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The Basement: Dark Past
What happens when you suffer a fate worse than death? When the people you thought were supposed to love and protect you, turn out to be the very ones who hurt you the most? When you can no longer bear the weight of shame? You escape the pain the best way you know how... in your mind.
Conner's childhood was far from normal. From abuse to juvenile detention, his life has been more than rough, but he fought his way to adulthood and made a life for himself-- not without sacrifice.
When his past and his present collide, he will do anything to hold on to what he has.... They will do anything to hold on to what he has, but his dark past refuses to let him go...
Brynn's happy, short-lived marriage to Nate was crushed -- along with her desire to love again -- the day her husband died in her arms. She never thought she would fall in love again, but fate had different plans. Conner was a breath of fresh air; his positive aura, gentle nature and loving presence drew her from the start. It didn't hurt that he was gorgeous, but Brynn always believed there was something he was hiding from her, something dark...
**Trigger warning: Contains child abuse( physical, verb, and sexual), rape, violence, and harsh language.
Conner's childhood was far from normal. From abuse to juvenile detention, his life has been more than rough, but he fought his way to adulthood and made a life for himself-- not without sacrifice.
When his past and his present collide, he will do anything to hold on to what he has.... They will do anything to hold on to what he has, but his dark past refuses to let him go...
Brynn's happy, short-lived marriage to Nate was crushed -- along with her desire to love again -- the day her husband died in her arms. She never thought she would fall in love again, but fate had different plans. Conner was a breath of fresh air; his positive aura, gentle nature and loving presence drew her from the start. It didn't hurt that he was gorgeous, but Brynn always believed there was something he was hiding from her, something dark...
**Trigger warning: Contains child abuse( physical, verb, and sexual), rape, violence, and harsh language.
Unknown Binding
First published September 21, 2022
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
M. Marie Walker
4 books72 followersM. Marie Walker, 50-year-old multi-genre author, reclusive Detroit introvert, and married eighteen years to her complete opposite, but receives his full support in her literary journey.
Mainlining caramel macchiatos and rooting harder for the Lions than most people breathe, turned sixteen and decided trauma could sound beautiful.
Raised on Marvel movies and Motown ghosts, she lets Caesar, the Chorkie monarch of her couch, growl at anyone who interrupts. Out come stories that don't flinch: My House, Broken Harmone, In the Shadows of Betrayal-romance laced with every scar a family leaves. Then, The Basement, Dark Past, where a man's split mind tours the wreckage long after the lights go out.
Walker knows that the gift of writing has been given to her, and she desires to continue to share her gift, creating multi-genre worlds for the incredible readers who have given her the opportunity to do what she loves.
Dive in, if you dare.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 27, 2022
THE BASEMENT is a dark and well written thriller/horror novel that touches on some sensitive subjects. Trigger warnings for should be heeded before reading.
M. Marie Walker crafts interesting characters, including Connor who suffered serious abuse at the hands of his parents and now dissociates into multiple personalities, including Darius, Chase, Nolan, and others. Some are fairly tame and able to interact harmlessly with Connor’s wife Brynn and their two children Ava and Ethan. Others… not so much. Things come to a head when one of Connor’s alters is triggered and he snaps, losing control. Suddenly, Brynn’s entire family, and also her extended family is in danger. This was a dark thriller with so many edgy twists that I read peeking through my fingers in places, terrified and excited to see what would happen next. Author M. Marie Walker knows how to tell a thrilling story that keeps you breathlessly reading and how to create characters that are so darn interesting. I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 5/5 stars.
M. Marie Walker crafts interesting characters, including Connor who suffered serious abuse at the hands of his parents and now dissociates into multiple personalities, including Darius, Chase, Nolan, and others. Some are fairly tame and able to interact harmlessly with Connor’s wife Brynn and their two children Ava and Ethan. Others… not so much. Things come to a head when one of Connor’s alters is triggered and he snaps, losing control. Suddenly, Brynn’s entire family, and also her extended family is in danger. This was a dark thriller with so many edgy twists that I read peeking through my fingers in places, terrified and excited to see what would happen next. Author M. Marie Walker knows how to tell a thrilling story that keeps you breathlessly reading and how to create characters that are so darn interesting. I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 5/5 stars.
