No Way to Run: A Mother and Son Story of Surviving Abuse

by Holly Crichton

On September 3, 2010, the RCMP in Grande Prairie, Alberta, received a 911 call from Mat Crichton about a shooting on a local farm. Seconds later, miles from home, Holly Crichton got a shocking call from her son. "I just shot Dad," Mat told her. The violent end to a violent situation came as no surprise to the community; Holly and her sons had been living in terror from the abuse of her husband for many years. Surprisingly, when Holly and her youngest son were disabled in separate accidents, the abuse did not subside it only escalated. Fiercely protective of her younger son, Holly rarely left the farm. But in time, Mat met and married a woman he loved, moving into a house on the family's land. Encouraged by a family friend, Holly pushed her worries aside one September long weekend and set off with the friend for a music festival. She was there when Mat's call reached her. As she raced to Mat's side, she vowed that the vicious cycle of domestic violence that had claimed her husband's life would not claim her son's as well. But in a shocking turn of events, the police characterized the elderly father as the victim, and the son, Mat, as the aggressor. The community turned out in full force to prevent Mat from being convicted on a firstdegree murder charge, and eventually the sentence was reduced to manslaughter. With an incredible support team of friends, neighbours and lawyers surrounding her, Holly mounted an epic effort on her son's behalf. of a woman and her children's choice to survive.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Bonnie Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a recount of domestic violence that ends dramatically - and, some would say, aptly. Count me in that number.

This is a short book - just over 200pages - yet excellently written, albeit difficult to move through.

I have been a social worker for close to 25 years, and within the scope of my career I have taken countless disclosures, and heard even more recounts of domestic abuse. Still, there is a fluidity within the spoken word that somehow becomes more tangible - indelible, even - when that same word is written, and so the tone and descriptions of incidents within this memoir are, in a word, horrifying. Couple that with a vague acquaintance with these people (Holly was a jockey and Sandy was a trainer when my Dad had horses at the race track here in Alberta) and the impact is jarring. Sandy was a strapping hulk of a human; over six feet and built like a fridge. Holly, conversely, was not just a female, but a female jockey - therefore almost comically smaller than he.

But make no mistake - there is nothing remotely comical about her story. Yesterday I saw an article I hope checks out to be bullshit - it said that the Big Publishers are now hiring 'sensitivity editors' in order to flag anything in books that may "trigger" people.

As writers - and as people, really - we must never let this happen. Stories need to be told honestly, rawly, with all the ugly and vulgar parts intact. Sharing experiences - good and horrifying - is what connects us as humans and serves to remind anyone suffering in the same manner that they are never alone.

This book is not a pleasure read. There is nothing uplifting here. Still, it is a story that needed to be told, and needs to be heard, because here is an uncomfortable reality: malignant narcissists exist. What's more, malignant, sadistic narcissists (aka psychopaths) also exist and it is our duty as decent human beings to out the outrageousness, the antics, and the crimes of these toddlers-in-men suits (sometimes also toddlers in women suits. These creatures, too, occupy our planet).

An important story by a heroic Canadian woman who, one should sincerely hope, has seen her last spate of chaos and tragedy. 5 Sobering Stars

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written, yet horrific story of severe abuse, but it’s a story that needed to be told.

[Barbara Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story. Heart wrenching.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a terrible man. I can't even begin to image how Holly and her two sons managed to survive living with that horrible man. A very difficult book to read yet a very difficult book to put down once you start reading. My hope is that this family has found peace and happiness.

[Jess Kerschbaumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible to read. Also horrifying and heartbreaking. I have somewhat a connection because I have lived in the area, I know people who know this family, and I have family that was also involved at the racetrack during that time. So it definitely hit close to home.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grammy handed me this book one morning, saying she thought it might interest me. I had the book finished before lunch. It was captivating and terrifying at the same time.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tragic story.

[Trudy Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Holly’s abuse and what led her son to finally shoot his father. Mind blowing what some women live with. So very, very sad. I knew of Holly right back to her days as a jockey.

[Sharon Keal Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story taking place near Grand Prairie. It depicts domestic violence that ends in tragedy ! Sometimes difficult to navigate through but generally a good memoir. Disturbing but real!

[Geraldine DEIBERT · Rating 4 out of 5]

a true story about a family in Grande Prairie. makes one wonder how many families go through some type of abuse all the time. So sad to think about, but also how strong this family was.

[Shelly Huseby · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sad true story. I couldn’t put it down.

[Nigel Watchel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not know Holly or her family but I do know some of the other people in the story. I like that it is a local story but I do not like the way people are treated.

[Sabina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story really captured a reader. Holly Crighton did not add flair or drama to the story as the reality was enough. At times I found myself thinking how could one person survive all this, but somehow she did and I think that is because of the support of the relationships that surrounded her. I loved how she captured the reality of domestic abuse, physical, emotional and verbal abuse, and the impact on the family. I found she was very real, stuck to the facts, but also highlighted the feelings of experiencing what she went through. Worth the read. Kudos to all who stepped forward to tell their stories, wrote support letters, and had the courage to be honest about what happened.

[Sharlyn Zimmerman-Tollefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing story of strength and courage! Years of abuse at the hands of the crazy husband and father, horrific disabling accidents with permanent life altering affects yet this family kept going. There are an inspiration to me

[Coatesj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure craziness. So much tragedy in one left. Really gives a person perspective.