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How Murder Saved My Life
Evil lives close, sometimes inside ourselves.
Guilt destroys.
Zoey DiMeo fights inner demons. When her successful business crashes and her truck driver husband is forced to go back to work, the guilt overwhelms her. Her kids are away at college, and he is gone for days at a time, leaving Zoey home alone. She has no one for company except her pet mini pig and her herd of farm pigs.
And the voice in her head that is determined to destroy her.
All Zoey wants is to hide on her farm and lick her wounds. She can handle things on her own. She doesn’t need people.
When she finds the brutally murdered body of a young woman on her farm, the outside world she has been hiding from crashes in.
Betrayal cuts deep.
The sheriff in charge of the investigation is Zoey’s one time best-friend, now worst enemy. Her brutal betrayal years ago started Zoey’s downward mental spiral. She is the last person Zoey wants to work with.
The sheriff quickly wraps up the case, but Zoey knows she has the wrong man. Can a pig farmer turned detective really catch a killer?
Evil lives close.
When Zoey goes looking for clues, she finds another body. Someone evil lives in her small town, lurks on her farm. When that evil targets her as his next victim, she must face her past and have the courage to trust others or be killed.
Does she have the inner-strength to conquer the evil in her own mind?
Can she stare into the face of the evil of mankind and come out alive?
A riveting look inside mental illness and the power of redemption.
A poignantly written tale of facing darkness and coming into the light.
Guilt destroys.
Zoey DiMeo fights inner demons. When her successful business crashes and her truck driver husband is forced to go back to work, the guilt overwhelms her. Her kids are away at college, and he is gone for days at a time, leaving Zoey home alone. She has no one for company except her pet mini pig and her herd of farm pigs.
And the voice in her head that is determined to destroy her.
All Zoey wants is to hide on her farm and lick her wounds. She can handle things on her own. She doesn’t need people.
When she finds the brutally murdered body of a young woman on her farm, the outside world she has been hiding from crashes in.
Betrayal cuts deep.
The sheriff in charge of the investigation is Zoey’s one time best-friend, now worst enemy. Her brutal betrayal years ago started Zoey’s downward mental spiral. She is the last person Zoey wants to work with.
The sheriff quickly wraps up the case, but Zoey knows she has the wrong man. Can a pig farmer turned detective really catch a killer?
Evil lives close.
When Zoey goes looking for clues, she finds another body. Someone evil lives in her small town, lurks on her farm. When that evil targets her as his next victim, she must face her past and have the courage to trust others or be killed.
Does she have the inner-strength to conquer the evil in her own mind?
Can she stare into the face of the evil of mankind and come out alive?
A riveting look inside mental illness and the power of redemption.
A poignantly written tale of facing darkness and coming into the light.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2019
136 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Merriman
43 books222 followersDawn Merriman lives in northeastern Indiana on a small pig farm with her husband and teenage children. She enjoys animals, auctions, reading, snorkeling and writing small town murder mystery novels. Dawn Merriman completed her first novel in Middle School and a few others in High School and college. She won 1st place in the Northeast Indiana Young Writers short story contest in 1990. After a writing hiatus to raise her children, she published her debut novel, "How Murder Saved My Life" in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 18, 2024
Boy, did she nail severe anxiety to a T.
Zoey is a pig owner, and her husband is an over the road truck driver.
One day, she noticed her pigs were covered in blood, so she followed where they were and found a body.
Creepily enough, while running, she tripped and found yet another body.
It's a small town community that now has a killer on the loose.
I did not even come close to figuring out the bad person!
Great read 📚
Zoey is a pig owner, and her husband is an over the road truck driver.
One day, she noticed her pigs were covered in blood, so she followed where they were and found a body.
Creepily enough, while running, she tripped and found yet another body.
It's a small town community that now has a killer on the loose.
I did not even come close to figuring out the bad person!
Great read 📚
August 3, 2021
Field of Flies
By Dawn Merriman
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I came across Dawn Merriman’s books, I knew immediately I was going to read them. I live in Indiana on a small farm with animals including a couple of potbellied pigs. I 100% prefer being bare foot. Field of Flies was my first book by the author, the cover was intriguing (I love barns) and the blurb sounded fantastic.
Field of Flies (previously published “How Murder Saved My Life”) is a mystery with a new take on mental illness which was very insightful. I did go into the book knowing the author wrote it after she, herself battled depression. This made the story more real to me, sadder, and more terrifying.
