Such an amazing read. It was vulnerable, honest, relatable and powerful. Not even what I was expecting it to be but ended up loving it and have recommended it to people.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and Clark Fredericks for giving me access to this eARC!

Clark exemplifies the utmost bravery in writing this memoir detailing his experiences with childhood assault, substance abuse, and the penal system. My heart continuously broke for both him and his family and friends. Clark's traumatic experiences took place in the 80s but the silencing of assault victims is still so prevalent in today's society. I believe this book would be a helpful resource to other victims as it exemplifies what can. happen when we don't get the help we need. Even though the beginning of the book foreshadowed the most shocking event in Clark's life story, I still found myself gripping my Kindle and gasping.

While Clark did mention his privilege a few times in the book, I do feel that more could have been done to discuss his fellow inmates and why their experience varied so drastically from his. I have had this issue with books written by white authors in the penal system before and I think there is still a lot of work to be done in that area.

Overall, I really do recommend this read if you want heartbreak, strength, and hope in your next memoir.

Thank you @Atriabooks #AtriaPartner for the free copy 💖.

🗓️Out tomorrow! 7/29/25

✨What it is about:
This is the true story of Clark Fredericks, who survived childhood abuse, struggled for years, and eventually found healing after confronting his abuser. Now he speaks out to help others and push for change.✨

💭My thoughts:
A little tough to read through emotionally, this was such a powerful true story about surviving childhood abuse and finding a way to heal. Very well written, it follows Clark as he recounts his experience. As a kid growing up in 1970s rural New Jersey, he was abused by someone everyone trusted: a local cop and Boy Scout leader. For years, Clark kept it all inside, haunted by the trauma, and turned to addiction and destructive behaviors to cope. The shame was overwhelming. After years of silence and inner torment, he finally confronted his abuser in a violent act that led to prison. But that moment also marked the beginning of his healing journey. Now, he uses his voice to help other survivors and advocate for change. This memoir explores his path through pain, justice, and ultimately, personal transformation. It was truly eye-opening and very compelling.
Writing this was such a brave move by Clark, and incredibly inspiring. Though what happened to him was truly horrific, the way he turned it all around and now uses his story to help others is deeply admirable.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
📝Memoirs
📝Stories of redemption
📝Compelling & thought provoking reads
📝Second chances
📝Criminal justice

⚠️CW: Child exploitation and grooming, child sexual abuse, animal abuse, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, murder, blood and gore, imprisonment.