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February 3, 2023First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and M. Marie Walker for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to try something by a new author, I gladly accepted this ARC by M. Marie Walker. I went into the reading experience with some trepidation, as I do with many authors with whom I know nothing, but tried to keep an open mind as well. I tried to grasp onto the characters and the story, but could not find myself connecting on any level. Multiple attempts left me in the same situation, allowing me to see that this would not be the book for me.
I do not think that it was the content or the writing, both of which seemed to work for what Walker was trying to convey. I simply could not find myself caring enough to want to keep reading. I have no issue with violence in fiction (and find it quite silly to add ‘content warnings’, as though readers are children and cannot handle big people topics for themselves), which Walker handled well in her writing, nor does language bother me in any regard. I suppose it was just one of those experiences that I did not find myself tied to the story enough to keep picking the book up, no matter how I tried to prepare myself mentally. Surely others will find that connection and perhaps laud M. Marie Walker for her efforts. I am just not one of those readers.
Kudos, Madam Walker, for a valiant effort. I hope others find some connection to the piece and offer you praise for the experience.
Always eager to try something by a new author, I gladly accepted this ARC by M. Marie Walker. I went into the reading experience with some trepidation, as I do with many authors with whom I know nothing, but tried to keep an open mind as well. I tried to grasp onto the characters and the story, but could not find myself connecting on any level. Multiple attempts left me in the same situation, allowing me to see that this would not be the book for me.
I do not think that it was the content or the writing, both of which seemed to work for what Walker was trying to convey. I simply could not find myself caring enough to want to keep reading. I have no issue with violence in fiction (and find it quite silly to add ‘content warnings’, as though readers are children and cannot handle big people topics for themselves), which Walker handled well in her writing, nor does language bother me in any regard. I suppose it was just one of those experiences that I did not find myself tied to the story enough to keep picking the book up, no matter how I tried to prepare myself mentally. Surely others will find that connection and perhaps laud M. Marie Walker for her efforts. I am just not one of those readers.
Kudos, Madam Walker, for a valiant effort. I hope others find some connection to the piece and offer you praise for the experience.
October 8, 2022
As I read this book, I noticed a new smoothness that has developed in the author's prose. It is natural, and takes the reader along for the ride without any bumps or detours. I also wondered several times if the genre here is not as much thriller, as instead straight up fiction with an erotic tail.
Things to note:
The word "alter" is used here as a shorthand for alternative, as in personalities. The author delivers them very well, each unique enough to where the reader can spot who it is without being told. As the characters on stage transition from one personality to another, they bring along their fears and deeply buried needs. This book is also a fine study in characterizations, and themes.
You have been warned: the sex scenes are vivid and on point.
There is also a layer of generational issues that know no timeline for justification, or are necessarily fixed.
Late in the book, there are several scenes of circle closing for each plot thread, and they is handled masterfully. They could also be called a series of plot steps. The sex scenes and relationships seem to thread through it all.
Toward the end, when Brynn confronts Darius' multiple personalities, the details used are unexpected, and it is interesting how the personality in control allows the alters to surface throughout the scene.
Anything else said is a spoiler. Highly recommended.
Things to note:
The word "alter" is used here as a shorthand for alternative, as in personalities. The author delivers them very well, each unique enough to where the reader can spot who it is without being told. As the characters on stage transition from one personality to another, they bring along their fears and deeply buried needs. This book is also a fine study in characterizations, and themes.
You have been warned: the sex scenes are vivid and on point.
There is also a layer of generational issues that know no timeline for justification, or are necessarily fixed.
Late in the book, there are several scenes of circle closing for each plot thread, and they is handled masterfully. They could also be called a series of plot steps. The sex scenes and relationships seem to thread through it all.
Toward the end, when Brynn confronts Darius' multiple personalities, the details used are unexpected, and it is interesting how the personality in control allows the alters to surface throughout the scene.
Anything else said is a spoiler. Highly recommended.
