Mia Wend

An excellent and deeply eye-opening read. The Pinball Machine isn’t just a personal memoir—it’s a courageous account that sheds light on the darker realities of family law, power imbalance, and the devastating effects of parental alienation. What makes this book so powerful is its raw honesty. The more unbelievable some parts sound, the more you realise they’re likely true. And that’s what makes it so important. This book gives voice to what many go through in silence. It validates the lived experiences of those who’ve been disbelieved, dismissed, or dehumanised by systems that are meant to protect. Parental alienation doesn’t just harm the targeted parent—it leaves deep emotional wounds in children that can last a lifetime. It is, without exaggeration, one of the worst forms of psychological harm a child can endure. Thank you, Trevor Cooper, for telling the truth so many are afraid to speak. Highly recommended reading for anyone working in mental health, family law, social services—or anyone who wants to understand what’s really going on behind closed doors and wants to protect children.