At sixty, Julia thought she knew herself.
Five years later her savings are gone, and the judge declines to read all the evidence.
Somewhere a new woman is laughing at his jokes.
About the book
At sixty, Julia thought she knew herself. A respected anthropologist, comfortably settled, alone in the way she had always been quietly afraid of. Then Robert walked into her life: American, charming, attentive, the kind of man who notices everything.
Five years later her savings are gone, her trusts emptied, the judge declines to read all the evidence, and Robert simply moves on.
What follows is the longer story. Julia begins the slow work of putting herself back together, with the help and support of her friend Anna, in her neighbour Mark’s quiet generosity, under the steady eye of Edward, the clinical psychologist who refuses to let her give up, and in the heat and noise of Udaipur and Goa.
But Robert is still moving. Somewhere a new woman is laughing at his jokes.
From Darkness to Dawn is a dual-narrative novel about coercive control, financial ruin, a justice system that fails her, and the patient, unglamorous work of beginning again.
For readers of Behind Closed Doors, The Wife Between Us and Eat Pray Love.
Read the opening
Prologue
“Somebody might be watching”, she said, concern in her voice. Robert laughed and tickled her. She squealed away from him, giggling. “Are you out of your mind Sweetie, there’s no one here but us…do you see any other million-dollar yachts floating offshore”. He kissed her in that lingering way of his and she lost herself in his affection as she always did and after they’d made love, she lay on his chest which to her seemed so safe and enveloping. The meal and champagne made her sleepy and she dozed between the heat of his chest and that of the sun. Robert relaxed. Everything had worked out perfectly as it always did for him; he’d never had any doubts: He ran over the list again in his head: the bank accounts were empty, the trust funds in Jersey and Zurich were all in his name; she’d signed everything he’d put in front of her. Was there anything he’d left out? No thought Robert, I don’t make mistakes.
the opening of the prologue
For press
A UK psychologist and a journalist have written a dual-narrative novel about coercive control, financial abuse and recovery, under pseudonyms, for professional and personal reasons. The authors give interviews as Johanna Joli, by email or by telephone.
Press enquiries: press@wrenbookspublishing.com
Press kit: cover image (JPEG, 1706 × 2560) · teaser trailer (MP4, 11 MB)
Be first to hear about the next book
One email when there is something worth telling you, and little else.
Used for book news only and never shared. To come off the list, just reply to any email and say so.