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The First Survivor: Life With Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter
224 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2026
11 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 27, 2026
Not only was this book an important way for Lisa to be able to share her survival story, but it provided an in depth account on the nuances surrounding why women stay in abusive relationships so long and how the cycle of abuse is maintained. I’m very appreciative for her vulnerability in sharing.
February 3, 2026
Wow. Lisa’s bravery, honesty and resiliency despite all the trauma and backlash she faced is truly inspiring. Her book is very well written and her story gives an invaluable perspective into IPV and the need for change in our justice system to protect victims. So proud of her honesty and vulnerability in order to help support others and I pray that writing this book helped as a part of her healing journey. ❤️
February 12, 2026
If there's one thing this book taught me, it's that the media and the public are very quick to vilify survivors of domestic violence.
I wanted to read this because I thought it was important to hear Lisa's story beyond her label as the "partner of a killer." That label is just an easy way of trying to dismiss her real, terrifying experience of living with a completely unpredictable and cruel man.
They tried to simplify her story, to paint her with one brush. But she refused.
It's so easy to look at the Gabriel Wortman situation and wonder why Lisa didn't leave him decades ago, why the police didn't intervene, why action wasn't taken sooner when he was clearly disturbed and a danger to himself and others. But life is never that easy, and never that simple.
Although it's important to address what was improperly handled in Wortman's case so as to prevent future tragedies from happening, nobody can change the past. Instead, the hope is that we can better support those who suffer from domestic abuse by giving them help, resources, and support in all areas. Why? So that they feel empowered, emboldened, and safe enough to make the choice that Lisa was unable to.
Not only is this book well-written and structured, engaging and heartfelt throughout—it contains an important call to action. We, as the public, must not compound the suffering of domestic abuse survivors by making thoughtless comments online or otherwise. Instead, we must be the voices for the victims who are unable to speak up. And I pray that if we ever witness coercive, controlling, or abusive behaviour, we won't stand by idly. We will be strong, we will be brave, and we will act.
I wanted to read this because I thought it was important to hear Lisa's story beyond her label as the "partner of a killer." That label is just an easy way of trying to dismiss her real, terrifying experience of living with a completely unpredictable and cruel man.
They tried to simplify her story, to paint her with one brush. But she refused.
It's so easy to look at the Gabriel Wortman situation and wonder why Lisa didn't leave him decades ago, why the police didn't intervene, why action wasn't taken sooner when he was clearly disturbed and a danger to himself and others. But life is never that easy, and never that simple.
Although it's important to address what was improperly handled in Wortman's case so as to prevent future tragedies from happening, nobody can change the past. Instead, the hope is that we can better support those who suffer from domestic abuse by giving them help, resources, and support in all areas. Why? So that they feel empowered, emboldened, and safe enough to make the choice that Lisa was unable to.
Not only is this book well-written and structured, engaging and heartfelt throughout—it contains an important call to action. We, as the public, must not compound the suffering of domestic abuse survivors by making thoughtless comments online or otherwise. Instead, we must be the voices for the victims who are unable to speak up. And I pray that if we ever witness coercive, controlling, or abusive behaviour, we won't stand by idly. We will be strong, we will be brave, and we will act.
February 4, 2026
I have full empathy for Lisa's experience as a coercively controlled and physically abused person. I still remember it clearly although it was 25 years ago and for a very brief time. alas, my abuser did not kill 22 people and an unborn baby. this would be difficult for her to overcome, but none of it was her fault.
I am glad she has found her voice and has a means to make some money.
Alas, she speaks with the voice of a victim using therapy language. This cannot be healing. It seems more like wallowing.
I am willing to believe her claim that she knew little about what her partner was up to. The learned helplessness would have made her accept and not question anything.
About the book itself.
1. It could use an editor. There were many errors staring on page one where she says 22 victims including an unborn child. It was 22 excluding the unborn child.
2. It fully accepts the findings of that bogus MCC and the terrible idiocy of the weak RCMP.
3. It perpetuates the fiction that the RCMP officer that was killed was engaged in a heroic gunfight. Two dozen witnesses and the evidence disputes this. However, cops did shot up a firehall when they became frightened.
This was a tragedy. All of the victims, living and dead deserve more than a flimsy cover up.
I am glad she has found her voice and has a means to make some money.
Alas, she speaks with the voice of a victim using therapy language. This cannot be healing. It seems more like wallowing.
I am willing to believe her claim that she knew little about what her partner was up to. The learned helplessness would have made her accept and not question anything.
About the book itself.
1. It could use an editor. There were many errors staring on page one where she says 22 victims including an unborn child. It was 22 excluding the unborn child.
2. It fully accepts the findings of that bogus MCC and the terrible idiocy of the weak RCMP.
3. It perpetuates the fiction that the RCMP officer that was killed was engaged in a heroic gunfight. Two dozen witnesses and the evidence disputes this. However, cops did shot up a firehall when they became frightened.
This was a tragedy. All of the victims, living and dead deserve more than a flimsy cover up.
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January 28, 2026I’d like to do two ratings for this. One, for Lisa and her bravery in sharing all the horrible things she went through and her continuing journey of healing, is a five star for sure. The other would be simply based on the writing itself - as with other books of a similar topic written by a survivor, they’re just not authors and there are a lot of inconsistencies and things missing for continuity, and that would be lower as a result. Of course, this does not take away from the message at all - I can’t even imagine how horrible her experiences were. Bravo on not just surviving, but taking your life to the next level!
I’d be remiss to not mention the completely unprofessional, re-victimizing, job the RCMP did.
I’d be remiss to not mention the completely unprofessional, re-victimizing, job the RCMP did.
February 16, 2026
I remember like it was yesterday, though coming up on the 6th anniversary. Difficult story to read, it must have taken a lot to relive and write out. Kind of disappointed there weren’t any notes saying any proceeds from book sales were being donated to other victims’ families so was happy to borrow from a local library.
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February 4, 2026Absolutely devastating. I remember receiving notifications on my phone about “active shooter in the area” and I couldn’t believe something like this could happened in beloved, peaceful Nova Scotia..terrifying and so unfair.
February 3, 2026
Heavy read.
February 5, 2026
Wow! So brave of Lisa to recount this tragedy again.
So frustrating and disappointing to see how the RCMP handled this whole situation and investigation.
So frustrating and disappointing to see how the RCMP handled this whole situation and investigation.
February 12, 2026
I am so proud of her ❤️🩹
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews