The Lonely Nest: The Story of Two Women Whose Short Lives Will One Day Make a Difference in the World

by Concetta Falcone Codding

~The Lonely Nest is a memoir about the hidden lives of Rose and Janice Lynn Falcone who wrongfully died living with the one person they trusted the most. The Lonely Nest is a tale of silence, and how silence tricks us into believing it will save us. The story begins in the early 1950’s, in a silent, rural town in Bozrah, Connecticut when Rose Calanna marries the man of her dreams. However, within five short years mother and daughter find themselves trapped inside a house strangled by male domination. The two live huddled in fear like two baby Robins fallen from the nest. Five years later, what appears as hope, arrives in the form of a baby girl named Connie Mary. Unknowingly to Janice, the little sister she adores will grow to become the favored one to the most powerful. Like two opposing forces fighting to survive, the sisters live side by side where one is systematically abused, while the other is honed in privilege and honor. The reader follows the same path as Janice Lynn Falcone through a barren, dark exodus that expands over four decades in search of the disease that plagues her health. On this path, medical doctors try to understand why Janice Lynn bangs her head, cuts her hair, and suddenly develops Petit Mal seizures. At age 41, after decades of secretive beatings, incest and mental torment—Janice Lynn Falcone succumbs to an untimely death. With no victim left to appease his tormented mind, the abuser turns to his wife cutting her life short from a similar Modus Operandi called Domestic Murder. Connie Mary, who up to now had indifferently witnessed the abuse of her gentle sister, now watches in horror as the abuser slowly murders a second time—and once again—within the safe confines of the family home. In the end, the abuser has forgotten Connie Mary has the same Calabrese blood pulsating through her veins as his own. Which brings us to the grand finale, where the reader crosses fingers and hopes—has the abuser finally met his match? ~

382 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2021

Reviews

[Jan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit painful to read. It seems like so many people in Janice down. I know times were different, but you would think that someone could have saved her from the hell that was her life and therefore save her mother Rose as well. Relatives knew yet did nothing to stop it, to save her, teachers, neighbors, friends knew but never made the effort. It makes me so sad think of someone with such promise treated the way she was by her own father. Hopefully this book makes others step out of their comfort zone and speak up to help save someone else's life. If this happens just one time, then Janice Falcone will not have died in vain.

[Amanda Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this local book

I grew up in Preston, CT so I saw it mentioned in a Norwich, CT group I'm in on Facebook so I got it and I'm glad I did. I feel like there's a more personal connection when you know where these roads are in real life as weird as that may sound. I did cry but I'm glad she told her story.

[Catherine Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start, anyone reading The Lonely Nest knows that she or he is in the hands of a gifted writer with a masterful ability to chronicle the events described in this no-hold’s-barred memoir with such specific details that the reader feels as if he or she is an intimate onlooker of the horrendous abuse suffered by the author, her sister, and her mother.
Fortunately, Ms. Falcone-Codding was able to survive her experiences and write this honest, straightforward account of the physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse perpetrated by people close to her. She also makes clear that the silence cocooning such acts can—and did—feed the fear, confusion, chaos, and ever-present despair that permeated her life and the lives of others and contributed to the premature deaths of her sister and mother.

The Lonely Nest is a serious read—even a must read—for those who have suffered or have been a party to any or all of the violence chronicled in this memoir. Though disturbing, the account can also be therapeutic. Anyone who has survived abuse and endured the shame, guilt, terror, confusion, and pain caused by this once hushed-up situation can be reassured that he or she is not alone. Thanks to the brave efforts of this author and others, instances of such body, mind, and soul assaults can no longer be so easily ignored. This should offer comfort to those who have had to remain silent for fear of not being believed or ridiculed—to say nothing of having to live with the constant threat of retribution—and will be enlightening for anybody who seeks to learn more.

