are currently fighting a legal battle against a former Portuguese detective over his book alleging Madeleine died in the apartment and that her parents faked her abduction. It's an allegation they have always strongly denied. You have to admire the way the McCanns have somehow managed to keep the story of their little girl in the worldwide spotlight, never giving up hope of a miracle that will one day see them re-united with their missing daughter. Some of the critics are unforgiving for the way the McCanns were dining out, while their children slept, even though it was just a very short distance and they kept a regular watch on the bedroom. Perhaps sympathy at times did transform into sickliness when 'official spokespeople' for the McCanns popped up on television screens making pronouncements, in the way celebrities have spokespeople. The McCanns may be savvy in the use of modern media, generating publicity, giving interviews, opening their lives to a world more eager than ever for real-life drama, as opposed to docu-soap trash. What are they expected to do? Sit back and pray for 'closure' or never give up hope? If the proceeds of the book help to keep their hopes alive then good luck to them. I wonder what the reaction will be when the next chapter happens, the film of the book? The flack taken by Kate and Gerry McCann, while distressing, is a small, but unfair, price to pay for their continuing mission. My bet is they would sacrifice every halfpenny they possess for the return of their child. The book, Madeleine, is to be published next April close to the fourth anniversary of the youngster's mystery disappearance. London-based published Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the book - which is being written by the McCanns. They have already put pen to paper. Transworld boasts among its stable, best-selling authors, including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown and fantasy novelist TerryPratchett. The book is predicted to be a top seller. ------------------------ Larry Neild another one justifying....   http://www.slippingthroughmyfingers.com/2010/11/19/larry-neild-another-one-justifying/ Posted on: 11-19-2010 I really must turn off my google alert for Madeleine McCann, not because I am not interested but because I am sick of reading the justification for leaving children alone in a vulnerable situation. Again Liverpool Confidential columnist Larry Neild, makes a remark that does not speak out against leaving children but reads as if he is justifying the McCanns actions that night for leaving their children. There is no justification, there is no situation where leaving 3 children under the age of 4 in an unlocked apartment in a foreign country is justifiable and acceptable. Madeleine was soon to be 4 years old, children no matter how much parents deny it, get up to mischief. They awake from sleep and do things they know they should not do, they might not even have to be mischievousness to have an accident befall them, they simply might want a drink and in the dark (Madeleine could have been too short to turn on  the lights), stumble, slip, fall and hurt themselves. When a parent is in the vicinity they hear the thud and cries if a child falls, they hear them arousing and are on hand to deal with a situation. So how they hell can Larry Neild in his column justify this comment: 'Some of the critics are unforgiving for the way the McCanns were dining out, while their children slept, even though it was just a very short distance and they kept a regular watch on the bedroom.' But the worst part is Larry, something might happen that can cause a fire and there is no escape and there is a loss of life. It is a tragedy to read stories of how adults, children and pets have died and people have escaped but were unable to save their loved ones. Tragedies of fire happen every day, some occupants rescued whilst others die. Only recently a fire happened in Bridlington which cost the lives of 3 small children, the mother is in hospital recovering but her children are dead. A neighbour worked on one child on the street for over an hour but to no avail. Reports from the locals tell us that the fire happened so quick there was no chance of rescuing those children, its rate of spread was so rampant and there was nothing they could do as the flames engulfed the building and leapt out of windows making it impossible for neighbours to attempt a rescue. And the fire service were only 5 minutes in getting to that fire according to the Mail. From the Daily Mail article residents speak of the fire: 'Neighbours next door were woken by the smoke alarm inside the Hudson family home and dialled 999. Susan Smith said: 'I could hear them screaming. It was terrible. My husband tried to get in but the fire was so fierce. I've never seen anything like it. 'I don't know if it was the high wind fanning the flames. If I'd have gone out of the front door I would have been dead. It was that fierce.' Mrs Smith said another man was also trying to get into the house, but then dragged her husband away saying they would die if they went in. Stephen Elston, 31, was went outside after hearing 'a smash.' He said: 'The fire was serious, it was red hot and the flames were coming through the windows. There was nothing I could do.'' Even though this story is not from the UK, it proves just how fast fire spreads and the devastation and cost of life it can cause. 5 lives were lost to this fire: '"The whole house was engulfed in flames. And I heard the mom yell, 'My babies, my babies are inside'... It is very, very sad because I wanted to get all the babies out. My kids play with their kids," said a teary-eyed neighbor who wished to remain unidentified. According to information provided, fire rescue personnel were notified of the house blaze around 10:40 p.m. They arrived at the scene within eight minutes and quickly jumped into action.' You see each and everyone of them left their children, not just the McCanns, but their friends were neglectful to and to use the justification of having a baby monitor is just again lame and inexcusable. Smoke kills, so unless they could hear through the monitor every breath from each child then the monitor was useless in a fire. A worst fate could have happened that night, a fire could have happened in any one of those apartments and those children could have been killed by fire. If the parents were in the apartment and there was nothing they could do to save their children, that is tragedy but to put your children at risk for your own personal needs is just plain right neglect. Hypothetically then, the pub that is across the road from me, which by proximity is closer than the distance between apartment 5a and the tapas bar, is OK for me to venture into at night and leave my children alone across the road? Afterall in your terms of thinking I only have to walk across the road every half an hour to make sure everything is OK. Naturally I will sit facing the windows, wining, dining, just to make sure there are no flames and smoke bellowing from my property that could risk the lives of my children. Get real please, the McCanns put their own pleasures before the safety of their children, end of. There is no excuse and they have not once admitted their mistakes and advised people never to leave children alone, no matter how safe you think it is; all we have had from them is reasons trying to justify their actions that night. There are no excuses, Madeleine did not tell her parents to leave her and tell them she was capable of babysitting, they chose to take that course of action and Madeleine paid the price.