It was a very fast and entertaining read with a strong, stubborn female character. Everything felt so real and vivid. The locations, the smells, the characters, and the emotions. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
By Dawn Merriman
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I came across Dawn Merriman’s books, I knew immediately I was going to read them. I live in Indiana on a small farm with animals including a couple of potbellied pigs. I 100% prefer being bare foot. Field of Flies was my first book by the author, the cover was intriguing (I love barns) and the blurb sounded fantastic.
Field of Flies (previously published “How Murder Saved My Life”) is a mystery with a new take on mental illness which was very insightful. I did go into the book knowing the author wrote it after she, herself battled depression. This made the story more real to me, sadder, and more terrifying.
It was a very fast and entertaining read with a strong, stubborn female character. Everything felt so real and vivid. The locations, the smells, the characters, and the emotions. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
August 29, 2020
Depression sucks
At the end of the book the author explains about their own experience with depression. I sort of wished I knew that going in. That’s why I’m mentioning it here.
The author writes a convincing story about a woman dealing with severe depression and voices in her head telling her to do unspeakable things. Now I know why it was convincing.
Pay attention to some off the wall comments and you will quickly figure out The Who-dun-it. You may second guess yourself but your first instinct will be correct.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to others written by them.
At the end of the book the author explains about their own experience with depression. I sort of wished I knew that going in. That’s why I’m mentioning it here.
The author writes a convincing story about a woman dealing with severe depression and voices in her head telling her to do unspeakable things. Now I know why it was convincing.
Pay attention to some off the wall comments and you will quickly figure out The Who-dun-it. You may second guess yourself but your first instinct will be correct.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to others written by them.
April 20, 2022
I never would have guessed
This book drew me in from the first page and did not let me stop until I was done. I cannot imagine anything more horrifying than finding a dead body. The state Becca was found was beyond horrific. Zoey did not handle finding her body well. At first, she was hysterical and then she was angry. The authorities try to keep her out of the investigation but she discovers more info than they do. When she gets to close to finding out who the killer is, Zoey becomes a target. Will she be able to solve the case or does she become a victim of a killer? Read this intriguing book to find out.
This book drew me in from the first page and did not let me stop until I was done. I cannot imagine anything more horrifying than finding a dead body. The state Becca was found was beyond horrific. Zoey did not handle finding her body well. At first, she was hysterical and then she was angry. The authorities try to keep her out of the investigation but she discovers more info than they do. When she gets to close to finding out who the killer is, Zoey becomes a target. Will she be able to solve the case or does she become a victim of a killer? Read this intriguing book to find out.
October 29, 2022
Great read! The characters pull you into the story
This is Dawn Merriman’s first book. I read this after reading 4 other of her books. It did not disappoint. It is easy to like Zoey, the lead character who is dealing with anxiety, depression and grieving the loss of the business she built. I didn’t successfully guess “who done it” and loved how the story ended. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
This is Dawn Merriman’s first book. I read this after reading 4 other of her books. It did not disappoint. It is easy to like Zoey, the lead character who is dealing with anxiety, depression and grieving the loss of the business she built. I didn’t successfully guess “who done it” and loved how the story ended. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
June 22, 2023
A Very Compelling Book!!
This book had a lot of darkness of a woman tormented by demon voices that encouraged her to hurt herself and then kill her self. She suffered from anxiety and depression and couldn’t cope with her past. It was filled with talking and reaching out to God so I was shocked when the author chose to use God’s name in vain. It didn’t make sense to me. I was very disappointed in her choice of profanity.
This book had a lot of darkness of a woman tormented by demon voices that encouraged her to hurt herself and then kill her self. She suffered from anxiety and depression and couldn’t cope with her past. It was filled with talking and reaching out to God so I was shocked when the author chose to use God’s name in vain. It didn’t make sense to me. I was very disappointed in her choice of profanity.
February 25, 2024
This novel reminds me of a duck in the water - smooth on the surface, paddling like mad beneath. Zoey appears fine on the outside, but inside, oh my, those voices. Heart-wrenching. I identified with so many of her experiences. Well, definitely not finding a mangled dead body. But the authenticity of the story and characters blew me away.
Not the first Dawn Merriman novel I've read, and definitely won't be the last.
Not the first Dawn Merriman novel I've read, and definitely won't be the last.
October 9, 2019
Such a great thriller. This book is incredibly well-written and I am thrilled by this new author. Fast-paced with twists that kept me guessing. This is an excellent story and I am hoping for more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 16, 2020
This book is also known as Field of Flies when you look for it on Amazon. This was an interesting book that was different from the other books I have read by this author. The main character is fighting the battle of depression and throughout the story you can see how she struggles with depression and at the end how she wins.
