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Carnage in D minor: One Woman’s Dangerous Journey from the Grip of Addiction to a Global Medical Breakthrough
One woman's dangerous journey from the grip of addiction to a global medical breakthrough.
Haunted by past trauma she can't outrun and a dependence she can't shake, Leeza embarks on an ethically questionable mission to revolutionize treatment for PTSD and addiction. It's a journey that promises a global triumph—if it doesn't kill her first.
Literary Titan Book Award Winner!
“This book is a diamond in the rough. It’s not just a psychological thriller - it’s a character study rooted in real-world psychological issues. The honest and raw portrayal of PTSD, emotional abuse, and complex family trauma sets this novel apart. Leeza is a captivating and unforgettable protagonist whose journey will stay with the reader long after ‘The End.’”
Born in the Deep South, Leeza Allen was a piano prodigy by the age of six. But life took a tragic turn with the death of her single mother when Leeza was fourteen, crushing their dreams of her becoming a concert pianist.
Leeza followed in her mother's footsteps as a nurse, relying on Army ROTC for her education. During her early career as an RN and a commissioned officer, she endured a deployment in a war zone that left her with severe PTSD and a battle with addiction.
Twenty years later, Leeza is a married mother of two and a successful neurosurgical nurse practitioner. She is also a passionate activist. Driven by her own mental challenges and a deep desire to help others, she embarks on a desperate, ethically questionable quest to discover a revolutionary treatment for mental illness. Her goal: "mental conflict remission" and a global shift to destigmatize mental illness.
Though the journey is fraught with danger and illegality, Leeza's passion and strength ultimately carry her though, culminating in a powerful story of global triumph.
Haunted by past trauma she can't outrun and a dependence she can't shake, Leeza embarks on an ethically questionable mission to revolutionize treatment for PTSD and addiction. It's a journey that promises a global triumph—if it doesn't kill her first.
Literary Titan Book Award Winner!
“This book is a diamond in the rough. It’s not just a psychological thriller - it’s a character study rooted in real-world psychological issues. The honest and raw portrayal of PTSD, emotional abuse, and complex family trauma sets this novel apart. Leeza is a captivating and unforgettable protagonist whose journey will stay with the reader long after ‘The End.’”
Born in the Deep South, Leeza Allen was a piano prodigy by the age of six. But life took a tragic turn with the death of her single mother when Leeza was fourteen, crushing their dreams of her becoming a concert pianist.
Leeza followed in her mother's footsteps as a nurse, relying on Army ROTC for her education. During her early career as an RN and a commissioned officer, she endured a deployment in a war zone that left her with severe PTSD and a battle with addiction.
Twenty years later, Leeza is a married mother of two and a successful neurosurgical nurse practitioner. She is also a passionate activist. Driven by her own mental challenges and a deep desire to help others, she embarks on a desperate, ethically questionable quest to discover a revolutionary treatment for mental illness. Her goal: "mental conflict remission" and a global shift to destigmatize mental illness.
Though the journey is fraught with danger and illegality, Leeza's passion and strength ultimately carry her though, culminating in a powerful story of global triumph.
302 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2025
About the author
Stacey Alan Spivey
1 book9 followersHaving worked in the medical field for over 30 years, I enjoy creating stories inspired by real-life experiences. My favorite genres are Drama and Thriller with family and dramedy influences. I spent my entire career in radiology from Level One trauma centers to outpatient clinics and everything in between, so there is no shortage of inspiration.
Married for over two decades, I have one daughter and three grandsons. I recently relocated back to the Pacific Northwest after years of traveling the country for work, exploration, inspiration, and excitement.
I started writing seriously in 2019 and have two screenplays available in paperback versions. I have a couple others in the works and am excited to share them soon.
My first screenplay, "Dissension" won first place in screenwriting competitions in over a dozen contests in six countries. Like most writers, I dream of one day seeing one or more of my works on the BIG SCREEN!
Married for over two decades, I have one daughter and three grandsons. I recently relocated back to the Pacific Northwest after years of traveling the country for work, exploration, inspiration, and excitement.
I started writing seriously in 2019 and have two screenplays available in paperback versions. I have a couple others in the works and am excited to share them soon.