October 7, 2022
What occurs if you experience a fate worse than death? When did the individuals you believed were supposed to care about you and keep you safe end up being the ones who harmed you the most? when the burden of guilt becomes too much to bear? You try to avoid the suffering as much as you can... inside your head Conner's early years were anything but typical. His childhood has been extremely difficult, with abuse and juvenile detention, yet he overcame these obstacles to become an adult and carve out a life for himself, not without hardship. He will do anything to protect what he has when his past and present clash. They would stop at nothing to protect what they have, but his troubled history won't let him go. The day Nate died in her arms, Brynn's happy but brief marriage to him was destroyed, along with her yearning to fall in love once more. She never imagined falling in love again, but fate had other ideas. Conner was a breath of fresh air; she was drawn to him right away by his upbeat aura, kind demeanor, and loving presence. The fact that he was attractive didn't hurt, but Brynn always had the impression that he was concealing something sinister from her.
What distinguishes this author are her storytelling techniques, the mystery, the drama, and the unexpectedly stunning happenings. This book, in my opinion, was outstanding! It covered so many actual incidents that occur far too frequently in real life. It is occasionally brutal, but there is a trigger warning for child abuse, violence, rape, and mental illness. However, I believe that these are issues that need to be addressed.
Excellent character development allows the reader to comprehend each individual's way of life and experiences. The author makes it clear to the reader why the main character is acting the way he does right now by revealing that he suffers from severe mental problems. I thought the beginning's back story was done nicely and was a plus. This stage is frequently skipped by authors, but it helps me feel more connected to the characters.
What distinguishes this author are her storytelling techniques, the mystery, the drama, and the unexpectedly stunning happenings. This book, in my opinion, was outstanding! It covered so many actual incidents that occur far too frequently in real life. It is occasionally brutal, but there is a trigger warning for child abuse, violence, rape, and mental illness. However, I believe that these are issues that need to be addressed.
Excellent character development allows the reader to comprehend each individual's way of life and experiences. The author makes it clear to the reader why the main character is acting the way he does right now by revealing that he suffers from severe mental problems. I thought the beginning's back story was done nicely and was a plus. This stage is frequently skipped by authors, but it helps me feel more connected to the characters.
September 18, 2022
I thought this book was excellent!!! It touched on so many realistic events that happen way too often in life. There is a trigger warning for child abuse, violence, rape, and mental illness; so yes it is harsh at times. Yet these are subjects that in my opinion that need to be addressed.
There is a well done back story at the beginning which I thought was good. Often I have noticed authors skip this step but it gives me a stronger connection to the characters.
The character building is done very well; letting the reader understand each character, how they live and what they have been through. The main character has serious mental illnesses and the author lets the reader know exactly why he is the way he is currently.
At the same time we have the current story taking place with all the characters involved. As well as different people from all walks of life. This to me was as realistic as it could be. Yes there are a lot of terrible and horrific things that happen to different characters but they are real situations that unfortunately happen everyday.
The fact that The Basement: Dark Past takes the truth of mental health head on had me interested from the begining. Then the fact of how it can play out in someone's life and effect the others around them is beyond well written. If you are interested in an honest book about mental illness and the tragedies that it can manifest with many shocking events; you need to grab a copy and read The Basement: Dark Past. Put it at the top of your reading list.
There is a well done back story at the beginning which I thought was good. Often I have noticed authors skip this step but it gives me a stronger connection to the characters.
The character building is done very well; letting the reader understand each character, how they live and what they have been through. The main character has serious mental illnesses and the author lets the reader know exactly why he is the way he is currently.
At the same time we have the current story taking place with all the characters involved. As well as different people from all walks of life. This to me was as realistic as it could be. Yes there are a lot of terrible and horrific things that happen to different characters but they are real situations that unfortunately happen everyday.
The fact that The Basement: Dark Past takes the truth of mental health head on had me interested from the begining. Then the fact of how it can play out in someone's life and effect the others around them is beyond well written. If you are interested in an honest book about mental illness and the tragedies that it can manifest with many shocking events; you need to grab a copy and read The Basement: Dark Past. Put it at the top of your reading list.
December 28, 2022
Intriguing and intense!!