Kate and Gerry McCann get help from JK Rowling, 21 November 2010

Kate and Gerry McCann get help from JK Rowling Sunday Express By Sunday Express Reporter Sunday November 21,2010 JK Rowling helped Kate and Gerry McCann to secure their book deal, the Sunday Express can reveal. The multi-millionaire Harry Potter writer suggested they use her literary agent Christopher Little who arranged a publishing deal with Transworld. JK Rowling has been giving the McCanns support since their daughter disappeared in Portugal in May 2007 aged three. The author contributed to a reward for finding Madeleine and in July 2007 she arranged for posters of Madeleine to be made available to book retailers around the world. Kate has already written 60,000 words, covering the period up to the couple's heart-rending decision to return to Britain. The book, titled Madeleine, will be published on April 28 next year to mark the fourth anniversary of her disappearance. Profits will go directly to the fund for finding Madeleine. GP Kate, 42, said: "My main reason for writing is simple – to give an account of the truth." ----------------------------- Comment: This article appears to contradict previous reports, originating from the Press Association, that Transworld had won the rights to the couple's account 'after a major bidding war'.

The 100+ questions deleted from the Sunday Express comments section, 22 November 2010

The 100+ questions deleted from the Sunday Express comments section With thanks to A. Miller for allowing reproduction here Posted: 21 November 2010, removed: 22 November 2010 These questions were originally posted within the Sunday Express' "Have Your Say" comments section which accompanied the article, 'Kate and Gerry McCann get help from JK Rowling', published 21 November 2010. These comments, along with all other comments, were removed at around 09:50am the following morning. This was not a pre-scripted list, it flowed as thoughts emerged, and needs to be read in that context. Whilst the author has kindly allowed me to make amendments, I have decided to keep it as originally posted as any amendments by me would destroy the spontaneity and emotion of the original. -------------- 1. Will Kate McCann in her book tell us why she left her three children, a three year old and two, two year olds alone in a dark unlocked apartment in a country foreign to them? This she did for 5 consecutive nights! 2. Will Kate McCann tell us why, despite being told by her three year old daughter on the morning of the day she was reported missing, that she and her baby brother had been awake, afraid and crying the previous evening, crying because mummy and daddy had left them once again – why she or her husband Gerry did not stay and look after the children but, decided it was BEST to leave them once more in an unlocked apartment? 3. Will Kate McCann tell us why she discussed this at the dinner table with friends, telling them that she left the door open for Madeleine to wander into the night in her bare feet and pyjamas to look for mummy and daddy in the pub? 4. Will Kate McCann tell us why knowing her three babies had cried for her, knowing she had left them alone again, knowing she had left the door unlocked, that she sat in the pub for over 90 minutes and DID NOT go and check on her children? 5. Will Kate McCann tell us why when she arrived at the apartment she, and I quote – 'wasn't going to bother to look in the bedroom to do a visual check' of her children? 6. Will Kate McCann tell us why when she noticed the bedroom door more open, curious she walked towards it, but STILL did not look inside to see if her children were okay, she simply closed it over? 7. Will Kate McCann tell us why in their original police statements it is said that both she and Gerry, her husband entered the apartment by the locked front door USING THEIR KEY? 8. Will Kate McCann tell us why she told the world that the bedroom window was open and the shuttered jemmied open when she arrived at the apartment, when this was NOT the truth and her highly paid spokesperson, Clarence Mitchell, ex Labour Party Media Monitor had to retract this very statement? 9. Will Kate McCann tell us why they then changed their story of the window and shutter being jemmied open – the route she stated the abductor had used (forensics proved that no one had gone through this window either in or out) to there now being an unlocked patio door, which then conveniently became the means of entry for an alleged intruder? 10. Will Kate McCann tell us why she immediately before searching for her child, before raising the alarm to her friends, before contacting the police, knew that her daughter had been abducted? She had left the patio door unlocked she stated for the child to leave the apartment in the cold dark night to look for her and Gerry McCann in the pub. Why would she not have considered that this is what the child might have done? Done what her parents expected of her! 11. Will Kate McCann tell us why she later stated that Madeleine would never leave her toddler twin brother and sister on their own, therefore would NOT have left the apartment? 12. Will Kate McCann tell us why when her daughter told her that she had been awake and crying because mummy and daddy were not there to care for and comfort her, that she and Gerry began thinking when this might have been, I quote "was it maybe when we were bathing them that they had cried?" Bathing them that is before leaving them! Mrs Kate McCann and Mr. Gerry McCann stated the above in televised interview. Such a ridiculous answer to the question put to them. Quite clearly the child had asked of her parents – why had they not come when she and her baby brother had cried for them? 13. Will Kate McCann tell us why her friend who supposedly saw a man carrying off their daughter at around 9:15 pm did not tell them of this until the early hours of the next morning? 14. Will Kate McCann tell us why this same friend did not notice the open window at this time? 15. Will Kate McCann tell us why she allowed a man whom her children did not know, a man who said he did not know the McCann children into her apartment that night to check on her children? If the children were awake and distressed as they were on the previous night when alone, the sight of this man would terrify them half to death. Was this man to then return to the pub leaving the children in a more distressed condition and tell the parents they were awake and crying? 16. Will Kate McCann tell us why when no one within that group of parents checked on each other’s children throughout that week, that this one night they allowed the one person in the group who stated he did not know the children to do so? 17. Will Kate McCann tell us why, if the window and shutter were not jemmied open and NOT open at 9:30/9:40 ish when this man checked on her children how it came to be open when she checked 20 minutes later? 18. Will Kate McCann tell us why police forensics found ONLY her fingerprints on this window area? 19. Will Kate McCann tell us why she believes the alleged abductor opened this window, not as his means of entry/exit (that was her original story) but as a 'red herring?' This she states on the McCann Website! 20. Will Kate McCann tell us – if the abductor opened this window and jemmied the shutter(as a red herring) and was seen carrying off the child (in the McCann abduction theory) at 9:10/9:15, how did it come to be closed when the man from their party – Matt Oldfield did a check of the McCann apartment at 9:30/9:40? And open again when she arrived at 10’ish? 21. Will Kate McCann tell us how this possibly could be? 22. Will Kate McCann tell us in light of this crucial information (that the window was closed at 9:35/9:40) how it is that she will not accept that her daughter could possibly have been removed from the apartment after the time of the check by Matt Oldfield and the time she arrived at 10:00 pm? Matt Oldfield said he glanced in the McCann children's bedroom but did not bother to look and see if Madeleine was in her bed. The window and shutter being intact at this time clearly indicates that if someone was seen at 9:15 carrying off the child, then it was NOT this person who opened the window and shutter! That window and shutter were opened after 9:40 and 10:00 pm Kate McCann’s check. Only her fingerprints were found on the window area! This shuttered window (shutters that are not able to be opened from the outside – that is their purpose – security) was beside the front locked door, and one had to pass right alongside it to get to the front door. 23. Will Kate McCann tell us why on her check of the children – when she entered the apartment by the front locked door, passing the shuttered window (as was the original version given to police) that she failed to notice that the shutter was almost fully up and the window open as far as was possible? Impossible! 24. Will Kate McCann tell us why the sighting of a man by an Irish family, the name of Smith, four adults, who saw a man carrying a blonde child in pyjamas, was not followed up with purpose? 25. Will Kate McCann tell us what she thinks of the fact that one of the Smith family members is sure that the man he saw carrying the child was GERRY McCann? 26. Will Kate McCann tell us why she told police that Madeleine's pyjamas had a tea stain on them on the morning of the 3rd May 2007 and that she had had to wash this stain out? She did not know how the stain came to be on the pyjamas as it was a dried stain, aged. She had not noticed this when she put her to bed the previous evening and at that time she had only given the child milk to drink. What was her reason for bringing this up? Did Madeleine attempt to make tea in the absence of her parents on the night of the 2nd? Did she do so again on the night of the 3rd and was injured? What is the significance of mentioning a tea stain? 