My first screenplay, "Dissension" won first place in screenwriting competitions in over a dozen contests in six countries. Like most writers, I dream of one day seeing one or more of my works on the BIG SCREEN!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2026
This book got under my skin in the best and most unsettling way. Carnage in D Minor is not just a psychological thriller. It is a character study of Leeza, a Black piano prodigy turned neurosurgical clinician and veteran, trying to survive PTSD, addiction, and a family that is slowly breaking apart.
The sensory triggers and flashbacks are written with incredible precision. A slammed door, fireworks, or even the wrong kind of silence can pull her straight back into the medic tents of Afghanistan, filled with blood, chaos, and impossible decisions. As someone serving in the military, those moments felt painfully familiar, especially the way a normal sound can flip your entire nervous system in an instant.
The shifts between her childhood in Beaufort, her strict musical training, and her life in Charleston add a haunting emotional weight. The classical music woven throughout, from Tchaikovsky to La Campanella, gives the story a steady and unsettling pulse.
It is a heavy read with emotional abuse, addiction, and raw vulnerability, but the writing is compassionate, honest, and beautifully crafted. By the end, I felt drained in the best way because it all felt earned. For me, this is a powerful five star story that lingers long after you close the book.
The sensory triggers and flashbacks are written with incredible precision. A slammed door, fireworks, or even the wrong kind of silence can pull her straight back into the medic tents of Afghanistan, filled with blood, chaos, and impossible decisions. As someone serving in the military, those moments felt painfully familiar, especially the way a normal sound can flip your entire nervous system in an instant.
The shifts between her childhood in Beaufort, her strict musical training, and her life in Charleston add a haunting emotional weight. The classical music woven throughout, from Tchaikovsky to La Campanella, gives the story a steady and unsettling pulse.
It is a heavy read with emotional abuse, addiction, and raw vulnerability, but the writing is compassionate, honest, and beautifully crafted. By the end, I felt drained in the best way because it all felt earned. For me, this is a powerful five star story that lingers long after you close the book.
November 19, 2025
A searing and unforgettable character study that transcends the typical psychological thriller. The journey from a childhood piano prodigy in the Deep South to a traumatized Army nurse and, finally, to a neurosurgical nurse practitioner on a desperate, ethically complex quest; is rendered with such raw intimacy that her pain and perseverance become palpable. This is not a story that sanitizes mental illness; it offers a brutally honest and immersive portrayal of PTSD, addiction, and the lifelong impact of trauma, making one of the most compelling and authentic protagonists I've encountered.
December 11, 2025
Carnage in D Minor follows Leeza Allen’s rise from a prodigious Southern piano talent to a battle-hardened military veteran who is struggling to hold herself together while trauma keeps dragging her back into the dark. The novel blends psychological suspense with a deeply personal story about survival, family, fear, and the brutal tug of the past. From childhood recitals in Beaufort to the nightmares she carries home from deployment, the book moves between tenderness and terror with an intensity that caught me off guard. The story paints a heroine who is gifted and broken and stubbornly alive. It builds a world where beauty and violence keep brushing up against each other in quiet but devastating ways.
I found myself pulled in by the voice of the book. The writing swings sharply between raw emotion and calm precision. I liked that. It made me feel as if I was inside Leeza’s head even when I wanted to reach out and steady her. The scenes around her childhood are vibrant and warm. Then the tone shifts when the story lands in adulthood where PTSD, addiction, and grief turn everything jagged. That contrast shook me a little, and honestly, that is what made the book memorable. The author seems to understand trauma from the inside out. The panic attacks. The sudden triggers. The numbing habits that pretend to help but only make the ground softer under your feet. Those moments felt painfully real. The writing has a rhythm that matches Leeza’s state of mind. Sometimes measured. Sometimes chaotic. Sometimes barely holding onto structure at all. I felt myself riding those waves with her.
I also found myself reacting strongly to the ideas the book brings up about responsibility and the human mind. The novel keeps circling back to the question of why people break the way they do. It shows trauma not just as an event but as a rewiring of a person’s internal world. I appreciated that the story never treats addiction or homelessness or depression as simple problems with simple solutions. There is frustration in Leeza’s voice. Anger too. And a fierce compassion that pushes her to believe she can fix the unfixable even while her own life is slipping through her fingers. At times, her determination feels reckless. At other times, it feels heroic. I found myself rooting for her even when she made choices that scared me.