This was one of the most twisted and beautiful happy endings I've read!! After all of that they accepted it, fan-freaking-tastic. An emotional rollercoaster for sure.
This was one of the most twisted and beautiful happy endings I've read!! After all of that they accepted it, fan-freaking-tastic. An emotional rollercoaster for sure.
August 2, 2023
Book Review:
M. Marie Walker’s The Basement: Dark Past (a page turner) is an attention-getting edge of your seat thriller that left me enthralled throughout the entire read. It’s a mind-boggling thriller about a man who is consumed with 3 altering personalities, that are borne via one man’s horrific child abuse at the tender age of thirteen, this intense drama shows where a mother and father negate duty and love to assume a sickening ritual in emotionally and sexually abusing a son who is deemed helpless throughout the entire process, until at fifteen, one of the personalities, Darius takes matters into his own hands.
Subsequently, after Brynn’s husband Nate is brutally murdered right in front of her and her nephews Johnee and Jermaine, Connor’s madness is manifested fully as the understudy to Brynn’s suspicious love. Early in the book, Conner is on medication when the doctor asks him, “Has there been any switching recently? Are you taking your medication?” This is when I knew Ms. Walker was about to take us on an incredible psychological ride of which she does not disappoint. Brynn, the main character is the aunt to Johnee and Jermaine who, who are sadly about to lose their mother Vanessa, and in a short matter later, one of the brother’s will learn he was adopted and his real parents are dead. Each young man has a girlfriend, Mia and Camille and they’re all going to walk into the front door of a matter that could ruin all their lives and relationships once Nolan got through exposing the family’s issues. In what was supposed to be a guest visit, the brothers and their girls are about to be entangled in the aftermath of a man’s unforgiving altering personalities that all seem freaking real. From Chase the lover, to Darius the avenger/fixer to the insidious torturer Nolan, this is a thriller one cannot put down as Nolan seeks revenge, armed with knives and guns from a tortured Brynn for Conner by locking them all into a safe room in the basement to display to them all how Brynn hurt Conner by not understanding fully his childhood pain. The unyielding consistency of Nolan’s intent to kill the entire family over Conner shows Walker knows these characters well. The real story begins because Brynn forgets to tell Connor that her nephews Jermaine and Johnee, will be bringing their girls over to the house for a while after their mother Vanessa dies of cancer. Brynn waits almost a month to tell Conner they’re coming thereby bringing out the personalities to run amok, because of Brynn’s deceit for lack of honesty. The author’s way of introducing each personality is brilliant. Nolan never relinquishes his mission of truth for Conner via the exploitation of each family member’s most personal secrets. When I expected the author to let up on Nolan’s shooting and stabbing of Brynn’s loved ones, matters only got worse. Upon reading this excellent novel, I often shivered at the prospect of how a parent or loved one could ensue upon abusing a loved one without considering the paralyzing, unrelenting consequences of their actions? There were times in the book when I wanted Connor to come back; however, once the author pushed Conner to the back of the other personalities, and let us know he was never coming back - I realized she knew exactly what she was doing, for the whole time Nolan tortured and seized the family in the basement, I kept wanting Connor to come back. For me, the ending of the book; and the introduction of the two-year old was most gratifying to me. I really enjoyed the truth session, that exposed real human frailties of a college girl that had to strip to pay for college, and how one brother, had an experimental sexual relationship with Zane; while he excelled in his collegiate goals against his girlfriend’s mean father Mr. Holbrook. M. Ava seduced a teacher and called it rape? Marie Walker is one of the greatest new writing talents I know, this book, “The Basement: Dark Past” introduces a writing star. The book is Brilliant!!!
M. Marie Walker’s The Basement: Dark Past (a page turner) is an attention-getting edge of your seat thriller that left me enthralled throughout the entire read. It’s a mind-boggling thriller about a man who is consumed with 3 altering personalities, that are borne via one man’s horrific child abuse at the tender age of thirteen, this intense drama shows where a mother and father negate duty and love to assume a sickening ritual in emotionally and sexually abusing a son who is deemed helpless throughout the entire process, until at fifteen, one of the personalities, Darius takes matters into his own hands.
