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What Lies Buried follows a woman married to a man with Complex PTSD who struggles to support him while protecting herself and their child as secrets from the past come forward. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My characters inspired me. When I finished Secrets In The Mirror (which preceded What Lies Buried), I didn’t think there would be a sequel. However, early one pre-dawn morning, while in that half-asleep/half-awake state, Gavin intervened. He basically said “Now wait a minute. There are loose ends that must be tied up, and it will be dangerous for me to do that. And besides, you think I’m OKAY, after what you put me through in this story??!! Think again.” And he proceeded to lay out the plot. Well, most of it. So I did some research and realized that the emotional abuse and trauma he experienced all during his childhood in that first story probably gave him not just typical PTSD, but Complex PTSD, which is as difficult to treat as BPD (Borderline). As I began writing, following the thread Gavin revealed, his wife Katie – who’d often worried in the first book that the dysfunction in Gavin’s family might eventually manifest in him – came to me and told me her story. Many marriages in which one spouse has PTSD often don’t survive, and with C-PTSD it’s that most don’t, because C-PTSD has three additional symptoms that block the patient’s ability to respond to treatment. Then Katie reminded me that she’d always been SO responsible & selfless after her father died when she was a kid & she had to take care of her mother…so did she ever have passions for herself? Well, that led to a discovery in this book of what she’d buried long ago, and now she wants it back – but taking care of Gavin & dealing with the rollercoaster of his C-PTSD makes it nearly impossible.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the characters’ essence?
This story is a dual POV — Gavin & Katie. I used Gavin’s faithful counselor from high school (a long-time family friend), Dr. Pedersen, to enlighten Gavin, Katie & the reader about C-PTSD, and to show how it is affecting them & their toddler Maggie. Showing that is hard and dark on the reader, and a painful downer. Showing how it affects Katie & Maggie was a downer too, but the joy was in revealing how Katie re-discovers her talent & passion for art and finds new friends who encourage her to re-claim that & her identity beyond only being a caretaker of broken people. Katie’s friend Destiny, an intuitive spiritual artist from Niger, was fun to find & develop as a catalyst to Katie’s self-journey. Bringing Tray back as Gavin’s no-nonsense level-headed yet warmly caring friend was like a family reunion. And realizing Pedersen’s own history of loss & why ensuring Gavin’s well-being was so important to him personally was a meaningful development. Oh, and precocious little Maggie!! She steals the show, doesn’t she? Well, a kid, a one-eyed one-eared rescue dog who rescues this family — All the feels!☺️
The scene where Katie finds the picture of her nine-year-old self with her father posing with her blue-ribbon painting — how it affected Katie was emotional and meaningful for me. And the scenes in which she attempts to paint the light she wants to escape to, out of the darkness all around her – to freedom, to shelter from chaos… And the scenes where Maggie urges Mommy to FEEL, and Destiny urges her to BECOME… even more feels!
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I had the “bones” of the story, which Gavin told me that early morning. But a story can lose its dynamic energy if you know it all before you begin. My characters take over, go places I hadn’t expected & discover things I hadn’t considered. I never know the end until ~three-quarters or later into writing the book. I hear about other authors getting excited when they finally type “The End”, but I’ve never done that. Because stories never really end. There’s always something that’s not fully resolved, something hanging in the air, in the characters…
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
The end of What Lies Buried provides a hint of what is to come for Katie (perceptive readers will get it). So the next book is solely from her POV. Which doesn’t mean that Gavin & the other characters disappear, of course. I’ve begun writing that book – working title ‘Power Play‘ – but I’m also being nagged into writing a straightforward standalone psychological suspense (‘A Rose by any other name’) that keeps tugging at me. Which is a bit distracting. We’ll see which book wins prominence in line. Or maybe readers would like to vote on which they’d like to see, how soon?
Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook Books | Facebook Author | Website
Scarred by a lifetime of emotional abuse and traumatic violence, Gavin battles the triggers of Complex PTSD. His wife Katie is determined to support him despite the strain of his unpredictable reactions on their marriage.
But returning to Boston to settle his father’s estate reactivates Gavin’s childhood scars, and more triggers. Then when he uncovers his family’s mob history, his volatile reactions put him in the crosshairs of dangerous people. Worried for his safety, Katie packs up their toddler and joins him. While there, she begins sorting through her late parents’ keepsakes, finding evidence of the artistic talent she abandoned after her father died, when she became child caregiver to her disabled mother. Eager to revive her unfulfilled past, Katie copes with Gavin’s increasingly unstable behavior through her painting and new friendships that encourage her journey to self-discovery.
