Linda Beason’s memoir My Husband Almost Killed Me is a harrowing, unforgettable account of survival, resilience, and the long shadow of domestic abuse. Beason, once a spirited Indiana farm girl and proud Marine, never imagined her marriage would unravel into a nightmare. What began as love and hope soon deteriorated into a life filled with violence, fear, and manipulation. Her husband Phil’s drinking spiraled into relentless cruelty, subjecting both her and their children to psychological torment and physical brutality.
Beason writes with devastating honesty, never shying away from the stark reality of what it meant to live under the same roof as a man whose temper could ignite without warning. She recalls, “Each night spent in our household was like a scene out of a suspense thriller; I never knew which version of Phil would come through the door, if at all.” Those words put the reader directly into her shoes, where unpredictability itself became a form of torture.
The memoir also captures the contrast between her early life and the darkness that followed. As she reflects on her youth, Beason writes, “I always remember these early years of my life as the days when life seemed to happen effortlessly… I was always surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Christians at church who genuinely cared about me.” This glimpse into her past highlights just how far she had fallen from the security and warmth she once knew.
The book does not hold back on moments of sheer terror. In one particularly haunting scene, she recalls the night Phil opened fire on his own family: “Then, without warning, six gunshots exploded in rapid succession, piercing through the door. The bullets whizzed over our heads towards the wall. I froze. Phil had actually shot through the door, missing us only because we were lying flat on the ground.” These passages are as gripping as they are heartbreaking, underscoring the unimaginable danger she and her children faced daily.
My Husband Almost Killed Me is not an easy read, nor should it be. Its graphic depictions of violence are disturbing, but they are also necessary to fully grasp the depth of Linda’s suffering and the resilience it took to survive. Her account sheds light on the cycle of denial and justification that often traps victims, while also showing the courage it takes to finally break free.
Despite the horror, Beason’s memoir is ultimately a testament to human endurance. There’s a quiet strength woven throughout her story—a reminder that even in the face of monstrous cruelty, survival is possible. Readers looking for stories of perseverance, truth-telling, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children will find My Husband Almost Killed Me both devastating and inspiring.
Linda Beason’s story is one that demands to be heard, and her memoir is an act of bravery in itself. It is a warning, a cry for awareness, and most of all, proof that even in the darkest of circumstances, resilience can shine through.
This book is not recommended for readers easily triggered, anyone interested in stories of survival and true crime might be the best fit.
– Krysta
The Book Report 