Memphis
Memphis
A Crime Thriller
About the Book
A woman’s desperate bid for freedom from her abusive marriage sparks a cross-country odyssey of self-discovery, love, and reckoning with the family secrets that have held her captive.
A woman on the run. A family with secrets. A past that refuses to let go.
A run-down suburb of Nashville, Tennessee is home to the Freedman family – a tight-knit clan of hard-drinking men who grind their women to dust beneath their boots. From the first moment she meets him, Memphis Monroe, a soft-spoken choir-girl, is overwhelmed by Johnny Freedman’s attention and reputation. Her mother, Doris, who partied with Johnny’s old man back in the day, wants to secure a future for her daughter outside of the trailer park and pushes Memphis to marry him. When the novel opens in the late 70s, Memphis has been married to Johnny for ten long years, and is too worn down by his drinking and violence to hope for a brighter future for her and her son, Michael. Until, that is, the day Johnny goes too far and Memphis is faced with a choice: live as a lion for one day or a sheep for a lifetime.
With her son beside her in her husband’s prized Mustang Shelby, Memphis escapes and embarks on an epic journey from Nashville to Los Angeles in search of shelter and safety. What she finds instead is the voice she’s quelled for so long, a new love, and answers to questions that have plagued her her whole life. When Johnny and Doris track her to Los Angeles, Memphis finds herself caught in a web of lies spun long before she ever met her abusive husband – leading to a final, harrowing encounter from which there can be no turning back.
Memphis explores the generational impact of alcoholism and violence on families, and the early days of abortion rights in America.
Memphis has received the prestigious Kirkus “Get It” Star.
Ebook
Paperback
Ebook
Content Advisory 18+
Book includes domestic violence and abuse, suggested sexual assault, drug use, profanity, suicide.
Book Club Guide
> Discussion Questions: Memphis
Educator’s Guide
> Post Secondary Course Topics: Memphis
Buy the Audiobook
Memphis is also available in audiobook from the following online booksellers:
Amazon Audio
Apple Books Audio
Spotify
Audible
Google Books Audio
Kobo Audio
Barnes & Noble Audio
Everand Audio
Chirp Audiobooks
Narrator: Holly May Cormier
Format: Unabridged
Runtime: 10h 32m
Book Reviews
“An enthralling and sensitive work of crime fiction. Cormier delivers a folksy, enthralling story that grows more exciting and complex as it progresses. Multiple perspectives are handled flawlessly, juxtaposing Memphis’ airy fantasies with the darkness of her reality. Characters are treated with care and nuance; none are stereotypical. Johnny is portrayed in a complex way that shows how he became toxic without condoning him. The result is a story full of twists, turns, and desperation, elevated by the passion of an advocate.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“A gripping and evocative domestic thriller set in the 1970s. Cormier captures the social struggles women faced through raw, intimate prose and a story that lingers long after the final page.”
— Readers’ Favorite, Editorial Review“Oh my God! This book takes you on such an emotional roller coaster. I absolutely devoured this book and hope there is a second one. This is a must-read!”
— Kristyn Schmidt, Goodreads Reviewer“Amazing read! A story of a mom in an abusive relationship who finds the courage to leave to better her and her child’s life. It showcases the sad reality of abuse and how hard it is for victims to be protected. A wonderful story as the FMC slowly rediscovers her strength.”
— Ashley Sutton, Goodreads Reviewer“This book was absolutely amazing — raw, real, and deeply emotional. I was gripping the pages, my emotions in upheaval. I felt this story on a personal level. Reading Memphis was difficult at times, but I’m so glad I did. Memphis is a strong, inspiring woman, and once she found her footing, she fought to create a better life for herself and her son. This book is heartfelt, deep, and beautifully written.”
— Michelle Shamy, Goodreads Reviewer“Cormier’s writing is honest and lovely. Memphis Monroe had me rooting for her from the very first page. Her emotions and choices mirror many women in the real world. I love how her hope manifests as the color yellow — she’s finding her own song after years of silence. This book had some unexpected twists, which I enjoyed.”
— Regan, Goodreads Reviewer“Gripping and pulls you in to the end. A powerful story of a young mom escaping abuse and fighting for safety. Five stars!”
— Barb Niles, Goodreads Reviewer
“Tugs on the heartstrings — I couldn’t put it down. As someone with a personal history tied to the book’s themes, Memphis helped me heal.”
— Rachel Maynard, Goodreads Reviewer
“I felt completely emotionally invested in Memphis’s journey and couldn’t put the book down — I had to know how everything would turn out. I stayed up past my bedtime several nights in a row. This is Holly’s debut novel, and I already can’t wait for the next one.”
— Leslie Prosko, Author of Instagram Moms Are Full of Sh*t
The Details
Genres:
Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Southern Gothic, Domestic Suspense, Domestic Noir, Crime Thriller, Inspirational Fiction, Book Club Fiction, Survivor Fiction
Tropes:
Wife vs Husband, Domestic Violence, Nobody to notable, Woman on the Run, Escaping Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting and Psychological Manipulation, Cycle of Abuse, Generational Trauma, The Breaking Point, Survival Mode, Starting Over from Nothing, On the Road Journey, Long-Buried Family Secrets, Trauma Bonding, Reclaiming Identity, Mother Protecting Her Child, No Way Back, Final Showdown, Choosing Freedom, Healing After Abuse, Emotional Survival, Quiet Strength, Hope After Darkness, Redemption Arc, Found Family, Breaking the Cycle
Word Count
84,000 words
Target Audience
Adults 18+
Release Dates
eBook — September 13, 2025
Print Edition — October 27, 2025
Audiobook -November 27, 2025
ISBNs & Identifiers
ISBN (Paperback Edition): 978-1-0698134-0-4
ASIN (Amazon Paperback Edition): B0FXB5DLH2
ISBN (eBook Edition): 979-8-232-98808-1
ASIN (Kindle Edition): B0FPDZQZN2
ISBN (Audiobook Edition): 978-1-0698134-2-8
Memphis is Book One of a Series. The Memphis: Reckoning sequel will be released in Fall 2026.