As Gavin resists treatment and goes off the rails, secrets of his family’s past threaten them all. The generational dysfunction in Kain’s award-winning Secrets In The Mirror continues, as Katie faces her own emotional wounds and must choose between saving her marriage or saving their child…and herself.
What Lies Buried
In What Lies Buried by Leslie Kain, the narrative immerses readers in a world shaped by the haunting aftermath of suicide and the complex web of PTSD. Leslie Kain’s writing style is notable for its depth and psychological insight, effectively drawing readers into the protagonist Gavin’s internal struggle. The aftermath of his brother Devon’s suicide, coupled with a suicide note that blames Gavin, propels him into the depths of PTSD. This situation is further complicated when Gavin is summoned to handle his father’s estate, unveiling layers of past trauma and mob threats.
Kain’s approach to character development is robust, particularly in the gradual transition of focus from Gavin to another central character, Kate. This shift adds dimension to the narrative, introducing new perspectives and escalating tension. The dual perspectives in the narrative structure initially position Gavin as the primary character, but as the story unfolds, Kate’s role becomes more prominent, adding depth and complexity to the plot. Katie’s character is resilient yet vulnerable as she navigates through the turmoil of her husband’s deteriorating mental state. The author skillfully transports the reader into Gavin’s mindset, enabling them to vividly experience his anxiety and the constant struggle he faces with PTSD. The book goes beyond traditional thriller elements, offering a nuanced exploration of personal trauma and family dynamics. While it might not align with conventional thriller expectations, Kain’s rich storytelling, marked by well-developed characters and an integrated backstory, provides a thoughtful reading experience.
The author’s ability to create engaging world-building and intricate character arcs strengthens the bond between the narrative and the reader, making What Lies Buried a compelling read that deeply engages with its characters’ internal struggles and the impacts on their relationships.
Page: 346 | ASIN : B0CSWW8CFL
How Difficult It Is To Break Free
Secrets in the Mirror follow mirror twin brothers who grow up in an abusive environment and their effort to survive the life they are handed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I know someone who has two daughters, close in age, who were always inseparable when they were young. But in their early 20s, the older daughter began demeaning & belittling her sister’s choices & life decisions, manipulating, and ultimately gaslighting to the point that the younger daughter had to break off relations in order to save her own well-being. This was very traumatic for her as well as for their parent, whose therapist concluded from communications that the older daughter had become narcissistic. And then there is a well-known political leader whose behavior and communications provide overwhelming evidence of narcissism, inflicting trauma and stress on the nation. I began to wonder how difficult it is to break free of a narcissist, and mused how much more difficult it would be for identical twins.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
“Trials”? Do you mean what were the challenges & difficulties the main characters faced, which exemplified the central theme of the novel? Well, their father was raised in a tough macho mob-connected culture, and decided that his twins had to be tough. He anointed Devon to be the Best, the Winner, but gave no guidance or example of what that entailed, just to claim it & fake it. So Devon became a hollow narcissist. The father also decided that Gavin (the Main Character) was a “loser”, and that it was his job to take care of Devon, the ‘winner’. So Gavin grew up abused and uncertain of his own worth and Devon grew up in a charade, and used drink, drugs and risk-taking (mob) to fill the empty spot in him, while Gavin felt compelled to “save” his brother from his own worst instincts.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- The expectations & demands of parents can be damaging to their children, especially in dysfunctional families.
- Dysfunction in families can be proliferated into multiple generations unless someone finally breaks the chain – which is difficult.
- At some point, you must make a choice between the imperative to save others versus the struggle to save yourself. You can’t save anyone until you save yourself.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on Gavin’s sequel. I didn’t think there would be a sequel, but he had other ideas, and came to me in a half-dream state, laying out the entire plot. So now he’s nagging me to write it. In it, he will have to return to Boston to “tie up loose ends” and be exposed to all the things that nearly destroyed him, things he thought he’d left behind. He will discover more secrets, he will be in danger, he will be triggered & react dysfunctionally. He will exhibit symptoms & behavior of CPTSD. His wife Katie — along with his old counselor Dr Pedersen and best friend Tray — will have to pull him back from the edge. Its themes will include how dysfunctional families can cause crippling CPTSD in their offspring, and how close friends can rally around and help save the damaged person.
