Mostly Murders

“For every woman who’s had to rebuild from ashes, for every child who’s witnessed violence and carried it in silence—this is for you.”

To Memphis, family has become a prison. Trapped in a toxic relationship with her abusive and controlling husband Johnny, and her dominating mother Doris, who openly supports her husband even when he beats her, Memphis has long ago learnt to diminish herself in an attempt to keep Johnny satisfied. 

But when Johnny finally one day goes too far, Memphis realises that she must flee before she is completely reduced to nothing but a husk of a human being. Setting a course for LA and a cousin who is like a sister to her, Memphis is determined to make a new life for herself and her son far away from the stifling constraints of her life in Nashville. But Johnny isn’t content to let his wife enjoy any freedom away from him, and drags Doris with him on a rage-filled trip to LA to retrieve Memphis and Michael.

A raw and gripping thriller shining a harsh light on domestic violence and the shame, doubt and fear that keeps women trapped in toxic relationships. It is impossible not to feel for Memphis as the horrors of her humiliation at the hands of her husband are laid bare on the pages, and it is equally impossible not to wish her all the best as she finally runs away after realising that Johnny will ruin everything she loves in life, including their son Michael.

Today there are plenty of books on the market celebrating strong women. A story about a battered housewife may not seem like it belongs in that category, but if you read Memphis you will realise that the courage it takes to break free of a horrible, abusive marriage easily rivals that of the greatest female heroines, real or fictional.

Domestic thriller