SCARRED: A MEMOIR OF A CHILDHOOD STOLEN AND A LIFE RECLAIMED.
BY: CLARK FREDRICKS

This powerful and raw, Memoir that is ingeniously written by CLARK FREDERICKS, is told with searing honesty is a very disturbing account of a young, and innocent twelve year old boy who courageously shares how he was affected after being molested by someone that the community trusted. A community so safe nobody locked their doors. A wolf in Sheep's clothing was doing horrific acts to innocent young boys. This Memoir, called "SCARRED," is a beautifully, well written true story told by the selfless, Author, whose childhood, and innocence was snatched away from him like a thief in the night. This amazing Author has laid bare his life story, never once sounding like a victim. He spent many years isolated by this brutal sexual abuse that he kept locked up in his huge heart. He doesn't minimize any of his self destructive addictions, but he truly had lost most of his life because of this rape and more he suffered at the hands of a man whose position gave him easy access to a multitude of others, a couple that lost their lives by dying way beyond their time. I can't imagine how much Clark Fredericks life must have been like holding in the insidious secret as long as he did, since it happened during the 1970's before trauma, or childhood abuse was not as well recognized as it is today. We are more aware of pedophiles at this present day, but back in the 1970s, when a trusted family friend molested this courageous Author, it is very understandable that Clark Fredericks kept his horrific abuse to himself. His Memoir is very well written, and he wrote a valuable resource that there's no telling how far reaching his thorough, impacting words that truly is inspirational, and hopeful to anyone who suffered any kind of childhood abuse this can be so helpful. I applaud this author for being so forthcoming by sharing his life story in as much detail, and linear fashion making any childhood victim of severe abuse not feel so alone if they discover this Memoir, called "SCARRED." A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed. I think that this has to be the most profound Memoir in how well written this is that had a powerful affect on me in a long time. I think it is very BRILLIANTLY written so that you can't imagine how much I ended up feeling like I knew Clark, and I don't think I've ever read something so disturbing that my overall thoughts were it is inspirational after reading it. I admit that I was a little reluctant when I had this to read next because I thought it would be depressing, and I'm thrilled that I read this since it focuses not just the pain, and suffering, Clark endured, but by how he left me feeling like I was uplifted after I finished it. I said to myself, "WOW," this Memoir is going to help so many people, because let's be honest, there are sex offenders that exist, and chances are that there will be victims who will continue to have their childhood innocence stolen at the hands of disturbed adults. That's the sad, but realistic truth that from the example of what happened to Clark, by Dennis Pegg, that this happened to many others besides him, since these predators usually blend in our communities until caught. They are often well respected individuals that scare their victims who are children into being for several reasons silently suffering. I think that everyone could benefit from reading this Memoir. It's informative value could be considered a Gold mine of educating parents, and the entire population to make those of us aware of how to be more cognizant that often this happens by the victims blaming themselves, and wracked with guilt, and shame thinking nobody will believe them. Since a child at the age of twelve like Clark was unaware that his predator was doing it to many other young boys, that at the time it occurred, Clark wasn't aware that his predator was doing it to many others who sadly didn't all reclaim their lives, and this same pedophile ended up causing their premature death. Which in Clark's case the predator was a Boy Scout leader, a Sheriff, and a family friend in his community in an idyllic town in Northern, New Jersey. That leads me to say to this author, that I'm so sorry for your loss of your oldest brother, Jay who was affected by the same situation that happened to Clark. The difference was that Clark's self destructive behavior resulted from him self sabotaging his life because of many different addictions from not telling anybody. He described how his predator killed a dog in front of him, and Clark was afraid of his molester who told him to keep what happened to himself. Clark was afraid, that nobody would believe him since children are typically intimidated by well respected adults, and having witnessed this pedophile kill a dog, he had good reason to be frightened into keeping silent. While I was reading it I was able to close the book in admiration for Clark's strength, and perseverance with his positive attitude towards finding meaning in being motivated to seek therapy which he was proactive about making sure he sought out, and actively participated in seeking healing in Prison. Clark ended up after more than three decades of living with the trauma of what he had kept to himself the secret of his molestation snapped, and murdered his molester which he paid for by going to jail in the same County House of Corrections where his pedophile worked as a Sheriff. At that time he had a lawyer who in this unimaginable true story he was sentenced to only five years. When I read this I didn't blame him for what he did because I read about how many other victims this man ruined who continued to molest young boys who some died because of this same pedophile. This might make me sound that I think that it's okay for Clark to murder his abuser, which I don't think Clark should have done. I need to clarify that I definitely am never going to justify murder to be the solution, because I can't imagine Clark was in his right mind when he murdered his abuser. He was examined after he was arrested and charged with murder of the pedophile, by Forensic special experts who when they assessed his mental health determined that he wasn't likely to be deemed dangerous like a sociopath, or psychopath which he didn't seem to have ever harmed anybody as he told his life story in a manner that came across as a likable person. It was determined that he suffered from PTSD, that he had never been treated for. He just snapped and I forgot what the term was called. He saw the man who molested him in a convenience store with young boys, and the person who I spent reading his Memoir was not the type of man who ever would harm someone in his right mind. However, I read Clark's Memoir, and he outlined his horrific life of PTSD, where I read how approximately three decades of suffering through the trauma I was able to like him, and he only got sentenced five years which I was happy for him. Even the judge at his trial was sorry after the agonies Clark lived with for over three decades that he made a comment of something like regret for sentencing Clark for five years. He was in jail, and right way he started to turn his life around while awaiting what the official charges would be. He decided that he would find meaning and purpose by taking this situation and turning it into a positive experience by participating in group therapy and individual sessions. You would have to read the Memoir to see why I admire him. He turned his life around by becoming an advocate for changing the law for other victims of childhood abuse and he has some beautiful scripture that he truly lived by, and it made the reading of this Memoir soothing for me to read this knowing that he incorporated some excerpts that gave his Memoir authenticity, and as I finished the book I felt hopeful. I know that I felt grateful for the opportunity to have learned about Clark's story, and I appreciated that the Bible excerpts that he included left me feeling hopeful instead of depressed because I was worried about this lowering my mood. Instead of ever sounding like a victim he wrote an impeccable account of his story with the intent of helping other victims, and Clark Fredericks has accomplished his goal of sharing his brutally honest life which I know will help other people know that with perseverance a horrific experience doesn't have to define you. It's one of the best Memoirs I've ever read. It deserves to reach as wide of an audience as possible. I highly recommend it since its intent was a selfless act towards hoping to reach those who have suffered any form of childhood abuse, can not be stuck in silent suffering, it's a testament that a tragedy can be used to triumph over tragedy. You might find that you know somebody who has suffered by any form of childhood abuse, and by reading this recognize the signs of undetected trauma, left untreated how damaging its effects can last a lifetime. . INSPIRATIONAL! UNFORGETTABLE!