Subsequently, after Brynn’s husband Nate is brutally murdered right in front of her and her nephews Johnee and Jermaine, Connor’s madness is manifested fully as the understudy to Brynn’s suspicious love. Early in the book, Conner is on medication when the doctor asks him, “Has there been any switching recently? Are you taking your medication?” This is when I knew Ms. Walker was about to take us on an incredible psychological ride of which she does not disappoint. Brynn, the main character is the aunt to Johnee and Jermaine who, who are sadly about to lose their mother Vanessa, and in a short matter later, one of the brother’s will learn he was adopted and his real parents are dead. Each young man has a girlfriend, Mia and Camille and they’re all going to walk into the front door of a matter that could ruin all their lives and relationships once Nolan got through exposing the family’s issues. In what was supposed to be a guest visit, the brothers and their girls are about to be entangled in the aftermath of a man’s unforgiving altering personalities that all seem freaking real. From Chase the lover, to Darius the avenger/fixer to the insidious torturer Nolan, this is a thriller one cannot put down as Nolan seeks revenge, armed with knives and guns from a tortured Brynn for Conner by locking them all into a safe room in the basement to display to them all how Brynn hurt Conner by not understanding fully his childhood pain. The unyielding consistency of Nolan’s intent to kill the entire family over Conner shows Walker knows these characters well. The real story begins because Brynn forgets to tell Connor that her nephews Jermaine and Johnee, will be bringing their girls over to the house for a while after their mother Vanessa dies of cancer. Brynn waits almost a month to tell Conner they’re coming thereby bringing out the personalities to run amok, because of Brynn’s deceit for lack of honesty. The author’s way of introducing each personality is brilliant. Nolan never relinquishes his mission of truth for Conner via the exploitation of each family member’s most personal secrets. When I expected the author to let up on Nolan’s shooting and stabbing of Brynn’s loved ones, matters only got worse. Upon reading this excellent novel, I often shivered at the prospect of how a parent or loved one could ensue upon abusing a loved one without considering the paralyzing, unrelenting consequences of their actions? There were times in the book when I wanted Connor to come back; however, once the author pushed Conner to the back of the other personalities, and let us know he was never coming back - I realized she knew exactly what she was doing, for the whole time Nolan tortured and seized the family in the basement, I kept wanting Connor to come back. For me, the ending of the book; and the introduction of the two-year old was most gratifying to me. I really enjoyed the truth session, that exposed real human frailties of a college girl that had to strip to pay for college, and how one brother, had an experimental sexual relationship with Zane; while he excelled in his collegiate goals against his girlfriend’s mean father Mr. Holbrook. M. Ava seduced a teacher and called it rape? Marie Walker is one of the greatest new writing talents I know, this book, “The Basement: Dark Past” introduces a writing star. The book is Brilliant!!!
July 13, 2023
“Sometimes love is twisted” – p. 119
No one captures the above sentiment better than author M. Marie Walker. She has crafted a relationship full of twisted love in this heart pounding, emotional and intimate look at mental health and love. From the characters to their experiences, their internal battles, and struggles, “The Basement: Dark Past” captures the harsh realities of a twisted kind of love and the effects of childhood traumas.
Connor is married to the love of his life, a woman he’s been infatuated with his whole life, someone he’s watched since childhood. Brynn, widowed due to the brutal murder of her husband in their own home, as witnessed by her nephews, is wholly in love with Connor despite the devastating loss of her first husband. Convincing Connor, all of him, of her unconditional, all-consuming love for him is proving harder than she first thought though. Brynn believed the brutal murder was all behind her, but is it?
Readers are left early on wondering about Connor’s stint in a Juvenile center as we are slowly fed bits of his history, personalities, and darker sides. Walker has a true talent for injecting key moments of history through memories, flashbacks, dreams, and the raw emotion draws out via deeper character elements. She isn’t afraid to capture the dark sides of real life through her stories and the persons within.
“The Basement: Dark Past” takes readers to a dark place, an unfortunate reality for some people suffering with mental health issues. Walker’s portrayal within left me feeling empathetic and yet terrified as I devoured the twisted plot, and twisted love within.