The novel is gripping and emotional and often uncomfortable in ways that feel purposeful. I would recommend Carnage in D Minor to readers who enjoy psychological fiction that digs into trauma without sugarcoating it. It is also a strong pick for anyone drawn to stories about gifted women trying to rebuild themselves after the world has already taken too much. If you want a book that feels honest and relatable and a little bruising in all the right ways, this one is worth your time.
I found myself pulled in by the voice of the book. The writing swings sharply between raw emotion and calm precision. I liked that. It made me feel as if I was inside Leeza’s head even when I wanted to reach out and steady her. The scenes around her childhood are vibrant and warm. Then the tone shifts when the story lands in adulthood where PTSD, addiction, and grief turn everything jagged. That contrast shook me a little, and honestly, that is what made the book memorable. The author seems to understand trauma from the inside out. The panic attacks. The sudden triggers. The numbing habits that pretend to help but only make the ground softer under your feet. Those moments felt painfully real. The writing has a rhythm that matches Leeza’s state of mind. Sometimes measured. Sometimes chaotic. Sometimes barely holding onto structure at all. I felt myself riding those waves with her.
I also found myself reacting strongly to the ideas the book brings up about responsibility and the human mind. The novel keeps circling back to the question of why people break the way they do. It shows trauma not just as an event but as a rewiring of a person’s internal world. I appreciated that the story never treats addiction or homelessness or depression as simple problems with simple solutions. There is frustration in Leeza’s voice. Anger too. And a fierce compassion that pushes her to believe she can fix the unfixable even while her own life is slipping through her fingers. At times, her determination feels reckless. At other times, it feels heroic. I found myself rooting for her even when she made choices that scared me.
The novel is gripping and emotional and often uncomfortable in ways that feel purposeful. I would recommend Carnage in D Minor to readers who enjoy psychological fiction that digs into trauma without sugarcoating it. It is also a strong pick for anyone drawn to stories about gifted women trying to rebuild themselves after the world has already taken too much. If you want a book that feels honest and relatable and a little bruising in all the right ways, this one is worth your time.
January 10, 2026
Music was the last thing I expected to matter so much in a story this dark, but it ended up being one of the parts that stayed with me. From early on, Leeza’s life felt heavy and complicated, like she was always carrying too much at once. While reading I kept feeling this mix of respect and worry for her, because every choice she made felt risky but also understandable. It didnt feel like a clean rise story at all, more like survival stacked on top of survival.
What really stood out to me was how honest the book felt about mental health and trauma. My favourite part was seeing how Leeza’s past kept bleeding into her present, especially with music and her work in medicine. The PTSD and addiction parts didnt feel dramatized, they felt uncomfortable in a real way. I liked that she wasnt written as perfect or heroic all the time, just determined and flawed. Some of the ethical decisions honestly made me stop and think, like there wasnt a clear right answer.
There were moments that felt slow, but they gave space to really sit with what she was going through. The mix of psychology, activism, and personal struggle made the story feel different from a typical thriller. I also appreciated that the story didnt shy away from how messy helping people can actually be. It wasnt just about fixing others, but about how broken the fixer can be too.
I read this when I was looking for something serious and emotional, and it definitely delivered. Emotionally it left me drained but thoughtful, in a good way. This book feels right for readers who like character driven stories with dark themes and moral tension. If you’re into psychological stories that feel raw and real instead of flashy, this one really sticks with you.
What really stood out to me was how honest the book felt about mental health and trauma. My favourite part was seeing how Leeza’s past kept bleeding into her present, especially with music and her work in medicine. The PTSD and addiction parts didnt feel dramatized, they felt uncomfortable in a real way. I liked that she wasnt written as perfect or heroic all the time, just determined and flawed. Some of the ethical decisions honestly made me stop and think, like there wasnt a clear right answer.
There were moments that felt slow, but they gave space to really sit with what she was going through. The mix of psychology, activism, and personal struggle made the story feel different from a typical thriller. I also appreciated that the story didnt shy away from how messy helping people can actually be. It wasnt just about fixing others, but about how broken the fixer can be too.
