No One Knew
GENRE
DRAMA MEMOIR
Core Theme
REDEMPTION, MENTAL ILLNESS
TIME PERIOD
2000s
COMPARABLE TITLES
MARRIAGE STORY
CHARACTER LIST
RENEE: TRUSTING, NURTURING, EMPATHETIC
JOE: NARCISSISTIC, SELFISH, SECRETIVE, MANIPULATIVE RENEE’S HUSBAND
SHANE: FUN, ADVENTUROUS, JOE’S FRIEND
EMMA: SWEET, KIND, RENEE’S DAUGHTER
CHRISTY: OUTSPOKEN, FORGIVING, JOE’S EX-WIFE
CALLIE: NEEDY, YOUNG, JOE’S DAUGHTER
Logline
When an unsuspecting mother of two marries a man who is a sociopath, she finds herself in a whirlwind of lies, infidelity, and endless betrayals by a very evil individual. The abuse she endures is painfully raw and results in a long, arduous, and terrifying journey.
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34,35-54,55+
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Phoenix, AZ and Newberg, OR
Based on a True Story
Yes
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Publisher: Self-published
Year Published: 2020
Starting Description
The story opens with Renee going through a divorce and becoming a single mother that ultimately wants to get back out into the dating world again. She meets and falls for Joe, and feels an instant connection. Joe seemed the charming and devoted man any woman could ever wish for.
Ending Description
Little did Renee know, she was now entangled in the web of a sociopath, as she struggled to remain rational, often blaming herself for Joe's erratic and abusive behavior. Breaking away after eight years, she regains her life and her self-esteem.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
978-0-578-68852-7
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Tragedy,Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Renee
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Gracious,Honorable,Naive,Obedient,Funny,Romantic,Sophisticated,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Joe
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Aggressive,Charming,Complex,Crazy,Confident,Engaging,Narcisstic,Masculine,Power Hungry,Funny,Secretive,Manipulative,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
A single mom meets the man of her dreams. He quickly starts becoming psychologically abusive and uses her insecurities against her. After nearly losing herself in his abuse, she is finally able to escape and start a new life.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile is accurate.
Draw of Story
Hoping that one of the characters would have a compelling arc is what makes the story interesting.
Possible Drawbacks
The book focuses so much victimhood that it overshadows everything. Perhaps fictionalizing a narrative would make the book more absorbing.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The sociopathy of one of the characters is the hook of the story.
Fanbase Potential
I doubt this would have a large fan base. It is a very personal account of a bad marriage and would probably not resonate with a huge audience.
Awards Potential
Awards potential is unlikely given that the story lacks an engaging plot.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MARRIAGE STORY
What’s New About the Story
The story is original because it is based on one woman's marriage. However, embellishing the story a bit could make it more unique and enjoyable.
Lead Characters
The character of Joe is by far the most interesting character. He has a lot of flaws and his unpredictability makes him stand out.
Uniqueness of Story
This could definitely use some narrative enhancement. Adding a developed storyline that really explores Joe's secret life would be a transformative improvement.
Possible Formats
Film - Streaming, Unscripted
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
This is missing an exciting plot. It is more of a list of grievances than an unfolding chronicle.
Tips for Improvement
To consider this for development, the story needs to be elevated. There would need to be an effort to fictionalize a history around Joe's secret life or adding some other sort of intriguing details to round out the plot.
Brief
A single mom remarries the man of her dreams. He soon shows his true colors and becomes psychologically abusive. The marriage deteriorates and she tries to go on with her life after they divorce.
What We Liked
This brings awareness to the perils of marrying someone who has abusive tendencies. It could offer an inspirational and supportive message to those who have suffered through relationships touched by mental illness.
Film: This could be developed into a character study of Joe. He is by far the most interesting character and perhaps fictionalizing a narrative about his secret life would make it more interesting for audiences.
TV: Renee’s story could be presented as a segment in a documentary style television series dealing with sociopathy.
Key points: Based on real people; Brings awareness to mental illness; Female lead - redemption; Potentially positive message people dealing with mental illness in a relationship; Niche subject matter
Synopsis
Renee is a single mom to her children, Ryan and Emma, after an amicable divorce from her first husband. When she decides to date again, she goes online. She meets Joe, who is handsome and charming. They have an instant connection and he seems like the perfect man for her. They quickly move in together after a whirlwind romance.
Joe has a daughter named Hannah from his marriage to his first wife, Christy. Hannah quickly befriends Renee’s daughter, Emma, and they become a happy family. Renee starts to run Joe’s business, letting her own career go. Running Joe’s business and taking care of the kids, causes Renee to lose a bit of her own identity. She is dominated by Joe’s moods.
Joe has a baby daughter from an indiscretion in Texas. He wants to gain custody of her from her drug addicted mother. Though Joe has shown himself to run hot and cold, Renee agrees to be supportive of him through the hearing. The united front they present, helps them ultimately to be awarded custody of Callie.
Joe is very manipulative and uses Renee’s insecurities against her. After many hurt feelings and blaming herself for everything, Renee starts to realize that Joe may not be the man of her dreams. However, she is in love with him so when he asks, she agrees to marry him. Soon after the wedding, Joe talks Renee into moving across country for business. This means that Renee has to leave Ryan behind with his father so he can finish high school and Hannah will have to stay behind with her mom as well.
Renee looks at the move as an opportunity for a fresh start. But things don’t get better. In fact Joe grows more mean, distant and spends more and more time with his new best friend, Shane. Renee holds down the fort while Joe is always off with Shane. After a trip Joe and Shane take a long trip overseas together, Renee sees evidence on his phone that Joe has been unfaithful.
Though it’s clear the marriage is over, Renee and Joe try marriage counseling. It fails and the counselor tells Renee that Joe may be living a secret life. Joe files for divorce the next day. Though she is sad to leave Callie, Renee knows that getting away from Joe is the best thing for her and Emma. They get their own place, and Renee learns from a friend that Joe’s behavior was indicative of sociopathy. This helps Renee come to terms with the circumstances of as well as the manipulation that led to the divorce. This knowledge helps Renee gain her confidence back. After some time of healing, Renee starts to date again and goes on to live a happy life.