No one captures the above sentiment better than author M. Marie Walker. She has crafted a relationship full of twisted love in this heart pounding, emotional and intimate look at mental health and love. From the characters to their experiences, their internal battles, and struggles, “The Basement: Dark Past” captures the harsh realities of a twisted kind of love and the effects of childhood traumas.
Connor is married to the love of his life, a woman he’s been infatuated with his whole life, someone he’s watched since childhood. Brynn, widowed due to the brutal murder of her husband in their own home, as witnessed by her nephews, is wholly in love with Connor despite the devastating loss of her first husband. Convincing Connor, all of him, of her unconditional, all-consuming love for him is proving harder than she first thought though. Brynn believed the brutal murder was all behind her, but is it?
Readers are left early on wondering about Connor’s stint in a Juvenile center as we are slowly fed bits of his history, personalities, and darker sides. Walker has a true talent for injecting key moments of history through memories, flashbacks, dreams, and the raw emotion draws out via deeper character elements. She isn’t afraid to capture the dark sides of real life through her stories and the persons within.
“The Basement: Dark Past” takes readers to a dark place, an unfortunate reality for some people suffering with mental health issues. Walker’s portrayal within left me feeling empathetic and yet terrified as I devoured the twisted plot, and twisted love within.
November 24, 2022
Interesting story
This book has a ton of potential. It was interesting and kept my attention. I enjoyed it. However, the editing is choppy and the book itself could use a whole lot more detail. The transition from the beginning in describing the characters when they were young could have been stronger which would have laid a better foundation for the rest of the book. Trigger warnings can be done in the description of the book, they don't need to be repeated throughout the book. Some of the characters like the girlfriends didn't really seem to be needed. The children could have been stronger supporting characters as well. They weren't described enough to feel important to the story. I like the idea of a main character with DID and this was a good story, I just feel like it needs to be polished more to really knock the readers off their feet.
This book has a ton of potential. It was interesting and kept my attention. I enjoyed it. However, the editing is choppy and the book itself could use a whole lot more detail. The transition from the beginning in describing the characters when they were young could have been stronger which would have laid a better foundation for the rest of the book. Trigger warnings can be done in the description of the book, they don't need to be repeated throughout the book. Some of the characters like the girlfriends didn't really seem to be needed. The children could have been stronger supporting characters as well. They weren't described enough to feel important to the story. I like the idea of a main character with DID and this was a good story, I just feel like it needs to be polished more to really knock the readers off their feet.
October 18, 2022
dark and fabulous
This was an absolutely wonderful read. And I am so happy to see at the end that it was done by a fellow African-American female author. A delightful surprise, considering the diversity of all the characters. The main character is extremely relatable, and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended, and I hope to see more from this author.
This was an absolutely wonderful read. And I am so happy to see at the end that it was done by a fellow African-American female author. A delightful surprise, considering the diversity of all the characters. The main character is extremely relatable, and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended, and I hope to see more from this author.
October 26, 2022
This book was a hard read due to the topics it has running through it but it was amazing too.
Walker takes us on an honest depiction of mental illness and the awful things that can happen because of it. Walker has written this story beautifully and the detailed back story at the beginning was so poignant for the story.
I was engaged from beginning to end and I hope to see more from this amazing story teller. A big 5 stars from me.
Walker takes us on an honest depiction of mental illness and the awful things that can happen because of it. Walker has written this story beautifully and the detailed back story at the beginning was so poignant for the story.
I was engaged from beginning to end and I hope to see more from this amazing story teller. A big 5 stars from me.
January 29, 2025
This book was a tough one to write. It has a lot of trigger warnings, including child abuse. Being a victim of child sexual abuse, certain parts were hard to write but I was determined to finish this book and share it with those who are able to read this certain type of book. It also deals with mental illness; my first time attempting such a fragile subject. I have to admit, I was nervous but it was necessary because many don't want to touch such a sensitive subject but I don't want to be one of those people. My MMC suffered through some horrific things and it shaped his decisions and reactions in his life. I wanted this book to be as real as it gets so I hope I've accomplished that. If you've read this book or are going to, please consider leaving a review. It's much appreciated and always needed. Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews