The Killing Closet - by V L Brunskill (Paperback)

About the Book

In this story of family struggle and hope, Vicki-lynn and Peter are adopted into a family defined by violence. V.L. defends her family before escaping. How far would you go to save your family?

Book Synopsis

In this heartbreaking story of family, struggle, hope, and forgiveness, V.L. Brunskill tells of her life as she grows up on Long Island, New York. Vicki-lynn and her brother Peter are adopted as infants into a family defined by violence. V.L. defends her mother and brother for a decade before escaping to a domestic abuse shelter.

How far would you go to save your family?



The Killing Closet examines V.L.'s adoptive father, Jo Selbach's hidden gender identity, and how, after Jo's death, the truth allows V.L. to begin a journey of understanding. Stunning in its unadorned intensity, The Killing Closet is a moving portrait of a girl who plans a murder in hopes of escape, and in her failure, finds love for a woman she never knew existed.

The Killing Closet is a raw and deeply vulnerable glimpse into one woman's journey to overcome the trauma of her past and find hope in the face of adversity. This unforgettable memoir will leave you inspired and empowered.

Review Quotes

"I'm astounded by the bravery it took to tell this story. The Killing Closet is not for the faint of heart. But heart is the key word. This memoir is terrifying to read as Brunskill lays out still-fresh brutality, but at the same time, balances the darkness with a clear and defined sense of redemption. To find understanding, and even hope, inside a landscape filled with monsters is no easy feat. But it's worth the read to understand the heart of a survivor. This book will make you want to hold the hand of someone you love and never let go."

- Brian Panowich, International Best-Selling Author of Bull Mountain and Nothing But The Bones