Kate McCann’s book about Madeleine is titled simply Madeleine. It is the personal account of the woman whose daughter disappeared in Portugal in 2007, not a book by the Times Radio presenter who shares her name.
Published in 2011, the memoir carries the fuller title Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her. It tells the family’s story and discusses the investigation, the couple’s legal status, and the fund set up to search for Madeleine.
This distinction matters because searches for “Kate McCann book” can return information about two different women. This article focuses on the 2011 book and the case that surrounds it.
What Is the Title of Kate McCann’s Book About Madeleine?
The book is called Madeleine. Its full title is Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her.
Key details about the book:
- It was released in 2011 by Bantam/Transworld Publishers.
- The listed page count in Open Library is 392 pages.
- It was written to give Kate McCann’s personal account and answer public scrutiny.
- Proceeds were directed toward the family’s continuing private search efforts.
- The book includes criticism of the handling of the case by Portuguese police.
- An updated and revised edition is listed on Apple Books.
- Translations include a Swedish edition, published by Norstedts, and an audio edition.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book title | Madeleine |
| Full title | Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her |
| Author | Kate McCann |
| Subject | Disappearance of Madeleine McCann on 3 May 2007 |
| Publisher (English) | Bantam/Transworld Publishers |
| First published | 2011 |
| Page count | 392 (Open Library) |
| Swedish edition | Norstedts, 2012 hardcover; 2020 e-book |
| Audio edition | Listed by Bibliotheek.nl |
| Proceeds | Directed toward the search effort |
What Does Kate McCann’s Book Cover?
Kate McCann wrote about the night her daughter disappeared, the immediate aftermath, and the years of searching that followed. The book also addresses the couple’s legal status and the criticism levelled at the Portuguese investigation.
The night Madeleine disappeared
According to the book, Madeleine vanished from the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the evening of 3 May 2007. Kate McCann describes the moment she discovered her daughter was missing and the frantic search that followed.
The search and the fund
The McCanns established Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned to finance private search efforts. The book describes how the fund was used and the ongoing attempts to find Madeleine.
Criticism of the Portuguese police investigation
Contemporary coverage of the book reported that Kate McCann was critical of the way Portuguese police handled the case. A review in The Guardian noted that the couple’s legal status as arguidos is discussed in the memoir.
Kate McCann’s book is a personal memoir, not an official investigation report. Its descriptions of police conduct reflect her perspective and are not judicial findings.
Reader responses for the memoir are collected on Goodreads.
Why Do Searches for Kate McCann’s Book Lead to Confusion?
Two prominent women share the name Kate McCann. One is the mother of Madeleine McCann; the other is a broadcaster and presenter for Times Radio. Online searches for “Kate McCann book” can therefore surface results about either person.
Two women named Kate McCann
The author of the 2011 book is Kate McCann, the mother of Madeleine. The other Kate McCann, born in 1988, works in broadcasting. The two are sometimes mixed up in headlines and social media posts.
How to tell the mother from the broadcaster
The mother’s book is about Madeleine’s disappearance. The broadcaster, by contrast, is a media presenter. Checking the publication history and the subject matter of the book helps clarify which Kate McCann is being discussed.
Why this matters for readers
For someone looking for the memoir, confusing the two women can lead to the wrong book or outdated information. It can also fuel misinformation about the case.
If the name appears next to “Madeleine”, “Praia da Luz”, or “disappearance”, it refers to the author of the 2011 book. If it appears next to “presenter” or “broadcaster”, it refers to the other Kate McCann.
What Does ‘Arguido’ Mean and Were the McCanns Suspects?
In Portugal, the word arguido refers to a person formally identified as a suspect by the police. It does not mean the person has been charged. The McCanns were named arguidos in September 2007, and the status was lifted in July 2008.
The couple were never charged with any offence. The term arguido is often mistranslated in English as “suspect”, but its legal meaning is narrower.
Being named an arguido does not make someone guilty. It is a formal procedural step under Portuguese law. The McCanns’ arguido status was removed in 2008, and no charges were ever filed.