27. Will Kate McCann tell us why she asked Madeleine at teatime on the night she vanished, if she was upset at not having been asked to the beach with all of the other families in their group that day? A cruel thing for a mother to do! 28. Will she tell us why she asked this of her daughter when it was not true? The McCann's had been asked to join the others, but declined! 29. Will Kate tell us why their versions of events change quite dramatically from one televised interview to another? 30. Will Kate McCann tell us why she did not answer the questions put to her by police, hindering the investigation into the disappearance of her daughter? 31. Will Kate McCann tell us why she accepted that her friends felt to take part in a criminal reconstruction of events of the evening her daughter disappeared as requested by police, was a pointless exercise and refused to do so? One friend said it would be too emotional – outrageous! The McCann's believe their daughter is alive, most likely with paedophiles, and yet they all felt to assist police was pointless and would be too emotional. Let us hope the wee girl understands their distress if she is ever found alive and rescued from the years of torture at the hands of the paedophiles! 32. Will Kate McCann tell us in what way the book by Goncalo Amaral, the ex police officer who has much experience a skilled and respected officer during his time with the Portuguese police, and who reported in his book the findings of the police investigation, will she tell us how that has hindered the McCann private investigation? Will she give us specific examples of this? 33. Will Kate McCann tell us why they have disrespected the ruling of the Court in Portugal and have refused to return to Goncalo Amaral the books belonging to him? 34. Will Kate McCann tell us if she and her husband are holding on to 'The Truth of the Lie' by Goncalo Amaral as they fear it being published in the UK? 35. Will Kate McCann tell us whether it is the case or not that they want their book published in the UK before Goncalo Amaral's – which is the account of the police investigation? 36. Will Kate McCann tell us why there is an online petition for a review of the case of missing Madeleine, when she knows that this will hold no water with either Government, Portugal or UK in helping along any review? Theresa May has made this quite clear, that the crimes against this child Madeleine McCann – abandonment and whatever else, where committed in Portugal and only the Portuguese have jurisdiction! Ann Widdecombe also wrote a piece on this! 37. Will Kate McCann tell us why they are waiting for the petition to reach 100,000 signatures before taking it to..? They know perfectly well that it is of no use! 38. Will Kate McCann tell us why on the steps of the Lisbon Court they claimed that the Portuguese police had information marked as irrelevant re missing Madeleine which contained important leads and new sightings of the child, information which was passed to them in January 2010 yet they stated on televised interview but two weeks ago that their private investigation has come up with nothing? Gerry McCann stated they have no leads at all! 39. What happened to this information, did they check it out and realise that the Portuguese police had indeed done their job? 40. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is, for the umpteenth time since their daughter disappeared that they have made claims that their Fund is running low (usually standing around £300,00 - £500,000 at these times) and that this phenomenal amount of money is not enough to search for their daughter! 41. Will Kate McCann tell us why on televised interview two weeks ago that the McCann's once again made these claims, appealing for money from the public, when at that time they the McCann's had secured a book deal and had been given an advance payment in this regard, that 600,000 words of the book were already on paper? 42. Will Kate McCann tell us why they mislead the public in this respect? 43. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is that they continually in interview state that no one is looking for Madeleine with the exception of her and Gerry and a £multi million Fund donated by the public, and imply that the Portuguese police have abandoned them? Kate and Gerry McCann, before this case was shelved, did have the opportunity to request that it remain open. They allowed the deadline date to pass. Kate and Gerry McCann, as do the rest of the world, realise that no investigation be it murder or missing persons remains open indefinitely when there is no new information or leads. Investigations throughout the world are shelved until such times as new credible and relevant information comes to light. 44. Will Kate McCann tell us why she insists on their portrayal of the abandoned parents, abandoned by the police both here in the UK and in Portugal when this is not the case at all? Why would these parents do this, for sympathy, for donations to their Fund? 45. Will Kate McCann tell us why she and husband Gerry will not go to Portugal request the RE-OPENING of this case – (not merely a review – which has in fact been done before) and co-operate with the Portuguese authorities in taking part in a criminal reconstruction, along with their friends, and also answering any questions put to them this time around? They both know that this would go a long way to having this case re-opened? 46. Will Kate McCann tell us if the Private Detective Dave Edgar,ex police British Police Officer, has any ideas of his own regarding how Madeleine came to be missing, or as their employee is he simply going through the motions, going along with them, agreeing with their theory on abduction, the time it took place etc? It would seem odd for a detective to agree entirely with them, when you consider the fact that there is NOT one shred of evidence that abduction took place, and the many versions of events told by the couple both in their police statements and on televised interview. More importantly, it would not be in keeping with the police files detailing the findings of the Portuguese police, which do NOT point to abduction? Does he and all of the many PI's before him, simply pick up their pay cheque and not ask questions? Two and a half years he has been employed by them and he has come up with nothing at all! 47. Will Kate McCann tell us why this private detective Dave Edgar said in press conference that Jane Tanner their friend who supposedly saw a man carrying off Madeleine at 9:15 pm (while her daddy Gerry stood on the street and the guy walked more or less right by him) may not have seen a man but a WOMAN? 48. Will Kate McCann tell us why this detective has reached the conclusion that Madeleine is in a lair in PDL wilderness, yet they have not used any of the £millions in the Fund to search here? 49. Will Kate McCann tell us if the £300,000 left in the pot, plus the advance from the book deal will be ploughed into doing just that, searching this area? 50. Will Kate McCann tell us why if their private investigator believes this is where Madeleine is being held, that they stated on televised interview that they had NO LEADS at all? 51. Will Kate McCann tell us why in their documentary, self made, that Gerry McCann enters the apartment on his check of his children, using the front locked door (which ties in with his FIRST police statement) yet he changed this story to having entered by the unlocked patio door? 52. Will Kate McCann tell us why their documentary was littered with items which do not tie in with their police statements and other televised interviews? 53. Will Kate McCann tell us why mid way through the holiday they changed their system of leaving the children in a locked apartment to leaving them in an unlocked apartment? 54. Will Kate McCann tell us why they would think that this was the safer option? Kate McCann and Gerry McCann stated that they began leaving the patio door unlocked as the noise from the front door might wake their children (my goodness how awful for them, to have to attend to their OWN crying children whom they had left alone in a strange environment) if up until that point the opening of the door had NOT disturbed their children, and all was well, why then would they even discuss leaving their children so vulnerable or how could they, not as medical professional reach the decision that this would be best for their three wee kiddies? 55. Will Kate McCann tell us on WHAT night they decided it best to leave their children in an unlocked apartment, leaving their children more at risk, more vulnerable? 56. Will Kate McCann tell us what instruction she gave to Madeleine in respect of exiting the apartment and going out into the cold dark night to search for mummy and daddy? 57. Will Kate McCann tell us if she left warm clothing out for the child? 58. Will Kate McCann tell us at what time and on what day she told Madeleine that the door would be left unlocked for her to exit? 59. Will Kate McCann tell us, what was her three year old daughter's reaction to this plan? Did the child jump for joy at hearing this news, or did she, as one would expect of a three year old, upset at the idea that her parents were going out to leave them again, and scared witless at the prospect of having to go out into the night alone and look for them? 60. Will Kate McCann tell us if she unlocked the child safety gate at the top of the stairs which Madeleine would have had to negotiate had she left through the unlocked patio door? 61. Will Kate McCann tell us how she could have possibly been comfortable going out to dinner knowing that she had left the door unlocked for the purpose of her three year old child to exit out into the night, negotiate child gates, steep stairs onto an open road with vehicular traffic and then to somehow search for her mummy and daddy? 