One in four women in wealthy nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. Despite this frequency, nearly half of all incidents go unreported. The statistics point to an isolating reality for many women. Patricia Gordon Stevens, a licensed counselor and author, understands this environment firsthand. Using her lived experiences and professional background, Stevens has written Madness in Memphis, a new novel that addresses the fear, shame, and fight for survival that characterize life under an abusive partner.
“People think they know about domestic violence, but they rarely understand how complex and isolating it really is,” Stevens notes. “It doesn’t discriminate. It affects women from every background, every income level, every walk of life.”
Madness in Memphis introduces readers to Morgan Sage, a successful stockbroker and divorced mother of two children, Ollie and Opal. Morgan works hard to provide stability and love for her family. When she remarries, she hopes the new man will make their family whole again. Instead, her new husband’s charm soon gives way to terror. The emotional manipulation quickly escalates into stalking and physical violence, turning her home into a dangerous environment.
The story tracks Morgan’s day-to-day battles as she tries to protect her children and escape the man who actively seeks to destroy her. Stevens does not shy away from the harsh realities of the situation, showing how an abuser can trap a victim in a cycle of self-doubt and coercion. Morgan is forced to question her core values and examine how she ended up in this predicament.
However, Morgan is not entirely alone. The novel highlights the necessity of a strong support system. Morgan finds strength through a small, dedicated circle of allies: her mother Kat, her closest friend Lee, her exceptional work colleague Antonio, and her new attorney Ash. These individuals witness Morgan’s fierce struggle and support her as she attempts to break free from her predator.
“I want people to know what it’s really like for a woman to live with a stalker and violent abuser; someone who is supposed to love her,” Stevens says. “It’s a dark, relentless world, but it’s not hopeless. There is a way out.”
The book operates as a psychological thriller and a story of survival. It offers readers a direct look into a personal horror story, moving past the suspense to deliver a grounded understanding of trauma. Stevens brings her professional counseling background to the narrative, providing an authentic look at the recovery process.
“If a woman surrounds herself with the right support systems and people, she can find a way to flee with her children,” Stevens adds. “But it’s nearly impossible to do it alone.”
About the Author
Patricia Gordon Stevens originally hails from Memphis, Tennessee, and currently lives in the peaceful landscape of Kapunda, South Australia, with her British husband. Her debut novel draws heavily from both her personal history and her ongoing work with trauma survivors.
Returning to education as a mature student, Stevens studied Psychological Science and Sociology at the University of South Australia before completing a Master’s in Counseling at Edith Cowan University in 2024. Today, she operates Maxwell House Counseling, where she works with clients experiencing anxiety, loneliness, grief, bereavement, and trauma. She is also a certified death doula, volunteering her time at Kapunda aged care facilities under the belief that no one should face their final journey alone.
Her professional background includes time spent as a marketing and corporate events manager for companies based in the Barossa region. Alongside her husband, she previously owned and operated The Wheatsheaf Pub in Allendale North, South Australia, handling public relations, marketing, and occasional duties in the kitchen. When she is not writing or counseling, she spends time in her restored 1860s cottage, often sharing the space with visiting animals that decide to make the house their home.
Madness in Memphis is published by Hembury Books. It is available in paperback, hardback, and ebook formats through more than 40,000 retailers globally, including Amazon, Booktopia, Walmart, Apple Books, and independent bookstores.
Book Details:
- Title: Madness in Memphis
- Publisher: Hembury Books
- Paperback ISBN: 978-1923517332
- Hardback ISBN: 978-1923517400
- Ebook ISBN: 978-1923517325
For more information, readers can visit www.patriciagordonstevens.com or locate the author on Facebook and Instagram at Patricia Gordon Stevens Author.