I believe it will not likely be published until early 2024.
However, the audio version of ‘Secrets In The Mirror’ should be available this summer (2023).
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram
When Gavin looks in the mirror he sees his twin Devon ― literally. Yet like the mirror, inside they are the reverse of each other. Devon is the chosen one, anointed by their tough Mob-connected father, who demeans Gavin as a loser but expects him to save his brother from his worst instincts. Gavin struggles to believe in himself and make his own decisions in the face of Dad’s bullying and Devon’s narcissistic gaslighting. When Devon gets into drugs and crime, people start dying. Gavin flees far away to protect his hard-won selfhood and his new family. But he can’t escape his sociopathic brother, or the Mob. Yet inextricable bonds tie him to Devon, and Gavin vows to break the lethal chain of family dysfunction and rescue his twin from his self-destructive path. Can he save his brother before Devon destroys them both?
A dysfunctional family saga with psychological suspense, Secrets In The Mirror is the story of one family’s struggle to rise above the toxicity of multigenerational domestic abuse and crime. But Gavin is the one who must finally break the shackles of multigenerational and narcissistic abuse, despite inextricable bonds with a twin who’s headed for self-destruction. It is a tale that grapples with the imperative to save others versus the struggle to save oneself.
You Must Make A Choice
Secrets in the Mirror follow mirror twin brothers who grow up in an abusive environment and their effort to survive the life they are handed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I know someone who has two daughters, close in age, who were always inseparable when they were young. But in their early 20s, the older daughter began demeaning & belittling her sister’s choices & life decisions, manipulating, and ultimately gaslighting to the point that the younger daughter had to break off relations in order to save her own well-being. This was very traumatic for her as well as for their parent, whose therapist concluded from communications that the older daughter had become narcissistic. And then there is a well-known political leader whose behavior and communications provide overwhelming evidence of narcissism, inflicting trauma and stress on the nation. I began to wonder how difficult it is to break free of a narcissist, and mused how much more difficult it would be for identical twins.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
“Trials”? Do you mean what were the challenges & difficulties the main characters faced, which exemplified the central theme of the novel? Well, their father was raised in a tough macho mob-connected culture, and decided that his twins had to be tough. He anointed Devon to be the Best, the Winner, but gave no guidance or example of what that entailed, just to claim it & fake it. So Devon became a hollow narcissist. The father also decided that Gavin (the Main Character) was a “loser”, and that it was his job to take care of Devon, the ‘winner’. So Gavin grew up abused and uncertain of his own worth and Devon grew up in a charade, and used drink, drugs and risk-taking (mob) to fill the empty spot in him, while Gavin felt compelled to “save” his brother from his own worst instincts.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- The expectations & demands of parents can be damaging to their children, especially in dysfunctional families.
- Dysfunction in families can be proliferated into multiple generations unless someone finally breaks the chain – which is difficult.
- At some point, you must make a choice between the imperative to save others versus the struggle to save yourself.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on Gavin’s sequel. I didn’t think there would be a sequel, but he had other ideas, and came to me in a half-dream state, laying out the entire plot. So now he’s nagging me to write it. In it, he will have to return to Boston to “tie up loose ends” and be exposed to all the things that nearly destroyed him, things he thought he’d left behind. He will discover more secrets, he will be in danger, he will be triggered & react dysfunctionally. He will exhibit symptoms & behavior of CPTSD. His wife Katie — along with his old counselor Dr Pedersen and best friend Tray — will have to pull him back from the edge. Its themes will include how dysfunctional families can cause crippling CPTSD in their offspring, and how close friends can rally around and help save the damaged person.
I believe it will not likely be published until early 2024.
However, the audio version of ‘Secrets In The Mirror’ should be available this summer (2023).
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram
When Gavin looks in the mirror he sees his twin Devon ― literally. Yet like the mirror, inside they are the reverse of each other. Devon is the chosen one, anointed by their tough Mob-connected father, who demeans Gavin as a loser but expects him to save his brother from his worst instincts. Gavin struggles to believe in himself and make his own decisions in the face of Dad’s bullying and Devon’s narcissistic gaslighting. When Devon gets into drugs and crime, people start dying. Gavin flees far away to protect his hard-won selfhood and his new family. But he can’t escape his sociopathic brother, or the Mob. Yet inextricable bonds tie him to Devon, and Gavin vows to break the lethal chain of family dysfunction and rescue his twin from his self-destructive path. Can he save his brother before Devon destroys them both?