What Is the Timeline of the Madeleine McCann Case?
Several dates stand out in the Madeleine McCann case. The following timeline reflects the main publicly documented events.
- 3 May 2007 – Madeleine McCann is reported missing from Praia da Luz. Source: BBC
- 14 May 2007 – Kate and Gerry McCann establish Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned. Source: fund description.
- September 2007 – The McCanns are named arguidos by Portuguese police. Source: The Guardian.
- July 2008 – The arguido status is lifted. Source: The Guardian.
- 12 May 2011 – Kate McCann’s book is published. Source: The Guardian.
- May 2011 – UK police Operation Grange escalates from review into an investigation. Source: The Guardian.
What Is Known for Certain and What Remains Unclear?
Established information
- Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
- Kate McCann’s book was first published in 2011.
- No one has been convicted in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance.
- The McCanns were named arguidos in 2007 and had that status lifted in 2008.
Information that remains unclear
- Whether any individual will eventually face charges remains an open legal question.
- Current investigation updates may change, and all wording should be checked against official police statements.
- German police have identified a man as a suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, but he has not been charged. The exact wording used by police should be used when describing his status.
Why Did Kate McCann Write the Book?
Kate McCann said the book was written to give an account of “the truth,” to preserve the family’s perspective, and to support the search effort. The decision to publish was described as difficult and emotionally painful.
Contemporary coverage also said the book called for a broader review of the case. According to The National, the memoir was released while the search was still active and any proceeds went toward that effort.
Which Sources Should Be Trusted for Updates on the Case?
Updates on the Madeleine McCann case come from multiple sources. Official police statements, the family’s fund, and major news organisations provide the most reliable information. Headlines sometimes use imprecise language that can mislead.
Madeleine McCann was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday, 3 May 2007. Kate and Gerry McCann established ‘Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned’.
Kate McCann is no longer just a witness, she’s now a suspect in her daughter’s disappearance.
That second sentence appeared in media coverage during the investigation. It is an example of how the term “suspect” can be used more loosely than the Portuguese legal status of arguido. Portuguese authorities later made clear that the McCanns’ arguido status was removed in 2008.
Where Can Readers Find the Book Today and What Is the Current Status?
Kate McCann’s book is listed in Open Library under the fuller title. For the latest developments, the Madeleine McCann case continues to draw attention, and the investigation remains open.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kate McCann’s Book and the Case
Is Kate McCann, the author of “Madeleine”, the same person as the Times Radio presenter?
No. The author is the mother of Madeleine McCann. The broadcaster, born 1988, is a different person. The two share a name but not an occupation.
Are Kate and Gerry McCann still married?
Public reporting indicates they remain married. For the most recent confirmation, consult a trusted news source.
What are the names of Madeleine McCann’s siblings?
Madeleine’s younger siblings are twins Sean and Amelie.
What is Madeleine’s Fund?
Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned was established by Kate and Gerry McCann to support the search for Madeleine. Proceeds from the 2011 book were directed toward that fund.
Was anyone charged in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance?
No one has been convicted. The McCanns were once named arguidos in Portugal but were never charged, and the status was later lifted.
What does “arguido” mean?
It is a Portuguese legal term for a formal suspect. It indicates that someone is being investigated but does not imply guilt or an official charge.
Where can I buy the book?
The book is available through major retailers and libraries. For publisher or agency information, consult the Bantam/Transworld page or the Christopher Little literary agency.
What is the Netflix project about Madeleine McCann?
It is a media treatment of the case. Its promotional caption caused renewed public confusion about Kate McCann’s legal status and was not a legal record.
Is the book available in other languages?
Yes. A Swedish edition was published by Norstedts in 2012, with an e-book edition in 2020. An audio edition is also listed.
What should I do if I see outdated claims that Kate McCann is a suspect?
Check the date and the source. The McCanns’ arguido status was removed in 2008. Official police statements remain the best reference.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, running the daily news list and covering UK and world stories with a city lens.