TERF letter - the novel

[clarabenton]

Just posting this here as I know some of you enjoyed the ‘letter to the woman who called me a TERF’ I wrote a few years ago, and the follow up. I found after writing the first one that I still had a lot to say, so I’ve written a novel about women’s rights.

It’s the story of a woman called Maeve, who’s about to embark on a road trip across Europe with her dreadful husband so she can research an article about violence against women as well as try to fix her marriage - when her daughter calls to say she’s murdered her boyfriend. There are lots of real women’s stories in the book, and Mumsnet most definitely gets a mention! I doubt I’m allowed to post a link but the novel is called Spiked, by Caroline Campbell, and you can pre order on Amazon.

The novel was hard to write as I researched the seemingly endless scope of the awful things men do to women, but there’s a call to action in it too, because I have to believe that we can bring about change. And if that all sounds very dark, I hope there are also parts that will make people smile, with a couple of scenes that are very much Mumsnet inspired!

I have finished reading Spiked and am sad at having done so but I couldn't put it down. It is so well written, the asides are brilliant!

@clarabenton you have articulated so much of what is in my head and my heart and told parts of my and too many other women's stories. Thank you

So sorry, I just saw this Nebulous, thank you so much for coming back to post! I’ve had such amazing support from women on here and X for my book and I’m so grateful to you all. Thank you for your kind words as putting my first novel out there felt very scary! A man I know - not a friend, more of an acquaintance- read it at the weekend and wasn’t very complimentary so your words have given me a lift.

I pray one day women might read it and think about how much life has improved for women and girls since 2025. We can only hope x

I've just bought it on Kindle, really looking forward to reading it!

Thanks so much Appalonia - really hope you enjoy it!

@clarabenton , the whole thing's like a singular abusive relationship - our glimmers of hope are always dashed. But hope we will. The more awareness of what goes on and of perpetrators' tactics the more we can protect ourselves and our children. But, yet again, it's down to us. But when those tactics are lit up for all to see they become less productive. Fingers crossed.

I have my theory as to why your acquaintance wasn't complimentary. He's wrong.

I absolutely loved this book - thank you clarabenton. The ending - oh if only!

Thanks Nebulous. I reckon my theory’s the same as yours.

And thanks Bowednotbroken. If only… I’ve had that thought many times this week reading about the vile scum who blinded a poor woman and is getting out of jail early, and the equally disgusting man who murdered his ex, and her mum and sister, may they rest in peace.

If only.

Congrats. Will buy, looks a good read. I can also be found on Amazon (space opera/history) but doubt I am allowed to say here - anyway, outing!

I went back to Spiked this morning to try and find the brilliantly named character (I got the surname immediately and the connection to the first name came to me a couple of days later) and had to re-read many bits whilst on my search, that was not a chore. I eventually found that character from Maeve's primary school - just perfect @clarabenton 👏😆

Anyway, I hereby bump this thread in the hope that it will alert more readers to the must read that is Spiked.

Thanks so much, Nebulous! I’m glad you got the connection to the character’s name 😂- it seemed like exactly the right name for such a person!

Not posted on here for ages but I thought I’d come on to share my very first one star review for transphobia - it actually took longer than I expected!! Thanks to those of you on here who left me nicer feedback and contacted me to say you’d enjoyed the book - it is so appreciated.

hashtag sad times 🤣 I very much enjoyed it.

Thank you! It does blow my mind that in a novel with stories about women suffering terrible abuse at the hands of men, the most offensive thing for this reader was the suggestion men cannot be women - but I also know by now how much this ideology rots people’s brains!