Capability

by Leigh M. Hall

What are you capable of?

Now go through a life-changing, tragic event, and ask yourself that same question. Could you lie, steal, cheat? Betray someone you love, hide secrets from the one person you are supposed to share everything with? Could you take justice into your own hands? Could you kill?

Melany Polk had to ask herself these same questions.

She had built the perfect life with her husband, Richard. Together they are raising two teenagers in the suburbs of Plano, Texas. While Richard’s work calls for him to be away from home a lot, Melany is allowed the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom. She spends her days catering to her children, taking strolls with the family dog, and gossiping with her elderly pothead neighbor.

At the age of 43, she is in the best shape of her life. After taking up running as a hobby, she has a routine of fitting in a run around her neighborhood every night before bed. She considers herself a good, positive person. The people in her life would say the same. She could never answer yes to any of the questions above, or at least the old Melany couldn’t.

On the evening of March 4th, a single act of brutal violence almost ends Melany's life during her nightly run.

She now suffers through a grueling recovery. Melany struggles to find herself but is failing miserably. Every time she starts to feel like herself again, something is thrown in her path to remind her that he’s still out there. Lost and spiraling out of control, she has begun to withdraw from life. The disfigured face and body she now carries are starting to create a personality of its own. She wonders if she will ever be able to move on. The monster that did this to her remains a mystery; she fears he may come back so he can finish her off.

Melany may seem like a timid housewife to some. The monster changed something inside her. She is no longer the innocent woman from before. After so much has been taken from her, she decides it’s time to take some of it back. With a taste for revenge, darkness takes over her. It has her doing things she thought she’d never be capable of.

338 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2021

About the author

Leigh is a believer in fairytales, the kind that keep some people up at night.
She lives in Texas with her family of gremlins and their amazing dogs. Not only does she love the heat, but she is preparing herself just in case there, in fact, will be a hell at the end of all this.
Growing up, she spent most of her time in the land of fictional characters and kept her head buried in a book. With ideas continually running around in her strange mind, she decided to dip her toes into writing.
Leigh published her first novel, Girl Bully (a best-selling psychological thriller), in 2020. Since then, she has published many more intensely dark and captivating novels. Many of her books can be listened to through Audible and Apple books.
Leigh loves staying in touch with her fans. You can follow her through her newsletter and many social media sites. She is very active in the writing community. You can find her at an in-person signing at any point during the year, including the incredible Wild Dead Wood Reads held during Wild Bills days in South Dakota every summer. She also attends Wanderlust in San Antonio, Texas, an event known for attracting a plethora of different readers.
Over the last few years, Leigh has been very busy building her career as a writer. She is a Houston Writer’s Guild member and an active in-person member/contributor to the 20 books community. She is also a sponsoring author for The Bookworm Box/Bookbonanza, a Texas-based charity bookstore, and event. As of 2022, Leigh is now an associate member of International Thriller Writers (ITW).
 

Reviews

[Reading Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin. I wish it wasn't over; I wish I had taken my time. This book was everything. It brings out every emotion. I can't get Melany and Richard out of my mind. I have never been through anything like she went through, but I felt everything that she felt. The writing is so descriptive and mesmerizing it is like you are inside these characters' heads.
The fear, the anger, the vengeance; it was all there, so raw and open. That ending, I am a little gutted, but part of me wanted to jump up and down, cheer and scream with tears of happiness. I feel a little morbid because of that. This book is one I see myself reading again and again.

[Amanda Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes to find out what you’re capable of, you need to be pushed to your limits. Unfortunately for Melany, her limit is her life. One inexcusable gruesome act triggers a domino effect of mental anguish, withdrawn depression, and a persistent resolve to reclaim the life she once loved, no matter what it may take. Leigh M. Hall takes us on a delightfully twisted adventure that hits all the marks of a story that will live in your subconscious long after you’ve finished turning the pages.

[A. Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously dark and captivating! She knocked it out of the park with this one. From page one I was hooked. The rollercoaster of emotions I felt kept me giggling one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. I never knew what was coming and I was living for it! Patiently waiting to see where Leigh goes next! Capability is not to be missed!

[Habiba Khalid · Rating 5 out of 5]

She gains consciousness but she can't see anything because of the darkness in the first place. She doesn't understand where she is. The pain is so intense she can't move a muscle. Lying on the concrete floor she can’t lift her arm. She tries to scream but her jaw is broken. She moves her head and her heart is sinking because he is coming again for her. But why??? Who is he??? She don't remember if she made any enemies…..


Melany is a housewife and she has the perfect family anyone can dream of. She has two annoying teenagers and a loving husband who can do anything to make them happy. But her world turns upside down after that incident. She is no more participating in her family activities. This Melany is alien to everyone.


