Woman Murdered: Domestic Suspense

By Beri Balistreri

After her teenage son's trial for killing his father, Aimee James takes refuge on the secluded Monterey coast. Instead of finding a fresh start, she's lost in a maze of deceit. Behind the pleasant smiles and promises of healing lurk dark desires with twisted motives. When a body surfaces, Aimee questions everything and everyone she thought she knew. What will it take for a good woman to go bad-and how far-to protect the child she loves? This novel is idiosyncratic and raw, with a blend of humor and malice that will keep you guessing until its final stunning reveal. In this domestic suspense you will find a tale about the darker side of human nature and why it can be so hard to connect with each other, especially for women. It's also the story of a mom's journey raising a child with Asperger's syndrome, PTSD, and an obsession with the horror-core rap music group Insane Clown Posse. It's about a boy who convolutes Tibetan sky burials with the Psychopathic Label's Hatchet Man, and will defend his therapy dog with violence. Court-ordered equine therapy doesn't mix with the ambitions of a thwarted psychiatrist and this autistic kid who's already been convicted of manslaughter once. When Daniel's therapy dog is poisoned and the likely perpetrator found dead, he becomes a suspect all over again, reigniting trauma and fear. A surfer starts the suspense off with a near-death experience. A Mexican day-laborer is held in the Salinas jail. The Scottish minister at the little church in Pebble Beach tries to intervene. An unlikely friendship with a Vietnam veteran emerges. A bulldog named after the famous Sergeant Stubby appears, and a couple of aging mavens reveal their true colors. The sheriff's detective and his disabled son read Treasure Island, while Aimee reads O. Henry and Steinbeck, and reminisces about her meeting with the famous beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, as she puts it all together. One reader said, "WOMAN MURDERED pulled me in and I didn't want to go to bed until I knew who the killer was. Great characters, an atmospheric setting, and just the right blend of humor and malice. Highly recommended " Another reader said, "Tears stung my eyes. I was intrigued by the depth and mystery in this tale, exposing stigma, bias, and greed, and I recommend this book to all readers who like to scratch beneath the surface and see what really makes people tick." Another reader said, "Balistreri has an exciting voice that will keep you turning the pages, guessing and getting it wrong, until you are surprised and re-plunged right back into the race." One reader said, "The raw reality check it offered was startling. I am a single mom of a special needs child and I found myself nodding along with both Aimee's decisions and her frustrations. WOMAN MURDERED captures the fine, narrow line between what is best for your child in the moment and what is best for them over time... and I've never seen an author get it quite right." Someone else wrote, "I found myself praying for rain so I could spend the day finishing it off. I felt I could understand Aimee, and I was right there beside her on her journey Reading this novel could be likened to driving through the Del Monte Forest, twists and turns taking you close to the edge " Another reader wrote, "It's a page turner This is so affecting. There's something about PTSD that I've never read before. Very intense. It made me suspicious of everyone, which is probably just about right " And one reader wrote, "It's a fascinating mystery interlaced with deeply higher intelligence, played out on the Monterey Peninsula. The high and low tension scenes are well balanced, and dialogue is very good. It's a great suspense " This book has a quirky intriguing style that makes it breezy. Even when it gets very dark, it's ultimately redemptive.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1980776865
• ISBN13: 9781980776864
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"