EMILY BENEDEK
NEW
Everyone knew Valarie Clark, the smartest and most beautiful girl in tiny Clarkston, Utah, population 500. She even earned a free ride to college as a sprinter in the 100- and 220-yard dashes. All the girls envied her, and all the boys wanted to marry her. Although the dream of her youth had been to become a lawyer, Valarie did what was expected of a devout Mormon girl like herself: put aside her own ambitions, marry, and raise a family. She chose a handsome, wealthy boy from a neighboring town, and was already pregnant when she picked up her college diploma. But a few years later, after one of her children was badly hurt in a freak accident, Valarie fell apart under a barrage of old memories forcing themselves to consciousness. In time, her doctor uncovered what had happened in her closed, insular community, a place that embraced a world of secrets that “everyone knew” but “nobody saw.”
Forward by ELIZABETH SMART
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
“Hometown Betrayal is a powerful book that exposes child sexual abuse at its worst. Some may think this story is an exception, but the national and global data tell us otherwise. We must break the silence and do more to stop both the horrific acts and cover-ups that negatively impact survivors, their families, and even the generations that follow. Thanks to the Millers for their perseverance and courage to share their tragic story so that we can all be moved into action.”
​
Susan Madsen, EdD, founder and director, Utah Women & Leadership Project, Utah State University; Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University
​
“Hometown Betrayal recounts the remarkable story of a family’s quest for justice for terrible crimes committed decades earlier. All too often, such stories recount nothing but frustration, dead ends, and legal barriers. But in this case, the family was able to obtain some measure of justice. It is a powerful story of how, at least sometimes, the truth can ultimately be uncovered.”
Paul G. Cassell, JD, Ronald N. Boyce Presidential Professor of Criminal Law and University Distinguished Professor of Law, S. J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah
SIGN UP FOR EMILY'S MAILING LIST
By signing up for Emily's mailing list, you'll receive exclusive updates on her latest book releases, author events, and special promotions. You'll also get access to behind-the-scenes content, including sneak peeks of upcoming books and author interviews. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect.
​
To contact Emily directly, email her at hometownbetrayalauthor@gmail.com