Chained Birds
A Crimemoir
by Carla Conti
Narrated by Carla Conti
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Pub Date 16 Aug 2025 | Archive Date 1 Oct 2025
Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Crimemoir Audio
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Description
🚀 CHAINED BIRDS: A CRIMEMOIR is an author-narrated studio production and re-launch of the award-winning true crime memoir. Continue listening at the end for a sneak peek at author Carla Conti's next true crime book, THE JACKLIGHTER, coming in 2026. ✨
AWARDS
🏆 August 2025 Finalist for Book Adaptation Needed from Page Turner Awards
🏆 June 2025 Finalist True Crime from National Indie Excellence Awards
🏆 May 2025 1st Place True Crime from Next Generation Indie Book Awards
🏆 May 2025 Winner True Crime from Indie Reader Discovery Awards
🏆 May 2025 Silver Medal True Crime from Independent Press Book Awards
🏆 April 2025 1st Place Nellie Bly Journalism from Chanticleer Intl’ Book Awards
🏆 Feb 2025 1st Place Debut Author from Feathered Quill Book Awards
BOOK DESCRIPTION
After three years in Europe, former journalist Carla Conti just wanted to settle her family into the suburbs of Philadelphia. But her high school friend Scott Powell, a lawyer handling a brutal prison stabbing case, needed a favor. Before she knew it, Carla became part of the defense team and was mired in the terrifying world of federal prison gangs, penal abuse, and corruption.
Then, when she agreed to write a tell-all book on the violent machinations behind the court case—with Scott’s client as an inside source—the stakes turned deadly. Two different prison gangs issued “hit orders” against the prisoner she and Scott now considered a friend, and the journalist and defense attorney were imperiled by association.
CHAINED BIRDS: A CRIMEMOIR is the story of Carla’s 10-year journey to advocate for federal inmate Kevin Sanders and help him re-enter society after prison. But the mission came at a cost as Carla struggled to balance her own, Scott’s, and Kevin’s safety while writing an exposé on the horrific conditions that led to the shutdown of an experimental prison program in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Part investigative thriller, part raw memoir, CHAINED BIRDS is a gripping exposé of systemic injustice and a powerful reminder of the resilience it takes to uncover the truth.
A Note From the Publisher
Chained Birds: A Crimemoir contains graphic depictions of violence, including prison fights, abuse, and sexual assault, as well as strong language. Addiction is also a recurring theme.
Readers should also be aware that this book delves into sensitive political themes tied to significant national events over the past decade. Through frank discussions and character reactions, the narrative explores the growing political divide in the United States, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cultural shifts that followed. While these reflections are integral to the story, SOME READERS MAY FIND THE POLITICAL CONTENT CHALLENGING OR POLARIZING. PLEASE APPROACH WITH CARE.
Advance Praise
“An eye-opening exposé … SHE PRESENTED THE NARRATIVE IN A CAPTIVATING STYLE … The dialogue was rich and authentic, allowing the listener to become fully immersed … ”
—AudiobookReviewer.com on the author-narrated audiobook
“Abuse, cover-ups, revenge, paranoia … Chained Birds presents … a riveting series of events that reads with the drama of fiction, DELIVERED WITH THE ONE-TWO PUNCH OF REALITY.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Chained Birds will generate emotions from frustration to sadness and even awe at the events that transpired. Carla Conti has penned a book DESTINED TO BE A FUTURE TRUE CRIME CLASSIC.”
—Manhattan Book Review
“ONE OF THE YEAR’S BEST THRILLERS … An emotional, eye-popping and personal exposé of the American prison system that begins with an orchestrated stabbing and ends with a realistic exploration of second chances.”
—BestThrillers.com
“RAW AND UNFLINCHING … a deep dive into systemic corruption, gang dynamics, and the arduous journey toward justice … this impactful read lingers long after the final page.”
—Indie Reader
“A haunting and compelling true crime memoir that delves deep into the dark, often unseen corners of the American criminal justice system ... GRIPPING, OFTEN READING LIKE A THRILLER, but the fact that it’s rooted in real events makes it all the more chilling.”
—Readers' Favorite
“Conti writes with an endearing balance of humor and passion … two great books in one: a captivating true crime story … and AN ENGROSSING MEMOIR OF A JOURNALIST MAKING A DIFFERENCE.”
—Independent Book Review
Marketing Plan
The updated audiobook for CHAINED BIRDS: A CRIMEMOIR has just been launched and is pending "wide" distribution via INaudio (formerly Find Away Voices). By October, the audiobook is expected to reappear on Amazon/Audible, plus will be AVAILABLE FOR LIBRARIES via OverDrive, Bibliotheca, and Baker & Taylor.
This section will be updated with review links as the audiobook becomes available at places like Amazon/Audible, Kobo, Chirp, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Books, AudioBooks.com, and Spotify.
In the meantime, reviewers can leave audiobook reviews at the eBook or print links below 😊
Available Editions
| EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
| ISBN | 9798999460110 |
| PRICE | US$14.99 (USD) |
| DURATION | 14 Hours, 11 Minutes |
