STOLEN FLOWER

Overview

In the early 80s, I realized that there was a kind of epidemic of child sexual abuse going on that society was not acknowledging. I decided to write a book that would honestly portray how severely children were being abused by organized groups of pedophiles, though I soon realized that I did not know enough about the subject to write a comprehensive story. I heard rumors that children were being bought and sold for the purpose of sexual abuse all over Europe and began doing research and thus found out the truth about what was happening, went to Spain and there wrote my first published book Stolen Flower, which was about the abduction and sexual indenture of children.

When I returned from Europe "Stolen Flower" was written. My agent, then, the venerable Max Becker, read the manuscript and said he thought it was, "very good, but it makes you cry to much." He, however, began shopping it around New York in the winter of 1984. And the book met with much resistance. Publishers said they liked it fine but that "no one wants to read about child abduction and sexual abuse." E.P. Dutton, however, had the courage to publish it and "Stolen Flower" was released the following year.

As a result of researching and writing "Stolen Flower", I became deeply embroiled in the issues it raised, and was soon doing news and talk shows and lecturing to different police agencies around the world about the very real horror that child sexual abuse has become in our society.

Robert DeNiro bought the film rights to the story, and he and I traveled throughout Europe for several weeks. He wanted to see and know the places and people I had written about and we were scouting for locations. They say Bob is the hardest working actor in the business and it is true. He tirelessly researched the project, asking hundreds of questions. He is a kind, generous man, as sharp as a tack. So far the story has not unfortunately made it to the big screen, though hopefully it will soon. People need to see and know the truth about what is happening to our children, for when that occurs positive change can be effected; and the screws tightened on the molesters.

"What he has done, out of passionate conviction, is, in effect, write a tract about the horrors of child pornography. He wishes to alert readers to the kidnapping of children for immoral purposes. At the end there is a postscript telling people faced with that problem how and where to get help."

~New York Times

"Carlo writes well and swiftly and wets our appetite for more."

~Boston Globe

If you know of an exploited or abused child—or if you recognize a missing child—you can get help right away by telephoning or writing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1-800-843-5678 or 202-634-9821. The address of the Center is Suite 700, 1835 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.