Richard is the perfect husband and he is trying everything to make Melany comfortable after that incident. Melany stops talking to him and he can't digest this because he loves her so much after several attempts he didn’t succeed so he left her on her own. 

MY THOUGHTS: 
                       
                  I received the ARC( advanced reader copy) from the author two days back at midnight. I started reading it right after I received the copy. I was reading it till 3 am and didn't want to put it down. My eyes were wide open and there is no sign that I slept before finishing it. I switched off my phone at 4 am so that I can sleep. 

I picked my phone again at 10 am and started reading it again. I never read any ebook or pdf before this one because I love physical books and cant read online but this one Oh My God I was hooked from the beginning. Leigh is good in characterization and she sketches her characters in a way that you can easily see those characters walking around you.  

I was sliding pages I finished it in two sittings just because of the length and online read which I am not used to. I learned two things from the book, 1. Only the sun is stationary, life goes with or without you so no matter what the situation is, hope for the best and move on or the world will leave you behind. 2. Don't underestimate the woman if she can slice the veggies she can slice your throat.  

The last chapters are so interesting and the ending is so satisfying I love it. I recommend this book to everyone please give it a read and you fall in love with the writing of Leigh. For me, it's a 5-star book. Best of luck to her for future success. 

[Lynessa Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resuscitated my love for reading after a long dry spell. By that, I mean it's been forever since I read a book that had me up past bedtime or hating to pause for food because I couldn't eat hot wings and turn pages at the same time. True story.

The character development and personalities are very well done and make me feel like I could know them in reality. Because of this, the hardship and struggle Melany endures and her family along with her is raw and realistic as is the process of the aftermath of her attack. Leigh M. Hall did a great job depicted the ugly truth of surviving and the fight to get your spirit back.

Be warned, the conclusion is intense, but the buildup keeps you on the edge all the while.
I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a genre I read often. Something about the blurb, compelled me to add it to my TBR. Given the triggers in the story, I was quite ready to reach out to a friend, or even DNF if I could not cope with it.

I started slow, and as the narrative picked up pace, I could not put the book down.

Melany has her perfect life... a husband who dotes on her... two teenagers who appreciate that she's a stay at home mom... she is content, and happy...

One night while out for her regular run, she is brutally violated, and left for dead... The book is the gruelling story of her recovery...

While her physical recovery is steady, emotionally she's a wreck... trying everything from therapy, to alcohol... She finds herself distancing herself from everyone she loves... and cannot get over the monster who destroyed her...

...𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧.

Feeling increasingly angry, she decides that she will do whatever it takes to revert to being herself...

The book is compelling, and the treatment of a traumatic and sensitive topic is handled with finesse.

I did not necessarily agree with the protagonists' beliefs, their POVs still forced me to think about it differently, and with empathy.

Thank you, Leigh, for sharing the ARC of this book with me in exchange for a candid review.

[Lisa Montalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mrs. Polk perfect life gets turned upside down all she can think is 'Why me?' Until it slaps her right in the face and at that point she doesn't even know what she is capable of.... with all the twisted things that happen you will be on the edge of you seat the whole time!!!!

[Patti Zapf · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

I loved the story because it is out of the norm. Although gruesome at the end, it definitely is a twist on the theme of paying back for a huge wrong done.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not an easy book to read, it has vivid descriptions of rape and murder and is not for the faint of the heart. The plot is extremely well put together and the language flows. Without the crime part, most, unfortunately, too many women worldwide have suffered that sort of abuse and extreme health damage and have to move forward with very little support and having to look back as the perpetrator did not get caught by the authorities. I do not condone crime and I´m not the vindictive type, but I felt rewarded at the end of the story! Hopefully, all of those, independent of gender that have suffered the same atrocities will feel avenged by this story, it´s not much but it might help.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ayana Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book I  ouldnt put it down. The book had me hook from the very first page. Leigh characters were well developed and filled with details throughout the book. This book is honestly captivating that I have no words how good this book is. There was a rollercoaster of emotions and never knew what to expect to possible come next. Can't wait to read another stories by Leigh. I read many book this year but after read this book I feel like this is by far my favorite as of right now

[Alisa Klinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capability is a chilling and emotionally impactful story of a woman who experiences a horrific act that leaves her feeling incapable and broken. Yet, she battles both her tormented outer and inner struggle, proving she is capable of more than she even expected. Author Leigh M. Hall’s vivid descriptions and pacing is intense and spot on.