62. Will Kate McCann tell us of the conversation she had at the dinner table when she explained what she had done - left the door unlocked for Madeleine to exit into the night- to the other mothers in her party, and how her best friend Fiona Payne told her that 'Madeleine would be fine?!' 63. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is that they have employed at least five lots of private investigators to search for their daughter, none of them experienced in looking for missing persons? 64. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is that they have a formidable legal team at the ready should they, Kate and Gerry McCann require their services if any criminal charges are brought against them? 65. Will Kate McCann tell us how they can manage to secure for themselves, only the very best in their field to protect them, yet for Madeleine there has been a string of dodgy detectives, who they have paid £1million + from the Fund? 66. Will Kate McCann tell us why for 6 months they paid Metodo 3 a detective company, hundreds of thousands of pounds, a company who claimed they would return Madeleine by Christmas of that year they were employed by McCann’s, a company who had no experience in looking for missing persons? 67. Will Kate McCann tell us why they paid Kevin Halligen, from the firm Oakley, hundreds of thousands of pounds to search for Madeleine, a fraudster, who was wanted by the FBI and who is now in prison in the UK awaiting extradition to the US? 68. Will Kate McCann tell us how their formidable team did not know the background of this man? 69. Will Kate McCann tell us why their spokesperson Clarence Mitchell, at the time the news broke re Kevin Halligen, stated that Halligen had done a good job whilst in the McCann's employ? 70. Will Kate McCann tell us why later news report were of the McCann's being ripped off by this man, though no comment from the McCann's? Someone swindles them out of hundred of thousands of pounds and they have nothing to say! 71. Will Kate McCann tell us why they are not attempting to re-coup this money, and why they choose to sweep this under the carpet? 72. Will Kate McCann tell us why they are not taking action against this man but would rather ask the public to once again put their hands in their pockets, despite knowing also that they had a book deal, and an advance payment coming their way? 73. Will Kate McCann tell us why if as they said in interviews given to the UK news channels recently, that their Fund was low, did they contradict this on Portuguese television stating that they had been quoted inaccurately? This was not true. It was not a case of inaccurate reporting, they spoke on television we all heard what the McCann's had to say...nothing inaccurate about it! 74. Will Kate McCann tell us why (as she and her husband Gerry remain 'persons of interest' to any future re-investigation of this case) that she believes as 'possible suspects' if you like that they are entitled to be given access to the police files, those that are not available to the public? 75. Will Kate McCann tell us why their daughter Madeleine was made a Ward of Court? This is generally to protect the child, often in cases where there is a dispute between parents over custody/one parent abducting the child taking to a foreign country perhaps. It is not a process used for stranger abduction! As the McCann couple are together, united, one has to ask: 76. Will Kate McCann tell us who it was that Madeleine required to be protected from? It was not an alleged abductor! 77. Will Kate McCann tell us how often she attended church in PDL before Madeleine disappeared? 78. Will Kate McCann tell us why when Gerry McCann was asked if he knew Robert Murat (Murat was at one point made arguido in this case, as were the McCann couple) that he replied 'no comment?' 79. Will Kate McCann tell us, either yes or no – Did her husband Gerry know Robert Murat? 80. Will Kate McCann tell us why they tell the press and on televised interview that they have been cleared of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance, when this is not the case at all? The McCann's have never been charged at this point in time with any crime against their children, therefore they have not appeared in a Court of Law, therefore cannot possibly have been CLEARED! The McCann however were released from their arguida status. No more no less. 81. Will Kate McCann tell the public explain to them what measures, if any, they have taken to prevent once more, donations to this Fund being spent on dodgy detectives? £1million + thrown down the drain is one hell of a lot of money to have been so careless with. It was £1million + that was donated to help find this child, and it was handed over to fly by night detectives, and I cannot for a moment understand how this could have happened? 82. Will Kate McCann tell us why the new set up within their Board of Directors (Gerry McCann's brother has now left amid speculation as to why) of which she and Gerry are now part, is more effective than before? McCann's stated the new Board are more effective! 83. Will Kate McCann tell us if Mr. Kennedy the owner of the double glazing company is still meeting any of their costs, paying for Clarence Mitchell's salary, legal fees or otherwise? 84. Will Kate McCann tell us if Mr. Kennedy's solicitor is still acting on their behalf also? 85. Will Kate McCann tell us how much they are now paying for the 'spinning services' of Clarence Mitchell? Full time salary was reported as £70,000 per annum, part time - £28,000 per annum! 86. Will Kate McCann tell us how many are on their payroll and at what cost? 87. Will Kate McCann tell us why on interview recently they claimed to be running short of money, but with the same token stated they had taken on 2 or 3 new private detectives? 88. Will Kate McCann tell us, with this team, now increased in number, if they have made any headway in this private investigation? 89. Will Kate McCann tell us if these 2/3 new detectives are simply going over the files which the 5 lots of private detectives before them did, to no avail? 90. Will Kate McCann tell us what salary is paid to each of these detectives? 91. Will Kate McCann tell us how many detectives are now on their team and what role, do each of them play? 92. Will Kate McCann tell us if Dave Edgar still leads this private investigation? As he appears not to have noticed any of the great holes in the police statements, official police files, and has gone along with inconsistencies in the self made documentary, one has to question his motives? 93. Will Kate McCann tell us why she and Gerry McCann insist that the findings of the cadaver dogs should not be taken seriously? Dogs which have been used around the world and successfully so in such cases? 94. Will Kate McCann tell us how many patient deaths she attended in the weeks prior to going on holiday to Portugal? 95. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is that she believes Madeleine will be giving her captors and torturers 'her tuppence worth'? Hardly likely that a child abducted held by paedophiles or anyone else would be giving them her 'tuppence worth!' 96. Will Kate McCann tell us how it is that she and her husband Gerry insist on stating that there is NO EVIDENCE that Madeleine has come to any harm...when clearly she has? 97. Will Kate McCann tell us why it is she and husband Gerry have never once said that they were sorry for the appalling neglect of their children, or more to the point have not ever accepted that they did wrong? 98. Will Kate McCann tell us why she and husband Gerry consider the heinous treatment of their children meted out by them, as being 'Within the Bounds of Responsible Parenting?' 99. Will Kate McCann tell us why husband Gerry said he knew there was something wrong in the apartment due to the bedroom door being open wider, yet he did not investigate how this came to be and chose to return to the pub, leaving the children alone again in the unlocked apartment? 100. Will Kate McCann tell us why on earth she would think that anyone would believe the ever changing stories of the events of that night, why when they are in black and white in the police files, available online, on televised interview also that she would think that her story could be taken seriously. 101. Will Kate McCann tell us why during the daytime, she and husband Gerry diligently locked their apartment when the family went out for the day, to protect their belongings from any would-be intruder...yet in the evenings the very same belongings, along with the most precious people in their lives, their three wee children were then abandoned in an unlocked apartment? Did they consider Portugal to be a safer place by night than by day? 102. Will Kate McCann tell us why they did not take advantage of the night time babysitting service available to them? 103. Will Kate McCann tell us why they said they were mimicking a baby listening service, one which was NOT available at this complex as it was not considered to be a safe option, and of this they knew before travelling to Portugal? Will Kate McCann in her book, tell yet again another 'account of the truth?'

Missing Madeleine book is 'truthful and scathing' 25 November 2010

Missing Madeleine book is 'truthful and scathing' The Press and Journal Philomena McCann: support Relative of little girl may find McCanns' account of disappearance 'too upsetting' to read By Mel Fairhurst Published: 25/11/2010 An aunt of missing youngster Madeleine McCann has described a new book about her disappearance as "truthful and scathing". The girl's parents, Gerry and Kate, have secured a multimillion-pound deal to write an account of their search for their daughter, who vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007. Money raised by sales of the book, entitled Madeleine, will be used to pay for their ongoing hunt for the child, who was aged four when she disappeared. The couple, who are both 42 and have five-year-old twins Amelie and Sean, revealed recently that their search fund was dwindling. Mr McCann's older sister Philomena McCann, 46, who lives at Ullapool in Wester Ross and is head of social subjects at the local high school, said Kate had finished writing and the book was being edited. Ms McCann said: "Kate is mainly doing it and I know she has written some very truthful and scathing things relating to the Portuguese police. "When Madeleine went missing we thought it would be really important for Kate to keep a detailed journal and she felt it was important to keep an account of everything and some of it has been used for the book. "I don't know if I will be able to read it myself. I have been thinking about it but I think I may find it too upsetting. "Kate and Gerry feel a real responsibility that they don't want to continue asking the public to support them, and that support has allowed them to go on. "They think about what they can do to help themselves and they came up with this idea." The book will be published on April 28, 2011 – to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance from the Praia da Luz resort. Ms McCann said the family, who live in Rothley in Leicestershire, were regular visitors to the Highlands and "loved" travelling north with their children. She added: "They will be spending Christmas at home, but we will meet up with them at my mum's after Christmas. Amelie and Sean are amazing, most of the time the family just get on with things as much as they can but sometimes they just can't." On their website dedicated to Madeleine – www. findmadeleine.com – Mrs McCann says: "There are several different reasons as to why I finally came to the decision with my husband Gerry to write and publish a book. My reason for writing is simple; to give an account of the truth. "Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl. "We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too. Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information, knowingly or not, to come forward and share it with our team."

