Letter to Child "X"

By: John Emroch

Narrated by: Evan Crowley

Letter to Child “X” is a powerful, emotionally devastating courtroom drama that explores the human cost of child welfare systems, addiction, justice, and redemption. Told through interwoven perspectives—primarily that of Judge Alan Merrick and a struggling mother named Marie—the novel unfolds like a sealed letter gradually being opened, one heartbreak at a time.

At the heart of the story lies an anonymous child—“X”—born into turmoil and caught in a legal battle she cannot understand. The narrative begins inside a weary courtroom, where Judge Merrick presides over a relentless docket of custody and termination cases. He is a man schooled in detachment, trained to treat each file as procedure rather than tragedy. But when the case of Marie—a young woman with a long history of addiction and grief—lands on his bench, something shifts. Her story, fragmented and painful, resists easy classification.

Marie gives birth in a shelter, alone and frightened, whispering her child’s name before the infant is taken away. As the state machinery clicks into place, we witness Marie’s desperate attempts to comply with the system’s demands: parenting classes, supervised visits, sobriety checkpoints. There are fragile victories—songs sung in a playroom, drawings exchanged—but the looming pressure of relapse is always there. A single drink, a missed appointment, and the clock resets.

Each chapter traces Marie’s journey as she moves through a revolving door of foster homes, rehab centers, and courtroom appearances. Her inner world, captured in unsent letters and raw journal entries, paints a portrait of a woman torn between shame and hope, desperation and love. Even as the system labels her a failure, she clings to the belief that one day her daughter will understand her side of the story.

Meanwhile, Judge Merrick, once unshakeable in his judgements, finds himself haunted by Marie’s case. He recalls an earlier file, a boy lost to bureaucracy, a decision he can never undo. With each new hearing, Merrick becomes less certain that justice is being served—or even defined.

The novel crescendos at a final hearing where parental rights hang in the balance. Marie delivers her statement not as a plea, but as a truth. The adoptive parents—present, loving, unfamiliar—wait quietly. Merrick hesitates, caught between law and conscience. Ultimately, the gavel falls. The decision is final. But the story is not.

In the quiet aftermath, Marie writes her last letter—meant for the child she carried, held, and lost. She leaves the courtroom unnoticed, the letter sealed and stored until the girl turns twenty-one. Judge Merrick reads it alone, then returns to his chambers and wonders, perhaps for the first time in his career, what justice really means when seen through the eyes of a child grown old enough to read the truth.

Years pass. Merrick retires. Marie disappears. But the letter waits.

Letter to Child “X” is a haunting meditation on motherhood, accountability, and the silent scars of family court. It asks uncomfortable questions: Can love survive addiction? Can justice and compassion coexist? And when a life is shaped by decisions made in her absence, can a single letter change the way she sees her mother—or herself?

This is not a story about heroes or villains. It is a story about people. Broken, trying, and often unseen.

Until now.

©2025 Deep Vision Media t/a Zentara UK (P)2025 Deep Vision Media t/a Zentara UK

No villains, just people

What I appreciated most was that the author avoided the typical tropes of heroes and villains, instead presenting everyone—including the adoptive parents—with compassion and nuance. I liked that the story didn't provide easy answers, showing instead how different people can all be "right" according to their own perspectives while a child's life hangs in the balance. I would recommend this to book clubs because the moral ambiguity provides so much material for a deep discussion. It is a refreshing and honest look at the messy reality of human relationships.

A legacy in a letter

The concept of the final letter waiting for Child X until she turns twenty-one was a haunting and beautiful way to conclude the narrative. I liked the sense of mystery and hope that remains, even after the courtroom doors have closed and the characters have moved on. It serves as a powerful reminder that every child in the system has a story that deserves to be told and understood. I would recommend this to parents or anyone who has been touched by the themes of adoption or foster care.

No heroes or villains

I really appreciated that this book didn't try to make anyone a "bad guy," portraying even the adoptive parents with grace and kindness. I liked how the narrative forces you to see that everyone is trying their best in an impossible situation where there are no easy answers. It challenges the reader to think about what "justice" actually looks like when every choice leads to some form of heartbreak. I recommend this to book club members who enjoy debating difficult topics and exploring the shades of gray in human relationships.

The meaning of justice

This story asks the uncomfortable question of whether compassion can truly coexist with the law in a broken system. I liked how the narrative followed Judge Merrick into his retirement, showing that the effects of a single case can last a lifetime for those on the bench. It forced me to think about how often the "right" legal decision might still result in a deep human loss. I’d recommend this book to book clubs or anyone who loves a story that sparks deep philosophical discussion.

A child caught in the middle

I found the exploration of the foster care system and the "revolving door" of temporary homes to be incredibly eye-opening and heartbreaking. I liked how the narrative centers on the invisible "Child X" to highlight how decisions made in a quiet courtroom shape an entire lifetime for someone who has no voice. It forces the reader to confront uncomfortable questions about accountability and what is truly in a child's best interest. This is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice or the complexities of the modern welfare system.