February 4, 2021
A woman struggles with herself and a killer in her neighborhood.
I enjoyed this book from the start. The strong female protagonist spoke to me. I liked learning a little about pig farming. There are twists and turns to keep you interested. I would recommend this book.
I enjoyed this book from the start. The strong female protagonist spoke to me. I liked learning a little about pig farming. There are twists and turns to keep you interested. I would recommend this book.
February 7, 2021
Wow, just wow!
This book took me by surprise. First of all I love the reference to the cute pigs. I was enthralled by the first moment and was surprised by the ending. Read it in one day!
This book took me by surprise. First of all I love the reference to the cute pigs. I was enthralled by the first moment and was surprised by the ending. Read it in one day!
July 31, 2021
Mystery
A good mystery full.of suspense. Zoey's personal demons suck you right in, and you can feel.her plight. Add in murder and mayhem on her farm, can she survive that? Love watching Zoey get stronger throughout the story, a very good read.
A good mystery full.of suspense. Zoey's personal demons suck you right in, and you can feel.her plight. Add in murder and mayhem on her farm, can she survive that? Love watching Zoey get stronger throughout the story, a very good read.
February 23, 2019
Clever Story
Interesting subject matter with several twists and turns that kept me guessing. Looking forward to following these characters in book 2.
Interesting subject matter with several twists and turns that kept me guessing. Looking forward to following these characters in book 2.
January 1, 2020
A well-written mystery with depth of characters - even the pigs!
July 30, 2020
Fast and fun read.
Dawn's style of character development is good and makes an intriguing mystery that isn't solved until the very end. Nicely done.
Dawn's style of character development is good and makes an intriguing mystery that isn't solved until the very end. Nicely done.
January 30, 2021
Great read
Enjoyed this very much. Read it in one sitting. Very real, could visualize the locations, house, even smells vividly. Can't wait to read another.
Enjoyed this very much. Read it in one sitting. Very real, could visualize the locations, house, even smells vividly. Can't wait to read another.
March 2, 2021
Page turner!
I've read a couple of Dawn Merriman's books and have become a fan. I get thoroughly engrossed in each story and can't put it down until it's finished!
I've read a couple of Dawn Merriman's books and have become a fan. I get thoroughly engrossed in each story and can't put it down until it's finished!
Read
June 11, 2021Insightful and intense, excellent read!
The honesty of this story is both brutal and terrifying. The plot is well written, the characters seem so real. I can only imagine...
The honesty of this story is both brutal and terrifying. The plot is well written, the characters seem so real. I can only imagine...
August 11, 2024
Excellent Book
I haven't read anything by this author, but I will now. I love this genre and this book checked all the boxes for me. Very taut writing and an excellent plot. The characters were believable and I formed a bond with Zoey, the main character. I'd highly recommend this book and this author.
I haven't read anything by this author, but I will now. I love this genre and this book checked all the boxes for me. Very taut writing and an excellent plot. The characters were believable and I formed a bond with Zoey, the main character. I'd highly recommend this book and this author.
March 26, 2024
Read on Kindle Unlimited
Dawn Merriman is a new author to me. The character Zoey is tormented by a voice in her head, and a murderer. The story takes place in a fictional town, mainly farmland, called Sugartree, Indiana. The story had twists I did not expect. Zoey sets out to find the truth after she finds her friend had been murdered. Zoey’s husband works out of town and her kids are grown and gone. Over time, as Zoey confronts her fears alone, the voice becomes less frequent. I recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers. “We all have demons in our heads.”
Dawn Merriman is a new author to me. The character Zoey is tormented by a voice in her head, and a murderer. The story takes place in a fictional town, mainly farmland, called Sugartree, Indiana. The story had twists I did not expect. Zoey sets out to find the truth after she finds her friend had been murdered. Zoey’s husband works out of town and her kids are grown and gone. Over time, as Zoey confronts her fears alone, the voice becomes less frequent. I recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers. “We all have demons in our heads.”
October 29, 2019
I couldn’t put it down!
I love small town mysteries and this one was great. Really felt like I was there on the farm with Zoey. A front row seat to her depression and suicidal thoughts was very interesting. The creepy parts were so creepy, I loved it. Kept me guessing till the big ending which was awesome! Read this book!
I love small town mysteries and this one was great. Really felt like I was there on the farm with Zoey. A front row seat to her depression and suicidal thoughts was very interesting. The creepy parts were so creepy, I loved it. Kept me guessing till the big ending which was awesome! Read this book!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews