Thread 20 : To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

[DisappointedReader]

The Observer's original exposé: The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

First thread: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet

Links to threads 2-16, the other 20 Observer articles and videos to date, Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement, our timeline and sources can all be accessed in the OP and first few posts of Thread 17: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5403285-thread-17-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 18: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5422393-thread-18-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 19: www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5437058-thread-19-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

New posters joining us in the genuine spirit of our civil discourse are welcome. It would be helpful to get the background from at least some of the Observer exposé items before posting.
To all - Please be extremely cautious when it comes to naming or implicating people and addresses not in the public eye or with no direct connection to the story, and around the understandable health speculations, especially where details are unclear or still emerging. Remember, even Hollywood rabbits attract the odd flea. Please do not engage with drive-by scolders and ploppers who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail. Avoid @'ing and quoting them as - from experience - this will only encourage them back to the threads. Over five months we have done amazingly well together for 19 very interesting, very serious and very silly threads so far. I can't be here as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion walking along in our usual reasonable and respectful fashion is very welcome.

Keep to the path. No saltiness. May the fudge and cider be with you.

Up and coming:

• Salt Path: A Very British Scandal, Monday 15th December 9pm Sky Documentaries and NOW
• Sunday Papers Live, The Real Salt Path with Chloe Hadjimatheou, Sunday 7th December (see image below for tickets and further details)
• Observer Newsroom: The Real Salt Path Story, Thursday 8th January 2026 6.30-7.30pm. More information and to book via this link observer.co.uk/our-events/the-real-salt-path-story

Could pretend to be a fan....

I suppose it's cheeky to ask for a general summary?

Just wow….

So it’s still a minor financial dispute etc…Tortoise media have it in for her & we the public hate on the successful & cut down the tall poppies?! Apart from the better educated amongst us who have written to her expressing love & sympathy.

Moth DEF has the disease & is a medical miracle.

How does she explain the first book? What an unfortunate coincidence..

If you press the down arrow Show More at the top of this page the OP points to excellent summaries, timelines, etc.

Catching on ....
Salt Path scandal deepens: Raynor Winn denies relatives' claims she stole money from her mother and in-laws - and says she did not write letter which said forging cheques was 'almost an addiction' | Daily Mail Online

I see Sal's statement today as a "holding strategy". Basically she's not saying anything until she knows what other skeletons will emerge in the Sky documentary and any further articles/podcasts in the coming weeks. At that point maybe it will be time for her to sit down with her agent and Penguin and have a long conversation to decide on the best strategy. Keep calm and carry on or issue a full mea culpa or even publish a 5th book telling her side of the story. I suspect that we will hear more from Sal.

@NigelForage @SimoArmo 's post at 9.58 today has a working link to the new Observer article. Any problems , just before @Aussiebornandbred has painstakingly copied and pasted it into a series of posts.

Basic gist, family have produced evidence that a lot of money was stolen from her mother and his parents, but there is more.

Her side of the story with a big charity donation (?) Later a movie showing a deprived & unhappy childhood. Good points.

@BegazingBrandy Interesting that she does not give anything except Lauren to contact on either of her statements. Have the agency/publisher finally accepted that their cash cow has dried up?

Or is it that Salray wants control of the narrative?
She doesn't trust anyone else to give out information
She wants to know what everyone is saying
She doesn't trust agents snd publishers to tell her what people are thinking
She doesn't want publishers to know what most people are saying.
So many possibilities......

Thank you. They leave out the damning narrative of embezzlement in first book…

Thanks @Uricon2

Her statement is laughable.

I don't think (and I hope) there is no way back for them now. I think people who excused the Hemmings embezzlement 'because it was paid back' might draw the line at stealing from their parents and the True Believers will be reduced in number.

This is all before the docu actually screens too, can't think the new Observer piece is all of it.

Unfortunately the majority, who’ve not done a deep dive, will disagree I fear. She’s accepting NO responsibility.

The thing is, they can always (for the 2nd time!) self publish and there will always be fans/mugs who will buy anything they crank out.

I'm glad you have posted this ... I am still hoping for a summary of the documentary tomorrow. It does not have to be while it is playing though. After would be acceptable! 💖

The first book feels partic damning - imagine if there’s a bogus walk too. It’s not really on anyone’s radar.

I wonder if this latest statement is a bit of another ill advised knee jerk too? She’s admitting no responsibility at all.

Quite so, but the glory days of hobnobbing with the likes of JI and GA, interviews with eg Michael Portillo and Rick Stein and tours with Gigspanner are I think over.

She's not a good writer and although a full mea culpa book might sell well (we'll all want it😂) I don't think she has it in her.

I wonder if family can sue for money stolen? The Winns unfortunately have the power & money here though.

Exactly. Like the chap below!

I've worked out a plan to retire to the (overly grandly named) study at 9 on the dot (I don't want DH commentary while I'm Concentrating)

I hope your poor old hand is OK now the pins are out, BTW.

I agree she’s a poor writer or mediocre at best. Surprisingly, to me anyway, so many disagree. It was a great idea & the illness hook meant it sold.

if JI & GA expressed ‘disappointment’ at dishonest pair I think this would sting terribly.

Is Bob Cook identifiable as someone real? Love the spelling of knawing!!!!

This will be my yardstick for gauging people in the future. Mention TSP scandal and see what they say. Clued up folk get a pass.

Poor Bob.

He'd rather defend the un-defendable than accept he's been hoodwinked by a manipulative grifter and look the fool.

And still looks foolish as a consequence.