A Luminous Account of Healing After Trauma
In this powerful sequel to “Playing with Fire,” Coleen Greenwood and Karen Crear continue their remarkable story of resilience and recovery in the aftermath of Greg Wilson’s imprisonment. While their first memoir detailed the shocking deception perpetrated by the man they knew as James Scott, this equally compelling follow-up explores the challenging question: what happens after justice is served?
Judge James Adkins’ damning assessment of Wilson’s “jaw dropping arrogance and cruelty,” providing a sense of closure but also serving as a starting point for the book’s central exploration—how does one rebuild after such profound betrayal? The authors answer this question with unflinching honesty and surprising hope.
The strength of this memoir lies in its nuanced portrayal of healing as a non-linear process. Coleen and Karen masterfully convey the complicated emotions that persist even after their abuser was behind bars. Their account acknowledges the lingering effects of trauma while demonstrating how family bonds can provide a foundation for recovery. The dialogue throughout feels authentic and raw, capturing both moments of despair and unexpected laughter.
Particularly moving is the authors’ portrayal of Coleen’s commitment to protecting her son despite her own pain. The sections describing her journey toward trusting again reveal remarkable emotional courage and speak to the memoir’s larger themes of prioritising love over bitterness. The delicate process of rebuilding one’s capacity for intimacy after such profound deception is handled with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
The pacing feels deliberate, mirroring the gradual nature of healing itself. Rather than rushing toward a neat resolution, the narrative allows space for setbacks, doubts, and the slow process of rebuilding trust—not just in others but in oneself. This approach creates an intimate reading experience that avoids simplistic platitudes about “moving on.”
What elevates this memoir beyond many recovery narratives is its emphasis on community and collective healing. Karen and Coleen show how their experience, though deeply personal, connected them to others with similar stories. Their decision to donate proceeds to Women’s Aid demonstrates how transforming personal trauma into social action can be a powerful part of the healing journey.
This book stands as a testament to the enduring human capacity to find light after darkness. It offers both practical insights for survivors of similar betrayals and broader reflections on forgiveness, family bonds, and the possibility of joy after devastation. While “Playing with Fire” warned of the dangers of deception, this follow-up offers something equally valuable—a roadmap for reclaiming one’s life with dignity and hope.
For readers who found themselves invested in Coleen and Karen’s story, this continuation provides both satisfying closure and inspiring new beginnings. It reminds us that while we cannot control the harm others may inflict, we retain the power to write our own next chapters.
A triumph that transforms personal tragedy into universal wisdom about resilience and the healing power of love and family.
I award 5 stars.