Publication Date:: July 29, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Clark Fredericks, and Atria for generously providing me with my wonderful ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

#Scarred #ClarkFredericks #Atria #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 29, 2025
Trigger warning: Depicts child exploitation and grooming, child sexual abuse, blood and gore, murder and animal abuse.
As a young boy, Clark Fredericks was sexually abused by his Boy Scout leader, a law enforcement officer with the Sheriff’s department. Scared to come forward with his truth, Clark suffered a lifetime of addiction, drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex and was unable to commit to a job or a partner for any length of time. One night, after seeing a famous serial sex offender on the news, something in Clark snapped and he drove to his molester’s house, slitting his throat with a knife that was given to him by his Scout leader. Afterward, Clark was put on trial for murder, resulting in a tumultuous legal battle which had serious implications for the justice system, as well as Clark himself.
“Scarred: A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed” by Clark Fredericks is in no way an easy read. Haunting, tragic, disturbing yet also heartfelt, Fredericks shares his journey, through the good and the very, very bad, in an honest and powerful way. Regardless of your thoughts and opinions on the actions Clark took, this book will leave a mark on you and there is no more relevant time than now to read a book on the stigmas and secrecy that still exist around sexual assault.
Obviously, what happened to Clark is horrible, but the way he managed to turn his life around and be an advocate for others in nothing less than phenomenal. “Scarred” will inspire anyone, abuse survivors or not, to want to make the necessary changes to be a better person, for others but especially, for themselves.
In a strange kind of way, “Scarred” is a redemption story, a tale of the bad guy getting his comeuppance, which the world needs right now. Although Clark very clearly discourages others from taking the actions he did, I don’t think there is a human being alive who will show any empathy for the murdered pedophile. Clark is the David vs. Goliath, not just his rapist but the system at large, as he takes on the Supreme Court and finally is able to advocate for real, concrete change on a massive scale.
“Scarred” is thought-provoking and dark, but it is a brave memoir worth reading and I praise Fredericks for sharing his story.

This was one book that gave me all the feelings. I was heartbroken, furious, relieved, happy, sad, excited.

It is just mind-blowing when a book can make you feel all those things. The story is not a happy one at the beginning but turns out a very inspiring one at the end, one success story to be celebrated. I just love and appreciate when authors are so honest, raw and vulnerable. It makes us see that every bad situation can be turn out in a good one if we are willing to change.

In the case of Clark Fredericks, an early life of sexual abuse, then drugs, alcohol abuse, gambling, and then murder, the ultimate sin, how he overcame all those situations, with the help of other people and how now he helps others. Truly and unbelievable story with an inspiring and healing message of hope for others.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an amazing book. I vaguely remember hearing about this case playing out in court but nothing compares to the words from the man at the center of it, who lived it. I felt feelings of cheering on vigilante justice while also reconciling that it’s not right and lessons can be learned when accepting consequences for breaking the law. I am sure it was hard for Clark to relive everything but he did so with grace and has left on the pages he wrote a clear message to help others in similar situations or just struggling with trauma. 10/10 will read again!

Thank you Netgalley, Clark Fredericks & Atria books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Powerful, Unflinching Memoir of Survival and Justice

Scarred by Clark Fredericks is one of the most gripping and emotionally raw memoirs I’ve ever read. Fredericks doesn’t just tell his story—he lays bare his soul, taking readers through the harrowing experiences of childhood abuse, the internal battles that followed, and ultimately, his fight for justice and healing. His honesty is searing, his pain palpable, but what stands out most is his resilience.

This book is not just about trauma—it’s about the strength to survive it, speak out, and reclaim your life. Fredericks writes with clarity and purpose, transforming his personal tragedy into a powerful message of empowerment for other survivors. It’s heartbreaking, inspiring, and deeply human. A must-read for anyone who believes in justice, redemption, and the enduring power of truth.

Five stars without hesitation.

This is a great book. My first of this Author. Plan to read other books. I am grateful that I was able to read this in advance.

This was a very difficult yet powerful read. I don't think any type of description can prepare you for the kind of nightmare the author had to endure in his youth and through out his adulthood. But reading his journey towards health, healing, and reclamation was just so moving and impactful. With all of the traumatic events in his life, he was able to seek help in a place most would feel to just give up. This book was definitely inspiring to read.

