Dear Sister

A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds

By: Michelle Horton

Narrated by: Michelle Horton

In this "incendiary" memoir, a woman fights the criminal justice system to release her incarcerated sister after she kills her longtime abuser (Publishers Weekly).

In September 2017, a knock on the door upends Michelle Horton’s life: she learns that her sister has just shot her partner and is now in jail. Stunned, Michelle rearranges her life to raise Nikki's two young children alongside her own son.

During the investigation that follows, Michelle is shocked to learn that Nikki had been hiding horrific abuse for years. Michelle launches a fight to bring Nikki home, squaring off against a criminal justice system designed to punish the entire family.

Since Dear Sister’s original publication, Michelle’s fight—alongside a tireless network of supporters—has resulted in Nikki’s release from prison.

With a new chapter, an update from Nikki, and never-before-seen photographs documenting the homecoming, this edition provides a touching new conclusion to a profound, intimate story of resilience and the unbreakable bond of family.

Critic reviews

"A devastating and heart-breaking account which sheds light on all of the secrets, the silences, the unnecessary opprobrium, and the injustice that still surround battered women in our society today." —Sheila Kohler, author of Once We Were Sisters

“This deeply felt and beautifully written book—this tale of tragedy and love, cruelty and community—will stay with me long after Nikki comes home and these two amazing sisters and their children can heal. It will stay with me, inspire me, and fuel my commitment to women, because as little Ben says at the end of the book, “It’s not over until we help all the other mommies who defended themselves get free.”
—Elizabeth Lesser, Cofounder of Omega Institute and author of New York Times bestseller, Broken Open

"The sheer scale of what Michelle Horton has done — in this book, in her life, in telling her sister’s story and her own, in her very survival — will leave you awestruck. I didn’t read this book, I swallowed it. It will make you feel despair, rage, horror, and ultimately reverence and adoration. Hopefully, it will make you stand up and take notice of all we get wrong with survivors like Nikki Addimando. I don’t think anyone will read this book and not want to take to the streets and demand we do better. I know I’ll be out there. In a word, this book is miraculous.”—Rachel Louise Snyder, author of No Visible Bruises and Women We Buried, Women We Burned

“A gripping account of one woman’s ongoing journey through hell—the inferno of an abusive relationship that ended with a bullet; the Hades of a legal system more determined to punish than to understand; and the parallel torment for those who love her, fight for her, and admirably endure.”
—Scott Turow, New York Times bestselling author of Presumed Innocent

“The most difficult circumstances have the power to break open our hearts and bring our spirit fully alive. In this compelling, intimate and beautifully written memoir, we touch on the true meaning of healing and grace.”
—Tara Brach, internationally bestselling author of Radical Acceptance

“A searing read. The next frontier in preventing abuse against women is shining a spotlight on the cruelty and ignorance with which our courts treat victims of abuse, particularly those who defend themselves against violent men. Dear Sister is an important and painful story, beautifully told.”
—Leslie Morgan Steiner, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Love

"Incendiary...a powerful testament to the tenacity of sisterly bonds, a scathing indictment of the legal landscape for abused women, and a wrenching exploration of the shame that allows abuse to remain hidden. This is difficult to forget.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Best audible listen to date

I was not expecting the audio clips. I sobbed throughout this listen. You get a window into the heartbreaking realities of domestic abuse, generational trauma, the UNjustice system, and most importantly the Phoenix rising from the ashes. This is just the beginning for Nikki and Michelle-I know I will see them move mountains together.

Absolutely beautiful

Following the story closely as I live in the same town, it was so beautiful to follow the children through their story. Nikki is truly a hero and a survivor in every sense of the word and I am so incredibly happy for her release. She still has a lifetime and she will truly change the world.

Couldn't Put it Down - All on a Sunday

The Injustice of it all!! Written and narrated so well, it frustrates me so deeply. I was Nikki, took me 6 years and 3 hospitalizations to finally leave. none of my family knew because I too, never pressed charges, just hoped things would go back the way they used to.

I highly reccomend this book. the writer is honest, insightful and A SUPERHERO

Best book I’ve listened to yet!

Awesome story, writing and narration!!! I loved the audio clips! I didn’t want it to end! I will be waiting for the next one!!!

Very real

Was happy with the ending very raw and hiding nothing about how she felt laying everything on the line