The title of the memoir is apt: living with such abuse can make a person feel alone, helpless, hopeless, and unprotected, with the only recourse being to try to find some solace—as did the author’s sister—by constructing and settling deeply into a self-made but lonely “nest.”

[Behind The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloquently written, Concetta Falcone-Codding brings to light what is done in the dark.
It’s apparent the Author poured the depths of her soul into this book and I’m not sure I am capable of writing a review that would give enough praise or recognition this book deserves.
My eyes are now wide open but my heart, shattered.
I reached out to Concetta after finishing to let her know I loved the book, a signed copy she had sent me, but wasn’t sure how to even write a worthy review that will shine a light to this masterpiece.
She says, “I wrote this so that my mom and sister could be loved, a love they never found in this life.”
What she brings to light is a true account of the devastating effects that incest, domestic abuse, and loss does to one’s life and those that witness it.
She survived but in a broken lonely nest.
I commend her with the highest of praise for the bravery it took to heal her life and tell her story.
She did what she set out to do….. She gave life back to her mom and sister by telling a powerful and compelling story.
To those that read this book and speak as loudly about it as she has her past, their untimely deaths as victims will make a difference in this world.
I highly recommend this book and giving it 5 stars is sorely underrating it. Thank you Concetta Falcone-Codding for reaching out to me, sending me a signed copy with a beautiful and heartfelt card but most importantly for captivating my heart through your story. Much love to you! ❤️

[Claudette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lonely Nest is a raw and unflinching memoir that pulls no punches in recounting the emotional toll of growing up in a household marked by abuse and dysfunction. Concetta writes with a straightforward honesty that makes her story all the more powerful—there’s no sugarcoating, no romanticizing, just the painful truth laid bare.

At the heart of the book is her relationship with her mother and sister, and the shadow cast by her abusive father. It feels like a necessary act of courage—one that invites readers not just to witness her pain, but to understand the complex dynamics of survival, silence, and resilience.

This isn’t an easy read, but it’s an important one. For anyone who has lived through abuse or grown up in a dysfunctional home, The Lonely Nest offers validation, clarity, and perhaps even a sense of solidarity. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it speaks to the quiet strength of those who endure.

[Jackie Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching but a story that needs to be told

I thought the history of this abuse was very told. It was hard to read the about the physical and emotional abuse. There was emotional and physical abuse in my family but nothing compared to this. Still I relate to keeping secrets and a mother who wouldn't leave to protect her children. More has to be done to educate the public on the dynamics of these homes, providing affordable counseling and assistance in obtaining protection. This story will really be an eye opener.

[Ashley Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concetta is a world-class writer. Her words take readers back to a slower, simpler time—not a time without problems. Connie explores deep struggles and conflicts and beautifully navigates them in a way that shows there is a lesson in all things—no matter how tragic. The way she intertwines dark topics with powerful silver linings is a marvel and infuses the reader with the hope that no matter how bleak their own personal circumstances may be, there is always a light. 

[Karen Warfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written novel that screams to be used as a companion to any university humanities course. Ms. Falcone-Codding has given us a tool to discuss domestic violence in a non-threatening manner. She weaves in facts and "markers" that will help identify abusers and their victims. A must-read for everyone. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.

[raven hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing

This book was certainly a page turner it was very well written and had me totally engrossed in the Authors life story so very sad at times but this book is well worth a read by all who enjoy true crime, memoirs, and those who like to be totally invested in the book as I was staying up reading until my eyes hurt because I literally could not put it down!

[Jennifer Aborn Traynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Shocking the injustice & pain most of this family lived (not long) through. Excellent book but very sad.

[Sarah Crowne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. I couldn't put it down.

[Mandy Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, Raw, Honest and Heartbreaking. Concetta invites us into her secrets without holding back. She is honest about her treatment of her sister and we are brought into her mind of a child learning to cope in a horrific environment. As a local story I found myself looking up the locations and trying to imagine life as it was for the Falcone family.
My heart broke over and over and hope by way of telling her story the author has made peace.