The Broken Man

I've read The Broken Man by Josephine Cox which is set in England during the 1950s.  The main character, Adam Carter, is 7 years old when his father kills his mother.  Adam is then placed "in care" and attempts are made for him to be fostered.  His one true friend is Phil, the school bus driver who is with him all the way.  Adam's father has a history of violence and he is sent to prison.  Meanwhile the reader is introduced to a couple have been trying for years to have a family.  This is set in the 1950s, yet the author has her characters speak as they would in more recent times.  For example, "seeking closure" - so not 1950s!  All the pieces come together in the end as the reader predicted. 3/5