Fractured Tears by Amy Shannon tells an all-to-real story of betrayal. On the night of her anniversary, Anna Coleman’s husband Ted pledges to work harder to reconcile their relationship; one strained by the death of their son a few years earlier. 

The promise to make things better quickly fades after a few scant days, with Anna giving him an ultimatum to choose between her or his substance abuse. The conversation sends Ted into an uncontrollable drug-and-alcohol-fueled spiral that eventually leaves Anna beaten, battered, and running for her life. While Anna barely survives the attack, she must face a subsequent battle for justice while trying to put the pieces of her life back together again.

Shannon does a superb job chronicling the pain, post-traumatic stress, and ancillary micro-aggressions faced by the survivors of domestic abuse. Her ability to paint various interactions with friends, coworkers, employers, and her husband’s friends becomes a strength, especially in the character’s trepidation with how people will relate to her under the circumstances — both in her post-attack physical appearance and in the face of public interest in her case as it almost slips through the cracks. 

While I would have liked to see more of the psychological and internal turmoil faced by Anna as opposed to her external interactions, which tended to take precedence. However, the book is still an interesting and insightful read that has you cheering for and fearing for Anna throughout. In fact, for a story with less than 100 words, it’s remarkably memorable — something you think about for days or weeks or months after. 

Part of what makes Anna’s life so real is that Shannon channeled actual life events to tell it. In more ways than one, Shannon’s real-life story is even more harrowing because, unlike Anna, Shannon also had to navigate her recovery and subsequent legal battles with children. 

After the short novel, Shannon includes a timeline, impact statement, and photographs of her personal experience that inspired the story. And, always the advocate for other survivors, she shares domestic violence resources, hoping it will inspire others to reach out if they are abused or suspect abuse. You have to respect and admire her courage.