Life Detonated
The True Story of a Widow and a Hijacker
by Kathleen Murray Moran
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Pub Date Oct 10 2017 | Archive Date Oct 25 2017
Description
“A raw, somber emotional journey that concludes with hope and a measure of forgiveness.” – Kirkus Reviews
The gripping true story of Kathleen Murray, a young mother whose life was changed on September 11, 1976 when her husband, Brian Murray, a NYPD bomb disposal expert, was killed by a terrorist’s bomb. It details her childhood in the Bronx, her journey out of poverty with Brian’s help, and her own determination to take care of her two young sons after Brian’s death. While Kathleen heals, she launches a lawsuit against the city of New York to find out the real reason the bomb exploded, and at the same time begins a relationship through letters with one of the hijackers, Julie Busic. All the while, Kathleen becomes one of the founders of Survivors of the Shield, a group that advocates for and provides support and assistance to the spouses and children of New York City police officers killed in the line of duty.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"Moran, who founded the nonprofit organization Survivors of the Shield, shares a remarkable journey in this well-written debut." - Publisher's Weekly
"An impressively candid, extraordinarily detailed, ultimately inspiring read from cover to cover, 'Life Detonated' is a consistently compelling and exceptionally personal story..." - Midwest Book Review
"A raw, somber emotional journey that concludes with hope and a measure of forgiveness." - Kirkus Reviews
"Life Detonated is the inspirational story of triumph about a young woman raised on the mean streets of the Bronx who was saved by the love of a heroic NYPD bomb-squad police officer whose line of duty death caused her life to implode. It is a true story that reads like the very best fiction." - Patrick J. Lynch, President, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York
Marketing Plan
ARC distribution and prepublication buzz campaign; major outreach to print and online media; author appearance and promotion at Police Week in Washington, DC; author appearance and promotion at The New York City Police Widows Fund dinner in October; author attendance and signings at BookExpo; ABA White Box mailing; targeted trade advertising; regional bookseller association dedicated e-blasts; targeted book club outreach; comprehensive social and digital advertising campaigns; author signings and events across the country, starting in the NYC-metro area; co-op available; article featured in New York Post; author appearance on Fox & Friends 10/11/17
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781944995324 |
| PRICE | $23.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Kay O, Reviewer
What an interesting book. Sad but inspiring as well. Great read!
Kathleen J, Reviewer
This book was given to me from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Very powerful book. It was hard to put down. I recommend!
Jennifer M, Reviewer
When I read the excerpt of this in Buzz Books 2017 Fall/Winter by Publishers Lunch (available on NetGalley at https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/112654) I was very intrigued by the story: Kathleen's survival after such a tragic event; honouring Brian's memory and the mission to obtain justice; and the relationship she developed with Julie Busic. I was saddened to realise the outcome: that Julie had been using Kathleen, but at least it had in someway been useful or cathartic for Kathleen. And it is a travesty to never understand or discover what happened that day; why the bomb exploded, but any disappointment I might have about that of course pales into insignificance against the sadness and helplessness Kathleen must've felt, or still feels, about this! There were a couple of points where Kathleen refers to parts of her history as if they've been mentioned already in the book, but either they weren't (perhaps they had been cut in the writing process?) or I just missed them, which was a shame. Overall, I was quite enthralled with the truth of Brian, Kathleen and everyone connected to them. Thank you for sharing!
Julie H, Reviewer
Kathleen Murray Moran has so much courage. It shines from every page of this book. The loss of Brian has driven her to do so much in her life. Her story is fascinating and deserves to be read. She has achieved so much in her life and I am so glad that she found happiness again with James. She deserves it. I hope this book is widely read and does well. It deserves to.
Patricia P, Media/Journalist
Kathleen Moran is a model for how to live life in a complex society, where justice doesn't always find its way to those who serve us most and best. Her story is compelling, especially because it is true.
sara m, Reviewer
An engrossing and captivating read. Each page and word placed perfectly.
Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Mai Khanh N, Educator
What an interesting, amazing, inspiring life Kathleen Murray Moran has led. She starts out by detailing her husband's death, interspersed with his "saving" her from a childhood reminiscent of Jeanette Walls's [book:The Glass Castle|7445] or Frank McCourt's [book:Angela's Ashes|252577].
As life continues on around her, she manages to pass and update new laws, get degrees, find love, add to her family, manage a household, and create a questionable friendship. Overall, this is a fantastic read. It's heartbreaking in the beginning, but by the middle, you are seeing Kathy as more than just a widow.
PEGGY D, Bookseller
Fascinating story. Her life, her family, her childhood. Remarkable resilience.
A woman who could have been a bitter victim became a shining beacon.
This story was amazing, all the more for it's truth. Kathleen Murray Moran changed the world and then wrote a book about it. I am awed.
Jennifer S, Reviewer
This book was so good and once I started it, I could not put it down. The author, whose life story it is, Kathleen Moran is such an amazing woman who has had an amazing life and is a very strong woman. Her memoir is full of her life experiences: a difficult childhood, meeting her husband--a real life prince charming, surviving the emotional trauma of losing her husband to a terror attack, then continuing on with her life in the aftermath while also managing to pass and update laws related to the tragic event that took her husband's life. An absolutely inspiring woman with a very interesting life. Loved this book and highly recommend it!
Janilyn K, Reviewer
Life Detonated is such a good story. The writing flows so smoothly. The author describes her life as a widow and the struggles she endured. She also revealed her tough childhood. Moran also reveals how she coped after her husband' death and took on the NYC system to have questions answered. Through it all, she persevered.
Sarah Corbett M, Reviewer
Life Detonated is a stellar memoir about loss and the tenacity of survivors. Moran lost her husband in the first 9-11 bombing. No, not the Twin Towers, but the one years before when two Croatian terrorists planted a bomb at Grand Central Station on September 11, 1976, to distract authorities from their hijacking of TWA flight 355. Her firefighter husband, Brian, was part of the NYPD bomb squad tasked with defusing the device when it went off, killing him.
Moran uses deep memory, newspaper articles, letters, and witnesses to go back over the events that took him from her. She also deftly moves back and forth from her impoverished childhood in New York to current events, creating a satisfying memoir of an incredibly introspective person. No spoilers, but one of the saddest and hardest learned lessons for her is learning which people to trust. Well worth reading.
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