'Maddie' released in May, 31 December 2010

'Maddie' released in May Correio da Manhã Book: Profits go to the fund managed by the parents Kate and Gerry McCann promise to tell all about the last few years The book 'Madeleine', written by Gerry and Kate McCann, the parents of the English child who disappeared in 2007 from a resort in the Algarve, will be released in Portugal by Edições Asa, in May, the month which will see the completion of four years since the night that Maddie was seen for the last time. By Leonardo Ralha 31 December 2010 In launching the book, Edições Asa, of the Leya Group, will count on the presence, in Portugal, of the couple, who, throughout the investigation of the case, came to face charges of knowing much more - about what there was to understand - concerning the fate of Madeleine, who was only three years old when she came on holiday, together with her parents and two younger siblings, to the Algarve town of Aldeia da Luz. 'Madeleine' is being presented as an account by Gerry and Kate McCann of the days before the disappearance of their eldest child and their efforts to find her. Revenues from sales of the book are intended to finance the fund which has funded initiatives - so far unsuccessful - to find the child or find out what was her fate. Maddie's parents agreed a deal in November, with the publisher Transworld, which handed a million dollar advance plus a generous percentage of sales to Gerry and Kate McCann. At that time, it was announced that part of the book was already written. The English version should be released on April 28 - after which the anniversary will be marked on May 3 - and it was explained by Kate McCann as "an account of the truth." "Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart," she said in November, noting that lack of money in the fund created with the name of their daughter was one of the reasons that led them to accept the challenge of the publisher.

McCanns delay Madeleine book launch, 03 January 2011

McCanns delay Madeleine book launch The Press Association (UKPA) - Approx 08:00am Kate and Gerry McCann have put back publication of their book about their daughter Madeleine's disappearance to avoid clashing with the royal wedding. The couple's account of how the little girl vanished on a family holiday to Portugal in 2007 was due to hit the shops on April 28 2011, just before the fourth anniversary of her disappearance. But publishers Transworld postponed the release date by a fortnight after it was announced that Prince William would marry Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey in London on April 29. The book, which is being written by the McCanns themselves and is simply entitled 'Madeleine', will now be published on May 12, the missing child's eighth birthday. All proceeds from sales of the book will go to the McCanns' official fund to look for Madeleine, which had been in danger of running out in 2011. McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "The publication date for 'Madeleine' has now been moved on to May 12, 2011 in the light of the royal wedding and the subsequent media coverage that will generate. "Kate and Gerry are very happy with the new date, as are the publishers, and it will still be very much tied into the fourth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance." Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby. Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, she has not been found. The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance was formally shelved in July 2008, although private detectives employed by the McCanns have continued the search.

Maddie's tale delay, 04 January 2011

Maddie's tale delay The Sun (paper edition) Tuesday, January 4, 2011 MADDIE McCann's parents are delaying their book about her disappearance - to avoid a clash with the Royal Wedding. Kate and Gerry's account was due in the shops this April 28 - nearly four years since their daughter vanished on a holiday in Portugal. But publishers Transworld postponed the release because Prince William marries Kate Middleton on April 29. The book, titled simply Madeleine and written by doctors Gerry, 42, and Kate, 43, will now come out on May 12, the little girl's eigth birthday. Proceeds will go to the Maddie search fund.

Madeleine book is put on hold to avoid clash the royal wedding, 04 January 2011

Madeleine book is put on hold to avoid clash the royal wedding Leicester Mercury By Laura Elvin Tuesday, January 04, 2011, 09:30 Kate and Gerry McCann have postponed publication of their book about their daughter's disappearance to avoid a clash with the royal wedding. The couple's account of how three-year-old Madeleine went missing while on holiday in Portugal was due to hit shelves on April 28 – just before the fourth anniversary of her disappearance. However, publishers have postponed the release by two weeks after Prince William and Kate Middleton announced they would wed on April 29. Publishers and the family, who live in Rothley, feared media coverage of the release would clash with that of the royal wedding. McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "The publication date has now been moved on to May 12, 2011, in the light of the royal wedding and the subsequent media coverage that will generate." The book, largely written by Kate McCann, is called Madeleine and tells the story of her disappearance from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined with friends nearby. It will now be released by publishers Transworld on May 12 – Madeleine's eighth birthday. Mr Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry are very happy with the date, as are the publishers." All proceeds from sales of the book will go to the McCanns' official fund to look for Madeleine, which had been in danger of running out. The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance was formally shelved in July 2008, although private detectives employed by the McCanns have continued the search. The McCanns launched a petition in November calling for a review of the evidence collected in the search for their daughter Madeleine. It has attracted more than 38,000 signatures and Mr Mitchell said it would remain online until signatures stop coming in. The petition calls for ministers in both Portugal and Britain to order an independent and transparent review of all information they have related to Madeleine's disappearance. A statement on the Leicestershire Police website said: "The role of Leicestershire Constabulary is to complete and co-ordinate UK-based enquiries at the request of the Portuguese police and any tasks completed by British police are under their direction. "At the heart of this inquiry is an innocent little girl. Our focus remains on doing everything we can to assist the Portuguese police to find out what has happened to Madeleine." To sign the petition, visit: www.ipetitions.com/ petition/madeleinemccann_case_review/signatures

McCanns' statement on release of book, 05 January 2011

McCanns' statement on release of book Official Find Madeleine Campaign - Facebook Wednesday, 05 January 2011 at 08:07 We have pushed back the release of our book to Madeleine's birthday. May 12, 2011. We need as much exposure for the book so we can get Madeleine home. Thank you all for your continuous support and love. xxx ------------------------------- Follow up comment Wednesday, 05 January 2011 at 15:59 Thank you all for planning to buy our book. We will look into book signings when the time comes. We will most definitely let you all know if we do any. Julie (and anyone else), you can send mass cards to us at: Madeleine's Fund P.O. Box 9880 Leicester LE7 7UJ

