Memphis

A woman on the run. A family with secrets. A past that refuses to let go.

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 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 is a character driven domestic suspense book that explores the generational impact of alcoholism and violence on families, and the early days of abortion rights in America.

"An aspiring singer struggles to leave her narcissistic, abusive husband in this folksy, enthralling thriller. Kirkus praises Cormier's flawless use of multiple perspectives, complex characters, and the nuanced portrayal of Johnny's toxicity. Full of twists, turns, and desperation, this is an enthralling and sensitive work of crime fiction."
- Kirkus Reviews

"A gripping and evocative domestic thriller, Memphis is a must-read. Told through raw and intimate prose, it explores the deep complexities of domestic violence, control, family dysfunction, generational trauma, motherhood, deception, betrayal, and resilience. Holly May Cormier delivers a poignant and unforgettable tale of survival and strength."
- Readers' Favorite Review

"The character development is exceptional. Memphis's transformation from a life of control and fear to one of strength and autonomy is beautifully crafted. Cormier skillfully explores the roots of abuse, generational trauma, and redemption. Memphis is a powerful and worthwhile read for anyone drawn to stories of women's resilience and renewal."
- Reedsy Discovery Review