[Andra Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I read this book in one day because I couldn’t stop. I had my kindle app open on my phone and had it hidden in my desk at work to read in between patients! 🤣 I know my boss saw me but it was well worth it. Leigh, you are an extremely talented and captivating author. This book was a mindf**k in the best of ways. I can’t wait to see what you put out next.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a best seller! This story grabs you from the first page and keeps you up all night. Excellent two person narrative, the author did an amazing job. So well written and one of the best twist at the end of a thriller I have ever read. Can't wait for the next book by this author.

[Leigh Hall]

I don't know what to say that will make you read this book other than, "Hey, you! Yeah, you. Read this book!"
That is all, folks ;)

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capability

This is one of the best damn books I have ever read in a long time. Thanks Leigh M. Hall.

[Liz Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I purposefully didn’t read the book description for this one because I wanted everything to be a surprise. I’m so glad I went into this book blindly. I experienced every emotion possible during this read. I could see the story & characters in my head. I love a good strong female main character. I also love that I could relate with Melany. When it’s done, you’re like, “Yeah. I can see that.” Gah, Leigh is brilliant! Like always, she says what we’re all thinking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

[Mandy Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on a different level from her previous thrillers. This one deals with a horrific act, and leads to an internal struggle for control. Security and personal identity are lost to the mental anguish and inner turmoil that one woman is subjected to because of this act, and it all boils down to one sentiment: would you be capable of exacting the revenge that your soul requires?

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

Wow ok. The reading was a little too detailed on daily activities but you stayed glued to see what happens.

[TiffanyZReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful

Wow. This book stopped me in my tracks when it was describing the min topic. It was incredibly sad to read what state she was left in. I for one did not see that ending coming. The climax moment was disturbing and you really don’t know what you are capable of once you are pushed to your limits.

[T.M. Shivener · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nope, he never spoke to me. Never looked at me. Just destroyed me, and went on about his life as if nothing had happened.”

Sometimes bad things happen. Unfortunately, sometimes only a part of us survives the bad thing. After a tragic event, Melany doesn’t feel like her old self.
It takes time, but finally she is ready to fight to see if she is capable of being the loving caring Melany she once was. To do this, she has to confront what happened that night on March 4th.
I felt like I was reading a true story, a memoir of a woman who was brutally attacked, but survived, and her struggles as she comes to terms with who she is now. A woman who wants revenge.
A spine chilling ending.

Side note: I wish I had a neighbor like Maureen, she seemed fun.

“A monster killed her off last year. Didn’t you hear?”

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators voice as well.

[Bobbie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book gets you right in the feelings. You literally feel everything that the Charters are going through. I'm not sure why this Author's books are not made into movies yet. This is the second book I read from this author and it's almost has she pulls her writing from her soul. If your thinking about reading this book stop thinking about it and read it. To be truthful I didn't want it to end. Job well done.

[LauraKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing. The ending. Not that I want to be that empowered to be CAPABLE of that. Anything is possible.

[Jennifer A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Leigh M. Hall

I dove straight into this book and had a hard time putting it down! I like how the chapters give us the story from different character’s perspectives. I’m looking forward to reading all of the books she has written!!

[Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you recover from the worst imaginable thing? And what will finally bring you back to yourself? This book makes you think about what you could truly be capable of to get your life back. I couldn’t put it down!!

[Heidi Harder]

Spoilers in review, I have a question for Leigh I hope you can explain because my brain couldnt understand. First before the question.....I almost had to stop reading during the part where you finally enacted your revenge. Why go so far as to put a child and mother through what Melanie did. Were you trying to prove how crazy she had gone? I still don't think that was necessary especially the child.
And then now my question I had so much trouble with this that I'm hoping that I forgot part of the book. (I honestly do have some memory issues)Did you end up saying after the revenge part that she didn't really do all of that? And it was just what she thought about doing but then she only killed him? For some reason, I feel like this is what happened, that you said I didn't really do that but that's what I wanted to do to him make him suffer.

[Savannah Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question just what you would be willing to endure to survive. This is a twisted, dark adventure that you are sure to love. The author does a fantastic job of weaving a captivating story and making you fall into her characters lives. I highly recommend this read and can't wait to check out more from this author.

[Joy Settlemoir-benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking!!

No spoilers!!!
Loved this story and I immediately fell into it and was living the experience with Melany. But oh my goodness that twist!! I never dreamed that was her mission! Excellent read!

[Aubree · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was sooooooo slow and felt like there was a lot of details that weren’t needed. I listened to this through audible and the woman’s voice sounded like a robot. It was completely predictable and boring. So disappointed.

[Shruti morethanmylupus · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing in this book was so awfully juvenile I could barely get through it. I read this one for a book club otherwise I would have DNF.

[Pamela McDonell · Rating 1 out of 5]

You don't kill children for revenge

You don't kill children for revenge. Simply unexceptable. Would never recommend this author knowing this is how she writes her books.