Stephen Nolan interviews Clarence Mitchell, 07 January 2011

Stephen Nolan interviews Clarence Mitchell BBC Radio 5live 'Lively and fierce topical phone-in debate live from Manchester.' 07/01/2011 Transcript By Nigel Moore - Extract - Stephen Nolan: Just finally, Clarence, we... we understand that the McCanns obviously are releasing this book. Is this going to be, errm... a summary of everything we already know? Clarence Mitchell: No, it's going to be Kate's story. Kate is writing it. Gerry, of course, is... is helping her but essentially it will be Kate's work. For... virtually from the first day it happened, errr... I was coming under pressure from various publishers, some of them very polite, but very persistent, saying they should write a book, or it should be ghost written. Kate and Gerry always said they didn't want to do that, they didn't feel the time was right, they had far more important things to do in the search for their daughter. They've now decided, and it's largely been driven by the need for funds for the... for the search to continue, that the time is right for the book to be written. Kate has been writing it for some months. She's probably finished about sixty to seventy thousand words and, errm... it's coming out on May 12th which is Madeleine's eighth birthday. It is designed to keep the search for her going. That is the simple reason. For full interview see: Clarence Mitchell

Kate McCann's helps search for Maddie, 13 March 2011

Kate McCann's helps search for Maddie Sunday Express By Tracey Kandohia Sunday March 13,2011 KATE McCANN has chosen the world-famous picture of daughter Madeleine as the cover for her book. Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said yesterday: "This is the picture that everyone remembers of Madeleine. "Although age-progression photos of how she may look nowadays have been released, her parents thought the original photo would be more appropriate." Kate's decision to relive her nightmare by telling the story of Madeleine's abduction in her own words has been heartbreaking for her. She hopes her account will raise millions of pounds for the dwindling Madeleine fund, which will pay private investigators to continue the search. A friend said yesterday: "The book is taking up nearly all Kate's time. "She is finding it very emotional and has been in tears at times when she has been remembering the worst of it all. "She looks a bit stressed out but she has put her heart and soul into the book and is determined to give it her best shot for Madeleine." Kate, 42, a doctor from Rothley, Leicestershire, said: "Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart. "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl." The 384-page hardback Madeleine will be published on Madeleine's eighth birthday, May 12, price £20.

Kate's book helps search for Maddie, 13 March 2011

Kate's book helps search for Maddie Sunday Express (paper edition)

War of words looms over Madeleine McCann books, 20 March 2011

War of words looms over Madeleine McCann books Sunday Express By James Murray Sunday March 20,2011 FORMER Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral is set for a new legal battle with Kate and Gerry McCann after writing a second book about their missing daughter Madeleine. Mr Amaral's book will be published in Portugal next month shortly before Kate McCann publishes her fundraising book called Madeleine. It could not come at a worse time for Kate, 42. She is hoping someone who reads her book will come forward with information about the person who took her daughter on May 3, 2007. The McCanns' private investigator David Edgar is also preparing to beef up his team in Portugal to react swiftly to any new leads produced by Kate's book. It goes on sale in Britain on May 12 and a week later in Portugal. The McCanns have already fought a costly legal battle over Mr Amaral's first book on the case. Called Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie, it was taken off the shelves for several months before being allowed back on sale. On Friday the McCanns lost an appeal in Portugal's Supreme Court to stop his first book from going back on the shelves there. In the book Mr Amaral put forward the theory that Madeleine had died in apartment 5a of the Ocean Club complex in Praia da Luz on the Algarve. His conclusion angered the McCanns, who insist there is no evidence to suggest Madeleine died there and they still hope she is alive. Now the stage is set for a fresh legal battle. Mr Amaral's wife Sofia said: "Goncalo has been working on his book for about six months, spending days and nights assessing all the evidence. He has put in an enormous amount of work. The title has not been decided and a publication date will be sorted out this week. "At this stage he doesn't want to say too much, but he will say his investigation was cut short and he will explain what he would have done if he had been allowed to continue. The book is not just about Madeleine. He gives the background to other big cases he was involved with. "The timing of this new book is just coincidental, nothing was planned. We are not trying to cash in on the fourth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance and we do not want a fight over Kate's book." Mr Amaral was a senior investigation officer in the case but was taken off it after criticising British police for an alleged lack of co-operation. After resigning from the Policia Judiciaria, he has become a successful author in Portugal and regularly appears on television news. He has tried to publish The Truth Of The Lie in Britain but no publisher has accepted it for fear of being sued for libel. Kate McCann is said to have been warned by her publisher to be careful of what she says about Mr Amaral. However, she does chronicle her frustration with him and her anger over the way he looked at the case. The Sunday Express can also reveal that Mr Edgar has been making regular trips to Portugal to check out leads in recent months. A source said: "The investigation is very active. There is a hope that Kate's book will lead to someone coming forward with the key piece of the jigsaw."

Kate McCann's emotional battle to finish Madeleine tribute, 28 March 2011

Kate McCann's emotional battle to finish Madeleine tribute Daily Express By Tracey Kandohla and David Pilditch Monday March 28,2011 HEARTBROKEN Kate McCann has been overwhelmed with emotion writing a book about her daughter Madeleine’s disappearance, friends revealed last night. Kate is now close to finishing the deeply-personal account of her nightmare, which she hopes will raise millions of pounds for the dwindling fund set up to find her daughter. Any money will pay for private detectives to continue the search for Madeleine, who went missing at the age of three in May 2007, during a family holiday in Portugal. Last night a close friend said: "At times it has been heartbreaking for Kate. "Not surprisingly, there have been many tears. But Kate has been strong and carried on for Madeleine's sake." Kate, 42, a doctor from Rothley, Leicestershire, has been using extracts from her personal diary written in the days after Madeleine vanished. She has also been relying on family and close friends to help jog her memory. The friend told how Kate had been overwhelmed with emotion at times as she re-read the chapters. But she insisted she had to carry on to help her desperate fight. The friend said: "She is adamant it will be her very own account – written in her words – and has turned down offers by her publishers of a ghost writer." Kate has been helped by her husband Gerry and close friend Fiona Payne, who was also on the ill-fated holiday in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz. The book was originally due to be published on April 28 – just before the fourth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. But publishers Transworld postponed the release date by a fortnight because it would clash with the "media frenzy" surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29. Heart consultant Gerry, 42, has also postponed his own money-raising event – cycling from Portugal to England – because of the royal wedding. Kate’s book, simply entitled "Madeleine", will now be published on May 12. That is the day of Madeleine's eighth birthday, underlining the book's central message that her parents are convinced she is still alive. The couple, who have five-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, have publicly told of their fear that lack of cash could make it impossible for them to continue searching for their daughter. Gerry's marathon fund-raising cycle ride from Portugal to England has been put back until the summer. Gerry and three friends were due to begin the gruelling 2,000-mile journey from Praia da Luz to Rothley on May 3. A family source said last night: "Gerry is disappointed because he was looking forward to the challenge to continue raising awareness and funds."

