Soul Tired: The Cost of Holding It All Together When You're Falling Apart

by C. J. Landry

He spent a lifetime saving others. Then one death shattered everything he thought he knew.

After nearly thirty years as a first responder, CJ Landry has seen more tragedy than most people can imagine. But nothing prepares him for the night a woman’s mysterious death pulls him into a spiral of unanswered questions, buried secrets, and the emotional toll of a career spent holding everyone else together.

As CJ begins to look closer at the case, and at himself, he uncovers a truth darker than anything he faced in the
you can’t rescue others when you’re the one slowly falling apart.

Told with the raw honesty of memoir and the tension of a psychological thriller, Soul Tired unravels the hidden cost of trauma, the weight of silence, and the dangerous illusion of strength. What begins as a routine call transforms into a haunting mystery that forces CJ to confront not only the events of that night…
but the pieces of himself he’s tried for years to outrun.

Powerful. Gripping. Heartbreaking.A story for readers who crave emotional depth, slow-burn suspense, and the truth about what happens behind the uniform.

If you
✔ Freida McFadden–style twists
✔ Lisa Jewell’s psychological tension
✔ Mary Kubica’s emotional suspense
✔ True stories of resilience and survival

…you will not forget this book.

Soul Tired is a story for anyone who has held the world together while privately coming undone.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

Reviews

[Sheryl Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy, engaging read that kept my interest the whole way through. It had a bit of a mystery feel as the story unfolded, and as someone in the medical field, I appreciated how it captured the complexity of searching for answers. Thought-provoking and relatable—I’d definitely recommend it.

[Catherine McGilvery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul Tired isn’t just a book—it’s a mirror held up to the hearts of those who serve on the front lines. Written by C. J. Landry, this compelling and deeply human story captures the emotional and psychological fatigue that first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, and other frontline workers know all too well.
“Soul Tired” is more than exhaustion—it’s the kind of weariness that settles into your bones after too many days of witnessing trauma, holding space for others’ pain, and carrying the weight of decisions made in impossible circumstances. Landry puts words to the quiet suffering behind the uniforms and professional faces: the endless loop of should haves, could haves, and would haves that keep so many awake at night.
Through every page, readers are drawn into a world where duty meets vulnerability, where trauma is layered and cumulative, and where turning off the job is never truly possible.
Soul Tired is both a catharsis and a call for compassion. It offers understanding to those who’ve lived it, and insight to those who haven’t. For anyone who has ever felt the crushing weight of responsibility, the ache of helplessness, or the longing for peace that seems just out of reach—this book will feel like someone finally sees you.
A haunting, heartfelt, and necessary read.

[James Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul Tired is a tale of experiences that every first reponder, and thier families can relate to and identify with. I could not put the book down. Spending over 30 years in the fire service I have lived similar senarios. If you are looking for a good read that will keep your attention this is the book for you.

[Kara Hanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Engaging with a bit of intrigue. As a person in the medical field, it was a subject of interest. The characters were well-developed, believable and relatable. Enjoyed the peek into the process of finding truth. Highly recommend.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yuck. Lots of emotional analysis with no resolution, either of the case or of the emotional angst. In addition, the editing was lacking, at least in the kindle version that I read. Dialogue didn’t have correct punctuation or even quotation marks, making it difficult to follow.

[Carmen Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

a few errors, mostly lacked depth in certain areas, just no

[David B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, intense investigation and intriging twists. This book makes you think

[Kathy Ramsey-Spruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great childhood friend. Amazing author. Thank you. I look forward to many more.” I am very proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished. Sending hugs and kisses 😘.

[Taylor Kwon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I thought this book was based on a true story until I finished it lol. It was a good book overall. A shorter read, but it showed how first responders are human too and sometimes have to deal with things that hit closer to home. Not my usual read, I won it in a giveaway. I did enjoy this read though.