Lies Within Darkness

Some stories write themselves.
Others demand to be written—because if they’re not, the silence becomes its own kind of wound.

Lies Within Darkness is that kind of story.

This novel began in the aftermath of a real event that nearly took everything from me—my sense of safety, my trust in people, even my life. A man I thought was a colleague, a fellow advocate for change, slowly revealed himself to be something far more dangerous. He didn’t want my support. He wanted my submission. When I didn’t give it to him, the psychological manipulation intensified. When that didn’t work, he upped the ante.

But here’s the truth: he never broke me.

I had already lived through more pain than most people knew. My strength was not a sudden response to danger—it was forged through a lifetime of surviving, sensing, and standing tall when others wanted me small. And my intuition? It has never led me astray.

Izzy Raynor, the heroine of Lies Within Darkness, was born from that fire. She’s not a victim. She’s not a saviour. She’s a woman who knows what’s real—even when others can’t see it yet.

This novel is my way of reclaiming the narrative. It’s also an offering to those who’ve ever doubted themselves, been doubted by others, or trusted someone who turned out to be something else entirely.

If you’ve ever felt something was wrong but couldn’t prove it—this story is for you.
If you’ve ever stayed strong while the world tried to explain your intuition away—this story is for you.
And if you’ve ever outlasted the storm, even when no one saw what you were weathering—this story is especially for you.

“Hi Leonie, I've just finished your book. My!! What a harrowing experience you’ve described Izzy went through. She is one resilient woman. God bless.”

“I’ve just finished your book and I feel like I walked through every step with Izzy. I feel as exhausted as she would be.”

“Beautifully written to capture what Izzy — and so many women — go through at the hands of coercive men.”

“I had to sit the book down and walk away a number of times because it was so heartbreaking to think any man could do that to a woman. The constant manipulation was insane.”

“At times I thought, ‘What a great psychological thriller,’ and then I’d be jolted back into remembering it was based on true events. Izzy’s strength did outlast him.”

“What a harrowing story that was hard to fathom — and to know it was true made it even more devastating. I felt every breath held, every chill down the spine waiting for what was next. Beautifully written and completely captivating.”

“I could relate deeply to the story, having spent 17 years in the Victorian mental health field. Izzy is lucky to have survived — her strength is inspirational. Well done.”

“I finished reading your book. Bloody hell — talk about mind games. He certainly made Izzy’s life a misery. I’m glad she had good people she could turn to.”

“What a book. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.”

This will only apply to those living in Australia due to postage costs. If that's you, send Leonie an email and she will get in touch and make it happen.