Lockdown

By: Maria Frankland

Narrated by: Jenny Myers

I’ve meticulously planned my escape. But fate has other plans…

Today’s the day. The things I’ve packed are hidden away and I’m waiting for the go-ahead to collect the keys to the new house.

I’m so close to escaping Justin’s moods, his drinking and his violent tendencies, which are gradually getting worse. His promises of change mean nothing anymore and I’ve got to get away from him.

But a national lockdown has just been announced.

My current four walls are now my prison and my dreams of freedom lay in tatters. Pregnant, asthmatic and terrified, the danger outside feels deadlier than the danger within, so I have no choice other than to accept my current fate. After all, we’re all in this together, right?

Wrong. Justin now has me exactly where he wants me, and the three weeks of government restrictions stretch before me like a gaping void.

As my life spirals into despair, I navigate the darkest corners of my empty existence and I’m sinking fast. Justin severs my contact with family and friends and his coercive control tightens like a noose. While the outside world is in turmoil, my deadliest adversary lurks within - the person I’m forced to live with.

With concerned neighbours attempting to reach out to me, Justin’s sinister web around the two of us tightens, especially when the help that’s being offered poses a direct threat to him. The situation is unbearable, and things eventually reach a breaking point.

Either one of us could survive the inevitable confrontation.

And either one of us could die.

©2024 Maria Frankland (P)2024 Maria Frankland

Interesting idea for a story but fell short

The main character drove me insane in that she would not just kick out the abusive husband. He was horrid to her, she knew it, he was awful to her kids, she had ample opportunity and still she continued to live with him. I fully understand an abused woman being afraid to leave for a multitude of reasons, and have nothing but the utmost sympathy for them. This woman could have spoken up a number of times and chose not to do so.
I also had a big problem with the narration. The narrator had a perfectly lovely voice when reading the material, however, when the characters conversed with one another, her voice totally changed. It bordered on screeching, and to me was like nails on a chalkboard. I wish she had simply used her normal speaking voice throughout.

Magnificent

This is an absolutely magnificent thriller, I could not put the book down I was so entwined by this, I am Shauna Joesten me and my husband share this account, this is absolutely a must read
Shauna Joesten

Suspenseful story!!

This is a very enjoyable and thrilling read! The writing and storyline are very well written. There’s lots of suspense and twists, which kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. Remembering the crazy lockdowns from the beginning of Covid was a tough memory, but accurate in the struggles.

Very realistic book .

I liked how the story was told and narrated by all characters in the book. The story itself was very relatable. We were all warned heavily about how the shutdowns and threat of Covid could add stress and make already bad home life’s even worse. Sry well done on this book . Thank you for writing this .