Although I enjoyed this book, it was definitely a tough one to read. I enjoyed the rawness of Clark's writing. He laid it all out, every trial and tribulation he endured, and showed that we are in charge of our own fate. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I love redemption memoirs and this one delivers! At age 12, Clark Fredericks was molested and raped by his boy scout leader, sending him down a path of drug use, alcoholism and instability. He kept his secret for 30 years. When he finally finds the courage to speak out and confront his abuser, his life again takes a negative turn. However, through therapy and rehabilitation, Clark is able to take the worst moments in his life and turn them into inspiration for others. This book was challenging, due both to the subject matter and the ways that Clark chose to handle his problems. I had empathy for him, but he definitely doesn't portray himself as a "good guy" until the end, when things become almost sacchrine. I commend the author for opening up about his story, lobbying for the rights of victims of sexual abuse, and helping others in the same situation. I just didn't love his delivery.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Scarred: a memoir of a childhood stolen and a life reclaimed by Clark Fredericks is a beautifully written, heartbreaking and triumphant story that needs to be told and that more people need to know about!

This story is about Clark, who suffers grooming and sexual abuse from someone he trusted, someone who was a pillar of the community, someone that one would normally go to for help. It's about how traumatic that event was for him and how it continued to manifest in different ways throughout his life. From numbing himself with drugs and alcohol to becoming a gamble-holic the trauma continued to present itself.

The story opens with Clark murdering his abuser Dennis Pegg. Once he is arrested and brought to jail he has time to reflect on how he came to be in that position. It takes you through the grooming and abuse, through the early signs of Clark acting out, and then the reader watches and he descents lower and lower. Everything eventually comes to a point when he runs into Dennis years later. Dennis is with another young boy, he was still continuing to abuse and groom these young men all these years later. Dennis knew something had to be done and took matters into his own hands. He also took us through the aftermath of the crime, his time in jail and what occured afterwards, his glow up, his redemption. How he has gone on to help many other trauma victims and to help inact and change different laws to help countless others.

Special thank you to Clark for writing this memoir and exposing what you went through in the hopes that it helps others. Thank you for sharing your book with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review. This book comes to stores July 29th 2025.

I went into this book having never heard about Clark Frederick’s and his story. I’ve read other memoirs detailing the traumatic abuse individuals have experienced and the journey they took towards healing, but I have to say I don’t think I’ve read as many written by a man. I can’t help but think how Clark’s story will help other men especially, and those who have lived with a secret they felt they had to keep. It was interesting to hear about Clark’s life and his journey through addiction, and eventually, toward healing. Thank you Simon and Schuster for the ARC provided via NetGalley!

I found I could not put this book down. Clark Fredrick’s was brutally honest about the molestation he suffered in his childhood and the consequences he faced in the years to follow. That was hard to read, but. And it is the but that is critical to the success of this book. Mr. Fredrick’s spared no one, most of all himself. He lets the reader into his mind and actions and you feel it all along with him. I highly recommend this book to those who have suffered as did Mr Fredrick’s, to those who know someone who has suffered, to those who live someone who has suffered. I appreciate the opportunity I had to read an advance copy of this book thanks to Net Galley.

What a powerful story I cried way too many times and needed a break a few times. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us

Most importantly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Clark Fredericks and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.

"I had just murdered Dennis Pegg, a longtime family friend, my boyhood hero. I killed him without mercy–to face, up close and personal–with my bare hands and a razor-sharp knife, the same knife he taught me how to sharpen when I was just a kid." -Clark Fredericks, 'Scarred: A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed'

Given the topic, this one was difficult to get through. It also took place in the same area in which I grew up. So this could have very well happened to one of my own brothers or friends. (Thank God it didn't.) That being said, I was eager to learn of Mr. Fredericks' childhood prior to the traumatic event that was the basis of his story.

The author's vulnerability and honesty during the rehashing of his childhood trauma couldn't be more admirable. He does a phenomenal job of explaining where his mind was at during every stage of his life and how it related to what happened to him, how it affected him. For this, I applaud him. However, what bothered me most is his lack of remorse. Don't get me wrong, harming a child in ANY way, ESPECIALLY this way, is deplorable. BEYOND deplorable. Despicable. Disgusting. Revolting. But his writing seemed to have glorified taking the life of someone, made it honorable, and this didn't sit right with me.

All in all, this was a good read. I liked it. I don't know if I'd say I enjoyed it. I admire your courage and resilience, Mr. Fredericks. I wish you healing and happiness in your freedom.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Clark tells his story of child sex abuse, to murdering his predator, to prison, and finally to healing and transformation. Very well written and engaging. His continuing advocacy and speaking events are truly life-changing for so many people.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WOW. Clark bared it all and then some in this memoir of his childhood abuse and abuser. As someone who was lucky enough to not be affected by this type of abuse, it was actually jarring to read about how this affected his life moving beyond childhood. Such an important story and testament to however painful it may be, we must confront and deal with our personal feelings and events in order to try and find a way to move past them. This read more like fiction and I was compulsively interested in the story.