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.