Today, I’m featuring a book that came out last fall…this is a story taken right from the headlines, though it is fictional! Thank you to the author for inviting me to help spread the word about her fiction debut!!!
A Nest of Snakes by Deborah Levison
Publisher – Wildblue Press
Release Date – 10/11/2022
Summary:
In her fiction debut, Deborah Levison, author of the acclaimed, multi award-winning true crime book, THE CRATE, weaves a tale snatched from the headlines. A NEST OF SNAKES is loosely based on a spate of lawsuits in which adult men accused their elite private schools of abuses that shocked the nation.
In A NEST OF SNAKES, Brendan Cortland is a broken man. Middle-aged, pasty, pudgy, and fearful, he suffers from chronic depression, nightmares, and agoraphobia. His contact with the outside world is limited to trolling chatrooms, where he hunts pedophiles, and a weekly session with his psychiatrist, to whom he describes dreams of being devoured by predators. The doctor suspects catastrophic abuse, and maybe something more; but in all his years of therapy Brendan never divulged the deepest source of his trauma.
Pushed to his breaking point, Brendan embarks on a quest for justice. It’s the terrifying step he’s avoided for decades: going public with his story. His lawyer warns him that testifying might mean dredging up painful memories, ones he’d rather keep buried.
Still, no one is prepared for the horrible secrets and revelations that emerge during the trial … least of all Brendan himself.
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Praise for A Nest of Snakes
“Evocative, timely, propulsive, unforgettable… A NEST OF SNAKES is the King Cobra of suspense, striking when the reader least expects it. Levison is a rising star in the thriller world.” – K.J. Howe, international bestselling author of Skyjack
“A heart-wrenching story of abuse and complicity, A NEST OF SNAKES intricately unfolds the horrors experienced at an all-boys private school and the aftermath decades later through the eyes of a broken man seeking solace and justice. With exceptional dialogue and an utterly compelling and gripping cast of characters, Deborah Levison delicately handles trauma and pain while keeping the reader coiled in anticipation for the perpetrators to receive their punishment. A powerful read from a dazzlingly talented author.” – Samantha M. Bailey, USA TODAY and bestselling author of Watch Out for Her
“A NEST OF SNAKES is a raw, compelling story of abuse and all those it leaves in its wake. The protagonist, Brendan Cortland is a character for our times, damaged, strong and courageous as he faces the demons of his past and himself. Levison’s ending was unexpected and absolutely perfect. This book will stay with me for a long time.” – Colleen Winter, author of The Gatherer series
“In her debut novel, A NEST OF SNAKES, Deborah Levison boldly tackles a tough and timely subject: private school abuse. Part thriller, part courtroom drama, this gripping story is told in searing prose that propels the reader forward, right up to the last, jarring page.” – Gary M. Krebs, author of Little Miss of Darke County: The Origins of Annie Oakley
“Levison delivers a harrowing story of one man’s fight for justice as he confronts the demons from his past. Haunting, suspenseful, and beautifully written, A NEST OF SNAKES is a disturbing look into abuses of power by those we trust the most.” – Anne K. Howard, author of the award-winning true crime story, His Garden: Conversations with a Serial Killer
“A NEST OF SNAKES is a taut and intelligent psychological thriller that will keep you reading well past your bedtime. Levison’s story and characters hook you and don’t let go.” – Tammy B. Bottner, award-winning author of Among the Reeds
“A NEST OF SNAKES is full of twists and turns, several of them absolutely unthinkable, as Brendan recalls in court the physical, mental, and sexual abuse he endured at a private boarding school. After hearing some real-life horror stories concerning boarding schools on the news, I have to say this is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good tale of psychological terror that could just as easily be true.” – Donna Marie West, author of Next in Line and The Mud Man
“In her novel, A NEST OF SNAKES, Deborah Levison weaves a suspenseful tale filled with psychological and legal insight. The book explores the long-lasting effects of childhood abuse, the evil perpetrated by those who abandon their responsibility to protect victims, and the path to healing. It packs an emotional punch that will stay with you long after you finish reading.” – Ruth Rotkowitz, author of Escaping the Whale and The Whale Surfaces
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What do you think? Is this something you will be adding to your tbr?