A dysfunctional family saga with psychological suspense, Secrets In The Mirror is the story of one family’s struggle to rise above the toxicity of multigenerational domestic abuse and crime. But Gavin is the one who must finally break the shackles of multigenerational and narcissistic abuse, despite inextricable bonds with a twin who’s headed for self-destruction. It is a tale that grapples with the imperative to save others versus the struggle to save oneself.
Secrets In The Mirror
Psychology around twins is a fascinating subject. Identical twins have the same DNA, but what happens when you throw in a domineering father who favors one twin over the other? Treating one twin differently over the other twists their self-confidence and personality, sometimes for the worse. Gavin and Devon are identical mirror twins, which means they’re the opposite of each other, even though they look the same. When Devon looks into a mirror, he sees Gavin. But their twin bond can only take so much strain, right?
Secrets in the Mirror by Leslie Kain is a psychological thriller about a set of twins, Devon and Gavin, and how Devon’s narcissistic personality affects their relationship and their entire family. At first, everyone just believes that Devon is full of himself and has a lot of self-confidence. Still, after a horrific traffic accident, the doctors who treat Devon start to unravel his web of lies, diagnosing him with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. But, of course, Devon doesn’t believe a word of it, and he knows he is superior to everyone, including the doctors.
Gavin has always been Devon’s crutch, and this becomes worse as time goes on. Gavin is expected to clean up after Devon’s misdeeds, but eventually, Gavin realizes that he needs to protect himself from his own twin brother. One truly feels sorry for Gavin and his mother, the story’s victims.
Secrets in the Mirror by Leslie Kain is a fascinating book written from multiple perspectives, including Devon and Gavin. Kain gives readers a look into the twins’ minds through chapters from their point of view. The story takes a while to pick up and can be frustrating to read because of the personality disorders. However, I believe that just shows Kain’s ability to craft compelling characters. I recommend this book to anyone interested in twin psychology, personality disorders, and psychological thrillers.
Pages: 366 | ASIN : B0B34H59Y1
Secrets In The Mirror
Leslie Kain’s Secrets in the Mirror is a psychological thriller that brilliantly portrays how psychological disorders can affect lives and even destroy families. The story deals with years of both mental and physical abuse, generational trauma, and gaslighting as well as murder and crime.
Gavin and Devon are mirror twins, meaning they are literally opposites of each other- both inside and out. The story follows Gavin, who is gaslighted and abused by both his father and twin, Devon, who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Their father painted Devon as the ‘winner’ at everything throughout their lives, further feeding his son’s narcissistic view of the world. Gavin was given the role of Devon’s caretaker with no purpose of his own. As a result, Gavin struggled to define his self-worth and felt inferior all his life, like he was only half a person without his toxic twin brother.
The author excellently portrays how generational trauma shaped the father and the twins as they grew up, the toxic and rigid stereotypes, expectations, and values that were instilled in their dad, and how he tried to inculcate them in his sons as well. The twins’ mother was a competent and qualified woman who wanted to protect Gavin as much as possible. Yet, simultaneously, she was a victim of her husband’s gaslighting and abuse.
This family dynamic also contributed to shaping the environment the twins grew up in. The story has chapters from numerous points of view, and through Devon’s chapters, we see the extent of his warped reality and perspective. As the story progresses, Gavin suffers losses but also finds love, and in the end, he has to save the people who had destroyed his self-esteem as he grew up.
The novel is well written, with notable supporting characters who enhance the story further. I recommend this book to everyone, but I suggest you proceed with caution and read the trigger warnings given by the author as the story deals with mature and disturbing themes that could trigger some.
Secrets in the Mirror is a coming-of-age psychological thriller that takes readers into the mind and world of twin brothers. One who wants nothing more than break away and be his own person, the other a dark and twisted narcissistic abuser. This captivating story of crime and loyalty will play at the reader’s emotions as they follow along and experience the effects of mental illness on all that come in contact with it.
Pages: 366 | ASIN : B0B34H59Y1
LITERARY TITAN 