Madeleine: Family warn kidnappers, 01 April 2011

Madeleine: Family warn kidnappers Daily Express (paper edition) Friday April 01,2011 Kate McCann's new book will be key to finding her daughter ---------------------------- Madeleine: Family warn kidnappers Daily Express By Tracey Kandohla Friday April 1,2011 THE mother of Madeleine McCann is using the book she has written to send a plea to her daughter's kidnappers: "Please, let her come home." Kate McCann's anguished account of her living nightmare since Madeleine was snatched nearly four years ago is set to be this year's publishing sensation when it goes on sale next month. Kate, and her husband Gerry hope the book will be read by Madeleine's abductors and even by their daughter, who will turn eight next month. A friend said last night: "The book is another warning from the family that they will never stop searching for their beloved daughter. Whoever snatched Madeleine should be warned that the book will only bolster the search efforts." Kate's 384-page memoir, Madeleine, is being published on the missing girl's birthday on May 12 and has been translated into several languages, including Portuguese and Spanish. The family's spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate is writing the book to raise awareness of her daughter's disappearance and to pay private investigators to continue the search to find her. "Ultimately she is hoping and praying it will lead to her daughter being found alive." The international drive to market the book is aimed at triggering a vital new lead in the long-running investigation. A friend of Kate said: "Anyone will be able to get their hands on it. If Madeleine's still out there, as her family and friends believe, she could have access to it." Kate, a 42-year-old doctor and her cardiologist husband Gerry, also 42, are convinced Madeleine was abducted nearly four years ago. In desperation, Kate has sent an anguished public message to the kidnappers, begging them to treat her beloved Madeleine "with love and respect". The couple said on their Find Madeleine website: "We hope with all our hearts that wherever she is, she is safe and well." They also hope "whoever may be with her is treating her with the love and respect she so deserves". Anxious friends have revealed that Kate has been overwhelmed with emotion while putting the finishing touches to her book, which she hopes will raise millions of pounds for the dwindling fund set up to find Madeleine. Within weeks of Madeleine's disappearance money from the public poured in, but it emerged recently that the fund had dropped from its £2million peak to just a fraction of that amount. A friend said: "Kate is hoping the book will keep the search going for another year." Madeleine will be published next month by Transworld, who have bought UK and Commonwealth rights, including Europe, Australia and Canada. A source close to Kate said: "No American deal has yet been done but it will be. "Kate wants the book to be global because Madeleine could be anywhere in the world." Madeleine went missing from the holiday resort of Praia da Luz on Portugal's Algarve days before her fourth birthday in May 2007 while her parents were dining with friends in a nearby restaurant. The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance formally ceased in July 2008 but private detectives employed by the McCanns have continued the search for their missing daughter. The McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, have developed close links with American authorities and have made several fact-finding trips to the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. An investigator also recently claimed Madeleine had been taken across the Atlantic, one of a multitude of claims and sightings that have been made over the years. Amateur detective Marcelino Italiano, 36, insists the youngster was abducted by an Algarve-based paedophile ring and has given the name of two key suspects to police. His claims are being looked into by private detectives working for Kate and Gerry. According to friends, researching and writing the book has been heartbreaking at times for Kate. One said: "Writing the book is proving to be a very painful experience for Kate, reliving all the awful memories and writing about her darling daughter when she is still not home. "It is the book she never wanted to write but the family are desperate to keep the search for her going." Kate, who also has six-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, said: "My reason for writing is simple – to give an account of the truth. "Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision but with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands. "Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important than finding our little girl." Kate has recently accused the Government of giving up the hunt for her daughter, saying a series of ministers had shrugged off her pleas for help. She said: "We need action, not fluffy, worthless words." -------------------- Lesley Perman-Kerr: Writing a book can help the McCann's take control Daily Express By Lesley Perman-Kerr Friday April 1,2011 THE constant gnawing pain of a lost child is something so destructive that one can only stand in awe of parents who find ways to survive a situation seemingly without end, waiting for some glimmer of hope. They are always under a cloud of self-recrimination and intrusive thoughts of what might have been and what could be, if only... Writing a book is a chance to take some control where often there seems nothing but helplessness. It is a chance for Mrs McCann to say everything that she wants to say about the abduction and, most importantly, everything she wants to say to her daughter. By living their emotional roller coaster in the public eye in the hope that it might help bring Madeleine home, the McCanns have exposed themselves to a public scrutiny which has not always been kind. Now Mrs McCann has bravely stepped back into the arena hoping to touch the hearts of the kidnappers or perhaps even bring Maddie some comfort. And, of course, would that that could happen. Kidnappers, particularly those who take children, do not march to the same tune as normal, decent people. They do not care that parents are distraught and that families are broken. They do not care if they cause an innocent child immense fear and distress. If they did they wouldn't do it. It's as simple as that. What might happen though is that someone on the periphery, maybe someone related to whoever took Maddie or with some connection to the kidnapper or their location, will read the book and as a result decide to come forward. For while someone who is prepared to kidnap, in particular those who would take a child, will not care about the devastation they cause, it is entirely possible that someone on the periphery may be troubled enough finally to come forward. There will be someone out there who knows something, even if the knowing is just an uneasy feeling or a sense something is not quite right.