I read this when I was looking for something serious and emotional, and it definitely delivered. Emotionally it left me drained but thoughtful, in a good way. This book feels right for readers who like character driven stories with dark themes and moral tension. If you’re into psychological stories that feel raw and real instead of flashy, this one really sticks with you.
November 29, 2025
Carnage in D Minor is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar from the first page and refuses to let go. The writing is sharp, the suspense is relentless, and every chapter ends with a twist you never see coming. I loved how the author blended music, mystery, and raw tension into one gripping experience. It’s fast-paced, immersive, and leaves you wanting just one more chapter every single time. If you enjoy dark thrillers with depth and originality, this book is absolutely worth your time.
December 1, 2025
Loved Leeza's Story
Carnage in D minor was an exceptional story. Leeza's story was sad in some chapters and inspiration in other chapters.
I felt like I knew a few girls like her. The struggles she endured and came through with strength and determination. Her nightmares were detailed and I felt like I could see what she saw.
I read this book in one setting on a snowy day. I'm looking forward to reading more stories from Stacey Spivey.
Carnage in D minor was an exceptional story. Leeza's story was sad in some chapters and inspiration in other chapters.
I felt like I knew a few girls like her. The struggles she endured and came through with strength and determination. Her nightmares were detailed and I felt like I could see what she saw.
I read this book in one setting on a snowy day. I'm looking forward to reading more stories from Stacey Spivey.
January 20, 2026
Wow, what a read. It kept me awake all night. The impressions were so strong I couldn't fall asleep, so I just kept reading... The story is intense but human, showing how messy healing can be. Her journey through trauma, addiction, and ambition is gripping without feeling exaggerated, and the moral grey areas keep the plot moving. It’s a bold, emotional read that highlights strength, sacrifice, and the cost of chasing a breakthrough.
May 2, 2026
3.5 - A good read. It didn't immediately pull me in, however, the book was well written and explored several topics like medical ethics and PTSD. Carnage in D Minor follows Leeza Allen, a brilliant black pianist whose childhood talent is overshadowed by deep loss. Twenty years later, she returns home from military service battling PTSD and addiction that threaten her family and medical career. The novel blends psychological suspense with emotional depth as she fights for her own and her family’s survival.
January 10, 2026
The story follows a strong female lead dealing with trauma addiction and mental health while chasing a better life its raw emotional and feels very real especially around music family sacrifice and perseverance.My wife couldnt put it down either she said it hit close to home. Intense with good twists and stays with you after. Worth it if you like deep psychological thrillers.
March 14, 2026
Leeza's story is emotionally heavy and intensive, her life experience is overwhelming from early years, you can feel under skin that she had to bear too much, but went through it with strength and perseverance. If you like psychologically deep thrillers with strong characters, then this one definitely worth to read.
November 21, 2025
Carnage in D Minor delivers a gripping blend of psychological depth and emotional intensity. Leeza’s journey through trauma, resilience, and moral conflict feels raw and authentic. A powerful, fast-moving story that leaves a lasting impression.
November 23, 2025
This book is far more than a standard thriller; it's a profound and raw character study. Leeza Allen is one of the most compelling and complex protagonists I've encountered, a piano prodigy turned nurse, a soldier haunted by PTSD, and a desperate activist.
June 19, 2026
love the love story within the book
This book had me from the beginning. I was rooting for the main characters the whole book. I’m glad it ended the way it did. There were so many twists and turns, I couldn’t keep up. I would recommend this book! It has so many different dynamics within the book and hits on lgbtq+ as well as racial issues as well.
This book had me from the beginning. I was rooting for the main characters the whole book. I’m glad it ended the way it did. There were so many twists and turns, I couldn’t keep up. I would recommend this book! It has so many different dynamics within the book and hits on lgbtq+ as well as racial issues as well.
November 18, 2025
Carnage in D Minor follows Leeza Allen, a brilliant Black pianist whose childhood talent becomes overshadowed by deep trauma, loss, and the psychological scars of military service. As an adult, she returns home battling PTSD, addiction, and haunting flashbacks that threaten her family life and medical career. Her journey intertwines high-stakes neurosurgery, hidden family secrets, and dangerous enemies from her past. The novel blends psychological suspense with emotional depth as Leeza fights for stability, redemption, and her own survival.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews