A Time for Truth: A Daughter’s Search for Justice and Healing will be published by Hachette Books Ireland in February 2025.
In August 2015, Mr Corbett was killed at his home in North Carolina by his wife Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens. Ms Corbett Lynch, then aged 8, and her brother Jack were asleep in the house upstairs the night their father was killed.
They were left orphaned when the Martens killed their father, as their mother Mags Fitzpatrick Corbett had died in 2006.
Her memoir has been described as a “inspiring”, “courageous” and “powerful”, and will see her tell her story for the first time, and share memories of her life with her father and her account leading up to the night the Martens killed him.
“Since 2015, I’ve always had someone else tell my story,” Ms Corbett Lynch said.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – 19th September 2024
“There are podcasts, documentaries, magazine articles and forums dedicated to uncovering the truth about my father’s killing, with so many front pages over the years that I lost count. All of which attempted to tell my story but without my words.
“I’ve had my truth distorted, twisted and changed because I was a child but the truth will always force its way into the light.
“My brother and I had our words weaponised against us by the people we had trusted and loved so they could mitigate their crime of killing the most important person in my life. They betrayed our trust to avoid consequences for their actions.
“In telling my story, I relive the emotion I felt sitting in court rooms as our family fought for justice and the heartbreak at every email sent to my family from across the world to deliver yet more disappointing news.
Jason and Molly were married in 2011, three years after he advertised for a nanny/au pair to help him with his children
“Every teardrop that fell as I asked myself ‘why me?’. But this story will also explore what I discovered inside myself to keep fighting for justice for my dad. I am not the victim in my story nor am I the hero.
“I am the survivor and I want this book to show that anyone who has experienced trauma can survive too.”
Sarah Corbett Lynch (in white) with Tracey Corbett Lynch (right) at court.
In November 2023, Molly and Tom Martens had convictions for second-degree murder overturned and accepted a plea deal of voluntary manslaughter. This June, they were released from prison in North Carolina.
Ms Corbett Lynch’s memoir will look back to the aftermath of her father’s death “and how her words were weaponised amidst lies and deception during her family’s gruelling nine year battle for justice”.
It will also explore the family’s “devastation” following the Martens being released from prison after serving just three-and-a-half year.
Publishing director of Hachette Books Ireland Ciara Doorley said: “Sarah is a remarkable young woman. Her story is one of unimaginable loss and grief but it’s also one of courage, strength and love. We are proud to be working with Sarah to help her tell her story.”
